Episode no.12
This interview was conducted on 3 May 2022 with ex minister Sikander Singh Maluka. At the beginning of the interview, the journalist talked about Maluka’s journey from his childhood to now. While talking, Maluka said that he continued to play Kabaddi while studying in his childhood and then left his studies and started farming with his father. Sikandar Singh Maluka said that he was interested in politics from the beginning, due to which he became the Sarpanch of the village at an early age. After winning the landmark bank elections in 1978, Maluka became the chairman of Punjab and did many things for his village. Like, focal point, constructed roads, electricity board office, grain market, hospital, bank etc. He said that in 1980, he became the president of Punjab Kabaddi Association and Chairman All India Circle Style Kabaddi, Vice President Punjab,Olympic Association, Chairman and he also contributed to the 1982 Dharma Yudh morcha .Maluka said that after several years of ups and downs he was elected to the Punjab Legislative Assembly in 1997 on an Akali Dal ticket from Rampura Phul for first time.He claimed to have contributed 75% to the development of his constituency. When the journalist questioned him about being a comrade, Maluka said that of course I had a close relationship with the communist master Babu Singh and that our party had an agreement with the communists, but that is just a rumour. . The journalist asked Maluka that till date you have won twice and lost three times and now how do you see your future, Maluka said that he remains optimistic. But during elections people give their votes to the leaders by taking money or alcohol and looking at other parties we also have to follow this path. Answering a journalist’s question, Maluka also explained the reasons for his defeat. He also gave his opinion about Aam Aadmi Party’s anti-corruption system and the announcements made. He said that Bhagwant Maan follows what Kejriwal says. He said that instead of giving everything free in the country, priority should be given to providing employment and industrialization. He said if the opposition party does good work then we will also appreciate them. Finally, talking about the future of Akali Dal, he said that we should correct our shortcomings.
-kulwinder kaur bajwa