Ludhiana, May 9
Playing the Sikh card in Punjab, Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi termed Lok Sabha election as the “elections of the Sikhs” and “for a Sikh Prime Minister, for Punjab’s own iron man Dr Manmohan Singh”.

Terming the 2 per cent Sikhs of India as the “pride of the nation”, a turban-clad and sword-wielding Rahul asked an impressive gathering if they would like to vote for their own “shaan” or “for a man who calls your Dr Manmohan Singh a weak Prime Minister”.

The measured emotional cajoling by the Gandhi scion had the desired effect with the crowd getting euphoric during his third hop at Ludhiana, in the four- town election tour of Punjab today.

Sensing the mood of the youth who waited for over three hours in the sun to hear him, Rahul said, “Ludhiana has one of the five youth leaders in the fray in Punjab and I can assure you Ludhiana needs a dynamic person to represent you and Congress spokesperson and local candidate Manish Tewari will perform. Every vote that goes to him will strengthen your own Dr Manmohan Singh”.

Rahul accused the BJP of trying to divide the country. “In Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat the BJP is dividing Hindus and Muslims, in Orissa Hindus and Christians, in Karnataka men and women and in Maharashtra migrants are being driven out. The BJP wants two Indias, one for the poor and the other for a few select families”.

He spoke about the loan waiver to farmers of Punjab by the UPA government, employment guarantee to the youth and the down-trodden.

Hoshiarpur: “Your share of money from the Central government should reach you without pilferage. It is my dream. If a poor man gets his share of money, he can use it for the education of children, health, food and agriculture,” said All-India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary Rahul Gandhi addressing a rally seeking votes for Santosh Chaudhary, Congress candidate from the Hoshiarpur Lok Sabha constituency, here today. AICC general secretary Mohsina Kidwai accompanied Rahul.

Rahul talked about the aam aadmi (common man) to whom the Manmohan Singh-led UPA government dedicated its five years. He criticised the previous NDA government, which under its slogan “India Shining” extended benefits only to selected sections of society.

Targeting the NDA, Rahul alleged it had been doing politics of divide and rule. While the Congress had been leading the nation in a positive direction by taking people of all religions and castes along, the BJP had divided society on religions, castes and economic lines.

He said instead of talking about problems of farmers and general public, the BJP and other parties raised issue of money in Swiss banks just before every election. This is a fight between two ideologies, while the Congress had been talking about the common man, the BJP had elite section of society on its priority, besides dividing people along caste and creed lines.

On Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Rahul said, “I have never seen such strong and popular Prime Minister in 38 years of my life. He is not weak. Weak are those who bowed before terrorists and freed hardcore terrorists in the Kandahar plane hijacking episode”.

Addressing a gathering of about 7,000, Rahul listed the achievements of the UPA government and public welfare schemes, including NAREGA, RTI Act, Adivasi Bill, waiving of Rs 70,000 crore loan and certain others.

Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee acting president Lal Singh, Santosh Chaudhary, former Congress MP from Hoshiarpur Kamal Chaudhary, former Punjab Health Minister RC Dogra MLA Bholath, Sukhpal Khaira, Amarpreet Singh Lalli, district president of the Youth Congress, and other Congress leaders were among the speakers.

Bathinda, May 9
“Just after the formation of the Congress-led government at the Centre, departmental inquiries will be initiated against all shady officers and many of them will lose their uniform, specifically of my constituency Bathinda,” said an aggressive Raninder Singh, son of former Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, here today.

Raninder, who has contested from the Bathinda Lok Sabha seat on Congress ticket, spoke at length against the SSP and the DC accusing them of working as tools of Sukhbir Badal and his brother-in-law Bikram Singh Majithia.

Specifically quoting the Lelwala firing incident, in which former minister Bikram Majithia was booked for murder bid after hours long protest by Congressmen, he said, “To shield Majithia, the DC and the SSP Bathinda made their best efforts to negotiate with the protesters, but it was only after the Election Commission’s order that they booked him at midnight on the polling day.

But playing mischief, the next morning, they added a false statement in the same case and cross booked our Talwandi Sabo MLA Jeet Mohinder Singh Sidhu and other workers under the same sections.”

“It is just to build pressure on the Congress to withdraw the complaint against Majithia, but here I challenge the SAD and the officers, who are its tools, to slap more cases against the Congressmen, including me, my father and my son, but we will not take a step back,” dared Raninder.

He claimed, “I have records of the movement of Majithia in the Bathinda Parliamentary constituency on May 7. Even after repeatedly informing the police and the administration, no officer dared to take action against him, just because he was the kin of Sukhbir.”

Raising question over Sidhu being booked in the Lelewala incident, he said, “The polling agent of SAD, over whose complaint he has been booked for murder bid, was an outsider and nowhere listed in the chart of the returning officer.”

“Let the SAD leaders call it a vendetta, but I announce that each fake case registered against Cong men will be replied with four similar cases against Akalis, after the Congress returns to power,” he announced.

“I am giving a timeframe of more than 24 hours to the SSP Bathinda to act fairly regarding the incidents that took place on the day of polling. Otherwise, from May 11, we will gherao him for an indefinite period. If needed, a civil disobedience movement will also be launched,” announced Raninder.

He said, “I have been noting down all the incidents where they have falsely implicated the Congressmen. Let me come to power, they will have to bear the brunt for involving my partymen in fake cases.”

Ferozepur, May 9
The Congress has always pursued the politics of divide and rule to retain power in the state and Centre, whereas on the contrary, the SAD has always worked for the welfare of people of the state, stated Deputy Chief Ministe and president of SAD Sukhbir Badal while addressing an election rally at Zira today in support of party candidate Rattan Singh Ajnala.

While emphasising that the SAD was the only party which could ensure growth and development of the state, Sukhbir said during the past two years of governance, the SAD-BJP government had embarked on several ambitious proposals that included setting up of four thermal power plants with 6,000 MW capacity, improved road network, better water supply and rural sanitation, irrigation projects worth Rs 3,200 crore and welfare schemes for the poor and needy.

Sukhbir also took the comparison to that of former CM and chairman campaign committee Capt Amarinder Singh and present CM and his father Parkash Singh Badal. 

“On one hand, we have a person who reaches out at your doorsteps and listens to your grievances and on the other hand Amarinder Singh never met even his ministers during the Congress regime, what to talk of the common man, who have virtually no access to him.”

Sukhbir made tall promises to the rural electorate of Zira and adjoining areas, saying that once NDA came to power at the Centre, all their problems would be addressed at once. He exhorted the party workers to ensure victory of Ajnala, as he was the one who could raise their concerns in Parliament.

Amritsar, May 9
Former chairman of the National Minority Commission (NMC) and Rajya Sabha member Tarlochan Singh today urged Jathedar, Akal Takht, Giani Gurbachan Singh to summon Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal leaders before the Sikh clergy for visiting Sirsa-based Dera Sacha Sauda for votes in Lok Sabha elections in violation of hukamnama (edict) that directed Sikhs to snap ties with the Dera.

Former Chief Minister Amarinder Singh had said any visit to the Dera did not amount to violation of the edict, hence, he would visit the Dera for thanksgiving after the LS elections in the state. Amarinder had filed a petition against then SGPC president Gurcharn Singh Tohra who had visited Patiala-based Nirankari Dera in violation of the edict.

Tarlochan Singh said visiting religious bodies for votes amounted to violation of election code of conduct. “What the election observers are doing when political persons confessed to seeking votes and support from religious Deras? Has the Chief Election Commission allowed seeking of votes from religious bodies during elections,” he asked.

He said the meetings were also held in the Dera Sacha Sauda to decide which political party they should support in elections.

Meanwhile, Tarlochan Singh alleged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had done nothing for the Sikhs. Objecting to advertisements published on behalf of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee that projected Dr Manmohan Singh as “Sikh PM”, he said Dr Manmohan Singh had discontinued the practice of kirtan which used to be held in the PM house during the regime of Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

He asked Dr Manmohan Singh to clarify why he had stopped celebrating the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev at his official residence.

He said when the PM offers Iftar parties for Muslims and celebrates Christmas at his official residence, why he had failed to celebrate Sikh days? However, he said, the practice of kirtan , started during stint of Giani Zail Singh as President still continues at Rashtarpati Bhawan. 

Moga, May 9
Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi praised Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, listing his qualities of being a Sikh, apparently to woo voters in Punjab.

Addressing a rally organised to seek votes for Sukhwinder Singh Danny, party candidate from the Faridkot constituency here today, Rahul said Lok Sabha elections were more important for people of Punjab than other states as a Sikh was heading for a second term as Prime Minister of the nation.

“Choosing a Sikh PM was a matter of pride for people of Punjab,” he said adding that these were Punjab elections, a Sikh election and election for Dr Manmohan Singh.

Listing achievements of the UPA government, he said the schemes of 100-day employment, nuclear deal to overcome power crisis, 9 per cent economic growth and mid-day meal in schools was the visionary idea of the PM that has changed the very face of the nation.

Comparing BJP’s prime ministerial candidate LK Advani with Manmohan Singh, Rahul said Advani was communal while Manmohan Singh and his party were for secularism.

Asking people to vote for the Congress, he said Danny had good leadership qualities, thus, a vote for him would be a vote for Manmohan Singh to become PM for a second term.

Capt Amarinder Singh did not utter a single word against the Badal family and instead listed achievements of his previous government.

Leader of the Opposition Rajinder Kaur Bhattal called upon people to shun communal forces represented by the SAD-BJP and choose the secular candidates of the Congress party.

Kharar, May 9
Tragedy struck once again at the same point near Khanpur village on National Highway 95 where one-and-a-half months ago Punjab Cooperation Minister Captain Kanwaljit Singh had died in a road accident.

One person got killed, while another sustained serious injuries in a car-truck collision at this point. The incident took place on Friday late night at around 11:15 pm and the loaded truck was removed from the accident point after 20 hours.

A resident of Malikpur village in Payal tehsil of Ludhiana, Zora Singh died on the spot, while Vinod Kumar from Chandigarh sustained serious injuries.

In his statement to the police, Varinder Singh, a resident of Sector 56 in Chandigarh, stated that he was the owner of the ill-fated car. He had gone to attend a wedding in Gharuan village. On his way back, he decided to come back with someone else, while Vinod and Zora drove his car towards Chandigarh.

A speeding truck coming from Kharar hit the car, killing its occupant Zora Singh on the spot and injuring Vinod Kumar. Zora was rushed to the Kharar Civil Hospital where he was declared brought dead while Vinod is undergoing treatment.

The police has booked the driver of the truck, Harjit Singh, a resident of Alipur.

It is pertinent to mention here that on March 29, Captain Kanwaljit Singh and his driver met with a horrific accident in their white Elantra car (CH 03 S 0074) on Chandigarh-Ludhiana highway (NH 95) at the same point.

While the minister was killed in the accident, his 21-year-old driver from Dhakoli village survived the mishap. Later, on March 30, Jasbir Singh Bir, commissioner, Patiala, visited the accident spot. He had passed directions that a slip road be constructed on the road on the pattern of Mohali.

Bir was surprised to see that there was neither any divider nor any indicator that marked bifurcation of NH 95 at Khanpur into two roads. One road is known as old Morinda road, while the second stretch continues on NH 95.

However, despite this tragedy and directions, no such work has been initiated at the stretch.

Amritsar, May 9
Twentytwo companies of paramilitary forces, including BSF, CRPF and police of outside states, have arrived in the border constituency of Amritsar that figures among “red alert constituencies”.

The National Election Watch had classified Bathinda, Patiala and Amritsar as “red alert constituencies” so far, as Lok Sabha elections scheduled to be held on May 13 are concerned.

According to Deputy Commissioner Bhagwant Singh, who is also district election officer, the paramilitary force had been deployed to ensure free and fair elections in this vulnerable constituency.

While the main contest in Amritsar is between joint candidate of SAD-BJP Navjot Singh Sidhu and Congress candidate Om Prakash Soni, it will be keen contest between Congress candidate Rana Gurjit Singh and sitting Akali candidate Rattan Singh Ajnala.

Similarly, 21 companies of paramilitary force have been deployed to conduct the elections for the Khadoor Sahib constituency. SSP Tarn Taran Surinder Singh Parmar said in all there would be five companies each of BSF, CRPF and IRB and one Gujarat armed police and five Punjab commandos of PAP.

The Khadoor Sahib constituency having 467 polling stations includes Tarn Taran, once called “mini-Khalistan” during the peak of militancy.

Amritsar, May 9
Former commissioner Amritsar Municipal Corporation KS Kang surprised many as he held a road show and organised nukkad nataks at various places in the holy city today educating the masses about the significance of exercising their franchise in the Parliamentary poll to be held on May 13.

Without favouring any candidate or party, Kang in his inimitable style urged all to come out to exercise their franchise. He started his road show from Hall Gate and passed through various parts of the city, displaying posters on rickshaws.

The posters displayed the message of a meaningful election, with maximum participation of people to choose their representative and party. They also had pictures depicting the deplorable condition of various localities in the city.

However, he took every care that roads were not blocked during the road show and kept on advising people to leave some passage for the smooth flow of traffic.

Through nukkad natak, he advised residents not to be lured by liquor and money offered by political candidates, who were out to grab their votes. He asked them to reject such candidates.

He also informed them that they could reject all candidates by asking for form No. 17 from the presiding officer in a polling booth.

Talking to The Tribune Kang said, “I am not campaigning for any party and my main aim was to urge people for whom I have served as a commissioner at the fag end of my career to come out to vote.”

Kang said residents of the city were complaining that they had not seen any development worth the name during the past 50 years. He said how could they blame a political party or a candidate when they did not exercise their franchise?

Chandigarh, May 9
Counting of votes will take place in presence of the Central Security Forces (CSF), official sources confirmed today.

The sources revealed that the Punjab administration had requested Chief Election Commissioner Naveen Chawla to extend stay of the CSF in the state till the completion of the counting of votes. The plea was upheld and a confirmation came only yesterday.

Even Congress leaders had expressed apprehensions that electronic voting machines (EVMs) kept in the safe custody at the various counting centres could be fiddled with or tampered at the instance of the ruling SAD-BJP alliance.

The Congress wanted that the police should be withdrawn immediately from the counting centres and instead the CSF be deployed there.

The Election Commission directed that the CRPF and other paramilitary forces available in the state should immediately replace all police personnel on duty at the counting centres.

As a sequel to this direction, the CSF took over the counting centres in four Parliamentary constituencies, where polling had taken place on May 7. After May 13 polling in the remaining nine Parliamentary constituencies, the duty of guarding the counting centres will remain entrusted to the central paramilitary forces.

Jalandhar, May 9
As many as 10 Punjab Civil Services (PCS) officers have made it to the IAS cadre. A meeting in this connection was held at the Union Public Service Commission in Delhi yesterday.

Sources said AS Bains, Yashvir Mahajan, Sukhjit Bains, Dharam Dutt Tarnach, GK Singh Dhaliwal, Dr Karamjit Singh Sran, Inderjit Singh Sandhu, Dr Harkesh Singh Sidhu, Roopinder Randhawa and Pirthi Chand have been selected for the IAS from the PCS cadre. A notification in this regard is expected to be issued soon by the Union government.

Punjab Chief Secretary Ramesh Inder Singh and other senior officers of the Union and Punjab governments attended the meeting.

Chandigarh, May 9
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has found Punjab’s action of dispossessing a war widow “totally unfair”, predominantly when the government itself was allotting chunks of land to Scheduled Caste and Rai Sikhs.

In a strong-worded judgment on Ropar district-based Gurdev Kaur’s petition, Justice Ranjit Singh ruled: “It will be totally unfair to dispossess the petitioner, when the government itself is allotting substantial portion of land, earlier declared protected, to the Scheduled Caste and the Rai Sikhs. It may lead to violation of her right to life and livelihood, guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution”.

Justice Ranjit Singh asserted: “A war widow seems to be a victim of bureaucratic indifference in this case. Eighty kanal of evacuee land allotted to her on February 26, 1988, on consideration is sought to be taken away from her on ground that the area has now been declared a protected forest as per notification issued by the Government of Punjab on April 24, 2006....

“Perusal of the petition would show 26,570 acres of ‘banjar qadeem’ and ‘gairmumkin’ land in the whole of Punjab was transferred to the forest department by the rehabilitation department in 1971….

“On August 22, 1973, the government took a decision to transfer 2,350 acres in Ropar district, which was given to the forest department, back to the rehabilitation department.

“Punjab also decided to redistribute the same to the eligible members of the Scheduled Caste by declaring it to be surplus evacuee land…. It is pleaded by the petitioner that possession of 80 kanal sold to her always remained with her and was not handed over by the rehabilitation department to the forest department…. The petitioner pleads there is no justification to include the land allotted to her in protected forest, when otherwise there is a move to give land notified as protected forest back to the rehabilitation department and to allot it to the scheduled caste and the Rai Sikhs....

“A case of the war widow cannot be placed on any less pedestal than the Scheduled Caste and the Rai Sikhs. The petitioner got this land in recognition of sacrifices her husband made for the nation. She would, thus, deserve better treatment than any other citizen…. Are we to forget her husband’s sacrifices? …. A writ is issued to the state to exclude the land allotted to her from the notification declaring the same to be protected forest, as it is not under intensive forestation”. 

Chandigarh, May 9
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has ruled arguments advanced before a civil court and decided cannot be raised again in a writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution.

The ruling by Justice MM Kumar and Justice HS Bhalla came on an appeal by Darshan Singh against New Tibba Cooperative Agricultural Service Society and others. The petitioner was employed by the society as a salesman in 1980. His services were terminated in 1981 after a survey concluded that salesmen were more than the sanctioned strength.

The dispute was referred to the labour courts in Patiala and Ludhiana, which arrived at divergent conclusions. The Ludhiana court upheld the termination, while the Patiala court answered the reference on October 18, 1983, in the workman’s favour.

The society moved the Patiala court for setting aside the ex-parte award. The plea was dismissed. The order was challenged before a civil court in Patiala, but it was dismissed.

On an appeal, it was remanded to the trial court, which again dismissed the suit. The appeal was also dismissed. Regular second appeal was dismissed as withdrawn.

The Single Judge, meanwhile, held the workman had deceived the Patiala labour court by not disclosing Ludhiana labour court was considering the controversy, and concluded Patiala labour court order was unfairly obtained. Aggrieved, the workman filed the appeal.

The Bench ruled: “The only remedy available to the society-respondent was to challenge the order passed by this Court in RSA by filing an SLP. The irresistible conclusion is the order passed by the civil court had attained finality up to appellate jurisdiction of this Court.

Therefore, the parallel proceedings under Article 226 of the Constitution to challenge the award dated October 18, 1983, would not be competent….

“With utmost deference to the Single Judge, we are of the considered view that a jurisdictional error has crept in entertaining the writ petition 
at the instance of the society, which has resulted in setting aside of judgment and decree of the civil court, along with award dated October 18, 1983”.

Dismissing the petition with Rs 10,000 costs, the Bench added: The present case is a classical example of misuse of the process of the court at the instance of the society and, therefore, the same argument which has been advanced before the civil court and decided against the society could not once again be raised by it by filing a writ petition under Article 226.