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Centre, not state, failed to perform its duty: Badal
Akalis have sectarian mindset: Capt
Bomb hoax ahead of Congress rally
Cops during a search operation minutes before Capt Amarinder Singh was to arrive in Giaspura. Tribune photo: Himanshu Mahajan
Prem Singh Chandumajra canvassing at Mulepur village in Fatehgarh Sahib on Friday. Tribune photo: Rajesh Sachar
Sukhbir attacks Amarinder for ‘puerile’ remarks against CM
Poll snippets
Akalis offered me money to keep mum: Slapgate
victim
Youth outfit extends support to Congress
Give young Warring a chance, says Bhattal
This ‘Ravana’ is back to his akhara
EC defers decision on Tax Act
Govt warns of action for leaving place of
posting
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Centre, not state, failed to perform its duty: Badal
Bholath, January 20 Addressing a rally in favour of SAD candidate for Bholath seat Bibi Jagir Kaur at Nadala, Badal said, "It is the duty of the Union Government to initiate steps to wipe out illiteracy, poverty and corruption and to provide essential commodities at cheaper rates. Can the Centre claim that it has performed its duties well?" Leave apart wiping out corruption from the country, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi had failed to eradicate it even from the Union Cabinet, alleged Badal. "Former Telecom Minister A Raja is still in Tihar jail for his involvement in the 2G Spectrum scam. Several other UPA leaders have been in and out of jail for various scams. These instances are enough to belie the Congress' claims on anti-corruption measures," the Chief Minister said. Regarding Sonia's allegations on increase in the number of BPL families, Badal claimed the Centre had directed the Punjab Government in 2002 that the number of BPL families should not go beyond 5.25 lakh. "The number is bound to rise as a new BPL survey is being conducted," he said. Blaming the Centre for the plight of the farmers and industrialists, Badal said the minimum support price of various crops, including wheat and paddy, and the rate of pesticides and diesel were fixed by the Union Government. He alleged that the industry was suffering with the Centre providing sops to industrialists of neighbouring states.
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Akalis have sectarian mindset: Capt
Jagraon/Khanna, January 20
He said they had never thought about Punjab but their own “narrow and vested interests” which had resulted in Punjab’s decline from number one to the 19th place over-all development. Amrinder said if voted to power, the Congress would provide crop insurance to the farmers. "We will provide every assistance, including financial, to the farmers to motivate them to grow crops other than wheat and paddy", he said. He pointed out that during his previous term he had introduced the farm-to-fork concept and roped in the Reliance Group to help farmers to diversify to growing vegetables. “The Akalis abandoned the project, lest the Congress got credit for the same.” Among others who addressed the rally were MP Manish Tiwari, Congress candidate Meharban, MLA Gurdeep Singh Bhaini and Sehajdhari Sikh Party president Paramjit Singh Ranu. Earlier, addressing a rally in Khanna in favour of Congress candidates Gurkirat Singh Kotli, grandson of the late Beant Singh, the PCC chief sent a stern warning to the rebels. He announced the expulsion of former president of Ludhiana DCC (Rural) Bhalinder Singh for opposing the official candidate. Attacking the People’s Party of Punjab (PPP), he said the latter had reached a secret pact with the SAD and “are fighting friendly matches on some seats.” At Jagraon, Congress supporters had to wait for hours for the PCC chief who reached at 4.30 pm instead of 1pm as scheduled. A large number of people were seen leaving the venue before the arrival of Amrinder despite repeated appeals to the gathering.
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Bomb hoax ahead of Congress rally
Ludhiana, January 20 After the call, the police sounded an alert and rushed its teams to the venue. Deputy Commissioner of Police Ashish Choudhary, who supervised the search operation, said after a two-hour operation, the call was found out to be a hoax. “We have started an investigation and the hoax caller will be nabbed soon,” he said. At the rally, Congress candidate for Ludhiana (South) seat Ashok Prashar was quick to target the ruling regime: “The hoax call was an attempt to disrupt our rally. This shows how scared the SAD-BJP alliance is of Amarinder’s popularity.”
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Campaign trail:
Fatehgarh sahib
Fatehgarh Sahib, January 20 Except Nagra, who is a first timer, the election contest is virtually a battle of survival for Bhatti, Mann and Chandumajra. After being denied ticket, sitting MLA Didar Singh Bhatti left the Akali Dal and is now contesting on the PPP ticket. "I am contesting the election because people of Fatehgarh Sahib want me to be their representative in Punjab Assembly. My performance as an MLA will sail me through", Bhatti said during his election campaign in rural areas of the constituency. On the other hand, SAD candidate Prem Singh Chandumajra is making fervent appeal to the electorate, stating that if he won the elections, the constituency would witness unprecedented development. "In order to make my dream a reality, vote only for the SAD-BJP alliance", is the punchline of Chandumajra, who has been tagged as an ‘outsider’ by the rival parties. While the campaign of Simranjit Singh Mann is yet to gain momentum, Congress candidate Kuljit Singh Nagra (46) is promising the electorate of eradicating corruption and generating employment opportunities. Besides delivering fiery speeches, Nagra makes it a point to interact one-to-one with people of Fatehgarh Sahib. "It is only the Congress that cares for the commoners and works for the betterment of the masses. Your vote is very precious and don't waste it by casting it to an outsider", asserts Nagra in most of his election speeches. Meanwhile, hectic electioneering is on in other two constituencies of the district -- Amloh and Bassi Pathana (SC). While in Bassi Pathana, the poll battle is evenly poised between Congress candidate Harbans Kaur Dullo and SAD candidate Justice (retd) Nirmal Singh. While two-time sitting MLA from Nabha Randeep Singh is Congress nominee from Amloh this time, Akali Dal has fielded Jagdeep Cheema. Jagmeet Singh Sahota is in the fray on the PPP ticket. Though there is stiff competition but having vast political experience and lot of developmental works to his credit, Randeep seems to be leading the race.
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Sukhbir attacks Amarinder for ‘puerile’ remarks against CM
Ratta Tibba (Muktsar), Jan 20 “Amarinder works for only five hours a day, that too according to the weather forecast. If the weather is fine, only then he steps out from his palace. But Badal Sahib is always among the people, campaigning from early morning till late evening.” Sukhbir went on to call Amarinder a drunkard “who has respiratory problems.” He advised him to desist from making puerile remarks and talk about real issues. “The Congress has nothing to say against us, so now their leaders have started making cheap comments,” Sukhbir said, adding that as of now, “we have no competition from any political outfit.” He said the Congress leadership was still grappling with rebels and had little time for campaigning. On Lambi, Sukhbir said: “Immediately after coming to power, we will start constructing streets and roads in villages which will be made of cemented blocks instead of bricks. Steps have been taken against water-logging and more efforts will be made to solve the problem.”
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Campaign trail Khadur
Sahib
Khadur Sahib (Tarn Taran), January 20 Defying age, this grand old man of Akali politics is campaigning hard from morning till night, addressing 10 - 15 public meetings daily and seeking the people’s mandate on the developmemt plank. He harps on the works carried out by the SAD-BJP government in the past five years, particularly in rural areas. “Funds to the tune of crores were released for development works and the result is visible in rural areas. It is for you to give us another chance so that we can carry forward our work,” he tells the electorate. The fact that no party has formed the government twice in a row in Punjab doesn’t shake his confidence. “There is always a first time and the SAD is set to make history. We will change the trend this time,” he avers. “We have provided free power to farmers, besides honouring our word on subsidised foodgrain for the poor. On the other hand, the previous Congress regime charged power dues from you for more than four years before waiving the same before the elections,” he says. He says the Congress has no programme to offer to the people of Punjab. He also stresses on works being undertaken by the government in the holy towns of Khadur Sahib, Chohla Sahib and Goindwal Sahib in his constituency. The minister cautions the voters: “Don’t be tempted by allurements like money and liquor. Your vote is precious. ” Congress candidate Sikki promises development in the constituency. Brahmpura's wife passes away Amritsar: Manjit Kaur Brahmpura, wife of Rural Development Minister Ranjit Singh Brahmpura, died at Fortis Hospital in Chandigarh on Friday. She was 73. A patient of blood pressure and diabetes, she was admitted to the hospital a few days back after she was taken ill because of the chilly cold weather. Her relatives said the death was shocking as she was fine until Thursday. The cremation will take place at Brahmpura in Tarn Taran district at 1 pm on Saturday. — TNS
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Poll snippets
Kahnuwan: Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Friday gave a booster dose to Education Minister SS Sekhwan's campaign when he addressed a gathering at the grain market here. Kahnuwan falls in Qadian Vidhan Sabha seat from where Sekhwan is locked in a triangular contest with Charanjit Kaur Bajwa, wife of Gurdaspur MP Partap Bajwa, and Congress rebel SS Chottepur. — Ravi Dhaliwal Water pipes being laid in Lambi
Muktsar: Locals allege that new water pipes pipes are being laid at the Lambi-Manawala road to lure voters. Sukhpal Singh, a Left leader, says that with the contest getting tough, construction works are being carried out in this CM’s constituency to lure the voters. “This should be stopped so that no political party benefits from it.” Labourers hired to lay the pipes say they are just doing their job to earn wages and have no knowledge of any violation. "I have told the officials concerned to halt the work and will inquire whether the work was started before the enforcement of the model code of conduct," said Sandeep Rishi, Returning Officer, Lambi, when contacted.
— Archit Watts More paramilitary forces for state
Chandigarh: As many as 25 more companies of paramilitary forces would be deployed in Punjab for keeping vigil across the state during the assembly elections. With this, the total number of companies to be deployed in the state has risen to 250. A senior police official said while 169 companies had already reached the state, the remaining would arrive by Friday evening.
— TNS SAD complains against police official
Amritsar: The ruling SAD has lodged a complaint with the Election Commission against former Amritsar Police Commissioner PS Sidhu, who is now posted in PAP, for reportedly campaigning for Congress candidate from Amritsar (South)
constituency Jasbir Singh Dimpa. SAD candidate Inderbir Singh Bolaria said the party had lodged a complaint in this regard. Sidhu denied the charge and dubbed it as a “pressure tactics of the SAD” as his brother was contesting as an Independent in Lambi against the CM.
— TNS Farmer dies after minister’s rally
Sultanpur Lodhi: A farmer died within hours of consuming liquor after he joined the SAD at Finance Minister Upinderjit Kaur's rally at Kabirpur village on Thursday night. Hardip Singh of Aluwal village was found dead in a school in Hajipur village. His relatives alleged that Hardip was offered liquor by Dharam Singh and Inderjit Singh to celebrate his entry into the SAD fold that caused his death. An FIR has been registered and a probe is on.
— Dharmendra Joshi Bibi's son-in-law booked again
Jalandhar: Another FIR has been registered against former SGPC president Bibi Jagir Kaur's son-in-law Bhupinder Singh for violating the poll code. Kapurthala SSP SS Mann said an FIR had been registered against him under Sections 171 B and 188, IPC, at the Bholath police station. Bhupinder is alleged to have announced Rs 21,000 as ‘allurement’ at a school function on December 31.
— Dharmendra Joshi Notice to Ramoowalia
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Akalis offered me money to keep mum: Slapgate
victim
Gidderbaha, January 20 Having earlier refused to support any party, Varinder today came out openly in support of the Congress for the January 30 polls. Speaking at a rally in the presence of CLP leader Rajinder Kaur Bhattal at Harike Kalan village in Gidderbaha constituency, she appealed to the electorate to elect the Congress. Narrating her plight from the stage, Varinder said, "The time has come to teach the ruling Akalis a lesson. Their Daula village
sarpanch, Balwinder Singh 'Toti', slapped me a number of times at Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal's Sangat Darshan where we had gone to register our protest. This is the real face of the Akali leadership who do not even mind serving girls with slaps if they seek their rights." Urging the voters to ensure the defeat of the ruling alliance, she said: "Even after the slapping incident, no senior SAD leader came to my house to give any assurance about justice. They only offered me money to keep mum and not to highlight the issue."
Varinder said she would go to other constituencies as well seeking support for the Congress candidates.
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Youth outfit extends support to Congress
Patiala, January 20 "The SYFI has a large base of activists in Punjab. We have given support to the Congress party unconditionally. We will work for the Congress in Punjab and particularly for Raninder Singh, Congress candidate from Samana", announced
Yadwinder. The SYFI leaders were accorded warm welcome by Preneet Kaur, Minister of State for External Affairs amd Member of Parliament from
Patiala. The Union Minister called upon the youth to uproot the inefficient SAD-BJP government from Punjab, which has failed to protect the interests of the youth in the state.
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Give young Warring a chance, says Bhattal
Gidderbaha, January 20 Bhattal, who was here to canvass for Congress candidate Amarinder Singh Warring “Raja”, said: “The alliance leadership did not even spare funds meant for the needy girls to buy bicycles under the Mai Bhago Scheme. How can one expect they will fight out corruption?” She also hit out at PPP chief and Gidderbaha candidate Manpreet Badal. Bhattal appealed the voters to elect Congress candidate Warring “if they wanted to get their demands fulfilled”. “This youngster has been picked by AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi as a candidate from here. So, if you vote for him, your voice will be heard by the party leaders sitting in Delhi,” she said.
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Graft case against Raj Khurana
Patiala, January 20 The CBI's slow progress in filing the chargesheet in the case gave a reason to the BJP to cheer, as they have fielded Khurana from Rajpura constituency. "He has a strong base in Rajpura and till the CBI comes out with the charges, there is nothing that could have stopped him from asking for the ticket", said a BJP leader. Sources in the CBI said that the agency was earlier supposed to file a chargesheet within three months of the registration of the case in May last year, but could not complete the investigation due to unavoidable delays and needed more time for investigation. "We need some more details and the matter is still under investigation", CBI DIG Mahesh Aggarwal told The Tribune. Sources further said that the matter was being probed by the anti-corruption wing of the agency. Khurana was booked by the CBI on charges of bribery received at his Chandigarh residence for allegedly "getting the complainant's issue sorted out". However, Khurana's name was added to the FIR later. Two more BJP ministers were named in the case and were later questioned, prompting the BJP to change some cabinet ministers. Aggarwal said that the case would be completed once they have cross-checked all evidence. "Only then we will move further", he added.
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This ‘Ravana’ is back to his akhara
Pathankot, January 20 The two have been dislodged from the political stage with the BJP denying the ticket to its sitting MLA and the Congress fielding Raman Bhalla instead of Ashok Sharma. The latter has decided to contest as an Independent. In political wilderness, Master Mohan Lal, spends his mornings grappling with men half his age at his wrestlers’ akhara Mahavir Vyamshala. “The son of the soil that I am, I’m back to the akhara from where I started wrestling decades ago”, he says. He is livid with the party leadership for “dropping him like a hot potato” but the ‘loyal BJP soldier’ in him quickly resurfaces and he refrains from criticising BJP state president Ashwani Sharma. The Master donned the grease paint for three decades performing for Rama Dramatic Club before retiremnent in 1999. “I liked playing Ravana because apart from being a devout follower of Shiva, he authored Ravana Sanhita, a book on Hindu astrology.” Master is at his wittiest best when speaking about his political foes. “Ashok Sharma was in the Congress, but was never a Congress man. There are two types of people in politics. The first like me who work hard and the second who hardly work. Both Ashok and Raman Bhalla fall in the second category,” he says. Ashok, who played Ram for 34 years for Krishna Natak Club, refuses to react to the Master’s sarcasm. Interestingly, his brother Ravi Sharma still plays Laxman.
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EC defers decision on Tax Act
Chandigarh, January 20 Usha R. Sharma, Special Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab, said the Chief Electoral Officer had transferred Balkaran Singh, XEN, Mandi Board, Gurdaspur, and Devinder Singh, SDO, Mandi Board, Fatehgarh Churian, on complaints of non-compliance of official orders. Tarsem Raj, XEN, and SDO Jagjit Singh had been posted in their place. She said that Gursharan Singh Khaira, XEN, Power Com, Khadur Sahib, had also been transferred with immediate effect. Sharma said that unaccounted cash worth Rs 25,83,14,445 had been referred to the Income Tax Department till date. Sharma said 16 cases regarding violence during campaign and political rivalry hade been registered across the state. As many as 8,648 non-bailable warrants had been executed and 5,357 persons issued restraining orders under Sections107 and 116.
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Govt warns of action for leaving place of
posting
Patiala, January 20 On January 2, The Tribune had highlighted that government officials were leaving their place of posting in the evening to reach their homes in nearby districts. Following the report, the Election Commission took up the matter with the Chief Secretary, Punjab. "Strict action will be taken against the officials who leave their station as it is a clear violation of the election code of
conduct", reads the letter written by the Chief Secretary to all heads of government departments.
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Ludhiana, January 20
Deputy Chief Minister and SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal today challenged PCC chief Capt Amarinder Singh to run a campaign as assiduously as his father, CM Parkash Singh Badal, for just three days. “Amarinder is only revealing his frustration with statements that the CM can’t move without support (a reference to his old age). If he really wants to know who is weak, he should try running a campaign parallel to Badal Sahib’s for just three days and we will know who is weak,” said Sukhbir, campaigning for his father in the Lambi constituency today.
Khadur Sahib (Tarn Taran), January 20
Graft case against Raj Khurana
Chandigarh, January 20
Mohali:
The returning officer, Mohali, on Friday issued a notice to SAD candidate Balwant Singh Ramoowalia after former Chandigarh Mayor Harjinder Kaur and his daughter were found canvassing and distributing poll pamphlets at Amb Sahib Gurdwara in Phase 8 here on Thursday. The Khahar returning officer has also issued notices to six candidates for not getting their expenditure register checked from election officials.
— Rajmeet Singh
