In the 2004 elections, more than Rs 10 lakh of his campaign fund remained unutilised, and he returned this money to the contributors. This earned him a word of praise from almost everyone. More importantly, he got the votes.

This time, however, given the age old challenge of anti-incumbency, his road to the Lok Sabha may not be as smooth.

Promises Galore: He promised extension of railway line from Garhshankar to Anandpur Sahib, a railway link from Hoshiarpur to Una, Dasuya or Phagwara; a Jan Shatabdi train from Nangal to Delhi, jobs for the youth, a Navodaya Vidyalya, opening of the Adampur Air Force station for civilian use, revocation of Punjab Land Preservation Act (PLPA) in Kandi area, an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) for the state, getting Indians released from Pakistani jails, besides social security for income tax payers and an effective solution to recurring passport-related cases.

What he delivered: He availed the entire MPLAD grant of Rs 10.2 crore, got the 37-kilometre railway line from Garhshankar to Anandpur Sahib approved and got a Jan Shatabdi from Nangal to Delhi started. Upgrading of Hoshiarpur railway station, a new Navodaya Vidyalaya and creation of jobs in two spinning mills and the National Security Agency were his major achievements. Besides, Ropar got an IIT, he got two passport lok adalats organised and started counselling facility for school students. Kashmir Singh was brought back from a Pakistani jail after 37 years.

Where he failed: Could not get PLPA revoked in 660 village spread over 2,84,000 acres. No Hoshiarpur rail link to Una, Dasuya or Phagwara yet. Failed to push the case for release of Sarabjit Singh from Pakistan jail.

... contd.