Karnal, October 3
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address a rally here tomorrow. Modi will address nine more rallies in the state till October 13.

“This rally is being held in the favour of the party candidates of nine assembly segments falling under the Karnal parliamentary constituency. It is a great honour that the PM has selected Karnal for his first political rally for the upcoming assembly elections, said Chander Parkash Kathuria, convener of the rally.

Meanwhile, SN Vashisth, DGP, today visited the rally venue to take stock of the security arrangements. BJP district president Ashok Sukhija along with other party workers were also present to oversee the arrangements.

The party leadership and workers from the nine assembly segments were working hard to mobilise people for the party’s mission to achieve 45+ seats in the state, said Ashok Sukhija.

Ashok Sukhija said that a big pandal had been erected for the rally at the sector 12 HUDA ground.

PM to be in F’bad on Oct 6

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address a public meeting at Dussehra ground in Faridabad on October 6 in support of the party candidates from the Faridabad, Faridabad (NIT), Badkhal, Tigaon, Ballabgarh and Prithla Assembly segments, said Ajay Gaur, district BJP president. Modi will be addressing 10 rallies during his three-day tour beginning tomorrow. 

Tight security in place

Security has been tightened across Karnal. Officials said 1,200 police personnel had been deployed at the rally venue to ensure foolproof security. In all, 10 Superintendents of Police (SPs) and 20 Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs) would be deployed there to ensure order at the rally venue. Barriers manned by policemen equipped with metal detectors have come up at various places. Intelligence men in plain clothes are keeping watch on passersby.

Sirsa, October 3
Haryana Congress president Ashok Tanwar said people of the state would repose their faith in the Congress and attend party chief Sonia Gandhi's rallies in large numbers tomorrow. She will be campaigning in Meham and Sirsa.

“Modi had campaigned during the recent byelections in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Gujarat, but the BJP was decimated in all these states,” he said.

On the infighting in the Congress’ Sirsa unit, whose Sikh members have decided to work against party’s candidates from Rania and Dabwali, Tanwar said all Congressmen would work together.

Tanwar said the Congress did not object to former CM Om Prakash Chautala campaigning for INLD candidates. “The matter should be left to court and the Election Commission. As far the Congress is concerned, the party respects everyone’s freedom of right to seek votes for his party.”

Three-tier cover ring

Sirsa: A three-tier security ring would be in place for Congress president Sonia Gandhi's rally in Sirsa on Saturday. “Eight companies of the Haryana Police have been deployed at the venue. This is besides the Special Protection Group personnel,” said Virender Sheoran, DSP, Sirsa. — TNS

Karnal, October 3
Three major parties have selected Karnal for their rallies to be held in the space of four days for the Assembly elections.

Besides Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rally scheduled for October 4, BSP supremo Mayawati will be here the following day. Next up is Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) chief Om Prakash Chautala's rally on October 7. The three will be held at the same venue — Sector 12.

Arvind Sharma, BSP's chief ministerial candidate, said Mayawati would be addressing two rallies - first in Karnal and then in Yamunanagar on October 5.

Uchana Kalan, October 3
They all are political greenhorns but their feedback and contribution to the campaign of their classmate, MP Dushyant Chautala, matters a lot.

A close knit group of 35 classmates of Chautala Jr, who studied with him in the Lawrence School, Sanawar, have descended on Haryana to help their buddy and his mom, Naina Singh, who is contesting from Dabwali.

Dressed in white kurta pyjamas, jeans and T-shirts, these youngsters are attracting the attention of the voters when they fan out across the state in their SUVs, meeting voters, having detailed interactions and feel their pulse.

Apart from brainstorming with the MP early in the morning on how to incorporate their suggestions, they again meet him late in the night to share their feedback with him. Flaunting the latest gadgets, Whatsapp is their preferred mode of communication in case of any emergency.

They work in teams and take care of the logistics of arranging for hospitality or ferrying important people who have relatives or who command votes in the constituencies of the mother – son duo from other parts of the state.

"He is the friend of our Dushyant. He is a very smart boy. Within no time he has struck a rapport with me and others," said 58-year-old Ram Phal of Bhongra village after a public meeting of the MP.

"We are visiting villages and have developed good relations with them. The people want to listen to Dushyant and it’s really a great new experience for us," said Prateek Bhatia, a classmate who now runs a school in Karnal.

A majority of them are working in MNCs at Bangalore, Gurgaon and New Delhi after completing their degrees from Australia, Delhi and other places. 

Sirsa, October 3
Indian National Students Organisation’s (INSO) national convener Digvijay Singh Chautala today said his elder brother Dushyant Singh Chautala, who is contesting from Uchana, and mother Naina Singh Chautala, who is contesting from Dabwali, are symbolic candidates, as the people of these constituency would actually cast their votes in favour of Om Prakash Chautala and Ajay Singh Chautala, respectively. He further said in the event of their election, both of them would hold the seat till his grandfather and father were released from jail and would then vacate the seats for them.

“Had I been a year older or had the elections been announced a year later, I could well have been contesting from Uchana. Or even my cousins Karan Singh Chautala and Arjun Singh Chautala could have been the candidates on the two seats had they attained the eligible age to contest the polls. But it would have been symbolic, as people of the constituency want Chautala from Uchana and Ajay Singh from Dabwali,” he said, when his attention was drawn towards the allegations of promoting dynastic politics being levelled against the Chautalas.

On the question of his family breaking the 62-year-old tradition of not fielding women members of the clan in the elections, Digvijay said his mother was only supporting her husband in the hour of crisis.

When asked about Naina Singh’s opponent KV Singh, who is his uncle, Digvijay said he respected him and another member of his family (obvious reference of Ranjit Singh, who is contesting on the Congress ticket from Rania). He said he often sought blessings from them, but he had not expected them to contest on Congress ticket.

Yamunanagar, October 3
Ban on mining in Haryana has left thousands of people in this Assembly segment unemployed. And they have only one question for the candidates, “When will the ban be lifted?”

Nominees claim that their priority would be to restart mining activities after winning the elections. But voters are unimpressed. “Leaders have been assuring to lift the ban. But their promises have proved hollow,” said a youth in Jagadhri. Voters say that they have been without work for long and forced to sell their properties to make a living.

Mining industry generated jobs in three of the four Assembly constituencies — Jagadhri, Radaur and Sadhaura — in Yamunanagar district. The Supreme Court ban since February 28, 2010, however, rendered thousands of workers unemployed.

After the ban, 325 crushing units, comprising 200 screening plants and 125 stone crushers, were shut down. Besides generating direct jobs for 20,000 people, stone crushers provided work to hundreds of mechanics, and those operating tractor-trailers, trucks and earthmovers. Also, hundreds of tea shops, dhabas and grocery shops had come up near stone crushers and mining quarries. But the ban rendered them without customers.

The crusher owners want to sell their units, but there are no buyers. “Stone crushers are lying closed. The owners have no source of income, but they are forced to incur monthly expenses such as salary of watchmen, electricity bills and interest on bank loans,” a crusher owner said.

Kanwar Pal, BJP candidate from Jagadhri, claimed that he had raised the issue a number of times, but the Congress government did not pay heed. “Mining is the backbone of rural areas in the district. I was the only one to raise the issue. After the BJP assumes power, it will restart mining activities,” said Pal, former MLA from Jagadhri.

Sirsa, October 3
After switching over parties thrice in the past four months, former district president of the Mahila Congress Shilpa Verma is finally contesting the assembly poll from Rania assembly seat as an independent candidate.

An advocate by education, who does not regularly practice law in the local court, Shilpa Verma was district president of the Mahila Congress for the past over seven years before she was removed from the post before parliamentary polls to make way for Reena Birat, a close confidant of State Congress president Ashok Tanwar’s wife Avantika Tanwar.

However, she was later appointed state general secretary of the Pradesh Mahila Congress.

On May 8 this year, Shilpa quit the Congress and joined Gopal Kanda’s Haryana Lokhit Party, where she was appointed one of the spokespersons of the party at the state level.

However, she quit the HLP on September 13 and joined the HJC in presence of Kuldeep Bishnoi on September 15.

Bishnoi’s cousin and HJC’s media incharge Devi Lal Manjhu had announced that the party would field her from Rania assembly seat.

She launched her campaign on the same day, but when the party announced its candidates on September 25, the party fielded Jagdish Mandolia instead.

38-year-old Shilpa Verma, whose parental name of Sunita, as shown in her nomination papers, does not file her income tax return.

She has Rs 20,000 with her in cash, zero balance in her saving account in PNB, Sirsa and an Activa two wheeler valued at Rs 35000 making her movable assets worth Rs 55000 while her husband Raj Bahadur has movable assets worth Rs 22311, which include Rs 15000 in case and Rs 7311 in his bank account.

Shilpa does not own any immovable assets while her husband has a house worth Rs 35 lakh at Kherpur in Sirsa.

Chandigarh, October 3
Still basking in the BJP’s impressive performance in the recent Lok Sabha elections, state BJP president Ram Bilas Sharma sees a BJP government in the state after the Assembly elections against the backdrop of strong anti-incumbency against the Hooda-led government.

In an interview with The Tribune, Ram Bilas, who is also a claimant for chief ministerial post, claimed that the ‘Modi wave’ will prompt the BJP to register an emphatic win in the state. Excerpts:

Q: What are the major issues in the Haryana Assembly elections?

A: Various acts of omission and commission of the Hooda government in the last 10 years will be major issues in the elections. Besides, equitable development, transparency in administration and jobs, improved civic amenities and law and order will also be the prominent issues.

Q: How do you the see political situation shaping up in Haryana after the October 15 poll?

A: Against the backdrop of the anti-incumbency against the Congress government and the jailing of INLD chief Om Prakash Chautala, the BJP will win hands down in the elections. We will form the government on our own.

Q: But the party has not projected a chief ministerial candidate for the Haryana Assembly elections…

A: The decision of not projecting a chief ministerial candidate in the elections was taken by the party high command. Anyway, there is no confusion on the chief ministerial issue and it will be decided at the appropriate time and place after the elections.

Q: There has been statewide rebellion against the selection of party candidates for the Assembly poll. How do you respond to the allegations of favouritism in ticket allotment?

A: Winnability has been the major factor in the selection of party candidates for the upcoming poll. In a democratic party, small protests are bound to occur against the candidates as the party cannot accommodate all its leaders as candidates for the elections.

Q: Do you think ‘Modi wave’ is still relevant in the state poll?

A: ‘Modi wave’ will prompt the party form the government in the state after elections. During the Lok Sabha poll, Modi’s name got votes. In the Assembly elections, Modi’s work will fetch votes for the party.

Q: Is there any possibility of the BJP-INLD post-poll alliance?

A: The BJP will form government on its own and there will be no need for an alliance.

Q: You have alleged large-scale irregularities in the acquisition and allotment of land by the Hooda government. What is your future course of action in case the BJP formed the next government?

A: The BJP government will set up a commission of inquiry to probe various acts of omission and commission of the Hooda government, especially irregularities in the land acquisition and allotment. Moreover, we will empower the Haryana Lokayukta to tackle corruption in an effective way.

Karnal, October 3
The district administration has involved ASHA, ANMs and anganwadi workers in its door-to-door awareness campaign on voting. Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Election Officer Balraj Singh said they had set a target of 80 per cent voting in the district.

Keeping in mind the poor participation of women in the polling process, the district administration had involved these workers to motivate women to vote, said the DC. He said the administration would bring all eligible voters to cast their votes on October 15 and anyone left behind would be escorted by these workers.

The administration would also felicitate the workers with outstanding contribution, said the DEO. “These workers are involved in field works and interact with women very often. It will be easier for them motivate women to cast their vote,” he said.

Ambala, October 3
National BJP general secretary and RSS member Ram Madhav conducted a meeting of the RSS and its allied organisations at Ambala City this morning to give them some “tips” for elections. Senior BJP leaders of Ambala City, Ambala Cantt, Naraingarh and Mullana constituency were among those present in the meeting. Besides BJP leaders, members of the Vishva Hindu Parishad, Bajrang Dal, Vidyarthi Parishad, Seva Bharti and the Mazdoor Sangh also participated. The BJP candidates of four constituencies of the district were not invited as they were busy in their election campaign.

Ram Madhav asked the RSS workers to launch a campaign in the favour of BJP candidates in their areas and on their own level. He said after conquering Delhi, their victory in Haryana was very important as it was near the National Capital. He asked them to inform people about the achievements of the Modi government.

Ram Madhav was informed that some leaders had not been working whole-heartedly for BJP candidates in their constituencies. Following this, Ram Madhav met some of party leaders separately. 

Yamunanagar, October 3
The Jathlana police today booked Devender Singh Chauhan for delivering provocative speech (caste-based speech) at a public meeting held in favour of an Independent candidate, Mohit Kumar alias Ishu, who is involved in seven criminal cases, including murder.

SHO Nirmal Singh said Devender Singh Chauhan had been booked under various Sections of the IPC and violation of the model code of conduct last night. He said a team had also been formed to arrest the suspect.

In his complaint to the police, the Jagadhri welfare officer-cum in-charge flying squad, Radaur (number-2), Hari Sudan Sharma, said Mohit Kumar was contesting the Assembly elections from the Radaur Assembly segment. He said supporters had held a public meeting at Khajuri village on October 1 and one of his supporters, Devender Singh Chauhan of Khajuri village, delivered a caste-based speech.

He said Devender had said in his speech that if they didn’t extend their support and cast their vote in Mohit’s favour, there would be clashes everywhere the way happened in Tigra and Barheri villages.

Tension had been going on between the people of the Schedule Caste and the Rajputs in Tigra village over the construction of a stadium on a piece of panchayat land for long. Mohit is behind bars in an attempt to murder case and he belongs to the SC community.

He is fighting the Assembly elections from the Radaur Assembly constituency.

New Delhi, October 3
Fresh from its Lok Sabha campaign fiasco, the Congress has hired top event managers to run for it the novel captive audience campaign in Haryana where it faces 10-year anti-incumbency.

From sending brand promoters to pre-researched kitty party locations and talking to customers at barber shops to educating farmers about the government’s agriculture-related initiatives at pashu mandis, captive audience campaigns works on the idea of going where voters are rather than getting them where you are.

“Voters have reached a saturation point with Facebook, Twitter and You Tube campaigns. They now want something innovative and interactive which encourages a two-way communication. We have engaged top professionals to communicate with the voters at a personal level,” Congress sources said.

The party has hired Delhi-based Touchwood Group whose 90 marketing professionals are canvassing for Brand Congress among a range of captive audience groups in Haryana from kitty parties, barbers’ shops, animal mandis to medical representative, industry associations and movie halls.

“We have databases of kitty party locations and are targeting 500 kitty party groups in the assembly constituencies of 10 top Haryana towns, including Gurgaon and Faridabad. For pashu mandis, we have prepared a roster of locations and dates. In Faridabad, the mandi is held every Sunday. Our aim is to target 200 barbers’ shops per constituency. Two volunteers handle each shop. That involves reaching 4,000 persons a day,” say sources working on the project say.

But why should these people listen to campaign volunteers? The answer, professionals say, is simple and easy. “We tie up with kitty party organisers in advance and speak to them about our idea of health product promotion. We go armed with information and wellness products and while we educate women on their health, we also educate them about the work a particular government has done in the health sector. Same goes for farmers at pashu mandis who are told all about farm and veterinary initiatives; medical representatives who are informed of health industry stuff and industry associations who are educated on economic growth achieved. Subtle messages are delivered and the decision left to the voter,” professionals explain.

The firm working for the Congress recently hired 90 fresh marketing graduates to run the captive campaign in the 90 assembly segments. 

Kalayat, October 3
This segment in Kaithal district was a reserve constituency but was declared a general seat post- delimitation in 2009.

After the last date of withdrawal, 20 candidates are in the fray. The main contest is expected to be between the INLD and the Congress whose candidates are all Jats who wield considerable influence in this area. Ram Pal Majra of the INLD had won during the last elections defeating Tejinder Pal Mann of the Congress.

Majra has been re-nominated this time and will face Ranvir Mann, a son of the late Tejinder Mann who died last year, and is the Congress candidate. The deceased had lost in 2009 but Ranvir is expected to put up a fight since his father was a popular grassroot leader. Jai Parkash, a former union deputy minister, is contesting as an Independent this time.

Earlier in 2005, Education minister Geeta Bhukkal was elected from this seat but in 2009 she shifted to Jhajjar.

Majra blamed the Congress for neglecting this constituency during his tenure as he was in the opposition.

On the other hand, Ranvir has taken over the legacy of his father and is quite popular among the youth. He is also banking on the goodwill enjoyed by his father with the electorate.

However, Jai Parkash, a former Union Deputy Minister, who was banking on the Congress ticket, has jumped into the fray as an Independent. He has strong following in this constituency and his native village, Dubbal, also falls in this segment. He was sulking after being overlooked by his party and his candidature is sure to upset the poll calculations in this segment.

He blames the government for lack of civic amenities in Kalayat and the surrounding areas. The BJP candidate, Dharam Pal Sharma, a supporter of former Rajya Sabha member Birender Singh is banking on his mentor's support to win. Besides the Jat votes, he is optimistic of getting Brahmin and the votes of communities making the contest a keenly watched affair.