The capacity of the Akali Dal to hold on to their support base is tremendous. The rally was organized at a two km. distance from the Indo-Pak border.

Life in the border villages is extremely challenging. The barbed wire fencing is inside the Indian border. Large tracks of land owned by the farmers become inaccessible. The farmers want to be compensated for crop loss. The NDA government had fixed compensation for the same which was discontinued by the UPA. This seems to be a very reasonable expectation.

The Punjab Government is providing some compensation. The border farmers are awaiting clearance for some bridges to get access to their lands. Their big expectation is that opening and expansion of Indi-Pak border trade will give boost to their economy.

A series of meetings in different constituencies with booth level party workers ended with interaction with a large number of business and industry leaders of the city. Amritsar is looking for effective voice at the Centre. Their expectation from me is to provide that voice and lend my shoulder so that the glory of Amritsar could be strengthened.

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My friend, P.Chidambram, the Finance Minister, has opted out of the election. He is entitled to make his decision. Some of the better debates in Parliament and outside (including digs at each other) were between the two of us. I will certainly miss him.

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The Congress Party has finally announced its candidate from Amritsar Parliamentary seat against me. They have named a reluctant Capt. Amrinder Singh as their candidate. My best wishes to him. I will contest this election in a dignified manner with the best traditions of our healthy democracy. I will promise the people of Amritsar that I shall provide a better voice for them. May the best man win…

(Author is leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha)

(Disclaimer: The views expressed by the author in this article are his own and do not reflect the views of Mediabharti.com- Editor)