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SAD manifesto targets the poor & youth
Campaign trail |
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Patiala gives rousing welcome to ‘Maharaja’
SAD-BJP will reverse trend of anti-incumbency: Uma
SAD, CONG MANIFESTOS"
‘Outsider’ Tota Singh sweats it out in Dharamkot constituency
BJP battles dissidence, anti-incumbency
CM:Voters will punish dissidents
Rebels make it tough for BJP’s Bhadoo
Cong’s Jalalpur banking on personal contact
Man of masses, he is not afraid of royal challenge
Very little development witnessed in 5 yrs: Capt
Poll panel bans movement of liquor at night
Muscle, money won’t help SAD: Preneet
Elections to cost Punjab Rs 85 crore
Once hub of Akali politics, Tohra village is quiet now
Parties warned against wasting court’s time
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SAD manifesto targets the poor & youth
Ludhiana, January 22 Free laptops for school students The manifesto promises free laptops for higher secondary students, free education to students from “blue-card” families — till graduation for girls and till plus two for boys. The atta-dal scheme remains. The “blue-card” families will also get free treatment up to Rs 2 lakh.The price of flour will be brought to Re 1 per kg initially, and given free eventually. Free 5-marla plots to landless poor All BPL families will get free LPG connections and the landless free five-marla plots. The manifesto promises sports scholarships, a special provident fund scheme for farmers and power connections to weaker sections of society for farming within a year. Titled “Development For All”, Sukhbir announced several initiatives to revolutionise infrastructure, health, education, and agriculture sectors and promised to generate employment. 10 lakh jobs, 2 lakh in govt sector The manifesto promises to make Punjab power surplus within a year, to create 10 lakh jobs for the youth, including two lakh in the government sector, and an allowance of Rs 1,000 to unemployed youth of weaker sections. It also promises to strengthen the Lokayukta and to bring all public servants under its jurisdiction. Mohali, Amritsar to be made IT hubs The Deputy CM announced that Mohali and Amritsar would be developed as IT hubs and computer education made compulsory for schoolchildren. Sukhbir claimed that unlike the Congress, the Akali Dal did not rush with its manifesto. “After deep thought, we have found concrete ways to increase the state income in the next five years to meet the challenges of growth.” The manifesto promises to give Class IX and X girls free bicycles to boost female literacy. Under a sports scholarship scheme, more than 2 lakh youth (1,000 per district) will be selected. Each sportsperson will be given Rs 12,000 per year each for three years. If a player brings laurels to the state at the national or the international level, the scholarship period will be extended to four and five years, respectively. Other Salient features... nLokayukta to be strengthened nGreenfield International Airport at Macchiwara (Ludhiana), Sahnewal airport to be expanded and operationalised nCivic amenities in all towns in three years n nOctroi on petrol/diesel to be rationalised nFree cycles also for Class IX and X girls nFree primary health care to accident victims nCancer Relief Fund sum to be doubled nAgro-Industry SEZ in the border belt nSeparate Environment Ministry nBoost to organic farming, bio-technology nState to be covered under RO system nSick small and medium industry to be revived through special incentives nUnder Sri Guru Hargobind Sports Scholarship, every district to have sports stadium of international standards nInternational Trade Fair centers at Ludhiana and Mohali nMohali, Ludhiana, Amritsar to have International convention centres nMalwa to be developed as textile hub; Jalandhar to be developed as international sports hub nAll services to go online in three years nFarmers with five acres (or less) to be given tube well connections in a year nCanal irrigation system to be upgraded and canals repaired; more effective crop insurance scheme nPlan to tame Ghaggar nFree gas connections for BPL families nPension amount for senior citizens, widows and physically challenged to be increased nFree domestic power up to 250 units to Dalits and BCs nMemorial on freedom movement in Doaba nDedicated NRI courts; steps against travel agents to stop harassment of NRIs and their family members nParty to fight for one rank, one pension for ex-servicemen; free education to their wards n
Vat on CSD items to go
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Campaign trail
Moonak, January 22 “The idea is to tell the people that politicians are one of them and their role is merely that of a facilitator between the public and the government. We are trying to demolish the system that has put politicians on a pedestal,” he explains. His jokes are serious business and invariably touches the people’s hearts. “Politicians have turned their constituencies into little kingdoms. They connive with one another to retain power,” he tells a crowd at Moonak. “Why else do you think the Badals always field a weak candidate against Bibi (Rajinder Kaur Bhattal)? Last time PS Chandumajra lost to Bhattal by less than 300 votes, yet he has been replaced with a novice. Don’t you smell a rat,” he asks the gathering. A star campaigner for the party, he is much in demand. Other PPP candidates want him to campaign for them. “I have asked my friend Babu Mann to inform the Election Commission before coming here in my support or else the big parties may get me a EC notice,” he says, “The PPP will not even touch the expense limit of Rs 16 lakh,” he claims, pointing out that he has only three vehicles for campaigning. “One is sent out in the evening to make announcements of our programme for the next day, another moves ahead of my vehicle announcing my arrival and I travel with a group of friends and campaign managers in the third vehicle. Starting his day reviewing newspaper reports and updating the PPP Facebook accounts, he moves through 15 -18 villages everyday. “I tell the people that I know the area well as I hail from Satauj village in the Dirba constituency. Since Dirba has been reserved, Lehra is closest to my home”. He says a storm is brewing and “many a big tree will fall.” “My nervous opponents have been seeking a ban on flying kites (PPP symbol) during Basant. Basant falls two days before polling and I think this portends well for our party,” he says. Back in Moonak at 9.30 pm at his Master Colony residence, Mann is huddled with close friends. Sipping tea to keep warm, he welcomes comrades and supporters who brief him on the day’s events.
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Patiala gives rousing welcome to ‘Maharaja’
Pattiala, January 22 Hundreds of Congress leaders had queued up at Rajpura road to garland Capt Amarinder Singh. Accompanied by his wife Preneet Kaur, Minister of State for External Affairs, daughter Jai Inder Kaur, Samana MLA Brahm Mohindra and former media adviser BIS Chahal, the PCC chief reached the venue as Congress workers announced that the people would see the “Maharaja” becoming Chief Minister once again. Amarinder delivered a fiery speech, exhorting the electorate to wipe out the Akali-BJP coalition. “Not only the people of Patiala, but of the entire state are fed up with the Akali goonda raj and are determined to dethrone the Badals, who have only looted the people.” Acknowledging the love and support showered on him by the people of Patiala, Amarinder said: “You told me that I should not worry about Patiala and campaign in the rest of Punjab, and I am doing just that,” he told the cheering crowd, adding that the Congress would win from Patiala with a bigger margin this time. Amarinder said he was thankful to the people of Patiala for their faith in him. “Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal has been held back in Lambi as he is not sure of winning the seat,” he pointed out. Meanwhile, the Patiala Bar Association has announced its support to Capt Amarinder Singh. A delegation of the association led by its president Jeet Inder Singh Grewal called on Capt Amarinder at the New Moti Bagh Palace to make the announcement. Capt Amarinder thanked the members of the Bar and promised that once in power, he would ensure all their demands were met. Zirakpur:Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) president Capt Amarinder Singh today announced the expulsion of rebel Congress leader Deepinder Singh Dhillon, who is contesting the election as an Independent candidate against party candidate Jasjit Singh Randhawa from the Dera Bassi Assembly segment. Praising party candidate Jasjit Singh Randhawa, a former cabinet minister, the PPCC president said, "Randhawa is a seasoned politician and would trigger development in the constituency. He would hold a senior berth in the cabinet". Addressing a rally at Zirakpur in support of the party candidate, he claimed that the Congress would win over 70 seats in the elections. On the SAD-BJP alliance, Capt said that the state had witnessed very little development during the past five years. The SAD-BJP had totally failed to provide basic necessities in the state, the PPCC president said. Capt promised the residents of Zirakpur that all pending works would be completed on priority. The PPCC president appreciated Randhawa for his loyalty with the party and declared that he would hold a senior berth in his cabinet for the betterment of the constituency.
Cong fires 5 more rebels Chandigarh, January 22
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SAD-BJP will reverse trend of anti-incumbency: Uma
Chandigarh, January 22 Taking on the UPA government, the firebrand BJP leader said there were serious differences among senior ministers of the UPA and office-bearers of the Congress. "They often make statements contradicting one another. Differences between the Home Minister and senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh are well known. Such a trend is dangerous for the country," she said. When asked to comment on the competency of Rahul Gandhi to lead the country, she said she was not interested to rake up this issue. "If I do so, it would push the elections in UP towards a different direction," she said. She claimed that the SAD-BJP coalition would form the next government in the state and create history by reversing the trend of alternate government in Punjab. Bharti, who was accompanied by BJP media manager Vaneet Joshi, said the people were impressed by the five-year record of development of the coalition government. She said the coalition government had completed some high-profile projects and had initiated several major projects in the power and other sectors. Talking about the UP Assembly elections where she had been given a prominent role by her party, Bharti said the major issues of corruption and crime were the poll plank of the BJP. Responding to a question regarding her leaving the BJP a few years ago and rejoining it, she said, "I am a changed person now. Earlier, I used behave like a super leader and dictate terms to even senior leaders. Now, I have rejoined the party as a humble party worker and not as a leader. I have learnt a lot from the past," she said before leaving to campaign in support of Prem Singh Chandumajra, SAD candidate from Fatehgarh Sahib.
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SAD, CONG MANIFESTOS"
Chandigarh, January 22 Infrastructure On infrastructure, the SAD promises an international airport at Machhiwara besides expanding the Sahnewal airport. The Congress promises three inland container depots at Rajpura, Jalandhar and Armtisar, widening of village roads and upgradation of highways. The SAD promises to complete the Ludhiana metro project in five years. It also promises to set up a separate environment ministry to clean the riverwaters. Wooing The Youth Both the parties talk of creating jobs. The Congress promises 100 skill development centres and free training for defence, police and security services. The SAD talks of jobs for 10 lakh persons, of these 2 lakh jobs in the government sector. Agriculture The Congress focuses on diversification. It lays emphasis on promoting horticulture. The SAD promises crop insurance, tube well connections for small farmers, continuation of free power and other subsidies and a concrete programme for diversification. The SAD manifesto is more elaborate. Both the parties stress on development in the farm, industrial , infrastructure and social welfare sectors. It is, perhaps, for the first time that the parties in have focused more on development and less on emotive issues.
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‘Outsider’ Tota Singh sweats it out in Dharamkot constituency
Dharamkot (Moga), January 22 The ‘outsider’ tag is not new to him because he faced a similar charge when he entered the electoral politics from the Moga constituency in 1997 and won the seat. The Jathedar hails from Didarewala village that falls in the Nihalsinghwala constituency. He could not contest the elections from his home constituency that has been declared reserved post-delimitation. Tota Singh migrated to Moga town after winning the 1997 elections. He also won the 2002 elections from here, but lost to Joginder Pal Jain of the Congress in 2007. Facing difficulty in making inroads into the Hindu vote bank in Moga, Tota Singh shifted focus to Dharamkot after the constituency was placed in the general category after delimitation. Local Akali leaders Sukhjit Singh Kaka and Kuldip Singh Dhose were forced to quit the SAD because of “undue interference” by the Jathedar in the area. Dhose joined the PPP while Kaka joined the Congress. They are now both fighting against Tota Singh, accusing him of corruption and labelling him an “outsider”. At a “nukkar” sabha held at Dalit Basti, Fatehgarh Panchtoor, on Friday, Kaka asked the local people not to vote for Tota Singh, who was an “outsider” ”I am from amongst you and have been accessible to you. Therefore, you should vote for me,” Kaka said. Dhose levels similar allegations against the Akali leader, calling Tota Singh an intruder who must be “pushed back”. The Jathedar is solely banking on the development agenda, projecting Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal as a visionary leader. However, he has no explanation for the “outsider” tag. “We have enough choice from among our own people. Why should we vote for an outsider,” remarked Nathu Ram, panchayat member and Dalit leader of Fatehgarh Panchtoor village.
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BJP battles dissidence, anti-incumbency
Hoshiarpur, January 22 In a few constituencies, including Hoshiarpur, Dasuya and Mukerian, the BJP and the SAD leaders are also engaged in "sparring" with each other. These three seats are with the BJP and the party has fielded Minister Tikshan Sud (Hoshiarpur), Amarjit Singh Shahi (Dasuya) and Arnesh Kumar Shakar (Mukerian). Even BJP senior leader Arun Jaitley tried to broker peace between the "warring" factions but local observes say nothing much had changed. However, Sud disagrees: "After Jaitley's intervention, the other faction has fallen in line. The dissidence has been resolved." Apart from dissidence, the trio have also been fighting anti-incumbency. Voters in urban areas say the leaders failed to meet their aspirations as the SAD, a dominant part of the coalition, focused mainly on rural vote bank. The rift between the alliance partners is quite visible in Mukerian too where local Akali leaders have been reportedly staying away from Arnesh Kumar Shakar's campaign. "It's just two or three leaders who are not with me. All other Akalis, including SAD district office-bearers, are supporting me," says Shakar. Amarjit Singh Shahi, the BJP candidate from Dasuya, agrees that he was facing anti-incumbency. But, he believes it would not have much impact on his poll prospects.
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CM:Voters will punish dissidents
Fatehgarh Sahib, January 22 Terming the PPP as a party of "bhagoras" (deserters), he claimed that the deposit of all PPP candidates would be forfeited. Accompanied by BJP leader Uma Bharti at a rally in favour of SAD nominee Prem Singh Chandumajra, Badal said, “Anyone who was denied the ticket joined the PPP. I am sorry for Manpreet, whom I loved so much, for taking this suicidal step”. Uma Bharti pleaded the case for the SAD-BJP government's return to power saying that it was a choice between “vikas” versus “vinash” taking on the Congress on corruption.
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Rebels make it tough for BJP’s Bhadoo
Abohar, January 22 The party has suspended its five municipal councillors for opposing Bhadoo. Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, at an election rally here today, asked the SAD activists to wholeheartedly campaign for Bhadoo and warned that disciplinary action would be taken against those who did not fall in line. Some BJP and SAD activists are reportedly supporting rebel Shiv Lal Doda, a liquor baron, who has jumped into the fray against Bhadoo. Bhadoo was given the BJP ticket against the wishes of the local party cadre. A senior BJP activist said her “arrogance” had further created problems for her. However, Bhadoo claims that her campaign is far better than her rivals. She is related to Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda. There is much hustle and bustle in Doda’s election office in the main market where several BJP and SAD activists are often seen chalking out his campaign strategy. Congress candidate Sunil Jhakhar, sitting MLA, is well- entrenched in the area.
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Cong’s Jalalpur banking on personal contact
Ghanaur/Nabha, January 22 Jalalpur admitted that Akali candidate Harpreet, wife of former SAD MLA Ajaib Singh Mukhmailpur, has launched an aggressive campaign besides visiting people door-to-door. "Despite making all out efforts to woo the electorate, SAD won't be able to defeat me. My performance and faith of the people of my constituency is my strength", Jalalpur said, while addressing election meetings in narrow lanes of Harpalpur village. With just a few days left for campaigning to end, Jalalpur is now canvassing round-the-clock. While campaigning at Gopalpur village, Akali candidate Harpreet says she is confident that she will turn the tables while claiming that people of Ghanaur were unhappy with Jalalpur. Terming her opponent as a "no-performer",Harpreet wastes no time in convincing the electorate that Congress MLA has failed to do anything in order to ensure that inhabitants of the flood-prone villages do not suffer because of the fury of floods. "Mark January 30 in your calendar and do cast your vote in favour of the SAD-BJP alliance", is the concluding line in all the speeches of the Akali candidate. Meanwhile, in Nabha Assembly constituency, which has been reserved for the SC category in the delimitation process, two-time Congress MLA from Amloh, Sadhu Singh Dharmsot, is in a straight contest against Akali candidate Balwant Singh Shahpur. It is one constituency where the election campaign has not picked up.
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Man of masses, he is not afraid of royal challenge
Samana, January 22 Known for his proximity with Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, this old man of Akali politics is campaigning hard from morning till night, addressing almost two dozen public meetings everyday and seeking the people's mandate on the development work done by him. Buoyed with the recent support he got from Capt Amarinder Singh's estranged brother Malvinder Singh, Rakhra is confident of victory. "You see the Congress has no permanent candidate for this constituency and I am sure to win, given the affection I have been getting from the people", says Rakhra, who was elected MLA from here in 2002. The entire family including Preneet Kaur, Raninder's wife Reshma and his sister Jai Inder Kaur are busy canvassing against Rakhra, which makes this seat highly important. Starting his day early, Rakhra is not worried about the fact that the entire royal family, including Patiala MP Preneet Kaur, is canvassing against him. "I have been available to the people from the past 10 years", he says, as he starts his first morning meeting at 8 am. The former MLA harps on the work carried out by the SAD-BJP government in the past five years, particularly in rural areas. "It is for you to give us another chance so that we can carry forward our work," he says.
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Very little development witnessed in 5 yrs: Capt
Zirakpur, January 22 Sending out a stern warning to the dissidents, the former Chief Minister said Deepinder Dhillon did not act in the interest of the party and chose to contest against the party's official nominee. Praising party candidate Jasjit Singh Randhawa, a former cabinet minister, the PPCC president said, "Randhawa is a seasoned politician and would trigger development in the constituency. He would hold a senior berth in the cabinet". Addressing a rally at Zirakpur in support of party candidate, he claimed that the Congress would win more than 70 seats in the elections. On the SAD-BJP alliance, Capt said that the state had witnessed very little development during the past five years. The SAD-BJP had totally failed to provide basic necessities in the state, the PPCC president said. Capt promised the residents of Zirakpur that all pending works would be completed on priority. The PPCC president appreciated Randhawa for his loyalty with the party and declared that he would hold a senior berth in his cabinet for the betterment of the constituency.Meanwhile, traffic remained blocked for more than three hours in Zirakpur due to the Congress election rally. Commuters had a tough time to cross Zirakpur as the traffic police failed to manage the traffic.
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Poll Snippets
Patiala: Independent candidate from the Patiala (rural) constituency Satbir Singh Khatra has found a unique way to connect with the electorate in his constituency. Khatra, along with some of his supporters reaches the houses of the people and there, he cleans their ceiling fans, his poll symbol, with the help of a ladder. With the Election Commission keeping a close watch on the candidates, Khatra hopes he won’t be stopped from cleaning fans. “It is my way of urging voters to vote for me and in this process, cleaning their fans ahead of summer to make them feel my worth”, says Khatra, who a senior police officer’s son. — Aman Sood March organised to educate voters Pathankot: The Pathankot District Struggle Committee organised a march to educate the residents about the misuse of alcohol and drugs by political parties to lure their votes. Committee president Rakesh Sharma urged the people to refrain from voting for those political outfits that indulge in the distribution of drugs. The march, comprising nearly 1,500 people, commenced from Ram Lila Ground and after passing through the main areas of the town, including Salaria Chowk, Valmiki Chowk and Gandhi Chowk, concluded at the venue from where it started. Sharma added that the committee would cover other parts of the town and also fan out in villages to educate the voters. — Ravi Dhaliwal Gurdas Mann's son bats for ‘Raja’ Gidderbaha: Gurikk Mann, son of Punjabi legendary singer Gurdas Mann, has come out in the support of Congress candidate from Gidderbaha assembly segment Amarinder Singh Warring "Raja". Terming himself as Raja's friend, Gurikk said, "I study in the US but I and Raja are friends for the last 15 years. By supporting Raja, it does not mean I have entered into politics. I am supporting only my friend, who is a Congress candidate from here and will work for the overall development of the area." Gurdas Mann is a native of Gidderbaha village and owns a house in the village. There is triangular contest in Gidderbaha between PPP candidate Manpreet Singh Badal, SAD candidate Sant Singh Brar and Congress candidate Raja. — Archit Watts Officials torch SAD poll material Tarn Taran: Situation turned tense at Chabal township, near here, on Sunday when two election officials put on fire poll material belonging to SAD candidate Harmit Singh Sandhu. SAD workers staged a dharna to protest against this action. Later, District Election Officer Satwant Singh Johal ordered the registration of a case against the officials, ASI Nishan Singh and Rachhpal Singh, SDO, Powercom. The officials were on surveillance duty when they stopped a tempo carrying around 2,000 posters of the SAD. Party workers alleged that even after the driver showed relevant documents, including bills of the material, the officials put the posters on fire. — Gurbaxpuri Tohra’s nephew joins Congress Patiala: Jagminder Singh Sawajpur, national general secretary of the Youth Akali Dal, and former SGPC president late Gurcharan Singh Tohara’s nephew, joined the Congress on Sunday. Swajpur said the entire rank and file of the Akali Dal and the Youth Akali Dal was feeling alienated and disillusioned by the “high handedness” of the leadership. “There is a feeling among the youth that only Capt Amarinder Singh can provide good leadership in Punjab,” he said. Welcoming him to the party fold, Amarinder Singh said, “This is an indication that Akali workers and leaders have lost trust in the SAD”. — Umesh Dewan
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Poll panel bans movement of liquor at night
Chandigarh, January 22 Liquor dealers, meanwhile, are crying hoarse. They say due to strict measures of the EC, they are not able to do business during the elections like before. They reveal in an election year, they do not have to wait for bulk selling in March as most of the stock is sold during this time. “But due to EC orders, nobody is buying liquor in bulk. So the elections mean nothing for us,” said a liquor trader.
‘Wrong’ info by Congress candidate The details of assets provided by Congress candidate from Jalandhar West Suman Kaypee have come under the scanner of the Election Commission. Following a complaint that she had provided wrong information about her property, CEO Kusumjit Sidhu has asked for a report from the RO concerned with 24 hours.
NRIs as polling agents The Election Commission of India has allowed NRIs to be appointed as polling agents in the elections. An official spokesperson said an NRI, to be appointed as a polling agent, should be a voter of the polling station concerned.
Ban on ads The Media Monitoring Committee of the EC has banned the use of words “peo/puttar” (son/father) in an incorrect manner as also the caricature of Amarinder Singh in the ads appearing in the media. DEO among 4 shifted Meanwhile, Harbans Singh Sidhu, Bathinda DEO, has been shifted on the recommendation of the deputy commissioner. Besides, three employees of the Forest Department have also been shifted. Forester Balwinder Singh Bhatti has been shifted to headquarters in Muktsar, Forest Ranger Randhir Singh Randhawa to Ferozpur range, and Forest Ranger Lakhwinder Singh has been shifted to Zira range. Code violations The CEO has received 2,150 complaints regarding the violation of code of conduct.
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Muscle, money won’t help SAD: Preneet
Patran (Patiala), January 22 Addressing an election rally at the Patran Grain Market in support of Congress candidate from Shutrana (SC) constituency Nirmal Singh, the Minister said that the alleged "goondaraj" established by Deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal would be wiped out if they voted to power. "We are happy over the strict arrangements being made by the Election Commission to ensure that free and fair elections are held in Punjab. However, Sukhbir is worried because his plans to capture booths by using muscle power won't be possible now", said Preneet. Appealing the electorate to vote for the Congress, Preneet said, "From number one state, Punjab now figures among three states that have become bankrupt. And this all happened during the past five years of the SAD-BJP government. Now, it is the best time to put Punjab on the path of development again by throwing the corrupt Akali regime out of power." While promising to usher in development if voted to power, she said that requisite funds would be pumped in for the development of the Shutrana constituency. "Once Congress assumes power in the state, our party will provide a government, which will deliver and address grievances of the people", said Preneet, while adding that the Congress has made no false promises in its manifesto and a realistic road map for the economic recovery of the state would be the main agenda of the party. Alleging that the present government had done nothing for the upliftment of women in the state, she said that schools in rural areas were not equipped to educate or impart quality education to children.
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Elections to cost Punjab Rs 85 crore
Chandigarh, January 22 The figures were revealed by Chief Election Commissioner SY Qureishi recently. As many as 1.76 crore residents have registered themselves as voters this time. An expenditure of Rs 27 crore would be incurred on the deployment of police and paramilitary personnel for election security, Rs 12 crore for preparing voters lists, Rs 40 crore for the Election Commission, Rs 19 crore for monitoring committees and Rs 9 crore for miscellaneous objects. Chief Electoral Officer Kusumjit Sidhu said the entire expenditure was to be borne by the state. Only in case of voters list, 50 per cent (Rs 6 crore in the case) would be shared by the Union Government.
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Once hub of Akali politics, Tohra village is quiet now
Tohra (Patiala), January 22 As The Tribune team entered this sleepy village, a motley group of elderly villagers playing a game of cards guided it towards the vacant ancestral house of Tohra. “Till the time Tohra was alive, the village used to witness a lot of political activity. Visits by VVIPs, bureaucrats and political bigwigs to the village were a routine,” said villagers, recalling the good old days they spent with Tohra. Even after Tohra’s demise in April 2004, the village used to be in the thick of political activity as Tohra's wife Joginder Kaur, foster daughter Kuldeep Kaur Tohra and her husband Harmail Singh Tohra, a former Punjab Minister, were also residing in the village. However, after Joginder Kaur passed away in January last year, the rest of the Tohra family shifted to Patiala city sometime ago. With Kuldeep Kaur Tohra contesting assembly elections on SAD ticket from Patiala Rural, the Tohra legacy in the village seems to be history now. Satwinder Singh Tohra, a close aide of Tohra said, “Tohra sahib never asked people to follow him, instead he always asked Sikhs to follow the path shown by the gurus and serve humanity. Tohra dominated the Akali politics for several decades and served the Sikh community by discharging his duties diligently as the president of the SGPC for 27 years”.
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Parties warned against wasting court’s time
Chandigarh, January 22 Taking up a petition for quashing an FIR on the basis of a compromise, Justice Ranjit Singh has held the parties must compensate the courts for wasting time before realising the need to settle the dispute. The directions came on a petition filed by Mantej Singh and another petitioner against the State of Punjab and another respondent. Claiming to have been falsely implicated in an FIR registered on July 12, 2008 at Police Station Sadar in Hoshiarpur. Justice Ranjit Singh ruled: “It may be satisfying to notice that the parties have resolved their dispute and differences through this compromise. But they have taken three years to do so. “As a result, they have wasted enough time of the trial Court and of the investigating agency, besides the time of this Court as well. The parties, therefore, must compensate the Courts for wasting the time before realising to settle the dispute. — TNS
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Pattiala, January 22
Dharamkot (Moga), January 22
Abohar, January 22
Ghanaur/Nabha, January 22
The SAD candidate from Samana, Surjit Singh Rakhra, is testing waters against Congress candidate and scion of Patiala royal family Raninder Singh. Defying age, Rakhra harps on the work carried out by the
SAD-BJP government in the past five years in the constituency and tags Raninder as a 'parachute candidate' who would lose poorly.
Zirakpur, January 22
