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372 in fray after scrutiny
CM continuing after Dec 28
Curbing unemployment, inflation major challenges: Dhumal
Mixed results expected in Kangra district
Cong more disciplined than BJP in Sirmaur
Cong objects to BJP statement
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Trouble for Cong in Gangath
Congress banking on development
Sonia to campaign in state
Cong expels D.D. Thakur for 6 years
3 poll observers join duty in Bilaspur
English medium students get paper in Hindi
AIDS Day observed
375 stranded tourists rescued
Ice-skating competition
20 bicycles distributed to IRDP students
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372 in fray after scrutiny
Shimla, December 1 Sixtythree nomination papers out of 435 were rejected by returning officers during scrutiny. The exact number of candidates who will remain in the fray will emerge only after the last date for withdrawal on December 3. The maximum number of 102 candidates are in the fray from Kangra district followed by 62 in Mandi and 43 in Shimla. The number of candidates who now remain in the fray include 28 in Solan, 23 in Sirmaur, 23 in Bilaspur, 34 in Hamirpur, 23 in Una, 19 in Chamba and 15 in Kullu. Candidates whose papers were rejected include Surender from Rohru, Devender Singh, Joginder Singh, Ashwani Kumar from Kumarsain, Joginder Thakur from Theog, Ashwani Kumar Sood from Shimla, Asha and Sheetal from Kasumpti in Shimla district. In Solan, papers of Ajay Singh Chauhan, Vishal and Padam Chand from Arki, Bhag Singh, Ram Kumar, Rachna Devi and Ajit Singh from Doon, Ravtar and Joli Ram from Nalagarh, Rajiv Arora from Solan and Nirmal Kaur from Doon were rejected. In Bilaspur, papers of Nand Lal and K.K. Kaushal from Bilaspur and Brij Lal from Ghumarwin were rejected. Papers of Rajesh Kumar and Narender Thakur from Hamirpur, Subhash Chand and Des Raj Sharma from Bamsan, Bachitter Singh and Amin Chand from Mewa in Hamirpur district were rejected. In Una, papers of Mehar Chand from Gagret, Rakesh Kumar and Ramesh Kumar from Chintpurni, Praveen and Suresh Lata from Santokhgarh and Subhash Sahore from Una and Manohar Lal from Kutlehar were rejected. In Kangra, papers of Sat Mahajan, Amar Singh Kaundal and Rajeev Bhardwaj were rejected from Nurpur, Kanta Devi, Krishan Kumar, Vijay Bir Singh, Dev Raj and Malender Singh from Gangath, Aman Kumar from Jawali, Bhikham Singh from Guler, Rumel Singh from Jaswan, Bhagwan Dass from Pragpur, Nanak Chand from Jwalamukhi, Roop Singh from Thural. In Kullu, papers of Kunj Lal from Kullu, Nand Lal and Sohan Lal Bansal from Ani were rejected. In Mandi, papers of Pradeep Raj from Karsog, Sanju, Tulsi Ram, Sunder Lal and Poshu Ram from Nachan, Hari Singh Verma and Paras Gautam from Sundernagar, Khajana Ram from Gopalpur and Jai Singh and Praveen Kumar from Mandi were rejected. |
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CM continuing after Dec 28
Shimla, December 1 Addressing a press conference here today, BJP’s in charge of party affairs in Himachal Satya Pal Jain said Sonia Gandhi, Manmohan Singh and R.K. Dhawan, in charge of Congress affairs in Himachal, must clarify their stand on the issue. “We want to know will these central leaders allow their party Chief Minister to continue in the office even after he lost the mandate of the people,” he quipped. He said, “Politicians who become arrogant are thrown into the political dustbin by the people who voted them to power. Elections have been won and lost in the past also, but in order to maintain dignity of the office it will be appropriate for Virbhadra Singh to tender his resignation on December 28, after the counting,” he said. Jain said statements by Virbhadra Singh and his wife Pratibha Singh criticising the Election Commission for holding early elections clearly showed that they had already conceded defeat. “By criticizing the commission, they are not only showing insult and disregard towards the Constitution but also the democratic conventions,” he said. He said the BJP was fully united and there were no differences between Shanta Kumar and Dhumal. “Rather it is the Congress that is a divided house as no one has been projected as the chief ministerial candidate,” he said. Efforts were on to convince rebels to withdraw from the contest, failing which disciplinary action would be taken against them. In reply to a question about the BJP being an opportunist party having fielded Congress leader D.D. Thakur from Mandi, he said the party was only availing itself of a chance that had come its way to register victory in that constituency. Earlier, BJP candidate Praveen Sharma had given it in writing that if the party felt Thakur was a better candidate, he would have no problem. He said the BJP would release its election manifesto before December 5, as a clear picture would emerge only after the withdrawal of nominations. |
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Curbing unemployment, inflation major challenges: Dhumal
Hamirpur, December 1 Talking to this correspondent in an exclusive interview, Dhumal expressed his opinion on the various current issues. The excerpts: Q: What are the challenges that the state is faces with? Dhumal: The state is facing problems like unemployment, price rise etc and the people have been left high and dry by the Congress government. Finding solution to these problems will be a challenge. It is surprising that the debt, which was Rs 11,293 crore during our regime, has doubled although no section of the society was given any relief by the present government. Finding an answer to this will be another big problem. Q: What is your reaction on being made the chief ministerial candidate? Dhumal: It has been BJP’s policy to announce the chief ministerial candidate before the Assembly elections. Shanta Kumar was declared so in the 1990 elections and my name was declared in 1998 and 2003 elections, thus there is nothing new in this. Q: It is being said that Gujarat CM Narinder Modi played a crucial role in your naming as the chief Ministerial candidate. What do you say? Dhumal: Modi is not even a member of the central parliamentary board of the party; his name is being dragged by some rumourmongers. The board had decided my name unanimously and I am thankful to Shanta Kumar for his support and cooperation. Q: What will be the focus of your campaign in the state? Dhumal: The failure of the Congress government to solve problem of the people and corruption during the present regime will be the main focus. Q: How do you place the BSP in these elections? Dhumal: Whenever any third force has emerged in the state, it has helped in ousting the Congress from power. Since it is the first time the BSP is entering the electoral politics in such a big way, its real impact is yet to be seen but the BSP would definitely help in defeating the Congress. Q: What you have to say about your role in the hard disc episode as alleged by the CM? Dhumal: He wants to term everybody corrupt after the release of his CD, but the people know what is the truth and I have forensic report from a Hyderabad-based laboratory to prove that there is nothing against me in the hard disc. Q: Would you and your party bring out material to expose Congress leaders? Dhumal: We would do so on the basis of whatever material we have. |
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Mixed results expected in Kangra district
Palampur, December 1 After the decision of the BJP high command not to project Shanta Kumar as the chief ministerial nominee has adversely affected the winning prospects of BJP candidates in many constituencies where they were banking upon the stature of Shanta Kumar. In
Baijnath, sitting BJP MLA Dulo Ram, who was confident of winning the election with the support of Shanta Kumar, is now facing challenge from Sudhir Sharma, son of former minister Sant Ram, as a major section of Brahmin voters which are in sizeable number in this constituency may not vote for him. Suresh Kumar of the
BSP, who was earlier in the Congress is also in the fray. Being Brahmin by cast, he will damage the votes of Congress candidate Sudhir Sharma. In Rajgir (reserve), sitting BJP MLA Atma Ram, who is contesting his fourth election, will face Dr M. R.
Goma, who has represented the constituency for three terms. The absence of Shanta Kumar from the election arena will also ruin the BJP prospects here. Secondly, Pritam Chand a close confidante of Chief Minister Virbhadara Singh, who had contested the last election as an Independent candidate from this constituency, has decided not to contest the election and support the Congress candidates. It means that this time these would go in favour of
Gomma. Besides, there is sympathy wave in favour of Gomma, who has been defeated thrice in 1993, 1998 and 2003. The BSP is yet to decide its candidate. In
Sulah, Vipin Singh Parmar will face Jagjivan Paul for the second time. Paul has merged as grass root leader in this constituency and in the past five years major development taken up by him has been completed in a time-bound plan which has benefited him. Since this assembly constituency was represented by Shanta four times, Vipan Parmar had hopes that visits by Shanta would change the election scenario and mood of voters. The large number of OBC voters in this constituency will play a significant role in the election as a majority of the OBCs may side with the Congress. In
Thural, sitting BJP MLA and former minister of state Ravinder Singh Ravi is being challenged by Sanjay
Rana, a blue eyed boy of PCC president Viplaov Thakur, who is for the first time in the fray. Rana a youth Congress leader has secured ticket at the behest of the party high command. J.C. Sapehia who had contested the last election on a Congress ticket in 2003, is contesting as an Independent candidate weakening the prospects of the Congress.
Sapheia has his loyalty with Virbhadara Singh. Traditionally Thural has been a strong hold of the
BJP. Except for Chandres Kumari, none of the Congress candidate has won this seat in the past. In
Palampur, the electoral scene is quite confusing, because at the last moment the BJP has fielded Parveen Sharma as its candidate. Parveen Sharma was defeated by Brij Behari Lal
Butail, a veteran Congress leader in the 2003 assembly election. Sharma has a neat and clean image in the area but has little resource to complete with
Butail. The Congress considers this assembly segment as one of the safest to win. Sharma is dependant on
Shanta, who commands much hold in the constituency. If Shanta works hard here he can tilt the scale.
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Cong more disciplined than BJP in Sirmaur
Nahan, December 1 The Congress, in comparison, has maintained discipline and there is no revolt evident in the party. Even in the Paonta constituency, where the party ticket has been denied to Sardar Rattan Singh, former parliament secretary, the situation is calm. In Nahan, the Congress leaders demanding ticket are now marching ahead with Kush Parmar. They have joined the party campaign after the ticket was decided in favour of Parmar. But this discipline is missing in the BJP. The BJP again faces a revolt in the Pacchad constituency. BJP leader Ram Prakash who lost to Congress stalwart Gangu Ram Musafir in 2003 with a marginal difference has this time decided to fight against official nominee Suresh Kashyap in protest against the denial of the party ticket . He filed his nomination as an Independent candidate at Rajgarh yesterday . History of revolt and division over the allotment of party ticket was once again being repeated in Shillai. This time Shanta and Dhumal groups have taken tough stand and strongly opposed the ticket allotment to Baldev Tomar. They have announced to field Amar Singh Chauhan, former Chief Engineer of PWD, as an Independent, if the candidature was not changed. Had the BJP put a united fight and allotted the ticket to deserving candidate, the contest would have been very tough. Party ticket from Renuka has been allotted to Balbir Singh, which has earned the ire of of senior BJP leader Roop Singh followers, who has announced to contest as an Independent. |
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Cong objects to BJP statement
Shimla, December 1 Addressing a press conference here today, HPCC spokesperson Kuldeep Rathore said BJP chief ministerial candidate P.K. Dhumal had no right to make such comments about Virbhadra Singh. “It is only the electorate who can give this verdict of rejecting or accepting a leader,” he said. Rathore said the BJP was a divided house that would suffer due to infighting and factionalism. He said the sudden public display of respect and love for Shanta Kumar by Dhumal was only momentary and a sign of political opportunism. “The sudden concern being expressed by Dhumal about completion of the Vivekananda Medical Research Trust and Saurabh Van Vihar at Palampur was not genuine. It was aimed at seeking Shanta’s blessings to win the elections,” he said. He said the manner in which Congress leader from Mandi D.D. Thakur had joined the BJP only showed his lust for power. He said the BJP was an opportunist party that could go to any extent to grab power. |
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Trouble for Cong in Gangath
Nurpur, December 1 The party had changed its candidate on the last day of filing of nomination papers yesterday following a judgement of the Supreme Court disqualifying its sitting MLA Bodh Raj from contesting as an SC candidate. Earlier, the party had declared him its nominee from here. He filed his papers on Thursday. His election was challenged by defeated BJP candidate (2003) Des Raj on the ground that he had presented wrong facts about his caste status. Des Raj had moved an appeal in the apex court after his election petition was dismissed by the high court in 2005. According to returning officer-cum-SDM Inder Bhardwaj, the nomination papers were rejected on the grounds that the original authority letter of the candidature of the nominee was submitted today, after the expiry of the period for filing nominations. Meanwhile, the nomination papers of the previous Congress nominee Bodh Raj could not be rejected as the returning officer did not receive copy of the judgement of the Supreme Court in which he had been disqualified. |
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Congress banking on development
Hamirpur, December 1 Talking to mediapersons here after filing his nomination papers he said the Congress government had undertaken the biggest drinking water scheme which would provide drinking water to the people of Mewa and Bamsan assembly constituency. He said the present government had increased the annuity of ex-servicemen and medal winners substantially and had taken care of their interests. Earlier, the Congress leaders addressed a rally at Gandhi Chowk, after filing the nomination of Lagwal. They castigated the BJP leaders for launching a misinformation campaign. District Congress president Balak Ram, former minister Ranjeet Singh Verma and. Lagwal also addressed the rally. |
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Sonia to campaign in state
Shimla, December
1 While the dates for the visit of Rahul Gandhi are still being
finalised, the ruling party has decided to hold five big rallies to be addressed by senior party leaders on December
7. HPCC spokesperson Kuldeep Rathore today said minister of state for external affairs Anand Sharma would address an election rally at Una on December 7. Other leaders who would be in the state on the same day would be Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda at
Sujanpur, Satpal Maharaj at Nerwa in Chopal, Meira Kumar at Balh in
Mandi. |
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Cong expels D.D. Thakur for 6 years
Shimla, December 1 The HPCC chief has expelled Thakur, who is contesting the election from the Mandi seat as a BJP nominee, for a period of six years for his anti-party activities. Viplove Thakur has appointed Kundan Thakur as the officiating president of the Mandi District Congress Committee. |
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3 poll observers join duty in Bilaspur
Bilaspur, December 1 Devesh Kumar said observer (expenditure) Vijay Shankar has setup his office at the PWD rest house at Dholra in Bilaspur town here and he would keep a watch on the election expenditure of political parties and election candidates in all four assembly segments of the district according to the Election Commission rules. His fax and telephone No. is 221307 and mobile No. is 94185-36669. He said observer (general) Dr. Manjeet Singh has setup his office at the IPH rest house here in the town and he would look after assembly segments of Bilaspur Sadar and Kotkehloor. His fax and Phone no. is 221310 and mobile No. is 94185-36667. |
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English medium students get paper in Hindi
Chamba, December 1 Consequently, the English medium students had to face great difficulty in solving the paper. Meanwhile, the parents were of the opinion that the English medium schools should get the question papers in English only. These days, the annual examinations of class V are going on in the schools of the snow-bound areas of the state. More than a dozen English medium schools have been affected by the distribution of Hindi question papers. These schools include DAV, Jai Krishan Giri Maharaj schools also. Confirming the incident, deputy director of education (primary) J.S. Awasthy told The Tribune here today that the board had introduced a new subject on ‘environment studies’ recently by amalgamating two subjects of social studies and social science. And accordingly, his office had submitted the demand in both languages - Hindi and English. But they had received the supply of Hindi medium question papers from the school board, Awasthy stated. However, the staff on examination duty was instructed to distribute these papers 15 minutes before the start of examination so that the Hindi medium paper could be got translated into English by the staff deployed for the conduct of examinations thereby avoiding any difficulty to English medium students, Awasthy further stated. |
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AIDS Day observed
Mandi, December 1 Health Department officials held a debate session on the occasion involving students, anganwari workers, religious groups, officials and individuals on the subject of AIDS to cerate awareness about the deadly disease. The need to take preventive steps was emphasized on the occasion. Mandi DC Subhasish Panda said there was need to change the mindset and be vigilant on risk factors, shedding all inhibitions on the subject. “A little knowledge is a dangerous thing and all sections of society, young and old, students and teachers, must come forward and be educated on the subject and lead an awareness campaigns against it,” he said. CMO D.K. Arora welcomed guests. District programme officer Hemant Kapur spoke on AIDS and steps to prevent it. Religious groups said the patients could be given spiritual therapy to sooth the mind by way of spiritual training. Nursing school students staged a skit on AIDS in Mandyali. Prizes were given to the winners of poster and painting competitions. BILASPUR: Komal Kumari, Reshma and Shreya, students of government senior secondary school here, were declared first, second and third, respectively, in a painting competition organized to mark World AIDS Day function here today. The competition was organized by the District Nehru Yuva Kendra in collaboration with the District AIDS Control Society. The topic was “Protection from AIDS”. In a declamation contest, Swati Gupta, Madhu Sharma, Rajendra among seniors and Diksha, Munish, Ankita Kumari among juniors, were declared first, second and third, respectively. Suriti, Vibhuti Chauhan, Mrinal Joshi grabbed the top positions in slogan writing. In cultural programmes, the Mahila Mandal, Sal-Hawan, the Nav Jagran Yuva Mandal, Sai Brahamana, and the Amar Jyoti Mahila Mandal, Ghumarwin, emerged first, second and third, respectively. |
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375 stranded tourists rescued
Manali, December 1 The Manali SDM said the stranded tourists stayed in local dhabas, teashops and rescue post of the Mountaineering Institute at Marhi. The rescue team tried its best to provide accommodation and food to them at Marhi, he said. |
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Ice-skating competition
Shimla, December 1 Talking to mediapersons here today, president of the association R.K. Gupta and chairman of the organising committee and DC Tarun Kapoor said the preparations
were being made to make the event a success. Gupta said a coaching camp would be held from December 23 to January 3. Besides hosts Himachal, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, New Delhi and Pondicherry were likely to participate in the meet, he added. The events would be held in the sub-junior, junior and senior categories. Services of two foreign coaches were being taken during the coaching camp,
he added. |
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20 bicycles distributed to IRDP students
Bilaspur, December 1 Bhardwaj said these bicycles were being given to students of class VI and VIII from IRDP families, who had excelled in studies in the last annual examination. She said these cycles were also distributed to students of Government Senior Secondary Schools at Jukhala, Kothipura, Barmana, Kandraur, Panjgain, Deoth, Chandpur, Raghunathpura and Balh Bhulana. |
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BJP chief ministerial candidate Prem Kumar Dhumal thinks the biggest challenge before him in the coming days will be to suggest solution for the several acute problems being faced by the state.
Talking to this correspondent in an exclusive interview, Dhumal expressed his opinion on the various current issues.
Prem Kumar Dhumal
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