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People won’t spare Cong on SYL issue, says Advani
INLD opposes Sonia’s proposed visit to Naulatha
Crucial contest between Congress, BJP
Cong manifesto a bundle of lies:
Shivraj
Congress fails to protect farmers’ interests: BJP
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Navjot Sidhu campaigns for Chhibber, Sehgal
CM plays ‘development’ card in Kalka
Abhey seeks pardon for mistakes
Candidates reply to voters
3-yr term for two Naib Tehsildars
Youth neglected in ticket allocation,
says YC chief
State to rope in police
of neighbouring states
600 cops arrive to enhance security
Public holiday in Haryana on February 3
Power corporation’s explanation sought
Stolen antiques sale racket busted; 2 held
Brother of
ex-corporator killed
Haryana Cong rebels face
6-year expulsion
Board exams from March 4
Mother, children found murdered
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People won’t spare Cong on SYL issue, says Advani
Agroha, January 27 This was stated by former Deputy Prime Minister and BJP President, Lal Krishan Advani, while addressing a public gathering here today. The meeting was organised in support of Mr Dayandnd Bainda, the BJP candidate from the Bhattu constituency. Mr Advani asserted that the people of Haryana would not spare the Congress for the stance taken by Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on the completion of the SYL canal. He said he had met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and urged him to ensure judicious distribution of water between Punjab and Haryana, but to no avail. Holding the Congress-led UPA government at the Centre responsible for the drastic fall in cotton prices, the BJP chief stated that the farming community was the worst-hit in the entire country. Mr Advani maintained that the condition of farmers in Andhra Pradesh had worsened under the rule of the Congress. “The suicides by farmers had reached an alarming level under the Naidu regime. However, after the formation of a Congress government in the state, the situation has worsened,” he observed. The former Deputy Prime Minister appealed to the people to compare the rule as well as policies of the Congress, the BJP and the INLD and then make the crucial decision of casting their vote. Mr Advani sought people’s support for Mr Bainda, Mr Dalbir Dhiranwas and Ms Durgesh Arora, the BJP candidates from the Bhattu, Adampur and Fatehabad constituencies, respectively, who were present on the occasion. An interesting aspect of Mr Advani’s speech was that he did not say anything against Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala. On being asked to comment on the functioning of the Chautala regime, he merely conceded that the people were already angry with the INLD government in the state. Earlier, senior BJP leader Ram Chander Bainda cautioned the people not to vote for the Congress in their eagerness to get rid of the Chautala regime.
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INLD opposes Sonia’s proposed visit to Naulatha
Panipat, January 27 During her proposed visit to Haryana on January 28 and 29, Sonia Gandhi is expected to address five public rallies in Naulatha, Pehowa, Rewari, Ferozepur Zhirka and Bhiwani. INLD alleged that Ms Sonia Gandhi’s proposed programme to address a public rally in support of Parsanni Devi in Naulatha proved that top leadership of Congress encouraged corruption. The president of Panipat district Zila Parishad and INLD leader Ranbir Singh Ghanghas and its candidate from Naulatha, Ramratti Jaglan, in a press release issued jointly here said it was clear that the Congress was a party which encouraged corrupt practices when it had allocated ticket to Parsanni Devi. Their view-point was further strengthened when Congress President herself made a programme to address a public rally in her support, they added. She was allocated the ticket by party high-command after the cancellation of the same to a former minister Bijander Singh Kadian just a day before the last date of the filing of nomination papers. Parsanni Devi has been facing four corruption cases filed against her in different special courts of the state for the past eight years. Charges have also been framed in these cases in each of the four police ranges of Rohtak, Gurgaon, Ambala and Hisar. These cases were filed by the state Vigilance Bureau after investigation and verification of the complaints by some NGOs eight years ago during the Bansi Lal-led Haryana Vikas Party. These cases were filed against her under different Sections of the IPC. She is accused of indulging in corrupt practices during her tenure as chairperson of the State Social Welfare Advisory Board. When contacted, Parsanni Devi admitted that four cases of corruption had been filed against her but claimed that they were politically motivated, as her opponent wanted to malign her image as she was a senior Congress leader. Trying her luck for the tenth time, Parsanni said she had approached Mr Om Parkash Chautala for the withdrawal of these cases but he did not do so apparently due to political interests. Parsanni Devi said she was not one of the main accused in the cases.
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Crucial contest between Congress, BJP
Ambala, January 27 The BJP has done well in this seat in the past. Since the Jan Sangh days, the BJP has won this seat six times. However, this time things could well be different as the Congress has managed to make inroads into the constituency. The Congress has won this seat thrice. Lakhwati Jain had won twice in 1968 and 1972, while Sumerchand had won this seat in 1991. Faqir Chand Aggarwal, a former Deputy Speaker, Haryana Assembly, had snatched back the seat for the BJP from the Congress in 1996. Veena Chibber had won this seat for the BJP in 2000. The first signs of trouble for the BJP was evident when the party dissidents announced that a rebel BJP candidate would contest the election. After a mahapanchayat, Master Shiv Prasad was chosen by dissidents as their candidate. Master Shiv Prasad even filed his nomination papers. It was only after the intervention of senior party leaders did he relent and withdraw his nomination. Incidentally, Master Shiv Prasad has been MLA thrice from Ambala city. He had won in succession in 1977, 1982 and 1987. In 1991 he was denied the party ticket and the party had lost to the Congress. On the other hand, Venod Sharma managed to quickly placate the dissidents in the Ambala city unit of the Congress. Not only did the dissidents not field any rebel candidate, they declared their support to him. Once the Congress house was in order, the campaigning of Venod Sharma began in full gear. For INLD candidate Surjeet Singh Sonda, it is a challenging task he has undertaken. He is primarily hoping that 27 villages, which form a part of the Ambala city seat, will help him in winning. He is the Ambala unit president of the party. BJP candidate Veena Chibber is banking upon the work done by her for garnering votes. She is appealing to the electorate to vote for her so that the development works in Ambala city could continue without any hindrance. She said the basic amenities to the people had been provided through her efforts. Venod Sharma, on his part, is attacking the BJP as well as the INLD over misgovernance. He has promised the electorate that he would try to encourage industrialisation in Ambala city so that the local people get jobs. He has told the people that he would lend political strength so that this area is not ignored.
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Cong manifesto a bundle of lies:
Shivraj
Panipat, January 27 The BJP leader said there would be no lie bigger than the promises made by the Congress in its manifesto that it would construct SYL canal. He said it was the Congress which was the biggest hurdle in its construction as it had done nothing when its Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh had passed legislation annulling all water pacts with neighbouring states. Mr Chohan said neither the central nor Haryana Congress leaders did anything for the construction of SYL whereas national President of the BJP Lal Krishan Advani met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to lodge its objections about the legislation as it could harm the federal structure of the country and the national integrity. Further, all six BJP MLAs had resigned from their membership on the issue, he added. The BJP leader said Congress leaders had done nothing for farmers. He said the prices of all yields of the farmers during the UPA rule had reduced alarmingly. So much so, it supplied only 40 lakh metric tonne urea against the quota of 90 lakh metric tonne to Haryana. Mr Chohan alleged that the UPA government had not supplied required urea to Haryana as it wanted to benefit private companies from which it had taken huge funds. He also criticised the UPA government for steep hike in the prices of essential commodities,
including petroleum products and sugar. |
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Congress fails to protect farmers’ interests: BJP
Chandigarh, January 27 “If the Congress can get the Punjab Termination of Agreements Act abolished, the BJP will not even mind the Congress coming to power in Haryana,” the party Kisan Morcha national general secretary Om Prakash Dhankar told newsmen here. It was on July 12 last year that the Punjab Termination of Agreements Act, which was introduced by the Congress government in the state, was adopted in the Assembly, he pointed out. Besides dubbing the Congress as an “anti-farmer” party, Mr Dhankar flayed the Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, by stating that the atrocities on BKU activists, especially on their leader, Mr Ghasi Ram Nain, was one of the key issues in these elections.
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Poll code violation continues
Karnal, January 27 Two hired cameramen, who were put on duty by the Election Commission, were bashed up by unidentified Congress workers on Monday evening at Karnal. An FIR has been lodged in this connection. Senior BJP leader and former Chief Minister of Delhi Madan Lal Khurana on Wednesday came to Karnal to canvass for his party in a private vehicle that had a red light affixed atop it. Interestingly, the Assistant Returning Officer of Karnal constituency, Mr Gurmeet Singh Panjeta, was also present there when the cameramen were allegedly bashed up. Eyewitnesses said that the incident took place soon after the arrival of Mr Kuldip Bishnoi, member of the Lok Sabha from Bhiwani constituency and son of former Chief Minister Bhajan Lal, at an election meeting. Dr Arvind Sharma, local MP, was also present on the occasion. The cameramen had reportedly videographed the cavalcade of vehicles (two vehicles had red lights fixed atop) that violated the norm of three vehicles. Seeing this, some unidentified persons, who came along with Mr Bishnoi, tried to stop the video-recording of the meeting and asked the cameramen to hand them over the video cassette. But the cameramen refused to do so. At this, they were bashed up and the recorded cassette was snatched. The camera was damaged during the scuffle. On the complaint of Mr Panjeta, the local police has lodged an FIR in this regard against two unidentified persons. In yet another case, senior BJP leader and former Chief Minister of Delhi Madan Lal Khurana on Wednesday came to Tarawari in the Nilokheri constituency and the Karnal constituency to canvass for his party in a private vehicle (DL6C-J1903). The vehicle had a red light affixed atop it. Two other private vehicles in his cavalcade also carried red lights. The Tribune managed to secure a photograph of Mr Khurana while he was trying to sit in his vehicle (on which a red light was affixed) after having addressed a public gathering in favour of party candidate Bakhshish Singh at the new grain market, Tarawari. The district authorities had so far issued more than 15 notices to various political parties and candidates for violation of the poll code since the beginning of the election process, but no action was taken against any of the violators so far. Panipat: Manmohan Singh-led UPA government would fall after Assembly elections in Haryana, Bihar and Jharkhand. This was stated by former Delhi Chief Minister Madan Lal Khurana while addressing a public gathering in favour of Mr Sanjay Bhatia, BJP candidate from Panipat.
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Navjot Sidhu campaigns for Chhibber, Sehgal
Ambala, January 27 Dressed in a brown suit, Mr Sidhu’s arrival at the venue led to a rush with onlookers keen to have a look at the man. A number of people were keen to garland to Mr Sidhu. A young boy accompanied by his father reached Mr Sidhu and tried to garland him. Instead, Mr Sidhu garlanded the young boy. Rally proved golden opportunity for autograph hunters. Youths pages from a notebook, arranged pen and pushed their way forward to get his autograph. Even, camera mobile phones were used by some to click photographs of Mr Sidhu. Mr Sidhu started speech with a query `Hindi or Punjabi’. When, onlookers shouted `Punjabi’, Mr Sidhu started speaking in Punjabi to the delight of the people. “When BJP wanted that I contest the election from Guru Ki Nagri Amritsar, I declined. Mr Venkaiah Naidu and Mr Naqvi called me up. However, when Mr Vajpayee gave me a call, I decided to go ahead,” he said. He said that people must always look for the truth. “I do not believe in criticising others. No party is good or bad, only the thinking of the people makes it good or bad,” he said. “Zulam Karna Paap Hai Toh Zulam Sehana Usse Bhi Bada Paap Hai,” he said. Mr Sidhu said that under the Congress rule, the hike in prices is like the running taxi meter. “Under the BJP-led NDA government, there was no shortage of LPG and telecom revolution was brought about by BJP,” he said. Now, I want you to hit a six so that the Congress goes out of the ground. Better, hit an eighter,” he said.
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CM plays ‘development’ card in Kalka
Panchkula, January 27 Mr Chautala was speaking to mediapersons after the Republic Day celebrations here. He said the INLD was far ahead of the Congress in the Narwana constituency. “They (Congress) are creating hype because they are nervous at their prospects in the constituency,” he said. When asked about the decision of the Election Commission to allow people to put up party flags and paste election posters on their houses, he said that it was the candidates and their supporters who would decide where they wanted to display the posters. Later in the day, he held an election meeting at Gandhi Chowk, Kalka, where he sought the people’s mandate on the issue of development. “Change is always desired. Try to change your preference for the legislator. We assure you that we will have further development in the constituency. Even though Kalka had an MLA from the Opposition, we did not discriminate against Kalka and rapid development was done during our tenure,”
he said. Mr Chautala had the gathering in splits when he narrated some verses penned against the Congress and its candidate, Mr Chander Mohan. He said that the people of Haryana had voted for the Congress in the parliamentary elections because they were taken in by the party’s “false” promises. “But now you should realise that the |
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Abhey seeks pardon for mistakes
Rori (Sirsa), January 27 Feeling of the anger of the voters of Rori, Mr Abhey Singh is pleading to pardon
"mistakes’’ committed by him. INLD chief Om Prakash Chautala is contesting from the assembly segment that is termed as the political stronghold, but now he is facing tough challenge. Mr Abhey Singh is simply following his father in placating voters as they seem agitated over the alleged ‘unsocial attitude’ of the INLD. The CM in his January 17 speech at the Nehru Park had sought forgiveness for any mistake committed by any party functionary. Interestingly, the Congress is cashing in on the issue. A number of committed INLD supporters expressed uneasiness when asked for their choice. One of the main objections was that their leaders were abusive towards them. The government had doled out public money to initiate development projects and Rori topped the chart with the largest part of funds released for it. |
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Candidates reply to voters Panchkula, January 27 This was revealed during a Ru-Ba-Ru organised by the Panchkula Press Club, with candidates of major parties in fray here this morning. Mr Pradeep Chaudhary, INLD candidate and Mr Sham Lal Bansal, BJP candidate participated in the session with citizens. The Congress candidate, Mr Chander Mohan, however, failed to participate. Mr Sham Lal Bansal said that the BJP had worked for the development of the country, during its rule at the Centre. “If the BJP gains majority of seats in the state, then we will work to make Haryana a more industry-friendly state. Just like in Himachal Pradesh, we will declare a tax holiday,” he said. Mr Pradeep Chaudhary, INLD candidate, said that the Chautala government had done a lot of development of Panchkula. He said that the INLD government had constructed hundreds of kilometers of roads and built bridges across the rivulets in the area. “The power and water supply situation had improved drastically, and in the urban areas, the parks have been developed and new roads laid,” he said. Residents who came for the interactive session brought forth the issues of better health and education facilities, infrastructure development for better water and power supply, and good roads in the district. |
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3-yr term for two Naib Tehsildars
Jagadhari, January 27 The orders were pronounced by the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Mr Rajan Walia, today. The Naib Tehsildars, Prem Singh, Rajbir Singh, and the clerk, Sumer Chand, had defrauded the department to tune of Rs 49,200 during July, 1985, and April, 1986. The fraud came to light during audit. Then the matter was referred to the Commissioner of Ambala Division. The Bilaspur police had booked the three under Sections 409, 467, 477 and 120-B of the Indian Penal Code. The court has also imposed a fine of Rs 2,000 each on the accused, failing which they would have to spend six months more in the prison.
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Youth neglected in ticket allocation,
says YC chief
Panipat, January 27 Talking to mediapersons here on yesterday, he said as many as four youths had been given the Congress ticket in Jharkhand, however they had been neglected in Haryana. He said he would assess all state units of the Youth Congress and, if needed, he would reorganise them within a couple of months. No person beyond 35 years of age would remain member of the Youth Congress, he added. Mr Tanwar said the Youth Congress would make efforts to minimise unemployment and to make higher education cheaper. Panipat district NSUI president Surender Malik was also present. |
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State to rope in police
of neighbouring states
Gurgaon, January 27 Haryana has borders with the four states coupled with National Highways coursing through it. Although the state police has completed its work on the drawing board to cover every aspect of security, it does not want to leave anything to chance. One step to this effect is to seal the borders in the state a day before the polling day and step up vigil in suspect areas. The district police chief, Mr Alok Kumar Rai, summed up the mood of the Haryana police saying that the police was on high alert. The talking point of the Haryana police authorities with their
counterparts in the bordering states is check on entry of anti-social elements. The state is likely to be provided with 70 companies of central paramilitary forces, but it is pressing for 30
more. The force requisitioned include armed police from other states.
This is in addition to the state’s own force which will be pressed into service for poll purposes. As per the strategy of the authorities in
Haryana, the deployment of forces available will be done about two days before the polling day. With regard to Gurgaon, the authorities are understood to have presented a case for about 10 companies of paramilitary forces to the Centre. The district police chief said the district jail would be checked to ensure that undertials remained inactive and dormant. Also, the police has been receiving satisfactory response to its move to freeze licensed arms in the district. According to the
official version, out of 4059 licensed arms, 3005 have already been deposited with the police. The licensed arms are to be deposited with the police by January 27. The police as a matter of routine takes in custody the licensed arms so as to prevent their possible misuse during electioneering and on the polling day. The police has seized more than a dozen illegal arms and live cartridges. The seizure has been made after January 17. In a related development, the District Election Officer of Gurgaon and local Deputy Commissioner Anurag Aggarwal revealed that out of 963 polling stations in the district 545 had been identified as “sensitive” or “hypersensitive”. The large number of booths placed in sensitive and hypersensitive category is on account of the villages in Mewat district, which account for a large chunk of the
geographical area. Mr Aggarwal, who has been holding a series of meetings with election-related personnel in the district in the past few days, yesterday again urged them to be on their toes and ensure a free and fair poll. In response to a question he said so far 48 vehicles had been impounded for flouting the Model Code of
Conduct. According to him, 1121 polling parties will be on duty. |
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600 cops arrive to enhance security
Sonepat, January 27 According to official sources, these policemen are being posted in the hyper-sensitive and
sensitive polling booths. The administration has identified 88 centres as hyper-sensitive and 120 others as
sensitive centres. The district administration is planning to deploy the policemen of two companies each at Gohana and Sonepat and one company at Ganaur which is a part of the Kailana assembly constituency. Senior officials of the district and police administration are authorised to take penal action against those who are found guilty of the violating
of the model code of conduct. |
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Public holiday in Haryana on February 3
Chandigarh, January 27 Stating this here today, an official spokesman said February 3 would also be observed as a holiday in the state under Section 25 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, to enable employees of various factories and commercial establishments in the state to caste their vote.
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Power corporation’s explanation sought
Chandigarh, January 27 The tender was published on December 27, 2004, 10 days after the code of conduct came into force. While the last date for the sale of bid documents was January 27, bids were to be opened on February 7. According to informed sources, the Election Commission has taken a serious view of the publication of the tender and has sought the explanation of the corporation. The working president of the Haryana Congress, Mr Randeep Singh Surjewala, has alleged that the tender was another instance of the continuous violation of the code of conduct by the Haryana Government. He also alleged that the terms of the tender were tailor-made to suit a particular party. According to the Managing Director of the corporation, Mr S.K. Monga, in view of the shortage of coal, the corporation had decided to launch the joint venture in terms of the Central Government’s policy. The process, he said, was long drawn and need-based. He denied that the terms were tailor-made. He said the terms of the tender were finalised by the Central Mines Planning and Development Institute, a Central Government organisation. Mr Monga said the date for the sale of tender documents was being extended to February 28, while that for opening the bids to March 7. The election process would be completed by March 5. Meanwhile, the Election Commission is also believed to have sought the explanation of the Director-General of the Haryana Police, Mr A.S. Bhatotia, for allegedly eulogising the achievements of the state police in the past five years in a press note, which is considered to be a violation of the code by the commission.
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Stolen antiques sale racket busted; 2 held
Sonepat, January 27 The arrested persons were identified as Safdar Ali (40) and his brother Yunus (25) and they belong to Kheri Gujjar village in this district. Unique terracotta bricks, as old as the Kushan period dating back to the first century, bearing three human heads, terracotta seals and a soft stone headless statue of Lord Buddha were some of the 34 items seized by the CBI from a place close to Kheri Gujjar village of Sonepat district on Monday last. The value of the booty is estimated to be to the tune of Rs 1.25 crore. Acting on this tip-off, CBI officials accompanied by officials of the Archaeological Survey of India carried out a raid at the house of the both the suspects and seized the items .
— OC |
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Brother of
ex-corporator killed
Gurgaon, January 27 As many as five bullets were pumped into Karambeer, the deceased, near Raj Mahal Delux Hotel at the New Colony crossing. The incident occurred at the deceased’s shop, Bittoo Motors. No arrests have been made so far. a police official said the murder took place at around 5 p.m. The assailants shot at Karambeer and later pulled him out of his shop to make sure that he was dead, he said. According to the local residents, both Leelu and Karambeer had criminal background. Nearly a week before being murdered, Leelu had returned from Bangkok. He had constructed a lavish house in the city’s Sector 5 in front of which unidentified men had killed him.
— ANI |
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Haryana Cong rebels face
6-year expulsion
New Delhi, January 27 The action comes on the eve of party President Sonia Gandhi’s two-day election campaign in the state, starting at Neoltha in Panipat district tomorrow. Announcing the decision, party General Secretary Janardan Dwivedi told mediapersons that the action would come into force with immediate effect. However, names or number of rebels in the field were not announced. Party sources have admitted to over 12 rebels having filed nominations from various constituencies in the state. |
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Board exams from March 4
Chandigarh, January 27 Disclosing this here today, a spokesperson of the board said the change had become necessary keeping in view the municipal elections and to have full involvement and cooperation of teachers, district administration and police for the smooth conduct of examinations.
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Mother, children found murdered
Rohtak, January 27 The bodies were found in a pool of
blood by the first wife’s son Teenu who went to look for his
half-brother. His mother reported the incident to the police. No clues
have been found to the murder so far. |
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