Regional journal: Cong’s (no) confidence in BJP

The no-confidence motion moved by the Congress in the Haryana Assembly recently made the headlines, not for its defeat but the lack of seriousness from the main opposition party. Some of the 32 ‘signatory’ Congress MLAs were conspicuous by their absence raising question marks over their “seriousness”. Ironically, Leader of Opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda and four other MLAs never cared to sign the motion, prompting treasury benches to mockingly ask whether they have confidence in the BJP government!

When death stared at SSP

As 2025 draws to a close, Gurdaspur residents are counting the highlights of the year. The incident in which Gurdaspur SSP Aditya accidentally found himself facing an Army man, who had already killed his wife and mother-in-law, aiming his AK-47 directly at the officer, just 10 feet away, triumphs everything else. When it seemed it was all over, the Army man abruptly aimed the rifle at himself and shot himself from point-blank range. Needless to say, the officer was awarded the DGP Commendation Disc for the gallant way in which he handled the situation.

Cheer & dejection

Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Bittu recently said the work on the Gurdaspur-Mukerian and Qadian-Beas railway tracks would be initiated soon, sending a wave of cheer among residents. However, the Gurdaspur Deputy Commissioner says he has not received any notification on land acquisition. Without land acquisition, there can be no track. Residents fear that, like it has happened earlier on so many occasions, they are again being sent on a wild goose chase. The ball is now in the minister’s court.

SAD flaunts ‘dinosaur’ label

After the rural bodies elections in Punjab, the SAD has begun flaunting the “dinosaur” tag with pride. Former Malout MLA Harpreet Singh altered the party logo with an oversized dinosaur, and used it as his social media profile picture, before removing it after backlash. Earlier, SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal dubbed a former MLA a “baby dinosaur” and urged voters to make them “big dinosaurs” in the next Assembly poll. The analogy originated in the 2022 elections, when Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann likened the SAD leadership to dinosaurs and predicted its eventual extinction from the state’s politics.

Row over congratulatory message

Senior SAD (Punar Surjit) leader Surjit Singh Rakhra has triggered a controversy by not only remaining present at the opening ceremony of a luxury salon in Bathinda recently, but also giving a congratulatory message to its owners. In response, some of his opponents have targeted him, questioning whether politicians who speak of strengthening the Sikh panth should be congratulating the opening of salons, especially at a time when the martyrdom week of Guru Gobind Singh ji’s Sahibzadas was underway. This episode has become a talking point in political circles.

AAP’s new-found love in Abohar

With the Abohar MC poll expected in February 2026, the city has caught the ruling dispensation’s attention at last. AAP leaders have become active and suddenly started laying the foundation for long-awaited road projects in the city. Residents are now hopeful that several other key projects, including the subdivision administrative complex, a new bus stand and a stadium, hanging fire for past many years will finally get the much-needed push and funds.

Thakur becomes ordinary ‘shrota’

Wrapped in a velvety vibrant Kashmiri shawl and sitting on the floor among ‘shrotas’ (audience), BJP MP Anurag Thakur was barely recongisable as he enjoyed a classical music event in Jalandhar recently. Later, he proclaimed himself a believer in music and said the youngsters should be introduced to the sweet sounds of the classical music to keep the heritage alive.

Contributed by Pradeep Sharma, Ravi Dhaliwal, Archit Watts, Raj Sadosh & Aparna Banerji