New Delhi, May 17
The 7-0 whitewash in Delhi, within six months of the convincing win of the Congress in the assembly elections, was in large measure an affirmation of the policies and persona of two people — Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit.

New Delhi, May 17
The victory of the Congress in Delhi as well as in other states has spread a message that either people like secular parties or the BJP failed to convey its agenda to the electorate. This was said by Sikh leaders, including that of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal).

Vice-president of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal), Onkar Singh Thapar, said that victory and defeat in elections were like two sides of a coin. He also welcomed the Congress’s victory in Delhi.

When asked about their protest against Jagdish Tytler and Sajjan Kumar’s candidature, he said they were suspects in 1984 anti-Sikh riots. The Congress had withdrawn their tickets and so the issue was over.

Cases were pending against them in the court of law, but this had no relations with party politics, he added.

Welcoming Manmohan Singh as the Prime Minister of India for the second time in a row, he said, “I hope he will work for Punjab and will try to enforce the Rajiv-Longowal Accord of 1985 for restoring Punjabi speaking areas to Punjab”.

Delhi unit chief of the SAD (Badal), Manjit Singh (GK), said that people in Delhi voted for the Congress on the basis of the development works done in the state. Just a few months ago, the Congress had won assembly elections in Delhi with a thumping majority and that aura was still in the mind of the people which went in the favour of the party.

Having seen the election results, it seems that the BJP should review its policies and analyse the cause of its defeat, he said.

R. S. Chhatwal of the Sikh Forum said that this mandate was for liberal policies of the Congress. After Sikhs protested against the candidatures of Sajjan and Tytler and a journalist flung a shoe on union home minister P. Chidambram, the Congress high command withdrew their tickets. But the BJP took no action against Varun Gandhi who allegedly made hate speech against minorities in Pilibhit.

Inderdev Singh Musafir, grandson of the first chief minister of Punjab, said that such a clear mandate in favour of the Congress was a sign that people wanted a stable government at this time of economic recession.

New Delhi, May 17
After the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) managed to dent the bi-party competition in Delhi during the assembly elections held in November last year, poll pundits had predicted that the Mayawati-led party would perform better in the Lok Sabha polls. But Myawati’s caste-combination exercise failed to appeal Delhiites this time.

Last year during the assembly elections, the party had secured a significant position in Delhi’s electoral map as it had won the Gokulpur assembly segment by a margin of over 3,000 votes.

In Badarpur assembly segment too, BSP candidate Ram Singh Netaji bolstered the Vidhan Sabha hopes of Ram Singh Bidhuri, a senior Congress leader, by a huge margin of over 13,000 votes. Besides, the party’s candidates were runner-ups in five assembly seats.

Though the party increased its vote percentage this time, it could not display a reasonable tally.

BSP candidate from South Delhi Kanwar Singh Tanwar, the richest candidate in the Capital, scored the maximum in his party by bagging 88,000 votes. While, Haji Yunis from East Delhi and Mustakim from Chandni Chowk could not even save their securities.

Meanwhile, election experts believe the primary cause for BSP’s dismal performance in the Capital was its unorganised campaigning and improper fielding of candidates. It is important to note though the party chief’s charisma maintained to garner some support in the NCR by eating into the Congress’ votes, she could not retain her seats in her own state — UP.

In Delhi, during her sole appearance at Ram Lila Ground her attempt to woo people from other communities on the plank of development could not help her sail through.

Poll experts say last year the BSP managed damage the vote bank of both of the Congress and the BJP with 19 per cent of its support base, comprising dalits, migrants from UP and Bihar voting in its favour.

But this time all hopes of BSP are shattered. However, the BSP cadre blames the opponents saying the mainstream parties had conspired against it. 

New Delhi, May 17
Twenty-four hours after winning the election from New Delhi seat, Congress’ Ajay Maken had no time to rest today. His residence, 10 Pandit Pant Marg, was surrounded by well-wishers coming from across the city.

One of his supporters said, “He has been attending guests since morning. He has not got time even for himself.”

Maken attended almost 1,500 guests till evening. The guest included individuals as well as delegations. The supporters said they were confident of Maken’s win and had made arrangements for dhols as soon as the counting started yesterday.

New Delhi, May 17
After weeks of gruelling campaigning in scorching heat, Saturday’s clean sweep for the Congress in Delhi came as a big relief not only to its candidates but also their wives. The women are now busy planning celebrations for their husbands’ win .

For Chandni Chowk MP Kapil Sibal, who retained his seat, it has been a long three months of campaigning, but Saturday’s victory more than made up for all the fatigue. His wife Promila, who campaigned with her husband, said the family had chipped in.

“The past three-and-a-half months have been gruelling for us. All padyatras and campaigning in the heat has not been easy and we are still recuperating. But after yesterday’s results, how can we stop celebrating?” gushes Promila.

“For all 10 assembly constituencies in Chandni Chowk, we had one family member in charge. Therefore, the entire election process has been a taxing time for his brothers and the family. After the victory, we had a party last night which went on till 1 a.m.,” she said.

Urmila Mishra, Congress’ surprise winner Mahabal Mishra’s wife, also said the family got together for a hearty meal after a long time.

“After we came to know about his victory, we distributed sweets among relatives and friends. We had dinner together, after a long time,” Urmila said.

New Delhi constituency’s Congress candidate Ajay Maken’s wife Radhika said they were planning a party in the coming week.

“We knew he would win, but we are absolutely elated at the Congress’ landslide victory . We will have a thanksgiving tea party in a week’s time for all supported us and worked so hard,” Radhika said.

The Congress’ landslide win on Saturday, in which it won all seven Lok Sabha seats, has been attributed to the party’s “good governance” and its development plank by party leaders. — IANS

New Delhi, May 17
A large number of girls and boys suffering from hearing impairment participated in a mass swayamwar in the Capital today. Excited about choosing their life-partners, the boys and girls interacted in sign language.

The swayamwar was organised by Delhi Foundation of Deaf Women (DFDW) and matrimonial service provider Shaadi.com.

The boys and girls suffering from the problem gathered at Pranay Milan-2009 in Diocesan Community Centre to select their life-partners.

“The DFDW introduced this programme to meet the demands of the aware and intelligent hearing impaired women. The initiative is open to all barring caste, creed and economic status,” said Uma Kapoor, secretary, DFDW.

She added the need for such a platform was felt to help girls suffering from auditory impairment and their parents in finding their life-partners.

“This sammelan aims at providing a chance to the girls to chose their partners themselves. The yearly event has seen many successful marriages,” she said.

The sammelan began with the introduction of participants. Introductions were done in sign language.

The unique introductions paved the way for individual meetings. 

Gurgaon, May 17
Heads of DLF Qutab Plaza Condominium Association and DLF Qutab Enclave RWA along with a group of residents of D, G and H Block held a peaceful congregation outside a liquor vend illegally constructed on forest land at Kachra Chowk here today.

The residents were forced to come out and protest against the encroachment by the liquor vend because the administration had taken no action despite three letters written to it in this regard.

A lady from D-Block pleaded to the booze vendor to remove his shop, as its backside faced her house. “My children cycle around here and I shudder to think that they would see people drinking. I am also scared of outsiders entering our premises,” she said. The booze shop is now extending its services by making a state-of-the-art drinking place with individual drinking dens, she added.

R.S. Rathee, president of DLF Qutub Enclave RWA told The Tribune that he would meet R.P. Balwan, chief forest conservator of Gurgaon to bring to his notice the encroachment on forest land.

Rathee said that in the past few months a lot of vends had mushroomed all over the city, but unfortunately no action was taken against them till the local people objected to it.

The first letter informing the DC about the liquor vend had been sent on April 13. “We will have to take aggressive action, if the vendor does not close down in the next one week,” he mentioned.

“The current liquor shop is on the forestland, greenbelt, next to the traffic light on the main entrance to the city and in front of a residential colony which houses women, elderly and children. Other than traffic snarls, it has lead to many associated encroachments. A junk dealer exists next to the shack and he thrives on the booze cardboard boxes and beer and whisky bottles. On the other side is a tyre repair shop waiting to fix truck tyres while the drivers cool their throats with alcohol. Besides, a temple of sorts is threatening to come up soon. A small idol sits on a box at the moment,” Rathi complained.

“On one side is this eyesore that seems to be thriving on the lack of vigilance by the administration, while on the other side, one can see beautifully decorated triangles with rainwater harvesting facilities being made on the initiative of the citizens of Gurgaon. Why do educated people choose to turn a blind eye on basic needs of the citizens after they officially establish themselves as city administrators,” he questioned.

Lt. Col. (retd.) Dalel S. Ahlawat, president of Qutub Plaza Condominium Association told The Tribune, “The booze shops should be forced to come up as per guidelines that are made keeping in mind the welfare of local residents and the traffic movement of the area. This is no democracy where a letter by an individual on violation of norms (set by the Supreme Court) is not taken into consideration. It is a shame that women, children and men have to resort to such ways of demonstration to have illegal activities highlighted. This vendor, as many others in Gurgaon, has an electricity meter, he is able to fabricate any document and I fail to understand why no one can check him.”

The victimised residents removed the hoardings and requested the illegal vendors to remove their shops from just 100 metres away from their homes and the greenbelt area.

New Delhi, May 17
“I still can’t believe she is no more,” 15-year-old Divya whispered to her friend as she sat cross-legged on Saturday at a prayer meet for Aarushi Talwar who was brutally murdered at her Noida residence exactly a year ago.

Despite a hot and muggy afternoon, scores of people — relatives, friends, acquaintances and others — came for the prayer meet that was organised by Aarushi’s family at the Chinmaya Mission.

As bhajans were sung and Sai Baba’s name chanted, especially since Aarushi was his believer, her friends lit candles next to her smiling photograph.

Aakriti Jain, 14, said she had met Aarushi just once through a common friend. Nevertheless her death shocked her.

“It’s difficult to believe that a year has gone by, you know?,” Jain said, as she lit a candle near Aarushi’s garlanded photograph.

“And it’s so sad that the police, the CBI has not been able to do anything. This just proves that anyone can do anything to us in our homes and can scot free! I just pray that Aarushi’s killers get caught soon,” she said.

A sensational double murder mystery, Aarushi was found with her throat slit in her suburban Noida residence May 16 last year. The family’s domestic help, Hemraj who was initially suspected for the murder, was found killed on their terrace the next day.

Aarushi’s father Rajesh Talwar was arrested and kept behind bars for 50 days in connection with the crime but was later let off because of lack of evidence.

After Rajesh Talwar was let off, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested his medical assistant Krishna, who was accused of committing the murders with the help of Raj Kumar and Vijay Mandal, both domestic helps in the neighbourhood.

The three are out on bail at present and the agency is yet to file a chargesheet, making the case one of the biggest murder mysteries India has seen.

At the prayer meet, Aarushi’s uncle Dinesh Talwar said that in her death she taught him an important lesson - time does not wait.

“I regret that I couldn’t spend more time with our beloved child. She was her parents’ only source of happiness. May her soul rest in peace,” Dinesh Talwar told IANS.

A grieving Nupur and Rajesh Talwar, Aarushi’s parents, didn’t speak much except for accepting everyone’s condolences with folded hands or a hug. — IANS

Noida, May 17
With almost every party’s calculations and expectations having gone awry in this Lok Sabha elections, victory for Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) candidate Surinder Nagar from UP Chief Minister Mayawati’s home district Gautam Budh Nagar has brought all smiles for her.

Now, with Gautam Budh Nagar handing victory to her candidate in a stiff four-cornered contest, Mayawati is expected to become more indulgent to the district.

Surinder Nagar has managed to break Bharatiya Janata Party’s 13-year-long rule on Mayawati’s home district. Having smashed the BJP hold in the district, the Chief Minister is expected to speed up the development of Gautam Budh Nagar— one of her favourite districts in the state which she was keen on winning.

While Surinder Singh Nagar won with 33.2 per cent of the total number of votes polled (2,47,465 votes), Mahesh Sharma of the BJP was a close second with 30.8 per cent (2,31,561 votes). Nagar was poled maximum votes from Dadri and Javer segments. Interestingly, Ramesh Tomar of the Congress and Narinder Bhatti of the Samajwadi Party were polled 16.1 per cent and 15.9 per cent of the votes, respectively. They and other contenders could not even save their deposits.

All the four main contestants had left no stone unturned to win the prestigious seat.

For Mayawati, winning this seat was a prestige issue, and for this her party workers had put in very hard work. The party supporters have hailed the victory as a reward for the development work done in the district by the state government.

The BSP has four MLAs in this Lok Sabha constituency. They are: Satveer Gujjar (Dadri), Horam Singh (Javer), Vedram Bhatti, (Secunderabad) and Anil Sharma (Khurja).