Dehradun, September 17
With the Tehri byelection round the corner, the game of musical chairs has begun for disgruntled workers and leaders in both the BJP and the Congress Party. Recently, the BJP received a shot in the arm with the entry of Munna Singh Chauhan, who had bid adieu to the BJP in 2009, and later formed his own Janwadi party. He along with his wife Madhu Chauhan have joined the BJP.

Good news has alluded the BJP after the exodus of former Sitarganj MLA Kiran Mandal and a series of failed attempts by the Congress to poach on other MLAs.

In the past the Leader of the Opposition in the Uttarakhand Assembly, Ajay Bhatt, had been maintaining that some disgruntled Congress MLAs were in touch with the party and may switch sides any time. However, so far nothing big has happened.

A few days back the BJP announced the entry of Virender Singh Bisht, a former general secretary of the Uttarakhand Congress. Bisht had left the Congress after he was denied the ticket from Rudraprayag in the 2012 Assembly elections. However, the official entry of the leader set for today was postponed, after most of the BJP leaders, including Bhagat Singh Koshiyari, BC Khanduri and Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank left for Ukhimath (Rudraprayag).

“As the senior leaders have left for cloudburst-hit Ukhimath (Rudraprayag) today, on the ground assessment of the situation, the programme has now been postponed and may take place tomorrow,” said BJP spokesperson Mukesh Mahindra.

The party is maintaining that Bisht’s joining would help strengthen the BJP but they were mum on the impact it would have on the Tehri byelection. “Though Bisht was seeking a ticket from Rudraprayag, he has a sizeable following in Dehradun district, parts of which would be go to the polls on October 10,” said BS Chufal, Uttarakhand BJP president.

If the BJP is keen to facilitate the entry of Virender Singh Bisht, former BJP MLA Rajkumar from Sahaspur has now joined the Congress, giving a jolt to the then BJP.

Rajkumar had revolted against the BJP after he was denied the ticket from Purola Assembly seat in the 2012 elections. He was later expelled from the party. 

Dehradun, September 17
The Uttarakhand Adhikari Karamchari Shikshak Sangharsh Morcha has deferred its strike till October 15 after an agreement reached with the government on Sunday. The employees will join duties from tomorrow.

Announcing this today, president of Uttarakhand Adhikari Karamchari Sangharsh Morcha SS Valdiya said the government had agreed in principle that the constitution of ex-cadre was flawed. “As the model code of conduct is in place in view of the Tehri byelection, the government cannot withdraw the order. In the interim period, the government has decided to refer the (ex-cadre) matter to the Justice (former) Irshad Commission that would examine the issue in the light of Supreme Court order in the Nagarajan case (2006). He would present his report by October 10, after which the government would then deliberate on the matter and take up the issue in the October 15 cabinet meet,” said Valdiya, while speaking with mediapersons.

Meanwhile, the employees would return to work from tomorrow and have even decided to work on holidays.

Significantly, the government today maintained that no disciplinary action would be taken against the workers. The talks between the office bearers of the morcha and Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna took place in three phases on Saturday and Sunday. Later, a memorandum was signed between the Valdiya (convener) of the morcha and Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Dilip Kotia.

The government also said that additional duration of three weeks had been sought to submit an affidavit in the High Court against the writ petition filed, challenging the government order regarding creation of ex-cadre posts and appointments in them. The government would convert the duration in which workers had been on strike to earned leave, and if any workers did not want it as earned leave, then the said duration would be compensated with the leave they would avail in the future. 

Mussoorie, September 17
The religious and spiritual guru of the Tibetan community, His Holiness, the Dalai Lama, speaking on the occasion of the golden jubilee celebrations of Tibetan Homes Foundation in Mussoorie, today said that Buddhism was not only a religion but science of the mind. It carried the message of compassion and kindness, which were its basis of life. The Dalai Lama said that Buddhism preached non-violence.

The programme began with a prayer ceremony at Buddha Temple, which was held under the supervision of the Dalai Lama.

The students from Central School for Tibetan and Tibetans Homes foundation, dressed in school uniforms, presented a march-past under their respective banners on the occasion.

The National Anthems of both India and Tibet were sung by the gathered devotees and students at the beginning of the golden jubilee celebrations here.

The Tibetan Homes Foundation secretary welcomed the Dalai Lama on the golden jubilee celebration year of the institution. The annual reports of both Central School for Tibetans and Tibetan Homes Foundation Foundation were read out by the respective heads of the school. The students from the Tibetan Homes Foundation, Central School for Tibetans and members of the Regional Tibetan Youth and Women's association presented a number of cultural dance and song programmes dressed in traditional attire in honour of the Dalai Lama, depicting tales of the homeland which brought tears in eyes of many Tibetan community members in exile here.

A book authored by the Dalai Lama, 'A Journey of 50 years,' was also released on the occasion. The Dalai Lama has written about his cordial relationship with India in the past 50 years along with other issues.

MLA, Mussoorie, Ganesh Joshi, and Municipal Council president OP Uniyal, welcoming the seer, said that the Tibetan community was an integral part of the town and was living in harmony with other residents here. Uniyal requested the Dalai Lama to visit Mussoorie often so that people can seek blessings from him on an annual basis.

The Dalai Lama, addressing the devotees, said that they should follow the path of non-violence as it was the only way to serve humanity. He said religion taught people to live with each other in peace and harmony and people should shun violence to lead an ideal life.

Helmut Kutin, honorary president of SOS Kindergarten International, also addressed the gathering and highlighted that the long-term association with the Tibetan community had created a bonhomie between Germans and Tibetan community.

A photo exhibition depicting rare pictures of the Dalai Lama was also held on the occasion.

The large gathering that assembled at the school grounds here was blessed to hear their beloved spiritual master today. Tsering, a member of Tibetan community in exile, said that the address by the Dalai Lama motivated them to live life in accordance to the Buddhist traditions. It was a dream come true for him, added Tsering.

The religious leader leader, Shakya Nikoychi, former MLA Jot Singh Gunsola, RK Singh, BJP, Mussoorie president, Roop Singh Kathait, and others were present.