AAP asks EC to transfer police chief

Chandigarh: The Aam Aadmi Party on Tuesday demanded the immediate transfer of DGP Suresh Arora, accusing him of conniving with Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal to promote the latter's political interests. AAP state convener Gurpreet Singh Waraich and human rights wing chief Navkiran Singh asked the Election Commission to transfer the DGP without further delay so as to ensure free and fair elections in Punjab. Waraich said Arora could influence the election process if allowed to continue on the post. TNS

Former RSS office-bearer joins Cong 

Hoshiarpur/Fatehgarh Sahib: Former district Prachar Pramukh of the RSS and state deputy secretary general Navdeep Aggarwal on Tuesday joined the Congress in the presence of Congress candidate from Hoshiarpur Sunder Sham Arora. In Fatehgarh Sahib, members of Meerpur village panchayat led by sarpanch Sarbjeet Singh joined the Congress after leaving the SAD. Congress candidate Kuljit Singh Nagra welcomed them into the party. OC

Cong song gets poll panel go-ahead 

Chandigarh: The Election Commission’s Media Certification and Monitoring Committee on Tuesday approved the Congress’ election song, sung by Bollywood singers Shahid Mallya (of Udta Punjab fame) and Richa Sharma. Apart from publicly playing and telecasting the song during its election campaign, the party can also post it online. The number focuses on PPCC chief Capt Amarinder Singh. It also shows a Sikh man with a striking resemblance to former AAP leader Sucha Singh Chhotepur. tns

Candidate distributes ‘religious’ calendar 

Sham Churasi: Dr Ravjot Singh, AAP candidate from Sham Churasi reserved seat, was seen distributing calendars with Guru Ravidass’ pictures among residents of Dholbaha area falling in the constituency. District Electoral Officer, Hoshiarpur, Anindita Mitra said, “We had issued a notice for a similar violation of the model code by the Akali candidate at Tanda. The Supreme Court recently ordered that religion could not be part of campaigning. We will serve a notice.” TNs