Infamous for his laidback and indulgent lifestyle, former Punjab chief minister and scion of the erstwhile Patiala royal family Capt Amarinder Singh is dealing with speed these days. His day starts soon after sunrise with an intense interaction with people from the home constituency of his wife, Parneet Kaur, before he starts hopping around the state addressing election meetings.DNA caught up with him on a busy campaign day.
How seriously are you taking the election of your wife from Patiala and son Raninder Singh’s from Bhatinda where he is facing Sukhbir Badal’s wife Harsimrat Kaur?
I am not at all worried about Patiala, because I have been regularly campaigning here. But I am anxious about Raninder bcause the Akalis would go whole hog to spoil the pitch for him. Sukhbir Badal [deputy CM] would use muscle power to avoid the embarrassment of facing the defeat. On polling day [May 7], I would go to Bathinda to ensure that the Akalis don’t try cowing down the Congress workers there.
What are the issues, on which you would try to corner the Akalis?
The main points of our campaign have been the dismal performance of the Shiromani Akali Dal-BJP government in the past two years and reckless use of the police against Congress workers.
You have been often criticising CM Parkash Singh Badal for promoting his family members in politics. But a similar charge could be levelled against you as well because your wife and son are also contesting as Congress candidates...
Parneet and Raninder have strived hard to carve a niche for themselves. While Parneet got the ticket for being a sitting MP, Raninder had worked hard in the Bathinda constituency to qualify himself for the ticket. Unlike Badal I have not got in-laws of my son and cousins into active politics.
Do you face problem of dissension within the state Congress?
Not really.
How do you rate chances of your party in Punjab?
Very bright. It might as well be a clean sweep for the Congress in Punjab.
How do you share your time between reading and politicking?When is your book expected to hit the stands?
I have not been reading much these days, but focusing all my attention on proof-reading my manuscript [of his book The Last Sunset].
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