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Badal polls 58% votes in native village
Day after verdict, CM thanks Almighty for win
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Families with growing clout in politics
SAD-BJP alliance to elect leader
‘Inaccessible’ leaders rejected
Preneet’s confidant Kamboj wins with handsome margin
A close shave for nine candidates
Down but not out, says Manpreet
Manpreet Singh Badal, PPP chief, during a press conference at his residence in Sector 3, Chandigarh,
on Wednesday. Tribune photo: Manoj Mahajan
Heavy polling on 28 seats helped alliance
The SAD-BJP alliance was able to get past the Congress with its combined vote share 1.77 per cent more than that of the Congress (40.11). And this margin made all the difference where there was a close contest
SAD plan to field Hindu faces worked
Gurdas fears harassment of PPP supporters
Sukhbir’s nanny comes calling, all
she seeks is entry pass to his house
Akali Dal president Sukhbir Badal with his old nanny
Chotto Rani at his native Badal village. A Tribune photo
14th Assembly not that young
Will not quit singing, says MLA Sadique
Petition on SGPC Administrator withdrawn
DCC leader robbed at gunpoint
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Badal polls 58% votes in native village
Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal got 1,268 votes while Gurdas Badal secured a mere 151. Maheshinder Singh polled 693 votes. At polling booth number 104, Badal got 408 votes, Maheshinder 222 and Gurdas 36. At booth number 105, Badal got 380 votes, Maheshinder 145 and Gurdas 48. At booth number 106, where the trio too cast their votes, Badal got 480 votes, Maheshinder 326 and Gurdas 67. Badal got a total of 67,999 votes while Maheshinder got 43,260. The score of Gurdas Badal was 5,352 votes. The total polling in Lambi assembly constituency was 1,22,064 votes.
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Day after verdict, CM thanks Almighty for win
Amritsar, March 7 Talking to mediapersons after paying obeisance at the Golden Temple along with Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal and MP Harsimrat Kaur, the CM said, "We are here to thank God and pray to seek strength to come up to the expectations of the people who have exhibited immense faith in us by giving us the second chance to serve them." Badal said the people had given mandate to the SAD-BJP government on the plank of peace and development. He said the "intelligent electorate" had put its stamp of approval on the SAD-BJP government's agenda and voted for continuation of the development process. On the trend of the Congress losing in the state polls and regional parties scoring victories, he said the regional outfits were more accountable to the people of the state. "But, the Centre has given us very limited powers, which has deepened the problems like poverty and unemployment," he said. About the defeat of various SAD ministers, Badal said victory and defeat were a part of the game. "A goal is a goal whether it is a field goal or converted by a penalty shoot," he said. Earlier in the sanctum-sanctorum, the Chief Minister was presented a 'siropa' by head granthi Bhai Jaswinder Singh. SGPC chief Avtar Singh Makkar also presented a 'siropa' to the CM, Deputy Chief Minister and Harsimrat. Those who accompanied the Chief Minister included Bikram Singh Majithia, Bibi Jagir Kaur, Dr Ratan Singh Ajnala, Bibi Mohinder Kaur Josh, Veer Singh Lopoke, Balbir Singh Bath, Des Raj Dhugga and Dr Navjot Kaur Sidhu. Later, the Badals also paid obeisance at Durgiana Mandir and paid tributes to the martyrs at Jallianwallan Bagh in
Amritsar.
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Families with growing clout in politics
Chandigarh, March 7
While seven families will be represented both in the Legislative Assembly and Parliament, four others just missed the bus. The Five MP-MLA couples from Punjab are Sukhbir Badal and Harsimrat, Justice Nirmal Singh (retd) and Paramjit Kaur Gulshan (both SAD), Navjot Kaur Sidhu and Navjot Singh Sidhu (BJP), Amarinder Singh and Preneet Kaur and Charanjit Kaur Bajwa and Partap Singh Bajwa (both Cong). Former Punjab Congress chief Mohinder Singh KP and Santosh Chaudhary, however, just missed joining this select band as their spouses Kusum and Ram Lubhaya were defeated at the
hustings.
Two new members in the Vidhan Sabha - Amarpal Singh Bonny and Parminder Singh Dhindsa - have their fathers in Parliament. They are Rattan Singh Ajnala and Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa. Dilraj Singh Bhunder , son of Rajya Sabha member Balwinder Singh Bhunder, and Raninder Singh , son of Lok Sabha member Preneet Kaur, lost also lost the electoral battle. Normally, senior members of the state legislature graduate to the national legislature, Parliament. In case of Punjab, it appears to be the other way round. Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, Amarinder Singh and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal have been MP. Four former MPs, Sharanjit Singh Dhillon, Rana Gurjit Singh, Chatin Singh Samaon and Charanjit Singh Athwal, have preferred to return to the state legislature. But Balwant Singh Ramoowalia and Prem Singh Chandumajra (both SAD) have failed to do so. The only father-son pair in the House will that be of Parkash Singh Badal and Sukhbir with Gurdas Singh Badal and Manpreet Singh biting the dust and Amarinder’s son also suffering a defeat. In the last House, besides the Badals, Chaudhary Swarna Ram (BJP) and Chaudhary Mohan Lal (SAD) were the other father-son duo. While the Bains brothers - Balwinder Singh and Simarjit Singh - have created a record of sorts by becoming the first-ever pair of Independents in the House, the pair of Chaudhary Jagjit Singh and Chaudhary Santokh Singh represented the Congress in the 12th Vidhan Sabha. The brothers have lost this time. This Vidhan Sabha will be well-represented by different sections of society- doctors, bureaucrats, sportsmen, artistes, liquor barons, realtors and transporters. The liquor barons are Amrik Singh Dhillon, Balbir Singh Sidhu and Deep Malhotra. Dr Daljit Singh Cheema (SAD) and Dr Navjot Kaur Sidhu (BJP), first-time MLAs, are qualified allopaths. Mohammed Sadique, who defeated Darbara Singh Guru, former Principal Secretary to CM, is a renowned folk singer and perhaps the first one to get into Vidhan Sabha in recent years. Pargat Singh is the first-ever hockey Olympian to be elected MLA in Punjab. Other than Pargat Singh, Rana Gurmit Singh Sodhi has been an international shooter.
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SAD-BJP alliance to elect leader
Chandigarh, March 7 A joint meeting of legislators of the two parties will be held at Punjab Bhawan in the evening to elect the leader of the alliance. Parkash Singh Badal, SAD patron, is expected to be elected to the post despite pressures from certain quarters that Sukhbir be handed over the reigns , indicated sources. After the morning meeting, the alliance leaders will go to Anandpur Sahib to participate in the Hola Mohalla conference. The SAD will hold a meeting of the core committee in the evening. Sukhbir Badal, accompanied by state BJP president Ashwani Sharma, is expected to meet Governor Shivraj Patil to stake claim to form the government either tomorrow evening or Friday morning. The new government is expected to be sworn-in at the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) Stadium, Mohali, say sources.. Meanwhile, the Punjab Governor on the recommendation of the Punjab Cabinet, has dissolved the 13th Vidhan Sabha under Sub Clause (B) of Clause (II) of Article 174 of the Constitution.
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‘Inaccessible’ leaders rejected
Chandigarh, March 7 Even though the SAD- BJP alliance has managed a clean sweep in the elections, the fact that eight ministers have been rejected by the electorate proves that those who remained inaccessible to the voters, relied too much on their coterie or faced allegations of corruption were shown the door.In some cases, delimitation, too, played a part. Finance Minister Upinderjit Kaur, Rural Development Minister Ranjit Singh Brahmpura, Local Bodies and Industries Minister Tikshan Sud, Education Minister Sewa Singh Sekhwan, Minister for Jails Hira Singh Gabria, Forest Minister Arunesh Shakar, Health Minister Satpal Gosain and Agriculture Minister Sucha Singh Langah and Speaker Nirmal Singh Kahlon were rejected. The three ministers from the Majha region- Ranjit Singh Brahmpura, Sewa Singh Sekhwan, and Sucha Singh Langah- lost mainly because of low polling percentage in their constituencies. Sekhwan lost by a huge margin of 16,156 votes. Of the three ministers from Doaba, Dr Upinderjit Kaur, Tikshan Sud and Arunesh Shakar, the latter lost by a huge margin of 12,119 votes, mainly because of the lack of support by the local Akalis leadership. The two ministers from Malwa, Hira Singh Gabria and Satpal Gosain, lost because of the rebel factor and the corruption charges made against their kin. Former Chief Parliamentary Secretary and BJP MLA from Rajpura, Raj Khurana, who was booked by the CBI on corruption charges, suffered defeat at the hands of Congress candidate Hardyal Singh Kamboj. The three-time MLA lost by a huge margin of 31,510 votes. While most of these Akali and BJP stalwarts lost as they remained inaccessible to voters while in power.But many were rejected because of acts of omission and commission by those part of their coterie.
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It’s a victory of SAD policies, says Rakhra
Patiala, March 7 Rakhra's win is also important in view of the fact that the entire Congress cadre from Patiala threw their weight in Samana, turning it into a prestige seat. "I knew the going was tough", he said. Known for his close proximity with Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, Rakhra has been holding thanksgiving meetings even since the polling day on January 30. Rakhra said, "The time is over for the politics discussed inside five star rooms and it is high time the Congress should realise that they cannot deceive people of the state by merely flying in choppers and instead, grassroot level workers know the ground reality." Rakhra, who won the assembly elections in 2002, but lost to Brahm Mohindra in 2007, said that his personal contact with people of the constituency, despite a loss was the most important reason of his win coupled with the support he received from Sukhbir Singh Badal. "I feel the only difference between Capt Amarinder Singh's style of politics and Parkash Singh Badal's style of functioning is that the royal descendant is arrogant and rash, while Badal is composed and polite," said Rakhra, who met his supporters here today, a day after winning the polls. To a query whether he expected a cabinet rank and his desired portfolio, Rakhra said that he has not given it a thought and it was only for the Chief Minister to decide. "Parkash Singh Badal is our leader and I will accept anything he has to offer", he stated.
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Preneet’s confidant Kamboj wins with handsome margin
Patiala, March 7 Though PCC chief Amarinder Singh won from Patiala City by a handsome margin of 42,318 votes, up by almost 10,000 votes as compared to the 2007 poll, the defeat of his son Raninder shocked the royal family. In 2007, the Congress had won seven seats of the eight assembly constituencies in the district. This time it managed to win only five. Except for the victory procession of Congress veteran Brahm Mohindra, who defeated Kuldeep Kaur Tohra, foster daughter of the late SGPC president G Tohra by margin of 27m596 votes from Patiala Rural, there were no celebrations in the city. The victory of Hardyal Kamboj, Congress candidate from Rajpura and a confidant of Minister of State for External Affairs Preneet Kaur, was of little solace to the Patiala Congress. Kamboj defeated BJP heavyweight Raj Khurana by a massive margin of 31,510 votes. While Congress candidate from Shutrana (SC) Nirmal Singh lost to SAD first-timer Vaninder Kaur Loomba, Congress candidate from Ghanaur Madan Lal Jalalpur lost to Harpreet Kaur Mukhmailpur, wife of former SAD Minister Ajaib Singh
Mukhmailpur.
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A close shave for nine candidates
He was pitted against former AISSF leader and Congress candidate Harmahinder Singh Gill, who is known for his oratory. Whereas Gill has a Panthic background, Adesh has his roots in the Congress. There were nine candidates in all who won with a margin of less than 1,000 votes. Avinash Chander, SAD candidate from Phillaur, won with the lowest margin of 31 votes. He defeated Congress candidate Chaudhary Santokh Singh, who is a younger brother of Chaudhary Jagjit Singh. The latter, who contested as a Congress candidate from Kartarpur, lost to SAD candidate Sarwan Singh with a margin of 823 votes. Last time, Avinash Chander had contested from Kartarpur and Sarwan Singh from Phillaur. Joginder Singh Jindu (SAD) won with a
margin of 162 votes from Ferozepur Rural, defeating Congress candidate Satkar Kaur. Bureaucrat-turned-politician Shiv Ram Kaler won from Jagraon on the SAD ticket, defeating Ishar Singh of the Congress by 206 votes. Kaler is a greenhorn in politics. Earlier, Ishar Singh would contest from Kum Kalan but post-delimitation shifted to Jagraon. Rajwinder Kaur (SAD) won from Nihalsinghwala, defeating Ajit Singh Shant by 591 votes. Rajwinder Kaur is new to politics whereas Shant was elected to the assembly
in 2007. Tirpat Rajinder Bajwa (Congress) won with a margin of 639 votes, defeating SAD candidate and Speaker Nirmal Singh Kahlon in Fatehgarh Churian. Bajwa, who would earlier contest from Qadian, was asked to contest from Fatehgarh Churian this time. Former Speaker Charanjit Singh Atwal (SAD) won with a margin of 630 votes, defeating Congress greenhorn Lakhbir Singh from the Payal segment and the Varinder Kaur Loomba (SAD) won from Shatrana with a margin of 772 votes, defeating Nirmal Singh of the Congress.
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Down but not out, says Manpreet
Chandigarh, March 7 “We all are disappointed. I expected at least a 10 per cent vote share but got a little over 5 per cent, better than that of the BSP that polled 4.30 per cent votes. But the performance was good keeping in view that our party is not even a year old. We will hold a public meeting either at Khatkar Kalan or Hussainiwala on March 23, the day PPP was constituted last year ”, he said. “Election in Punjab has become a big money game”, he said, claiming the main parties had spent up to Rs 300 crore to Rs 400 crore each in the elections. He said it was time that the Election Commission came out with a plan to eliminate the role of money to prevent the electoral system from being reduced to a farce. What lead to the PPP rout. The single most important reason for the defeat was lack of an organisational structure. Hence, it could not convert people’s support to votes. Another reason was lack of funds. The PPP was unable to launch its campaign in the media. Moreover, the party had only one star campaigner, Manpreet. Left leaders from Delhi did not take adequate interest in campaigning for Sanjha Morcha candidates. Manpreet said the PPP had a bearing on the eventual outcome of the elections, especially at places where the victory margin between the main parties was very thin. Promising to continue his fight, he said his party would emerge stronger in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.
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Heavy polling on 28 seats helped alliance
Chandigarh, March 7 There were only six seats in the Doaba region that recorded a polling percentage of more than 80 per cent. Except for Sultanpur Lodhi, which the Congress won, all five went to the SAD-BJP alliance. In the Majha region, there was only one constituency, Ajnala, that saw more than 80 per cent polling. The Congress could not put up much of a fight in this region. The BJP benefited because of its coalition partner. The separate vote share of both parties is not in league with their one sided victory. Despite the Akali and BJP vote share declining, the coalition romped home because they contested the poll together. The SAD vote share fell by 2.34 per cent from 37.09 in 2007 to 34.75 this election. In case of the BJP, the vote share went down by 1.15 per cent from 8.28 per cent in 2007 to 7.13 per cent. However the parties benefited because they were in a coalition. The SAD gained seven seats despite a loss in its vote share while the BJP lost seven despite a 1.15 per cent decrease in its vote share. The SAD-BJP alliance has witnessed an erosion in its vote share from 45.37 per cent in 2007 to 41.88 per cent now, a fall of 3.49 per cent. The SAD-BJP alliance was able to get past the Congress with its combined vote share 1.77 per cent more than that of the Congress (40.11). And this margin made all the difference where there was a close contest. The Congress also saw a fall in its vote share by 0.79 per cent since the last elections. It is in this context that the 5.17 per cent votes polled by the PPP damaged the poll prospects of the Congress. The Congress estimate is that the PPP factor resulted in the party losing 23 seats.
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SAD plan to field Hindu faces worked
Chandigarh, March 7 In view of this, the SAD fielded candidates from the Aggarwal community and surprisingly, all of them have won. Parkash Chand Garg has won from Sangrur with a margin of more than 3,700 votes and Prem Mittal has won from Mansa with a margin of 800 votes. In fact Mittal, who belongs to Mansa area, is permanently settled in Ludhiana. SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal at the last moment had asked him to file his nomination papers. From Bathinda, Sarup Chand Singla has won with a margin of 8,000 votes. He defeated Congress candidate Harminder Singh Jassi, a close relative of Dera Sachha Sauda chief. In Faridkot, Deep Malhotra defeated Congress veteran Avtar Singh Brar. Other Hindu candidates, including Avinash Chander from Phillaur, Pawan Kumar Tinnu from Adampur, Shiv Ram Kaler from Jagraon, Des Raj Dugga from Sri Hargobindpur, NK Sharma from Dera Bassi and Nandlal from Balachaur have also won the elections. SAD’s Muslim candidate Nesara Khatoon Farzana Alam also won from Malerkotla. Interestingly, the BJP had field three Sikh candidates. Two of them were also fielded in the previous elections. First timer Navjot Kaur Sidhu won the election from Amritsar East and Amarjit Singh Shahi from Dasuya. However, Sukhpal Singh Nannu has lost from Ferozepur City.
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Gurdas fears harassment of PPP supporters
Badal (Muktsar), March 7 "I expect this to happen within days of the swearing-in ceremony. As of now, the ruling family is busy celebrating victory. With a mandate to rule for the next five years, they will now have no fear," he said. However, he said the PPP workers were bold and would not desert the party. On his poor showing at the hustings, Gurdas said: "Politics has become a business. Those who spend a lot of money, get votes. Our candidates did not spend, so they lost everywhere." Ruling out vendetta, Parkash Singh Badal said he had called on his brother this morning. "The talk was private...nothing to be shared with the media", he said.
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Preneet asks party leaders to stay united
Patiala, March 7 In a statement here, Preneet said that she respect the mandate of the people of Punjab. "We respect the verdict and assure people to continue to serve them with all humility and dedication", she said. Preneet, however, said that the Congress got 40.11 per cent share of the votes and emerged as the political party having the maximum vote share in the state. She also expressed her gratitude to the electorate of her Parliamentary constituency, consisting eight assembly segments. Preneet said that the doors of her residence would remain open for the people of Punjab. She instructed party leaders and activists to remain united and prepare for the forthcoming challenges under the leadership of AICC president Sonia Gandhi. — TNS
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Sukhbir’s nanny comes calling, all
she seeks is entry pass to his house
Badal (Muktsar), March 7 On seeing her, Sukhbir, who was flanked by several supporters in his camp office, stood up from his chair and says "O Chotto tu!" — the expression defining his happiness and emotions. Unmindful of his high status, the Deputy CM hugs Chhoto. He then introduces her to everybody: "This woman has played a special role in my life. And political career as well." On seeing her clothes, which did hint she was not passing through too good a phase, Sukhbir pulls out two currency notes from his pocket: of Rs 1,000 denomination each. Handing them over to Chotto, the Deputy CM asks her with folded hands: "Main tuhade layi hor ki kar sakda haan?" (What else can I do for you?) The middle-aged woman replies in a feeble voice: "Sometimes I recall the old days when you were a kid. Whenever Bibiji (the late Surinder Kaur, Sukhbir's mother) was away from the house, you used to start crying to get something to eat… those small things often come to my mind. I get emotional and feel like meeting you. But, the guards deployed outside the house don't allow me inside easily." Not demanding much, Chotto tells Sukhbir that the only thing she wants was an entry pass so that she doesn't have to wait at the gate. Acting instantly, Sukhbir tells his personal staff to allow her to come whenever she wants to meet him. The Deputy CM also issues her a special pass — with his signature on it. Holding it close to her chest, Chotto leaves the room — happy, contended. Herself a voter of Lambi segment, she says she always prays for the family's success. About the Deputy CM's childhood character, Chotto, who started working at the Badals' house when Sukhbir was five months old, says, "He was cunning and stubborn. He won't budge when stopped from doing some mischief…he would go ahead caring little for the result."
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14th Assembly not that young
Chandigarh, March 7 BJP’s Seema Kumari from Bhoa constituency, Amarinder Singh Raja Warring from Gidderbaha, Harpreet Singh from Malout are all aged at 33. Rajwinder Kaur (34), MLA from Nihal Singh Wala, Navtej Singh (36) from Sultanpur Lodhi, Bonny Amarpal Singh Ajnala (36) from Ajnala, Baljit Singh Jalal Usma (37) from Jandiala, Manpreet Singh Ayalai (37) from Dakha, Gurkirat Singh Kotli (38) from Khanna, Parminder Singh Dhindsa (38) from Sunam, Manjit Singh Manna Mianwind (38) from Baba Bakala and Simarjit Singh Bains (39) from Atam Nagar in Ludhiana all represent the “thirties-club” of the Assembly. Only 14 newly elected MLAs are in their thirtees, while 101 are between 40 to 84 years. The septuagenarians’ club is represented by Charanjit Singh Atwal (74) from Payal, Madan Mohan Mittal (72) from Anandpur Sahib, Tota Singh (70) from Dharmakot, Chatin Singh (70) from Budhlada, Hari Singh Zira (71) from Zira, Ajit Singh Kohar (71) from Shahkot. This time the Assembly would also be represented by 45 first timers.
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Will not quit singing, says MLA Sadique
Barnala, March 7 After paying obeisance at the Golden Temple, Sadique told TNS that he would be selective in choosing functions in which he would recite his songs, but would not shun his ancestral profession. Sadique is the first Punjabi artist to win the assembly election. He contested the election on the Congress ticket and defeated influential bureaucrat Darbara Singh Guru, who had resigned from the IAS to contest the election, from Bhadaur constituency in Barnala district. Sadique said except singing, he does not have any other source of income and as such he would not shun the profession. The salary he would get as an MLA would not be sufficient to run his household and entertain a large number of guests visiting him from the constituency. He said, "The electorate of the area has expressed their faith in me and my top priority in the assembly will be to raise the problems of the area." Sadique said that he would also raise the voice of artists who have remained neglected. He said that the electorate responded to his plea to vote for him because a bureaucrat would never be in a position to strike a chord with the common people of the area. His election campaign remained clean and he did not indulge in mudslinging on his rivals. Sadique came to limelight in 1962 when he joined the rural section of the All India Radio (AIR) at Jalandhar and the HMV immediately recorded his songs for commercial release. However, another Punjabi comedian, Bhagwant Mann was not that fortunate as he lost the election in the Lehra segment of Sangrur where he contested on the PPP ticket against Congress stalwart Rajinder Kaur Bhattal. Mann got third position. Hans Raj Hans and Kuldeep Manak were the other Punjabi singers who had unsuccessfully contested the earlier elections.
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Petition on SGPC Administrator withdrawn
Chandigarh, March 7 The petition was, on the previous date of hearing, adjourned by the Bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi as the matter was pending adjudication before the apex court. A month after a Full Bench of the High Court had quashed the notification debarring the Sehajdhari Sikhs from voting in the SGPC polls, the petition was filed for appointing an administrator for managing SGPC affairs. The petition said the recently held SGPC elections had become null and void following the Full Bench judgment. As such, an administrator was required to be appointed to look after the day-to-day SGPC affairs till the time fresh elections were held. Counsel Sandeep Khunger asserted: “As the election held on September 18, 2011, was subject to the final outcome of the writ petition and now the Full Bench has allowed the writ petition and quashed the notification dated October 8, 2003, the election has become non-est and a nullity.”
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DCC leader robbed at gunpoint
Ferozepur, March 7
The assailants also drove away his Verna car, took away a mobile phone, gold ring, besides Rs 10,000 in cash, Sharma alleged. SSP Hardyal Singh Mann said a case has been registered.
— OC
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Chandigarh, March 7
The SAD-BJP won 22 of the 28 seats that saw a 5 per cent increase in polling. The Congress was able to win only six such seats.
The polling percentage in the state assembly elections increased from 75.47 per cent to 78.6 per cent. Much of this increase was registered in the Malwa belt that saw fierce contests.
Badal (Muktsar), March 7
Barnala, March 7
Badal (Muktsar), March 7
The Chief Minister polled 58 per cent votes in Badal village. Maheshinder got 32 per cent share while the score of Gurdas was 7 per cent. The village had three polling booths (104, 105 and 106) and 2,769 registered voters. Of them, 2,181 cast their franchise on January 30, the polling day.
Chandigarh, March 7
None of the 117 newly elected MLAs is less than 30 years and the Chief Minister and Vidhan Sabha Deputy Speaker Chunni Lal Bhagat are octogenarians, four are between 71 and 80 years and 29 are between 61 and 70 years. Maximum number of 35 MLAs is between 51 and 60 years of age.