This time Congress’s Dr Shikha Meel Barala won from the Chomu assembly consituency. In a special interview with The Daily Guardian, Barala spoke about her experience of becoming a first-time winner. She said that even though Congress is now in opposition, there will be no lack of development in Chomu. Here are edited excerpts from the interview:
Q: You are a doctor, so how did the idea of entering politics come about?
A: See, my entry into politics is a special coincidence. I had never thought about entering politics before. But when I came into the medical profession, I saw the intricacies of people’s problems and understood the suffering of the people. I felt that some things can be solved through politics. Relief can be provided to the people through governments. People liked my vision, and they motivated me to enter politics. Congress expressed confidence, and I have been successful in reaching out to the conscious voters of our region.
Q: What major issues do you see in the Chomu assembly constituency that you will work on?
A: Chomu is a constituency where there is a higher population in rural areas along with the urban population. The rural population is closely connected with agriculture, and this is their livelihood. However, there is a shortage of water for irrigation here. There is a problem with drinking water. In this regard, my effort will be to connect Chomu with water from Bisalpur. Under the campaign to connect rivers, the Bandi River here will be connected with other small rivers so that the groundwater level increases and our farmer brothers can cultivate. If the farmer is prosperous, our country will progress. Along with this, in the medical, education, road, transportation, and all sectors, I have many plans that I will fulfil.
Q: When you go to the assembly, what will be the first issue that you will raise?
A: In the very first session of the assembly, I want to raise two issues prominently. The first issue is related to our connection with Bisalpur. All the villages in the Chomu assembly constituency should be supplied with water from Bisalpur for drinking water. Along with this, the second issue is related to our Chomu’s world-famous Samod Veer Hanumanji. A ropeway has been constructed in our temple. But so far, this ropeway has not been started. The temple is quite high. In this way, elderly individuals, along with differently-abled children, cannot have darshan. Therefore, my second issue will be to end all obstacles and start the ropeway.
Q: You are a woman yourself and also a specialist in women’s health. In this regard, what efforts will you make regarding the issues related to women?
A: Yes. Being a specialist in women’s health, I understand every problem of half the population better. Being a woman myself, I will make an effort to present every issue of women prominently to everyone. Better healthcare for women, good education for girls, women’s self-employment, scholarships, and girls’ hostels, there are dozens of such issues that I have in mind. I will not only limit them to my assembly constituency but will present them in the assembly for all women and girls in the entire state.
Q: Since you are in opposition, do you think Chomu will be able to achieve as much development as a legislator from a ruling party can?
A: As far as the opposition is concerned, we are in a strong position in the opposition. Our opposition is not weak. Therefore, in the development works, Chomu will not lag in any way. I will work in the interest of the public and based on the suggestions of the public through my MLA fund. There will be no discrimination in working with people of any caste or religion. I will move forward with everyone. In this way, you can be sure that there will be more work in our Chomu than from an MLA of a ruling party.
Q: If the BJP government discontinues the schemes of the previous Congress government, what will you do?
A: When Prime Minister Narendra Modi was addressing BJP rallies, he guaranteed that no scheme would be discontinued. Now the test of his guarantees has also begun. We will see whether the PM’s guarantee passes or fails. Along with this, if our government brings better schemes without discontinuing the schemes of the previous Congress government, or shuts them down, our Congress party will strongly oppose it, from the streets to the assembly. Injustice will not be tolerated by the people of Rajasthan.
