SFI warning to Joshi
SHIMLA, Nov 20 — The Students Federation of India (SFI) has warned Mr Murli Manohar Joshi, Union Minister for Human Resource Development, that he will face a black flag demonstration if he goes ahead with the idea of addressing the prestigious Dr Radhakrishanan memorial lecture in the Indian Institute of Advanced Study here.

Baijnath to witness keen contest
Infighting remains BJP's bane
From Pratibha Chauhan
Tribune News Service

DHARAMSALA, Nov 20 — A keen contest is being witnessed in the Baijnath byelection as the Congress is trying hard to retain the seat which has remained its traditional bastion.

Starting its campaign on a rather weak wicket, the Congress has gained considerably in the past few days owing to vigorous campaigning by its top leadership. On the other hand, the BJP considers the going easy in the absence of Congress stalwart Sant Ram who represented the Baijnath constituency for a very long period.

The former Chief Minister, Mr Virbhadra Singh, and the PCC chief, Mr Sat Mahajan, have been effectively raising the issue of "galloping prices" and the sloppy performance of the government during its eight-month regime. The Congress has a new candidate in Sudhir Sharma, son of Sant Ram.

By and large Congress leaders have been able to appease disgruntled elements within the party who are whole-heartedly campaigning for the party candidate. A Rajput leader from the Congress, Mr Lokinder Thakur, who had filed his nomination papers as an Independent is now working for the Congress candidate. He has a good hold in the Kandwari Utrala belt.

The BJP candidate, Mr Dulo Ram, is contesting for the fifth time, having won one in 1990. Being a Gaddi, he has a hold over his community which constitutes a considerable chunk of the electorate. The BJP appears to be well-entrenched in the seven panchayats of polling, Swar, Loai, Multhan, Dharman, Kothi Kot and Bara Gaon in the tribal belt of Chotta and Bara Bhangal which remained loyal to Mr Dulo Ram. Along with Guned, Keori and Bir panchayats, the tribal belt of the Baijnath constituency has over 10,000 voters.

Both Congress as well as the BJP is concentrating on the middle belt of Deol Phater, Dhred, Hared, Khara Nal, Paprola Baijnath, Sansal and Bhattu, which has over 15,000 voters. The return of Mr Kishori Lal to the Congress fold has been a morale booster as he has considerable hold among the Dalits and the OBC's in the adjoining areas of Baijnath and Paprola.

Having remained a Sant Ram loyalist all along, he had contested the last election on the HVC ticket and managed to poll 5,000 votes. The Congress is now ensuring that the party gets the support of the Rajput community. Leaders like Mr Kuldeep Rana have been campaigning in Chaubeen, Gwal, Mahakal, Sansai and Majhoti areas.

The former Chief Minister, Mr Shanta Kumar, who has a clout in the area and was instrumental in getting the ticket allotted to Mr Dulo Ram, campaigned extensively for him even before his declaration as the party's official candidate. Those belonging to the Dhumal camp, however continue to the allotment of the ticket to Mr Dulo Ram instead of Ms Indu Goswami who had the backing of the Chief Minister and central party leaders.

The simmering discontent among the supporters of Mr Dhumal is evident with the Chief Minister not sparing time for campaigning for Mr Dulo Ram. Though leaders and workers from both Shanta and Dhumal groups have been camping in Baijnath area, they continue to view each other with suspicion.

"It is a question of do or die for Mr Dulo Ram as he has the sympathy of the voters who feel that he, too, should be given a change," commented a BJP supporter. The Chief Minister will address a series of public meetings in the area to dispel the impression that he is not taking interest in the election.

The concerted effort put in by Congress leaders has instilled confidence among the workers. "The people have now themselves seen the dismal governance of the BJP and the canard of regionalism that they have been using to divide the people of the state," says Mr Virbhadra Singh. Mr Sat Mahajah has been campaigning tirelessly for the past one month, the Congress is leaving no stone unturned to ensure its victory.

The contest is becoming a keen one as both senior BJP and Congress leaders are touring every nook and corner of the constituency. The main contest remains between these two parties. Other candidates from the SP, CPI, BSP and the Janata Dal are in the fray, but their presence in the election arena does not hold much significance.

Cong workers "terrorised"
Tribune News Service

DHARAMSALA, Nov 20 — A sitting legislator and joint secretary of the HPCC, Mr G.S. Bali, today said Congress workers were being "terrorised" in Baijnath and the deployment of the CRPF was a must for a free and fair poll.

Addressing a press conference here today, he said the Congress workers in the middle belt of Baijnath were being threatened and the matter had been reported to the District Returning Officer. Certain government officials were trying to influence the voters on the directions of the government in violation of the model code of conduct, he alleged. Despite the directions of the Election Commission, water pipes were being laid and work on roads was in full swing, he alleged.

Mr Bali said the vehicle of a former minister, Mr Satya Prakash Thakur, was stoned in the Chotta Bhangal area and his belongings thrown out of a rest house.

He accused the BJP of trying to distort the facts regarding the inquiry being held into the March 5 incidents at the time of the formation of the government. He said the inquiry was not complete and it had been sent to the Law Department for its opinion. The IPH Minister, Mr Ramesh Chaudhary, was making contradictory statements so that the attention of the voters would be diverted from core issues like unemployment, price rise and instability, he added.

Hotel workers observe strike
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, Nov 20 — Members of the Himachal Hotel Mazdoor Lal Jhanda Union here today observed a strike in protest against the alleged harassment and torture of hotel workers by the Station House Officer, Sadar, in connection with the Raj Kishore murder case.

Most restaurants in the town remained closed after 2 p.m. The protesters held a procession and a rally at which speakers condemned the manner in which the police was investigating the case.

Mr O.P. Chauhan, general secretary of the union, alleged that workers were being implicated in the case. Mr Suresh Kumar, who carried the victim, Raj Kishore, to hospital, reportedly went into depression after he was "tortured" by the police. The following day he was found in a precarious condition having consumed poison.

Yet another worker who was arrested was produced before the Judicial Magistrate after 48 hours.

The union said it did not have faith in the investigating agency and the case be handed over to the CBI.

The police denies the allegations.

SFI warning to Joshi
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, Nov 20 — The Students Federation of India (SFI) has warned Mr Murli Manohar Joshi, Union Minister for Human Resource Development, that he will face a black flag demonstration if he goes ahead with the idea of addressing the prestigious Dr Radhakrishanan memorial lecture in the Indian Institute of Advanced Study (IIAS) here.

An SFI leader, Mr Chander Shekhar, has said "saffronisation" of the IIAS will not be allowed. The academic glory of the institute should be maintained, he added.

Mr Shekhar said the IIAS had earned worldwide reputation of being the most important institute of higher learning.

Fellows of the institute have already protested against the decision of the IIAS governing body to depart from practice and invite a politician to deliver the lecture.

Confederation's plea on HAS cadre
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, Nov 20 — The newly set up Himachal Pradesh State Allied Administrative Services Confederation has urged the government to consider only those categories for inclusion in the cadre of the Himachal Administrative Services (HAS) which had been recruited through the common examination conducted by the Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission.

It strongly opposed the move to include managers of district industries centres in the cadre. It also demanded the rationalisation of the quota for induction into the HAS.