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Sonia to kick off campaign on January 28
Bhajan Lal claims Cong wave in state
Stern action against rebels, warns Cong
Cong has failed to watch interests of common man: Naidu
Naidu sees ‘jungle raj’ in Haryana
Get rid of INLD ‘misrule’:
Sushma
‘BJP will form govt in Haryana’
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50 poll vehicles challaned
SYL being politicised,
says Amar Singh
Abduction case: EC directive likely
Meira Kumar campaigns
for Bansal
SGPC chief campaign
for INLD candidate
Cong govt blamed for price rise
Rs 72,530 looted from bank cashier
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Sonia to kick off campaign on January 28
New Delhi, January 24 This will be followed by a day-long tour of the other election-bound states of Jharkhand and Bihar on January 31. Among the places which are expected to figure in Mrs Gandhi's
itinerary in Haryana include Naultha (Karnal), Pehowa (Kurukshetra), Bawa (Rewari) and Bhiwani. The Congress president, who heads a list of 40 campaigners being drafted by the party for the state, is likely to address five to six public rallies during her two-day whirlwind tour. Mrs Gandhi’s tour plans and other election-related issues were discussed at the first meeting of the party’s election coordination committee today. Union minister Pranab Mukherjee, who heads the committee, and AICC general secretary Ambika Soni told mediapersons that today’s meeting was a stock-taking exercise to assess how the campaign was progressing. The committee will be meeting daily to monitor the election campaign in the three states. Although Mrs Gandhi has not visited Bihar for the past five years and has, so far refrained from campaigning here, she has decided to take the plunge this time. However, the
campaign will be limited to a day each in the three phases of the elections and will be confined to constituencies where the Congress candidates are in the fray. There are no plans to have joint rallies with Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) leader Ram Vilas Paswan though the two parties have a tacit pre-poll alliance and are not contesting each other. Mrs Gandhi will also not be campaigning in the constituencies where the RJD is in the fray. This is in keeping with the Congress stance of neutrality as far as the LJP-RJD battle is concerned. There is considerable speculation about the thrust of Mrs Gandhi’s campaign in Bihar where the Congress is locked in friendly contests with its UPA partner, the RJD, in 60-odd
constituencies. Caught between safeguarding the state unit and the government at the Centre, Mrs Gandhi is likely to do a keen balancing act. Congress insiders maintain her speeches will focus on the UPA government’s achievements and what it has done for Bihar. As she cannot attack the Rabri devi government, since the Congress is a partner in it, she will talk about social harmony and though she will not name the RJD, her attack will be against communal and castiest forces. In
neighbouring Jharkhand, the Congress campaign will highlight the NDA government’s poor performance while promising better governance if voted to power. In Haryana, the focus will be on the allegations of corruption against the Chautala government, especially reports of large-scale extortion. The Congress will promise freedom not just from corruption but from extortion as well. |
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Bhajan Lal claims Cong wave in state
Hisar, January 24 In an exclusive interview with The Tribune at his residence here, Mr Bhajan Lal admitted that the revolt in the Congress at some places would have some adverse impact on the poll prospects of the party. The state Congress president said efforts were on to placate the rebels, adding that some had responded positively by withdrawing their nominations. On being questioned on the possibility of the Congress rebels rejoining the party after winning the poll, the former Chief Minister remarked that the Congress would get a solid mandate by itself and the support of others would not be required. Mr Bhajan Lal ridiculed the decision of Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala to contest on two seats, stating that he had foreseen his defeat. “Mr Chautala will lose on both Narwana and Rori seats as the people have already made up their mind,” he asserted. The Congress leader expressed apprehension that seeing his imminent defeat, Mr Chautala could resort to rig the poll. He reiterated that the Chautala government was misusing government machinery for political purposes. Regarding the appointment of Mr Randeep Surjewala as Working President of the Haryana Congress, the HPCC chief said the party high command had taken the step with his consent. “It is more of a balancing act,” he remarked. On being asked about the allegations of nepotism in the allocation of the party ticket to the aspirants, the senior Congress leader stated that the party had selected its candidates on merit and there was no other consideration. Regarding the allotment of the Congress ticket for the Kalka seat to his son, he asserted that Mr Chander Mohan had won from the same constituency thrice. Mr Bhajan Lal maintained that on coming to power in Haryana, the Congress would keep the provision of regular water and power supply top priority, apart from improving the law and order situation and ensuring employment opportunities. |
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Stern action against rebels, warns Cong
Panipat, January 24 Mr Bansal said that most of the rebels had already withdrawn from the contest, whereas the others would be persuaded to do so within the next two to three days. If they did not do so, stern action would be taken against them, he added. The AICC secretary said that two central Congress observers had been deputed in each parliamentary constituency to keep an eye on the activities of the rebels. They would also act in the direction to bridge the gap, where-ever it existed, between the ticket-seekers and the ticket allottees, he added. Defending Congress position on steep hike in the prices of different essential commodities, he said that the rates of petroleum products had been increased due to their hike in the international market. Senior Congress leaders,
including its President Sonia Gandhi, would visit the state as part of electioneering
in the days to come, he added. On the other hand, Mr Chauhan claimed that his party would form the next government in the state on its own as the electors had already made up their mind to give the BJP a change this time. The voters were fed up with the INLD and UPA governments as both had disappointed them a lot, he said, adding the prices of essential commodities had increased during
their rule. Mr Chauhan demanded that pre-poll survey should be banned in the interests of democracy as some of them were also managed. He reiterated that his party would not have any post-poll alliance with any of the parties as, according to him, the INLD was “saapnath” (owner of serpents that is bad elements), whereas the Congress was “naagnath” (owner of
serpents that is bad elements). |
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Cong has failed to watch interests
Chandigarh, January 24 “The last Lok Sabha elections gave a fractured verdict as no party or alliance got a clear majority. Though the Congress had actively campaigned around the common man, it has ignored the common man after assuming power in the UPA government. “The Congress needs to be given a shock treatment in the coming lessons as it has moved away from the common man. See the inflation. It is going to be the main issue. While the BJP-led NDA government had successfully controlled inflation between 3.25 per cent and 3.50 per cent, it was now more than 10 per cent. See the prices of sugar which have crossed Rs 20 a kg for the first time since Independence. “Increases in prices of petroleum products, including diesel and cooking gas, steel and coal prices have hit a common man. Farmers are unhappy as sugar mills were being not allowed to release their stocks. Farmers are unhappy as they have not been paid their
arears,” said Mr Naidu. Holding that the Indian National Lok Dal government was on its way out, Mr Naidu predicted a fight between the Congress and the Bharatiya Janta Party in Haryana. “It is for the first time that we are contesting independently on all seats in Haryana. We are hopeful of getting a majority as people have tried both the Congress and the INLD before.” Reacting to the Congress manifesto, he said how could the Congress fight corruption when it has set “unsurpassable record itself”. “No one can better the Congress in corruption, “ he said, holding that promises made in the manifesto were all to appease voters. “More they speak about the Sutlej Yamuna Link canal, more they lose,” he said blaming the Congress for making the issue complex.” When they are in power at the Centre, they do not take any decisions and blame others for delay in the completion of the canal." “Coming to generating employment, they want to make employment a legal right. And the Bill they have brought in Parliament is Employment No Guarantee bill. The UPA wants to pass on the responsibility of employment generation to states without making any budgetary provision for it. States are starved of funds. How can they generate employment. “Further, the Congress had promised that within 100 days of coming to power, it would generate enough employment . But nothing has been done so far,” he added. Talking about the leadership of the Haryana BJP, Mr Naidu said that it was the strategy of the party not to talk about the leadership issue on the eve of polls. “We did the same in Chhattisgarh where our party is in power. But once it comes to power, the issue would be sorted out.” The Congress, the RJD and the Communists were trying to divert attention of the electors in three States by talking about Godhra and not the issues facing a common man. Such diversionary tactics won’t pay, he added. The electors in all three States are viewing the BJP as a party of change. Denying that the BJP was an urban party, Mr Naidu said that a majority of its leaders came from rural areas and the party had spread its base in every section of society. Mr Naidu clarified that though the Akali Dal may be supporting the INLD in Haryana, it would remain an alliance partner in Punjab. Both the Akali Dal and Shiv Sena have been time tested and trusted alliance partners of the BJP,” he added. |
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Naidu sees ‘jungle raj’ in Haryana
Nilokheri, January 24 Mr Venkaiah Naidu, a senior leader and former president of the BJP, said this while addressing a gathering at Nilokheri in favour of the party candidate, Mr Bakhshish Singh Virk, here today. He claimed that the BJP, which was contesting all 90 seats on its own, was in a winning position and would form the government in Haryana. “The people of Haryana have seen the rule of both the Congress and the INLD. They are looking for a change,” he said. Lashing out at the Chautala government, he said the law and order situation in Haryana had deteriorated and “jungle raj” was prevailing throughout the state. Lambasting the Congress-led UPA government, he said the prices of essential commodities had gone up manifold and the common people were badly hit. The Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, was like a puppet whose strings were in the hands of Congress President Sonia Gandhi, he added. Mr Shashi Pal Mehta, a former Industry Minister of Haryana and senior leader of the party, told the gathering that the main fight was between the BJP and the Congress. |
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Get rid of INLD ‘misrule’:
Sushma
Sonepat, January 24 Addressing an election meeting at
Ganaur Mandi, 16 km from here, yesterday, he said the BJP, which was
contesting all 90 seats on its own in the state, was in the winning
position and would form the government in Haryana. She said the defeat,
of the Congress and the INLD was certain. She said the main fight was
between the BJP and the Congress. The BJP leader said the Congress-led
UPA government at the Centre was a conglomerate of opportunists,
defectors and corrupt leaders. Commenting on the functioning of the UPA
government, she said Dr Manmohan Singh was a mere working Prime
Minister, who lacked the status essential to run a coalition government
successfully. Besides, the pulls and pressures on the government by the
RJD supremo, Mr Laloo Prasad Yadav, the DMK leader, Mr M. Karunanidhi
and the Left parties were major hiccups in its functioning. Terming the
UPA government as anti-people, she said the prices of essential
commodities had risen and the common people were badly hit. |
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‘BJP will form govt in Haryana’
Rewari, January 24 Addressing a Press conference here today, he said the party was contesting these elections cohesively and almost all prominent national leaders of the party like Mr Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Mr L.K. Advani had been roped in for electioneering in the state. He said the Congress-led UPA Government allocated 40 lakh metric tonnes of urea to Haryana against a total requirement of 90 lakh metric tonnes thus leaving the farmers at the mercy of private companies which, he alleged, were fleecing them. Mr Chauhan said the BJP’s electoral prospects had brightened due to the presence of Congress rebels. He claimed that there were many claimants to the post of Chief Minister. Referring to the reported statement of Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda that no corrupt person would be allowed to become Chief Minister in Haryana, Mr Chauhan said he would like Mr Hooda to identify the corrupt aspiring to become the Chief Minister. |
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50 poll vehicles challaned
Sonepat, January 24 According to official sources, 17 vehicles have been challaned in the Sonepat Assembly
sagment, 18 in the Rai Assembly sagment, 19 in the Rohat Assembly segment and eight in the Baroda (Reserve) Assembly segment. Most of these vehicles have been impounded by the police. Police sources said loudspeakers were fitted on these vehicles and the operators were found campaigning for various candidates without seeking permission from the
authorities concerned. The Central Observer for the Rohat Assembly constituency had found 12 vehicles of the contesting candidates being used for the election campaign without any permission. Out of these, three belonged to the INLD candidate, seven to the Congress candidate two the BJP and two to the NCP candidate. One of the vehicles belonged to the BSP candidate. The Central Observer, Mr Sanjeev Kumar, has directed the Returning Officer-cum-SDM, Dr Sultan Singh, to take penal action against the violaters of the poll code. Meanwhile, Mr Rajiv Jain, candidate of the Sarvjatiya Maha Panchayat from Sonepat, alleged that
district and police officials were acting illegally at the behest of the state government. |
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SYL being politicised,
says Amar Singh
Jhajjar, January 24 Mr Amar Singh was addressing a political meeting at Patoda village in the district in favour of party nominee Ramkishan Fauji. The SP leader was accompanied by Bollywood actor of yesteryears Jaya Prada, who is also a member of the Lok Sabha from Uttar Pradesh and Mr Raghu Yadav, state president of the SP. The SP leader attacked the Congress, INLD and BJP for not resolving the water issue. He called upon the people to oppose the Congress which was responsible for passage of the Termination of Water Sharing Agreements Bill. Mr Amar Singh said even the Prime Minister, Mr Manmohan Singh, has assured Parliament that he would talk to the Punjab Chief Minister about this Bill, but he was helpless as the CM was backed by Ms Sonia Gandhi. He dared to withdraw all party nominees from Haryana if the Congress proved him wrong on this point. Jaya Prada made an impressive speech. The gathering seemed to be excited about her presence and listened to her patiently. |
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Abduction case: EC directive likely
Faridabad, January 24 The NGO has alleged that the police was not cooperating with it in tracing the girl on the plea that it was busy in the ongoing election process in the state. Stating this, a spokesperson of the NGO said here today that the office of a senior official of the commission had assured it that it was writing to the Chief Secretary to direct the police authorities concerned to take necessary action in the case. The girl was reportedly abducted about two months ago from her village in Nainital district, allegedly by a resident of the Mewat region. According to the NGO, while it had got conducted a raid this month, the police did not take proper interest in the investigation. Had it done so, the girl could have been recovered, it said. The girl, aged around 17 years, had become a victim of ‘trafficking’, which had been a common practice in the area, it alleged. At least six girls, majority of them minors, had been rescued by the NGO in the past couple of years. One such victim hailing from Assam, who was rescued from a village in the district, was sent to her native place, a few months ago. Mr Rishi Kant of the NGO said the matter had been taken up with the civil and the police administration of Gurgaon district, but the response so far had been lukewarm. |
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Meira Kumar campaigns
for Bansal
Ambala, January 24 “Sometimes, something happen and somebody else manages to take away your votes by making false promises. But, do not let that mistake happen at this Assembly election. Everybody is aware that the Congress is going to form the Government and the people of Ambala should elect Mr Bansal so that their voice can be heard,” she said. She stated that Mr Devender Bansal had clean image and he was young, dynamic person. “Mr Bansal is clearly focused on development issues and he would bring about a change in the constituency,” she said. Ms Meira Kumar said that the poor, Dalit and SCs were with the Congress. “Dalit and Harijans are the backbone of the Congress,” she said. “We will won at least 75 seats in Haryana, she said. Attacking the Chautala government, Ms Meira Kumar said that women were feeling unsafe under the present government. “Neither women not Dalits have got the respect they deserve from the INLD government,” she said. Congress candidate Devender Bansal said that he would strive for the welfare of the residents of Ambala Cantonment. |
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SGPC chief campaign
for INLD candidate
Ambala, January 24 She along with Mr Mallour passed through different villages in the Naggal assembly segment. Mr Mallour said SAD workers were actively campaigning for the INLD in Naggal. He said Mr Om Prakash Chautala and Mr Parkash Singh Badal would jointly be addressing a rally at Babyal village on January 26. He said a large number of Congress workers were joining the INLD in Naggal. He said Congress workers from Babyal, Kardhan colonies behind BD Flour Mill and Lakhnour Sahib joined the INLD today. |
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Cong govt blamed for price rise Panchkula, January 24 Addressing a public meeting at Sood Bhavan here in support of Mr Sham Lal Bansal, BJP candidate from Kalka Assembly constituency, Mr Kataria said that supporting the Chautala-led INLD government was a major mistake for the BJP. The law and order situation under the Chautala government had gone from bad to worse in the state, he alleged. Mr Bansal alleged that the prices of essential commodities, including sugar, cooking gas and oil, had risen sharply under the present UPA government. Prominent among those, who addressed the meeting were Mr Gian Chand Gupta, Mr R.N. Sehgal, Mr
V.K. Sood, Mr B.K. Nayar and Mr Anil Grover. Meanwhile, Mr Bansal campaigned in
Tipra, Bitna and other nearby villages, besides Sector 2 here.
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Rs 72,530 looted from bank cashier
Sonepat, January 24 The miscreants looted the cash totalling Rs 72,530 at gun point and asked him to hand over the key of the
strong room, but he declined. Thereupon, panic prevailed in the bank and employees raised the alarm. The miscreants fled towards Pabnera village. The police arrived on the spot and started search for the miscreants but failed to apprehend them. |
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