The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

	Advani lashes out at Amarinder govt Ravi Dhaliwal Patiala, May 2 The Deputy Prime Minister, Mr L.K. Advani, lambasted the Capt Amarinder Singh Government by saying that it was resorting to undemocratic means, and arm twisting measures to fix political opponents and was even committing police atrocities. Mr Advani, who flew in after canvassing in Himachal Pradesh, was addressing a rally at Vir Hakiquat Rai Park in support of the SAD -BJP candidate from Patiala parliamentary constituency, Capt Kanwaljit Singh. Mr Advani’s adverse remarks against Capt Amarinder Singh were an oblique reference to the latter’s handling of the Badal affair by various agencies, including the Vigilance Department. Mr Advani added that police excesses were going on in Punjab. The rally threatened to turn unsavory when activists of the BJP Yuva Morcha started raising slogans in an unruly manner and as they were forcibly making their way to the dais, several speakers exhorted them to go back. However, when they did not heed to the call of SAD leaders, it was ultimately Mr L.K. Advani who took to the mike and urged then to remain calm. He even went to the extent of saying that he would not go ahead with his speech if things did not cool off. The Deputy Prime Minister, who reached the venue at least an hour behind schedule, also spoke about the exit polls which had predicted a hung parliament. Mr Advani rubbished the claims of such polls by saying earlier too exit polls had predicted that the Congress would sweep assembly elections in Chattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. However, he added that all three states went to the BJP and Ms Uma Bharti, Mr Raman Singh and Ms Vasundhara Raje Scindia ended up becoming Chief Ministers. He said the ‘BSP’ — bijli, pani, sadak- factor would go a long way in ensuring the NDA’s victory in the forthcoming polls. He qualified his statement by saying that all these three BSP issues contributed to development which was a key poll plank of the NDA Government. Mr Advani, in his 20-minute extempore, said that the people of the country had been witness to 13 parliamentary elections and had become politically mature. He said this was evident from the fact that while on the one hand the country had seen six Prime Ministers since 1988 to 1998, the BJP had given them a stable government in the form of just one PM- Mr A.B. Vajpayee for six years since 1998 till 2004. Mr Advani exhorted the people to vote for Capt Kanwaljit Singh saying that he was a “two in one” candidate. He elaborated by saying that a vote for the SAD candidate would be a vote for Mr A.B. Vajpayee. The Deputy Prime Minister also spoke about the inter-linking of rivers in the country and the construction of roads. He said the river project would not only generate employment but would also wipe out drought like conditions in the country. On the other hand he said that the ‘golden quadrilateral’ project -the PM’s pet project-brought in job opportunities for at least 85 lakh people across the length and breadth of the country. Speaking about development, Mr Advani claimed that 'pucca' roads would reach each villages by 2020. Speaking about the Akalis, Mr Advani said that they had shown political maturity during 1975 when the then PM had imposed Emergency. He added that the Akalis were in the forefront of the struggle against the Emergency and it was due to them that Indira Gandhi’s party was routed in 1977. Capt Kanwaljit Singh, while speaking on the occasion, took strong exception to the remarks of Mrs Preneet Kaur that Mr I.K Gujral and Mr L.K. Advani were foreigners.
	BJP to expose ‘misdeeds’ of Congress govt Tribune News Service Amritsar, May 2 The BJP has decided to publish a ‘white paper’ to expose the alleged ‘misdeeds’ of the Congress government after the parliamentary elections . This was disclosed by Mr Balramji Dass Tandon, a senior party leader and former Punjab Minister, here yesterday. He said unlike the Congress government which had resorted to political vendetta , the SAD-BJP would take stringent action against the Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh, and his Cabinet colleagues as per rule of the land, after forming its government in the state. He said the BJP was preparing a list of bureaucrats who were working like Congress leaders after coming to power such officers would be taken to task. Mr Tandon said his party would impress upon the Central Government to re-investigate the case of Mr Raninder Singh, son of Capt Amarinder Singh, by DRI which was the only agency to deal with cases pertaining to foreign investments . To a question, Mr Tandon said the party would take strict action against the rebel BJP workers who were working against the party interests in the Lok Sabha elections. He said the party high command was seized of the matter as sporadic complaints were pouring in from certain districts. He warned that show-cause notices would be issued to such leaders after the Lok Sabha elections. To a question, Mr Tandon said though Mr Aviash Khanna could continue to be state BJP chief even after his election as MP from Hoshiarpur, yet any decision in such a situation could be taken after the elections only. Mr Tandon claimed that the SAD-BJP combine would sweep the forthcoming parliament elections due to feel-good and anti-incumbency factors.
	Poonam disappoints Sidhu supporters Our Correspondent Amritsar, May 2 Film star Poonam Dhillon who came especially to address election rally in favour of BJP candidate Navjot Singh Sidhu here last night climbed the stage and left after waiving to the crowd to catch train to Delhi. The BJP workers were disappointed as the star attraction failed to deliver a speech in support of Mr Sidhu. Ms Dhillon who arrived two hours late from Pathankot landed at the rally site at 9.20 p.m. left within two minutes. She had refused to climb the stage as she was keen not to miss the train but after persuasion from Mr Sidhu that she came to stage to waive the crowd.
	SAD-BJP to sharpen attack on Amarinder Sarbjit Dhaliwal Tribune News Service Sangrur, May 2 After two brain-storming sessions held on Sunday to review the poll strategy, the SAD-BJP combine has decided to the make its election campaign more aggressive by sharpening the attack on the Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh, and his government besides targeting the Congress President, Ms Sonia Gandhi. Informed SAD sources told The Tribune today that this morning senior Akali leaders led by Mr Parkash Singh Badal and the BJP leaders led by Mr Avinash Jaiswal met at breakfast in Jalandhar to review the ongoing election campaign. They had met him last night also. Mr Kirpal Singh Badungar, Dr Daljit Singh Cheema and other spin doctors of the SAD and the BJP also participated in the meeting. It was felt at the meetings that there was a need to pull up the socks as the rival Congress has become hyper-active after the exit poll predictions that the Congress would perform well in southern states and some other parts of the country where polling is over. The dominating view at the meeting was that there was no aggression in the speeches made by senior leaders at election meetings of the SAD-BJP. On the other hand the Congress leaders have been using very tough and harsh language against the SAD-BJP leaders. Certain leaders suggested that the Congress should be paid back in the same coin by making use of strong language against the top leaders of the Congress and focussing attack on certain top Congress functionaries. Sources said during the meeting Mr Parkash Singh Badal, talked to the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Bihari Vajpayee, on phone to request him to spare at least one day for Punjab before the end of the election campaign on May 8. Polling in Punjab is to be held on May 10. Mr Vajpayee is required, SAD leaders said, to neutralise the Sonia Gandhi effect in Punjab. Ms Gandhi will visit the state thrice next week. Tomorrow, she will address a rally at Pathankot and next day in Phagwara and on May 7 in Patiala. So there will be a need to neutralise the impact of her visits to the state. Sources said the PMO’s election tour managers have not confirmed any date for the Prime Minister’s visit to Punjab. Mr Badal has asked the BJP leaders to gear up its machinery in the urban areas where voters needed to be mobilised in a big way. The Vajpayee factor exists in the urban areas but without mobilising voters, this factor would be paying no electoral dividends. In all election meetings in urban areas, the SAD-BJP combine would be focussing on Mr Vajpayee. The other issue that was discussed at the meeting prominently was the involvement of youth in the election campaign. All opinion poll have come out with the finding that Mr Vajpayee was very popular among youth. Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal has been asked to mobilise youth wing leaders in all districts. Likewise, the BJP has asked its yuva morcha leaders to be in the top gear in urban areas. Meanwhile, the BJP has fielded Mr Arun Jaitley, Union Law Minister, as one of the main campaigners in the state. Mr Jaitley, who speaks good Punjabi and has wide acceptability in urban areas, will be spending May 5, 6 and 7 in various districts of Punjab especially in the Amritsar-Gurdaspur and Jalandhar belt. Mr Shatrugan Sinha, the Bihari Babu, will addressing election rallies in Punjab on May 5. The Gujarat Chief Minister, Mr Narendra Modi will also address election meetings the same day. Mrs Vasundra Raje Scindia, Chief Minister of Rajasthan, and Ms Sushma Swraj will address election rallies on May 4 and 5. Several other senior leaders of the BJP would be swarming Punjab in the next few days.
	3 Congress leaders join BJP Our Correspondent Hoshiarpur, May 2 Mr Amarjit Singh Walia, former Chairman of Ropar Improvement Trust and organising secretary of the PPCC and Mr Satwant Singh Gill, former general secretary, DCC, Ropar, and member, PPCC, along with their supporters, resigned from the Congress and joined the BJP here today. They were welcomed by Mr Avinash Rai Khanna, BJP state chief, Mr Bhagwant Kishore Gupta, president district unit of the BJP, Hoshiarpur. Later talking to mediapersons, Mr Amarjit Singh Walia and Mr Satwant Singh criticised the AICC and PPCC leadership for ignoring party workers. They said Ms Sonia Gandhi was a foreigner and did not know the culture. Mr H. S. Hanspal, President, PPCC, was also an outsider and did not know the importance of Congress workers who were the backbone of the party. There was no democracy in the Congress. Senior Congress men had been sidetracked as the party had lost its base. When asked why they had joined the BJP, they said that it was the only political party in the country in which respect was being given to its workers. Mr Dilabar Khan, President, Minority Cell of the DCC, Ropar, also resigned from the Congress and joined the BJP.
	Badal accuses CM of contempt of court Tribune News Service Chandigarh, May 2 Shiromani Akali Dal president Parkash Singh Badal today described as “outrageous and incredible” Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh’s statement that charges would be framed against the SAD chief on May 4. Describing the statement as “contempt of court”, Mr Badal asked the Chief Minister to explain as to what locus standi did he have in the matter since the case was subjudice. “It is for the court to decide if and when the charges are to be framed. Who gave Capt Amarinder Singh the authority to speak on behalf of the court? In my long political career, I have never seen a Chief Minister so dismissive of the sanctity of judiciary as this man is,” said Mr Badal in a statement here. The Akali leader further said that the Chief Minister had been adopting a cavalier attitude towards all respected constitutional institutions in the country. Mr Badal accused the Chief Minister of trying to browbeat the Election Commission of India in order to get away with rampant violations of the model code of conduct by him, his ministers and officials in the ongoing campaign in the state. Mr Badal also wrote to the Chief Election Commissioner pointing out the “devious methods employed by Capt Amarinder Singh to dodge compliance of the directions of the EC. “Instead of reprimanding and shifting officers and officials as desired by the Election Commission, the Chief Minister was either rewarding them with lucrative assignments to send wrong signals to the new incumbents or encouraging them to continue to help the ruling party while proceeding on short leave. He has gone public with his assurance that all those found guilty by the EC of helping the cause of the ruling party would be suitably ‘adjusted’ once the elections are over,” Mr Badal said in his communication. The SAD chief, however, expressed satisfaction over the transfers ordered by the commission following complaints from the SAD but he said much more was needed to be done. He said that the attitude of the state bureaucracy remained a cause for serious concern as was borne out by the manner in which the local Deputy Commissioner had applied different yardsticks for the processions of Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal and Ms Karan Brar when the two had gone to file their nomination papers. Mr Badal also expressed dissatisfaction over the decision of the Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab, in which he had sought a report from the Divisional Commissioner on the reports of widespread violations of the election code by the Chief Minister and his aides and advisers during their visit to Jalandhar. Mr Badal said that it would have been appropriate if the whole matter had been referred to independent observers from outside the state.
	SAD with BJP in Chandigarh The Shiromani Akali Dal clarified that it stood by the BJP in Chandigarh and that some statements contrary to this appearing in a section of the Press did not reflect the stand of the party high command. Dr Daljit Singh Cheema, secretary of the SAD, said that there was no deviation in Chandigarh from the alliance between the SAD and the BJP. Dr Cheema referred to statements attributed to some Chandigarh Akali leaders to the effect that the party did not support the BJP candidate in the city and added that these were inaccurate and contrary to the known stand of the party. Dr Cheema said that Mr Parkash Singh Badal had categorically stated on several occasions that the SAD was committed to defeating the Congress and ensuring the smooth return of Mr Atal Bihari Vajpayee as Prime Minister. This, he said, was necessary to save the country from the dangers posed by the Congress and its president of foreign origin, Ms Sonia Gandhi.
	BJP, SAD demoralised, says Amarinder Our Correspondent Ramdass (Amritsar), May 2 The Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, today claimed that the BJP-SAD combine in the state was demoralised as it had been rushing to the Election Commission with complaints. Talking to mediapersons before addressing a rally at this border village, about 45 km from Amritsar, in favour of Mr R.L. Bhatia, Congress candidate, he said there were no differences in the party and it was united. Answering queries about the clash yesterday between two groups of the District Congress Committee, the Chief Minister said the state party president, Mr H.S. Hanspal, who had received the reports, would look into the matter. He said due to over enthusiasm among party workers, such things did occur. Coming down heavily on the NDA government for ruining the small-scale steel industry in the state, he said the government had “pocketed” election funds from large steel manufacturers to give benefit to them as the prices had shot up from Rs 14,000 per tonne to Rs 34,000 per tonne during the past few months. He said the Central loan which was given to the state to fight militancy, continue to affect the economy of the state. He said the government would look into the legal and technical aspects of the loan and take a final decision about its repayment. Later, he offered a golden “kalash” at Baba Buddha Gurdwara.
	Cong will form govt at Centre: CM Our Correspondent Fatehgarh Sahib, May 2 The election campaign of Mr Samsher Singh Dullo, Congress candidate from Ropar (Reserve) Parliamentary constituency, got a boost as Capt Amarinder Singh, Chief Minister, addressed a largely attended election rally in his support at Bassi Pathana town of the district. The Congress rally was organised by Dr Harbans Lal, MLA, and Vaid Hari Krishan, President, DCC. A large number of people, particularly rural folk, came to attend the rally. They cheered time and again as the Chief Minister lashed out at the Akalis. Addressing the rally Capt Amarinder Singh said there was a strong wave in favour of the Congress in the country as well as in the state and the frequent visits of Mr Advani, Mr Vajpayee and other senior leaders of the BJP to the state were an indication of the frustration in the rank and file of the BJP and the Akalis. He said as per the recent exit polls telecast by different channels, it was clear that the Congress was going to form the next government. He said the Congress would solve all long-pending demands and the issue of waiving of loans would also be settled. Lashing out at the Akalis as well as the NDA-led Central government, he termed both of them as anti-farmers, industrialists, traders and youth. He alleged that the NDA government had always given step motherly treatment to Punjab and now was the right time for people of the state to settle the account by voting them out of power and form the Congress-led government. He said Mr Badal had always been claiming himself to be the champion of the farmers’ cause, but neither he nor his representatives ever raised any demand or issue related to the farmers with the NDA government in which the SAD was also alliance partner. Highlighting the achievements of his government, he said the state government had ensured the smooth purchase of paddy and wheat. Addressing the rally Mr Dullo ridiculed the feel good factor” of the BJP and the “unity” of Akali factions. He said the “feel good factor” was for the rich and not for the poor. Dr Harbans, Lal, MLA, Vaid Hari Krishan, President, DCC, Mr Sadhu Singh, MLA, Amloh, Mr Pardeep Malhotra, secretary, PPCC, Mr BB Verma, advocate and Mr Joginder Singh Maini also addressed the rally.
	Sadhu Samaj, Bhaat Sikhs to support Preneet Our Correspondent Patiala, May 2 The poll campaign of Ms Preneet Kaur, Congress candidate from Patiala parliamentary constituency today received another shot in the arm when representatives of the Patiala Sadhu Samaj and Bhaat Sikh community announced their decision to support her at a rally addressed by Finance Minister Lal Singh at Delite Colony here. Speaking at the rally which was organised by Congress leader Ajay Thapar, Mr Lal Singh said the state would see all round development under the Congress rule and Ms Preneet Kaur along with the Chief Minister had been successful in addressing the basic problems being faced by people in the state. Asserting that unemployment would be erased from Punjab gradually if development related projects initiated by the Congress candidate were allowed to continue, Mr Lal Singh appealed to the people to use their right to vote judiciously. Councillor Arun Kumar and his supporters announced their decision to join Congress today. Three prominent leaders of the Sadhu Samaj were also present at the rally alongwith their supporters and they offered unconditional support to Ms Preneet Kaur. Ms Harjinder Laad, an NRI who had supported the SAD during the last Lok Sabha elections today pledged the support of the Bhaat Sikh community to the Congress candidate. The rally was also addressed by Ms Harpriya Kaur, wife of Malvinder Singh, younger brother to the Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh. Others present on the occasion, included Sanjiv Garg, Rana Shergill , Atul Sharma. Gurjit Guri and Prof Jeet Singh.
	Local issues matter more for voters Chander Parkash Tribune News Service Bathinda, May 2 National issue like “swadeshi” or “videshi” Prime Minister hold no relevance in this reserved parliamentary constituency as the voters are more concerned about their day-today problems. Instead of hoping that the elected representative of this seat will make efforts to provide them better roads, adequate water for drinking agricultural purpose, employment opportunities and to put to an end to the menace of stray animals, a large section of the voters is concerned more about the “deeds” of leaders of all political outfits. Said Mr Rajeev Kumar, a social activist, leaders talked differently during the election campaign and would make tall promises to fetch votes for their respective candidates. After the elections, these leaders forget about the pressing problems of electorates. Over the years, the people had started losing faith in the politicians. “How can Capt Amarinder Singh seek votes for CPI candidate. Kushal Bhora when he engineered a defection in the same party and bring two CPI MLAs to the Congress about more than a year ago. Apart from it, how the local Congress MLA can ask for votes for Mr Bhora when he himself strongly opposed that the CPI should not be allotted the Bathinda seat in the presence of Punjab Congress President H.S. Hanspal a few months ago,” asked a local resident, Mr Gyan Chand, who commands a considerable influence on the urban and rural voters. A large section of the Congressmen of this constituency were indifferent as they were annoyed over the fact that Late MP, Bhan Singh Bhora never took them into confidence before allocating grants from his MPLAD funds. On the other hand, the SAD-BJP alliance candidate, Ms Paramjit Kaur Gulshan, has been facing problems on various counts. “What we have been apprehending is the fact that Ms Gulshan would disappear from his constituency after being elected as an MP like Mr Harinder Singh Khalsa, who was returned to the Lok Sabha in 1996 from his seat as the SAD (B) candidate. Mr Khalsa failed to deliver goods as most of time he kept himself away from constituency,” pointed out Mr Joginder Singh, a farmer of Mansa district. Mr Sarbjit Singh, SAD (A) candidate and son of Beant Singh, one of the assassins of Indira Gandhi, who hails from Maloya village situated near Chandigarh and Ropar has also been facing problems as a large section of voters have been asking that what his grandfather Mr Sucha Singh Maloya, who was elected MP from here by getting sympathy votes in 1989, had done of the constituency. Mr Sarbjit Singh like his grandfather has been seeking votes for the sacrifice of his father. For how long the family members of Late Beant Singh will continue to seek votes from the people in lieu of sacrifice made by him (Late Beant Singh) Why Mr Sarbjit Singh did not contest the election from the Ropar (reserve) constituency, which was represented by her mother in 1989,” asked a large section of voters including traders, educationists and farmers. There are about nine more candidates for this seat.
	Gujral for improving education Our Correspondent Jalandhar, May 2 Former Prime Minister Inder Kumar Gujral today stressed upon the need to improve education system in Punjab for overall development of the state. Mr Gujral, addressing a rally here in favour of his son and SAD nominee Naresh Gujral, said that there was need to use technologies for imparting education at the grass-root level particularly in villages to improve personality of the youth. Expressing concern over bad state of the government schools particularly in villages, he further maintained that the educational institutions reflected state’s economy and status since these were responsible for producing good citizens. Besides, educated communities could only achieve targets of development and would help in raising living standards of people, he said, adding that his son would place ‘education’ top on his priority and would strive hard to improve education system after winning the elections. Later, at another rally, Mr Naresh Gujral said that the Congress had failed to initiate development works in the state during its more than two years of rule. “Instead, the Congress government indulged in registering false cases against Akali leaders and workers to settle political scores, he added.
	Cong, BJP claim credit for bridge Vimal Sumbly Tribune News Service Naushera Pattan (Gurdaspur), May 2 The Naushera-Pattan bridge has shortened the distance between Gurdaspur and Jalandhar by about 100 km. It was a long pending demand of the people of the area. Ultimately the bridge was completed in 2003, with Khanna claiming that he was instrumental in the construction of the bridge. However, his predecessor and five time MP from here, Ms Sukhbans Kaur Bhinder, also laid claims over it getting full support from the government as the Congress was in power. The Naushera-Pattan bridge stands as a lonely sign of development in an otherwise forsaken area. There are other pontoon bridges that have been constructed on the Ravi and various other seasonal rivulets, but the Pattan bridge remains of prime importance. Since it benefits a vast area and lakhs of people, it is obviously bound to yield good political dividends for everyone. And probably that explains the high voltage drama on August 20, 2003, when Khanna was prevented by the police to inaugurate the bridge a day ahead of the Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh, was scheduled to inaugurate it. Mr Khanna was the Union Minister of State for External Affairs. People appear to be divided about crediting the completion of the bridge. In fact, it is political loyalties that determine attributing the credit. While the supporters of Ms Bhinder pointed out that the bridge was constructed by the state government after getting a loan from Nabard, Khanna’s supporters maintain that the “government hijacked the bridge” for its partisan gains although it was he (Khanna) who helped in its construction. The fact remains that people feel they have been benefited. But as who among the politicians should be benefited in return, they remain ambiguous.
	Defeat NDA, bank staff told Tribune News Service Sangrur, May 2 The Punjab Bank Employees Federation (PBEF) has given a call to bank employees to defeat the NDA alliance in the Lok Sabha elections in Punjab in protest against its “anti-banking” policies, especially over the issue of proposed reduction of government equity in public sector banks from minimum 51 per cent to 33 per cent. The federation has also asked the bank employees to vote and support the Congress and Left parties in the current Lok Sabha elections as they had raised a voice in favour of bank employees’ demand, relating to maintaining government equity in public sector banks to 51 per cent, by opposing a Bill, tabled by the NDA government. Talking to TNS here today, Mr Devinder Singh and Mr N.K. Gaur, vice-president and general secretary, respectively of the association, further said due to the opposition by the Congress and the Left parties, the Bill could not be passed in Parliament. They said the defeat of the NDA alliance in these Lok Sabha elections was must to stop it from passing this “anti-banking” Bill in the Parliament. Both leaders were here in connection with a regional convention of the association on the topic “Role of working classes, especially bank employees, in 14 Lok Sabha elections”. The convention was also attended by Mr S.K. Gautam, State General Secretary of the State Bank of Patiala (SBOP) Employees Union, Mr Amrik Singh Ahi, President of the SBOP Officers’ Association, Mr Pali Ram Bansal, Secretary, All-India Gramin Bank Officers Association and Mr K.K. Sehgal; and treasurer, All-India SBOP Employees Federation. Mr Gaur also clarified that though his organisation did not agree with all policies of the Congress but it had supported the cause of bank employees on the issue of government equity in public sector banks, so the PBEF had decided to support the Congress in Lok Sabha elections.
	Check opportunistic alliances, EC urged Tribune News Service Bathinda, May 2 Mr Rajbir Singh Sidhu, general secretary, General Samaj Party, today urged the Election Commission to check the opportunistic alliances of various political parties, which were harming the democracy. Mr Sidhu, in a statement issued here yesterday, claimed that the “big” political parties were forging “unholy and opportunistic” alliances to get power. He said that the politics of opportunism had dipped to such a low level that the parties, which were fighting a fierce battle for one seat, had entered into an alliance for the adjoining seat. This had created resentment among the voters, he observed. Mr Sidhu demanded that a law should be enacted to make it mandatory that the alliances of political parties should be based on the constitutions of the respective parties. Mr Suresh Goyal, the organising secretary of the party, said the election expenses should be brought down to Rs 50,000. This would control the use of money and muscle power in the elections, he maintained. He claimed that the party had been getting a good response for their Bathinda seat candidate, Mr Gurpreet Singh, who had toured various villages of the district.