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Price rise due to corruption: Malhotra
Chandigarh, February 11
The Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Mr V.K. Malhotra, today said the rise in prices of essential commodities was related to “corruption”. The UPA government had allowed speculators a free run while trading in foodgrains on the commodities exchange.
Mr Vijay Kumar Malhotra, MP and Chief Whip, BJP Parliamentary Group, during a press conference at the Chandigarh Press Club on Sunday.
— A Tribune photograph
CM most arrogant: Advani
Fazilka, February 11
Calling Capt Amarinder Singh the most arrogant Chief Minister, Mr Lal Krishan Advani, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, drew a parallel between his regime and the Emergency imposed by late Indira Gandhi.
BJP leader L.K. Advani at a rally in Fazilka on Sunday.
— A Tribune photograph
Touch and go in Gurdaspur
Gurdaspur, February 11
With the campaigning for the Assembly elections coming to an end today, the stage is set for a tough contest on most seats in the district.
Sham Chaurasi MLA claims 80 cr spent on development
Chandigarh, February 11
The Sham Chaurasi election agent for the Congress candidate has claimed that the MLA had spent approximately Rs 80 crore on rural development in the constituency over the past five years. The election agent has also claimed that the population of the township is much larger than reported in these news columns.
Tarn Taran: Deras may affect outcome
Tarn Taran, February 11
It’s a fight between the untried politicians and the experienced leaders in the border district of Tarn Taran.
Promises defy ground realities
Chandigarh, February 11
Punjab’s future in agriculture is a big issue in the elections and parties have been claiming to be pro-farmers. However, election promises by main parties, aimed at the welfare of farmers, are contrary to ground realities.
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| BJP MP Hema Malini campaigns for the SAD-BJP alliance in Patiala; and right Bollywood actor and Congress MP Govinda at an election campaign in Tarsikka village, near Amritsar, on Sunday.
— Tribune photo/PTI |
Dealers turn power brokers
Kharar/Morinda, February 11
Whatever may be the outcome of the Assembly elections in Kharar and
Morinda, property dealers have already been “voted” to power here. With farmers getting unprecedented rates for their land in the past three years, the local property dealers are their “gods”, who, in turn, are using their hold on villagers to the utmost in the elections.
Rampura Phul charged
Rampura Phul (Bathinda), February 11
Former minister in the Akali government Sikander Singh Maluka is engaged in a fierce poll battle with
SAD-rebel-turned-Congman Gurpreet Singh Kangar in this constituency.
Names deleted, allege Bagrian voters
Sangrur, February 11
In a representation submitted to the Returning Officer of the Dhuri Assembly constituency, Mr Dilawar Singh, son of noted historian and Sikh scholar Bhai Ashok Singh Bagrian and resident of Bagrian village in the Dhuri constituency, has complained that six votes of their family members, including Bhai Ashok Singh
Bagrian, have been deleted by the authorities concerned from the voters’ list though their names were in the list in 2003.
Vote for third front: Sarna
Amritsar, January 11
Mr Parmjit Singh Sarna, president, Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee
(DSGMC), claimed that the third front would play a pivotal role in forming government in the state.
‘Jaago’ voter
Amritsar, February 11
Don't mistake it for a wedding if you come across girls taking out “jaago” through lanes and
bazars. With campaigning coming to an end, parties have started using unique ways to bolster their poll campaigns.
Three Independents back Capt
Patiala, February 11
Three Independent candidates for the Patiala City Assembly segment announced their support to Capt Amarinder Singh here today.
District status key issue
Anandpur Sahib, February11
It’s going to be a tough fight between SAD patron Sant Ajit Singh and two-time winner Congress MLA Ramesh Dutt Sharma at Anandpur Sahib. What could bother the
Congress here is the presence of the Congress rebel who has entered the fray as an Independent while for the SAD, denial of
ticket to former minister Tara Singh Ladal could cost it dear.
Vote for development, says minister
Pathankot, February 11
Union Minister Ashwani Kumar addressed a number of rallies in favour of Congress candidate Ashok Sharma here today. The Union Minister said in the next Five Year Plan, a sufficient fund would be
allocated for Gurdaspur district.
Official suspended over code
Amritsar, February 11
A senior official of the Ajnala Cooperative Sugar Mill, Mr Jaswant Singh, has been suspended on the recommendation of Poll Observer
M.P. Singh for campaigning in favour of Mr Sukhjinder Raj Singh Lalli, Congress candidate for the Majitha constituency.
3 die as bus with supporters hits jeep
Faridkot, February 11
Three persons were killed and one was injured when a bus of Akali supporters rammed into a jeep on the Sadiq road, near here, this afternoon.
Congress harps on Akalis’ poor progress report
 Kharar, February 11
“Please do not leave in the rain. There is arrangement for everyone to be dropped in cars and buses. Mr Balbir Singh Sidhu has wished that no one should get drenched while travelling back,” announced a supporter of the Congress candidate from
Kharar. Obviously not taking any chances with the fickle voters, Mr Sidhu today made a last-ditch effort to garner support from Kharar residents.
Congress candidate from Kharar Balbir Singh Sidhu and Union Minister of State for Finance Pawan Kumar Bansal at a rally in Kharar on Sunday. Tribune photo: Vicky Gharu
Weather plays spoilsport on last day of campaigning
Patiala, February 11
Inclement weather conditions dashed the hopes of candidates of all political parties to take their campaign to a feverish pitch to garner maximum support on the last day of electioneering today.
Jasjit makes last bid
Mohali, February 11
SAD-BJP combine candidate Jasjit Singh campaigned in villages on the last day of campaigning whereas his wife Sanjit Kaur and father Capt. Kanwaljit Singh, who is also the general secretary of SAD, campaigned in the city.
Cong symbolic of growth: Hooda
‘Badal minted crores and invested abroad’
Mohali, February 11
Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda addressed an election rally late last evening at Naya Gaon in the periphery of Chandigarh in favour of the Congress candidate from Morinda Assembly constituency Jagmohan Singh Kang.
Last-ditch wooing efforts
Dera Bassi, February 11
Even as the election din for the February 13 Punjab elections ended today, the security forces organised a flag march to instill a sense of security among the electorate of the Banur Assembly segment.
Intense canvassing witnessed
Ropar, February 11
Intense canvassing was witnessed on the last day of campaigning in three Assembly constituency here today in spite of incessant rain.
Five vehicles impounded for code violation
Rajpura, February 11
The local police today impounded five vehicles of Mr Karnail Singh
Panjouli, an Independent candidate from the Rajpura segment, for violation of model code of conduct.
Indira Gandhi inspired me, says Mt Everest conqueror
Fazilka, February 11
PadmaShri and Arjun award winner Bachendri Pal, first Indian woman to scale Mount Everest, is leading a 12-member woman team of First All-Women Expedition Across the Thar desert entered the Punjab frontier yesterday at Nezeke check post of Fazilka sector. Ms Pal is leading the expedition for women’s empowerment.
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Patiala, February 11
