Rajasthan
‘Centre gave Rs 347 cr to develop Amber as top tourist spot, but Raj govt did not execute plan’ | Jaipur News
Amid his busy campaign schedule in Amber, BJP candidate and sitting MLA Satish Poonia shares with TOI his plans for the constituency. Excerpts from an interview:
How confident are you about reclaiming the Amber seat?
I am 100% confident. I have utilised 100 per cent of the MLA-LAD fund. As the deputy leader of the Opposition and an MLA, I have raised the problems of the constituency strongly.We did development work here amounting to Rs 1,500 crore between 2013 and 2018. We fought the 2018 election on the development plank and won. There is a positive feeling among the people. Issues such as loan waiver, unemployment, corruption, paper leak, law and order situation, appeasement, and the perception of government changing every five years will have an impact here.
What is your poll strategy this time?
My party conveys its messages to the people through regular outreach programmes. Our state unit has been broadening the ‘panna pramukh’ structure. We have kept the party workers motivated, which is our main strength. Secondly, there are many beneficiaries of the Modi government’s schemes. Modiji’s developmental work and popularity will make an impact.
What are the main issues in Amber constituency?
Infrastructure development is a big issue in areas close to Jaipur city. People vote on the issues of power, roads, and water. Amber is a hub of tourism in Jaipur. The central government released Rs 347 crore to develop Amber as an iconic tourist destination, but the Rajasthan government did not execute the plan.
If re-elected, which development work would you focus on?
I shall focus on strengthening infrastructure and the MSME sector, boost tourism, and promote innovations in agriculture and dairy. Tomatoes are grown here, but ketchup is produced in Noida. We will set up food processing units. We will also set up a library and a playground in every panchayat.
Since BJP is not projecting a CM face, do you think it will work?
We will benefit from it. We are fighting as a unit with all strength. When the PM said that ‘lotus’ is our identity and symbol, the rest became irrelevant. Ticket distribution was smooth, barring a few exceptions.
Since Vasundhara Raje has not been projected as the CM face, a message goes out that she has been sidelined in the party.
That is not true. She is an asset for the party. She is working for the party.
Are you in the race for the CM’s post?
Not at all.
How confident are you about reclaiming the Amber seat?
I am 100% confident. I have utilised 100 per cent of the MLA-LAD fund. As the deputy leader of the Opposition and an MLA, I have raised the problems of the constituency strongly.We did development work here amounting to Rs 1,500 crore between 2013 and 2018. We fought the 2018 election on the development plank and won. There is a positive feeling among the people. Issues such as loan waiver, unemployment, corruption, paper leak, law and order situation, appeasement, and the perception of government changing every five years will have an impact here.
What is your poll strategy this time?
My party conveys its messages to the people through regular outreach programmes. Our state unit has been broadening the ‘panna pramukh’ structure. We have kept the party workers motivated, which is our main strength. Secondly, there are many beneficiaries of the Modi government’s schemes. Modiji’s developmental work and popularity will make an impact.
What are the main issues in Amber constituency?
Infrastructure development is a big issue in areas close to Jaipur city. People vote on the issues of power, roads, and water. Amber is a hub of tourism in Jaipur. The central government released Rs 347 crore to develop Amber as an iconic tourist destination, but the Rajasthan government did not execute the plan.
If re-elected, which development work would you focus on?
I shall focus on strengthening infrastructure and the MSME sector, boost tourism, and promote innovations in agriculture and dairy. Tomatoes are grown here, but ketchup is produced in Noida. We will set up food processing units. We will also set up a library and a playground in every panchayat.
Since BJP is not projecting a CM face, do you think it will work?
We will benefit from it. We are fighting as a unit with all strength. When the PM said that ‘lotus’ is our identity and symbol, the rest became irrelevant. Ticket distribution was smooth, barring a few exceptions.
Since Vasundhara Raje has not been projected as the CM face, a message goes out that she has been sidelined in the party.
That is not true. She is an asset for the party. She is working for the party.
Are you in the race for the CM’s post?
Not at all.
