Jalandha, February 14
While the unprecedented turnout of voters in Jalandhar district and elsewhere continue to baffle political pundits and commoners alike, candidates, leaders of both the major political parties, the SAD-BJP and the Congress, have started claiming that it is “bound” to go in their favour.

Interestingly, apart from their claims over heavy turnout and their ‘growing popularity and political prowess’, the leaders agree in unison that the recently made photo I-cards also worked wonders to bring people out of their homes on Tuesday to cast their votes. 
“A heavy turnout always goes in favour of the ruling party. This time also people came out in big numbers as they were overwhelmed by the development undertaken by the Congress government. Voter I-cards were also a major reason for people to cast their votes,” said Mr Avtaar Henry, the candidate from the Jalandhar (North) constituency.

Elaborating his point in favour of the photo cards, Mr Tejinder Bittu, the Congress candidate from Jalandhar (Central) constituency, said, “In fact, the photo cards had kicked off the election virtually three months ago thanks to the high degree of the publicity by the administration that people would have to produce these cards for their work like registration of land deeds etc. This sent out a message among people of lower strata that they might not able to get their government-related works done in future if they failed to vote this time.”

He added that the enthusiasm among youngsters and firs-t timer voters was also a major factor behind people turning up in large numbers at the polling booths.

His rival and the BJP-SAD candidate, Mr Manoranjan Kalia, asserted that it was a ‘strong wave’ against the Congress, which provoked the people to come out and cast their votes in large numbers.

“People came out with a vengeance. They voted for a change,” said Mr Kalia. Similarly, Dr Daljeet Singh Cheema, secretary, SAD, pointed out that people moved out towards the polling booths against the prolonged ‘policy of repression’.

“It was a people’s war against the Congress regime,” said Mr Cheema. Agreeing that photo cards were one of major reasons behind the heavy turnout, Mr Mohinder Singh Kaypee, a minister, claimed that even people residing in posh colonies cast their votes as they were ‘elated over the development works undertaken by the Congress’.

“I want to say another thing. All poll surveys ignored the power of dalit voters, which constitute 40-45 percent of total voters in Doaba region. They ensured their biggest ever presence at polling booths this time and instead of favouring their votes for the BSP, they sided with the Congress this time. In fact, development drove them out of their houses,” said Mr Kaypee.

Dr Cheema, however, disagreed saying that a heavy turnout in Punjab has always affected the poll prospects of the ruling party adversely. 

Phagwara, February 14
The SAD-BJP combine is likely to win 58 or more seats, according to satta operators. Th e ruling Congress is likely to get 47 seats.

Bids are reportedly being accepted in favour of the SAD-BJPas the betters think that it will get a majority.

Unlike in cricket, the bets are evenly placed in the elections. If someone places a bet of Rs 100 for the SAD-BJP 58 or more seats, he will get Rs 200 in return. In case the SAD-BJP tally is less than 58, he will lose the money.

Similarly, those who place bets for less than 55 seats for the SAD-BJP, he will get Rs 200 for every Rs 100 they place as a bet.

The satta operators themselves keep two numbers, 56 and 57. It means if the SAD-BJP wins 56 or 57 seats, those who have betted on more than 58 and on less than 55 seats will lose and the money would go to the satta operators.

Sources involved in his trade said for the SAD-BJP alliance, the satta operators had fixed 55-58 seats. The betters will either place bets for less than 55 seats or 58 or more seats. Again if the alliance gets 56 or 57 seats, nobody will win and the money will go to the bookies.

The sources clarified that no manipulations were involved since the stakes were too high to leave any scope for manoeuvring.

Phagwara, February 14
Though 76.4 per cent polling was recorded in Kapurthala district, but women electors reached at polling booths in much numbers than men despite inclement weather on the polling day.

The Tribune collected data of all the four Assembly constituencies and found that in three Assembly constituencies of Bholath, Sultanpur Lodhi and Kapurthala, the women caste their votes in much larger numbers than men. But in Phagwara, men remained ahead of women voters.

In Bholath Assembly Constituency, 90,348 votes were polled out of total 1,10,613. About 42,098 men and 48,250 women voted. In Kapurthala, Assembly constituency 93,230 out of a tota ofl 1,19,580 votes were polled. About 46,009 men and 47,221 women caste their votes. In Sultanpur Lodhi, 45,963 men and 46,297 women used their franchise. In Phagwara constituency, however, out of the 1,02,99 votes polled, 52,185 men and 50,604 women were involved.

Interestingly, Bibi Jagir Kaur, Rajbansh Kaur Rana and Upinderjit Kaur contested from Bholath, Kapurthala and Sultanpur Lodhi, respectively and women voters responded enthusiastically.

Jalandhar, February 14
The Pakistani Rangers will discuss the issue of toning down of their gestures at the border check posts during the retreat ceremony with their Indian counterparts at the biannual meeting that began here today.

The Director-General, Pakistan Rangers (Sindh), Maj-Gen Javed Zia, said today that the issue in this regard was on the agenda of a four-day meeting with top BSF officials.

While the BSF jawans have softened their gestures, the Rangers continue to maintain a tough posture.

When he was asked about the instances of border cross firing that have occurred despite ceasefire, he said the issue was being taken up seriously every time it had happened. He said Pakistan had been trying to reduce it drastically.

The Director-General said the issues pertaining to inadvertent crossing across the fence, smuggling, establishing peace and putting up lights would be discussed, adding that the cases pertaining to PoWs would also be taken up.

However, he refused to answer any other specific questions before the beginning of the meeting.

Earlier, a 26-member Pakistani delegation, comprising the Deputy Director-General, representatives of the Survey Department and the Anti-Narcotic Force, was received by a delegation headed by the BSF Special Director-General, Mr N.P.S. Aulakh.

Jalandhar, February 14
The third World Punjabi Conference will be held at Desh Bhagat Yaadgar Hall here from February 15 to 18.

The theme of the conference is “Nation building in the 21st century: The Punjab nation and Punjabi philosophy”. The conference will be inaugurated by freedom fighter Baba Bhagat Singh Bilga.