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| Tuesday, February 1, 2000, Chandigarh, India  
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Big
setback for deserters Team on 5-day study tour of
Haryana Thakran, Prasad join BSP Mahajan left high and dry SUCI, BSP name candidates |
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Keen contest for Kiloi
ticket BSP to contest 5 Sirsa seats 61 file papers in Haryana Appeal to vote out Chautala Govt Mahapanchayat of Kamboj community Postal Life Insurance Day today Saini files two sets of papers Surajkund crafts mela opens today Four-laning of road sought Bajrang Dal men attack priest Grenade ammunition seized, 1 held
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Haryana poll CHANDIGARH, Jan 31 — The mid-term poll in Haryana has turned out to be a big setback for those legislators who had deserted Mr Bansi Lal and joined hands with the INLD chief, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, enabling the latter to form the government in Haryana. Out of the 19 former Bansi Lal loyalists in the 22-member Cabinet headed by Mr Chautala, only three have been given the INLD ticket. Nine of the remaining 16 seats have been claimed by the BJP, INLD's electoral partner. The INLD has put up its own candidates in five seats. They are different from the deserters who had also become members of the INLD. While Ms Krishna Gahlwat, representing the Rohat constituency, has already been expelled by the INLD chief from the party and this seat is expected to be fought by an INLD candidate, the fate of Naraingarh, represented by Mr Rajkumar Saini, a Minister of State in Mr Chautala's Cabinet, is still unknown. Even though Mr Saini is camping in his constituency and hoping that he will get the party ticket, Mr Chautala is least likely to retain him. A total of 25 legislators, it may be recalled, had left Mr Bansi Lal and come over to the Chautala camp. The last entrant in the INLD from Mr Bansi Lal's HVP was Mr Mani Ram Godara, formerly Home Minister in the Bansi Lal-led Cabinet. However Mr Sampat Singh, Finance Minister of Haryana, has filed his papers from the Bhattu Kalan constituency, which was represented by Mr Godara in the dessolved assembly. It is not known whether Mr Chautala will accommodate the elderly aspirant elsewhere. Mr Jagan Nath and Mr Karan Singh Dalal, two HVP legistators who played important roles in bringing down the Bansi Lal regime but also developed problems with Mr Chautala subsequently, have found sanctuaries, respectively, in the Congress and the BJP. Five legistators, including the Social Welfare Minister, Ms Gahlwat, who were expelled from the party by Mr Chautala, were also accepted by the Congress. The other rejected legislators are also trying to get political refuge. If Mr Jagpal Chaudhary, senior vice-president of the BSP's Haryana unit, is to be believed, a minister from Yamunanagar district had approached the BSP supremo, Mr Kanshi Ram, for contesting the poll as a BSP candidate. Mr Kanshi Ram, however, turned down the minister's request, Mr Chaudhary said. The Finance Minister, Mr Sampat Singh, when asked whether it was correct on the part of Mr Chautala to refuse tickets to the newcomers whose support was crucial for him for forming the government, replied that some of the HVP deserters were too ambitious. It would not be possible to adjust them in any team and, consequently, they had fallen out with Mr Chautala. He added that some of the deserters also got alienated from the people of their constituencies and it would not be possible for them to return even if they were given the party tickets. Political observers, however, said the treatment meted out by Mr Chautala to the deserters may serve as a lesson to those politicians who indulged in frequent change of loyalties. The politics of defection in Haryana, it may be stated, is as old as the state itself and the phenomenon has even been the subject matter of a number of scholarly works. What may increase the
frustration of the deserters is the fact that Mr Bansi
Lal's HVP has reportedly renominated all its sitting
legislators, while those who had abandoned him had been
left high and dry by Mr Chautala. |
Team on 5-day study tour of
Haryana CHANDIGARH, Jan 31 — A 13-member team from the National Defence College, led by the Joint Secretary and Director, Faculty, Mr G.P. Joshi, which is on a five-day study tour of Haryana, has appreciated the developmental strides made by the state within a short period. The team had a meeting with the Chief Secretary, Mr Ram S. Varma, at the Yadavindra Gardens, Pinjore, near here, today. The team is on a study mission on different aspects of development, including socio-economic, industrial, environment, agriculture, irrigation, rural development, health and education, besides future programmes. The team which also includes members from Vietnam, Bangaldesh and Malaysia will visit various areas in the state till February 4. Mr Varma said Haryana had emerged as a fast-developing state in the country as all villages had electricity, supply of safe drinking water and were connected with link roads. Also, the state had a good transport system. The Commissioner and Secretary, Agriculture, Mr Naseem Ahmed, said the production of foodgrains had increased five times since the formation of the state in 1966. Steps had been taken to promote the cultivation of cotton in the areas of Bhiwani, whereas in Sirsa where the crop of cotton had been suffering due to a virus, the farmers had been motivated to cultivate sugarcane. They were also informed that two new sugar mills were also being set up in the state. They were informed by the Financial Commissioner and Secretary, Education, Mr Prem Prashant, that the rate of literacy in the state was 62 per cent as against the national average of 55 per cent. The members of the team
included Cmd. Anup Singh (Indian Navy, Cmd. M.K. Alam
(Bangladesh navy), Brig R.K. Gupta, Air Cmd. Amrish
Kumar, VSM, Mr Vinod Kumar, IFS, Brig A.K. Lamba, Col
Megat (Malaysian army), Mr A.K. Saini, Mr A.B. Sayyad,
Air Cmd. P.S. Ahluwalia, AVSM, VM, Col Do Van Son,
People’s Army of Vietnam and Col L.K. Shara (Indian
Army). |
Thakran, Prasad join BSP GURGAON, Jan 31 — A leader of the erstwhile Jan Sangh and two time MLA from Gurgaon, Mr Pratap Singh Thakran, and a prominent backward class leader of the Indian National Lok Dal, Mr Kirti Prasad, have decided to join the BSP. Both Mr Thakran and Mr Prasad announced their respective decisions this evening at a press conference addressed by a central leader of the party, Mr Raghu Yadav. Mr Thakran was an MLA in 1967 on the Jan Sangh ticket and again in 1977 as a nominee of the Janata Party. He was also Deputy Chairman, Planning Board, Haryana. He hails from a the Jat community in Haryana. Mr Raghu Yadav hailed the decision of Mr Thakran and Mr Prasad to join the BSP and said that it would strengthen his party, especially in South Haryana. Although Mr Yadav evaded the question, insiders in the BSP said either Mr Thakran or his son may be made the party nominee from Gurgaon in the ensuing assembly election in Haryana. In response to a question, Mr Thakran said he would contest from Gurgaon if he was given the party ticket. However, he said that his joining the party was unconditional. Mr Yadav said his party will contest all the assembly seats in the state. According to him, his party has already finalised the list of its nominees and would release it shortly. In response to a question he said that the Congress had approached the BSP for electoral understanding. He said that his party was not interested in forging an alliance with the Congress. According to sources, the BSP was not releasing its nominees as it was waiting for disgruntled elements from other political parties (those denied party tickets) to join its ranks. Mr Yadav said the party chief, Mr Kanshi Ram will visit all the Assembly constituencies in South Haryana to canvass support for the party nominess. Coming down heavily on the BJP, he said that its leaders had opposed abolition of octroi during the Bansi Lal government. He elaborated saying that the BJP leader, Prof Ram Bilas Sharma was the chairman of the committee set up by the Bansi Lal government to study on the feasibility of abolising the octroi. The committee had not only recommended against the abolition, but suggested increasing the taxes. The party leaders were also involved in the enforcement of the "infamous" prohibition as one of its member, Prof Ganeshi Lal, was the minister concerned. He also alleged that
after becoming Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala
backed out on his earlier promise to provide free water
and electricity to the people of the State. Just before
dissolving the Assembly he made a number of promises to
all sections of the society which could not be fulfilled
by him, he added. |
BSP Gen Secy joins Cong CHANDIGARH, Jan 31 — Mr Pradeep Chowdhary, General Secretary of the Haryana Bahujan Samaj Party, has resigned from the BSP and joined the Congress expressing full faith in the leadership of the AICC President, Mrs Sonia Gandhi. Mr Chowdhary is the grandson of late Sahib Ram, elder brother of the former Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Devi Lal. He fought the last Lok Sabha elections from Karnal as a candidate of the BSP. In a communication to Mr
Bhupinder Singh Hooda, President of the Haryana Congress,
Mr Chowdhary said he had joined the Congress for
combating a fascist like Mr Om Prakash Chautala in the
coming Assembly elections. |
Mahajan left high and dry HISAR, Jan 31 — With the announcement of the nomination of Dr Kamal Gupta as the Bharatiya Janata Party candidate from Hisar, Mr Om Parkash Mahajan, the sitting MLA and a senior minister in the Chautala government is likely to be forced to contest as an Independent. He had pinned his hopes on getting Indian National Lok Dal ticket or at least the backing of the party as an independent. Mr Mahajan has worked with all three major parties of the Haryana and has also served a stint in the BJP. He left the BJP in 1996 to contest as an independent candidate from Hisar and won. Although he then joined the Bansi Lal government he did not join his HVP. Yet he did not desert Mr Bansi Lal when many HVP MLAs did and Mr Chautala became the Chief Minister he extended support to the INLD candidate from the Hisar Lok Sabha seat and after the Lok Sabha poll he formally joined the Chautala Ministry. Mr Mahajan a Punjabi banks heavily on the community's vote. Punjabis constitute a majority in the Hisar Assembly segment. However, this time the going is likely to be harder for him with a tough contest from the BJP and Mr O P Jindal the Congress hopeful and a formidable candidate. To complicate matters two of his former supporters, Mr Yeg Dut Setia and Ved Prakash Mehta have deserted. Mr Mahajan to contest as independents. There is a fourth influential independent candidate Dr Inderjeet also a Punjabi, but who does not seek votes on the basis of caste or region. He feels, his social work will stand him in good stead. Hisar may also witness the entery of another powerful independent in Mr Hari Singh Saini a senior Congress leader and former minister who is reported to have said that in case he is denied a ticket, he too will contest as an independent. Mr Saini had lost to Mr Mahajan in 1996. Thus Hisar, will not see
a direct fight between the BJP and the Congress with
independents like Mr Mahajan and Mr Saini polling in
substantive votes it is going to be a hard seat to
predict. |
SUCI, BSP name candidates SONEPAT, Jan 31 — The Haryana state committee of the Socialist Unity Centre of India (SUCI) today released a list of six candidates for the forthcoming Haryana Vidhan Sabha elections. According to a press note issued by the party, Mr Zile Singh will contest from Kiloi, Mr Roshan Lal from Pundri, Mr Shamsher Singh from Rai, Mr Kaptin Ganpat Ram from Jatusana, Mr Balbir Singh from Ateli and Mr Raj Kumar from Bhiwani. The party accused the Congress and the BJP of encouraging the capitalist forces in the country and having failed to protect the rights of the common people, particularly workers. It appealed to the electorate not to fall prey to both these parties and strengthen the hands of democratic forces in the state. Meanwhile, the BSP has announced the names of its candidates for the seats falling in Sonepat district. They are Mr Raj Singh Dalal (Sonepat), Mr Dayanand Rathi (Kailana), Mr Dilbagh Singh Bajwan (Gohana), Mr Balraj Kalsan (Baroda-R), Mr Balbir Singh Dahiya (Rohat) and Mr Balraj Singh Saini (Rai). Certain Congress leaders
and activists have lodged a strong protest with AICC
President Sonia Gandhi and other senior party leaders
against the proposed decision of the party to leave the
Rai and Rohat Assembly constituencies to the Lok Dal
(Ajit) and warned the decision would be opposed tooth and
nail. |
Keen contest for Kiloi ticket ROHTAK, Jan 31 — Kiloi assembly seat in this district has become the focus of interest as it is being viewed as very prestigious by the Congress as well as the ruling Indian National Lok Dal (INLD). Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee President, Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda is the Congress nominee from this seat. Although Mr Chautala yesterday realsed a list of 48 candidates for various assembly segments, the candidate for this seat is yet to be decided. According to sources, the Chief Minister is in search of a "wining" candidate and is gathering gather information from different sources. Mr Krishan Murti Hooda, a former minister, held a Mahapanchayat of Kiloi here to impress Mr Chautala by "a show of strength". He represented this constituency as a Congress nominee from 1991 to 1996 but was later expelled from the party. Speakers at the Mahapanachayat appreciated the development work carried out by Mr Hooda and appealed the Chief Minister to give him the party ticket. Mr Dharam Pal Makrauliwala, Chairman, Zila Parishad and an INLD leader is also lobbying the party ticket. He has been a party worker for the past 20 years. Dr Prem Singh Hooda, Vice-President, Doctors Cell of district INLD is also in the race. He was general secretary of district unit of the party from 1991 to 1996. Dr Sarla Malik, former head of the Public Administration Department, Maharshi Dayanand University is contesting as an independent. She will file her nomination form on February 20. Another candidate, Mr Ram Bhaj Hooda filed his nomination as an Independent a few days ago. Earlier, he was associated with Haryana Vikas Party. Mr Zile Singh filed his nomination from the Socialist Unity Centre of India. The sitting INLD MLA, Mr
Sri Kishan Hooda is also in the race. But the delay in
announcement of the ticket may damage his chances. |
BSP to contest 5 Sirsa seats SIRSA, Jan 31 — The Bahujan Samaj Party will field their candidates on all the five Vidhan Sabha seats in the district in the coming elections. While disclosing this today the district president of the party Mool Chand Rathi said that four candidates, Ram Kumar Neol from Darba Kalan, Bhura Singh from Rori, Jagir Singh from Sirsa and Major Singh from Dabwali have already been finalised while a fifth from Ellenabad, will be decided in a day or two. He said that all the five candidates will file their nomination on February 2 after leading a procession from Hathi park. The National Congress Party of Mr Sharad Pawar has decided to nominate Mr Jyoti Parkash Gupta of the Sirsa Vidhan Sabha segment. The Communist Party of
India has decided to field Comrade Vrindavan from Rori
Constituency from where Chief Minister is the INLD
candidate. The CPM Comrade Avtar Singh has filed his
nomination from the Sirsa assembly seat. Interestingly
all four parties are fighting elections for the first
time from this area. |
61 file papers in Haryana CHANDIGARH, Jan 31 — A total of 61 aspirants belonging to various political parties and Independents have filed their nomination papers in Haryana today. Those who have filed their papers today include Mr Chander Mohan, sitting Congress legislator from Kalka who is also son of a former Chief Minister, Mr Bhajan Lal, Mr Raj Kumar Saini, a Minister of State in the caretaker government headed by Mr Om Prakash Chautala, Mr Dilu Ram, a sitting INLD legislator, Mr Harpal Singh, veteran Congress leader, who filed his papers from Tohana, Mr Jagdish Nayyar, a Minister of State in the Chautala-led Cabinet, who filed his papers from Hassanpur. With this the number of aspirants for the Haryana polls has gone up to 160. The filing of nominations started last Thursday and so far none of the HVP deserters, who have been denied ticket by Mr Chautala, has filed his paper. The scrutiny will take
place on February 4, after the nomination closes on
February 3. The last date for withdrawal is February 7
and the polling will take place on February 22. |
Appeal to vote out Chautala
Govt REWARI, Jan 31 — Senior Congress leader and the party nominee from Rewari, Capt Ajay Singh Yadav (retd) has asserted that southern Haryana had been given a step-motherly treatment during all previous regimes which were headed by Chief Ministers belonging to Bhiwani, Sirsa and Hisar. He made this statement while addressing an election meeting in the historic village of Gokalgarh, near here, yesterday, he said. Launching a scathing attack on the policies being persistently followed with regard to southern Haryana by Mr Devi Lal and his Chief Minister son, Mr Om Prakash Chautala. He called upon the people of southern Haryana to vote out the Chautala Government and bring in the Congress which alone could deliver the goods. He also addressed election meetings in Meerpur and various other villages. He was presented with a
silver crown and purses totalling Rs 1 lakh by residents
of Gokalgarh village. |
HVP releases second list HISAR, Jan 31 — Mr Kanwal Singh, president of the HVP Parliamentary Board, today released the second list of seven candidates for the forthcoming Haryana Assembly elections. Earlier, he had released a list of 38 candidates. The party has nominated
Mr Ram Kishan Fauzi from Bawani Khera (reserve), Mr
K.P.Singh from Kalka, Mr Ram Kishan from Naultha, Mr Raj
Kumar from Ratia, Mr Nirmal Singh from Rajound, Mr Bharat
Singh Malik from Narwana and Satpal Deswal from Badli. |
Mahapanchayat of Kamboj community SIRSA, Jan 31 — A mahapanchayat of the Kamboj community was organised at Mallewala village in the district yesterday. The panchayat meeting was attended by leaders of the community belonging to different political parties including former MLA and Vice-President of the INLD, Hajar Chand Kamboj and Seth Gopi Chand who unsuccessfully fought last election on INLD ticket and Krishan Baldev of Congress. The meeting decided that the community would field their own candidate from all five Vidhan Sabha constituencies in the district, if no major political party i.e. the INLD, the Congress and the BJP failed to give representation to Kambojs in their list of candidates. It was also decided that Seth Gopi Chand will be fielded from here.The final decision in this regard will be taken after seeing the list of the Congress candidates. This decision will have
a major impact on the elections in the district as the
community has a substantial number of voters. |
Singhal poll observer for Bihar HISAR, Jan 31 — The Election Commission has appointed Mr Gobind Singhal, Deputy Director of Income Tax, Hisar as election observer for the Vidhan Sabha elections in Bihar. Mr Singhal will look
after all Vidhan Sabha constituencies in Siwan district
of Bihar. |
Postal Life Insurance Day today AMBALA, Jan 31 — Postal Life Insurance Day will be celebrated tomorrow, Chief Post Master General, Haryana Circle, Mr T.R. Sharma, said here today. Mr Sharma said that postal life insurance, which started on February 1, 1884, and is being run by the Department of Posts, would celebrate its 116th anniversary tomorrow. "It is giving complete social security, among others, to the employees of the central and state governments, nationalised banks, defence, the Railways, undertakings, financial institutions, government-aided educational institutions and municipal corporations," he said. The postal life insurance was providing five types of policies — Santosh, Sumangal, Suraksha, Suvidha and Yugal Suraksha. It also gives the facility of loan and surrender of the policy and deposit of monthly premium at any selected post office. The motto of low premium and high bonus was maintained by the PLI, Mr Sharma said. There were 15 head post offices and 479 sub-post offices in Haryana Circle and the premium of the PLI could be deposited at any post office. Mr Sharma said that Haryana Circle had established its identity in the country by securing the highest business in the PLI. During 1999-2000, the target allotted was Rs 35 crore and the business already achieved Rs 33.84 crore with the number of policies sold being 3,404 up to December 31, 1999. The PLI work had been
fully computerised from January 18, 1996. The postal life
insurance schedules, which were prepared manually by the
head post offices now were being received in a floppy
under the head post office transaction processing system.
This system had been installed in 13 head offices. There
were about 70,000 active policies running in this circle,
he added. |
Surajkund crafts mela opens today FARIDABAD, Jan 31 — The 14th Surajkund crafts mela is set for a grand opening tomorrow with Jammu and Kashmir as the theme state. Visitors to the mela will have a glimpse of the rich handlooms, crafts and culture of the state. Mr M.P. Bezbaruah, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, will inaugurate the mela and the closing ceremony would be presided over by Mr Mahabir Prasad, Governor Haryana, on February 15. Mr Surjit Singh Salathia, Tourism Minister of Jammu and Kashmir will be the guest of honour at tomorrow’s function. The replica of the
dargah of Shah Hamdan in Kashmir is the master motiff.
About 70 master craftmen of Jammu and Kashmir will
display pashmina and Basohli shawls, deodar wood
carvings, leather embroidery and wallnut wood carvings.
Artistes from Kargil will be an added attraction at the
mela. |
Saini files two sets of papers NARAINGARH (Ambala), Jan 31 — While the delay in announcement of party tickets is causing anxiety among prospective party ticket seekers, at least one ticket seeker, Mr Raj Kumar Saini, today filed two sets of nomination papers — one as an independent candidate and the other as an INLD candidate. The filling of nomination papers for the Naraingarh Assembly seat turned into a show of strength. Mr Saini declared, “The inordinate delay by the INLD to announce the candidates has forced me to take this step. I have decided to contest the elections. So, if by any chance, my name does not figure in the INLD list, then I will contest as an independent candidate.” The Subdivisional Magistrate of Naraingarh said only two candidates had filed their nomination papers. “While an independent candidate, Mr Banarsi Dass, filed the nomination papers, two set of nomination papers were filed by Mr Raj Kumar Saini,” he said. Mr Saini is going to
contest the assembly elections for the second consecutive
term. “I am going back to the people and the work
done for the assembly segment are my achievements,”
he said. |
Four-laning of road sought AMBALA, Jan 31 — In a joint statement Dr K.D. Sharma, President, Ambala cantonment BJP unit, Mr Ajay Jain, General Secretary, Citizen Council, Ambala, Mr A.D. Gandhi, General Secretary, Haryana Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Mr N.C. Jain, President, Ambala Traders Federation, expressed concern over delaying the four laning project of Ambala-Jagadhri road No 22. The project has been funded and approved by the World Bank but it had been withheld following mass encroachment on the Jagadhri road within the Mahesh Nagar area at Ambla cantonment. The encroachments have been removed to the satisfaction of the World Bank authorities about one year ago. Mr Ajay Jain said that a number of time the residents of Ambala cantonment demanded the state government to start the four-laning project. A former Chief Minister, Mr Bansi Lal, has stated that tenders had been invited, but the construction could not be started. Mr Jain said there was
heavy traffic on this road. |
Bajrang Dal men attack priest SIRSA, Jan 31 — Joint Secretary of the Pentecostal Church of India Kuldeep Singh Bedi said a church priest had been attacked by Bajrang Dal activists here on January 26. Talking to pressmen yesterday evening in the presence of the various Christian officials he said that the church preached non-violence and had no plans for conversions in the area. Despite this Bajrang Dal leaders had issued threat to the Church's priest in the past few days and attacked him on the evening of January 26. The priest himself was silent on why the attack had not been reported to the police immediately. Mr Bedi, however, said the intelligence wing of the police had been informed of the threats. Mr Bedi charged the
police with twisting facts in the case to shield the
accused. |
Grenade ammunition seized, 1
held ROHTAK, Jan 31 — The police has seized a hand-grenade, a pistol and some cartridges from two different places in the district. According to police sources, Mahesh of Malikpur village of Beri subdivision of Jhajjar district was arrested following seizure of a hand-grenade, two fuse pins, two pistons and some rounds of cartridge from his house. A case under the explosive Act has been registered. In another incident, the
police seized a country-made pistol of .12 bore and one
cartridge from Purshottam, of sugarmill colony here on
Saturday. |
R.N. Vasudeva bereaved KARNAL, Jan 31 —
Mrs Sushila Vasudeva, mother of Mr R.N. Vasudeva,
Inspector-General of Police, Madhuban (Karnal), died
today after a brief illness. She was 92. She was cremated
in the evening and her funeral was attended by senior
police officers, members of the Madhuban constabulary and
leading citizens of Karnal. She leaves behind two sons
and four daughters. |
Oil conservation fortnight CHANDIGARH, Jan 31
— The valedictory function of the oil conservation
fortnight was organised by Indian Oil Corporation (IOC)
at National Public School, Kurali, about 25 km from here
on Monday. Mr H.S. Bedi, Chief Divisional Manager of IOC,
stressed on need to conserve petroleum products. An
on-the-spot painting contest, a declamation and
cross-country run on the theme were organised in which
students from Chakwal National Senior Secondary School,
DAV High School and National Public School participated. |
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