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Got ticket on merit: Raninder
Manpreet postpones surgery till elections
Moga official suspended for ‘helping’ Tota Singh
Politicians to flex muscles at Maghi Mela
Politicians turn to astrologers to seek divine intervention
Brar family fights for political existence
MLA Joshi in for acid test
PPP’s BS Baltana files papers in Dera Bassi
Remove photos from vans, Khanna told
Civil society members to check supply of drugs
City Centre
scam case adjourned for Jan 21
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Rebellion Mild, will subside: Capt
Chandigarh, January 7 While making it clear that there was no scope of change in the 114-member list, Amarinder said it was party president Sonia Gandhi's unilateral decision to allot ticket to his son Raninder Singh and Karan Brar, daughter-in-law of former Chief Minister Harcharan Singh Brar. "Neither Preneet (his wife and Patiala MP) nor me had anything to do with Raninder's recommendation. Both Raninder and Karan Brar have been rewarded for standing up against the Badal family," he said. Notably, Raninder and Karan have contested a Lok Sabha election each against Harsimrat Badal and Sukhbir Badal, respectively. Amarinder said since the party had forced them to contest the elections, Sonia felt they should be suitably rewarded. "It is a kind and generous gesture on Sonia's part," he said. On whether the gesture had robbed Raja Malwinder of nomination, Amarinder said his brother was upset as he had been working in Samana since the past 35 years. He said he had spoken to his brother, who was also from the Army background, and told him that he should understand that there were certain orders that needed to be obeyed even if one didn't like them. He said Malvinder knew the Congress president since the days of her marriage but sometimes even Sonia could be helpless. "She had to take a larger view", he added. About another dissension — Deepinder Singh Dhillon being ignored from Dera Bassi in favour of Jasjit Singh Randhawa — the PPCC president was much more forthright. He said Deepinder was not considered a strong candidate as the character of the seat had changed post-delimitation. Amarinder also indicated dissidence would simmer down. He said Gidderbaha ticket hopeful Gursant Singh Brar had rung him up and assured him that he would abide with the party decision. He said similarly PPP defector Kushaldeep Dhillon had also assured him that he would campaign for the Congress. ‘PM never intervened for Surinder Singla’ Amarinder clarified that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh never intervened in favour of former Minister Surinder Singla, as had been reported in a section of the media. He said the ticket announcement for Mansa had been withheld at the insistence of the PCC. He said he and Rajinder Kaur Bhattal had written the Congress president requesting Singla be given the ticket from Mansa. Earlier, the ticket had been allocated to Jagpal Singh Abulkhurana. Rebels to support SAD in Gidderbaha Gidderbaha: Senior Congress leaders who had yesterday launched a revolt against the party’s decision of allotting ticket to youth leader Amarinder Singh Warring “Raja” from Gidderbaha, today, decided to support SAD in this politically volatile constituency. The decision was taken by a 10-member committee, led by former MLA Raghubir Singh “Pardhan” and senior leader Sant Singh Brar, who were among others in queue to get the ticket from this constituency. Jalandhar: Alleging nepotism by senior Congress leaders while allocating ticket, Anil Vashisth, adviser, PCC RTI cell, has started dharna outside DCC office here on Saturday. He alleged, “Senior leaders have got at least eight ticket to their close relatives ignoring the deserving candidates”. An active member of the Congress for the past over two decades, Vashisth had sought party ticket from Jalandhar north from where former minister Avtar Henry has been fielded again. “I will sit on dharna for four hours daily till my demand of cancellation of tickets to turncoats and relatives of senior leaders is not met,” he added. Babbal to contest as Independent Ferozepur: Former MLA and Parliamentary Secretary Ravinder Singh Sandhu (Babbal), who has been denied the Congress ticket from Ferozepur (urban), today announced to contest the election as an Independent candidate. The Congress has given the ticket to Parminder Singh Pinki, a new entrant from this seat. Babbal said he took the decision keeping in view the sentiments of his supporters.
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Morcha, rebels to spice up poll battle
Amritsar, January 7 Leading the pack is Amritsar (South) seat where both the SAD and the Congress are facing a threat from rebels. While the SAD has fielded Chief Parliamentary Secretary Inderbir Singh
Bolaria, the Congress brought in Jasbir Singh Dimpa who shifted his base after his previous constituency Beas got reserved in delimitation. From the SAD, party leader Gurpartap Singh Tikka has raised the banner of revolt. The Congress too has some major firefighting to do with two main contenders ---former MLA Harjinder Singh Thekedar and party leader Navdeep Singh Goldy --- being ignored in ticket allotment. Speculations are rife that Thekedar and Goldy may even join hands to defeat
Dimpa. Thekedar is still in New Delhi, urging the party high command to reconsider its decision. In Amritsar (West), Sanjha Morcha candidate Amarjit Singh Asal has already turned the fight between Congress' Rajkumar Verka and BJP's Rakesh Gill into a triangular one. Asal is a strong candidate, which is evident from the fact that he bagged 11,350 votes from the same seat in the last assembly elections. He was also the runner-up in the 2002 assembly poll with 21,791 votes. There is also a possibility of a Congress rebel contesting as an Independent from the seat. In Amritsar (North), sitting BJP MLA Anil Joshi is pitted against Congress' Ashwani Kumar Pappu whose candidature has peeved other aspirants of the party ticket. Congress leader Karamjit Singh Rintu has already expressed his unhappiness over the denial of ticket and will be holding a meeting with his supporters tomorrow. In Amritsar (Central), the contest has already turned triangular with Sanjha Morcha candidate Vijay Mishra in the fray. Both the Congress and the BJP have fielded new faces from the constituency in the form of OP Soni and Tarun
Chugh, respectively. Former Vidhan Sabha Deputy Speaker and senior Congress leader Prof Darbari Lal is miffed on being denied ticket. He has called a meeting of his supporters from all 14 wards of the constituency to decide his future strategy tomorrow. "I have been serving the constituency for the last 40 years and the party move is not only unfair to me but also to the electorate," he said. Newly carved Amritsar (East) constituency, where two political greenhorns in the form of BJP's Dr Navjot Kaur Sidhu and Congress' Simarpreet Kaur Bhatia will battle it out, may also see some rebels entering into the poll fray as it is a new seat and many from both the camps were eying party ticket from here. Sanjha Morcha and BSP have fielded their candidates who may make a dent in sizable Dalit votes in the seat. Apart from these seats, there is also a possibility of rebellion in Congress in rural seats like Jandiala and Baba
Bakala.
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Got ticket on merit: Raninder
Patiala, January 7 Speaking to mediapersons at his Moti Bagh Palace residence this morning, Raninder said, “My only focus will be to meet the expectations of the party high-command”. To a query about the announcement by Malvinder Singh, Capt Amarinder Singh’s brother, that he would contest as Independent from Samana, a visibly confident Raninder said, "No comments”. Meanwhile, terming the Badal duo as “liars” and “anti-Punjabi”, Raninder said Badals had “murdered” democracy in Punjab. He said Badals had followed the policy of “fixing those going against them”. Raninder, who is also president of the National Rifle Association of India, said besides other works, setting up of a state-of-the-art firefighting station at Samana would be a priority.
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Manpreet postpones surgery till elections
Chandigarh, January 7 Doctors have advised him surgical intervention immediately to remove the growth. However, he has told them he would prefer to campaign in support of his candidates instead of going for a surgery. Asked in this regard, Manpreet admitted he had a problem in his throat. “I was constantly having a sore throat and had a muffled voice for the past few weeks. I have to put extra strain on my vocal cords while speaking at rallies,” he said. “A few days ago, I visited an ENT expert, who found an abnormal growth in my throat,” he said, adding, “As advised by him I got MRI done which confirmed the growth. It happened because I have been very harsh on my throat for the past 15 months.” He said he had addressed about 1,000 rallies across the state during this period and spoke for hours every day in the process. Whether the growth is malignant or benign would only be known after a biopsy. “But I have no time to go under a surgery. I have to address more than 80 rallies in the next 20 days. I cannot afford a surgical intervention at this stage due to the elections,” Manpreet said.
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Moga official suspended for ‘helping’ Tota Singh
Moga, January 7 Moga District Magistrate-cum-District Election Officer B Purushartha said a complaint was received against VDO Baljit Singh Bagga and a few other employees. An inquiry was conducted by Returning Officer Ram Singh, following which he was suspended and sent to Ferozepur district, he said. However, Bagga alleged that the RO did not call him for a personal hearing before recommending action against him. He denied the charges of helping any candidate. Meanwhile, the DM has asked the CEO to issue directions to relieve District Education Officer (Secondary) Bhupinder Kaur from the additional charge of her office being in the home district. Moreover, her husband is a councillor and active member of the ruling SAD. Also, the leave application of Ajmer Singh, panchayat secretary whose wife Rajwinder Kaur is the SAD candidate from Nihalsinghwala, has been turned down by the district administration and a request has been sent to the CEO for issuing directions to transfer him out of Moga district, said Purushartha. PWD Executive Engineer Balwinder Singh has been transferred out of Moga district following complaints against him.
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Fatehjung Bajwa ‘missing’
Qadian, January 7 Fateh had earlier lost the assembly elections from Gurdaspur.Ever since he has been denied the ticket, which has been given to his sister-in-law Charanjit Kaur from Qadian, rumours are that he may join the SAD or contest the elections as an Independent. However, these rumours were rejected by his family members. Fateh, who had been working tirelessly in the area in anticipation of the ticket, had contested three elections, but lost all of them with small margins.
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Politicians to flex muscles at Maghi Mela
Bathinda, January 7 The forthcoming Maghi Mela would be one such occasion that would see the leaders of various parties in the best of their form while attacking their political rivals. Punjab’s three main political parties, including the Shiromani Akali Dal, the Congress and the People’s Party of Punjab, have been preparing to take benefit of the traditional Maghi Mela at Muktsar to show their strength by organising rallies. The annual fair would be held on January 14, a day after Lohri. Various parties are busy identifying land to hold their respective rallies, which, as per them, would help set the tone for the polling 16 days later (on January 30). These parties have already launched their respective campaigns. However, they are concentrating particularly on the Malwa region where they are planning maximum mobilisation of activists as stretching to other areas would affect the ongoing election campaign. Supporters are likely to be mobilised from Muktsar, Bathinda, Faridkot, Mansa, Barnala, Moga, Fazilka and Ferozepur districts. It would be an acid test for the ruling SAD-BJP Government that has started making preparations to beat its rivals in the show of strength. SAD leader Tejinder Singh Midukhera says he was “confident that it would be a grand show”. Muktsar district Congress chief Gurdass Girdhar said the party had identified a piece of 24 acres of land on the Muktsar-Bathinda road for the rally. A makeshift helipad would also be set up to enable PPCC chief Capt Amrinder Singh fly to the venue, he said, adding a few central leaders were also expected for the rally. Meanwhile, a few leaders who did not want to be identified say stringent curbs on expenditure enforced by the Election Commission might come in the way of organising rallies as the entire expenditure might be added to poll expenses.
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Politicians turn to astrologers to seek divine intervention
Jalandhar, January 7 Politicians from various parties, including the Congress, the
SAD-BJP alliance or even Independents, could be seen lined-up in front of the doors of astrologers and soothsayers to seek their blessings or to perform religious rituals like
"Yajnas" at prominent shrines of the region. A large number of candidates have increased their visits to various
"Deras" or shrines within the state or in the adjoining Himachal Pradesh, considered to be the 'Land of Gods'. Almost all candidates are rushing to astrologers, soothsayers or oracles for their high stakes in Punjab elections this time. Interestingly, astrologers, who are making a fast buck these days, are offering 'divine solutions' to politicians to suit their particular needs or to fulfill their specific whims and fancies. The Opal gemstone is being prescribed to veteran politicians for enabling them to attract media glare easily, Pearls are being tipped to be the best remedy for betterment of the image of among masses. On the other hand, costly stones like transparent Ruby or Yellow Sapphire, coming with a hefty price tag ranging between Rs 50,000 to Rs 4 lakh a piece, are being dished out for 'overall' well being of established politicians and to party ticket aspirants to improve their chances. "Politicians, particularly the candidates, are leaving no stone unturned this time. They are seemingly not in a mood to leave anything to a chance. Almost all candidates are not only consulting astrologers, but also busy in hiring
"tantriks" to ensure their victory in the forthcoming polls. Unlike the past, Akalis are no more conservative in seeking 'divine' remedies this time. Similarly, a large number of Congress and BJP candidates are heading to astrologers to seek solutions. I have so many clients, who are still reluctant to wear stones as their religion prohibits them to do so. So, as an alternative, they are wearing lockets which easily get concealed in their shirts," said
Gobind, a Ludhiana-based astrologer, who predicted that January 10, 11 and 12 would be the most auspicious dates for candidates to file their nomination papers. "There is a sudden surge in the demand for precious stones like yellow stone and transparent Ruby.
"Yajnas" have turned costly, politicians have to pay anywhere between Rs 20,000 to Rs 25 lakh and they prefer to perform these rituals according to their stature and financial position. Ruby is being worn to strengthen the Sun," said Dr Sanjiv
Sood, an astrologer. Bhaskar Sharan Bhalla, a Hoshiarpur-based astrologer, confided that before last week, aspirants were getting advice of soothsayers to seek tickets of various political parties, nowadays, the candidates were seeking 'spiritual advice' to ensure their victory in the ensuing polls. "A large number of politicians have already performed
'yajnas' at Baglamukhi or other shrines in nearby Himachal Pradesh," said
Bhalla.
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Brar family fights for political existence
Though Muktsar holds a high place in Punjab’s political demography, the residents of this semi-urban assembly constituency complain they haven’t got their due over the past 15 years. They say their chosen representatives failed to deliver what they promised.
Due to the poor health of sitting Congress MLA Kanwarjit Singh Brar, son of Harcharan Singh Brar, the party has allotted the ticket to his wife Karan Brar. But the ticket only came after hectic lobbying even though the Brar family is considered close to the Gandhi family, it is learnt. Political pundits say winning the seat is crucial for the Brars as the family otherwise may get wiped out from the state political arena. The SAD, however, is undecided on whom to give the ticket even as less than a month is left for the elections. The Akali Dal ticket aspirants include Harnirpal Singh Kuku, Sukhdarshan Singh Marar and Roji Barkaandi. Sources in the SAD say the party may decide between Kuku and Marar. The duo have a strong hold in the constituency and both have earlier contested as Independent candidates after being denied the party ticket. Therefore, the SAD faces a daunting task to select either of the two and face a challenge from the one left out in the form of a rebel candidate. Projects: Karan Brar claims that despite her husband’s poor health, all possible efforts were made to improve the condition of the roads and provide clean drinking water to the residents. And all this, she claims, despite the SAD-BJP government meting out a step-motherly treatment to the segment as it was represented by a Congress MLA. VOX POPULI: Apart from religious significance, Muktsar district is important politically as well. The district has given the state several important leaders, including two Chief Ministers: Harcharan Singh Brar and Parkash Singh Badal. But the potholed roads in the constituency speak volumes about the neglect that the area has witnessed. The residents have also been facing sewage disposal and drinking water problems. In the last two elections, the sitting MLAs have had to remain on the opposition benches in the state assembly. LOOKING BACK: In 2007, Kanwarjit Singh Brar polled 49,972 votes (of the total 1,50,088). He defeated Sukhdarshan Singh Marar. In 2002, Marar, an Independent, defeated former Chief Minister Harcharan Singh Brar of the Congress and Harnirpal Singh Kuku of the SAD. — TNS
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MLA Joshi in for acid test
Amritsar (North) MLA Anil Joshi, who won the last assembly elections primarily due to infighting in the Congress, will be in for an acid test this time as the electorate will cast its vote on his performance in the last five years. Moreover, the constituency has not re-elected a legislator in the last two decades.
Projects: Joshi, who claims to have made no promises prior to the last elections, is relying on his development card to script history by staging a comeback from the constituency. In the last four assembly elections, no legislator has got re-elected from the seat. He has been projecting construction of Batala road at the cost of Rs 7 crore, covering of 2.75-km long stretch of Ganda Nullah at Rs 10.23 crore, shifting of high-tension wires from various residential areas stretching up to an area of 11 km and the construction of a government college in his constituency as his major achievements during his stint as an MLA. Spread over 13 acres and raised at a cost of Rs 12 crore, the college has even started functioning from this academic session. The constituency has also witnessed construction of cemented streets on a large-scale in residential areas. The MLA claims to have spent Rs 165 crore on streets and sewers in his constituency, besides getting Rs 7.5 crore for development works in seven village panchayats falling in his seat. He has also got sanctioned Rs 3 crore for beautification of the Company
Bagh, apart from Rs 1.5 crore for water treatment plant at Durgiana Temple. However, his rivals accuse him of ignoring the areas which have moved out of the constituency post-delimitation. In other areas too, they claim, one would find more foundation stones and less development works.
VOX POPULI: The electorate in the constituency seems more or less satisfied with Joshi’s performance. They opine that the area has seen more development under him as compared to previous years. They also feel that Joshi is easily accessible and responsive, which they say is a big plus as politicians these days are not easy to approach. LOOKING BACK: In the last four assembly elections, the people have voted alternatively for the Congress and the
BJP, which means it has never returned the sitting MLA to the assembly. In the last elections, Joshi defeated Jugal Kishore Sharma of the Congress. In 2002, Sharma had defeated BJP’s Baldev Raj
Chawla, who in 1997 had defeated Faqir Chand Sharma of the Congress. In 1992, Faqir Chand had defeated Sat Pal Mahajan of the
BJP. — TNS
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Electioneering picks up in Patiala
Patiala, January 7 Addressing a series of election rallies, Preneet appealed the masses to vote for the Congress and wipe out the SAD-BJP alliance from Punjab in the assembly elections. While campaigning for Kamboj, who is a close confidant of Preneet, she said, "Elect Kamboj from Rajpura so that the next Congress government can put Rajpura on the fast-track of development." Lambasting the Akalis, she said that both the Badals had looted the state for full five years. Meanwhile, with Congress announcing all the candidates for the eight assembly constituencies of the Patiala district, the election campaign in the royal city has suddenly gained momentum. The Congress candidates intensified campaign and the district was abuzz with hectic political activities. While electioneering by the candidates of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) was on from the past 10 days, the Congress was yet to come into election mode. Now, with the announcement of Congress candidates, the canvassing has got a major boost. Some Congress leaders, including Laal Singh, Madan Lal Jalalpur, Hardyal Kamboj, and Nirmal Singh, were already campaigning in their respective constituencies, as their tickets were sure. However, after the official announcement of the Congress candidates, these leaders have accelerated their election campaign. Candidates including Brahm Mohindra, Raninder Singh and Amarinder Singh have also kick-started their campaign. Former Improvement Trust chairman KK Sharma, who is taking care of Amarinder's election campaign, started the canvassing. After opening his election offices at Bahadurgarh, Balbhera, Bhundheri and Devigarh, Laal Singh, who is contesting from the Sanaur assembly segment, said, "The Congress candidates were earlier addressing nukkar meetings and village-level programmes, but from today, they have started opening their election offices besides holding public gatherings and mass contact programmes in different areas of their respective constituencies." Brahm Mohindra has convened a series of meetings of the Congress activists from Patiala (Rural) constituency and mobilised them for campaigning vigorously. He went to various areas falling under in the constituency and listened to the problems of the area residents. "The election campaign of Congress candidates is now in full swing", said Madan Lal Jalalpur, Congress candidate from Ghanaur. Meanwhile, Akalis have also intensified electioneering in the district. Supporters of the party's candidate from Patiala (Rural) Kuldeep Kaur Tohra said that they had already covered half of the constituency. Tohra camp also stated that former sarpanch of Baran village Harchand Singh, along with his supporters, joined the Akali Dal and extended his support to Kuldeep Kaur. "Since Harchand was in the Congress, it is big jolt to our opponents", said Kuldeep Kaur. Other party candidates including Vaninder Kaur Loomba from Shutrana (Reserve), Akali rebel Satbir Singh Khatra from Patiala (Rural), Harpreet Kaur Mukhmailpur from Ghanaur and Dr TP Sandhu (Sanaur) have also accelerated canvassing.
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PPP’s BS Baltana files papers in Dera Bassi
Dera Bassi/Mohali, January 7 Much to the appeasement of the SAD, the family of late Capt Kanwaljit Singh, an Akali stalwart, today decided not to field the sitting Banur MLA, Jasjit Singh Bunny, as an Independent candidate from Dera Bassi. Bunny said that Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, SAD Youth President Bikramjit Singh Majithia, along with NK Sharma, came to his house following which he had decided to work for the party. Manpreet Kaur Dolly, the daughter of Late Capt Kanwaljit Singh, who had earlier announced to contest from Rajpura, today said she would hold a meeting of her supporters tomorrow to decide the future course of action. But on the other hand, rebel Congress leader Deepinder Singh Dhillon today started his campaign after announcing to contest as an Independent candidate from the constituency. Yesterday, a number of his supporters had resigned from the Congress party after the ticket was given to Jasjit Singh Randhawa. Dhillon said today he visited 13 villages as part of his campaign. In Mohali, the SAD was successful in convincing the rebel Akali leader, Harsukhminder Singh Badal, not to oppose the party candidate Balwant Singh Ramoowalia. "I along with 11-member delegation called upon Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal. I was assured that the party would give due respect and credit to me and my workers", said Bubby Badal. In the Congress camp, Lakhwinder Kaur Garcha, a former OSD to former CM Capt Amarinder Singh, also protested against the party ticket being given to the sitting Kharar MLA, Balbir Singh Sidhu. In Kharar constituency, there were reports of senior Congress leader Rajbir Singh Padiala contemplating to contest the elections as an Independent as the party ticket has been given to former Congress minister Jagmohan Singh Kang. " I will take the decision on January 11", he said.
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BKU to support SAD in elections
Jalandhar, January 7 Criticising the UPA government in the Centre, Lakhowal alleged that farmers had been fighting for their rights since long, but the Central government kept its eyes wide shut. “We have hold numbers of meetings with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Union Agricultural Minister. Sharad Pawar also termed our demands genuine, but nothing happened after that,” said Lakhowal. Terming the SAD government as well wishers of the farming community, he said they would wholeheartedly support the Badals. Detailing about their long-pending demands, Lakhowal said they demanded minimum support price (MSP) for all crops as per the reports of the Swaminathan Commission, old-age pensions for farmers and their widows.
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Congress faces tough battle in Dinanagar
Dinanagar, January 7 The BJP has replaced its sitting MLA Sita Ram Kashyap with BD Dhuppar, a former deputy director in the Punjab Industries Department. The BJP faced no rebellion against the candidature of Dhuppar and even Kashyap deciding to back him. However, Aruna, who starts canvassing in the wee hours every day, said, "I am going to highlight the developmental work initiated by me during my tenure as an MLA from 2002 to 2007. I brought funds to get 85-km of link roads constructed, which suggests that majority of the 250 villages falling in my area have now been interlinked. Two pontoon bridges were also constructed at Makkoran Pattan and Jandi Beanpur. Streets of Dinanagar town were re-carpeted and scores of schools were also upgraded." On the other hand, Dhuppar is trying to highlight Kashyap's achievements, which include up-gradation of scores of schools. "Now, people have access to quality education. I agree the area is devoid of industry, which means there is hardly any opportunity for the unemployment youth. I will try to bring industries to ensure employment to youngsters," said Dhuppar. Aruna, whose election campaign is being managed by her husband Ashok Chowdhury, would be banking on Scheduled Caste (SC), Backward Caste (SC) and Jat Sikh votes in this reserved constituency. Out of the total 1.63 lakh voters, 35 per cent are from the SC and BC communities. Both the candidates are eying this vote back. Aruna's father-in-law Jai Munni was a two-time MLA from
Dinanagar.
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Only 40% firearms deposited
Patiala: Despite Election Commission’s directions regarding deposition of firearms with the district administration, the process is yet to gain momentum with only 40 per cent of the firearms deposited in the state. With the “malkhanas” (official stores inside police stations) already filled to capacity, the police is now dependent on private depots for keeping weapons. Interestingly, policemen are being asked to individually visit arms licence holders and urge them to deposit their weapons at the earliest.
— Aman Sood Bureaucrats allege discrimination Patiala: IPS, IAS and PCS officers have expressed resentment over the state Home Department’s “apathy” towards them. They allege that the department has been ignoring seniority and past record while forwarding names to the Election Commission. Complaining in this regard, Rohit Choudhary, IG, Railways, has shot off a letter to the Home Department on the issue. “The decision to send the names of officers who have not worked in Ludhiana ever and are three years junior to me in the panel to the EC may be reviewed in the interest of fair and peaceful conduct of the elections,” reads the letter. The EC had recently selected Ishwar Chander as Ludhiana commissioner from a list of three-member panel forwarded by the Home department.
— Aman Sood Women issues to the fore Patiala: As the main political parties of Punjab, the SAD and the Congress, have fielded more women candidates, woman-centric issues are expected to dominate the campaigning, particularly in constituencies from where women candidates are trying their luck. “Being a woman, it is easier to understand their problems. Though development is our main agenda throughout the state, I will certainly work for the uplift of women,” said Kuldeep Kaur Tohra, SAD candidate from Patiala rural. Similar are the views of Harpreet Kaur and Vaninder Kaur Loomba, who are contesting from Ghanaur and Shutrana, respectively.
— Gagan K.Teja Dal Khalsa raps SAD Chandigarh: Firing a salvo at the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) for allotting Malerkotla ticket to the wife of former police officer Izhar Alam, the Dal Khalsa on Saturday accused the Badals of "rubbing salt" on the wounds of the Sikhs who had borne the brunt of Alam's repression during his stint as SSP, Amritsar. Party head HS Dhami accused the Badals of accommodating the "killer" cop in the party by proxy. He also took a dig at the ruling party for allegedly trying to hoodwink the Sikhs by mentioning Nissara Khaatoon, second name of Farzana Alam in the official list of its candidates. — TNS Illegal dhaba shut down
Jalandhar: An illegal makeshift dhaba that had come up close to the residence of former Local Bodies Minister and BJP Jalandhar Central candidate Manoranjan Kalia was closed down today. The signboard of the dhaba was removed and gates of the residential building were locked. After The Tribune carried a news report in this regard, DEO Priyank Bharti asked Returning Officer Iqbal Singh Sandhu to report the matter regarding serving of free food to the supporters by the candidate. Kalia has said that some his supporters had themselves paid for their meals. Bharti has asked the RO to enquire his claim and if found otherwise, add the expenditure on catering to Kalia’s account. — Deepkamal Kaur
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Remove photos from vans, Khanna told
Usha Sharma, Special CEO, said if medical vans were to be used in the normal course for providing medical assistance, photographs of Arvind Khanna should be removed with immediate effect. As far as distribution of booklets, handbags, notebooks, diaries, T-shirts were concerned, the expenditure on such items, if distributed after filing the nomination, would be borne by the candidate himself. 16 file nomination As many as 16 candidates and covering candidates filed their nominations across the state today. They include Jarnail Singh, BSP candidate from Phagwara; Baldev Singh, BSP candidate from Phillaur; his covering candidate Gurmukh Singh; Gurmail Ram, BSP candidate from Nakodar; Amarjeet Singh, an Independent from Mukerian; Bhagwant Singh, PPP candidate from Dera Bassi; and his covering candidate Parminder Pal Kaur. Similarly, Sikandar Singh, an Independent from Dera Bassi; Jaswinder Singh, an Independent from Fazilka; his covering candidate Rajdeep Kaur; Pawanpeerat Singh, CPI candidate from Kotkapura; Gurjant Singh, CPI-ML Liberation candidate from Mansa; Rattan Lal, an Independent from Dhuri; Gurjant Singh, Independent from Bhadaur; Jagjit Singh, BSP candidate from Rajpura; his covering candidate Surjit Kaur; have filed their nomination papers.
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Civil society members to check supply of drugs
Patiala, January 7 Advocate Phoolka alleged that distribution of drugs during elections had actually made youth fall prey to this evil and therefore the society would ensure that this practice should be shunned. He said, "Our members will personally visit all the constituencies to convince candidates that they should use their popularity to apprise people against this evil." Making a request to the people to help for the cause, he said that people could either carry out a sting operation with their mobile phone, click pictures of candidates and their close aides indulging in this practice, or record conversations pertaining to the distribution of free liquor and drugs and bring them to the society. "We will not only reward the helper but also complain to the Election Commission (EC) and pressurise for cancellation of his nomination and if need arises, we will also file a petition in the High Court," added Phoolka. He further said that they already had a word with the EC and they had assured full cooperation to the society. They said they would take very speedy and strict action against the defaulters so that this practice could be totally curtailed. Meanwhile, the society also released the publicity material, including stickers and pamphlets, on the occasion. They also gave two helpline numbers- 09779747474 and 09872959595 which could be used to file complaints.
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City Centre scam case adjourned for Jan 21
Ludhiana, January 7 Sessions Judge SP Bangarh heard the arguments of the defence lawyer representing accused Ashwajit and Amit Sardana, relating to IPE company. The defence lawyer would continue his arguments on the next date of hearing against framing of charges qua his clients. Former CM Capt Amarinder Singh, ex-minister Jagjit Singh and Raninder Singh were not present during the hearing. However, the court exempted their personal appearance on different grounds.
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Chandigarh, January 7
People’s Party of Punjab chief Manpreet Singh Badal, who has an unusual growth in his throat, has refused to go in for a surgery till the elections in the state are over. Sources said Manpreet has a cyst close to his vocal cord. He has been putting extra stress on his vocal cords while address election rallies.
To check distribution of free drugs and liquor in the assembly elections, the Civil Society against Drugs (CAD), Punjab, under the leadership of senior advocate HS
Phoolka, would appoint two representatives of the organisation in each district to ensure that none of the candidates indulge in distribution of liquor and other drugs to woo voters.
A Congress MLA from the constituency, Harcharan Singh Brar, even rose to become the Chief Minister, but the aspirations of the voters “were not met”. Brar had won the 1992 assembly elections and he became the Chief Minister for 14 months in August 1995. The residents, however, credit the late Harcharan Singh Brar for granting district status to Muktsar. 
The last Assembly elections saw Joshi, who held the post of BJP district (rural) president, making it to the Vidhan Sabha for the first time. Hailing from Tarn
Taran, he has been active in the local politics for almost a decade now. He has even built up a residence at Medical Enclave in his constituency. 
Chandigarh, January 7