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Banking on Amarinder govt’s failures
Dera Bassi, February 12
It is set to be a straight fight between the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) stalwart, Capt Kanwaljit Singh, and the Congress candidate, Mr Rakesh Sharma, in the Banur assembly segment even as 1.78 lakh voters will decide the fate of the eight candidates in the crucial elections on February 13.
Parties overlooked key issues: NGO
Chandigarh, February 12
Faridkot-based non-governmental organisation Kheti Virasaat Mission today said issues concerning the future of Punjab had been overlooked by all parties.
Wary of security, SAD looks up to EC for fairness
Chandigarh, February 12
Though the SAD is not fully satisfied with the security arrangements for tomorrow's Assembly elections in Punjab, yet it is pinning its hopes on the Election Commission to conduct a free and fair poll, the SAD general secretary, Capt Kanwaljit Singh, said here today.
SAD general secretary Capt Kanwaljit Singh
Photos doctored, Kanwaljit tells EC
Chandigarh, February 12
The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) today wrote to the Election Commission alleging electoral ‘malpractices’ by the Congress candidate, Mr Balbir Singh Sidhu.
Tight security in place
Chandigarh, February 12
After almost three weeks of hectic campaigning in what is being touted as one of the toughest, fiercest and ugliest elections, more than 1.66 crore voters will exercise their franchise tomorrow.
Patrolling parties ready, nakas set up
Mohali, February 12
The SAS Nagar district police has totally geared itself up for the Punjab Assembly elections even as more than 2,000 police personnel have been deployed for conducting a free and fair poll in the three constituencies of the district.
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Candidates hire vehicles to ferry voters
Jalandhar, February 12
Not caring two hoots for the orders of the Election Commission a day before the elections, candidates of all major parties from all 10 seats in Jalandhar today hired vehicles for ferrying voters from their homes to polling booths for casting votes in their favour.
Hired vehicles parked in front of the office of a BJP candidate in Jalandhar on the eve of the elections for ferrying voters to polling booths.
— Tribune photo by Pawan Sharma
Poll managers rush for umbrellas
Chandigarh, February 12
Umbrellas and waterproof tents have suddenly become scarce in Punjab. Candidates from almost all political parties have purchased all available stocks in the retail market.
The inclement weather can adversely impact the voter turnout, especially in the
urban areas. “When the non-committed voters stay away, it can reduce the
victory margins. The inclement weather has had an impact on urban voting
behaviour, hurting parties that have a wider mass base in cities and towns”,
says Dr Pramod Kumar, Director of the Institute for Development and
Communication.
Special arrangements for Bholath
Kapurthala, February 12
The district police has made special arrangements to maintain law and order in the Bholath constituency, declared one of the most sensitive constituencies in Punjab. A former SGPC chief Bibi Jagir Kaur is locked in a keen contest with Congress candidate Sukhpal Singh Khaira on this seat.
DSP refrained, SHO transferred
Amritsar, February 12
A few hours before polling the district police chief of Majitha, Mr Lok Nath Angra, today
directed DSP Balbir Singh to refrain from election duty, even as SHO (Majitha) Jarnail Singh was sent to Police Lines for ‘dereliction’
of duty.
Candidate held, freed
Ropar, February 12
Congress nominee Ramesh Dutt Sharma from Anandpur Sahib was today arrested and released on bail here. A case against Mr Sharma was registered under Section 188, IPC, on the report of the Returning Officer for holding a meeting after the deadline.
Valecha rebuts charge
Chandigarh, February 12
Reacting to allegations by senior BJP leader, Mr V.K. Malhotra, the president of the Punjab unit of the Uma Bharati-led Bharatiya Jana Shakti Party, Mr Pawan Valecha, today said “the BJP may be seeking funds from the Congress at the central level. This is why Mr Malhotra knows where to get these from”.
No cakewalk for Kang
Morinda, February 12
For sitting MLA and Cabinet Minister Jagmohan Singh Kang, it seems to be far from a cakewalk.
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Urban voters hold the key
Fatehgarh Churian (Gurdaspur), February 12
The border constituency of Fatehgarh Churian is witnessing the toughest contest out of all the seats in the district. The Congress nominee, Mr Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, is locked in a neck-and-neck contest with the SAD candidate, Mr Nirmal Singh
Kahlon.
Election staff worried over voter turnout
Chandigarh, February 12
Weather holds the key to Punjab’s fiercest electoral battle, voting for which is scheduled for tomorrow. As many as 1.64 crore electors will exercise their franchise to elect 115 members of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha from amongst 1,038 candidates. Elections in the Valtoha and Beas constituencies will be held later.
Polling booth sans door
Chandigarh, February 12
There is a possibility that 350 voters of Vaddikaroran village will not be able to reach polling booth No. 134 at the primary school of Masol village to cast their votes.
It remained a rich man’s game
Chandigarh, February 12
The political fortunes of Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister Rajinder Kaur Bhattal and several present and former ministers like Mr Partap Singh
Bajwa, Mr Lal Singh, Mr Jasjit Singh Randhawa, Chaudhary Jagjit Singh, Capt Kanwaljit Singh, Mr Adesh Partap Singh and Mr Ranjit Singh Brahmpura will be decided as Punjab goes to the polls tomorrow.
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Mofar tough for Bhunder
Sardulgarh (Mansa), February 12
A picture of abject neglect despite having seven-time MLA Balwinder Singh Bhunder from here, this constituency goes to the polls with yet another promise of development to voters by Mr Bhunder of the SAD. His archrival is Congress candidate Ajit Inder Singh
Mofar.
Sidhus evenly poised in Talwandi Sabo
Talwandi Sabo, February 12
The electorate here has a tough job at its hand of choosing one Sidhu of the two, as the sitting MLA and Chief Minister's confidant, Mr Jeet Mohinder Singh Sidhu, is locked in a straight contest against the SAD candidate, Mr Amarjeet Singh Sidhu, a former IAS and greenhorn.
Votes on sale, says CPI
Chandigarh, February 12
“Democracy is in peril in Punjab. There is free sale and purchase of votes in the Malwa belt. The Election Commission is conniving with political parties to make a mockery of the electoral process,” alleges Dr Joginder Dayal of the Communist Party of India.
SGPC secy proves tough for SAD
Amritsar, February 12
Mr Raghbir Singh Rajasansi, secretary, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), will be the first person to contest the Punjab Vidhan Sabha elections while serving with the SGPC.
Poll officials found absent, replaced
Mohali, February 12
A polling officer for a booth in Phase XI here was replaced today after he was found absent from duty and allegedly under the influence of liquor.
More police force for Nangal, Chamkaur Sahib
Ropar, February 12
In view of the elections to be held tomorrow out of the three, two assembly segments Nangal and Chamkaur Sahib are turned out sensitive due to the aggressive nature of canvassing witnessed in the past few days.
SAD blamed for using ‘unfair’ means
Mohali, February 12
Mr Balbir Singh Sidhu, Congress candidate contesting the Punjab elections from the Kharar constituency, today alleged that members of the Shiromani Akali Dal were resorting to unfair means to win the elections. He demanded that more security arrangements should be made so that elections were held in a free and fair manner.
91 bottles of liquor seized, eight booked
Mohali, February 12
The police has seized 91 bottles of liquor and booked eight persons here on charges of disobeying orders duly promulgated by the District Magistrate, imposing a ban on the sale and illegal possession of liquor for three days in connection with the Punjab Assembly elections being held tomorrow.
2192 bottles of liquor seized
Hoshiarpur, February 12
Keeping in view the polling tomorrow for the state Assembly elections, a special drive has been launched to nab liquor smugglers and bootleggers. The district police has seized 2192 bottles of country made foreign liquor of various brands worth lakhs of rupees last night.
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