Villagers raise queries, BJP Gurugram MP loses cool

GURUGRAM : BJP candidate Rao Inderjit Singh, seeking re-election for a fifth term, lost his cool during his campaign at Dundahera on Tuesday, when a few villagers questioned lack of development in their area. Rao, who perhaps took it personally, shouted at the person for first inviting him to the village and then insulting him. He said if you have any grudge and complaint against any individual, these should be raised during assembly and municipal elections, not during Lok Sabha polls, which is held on national issues.
Inderjit started his campaign from Dundahera, the first village on the Delhi-Gurugram border. He had just started to speak when some locals interrupted him to raise their questions regarding lack of development in the village, which is surrounded by the industrial area Udyog Vihar, and houses most of the workers employed in industrial units there. The village lack basic civic amenities like road, water supply, sewerage, etc.
Initially, the incumbent asked the disgruntled villagers to calm down, but when they kept raising their voices, he lost his cool, shouting back. He tried to divert attention, saying " Suno sabhi ke sabhi ye desh ka chunao hai, meri liye agar vote nahi dalna chaho to desh ke liye vote dalo. Agar kisi ko kuch personal issue hai to jab MLA , mayor ya corporator ka chunao hoga, wahan nikal lena apna zehar, apni samasya, magar desh ko iski sazaa nahi deni chahiye (Listen everyone, this is a national election. If you don't want to vote for me, vote for the country. If anyone has any complaints regarding local issues, express your anger and disgust during assembly and municipal elections, but don't punish the country for that)."
Opposition parties, who have been questioning Rao for his aloofness, absence and disconnect with people, took a dig at him for not respecting the concerns of common man. They alleged he only emerges during polls and that he is now seeking vote in the name of the country as has done nothing in his tenure.
Congress candidate Captain Ajay Yadav said Rao has no time for people in the constituency, and is not even ready to listen to their grievances. AAP's Gurugram district president, Mahesh Yadav, said Rao's mask has come off in front of people. He keeps distance from voters, shows his face only during elections, and when people ask questions, takes it as an insult. Rishi Raj Rana of JJP said people are angry because Rao never shows his face. "People get to see him only during elections, so this is the only time when voters can express their grievances," said Rana.