|
They
want SEZ
Mukerian, January 27
This is one area in Punjab where
farmers and traders are crying to get a special economic zone, but no
one pays heed to their demand. Cutting across party lines, every
candidate in the area is promising to compel the prospective
government to bring in an SEZ in this area, much of which is
unsuitable for agriculture.
BSM
throws its lot with Congress
Phillaur, January 27
The Bahujan Samaj Morcha today announced to extend unconditional
support to all Congress candidates. President of the morcha Satnam
Singh Kainth criticised the policies of the Shiromani Akali Dal.
 |
Chief
Minister Amarinder Singh, flanked by Mr Satnam Singh Kainth
(right) and Mr Jassi Khangura, addresses a press conference in
Ludhiana on Friday.
— Tribune photo by Sayeed Ahmed |
Chahal
tab
A
probing Q, a phone-sack and then back
Ludhiana, January 27
A reporter of a vernacular daily lost his job for “asking
inconvenient questions” at the press conference of the Chief
Minister here today. The journalist was, however, reinstated following
vociferous protests from fellow colleagues.
Badal:
Bid to muzzle press
Chandigarh, January 27
The Shiromani Akali Dal and the its alliance partner, the BJP, have
come out strongly against the incident in which the reporter of a
Punjabi daily was allegedly threatened at Ludhiana.
In
Tarn Taran, it’s about missing kids
Buchar Kalan (
Tarn Taran), January 27
Everyone in the border village of Buchar Kalan knows Shamsher
Singh’s house. But no one is really familiar with his
whereabouts. As you ask the quaint villagers about the
location of his quarters somewhere along the road leading to
the international boundary, they look at your face weirdly,
and hopefully, as if you are about to solve the mystery
shrouding his movements. |
 |
Waiting
for their voices to be heard over the election din, Manjit
Kaur, mother of missing five-year-old Sheru, and another
relative in Buchar Kalan village in Tarn Taran district. —
Tribune photo by Pawan Sharma
|
They
have ID-cards, but can’t vote |
Bathinda,
January 27
Many of them have been residing in Ward No.10, Beant Nagar,
for the past about two decades and were taken aback when they
did not find their names in the fresh voter list. Upset over
the denial of voting rights in the Assembly poll, they accused
the staff involved in the preparation of electoral rolls of
misguiding them.
Beant Nagar residents show
their voter identity cards in Bathinda on Saturday. —
Tribune photo by Kulbir Beera
|
 |
Price
hike will prove Cong’s undoing: Jaitley |
Gurdaspur,
January 27
The BJP general secretary, Mr Arun Jaitley, today managed to
get disgruntled leaders campaigning for the party. Mr
Jaitley, along with the Gurdaspur BJP MP, Mr Vinod Khanna,
held a meeting with BJP workers in the Pathankot and
Sujnapur Assembly constituencies.
Cricketer-turned-politician
and BJP candidate for the Amritsar Lok Sabha seat Navjot
Singh Sidhu addresses a press conference with party leader
Arun Jaitley in Amritsar on Friday. — PTI photo
|
 |
The
Lalls and Lallis of the state
Chandigarh, January 27
If Haryana boasts of several Lals as political heavyweights,
Punjab has its own share of Lals and Lallis. The difference, if
any, is in connotation of the word Lal or Lalli or Lalji...
parallel
economy
Corporates
decide to please all
Chandigarh, January 27
With campaigning gathering steam, it is not just the fortunes of
politicians and political parties, but also that of big
corporates, at stake.
294
papers rejected in 17 dists
Chandigarh, January 27
Nomination papers of 294 candidates in 17 of the total 20
districts were rejected during scrutiny today. Twentyeight
nominees, the largest number, were rejected in Jalandhar district.
Parliamentary
Secys resign
Chandigarh, January 27
Almost all Chief Parliamentary Secretaries and Parliamentary
Secretaries in Punjab have submitted their resignations as a
precautionary step to guard against disqualification in the
Assembly elections. The resignations have been accepted.
Phagwara:
Old rivals to slug it out
Phagwara, January 27
Both Mr Joginder Singh Mann of the Congress and Chaudhury Swarna
Ram of the BJP, candidates for the Phagwara (SC) seat, are trying
to get credit for the Satnam Pura railway over bridge, the
construction of which is under way.
Triangular
contest in Hoshiarpur
Hoshiarpur, January 27
The Hoshiarpur Assembly segment is witnessing a triangular contest
among the Bharatiya Janata Party-SAD alliance, the Congress and
the Bhaujan Samaj Party. The BJP has fielded Mr Tikshan Sood, who
won the two previous elections.
Farmers’
posers to parties
Chandigarh,
January 25
A substantial section of farmers in Punjab is still undecided as to
which party to support in the coming Assembly elections. These farmers
have some posers for frontrunners of political power in the state.
Sidhu,
Singla file papers amid chaos
Amritsar,
January 25
Supporters of the BJP and the Congress as well as mediapersons jostled
with one another to enter the office of the District Returning Officer
as Mr Navjot Singh Sidhu, cricketer-turned- politician, and Mr
Surinder Singla arrived in the District Courts complex to file papers
for the Amritsar Lok Sabha seat here today.
 Bir
mellows down; not to contest
Mohali,
January 25
In a reversal of stand, sitting MLA from Kharar Bir Devinder Singh
today said he would neither stand as an Independent candidate nor quit
the Congress. In what he described as his “last press” conference
till the elections, he said he was felt hurt and humiliated at the
treatment meted out to him by the party high command.
Bir Devinder Singh breaks down at a Press conference in Mohali on
Thursday. — Tribune photo by Vicky Gharu
Not
in fray for CM’s post, says Sukhbir
Hisar, January 25
Rajya Sabha member and former Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh
Badal's son Sukhbir Badal said here today that he was not in the fray
for the post of the Punjab Chief Minister.
Fidayeen
attack feared during poll
Jalandhar, January 25
Jammu and Kashmir-based militants may carry out a fidayeen (suicide)
attack in Punjab in an attempt to disrupt the ongoing process of
assembly elections.
EC
whip: Contestants fall in line
Bathinda, January 25
With the Election Commission cracking the whip on top leaders of
political parties , the official nominees of the ruling party today
fell in line and took utmost care to adhere to the Model Code of
Conduct. Congress candidate from Bathinda Harminder Singh Jassi was
very careful as he filed papers in the presence of Chief Minister Capt
Amarinder Singh.
Congress candidate from Bathinda
Harminder Singh Jassi files his nomination papers in the presence of
Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh in Bathinda on Thursday. —
Tribune photo by Kulbir Beera
1.69
cr voters; 17,000 booths
Chandigarh, January 25
Punjabis love their fairs and festivals. Ditto for elections. The
number of contestants in an election has been on an upswing with
observers claiming that there could be more candidates luring the over
1.69 crore voters than the last time.
Hussainiwalas
want trade route back
Ferozepore, January 25
The electorate here has one issue - revival of trade with Pakistan
through the Hussainiwala route. Once, the trade was stopped in 1971,
the economy changed. Hotels, restaurants, cinema houses, and trading
houses handling cargo closed down. Various spin-offs with them like
transporters, porters, taxi operators also shifted base.
|
ENTHUSIASM
UNBOUND
|
SAD-BJP supporters outside the office of the Returning Officer
at Anandpur Sahib on Thursday. — Tribune photo by Pradeep
Tewari |
Big
stink in Ludhiana
Ludhiana, January 25
A need as basic as a urinal has emerged as the main poll issue for
shopkeepers and residents of Block-I in Sarabha Nagar.
District
Report
Hoshiarpur open to grab
Hoshiarpur , January 25
The eight Assembly segments of the Hoshiarpur parliamentary
constituency are keeping all contenders on the tenterhooks, showing no
clear preference. Having taken a lead in campaigning in other parts of
the state, the Shiromani Akali Dal candidates have completed round one
in four of the eight segments it is contesting from, but poll partner
Bharatiya Janata Party has been a let down.
Jasjit
Singh files papers
Mohali, January 25
SAD-BJP alliance candidate from the Kharar constituency Jasjit Singh
put up an impressive show of strength at Dasehra ground before filing
his nomination papers here today.
ME & MYSELF
Jobs,
education on his mind
Ghanaur, January 25
 His
priority is employment generation and providing quality education in
the Ghanaur Assembly segment in the home district of the Punjab Chief
Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh. "After the creation of
infrastructure such as roads, drinking water facilities and
flood-control measures during the past five years, the main focus is
going to be on provision for quality education in the
predominantly-rural constituency if the Amrinder Singh government is
voted back to power,” says Mr Jasjit Singh Randhawa, Minister for
Cooperation and Horticulture.
For
councillors, all roads lead to Punjab
Chandigarh, January 25
Come Monday and local councillors and politicians will be more visible
in Punjab than the city. With less than three weeks left for polling
in the Assembly elections, the local political fraternity is all set
to start campaigning there in support of their respective party
candidates.
1.78
lakh voters to decide candidates' fate in Banur
Dera Bassi, January 25
Over 1.78 lakh voters will decide the fate of candidates in the Banur
Assembly segment. According to sources, as many as 31 polling stations
have been declared "hyper-sensitive" and 32
"sensitive" out of the 173 polling stations in the segment.
Of the 1,78,603 voters, there are 93,849 males voters and 84,754
female voters.
It’s
development vs anti-incumbency in Banur
Banur, January 25
With the last date for filing nominations ending today, battle lines
have been drawn for the crucial Banur Assembly segment in the run-up
to the February 13 elections to the Punjab Assembly.
1,662
nominations
Chandigarh, January 25
A total of 736 candidates today filed their nominations, the last day
for filing nominations for the Punjab Vidhan Sabha elections.
Khanna’s
men to oppose Sood
Hoshiarpur, January 25
Mr Tikshan Sood, MLA, received a jolt when a majority of
office-bearers of the district unit close to Mr Avinash Rai Khanna, MP
and BJP chief , Punjab, resigned soon after he filed his nomination
papers here yesterday.
 This
party for 9 to 5 corruption
Chandigarh, January 25
Chandigarh's comedian Jaspal Bhatti, (in)famous for lampooning
politicians, is at it again. With elections to the Punjab Assembly
round the corner, the satirist today found yet another way to mock at
the “corrupt” political class by floating the “Land Grabbers and
Dealers Party”.
A PARTY WITH A DIFFERENCE: Jaspal
Bhatti and members of the Nonsense Club at the launch of the “Land
Grabbers and Dealers Party” at the Sector 17 Plaza in Chandigarh.
— Tribune photo by Manoj Mahajan
Notices
issued to SAD, Cong candidates
Mohali, January 25
The SDM-cum-Returning Officer, Mr Sandeep Hans, has issued notices to
the SAD and the Congress candidates asking them to furnish details of
the expenditure incurred on rallies that were held by them at the
Dasehra ground in Phase VIII here.
Uma’s
party fields 19
Chandigarh, January 25
On the last day of filing of nomination papers, the Bharatiya Jan
Shakti Party fielded 19 candidates, including two women, besides
deciding to support 11 others.
 First
Gujjar woman in fray
Balachaur (Nawanshahr), January 25
When you meet her for the first time, she appears like any woman next
door. A Gujjar and first woman contestant from Balachaur, Ms Santosh
Kataria, has a simple, straight and yet a confident style of
eloquence.
EC
deputes 3 Observers
Fatehgarh Sahib, January 25
The EC of India has deputed three Election Observers for the Sirhind
and Amloh(R) Assembly constituencies of Fatehgarh Sahib district.
POLL BYTES
AISAD
merges with SAD
LUDHIANA: The
All-India Shiromani Akali Dal, led by Mr Jaswant Singh Mann, on Friday
merged with the newly constituted Shiromani Akali Dal. Mr Arnrik Singh
Aliwal will be acting president.
Ballot replaces bullet... but the scars remain
Varinder Walia and Gurbaxpuri
Manochahal,(Amritsar),January 24
The ballot has replaced the bullet. Kin of slain militants, who propagated the boycott of the February 1992 elections, have now plunged into electioneering.
They now feel that the ballot is the best weapon to bring about a change, not the bullet.
|
Saurabh Malik and Gurbaxpuri
Tarn Taran, January 24
Peace and tranquility, exterminated by militants in the border villages of Tarn Taran, may have come alive with the restoration of normalcy in the state, but the left-alone victims in the once bullet-ridden areas are still struggling for survival, and their rights.
|
 |
Sujjan Singh with an amputated hand along with his family at Naushera Dhalla village in Tarn Taran
— Tribune photo by Pawan Sharma |
Sukhbir Badal is star of Chandumajra poll rally
Moonak (Sangrur),
January 24
The SAD candidate for the Lehra Assembly constituency, Mr Prem Singh Chandumajra, filed his nomination papers in the office of the Returning Officer, Mr Zora Singh Thind, here today.
His wife Balwinder Kaur also filed her papers.
Badal’s affidavit not displayed
Malout, January 24
Even as the Election Commission is making all-out efforts to ensure free and fair elections in the state, its instructions are being reportedly ignored here.
Mahesh Inder files papers; Lambi gets
hot
Malout, January 24
Congress candidate from the high-profile constituency of Lambi Mahesh Inder Singh Badal today filed his nomination papers here amidst cheers of his supporters. He lead a 10-km procession before filing his papers.
code uncode
Malooka comes with convoy of 300 vehicles
Bathinda, January 24
A former SAD minister, Mr Sikander Singh Malooka, a former PCS officer, Mr Ajaib Singh Bhatti, and a former IAS officer, Mr Amarjeet Singh Sidhu, today filed their nomination papers from the Rampura Phul, Nathana and Talwandi Sabo Assembly constituencies, respectively, amid violation of the Model Code of
Conduct.
Saathi to contest as Independent
Moga, January 24
Disgruntled over the denial of ticket by the Congress, Mr Vijay Saathi has decided to contest the elections as an Independent from the Moga constituency.
Parties pay lip service to youth welfare
Never mind the party in power, liquor trade grows & so does
addiction
Chandigarh, January 24
There could be no bigger loss for a prosperous state like Punjab, than losing its young men to the vices of addiction. Irrespective of their ‘public welfare’ rhetoric - for both the incumbent Congress government and their Akali predecessors- maximising revenue from the liquor trade has been their
USP.
ME & MYSELF
Readying for another akhara
Gurdaspur, January 24
A former minister and BJP nominee from the Pathankot Assembly constituency, Mr Mohan Lal, begins his day from an “akhara”.
Despite a hectic schedule because of the elections, he still finds time early in
the morning to exercise and wrestle in the akhara for at least one hour every
day. Talking to The Tribune at his akhara, Mr Mohan Lal, who was coaching his
junior wrestlers, said coming to the akhara was his daily routine for the past
40 years.
The BJP nominee from Pathankot, Mr Mohan Lal, wrestling in his
akhara.
— Photo by Jangi |
 |
Stakes high for Dera Sacha Sauda
Bathinda, January 24
With the Congress fielding Mr Harminder Singh Jassi, a relative of Dera Sacha Sauda head, from the Bathinda Assembly seat, the electioneering has picked up steam here.
Singla faces rebels’ wrath
Amritsar, January 24
On the first day of his campaigning, Finance Minister Surinder Singla today faced the wrath of voters when he tried to convince Mr Joginder Pal Dhingra , District Congress President not to contest as rebel candidate from Amritsar North.
 Cong leader Lalli joins SAD
Chandigarh, January 24
Mr Jaipal Singh Lalli, senior Congress leader, joined the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) at a function held in
Budhlada, Mansa district, on Wednesday.
Tikshan Sood,
BJP nominee |
Charanjit Singh Channy, Cong nominee |
Hoshiarpur
(In)fighting a tough battle
Hoshiarpur, January 24
With the BJP announcing its candidate from here, the battle lines have finally been drawn for a direct contest between the Congress and the BJP.
Show of strength by Tota Singh
Moga, January 24
The SAD candidate from the Moga constituency, Jathedar Tota Singh, today filed his papers here today. It was a show of strength by the Akali leader who arrived outside the office of the SDM along with a large number of his supporters.
Show of strength by Sidhu
Mohali, January 24
It was a show of strength by Congress candidate from the Kharar Assembly constituency Balbir Singh Sidhu and his supporters at a rally organised at Dasehra ground here today.
Three file papers from Rajpura
Rajpura, January 24
Three candidates filed their nomination papers from the Rajpura Assembly constituency here today.
BJSP candidate claims Balmik Sabha support
Mohali, January 24
Bhartiya Jan Shakti Party’s Anil Kumar, contesting the Punjab Assembly elections from the Kharar constituency, today claimed the support of some representatives of the Balmik Sabha.
Saini goes past Badal
Ropar, January 24
Rebel Congress leader Amarjit Singh Saini today filed his nomination as Independent candidate from the Anandpur Sahib Assembly constituency here today.
Rakesh files papers, dissidence evident
Dera Bassi, January 24
Local flavour was missing from the cavalcade of Congress candidate Rakesh Sharma, who filed his candidature from the Banur Assembly constituency here this afternoon.
Observers to stay at Raj Bhawan
Mohali, January 24
The three election observers appointed for the Kharar, Banur and Morinda constituencies will stay at the Punjab Bhawan, Sector 3, Chandigarh.
JD(U) decides to campaign for SAD, BJP
New Delhi, January 24
The Janata Dal (United) yesterday announced that it would campaign for the
Seera files papers
Barnala, January 24
Mr Harinder Singh Dhillon Seera, state vice-president of the Youth Congress, today filed his nomination papers as an Independent from this constituency.
SC order on Sidhu will boost SAD-BJP fortunes
Chandigarh, January 23
Today’s decision of the Supreme Court of India, allowing former Indian cricketer and former Lok Sabha MP from Amritsar Navjot Singh Sidhu to contest the ensuing Punjab Vidhan Sabha elections, will have a major impact on the electoral fortunes of the SAD-BJP alliance.
Sidhu confidant gets ticket
BJP celebrates with sweets
Capt Kanwaljit promises tax-free regime
Dera Bassi, January 23
Putting his populist foot forward, the former Finance Minister, Capt Kanwaljit Singh, today promised a zero tax regime besides promising a host of sops to all sections of society if the SAD-BJP alliance was voted to power in the February 13 Assembly elections.
Dullo files papers; says wife his poll manager
Khanna January 23
The Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president, Mr Shamsher Singh
Dullo, today filed the nomination papers from the Khanna (reserved) constituency as a Congress candidate. He was accompanied by his wife, Ms Harbans Kaur
Dullo, the sitting MLA from here. She filed the papers as the covering candidate.
Kang invokes divine help
Chandigarh, January 23
It’s barely seven in the morning but the flurry of activity at Mr Jagmohan Singh Kang’s residence in the ministers’ complex here is comparable to a household hosting a Punjabi wedding.
Mr Jagmohan Singh Kang pays obeisance at the Mansa Devi temple before filing his nomination from the Morinda constituency on Tuesday. — Tribune
photo by Pradeep Tewari |
 |
PPCC secy Harry joins SAD
Ghanaur/Gharam (Patiala), January 23
Encouraged with the defection of former PPCC secretary Harry Mann to the SAD today, its general secretary Sukhbir Singh Badal claimed that atrocities committed on people had triggered a wave of defection in the Congress rank and file.
Former Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, Mr Harinder Pal Singh (Harry Mann) and Mr Sukhbir Badal at a
party meeting in Patiala on Tuesday. — Tribune photo by Rajesh Sachar |
 |
BKU: One body, two voices
Chandigarh, January 23
While the Bharti Kisan Union led by Mr Balbir Singh Rajewal has extended support to the Shiromani Akali Dal headed by Mr Parkash Singh Badal, the faction headed by Mr Bhupinder Singh Mann has announced it will back Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh and his party in the Assembly elections.
Pathankot to vote for district status
Pathankot, January 23
For a long time, people here have been demanding district status for the town. Demand continues to persist, so do promises by leaders. There have been several agitations, including an immolation attempt, in this regard.
Poll revives Goindwal’s dreams
Goindwal Sahib (Tarn Taran), January 23
Twenty-six years have lapsed since a master plan was finalised for developing Goindwal Sahib as the country’s first industrial nucleus complex.
Yet, for realising the dream, successive governments at the Centre and the state have turned no stones, except for the foundation stone laid down by India’s former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.
I will not support Balbir Sidhu, says Gharuan
Mohali, January 23
“I will not support Mr Balbir Singh Sidhu, Congress candidate from the Kharar constituency, for the Punjab Assembly elections as he is allegedly involved in the distribution of liquor and other intoxicants among the people, especially the younger generation, during election rallies,” stated Mr Harnek Singh
Gharuan, former Congress minister, at a press conference here today. He was accompanied by Mr Bharat Bhushan Maini, former senior vice-president of the Mohali Municipal Council, among others.
CODE UNCODE
Cavalcades choke road traffic
Gurdaspur, January 23
Political heavyweights from this district, including Pratap Singh Bajwa
(Kahnuwan), his brother Fateh Jung Singh Bajwa (Sri Hargobindpur), Mr Tripat Rajinder Singh Bajwa (Qadian) and Nirmal Singh Kahlon (Fatehgarh Churian), filed their nomination papers today.
Dancing to parties’ tune
Jalandhar, January 23
As the Assembly elections draw near, small-time singers and dancers are in a great demand, especially from political parties eager to entertain the public with peppy numbers.
As big names like Sabjit Cheema, Harbhajan Mann and Malkit Singh generally avoid performing in rural areas, these small-time singers are preferred to draw village folks.
"This time dancers are also in demand. Dressed in gorgeous costumes, they attract the public with their performances, mostly based on folksongs and parodies on film songs," says Mr Jatinder Pal Singh of Raja No. 1, a Ludhiana-based musical group. |
 |
Cong nominee files papers
Ropar, January 23
Exhibiting his show of strength by a huge
procession of party workers and supporters, sitting Congress MLA Ramesh Dutt
Sharma today filed his nomination papers from the Anandpur Sahib Assembly
constituency here before the Returning Officer, Ropar, Mr Parminder Singh Gill,
this evening.
Cong candidate files nomination
Rajpura, January 23
Mr Hardyal Singh Kamboj, Congress candidate from the Rajpura Assembly constituency, today filed his nomination papers at the office of the SDM, Mr APS Virk, who is also the Returning Officer.
317 more file nominations
Chandigarh, January 23
As many as 317 candidates today filed their nominations for the Assembly elections. They include stalwarts of the ruling Congress and the Opposition Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal).
Mann files papers as Independent
Mohali, January 23
Tarlochan Singh Mann today filed his nomination
papers from the Kharar constituency as an Independent candidate. Before coming
to Mohali to file his papers he held a rally at Kharar.
Clueless, Elephant in trouble
Jalandhar, January 23
Factionalism within the BSP, ouster of its senior leaders, death of party founder and stalwart Kanshi Ram and its resultant downfall is likely to prove advantageous to the Congress in the Doaba region.
On foot or cycle, they too are in the race
A BSP rebel, Mr Kesar Singh, on way to file his nominations for the Nabha Assembly constituency; and (right) Mr Kashmir Singh of the
CPI (ML New Democracy) with his supporters on Tuesday. — Tribune photographs
‘Candidates must refrain from defacing public property’
Mohali, January 23
Defacement of public property by the candidates will not be allowed during the Punjab Assembly elections in the district.
Orders to this effect were given by the Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Returning Officer, Mr Tejveer Singh.
Defections galore on CM’s turf
Patiala, January 23
Despite the fact that Patiala is the home turf of Chief Minister Amarinder Singh and his wife and MP Preneet Kaur, the maximum number of defections by political bigwigs has been from this very part of the state.
POLL BYTES
Six quit as chairperson
Cong manifesto
to skip SEZ issue
New Delhi, January 22
As the controversy over the
sensitive issue of special economic zones (SEZs) continues unabated,
the Congress has decided it will be wise not to dwell on the matter in
the party’s election manifesto for Punjab.
Punjab
Votes' 07
Three men trip
— Badal, son, Sant
|
Badal
files papers amid code violation
Malout, January
22
A former Chief Minister
and SAD president, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, today filed his
nomination papers from the Lambi Assembly constituency here
amid violation of the Model Code of Conduct.
|
Sukhbir
flouts poll code
Gidderbaha, January
22
A case of violation of
the Model Code of Conduct came to the fore in Gidderbaha when
a helicopter landed in the town to pick up SAD general
secretary Sukhbir Singh Badal.
|
Sant
gets notice from RO
Ropar, January 22
The SDM-cum-Returning
Officer, Ropar, Mr Parminder Singh Gill, today issued a notice
to the SAD patron Sant Ajit Singh. The Sant was
accompanied by party workers in a cavalcade of vehicles, when
he came to file his papers.
|
|
Doesn’t
own a car
|
Amritsar:
BJP leaves it to Rajnath
New Delhi,
January 22
The Bharatiya Janata Party has authorised its chief Rajnath Singh to
name its candidate for the Amritsar Lok Sabha byelection as different
leaders from Punjab have started mounting pressure on the party for
the party ticket in case former cricketer-turned MP Navjot Singh
Sidhu’s application seeking a stay on his conviction is allowed by
the Supreme Court.
BSP fields
Arjun for LS seat
Amritsar, January 22
The Bahujan Samaj Party today fielded former president of the Durgiana
Managing Committee Surinder Arjun from the Amritsar parliamentary
seat.
CEO
clarifies
Chandigarh, January 22
The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Punjab, Mr Sundram Krishna, had not
used the word dirty and bitter while referring to the ongoing campaign
for the Punjab Vidhan Sabha elections.
Landmine-hit want some space
Naushera Dhalla (Tarn Taran), January 22
Five years have lapsed since a landmine blast in the passive hamlet of
Naushera Dhalla in Tarn Taran district blew apart their lives to
shreds, yet governments at the Centre and the state have done little
to launch an operation to rehabilitate the victims and their families.
Raghbir Singh with a photograph of
landmine victim Balwinder Singh at Naushara Dhalla in Tarn Taran on
Monday. — Tribune photo by Pawan Sharma
 Balbir disputes Bir’s claim
Mohali, January 22
Mr Balbir Singh Sidhu, Congress candidate for the Kharar constituency,
said today that the leaders, who had been denied the ticket, could be
adjusted in various organisations on the basis of their political
experiences. He rubbished the allegation that he gave Rs 5 crore to a
Congress leader to get the ticket.
Balbir Singh Sidhu
 Her turn: Sohi also calls for ticket review
Zirakpur, January 22
Ms Seelam Sohi, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) general
secretary, who has been denied the ticket from the Banur Assembly
constituency, may repeat a Bir Devinder in Banur.
Seelam Sohi
Deepa to
contest as Independent
Sangrur, January 22
Mr Rajinder Deepa, who was denied the Congress ticket from Sunam,
today announced his decision to contest as an Independent.
SAD-BJP
set for comeback, claims Kanwaljit
Mohali, January 22
SAD General Secretary Capt Kanwaljit Singh today claimed that the
SAD-BJP combine was all set to stage a comeback with two-thirds
majority, “as the Congress is reeling under revolt of its leaders
and cadre in almost whole of Punjab”.
ME
AND MYSELF
This
Badal loves Faiz
Chandigarh, January 22
Besides rural indebtedness, deaths caused by cancer in Malwa area,
especially Mansa, Rama Mandi, Lambi, Gidderbaha and adjoining areas,
have emerged as a big election issue.
Manpreet Singh Badal
Vets:
Explain, says CEO
Chandigarh, January 22
Taking note of the posting of veterinarians on poll duty in violation
of the ECI order, the Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab, has sought
explanation from the Deputy Commissioners concerned and written to
other DCs in this respect.
Poll
campaign picks up steam
Ghanaur, January 22
With the last date for filing nominations, January 25, drawing close,
the election campaign is picking up the momentum in the Ghanaur
Assembly constituency.
Mann gets
women’s support
Mohali, January 22
Mr Tarlochan Singh Mann, an Independent, today gathered support of
women in the area. A number of women, including Mrs Swaranjeet Kaur,
president of the Balongi unit of the Mahila Suraksha Samiti, and
social worker Kulwant Kaur participated in the poll campaign. They
visited various villages like Saneta, Mundi Kharar, Ballomajra,
Badmajra, Chhajumajra and Fatehulapur.
district
report
Going
by voting pattern, Cong needs to watch out
Gurdaspur, January 22
If the last 30-year history of elections in this district is an
indication, there is a cause for the Congress to worry. The district
has voted in favour of the Congress and the SAD/BJP, alternatively.
DCs asked
to ensure fair poll
Fatehgarh Sahib, January 22
Mrs Manisha Nanda, Finance Secretary, Himachal Government, who has
been appointed the Election Observer for the Patiala division by the
Election Commission of India, held a meeting of all Deputy
Commissioners (DCs) of the Patiala division here today to review the
arrangements for the coming Assembly elections.
 CODE-UNCODE
Defiance
unabated
Jalandhar, January 22
Despite the Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Returning Officer (DRO),
Mr A. Venu Prasad, visiting several parts of the city to check
violation of the model code of conduct on Sunday, defiance continues
unabated.
Bunting and a hording of the
Congress tied to electric and telecom poles near the office of the
District Electoral Officer in Jalandhar on Monday. — A Tribune
photograph
Realtors
vanish too
Ludhiana, January 22
Political uncertainty has dampened the spirits of realtors and
investors in the state. The latter are keeping their fingers crossed
in the anticipation that the new regime, whether Congress or the
Akalis, will give a boost to real estate.
Chamkaur
Sahib most sensitive
Ropar, January 22
Out of the three Assembly constituencies, Chamkaur Sahib was today
declared the most sensitive in the district. Out of 116 polling
stations in Chamkaur Sahib, 44 were declared sensitive and hyper
sensitive.
First
nomination from Banur filed
Dera Bassi, January 22
Mr Jasbir Singh Punsar, BSP candidate from Banur Assembly segment,
today became the first candidate to file the nomination papers here.
POLL
BYTES
It’s
a flag war in Kanuwan
Kanuwan
(Gurdaspur), January 21
The rural constituency of Kanuwan is witnessing a tough contest
between Congress minister Pratap Singh Bajwa and former SAD minister
Sewa Singh Sekhwan. A tour of the constituency revealed that voters
here are clearly divided and a flag war is being waged by supporters
of the two parties.
|
|
|
Flags of
political parties flutter atop roofs in the Kanuwan
constituency. — Photos by Jangi
|
Rebels
adamant; issue ultimatum
Gurdaspur
January 21
Dissident leaders in the Narot constituency today organised a meeting
of their supporters and gave two-day ultimatum to the party. The
workers were peeved at the allotment of the party ticket to sitting
MLA Rumal Chand.
Rajpura:
Stakes high, 55 pc polling booths sensitive
Rajpura, January 21
With stakes high in the Rajpura Assembly constituency, the
administration is gearing up to ensure a free and fair poll. In fact,
the conduct of a free and fair poll for the constituency is going to
be a tough task for the authorities concerned, with 78 of the 142
polling booths being declared sensitive.
Gill
on post till polling
Chandigarh, January 21
The new Director-General of Punjab Police, Mr R.S. Gill, will hold the
post till the completion of the election process in Punjab. Once the
process is completed by March 3, the new government will be at liberty
to appoint a new officer.
SAD
wants action against PR officials
Chandigarh, January 21
The Shiromani Akali Dal today objected to the alleged use of songs and
advertisements prepared by the Public Relations Department of the
Punjab Government for the election campaign of the Congress.
shadow
boxing
Banur:
It’s Kanwaljit versus Venod Sharma
Chandigarh January 21
It is going to be Capt Kanwaljit Singh versus former Haryana
Power Minister Venod Sharma in the Banur Assembly segment.
Though Mr Rakesh Sharma, son of former Punjab Finance Minister
Hans Raj Sharma, is the official candidate from Banur, the
prestige of Mr Venod Sharma is at stake in the segment, which
was once represented by him in the early eighties.
Capt Kanwaljit Singh |
|
|
|
angry
ones
Bitter
Lubanas may dump Congress
Jalandhar, January 21
The Congress has ‘ignored' Hindus and Lubanas while allocating
tickets for the forthcoming Assembly elections, say representatives of
the two communities. The president of the Bharatiya Dharam Raksha
Samiti, Mr Manoj Kumar Nanha, said the Congress had fielded 18 Hindu
candidates as compared to 28 last time.
DISTRICT REPORT
Cong
betting on women
Sangrur, January 21
In the seven Assembly constituencies of this district, the Congress
has given the lion’s share to women by allotting them four tickets.
However, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has not nominated even a single
woman candidate in the district.
Bhattal
leads liability list
Bathinda, January 21
The Department of General Administration has shot off a missive to all
Deputy Commissioners along with a list of ministers and former
ministers having liabilities towards the Punjab Government with
respect to house building advance and car advance to check information
to be furnished by them while seeking election to the Assembly next
month.
| VP,
Babbar stars of Shambhu rally |
Ludhiana,
January 21
Despite star campaigners like Bollywood actor Raj Babbar and
former Prime Minister V.P. Singh coming to address the rally
of Mr Shambhu Kumar Singh, a Jan Morcha nominee from for
Ludhiana Rural seat, here today, the entire show remained a
damp squib.
(From left) Mr Raj Babbar, Mr Shambhu Singh and Mr V.P. Singh
at an election rally of the Jan Morcha in Ludhiana on Sunday.
— A Tribune photograph |
 |
Rai
Sikh Maha Panchayat decides to oppose Cong
Ferozepore, January 21
The Rai Sikh community which is a large vote bank in this border area,
organised “Maha Panchayat” at Megha Rai Utar village here today at
which it decided that the community would oppose Congress candidates
in various Assembly constituencies of this district.
INLD
to campaign for SAD-BJP candidates
Chandigarh, January 21
Indian National Lok Dal leaders
and workers today went to Punjab to campaign for SAD-BJP combine
candidates for the Assembly elections following a decision taken at a
joint meeting of the state executive and the Political Affairs
Committee of the party held under the chairmanship of the President,
Mr Om Parkash Chautala, here today.
24
former govt employees in fray
Chandigarh, January 21
More than 24 former government employees are in Punjab’s poll fray
this time - among then are doctors, teachers and PCS, IAS and IPS
officers. There are a few retired Armymen too.
| Uma
Bharti banking on hung House |
Ludhiana,
January 21
Firing a salvo at the Shiromani Akali Dal and the Congress,
the fire-brand leader of the Bhartiya Janshakti Party, Ms Uma
Bharti, today said both these parties had made the state ‘ a
den of corruption’ and a hung Assembly alone could rescue
the state. She was addressing a meeting of party workers at a
local school here today. |
 |
| Ms
Uma Bharti, addresses an election rally in Ludhiana on Sunday.
— A Tribune photograph |
Sidhu
extends olive branch
Kharar, January 21
The Congress candidate from Kharar, Mr Balbir Sidhu, yesterday stated
that he would go to the houses of all Congress leaders who were not
happy with his candidature to pacify them.
Delay:
More join ticket race
Amritsar, January 21
The BJP's failure to announce its candidate from the Amritsar North
Assembly has resulted in more aspirants joining the ticket race.
Supporters of Mr Balramji Dass Tandon, a former Punjab minister, have
sent telegrams to the party high command to field him from the
constituency.
PPCC
secy Mann resigns
Patiala, January 21
Mr Harinder Pal Singh Mann, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee
secretary, today resigned from his post and from the primary
membership of the Congress. He alleged that the party had been
favouring those candidates who had recently shifted loyalties from the
SAD while true Congressmen who had stood by the party through thick
and thin were being ignored.
Kang
welcomes new entrants
Chandigarh, January 21
Mr Jagmohan Singh Kang, Congress candidate from Morinda, today claimed
that at least 12 Akali and Bahujan Samaj Party activists along with
their supporters joined the Congress under his leadership at Teur
village.
Panthic
issues take backseat
Gurdaspur, January 21
Panthic issues like demanding votes in the name of the community and
blaming the Congress for Operation Bluestar and the 1984 riots that
were the main poll plank of the SAD in earlier elections do not figure
in the election campaign of the party in this district.
Saini
opens election office
Zirakpur, January 21
The Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) candidate from the Banur Assembly
segment, Mr Avtar Singh Saini, today intensified his election campaign
with the opening of his election office here today.
POLL
BYTES
Virk
should be sacked, says SAD
Chandigarh, January 20
The Shiromani Akali Dal today
welcomed the Election Commission's decision to transfer Punjab's
Director-General of Police, Mr S.S. Virk, saying the party stand
demanding his removal had been vindicated. The SAD demanded Mr Virk's
sack and prosecution, saying that the highest electoral authority in
the country had found him guilty of “corrupt practices and misuse of
office.”
Won’t
allow things to get dirty: CEO
Chandigarh, January 20
  The
Chief Electoral Officer, Punj- ab, Mr Sundram Krishna, today asserted
that the poll officers were keeping a close watch on the ongoing
election campaign for the Punjab Vidhan Sabha elections and no
political party would be allowed to turn the campaign dirty.
EC
okays four Information Commissioners
Chandigarh, January 20
Decks have been cleared for four
Information Commissioners, who were appointed last month by the Punjab
Government, for assuming the charge of the office. Informed sources
today said the Election Commission had informed the State Government
that it had no objection on the issue.
Parties
playing politics with ‘siropa’
Mandi Ahmedgarh, January 20
Peeved over the misuse of the practice of presenting
‘siropa’ (religious robe of honour) by leaders of almost all
political parties of the state, office-bearers of local Sikh
organisations have urged the chiefs of the SGPC and Akal Takht to
impose restrictions so that the sanctity of the practice was
maintained.
Youth queue up to
receive siropas at a political function in Mandi Ahmedgarh on
Thursday. — Photo by writer
Captain
owns just Rs 15,000
Patiala, January 20
In an affidavit submitted to the
Returning Officer, the Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh, today
declared that he possessed Rs 15,000 in cash, besides Rs 20,000 as
‘karta” of Hindu undivided family.
Nominations:
Number rises to 70
Chandigarh, January 20
As many as 41 candidates filed their nominations today. With
this, a total of 70 candidates have filed their papers.
POLL CHASE
His claim: His father’s Bunny
 
Mohali, January 20
For someone who is facing his
first election, Mr Jasjit Singh Bunny is a confident campaigner.
Mr Jasjit Singh Bunny of the
SAD addresses an election meeting in his constituency of Kharar. —
Tribune photos by Vicky Gharu
Mrs
Dullo silenced
Chandigarh, January 20
 From
an excited contender for re-election to a silenced wife, Harbans Kaur
Dullo has resigned to her fate, at least for the moment. Till a
fortnight ago, she was a firebrand MLA, confident of taking on her
husband and Punjab Pradesh Congress chief Shamsher Singh Dullo in the
race for ticket. “If he has staked a claim to the ticket, let us see
who wins it,” she had said, adding that in no circumstances would
she allow Mr Dullo to oust her from Khanna.
 LEGAL
MERRY-GO-ROUND
Battle
from streets to courts, and back
Chandigarh, January 20
With elections round the corner,
the battle of wits between Capt Amarinder Singh and Mr Parkash Singh
Badal has spilled over from courtrooms to the streets. The bete
noires, who have been fighting a legal battle over defamatory
advertisements by the Congress against the Shiromani Akali Dal in the
2002 elections, are at it again - taking the people for a ride.
Ropar
bridge may turn out to be main poll issue
Ropar, January 20
 Hundreds
of commuters are helpless and put their lives to risk while passing
through the 125-year-old bridge over the Sirhind canal, which is the
main link of Ropar city with National Highway-21 every day here. Over
50,000 people in the city, which falls in Anandpur Sahib Assembly
constituency, travel on the bridge daily.
The bridge over the Sirhind canal
is the main cause for concern for residents of Ropar. — Tribune
photo by Pradeep Tewari
No
development work in Kharar: Kanwaljit
Mohali, January 20
A former Finance Minister, Capt
Kanwaljit Singh, has said the Kharar constituency will be developed
like Banur after the formation of the SAD-BJP combine government in
the state.
Lok Jan Shakti Party chief Ram Vilas Paswan waves to the crowd
during an election rally in Patiala on Saturday. — A Tribune
photograph |
SAD’s
Kang says cops coercing voters
Amritsar, January 20
Fearing threat to the life Mr
Manjinder Singh Kang, former Chairman of the Forest Corporation and
SAD candidate from Beas has demanded paramilitary forces for election
in the Beas Assembly constituency.
Parallel
economy
PR agencies do it all for
candidates
Ludhiana, January 20
Candidates doling out promises is
a routine during any elections. One segment that offers promises to
candidates itself is public relations agencies that are all geared up
to win the race of bagging as many accounts as they can. The agencies
have begun contacting contestants for various seats, directly as well
as through references.
LS
ticket: Dullo bats for Majha
Chandigarh, January 20
If Mr Shamsher Singh Dullo,
president of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC), has his
way, then the Amritsar Lok Sabha ticket should go to a ‘Majhail.’
Preneet
Kaur harps on development
Rajpura, January 20
Assembly segments bordering
Chandigarh are finally warming up to the campaigning for the Punjab
elections. With the last date for the filing of nominations, January
25, drawing close, the electioneering is picking up in the areas.
Hoshiarpur:
Cracks appear in BJP
Hoshiarpur, January 20
While the Bharatiya Janata Party
(BJP) has announced its candidates for a majority of the
constituencies it is contesting from, the unusual delay in naming the
Hoshiarpur candidate has given credence to reports of severe
factionalism in the party here.
BSP
goes upper caste
Jalandhar, January 20
Once known for openly speaking
against upper castes at its rallies, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has
allocated over one-third tickets to persons belonging to these castes
for the forthcoming Assembly elections.
Bhattal
confidant Dirba joins SAD
Sangrur, January 20
The Congress today suffered a
major setback in the Dirba Assembly constituency when Mr Gurcharan
Singh Dirba, a close confidant of Ms Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, Deputy
Chief Minister, Punjab, and two-time Congress MLA from Dirba, joined
the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) in the presence of Mr Sukhdev Singh
Dhindsa, secretary-general of the party, and Mr Baldev Singh Mann, SAD
candidate from the seat, at Dirba village, about 25 km from here.
Independent
candidate wants to make youth drug-free
Mohali, January 20
Ashwani Kumar, an independent
candidate from Kharar, was weighed in ladoos by shop owners in the
Sohana market, here today. The 26-year-old candidate is a resident of
village Sambhalki and is standing for elections for the first time.
Singla
makes a strong case
New Delhi, January 20
The battle for the Amritsar Lok
Sabha seat is hotting up. With former Lok Sabha MP Jagmeet Singh Brar
throwing his hat in the race, his bete noire Punjab Finance Minister
Surinder Singla has intensified his campaign for this prestigious
seat.
Deepa’s
ultimatum to Cong
Sangrur, January 20
An unsuccessful aspirant for the
Congress ticket from Sunam, Mr Rajinder Deepa, today announced that he
would contest the Assembly elections from the seat as an Independent
if the party failed to change the candidate within two days. Mr Aman
Arora, younger brother of Mr Deepa's wife, Sonia Deepa Arora, is the
party candidate for the seat.
Samra’s
overseas fans here
Nakodar, January 20
The NRIs settled in the UK,
Canada, the USA and other countries are using the telephone to garner
support for Congress candidates here. Some are here campaigning for
the candidates.
POLL BYTES
‘Ravana’
meets ‘Rama’ again
PATHANKOT: Mr
Ashok Sharma, sitting Congress MLA from Pathankot, and his arch rival
Master Mohan Lal of the Bharatiya Janata Party have always been in
opposite roles.
One
more files nomination
Mohali, January 20
Ms Ishwar Kaur, a resident of
Phase IX here, filed her nomination papers as an independent candidate
for the Punjab Assembly elections from the Kharar constituency today.
She had earlier contested the municipal elections in July last year
but had lost.
Finally,
CM kickstarts campaign
 Harps on development; Sonia, PM to canvass
Patiala, January 19
The Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh, finally kickstarted his
campaign today by holding a series of meetings with party workers and
others, including members of the district Bar where he sought votes in
the name of economic development initiated by the Congress government
in the past five years.
A WORD OF CAUTION: The Chief
Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh, with his wife and MP, Ms Perneet
Singh, in Patiala on Friday. — A Tribune photograph
SAD to ask
EC to look into ticket ‘sale’ by Cong
Chandigarh, January 19
Shiromani Akali Dal general secretary Sukhbir Singh Badal said
here today that charges about the ‘sale’ of Congress tickets under
the influence of the land and liquor mafia had vindicated the SAD
stance that Chief Minster Capt Amarinder Singh had led the most
corrupt government in the history of Independent India.
22 more
file nominations
Chandigarh, January 18
As many as 22 candidates today filed their nominations for the coming
Punjab Assembly elections. With this, the total number of candidates
who have filed their nomination in the first two days has gone up to
28.
Tom-Tom
IT
success: Big talk, little outcome
Chandigarh, January 19
Information Technology (IT) remained Punjab Government’s buzzword in
the past five years and is being projected as one of the major
achievements of the Capt Amarinder Singh government. But it seems
Punjab surpassed neighbouring states in rhetoric alone whereas actual
performance as compared to Chandigarh remained low.
| Cong riddled
with dissent
|
 "I
had put up my point of view about all prospective candidates
before the high command. Background of all main aspirants,
including charges of corruption, if there were any against a
particular aspirant, were explained to the top leadership. The
final decision to select candidates for all constituencies was
taken by the high command.” |
Cong
candidate promises development
Rajpura, January 19
Congress candidate from Ghanaur constituency, Mr Jasjit Singh
Randhawa, today intensified his election campaign by opening election
offices at Bahadurgarh and Shambu.
|
POLL BURDEN
Workers unload
publicity material at the Congress Bhavan, Sector 15,
Chandigarh, on Friday. — Tribune photo by Malkit Singh
|
One
against the other in Cong
Mohali, January 19
Mrs Lakhwinder Kaur Garcha, OSD to the Punjab Chief Minister, today
revolted against Mr Balbir Singh Sidhu, president of the Mohali
district unit of the Congress, who has been given the party ticket to
contest the Punjab Assembly elections from the Kharar constituency.
Atwal
campaigns on foot
Phillaur, January 19
Local Congress MLA Gurbinder Singh Atwal visited his constituency on
foot after the announcement of his candidature from the constituency.
Mr Atwal took blessings from old women of the area, who were waiting
for him outside the Sant Sadhu Ram temple.
BJP names
six more
Chandigarh, January 19
The Bharatiya Janata Party tonight announced six more candidates for
the Assembly elections in the state. With this, the party has
announced candidates for 21 seats. Candidates for two other
constituencies are still to be named.
Chhina,
Chawla get tickets
Amritsar, January 19
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today fielded a Sikh candidate, Mr
Rajinder Mohan Singh Chhina, secretary, governing body of Khalsa
College, who had recently joined the party, from the Amritsar West
constituency.
BJSP
candidate claims support of Cong, BSP leader
Mohali, January 19
Mr Anil Kumar, who is contesting the Punjab Assembly elections as a
candidate of the Bhartiya Jan Shakti Party (BJSP), claimed here today
that a Congress leader and her supporters had joined his party.
Two more
file papers
Patiala, January 19
Two more candidates filed their nominations for the Punjab Assembly
elections, here today.
Terror
attack apprehended
Chandigarh, January 19
The Special Protection Group (SPG), which has the task of protecting
under-threat VIPs, including many senior politicians, today told the
Election Commission officers as well as senior Punjab Government
officers involved in the process of holding of coming Vidhan Sabha
elections that there are too many VIPs who needed SPG cover in Punjab.
Price
rise, jobs main issues
Chandigarh, January 19
Spiralling prices of essential commodities, poor education and health
services, corruption in government offices, police excesses,
unemployment and rural indebtedness are among the issues that the
ruling Congress will have to face in the run up to Assembly elections
in Punjab.
Ludhiana:
Pending projects weigh on voters’ mind
Ludhiana, January 19
It could have been bridges to voters’ hearts in Ludhiana. But,
several incomplete flyovers, considered a must for smooth traffic flow
in any densely populated city, would weigh on the minds of the voters.
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