Bathinda, May 26
For the 267 Gram Panchayat elections held in the district today, a total of around 87 per cent polling was recorded here. Maximum polling was recorded in Maur I block (95 per cent) and the lowest in Nathana I block (75 per cent). Last year, the district recorded a polling of 79.5 per cent. The district administration officials claimed that polling was peaceful in the district.

A large number of women were seen actively participating in the polling process in different parts of the district. When The Tribune team visited the Government High School at Patti Karamchand in Mehraj village, a large number of voters had gathered there to cast their votes. By 11 30 am, 45 per cent polling was recorded there. Polling station for Patti Kala and Patti Sandli in Mehraj was set up at the Government Senior Secondary School, Patti Kala. By 12 noon, around 50 per cent votes were polled at Patti Kala booth and 65 per cent at Patti Sandli booth. A total of six polling stations were set up at village Mehraj.

At village Bhai Rupa, having more than 10,000 votes, two panchayats will be elected this year for the first time, as compared to one elected last time. These Gram Panchayats have been named Sanjhi Patti and Kangar Patti. A total of 19 candidates were in the fray there. Four polling stations were set up in the village. There, a 109-year-old lady Jasmel Kaur, had come to cast her vote along with her great grand-children.

At Salabatpura, the Punjab headquarters of the Dera Sacha Sauda , polling was almost over by 1 pm. Two polling booths were set up there. Out of a total of 1,380 votes, 1,162 votes had been polled by then.

Blockwise, overall average for Bathinda block was 90.5 per cent, with Bathinda 3 and 4 blocks recording 91 per cent each. In Nathana block, 82.5 per cent polling was recorded, with the maximum of 90 per cent at Nathana II block, in Sangat block, 88 per cent polling was recorded, with the maximum of 93 per cent at Sangat II block.

In Maur block, overall average polling was 93 per cent, with 95 per cent recorded at Maur I block, at Talwandi Sabo block, 87 per cent polling was recorded, with the maximum of 90 per cent at Talwandi Sabo II block.

In Bhagta block, 86.5 per cent polling was recorded, with the maximum of 87 per cent at Bhagta II block. In Phul block, 81.5 per cent polling was recorded, with the maximum of 83 per cent at Phul II block. In Rampura block, 87 per cent polling was recorded, with the maximum of 89 per cent at Rampura I block.

Salabatpura/Kangar (Bathinda), May 26
A scuffle was reported at Kangar village, where the SAD(B) workers led by Zila Parishad member Gurpreet Singh Maluka and Congress workers led by MLA Rampura Phul, Gurpreet Singh Kangar entered into a scuffle, with both parties blaming each other for it. However, Maluka alleged that two SAD workers got injured in the scuffle and one Congress worker was arrested.

MLA Kangar, who hails from the same village, alleged, “Former Minister Sikandar Singh Maluka, along with his son, Gurpreet, brought 50-60 outsiders to our village and tried to disrupt the whole polling process. When our men stopped them, they started abusing them. That led to a scuffle amongst workers.”

“I immediately informed SSP Naunihal Singh about the incident and after some time, he sent some police commandos to the spot. Even a DSP was deputed at the polling station,” Kangar informed.

However Maluka said, “Yes, I went there with 50-60 persons because the Congress workers were disrupting the polling process and were forcing the people to vote for them. I immediately rushed to the spot with these men because I cannot just let the Congress workers beat SAD men. Two of our workers were also injured in the scuffle. Kangar’s men had stored some sharp-edged weapons and sticks at the house of one Nikka Singh. When we reported the matter to the police, Nikka Singh was arrested by the police.”

However, SHO Dyalpura, Gurdeep Singh, who was deputed at the spot, said no arrest had been made. “To avoid any untoward incident, we rounded up Nikka Singh, who was later let off with a warning.”

Insiders informed that Maluka and his men just wanted to show their supremacy to MLA Kangar, who defeated them during the last Assembly elections.

At Salabatpura, the Dera Sacha Sauda followers kept a low profile but actively used their right to vote during the whole polling process. One such follower, on the condition of anonymity, informed, “During the Gram Panchayat elections, political parties don’t play a big role. It’s the personal relations with the candidates that matter the most, because we are voting for the development of our own village.”

Bathinda, May 26
Over 90 per cent polling was recorded in Gram Panchayat elections in the Bathinda block of the district here today amid allegations of rigging by SAD-supported candidates in Gill Patti and Phus Mandi villages.

Barring a stray incidents of alleged irregularities, the elections passed off peacefully. Congress-supported candidates levelled allegations of rigging by SAD-sponsored candidates. It was alleged that the names of several voters had been deleted and fictitious persons were included in the electoral rolls.

Largest turnout was recorded in Gill Patti village where 91.4 per cent votes were cast and the lowest turnout was at Raipur village where 88.3 per cent of the electorate exercised their franchise. There was heavy polling in Gill Patti and Kot Shamir villages of Bathinda block. About 35 per cent people had cast their votes by noon. It picked up later and about 88 per cent votes were cast by 2.30 p.m. About 91.4 per cent polling was recorded at Gill Patti, 90.4 in Teona village, 89.8 in Multiania village and 89.2 per cent in Pokhra village.

As many as 884 candidates were contesting the elections for 66 seats to the Gram Panchayat in Bathinda block.

Reports of minor brawls between SAD-supported candidates and Congress-sponsored candidates were also received from Teona and Raipur villages. ADC (D)-cum-returning officer Vijay Jade claimed that polling was by and large peaceful.

Bathinda, May 26
“Putt, main vote ta pa ditti aa kyuki vote pauna mera hakk aa. Te main aide hi agle vaar vi vote paun aau.” (Son, I have cast my vote because it is my constitutional right. And next time also, I will definitely use my right to vote once again). Jasmel Kaur, an elderly lady from village Bhai Rupa, who had seen 109 summers of her life, said this after voting for her favourite candidate. She had come there along with her great grandchildren on a jeep.

But not all the elderly were a happy lot. Most of them rued that the candidates had arranged to bring them to the polling booth but there was no arrangement to ferry them back home. “Now, the candidates had their purpose solved because we have cast our votes in their favour and maybe they think that we elderly are useless once again,” Naatha Singh of village Mehraj said.

Chand Singh, a 90-year-old, who had come there with his brother’s grandchildren, was operated for cataract a few days back. “I cannot see properly. So, my vote was cast by the presiding officer in the presence of my brother’s grandchild.”

One such lady from village Salabatpura, Jagdev Kaur, in her late 80s said, “During elections, candidates start sending their vehicles to my place so that I could vote in their favour. But when I go to the bank for collecting my old age pension, no one helps me ever. I go there all by myself. A few times, I even got injured on my way to the bank. You tell me son, is it right? Do they think that we elderly are just useless?”

Now it is up to all of us to whether treat the elderly like we do during the elections or do we have to change our attitude towards them on all occasions and for all reasons?

Bathinda, May 26
In sharp contrast to widespread violence during the Zila Parishad and Block Samiti elections, the elections to Gram Panchayat held today in the Bathinda block were by and large peaceful. Elaborate security arrangements had been made for the polling and barring sporadic incidents of bogus voting and altercations, no untoward incident was reported.

The polling was brisk right from the beginning and at several places, more than 80 per cent of the electorate had cast their votes by noon. Long queues of voters, including a large number of women, were seen outside the polling booths on a hot and humid day.

Tension gripped Mahima Sarja village after some bogus votes were polled and a woman from some other village were pointed out while casting bogus vote.

There were 3,258 votes in this Gram Panchayat that had two polling booths (28 and 28A) and about 82 per cent voters had cast their votes when the trouble brewed. The presiding officer, reportedly offered the rival candidates backed by SAD and Congress to poll 24 votes each out of the 48 remaining votes, but the Congress supported candidate spurned the offer and said that it was a ‘malpractice’, Om Prakash Sharma, whose nephew Jasdeep Sharma was contesting the election told TNS.

At Lucky Jungle polling booth, where last time the margin was of just two votes, polling was so brisk that 563 out of the 585 voters had polled their votes by afternoon.

Long queues of voters were seen outside two booths with 1,117 and 576 voters in Nahianwala Gram Panchayat even after the polling time was over. The presiding officer informed that over 70 per cent voters had cast their votes and ballot boxes were full. Some voters were waiting as fresh ballot boxes had to be brought, he explained.

Tension prevailed in a village where assistant sub-inspector Major Singh was accused of helping Congress candidates and assistant superintendent of police P.K. Yadav shifted him away from the venue following a complaint by SAD workers.

However, it was like any other day in Kote Nathana Gram Panchayat where members were elected unanimously. Surjeet Kaur, who was elected, said her husband had contested from this panchayat last time but had lost and the people wanted to oblige him this time. “Since the seat was reserved for women, the choice fell on me,” she quipped.

There were 1,200 odd voters in this Gram Panchayat and better roads, water supply and other basic facilities were the needs of the people, she added.

Today was also a “dry day” but drunken people hovering around the polling booths were a common sight at many villages like Sivian, Mahima Sawai and Deon. The lavish hospitality of candidates was discernible at villages and in some villages, kitchen fire had not been lit as “langars’ had been organised.

Bathinda, May 26
While trying to control a rampaging mob in village Balianwali, ASP P.K.Yadav along with the SSP’s reader Navdeep Singh and a head constable Rajwinder Singh, was injured, late this evening. Talking to TNS, the ASP, admitted to the civil hospital, Bathinda, said he was trying to control the crowd, that got out of hand after the declaration of the Gram Panchayat results. They hurled stones one of which hit him in the foot.

Head constable Rajinder Singh, deputed from Ludhiana, was also hurt in his leg. The SSP’s reader Navdeep Singh said he had sustained a minor injury in the arm.

However, others injured in poll related violence were not being given as much attention as the cops there.

Muktsar, May 26
Despite the claims of the district administration about peaceful polling, some instances of violence and booth capturing came to light during the Gram Panchayat elections, held in the district today. As much as 86 per cent of polling has been recorded in the district.

Due to some reports of booth capturing at Katorewala village, falling under Malout block of the district, the district electoral officer recommended repolling to the state election commission.

A brawl was reported at village Khudiya Maha Singh Wala, where groups of supporters of the SAD and the Congress-backed candidates not only hurled stones at each other but also opened fire. The groups kept blaming each other for the violence.

The issue, reportedly, was that somebody tried to put a fake ballot paper into a ballot box. Alleging that the police favoured the SAD-backed candidates, the Congress-backed candidates and their supporters even announced the boycott of the poll. They also showed some bullets to this correspondent allegedly pulled out of the pistol of a SAD activist after he was beaten up.

To control the situation, a large number of commandos were deployed and even anti-riot vehicle and tear gas guns were called. The DSP Malout and the SSP Muktsar along with their reserved police parties also reached the spot.

When asked, SSP Muktsar, Gurpreet Singh Gill, who reached the spot two hours later, said, “The brawl took place on some petty issue and that too, for just a few minutes. Nobody was seriously injured and the bullet did not hit anyone.”

In the brawl, a SAD leader of the area, Iqbal Singh Tarmala, who had remained in question for allegedly confining two national daily reporters during the Zila Parishad and Block Samiti polls, received bruises from Congress leaders. It was alleged that he along with some others tried to capture a booth.

SAD activist Jaswant Singh, who claimed to be an eyewitness, refuted the allegations and countered that the Congress workers had assaulted their workers.

Some reports about attempt to capture booths and create ruckus were also received from villages Aadniya and Kakha Wali, the surrounding villages of Lambi, the home turf of chief minister Parkash Singh Badal.

In another incident, at village Smagh, falling in Gidderbaha block, some persons allegedly captured the booth and while resisting, the clothes of some women were torn off. The partially nude ladies along with a number of persons lodged their protest outside the Muktsar DC’s residence.

The DC assured them of investigating the matter and said he would recommend repolling if irregularities were found during the investigations.

Badal (Muktsar), May 26
Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, SAD chief Sukhbir Badal and finance minister Manpreet Singh Badal, the trio of the ruling family in the state, did not cast their votes in the Gram Panchayat polls today. The three did not cast their votes even in the Zila Parishad and Block Samiti polls held on May 12.

Despite the absence of the top personalities, the village witnessed a large turnout as 2,628 votes were cast out of a total of 2,920. However, Surinder Kaur Badal, wife of the CM, marked her presence at the polling station. After casting her vote, when questioned about the absence of the trio, she said in a lighter mood, “All those standing here represent the Badals. So, even in their absence, their presence can be felt.”

To end all speculations arising out of their absence, Tejinder Singh Midhu Khera, one of the closest allies of SAD chief Sukhbir Badal said, “They did not turn up to cast their votes as their presence could have given a handle to their opponents who are already losing here. They would then have said that the visit of the Badals influenced the voters.”

While leaving, Surinder Kaur Badal encouraged SAD activists and praised the passion of the voters. She also said the SAD supported candidates would make a clean sweep of the polls.

The seat of sarpanch in Badal was reserved for an SC candidate. In the nine-member GP, seven had already been declared elected as reportedly the Congress-backed candidates could not even file their nominations on time. The election was for just two members belonging to the SC category and only four persons were contesting it. 

Ferozepur, May 26
Barring violent clashes between Congress and Akali supporters reported in some villages, the GP elections in the border district were held peacefully today.

DC Megh Raj informed that re-poll had been recommended for four villages, including Ramkot in Abohar, Meera Shah Noor in Ferozepur, Chander in Ghal Khurd and Mehar Singh Wala in Jalalabad. The villages would go for polls on May 28 following an approval from the State Election Commission.

Besides these villages, re-polling would also be done in seven villages, including Ramewala and Ansal in Ferozepur, Gajniwala and Dona Matar in Mamdot, Muhar Jamshed in Fazilka, Hoz Khas in Jalalabad and Hazi Betu in Guruharsahai blocks, where discrepancies were found in the ballot papers.

In some villages, the activists of the ruling alliance, the SAD (B) and the BJP, clashed with each other. Violent clashes were reported from Vallur, Aasal ke, Khanpur and Norang Singh Wala villages too.

In village Vallur, Sandeep Singh, Gurjant Singh, Bikar Singh, Kewal Singh, Kabul Singh and Balkar Singh were hurt in the clash. Bohar Singh, Darshan Singh and Angrej Singh of Meera Shah Noor village received serious injuries.

Megh Raj informed that out of total 1,144 villages in the district, 284 GPs had been elected unanimously.

The DC said earlier, the SEC had cancelled polls in 55 villages where ambiguities were found in the rejection of nomination papers. The polls to 19 GPs had been postponed for an indefinite period as they were constituted after April 11, 2008.

The elections were held for 790 panchayats today in which 14,168 candidates contested, the DC added.

Abohar, May 26
The Kuchcha Seed Farm village located on the outskirts of this sub-divisional town wore a festive look as most of the eligible voters thronged the Government Primary School complex to elect 11 members for the Gram Panchayat. Only a few panchayats in the Abohar and Khuyiansarwar blocks of the sub-division are of a large size.

Most candidates had erected tents just outside the school, ignoring the rule that stipulates that a minimum of 100-metre distance was mandatory. The tents were decorated with banners and posters.

None of the posters carried the name of the publisher or printer whereas the chief election commissioner and principal secretary, home affairs, Punjab, had in the rules, made it mandatory not only to identify the publishers, but also get a declaration signed by each of them and submit the same to the district magistrate.

Interestingly, enquiries indicated that most of the candidates were not educated even up to the primary level, not only here but in other villages also. Food packets and sweet water was being ofered at most tents.

Some in the crowd were waving their photo identity cards but alleged that they were not allowed entry into the polling booth. Even the scribes found the door of the booth bolted from inside for about half an hour.

The husband of a candidate was manhandled when he reportedly entered a polling booth. He claimed to be the gunman of a top leader in the ruling party and said his wife would not only win but would also be elected as sarpanch of the village.

Finally, he was pushed him out of the complex.

The average polling was above 80 per cent and in some villages it crossed 90 per cent, whereas for the Panchayat Samiti and Zila Parishad it was around 60 per cent.

Kallarkhera (Abohar), May 26
The showers preceding the dust-storm on Monday helped in keeping the temperament of the warring factions cool as polling for the Gram Panchayat elections started in this last village of the state bordering Rajasthan.

At about 8:10 am, this correspondent found no tent outside the polling centre at Kallarkhera, located on NH 15. The candidates along with their supporters and voters were calmly camping inside a school complex. This village had experienced an unruly situation during the Panchayat Samiti elections. The residents had gheraoed the police complaining that an SHO had insulted a handicapped voter. This time the authorities had appointed four DSPs on special duty in sensitive villages, sources said.

A young farmer, who also travelled with this correspondent, indicated that scores of farmers from the neighbouring district of Sriganganagar including, border town Anoopgarh, Kesarisinghpur, Raisinghnagar and Padampur, had arrived in this sub-division to exercise their right to franchise as they had agricultural lands on both sides of the inter-state border. And it was a compulsion for them to cast votes in all the elections held in Rajasthan as well as in Punjab to maintain their right to property. 

In Maujgarh, the native village of Madhya Pradesh Governor Bal Ram Jakhar, located on the same highway, scores of vehicles were found outside the polling centre where the candidates had put up tents also. Similar situation was witnessed in village Gidderanwali.

SDM N.S. Brar confirmed that the CEC, Punjab, had postponed elections in some villages including, a border village Shehteerwala besides, Ramsukh Pura, Lakhewali, Muradwala, Kheowali Dhab, Sabuana, Sivana, Bandiwala, Tillanwali and Dhaani Harcharan Singh in the Khuyiansarwar block of this sub-division. The SDM had reported to the CEC that RO Inderjit Singh Sandhu had not provided the record of candidates in these villages. So, the ballot papers could not be printed. The police had registered a case against Sandhu, the authorities said.

Election in another village of the Khuyiansarwar block had to be cancelled today. The sources said the residents of village Ramkot took strong exception to the alleged change made regarding categorisation at the last minute.

The police reportedly used lathis while the residents retaliated by pelting bricks. Three policemen identified as Gursewak Singh, Het Ram and Sangram Singh sustained injuries. They were rushed to the civil hospital at Fazilka. A case was registered against more than a dozen residents of the village, official sources said.

A miscreant damaged some ballots by pouring ink in a ballot box and tore off 20 ballots in village Arniwala. However, the same were replaced with the consent of the candidates. One SAD activist, Bittu, and his friends, were allegedly beaten up in village Kerakhera over some dispute .

Barnala, May 26
As many as six people got booked in a group clash between the Akali and Congress workers over the issue of fake votes at village Alkarah in the Gram Panchayat elections here today. Two people got seriously injured. One Buta Singh was hospitalised at the civil hospital, Bhdaur, while Jagsir Singh was hospitalised at the civil hospital, Barnala.

Meanwhile, election observer cancelled the polling at Bhure Kube village as one polling party took away the ballot papers outside the polling booth. Now, the polling will be held on May 28. Around 85 per cent electorate exercised their franchise in Barnala today. A minor scuffle was also reported from village Cheenewal near Mehalkalan.

On Sunday night, Subash Chand, who works at a liquor vend in village Pakho Kanchian, was sleeping outside the vend, when few unidentified person attacked him leaving him injured. The miscreants took the keys from Subash, opened the vend and took away liquor bottles. Subash was then taken to the local civil hospital and a case had been registered. — OC

Abohar, May 26
The arrest of Tulsi Ram Dhaulia, outgoing president of the Congress-led Municipal Council on Sunday night evoked strong criticism from the party rank and file.

Lambasting the BJP in particular for Dhaulia’s arrest on the eve of the panchayat elections, Jakhar said, “The DC had acted under political pressure to order registration of FIR against the former president of the council.The complainant, Babu Ram Arya, former president of the BJP-led council himself had faced many allegations during his tenure.

He could have also been booked but the Congress government then in the state did not think it fair.” Sources said Dhaulia was arrested in a case registered under the IPC and Prevention of Corruption Act. The police also arrested Sunehri Pal, a junior employee, whereas raids were being conducted to arrest one D.C. Verma and Karam Chand. —OC

Mansa, May 26
Above 80 per cent polling was recorded in the Gram Panchayat elections that were held today in this district. The polling went off peacefully in the entire district.

According to information available, in Mansa Block 81 per cent votes were polled, in Jhuneer Block 80 per cent, in Bhikhi 81 per cent, in Sardoolgarh 82 per cent and in Budhladha 81 per cent polling was recorded.

Out of the total 243 Panchayats in the district, nearly 49 had already been elected unanimously.

For the election of 1,524 panchs, as many as 2,475 candidates were in fray. In most of the villages, there was neck and neck contest among the Akali-supported and the Congress-supported candidates.

However, there were some stations where candidates supported by the CPI and CPI (ML) liberation also contested.