Bharat Bhushan Ashu owns responsibility for Ludhiana bypoll loss, denies infighting

Congress candidate Bharat Bhushan Ashu lost the Ludhiana West bypoll to AAP candidate Sanjeev Arora with a margin of about 10,500 votes. He owns responsibility for the defeat. At the same time, he says that he does not have any differences with any party leader. He shares his views with Principal Correspondent Shivani Bhakoo at his office today.

How do you take the defeat in these elections? 

What did you learn from this election?

We are still examining. If you win, you have responsibility. Even if you lose, you have a responsibility, in a healthy democracy, to perform the role of a constructive opposition.

Did infighting hit the Congress?

Where is the infighting? It is a creation of media. Did you ever see any infighting during the campaign, before or after? Honestly, there were no issues in this election. Issues which we tried to raise, people did not accept those issues. We tried to raise the issue of incompetence of the government and the stalled development of Ludhiana. Ludhiana did not get what it deserved. Even their late MLA had broken his own foundation stone as he was not happy with the treatment meted out to Ludhiana. In every way, the government was a failure. They couldn’t even list their achievements. They only won due to the misuse of power.

Had you written to the high command that some leaders should not come for your campaign?

The only thing I wrote to the high command was my resignation after my defeat. It was my election and my defeat and I should not run away from my responsibility. My conscience told me that when you failed, you have no right to lead the party. As a worker, I will keep on serving the party and the constituency and also the Ludhiana city. My congratulations to Sanjeev Arora and if he needs me for the improvement of Ludhiana, I will be there.

Are you demoralised after the defeat? What about your supporters or party workers?

Not at all. What I got in this election I think even the winning candidate did not get. I won the hearts of people. Technically, he emerged victorious, but I have won the hearts. You talk of being demoralised, just see my office. There are about 50 people sitting. People remembered and acknowledged my work before 2022 and they also expressed their sympathies over the way this government has victimised me.

What about 2027 and where you stand?

The party stood united with me. The president may also have performed his duty. The party leadership is more united than ever. May be there were some differences of opinion within. But, during any battle for the party, everyone is united.

It is believed that the summons to you by the Vigilance before the elections were sent at your behest?

Had it been like you are saying, the SSP would have been dismissed by now. Mark my works, in the next few days, he will be reinstated and will get a better posting.

Ludhiana