J A L A N D H A R

Now Vij, Dutta violate poll code
Jalandhar, January 25
Despite efforts made by the district administration to check the Model Code of Conduct violation on the last day of filing nomination papers today, three candidates flouted norms. They were Mr Shital Vij, an Independent contestant from Jalandhar (Central) and president of the managing committee of Sri Devi Talab Mandir; Mr Anil Dutta, an Independent candidate from Jalandhar (Cantonment); and Mr Harbhajan Lakha, the Bahujan Kranti Party candidate from Jalandhar (South).

Bittu paid Rs 12 cr for ticket: Dutta
Jalandhar, January 25
PPCC executive member Anil Dutta has blamed the Chief Minister for selling the Jalandhar (Central) ticket to Mr Tajinder Bittu, Chairman, Jalandhar Improvement Trust, for Rs 12 crore.

Ex-servicemen hold meeting
Nawanshahr, January 25
The district unit of the ex-servicemen cell ( PPCC) organised a meeting here at Punjab Mata Vidhyawati Bhavan today so as to mobilise ex.servicemen for the election campaign to ensure victory of the Congress nominees, Mr. Parkash Singh(Nawanshahr), Mr. Tarlochan Singh Soondh ( Banga), Ms Santosh Kataria (Balachaur) and Chaudhary Santokh Singh (Phillaur).

‘Bibi Brigade’ lends spice to canvassing
Nawanshahr, January 25
The “Bibi Brigade” of the SAD-BJP combine has started lending both colour as well as purpose to the otherwise dull electioneering so far here at the Nawanshahr Assembly segment.

BJP candidate files papers
Batala, January 25
Mr. Jagdish Sawhney, a candidate of BJP-SAD combine, along with hundreds of activists of both political parties, assembled at Quila Mandi, Batala, yesterday, went in a procession to the SDM-cum-Returning Officer file his nomination papers. Mr Jagdish Sawhney first offered prayers at Kali temple and then the procession passed through Chakri Bazar, Nehru Gate and from there the procession turned to Gurdwara Sat Kartarian where he was presented a siropa by the head granthi of the gurudwara.

A clarification
Mr Ajay Thaman of Garhdiwala village was named a victim in a Tribune news item, dated January 7, under the heading: “Two killed in mishaps”. It is to be clarified that the victim was Krishan Chander Bassi and not Mr Thaman. The error is regretted.

Now Vij, Dutta violate poll code
Deepkamal Kaur
Tribune News Service

Bittu paid Rs 12 cr for ticket: Dutta
Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, January 25
PPCC executive member Anil Dutta has blamed the Chief Minister for selling the Jalandhar (Central) ticket to Mr Tajinder Bittu, Chairman, Jalandhar Improvement Trust, for Rs 12 crore.

Holding a press conference here today, Mr Dutta said Mr Bittu had paid him Rs 5 crore while executing a land deed in the favour of Dashmesh Education Trust headed by Mr B.I.S. Chahal, CM’s media adviser. He alleged that the ticket was awarded to Mr Bittu despite a protest from his supporters, saying it must be given to a Hindu candidate since the constituency is dominated by Hindu voters.

He blamed top leaders, including Ch Jagjit Singh, Local Bodies Minister, for conniving with the Chief Minister and Mr Bittu for misleading the high command. He alleged that Ch Jagjit Singh had said the total number of Hindi voters was barely 20,000 and there was no need to give ticket to a Hindu candidate.

He said PPCC chief Shamsher Singh Dullo had supported him and even written a letter to Ms Sonia Gandhi that in case the seat was lost, he would not be held responsible.

Ex-servicemen hold meeting
Our Correspondent

‘Bibi Brigade’ lends spice to canvassing
Parmod Bharti

Nawanshahr, January 25
The “Bibi Brigade” of the SAD-BJP combine has started lending both colour as well as purpose to the otherwise dull electioneering so far here at the Nawanshahr Assembly segment.

Due to the strict implementation of the model code of conduct by the District Electoral Officer, Mr Krishan Kumar, even posters, banners, flags are rarely seen in the constituency what to talk of poll din, though the polling day is not very far now.

A sizeable group of women activists of the SAD-BJP, led by Ms Varinder Kaur Thandi, state executive member of the BJP, which also includes, Ms Satinder Kaur and Ms Maninder Kaur, wife and daughter-in-law, respectively, of the SAD- BJP nominee, Mr. Jatinder Singh Kariha, have started going door to door to give a boost to the election campaign in favour of SAD-BJP nominee.

Ms Gurdev Kaur Sangha, Ms Maninder Kaur Purewal, Ms. Surinder Kaur Sangha, Ms Nisha Nahar, active members of the “Bibi Brigade”, distribute pamphlets and try to convince the voters that the hike in prices of the essential household commodities has virtually made it difficult for the poor and middle-class people to keep the fire of his hearth burning.

BJP candidate files papers
Our Correspondent

Batala, January 25
Mr. Jagdish Sawhney, a candidate of BJP-SAD combine, along with hundreds of activists of both political parties, assembled at Quila Mandi, Batala, yesterday, went in a procession to the SDM-cum-Returning Officer file his nomination papers. Mr Jagdish Sawhney first offered prayers at Kali temple and then the procession passed through Chakri Bazar, Nehru Gate and from there the procession turned to Gurdwara Sat Kartarian where he was presented a siropa by the head granthi of the gurudwara.