Cong Maur candidate faces protest

Bathinda: The nomination of Harminder Singh Jassi as Congress candidate from Maur hasn’t gone down well with ticket hopefuls Sukhraj Singh Natt, Bhupinder Singh Gora and Balkar Sidhu. The family members of all three leaders have convened a meeting on January 15 of their supporters to decide their future course of action. Heated arguments were witnessed between Jassi’s supporters and Gora’s mother, wife and daughter at Titarsar Gurdwara in Maur on Friday. Raising slogans against Jassi, Gora’s family members, who also happen to be Jassi’s relatives, accused him of anti-party activities. Jassi offered to take all protesters along in his campaign and refuted the allegations of anti-party activities. tns

Rs 14 lakh seized from Fastway vehicle 

Jalandhar: The Kapurthala police seized unaccounted cash worth Rs 14.53 lakh from a vehicle of Fastway company on Thursday night. SSP Kapurthala Alka Meena said that driver Kuldeep Singh of Amritsar could not provide the supporting documents. Videography of the seizure was done and the cash was handed over to the Income Tax Department for further inquiry. A report has been sent to the Election Commission. TNS

AAP serious about farm issues: Rajewal

Chandigarh: Justifying the support extended to AAP, BKU leader Balbir Singh Rajewal on Friday said he had written a letter to various political parties three months ago on issues related to the farm sector. Except AAP, no party responded to that letter, he said. Rajewal and his organisation’s other leaders said they had held a meeting with Arvind Kejriwal, who had promised support on issues such as pension and assured minimum income for farmers, debt waiver, etc. Tns

AAP leader joins Congress

Bathinda: Upset at AAP for nominating Jagdev Singh Kamalu from Maur constituency, ticket contender Simrat Kaur Dhaliwal joined the Congress on Friday. Dhaliwal was inducted by PPCC chief Capt Amarinder Singh. She accused AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal of seeking Rs 50 lakh for the ticket. Tns

Akali nominees caught in envelope row 

Moga: There are allegations of candidates accepting cash donations in the district. Barjinder Singh Makhan Brar, younger son of Akali minister Tota Singh, was seen accepting a “mysterious envelope” from a resident at Chotian Khurd village early this week. Similarly, Tirath Singh Mahla, party candidate from Baghapurana, too was also seen accepting an envelope from a local resident at Nathoke village.  Saurabh Aggarwal, EC observer (expenditure), has asked the Returning Officers of Moga and Baghapurana to probe the matter and take action.  TNS