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NDA govt of scams, says Sonia
Sunam, May 6 Addressing a rally here in favour of Ms Preneet Kaur and Mr Arvind Khanna, Congress candidates from the Patiala and Sangrur parliamentary constituencies, respectively, she asked voters not to trust the NDA partners. She spoke only for about 10 minutes. Before arriving at the rally site, she paid tributes at the Shaheedi Samarak here. Ms Preneet Kaur presented her with “phulkari” while Capt Amarinder Singh gave her a sword and a picture of Shaheed Udham Singh. She remembered the sacrifices of Punjabis during the freedom struggle. She said the Congress always served people. The politics that did not fulfil the needs of the common man could only be prompted by “selfish motives” of politicians. She claimed that during the Congress regime, industrial and agricultural revolutions took place but during the Vajpayee regime, the industry and the farming sectors headed towards destruction. Ms Gandhi said with the implementation of the Panchayati Raj Act, power had decentralised at the grassroots. She concluded her speech with “Jai Hind”. Later, she talked to Ms Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, Deputy Chief Minister, for a while. It is learnt that she had asked Ms Bhattal to campaign for Ms Preneet Kaur and Mr Arvind Khanna. It is said Capt Amarinder Singh had asked Mrs Gandhi to speak to Mrs Bhattal to campaign extensively in the Sangrur-Sunam-Lehra belt where she has considerable influence. Earlier, before the arrival of Mrs Gandhi, the Chief Minister had stated that Mrs Bhattal and Mr Raj Khurana, Congress MLA from Rajpura, were not campaigning for the party candidates. He said both were responsible leaders and they should work hard as the party’s honour was at stake. “It does not look nice to tell such senior leaders that they should campaign for party candidates in this belt. Whether anyone wants to remain in the party or leave it, it is not my concern. I want that all should contribute to keep the party’s flag high”, he said. When asked to comment on the observations made by the Chief Minister, Mrs Bhattal said: “The allegations that I am not working for party candidates in the Sangrur and Patiala constituency are baseless. Those who are levelling these allegations should reveal how much support they had extended to me when I contested the assembly elections from Lehra. I had campaigned for only three days in the Lehra segment to win the Assembly elections but now I would spend the remaining four days in the Lehra and Sangrur belt to campaign for the party”. Before the arrival of Ms Gandhi, a large number of supporters displayed posters with photographs of Ms Gandhi and Ms Bhattal. They also raised slogans in favour of Ms Sonia and Ms Bhattal. Ms Bhattal came to the press gallery and told mediapersons that her supporters in the pandal were not showing strength. In the gathering, a majority of persons were farmers. Ms Mohsina Kidwai, Congress general secretary, also accompanied Ms Gandhi but did not address the gathering. |
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SGPC’s posers to Sonia Gandhi
Amritsar, May 6 Meanwhile, a former SGPC President, Bibi Jagir Kaur, has urged Jathedar, Akal Takht, Gaini Joginder Singh Vedanti, to take action in accordance with the Sikh traditions against five Akali leaders of Tarn Taran for seeking votes in the name of caste and denigrating the Lubana community. In a statement issued here today, she took exception to an advertisement published in a newspaper on behalf of the five Akali leaders, including Mr Prem Singh Lalpura, former SGPC President, Mr Lehna Singh Tur, former MP, Mr Mohan Singh Mattia and Mr Manmohan Singh Sathiala and Mr Ranjit Singh Chhajjalwandi, both former MLAs, for using a slogan, “jatt jitao-Rattan Lubana bhajao”. She also urged the Election Commission to take action against these leaders for playing the caste card. Meanwhile, the Sikh Nation Organisation has boycotted all parties after analysing their non-committal stand on turban ban in France. Mr Jagjit Singh Gill, spokesman for the organisation, said no party had till now raised the issue of the ban or showed interest in moving a resolution in Parliament.
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Leadership crisis in BJP, says Manmohan Singh
Jalandhar, May 6 The Congress also ruled out the exit poll results after third round of polling and announced that the people of the country would overwhelmingly vote in its favour. Coming down heavily on the BJP, the senior Congress leader and Congress Working Committee (CWC) member, Dr Manmohan Singh, who was in the city to address an intellectuals meet in favour of Congress nominee Rana Gurjit Singh, said the BJP was facing serious leadership crises from within which could be gauged from the fact that the Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, had himself come forward to announce that people knew, “who my successor will be”. “There is tension within the BJP over the issue of Vajpayee’s successor and their claim to provide a stable government at the Centre is hollow,” he said, while adding that the Congress alone could provide a stable government. Terming the NDA government as anti-farmer, veteran Congress leader alleged that the farmers were resorting to suicide for falling under heavy debt trap during the past five years of its rule. “The BJP-led government had adopted anti-farmer policies, which led to increase in suicidal cases of farmers. The Central Government had reduced subsidies in the agriculture sector to suit its own vested interests,” he said adding that the Congress was never against subsidy regime for the agriculture sector since the basic duty of the government was to promote the farmers, who were backbone of the Indian economy. “In fact, the terms of trade for the agriculture sector had deteriorated during the BJP regime, thus, putting the farmers under heavy debt. Besides, the BJP miserably failed to safeguard the interests of the peasantry, which is evident from the fact that the BJP has made several attempts to reduce the subsidy under the garb of liberlisation,” he added. Apprehending that the BJP would abolish the Public Distribution System (PDS) and procurement of food grain programme to favour multi national companies, alleged that instead of strengthening the procurement system, the BJP was hell bent to do away with the programme. Expressing the need for the second Green Revolution in Punjab, Dr Manmohan Singh maintained that the Congress, after coming into power at the Centre, would formulate a comprehensive agriculture upliftment programme. |
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Four Ropar Cong leaders expelled
Ropar, May 6 Those expelled are the Block Congress president of Ropar (urban), Mr Sawtantar Kaushal, Congress Councillor from Nangal, Mr Pratap Saini, former vice-president of the DCC, Mr Ram Singh Saini, and Mr Mohan Lal, advocate from Anandpur Sahib. Mr Sawtantar Kaushal is a staunch supporter and loyalist of the Minister for Grievances, Cooperation and Transport, Mr Ramesh Dutt Sharma, who represents the Anandpur Sahib Assembly segment. He has been replaced by Mr Sawtantar Saini as the acting president of the Ropar (urban) block of the Congress. Mr Saini alleged that the leaders had been expelled for working against the joint candidate of the Congress and the CPM from Hoshiarpur parliamentary constituency, Mr Darshan Singh Mattu. They were charged with working for the former Congress MP and BSP nominee, Mr Charanjit Singh Channi. A number of complaints had been received against the leaders from the Congress and CPM workers, following which a show-cause notice was issued to them. The leaders, however, failed to respond to the notice and continued with their anti-party activities. The decision to expel the leaders was taken in consultation with observers and coordinators appointed by the PPCC for the area, Mr Saini said. When asked, the district Congress president said activities of eight other Congress leaders, believed to have indulged in anti-party activities, were under scanner. Show-cause notice would be issued to them soon, he said. The expulsion of Mr Sawtantar Kaushal evoked strong reaction from Mr Ramesh Dutt Sharma. Mr Sharma in a press conference held later in the afternoon said the district Congress president had no authority to expel Mr Sawtantar Kaushal from the party. The latter had been appointed to the post by the PPCC even before Mr Saini was appointed as the district president, he contended. So, only the PPCC deserved the right to expel him. Such acts of expelling Congress workers near the elections would harm the interests of the party. The workers who were working hard in campaigning would be demoralised, he said. |
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Differences between Cong, CPI over choice of PM
Bathinda, May 6 Differences were noticed when local MLA and chairman, high-powered Finance Committee, Punjab, Surinder Singla announced that Congress workers would not be able to support the CPI candidate from Bathinda (Reserve) constituency, Ms Kushal Bhaura as national secretary of the CPI, A.B. Bardan had made a statement that matter of the choice of prime ministerial candidate was negotiable after Lok Sabha elections were over. “We have been seeking votes for Ms Bhaura in the name of Ms Gandhi who is prime ministerial candidate of the Congress. This issue is not negotiable and if Mr Bardan continues to make comments on this issue, Congress men will not be able to continue their support for Ms Bhaura,” pointed out Mr Singla at an election rally in the city late last night and today morning. CPI leaders including Ms Bhaura were present at these meetings. Mr Singla even said that Ms Bhaura and other CPI leaders should make Mr Bardan understand that his (Mr Bardan’s) statement that collective leadership of secular parties would be empowered to suggest the prime ministerial candidate after the elections, would make Congressmen angry and they might stop seeking votes for Ms Bhaura. Relations between the Congress and the CPI turned sour last year when Mr Singla declared in the presence of PPCC president, H.S. Hanspal that only Congressman should be given party ticket for Bathinda (Reserve) constituency as the CPI had no base in the area. Reacting to this statement of Mr Singla, Mr Hardev Arshi, senior CPI leader, had demanded the resignation of Mr Singla from the Vidhan Sabha and challenged him (Mr Singla) to contest the Assembly election from Bathinda seat without the support of the CPI. The relations further worsened when the Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh, allegedly engineered a defection from the CPI and brought its two MLAs into the Congress. Observers claimed that differences between the Congress and the CPI at this juncture could give advantage to opponents of Ms Bhaura in the Lok Sabha elections. |
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RRD to support Cong
Amritsar, May 6 Col
J.S. Bal, state president of the RRD, said in consultation with the advisory committee and all district presidents, the party has decided to support the Congress as the NDA government has failed on all fronts. Col
J.S. Bal alleged that the NDA Govt failed to fulfil its promises and assurances to the people. He said non-fulfilment of promise of one-rank-one-pension by the Union Government amounts to breach of trust by the NDA government and could not be justified. |
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Amarinder worse than Laloo Prasad, says Jaitley
Abohar, May 6 Organisers had publicised that Rajasthan Chief Minister Ms Vasundhra Raje Scindia will address the rally but she did not turn up. Sources said her name was publicised to attract people. Locals were not present in the rally. Persons were from different villages of Balluana Assembly segments. Presence of BJP workers was thin. Mr Jaitely arrived at the rally late by two hours, said the Congress did not announce any special package for border districts of Punjab. He blamed the Congress governments for terrorism in Punjab. The NDA, he promised, would try to reopen Hussainiwala border with Pakistan and develop a dry port at Ferozepore. Exhorting the electorate to vote for former MP Mann, in his 20-minute speech in Punjabi he predicted that the Congress government headed by Capt. Amarinder Singh would be shown the door within a week of the NDA government taking oath at New Delhi. He said, Mr Parkash Singh Badal will again lead the state after mid-term elections to the state Assembly. Mr Jaitley said the Maharaja was behaving in a manner worse than that of Laloo Prasad Yadav. SAD Chief Parkash Singh Badal also criticised Capt. Amarinder Singh for withdrawing welfare schemes launched by the previous SAD-BJP government to give relief to the poor and Dalits. FEROZEPORE:
Mr Jaitley said on Thursday that the SAD-BJP alliance was not only for 13 seats of Punjab, but also for 14 seats, including that of Chandigarh parliamentary constituency. Mr Jaitley was here today to address a series of public rallies in support of the SAD-BJP nominee from Ferozepore, Mr Zora Singh Mann. He said various welfare schemes for people residing in border areas had been initiated by the NDA government which included the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yogna, crop insurance scheme, Kisan Credit cards scheme, reduction of interest rates, bonus to the tillers and farmers having land holdings across the cobra fencing to name a few. He said during the SAD-BJP regime in Punjab, ownership rights were given for more than 6,500 acres and a compensation of Rs 2,500 per acre was given to the farmers belonging to the border areas. Mr Parkash Singh Badal, in his address at Ghubaya village, said the case of granting SC status to the Rai Sikhs and sirkibands was forwarded to the Union Government during his tenure after a study was conducted by the eminent scholars at Punjabi University. He said the same would be approved after the formation of the next NDA government in the Centre. |
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Vasundhara blames Cong for militancy
Ferozepore, May 6 Mrs Scindia touched the emotional chords of residents of this border district when she said she was asking for something for the first time from them as daughter-in-law of Punjab and was hopeful that they would not disappoint her and would elect Mr Mann. Highlighting the achievements of the previous SAD-BJP regime in the state she said Mr Parkash Singh Badal always stood by the people. Recalling the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, she said the horrific pictures of atrocities meted out to Sikhs were fresh in the minds of people of Punjab and no Sikh would want people responsible for this come to power. She said the SAD-BJP alliance was a symbol of Hindu-Sikh unity. Mrs Scindia said the Congress was responsible for black days of insurgency in Punjab and in other states like Jammu and Kashmir and Assam. She said the NDA government, led by Mr Vajpayee, had brought glory and laurels to the country. She said welfare schemes initiated by the SAD-BJP regime in Punjab, which included the Shagun scheme and the old-age and widow pension scheme, were withdrawn by the present Congress government. All development works initiated by the Badal government had come to a standstill during the past two years in the state, she asserted. Terming the Congress government in the state as corrupt and inefficient, she said Capt Amarinder Singh had failed on all fronts. Later, talking to mediapersons at Army helipad, Mrs Scindia said the matter regarding ban on purchase of land in Rajasthan by people of Punjab could be resolved between the two state governments, provided the Congress government in Punjab took up the issue with her. |
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Key Constituency:
Patiala
Patiala, May 6 But situation has changed on both fronts drastically now. Tohra faction has merged with the SAD. Mr Chandumajra is not contesting this time but is still nursing the gradge of being denied a ticket by Mr Badal. On the Congress front, Capt Amarinder Singh was only a frontline Congress leader in 1999 and his wife had contested that election as an ordinary Congress candidate. She had only a tag of the royal family then. But now Capt Amarinder Singh is the Chief Minister and Ms Preneet Kaur is in the fray as a VIP candidate. And above all Ms Preneet Kaur is pitted against former Akali Finance Minister, Capt Kanwaljit Singh, who is known for his “clean” image and
organisational skills. In fact, it is not as much of Ms Preneet Kaur’s election as it in of Capt Amarinder Singh. He has become the key figure of the election campaign in the local constituency. The outcome of the election will mean a lot to him politically and otherwise. And because of this reason, the Chief Minister has put all his might behind the election campaign in this constituency. His family members and close relations are personally supervising the campaign in various Assembly segments. In the sensitive Lehragaga Assembly segment, from where Ms Rajinder Kaur Bhattal was elected during the last Assembly elections, Capt Amarinder Singh has deputed his son, Mr Raninder Singh, to hold the fort. Ms Bhattal was seen with the Capt Amarinder Singh and Ms Preneet Kaur at important occasions such as filing of nomination papers etc. But she is moving about in other constituencies campaigning for party candidates and is not very visible in her own segment to campaign for Ms Preneet Kaur. Mr Raj Khurana, a Congress MLA from Rajpura, is not extending much cooperation to Ms Preneet Kaur in his segment. He is usually absent from the main election related activity. But Capt Amarinder Singh has made Mr Jagroop Singh Gill, a senior Congress leader from Bathinda and a close family friend, in charge of the campaign in Rajpura segment. The SAD candidate, Capt Kanwaljit Singh, is also a good campaigner. But the death of Gurcharan Singh Tohra has come as a blow to him. He is also depending on his close relations to maintain the campaign tempo. Mr Parkash Singh Badal, has extended all out support to him. Mr Badal has been ensuring the visit of all top leaders of the BJP to Patiala constituency for campaigning. Already, Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister besides Mr Arun Jaitley have been to the constituency to address election rallies in support of Capt Kanwaljit Singh. More BJP leaders are expected before the end of campaign on May 8. It will be correct to say that Mr Badal and Capt Amarinder Singh are contesting the election in local constituency by proxy. Mr Badal has a lot of personal as well as political stake in electoral battle in Patiala. It is one of the hottest and toughest electoral match being played between the SAD-BJP combine and the Congress and other candidates in the fray do not matter here. For a while, it seems to be turning into the mother of all electoral battles fought in any part of the state till date. As to who will be having the last laugh. here is difficult to predict at this stage. |
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Sikh lawyers to back
Capt Kanwaljit Singh
Patiala, May 6 In a press note, the council members also thanked the Election
Commission of India for deploying the paramilitary forces in the
Patiala Lok Sabha constituency in an effort to check malpractices on
the part of the Congress Government. |
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Defence asked to file affidavits in Badal case
Ropar, May 6 While disposing of the application seeking contempt proceeding against the Punjab Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh, for allegedly using the case properties for electioneering the judge held that the defence had not produced any evidence to substantiate its claims. He directed the defence as well as the prosecution to file evidence in the form of affidavits along with fresh applications. While the defence was directed to corroborate its allegations regarding the misuse of the case property with affidavits or proofs the prosecution was directed to file affidavits stating that case property was in their custody and had not been misutilised. The judge today also disposed of the application of defence demanding permission to compare the VCDs and documents supplied to them by the vigilance with the originals. The judge declined defence the permission to compare the VCDs with originals stating that at this stage of the case the demand was premature. He, however, allowed the defence the permission to compare the supplied documents with the originals. Earlier as the proceeding of the case began today, the prosecution raised objection to absence of seven accused in case from the court. The prosecution alleged that the accused in the case were taking exemption from personal appearance as granted. They were seeking exemption on flimsy grounds and not attending the court proceeding for the last four hearing. Today only two of the 10 accused in the case, including Darshan Singh and Pavitar Singh, were present in the court. Eight others, including Mr Parkash Singh Badal, Mr Sukhbir Badal, Mr Nirapjeet Singh, Mr Harbans Lal, Mr Jagnandan, Gurpinder Singh Grewal and Narottam Dhillon were absent and were later granted exemption from personal appearance. The prosecution took adjournment for the today’s proceeding on the ground that the criminal case could not be proceeded without the presence of accused. The judge also reprimanded the defence councils for the absence of accused and directed them to ensure the presence of the later in future hearings. He fixed May 15 as the next date for hearing in the case. |
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Lalpura withdraws appeal
Amritsar, May 6 In a press statement issued here today, Mr Lalpura said there was no place for casteism in Sikhism. He claimed that the advertisements published in some vernacular press on his behalf were given to the press by election office of Mr Tur. He said he had directed the election office of Mr Tur not to use his name in such advertisements which were not as per the Sikh tenets. Earlier, Jathedar of Akal Takht, Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti, had taken a serious view of the advertisements published on behalf of Mr Lalpura that voters of Tarn Taran should defeat Mr Rattan Singh Ajnala, a candidate of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) who belongs to ‘Lobana’ community and elect Mr Tur who is a ‘Jat Sikh’. However, the District Electoral Officer had written to the Chief Election Commission seeking directions to take action against Mr Lalpura for violating the Model Code of Conduct by seeking votes in the name of caste. |
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Poll code violation by Tur alleged
Amritsar, May 6 District Returning Officer and Deputy Commissioner Raminder Singh has sought directions from the Chief Election Officer, Punjab, for action against under provisions of the model code. In a letter yesterday by the Deputy Commissioner stated that a Punjabi newspaper on May 4 released an advertisement urging the voters to defeat SAD candidate Dr Rattan Singh Ajnala for his caste which violates the spirit of the model code of conduct. |
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Jaspinder
Jakhar joins SAD
Abohar, May 6 The BSP,
however, said Mr Jakhar’s defection would not matter because his
wife had only polled 2,300 votes and had lost even the security
deposit. |
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Atwal woos members of NRI families
Hoshiarpur, May 6 He explained that NRIs residing in all the major countries, including the USA, Canada, U.K., Australia etc., now enjoyed dual citizenship status. He explained that though many Indian communities, including Gujaratis and Malyalis had gained from dual citizenship, but the Punjabis had benefited from it the most. Mr Atwal explained that he was instrumental in getting the NRI Bill passed. |
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SAD (Delhi) not for Cong: Sarna
Amritsar, May 6 Talking to the Tribune here today, he said the news published in a section of the Press that the SAD (Delhi) had supported Mr Sodhi was misleading and “planted” by certain vested interests. He, however, said the SAD (Delhi) had extended support to five Panthic candidates in Punjab, including Mr Tarlochan Singh Tur and Mr Inderjit Singh Zeera, who were contesting from Tarn Taran and Ferozepore, respectively. |
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Kainth ridicules BJP’s ‘feel-good’ claim
Nawanshahr, May 6 Mr Narinder Kashayap, national secretary, of the BSP, while addressing the rally said the BSP had been contesting parliamentary elections on at its own as its experiment of entering into poll alliances with the Congress or the SAD-BJP and ‘manuvadi’ political parties, failed to yield desirable results. The BSP candidates were not supported by these parties though the people voted in favour of their alliance partners, he alleged adding that both parties merely used the dalits and down-trodden section of society as their vote bank. He urged the people to vote for the BSP for bringing in social equality in its true spirit. Mr Satnam Kainth, former MP and convener of the state unit of the BSP, claimed that the people in the state had made up their mind to defeat both the Congress and the SAD-BJP as both of them had failed to live up to their expectations. While ridiculing the ‘feel-good factor’ and ‘India Shining’ slogans being raised by the BJP, Mr Kainth said the Vajpayee-led NDA government had wasted government funds on ‘India Shining’ advertisements in newspapers and TV channels. This money could be utilised for addressing the problems like poverty, unemployment, illiteracy and lack of basic amenities to mitigate the sufferings of the poor people, he added. Mr Mangat Ram Pasla, secretary of the state unit of the CPM (Pasla faction) said the capitalist forces led by the Congress and the BJP were hand in glove in hatching the conspiracy for establishing a bi-party system. While citing the examples of reported appeals of the Deputy Prime Minister, Mr L.K. Advani and some senior Congress leaders to vote in favour of their rival parties instead of regional parties, Mr Pasla said both these parties had been doing so to check the emergence of third political force in the country. He also took a dig at the CPM general secretary, Mr Harkishen Singh Surjeet, for ‘mortgaging’ the interests of the working class in the hands of the Congress. While dubbing both Mr Parkash Singh Badal and Capt Amarinder Singh as corrupt, Mr Pasla said he had decided to support the BSP as he wanted to strengthen the third alternative in the state. Mr Pawan Tinu, BSP candidate, mobilised the BSP activists to ensure the victory of the party for wishing ‘get well soon’ to the ailing BSP supremo, Mr Kanshi Ram, who had been nursing a grudge in his heart that the state unit of the BSP had failed to send even a single BSP MLA in Punjab assembly during the last assembly poll despite the relentless efforts put up by him. Chaudhary Ram Kishan, district BSP president, Mr Gurmail Singh Saini, state general secretary of the BSP, Dr
S.K. Sukhi, Dr Kamal, Mr Nachhattar Pal, senior BSP leaders, among others also addressed the rally. |
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BSP leaders join BJP
Hoshiarpur, May 6 In a press conference at BJP’s election office Mr Vijay Sampla, General Secretary, Punjab unit of the BJP, along with local leaders welcomed Ms Kumari and Mr Saini and announced their entry into the BJP. Ms Kumari and Mr Saini while addressing the press conference criticised Ms Mayawati, BSP chief and added that she was indulging in caste-based politics and had collected a huge amount of money through corrupt means by exploiting Dalits and blackmailing rich persons of upper castes. She had completely sidetracked Mr Kanshi Ram. None was allowed to meet him in the hospital. They said they would now work for the victory of Mr Avinash Rai Khanna, who was contesting the Lok Sabha poll on a BJP ticket. |
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Kanshi Ram in Maya’s grip,
alleges Lakha
Phagwara, May 6 Addressing a party’s rally here yesterday, Mr Lakha,also a former MP and a former general secretary the BSP who had snapped ties with the BSP, also declared that they would approach the Prime Minister for sending Mr Kanshi Ram to America for treatment. Mr Lakha asserted that his stand that Mr Kanshi Ram was in the captivity of Ms Mayawati had been confirmed by mother Bishen Kaur and brother Harbans Singh of Mr Kanshi Ram who were not being allowed to meet him (Mr Kanshi Ram). |
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Harried Doaba voters not casting votes
Jalandhar May 6 Lack of enthusiasm among voters indicated that the polling percentage in these constituencies might not even cross the fifty per cent mark, recorded during the 1999 Lok Sabha poll. A survey by The Tribune revealed that bad condition of roads and non-payment of Scheduled Caste scholarships to school-going children were major concerns among residents of the Jalandhar and Phillaur constituencies, while lack of marketing facilities for farmers’ produce and its “unjustified” and “low” prices disturbed people of the Hoshiarpur constituency. For Sukhbir, a rickshaw repair shop owner at Jandu-Singha village falling in the Jalandhar constituency, the biggest factor which would determine the choice of a party or a candidate was nothing but the condition of the Jalandhar-Adampur road, which was virtually non-existent for past about two years. “Despite being the arterial road for people of Jalandhar and Hoshiarpur, its condition is such that you cannot drive home a vehicle without incurring some major damages,” rued the shopkeeper. Sukhbir, who has two sons, said other issues which were important for him were non-payment of scholarships to school-going Dalit children. “I have no hopes left. The fate of people like us have not changed despite voting for a number of times,” said Sukhbir. Jatinder Pal, a rickshaw-puller from Jandusingha village, said since the road was a lifeline for him and countless other people like him, he had been dreaming that its condition would be better one day, but this had not happened so far. “All the authorities have been doing is just patchwork and nothing else,” he said. Kuldip, a carpenter of Kaboolpur village, said leaders of all parties had been promising a better road, but this promise had not materialised so far. For Atma Ram, a resident of Adampur, power cuts were a major issue. “Despite claims by the government, power cuts have made our life miserable. Interestingly, no candidate has come to us for seeking votes. So, what is the charm of going to the polling booth,” said Atma Ram. Similarly, Sant Ram, an old resident of the township, said: “Nobody listens to our problems. So I don’t think that one should vote.” Mr Anurag Sood, a farmer of Hoshiarpur, said erratic power supply and absence of good prices of farmers’ crop in the market was a major concern of farmers. “The cost of farm inputs have increased manifold, but not the prices of crops. This has disturbed the farmers’ economy. Nobody has done anything for farmers, who constitute 66 per cent of the total electorate in the country,” said Mr Sood. |
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Residents to
boycott poll on construction issue
Bathinda,
May 6 These residents, who have
formed a 21-member Quila Sangarsh Committee, said the officials of the
Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) had been denying them the
permission to construct or renovate their buildings were within the
300-metre radius of the historical fort. They alleged that all
political parties had cheated them in the past as no political leader
ever raised voice against this law in the state assembly or
Parliament. They claimed that they had been living in the area since
decades. As all other areas of the city had been developed in the past
10 to 15 years, they had been living poor conditions due to apathetic
attitude of authorities concerned. The residents organised a dharna
in front of the fort yesterday and held a meeting today where they had
decided to boycott the elections. They would organise a rally tomorrow
to press for their demands, they added. The ASI has banned all types
of new construction within the 100-metre radius of the fort while a
no-objection certificate (NOC) from the ASI was required for any type
of construction in the next 200-metre periphery of the fort. |
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Federation’s 10 questions to nominees
Phagwara, May 6 Following are 11 questions for today: 1. The Phillaur constituency has been reserved since 1952 depriving general categories of their right to contest elections. Isn’t it against constitutional principle of equality? 2. Does reservation mean monopoly of a few families, a kind of hereditary right? Is reservation only for one per cent rich Dalits excluding 34 per cent Dalits and 65 per cent general categories? 3. Why basic needs of 34 per cent poor Dalits “roti, kapra and makaan” was not on the agenda of 1 per cent millionaire Dalits who scheme to ensure amendment in Constitution for the promotion of their Class I and Class II officers? 4. What is their agenda for 65 per cent General category voters? 5. Do these millionaire candidates are still entitled to be called Dalits and of reserved category? 6. Will they, after winning, distribute the development grants on the basis of caste ignoring the interest of common man? 7. Won’t it promote casteism to form a forum of SC MPs even though being in different-National and regional political parties? 8. Is there no local leader that outsiders are fielded? 9. If these candidates really want welfare of Dalits, why they don’t leave the seat for a poor but able candidate? 10. Do these candidates favour economic-based reservation in place of caste-based reservation? |
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400 complaints still pending with CEO
Chandigarh, May 6 Though the officers are maintaining a strict silence over the issue, sources in the CEO’s office claim that approximately 611 election-related complaints have been received by the authorities. As many as 195 complaints have so far been dealt with “more or less to the satisfaction of rival political parties and
warring candidates”. Decision on another 416 complaints is yet to be taken. Giving details, the sources say that not less than 327 complaints were filed by different political parties alleging violation of the Model Code of Conduct. As many as 77 were settled. Another 250 complaints remain pending. The sources further revealed that 46 complaints seeking transfer of police officers, including Senior Superintendents of Police, were submitted by members
of different parties, including the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD). Action was initiated against police officers on the basis of as many as 26 complaints. Another 20 are pending before the office. A senior officer in the CEO’s office, however, refused to divulge the details. He said information regarding the complaints was being fed into computers and would be tabulated within a day or so. “The media will be briefed after that..” Meanwhile, SAD members claim that over 50 complaints filed by them are still pending. The grievances, SAD Secretary Dr Daljit Singh Cheema says, pertain to misuse of official machinery by the ruling party. Action, he says, is yet to be taken on their complaint regarding the airing of uncensored CDs on the cable television. The ruling party members, he elaborates, are involved in the distribution and telecast of CDs containing uncertified and highly objectionable publicity material. |
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Irregularities in voting slips
Faridkot, May 6 One such irregularity came to light during the distribution of slips bearing serial numbers 1 to 1300 to voters here today by an agent of the Congress candidate, Mrs Karan Brar, in the local ward number 5. The slips mention Government Elementary School Veerewala Khurd village, as the polling station whereas the voter list mentions Government Balbir Elementary School, Faridkot, as their polling station. Moreover, several slips do not even bear the names of voters and their addresses. Mr S.K. Gupta, chairman of the local Improvement Trust, in a press note issued here today, expressed concern over the lapse on the part of the Election Commission. Mr Gupta has urged the EC to direct the Punjab Chief Electoral Officer to get the necessary corrections made in the voting slips. Mr Hussan Lal, Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Returning Officer, Faridkot, said the slips were not being supplied by the EC. However, he said he would look into the matter. |
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Code violation alleged
Amritsar, May 6 |
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Two officials may face action for not attending poll rehearsals
Kharar, May 6 Mr Sukhvinder Singh Gill, Assistant Returning Officer-cum-SDM here, said all 15 supervisors for the Morinda 68 segment of the Ropar constituency had been called for making the necessary poll preparations. Representatives of the candidates in the fray were also called to witness the sealing of the EVMs to rule out the possibility of foul play. He said 135 voting machines had been got ready for the same number of polling booths while 15 had been kept in reserve which would be handed over to the supervisors to be used in case of emergency. Mr Gill said the DSP, Anandpur Sahib, who had been asked to initiate action against two government employees who had not attended the poll rehearsal held on April 26, had sent a report to him yesterday. In the report the DSP had stated that one of the employees had said he would join poll duty while the other could not be contacted as he was on leave. It was possible that the second employee could not get the message to attend the rehearsal as he was on leave during that period also. Mr Gill said apart from not attending the poll rehearsal the two employees had not even presented themselves before him on April 30 as they had been asked to. He said the case of the employees would be studied further and action would be taken against them. |
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73 polling stations in Fatehgarh Sahib sensitive
Fatehgarh Sahib, May 6 He said that for the Amloh assembly segment Mr Sandeep Hans, SDM, had been deputed the Assistant Returning office while for Sirhind Mr Darshan Singh Sandhu had been appointed. There were 3,03,582 voters, including 908 in the services, in the district. As may as 308 polling stations had been set up in the two assembly segments of the district, out of which 73 had been identified as sensitive. The Deputy Commissioner said 308 polling parties consisting of one presiding officer and three polling officers each would be deputed and 10 per cent electoral staff had been kept as reserve. Strict action would be taken against the employees who did not attend the third rehearsal scheduled for May 8 at ITI, Bassi Pathana, and Indoor Stadium, Mandi Gobindgarh. The staff from other districts would be provided transport, board and lodging facilities. He said the district administration had made tight security arrangements and one SP, 6 DSPs, 17 non-gazetted officers, 374 head constables, 539 constables and 350 home guards had been deputed. For patrolling, 35 vehicles equipped with 106 wireless sets would be used for patrolling. |
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May 8 to 10 to be dry days, orders DC
Fatehgarh Sahib, May 6 The days have been declared dry under Section 54 of the Punjab Excise Act. On the days all liquor shops in the district would be closed. Besides this, the sale and storage of liquor has been banned in hotels, restaurants, clubs, pubs and ahatas in the district, the Deputy Commissioner has ordered. |
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Tarlochan Singh new
AISSF chief
Amritsar, May 6 He has been authorised to reorganise the federation. The meeting was presided over by Bhai Manjit Singh, senior vice-president of the SAD. In a resolution, the meeting condemned Mr Harminder Singh Gill, former federation chief, for joining the Congress. An appeal was made to the chiefs of splinter groups of the AISSF to come together and extend support to Tarlochan. Later, talking to the Press, he said he and his family were not ready to take this big responsibility but they had to bow before the consensus due to changed circumstances. He vowed to keep the federation from politics so that tenets of Sikhism could be spread in the far flung areas. He said he would not take part in any political activity. |
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Facing torture abroad, youths write for help
Amritsar, May 6 This came to light in letters written by the victims to their families in Punjab. Several such youths are living in Pakistan under fake Muslim names to hide their identity. Pargat Singh, a resident of Hoshiarpur, who had mortgaged his properties to pay Rs 5 lakh to a travel agent for a job in Greece landed in a Pakistan jail after having a tough time in Turkey and Iran jails. He even wrote to the head granthi of Gurdwara Nankana Sahib for help. He narrated his tale of woes to his family in a letter. He said he was living with a Muslim family under the name Mohammad Hussain. He said his companions had also taken shelter in houses of Muslim families. Mr Harpal Singh Bhullar, chief of the International Bhai Mardana Yadgari Kirtan Darbar Society, gave copies of letters to The Tribune here today. In another letter, Sukhwinder Singh of Dasua said youths, including some from Pakistan, were tortured in Turkey and Iran. Sukhwinder lamented that even the Indian Embassy did not listen to their woes. Sukhwinder has taken shelter in a gurdwara in Pakistan. Mr Bhullar said Pargat Singh, in his letter, also revealed that 12 Indian and Pakistani youths, who were in the custody of agents in Iran, were killed through torture. |
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Police helps restore minor to parents
Patiala, May 6 After being beaten up, seven-year-old Rajbir Kaur got disgusted and boarded a Patiala-bound Punjab Roadways bus from Jalandhar, where she resides. During the journey, Rajbir was comforted by a co-passenger, Bacho Devi, who took her to her house in the Khalsa Mohalla area of the town. There the woman used the Patiala police’s helpline. A police team led by an ASI, Ms Manjit Kaur, arrived soon and took Rajbir into its custody. The SP (Headquarters), Mr L.K. Yadav, was informed of the incident in the morning. Mr Yadav and his team made efforts to get information about the girl’s parents. A telephone number given by Rajbir helped the police to contact her Jalandhar-based maternal uncle. Once he was informed of Rajbir’s presence at Patiala, her parents, Harjinder Singh and Kuldeep Kaur, reached the helpline centre in the old office of the SSP this evening for a happy reunion. |
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700 level crossings
to be manned
Phillaur, May 6 Regarding security measures, especially during election days, he said “Special hot weather patrolling” was carried out in the entire division from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. for the protection of railway tracks and special security arrangements were made on Pathankot-Jammu railway section which was declared sensitive. The Divisional Railway Manager said there was no shortage of tickets at any railway station of the Ferozepore Division as the Railways had made additional arrangements for tickets during the summer season. |
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Pak group returns after dargah visit
Attari, May 6 The group had been allowed in India after a gap of more than two years following the attack on Indian Parliament in 2001. Mr Salman Nabi, a member of the Central Board of Revenue, Ministry of Finance, Pakistan, who led the group, said no woman had ever been a member of the group. They were here for the annual Urs that coincided with the 735th anniversary of Hazrat Khawaja Allahudin Ali Ahmed
Sabar. GRP personnel from Uttaranchal and some officers of intelligence agencies accompanied the group today from Kalyar Sharief reportedly on instructions from top officials of the Union Ministry. Their arrangements at the dargah were supervised by Mian Abdul Latif, a deputy in the Sajjad Nashin, an institution for the upkeep of Muslim shrines. The group members said the Uttaranchal Chief Minister, Mr Narayan Dutt Tiwari, visited them during their stay and also placed a “chadar” at the
dargah. |
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Punjab unfair to staff, says Sangh
Chandigarh, May 6 The president of the sangh, Mr Nirmal Singh Ghuman, in a press note issued here today alleged that the present Congress government in the state had abolished the perks of the employees working in PSUs from the date of assuming office and had also rendered thousands of employees jobless by winding up/ privatising various PSUs like SPINFED, Punjab Tractors, Poultry Corporation, the ESPL, to name a few. As a follow-up action on the Vaishno Committee report, closing down/privatisation of another 29 PSUs is on the anvil. To add to the woes of employees, the benefit of merging the DA on the Central pattern has also not been extended to them, he added. The representations of the employees in this regard have fallen on deaf ears as the government continues to plead a financial crunch. Leaders of affiliated organisations of the sangh, who attended the meeting held today, have decided to continue their struggle against the “high-handedness” of the government till the issues are resolved. |
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Shortage of postcards
Amritsar, May 6 He said the department was deliberately not keeping the postcards to boost the sale of inland letters, bookposts and envelopes. |
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High Court
Chandigarh, May 6 In their petition, the Home Guards of Amritsar district had claimed that despite being in service for the past many years, their services have not been regularised. Counsel for the petitioners, advocate Sanjiv Manrai told the court that the petitioners had sent a legal notice on March 1, 2004, through which they have asked the authorities to regularise their services. But no action has been taken on the same. The Bench comprising Mr Justice H.S. Bedi and Mr AK Goel Justice directed the Commandant General to pass a speaking order on the legal notice within three months. |
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Langah asks court to return his passport
Ropar, May 6 Mr Langah was booked by the Punjab Vigilance on the charges of corruption and disproportionate assets. He was under going trail in the special court at Ropar under which his passport was deposited. The judge while issuing a notice to the state on the application of Langah fixed May 11 as the next date for hearing. |
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Judge’s suspension revoked
Jalandhar, May 6
Mr Mehmi, was suspended by the high court on the basis of a complaint filed by a witness in a case about six months ago. During suspension, his headquarters was fixed at Jalandhar. |
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Inside Babudom
Chandigarh, May 6 And a couple of days ago when the Election Commission asked the Punjab Government to transfer district police chief of Moga, he proceeded on leave. In this case, the Election Commission was, prima facie, convinced that the officer concerned had violated the model code of conduct. On the other hand, the constable not even on election duty or connected with election process in anyway was placed under suspension and his leave application supported by a medical certificate rejected. A debate has started in the Punjab and Haryana Civil Secretariat over the new trend of proceeding on leave than accepting transfer orders. “The orders issued on April 6 are normally applicable to all policemen, irrespective of their status,” says Mr Sanjiv Gupta, Inspector-General of Police (Administration), while expressing his inability to comment on proceeding of leave of the Moga police chief. “Only the Punjab Government can comment on granting leave to the officer concerned as the office of the Chief Election Commission (CEC) had directly written to the Punjab Chief Secretary to transfer the Moga SSP,” says Mr Babu Lal, Additional Chief Electoral Officer of Punjab. Senior officials, both in Punjab and Haryana Election offices maintain that once an officer has been prima facie found guilty of violating the model code of conduct, his or her proceeding on leave circumvents the purpose for which his or her transfer had been ordered. “As long as he or she enjoys all the privileges — personal staff, transport, official residence, communication network and other facilities connected with the job — posting of a substitute does not serve the purpose,” says a senior Punjab official. Once the election process has been set in motion, orders under the Punjab Civil Service Rules are issued stopping all kinds of leave. |
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Cop run over by thief, injured
Bathinda, May 6 Mr Kapil Dev, SSP, in a press note issued here today said that the police team found that some thieves were stealing wheat from a truck parked near the bus stand of Jaga Ram Tirath village. While the police team managed to overpower three accused identified as Jatinder Singh, Amarjit Kaur and Baggad Singh, the fourth accused, who was sitting in the car tried to run over Mr Jarnail Singh, constable and managed to flee. A case in this connection had been registered under Sections 307, 323, 353, 186, 379 and 34 of the IPC. |
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Youth stabbed to death
Amritsar, May 6
A case under Sections 302, 34 and 120-B of the IPC has been registered. One person has been rounded up for investigations. Raju was working for a cable operator in the Sultanwind area. |
Speakers
discuss poetry of Gurus
Patiala, May 6 In his inaugural address, Dr Amrik Singh, a former Vice-Chancellor of the university, emphasised that Adi Granth was a compilation of poetry of the Gurus and Sufi saints. He said some Gurus produced poetic compositions that had a fine balance between content and form. He referred to the Sukhmani Sahib by Guru Arjan Dev, which, he said was an “obvious and unforgettable example.” Highlighting the philosophical thought of Guru Nanak Dev, Dr Amrik Singh said the Guru had given a different orientation to the sant tradition and also deepened its meaning. He said if Guru Nanak was to be taken as a poet, the next thing to do would be to take both thought structure and his poetic compositions as one unit and analyse them together. He stated that Guru Nanak had the gift of coining aphorisms which had originality as well as boldness and brevity. Guru Nanak, as a poet, stood out for the extraordinary imagery he used, added Dr Amrik Singh. In his key note address, Dr Jagbir Singh, former Professor of Delhi University, said Adi Granth was an anthology of miscellaneous writings of the Gurus. He said the
Granth Sahib represented a unique blend of harmony and numerous permutation and combinations. He added that simple language had been used to articulate the routine affairs of common man transformed into an idiom of highly charged metaphysical truths. The VC, Dr S.S Boparai, in his presidential address, termed Guru Nanak as a great visionary and a man of action. Dr Boparai emphasised the need to make Guru Nanak’s original, bold and pragmatic thought part of academics. On the occasion, Dr Boparai announced that a compulsory paper on “Philosophy of Guru Nanak Dev” would be introduced in MA (Philosophy) from the coming academic session. |
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Punjabi varsity Deans reshuffled
Patiala, May 6 Prof S. P. S Virdi, who was Dean, College Development Council, has been appointed Dean, Academic Affairs, for the new academic session. He will take up the new charge on May 7. Prof U.C. Singh, who was Dean, Academic Affairs, has been appointed Coordinator the of law entrance test scheduled to be held next month. He will also be Dean of the Faculty of Professional Courses. There was a controversy over the appointment of the Dean, Academic Affairs. According to sources, it was compulsory for the Dean to have a Doctorate. Prof Virdi did not have a Ph.D, but a diploma from France which the varsity considered equivalent to Ph.D. The spokesman of the university, Dr B.S Sandhu, said Dr Virdi's appointment as Dean, Academic Affairs, was on the basis of seniority. Whether he had a Ph.D or not did not matter, he added. Meanwhile, the Dean, Research, Prof
T. A Sharma, has got an extension for the third time for the post. Prof
S. S Khehra has been re-appointed Dean, Students Welfare. The president of the Forum for Educational Reforms and Action, Dr Amarjit Singh Dhillon, alleged that the reshuffle of senior posts was a political arrangement among the various groups in the university. The decisions were not based on academic reasons or merit and seniority had taken a back seat, particularly in the appointment of the Dean, Colleges. At the same time, it was a "clever game" of the Vice-Chancellor to expose certain leaders of the faculty, he added. However, the Director, Public Relations, Dr
B. S. Sandhu, said the old Deans had been retained as they had shown good results. He refused to comment on why all Deans, except one, were from the same group, the Progressive Teachers Front. |
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Medico beaten up
Amritsar, May 6 The attack was result of an old enmity between two groups. Sandeep Singh alleged that Ravinder Singh, Kanwarjit Singh and Rajneet Singh, all interns attacked him at about 2.30 pm. The police said the case could be registered only after the medico legal report. However, Dr P.S. Bedi, Principal of the college, could not be contacted. |
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