Chandigarh, April 5 (IANS) Gul Panag may be new to politics but the former Miss India has already proved she is no pushover in the election for Chandigarh's lone Lok Sabha seat.
When Gul -- as she is widely known -- entered politics as late as last month as the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate, she had to hit the ground running.
It was very much needed. Both her main opponents, from the BJP and the Congress, are older to her and more experienced, and they have the backing of the country's two biggest political partties.
The Bollywood actor says she wants people, especially the media, to take her role as a politician seriously.
"I don't want to be judged as an actor or a former Miss India. Look at my work and see what agenda I have for the future and then take a decision," Gul, 35, tells voters in Chandigarh.
She has been adhering to a 20-hour work schedule for the last over 20 days to establish herself politically in Chandigarh.
Gul is fighting it out against outgoing MP and former union railway minister Pawan Bansal and the BJP's Kirron Kher for the April 10 election here.
Bansal, a four-time MP, is facing three women candidates, including the Bahujan Samaj Party's Jannat Jahan, in this election.
He is also dogged by the taint of "railgate" in which his nephew was caught by the CBI with Rs.90 lakh of bribe money in a cash-for-job scam.
"Pawan Bansal has not done enough for Chandigarh in the last 15 years. If I am elected as MP, I intend to take up the fighting role as MP," Gul, daughter of retired Lt. Gen H.S. Panag, told IANS here.
"In Chandigarh, there are good policies but there is a lack of intent in implementing them... The system in Chandigarh is run by unelected people," she pointed out.
On her own agenda for Chandigarh, Gul has a lot to say.
"This city has a clear divide of the elite sectors and others. We need to bring them at par in terms of development. Every part of Chandigarh should have a harmonious, inclusive growth. The citizens here need to be heard. Chandigarh has the potential to be a world class city," Gul said.
Starting her day early with visits to residential colonies and villages to listen to problems faced by the have-nots, Gul walks for most part of her daily campaign trail.
She is accompanied by a small group of supporters and activists, mostly family members, friends and AAP volunteers.
Once Chandigarh votes April 10, Gul has her work cut out. She will be campaigning for AAP candidates in Punjab and a few other places.
Russia Ukraine War: Russia bombards Mykoliv with bombs, Ukraine's drone attack on the naval base
Russia bombed wheat fields in the coastal city of Mykoliv in the south of Ukraine on Sunday morni
Pakistan: Armed attackers attack army camps, 15 militants and four soldiers killed in encounter
In Pakistan's restive Balochistan province, some armed assailants attacked two army camps. After
Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) has taken a major step toward strengthening India'
The company has increased the price of Xiaomi's Redmi Note 10 Pro, one of the biggest smartphone
Man held in Gurgaon with fake Indian currency
Gurgaon, Feb 24 (IANS) The crime branch of Gurgaon police arrested a 22-year-old man with fake
Former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin made headlines with a bold statement after the Indian w
Now the enemy's heartbeat will increase, soon the Navy will get aircraft career and two submarines
The Indian Navy has also got a new strength with INS Vela. Through this, the Indian Navy can keep
Asia's biggest Christian convention begins in Kerala
Maramon (Kerala), Feb 8 (IANS) Asia's biggest Christian convention got underway here Sunday wit
For the last few days, Bollywood actress Preity Zinta has been active on social media. In a tweet
Lok Janshakti Party President Chirag Paswan has recently spoken about BJP MP from Mandi constitue
