Cong, BJP use 2010 Maha Kumbh scam for political mileage
Sandeep Rawat
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, April 14
Desperate times call for desperate measures, and banking on this mantra politicians are leaving no stone unturned for the coming Lok Sabha polls. BJP’s Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank and Chief Minister Harish Rawat are fighting the Lok Sabha battle on the four-year old Maha Kumbh issue.

Four years ago, the Maha Kumbh was held in Haridwar, which was the century’s first full Kumbh fair. On April 13, 2010, during the ‘shahi snaan’, approximately 1.63 crore devotees from across the world arrived in Haridwar to take the holy dip in the river Ganga. Then Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank had claimed it to be a world record and claimed appreciation for the super management by the mela administration and the BJP government.

Even then, Haridwar parliamentarian Harish Rawat tried to highlight that it was only the Congress government at the Centre that had provided a whopping Rs 755 crore to the Uttarakhand government.

Nishank and Rawat are once again battling the upcoming Lok Sabha polls on this issue.

Though, politically the situation is different as Rawat is the Chief Minister now while Nishank is the BJP candidate from the seat.

Since the last week, Harish Rawat has been raising Kumbh scam, as his wife Renuka Rawat is pitched against Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank in Haridwar.

This has certainly put Nishank’s aggressive campaign on the backfoot. Today, Nishank got a major jolt as BJP Haridwar district president Kuldeep Gupta accepted that certainly there was a scam during the 2010 Kumbh fair, though he tried to put the blame on the Congress-led union government.

In a media brief, Kuldeep Gupta when questioned over the Kumbh scam, said during the Kumbh mela, crores of rupees were misused but it was done on the directives of Haridwar parliamentarian Harish Rawat.

Gupta said that it was wrong to blame Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank or the then Kumbh in charge Madan Kaushik as the union government was responsible for the bungling of Kumbh funds.

Later realising his mistake, Gupta said he was just a district president and had was not holding any post during the Maha Kumbh, so he could not comment upon factual misappropriation of Maha Kumbh funds.

When Nishank was contacted, he said he did not know about Gupta’s statement adding that there was no scam during the 2010 Kumbh mela.

“This is just a political gimmick to retain Haridwar Lok Sabha seat by Congress in particular current parliamentarian Harish Rawat as his wife has been fielded from this seat. Four years have passed and Rawat has realised about the scam only now. Congress has realised that they are losing ground in Haridwar so they are raising such baseless issues,” said Nishank.

Meanwhile, Renuka Rawat’s election campaign managers are now eyeing the remark made by BJP district president where he accepted that a scam did take place during the 2010 Maha Kumbh.

City Congress president and close aide of Harish Rawat family OP Chauhan said finally BJP has accepted that there was a major scam during the Maha Kumbh.

“We will raise this issue in the election campaign and ask voters to first enquire from BJP candidate Nishank, city legislator Madan Kaushik about the Kumbh budget scam. It is the hard-earned money of the tax payers, which was misused by the BJP government,” said Chauhan.

Bahujan Samaj Party, Samajwadi Party, Uttarakhand Kranti Dal and Communist Party of India (Marxist), have also pinned their guns on BJP over the Kumbh scam issue.

Hazi Islam BSP candidate said that Dr Nishank first should give explanation over Maha Kumbh budget to the people of Haridwar. While Anita Saini, Samajwadi Party candidate, said she would raise the issue of Kumbh scam in her campaign effectively.

Uttarakhand Kranti Dal central secretary Uday Ram Semwal said both the Congress and BJP were hand in glove in the Maha Kumbh budget scam.

ND Tewari giving sleepless nights to state Cong leaders
Suspense over decision to contest from Nainital
SMA Kazmi
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 14
The suspense over the decision of the veteran Congress leader and former Uttarakhand Chief Minister ND Tewari to contest the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections from Nainital seat has worried the senior state Congress leaders.

The meeting of Samajwadi supreme Mulayam Singh Yadav with ND Tewari today has further added to the worries of the state Congress leaders. The interest shown by ND Tewari in getting Congress nomination from his native constituency of Nainital for himself or his biological son Rohit Shekhar had already given sleepless nights to Congress leaders.

According to a statement issued by Bhawani Bhatt, a close aide of Tewari, today, Mulayam Singh Yadav met Tewari today and extended his support to him. According to Bhawani Bhatt, Mulayam Singh Yadav reportedly said that if Tewari decides to fight elections, he would withdraw his party candidate against him.

For the past fortnight, Tewari camped in the Nainital area along with his biological son Rohit Shekhar and his mother Ujjawala Sharma apparently to gauge public mood. He toured various areas and met a cross-section of his supporters during his tour and introduced his son.

He was hopeful that since he has shown interest in contesting the poll, Congress high command would consult him while deciding the party candidate from Nainital. However, the party decided to ignore him and renominated KC Singh Baba, the sitting Congress MP and a scion of the Kashipur royal family as party candidate.

According to sources close to Tewari , this did not go down well with him. A large number of his supporters are putting pressure on him to contest the elections as Tewari has a large following in the area. As a chief minister of Uttar Pradesh and later CM of Uttarakhand, Tewari was credited with the development of Terai region of Kumaon.

According to Congress party sources, if the veteran leader decides to contest the election, he could upset the calculations of the Congress not only in Nainital but also in the neighbouring Almora seat. Although, he has yet to take a decision to fight elections, his return to electoral politics could be a challenge for Uttarakhand CM Harish Rawat ,his long-time political foe in the Congress. ND Tewari had won the Nainital seat in the past but lost the crucial 1991 Lok Sabha poll to lose the chance of becoming the prime minister to PV Narsimha Rao.

Tewari testing the waters?

• The meeting of Samajwadi supreme Mulayam Singh Yadav with ND Tewari today further added to the worries of the state Congress leaders. The interest shown by ND Tewari in getting Congress nomination from his native constituency of Nainital for himself or his biological son Rohit Shekhar had already given sleepless nights to Congress leaders
• For the past fortnight, Tewari camped in the Nainital area along with his biological son Rohit Shekhar and his mother Ujjawala Sharma apparently to gauge public mood. He toured various areas and met a cross-section of his supporters during his tour and introduced his son
• Tewari's supporters are pressurising him to contest elections as he has a huge following in the area

A battery of stars to campaign for BJP
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 14
While the BJP has lined up a battery of star campaigners to boost its prospects in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, the BSP and the Aam Aadmi parties would take the services of political leaders, including party chief Mayawati and Arvind Kejriwal, to shore up the party prospects in the state.

Among the star campaigners from the BJP who are likely to campaign in the state are cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu, BJP president Rajnath Singh, actress Hema Malini and state leaders Bachi Singh Rawat, Munna Singh Chauhan and others.

“Depending on the availability of the star campaigners, their services would be taken by the party towards the fag-end of the campaigning. As three ex-chief ministers are in the fray, the BJP has put up very strong candidates who would be able to manage on their own,” said Teerath Singh Rawat, BJP chief, Uttarakhand. He said that the BJP would be able to finalise the names of star campaigners by Friday as most of them are fighting the electoral battle.

However, devoid of star campaigners, the Aam Aadmi party (AAP) and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) in Uttarakhand have only political leaders to rely on for the purpose of campaigning in the upcoming May 7 Lok Sabha elections.

While admitting the list for the sake of prior permission for its leaders who would campaign in Uttarakhand at the office of the chief electoral officer, the Aam Aadmi Party has given the list of 15 star campaigners among whom Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, Shazia Ilmi and Kumar Vishwas top the list.

Most of these leaders are also fighting the Lok Sabha elections. From Uttarakhand historian and writer Shekhar Pathak also figures in the list.

“Our leader Arvind Kejriwal is in great demand and depending on his availability we will seek his services,” said Anoop Nautiyal, Aam Aadmi candidate from Tehri.

As far as BSP is concerned they have sought permission for 30 star campaigners, including BSP Supremo Mayawati, senior BSP leaders Satish Chand Mishra and Megh Raj Singh.

However, both the expelled leaders from Uttarakhand, former Cabinet minister Surinder Rakesh and expelled MLA Haridas do not figure in the list of star campaigners.

Percentage of service voters sees a drop
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 14
With the enrolment of service voters in the last five years showing an increase of only 3.7 per cent, the Election Commission’s efforts to increase the participation of service voters in the electoral process through the Systematic Voter Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) plan has been a mixed bag of results in Uttarakhand.

In Uttarakhand, according to the State Electoral Office the number of service voters is pegged at 96,985 in 2014 while at the time of general elections in 2009, it was around 93,326 indicating an increase of 3.7 percent in the last five years.

On the other hand, the number of service voters in 2004 general elections was around 59,141 (male 41,646 and female 17,4951) showing an increase of 36 per cent between 2004 and 2009. But the enrolment of service voters has been below average in the last five years.

“The Chief Electoral Office has not taken up a targeted campaign aiming at the service voters as it is not possible due to the service conditions of these voters. But information is conveyed to all the prospective voters to enlist themselves in the general or the service list. The registration for the ballot papers, too, is carried in advance and the ballot papers cast by the service voters continues to be received till the day of counting. We are still collating the data and the numbers may slightly go up,” said Radha Raturi, Chief Electoral Officer.

According to the 2014 service voter data, the highest percentage of service voters continue to reside in the Pauri Garhwal parliamentary constituency followed by Almora and Tehri. In Pauri Garhwal the number of service voters are pegged at 43,000, 25,000 in Almora and 12,000 inTehri.

To that end, the dwindling ex-servicemen in the state is a worrisome trend for the political parties who have been keen to exploit the presence of ex-service men in several constituencies.

The BJP was the first party in the state to field an ex-army man and former Chief Minister BC Khanduri from Pauri and in the past general elections Khanduri has always been catapulted to power on the strength of garnering highest number of service voters in his constituency.

CM: Ambedkar a messiah of the poor
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, April 14
Uttarakhand Chief Minister termed Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar, chairman of the Constitution making committee, as a messiah of the poor, Dalits and downtrodden. Speaking at a tribute paying function at Jwalapur, CM Harish Rawat said that Congress always worked for Dalits' and poor people, catering to every segment of society, bringing them into the mainstream of development, as a result of which after 60 years of Independence the status of Dalits had improved significantly.

At a similar function held at Tibdi colony, Harish Rawat said that Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar bridged the gap between various societies, segment and sects of the country, a noble act for which the entire country is indebted to him.

Former Haridwar legislator Ambrish Kumar said that since its inception Congress ideology and policy had been to take along everyone with it and development was on the prime agenda.

Felicitation of Chief Minister Harish Rawat, who also represents Haridwar parliamentary constituency in Parliament, was also done by the organising committee of Dalit Jagriti Manch at the occasion.

Pithoragarh: Several orgnisations in Pithoragarh and Champwat districts celebrated 123rd birth anniversary of Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar here today and paid floral tribute.

The joint coordination committee formed by several organisations to celebrate the birthday organised a programme in Pithoragarh which began by paying floral tribute at the statue of Dr Ambedkar at Ambedkar Park. A procession was also taken out on the occasion.

“After the floral tribute, the supporters of Dr Ambedkar gathered at the Pithoragarh zila panchayat hall where various Speakers highlighted the contribution of Dr Ambedkar for the nation,” said Sudarshan Tamta, coordinator of the committee.

A cultural programme was also organised by several school students.

Several organisations gathered at Valmiki colony in Champawat district and paid tribute to Dr Ambedkar. “We have also gifted several items to girls of the Valmiki community on the occasion and asked the girls to study hard.

The members of the Dalit community were also educated to break the caste system and take a rightful place in the society,” said Rita Gahtoli, a Tilu Rauteli awardee in the state.

Welham Girls’ School beat Aryan School in basketball

Aiming for the sky: Girls in action during the district-level basketball tournament at Doon International School in Dehradun on Monday. A Tribune photograph

Dehradun, April 14
Maintaining their dominance in the championship, Welham Girls' School won yet another match after defeating Aryan School 51-20 in the ongoing District Junior Under-18 Basketball Championship for Boys and Girls here today. Sarah scored highest 15 points in the match for Welhams.

In a close encounter, Doon International School defeated St. Joseph's Academy 30-22 with Akansha netting maximum 16 baskets for Doon International. Welham Boys won their match comfortably against Hilton School 44-14 score. Prithvi remained the top scorer by scoring 16 points.

U-18 basketball championship begins

The District Junior Under-18 Basketball Championship for boys and girls began at Doon International School on Saturday.

The championship is being organised by the District Basketball Association. The teams of Welham School started their campaign in the tournament on a winning note. In a one-sided encounter, Welham Girls School defeated St Mary School 40-6 with Sara scoring the highest 16 points for Welham Girls School.

In the second match, Welham Boys School trounced Aryan School 64-15 with Gaurav and Arpit scoring 26 and 20 points, respectively.

Aryan School, St Thomas College win matches In an interesting match, The Aryan School defeated St Jude School by 6 runs in the ongoing 3rd St Jude’s Premier Cricket League being played at St Jude School’s indoor ground.

After being put into bat first, The Aryan School scored 57 runs with Anand scoring the highest 17 runs. On other hand, St Jude School got bowled out after making 51 runs with Ayush scoring the highest 12 runs. Shubank took maximum 2 wickets for The Aryan School.

In the second match of the day, St Thomas College defeated The Heritage School by 6 wickets. Batting first, The Heritage School scored 38 runs with Mateen Javed scoring the maximum 10 runs. In reply, St Thomas College easily achieved the target at the loss of 4 wickets and won the match. — TNS

Tributes paid to personnel during Fire Safety Week
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, April 14
At Mayapur fire station, Fire Safety Week is being organised wherein fire personnel who laid their life while performing duty are being given tributes. A two-minute silence was also held at the occasion for the fire personnel, who lost their lives in extinguishing fire in various incidents that occurred in Uttarakhand last year.

Superintendent of Haridwar Police Sadanand Date shed light on the Fire Safety Week, works carried out by Fire Department in the past one year and steps taken to strengthen the department working.Flagging off an awareness drive, SSP Date said that fire prevention is the best insurance and everyone needs to be alert regarding fire incidents. Chief Fire Officer Madhu Sudan Sharma said that every year from April 14 to 20 Fire Safety Week is organised throughout the world.

Elaborating on the fire week CFO Shah said that the fire week is in sync with The Fire Service Week observed nationwide under the guidance of the Ministry of Home Affairs and Government of India.

It is celebrated in the remembrance of 336 people who lost their lives and thousands others who got injured in a devastating fire which erupted on April 14, 1944, at the Victoria Harbour Dock at Bombay Port, said Circle Officer Chandra Mohan Singh Negi.

A special fire safety drive will also be carried at Industrial Estate at SIDCUL-Roshanabad.

Demo by firemen Dehradun: The district fire office has organised a Fire Safety Week, which was inaugurated by Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Dehradun today at district fire office headquarters.

On the inaugural day of the safety week, the Fire Department demonstrated its strength by displaying the equipments used during fire incidents. A live demo of the effectiveness of the firemen in combating the fire was also showcased. An exhibition was organised that showcased new hi-tech firefighting equipments and other products used in firefighting.

Hockey tourney
Bad weather washes away three matches

Dehradun, April 14
Only three matches could be played in the ongoing six-a-side under-15 boys district hockey tournament, due to bad weather conditions in the morning, yesterday. The matches were played in the second half of the day at the Pavilion Ground. The first match of the day between KV Club and Stadium Trainees ended in draw. Guru Nanak Boys thrashed Kingston Public School by 6-. Rohit Bhatt scored three goals and Nitin scored two goals for Guru Nanak Boys.

Scholars Home School 'Blue' team managed to clinch a 1-0 victory against Stadium Trainees team with Anmol scoring the only goal.

St Agnes win U-15 tourney: St Agnes School won the six-a-side under-15 boys district hockey tournament after beating Guru Nanak Boys by 3-0 in the final match played at Pavilion Ground here today. Radhey scored two goals for St Agnes while Rakesh scored one goal.

Earlier, St Agnes School beat St Lawrence School, Mussoorie, in the semifinal match by 3-1 while Guru Nanak Boys trounced Scholars Home School by 4-0 in the second semifinal match to enter the finals.

Arjuna Awardee Padam Bahadur Mal was the chief guest on the occasion.

He distributed the prizes to the members of the winning team. Amritpal Singh, Secretary, Women Hockey Association, was also present on the occasion. — TNS

No smooth sailing for Harish Rawat in Lok Sabha poll
Neena Sharma
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 14
Facing strife both at home and within the Congress Party, it will not be an easy ride for Chief Minister Harish Rawat in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections as he faces a daunting task of not only defending the Haridwar parliamentary seat for his wife who is the Congress candidate from here but his prestige would also be at stake in the Almora and Nainital-Udham Singh Nagar parliamentary seats.

Since the announcement of Lok Sabha elections, Chief Minister Harish Rawat has been engaged in fire fighting both at home after both his children staked claim on the Haridwar Lok Sabha seat.

Both his son Anand Singh Rawat and daughter Anupama have been eager to carry forward his legacy at the cost of the other. The family squabble left the chief minister badly bruised and for restoring peace in the family Renuka Rawat was brought in as the consensus candidate. ''Renuka Rawat's previous forays in the electoral battle have been unsuccessful. This time around, she faces a formidable |challenge in the form of BJP candidate Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, who is also the sitting MLA from Doiwala Assembly segment,'' said Ajay Bhatt, BJP leader and in charge of the committee on election campaign.

Smarting from the unceremonious exit from the chief ministership, the group aligned with Vijay Bahuguna too has been making things difficult for Rawat. ''It was a forgone conclusion that Saket Bahuguna would be fighting the parliamentary election from Tehri but matters were deliberately exacerbated by Bahuguna himself,'' said a Congress leader.

Hailing from Almora, Harish Rawat cannot but ensure a credible performance for the Congress Party at his home turf and on the Nainital-Udham Singh Nagar seat. Here both the outgoing Congress MPs are again in the fray.

''Rawat faces a huge challenge. He will have to blunt the anti-incumbency wave against the UPA government and the local anti-incumbency against the sitting MPs,'' said Trivender Singh Rawat, national secretary, BJP.

Embroiled in a do or die battle, Rawat critics say a two-three score card 'in favour of Congress and BJP, though difficult to achieve, would help Rawat silence his critics.

Case registered in custodial death incident
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 14
After suspending four policemen in the custodial death case of alleged chain snatcher on Sunday, the head of Dalanwala Police Station, Chandan Singh Bist, has been attached to police lines by the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) here today.

Acting under pressure, the ciy police have registered a case under Section 3(2)(V) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act against unidentified/unknown policemen today.

Talking to The Tribune, SSP, Dehradun, Ajay Rautela said, “A magisterial enquiry has been ordered to investigate the matter and the police have also registered a case under the required provisions. We shall wait for the enquiry report and further action would be taken on the basis of the magisterial enquiry.”

Though the senior police officials are not commenting on the post-mortem report of Rajneesh Lala, which has reportedly stated sudden enlargement of heart as the cause of death, but unofficially are claiming that the post-mortem will help in saving the accused policemen in the case.

Police sources are claiming that the post-mortem report has also authenticated their claim that Rajneesh was a drug addict and was under heavy influence of drugs when he was picked up by the police along with his friend Nikhil on Saturday evening from EC Road.

Reportedly, on the basis of CCTV footage, Rajneesh and Nikhil were picked up by the police in the wee hours of Sunday morning for their alleged involvement in crime and were taken to Dalanwala police station.

According to the police, both were found in unconscious state in the morning after which they were rushed to Coronation Hospital where Rajneesh was declared brought dead whereas, Rajneesh is still undergoing treatment.

Huge procession marks 123rd birth anniversary of Ambedkar
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 14
A large procession to mark the 123rd birth anniversary of Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar was carried out by various groups in the city, here today. The state cleanliness employees commission observed the day by placing a garland on the statue of Dr Ambedkar.

Addressing the gathering, state president of the commission, Bhagwat Prasad Makwana, said Dr Ambedkar was an academician, social crusader, writer and politician par excellence.

“During his entire life, Dr Ambedkar fought for the rights and welfare of the poor and down trodden. He specifically raised voice for the Dalit community and protested against the untouchability. It was because of Dr Ambedkar that our country got its constitution. Therefore by limiting the stature of such a personality to a particular caste of community is not justified,” said Makwana.

OP Sisodia, Jaipal Valmiki, Ashok Rajauri, Madan Valmiki, Som Chander Chachar and Harish Sisodiya were also present on the occasion.

In yet another function organised, rich tributes were paid to Dr Ambedkar at the Congress Bhavan.

Saket Bahuguna, Congress candidate from Tehri Lok Sabha constituency, Chowdhary Lal Singh and Shravan Rajaouria offered garlands on the statue of the leader at the Congress headquarters.

Bahuguna said Dr Ambedkar was the son of the soil. “Without the contribution of Dr Ambedkar, getting freedom for our country was unthinkable,” he added. Uttarakhand Congress vice-president Suryakant Dhasmana said Dr Ambedkar was in the league of Martin Luther King, Karl Marx and Abraham Lincoln.

Lal Chand Sharma, Pramod Kumar, Harpal Sethi, Ram Kumar Walia, Manish Nagpal, Tota Ram, RT Prakosth and Ashish Sharma were also present on the occasion.

Kaushik a guiding force at party meetings, says Nishank
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, April 14
Denying that there was a ''passive attitude'' on the part of three-time city legislator Madan Kaushik during his election campaign, BJP candidate from Haridwar parliamentary constituency Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank stated that all the legislators of party are actively taking part in the party election campaign.

Dr Nishank on the sidelines of an election gathering here today said that its only the Opposition Congress which is facing threat of defeat is circulating rumours, which are totally baseless.

“Ticket allocation issue is a thing of the past as ticket can only be given to a single candidate.I have met personally Kaushik several times and he recently took part at important booth-level party workers' meeting at Ved Mandir Ashram, where he gave useful tips to the party cadre. On his personal level Kaushik is motivating and guiding party workers, strengthening my election campaign,''m said ex CM Nishank, in whose Cabinet in 2009-11 Madan Kaushik was urban development minister.

Ranipur BHEL legislator Aadesh Chauhan and Haridwar rural segment legislator Swami Yatishwaranand also claimed victory for party candidate Dr Nishank from Haridwar. Addressing various electoral meetings both the legislators said that in Nishank people of Haridwar constituency have got a seasoned politician and candidate of national stature.

“Along with BC Khanduri,Bhagat Singh Koshyari,Nishankji is the trio pillar of BJP in Uttarakhand. His vast experience as five-time legislator ,Cabinet minister in Uttar Pradesh government and subsequent Uttarakhand governments will be vital in developing Haridwar,'' said Aadesh.

Swami Yatishwaranand, lashing out at sitting parliamentarian Harish Rawat, said that neither development of Haridwar was done properly nor issues related with the constituency were raised in Parliament effectively.

“But Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank will surely do both things with ease as during his chief ministership ,Haridwar district got special attention and several multiple development projects were sanctioned apart from conducting the Maha Kumbh fair successfully,'' said Swami Yatishwaranand.

Party district divisional president Vikas Tiwari,a confidant of Madan Kaushik,also refuted alienation of pro-Kaushik supporters from the election campaign.

Tiwari said that there is no such thing of remaining inactive or neutral and all party workers are enthused to ensure Nishankji’s victory as all want a change at the Centre and make Narendra Modi Prime Minister.

Jwalapur legislator Chandrasekhar Bhattewala is also supporting Nishank, with his supporters remaining present at various election meetings and gatherings of the party candidate.

BJP claims it will win Almora seat by a big margin
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, April 14
Claiming that a Modi wave is prevalent in the country today, BJP has claimed that it will win Almora seat by a big margin this time as voters have made up their mind for a change. The BJP which has begun campaigning in four Assembly segments of Pithoragarh district, starting with a meeting at Pithoragarh district headquarter, claimed that all the factors are in its favour this time.

“We will win by a huge margin this time as our candidate lost only by a narrow margin of over 7000 votes last time in 2009, but all the conditions, including a wave in favour of Narendra Modi, are against Congress sitting MP,” said Prakash Pant, BJP general secretary of the state unit.

The party today held a meeting of Pithoragarh Assembly segment and appealed to the party workers to know about the booth management and get every BJP vote polled in favour of the party. “We can reap the crop of Modi wave only if we manage the booths well,” said Suresh Joshi, BJP spokesperson in the state unit.

BJP candidate from the seat, Ajay Tamta said in the meeting that the party is out to set a record this election as Modi wave has engulfed the entire nation. “ The people of the country are looking towards BJP as a viable alternative to root out corruption from the country,” said Ajay Tamta.

With this meeting of workers of Pithoragarh Assembly segments today the party has begun Assembly-wise meetings. “ We are telling voters in interior villages about the bad governance given by Congress in the last 10 years and giving the youths the message that BJP under Modi is only the solution for their problems of unemployment incurred by the wrong policies of Congress,'' said Suresh Joshi, BJP spokesperson.

BJP leaders have also claimed that non-performance of sitting Congress MP and his unavailability in the last 10 years to common man of the constituency is also becoming beneficial for the party. ''Where ever we are going to campaign, the voters are complaining that they have not seen their MP in the last five years,” claimed Ajay Tamta, the BJP candidate from the constituency.

Maharaj criticises Cong’s dynastic politics, claims BJP will win all 5 seats
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, April 14
Spiritual guru and two time parliamentarian from Pauri Garhwal, Satpal Maharaj, lashed out at the Congress today, accusing it of being a dynastic run party. On the other hand, he showered praises on the cadre-based Bhartiya Janta Party. Satpal Maharaj, who joined BJP, last month, is currently giving a three-day religious discourse on the occasion of Baisakhi, to lakhs of followers at Rishikul ground and Prem Nagar Ashram.

Speaking on the sidelines of the religious discourse, Satpal Maharaj claimed BJP would win all five parliamentary seats from the state, and he himself would campaign for the party.

Maharaj, who represented Pauri Garhwal in the lower house of parliament in 1996 and 2009, said Congress was run by family politics, where common party worker had no say. “A coterie works besides party high command and the same is replicated in Uttarakhand too,” Maharaj said.

“Corruption, dynastic politics, ill governance and not catering to party workers will lead to the downfall of Congress in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The entire country is behind BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi and Mission 272 plus will be attained by BJP, with Uttarakhand adding all 5 parliamentary seats to this tally,” stated Maharaj.

Replying to a query on the 2010 Maha Kumbh scam, Maharaj gave a clean chit to party candidate Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, saying the world saw the well managed Maha Kumbh under the BJP government.

He added this issue was raised by Chief Minister Harish Rawat to ensure public attention was diverted from his lack luster working as a Haridwar parliamentarian, during which he failed to utilise his MPLAD funds.

Maharaj also hoped that his long term political rival from Garhwal constituency, Major General (retd) Bhuwan Chandra Khanduri would make a record win from the seat as Khanduri’s honest image and lack of work by Congress government in disaster-affected Garhwal region would help pull votes in Khanduri’s favour.

MLA Joshi: Saket to blame for chaos in providing relief
Tribune News service

Mussoorie, April 14
MLA Ganesh Joshi attacked Saket Bahuguna, Congress candidate from Tehri Lok Sabha seat, and alleged that it was due to the role of the ''super CM'' played by Saket during last year’s natural-disaster that most relief work was hindered adversely across the state.

Joshi was speaking to media persons here today and said Saket, son of former Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna, who acted as Super CM, during the disaster was mainly responsible for the shoddy arrangements and management of disaster relief that failed to reach the victims.

Joshi further alleged that Saket was also involved in striking deals and earning commission in the process on land deals in the state.

He further said family culture was still prevalent in Congress and was evident from the naming of Saket Bahuguna as Lok Sabha candidate from the Tehri seat, which his father Vijay Bahuguna, had represented in the past.

Joshi said the Congress strategy to distribute tickets among the father-son duo was indicative of dynastic politics in the party and it created dissatisfaction among dedicated party workers. He also said Mala Raj Lakshmi Shah, BJP candidate from Tehri Lok Sabha seat was a far better candidate than Saket Bahuguna due to her clean and honest image among people.

He also claimed that BJP would win the Tehri Lok Sabha seat with a huge margin as the public was disgusted with the Congress misrule at the Centre and in the state.

Ganesh Joshi also informed the media that Congress had done nothing but lied to the people of the state and the SDM’s in the district received only Rs 30 lakhs despite the Congress government’s announcement of Rs 1 crore to all SDM’s in the state.

The president of the local BJP unit, Roop Singh Kathait, and others were present at the occasion.

Indian Institute of Petroleum celebrates foundation day
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 14
CSIR-Indian Institute of Petroleum celebrated its 54th foundation day at its Maukampur regional office, here today. On this occasion, the delegation from IFP and AXENS led by Georges Picard, Executive Vice-President and CEO, IFPEN, who was also the chief guest, were present.

The delegation and the office staff of the institute paid floral tributes to Bhim Rao Ambedkar on his 123rd birth anniversary and IIP Director briefed the delegation members about the contribution of BR Ambedkar.

Daniel Champlon, Director International Relations, IFPEN, gave a presentation on 'Energy: Geopolitical aspects and the impact of technological advances for the future'.

He said most of the oil reserves were located in the Middle East. Even gas reserves were located in the Middle East.

Addressing the audience, Director IIP, Dr Garg, informed the audience that for setting up the IIP, CSIR entered into an agreement with the Instut Francais du Petrole (IFP), which was the premier institute of France and indeed of Europe, in the petroleum sector.

Ambedkar Jayanti celebrated
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, April 14
Several orgnisations in Pithoragarh and Champwat districts celebrated 123rd birth anniversary of Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar here today and paid floral tribute. The joint coordination committee formed by several organisations to celebrate the birthday organised a programme in Pithoragarh which began by paying floral tribute at the statue of Dr Ambedkar at Ambedkar Park.

A procession was also taken out on the occasion.

“After the floral tribute, the supporters of Dr Ambedkar gathered at the Pithoragarh zila panchayat hall where various Speakers highlighted the contribution of Dr Ambedkar for the nation,” said Sudarshan Tamta, coordinator of the committee.

A cultural programme was also organised by several school students.

Several organisations gathered at Valmiki colony in Champawat district and paid tribute to Dr Ambedkar.

“We have also gifted several items to girls of the Valmiki community on the occasion and asked the girls to study hard. The members of the Dalit community were also educated to break the caste system and take a rightful place in the society,” said Rita Gahtoli, a Tilu Rauteli awardee in the state.

One-day National CME organised
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 14
A one-day National Continuing Medical Education (CME) was organised by the department of biochemistry at Shri Guru Ram Rai Institute of Medical and Health Sciences here on Friday.

The topic of the National CME was ‘Recent advances in laboratory markers in the diagnosis, prognosis, therapeutics and even management of lifestyle diseases.’

The CME was organised on the occasion of the inauguration of the newly launched VITROS 5.1 FS in central hospital biochemistry laboratory.

Prof RK Singh, head of the Biochemistry Department, said the new machine was updated to the latest version of dry chemistry and liquid chemistry analysers with highest grade of accuracy and efficiency.

He said this was the first instrument of its kind in Uttarakhand Medical Colleges, wherein a large number of biological samples with different laboratory profiles would be quantified with highest accuracy and proficiency at one time.

“The analyser will prove to be a milestone for the treating patients and management,” added Dr RK Singh.

Dr Parul Goyal from Ram Manohar Lohia Institute, New Delhi, discussed about anaemia profile and cardiac markers, while Prof Daulat Singh, head of the Oncology Department, Government Medical College, Uttarakhand, discussed tumour markers.

BJP Almora candidate holds roadshow
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, April 14
Ajay Tamta, BJP candidate from Almora (reserve) seat, today took out a roadshow in the town and nearby areas. BJP workers along with traditional “Chaolia” dancers accompanied by musical instruments of Dhol and Damau participated in the roadshow.

“We have selected the headquarter town, as by doing so one can reach almost every corner of the district, as people from almost all subdivisions are settled here,” said Prakash Pan, a senior BJP leader who accompanied the party candidate from Almora seat.

BJP workers specially youth accompanied Tamta, who reached the town for the first time after being declared as party candidate.

“We have received enthusiastic response from the local shopkeepers and vendors as they want to see Narendra Modi as the next Prime Minister of the country,” said Ajay Tamta after the road show.

Tamta is scheduled to visit Kanalichina town and adjoining villages tomorrow and to proceed to Didihat and Dharchula Assembly segments in the following days.

With no star campaigners, AAP relies on state leaders
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 14
Devoid of star campaigners, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) in Uttarakhand have only state leaders to rely on to campaign for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. To secure prior permission for leaders who would campaign in Uttarakhand from the office of the Chief Electoral Officer, AAP has given a list of 15 star campaigners, among whom Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, Shazia Ilmi and Kumar Vishwas top the list.

Most of these leaders are also contesting the Lok Sabha elections.

Uttarakhand historian and writer Shekhar Pathak also figures in the list.

As far as the BSP is concerned, they have sought permission for 30 star campaigners, including party supremo Mayawati and senior leaders Satish Chand Mishra and Megh Raj Singh.

However, both the expelled leaders, former Cabinet minister Surinder Rakesh and expelled MLA Haridas do not figure in the list of star campaigners.

Paapdi festival begins to usher in Bissu fair in Jaunpur region
Tribune News service

Dehradun, April 14
The paapdi (pappodam) festival marked the start of the harvest season, also known as Bissu fair in the Jaunpur and Jaunsaar region of Uttarkashi district and Tehri Garhwal, here yesterday. The women folk from around the village prepared rice paapdi (pappodam) to usher in the Bissu fair which coincides with the harvest festival of Baisakhi.

The villagers from Pantwari in Jaunpur region said the paapdi festival was the forerunner to the main festival of Bissu which was celebrated with fervour and gaiety by the people here.

Tarachand Aswal, a resident of Jaunpur, said: “Women prepare paapdi, which is made from rice paste and then fried in oil. After frying, the paapdi is first offered to the local deities such as Tishya Devta, seeking blessing for the good harvest season and then it is served to the near and dear ones. Songs and dance rituals are also performed.”

SS Rawat, another resident of the area, said the paapdi festival was a way of thanking weather gods for being kind to them in the harvest season.