DECODE PUNJAB: Will quit politics if Banga doesn’t get medical college in year: Sukhwinder Kumar Sukhi
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, August 18
“I will quit politics in case my constituency (Banga) does not get a medical college within a year,” said MLA Dr Sukhwinder Kumar Sukhi during an exclusive interview with The Tribune as part of its Decode Punjab digital series here today.
I have enjoyed government salary and perks for over seven years as MLA, however, my functioning has been zero… I am asking people to give me one year to deliver what I have promised. I am not asking the CM to make me minister. If health cards are issued, people will be able to see that I haven't been a political turncoat for selfish reasons. Dr Sukhwinder Kumar Sukhi, Banga MLA
After leaving the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on the ticket of which he was elected MLA in 2017 and 2022 Assembly elections, Dr Sukhi said, “I am joining AAP because I want to get best health facilities for the people in my constituency. That did not happen while I was in the SAD.”
“I have enjoyed government salary and perks for over seven years as MLA, however, my functioning has been zero. When I was a chairman of the Planning Board (Nawanshahr), before I became an MLA in 2017, the government introduced free treatment worth Rs 5 lakh for the poor. We got prepared 30,400 cards for them to avail benefits under the Ayushman Bharat scheme. The number fell to around 2,000 during the Congress regime (2017-2022). I could not get a single Ayushman Bharat card made while being an MLA. Not a single card has been made by the AAP government. I have discussed the matter with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and he has assured immediate action,” he said.
“I have joined AAP because now I have a direct access to the CM. I have talked to him about the problems faced by the people and he has responded with immediate action on the ground. I am asking people to give me one year to deliver what I have promised. I am not asking the CM to make me minister. If health cards are issued, people will be able to see that I haven’t been a political turncoat for selfish reasons.”
“I never had any differences with SAD president Sukhbir Badal during the entire period that I spent in that party. I was always in the Badal camp. Sukhbir is a wise politician. At the same time, I feel I don’t have a very long life. If tomorrow people ask my children what did your father do while being an MLA, they should have something to list out. What purpose does my being faithful to the SAD serve, if I am not able to deliver anything for my people,” he added.
(Watch video interview with Banga MLA Sukhi at https://www.youtube.com/
channel/UCc8J8UvzwMZHnO0MX1NTmSw)
