M A I N   N E W S

Punjab Cong holds dharnas
Says NDA govt scam-tainted
Tribune Reporters

Ropar, August 28
The district unit of the Congress today staged a dharna in the district administrative complex here against the NDA government’s “anti-people” policies, especially favouritism in the allotment of petrol stations and gas agencies.

The dharna was addressed among others by Rana K.P. Singh, MLA from Nangal, Mr Harminder Singh Saini, district president of the party, Mr Bhag Singh, a former MLA, Ms Bhupinder Kaur Gill, district president of the Mahila Congress, Mr Gurinder Pal Singh Billa, vice-chairman of the Backward Classes cell of the PPCC, Mr Basant Singh, a former MLA, and Mr Kulbir Singh Bedi, a Congress leader from SAS Nagar.

The protesters submitted a memorandum to the district administration, to be forwarded to the President, demanding that the Prime Minister should resign on moral grounds and that action should be taken against those involved in the allotment of petrol stations and gas agencies.

BATHINDA: The District Congress Committee on Wednesday held a dharna near the office of the Deputy Commissioner and demanded that the Union Petroleum Minister, Mr Ram Naik, should resign and a CBI probe be held into the bunglings in the allotment of petrol stations and gas agencies.

Congress members raised slogans against the Vajpayee government, alleging that it was communal and involved in scams.

Mr Kewal Krishan Aggarwal, general secretary, said it was shameful that ministers and leaders of the BJP, which claimed to be a party of principles, was embroiled in scams.

NAWANSHAHR: Hundreds of Congressmen under the aegis of district unit of the Congress, held a dharna and a rally in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office here on Wednesday to mobilise public opinion against the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre. Mr Tarlochan Singh Soond, MLA, Mr Ram Kishan Kataria, a former MLA, Rana Kuldip Singh, district president, and Mr R.P. Singh, PPCC member, were among those who took part in the protest.

JALANDHAR: Hundreds of Congress workers on Wednesday staged a dharna outside the Deputy Commissioner’s office here in protest against the “wrong” policies of Central Government.

Addressing the gathering, the president of the district unit of the Congress, Mr Tajinder Singh Bittu, alleged that the true face of the BJP had been exposed following the petrol station allotment scam.

Mr Bittu alleged that the Centre was pursuing anti-farmer policies by allowing the import of some restricted agriculture items in the name of liberalisation, which would untimely ruin the economy.

Later, the leaders presented a memorandum against the “wrongdoings” of the Central Government to the Deputy Commissioner.

PATIALA: The District Congress Committee, under the leadership of the DCC president, Mr Ved Prakash Gupta, on Wednesday organised a rally outside the railway station here in protest against the alleged irregularities in the allotment of petrol stations and LPG agencies.

The protesters included an MP, Ms Preneet Kaur and the Mayor, Mr Vishnu Sharma.

The Congress demanded the resignation of the Petroleum Minister.

HOSHIARPUR: Congress workers organised rally at District Congress Committee office here on Wednesday in protest against the alleged irregularities and scams of the NDA government. Later, the workers, led by Mr Kuldip Kumar Nanda, president of the DCC, and Mr Ram Lubhiya, MLA, went in procession to Mr Paramjit, Additional Deputy Commissioner (General), and presented him a memorandum addressed to the President.