'I am proud of Mallika Sherawat'

He may be the power minister of Haryana, but for Randeep Singh Surjewala, channelising the state's youth energy into various fields like sports and films is a dream. The dashing youth Congress leader, who is in charge of supplying electricity from his state to the Capital during Commonwealth Games, promises to meet all deadlines ahead of time.u00a0 Excerpts from the interview

You are close to Rahul Gandhi and could have made an impact on national politics. But you concentrated on the state instead.
The party decides your role. It sends a leader to the state to gain administrative experience. Once you are in Delhi, you lose touch with the grass roots. I am enjoying my stint in state politics.

Other than being the Haryana Power Minister, you have an added responsibility of powering the Commonwealth Games to be held in Delhi. Will you be able to keep the lights burning?
I am meeting the targets to supply electricity for the Games ahead of schedule. The 1,500-mw power plant at Jajjhar, which will supply 750 mw to Delhi, is running 42 days ahead of its deadline. This plant will start its supply to the Capital by July 2010.



The Hissar power plant will be ready by December. In just 37 months, we have constructed the 1,200-mw plant, a record in Asia. It will meet the Games' demand from March 2010.

Haryana politics has revolved around the Chautalas, Hoodas and the Lals. And they have not always channelised youth energy positively. Are things changing?
The Chautala clan in the Opposition misutilised the vast potential of youth energy in Haryana. They used youngsters to break buses, cut trees, destruct public property and indulge in other anti-social activities. We provided them a positive alternative. We asked them to serve the community, get involved in education and move ahead. We used them to monitor government schemes to ensure the money being disbursed was reaching the beneficiary.

As a young leader, what other steps have you taken to promote the youth?
I have directed the untapped youth energy into sports. We are building sports complexes in different parts of Haryana to encourage youngsters to take up sporting activities seriously. At Narwana, my old constituency, one of the finest stadiums of the state is coming up. I keep a close eye on it. We will offer jobs in the government without any interview to whoever brings sporting laurels.
I hope boxer Vijender Singh inspires more youngsters. I am even proud of Jat heroine Mallika Sherawat.

What games do you prefer playing?
I play tennis and badminton. I love running and take time out for it almost three to four days a week. I love long walks around lakes. When I am in Delhi, I miss a lake. That is why I built the country's first manmade lake in Kaithal in the middle of the city.

Coming back to actors, is Mallika your favourite?
I still find Moonmoon Sen and Wahida Rehman attractive. Sen is more appealing then even her daughter Ria.