MLA report card: Anil Joshi and Raj Kumar Verka

Anil Joshi, 52, BJP

Constituency: Amritsar-North

Education: Class 12

Assets declared in last polls: Rs 1.3 cr

Electoral record

2012: Defeated Congress candidate Karamjit Rintu by 16,980 votes

2007: Defeated Cong’s Jugal Kishore Sharma by 14,095 votes

Assembly record Local bodies minister

Power punch The firebrand leader is close to Union minister Arun Jaitley

What next Two-time MLA and minister is sure to get ticket

How he performed

Not only does he attend social functions but also misses no chance to meet people during his routine morning walk. Being the local bodies minister, he did not need many others’ nod to initiate development works in his constituency. It witnessed a lot of development and the look of a number of localities has changed. Primarily, he brought in the Durgiana Mandir beautification project and also a project for beautification of Ram Bagh. The MLA also got covered a drain flowing through his constituency. Pavements in almost all parts of his constituency were covered with inter-locking tilesm which led to some criticism. He is accused of ignoring other constituencies, and could also not get his segment cleaned under the Swachh Bharat Mission.

By the way Strict with morning walk; loves cycling

Voterspeak

“He was available for the people and the constituency saw a lot of development. But lack of fogging (to counter insects) is a cause of worry. Some roads still need attention,” Rupinder Kaur, 51, bank manager, said.

“He has done well as compared to his predecessors. He is approachable and listens to people. Development in the constituency is clear evidence of his efforts,” PK Arora, 65, retd govt employee, said.

Raj Kumar Verka, 54, Congress

Constituency: Amritsar-West (SC)

Education: Class 12

Assets declared in last polls: Rs 2.3 cr

Electoral record

2012: Defeated BJP rival Rakesh Gill by a margin of 11,591 votes

2007: OP Soni won this seat for Cong, while Raj Kumar Verka lost in Verka

Assembly record

Questions asked: 9

Call attention moved: 0

Power punch Dalit leader is vice-chief of national SC panel

What next Being an old-timer, he is likely to get the ticket this time too

How he performed

He did remain available in his constituency, but as far as major development or big projects are concerned he could not do much as the state government did not provide funds. Being vice-chairman of the National Commission for SC/ST, he took up a number of cases. Though his constituency still lacks basic amenities in many pockets, the MLA has been instrumental in getting some grants from former and present Congress MPs. He claims to have brought in a sewerage project to the city through former PM Manmohan Singh. He also claimed that he got some roads repaired with whatever grants he got. He has been socially active in his constituency.

Voterspeak

“If we look at basic facilities, it’s clear that the MLA’s performance has not been good. I understand he is from the opposition but he got funds as MLA; should’ve done better,” Verinder Sharma, 68, advocate, said.

“He stayed in touch with the people and some work happened of late. But the constituency faces many issues. I am partially satisfied as he remained in opposition,” Raghu Malhotra, 30, engineer, said.

Tomorrow: Amritsar-Central, East, South, and Attari