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HARYANA
Haryana
Assembly Poll
Rebels pose challenge
Candidates go social
Diary distribution a violation?
Campaigning in Fatehabad gains momentum
Haryana seeks 100 companies
Nomination papers of 1,130 valid in Haryana
Sites marked for poll meetings
Friends in Delhi are foes in Bihar
MLA’s murder hits electioneering
Palamu RJD leaders quit
Graphic: 2000 Bihar Assembly poll outcome
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HARYANA
Karnal, January 18 One of the factions of the Akali Dal is affiliated to the SAD, headed by Mr Prakash Singh Badal, which has extended unconditional support to Mr Om Prakash Chautala, president of the INLD, in the ensuing Assembly elections. Another group is headed by Mr Jagdish Singh Jhinda, leader of the seven-member SGPC who had won the elections last year on the sole plank of demanding a separate gurdwara management committee for Haryana. This group has extended support to the Congress. The third group that has a presence in the state is the SAD(Amritsar) headed by Mr Simranjit Singh Mann who has become more active after the announcement of the Assembly elections. He has appealed to the Sikh community to boycott the Congress, the BJP and the INLD. The SAD(A) had earlier thought of contesting by forging an alliance with like-minded parties but later backtracked. The party was yet to decide which party or individual candidate to support. A decision in this regard would be taken after the withdrawal of nomination papers, Mr Mann said, talking to The Tribune here yesterday. Political observers are of the view that lack of a clear-cut policy among the Akali factions and the division among them has weakened the presence of the Akalis even in Sikh-dominated areas. The SAD constituted a separate state unit of the party in Haryana in1966 but it never aspired to attain or share power in alliance with other parties by contesting either the parliamentary or the Assembly elections. During the past four decades, the SAD had extended
unconditional support to the Janata Party, then to the Lok Dal and later to the INLD. This led to a division among Most Sikhs feel that the Akali leadership had always betrayed them for its vested interests by not allowing its candidates to contest the elections alone or in alliance with other parties. The Sikhs of Haryana feel that though the SAD could not have won on its own in any of the elections, the top Akali leadership had four decades since the formation of the state to strengthen its base to become a formidable political force.
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Haryana
Assembly Poll
Chandigarh, January 18 What has prompted the Haryana parties to avoid them is the passing of the Termination of Water Agreements Bill by the Punjab Assembly last year. While Capt Amarinder Singh was the architect of the Bill, it was supported by the Leader of the Opposition, Mr Badal who even advocated a series of steps to annul the water-sharing agreements between Punjab and other states. Consequently, Mr Chautala has been avoiding inviting Mr Badal to his public engagements. Mr Badal was conspicuous by his absence at the rally in Fatehabad organised by the INLD to commemorate the birth anniversary of Devi Lal. The SAD chief also did not turn up at the rally in Kaithal addressed by Mr Chautala on the occasion of Haryana Day. Since the passing of the controversial Bill, Mr Tarlochan Singh, Chairman of the National Commission of Minorities who recently got elected as a Rajya Sabha member from Haryana with support from the INLD and the BJP, has become the INLD's Sikh face. He has also been appointed official spokesman of the INLD in Delhi. In an attempt to woo the Sikh community, Mr Chautala, toward the fag end of the regime, introduced a Bill to accord Punjabi the status of the second official language of Haryana. He, however, stopped short of renaming Kurukshetra University after Guru Gobind Singh which was promised by him earlier.
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Rebels pose challenge
Panipat, January 18 Most of them are trying their luck as Independent candidates, while some have managed to get ticket from other parties. BJP state executive member Jagbir Arya has resigned from his post and is trying his luck on BSP ticket from the Naulatha constituency of Panipat district over the issue of allocation of ticket to newcomer Balwan Sharma. Alleging that the BJP had not taken care of its workers while giving ticket to Balwan Sharma, he said the latter had left the Ekta Shakti Party to join the BJP just two days before the allocation of ticket and the attitude of BJP leaders had forced him to leave the party. "Had anyone of us been allocated ticket, he would have not left the BJP and contested on BSP ticket," he said, adding that all BJP office-bearers of Naulatha had resigned from their posts to express their
dissatisfaction in this regard. Similarly, INLD candidate Katar Singh Chhokar is facing a rebel candidate on the Samalkha seat as its district general secretary Inder Singh Chhokar is contesting from this seat as an Independent after resigning from his post on the issue of denial of ticket to him. However, it is expectedly the Congress which is facing most of the rebels. So much so, it has to face more than one rebel even on a single seat. Over half a dozen rebels are trying their luck against Congress candidate Bharat Singh Chhokar on the Samalkha seat. Prominent among them are Mr Hari Singh Nalwa, Mr Jagdev Malik and Ms Anju Chhokar. Mr Nalwa was Congress candidate from this seat during the elections in 2000, however, he could get only 25,159 votes and had to satisfy with second place. In the same way, Congress leader Rajiv Jain, media secretary of former Chief minister Bansi Lal, is also trying his luck from the Sonepat seat as an Independent against its official candidate Anil Takkar, state organisation secretary of the party. He was one of the main organisers of the Congress rally held in Sonepat last month and was hopeful of ticket from the HVP quota. A youth leader of the NCP, Mr Sanjay Barvasia, is supporting Mr Rajiv Jain after resigning from his post as his party cancelled his ticket and allocated it to sitting Independent MLA Dev Raj Dewan, who was also one of main contenders of Congress ticket. Similarly, the official Congress candidate and former minister Ramesh Kaushik is facing two rebels on the Rai seat. While state Congress secretary Ranjeet Kaushik is contesting as an Independent, another Congressman Satpal Chohan is trying his luck on NCP ticket from Rai. Former state Congress president Dharampal Malik is also facing two rebels of his party on the Gohana seat. While Congress leader Jintender Gaur managed to contest on BJP ticket after denial of ticket, Congressman Bhupender Malik is in the fray as an Independent candidate from the Gohana seat. Official Congress candidate Krishna Gehlawat is facing a rebel on the Rohat seat. Mr Sukhbir Farmana is contesting on NCP ticket after denial of Congress ticket.
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Candidates go social
Hisar, January 18 Apart from holding public meetings and mass-contact programmes, the candidates make it a point to attend as many functions as possible. So intense is their desire to meet more and more people (read voters) that they do not want to lose any opportunity. At times, the situation becomes awkward when several rival candidates happen to be together at a function but they have a way out in case such situations. The candidates of rival parties hold discussions in small groups, maintaining a “safe distance” from one another. “We cannot afford to miss even a single function,” concedes a contestant from an Assembly constituency in the district. The candidates are also stalked by fear that their rivals might get an edge over them by attending more functions. “Moreover, by attending social ceremonies, we get an idea of the support base of our rivals,” points out a supporter of an Independent candidate for the Hisar seat. The contestants do not spare even the funeral ceremonies and condolence meetings. Mr Hari Singh Saini, an Independent candidate for the Hisar seat, has made it his poll plank that the Congress candidate, Mr Om Prakash Jindal, who is also the sitting MLA from Hisar, had “not been among the local residents.” “I have always stood by the people and remain at their beck and call. On the other hand, being a prominent industrialist, Mr Jindal is not approachable to the masses,” Mr Saini has been saying at public meetings. However, Mr Jindal dismisses these allegations as baseless. He said it was an attempt to tarnish his image. Mr Jindal asserts that due to his being in the Opposition, he was unable to perform to his fullest. He asserts that on coming to power, he would make efforts for the betterment of the city. Nonetheless, as electioneering picks up in the city and speculations are in the air, residents are getting used to seeing the “social” face of the persons aspiring to be their representatives.
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Diary distribution a violation?
Faridabad, January 18 Opposition leaders have described it as a blatant example of the violation of guidelines of the Election Commission. The diaries have already reached the majority of government departments and officials. The diary has the messages of the Governor and the Chief Minister. The text of the message of the Chief Minister mentions that the present government had taken up many schemes to fulfill the dreams of Devi Lal. It talks of programmes like Sarkar Apke Dwar, Devi Roopak, Devi Rakshak and Kanyadaan that were launched during the tenure of the present government. It states that measures were taken to provide jobs and employment, besides launching a training programme in the industries for unemployed youths. The model of conduct had come into effect by the end of November. The notification was, however, issued on January 10. The state government had postponed the holding of the annual industrial and trade fair scheduled to be held at Surajkund from December 22 to 30. It was stated that the fair had been suspended due to the code of conduct. Ms Sharda Rathaur, Congress candidate from the Ballabhgarh Assembly segment here, wondered how the government could issue the diaries when the code of conduct had already come into effect. She said the issue would be taken up with the EC as the diaries contained about eight pages stating the achievements of the INLD government, besides the message of the Chief
Minister. She said the diaries could have been held back till the new government came to power in March. The BJP leader, Mr Krishan Pal Gurjar, said it reflected the respect the present government had for the code of conduct. He said it was an example of gross misuse of the government machinery.
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Campaigning in Fatehabad gains momentum
Fatehabad, January 18 Mrs Durgesh Arora (BJP), Mr Krishan Swaroop (CPM), Mr Janak Raj (CPI), Mr Gurmeet Singh (Bahujan Samaj Party), Mr Saudagar Singh (Ekta Shakti Party) and Mr Bansi Lal (Lok Janshakti Party) are also in the fray. Four Independents are also trying their luck. In all 15 candidates have filed their nominations, including the covering candidates of the nominees of major political parties. The INLD nominee was the first to start her poll campaign here. Having completed a round of Fatehabad town, she is now concentrating on the villages. She toured Ayalki, Dhani Chanchak, Ahrewan, Shahnal, Sukhmanpur and Munshiwali villages to seek votes. The INLD Rajya Sabha member, Mr Ajay Singh Chautala will address an election meeting of Mrs Chaudhary at Gorakhpur village tomorrow. The Congress nominee, Mr Dura Ram, on the other hand, has been concentrating on the town for the past two days. While many prominent persons of the town like Municipal Councillor Usha Dahiya, Congress leader Rajinder Chaudhary and Mr Sarabjit Singh Mann organised public receptions for the Congress nominee last evening, Mr Dura Ram concentrated on a shop-to-shop campaign in the local grain market, Hans Market, G.T. Road, Shivalaya Market and Thana road today. The Congress MP from Bhiwani, Mr Kuldip Bishnoi is to tour the constituency on January 20 and January 21. He will cover around 24 villages during his visit. The HPCC chief, Mr Bhajan Lal, will also come on a two-days tour of the constituency. While the Congress candidates at many other places in Haryana, including Rattia in Fatehabad district, are facing rebellion from their own party ranks, Mr Dura Ram has been lucky to get the support of almost all ticket-seekers, including Mr Pahlad Singh Gillankhera and Dr Atam Parkash Mehta. The CPM nominee from Fatehabad, Mr Krishan Swaroop, also campaigned in Akanwali, Dariyapur and Karnoli villages. Several employees’ leaders are campaigning for the CPM The BJP nominee, Mrs Durgesh Arora, whose candidature was announced on January 16, also launched her poll campaign today.
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Haryana seeks 100 companies
Gurgaon, January 18 He said this after a joint meeting of Deputy Commissioners, police chiefs, Commissioner, Gurgaon Division, and the IGP (Gurgaon Range). The hour-long meeting was convened to take stock of poll preparations and security arrangements in the Gurgaon division, comprising Gurgaon, Faridabad, Rewari and Mahendergarh district. He said the process of revision on sensitive booths would be completed shortly. He, however, said an HCS officer along with a DSP had been deputed for each of the sectors. Vigil had already been increased and patrolling in each of the Assembly
segments had been so designed so as to seal the entire constituency, if need be. He said security personnel would not be deployed for VIP visits during the time of electioneering.
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Nomination papers of 1,130 valid in Haryana
Chandigarh, January 18 The nominations are lower this time as compared to 1,480 filed for the 1999 Assembly elections of which 965 had finally contested the poll. February 20 is the last date for withdrawal. Hisar had the maximum number of 23 valid candidates whereas the lowest number was in Taoru where six candidates have filed nominations. Besides representatives from various national and state-level political parties a large number of Independents are also contesting the poll. All prinicipal parties in the state — the Congress, the INLD and the BJP — were contesting the elections independently this time. Among the known figures contesting the poll are Chief Minister and INLD chief Om Prakash Chautala, Haryana Congress president Bhajan Lal, state Cong working president Randeep Singh Surjewala, former state Congress chiefs Birender Singh and Shamsher Singh Surjewala, and BCCI president Ranbir Singh Mahendra and former MP Surender Singh, both sons of former Chief Minister Bansi Lal. Also in the fray are Mr Chander Mohan, son of Mr Bhajan Lal, senior BJP leader Ram Bilas Sharma, former BJP Legislature Party leader in the Haryana Assembly Krishan Pal Gurjar.
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Sites marked for poll meetings
Rewari, January 18 In the Rewari constituency, Rao Tula Ram Park, Ramlila ground and the Gymkhana Club site have been fixed for holding of election meetings while the meat market complex on the Jhajjar road, New Grain Market area near the brass market, HUDA land near Rao Tula Ram Stadium, vacant land in front of Dewan Tek Chand Club, Maharana Pratap Chowk and HUDA land on the Bawal road, besides the vacant T-point space on the Bhiwadi road and HUDA ground in front of Government Senior Secondary School in Dharuhera could be utilised for affixing hoardings and banners.
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Friends in Delhi are foes in Bihar
Patna, January 18 The list of candidates released by UPA partners, who filed their nominations till closing hours on Monday, shows that in 62 of the 64 Assembly constituencies, which go to the polls in the first phase, two or more constituents of the ruling alliance at the Centre have fielded their candidates. Bhabua and Jamui are the two
constituencies where neither of the UPA constituents, the Congress, the LJP and the JMM has fielded any candidate against the RJD nominees. In Dhuraiya, the CPI candidate is facing a UPA partner JMM nominee. The major UPA constituents in Bihar, the RJD and the LJP have locked horns in 20 constituencies while three candidates each for 21 seats would contest on the ticket from the Congress, the RJD, the LJP and left parties. The RJD has not put up any candidate in Kahalagaon, where the Assembly Speaker is seeking re-election on the Congress ticket, and has also left the Hisua seat for CPM veteran Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi. Among the UPA constituents, the RJD and the LJP have fielded candidates for 58 seats each while the Congress and JMM candidates would try their luck in 22 and 12 constituencies, respectively. The RJD announced support to CPI and CPM candidates in three and two constituencies, respectively, while the party has not put up any candidate at Kahalgaon, the lone seat the Congress won in the 2000 Assembly polls.
— UNI
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MLA’s murder hits electioneering
Ranchi, January 18 Though about 379 candidates filed their nomination papers for the first phase of election, the candidates are now more concerned about their own security as the 24 constituencies going to the polls in the first phase are Naxal-dominated areas. There are more queries with the authorities about security arrangements for the candidates and their workers during the campaign. The government has assured the electorate and the candidates about the foolproof security arrangements, saying that
paramilitary forces, apart from the state police, have already been deployed and regular patrol in vulnerable areas have begun. Raids are being conducted regularly to apprehend Naxal extremists, official sources said. The government has also reviewed the security scenario following the killing of the MLA. The BJP, however, formally launched its campaign with the address of party national president L.K. Advani at Dumka yesterday. Meanwhile, the opposition Congress sought the Governor’s intervention to provide adequate security to the members of the opposition parties during campaigning. The state government has also sought three helicopters from the Centre for deployment during the polling days.
— UNI
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Palamu RJD leaders quit
Medninagar (Palamu), January 18 Apart from the RJD’s district
committee president, Mr Shiv Shankar Prasad, the presidents of eight blocks in Palamu division also resigned. The party no longer stood for social justice as the high command had chosen to ignore active party leaders and allotted the party ticket to anti-party
forces, Mr Prasad told reporters here. The dissident group had fielded Mr Anil Kumar Chaurasia as an Independent candidate from Daltongunj seat against the RJD’s official candidate, Mr Prasad said.
— PTI
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