Gurgaon/Faridabad, April 19
The secular image of the Congress has got a jolt with two of its senior leaders from Haryana — Mr Tayab Hussain and Mr Khurshid Ahmed — resigning from the party.

In a joint resignation letter to the Congress President, Ms Sonia Gandhi, copies of which were circulated in Gurgaon, the two leaders made it clear that the immediate provocation for the “extreme” step was the party ignoring the claims of the Muslim community for nomination for the Faridabad parliamentary constituency. Mr Avtar Singh Bhadana, who represented the Merut seat in the 13th Lok Sabha and who had earlier won from the Faridabad seat, has been nominated for the seat. He is a native of Faridabad district.

The two leaders could not be contacted after they faxed the letter to Ms Gandhi. Their family members and associates did confirm the development but refused to elaborate.

They have stated in the letter that the Faridabad parliamentary constituency is the only constituency having 32 per cent of Muslim population, and it had been alloted to leaders of the Muslim community by the Congress in the past. Muslim leaders have contested as the Congress candidate and have won from here. They have stressed that in the previous two general elections, 1.e, 1998 and 1999 when there was a wave against the Congress, the Muslim candidates of the party lost by narrow margins in comparison to senior Congress leaders. They have alleged that some Congress leaders of the party have ignored the Muslims regarding the Faridabad constituency for their vested interests, betraying the principles of secularism in the process.

They have sought to remind the Congress President that in the past senior Congress leaders like late Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, late Rahim Khan and late Abdul Gani Dar, besides them, represented this constituency.

The two have been ministers in Haryana several times and also MP from the Faridabad parliamentary constituency. In fact, Mr Tayab Hussain, whose son Mr Zakir Hussain is the Congress MLA from Taoru Assembly in Gurgaon district, was a Cabinet Minister heading Agriculture portfolio in the Ashok Gehlot-headed Congress government in Rajasthan. He lost in the last Assembly election in Rajasthan.

The two are from the Mewat area in Gurgaon, which is dominated by Meo-Muslims. Both were angling to be Congress nominees from the Faridabad parliamentary constituency. There are about four lakh Meo-Muslims out of about 15 lakhs voters in the Faridabad constituency.

Ambala, April 19
The President of the Bahujan Samaj Party and a former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Ms Mayawati, today said that they would not enter into an alliance with the BJP in future.

Ms Mayawati addressed a well-attended rally at Gandhi Maidan in Ambala cantonment this afternoon. She arrived at the venue in a helicopter, which was a major draw for the gathering.

“The BSP candidates are contesting 325 Lok Sabha seats in the country. We are contesting the elections alone in our own interest,” she said. “Our previous alliance experience led us to take the decision to contest alone,” she added.

Ms Mayawati said in 1996, during the Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, the Congress was in a bad position. “Congress leaders asked us to contest the Assembly poll after entering into an alliance. We fought on 425 seats out of which 126 seats were shared by the Congress. However, we realised that wherever a Congress candidate was contesting, the BSP votes went to that candidate but on the seats where BSP candidates were contesting, the Congress votes did not get transferred in our favour,” she stated.

She said the Bahujan Samaj Party suffered a double loss. “First, our number of seats came down and secondly, our vote percentage also declined,” she said.

Giving a call for the formation of a “natural alliance”, Ms Mayawati said the Bahujan Samaj comprising the SCs, STs, OBCs and other minority communities must come together. “The Bahujan Samaj will be a natural and a permanent alliance. We will win power at the Centre as well as in the states,” she said.

She observed that the Congress ruled over the country for more than four decades but it failed to ensure a honourable standard of living for the backward and marginalised sections of society. “The Bahujan Samaj people do not have employment. There has been no improvement in their social as well as economic conditions,” she said.

Ms Mayawati stated that when Dr Ambedkar wanted to contest the first Lok Sabha elections in 1952, the Congress had given the ticket to his associate. Dr Ambedkar lost the election in Mumbai. “Dr Ambedkar had then said that our samaj should not have a truck with the Congress. We must ensure the defeat of the Congress candidates,” she said.

She stated that the BJP wanted to carry out a constitutional review, which would have taken away our legal rights. “Due to the agitation launched by us, it could not go ahead with its plans,” she said.

Ms Mayawati said the BSP was striving towards making a society in which there is social equality. “Our aim is to improve the socio-economic conditions of the Bahujan Samaj people,” she said.

“Power at Centre as well as in the states is the master key. Political power will bring a significant change in the lives of our people. We have come to power thrice in Uttar Pradesh and we have realised this fact. We awarded scholarships to poor students and filled posts under the reserved qouta,” she said. “When we come to power, we will run a special campaign to fill the reserved qouta within a year,” she added.

Ms Mayawati spoke about a long list of achievements during her tenure in Uttar Pradesh. “The BJP is talking about a feel-good factor. But we had actually created a feel-good atmosphere for the people. Our effort is practical while the BJP’s feel good is only on paper,” she said.

Criticising the entry of film stars in politics, Ms Mayawati said film stars could only draw crowds at rallies but they do not translate into votes. “Political parties are carrying out “drama-like” roadshows and Bharat Uday Yatra. I condemn the charge that the BSP will tie up with the BJP after the poll,” she said.

Referring to the Taj corridor case, Ms Mayawati said it was a baseless case. “Searches were carried out at a time when Assembly elections were taking place in four states and Mr Kanshi Ram was admitted to a hospital. The CBI is yet to submit its final report in the case. Political opponents had thought that they could put pressure on me through the Taj corridor case,” she said.

Sirsa, April 19
The future of Dalits in India is safe only in the hands of the BSP. This was claimed by the National President of the party, Ms Mayawati, here today. She was addressing a gathering at the Nehru Park before the local BSP candidate went out in a procession to file his nomination.

Samalheri (Ambala), April 19
Congress candidate Kumari Selja today said wrong policies pursued by governments in the recent past has led to backwardness in Ambala Lok Sabha constituency.

Talking to mediapersons here, Kumari Selja said when the Congress was in power, a lot of development had taken place. However, development has taken a backseat under other governments which have come to power.

She said she was receiving overwhelming response during her visit to different areas. “A lot of work is needed to be done. Industries needed to be given a boost so that employment was generated for the people,” she said.

To a query, Kumari Selja said Youth Congress activists were actively participating in campaigning. “Each and every Congress activist was working towards ensuring victory for the Congress,” she said. She claimed that there was no infighting.

Kumari Selja observed that one of the major issues of the Ambala Lok Sabha constituencies is the payment problem being faced by sugarcane farmers. “While farmers in rest of Haryana are getting Rs 110 per quintal, it is not so in Ambala. This problem needs to sorted out on a priority basis,” she said.

Sonepat, April 19
The controversy over the threat perception, and subsequent upgradation of security cover of two BJP candidates by the Centre unilaterally for the Lok Sabha poll in Haryana, including the Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Mr I.D. Swami, has taken a new turn. Two returning officers have taken different stands on the issue.

The Centre has decided that Mr Swami and Mr Kishan Singh Sangwan, BJP candidate from Sonepat, should be provided the Z-category security and deputed the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) for the purpose. The CISF personnel on Saturday reached Sonepat and Karnal, from where Mr Swami is contesting the election.

While the returning officer of Sonepat allowed the CISF cover to Mr Sangwan, the returning officer of Karnal reportedly told the CISF people that they should take up their deployment only after receiving instructions from either the State Government or the Election Commission because Mr Swami had already been provided the Y-category security cover as per the instructions of the state government.

On the other hand, sources in the Election Commission say that it has no role to play in judging the threat perception to any person, as it is the work of intelligence agencies. Nor has the Commission any agency to verify the assessment of the intelligence agencies in this regard.

Chandigarh, April 19
Nine candidates belonging to various political parties filed their nomination papers for the Lok Sabha elections in Haryana today.

The candidates filing their papers were Mr Hari Parkash, an Independent from Sonepat, and Ms Usha of the Haryana Vikas Party, and Major Karan Singh and Mr Radhe Shyam (both Independent) from Rohtak.

Rohtak, April 19
The Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) today promised to start state trading in agricultural produce to ensure financial security to farmers in case the Centre stopped procurement of foodgrains.

Releasing the party manifesto for the forthcoming Lok Sabha poll, the chairman of the INLD manifesto panel, Mr Sampat Singh, said the party was committed to lifting the entire produce of the state’s peasantry and if the Centre stopped procurement, the INLD government would itself buy the produce through its agencies.

He said the party was preparing agricultural diversification plans to ensure better returns to the farming community. These included incentives for growing cash crops, setting up of agricultural produce-based small-scale industries.

The party has also promised to intensify its efforts for early completion of the SYL Canal. Mr Sampat Singh said the INLD government would strive for completion of the project before the next assembly poll. In addition, the INLD government would ensure completion of 63 new minor irrigation channels in the state.

On the power front, the party has promised self-sufficiency in power generation in near future. As a part of this, the seventh and eighth units of the Tau Devi Lal Thermal Power Plant would be commissioned by the year-end. It also promised to construct the Yamunanagar Super Thermal Power Plant.

Chandigarh, April 19
Mr Karan Singh Dalal, former Power Minister of Haryana, today demanded criminal proceedings against Mr Ajay Singh Chautala for being one of the owners of a hotel at Karol Bagh in New Delhi.

Quoting reports published in various newspapers of New Delhi, Mr Dalal said the Delhi police had unearthed a prostitution racket run in the hotel and arrested nine women in this connection. The MLA, who has recently joined the Congress, said it was strange that the Delhi police had filed an FIR only against Mr Satvir Singh who too was one of three owners of the hotel and looked after its running.

“The Delhi police is under the Union Home Ministry. I fail to understand as to why the Union Home Minister did not initiate action against Mr Ajay Chautala despite Mr Chautala being one of the partners of the hotel,” Mr Dalal said.

Mr Dalal also produced a copy of the ownership deed of the hotel which showed Regent Holiday Home at Karol Bagh was jointly owned by Mr Satvir Singh, Mr Ajay Singh Chautala and Mr Manbir Singh. This was the hotel where the Delhi police had carried out a raid, he said.

Panipat, April 19
The BSP President, Ms Mayawati, today ruled out any possibility of supporting the BJP to form the government at the Centre.

Addressing a rally at Circus Ground here, she said, “There is no question of giving support to the BJP to form the government. The CBI had falsely implicated me in the Taj Corridor case at the behest of the BJP. The CBI did not file the report in the Supreme Court within the stipulated period of four months. Now the BJP wants to use this case to pressurise me to support the party to form its government”.

Faridabad, April 19
After Mr Kartar Singh Bhadhana, a former minister, it’s now the turn of Mr Devender Bhadhana, a former Mayor and INLD leader to dump the Chautala bandwagon and join another political party to contest the Lok Sabha elections. He has decided to contest the poll from the Faridabad constituency as a Haryana Vikas Party candidate (HVP).

Sirsa, April 19
Labourers staged a demonstration following a dispute over the labour charges of stamping sealed wheat bags. The police had to lathicharge them and arrested two persons, including a labourers’ leader, Mahaveer Pahalwan. The labourers raised slogans outside city police station.

A tussle started between the procurement agencies and contractors on one side and labourers on the other side over the stamping charges of the sealed wheat bags. The labourers were asking for the charges while the contractors and the agencies were getting the bags stamped without giving them any payment for this. The president of the labour union had also complained against it to the higher officials.

The labourers complained that when their demand was not attended to, they refused to stamp the sealed bag as a result of which the lifting of wheat was seriously hampered. On the complaint of the president of the Arhtiyas Association, police rounded up labour union president Mahaver and another person, Rajpal. Police action flared the anger of the labourers and to control them it used force.

After the police action, the labourers gathered outside the city police station and raised slogans against the police administration demanding the immediate release of their leader.

Kurukshetra, April 19
On the occasion of Somavati Amavasya, thousands of pilgrims had a holy dip in the sacred Brahamsarovar and Sannihit tank here today.

Pilgrims visited the temples here including Sarveshwar Mahadev, Gurdwara Patshahi Chhevin, Dukhbhanjaneshwar Mahadev, Padav mandir, Birla mandir, Sthaneshwar mandir and Bhadarkali mandir.

Pilgrims started converging on the banks of the holy sarovars here late in the evening yesterday by Haryana Roadways buses and private vehicles including tractor-trailers.

Talking to newsmen, Bhagwat Sewa Samiti, Patron Pandit Prem Kumar Sharma said that a dip in Brahamsarovar and Sannihit tank on the occasion of Somavati Amavasya, had its importance because taking bath, pilgrims pray to Almighty for ‘Moksha (salvation)’. Bhandara (free kitchen) was organised under the auspices of the Bhagwat Sewa Samiti on the premises of Dakshin Mukhi Siddh Aivam Praacheen Hanuman mandir on the northern bank of Brahamsarovar here today. Such bhandras would be organised on every Somavati Amavasya, Mr Sharma added.

Ambala, April 19
During the British period when the banking industry in the country was in its infancy, four banks were set up in Ambala.

The banks were based in Ambala Sadar. The banks are said to have been established in the late 20s and were functional till soon after India gained Independence.

The local residents used to put their savings in these banks. The banks which were in Ambala include Desh Bank, Bharat Bank, Shimla Bank and Gadodia Bank. In the pre-partition days, Desh Bank Limited had branches in Kasauli and Kalka.

Desh Bank had been set up by Lala Durga Charan, who was an educator and a freedom fighter. He was a member of the Cantonment Board for more than 15 years and served as the board’s vice-president for over five years. He was the headmaster of the Cantonment Board High School.

Old timers recall that Lala Durga Charan had named the bank after one of his sons who was called Desh Hitkari. Interestingly, only a couple of people are aware of the fact that the main Sadar Bazar road was named after Lala Durga Charan. The main Sadar Bazar road is called DC road, with DC being an acronym for Durga Charan.

Dr Nem Chand, who had an account in Desh Bank, recalled that the banks were located to close to each other. While the Desh Bank was located on the main Sadar Bazar road opposite Jain Soda Water Factory, Bharat Bank was located near Kala Mandir. Shimla Bank was located near old police station and Gadodia Bank was located on the first floor of Kedar Nath building.

He observed that banking used to be very convenient in those days. “Although the local banking system was similar to the one prevalent today, the atmosphere was informal,” he said.

He stated that cashier used to accept and disburse the money besides ledger and cash book being maintained. “In those days, the rate of interest was not that important. People laid more stress on the safety of their money. The entry made in the ledger used to be the final word,” he said.

“Person from any age group could open an account in the banks. There were no hard and fast rules regarding timings,” he said. Besides the banks, during the pre-Partition days people used to deposit their savings with `prominent’ people of the city. The system used to work on faith.

Mr Raj Aggarwal, a descendant of Lala Durga Charan who is based in the USA, said that Lala Durga Charan was influenced by Mahatma Gandhi’s autobiography “My Experiments with Truth” and joined the Congress Party. He resigned as Headmaster of the Cantonment Board High School in 1926 when he was asked by the authorities not to wear the Gandhi cap.

Karnal, April 19
A teenaged girl of Pingali village, about 10 km from here, tried to immolate herself after being raped by her neighbour. The girl, who was rushed to a private hospital in a serious condition, has made a statement in front of a magistrate.