Joshi addresses a gathering in Amritsar on Saturday. Rana Simranjit Singh Joshi addresses a gathering in Amritsar on Saturday. Rana Simranjit Singh

Worried about demonestisation hurting his prospects in Amritsar North Assembly constituency from where he is seeking re-election, Punjab’s minister for local bodies, Anil Joshi of BJP, has been pleading with voters that he should not be punished for something he is not responsible for.

Addressing a small gathering Friday evening in Medical Enclave here, where he lives, Joshi said, “My tenure is over. Now, one month is yours. Go out and convince people to vote for me. Some people would tell you they are angry because currency has been changed. Nothing can be done now on this. Anil Joshi has no role in it (demonetisation). Joshi has kept fighting governments and the system for your rights. It is not easy to make make bureaucracy work. So kindly keep that in mind.”

Asked later if he was worried about demonetisation impact, he said, “The impact is over. Almost 80 to 90% impact is over. Despite that, I mention it to clear doubts in the minds of people.”

Joshi, who has been projecting himself as Vikas Purash in his campaign posters, was accused by his own party leaders of spending more money from local bodies department in his own constituency than the rest of the state. Amritsar North constituency has visible transformation with new roads, renovated parks, footpaths, fountains, cycle tracks, sewerage system, theme street lighting, beautification of drains by laying underground pipes and constructing roads over it. Most of these works were completed only in the last one year.

Joshi, who had a running feud with BJP’s ally SAD, is not even mentioning Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal while seeking votes for himself. “My fight was for merit, truth and justice and I fought for people. I cannot close my eyes. People understand it.” Asked if there is anger against SAD, he said, “No, I can’t say that. There is never anger against a whole community. The anger is always against individuals.”

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