‘AAP is the only credible and viable option’

Former beauty queen, actress and now AAP candidate from Chandigarh, Gul Panag is all set to charm the ballot. Having emerged as a strong contender against the Congress’ Pawan Bansal and the BJP’s Kirron Kher, Gul Panag speaks to Tanveer Thakur about her political journey.

How has your transition been — from the glamour world to a full-time politician contesting election?
This is not a sudden transition. I have always been involved with social issues, whether it was through my NGO, Col. Shamsher Singh Foundation, in Chandigarh where I have taken many issues including female foeticide, which is a big problem in this part of the country, or joining the “India Against Corruption” movement. During the movement, which at the time was not political, I came to know Arvind Kejriwal very well. But I never went on to the stage during the movement as I felt that the movement was important, not individuals. When the Aam Aadmi Party was formed and was successful I saw no change in its leaders like Mr Kejriwal. They remained very down to earth. That’s when I decided to join the party.

Filmstars and other celebrities usually get tickets from any political party. Why did you opt for AAP?
I joined AAP because it was the only credible and viable option to deal with the rot within our system. There were no other options — on the one hand you have a party which is corrupt, dynastic and propagating crony capitalism, while on the other you have a party which is communal, corrupt and supporting crony capitalism. In such a scenario AAP is the only option available to any well meaning person who has been at the receiving end of the corrupt system that prevails.

You are pitched against a veteran Congress politician, Pawan Bansal, and another actress, Kirron Kher of the BJP. There is talk that you are an outsider and a political greenhorn. How do you react to this?
“Outsider” allegation is absolutely baseless. My family has been living here for three generations. I studied here. I would like to ask the leaders of the Congress and BJP who were elected from Chandigarh in the past, why is that youngsters like me have to leave Chandigarh to earn a living. The fact is that they failed to create any opportunities for youngsters. Even Pawan Bansal came to Chandigarh from Sangrur in Punjab and later joined the Congress, during its darkest days of the Emergency. He was rewarded with a Rajya Sabha seat by the Congress.
As far as the issue of me being political greenhorn is concerned, I take pride in the fact that at least I am not experienced in corruption in which our so-called experienced leaders are experts.

Chandigarh is considered a modern city. Do you have any agenda for this growing city?
Chandigarh needs immediate attention in many spheres to cater to its rising population and overburdened infrastructure. We need to improve public transport in Chandigarh, make a Chandigarh Capital Region like NCR around Delhi, which will include tricity area of Panchkula and Mohali so as to  bring in parity of taxes in the area. Women’s safety is other important issue and is very high on my agenda.
The other important issue is granting the Punjab University, Chandigarh, Central university status. This university is a top institute but a victim of politics. The Badal government opposed Central university status to it and anyone who supports the BJP would be indirectly supporting the Badal government which will again oppose Central university status to Punjab University, Chandigarh.

You have lived in Chandigarh. But as a politician, have you discovered any other side of the city?
I was an avid biker in my student days. I used to go biking with friends around Chandigarh and would often wonder why we have all facilities and infrastructure in the Chandigarh’s sectors, but just few kilometres away villages lack even basic amenities though they are very much a part of Chandigarh Union Territory. Things have since gone from bad to worse. Chandigarh is now divided into many layers: You have posh northern sectors of the city which are showcased as “the beautiful Chandigarh” in movies; on the other hand there are southern sectors which are crying for infrastructure. And then there are colonies and villages where people are devoid of even the most basic facilities.

This election has seen the rise of social media in mobilising the young people. Does it help to be the youngest candidate in understanding the nuances of social media?
Social media cannot be responsible for creating an image. It would rather amplify the ground work you have done in the past. So ultimately it is your work which matters in the end. However, the fact that as a young person I am on twitter for last five years and it is part of my life, you can easily relate to young person and vice-versa unlike the some elderly people who joined social media recently keeping in mind the elections.

You are a runner, a “fitness freak”, and this region is dealing with problems of drug addiction. Do you intend to take on this crucial issue?
This is a very important issue which affects Chandigarh and the region. I am going to take it, perhaps start an aggressive campaign — “Say no to drugs” — to spread awareness about the dangers of drug addiction.

Your style of campaigning is considered “different” as you talk to vendors, labourers and often sit with them. Is this mere symbolism?
We don’t have money to buy “supporters” who can raise slogans for us. I talk to everyone, and now a rickshaw puller, a sabziwala and a chaiwala have become my pracharaks.