Kapurthala scion out to win hearts for Akalis

KAPURTHALA: Scion of the Kapurthala royal family, grandson of the enterprising industrialist Maharaja Jagatjit Singh and a product of Doon School, Tikka Raja Shatrujit Singh has jumped into the electoral battle to assist Akali candidate Raghubir Singh.
That makes it a threesome of Dosco campaigners (the others are Captain Amarinder Singh and Manpreet Singh Badal).
With this a touch of the suave enters the embattled historical city. Also it is being said that it may awaken in the people the old quality of loyalty towards rulers, especially at a time when politics is sinking to the lowest depths. The concepts Shatrujit has introduced into the poll vocabulary are likely to tilt votes as they come like oxygen to a city known for its great past and venerated rulers like Baba Jassa Singh.
He talks of peace, love and passion for the city and the secular ethos his great grandfathers taught.
"There is a mosque in the city, temples, gurdwaras and churches. In the last 57 years my city has been destroyed and most of the time it was under Congress rule," says Shatrujit, as he likes to be addressed.
Talking about different trades and professions in the city, he says the voters are silent and the best judge of the political destiny of their city. "I personally don''t like to stay in the palace. I can stay anywhere in the city. I have been in touch with pensioners, women''s organisations, the orphans'' societies and the traders. Our Gol Kothi is in shambles. The old qila can be converted into a heritage site. The government, instead of protecting old monuments, has presided over their destruction," he says.
He is moving out into the city and talking about their future plans and problems.
About the Akali candidate Raghubir Singh, he says, "He has realised that he has done little for the people. He has a soft heart. Now he will work for the people."
Talking about Baba Balbir Singh Seechewal, he says, "His is an exemplary act that shows how determination can work wonders. And look how all political leaders are jealous of his work."
Asked if he has decided to join a political party, he says he has the freedom to speak his mind only so long as he remains outside parties.
"First I would like to work among the people and only then decide whether to enter politics or not," he says.