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Paswan’s LJP promises crime-free Bihar
It’s all about three Es
Jaya Prada, Maya to address rallies Poll First Round
Rohtak Going not easy for Congress entrant Graphic: Haryana Assembly Poll Outcome 2000
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Patna, January 22 The party also offered a slew of sops for the welfare of minorities, Dalits and other weaker sections of society and bringing a legislation guaranteeing employment to all within six months of the LJP coming to power. “In the event of coming to power the party would build a modern and crime-free Bihar,” LJP President and Union Chemicals and Fertiliser Minister Ram Bilas Paswan said, releasing the manifesto at a press conference here. The LJP would provide 10 per cent reservation to Muslims, who are educationally and financially backward, on the pattern of that reserved for other backward castes, he said. Besides, special budgetary allocation would also be made for all minority educational institutions and steps would be taken for reopening the “dead” ones. He said the LJP government would also set up a full-fledged university for minorities. The Paswan said the LJP, if voted to power would provide an effective and transparent administration and road, electricity, health, drinking water, cleanliness and education would be the thrust areas. It would introduce health cards for all and deposit Rs 5,000 in the name of female babies at the time of their birth which would be refundable to her with interest after she attains 18 years of age. “We want people to understand that the birth of a girl child is not a curse,” he said. Mr Paswan said steps would be taken to stop “atrocities” on Dalits and Dalit police stations in the state would be made more effective. Steps would also be taken to absorb the services of
homeguards, dafadars and chowkidars as class IV employees, he added. —
PTI
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Chandigarh, January 22 The women voters who form 49.79 per cent of the total electorate are clear about their expectations from the new government but it comes as a contradiction when they admit that their vote is hardly their own and that they are guided by their husbands. “Our husbands’ choice is our choice. We never vote against their wishes. Since we can’t read or write, they tell us the symbol we have to put a mark against,” say Omi Devi and her mother Shanti as they bathe cows in the pond at Kandela. Busy with the harvest are Sudesh Kumari, Kitabo and Krishna, all in their late 20s. They echo the same views about their choice of candidate. “Our husbands, all of whom are educated, are sitting at home, whiling away their time since no jobs are available. So, they use the time to discuss politics and tell us who is best suited for us,” they say. Manoeuvring her bullock cart in Kairkheri village of Jind district, 50-year-old Savitri, says that “The men hold discussions among themselves about the best candidate and the party. Just before we leave for the polling booth, they tell us whom to vote for. Obviously, the best man is chosen since they weigh all the pros and cons.” Jalbera in Pehowa district is plagued with water paucity and poor power supply. “It’s been two years since fresh water pipelines were laid and taps installed in our villages. They have been dry ever since and we are making do with handpumps,” Suchira and Soni Devi say. Their educated sons play cards all day for want of a job. In the urban Narwana, which is the Chief Minister’s constituency, Dr Ranjana Rawal is appalled with the state of the government hospital, two floors of which have been taken over by monkeys. “All patients here are either referred to the hospital at Rohtak or to Chandigarh. There is hardly anything in the name of emergency services. Also, education is at its lowest ebb and government schools are in a pathetic condition,” she maintains. However, while women promptly spell out the issues that need immediate attention, they reluctantly admit that new governments hardly ever bother once the votes are in their kitty and they assume office. As one of them sums up, “We need a sensitive government in the state and a candidate receptive to our needs.”
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INLD to add filmi zing to canvassing Sirsa, January 22 In an attempt to add life to an otherwise cold poll canvassing, the INLD is all set to showcase Bollywood heartthrobs for campaigning. Other parties were also planning to `field' film stars. Political observers said inviting the film and TV actors is not new to the state as even in the last Assembly and Lok Sabha poll, a number of actors were there. The parties resort to film stars when they fear a poor showing, the observers add. Talking to the Tribune, the sitting MLA from Rori and the younger son of the CM, Mr Abhey Singh Chautala, said the party would soon invite the film stars. Naming the heartthrobs, Sanjay Dutt and Suneil Shetty, Mr Chautala called them personal friends and not just the film stars. He said he had arranged their visit for this month as they themselves showed their eagerness to help the party in the poll. According to the political observers the ruling INLD was trying to woo the voters by inviting their ``star friends'' to distract the ``anti-incumbency'' factor in the state. Though the INLD had roped in various stars in the last Lok Sabha polls too it did not change party's fortunes much. Meanwhile, party sources in the BJP said that the state
leadership was also trying to catch hold of their ``star supporters''. Bikaner MP (LS), Dharmendra and `dream girl' Hema Malini were believed to be the front-runners in the campaign with an attempt to woo the Jat voters in the state.
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Jaya Prada, Maya to address rallies Rewari, January 22 The state general secretary of the BSP, Rao Balbir Singh, who is also contesting from Jatusana, today said that Ms Mayawati would address an election meeting here on January 29. She would canvass for Rao Balbir
Singh (Jatusana), Rao Manjit Singh (Rewari), Ms Lalita Bharti( Bawal), Thakur Briju
Singh (Mahendergarh) and Chaudhary Ved Prakash (Ateli). According to party leader Raghu Yadav, the general secretary of the Samajwadi Party, Thakur Amar Singh, and Ms Jaya Prada, MP, would address rallies on January 24 at
Patauda (Jhajjar constituency) and Pataudi (Pataudi constituency) in favour of Ram Kishan Fauji and Ram Kishan Balmiki, respectively. On January 25, both Thakur Amar Singh and Jaya Prada would take part in a roadshow that would cover Kanina, Dahina, Kanwali, Berli Kalan, Jatusna, Lala, Rohrai, Palhawas and Guraora villages.
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Poll
First Round Rohtak Rohtak, January 22 The waves that sweep the political shores here during the elections generally sweep the entire state. In the past, these waves have catapulted political leaders to the pinnacle of glory and at the same razed many a political reputation to dust. The late Devi Lal and Chief Minister Om Parkash Chautala are among those who have experienced both aspects of the power of Rohtak’s political tsunami. This time this tsunami has a special significance for Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda, MP, who nurtures hopes of occupying the office of Chief Minister if the Congress ousts the Indian National Lok Dal government. Mr Hooda is not contesting the assembly poll. He had quit the Kiloi assembly seat after his election to the Lok Sabha in May 2004. In his place the Congress has fielded veteran Shri Kishen Hooda , who has represented the constituency twice before in 1987 and 1996. He faces Mr Prem Singh Hooda of the INLD, Mr Raj Singh Hooda of the BJP and Mr Ajmer Singh of the Bahujan Samaj Party. The constituency is dominated by Hooda Jats. If Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda has to realise his dreams the, Congress nominee must win this seat for him. Another Bhupinder Singh Hooda acolyte Shadi Lal Batra is contesting from Rohtak town on the Congress ticket. He won this seat in the 2000 poll also. He faces Mr Sunder Lal Sethi of the INLD who is Chairman of the local Improvement Trust. Mr Sethi was eased out of the BJP after which he jumped on to the INLD bandwagon. The BJP has put up Mr Manish Grover. All these three candidates are Punjabis. The BSP has chosen Mr Ramesh Jangra. The BJP considers Rohtak as its stronghold. However, the party has lost much ground since the days of Rohtak’s strongman, the late Dr Mangal Sein who won this seat five times. The Congress has chosen Mr Anand Singh Dangi , an arch enemy of Mr Om Parkash
Chautala, from the Meham assembly seat. Mr Dangi has won once from here in 1991 after which he became minister in the Bhajan Lal government. Mr Dangi is now identified with the Bhupinder Singh Hooda
faction. The INLD has denied ticket to its sitting MLA Balbir Singh who won the seat in 1996 and 2000. This time the party has fielded Mr Rajbir Saaman , a greenhorn. The BJP has given its ticket to Ms Meena Chaudhary while the BSP has fielded Mr Kapur Singh. Meham is known for its fierce political character. While this constituency helped the late Devi Lal almost occupy the office of the Prime Minister, it taught Mr Om Parkash Chautala some of the hardest political lessons of his life when he contested this seat in the nineties. Former minister Kartari Devi is Congress nominee for the Kalanaur (Reserved) seat. She, too, is considered a Bhupinder Singh Hooda loyalist now though she has been a minister in the Bhajan Lal cabinet in the past. She won from here in 1982, 1991 and 1996. She had lost to Ms Sarita Narain of the BJP in 2000. Ms Narain is again the BJP candidate from
here. The INLD has put up Mr Mewa Singh Fauji. The BSP has thrown its lot with Mr Sajan Singh. In Hasangarh, Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda’s man Friday Prof Virender lost the race for the Congress ticket. The party decided to field Mr Chakravarty Sharma , once considered a Bhajan Lal loyalist. but of late he had been attending rallies addressed by Mr Hooda. Initially, Prof Virender’s supporters raised a hue and cry over denial of ticket to their leader, but the strong protests have since subsided. Mr Sharma faces sitting INLD legislator Balwant Maina who has won this seat for the past three consecutive terms. The BJP has put up Mr Naresh Malik who is not considered as a mere push-over by his rivals. His namesake, Mr Naresh Khatri , is the nominee of the BSP.
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Going not easy for Congress entrant
Karnal, January 22 The voters of this constituency, comprising 1,58,796 in number, are keen to see how the Congress fares keeping in view the fact that it swept the last Lok Sabha elections. It may not be an easy ride for the new entrant, Ms Sumita Singh, who is also the president of the Haryana Mahila Congress. Last time also the Congress candidate, Mr Suresh Gupta, was defeated by Mr Jai Prakash Gupta. Ms Sumita remained the president of the local municipal council for five years and is aware of grassroot politics. However, the promises made by the local MP, Dr Arvind Sharma, during the last Lok Sabha elections have not been fulfilled and may affect her prospects. Independent’s hope Mr Jai Prakash Gupta, also a former minister, is again looking forward for a comfortable ride by getting sympathy votes for having not got Congress ticket. The ire of Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala under whose tenure 19 cases of various natures were registered against him may also benefit him. He had reassured his loyalty to the Congress in June after having extended support to the INLD-BJP combine. He is trying to convince the voters that he had fulfilled all promises made by him pertaining to the Kachwa overbridge and development works worth over Rs 100 crore during the past five years. Factionalism galore Mr Shashi Pal Mehta, a former state Industry Minister who was denied party ticket last time, is going door-to-door to seek votes on his personal contacts that he continued to maintain regularly even when he was not in power. In the 1996 elections, he had polled over 36,000 votes beating Mr Gupta, then a Congress nominee. Mr Mehta is trying to derive benefit from the local factionalism prevailing within the Congress and the division among the Sikh electorate by projecting former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee as the messiah of Hindu-Sikh. INLD’s new face Mr Dharampal Gupta, also a new face brought in the fray by the INLD, is trying to make a dent in the traders’ community that had never favoured the party in the past, besides, banking upon the traditional vote bank of the INLD.
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Rallies lose out to nukkar sabhas Sirsa, January 22 A
visit by this correspondent to the eight Assembly constituencies falling
under the Sirsa parliamentary seat in both districts revealed that the
candidates are mainly focusing on “nukkar” sabhas instead of rallies.
With the major chunk of voters residing in the rural the belt, these
sabhas are on the priority list of the candidates. INLD supporters are looking forward to a visit by Mr Om Prakash Chautala but he may not be able to revisit the area. Mr Abhey Singh Chautala, Rori MLA, said Mr Chautala would be busy in other parts of the state and chances of his revisit here are bleak. He visited the district on January 17 to file the nomination papers and addressed a rally. His son and party workers are canvassing in the rural areas of Rori which are dominated by Punjabis and Jats. Both
the Congress and the BJP have not organised any rally in the area. —
TNS
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Candidates debate
agenda Gurgaon, January 22 The Deputy Speaker of the Haryana Assembly, Mr Gehlot asserted that a number of development works had been undertaken in Gurgaon in the last five years. He mentioned the huge outlay for repair and construction of roads. He said the high pace of industrialisation had modernised the city and opened a number of job avenues. He further said rural areas of this constituency had been beneficiaries of the all-round development works. Mr Dharamvir Gauba, Congress candidate and a former minister, charged the government with failure on the law and order front.
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Patna, January 22
Women say they will go by spouses’ choice
Independent’s hope
