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Gurgaon Seat
Time for change: Swami
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Dummy candidates under EC watch
Govt has failed to fulfil promises: Sita Ram
Cong, BJP have failed to deliver, says Govindacharya
UPA a sinking ship: Tarlochan
Jhinda may contest from Karnal
Remarks on Ranbir Hooda
HJC leader joins Cong
2 brothers killed in accident
LPG Tanker Fire
Couple commits suicide
9-year-old boy
throttled
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Gurgaon Seat
Gurgaon, April 14 Cut to real life: Kusheshwar Bhagat, a pav bhaji seller of Gurgaon, has filed his nomination papers to become a Member of Parliament in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections. Like Raghu, Bhagat also has a spirit to work for others - and a firm resolve to “cleanse” the system. However, while the former was forced to adopt the path of bullets, the latter has taken a conscious decision to contest the battle of the ballots. “I want to ensure the provision of affordable education to all, apart from eradicating corruption from public life,” asserts Bhagat on being asked about his priorities on assuming the reins of power. For a change, this wannabe MP does not seem good only for lip-service. Bhagat has been working for the provision of basic amenities like good roads and streetlights, etc in his locality - Kirti Nagar on Jharsa Road. “He has a knack for social service; and is always ready to help out anybody who approaches him with any kind of problem,” says a neighbouring shopkeeper. Bhagat, who hails from Madhubani in Bihar, left his home about 25 years ago. A young boy then, he went to Mumbai, where he learnt making pav bhaji. About 12 years ago, Bhagat came to Gurgaon and is settled here since then. His family comprises his wife, a daughter and twin sons. “I first thought of entering politics when I found it tough to pay the school fee of my children,” maintains Bhagat, adding that all children should have a right to get quality education at an affordable price. He points out that when he went to school, they used to charge admission fee only once, while now, school owners charge admission fee every year. “If I happen to come to power, I will put an end to this practice, besides keeping the monthly school fees under a reasonable limit,” he says. Besides, he also wants to eradicate the rampant corruption. But doesn't he feel like a butterfly among bulls in the fierce clash? “I know I am not a moneybag like my competitors. But I have the will to serve my countrymen and overwhelming support from the people of my area. Hence, I am confident of having a fair chance to win,” he affirms. And what if he doesn't succeed? Pat comes the reply: “In that case, I will contest for the post of municipal councillor, the election for which is scheduled to be held soon after the LS poll.” |
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Time for change: Swami
Panipat, April 14 While the Congress is trying to run down the INLD-BJP alliance by calling it a “coalition of the opportunists”, INLD-BJP candidate from the Karnal constituency and former Union Minister of State for Home Affairs ID Swami is targeting the Congress by stating that its misrule for over 40 years had left the “aam admi” high and dry. Swami, who today visited the Israna and Samalkha segments of the constituency to garner electoral support for him, said time had come for change and urged the local masses to vote the NDA to power. He said the NDA was committee to the overall development of all sections of the society. Highlighting the BJP’s election manifesto, he said the party had promised to provide farm loans at interest rate of 4 per cent, waiving of agricultural loans, to expand the existing irrigation network over 35 million hectares of farmland, setting up a workers bank for the unorganised sector of workers and to revise minimum wages and ensure strict implementation of the Wages Act. Swami said the party had also chalked out a special plan for the economic growth of the country. He said the party wanted to generate employment by encouraging private industry and also by undertaking government sponsored infrastructural projects. The former union minister said the announcement by the party to bring back the ‘black money’ stashed away in foreign banks had generated immense public response and the party would take firm steps in this regard once voted to power. He said the BJP was also committed to secure the nation by taking stern steps against the terrorists. The party would come up with a series of welfare schemes for the Armed Forces that would include exemption from the income tax for all para-military staff, he said. Swami said the party would set up power plants to generate an additional 1,20,000 MW of electricity in the next five years. He also highlighted the measures to be taken by the BJP for women empowerment, social equality employment generation and job quotas for economically weaker section of the society. |
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Dummy candidates under EC watch
Chandigarh, April 14 Election laws are no exception. A few years ago, the Election Commission of India imposed a limit on vehicles in the convoys of candidates to provide a level field to all. But resourceful politicians and political parties found out a method to bypass this limit. They started putting up “dummy” candidates as Independents so that they could use their vehicles to campaign for “official” candidates without inviting the ire of the commission. Polling and counting agents of the “dummy” candidates were used by those who put up such candidates as additional hands in the polling booths and counting halls. In certain cases, shrewd poll managers put up namesakes of the rival candidates to confuse the illiterate electorate. This time the commission has woken up to the menace of the “dummy” candidates, who also unnecessarily add to the length of the ballot paper (in the past) and now electronic voting machines (EVMs). Because of non-serious or “dummy” candidates, the commission has to arrange more than one EVM at each polling station in certain constituencies. The commission has issued instructions to the Chief Electoral Officers (CEO) in the states to keep a watch on the vehicles being used by the candidates. The election authorities have been asked to track properly the vehicles deployed in the election campaign so that no resourceful candidate can make use of the vehicles allowed to a “dummy” candidate. The commission has also sought the cooperation of all political parties to put a stop on such practices. Haryana CEO Sajjan Singh said here today that these directions aimed at providing a level-playing field to all and ensure free and fair elections, maintain transparency and curb the tendency of misuse of vehicles and other facilities allowed to all candidates by prominent political parties or other candidates. Sajjan Singh said if the campaign material pertaining to a candidate was found in the vehicles of the other candidate then it should be deemed a clear indication that the first candidate was working as a dummy of the other candidate. In case it was established on the basis of materially evidence that one candidate was a dummy candidate of another candidate, then besides withdrawing the vehicles, it would also attract immediate action under Section 171(H) of the IPC. |
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Govt has failed to fulfil promises: Sita Ram
Sirsa/Fatehabad, April 14 Sita Ram was talking to mediapersons at Fatehabad today where he was on a door-to-door campaign to seek votes for the May 7 election. “Sirsa and Fatehabad have the biggest contribution in the collection of market fees and the Haryana Rural Development Fund as both these districts are on the top in the production of cotton, wheat and paddy. But the money collected from these districts is being spent in Rohtak and Jhajjar,” Sita Ram alleged. He accused the state government of having forgotten all promises made to the electorate at the time of coming to power. He said the government did not tire criticising the erstwhile INLD government’s decision of replacing the sales tax with VAT and promised to abolish VAT and Form 38, but once in power the government had not only forgotten to abolish Form 38 but it had also added provisions detrimental to the interests of traders in the implementation of VAT now. Sita Ram also flayed the state government for the Hansi Butana canal and said once water from the Bhakra canal was diverted towards the newly built canal, the people of Sirsa and Fatehabad would stop getting drinking water what to speak of irrigation water. Former MLA Swatantar Bala Chaudhary, Kuljeet Kuleria, Krishna Poonia and BJP leader OP Ralhan were present on the occasion. Congress nominee Ashok Tanwar, who toured Shahpur Begu, Jiya Khera, Chadiwal, Sherpur, Sahuwala, Tajiakhera, Jodhkan, Kukurthana, Ding Mandi, Mochiwala, Gadli, Narain Khera, Kairanwala and Nehrana today claimed that only the Congress could ensure development of the country. Tanwar said Hooda had ensured all-round development of Haryana without any discrimination. Accusing the NDA and its constituents of practising the policy of communalism and division of society on the basis of caste and religion, Tanwar said the Congress was the only party that could keep the whole country together. Congress leaders Ranjit Singh, Bharat Singh Beniwal, Hoshiari Lal Sharma, KV Singh, Sunita Setia and Bhupesh Mehta accompanied Tanwar during the campaigning. Meanwhile, Haryana Janhit Congress (BL) candidate Rajinder Dhanak, who arrived in Sirsa town for the first time after his nomination, was accorded a rousing welcome by party workers. He was taken to the local Kumhar Dharamshala in a procession, where he addressed party workers. Talking to mediapersons, Dhanak played down the “revolt” by senior party leader Mani Ram Keharwala and said he would soon visit him to seek his blessings. Senior HJC workers Veer Bhan Mehta and Jagsir Singh Mithri were also present. |
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Cong, BJP have failed to deliver, says Govindacharya
Rohtak, April 14 But what is new is the association and support of Govindacharya, a former firebrand leader of the BJP, who sought support for the candidates of the Sabha in Haryana, with a view to boosting the drive named as “Rashtriya Swabhiman Andolan (National Self-Respect Movement)”, launched by him. The Sabha has fielded as many as four candidates from Haryana, including for the Rohtak Lok Sabha seat. Speaking at a press conference here today, Govindacharya, who hails from Madhya Pradesh and who had been in news for various reasons, including his goodbye to the BJP in a dramatic manner several years back, today appeared confident while speaking about the present political scenario in the country and batted for a major change at the national level. He said the Arya Raj Sabha had fielded Arya Yashvir from Rohtak, Dr Virender from Sonepat, Arya Krishan from Hisar and Arya Sushil from Karnal seat in the forthcoming elections. Charging both Congress and BJP of failure on various fronts, he said the governance in the past 61 years had not be able to bring the real freedom from the malaise, including poverty, illiteracy and dependence on others. He said while the boundaries of the country were still open and unsafe with no guarantee of safety of the people from the enemy, there had been no relief to the common man from various problems, including poverty hunger and unemployment. About Haryana, he alleged that the Congress had been making false claims regarding the development. He described the alliance between the BJP and the INLD as a temporary political arrangement to befool the people, as he said ideologies had been a total mismatch. He said the movement launched by him had been based on developing a national character and a faith in the traditional culture and values. |
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UPA a sinking ship: Tarlochan
Kaithal, April 14 This was stated by former chairman of the Minorities Commission of India and member of Rajya Sabha Tarlochan Singh, while addressing public meetings in support of INLD-BJP candidate from Kurukshetra Ashok Arora here today. He said an anti-UPA wave was on in the country and the NDA would form the next government. Tarlochan Singh said the Congress had failed to tackle the menace of terror and it had certainly weakened the country by promoting division between different communities. He said under the UPA rule people were feeling unsafe as this government had not executed any policy to tackle terrorism, which was a biggest challenge before the country. He called upon the electorate to rise above from caste and creed and vote over whelming for the NDA candidates if they wanted the country to prosper. He hit out the UPA for its faulty anti-people policies. He expressed his concern over the failure of the government to check the price rise and said the government was trying to befool the people by claiming fall in inflation and said how it could be possible when there was no decrease in the prices of items of daily use. |
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Jhinda may contest from Karnal
Karnal, April 14 “I am going to the people to assess the situation and hopefully file nomination from Karnal on April 18”, he told The Tribune. Sikhs held the balance in the Sirsa, Kurukshetra, Ambala and Karnal constituencies and the candidates fielded by the sabha would fare well in these constituencies, he added. Asked about the support of the HSGPC in the other six constituencies, Jhinda said a final decision in this regard and for fielding candidates in three other seats would be taken on April 17. Jhinda said he would oppose the BSP which had promised to give 3 acres to below poverty line families and reservation to poor people of upper castes. “Where is the land for distributing it to the landless and what is the criteria for identifying the upper caste poor?” he asked. |
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Remarks on Ranbir Hooda
Rohtak, April 14 Talking to mediapersons here today, Pratap Chautala, a former MLA, condemned the reported remarks made against the late leader and demanded an unconditional and apology from the INLD chief. He said Ranbir Hooda was a prominent freedom fighter and a respected member of Parliament for various terms and his role could not be underestimated in any manner. Pratap Chautala said the ruling Congress government had left the Opposition in Haryana with no issue to oppose. He said he was true Congressman and his family and friends would actively campaign and devote their energy to ensure the victory of the party in the coming polls. |
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HJC leader joins Cong
Sonepat, April 14 Announcing that many other leaders of the HJC would soon join the Congress, Rathi said the Congress nominee would sweep the polls in her Gannaur constituency. During this day-long programme, Hooda addressed the roadside gatherings at Kharkhoda, Sisana, Silana, Farmana, Bhainswal Kalan, Lath-Katwal Mor, Gohana, Butana, Khera-Kheri villages in the district. He was accompanied by party candidate Jitender Singh Malik, MLA, Haryana Power Minister Randeep Singh Surjewala and others. |
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Tributes paid to Ambedkar
Fatehabad, April 14 Candidates also took time off from their busy campaigning schedule to garland statues of Dr Ambedkar. Ashok Tanwar, nominee of the Congress, garlanded the statue of Dr Ambedkar in the morning. He said he would try to take ahead the mission taken by Baba Sahib Ambedkar. Rajesh Vaid, BSP nominee, garlanded Dr Ambedkar’s statue at Tohana town in the morning today. Later, he was the chief guest at a function organised by the Balmiki Sabha in the town. “Dr Ambedkar’s fears regarding real freedom for the socially downtrodden have ironically proved correct.” This was stated by CPM secretary Inderjit Singh while paying tributes to Dr Ambedkar here today. Addressing a street corner meeting organised by the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) Inderjit recalled the fears of the great social reformer regarding the fate of real independence when the country would be independent. INLD candidate Sita Ram and HJC candidate Rajinder Dhanak also paid tributes to Dr Ambedkar. JHAJJAR: The state government under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupinder Hooda is working earnestly for the welfare of the masses while taking special care to fulfil the aspirations of the Scheduled Castes, the poor and the downtrodden. The vision of Dr Ambedkar is being realised through various welfare schemes in the state targeted at empowering the marginalised communities. This was stated by the Congress candidate from the Rohtak parliamentary seat Deepender Hooda while addressing a meeting of party workers at Beri village here on Tuesday. He paid tributes to Dr Ambedkar on the occasion of Ambedkar Jayanti. The congress candidate also addressed poll meetings in Bhagalpuri, Wazirpur, Baghpur, Mangawas, Bisan, Bakra, Dharana, Chimni, Siwana, Majra(D), Palra and Dubaldhan villages of the Beri assembly segment of the Rohtak parliamentary seat. KURUKSHETRA: Dr Ambedkar Sabha, Ladwa, celebrated Dr . Ambedkar’s birth anniversary at Ambedkar Chowk, Ladwa, 15 km from here, on Tuesday. Addressing a gathering, the chief guest, former member of the All India Congress Committee Pwan Garg said Dr Ambedkar had proved through his activities that one achievedgreatness not by birth but by one’s deeds. |
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2 siblings killed in mishap; parents hurt
Sirsa/Fatehabad, April 14 Viney Kumar (45), a bank official from Delhi, had come to Sirsa to attend a marriage with his wife Shelly (40), son Ayush (18) and daughter Swati (17) yesterday. While the family was returning home today, Viney, who was driving the car, lost control over the vehicle due to drowsiness. The car took several somersaults on the highway before hitting a tree. The accident was so horrible that the brand new car was converted into a mass of scrap. Villagers rushed to the accident site and extricated the occupants from the mangled remains of the car with great difficulty. Swati died on the spot. Viney, Shelly and Ayush were rushed to Agroha Medical College from where they were referred to Hisar. Ayush succumbed to his injuries while he was being shifted to Hisar. |
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2 brothers killed in accident
Panipat, April 14 The two brothers, Bindhu and Sindhu, died on the spot. The two were residents of Ghar Sikandhar village and were riding a bicycle when the accident took place. The vehicle involved in the accident could not be identified as it immediately fled from the scene. The two boys were the only siblings of their parents. The bodies of the two were later taken to the mortuary of the Civil Hospital for postmortem. The police has registered a case. |
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LPG Tanker Fire
Ambala, April 14 Shaken by the incident, the district administration has decided to hold a meeting soon keeping in mind the election schedule and set into place a better disaster management programme. Talking to The Tribune DC Sameer Pal Srow said despite having the Army and Air Force based here, which ensured they always have a back-up, the administration would also take steps to improve their set-up. “Yesterday’s incident ensures that we have a better firefighting set-up and also a quick action team needs to be constituted to react such situations.” The Railways, meanwhile, has decided to have arrangements of water supply all over the station. The authorities informed that the permanent waste store depot, where the incident occurred, they did not have a water supply, which would have been an asset in such a situation. Keeping this in mind, the authorities
concerned were being informed and work in this direction would be started soon. The district police, meanwhile, arrested driver of the tanker Gurmail Singh and also the driver of the car, which had hit it. An FIR has been registered against both drivers for negligent driving. |
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Couple commits suicide
Sirsa, April 14 The victims have been identified as Sukhdev Singh and his wife Sunita. Sunita’s brother Ravi informed that his sister was married to Sukhdev, a labourer, for the past five years and the couple lived in a rented house. The two often quarrelled due to penury and had an altercation last evening after which the two allegedly consumed poison. |
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9-year-old boy
throttled Panipat, April 14 According to information, Rohit, a student of class II, was killed by one Sanju, who worked as an assistant in the carpenter shop of his father Jagdish. The police said Sanju had recently been fired from the shop and since then he was nursing a grudge against Jagdish. In order to take revenge from him, Sanju killed his son. Sources said Sanju asked Anil, a cousin of Rohit, to call him from his house on the pretext that he wanted to play with Rohit. Sanju gave Rs 10 to Anil for his act. Anil took Rohit along with him and left him with Sanju. The body of Rohit found along the canal that passes through the village. He had been throttled to death. Anil the whole story to Rohit’s father. In his complaint to the police, Jagdish accused Sanju of killing his son to settle a personal score with him as he had fired him from the shop recently. The accused however, fled after committing the crime, the police said. Meanwhile, a case under Section 302 of the IPC was registered against Sanju. The body has been sent for the postmortem.
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