Dullo files papers; says wife his poll manager
Khanna January 23
The Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president, Mr Shamsher Singh Dullo, today filed the nomination papers from the Khanna (reserved) constituency as a Congress candidate. He was accompanied by his wife, Ms Harbans Kaur Dullo, the sitting MLA from here. She filed the papers as the covering candidate.

Kang invokes divine help Chandigarh, January 23 It’s barely seven in the morning but the flurry of activity at Mr Jagmohan Singh Kang’s residence in the ministers’ complex here is comparable to a household hosting a Punjabi wedding. Mr Jagmohan Singh Kang pays obeisance at the Mansa Devi temple before filing his nomination from the Morinda constituency on Tuesday. — Tribune photo by Pradeep Tewari

PPCC secy Harry joins SAD Ghanaur/Gharam (Patiala), January 23 Encouraged with the defection of former PPCC secretary Harry Mann to the SAD today, its general secretary Sukhbir Singh Badal claimed that atrocities committed on people had triggered a wave of defection in the Congress rank and file. Former Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, Mr Harinder Pal Singh (Harry Mann) and Mr Sukhbir Badal at a party meeting in Patiala on Tuesday. — Tribune photo by Rajesh Sachar

I will not support Balbir Sidhu, says Gharuan
Mohali, January 23
“I will not support Mr Balbir Singh Sidhu, Congress candidate from the Kharar constituency, for the Punjab Assembly elections as he is allegedly involved in the distribution of liquor and other intoxicants among the people, especially the younger generation, during election rallies,” stated Mr Harnek Singh Gharuan, former Congress minister, at a press conference here today. He was accompanied by Mr Bharat Bhushan Maini, former senior vice-president of the Mohali Municipal Council, among others.

CODE UNCODE
Cavalcades choke road traffic
Gurdaspur, January 23
Political heavyweights from this district, including Pratap Singh Bajwa (Kahnuwan), his brother Fateh Jung Singh Bajwa (Sri Hargobindpur), Mr Tripat Rajinder Singh Bajwa (Qadian) and Nirmal Singh Kahlon (Fatehgarh Churian), filed their nomination papers today.

Dancing to parties’ tune Jalandhar, January 23 As the Assembly elections draw near, small-time singers and dancers are in a great demand, especially from political parties eager to entertain the public with peppy numbers. As big names like Sabjit Cheema, Harbhajan Mann and Malkit Singh generally avoid performing in rural areas, these small-time singers are preferred to draw village folks. "This time dancers are also in demand. Dressed in gorgeous costumes, they attract the public with their performances, mostly based on folksongs and parodies on film songs," says Mr Jatinder Pal Singh of Raja No. 1, a Ludhiana-based musical group.

Cong nominee files papers
Ropar, January 23
Exhibiting his show of strength by a huge procession of party workers and supporters, sitting Congress MLA Ramesh Dutt Sharma today filed his nomination papers from the Anandpur Sahib Assembly constituency here before the Returning Officer, Ropar, Mr Parminder Singh Gill, this evening.

Cong candidate files nomination
Rajpura, January 23
Mr Hardyal Singh Kamboj, Congress candidate from the Rajpura Assembly constituency, today filed his nomination papers at the office of the SDM, Mr APS Virk, who is also the Returning Officer.

317 more file nominations
Chandigarh, January 23
As many as 317 candidates today filed their nominations for the Assembly elections. They include stalwarts of the ruling Congress and the Opposition Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal).

Mann files papers as Independent
Mohali, January 23
Tarlochan Singh Mann today filed his nomination papers from the Kharar constituency as an Independent candidate. Before coming to Mohali to file his papers he held a rally at Kharar.

Clueless, Elephant in trouble
Jalandhar, January 23
Factionalism within the BSP, ouster of its senior leaders, death of party founder and stalwart Kanshi Ram and its resultant downfall is likely to prove advantageous to the Congress in the Doaba region.

On foot or cycle, they too are in the race

A BSP rebel, Mr Kesar Singh, on way to file his nominations for the Nabha Assembly constituency; and (right) Mr Kashmir Singh of the CPI (ML New Democracy) with his supporters on Tuesday. — Tribune photographs

‘Candidates must refrain from defacing public property’
Mohali, January 23
Defacement of public property by the candidates will not be allowed during the Punjab Assembly elections in the district. Orders to this effect were given by the Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Returning Officer, Mr Tejveer Singh.

Defections galore on CM’s turf
Patiala, January 23
Despite the fact that Patiala is the home turf of Chief Minister Amarinder Singh and his wife and MP Preneet Kaur, the maximum number of defections by political bigwigs has been from this very part of the state.

POLL BYTES
Six quit as chairperson

COMMUNITY

Experts dwell on aspects of Ramayana
Patiala, January 23
Prof S. Sahay, former Pro Vice-Chancellor, Magadh University, Bodh Gaya, today said concerted efforts were needed to understand the innumerable variations and perennial power of Ramayana by those nations of Asia that shared the epic.

CRIME

Man admits to wife’s murder
Patiala, January 23
The police today arrested three persons - Saudagar Singh, Yadavindar Singh and Tarsem Singh - from a Maruti car (CH-01P-5867) near NIS Chowk and seized a .32 revolver with six live cartridges.

Cops rescue kidnapped boy; one held
Fatehgarh Sahib, January 23
The police has solved the kidnapping of a son of a merchant from Mandi Gobindgarh within hours with the arrest of a former militant and recovered the boy from his custody. His four accomplices managed to flee. The police has seized a pistol from him and registered a case.