BJP didn’t deliver on promises, real issues were sidelined: Captain Ajay Yadav

Congress candidate Captain Ajay Yadav has held major portfolios as minister in the Haryana government earlier and has more than three decades of experience in politics. Having a strong base in Ahirwal region, Yadav is contesting against former Congressman and sitting MP Rao Inderjit Singh of BJP in Gurgaon Lok Sabha constituency. Yadav spoke to TOI on his contest with Inderjit and his promises to the people of Gurgaon. Excerpts:
You are contesting against BJP’s Rao Inderjit Singh, who is a four-time MP and also a former Congressman. How confident are you?
Sensing a wave in favour of BJP, Rao Inderjit quit Congress, joined the saffron party and won. His win was not on basis of the work he had done. Now, the story is different. On one hand, there is no wave in favour of BJP, and on the other Inderjit has nothing to show in terms of achievements to his credit. He is hardly seen in Gurgaon, and comes here only during elections. I have 30 years of experience as MLA. I am a son of the soil who understands the problems, difficulties and aspirations of the people here.
You have seen south Haryana, especially Gurgaon, closely for around two decades. Do you think it has been neglected by all previous governments?
As an MP, Inderjit has failed to ensure that all government departments deliver as per the city’s demand. Poor and non-integrated planning has brought development in the city to a halt.
How do you rate last five years of BJP rule?
The BJP’s rule, be it at national level or in Gurgaon, is a story of blustering and blundering. BJP is diverting the minds of people instead of talking about the real issues. Inderjit is taking credit for building flyovers on NH-8. The fact is that the parliamentary committee pointed out glaring defects on the highway, and there was no option for the authorities but to construct flyovers and underpasses to ease the traffic flow.
What are the three key issues faced by people in Gurgaon? What will be your priority if you win?
Gurgaon is still beset with a series of problems. My main focus will be on boosting metro connectivity, better and affordable education and healthcare facilities, and revival of water bodies. I will ensure that the metro rail connects all parts of Gurgaon, mainly old city, railway station and the airport. Secondly, affordable and quality education and health facilities are still a dream for most families here. Also, Gurgaon is staring at serious water crisis as there are no natural sources. The traditional bunds have died due to urbanisation, and no effort has been made to build new water bodies. This will be a major area to focus on.
Inderjit also has a strong support base in Ahirwal region. The voters there have supported him in previous polls. Why will they support you this time?
Even a party’s traditional strongholds shrink if people face severe problems during its rule. We are here for real development as against claims and diversionary tactics of BJP. I have delivered my promises as an MLA in the past.
BJP is taking credit for building expressways, flyovers and underpasses and setting up GMDA and H-Rera. What are your promises?
We will ensure that Gurgaon will be free from traffic jams, which BJP could not do owing to poor coordination among the agencies. The recently created departments like GMDA and Rera will be made more efficient. The GMDA is set up only on the paper, but is not working efficiently. Neither is it funded by the state government nor is it capable of recovering dues from builders. Strangely, taxes worth Rs 500 crore paid by us to MCG were diverted to the new authority, which is totally unjustified. Dilution of Rera has failed its objective, and homebuyers have not got any relief in ongoing projects.