Interview: Kejriwal leads by example, says Gul Panag
May 10, 2014
Film star turned politician Gul Panag has been campaigning in Varanasi for her party leader Arvind Kejriwal. She is widely expected to do well in her Lok Sabha seat in Chandigarh where she was up against former Union Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal and actress Kirron Kher. In this wide-ranging interview she talks of her road ahead in public life, her party and leader Arvind Kejriwal.
Q. How different was the heat and dust of the elections, compared to show business?
A. An electoral battle is not just a battle for the hearts and minds of people but also of the hopes and aspirations of the same people. It brings with it immense responsibility. There can’t be and shouldn’t be a comparison between this and the reel world.
Q. Who was the tougher opponent in Chandigarh: Pawan Bansal or Kirron Kher?
A. This wasn’t and isn’t a fight between individuals. This a fight between ideologies- on one hand there’s a challenger to the status quo that our electoral politics is reduced to and on the other hand are two parties that are products of this very status quo.
Q. What made you make up your mind to jump into the electoral fray?
A. I was sympathetic to AAP, but was content to sit on the sidelines. It was the withdrawal of Ms (Savita) Bhatti that made me take the plunge and apply for the ticket, from a city I have always considered home.
Q. Can you please list out five things you will like to change if you reach the Lok Sabha.
A. I will remain strongly committed to implementing the AAP manifesto and conscientiously working for the people of Chandigarh. Unfortunately decades of bad governance and corruption has left us in no position to limit reform to five things alone as we are faced with complex problems that stand to erode the very foundation of our democracy.
Q. Critics have questioned AAP’s style of functioning of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), particularly its decision to quite the Delhi government.
A. AAP is a young, reformist movement. Undoubtedly it has used means and styles hitherto unexplored in electoral politics. It’s this non-conformist approach that makes those who are part of the herd, question AAP. There can be many interpretations of the events of the last few months, including the manner in which the Delhi government was formed. India’s political climate is rapidly changing and looking forward is more productive than analysing the actions of a party barely two years old. If we must analyse the past, then its far more critical that we examine how the mainstream entrenched parties have reduced and nurtured Indian democracy to mere electoral democracy, or how their past collective actions have insured that we are one of the lowest ranking nations in the human development index!
Q. How does Gul Panag rate the following: Narendra Modi, Rahul Gandhi, Arvind Kejriwal.
A. Mr Modi appears to be a man who doesn’t like his authority & leadership questioned or challenged. Mr Gandhi is yet to display leadership or authority, perhaps biding his time to rise to the occasion. Mr Kejriwal leads by example and is an illustration of “be the change you want to see”.
Q. How do you think the AAP will perform in the Lok Sabha elections, how many seats approximately nationwide? Also will like to know your predictions for Punjab, it is being reported that AAP is doing well.
A. There is a huge undercurrent favoring AAP in Punjab. I’m confident that the we will garner 20% of the vote share in the state. With regard to Lok Sabha performance, I can definitely say that AAP in its maiden Lok Sabha election will win more seats than the BJP did in 1984.
Q. You have toured a lot apart from your own seat, how big is the factor of corruption playing a role?
A. Corruption is the single point issue that comes up when one talks to voters. And that if corruption can be curbed, existing schemes and policies are capable of alleviating the other issues we face, including but not limited to ensuring equitable and adequate access to public education, public healthcare and sanitation.
Q. Irrespective of the electoral results, will it be a long haul for the vivacious Gul Panag, or like some film stars will she fade away from the heat of politics?
A. I’ll let time and my actions answer that. However, I’d like to encourage you to think beyond just film stars who’ve “faded away from politics” and also include many others from professions as diverse as medicine, law, journalism and even full time politics who have not stayed the full course.
May 10, 2014
Film star turned politician Gul Panag has been campaigning in Varanasi for her party leader Arvind Kejriwal. She is widely expected to do well in her Lok Sabha seat in Chandigarh where she was up against former Union Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal and actress Kirron Kher. In this wide-ranging interview she talks of her road ahead in public life, her party and leader Arvind Kejriwal.
A. An electoral battle is not just a battle for the hearts and minds of people but also of the hopes and aspirations of the same people. It brings with it immense responsibility. There can’t be and shouldn’t be a comparison between this and the reel world.
Q. Who was the tougher opponent in Chandigarh: Pawan Bansal or Kirron Kher?
A. This wasn’t and isn’t a fight between individuals. This a fight between ideologies- on one hand there’s a challenger to the status quo that our electoral politics is reduced to and on the other hand are two parties that are products of this very status quo.
Q. What made you make up your mind to jump into the electoral fray?
A. I was sympathetic to AAP, but was content to sit on the sidelines. It was the withdrawal of Ms (Savita) Bhatti that made me take the plunge and apply for the ticket, from a city I have always considered home.
Q. Can you please list out five things you will like to change if you reach the Lok Sabha.
A. I will remain strongly committed to implementing the AAP manifesto and conscientiously working for the people of Chandigarh. Unfortunately decades of bad governance and corruption has left us in no position to limit reform to five things alone as we are faced with complex problems that stand to erode the very foundation of our democracy.
Q. Critics have questioned AAP’s style of functioning of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), particularly its decision to quite the Delhi government.
A. AAP is a young, reformist movement. Undoubtedly it has used means and styles hitherto unexplored in electoral politics. It’s this non-conformist approach that makes those who are part of the herd, question AAP. There can be many interpretations of the events of the last few months, including the manner in which the Delhi government was formed. India’s political climate is rapidly changing and looking forward is more productive than analysing the actions of a party barely two years old. If we must analyse the past, then its far more critical that we examine how the mainstream entrenched parties have reduced and nurtured Indian democracy to mere electoral democracy, or how their past collective actions have insured that we are one of the lowest ranking nations in the human development index!
Q. How does Gul Panag rate the following: Narendra Modi, Rahul Gandhi, Arvind Kejriwal.
A. Mr Modi appears to be a man who doesn’t like his authority & leadership questioned or challenged. Mr Gandhi is yet to display leadership or authority, perhaps biding his time to rise to the occasion. Mr Kejriwal leads by example and is an illustration of “be the change you want to see”.
Q. How do you think the AAP will perform in the Lok Sabha elections, how many seats approximately nationwide? Also will like to know your predictions for Punjab, it is being reported that AAP is doing well.
A. There is a huge undercurrent favoring AAP in Punjab. I’m confident that the we will garner 20% of the vote share in the state. With regard to Lok Sabha performance, I can definitely say that AAP in its maiden Lok Sabha election will win more seats than the BJP did in 1984.
Q. You have toured a lot apart from your own seat, how big is the factor of corruption playing a role?
A. Corruption is the single point issue that comes up when one talks to voters. And that if corruption can be curbed, existing schemes and policies are capable of alleviating the other issues we face, including but not limited to ensuring equitable and adequate access to public education, public healthcare and sanitation.
Q. Irrespective of the electoral results, will it be a long haul for the vivacious Gul Panag, or like some film stars will she fade away from the heat of politics?
A. I’ll let time and my actions answer that. However, I’d like to encourage you to think beyond just film stars who’ve “faded away from politics” and also include many others from professions as diverse as medicine, law, journalism and even full time politics who have not stayed the full course.
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This story was first published in www.thepoliticalindian.com on May 10, 2014
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