Bathinda, May 10
The Shiromani Akali Dal (B), under the nose of the district administration, has flouted the model code of conduct for local bodies elections, slated for May 12.

In a visit to various villages in the district during the poll campaign, this correspondent found rampant violation of model code of conduct.

MP Paramjeet Kaur Gulshan, Nathana SAD area in-charge Gura Singh Tungwali and Kaka Inderjit Singh, brother-in-law of CM Parkash Singh Badal, were found holding their conferences in gurudwara premises at village Chak Bakhtu on May 7. The same was repeated in villages Nathana, Kalyan, Bajjoana and Nathpura on May 8 by them.

During a visit to a village Chughe Kalan today, junior vice- president of the SAD (B), Sarup Chand Singla, was holding a public meeting in a government elementary school. Besides using the government building, posters were pasted on the school walls and loud speakers were also used for the purpose.

It is pertinent to mention here that in the guidelines of the code of conduct, serial number one says that posters and hoardings are prohibited to be pasted on government buildings and property. The serial number 27 says that no vehicle and machinery belonging to government or local bodies or public undertakings and cooperative institutions shall be used for the campaigning purpose.

When contacted, junior vice-president of the SAD, Sarup Chand Singla, while expressing his ignorance about the rule said, “It was not canvassing, I went there just to listen to public grievances.”

When apprised of the matter, DC Bathinda, Rahul Tewari said, “It is right that using the government and religious premises for election campaign is violation of the code. We have not yet received any complaint regarding the matter and after receiving so, an investigation would be initiated and guilty can be booked under criminal laws also.”

Bathinda, May 10
Though Capt Amrinder Singh, former Chief Minister, has been “sick” for the last few days and because of that, he is not campaigning for any of the Zila Parishad candidates in the state, his proxy presence can still be felt in the cotton belt.

Capt Amrinder Singh’s absence from the election scene has raised many questions amongst the SAD, BJP and even the Congress party themselves, but when one visits different villages in the district, it becomes clear from the response of people that his aura would take a lot more time to fade away completely.

When The Tribune team visited a dusty hamlet Bhokhra, on the outskirts of the city, on Friday, a group of Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) activists were sitting under a banyan tree. When this correspondent asked them about which party would they vote for in the upcoming Zila Parishad elections? An elderly man said, “Vote ta assi takri nu paavange, and par Captain, Captain hi see (We would vote for SAD but Captain Amrinder Singh proved himself that he is the best”

MLA Nathana, Ajaib Singh Bhatti, a die-hard Capt Amrinder Singh supporter, said, “We are not using Capt Amrinder Singh’s name in these elections, but it’s the people themselves who time and again want to talk about him. People appreciate Capt’s work in the field of agriculture and power sector. He proved that he is a man of words.”

Vijay Inder Singla, president, Punjab Youth Congress, said, “I have been canvassing for various Zila Parishad candidates in Ludhiana (rural), Sangrur, Ropar, Hoshiarpur and Barnala. At all these places, I have seen that many candidates, who are aligned with other congress groups, have no other option but to use his name for canvassing and seeking people’s support.”

MLA Rampura Phul, Gurpreet Singh Kangar, feels, “Capt Amrinder Singh’s voice, especially in the Malwa region, is considered to be people’s own voice. Though he is not the chief minister now, but still people talk about him in good terms.”

MLA Talwandi Sabo, Jeet Mohinder Singh Sidhu, said, “Water is the main issue in Talwandi Sabo area and Capt Amrinder Singh’s stand, like the one taken by him for the Water’s Agreement, left a mark on people’s mind. That is why, people of this area respect him and will do that for generations to come.”

Abohar, May 10
On the last day of campaigning for the Zila Parishad and Panchayat Samiti elections, the ruling alliance suffered a set back as some active BJP workers including, Shyam Lal Nambardar and a former member of the Panchayat, Lal Chand Ghorela, welcomed the Congress legislator Sunil Jakhar and extended support to the party candidates at village Kallarkhera on NH 15.

Jakhar, while addressing meetings in Choohriwala Dhanna, Dhaani Shafi, Dhaani Maseet, Dhaani Karnail Singh, Dhaani Birbal, Dhaani Latkan, Shergarh, Sayyedwala, Haripura, Panjawa, Tootwala, Bhangarkhera and Achadiki villages, said the PAU scientists had advised the farmers to expedite sowing of cotton by May 15 but the state government was not providing water till today. Such an alliance government should be taught a lesson in the polling on Monday, he exhorted.

SAD (B) MP Zora Singh Mann and former BJP MLA Ram Kumar Goyal visited some villages to muster support for the alliance candidates in Khuyiansarwar block. Mann said Punjab’s future was safe in Parkash Singh Badal’s hands.  

Meanwhile, sources said scores of vehicles bearing registration numbers of Rajasthan and Haryana were seen transporting people from the neighbouring areas to villages in the Seetogunno sub-tehsil apparently to exhibit strength on eve of the polls.

Some interesting factors have come to limelight, as the campaign was incident free till today. There seems to be a direct contest between the Congress and alliance candidates.

Interestingly, voters in the ZP Panjkosi zone have to choose between Suman and another Suman. The Congress and BJP had fielded candidates having the same name. One belongs to village Gumjal, other to Panniwala Mahla. Both the villages were located on the tail end of the sub-canal and face acute shortage of water.

In Daulatpura zone, Congress candidate Jit Kumar Rinwa and SAD (B) nominee Rajinder Pal Singh Brar are immediate neighbourers.

In Shergarh zone, Congress candidate Lachhman Dass is being opposed by his son-in-law Jaswant Kumar from BJP. In Kerakhera, SAD (B) candidate Lekh Raj was found telling the voters that his status in the family was also at stake since his wife had won the last election.

The district authorities have included the native villages of Congress MLA (Panjkosi) and SAD (B) legislator (Ghuriana) in the list of sensitive villages. 

Mansa , May 10
Nearly 25 office-bearers of the district BJP resigned as a protest against cabinet minister and BJP leader Manoranjan Kalia for not visiting Mansa. District president of the BJP, Suraj Kumar Chhabra, told that cabinet minister came to Mansa district for election campaign and for this purpose workers of Mansa arranged a programme for minister but he could not stop at Mansa and workers of the BJP became sad due to this.

After this, mandal president of Mansa, Sanjeev Kumar, general secretary Krishan Grag, district vice-president Atma Singh Mounga, district vice-president Amarjeet Katodia, president of Yuva morcha of the BJP, Gurdeep Deepa, district president of medical cell,Dr. Raj Kumar, and vice-president of SC Morcha, Punjab, Ram Kumar, submitted their resignations to district president Suraj Kumar Chhabra.

District president said that the district executive had been dissolved and resignation of all office-bearers had been accepted.  

Mansa , May 10
The CPI (ML) has raised some question before the Akali-BJP government and Congress. State secretary of the party, Rajvinder Singh Rana, district secretary Bhagwant Singh Sammaon, Balkaran Singh Balli, Gurjant Singh Mansa said that these two parties had been ruling the country and state, but why they had never raised the issues related to labourers and farmers.

The CPI leaders and workers are campaigning in favour of party candidates. District secretary of the CPI, Buta Singh, said that a big group of party workers marched in Burj Dhillwan, Khark Singh Wala and Dalel Singh Wala villages and raised slogans in favour of party candidates and against the performance of Akali-BJP government. 
— OC

Moga, May 10
Fearing that he may be implicated on charges of conspiracy in a rape case, the Congress MLA from Moga, Joginder Pal Jain, had got a blanket bail from a local sessions’ court. However, the police authorities claimed that he was not required by them in this case for investigation.

As per police sources, Harnek Singh, a Sarpanch of the nearby village Ramuwala Kalan, a confidant of Jain, was booked by the police on charges of sexual exploitation and rape, reacting to the complaint of a woman of Badhni Kalan village. Interestingly, the complaint was made by the woman in March 2004 but the FIR was registered by the police, last week.

Sources said that the woman in her recent complaint to the police had also alleged that the local MLA had used political influence to protect his loyal Sarpanch due to which justice was being delayed to her. The police probably under political pressure as alleged by the woman had not reacted to her complaint for more than three years. On May 5, this year, the Sarpanch was taken into police custody for investigation after finally registering the case. Jain himself went to the police station to ensure his release on the basis of a blanket bail that the Sarpanch had recently got from the court. The Sarpanch was released by the police but one-week notice was served on him as per the directions of the court asking him to appear before the investigating officer.

Now, the fear that he might be implicated on charges of conspiracy in a rape, Joginderfiled an application before the local sessions’ court a couple of days back that had granted him a blanket bail and directed the police authorities not to arrest him till June 4, the next date of hearing.

Meanwhile, when contacted, Ashok Bath SSP of Moga confirmed that the victim woman had filed a complaint against the MLA alleging that he was using his political influence to protect the alleged main accused Sarpanch against who a criminal case of sexual exploitation and rape had been registered by the police. However, he said that the police had neither summoned the MLA nor he was required for any investigation in this case. “He is not the main accused”, said the SSP. 

Barnala, May 10
As the proceedings regarding Trident-farmers land issue was continued in the court of additional sessions judge Vivek Puri till late in the evening today, the Bhartiya Kisan Union Ekta (Ugrahan) did not go for its proposed rail traffic blockade which was scheduled to be started from Saturday.

The district administration heaved a sigh of relief as the heavy police arrangements were made to meet any eventuality.

But hundreds of farmers under the banner of the Bhartiya Kisan Union Ekta (Ugrahan) staged a sit-in before the office of sub-divisional magistrate at local court complex. The sit-in started early in the morning and continued till 7 pm.

BKU state president Joginder Singh Ugrahan, who was heading the protest, expressed his satisfaction over the court's proceeding. While addressing the farmers, Joginder Singh Ugrahan said that it was the victory of the people as the state government had to vow before the public pressure. Meanwhile, out of 54 cases, the court completed the proceedings of 50 cases; the awards to which will be announced on May 13.

It is expected that the complete awards will be announced up to 13 May. The payment of Rs 23 crore against the original land price is still pending as the whole money is lying deposited with the state treasury. 

Bathinda, May 10
The mothers in Bathinda and surrounding areas, notorious for high rate of female foeticide are not likely to get any special focus on ‘Mother’s day’ tomorrow. Very few people have idea of ‘Mother’s day’ in this area and no public functions have been planned yet.

‘It will be like any other day for the mothers as no one seems to be enthusiastic about it and the government departments are so involved in zila parishad and block samiti elections that they have no time to think for anything else’, said a social activist toying with idea of observing the day as ‘save the female child day’.

A senior doctor who was hard pressed with work due to large number of staff of poll duty said on the condition of anonymity that elections have completely overshadowed the important issues like mother and child care. Mother’s day was one such occasion when issues like female foeticide, child and mother nutrition, health check of mothers and expectant mothers and women empowerment could be discussed but this opportunity has been lost, she added.

 The mothers will work as usual in houses and fields and nothing would change for them on this day, dedicated to ‘mothers’.

The voluntary organisations are also not taking much notice of ‘mother’s day’ and no functions or camps were being organised to make people aware about mother care and importance of balance female sex ratio for a healthy society.  No one appears to have been planned in the hospitals and other such places to create awareness about mother and child care and need for health mothers for healthy society. To add to the agony of neglected mothers, the schools where glimpse of mother’s day celebrations could have been witnessed would be closed tomorrow due to holiday.

An old woman, giving bath to his grandson under scorching Sun was flabbergasted when asked about her plans on mother’s day .It appeared that she never heard of it but when this correspondent explained her the importance of the day, she just gave a gave a spiteful look and left.

Moga, May 10
A 70-year-old man, Harvinder Pal Singh, who throughout his life had worked for the welfare of animals, was killed by a stray bull yesterday that ran amok in Guru Ramdas Nagar of the town.

Harvinder served as an officer in animal husbandry department for over three decades before he retired from the post of deputy director about 12 years ago. Presently, he was an active member of a senior citizens’ council and had come out of his house to visit the council’s office, when the stray bull attacked him, knocking him off his feet. The bull lifted and tossed him several feet in the air.

President of the senior citizens’ council, Sardari Lal, while expressing grief over the death of their colleague, had alleged that the problem of stray animals was growing day by day in the town. The council president said he had called a meeting of the senior citizens on May 15 in this regard. — TNS