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Haryana Votes 2014
Cong banks on Modi’s ‘follies’
Choose Modi, get rid of graft: Irani
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No Modi wave in state: Tanwar
Amarinder targets Badal, Chautala
Constituency watch:
Jhajjar/Charkhi Dadri
Gowda, Sharad, Nitish to come on Oct 12
Sidhu hits out at Badals
Cong heavyweights ‘missing’ in action
Daughters hit the road for candidates
Toll plaza and incomplete flyovers key issues in Karnal
Inderjit seeks votes for Kaprivaas in Rewari
CEC stresses need for coordination
CEO reviews poll preparedness
Murdered man’s kin block highway
3,000 bottles of illegal liquor seized
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PM to turn scam state into skill Haryana
* Bats for same party’s govt at Centre and in state * Rips into CM, Chautala Naveen S Garewal & Shiv K. Sharma Tribune News Service
Jagadhri, October 8 He said the Congress ruled for 60 years, but wanted to see the BJP government’s report card after 60 days. “The Congress turned Haryana into ‘scam Haryana’, but the BJP government is bound to make Haryana ‘skill Haryana’… I know you are sad Haryana is known as a state of scams. There are scams and scams within scams. All our opponents are involved in scams. Do you want a scam Haryana? I want to create a skill Haryana. You have to decide what you want,” he said. The Prime Minister said he had a close relationship with Haryana, but only a BJP government in the state and the Centre could allow him to do something for the state. “If there is an obstacle such as the government of another party, I will not be able to do much,” he said in a clear message to voters. Stressing the importance of Centre-state ties and Team India where the PM stood as a team with the CMs, Modi said the Centre and the states stood next to each other till now, but not close enough. He said he wanted the two to stand with each other to create a force to reckon with. “Mujhe paas-paas wali sarkar nahin, saath-saath wali sarkar chahiye (I need governments that concur with each other). When the Centre and states work together, 1+1 will not make two, but 11,” he said. At Jagadhri and Mahendragarh, the Prime Minister attacked both Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and OP Chautala, saying they were thinking of their own interest rather than public good. “Now is the opportunity to get rid the state of dynastic rule if you want Haryana to progress.” “Haryana has been ruled by five families who have furthered their interest rather than do anything for the poor. It is time to vote a BJP majority government to power to transfer power from these families to the people,” he said at all rallies. “You have to decide whether you want a Haryana free from corruption. Do you want to see Haryana freed from bahubalis (musclemen) and the corrupt? Then you will have to choose a new path. The only way left now is to elect a BJP government with full majority,” Modi said. Attacking Chautala (without naming him), Modi said a “mahashey” (gentleman) was saying he would take oath as Chief Minister in Tihar Jail. “The ‘mahashey’ won’t come out of jail soon. Don’t fall for his claims.” Restoring Jagadhri’s sheenTouching the pulse of the people, Modi said the people of Yamunanagar, Jagadhri and the surrounding areas worked hard to earn their livelihood by running micro and small industrial units. These units were on the verge of closer due to the state government’s wrong polices. “At one time, Jagadhri was known for its brass utensils worldwide. Now, this industry is on the back foot and has lost its shine. I promise the industry of this town will shine again once our party comes to power in the state,” said Modi. Sex ratio worries
At Pali village in Mahendragarh, Modi said successive government failed to address social issues such as skewed sex ratio. Foeticide, he said, was rampant and there were 100 to 125 bachelors for want of brides in most villages. BJP Badli nominee OP Dhankar has already made bride-shortage an election issue. Four-point revolution
In Rohtak, the PM talked about a four-point revolution based on the colours in the national flag, with saffron symbolising energy, white milk, green agriculture and the blue colour of the chakra symbolising the
sea. (Inputs from Ravinder Saini in Mahendragarh, Sunit Dhawan in Rohtak & BS Malik in
Sonepat) |
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Cong banks on Modi’s ‘follies’
New Delhi, October 8 While internal party surveys indicate a possibility of multi-polar contest working to its advantage, the Congress is keeping its chin up with the leaders saying, “We have nothing to lose. We hit our rock bottom in Lok Sabha elections. Once you have hit the bottom, you have nowhere to go but up.” Besides, the Congress also feels BJP’s, particularly PM Narendra Modi’s ‘follies’ in Haryana, could help it gain further. Top party strategists say the upcoming Haryana and Maharashtra elections would be a litmus test for Modi’s decisions around snapping of alliances in both states and his ticket distribution strategy. “Both in Haryana and Maharashtra, the decision to break alliances with Om Prakash Chautala’s INLD and Uddhav Thackrey’s Shiv Sena, respectively, were Modi’s decisions. He has had a history of confrontation with these parties. With Chautala he had issues as BJP’s organisational in charge many years ago. With Shiv Sena he has an uneasy equation naturally because the late Bal Thackrey had backed Sushma Swaraj as BJP’s PM candidate when Modi was a stronger contender,” says a top Congress leader. Again in Haryana and Maharashtra, the BJP would face the ire of supporters of leaders whose wards have been denied tickets in the name of BJP’s one ticket one family rule. The rule has however not been uniformly applied either in Haryana or Maharashtra. While in Haryana former Congress leader Rao Inderjit’s daughter was denied a ticket from the constituency of choice in Gurgaon LS segment, Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj’s sister Vandana Sharma was given a ticket from Safidon Assembly constituency in Jind. The Congress leaders believe lack of uniformity in applying a no-nepotism rule would hurt the BJP internally and externally. As for Congress, it is hoping to do well in all Assembly constituencies of Gurgaon where it had feared a fierce contest had the BJP fielded Inderjit’s daughter from any segment. Congress’ LS candidate from Gurgaon Rao Dharampal lost by over one lakh votes from his own Assembly constituency of Badshahpur in Gurgaon in the LS polls. |
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Choose Modi, get rid of graft: Irani
Gurgaon, October 8 Addressing an election meeting in support of BJP’s Gurgaon candidate Umesh Aggarwal, Irani asked the voters to not deprive themselves of development. She said Modi had emerged as a ray of hope for the disillusioned youth, farmers and the women of the country a year ago and people had reposed faith in his leadership. She said now was the time for the people of Haryana to make a choice. Their weapon in this electoral battle was the button of the electronic voting machine, through which could ensure the victory of truth and defeat falsehood, Irani added. Referring to the achievements of the Modi government since it came to power earlier this year, she said an attempt was made to reach out to the poorest through “Jan Dhan Yojana” and provide them direct benefits of various welfare schemes. |
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Chautala hits out at PM Modi
Safidon, October 8 “Our PM is so desperate to win the Haryana elections that he has forgotten the dignity of his official position and is using unparliamentary language like an ordinary politician. But after a few days, people of the state will give a befitting reply to both Congress and the BJP by electing the INLD with a majority,” said Chautala, while addressing a rally in the old grain market of Safidon to support party candidate Kali Ram Patwari. Having a dig at the 100 days’ performance chart of the Modi government, Chautala alleged it had almost been 130 days, but there had been no solution to the problems of the people. Fatehabad/Ratia/Tohana: Om Prakash Chautala made an attempt to strike an emotional chord with the voters and said whether he remained with them or not, they should make sure that his party was voted to power. “Sensing the increasing popularity of the INLD, the BJP will try to send me to jail before October 15. But even if that happens, it will be your duty to ensure my victory,” said Chautala. He sought votes for Balwan Singh Daulatpuria (Fatehabad), Nishan Singh (Tohana) and Ravinder Baliyala (Ratia). Accusing the Hooda government of hobnobbing with the CBI to send him and other INLD leaders to jail, Chautala alleged that both Congress and BJP were feeling restless after seeing large turnout at his rallies and were conspiring to send him back to jail. He alleged that Hooda’s grandfather Matu Ram had 5 acres and that after the division of his property, share of Hooda’s father was only 1.5 acres.“Hooda should answer how he became owner of such a large property after he became the CM,” added Chautala. Modi hype will not
work: Dushyant
Uchana Kalan: INLD MP and party candidate from Uchana Kalan Dushyant Chautala today said extra rallies of PM Narendra Modi in the state would not help the BJP as overuse of any brand was inappropriate. He addressed a series of meetings in the constituency. “I have got to know that Modi’s Jind rally was not a pre-planned event and the BJP leader Chaudhary Birender Singh requested the party high command to have PM’s rally here. He knew that the BJP will not be able to convince voters of this area,” said Dushyant, while claiming that the way Modi was called to Jind for the rally shows utter frustration of Chaudhary after foreseeing defeat of his wife. Kaithal: INLD president Om Prakash Chautala said today that he had fulfilled the promise made to his party workers that he would come out of the jail and campaign for the Assembly elections. Speaking at a public meeting held in support of the four INLD candidates from this district — Kailash Bhagat from Kaithal, Ram Pal Majra from Kalayat, Buta Singh from Guhla and Tejvir Singh from Pundri — he said, “I used to tell my party workers that I would come out. I would often say, lightheartedly, that I would do so even if I have to break out of the jail,” he said. BJP is a party of ‘moneybags’
Hisar: Addressing a meeting in Barwala town of Hisar today, Chautala said PM Narendra Modi had been exposed and Haryana voters were eager to teach the BJP a lesson. "Even if Modi goes to all 90 Assembly segment, the BJP will not win this poll. He has been making unsubstantiated allegations which are unbecoming for a person who is holding the post of a Prime Minister. I am surprised that he comes from the land of Mahatma Gandhi," Chautala said.
— TNS |
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No Modi wave in state: Tanwar
Hitting out at BJP, he said the “BJP lacked the leadership to lead the state and give voice to the state’s issues. People of Haryana are intelligent to make out the difference between the false promises of the opposition and the developmental work done by the Congress Government in the state.” Replying to a question, he said: “The Haryana elections are being contested on state issues and it’s not a contest between PM Narendra Modi and Rahul Gandhi.” |
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Amarinder targets Badal, Chautala
Shahabad, October 8 Addressing a public meeting in support of Congress candidate Anil Dhantauri in Shahabad, Capt Amarinder said: “It is shamelessness that a person who has already been convicted of corruption is claiming to rule from Tihar jail. He (Chautala) should instead feel ashamed of having been convicted for robbing his own people.” Criticising the Badals, he said: “The Badals are no different in Punjab. They have not only destroyed the economy, but also an entire generation by supplying and patronising drug trade. Stay away from the Chautala-Badal nexus. The way Badals have looted and robbed Punjab, they (Chautala-Badal) will together loot and rob Haryana as well.” Taking a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said, “Modi has been addressing rallies everywhere and it seems that he has forgotten that he is a Prime Minister.” Taking note of BJP’s promises, the Captain said, “The BJP is misleading the people of Haryana as they did at the Centre. The party and its Prime Minister are selling false dreams. You have seen yourself what they promised before elections for the country and what they have delivered.” |
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Crorepatis dominate poll scene
Chandigarh, October 8 Meanwhile, crorepatis dominate the Haryana political scene with 563 (42 per cent) being crorepatis with average assets per candidate pegged at Rs 4.54 crore. This is up from Rs 2.05 crore in the 2009 Assembly elections.
In the 2009 Assembly poll, 32 per cent candidates were crorepatis, a report released by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) on candidates’ criminal background and financial details said. Jagdeep Chhokar, founder member of the ADR, said while the highest percentage of 15 per cent (10 out of 65) candidates with criminal background were from HJC, the INLD had fielded 11 per cent candidates with a criminal past (10 out of 88). The BJP’s percentage of such candidates was 10 per cent (nine out of 90). The Congress fielded 4 per cent such candidates (four out of 40), while the HLP has given ticket to 8 per cent (six out of 75) candidates. Out of the 94 ‘tainted’ candidates, charges have been framed against 49 (52 per cent) candidates in the court of law. The ruling Congress topped the number of crorepatis as 81 (90 per cent) of its candidates were crorepatis, while 77 (86 per cent) BJP candidates were also in this category. As many as 72 of the 88 candidates (82 per cent) of the INLD and 37 of 65 (57 per cent) HJC candidates were crorepatis. The wealth of 25 of 75 (33 per cent) of the HLP candidates was pegged at Rs 1 crore or above. Sitting MLAs prosper
According to the affidavits filed by sitting MLAs with the Election Commission, Hisar MLA Savitri Jindal has recorded the highest increase in the total assets with an increase of 69.59 crore from Rs 43.68 crore (2009) to Rs 113.27 crore (2014). She is followed by Gurgaon MLA Sukhbir Kataria, whose total assets increased 65.92 crore from Rs 38.34 crore (2009) to Rs 104.26 crore (2014). Ambala City MLA Venod Sharma’s assets increased by 65.73 crore from Rs 87.40 crore (2009) to 153.14 crore (2014), while Adampur MLA Kuldeep Bishnoi’s assets increased by 62.81 crore from Rs 17.30 crore (2009) to Rs 80.12 crore (2014). The 100-cr club
Haryana has its own 100-crore club. Ravi Chouhan, an Independent candidate from Mahendragarh, has topped the list of the richest candidates with total assets of Rs 212 crore. He is followed by Shakti Rani, wife of HJCP chief Venod Sharma and Kalka candidate with Rs 166 crore assets. Shakti Rani is followed by her husband Venod Sharma (Ambala City), whose assets are pegged at Rs 153 crore. The other rich candidates includes Gopal Kanda (Sirsa-Rs 114 crore), Savitri Jindal (Hisar- Rs 113 crore), Vipul Goyal (Faridabad -Rs 106 crore), Sukhbir Kataria (Gurgaon- Rs 104 crore) and Kailash Bhagat (Kaithal-Rs 100
crore). |
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campaign trail Manish Sirhindi Tribune News Service
Ambala, October 8 Minutes later, a calm and composed Sharma joins them after breakfast served by his wife Shakti Rani Sharma. Dressed in a white kurta-pyjama, he sits with his supporters to work out campaign details. He then steps out to connect with the voters and boards his waiting SUV. Sharma first heads for Sarangpur village of Ambala City and waves to supporters en route. In Sarangpur, he is greeted by supporters who have arranged a meeting with the locals. Sharma begins his brief speech by striking an emotional cord with the locals by raising concerns that are close to their heart such as the government’s anti-people polices, failure to get an Industrial Model Township (IMT) for Ambala and unemployment. He gently reminds the people of the promises made in the party manifesto. Appearing satisfied after the meeting, Sharma heads for Mujrfra and Himayupur villages. Once again, he speaks with confidence and leaves an impression on the audience that listens to him intently as he punches holes into the UPA’s Food Security Bill. “The government gave you dal, but took away your morsels by not doing enough to create jobs,” Sharma says. At Mastpur, a group of village elders complain welfare policies of the government did not reach their village and they continue to remain bereft of benefits. Sensing an opportunity to consolidate his standing, Sharma is quick to point out that he formed his outfit to fight for their rights. After a whirlwind tour of Amipur, Sainimajra, Bidnga, Kurbanpur, Ahma, Sullar and Jaggi villages, he returns to Phase-1 in Ambala City where he appeals to the gathering to understand how state youth were deceived and denied government jobs. At Lakshmi Nagar, Parshuram Nagar and Nahan House, Sharma says an IMT would have ensured jobs for every family. He promises the youth he would work to ensure their rights are protected against the “political bias” the region has been facing. He says the “discriminatory” interview system for government jobs would be abolished and would be replaced with a merit-based system amid enthusiastic applause. Meanwhile, members of a number of local trade unions and associations of various communities step out to present Sharma with ‘siropas’. He meets a large number of people and discreetly directs his PR team to make certain their names are incorporated in the Press notes to be released later in the day. After a brief meeting with his party workers and supporters, he heads home to prepare for another day of campaigning.
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Constituency watch:
Jhajjar/Charkhi Dadri Ravinder Saini Tribune News Service
Jhajjar/Charkhi Dadri, October 8 After this period, Jhajjar witnessed considerable growth with construction of concrete roads and bypasses, laying of the Rohtak-Jhajjar railway track, setting up of two Super Thermal Power plants, higher education institutes, upgraded schools and new buildings of government offices due to being an essential part of the Rohtak parliamentary constituency. But Charkhi Dadri continues to remain a poor cousin even after electing a Chief Minister, Hukam Singh, and several other high profile ministers.
Incumbent Dadri MLA, Satpal Sangwan, a HJC turncoat, has been a minister in the Hooda cabinet for the past five years but he has failed to live up to their expectation as all major civic problems are still lying unaddressed. Residents said no efforts were made to declare Charkhi Dadri a district. Sangwan, who had won by just 145 votes, is in the fray on the Congress ticket. Along with the Bhiwani - Mahendragarh highway, all link roads are in a dilapidated condition. Poor health services and lack of doctors in the state run hospitals force patients to go to other places for treatment. Students also have to go elsewhere in the absence of any government technical institute, said Sher Singh, a shop-keeper at Dadri. Pritam Singh, a farmer, said the area was still facing scarcity of irrigation water. Nothing was done in the Congress regime to resolve this burning issue. Educated youths were struggling to get employment in the absence of any industry, he added. On the other hand, drinking water still continues to haunt Jhajjar residents. A huge amount was spent to construct water works, canals and laying pipelines to provide drinking water, especially during the summers. The sluggish pace of the construction of some of the interior roads and other development projects also leaves the commuters fuming. Education minister and Congress nominee, Geeta Bhukkal, a native of Matanhel village here, is seeking votes in the name of development in this segment during her tenure. She was first time elected from Kalayat (Reserve) in Kaithal but had to shift to Jhajjar in the 2009 elections post- delimitation. . Bhukkal won by defeating her nearest rival INLD nominee Kanta Devi by 27,783 votes. Despite the Modi's wave in the Lok Sabha election, the Congress nominee Deepender Hooda took a significant lead of 22,214 votes over BJP candidate Om Prakash Dhankar from here. Bhukkal said that three government colleges, four hospitals, three ITIs, a Teacher's Training School and a Kisan Model School, 10 water works, 15 sports stadium, four bridges and 25 roads have been constructed during her tenure. Similarly, Sangwan said the government had carried out significant development works. Roads were constructed, health and transportation services were improved and drinking water was made available in all the villages. On the other hand, Jhajjar BJP leader Kanta Devi, said the Congress government had failed to redress the long-standing problem of drinking water. Health and transportation services are in a bad shape and the city turns into a virtual pond during monsoons due to the poor drainage system. Dadri INLD leader Rajdeep Phoghat said all civic problems persist as Sangwan did not bother to redress any problem.
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Vote BJP to usher in growth: Rajnath
Badagaon (Karnal), October 8 He called upon people to vote out “corrupt” leaders. “You have the democratic power to vote. Wipe out these greedy and selfish leaders from the state politics. And for this, do ensure that the BJP gets a clear mandate,” Rajanth said, adding that “you (voters) have given us the chance to form the government at the Centre. It’s time to give us the opportunity to rule Haryana for its development”. The minister criticised apathetic attitude of the government towards farmers and blamed it for selling land at throwaway prices. “If farmers are living in penury, no region can prosper.” He listed out BJP’s achievement during the first 100 days of the Central government. “The BJP has controlled inflation by decreasing the price of several goods. The prices of diesel and petrol are cases in point.” The BJP leader assured residents of the segment to find solution to floods illegal sand mining if voted to power. They would give jobs to youth, security to women, eradicate crime from the state, if voted to power in state, he promised. On ceasefire violations by Pakistan, Rajnath said: “It is unfortunate that Pakistan is violating ceasefire regularly. But I assure you that our soldiers will never let India’s head down at any cost. We want peace and friendship. I salute our brave soldiers who are retaliating with more force.” ‘Repeat Lok Sabha result’
Faridabad: Haryana is on the verge of major change as people have realised that the Congress has failed to deliver, Union Home Minister Rajanth Singh said during a meeting here on Wednesday. He campaigned in favour of BJP’s Tigaon candidate. The minister urged people to give the BJP a clear majority in the Assembly elections like they did in the recent General Election. “Voters now have
the chance to throw away the ‘corrupt’ rule of the Congress from the state,” he added. |
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Sukhbir talks of lopsided growth
Kalanwali (Sirsa), October 8 He said this during his campaign in the Kalanwali Assembly segment, from where the SAD has fielded Balkor Singh. The party is contesting the Assembly elections in alliance with the INLD. Sukhbir visited more than a dozen villages, including Panihari, Farwahi Kalan, Nejadela Kalan, Vaidwala, Sikanderpur, Moriwala, Narelkera, Bhavdeen, Sangar Sada, Baruwali and Bharokha, in a customised van. He urged voters to draw a comparison between “pro-people” INLD governments and the Hooda-led Congress government. “The governments led by Devi Lal and Chautala worked for the overall development of the state, whereas the Congress government was busy in political vendetta and development of Rohtak during the past 10 years,” the SAD president said. He alleged that the Hooda government had framed false charges against INLD chief Om Prakash Chautala and that too for providing jobs to youth. “Is it wrong to provide government jobs to the unemployed youth of the state?” He sounded confident of the INLD-SAD forming the next government in the state. “The alliance will win more than 60 seats,” Sukhbir claimed. Later, he held a meeting of zone in-charges in Sirsa to discuss the campaign strategy. Sukhbir will address more than 20 rallies in Panchkula, Kurukshetra, Karnal, Ambala City, Kaithal, Panipat, Sonepat, Faridabad, Rohtak and Fatehabad till October 13, a SAD spokesperson said. |
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Gowda, Sharad, Nitish to come on Oct 12
New Delhi, October 8 JD (U) national headquarters informed today the three leaders will jointly address a public meeting in Gurgaon on October 12. Sharad Yadav, however, will tour Haryana and address a series of public meetings in the Ahirwal belt of the state on October 11 and 13. They are scheduled to address meetings at Sohna and Pataudi in Gurgaon, Ateli and Nangal Chaudhary in Mahendergarh; and Kosli in Rewari. The JD (U) and JD (S) joining forces in favour of the INLD is being seen as a significant development that will have ramifications in national politics in the times to come. It is an attempt to consolidate forces opposed to the resurgence of the BJP and its ‘sangh parivar’ at the Centre. JD (S) spokesman Danish Ali said: “The joint campaign by Gowda and the JD (U) leaders is aimed at consolidation of the ‘Janata parivar’. With regard the ensuing election in Haryana, JD (U)’s support to INLD is aimed to boost the party in the Ahirwal belt, which encompasses about 20 Assembly seats where it is considered to be traditionally weak.” In about 35 seats that are dominated by the Jats, the INLD is faced with a challenge from the Congress, led by Bhupinder Singh Hooda. With Congress, INLD and BJP locked in a three-cornered and apparently close contest in majority of the 90 seats in the state, even a slight shift in favour of the INLD would be godsend from it. It is for this reason that INLD is keen on Sharad Yadav taking part in the campaign for it in a big way. Significantly, the INLD hopes to win over a sizeable chunk of migrant voters through Sharad Yadav and Nitish Kumar. |
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BJP posters dot RoB pillars
Panipat, October 8 These posters carry two big photographs of Rohita Rewri and her husband, Surender Rewri. These posters also contain a number of small photographs of senior BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP president Amit Shahand Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh. While neither BJP candidate Rohita nor her husband could be contacted despite repeated attempts, Panipat DC-cum-District Election Officer (DEO) Ajit Balaji Joshi said: “Proper action will be taken against the candidate as per the guidelines of the EC as using any government building for electioneering amounts to violation of the model election code of conduct. A notice of code violation will be sent to her in this regard.” |
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Sidhu hits out at Badals
Dabwali, October 8 Addressing a meeting in support of BJP nominee from Dabwali Dev Kumar, Sidhu said that on one hand, the Badals had an alliance with the BJP in Punjab and, on the other, they were supporting the INLD contesting elections against the saffron party. The former MP wondered how the Badals would justify their support to the Chautalas, who were serving imprisonment after being convicted in the JBT teachers’ recruitment scam. Hitting out at the state government, Sidhu alleged that the state lagged much behind other states on the development front during the Congress rule. He alleged that the government took care of a particular region. Sidhu said that ever since people of India had handed over the reins of power to Narendra Modi, a change was being witnessed in all spheres. |
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Cong heavyweights ‘missing’ in action
Chandigarh, October 8 With five days left for the campaign to end, prominent Congress campaigners are yet to seek votes for the ruling party facing anti-incumbency. Though Congress president Sonia Gandhi has addressed two rallies in Meham and Sirsa recently and is slated to address one more in Tosham on October 11 and her son Rahul will address three rallies on October 9, a majority of the Congress heavyweights are yet to plunge into the rough and tumble of the electioneering. Modi has emerged as the star campaigner for the BJP that is making a bid at capturing power in the state, while Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda has emerged as the star campaigner for the Congress. Besides the Prime Minister, several senior party leaders and ministers, including BJP chief Amit Shah and Union Ministers Rajnath Singh, Sushma Swaraj, Piyush Goel, Smriti Irani, Rao Inderjit Singh and Kishan Pal Gurjar, are campaigning. Another star campaigner and cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Sidhu hit the campaign trail yesterday. For the Congress, Chief Minister’s son and Rohtak MP Deepender Hooda, state Congress chief Ashok Tanwar and Rajya Sabha member Kumari Selja are among the leaders campaigning across the state. Former Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh campaigned for the party today. The INLD has star campaigners in its chief Om Prakash Chautala, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda and former Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. On the absence of senior leaders from the electoral scene in Haryana, Congress spokesman Rajiv Shukla told The Tribune that all senior leaders would soon join the campaign as enough time to campaign. Top leaders still to take plunge
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CM targets BJP, INLD in Fatehabad
Bhuna (Fatehabad), October 8 The CM rubbished the claim of the BJP that basmati was expensive in Haryana because of the four per cent tax imposed by his government. “This tax is not new. It has been in force since 1986. How can this tax be responsible for expensive grains for this year only,’’he questioned. Hooda said his government had initiated several welfare measures for every section of society, be it farmers, women, youth, Dalits, aged people, children, traders and businessmen. The government had increased the old- age pension to Rs 1000 and will be increased to Rs 1500 from November 1. It will be further hiked if the Congress was voted to power for the third consecutive time. |
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Daughters hit the road for candidates
Ambala, October 8 Dr Praachee, the daughter of Venod Sharma, the HJCP candidate from Ambala City, has been campaigning for her father for one month. Besides female workers of the party, she has some of her friends in the team. Neha, daughter of Balwinder Poonia, the SAD-INLD candidate from Ambala City, has also been campaigning for her father for 10 days. She has included some of her college colleagues in the team and is canvassing in both city and rural areas. Chitra Sarwara has been proving a big political asset for Nirmal Singh, a Congress candidate from Ambala Cantt. She is campaigning like a proficient politician, since she contested the municipal council elections from Ambala Cantt last year. Former HPCC chief Phool Chand Mullana has been touring the constituency for his son, Varun Mulana, who is contesting the elections from Mullana for the first time. Phool Chand, who has been elected from this constituency four times, has been trying to transfer his political legacy to his son. Sharing burden
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Toll plaza and incomplete flyovers key issues in Karnal
Karnal, October 8 As many as 36 flyovers are lying incomplete between Karnal and Ambala. While 18 have been constructed and are operational, the work on seven is expected to be completed within two months. Others are incomplete adding to the woes of the commuters and locals. The toll plaza was started at Uchana village, near Karnal on June 22, 2002, but was shifted to Samanabahu village. Now, the company is planning to shift it to Bastara village, near Gharaunda. Many NGOs and political parties have raised their voice on these issues but in vain. Many politicians had promised during the 2004, 2005 and 2009 Parliamentary and Assembly elections that the toll plaza would be shifted from Karnal but to no avail, said Rajiv Kumar, a resident of Uchana village. “Due to the toll plaza, I have to pay the exorbitant toll as I commute between Nilokehri and Kurukshetra for routine work,” said Suresh Midha, a resident of Nilokehri. The company has already recovered its cost but continues to collect toll, he questioned. Rohit Bhargava, a resident of Sector 7, Karnal, said the six-laning of the Panipat-Jalandhar NH started in May 2009. The construction company, SOMA, was to build 16 flyovers, many were still incomplete. The government has to expedite the work on flyovers for the convenience of the people, he added. |
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Inderjit seeks votes for Kaprivaas in Rewari
Rewari, October 8 Holding local Congress MLA Ajay Yadav responsible for the plight of Rewari, Rao said he (Yadav) had cheated local people by not fulfilling his promise of developing the city on the lines of Singapore despite enjoying the status of a Cabinet minister in the state government for the past one decade. Notably, it was for the first time after the declaration of the assembly elections when the Rao sought votes for Kaprivaas in Rewari. He was upset over the denial of the BJP ticket to his daughter, Aarti Rao. Rao called upon the people to teach Yadav a lesson by ensuring his defeat. Earlier, at a meeting in Dahina village yesterday, he lambasted the state government for not resolving the problem of potable and irrigation
water. — TNS |
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CEC stresses need for coordination
Chandigarh, October 8 Sampath was talking to the chief secretaries and director generals’ of police of states adjoining Haryana namely: Punjab, Rajasthan, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, through video conferencing from New Delhi to review the arrangements being made by them in view of the Assembly elections to be held in Haryana on October 15. The officers of neighbouring states informed about the arrangements being made by them in view of the Assembly elections on which Sampat expressed satisfaction. The officers informed that special check posts have been set up at borders of the state and vigil was being kept to check smuggling of liquor, unauthorised weapons and money. Chief secretary Shakuntala Jakhu, DGP SN Vashisht, additional chief secretary Roshan Lal and chief electoral officer Shrikant Walgad, also informed about the arrangements being made for the smooth conduct of elections through video conferencing from the Haryana Civil Secretariat at Chandigarh. Jakhu said police patrolling was being carried out along Haryana’s borders with six states. |
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CEO reviews poll preparedness
Kurukshetra, October 8 He said steps were being taken to ensure the smooth conduct of free, impartial and peaceful elections in the state. The CEO also flagged off a cycle rally to educate the voters. Walgad appealed to the voters to cast their votes on October 15 to strengthen the democratic system of the country.
— TNS |
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Murdered man’s kin block highway
Shahabad (Kurukshetra), October 8 Karmbir, deceased’s brother, said, “My brother and father were attacked by about 10 armed people last evening when they were going towards our fields. While Sukhbir sustained knife injuries, my father was hit with an iron rod on his head.” The victims were rushed to Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Hospital from where Sukhbir was referred to the PGI Chandigarh. He succumbed to injuries on the way. They lifted the blockade when the police assured them of proper investigation into the matter. The commuters had to face inconvenience due to the protest. The police said a case had been registered against five persons.
— TNS |
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3,000 bottles of illegal liquor seized
Kurukshetra, October 8 A Mahindra pickup
vehicle used by the accused, Shiv Kumar, has also been impounded by the police. The Kurukshetra police said, “During checking on the Pipli road last night, 3,000 bottles of illegal country-made liquor were seized. The accused has confessed that the liquor
was meant of distribution during the state Assembly elections to be held on October 15.” A case has been
registered under the Excise Act. |
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Ladwa (Kurukshetra), October 8
