CHANDIGARH: With over 50 per cent voters in the state between 18 and 39 years, all the political parties this time have tried to give maximum tickets to the youth to connect better with the people. Both Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) have given around two dozen tickets each to the young guns, while new entrant in Punjab politics Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has given maximum of 33 tickets to young leaders.
AAP’s Anu Randhawa, 35, and a post graduate in public administration from Panjab University said, “We will bring about the change that is waiting to happen. Old horses in politics make promises in the air and their days are numbered. These days the people want real-time solutions and results, which only we can provide.” Anu, daughter of late Congress legislature Jasjit Singh Randhawa, starts her day early and attends around 10 nukkad meetings in a day where she addresses around 200 people every meeting.
She also visits around 300 houses every day and interacts with voters on a one-on-one basis. First generation politician, 33-year-old Birinder Singh Dhillon is contesting on Congress ticket from Ropar. “When I told my family that I want to join politics there was lot of opposition but I stuck to my stand,” he said. For Dhillon it all started when Congress Vice-president Rahul Gandhi visited Panjab University. He was so motivated that he first joined the NSUI and later the youth Congress. “The system has collapsed and a change is necessary. Pick-up any history book and you will see that revolution across the globe was started by the youth,” he added.
AAP’s Rupinder Kaur Ruby, 28, joined politics as she wants to make the state corruption and drug free. “My father is the founder member of AAP and the issues raised by party chief Arvind Kejriwal motivates me,” she added. Satbir Singh Kahtra, 34, a lawyer-cum-MBA is trying his luck on a SAD ticket from Patiala. He got interested in politics after Anna Hazare’s anti-corruption movement in Delhi and after that there was no looking back.
With so many youngsters in the fray it’s time to see if this proves to be a game-changer in Punjab.