SIT to probe Beas violence : CM
Jalandhar, January 31
Rebutting the accusations of Mr Anil Dutta, member of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee, the Punjab Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh, at a press conference here today, vehemently denied that money had changed hands for the allocation of the ticket for the Jalandhar( Central) seat.

This young bard sings paeans for Cong
Chandigarh, January 31
Polio is no handicap for this village boy from Faridkot, who has grown into the most sought after traditional campaigner in Punjab.

Roshan Hardialeana at a campaign programme in Faridkot.

BJP Pvt Ltd Co, says Khurana
Gurdaspur, January 31
A former BJP stalwart, Mr Madan Lal Khurana, today vented his ire against the party at a press conference held in favour of the Bharatiya Jan Shakti Party in Pathankot. He alleged that the BJP had been converted into a private limited company. BJP leaders, who till about a decade ago, were living in low-income-group flats, had now become billionaires.

Bharatiya Jan Shakti Party leader Madan Lal Khurana addresses a press conference in Pathankot on Wednesday. A Tribune photograph

District Report
Exciting battle in Muktsar
Muktsar, January 31
Considered as a SAD stronghold and Badals' home turf, the district is all set to witness exciting electoral battles with Congress candidates and rebel-turned-Independents giving SAD candidates a run for their money.

1 boat, 50 villages
Chamkaur Sahib, January 31
The life could not have been worse for the villagers of this Assembly constituency. It is in contrast to claims on development in the state by successive governments. Residents of over 50 villages, situated on the banks of the Sutlej, have only one boat to ferry them across the river.

Residents of 50 villages of the Chamkaur Sahib segment have only one boat to ferry them across the Sutlej. — Tribune photo by Pradeep Tewari

CISF deployed in Chamkaur Sahib
Ropar, January 31
Apprehending a clash between supporters of the different political parties following the death of Ajeb Singh (55) of Hafhizabad reportedly due to excess liquor consumption, the two companies of the Central Industrial Security Force were deployed in Chamkaur Sahib assembly segment of district here this evening.

Gen-set go: He is hi-tech
Mohali, January 31
Technology helps the tech savvy, and it holds true for candidates in the electoral fray. And if the candidate is an advertising guru, technology is not limited to the use of mobile phone for campaigning.


Tech Savvy: The SAD candidate from Kharar, Mr Jasjit Singh, has engaged a video-enabled truck for campaign. — Tribune photo by Vicky Gharu

SAD to make Amritsar Vatican
Amritsar, January 31
The Shiromani Akali Dal general secretary, Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal, has said that if voted to power, the SAD-BJP government would develop the holy city of Amritsar as a 'model city' on the pattern of the Vatican.

Candidates hire rickshaws for electioneering in Ropar
Ropar, January 31
Instead of campaigning with a cavalcade of vehicles and in a high tech way, candidates have hired rickshawpullers who play cassettes and announcers boast about candidates to woo the electorate in Ropar and Anandpur Sahib Assembly segments.

SAD promises farmers higher returns on crops
Dera Bassi, January 31
The farmers would be given price of their produce (Atta and Dal) at par with the farmers of Australia from where the country has been importing wheat since long. The country is importing wheat at Rs 1250 per quintal while Punjab farmers are being given a rate of Rs 750 per quintal for their produce.

Sidhu challenges Kanwaljit to open debate on development issues
Mohali, January 31
Mr Balbir Singh Sidhu, Congress candidate from the Kharar constituency, today challenged Capt Kanwaljit Singh, SAD general secretary, for debate on issues related to development in the state during the past five years.

Members of Ravidas Sabha, Mahila Mandal, and panchayat of Devi Nagar village weigh Capt Kanwaljit Singh, the SAD general secretary, against coins during his election campaign on Wednesday. — A Tribune photograph

Jasjit claims industry, doctors’ support
Mohali, January 31
The SAD-BJP candidate, Mr Jasjit Singh, who is contesting the Punjab elections from the Kharar constituency, claimed here today that he was being given support by industrial unit owners and doctors.

Mohali industry won’t support any party
Mohali, January 31
The President of the Mohali Industries Association (MIA), Mr Balbir Singh, said here today that the MIA would not be supporting any political party in the Punjab elections.

Jagmohan Kang tours villages
Mohali, January 31
As part of his election campaign, Mr Jagmohan Singh Kang, sitting MLA and Congress candidate from the Morinda Assembly constituency, today undertook a tour of Hoshiarpur, Takipur, Kansala, Kartarpur, Dhakoran Kalan, Dhakoran Khurd, Phatwan, Naglian, Kadimajra, Khairpur, Shekhpura, Andheri and Manakpur Sharif villages. He addressed public meetings there.

Ailing Brar campaigns for son
Muktsar, January 31
An ailing Mr Harcharan Singh Brar, former Punjab Chief Minister, today sought votes for his son and Congress candidate from Muktsar, Mr Kanwarjeet Singh Brar, here.

For thrifty voters, it’s laddoonomics
Mansa, January 31
While the Election Commission is asking candidates to be economical, clever voters in this district have turned thrifty on their own while showing solidarity with politicians.

Cong expels 16 more
Chandigarh, January 31
The Congress today expelled 16 more rebels for contesting elections against the party's official nominees. With this the total number of those who have been expelled from the party stands at 24.

Notices issued
Mohali, January 31
Notices have been issued to three Chandigarh based printers who have prepared election posters for candidates contesting the Punjab elections from the Kharar constituency without mentioning the name and address of printers.