I joined AAP because of the Congress’s lack of discipline, says Dr. Raj Kumar Chabbewal

Recently, Dr. Raj Kumar Chabbewal moved from Hoshiarpur to the AAP, where he was fielded. By trade, radiologist, he has served as Congress’s chairman of the SC cell, deputy leader of the opposition in the Vidhan Sabha, and two-term MLA from the Chabbewal Assembly seat. Dr. Chabbewal claims that “AAP is a better platform” to work with and provide more than other parties in an interview with Deepkamal Kaur. The passages:

What forced you to go from the Congress to the AAP?

There was indiscipline in Congress. At its height, there was factionalism. I had the impression that my efforts were failing to produce results. The party had gotten pretty tough to work in. I’m having a great time at AAP and feel quite at ease.

You were criticizing the state government’s excessive debt in the Assembly only three days prior to joining the AAP. What caused the abrupt change in heart?

The Budget paper indicates that the debt still exists. However, I believe that AAP is doing a good job, and people like its policies and general manner of doing things.

Have you moved under duress because you were the target of a government investigation for forging sanction documents under the Punjab Nirman Scheme in advance of the 2022 elections?

We received official approval for the initiative, and each recipient was to get between Rs 10,000 and Rs 15,000. The Congress administration of the time had already disbursed Rs 80 lakh in funds. An additional sum of Rs 4 crore was to be distributed. After conducting an investigation, the DC of Hoshiarpur declared that there was absolutely no money theft. Where is the proof of distribution if, as alleged, I distributed 4,601 punishment letters? Thus, the whole tale is made up.

What is your opinion on Anita Som Parkash, your BJP rival?

Inactive in the constituency was her spouse, Som Parkash, the current Member of Parliament. Beyond Phagwara, he had no personal contact with any of the constituents. Additionally, unlike in 2019, the party is not in an alliance with SAD this time around, which continues to be a major disadvantage for them.

Even in 2019, you ran for Congress, but you were defeated by almost 48,000 votes. How are you going to work from now on?

Back then, I had won five out of nine portions. Perhaps I had misjudged the reaction in a few places, particularly in the belt that HP was next to. Still, I feel more at home in AAP. The party is receiving a major boost from the zero power bill initiative.

What is your plan for Hoshiarpur for the next five years?

As a physician, my top goal will be to establish a government hospital in Jalandhar, for which there have been long-term commitments. I also want to turn Punjab University’s regional campus into a full-fledged university. In order to create jobs, I also want to acquire a PSU in Hoshiarpur that is comparable to a rail coach factory. Improved rail access from Tanda to Hoshiarpur is required, as is four-laning from Hoshiarpur to Dasuya and Garhshankar. Hoshiarpur, which is located in the foothill region, has enormous tourist potential. I shall thus also be working on it.