BJP’s mayoral candidate Sham Lal Bansal (71) promises to fix major civic issues within 100 days if he wins the Panchkula municipal corporation elections. In a talk with TOI, he spells out his agenda.If elected, what are your priority areas?Other than what promises we have made in our manifesto, I have decided to fix certain public issues in the first 100 days of my tenure. All road gullies will be fixed before monsoon to curb waterlogging, sewerage problems will be resolved, immediate patchwork on roads will be carried out and maintenance of parks will be undertaken in this period. There are previous manifesto promises, including curbing stray dog & cattle menace and rehabilitation of slums, among others, that have not been fulfilled?. What new thing will you do? It is not like that. We have got several gaushalas built and shifted cattle there. But these keep migrating from Punjab. We have also run effective sterilisation programmes. As far as, the promise of building flats for slums rehabilitation is concerned, the state govt has itself announced it so it will be done. It is the BJP that built 2,700 flats earlier and 6,500 more are ready. Other work in each ward will also be done with the support of the govt.Not just unfulfilled promises, even two cases of embezzlement of funds surfaced in the civic body. How will you stop that from happening again?It was our govt that uncovered the two cases and, in no time, the entire amount was back in Panchkula corporation’s bank accounts. We also got a CBI probe ordered into the matter, and action is being taken.How is this election different for you? (He had thrice unsuccessfully fought state assembly polls)There was no public awareness at that time. It was only after 2014 when ‘Vikas Purush’ PM Narendra Modi came that transformation happened. Later, former chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar worked with good intentions for the state. So, the whole environment has changed.There are other candidates also for the post of mayor. Your take on them?The AAP and INLD have no public base, only Congress is in competition. The Congress will pay the price for not supporting the Women Reservation Bill. ‘Nari shakti’ will teach them a lesson.There are talks about a “triple-engine” govt?How can Congress do it? Neither the Congress MLA nor MP are seen in the city. I, on the other hand. have been among people since 1970 in Panchkula.What is a challenge for you in this election?There is no challenge. I am only trying to get love from people, that’s it.
