M A I N   N E W S

BSP to bring ‘rule of vote’
Tribune News Service

Talwandi Sabo, April 13
The BSP supremo, Mr Kanshi Ram, today said his party would fight against all odds to give a real democratic character to the country in general and Punjab in particular by bringing the ‘rule of vote’ after replacing the rule of “money”.

Addressing a rally organised on the occasion of the Baisakhi mela, Mr Kanshi Ram said so far successive governments at the Centre and in Punjab had played with the sentiments of people.

He said the BSP had been making efforts to bring those belonging to the weaker sections on one platform so that a government ruled by them could be formed.

Ruling out any alliance in Punjab for the coming elections, Mr Kanshi Ram said his party would come to power on its own. He alleged that Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and his associates had ignored the legacy of Guru Gobind Singh who had created a casteless society.

Mr Badal had extended facilities like free power and electricity only to the “haves” section of society, he alleged. He said the BSP was thinking whether to fight the coming SGPC elections or not.

Congress unfolds poll agenda
Chander Parkash
Tribune News Service

Talwandi Sabo, April 13
The Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) leadership today launched its campaign for the coming assembly election by unfolding its agenda for the same, which included absolute powers to panchayats to carry out rural development works, anti-poverty programme, free and uninterrupted power supply to farmers and weaker sections and introduction of rational loan-waving scheme.

The PPCC leadership in the party conference organised on the occasion of Baisakhi, which witnessed a massive turnout, announced that the days of the SAD-BJP combine government led by Mr Parkash Singh Badal were numbered and it would leave no stone unturned to remove the corrupt government by joining hands with other secular parties.

The PPCC President, Mr Amarinder Singh, who was in an upbeat mood, said the Congress if came to power in the coming election would make arrangements for crop insurance.

He added that it would be their job to provide insurance cover to each and every farmer.

He added that a Congress government would also make arrangements for vocational education at the grassroots level.

The prevailing educational system would be changed and it would be replaced with information technology education system.

Mr Amarinder Singh, while claiming that there was absolute unity in the Congress rank and file, said the party was prepared to face election any time. He added that corruption in the present government would be the main poll plank of the party in the coming elections.

Apart from it, he said a high-powered commission headed by a sitting judge of the Supreme Court would be set up to probe the corruption done by Mr Badal and his kin and associates.

The PPCC President alleged that the Chief Minister was again trying to disturb peace in the state by trying to revive terrorism in Punjab.

He further alleged that Mr Badal had adopted double standards on the WTO issue.

He added that Mr Badal had also betrayed the sentiments of Punjabis by not taking any step in connection with the transfer of Chandigarh and fair distribution of river water among various states.

Though Mr Jagmeet Singh Brar, member of Parliament, did not turn up in the rally, his loyalists were seen in the pandal. A number of Akali leaders announced their joining the Congress on the occasion.

Those who addressed the gathering included Mr Bir Devinder Singh, Mr Jasbir Singh, Mr Harminder Singh Jassi, Mr Surinder Kapoor, Mr Ajit Inder Singh Mofar, Mr Harbans Singh Jalal and Mr Jagroop Singh Gill.

Earlier, Mr Amarinder Singh, while addressing a press conference said the Congress was willing to join hands with secular parties to defeat the SAD-BJP combine government in Punjab.

He added that he was willing to have an open debate with Mr Badal on Operation Blue Star and Operation Black Thunder.