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Rahul strikes emotional chord with youth
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Cong, BJP out to end quota in PSUs: Mayawati
Sushma: Gujarat, HP results to impact UPA
Defamatory material distributed against Bindal
HP VOTES: Sirmaur District
BJP wave in Cong stronghold
Interesting political battles likely in Kangra district
Kullu, Banjar
Key Contest: Mandi
Key Contest:
Kot-Kehloor
Parties seek poll funds from industrialists
With old in the fray, youth not enthused
Long poll period hits common man, students
Liquor, cash to lure voters?
15 pc candidates face criminal cases
Code Violated
Paswan foresees hung House
BJP to lodge complaint
Poll material, staff airlifted to Bara Bhangal
Absence of local issues irks voters
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Rahul strikes emotional chord with youth
Mandi, December 16 Rahul mesmerised a large number of people, including children, old and young, who had come to see him at different places between Kullu, Mandi and Sundernagar. A pin drop silence descended at the venues, when Rahul stood up before the mike to make his brief neat speech and struck an emotional chord with the crowds at each venue from Kullu, Mandi and Sundernagar: “My bothers and sisters, I am touched by the warm welcome you have given me in the beautiful state. We used to come to the hills of Himachal. The Gandhi family has a special place for the state. Even Indira Gandhi had decided to make her home in Himachal after her retirement from politics. We want to last that special relation,” he said. He urged voters to vote and elect the Congress government to carry out the development agenda. “Himachal has progressed a lot, 80 per cent people are educated and it has emerged as an education hub in the country. Each village has been linked to roads started by Dr Y S Parmar. We believe in the development of all and not of the selected few. But development has no limits. Vote to elect the Congress to carry on the development agenda”, he said. Rahul said the UPA government was following the principles of Mahatma Gandhi and all their programmes like the rozgar guarantee, the Rajiv Gandhi Vidut yojna and mid-day meal programmes had a touch of Gandhism in them. He made a political point without naming rival parties like the BJP and the BSP: “Even certain parties, which once did not agree on this basic principle of unity and integrity and divided the people today, they are realising that neither the country nor they themselves gained out of the divisive mindset”, he said. He did not name any state Congress leaders in his brief address and urged all Congressmen to work together Dressed up in half sleeved jacket and khadi kurta pyjama, Rahul repeated the same message and mantra at each place and struck an emotional chord with the crowd. His road show was directed to woo the youth of region as more than 55 per cent of the population in the region is that of youth. Rahul geared up the party cadre. Rahul landed at Kullu by a chopper and left for New Delhi from Sundernagar by a chopper in the evening. But will it trigger a swing in the Congress favour in December 19 poll? , results will show. |
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UPA failed to curb terror: Advani
Nadaun (Hamirpur), December 16 Addressing an election meeting in support of BJP candidate Vijay Agnihotri at Nadaun today he said “While the UPA government has failed to tackle terrorism in the country it is Gujarat where not even a single terrorist act has occurred due to apt handling of the Narinder Modi Government and claimed that Modi would return to power after the election as people feel secure there.” Attacking the central government for failing to punish the main culprit of the December 13 attack on Parliament, he said “though this was the most daring attempt to kill parliamentarians our security personnel killed five terrorists while nine of them were also killed, main culprit Afzal Guru has not been hanged even six years after his death sentence.” He said: “While this government has failed in punishing the terrorists and checking price rise time has come to punish the Congress through your votes on December 19.” Baijnath: Advani has said that the outcome of the elections in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh will set the trend in favour of the BJP in the coming parliamentary elections. Addressing an election rally here on Sunday, he lashed out at the UPA for selling out the security interests of the nation in the nuclear deal with the USA. Promising the people that the BJP was committed to providing clean and transparent administration in the state and at the Centre, he said no one could level allegations of corruption against Chief Minister of Gujarat Narendra Modi or other CMs of the BJP- ruled states. He also charged the UPA government with failure to control the rising prices of essential commodities, breaking the backbone of the poor and middle class. Mandi: Rajnath Singh, vice-president Shanta Kumar and film star-turned politician Shatrughan Singh on Sunday charged the UPA government with playing with the sentiments of people on the Ram Setu issue. Addressing the gathering at Paddar (Drang) in support of BJP candidate Jawahar Thakur Shatrughan Sinha said the Congress had played with the sentiments of people on the issue of Ram Setu by filing a wrong affidavit in the court. Addressing a rally at Karsog in support of Mansa Ram, Rajnath Singh dwelt upon the failures of the UPA government at the Centre and Virbhadra Singh’s government in the state. He charged that the Congress regime was neck-deep in corruption and Dhumal would provide a better alternative as it had done in the past during its 10-years rule.
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Cong, BJP out to end quota in PSUs: Mayawati
Rehan (Nurpur), December 16 Addressing a gathering of about 5,000 supporters, Mayawati claimed that the ongoing tug-of-war between the BJP and the Congress in the state had failed to do justice with the electorate. She claimed that the earlier governments had discarded the Dalits and poor from every community. She assured reservation for poor belonging to the upper castes in the state if the BSP came to power. Coming down heavily on the BJP and the Congress, Mayawati claimed that the BSP was not a party of Dalits but a party devoted to the welfare of the poor. She also alleged that the dictatorship of the BJP and the Congress was the reason behind growing price hike, unemployment besides, deteriorating law and order situation in the state. She said the Congress and the BJP were trying to do away with reservation in public sector undertakings (PSUs) in a planned conspiracy. UNA: Despite repeated requests by the BSP to include higher caste poor people in the reserve category, the Central government has paid no heed to it. This was stated by Mayawati at a BSP rally at the Indira Ground today. She said the BSP was contesting on all 68 seats of the Vidhan Sabha in the state. She added that her party had made no alliance with any other political party. She appealed to the masses to vote for BSP candidates so that justice was meted out to all. Mayawati said since Independence, the BJP and the Congress had ruled governments at the state and at the Centre, but failed to provided justice to the poor sections of the society. She alleged that both the BJP and the Congress had failed to provide better opportunities to the Backward Classes, farmers, employees and the poor upper class in the society. |
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Sushma: Gujarat, HP results to impact UPA
Shimla, December 16 “I’m disappointed at AICC chief Sonia Gandhi’s address to the people of Himachal here yesterday as instead of listing the achievements of her party at the Centre and in Himachal, she dwelled more on the role of the Gandhi-Nehru family during Independence and after,” she remarked. Being in opposition both at the Centre and in Himachal the BJP was seeking votes on the basis of promises but the Congress should talk of its achievements in the past five years,” she said. She said the Congress had failed to fulfil promises like job to at least one member of every BPL family, gramin taxi service and other job avenues for ex-servicemen and good-quality seeds and subsidised fertilisers to farmers. The BJP leader said the five-year reign of the Congress had been full of scams, including PMT,
JBT, forest guards and pharmacists recruitment etc. |
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Rohru
Rohru, December 16 The outcome of the "farewell fight" in the pocket borough of Virbhadra Singh is a foregone conclusion but that has not deterred supporters of Balnatah who are putting their heart and soul into campaign, if only, to reduce the margin of defeat. The extent to which Virbhadra Singh holds sway over the electorate could be judged from the fact that contesting for the first time he had polled 89.06 per cent of the votes against BJP-JD alliance candidate Satya Dev Bushairi in 1990 when a strong anti-Congress wave was sweeping the country. In fact, Virbhadra Singh, who contested from two seats, lost in the adjoining Jubbal -Kotkhai constituency to Ram Lal. However, with the entry of Balnatah, who contested for the first time in 1993, Virbhadra’s vote share came down to 77.10 per cent. Balnatah who was considered nothing more than a sacrificial goat polled 20.09 per cent. He further improved his performance in 2003 to secure 31.97 per cent of the total votes polled. Apart from Narinder Bragta he was the only BJP candidate to poll more than 30 per cent votes in Shimla district. While Virbhadra Singh is touring every nook and corner of the state to campaign for the Congress candidates, Balnatah is moving from door to door to seek votes. Early snow has upset the programme as Dodra Kawar has been cut off with the closure of the Chanshal pass. Virbhadra Singh visited Rohru only to file his nomination papers and he is likely to address a rally on the final day of electioneering on December 17. |
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Defamatory material distributed against Bindal
Solan, December 16 Though pamphlets bearing adverse comments in the form of poetry in the local dialect and other details of assets of Bindal have been doing the rounds of the constituency, but it is the publication of an advertisement in a vernacular daily which has led to slapping of a legal notice by Bindal on Nishi Parashar, a Saproon resident. Giving details of this notice, Dr Bindal said it was shocking to note how low the Congress had stooped to gain political mileage. The fact that Nishi is the sister-in-law of the Congress nominee, Dr Kailash Parashar from Solan, the matter has assumed a serious proportion. The notice while describing the language of the advertisement as defamatory clearly holds that being in the local dialect, it could influence the voters at this crucial juncture of the polls. Dr Bindal has also accused Dr Parashar of being in league with his relative in getting this defamatory advertisement published. Addressing mediapersons later, Dr Bindal said it was a cheap publicity ploy and was shocking to note that Dr Parashar, who had never raised public interest issues, was using such contemptible means to have an edge in the elections. Condemning Dr Parashar, he said despite holding key portfolios in the Pradesh Congress Committee, the Congress nominee always remained confined to himself and cared little to go to masses. He was now trying to gain the support of the masses through such unethical means, which would pay him no dividends. He also charged the Congress for ignoring Solan on all grounds, including political or related to development, and said this had slowed down the pace of development in the entire district. |
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HP VOTES: Sirmaur District
Nahan, December 16 For the Congress, which has enjoyed undisputed control over Sirmaur, voter’s uncertainty is an unhappy situation. But the voter has a point - Sirmaur continues to be among India’s 100 most backward districts. Small wonder the Congress has, except at Paonta-Doon, fielded old warhorses to fight the BJP influence in all segments, where dissidence may impact poll outcomes. From Pachhad, Congress candidate and Vidhan Sabha speaker Gangu Ram Musafir is contesting for the seventh time as the sitting MLA. Credited with retaining the seat even in 1990 when the Congress was wiped out from the state by the Janata Dal-BJP combine, Musafir is this time fighting BJP’s newcomer Suresh Kashyap and BSP’s Prakash Singh. Singh, a former Congress man, may dent the Congress votebank at Pachhad, from where Musafir won with a margin of 14,376 votes in 1998. In 2003, however, his margin against the BJP was down to 1,286 votes - a factor the BJP is cashing in on. The BJP has again fielded a new face from here. It had fielded Kali Das in 1998 and Ram Prakash in 2003 from here. In Renuka (reserve) segment, the Congress and the BJP are banking on old candidates Prem Singh and Balbir Sigh, pitted in a direct contest. BSP’s Prithvi Singh is also in the fray. While four-time MLA Prem Singh, contesting for the seventh time, is still drawing on the legacy of Y.S. Parmar, who was elected from here for 25 years in a row, Balbir Singh is hoping for the Congress’ ouster. It’s significant that Prem Singh’s victory margin of 11,238 in 1998 had gone down to 6,334 in 2003. At Rajput-dominated Shillai, sitting Congress MLA Harsh Wardhan is working to guard the legacy of his father Ghuman Singh Thakur. MLA since 1993, Wardhan is hoping to increase his victory margin, which was 7,424 against BJP’s Jagat Singh Negi in 2003. This time, Wardhan is pitted again BJP’s newcomer Baldev Tomar, apparently being supported by Negi. Tomar however faces dissidence from Independent Amar Singh Chauhan, who had sought the BJP ticket this time. He incidentally comes from a Congress family, just like the BSP’s Raksha Negi. Among six contestants for this seat are Kedar Singh of the NCP and Nathu Ram of the LJP. Back at Nahan, the triangular contest between BJP’s Shyama Sharma, Congress’ Kush Parmar and LJP’s sitting MLA Sadanand Chauhan has turned interesting. For Parmar, son of Himachal’s founder Y.S. Parmar, it’s do or die situation. He had lost the 2003 elections to Chauhan by 1,191 votes. Both Parmar and Chauhan face a tough fight from Shyama Sharma this time, who is trying to stage a comeback from the seat that she won in 1977 and 1990. There are six contestants for the seat, including BSP’s Sushant Singh, Rashtriya Garib Dal’s Ram Kumar and SP’s Vinod Kumar. An equally ticklish contest is emerging at Paonta-Doon, another Congress bastion that was lost to BJP’s Sukh Ram in 2003 by a margin of 5,862 votes. With Sukh Ram again in the fray, the Congress is putting its might behind its new face Kirnesh Jung, who fought the official Congress candidate Rattan Singh three times in a row, 1993 onwards. Rattan Singh finished third in 2003, while Jung was second. Winnability, it seems, has been the big factor behind fielding Jung, now focusing on Muslim-dominated areas. Meanwhile, the BJP is strengthening its Dalit votebank. However, the sailing for Jung is not going to be so smooth considering that Rattan Singh is not whole-heartedly supporting him. BSP’s Manjinder Singh also hails from Rattan Singh’s family. Meanwhile, Jung’s own cousin is coming out openly against him and in favour of the BJP. SP’s Vandana Rani is also in the fray from this seat. |
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BJP wave in Cong stronghold
Solan, December 16 Solan is the most significant constituency having the highest voter population of 71,546. The Congress has fielded a new face in Kailash Parashar. Arki constituency has become a question of prestige for the party with the son of a former employee of PMO office Prakash Karad being given the ticket ignoring deputy speaker Dharam Pal Thakur. Though the Congress is priding itself for having fielded an SC candidate from a general seat, the presence of Gomti Devi from the BSP in the fray will divide the SC votes, which comprise 29.8 per cent of the total votes. With Thakur contesting as an Independent, the Congress voter share faces a direct undercutting. The situation has accrued benefits to BJP candidate Govind Ram. Nalagarh, which is presently being represented by BJP’s district president H.N. Saini, is witnessing a keen contest between two former BJP men and Saini. Lakhwinder Rana, who joined the Congress after contesting unsuccessfully as a BJP rebel last time, is now the hope of the Congress for wresting the seat. BJP’s rebel Vinod Thakur has joined the BSP and is likely to dent the BJP votebank. Doon is facing a close contest between party’s four-time Cong MLA Lajja Ram and BJP’s lone women candidate in the district Vinod Chandel. The BJP is endeavouring to open its account by having roped in Chandel who had put up a good show as an Independent in 2003. What could upset calculations of the two key parties is the candidature of Darshan Saini, BSP nominee. Kasauli is facing a fight between Congress’ old warhorse Raghu Raj, five-time MLA, and greenhorn Rajiv Sehjal from the BJP. Sehjal, who is a GAMS doctor, is gaining acceptability. |
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Interesting political battles likely in Kangra district
Dharamsala, December 16 Going by the historical background, by and large, there has always been a direct fight between the Congress and the BJP. However, the ‘over ambitious’ BSP has added colour to the electoral scene this time. The party appears to be giving a good fight to the major parties in some constituencies, but overall it may not be able to cut much ice. However, the party will definitely upset calculations of both the Congress and the BJP. The Congress, which won 11 seats in the previous elections, has already lost Gangath where its official candidate, outgoing legislator Bodh Raj, and his covering candidate’s nomination had been rejected by the returning officer. The ruling party is trying to retain its tally banking on the development card. DHARAMSALA: As the campaigning is picking up, this constituency is heading for a triangular contest between Major Vijay Singh Mankotia, BSP’s chief ministerial candidate who is pitted against sitting Congress MLA Chandresh Kumari and former transport minister Kishan Kapoor of the BJP. Two other candidates Kapoor Singh Sepahia of the CPM and Independent candidate Vimal Kapoor are also in the fray. KANGRA: Here also, the contest is triangular between sitting Congress MLA Surender Kaku, BJP candidate Vidya Sagar and Sanjay Choudary of the BSP. There are four other candidates Chaudhary Devi Lal (LJP), Aman Guleria (CPM), Amar Chaudhary (ABHS) and Banarsi Dass (Independent). Infighting in the Congress here is quite visible that may upset the party calculations. SHAHPUR: NSUI leader Kewal Singh Pathania, a close confidant of Virbhadra Singh, had managed to get the party ticket after the ouster of Mankotia but seems to be immature as far as the election tactics are concerned. Initial trends reveal the main fight is between Sarveen Chaudhary of the BJP and Onkar Rana of the BSP. There is a great influence of Mankotia in the area. He represented the constituency five times. No doubt, Sarveen had defeated Mankotia in 1998, but now he is also facing infighting within the party. Rebel party leader Balbir Chaudhary, contesting as an Independent, is likely to make a dent in the BJP’s votebank. NAGROTA BAGWAN: It is a direct fight between high profile Congress leader and sitting MLA G.S. Bali, who remained in controversy over his birthday party bash recently and Mangal Chaudhary of the BJP. Bali has won the seat twice and is now eying it for the third time. He is banking on development carried out in the area. The BJP candidate, an OBC, is banking on the caste factor and also trying to highlight weaknesses of Bali. Two other candidates in the fray are Bhag Singh of the BSP and Deepak Sharma of the LJP. JAWALAMUKHI: Like the 2003 elections, once again, the fight here seems to be between sitting BJP MLA Ramesh Dhawala and Independent candidate Sanjay Rattan who is a rebel Congress man. Another Congress rebel Ramesh Khaula is fighting on the BSP ticket making things worse for Congress nominee Ruma Kaundal. Dhawala has won the seat two times and is looking for his third term banking on OBC votes. PARAGPUR: There are three candidates sitting MLA Naveen Diman of the BJP, Yog Raj of the Congress and Rajinder Kumar of the BSP from here but it is likely to be a direct fight between the Congress and BJP. Last time, Naveen Dhiman had won the election as an Independent candidate. On the other hand, in the past 17 years, Yog Raj had faced four consecutive defeats but still he had been picked up by the Congress. He won the elections from here in 1977 on the JNP ticket and on the Congress ticket in 1985. GULER: There are five candidates: sitting MLA Harbans Singh of the BJP, Neeraj Bharti of the Congress, Vikham Pagdotra of the BSP, Subash Chand of the LJP and Om Prakash (Independent). It is a neck-and-neck fight between the Congress and the BJP. Neeraj is a son of local MP Chander Kumar. He had fought the election last time also, but lost to the BJP. Chander Kumar had represented the constituency five times by winning elections in 1982, 1985, 1993, 1998 and 2003. GANGATH: There are three candidates in the fray. These are Des Raj of the BJP, Hans Raj of the BSP and BJP rebel Anita Dhiman, Independent candidate. The nomination papers of Congress candidate had been rejected by the returning officer. Under such circumstances, the BJP has an upper hand, but a large number of votes from the Congress votebank are likely to go to Anita Dhiman, which has made the contest interesting. JASWAN: There are three candidates: sitting MLA Bikram Singh of the BJP, Nikhil Raj of the Congress and Hari Om of the BSP. Nikhil is a brother of state Congress president Viplove Thakur and is banking on his sister’s reputation in the area. She had won the lection from here in 1985, 1993 and 1998 elections. She was defeated in the last elections but was sent to the Rajya Sabha. Bikram Singh is fighting for the second term. It seems to be a direct fight between the Congress and the BJP. JAWALI: Sujan Singh Pathania of the Congress (transport minister), Vicky Mankotia of the BSP, Rajan Shushant of the BJP, Ashok Kumar and Aman Kumar (Independents) are in the fray from here. The fight is directly between Pathania and Shushant. Pathania won the elections from here in 1977, 1990, 1993 and 2003, while Shushant had won in 1982, 1985 and 1998. NURPUR: Sitting MLA and revenue minister Sat Mahajan has quit the electoral politics paving the way for his son, Ajay Mahajan, who is contesting the elections on the Congress ticket. A general secretary of the state youth Congress, he is facing Malvika Pathania (BJP), Kewal Pathania (BSP), Ravinder Kumar (LJP) and Rakesh Pathania (BJP rebel) and Chajju Ram as Independents. Factionalism may spoil prospects of the BJP as Rakesh Pathania, a former MLA, has a good say in the area. He is likely to dent the BJP votebank. BSP candidate Kewal Singh Pathania, also a former MLA, is giving sleepless nights to all. |
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Kullu, Banjar
Kullu, December 16 Interestingly in Kullu, the fight is between the same old rivals but with a change in their parties this time. While the Congress has once again fielded veteran leader Raj Krishan Gaur, Govind Thakur, who had fought as an independent last time, is the BJP’s official nominee this time. Like the previous elections, Dharamvir Dhami is in the campaign with the difference that this time he has chosen to fight under the BSP banner. Being a strong contender for the Congress ticket, he will certainly make a dent in the Congress vote-bank. However despite Dhami polling 12,953 votes last time Gaur had won by 7,270 votes. For the BJP, the silence of Maheshwar Singh, a former MP and state party chief, could prove to be very harmful, both in Kullu and Banjar. Barring the Ani assembly segment, he has not campaigned in favour of BJP candidates in Kullu or Banjar. Dinesh Sen, a BJP leader, has also joined the Congress. Govind had polled 14,277 votes as an Independent in the last elections but this time he managed to get the party ticket. The campaign of Gaur from Kullu has picked up despite his reluctance to contest initially. With the party high command refusing to give the ticket to his son, agriculture minister Gaur was forced to contest the elections at the last minute. Enjoying a clean reputation, Gaur is respected and considered one of the few upright politicians in the state. However, anti-incumbency and reduced interaction with the public in this tenure could go against him. Having already contested seven elections, he has won only on three occasions in 1985, 1993 and 2003. He is once again seeking votes terming it as his last election with a new constituency of Manali to be carved out during the next elections after delimitation. The number of votes that Dhami is able to poll will to a great extent decide the fate of the two main contestants of the Congress and the BJP. Interestingly, there is practically no mention of the Himalayan Ski village project, which the BJP had raked up. The BJP leaders, particularly Chandersen and Maheshwar Singh, had opposed it on the ground that it would vitiate Indian culture and traditions following a large influx of foreigners. In Banjar also the presence of former education minister in the Dhumal regime, Karan Singh, as the BSP candidate has made the contest triangular. His presence in the fray will damage the BJP whose nominee and sitting MLA Khimi Ram is contesting. Khimi Ram as compared to Congress candidate Satya Prakash Thakur is popular because of his accessibility and good public dealing. As such both BJP and the Congress are hoping that the BSP candidates make a dent into the other’s vote so that they are able to sail through. |
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Key Contest: Mandi
Mandi, December 16 Sukh Ram, who announced his retirement from electoral politics last month, can be seen asking voters to vote for him as Anil still remains his “proxy candidate”. He approaches voters with the folded hands and plays all tricks of trade, including emotional outbursts and sops. His only dream is to ensure win and then a berth for his son in the next government. But this is not the dream of pro-Virbhadra supporters and IPH minister Kaul Singh Thakur (Drang), who faces BJP rival Jawahar Thakur, a former Congress man and supporter of Sukh Ram, insiders say. However, residents feel that they are the losers in this intensive slugfest among political bigwigs. They reveal that Rajinder Mohan, a BSP candidate and formally a pro-Virbhadra supporter, is cutting into the traditional Sukh Ram’s votebank of Dalits and other backward communities. Interestingly, Harish Chander (Independent), who had sought the BJP ticket earlier, has remained in fray at the behest of Sukh Ram. “He is cutting into the BJP votebank. Even the Sangh Parivar appears more inclined towards him rather than towards D.D. Thakur, who is a recent convert, thereby brightening up chances of his son Anil Sharma, they claim. D.D. Thakur had filed nomination as an Independent, but was fielded at the last minute as BJP candidate at the behest of Prem Kumar Dhumal. He is seeking votes on sympathy for his honest 30-year social service. Even Prem Kumar Dhumal has his own card up his sleeve. He did not criticise Sukh Ram in public meetings as per expectations of the anti-Sukh Ram voters in Mandi (Sadar). May be, he wants to keep him in good humour as it was Sukh Ram who had played a crucial role in bringing Dhumal to power for the first time by forming the BJP-HVC combine government in 1998-2003. Dhumal, however, attacked Virbhadra Singh for his alleged failure to tackle problems of employment, price rise and corruption. “Dhumal did not point out the pending projects in Mandi. This may be because four pro-Sukh Ram candidates, Jawahar Thakur (BJP, Drang), Parkash Chaudhary (Balh, Congress) and Mansa Ram (Karsog, BJP) are in the fray. This substantiates behind-the-scene power play here,” analysts say. |
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Key Contest:
Kot-Kehloor
Bilaspur, December 16 Being his second election within six months, Thakur is facing a tough challenge from his BJP rival, Randhir Sharma, in Kot Kehloor he has represented for the past three consecutive terms. There seems to be a strong anti-incumbency sentiment despite the area witnessing a lot of development. The contest seems to be a close one with the Congress slogan of development versus BJP’s focus on change for a better future. A senior minister in the Virbhadra regime, Thakur has faced three Lok Sabha elections with little success in 1999, 2004 and 2007. Despite being reluctant to contest he has literally been pushed into the fray as the Congress search for a formidable candidate ended at him each time. He has been far more lucky with respect to the assembly elections. With the single exception of 1990 when he lost, he has won all elections since 1985. Having held important portfolios he has ensured the development of the area but with three consecutive terms the BJP is seeking votes in the name of change. The BJP is leaving no stone unturned to ensure the victory of Randhir Sharma (BJP) this time. The presence of BSP candidate Sukh Ram Chauhan, a former director of health services, has added a new dimension but it remains to be seen as to how many votes he can poll. Issues like coming up of the proposed cement plant by JP Industries at Bagga in Arki instead of the earlier announced site at Malokhar in Kot-Kehloor has led to a lot of resentment among people of the Chakoh and Suldah panchayats who feel cheated. People point out that with only the fabrication unit located at Malokhar, it is the people of Arki in adjoining Solan district who will get ample employment opportunities. The opening of a sub tehsil at Namhol has benefited many but people living in the Suldah area feel that it has caused them inconvenience as they will have to go to Bilaspur for other tasks. Congress workers are hopeful that their candidate would get ultimately get the credit for numerous works undertaken by him in his 25-year political career as it was not humanly possible to please all. In the adjoining constituency of Bilaspur, former BJP minister Jagat Prakash Nadda seems to have an edge over his Congress rival, Tilak Raj. The presence of a Congress rebel Bambar Thakur could prove to be the deciding factor as he will certainly make a dent in the Congress vote-bank.
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Parties seek poll funds from industrialists
Solan, December 16 “It is not just the candidates who are seeking funds but even the supporters of political parties are demanding anything between Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh. What has amazed one is the brazen shamelessness with which even small time party workers are indulging in fund collections. Some of them are not even seen campaigning for the party and are seen attending to their business even when senior party leaders address rallies in the constituency”, confided a senior entrepreneur who has been in the industry for several decades now. Visibly upset at the prevailing trend, another investor said, “While it is really difficult to appease so many contenders this time even political nominees from the lesser known parties in the state like the CPI, CPM, LJP, BSP besides the two key parties have been pestering the industry for election funds” While terming the election funds as unavoidable evil, another investor however said, “The rising cost of electioneering has had an impact on the election funds as well. With an increase in the state’s GDP what has increased is also the state’s economy. It’s hardly surprising that polls see expenditures of crores now and with candidates owing crores as assets the style of campaigning is sure to have an impact.” “Among the industries being made to shell out huge amounts are the steel mill, electrical-based industries, pharmaceutical units, etc., while each such unit has been directed to contribute lakhs in the election kitty of political parties. The steel mills in the Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh region were clearly told to give Rs 5 lakh each to certain contenders” disclosed an aggrieved investor. Investors were trying all tactics to evade phone calls from prospective fund raisers and quite a few of them have obtained new numbers on a temporary basis. A few of them had chosen to stay out of the prowling eyes of such politicians by not attending any phone calls especially those made in their respective offices. Yet, a few others had conveniently gone abroad for a few weeks. The investors disclosed that such demands had started pouring in right after the declaration of elections and some payments had already been made at the time of Diwali. Barely a few days were left but the polling funds were still being collected. |
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With old in the fray, youth not enthused
What to talk of youth in general, even the frontal student wings like the SFI, ABVP and NSUI remain inactive this time as “there are old war horses in contest who have been talking the same boring stuff in each corner or public meeting. They involve only youth who are their near and dear ones.” The Congress has fielded just one young leader, Chander Sekhar (34) from Dharampur, who is giving tough time to BJP turncoat Mahender Singh, who has changed four parties in the past. The BJP withdrew the name of Praveen Sharma, a young promising young leader from Mandi Sadar at the last moment and fielded Congress rebel and a old ward horse D.D. Thakur in his place, putting the ABVP cadre in a tailspin in the district. Students rued that the Congress and the BJP talked big about employing over 10 lakh unemployed youth (about 1.28 lakh in Mandi district) but they have given them a damn in ticket allotment. “Old leaders cannot understand aspirations of the young generation, solve their problems unless young leaders are brought into contest. Girls will participate in elections when there are young women leaders. Generally girls bother least about politics”, said Supriya and Arti, students at Postgraduate College, Mandi. Youth say they are disillusioned with politicians as they say different things in elections but do entirely different things when in power. “Both Congress and the BJP are claiming they will tackle unemployment but still it is increasing every year”, commented Rakesh Jamval and Deepak Thakur, two graduate youths, who would votes for the first time. A local audio media scribe Yash Kumar, who runs a blog site inviting reactions of youth on young leaders in elections, said: “We received over 2,000 respondents and the majority supported and voted young leaders. They prefer online chatting and dating whiling away their time here and there or in studies. But they want to talk about politics”. Chander Sekhar said: “Youth are with me and I have contacted each and every household on foot during my sankalp padyatra. Parties should field more young leaders or the youth would remain silent or indifferent to political issues. I will try to solve their problems”. |
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Long poll period hits common man, students
Dharamsala, December 16 The state assembly elections were announced by the Election Commission on October 10, with the poll schedule in two phases - November 14 and December 19 - for the three tribal and the 65 non-tribal constituencies, respectively. Most of the work done at the administrative level by the government at the districts and the sub-divisional levels has been adversely affected due to the imposition of the model code of conduct for the polls. The whole attention of the administrators has been diverted to implementing the code, thereby putting an extra burden of work on the bureaucrats. Vijay Khanna a local hotelier opines that the imposition of the code of conduct right from the announcement of the polls almost halts the normal functioning of the government at the administrative level. He says that the long gap between the date of the announcement of the poll and the date of polling is unnecessary. The long span of time may give the contestants enough time to plan their strategies and campaign but such a long span for electioneering leads to wastage of money, manpower and time. Jatin Rishi working with a multi-national company here says that long period of elections also causes anxiety to all sections, particularly the school/college students who are busy preparing for the examinations. The schedule of the school examinations of the winter session has already been advanced for more than three weeks by the state education board due to the ‘unrelenting’ attitude of the election commission. The post-graduation examinations of the state university are already in progress. The school students will have to suffer a lot while giving the examinations in the last week of December and January as the temperatures is likely dip more. As many as 20,000 teachers have been put on election duty. |
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Liquor, cash to lure voters?
Jwali, December 16 Survey by the Tribune in over a dozen villages of Nurpur, Gangath, Guler, Jwali and Jaswan assembly constituencies, on the inter-state border of the state and Punjab, it was found that the candidates had placed orders to supply CML in bulk to them, eluding the police. Traders mostly from the Sansi community have claimed to have received orders for CML in bulk in advance from the candidates of different political parities and have even dispatched the ‘first consignment”. The consignments are being sent to ‘fixed’ destinations and specific ‘let outs’, claimed
a trader. The middlemen between the traders and the political candidates have been ferrying the stuff in different vehicles. Interestingly, the chimneys of various ‘self-styled’ distilleries, which have been set up just adjacent to the police stations and police posts in these villages, have been emitting smoke round the clock, thus raising doubts on the functioning of the police. The traders have also been provided mobile phone connections (prepaid) by the candidates for placing orders for the liquor and passing out other vital information regarding police raids that may hinder their operation. While men are busy in ferrying liquor consignments to different places women folk are taking care of their production units located inside their houses or huts in remote areas. The children have been put on the duty for collecting information regarding any danger that may affect production. The Lub area in Jwali is known for the ‘hooch’, where the CML is being manufactured at various places in connivance with political leaders. The menace is so shocking that DSP Subhra Tiwari was transferred in just three days after she conducted raids on various hooch-manufacturing units in the area, about two years ago. The trade is being run fearlessly in these constituencies as a majority of the hooch producers and their leaders have been closely associated with politicians, claimed K.D. Himachal, a resident of Kotla. Enquiries also revealed that the candidates have been distributing envelopes containing cash in these constituencies and bottles of liquor to lure the voters. |
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15 pc candidates face criminal cases
Shimla, December 16 Of these, 39 have been charged with wrongful restraint and confinement, 13 with cheating and forgery and another 15 with cases relating to criminal intimidation, says the report complied by HPEW and other NGOs. It says that none of these candidates, with the lone exception of a candidate from Nahan assembly constituency in Sirmaur district, were involved in any heinous crimes like murder, culpable homicide, rape or robbery. The candidate from the Nahan constituency has a case of murder registered against him, besides forgery, criminal intimidation, unlawful assembly and death threats against him. The report says the Left parties with 40 per cent and the BJP with 37 per cent have fielded the highest number of candidates with criminal cases registered against them. Talking to reporters here about the report, HPEW coordinator P R Ramesh said the cases were of political nature and mainly included wrongful restraint, obstruction to public servants from performing their duties, breach of peace, disobedience and criminal intimidation. The BJP's list includes the names of eight former ministers and legislators, while in contrast, the Congress has fielded only three candidates with criminal cases registered against them As far as the education of the candidates is concerned, the BJP has fielded 10 post-graduate candidates, 37 graduates, 16 matriculates, one non-matriculate and zero illiterate, it says. |
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Code Violated
Chamba, December 16 The loudspeakers used by the political parties are also creating nuisance and disturbing the studies of students whose examinations are about to commence in the state. But thanks to the carelessness of the authorities concerned who are not taking any cognizance of such malpractices. Moreover, during this peak time of assembly lections in the state, about 730 posts of different categories of teaching staff for the colleges have been advertised by the Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission and the last date for the receipt of applications is December 23. |
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Paswan foresees hung House
Bilaspur, December
16 Addressing an election meeting here, Paswan said the state was a storehouse of resources and the LJP would ensure that the masses got the maximum benefits from these resources. He said it was strange that though the state produced thousands of tonnes of apples, potatoes and grapes, yet the government had not set up a single industry based on these
products. Paswan declared that his party was committed to ensure that free education up to the graduation-level was made available to all, along with free books, clothes and food. |
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BJP to lodge complaint
Shimla, December 16 Senior BJP leader and in charge of party affairs, Satya Pal Jain, said it was surprising that such allegations had been made regarding the trust where Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh himself was a member along with the health secretary. He said the trust had not violated the conditions by which land was given to it. |
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Poll material, staff airlifted to Bara Bhangal
Shimla, December 16 The Additional deputy commissioner and observer of the Election Commission concerned accompanied the polling party. Chief electoral officer Manisha Nanda said here today that EVMs would be airlifted back to Dharamsala on December 20. |
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Absence of local issues irks voters
Chamba, December 16
These include the Chamba cement plant, tunnel from Chamba to Chowari, to cut short the geographical distance of the district headquarters town of Chamba with the outer world, besides hydropower projects to be undertaken by the public sector.
The main poll planks are corruption, price rise, development sidelining the local issues completely. |
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Mandi, December 16