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Remaining nominees by Dec 31: Badal
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BSP announces 90 candidates
Code violation: DC told to watch YouTube for proof
CPI’s Arshi to contest from Mansa
It could be anybody’s game here
Capt’s segment complains of bias
A tale of two parties, Any twist?
Another SAD MLA may revolt
Ramoowalia may contest from Mohali
Paswan’s LJP to go it alone
Badal’s pictures removed from ambulances
5 months on, docs await wages
Jor Mela commences on religious note Amritsar shivers at -1.2° C
Rs 26 lakh unaccounted money seized
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A top industrialist, whose contribution to all political parties, irrespective of their prospects at the hustings, runs into crores, has given Rs 50 lakh each to two political parties. “This is just to keep them in good humour, over the past decade, the industrial policy of successive governments has only pushed us out to other states, but we want some comfort level for our units in Punjab”, the industrialists said. The industrialists are using economic slowdown as a ploy to hold on to their money. The SAD-BJP alliance is in a better position than their rivalsas far as election funds is concerned. They started their fund collection campaign much before the poll dates were announced. Adopting the Tamil Nadu model in dealing with election expenses is likely to come handy for those who want to wriggle out of the “donation tangle”. The Election Commission of India (ECI) has already issued instructions to banks to report withdrawals of more than Rs 1 lakh. Besides, anyone with currency or jewellery costing more than Rs 1 lakh will have to prove the source of income. A sum of nearly Rs 50 lakh has already been seized since yesterday across the state. This has caused a scare among the donors. The ECI has decided to involve banking professionals in the election process and has declared 30 constituencies in the state as “expenditure sensitive”.
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Remaining nominees by Dec 31: Badal
Sarinh (Nakodar), December 26 “The ticket will be allotted to the remaining candidates before the year-end. There is no dissidence in the party as we believe in taking everybody along,” said Badal on the sidelights of a SAD rally organised by senior Akali leader Kuldip Singh Wadala and his son Gurpartap Singh Wadala. The latter is the SAD candidate from Nakodar. This was the first SAD rally after the poll code came into force in Punjab. Badal blamed the Congress for all ills in the country. He tried to touch an emotional chord with the people by reminding them of Operation Bluestar. “The Congress is the maha nalayak party which is responsible for large-scale corruption, poverty and unemployment in the country. The Punjabis can’t forget the atrocities committed on them by the Congress that was responsible for the attack on the Golden Temple and the demolition of Akal Takht in 1984,” alleged Badal. Badal alleged that the Congress was looting the people of the country. “The malafide intentions of the Congress are very clear. The Finance Minister admits that he has a list of 3,400 Indians with money stashed in foreign banks, but says he cannot reveal the names of account holders. Actually, the black money in foreign banks belongs to Congress leaders,” Badal said. Targeting Capt Amarinder Singh, he said Amarinder had stalled development in Punjab. “We have provided jobs to 1.20 lakh youths and have added 7200 MW of power during our five-year rule. Amarinder was neither able to give a single job or add a single unit of power during his fmis-rule. “It is up to the people whether to vote for development or chaos,” said the CM. Others who spoke were Kuldip Singh Wadala, Ajit Singh Kohar, Sarwan Singh Phillaur, Gurpartap Singh Wadala and Gurmit Singh Daduwal.
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BSP announces 90 candidates
Chandigarh, December 26 Political observers say the development is significant as the BSP would not only take away a chunk of Dalit votes from the Congress but also ensure a four-cornered contest on all seats in Punjab. BSP national general secretary and party incharge for Punjab Narendra Kashyap claimed no discussions or meetings were held with PPP chief Manpreet Badal over seat-sharing. “In fact, we had indicated our preference to go it alone in Punjab during the party’s north zone meeting on May 29 itself,” he said. Kashyap said the party would not want to weaken its agenda by going in for any poll alliance as the BSP had “tremendous” scope to improve its position in the state where 50 per cent of the population comprised Dalits and backwards. Kashyap, who was flanked by BSP state president Avtar Singh Karimpuri, claimed that the voting trend in the Chandigarh municipal elections could be replicated in Punjab too. He said the BSP’s vote share had increased to an unprecedented 12.5 per cent in the municipal elections. Kashyap said the party had decided to field “genuine” workers only and that there was no VIP candidate in its list that was released today. Most of the ticket this time have gone to present and former office-bearers of the BSP. Former MP Mohan Singh Phalliwala is a candidate from
Fazilka.
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Code violation: DC told to watch YouTube for proof
Chandigarh, December 26 Uploaded by a television channel, the clip shows Harsimrat, wife of Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal, speaking at the inauguration of Adarsh School at Datewas village in Mansa. In her address, she can be seen urging the faculty and the schoolchildren to “go home and tell their parents to return Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal to power if they wanted grants to carry out development activities in their school”. Additional Chief Electoral Officer Usha Sharma said they have sought another report from the Deputy Commissioner, Ravinder Singh. In his first report, the DC had stated that “none of the officials present at the spot heard Harsimrat’s speech as they were preoccupied”. Sources in the EC said while watching the clip one could clearly hear Harsimrat’s voice where she is blatantly asking the students and faculty to vote for the Akalis. The function took place on December 8. The EC sought a report from the Mansa Deputy Commissioner and Patiala Divisional Commissioner SR Ladhar on the issue. In his preliminary report, Ladhar, too, corroborated Ravinder Singh’s claim. He, however, has sought more time to file his final report. 30 constituencies 'sensitive' Chandigarh:The Election Commission has identified 30 assembly constituencies as ‘sensitive’. These are: Qadian, Batala, Fatehgarh Churian and Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur, Ajnala and Majitha in Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Bholath in Kapurthala, Jalandhar Cantt, SAS Nagar, Dera Bassi, Ludhiana South, Moga, Dharamkot, Zira, Jalalabad, Fazilka, Lambi, Gidderbaha, Muktsar, Faridkot, Kotkapura, Rampura Phul, Talwandi Sabo, Mansa, Bhadaur, Barnala, Rajpura and Patiala. The 19 ‘expenditure sensitive’ constituencies are Ajnala, Rajasansi, Majitha, Amritsar North, Attari, Roopnagar, Chamkaur Sahib, Fatehgarh Sahib, Ludhiana East, Ludiana South, Baghapurana, Moga, Dharamkot, Lambi, Gidderbaha, Faridkot , Rampura Phul, Bathinda Urban and Patiala. The Election Commission is scheduled to visit the state tomorrow. It will meet representatives of the parties on December 28 and hold meetings with The ECI would also hold meetings with senior officials. —
TNS
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CPI’s Arshi to contest from Mansa
Chandigarh, December 26 From Mansa, the CPI has fielded Hardev Arshi, who earlier represented the Budhlada constituency in the state assembly. Former secretary of the state unit Jagroop Singh, considered one of the architects of the Sanjha Morcha, has been nominated from Muktsar. Pawanpreet, a youth leader, will be party’s candidate from Kotkapura. From Jalalabad. the party has decided to field Hans Raj Golden. Deputy Chief Minister and Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal had won from Jalalabad with a huge margin last time. This seat was vacated for Sukhbir Singh by Sher Singh Gubhaya, now SAD MP. Satwant Singh Khandewad will be the CPI candidate from Lehra which is represented by former CLP Leader Rajinder Kaur Bhattal in the assembly. The CPI has fielded Kashmir Singh from Nabha and Baljit Singh Balli from Amritsar (East). From Amritsar (West) Amarjit Asal will be its candidate while Balwinder Singh Dhudala will contest from Majitha. Bikram Singh Majithia is the SAD MLA from Majitha. From Sujanpur near Pathankot, the CPI has nominated Loveleen Kaur Chahal, daughter of Gurnam Singh Dhirowal. The CPI is in the process of finalising candidates for Ludhiana(West), Nihalsinghwala, Guru Har Sahai, Pathankot and Mukerian constituencies.
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It could be anybody’s game here
The Raikot constituency, that has been declared reserved, is said to be an Akali stronghold, but MLAs from the Congress have also won the seat several times. Since the past 15 years, whosoever has won from here has had to sit on the Opposition benches.
Sitting MLA Harmohinder Singh Pardhan belongs to the Congress. Pardhan maintains that he had done a lot for the constituency. In the same breath he says that development works initiated by him had not gone his way with the ruling coalition running the show on its on. He claims that with a majority of Akali-dominated villages, including Chagar, Hathur, Cheema, Lamme, Manuke, Lakha, Kamalpura, Sujapur and Boparai, having been shifted post-delimitation, the Congress was sure to have an edge over its rivals. VOX POPULI: Residents of this constituency are not too happy with the works undertaken by both Congress and Akali MLAs, the reason being that they have always elected an MLA belonging to the Opposition. The constituency has an average literacy rate of 66 per cent, higher than the national average of 59.5 per cent. Male literacy rate is 70 per cent and female 62 per cent. The population is a mixed bag of Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Muslims. Since the past 15 years, whosoever has won from here has had to sit on the Opposition benches.
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Capt’s segment complains of bias
Patiala (City), the home turf of former Chief Minister and Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) president Capt Amarinder Singh, is a constituency that needs no introduction.
With the Congress registering eight victories from here during the assembly elections in the past five decades, the “high-profile” constituency continues to be the party’s stronghold. Represented by Brahm Mohindra of the Congress three times, Amarinder Singh was elected from here during the 2002 elections with a big margin of 33,583 votes. He defeated Sarup Singh Sehgal of the SAD. VOX POPULI: Not only areas in Patiala (City) segment, say the residents, but the entire district saw unprecedented development under Amarinder’s rule. "We are eagerly awaiting elections so that the corrupt SAD-BJP regime can be thrown out of power. The Congress will be again at the helm of affairs in the state,”says Sushil Kumar and Gaganjeet Singh, both city residents. Post-1977, the SAD has won the constituency only twice. In 1977, SAD leader Sardara Singh Kohli defeated Shambhu Prasad, an Independent. Brahm Mohindra (Congress) emerged victorious during the 1980, 1985 and 1992 elections. In 1997, Sardara Singh Kohli's son Sujit Singh Kohli registered victory by defeating Brahm
Mohindra.
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A tale of two parties, Any twist?
Chandigarh, December 26 Starting with Congress domination after Partition in 1947, vigorous multi-party politics took off after the reorganisation of the state in 1966, which led to the carving out of Haryana and Chandigarh. Ever since, a national party — the Congress — and a regional party — the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), which all along remained in alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) or its earlier avatars — have been ruling the state alternately. Of course, the period has been interspersed with varying spells of President's rule, either because of political uncertainty or because of the terrorism for over two decades. The period of disturbance also witnessed major boycott of the electoral process, first in 1985, when certain wings of the Akalis stayed away, and then in 1992, when the mainstream Akali Dal did not join the polls. In 1991, when Prime Minister Chandra Shekhar called elections to restore democracy in the state, the Congress decided to stay away. Intriguingly, a day before polling, the elections were called off, as by then the Congress had come back to power at the Centre. Subsequently, when the elections were held in February 1992, the Akalis led by Parkash Singh Badal boycotted. Only an Akali faction led by Capt Amarinder Singh contested 58 of the 117. It won three. Akali debut The only time Punjab electors did not give any party or alliance a clear mandate was the 1967 election, the first after the Reorganisation of the state. The Congress got only 48 of the 104 seats. It was during this time that the Akalis had their first tryst with power by getting all non-Congress parties to form the United Front government. It was the first multi-party coalition government in the state. The first test for the Akalis came in 1962, when they sought the people's verdict with Punjabi Suba as the main issue. Of the 42 seats contested by them, they won 19. The Jan Sangh won eight, as against 90 won by the Congress. The Akali Dal could not stay together, splitting into Sant Fateh Singh and Master Tara Singh groups. The 1966 Reorganisation was a watershed. It not only introduced the politics of coalitions, but also blunted the supremacy of the Congress in state. National parties Election results since 1967 reveal that the percentage of votes polled by national parties, mainly the Congress, with the exception of 1977 and 1997, has been more than 50. In 1967, for example, when Punjab had its first coalition government — the United Front — the Congress had polled 36.56 per cent votes against 26.47 per cent by all state parties. The overall votes polled by national parties, including the Congress, Jana Sangh, CPI, CPM, Praja Socialist Party and the Swatantra Party, was 56.60 per cent. The share of national parties dropped to 40.29 per cent — the only time below 50 per cent — in 1997, when besides 26.59 per cent of the Congress votes, all national parties, including the BJP, CPI and the CPM, had aggregated 40.29 per cent. Till date, the SAD has never crossed the 40 per cent barrier. Its best was in 1985, when it got 38.01 per cent of the total votes. SAD-BJP coalition A distinguishing aspect of Punjab politics has been that the Akalis, even when securing majority, have been aligning with the BJP (earlier Bharatiya Jan Sangh). This combination cut into both Sikh and Hindu votes of the Congress. The 1992 election was exceptional, as it was boycotted by the mainstream SAD. A faction of the Dal led by the then party rebel Capt Amarinder Singh, contested 58 seats, but won only three. The circumstances also gave the Bahujan Samaj Party to make a beginning in the state. The outfit of the downtrodden got 16.32 per cent of the votes, and nine seats. The year 1997 saw the beginning of a period of political stability, with the SAD-BJP alliance forming the government with overwhelming majority. Ever since, the Congress and the SAD-BJP alliance have been taking turns at running the state.
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Poll Snippets
Campaign against
intoxicants Bathinda: Apprehending the distribution of drugs and liquor by the candidates or their supporters among the electorate during the assembly elections, senior Supreme Court advocate HS Phoolka has launched a campaign under the banner of ‘Intoxicants-free Punjab’.
Phoolka, who is the convener of the campaign, said he and his team had launched a similar campaign during the SGPC elections. After receiving complaints, if any, they would take up the matter with the Election Commission, he said. If the complaints were found to be true, the winning candidate could even be disqualified by the EC, he said, adding they would also meet the state presidents of the SAD, the BJP and the Congress to request them to issue directions to their candidates against the distribution of intoxicants among voters. —
Sushil
Goyal BJP shortlists candidates Chandigarh: The Punjab BJP core committee on Monday shortlisted party candidates. Thecommittee meeting, which was presided over by BJP leader Shanta Kumar, began at the party office but was shifted to a hotel midway due to the presence of “unwanted people”. Following a meeting with the party high command in Delhi tomorrow, the committee will meet here again in a few days for final recommendations to the parliamentary board. In a few seats, there could be more than one recommendation. —
TNS Flying squads formed for elections
Mansa: The district administration has formed three flying squads and 16 police parties to check the activities of various political parties during the Vidhan Sabha elections in Punjab. District Election Officer-cum-Deputy Commissioner of Mansa Ravinder Singh on Monday conducted a meeting of the officials deployed on election duty and instructed the staff to take stringent action against political parties or leaders found flouting poll norms. He said that the flying squad and the policemen would swing into action after getting a formal complaint. The officials have been instructed to carry video cameras so that recorded CDs could be sent to the Chief Electoral Officer. SSP Sukhdev Singh Chahal said special teams had also been formed to check the inflow of narcotics. — Gurdeep Singh Mann Notice to People’s Party of
Punjab Faridkot: For holding a political conference-cum-rally without permission from the district electoral officer
(DEO), the People’s Party of Punjab-led Sanjha Morcha has been served a notice for violation of poll code. The Sanjha Morcha rally was held by Manpreet Singh Badal in Amrit Palace,
Kotkapura, today. The district expenditure monitoring committee has been asked to calculate the expenditure on the rally which saw a huge gathering. The Sanjha Morcha has fielded Ravi Bhagat from
Kotkapura. Yesterday, the DEO, Faridkot, had issued a notice to Bahujan the BSP for an election rally without prior permission. — Balwant
Garg Search operation yields Rs 42 lakh Jagraon: With the model code of conduct coming into force, the local administration today found 10 persons carrying Rs 42 lakh in cash without any document on the money source. A search operation was on till the filing of the report. The operation was conducted by a joint team of civil and police officials near the Jagraon sugar mill on the
Ludhiana-Ferozepur highway.The team was led by SDM Isha Kalia and DSP Harpal Singh. "As the persons from whom the money was recovered failed to produce any document or evidence on the source of the money and the purpose for which it was to be used, we have taken the money in our custody and informed the Income Tax Department," said
Kalia. The SDM once again issued instructions to the traders and businessmen not to carry cash exceeding Rs 1 lakh while travelling and to keep documents on the money source. —
Jaswant Shetra
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Another SAD MLA may revolt
Patiala/Fatehgarh Sahib, December 26 Publicly opposing the likely move of the SAD to field Prem Singh Chandumajra from Fatehgarh Sahib, Bhatti, who enjoys good rapport with grassroot Akali workers, said, "It is extremely sad that just to accommodate outsider like Chandumajra, the party leadership is ignoring the efforts put in by the sitting MLA, who nurtured the constituency well." During a meeting at Gurdwara Jyoti Swarup Sahib in Fatehgarh Sahib, Akali activists in large number assured Bhatti that they would support his candidature. A glance at the election statistics brought to light that it was Bhatti, who wrested Sirhind (now Fatehgarh Sahib) from three-time Congress MLA Dr Harbans Lal with a huge margin of 23,399 votes in the last assembly elections. Interestingly, officially Chandumajra is yet to be announced as SAD candidate from Fatehgarh Sahib, but after getting nod from the party leadership, he had already started canvassing in the assembly segment from the past week. "In case Chandumajra is fielded by SAD from my seat, one thing is sure that I would be contesting the polls", said Bhatti, while refusing to open his cards that whether he would be contesting as an Independent or from some other party. Political sources said that talks between Bhatti and Manpreet Badal's People's Party of Punjab (PPP) were already on and Bhatti could be the PPP candidate from Fatehgarh Sahib in case Akali Dal denied him the ticket. According to senior Akali leaders, after the SAD Fatehgarh Sahib district president, Jagdeep Singh Cheema, extended his support to Bhatti, candidature of Bhatti against the Akali Dal could prove detrimental for the party. However, Chandumajra said that he was a loyal soldier of the Akali Dal. "Whatever the party high command directs me to do, I will go by that. I am sure that Akali Dal will put a united fight to defeat the Congress in all the assembly segments in the state", he said, while trying to downplay the issue of the revolt by Bhatti. However, independent political observers felt that factionalism within the Aklali Dal in Fatehgarh Sahib could cost the party heavily.
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Ramoowalia may contest from Mohali
Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal refused to comment if Ramoowalia would be fielded from Mohali. Party sources said after senior party leader NK Sharma shifted base to Dera Bassi, the party leadership was hesitant to allot the party ticket to a local leader. “The way the Akali leadership was focusing on Mohali one thought that some one from the Badal family would contest ber fielded from here. But Ramoowalia’s candidature has surprised many”, said a senior party leader.
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Paswan’s LJP to go it alone
Ludhiana, December 26 He said the decision had been taken on the directions of party national president Ram Bilas Paswan. "Our party does not subscribe to the view that there's a third front in the state," he said. The party that had fielded candidates from 70 constituencies in the last elections would field candidates from all 117 constituencies this time. The core issues, Mehmi said, were employment generation and implementation of pro-poor policies. Taking a dig at the SAD-BJP government, he said kabaddi matches could not generate employment for the unemployed. Mehmi said the party had entrusted senior leaders with the task of handling three zones - Zone I comprised Sangrur, Patiala, Fatehgarh Sahib, Anandpur Sahib and Ludhiana; Zone II Hoshiarpur, Gurdaspur, Amritsar and Jalandhar ; and Zone III Faridkot, Ferozepore and
Bathinda.
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Badal’s pictures removed from ambulances
Ludhiana, December 26 “As it was not possible to remove the photographs on short notice, we have covered the pictures with a white paper,” said the cluster head. Health Minister Sat Pal Gosain said: “I will not comment on the issue. I respect the decision of the Election Commission. If it felt my pictures on the ambulance was violation of the code of conduct, how then can I comment on it?” The project was launched in April 3, 2011 and the free ambulance service helpline received 10,8677 calls from across the state till December 21. From April 3 to December 21, as many 30,041 pregnant women were taken to hospital and at least 150 women delivered on way to hospital. Ludhiana recorded the maximum number of deliveries (23). The Dial 108 Ambulance Service was launched in the industrial city in July.
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5 months on, docs await wages
Patiala, December 26 More than 20 days back, the hospital administration had received a cheque of Rs 3.20 crore to pay stipend to the doctors till December, but the district treasury office is yet to clear the cheque. Dr Ashish Jangir said, "The existing pay of a junior resident in government medical colleges in Punjab is Rs 16,200 plus DA, which is quite less in comparison to our counterparts in neighbouring states. On top of it, the government has failed to release our salaries for the past 5 to 8 months. Now, it has become really difficult to make both ends meet. We are in a catch 22 situation as we are being forced to borrow money from our families for our expenses." "Our counterparts in Delhi are getting Rs 50,000 to Rs 70,000, whereas we get a meager salary of Rs 22,000 that too not on regular basis. Almost all my senior and classmates have applied in other states and are planning to shift with the very first opportunity and why not,” added another doctor.
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Jor Mela commences on religious note
Fatehgarh Sahib, December 26 To mark the beginning, "Akhand Path of Shri Guru Granth Sahib" has started at Gurdwara Jyoti Swarup Sahib. Deputy Commissioner Yashveer Mahajan with other officials and a large number of devotees attended the ceremony. Giani Balwant Singh, head priest of Gurdwara Fatehgarh Sahib performed the "ardaas". On the first day, a sea of devotees thronged the town and long queues could be seen at Gurdwara Fatehgarh Sahib and Gurdwara Jyoti Swarup Sahib. More than 10 lakh devotees are expected to pay obeisance at these gurdwaras. After the election code of conduct came into force, no ruling party leader was seen during the inauguration ceremonies, exhibitions, Kavi Darbar, light and sound and other government sponsored events. The Deputy Commissioner inaugurated all the events. Mahajan said that the district administration had made elaborate arrangements for smooth conduct of the mela, which would be totally religious in nature and all the wine shops, gambling stalls, dancing pandals, circuses, swings and other sources of entertainment had been banned. "24-hour power supply, clean drinking water; toilet facilities and medical facilities have been provided and mini buses have been introduced to carry senior citizens, ladies free of cost to the gurdwaras," he said. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) RS Khatra said, "Foolproof security arrangements have been made for the pilgrims and the mela has been divided into four sectors. To control traffic, 200 cops have been deployed under SP rank officer. For security of the pilgrims, 10 SP rank officers, 20 DSPs, 71 Inspectors and 2,000 police personnel, including 100 women constables, have been deputed to keep a watch on anti-social elements." Meanwhile, a large number of community kitchens have started serving food to devotees. On second day of the mela, various political parties would organise their conferences. Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal and other leaders would address the SAD conference. Congress conference near Roza Sharif would be addressed by Capt Amarinder Singh, President, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) and other leaders. SAD (Amritsar), Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Sikh Students' Federation and Dal Khalsa would also organise their respective conferences. On concluding day of the mela, Nagar Kirtan would be taken out from Gurdwara Fatehgarh Sahib to Jyoti Swarup Sahib.
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Amritsar shivers
at -1.2° C Chandigarh, December 26 The icy winds in the region to continue for next two-three days and dense fog conditions could be witnessed tomorrow in Karnal area, reducing visibility to about 100 metres. Though there was some cloud formation in some parts of the region due to slight deviation in the western disturbances, but there was no possibility of the rain in near future, said the weather department. Mercury slipped to minus 1.2 degrees Celsius in Amritsar and 0.2 degree in Hisar. Both these places were much colder than Himachal Pradesh's hill station, Shimla that recorded a low at 4.4 degrees Celsius. Karnal was the second coldest place in Haryana at two degrees Celsius, which is 6 degrees below the normal. In Punjab, Ludhiana and Patiala recorded the minimum at 1.5 and 3 degrees Celsius, respectively. Chandigarh recorded a static minimum of 3 degrees Celsius, three notches below the normal.The higher reaches of Himachal continued to reel under sub-zero temperatures. Bhuntar in Kullu district was the coldest place in the state recording a low at minus 2 degrees.
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Rs 26 lakh unaccounted money seized
Patiala, December 26 The surveillance teams have been active ever since the election code of conduct came into force and the police has been deputed to check flow of black money in the state. Vijay Kumar, a resident of Ratia in Haryana, was held with Rs 16.33 lakh near the Passiana Chowk naka. At another naka on Nabha Road, the police recovered Rs 5 lakh from a car driven by Vijay Kumar, a resident of Sangrur resident, who had no documents to ascertain the source of the money. In other recoveries, the police seized Rs 1.24 lakh from Mandeep Singh and Rs 3.97 lakh from Sameer, a resident of Sirsa in Haryana. All the cases were handed over to the officials of the Income Tax Department for further investigations. As per the Election Commission's guidelines, anyone travelling with over Rs 1 lakh in cash needs to have documents pertaining to the money and its source.
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Chief Minister and SAD patron Parkash Singh Badal today said that his party would be announcing the remaining candidates before December 31.
The SAD has already come out with a list of 48 candidates.
Ludhiana, December 26
Ludhiana, December 26
PROMISES: As promised, sewer pipes in the constituency have not been laid. It will take about Rs 15 crore to accomplish the project, but nobody seems to care. Besides, rural roads are in a miserable state. A boys’ college has been the major demand of the residents of this constituency. The boys have to go to Jagraon, Malerkotla or Barnala for higher studies as there is no college in the constituency.
PROMISES: Being the home constituency of Capt Amarinder Singh, the SAD-BJP government made all efforts to ensure the promises made by the Congress MLA should not see the light of day. "The state government’s act in ousting Amarinder from the assembly, which was later termed as unconstitutional by the apex court, clearly shows the negative attitude of the ruling coalition towards the segment. Development projects were deliberately shelved,” say majority of the residents.
Phagwara: Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal has said that he is willing to take back PPP chief Manpreet Singh Badal and his aides into the SAD. Talking to the media here on Monday, he said his party was in the processs of thrashing out the issue of seat-sharing with the
BJP. He said all SAD nominees would be announced in the next five days or so. He said the ruling alliance would contest the elections on the development poll plank. Earlier, Badal met several party leaders, including Ajit Singh
Kohar. He addressed a rally near Nakodarwhere Markfed Chairman Jarnail Singh Wahid Advocate was among those present. —
Ashok Kaura
Mohali, December 26
