Rampura Phul, June 28
Punjab Youth Congress president, Vijay Inder Singla today launched a blistering attack on the SAD-BJP combine for ‘rigging’ the Panchayats and Municipal polls and reducing the entire electoral process into a farce.

Singla who was here for campaigning for elections to Municipal councils in Malwa region, slated for June 30 alleged that the elections to Panchayati Raj bodies and Bathinda Municipal Corporation were completely rigged and the SAD and BJP workers indulged in large-scale irregularities and took law in their own hand to ensure victory of their candidates by ‘foul means’

‘What is the use of holding of elections to these grass-root democratic institutions if the people are terrorized and not allowed to vote in a free and fair manner’, he asked.

He asked the government to nominate the members of PRIs and urban local bodies if its sole objective was to win the elections by’ hook and crook’ by misusing the official machinery and displaying money and muscle power in most vulgar manner. It would at least save huge amount of money and time, wasted in election process.

He said that Congress was hopeful of doing well in elections to Municipal councils but if the history of Panchayats and Municipal Corporation polls was repeated, our candidates and supporters would be helpless.

Talking to the TNS, he said that SAD-BJP activists were targeting the Congress workers and their lives were not safe. A Congress worker was severely beaten allegedly by some BJP activists in Batala and died later, he added.

The situation in the state is so worst that even the bureaucrats don’t wish to work in the state and try hard to get a posting in the Centre, he further stated.

Meanwhile the campaigning for elections to Municipal Council came to a close this evening and candidates and their supporters swarmed into their areas for door-to-door campaign in last ditch effort to elicit support.

Mansa, June 28
Rallies and marches marked the last day of campaigning for the municipal council elections here. In Budhlada, Sardoolgarh, Bareta and Mansa many candidates were weighed with sweets and fruits.

The SAD and the BJP held rallies here and in other cities. General secretary of the SAD Balwinder Singh Bhunder, ex-MLA Sukhwinder Singh Aulakh and district president of BJP Suraj Kumar Chhabra addressed the rallies canvassing for the SAD-BJP candidates.

District president of Congress and MLA Ajitinder Singh Moffer, Mangat Rai Bansal and other Congress leaders also addressed rallies in favour of their candidates.

National council member of CPI Hardev Singh Arshi and district secretary Buta Singh visited different wards here as well as Budhlada to ensure the victory of the party candidates. CPI (ML) candidates also campaigned on the pro-people issues.

There is a neck-to-neck contest in several wards here. In ward no.14, there is a close contest between Seopal Pala and Manish Babbi.

Similar is the situation in ward no. 9, where Congress candidate Balwinder Kaka has been pitted against BJP candidate Pawan Kumar.

Kaka today marched with his supporters in the whole ward. He was weighed with coins, fruits and sweets at nearly five places.

Ferozepur, June 28
Veteran journalist and freedom fighter Satya Pal Baghi (83) passed away at the Shahid Anil Baghi Hospital here today. He was suffering from myocardial infarction.

Baghi remained associated with several English and vernacular dailies. He also played a pivotal role in overall development of the town and often raised his voice regarding several social issues at various platforms.

Large number of people from various walks of life attended his cremation. Irrigation minister Janmeja Singh Sekhon, MP Zora Singh Mann, chief parliamentary secretary Sukhpal Singh Nannu, general secretary of the BJP, Kamal Sharma, general secretary of the PPCC, Parminder Singh, former minister Balmukand Sharma, Ex-MLA Gunaib Brar besides civil and police official laid wreaths on his body.

A police contingent fired shots in the air as mark of respect to the departed soul. Media organisations have also termed his death as loss to the entire fraternity.

Baghi is survived by his son Kamal Baghi, who is a renowned medical practitioner. Baghi was also the chairman of the Shahid Anil Baghi Welfare Society, which is running several educational institutions.

Dullapur Keri (Abohar), June 28
Hundreds of residents of Dullapur Keri village, located just 2 km away from the international border in the Hindumalkot sector, thronged the Jan Jagran Rally venue to welcome the Chetak Corps Cycle Expedition team which arrived here this morning.

Colonel K.K. Sharma was the first to welcome them at Dullapur Keri. He said the Army was not confined to ensuring security of the international border but had to play a vital role in the collective fight against social evils, which would weaken the nation besides ruining tens of thousands of families.

Seeking cooperation of NGOs and panchayats in developing a drug-free society, Colonel emphasised on educating each child and cautioned the parents against school dropouts.