AAP will throw Punjab back into violence, mayhem: Amarinder
Kotkapura, February 2
Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh on Thursday launched the last step of his poll campaign from here as he promised to bring back the innocent Sikh youths languishing in jails around the country, while attacking the AAP which, he said, could throw the state back into violence and mayhem.
Addressing a rally at Purani Dana Mandi here, the Congress chief ministerial face for Punjab canvassed for local party candidate Harnirpal Singh Kuku and promised cancellation of all false FIRs against Sikh youths lodged in prisons around the country and said they would be brought back to Punjab.
Punjab was brought out of the throes of terrorism with great difficulty but with the entry of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the threat of violent disruptions and revival of terrorism had come back to haunt the people of the state, Amarinder said.
Warning AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal, he said the “extreme left-right ideological mix” of the AAP and the “dirty politics” being played by the Delhi Chief Minister would lead to the dormant Khalistani elements once again becoming active, thus throwing the state into violence and mayhem.
The trend started by AAP was extremely dangerous for Punjab, he said, referring to AAP leader Manish Sisodia’s remarks when asked to comment on Kejriwal’s stay at a KCF commando’s house.
“What have they been doing for the past two and a half years,” he asked, adding that such “inexperienced leaders” could not be allowed to take over the reins of a sensitive border state like Punjab.
Kejriwal’s only motive is to grab power without any concern for the consequences of his deeds, alleged Amarinder, cautioning the people against being taken in by the AAP leader’s “false promises and propaganda”.
The AAP and its leaders could not be trusted, he claimed, adding that as many as 17 party MLAs in Delhi had some or the other case against them, and even the AAP candidate for Kotkapura, Kultar Singh, had four cases pending against him.
Amarinder decried the “pathetic conditions” into which Punjab “had been plunged by the SAD-BJP government”, saying there had been an all-round decline under their rule.
Predicting a total rout of both the Akalis and the AAP, he said the SAD would not get more than 10 seats in the assembly polls.
Promising to bring back the lost smiles of the people of the state, he reiterated his promise of farm loan waiver and revival of industry.
He also vowed not to allow the SYL construction at any cost, saying he was prepared to go to jail rather than let a single drop of water leave the parched state of Punjab. PTI
Congress expels Inder Sekhri, 5 others from party
The Punjab Congress on Thursday expelled Inder Sekhri, who is contesting Assembly polls against party's official candidate, and his five supporters from primary membership for their alleged anti-party activities.
In a letter, PPCC president Amarinder Singh said Inder Sekhri, who is contesting election from Batala assembly constituency against party's nominated candidate Ashwani Sekhri, and his five supporters were expelled permanently from primary membership.
Inder Sekhri is brother of Ashwani Sekhri. The other leaders expelled were Manjit Singh Hanspal, vice president of party's OBC cell Punjab, Ramesh Verma, district vice-president, Amrik Singh Mika, district chairman of Congress sewa dal, Jatinder Mana advocate, district president of legal cell and Chander Mohan Vij.
Meanwhile, when contacted Inder Sekhri said he had brought a number of "anti-party activities" of Ashwani into the notice of PPCC and AICC but no action was taken against him. —PTI
Can’t afford another term to Akalis: Rahul
Varinder Singh
Tribune News Service
Lambi/Badal, February 2
On the Badals’ turf, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi today made five time-bound promises with the people of Punjab “to put the state back on track”.
Amid cheering and clapping, he announced to curb drug menace and put those selling “chitta” behind bars within a month of forming the government. The Congress government, he promised, would accord 33 per cent share of panchayat land to the poor within two months.
Other promises were jobs to the unemployed youth in the government and the private sectors within three months, revival of industry in Punjab, and free medical facilities for all within four months.
In his speech at Man Singh Stadium, Rahul drew a big applause when he invoked Guru Nanak while hitting out at Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal. “The first Sikh Guru believed in selfless service (‘sab tera tera’), but Sukhbir acts out of self-interest (‘sab mera mera’). Sukhbir accumulated wealth by expanding his business empire, ignoring people’s welfare,” he said.
The Congress leader alleged the Badals were responsible for ruining the state. “So, vote for Capt Amarinder Singh, who will be the next CM, and see getting Punjab transformed within days.”
Amarinder challenged Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal by assuring the audience of putting all halqa incharges behind bars immediately after the Congress formed the government.
He claimed the Badals were getting desperate for a win, evident from reports of distribution of money. “Cash is being ferried to Lambi and Jalalabad in unsuspecting ATM vans, trucks and buses. It is strange that these vehicles are not being checked. The Election Commission should ensure checking of all vehicles,” Capt Amarinder said.
Sangrur: Interacting with villagers here, Rahul urged them to reject the Akali Dal as well as AAP.
“I appeal to Punjab’s residents that they should not shift from one radical party (SAD) to another (AAP). Kejriwal is helping anti-Punjab forces,” he said.
Rahul spent about 30 minutes at Balian village, 9 km from Sangrur, and had food at the “sanjha chulha” (community kitchen) organised by party candidate from Sangrur Vijay Inder Singla.
He also listened to the villagers’ grievances. Some farmers asked him how he would tackle farm crisis. Dalit girl students sought a hike in the scholarship amount.
Capt fears revival of terrorism under AAP
Kotkapura: PPCC chief Captain Amarinder Singh on Thursday feared the revival of terrorism in the state if AAP was voted to power. Addressing an election rally here in favour of Congress candidate, Harnirpal Singh Kuku, the younger brother of Bhai Shaminder Singh, a former MP who was killed by militants in June 1991, Amarinder took on AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal for his stay at the house of a militant in Moga. Two days after his stay, there was a bomb blast in Maur Mandi, killing six persons. It was not a coincidence, alleged Amarinder. At the same time, he expressed sympathy with Punjabis lodged in jails outside the state for their alleged involvement in terrorism activities, He said if the Congress was voted to power, the government would get the innocent Sikhs released. Amarinder asked people to bring the Congress to power with two-third majority so that the government "has the power to make constitutional changes to bring Punjab back on its feet. TNSMAJHA
Upper hand for Cong, may buck 2012 trend
GS Paul
Tribune News Service
Amritsar, February 2
Majha, which comprises four border districts, is expected to witness a fierce contest between the Congress and the SAD-BJP alliance, even as AAP is struggling to find its feet in the region.
There are 25 seats in Majha: Amritsar (11), Gurdaspur (7), Pathankot (3) and Tarn Taran (4). The alliance had won 24 of these seats in the 2007 elections, but its tally dropped to 17 in 2012. The Congress, which had bagged eight seats in the last elections, is out to wrest the initiative this time, banking on anti-incumbency.
AAP candidates may give a tough fight to their opponents on some seats, but it’s only party’s state convener Gurpreet Singh Waraich, contesting from Batala, who seems likely to pull off a win.
Navjot Singh Sidhu holds the key to the Congress’ fortunes, despite his late entry into the party. It will be keenly watched if the crowds at his rallies will translate into votes.
The party has fielded Sidhu from Amritsar East (which was represented by his wife, Dr Navjot Kaur Sidhu), four-time MLA OP Soni from Amritsar Central, Rajya Sabha MP Partap Singh Bajwa’s brother Fateh Jang Bajwa from Qadian and MLA Ashwani Sekhri from Batala.
Those contesting for the ruling alliance include Nirmal Singh Kahlon (Fatehgarh Churian), Bikram Singh Majithia (Majitha), CM’s son-in-law Adaish Partap Singh Kairon (Patti), former Education Minister Sewa Singh Sekhwan (Qadian), former Agriculture Minister Sucha Singh Langah (Dera Baba Nanak), Animal Husbandry Minister Gulzar Singh Ranike (Attari), former Rural Development Minister Ranjit Singh Brahmpura’s son Ravinder Singh Brahmpura (Khadoor Sahib), Cabinet Minister Anil Joshi (Amritsar North) and former state BJP chief Ashwani Sharma (Pathankot).
Among the Congress rebels, Mandeep Singh Manna is taking on Sidhu, while Maninder Singh Palasaur is challenging party candidate Inderbir Singh Bolaria (Amritsar South). Congress MLA Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa is pitted against his nephew, APP candidate Deepinder Singh Randhawa, while BJP’s Joshi is facing his former aide Manish Aggarwal, who is contesting on the AAP ticket.
In Khemkaran, SAD MLA Virsa Singh Valtoha is up against Congress’ Sukhpal Singh Bhullar. In Khadoor Sahib, Congress candidate Ramanjit Singh Sikki will take on former Congress worker Bhupinder Singh, now contesting on the AAP ticket
DOABA
None has the edge in Dalit heartland
Deepkamal Kaur
Tribune News Service
Jalandhar, February 2
The jury’s out on which party is best placed in Doaba, which accounts for 23 seats.
The ruling SAD took a hit last year when three of its MLAs — Pargat Singh, Sarwan Singh Phillaur and Avinash Chander — left the party. The Akalis have attempted to control the damage by fielding new faces — Valmiki councillor Paramjit Pamma from Kapurthala, Dera Sachkhand Ballan pointman Satpal Mal from Kartarpur and ex-BSP leader Baldev Khaira from Phillaur. The BJP was beset by infighting on reserved seats, including Phagwara and Jalandhar West.
If AAP faltered on the choice of candidates at some places and scored self-goals, the party got a head start as far as campaigning was concerned. The party roped in new faces from all walks of life — a safai karamchari from Kartarpur, a student from Banga, a retired Brigadier from Balachaur, a dhadi from Phillaur, an Arjuna awardee cager from Sultanpur Lodhi, an NRI from Kapurthala and doctors on Jalandhar Central, Sham Chaurasi and Shahkot seats.
However, some prominent leaders left the party, including national executive member Yamini Gomar and retired IG SS Sodhi, who joined the Congress, and hockey Olympian Rajbir Kaur, who switched over to the SAD.
In the Congress camp, ticket allotment was delayed on several seats. Pargat Singh and Jagbir Brar remained locked in a fight over the Jalandhar Cantonment seat, before the former made it. The party played musical chairs on some seats — Jagbir Brar from Nakodar (instead of Jalandhar Cantonment), Satnam Kainth from Banga (instead of Adampur) and Mohinder Singh Kaypee from Adampur (instead of Jalandhar West).
In Nawanshahr, the Congress pitted sitting MLA Guriqbal Kaur’s son Angad Saini against his uncle and former MP Charanjit Channi, contesting on the AAP ticket. Cousins Vikramjit Chaudhary and Chaudhary Surinder Singh have been fielded from Phillaur and Kartarpur, respectively.
AICC vice-president Rahul Gandhi visited Dera Sachkhand Ballan, which has a sizeable presence of Dalit followers, and had a close-door meeting with sect head Niranjan Dass after his rally at Phillaur. The BSP managed a show of strength as party chief Mayawati held a rally at Phagwara. The campaign of almost all major parties remained Dalit-centric in Doaba, which has eight reserved seats out of 23.
MALWA
Restive Malwa may spring a surprise
Varinder Singh
Tribune News Service
Bathinda, February 2
Malwa, comprising 69 of the total 117 Assembly segments in Punjab, will decide the fate of several heavyweights and decide who will form the next government in Punjab. It may throw up yet another Chief Minister from the region, be it from the SAD-BJP, the Congress or AAP.
Punjabis all over the world are keenly watching the ‘political Mahabharata’ being played out in Malwa with PPCC chief Capt Amarinder Singh fighting from Patiala and Lambi, five-time CM Parkash Singh Badal from Lambi, his son and Deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal, firebrand AAP leader Bhagwant Mann and assassinated CM Beant Singh’s grandson Ravneet Bittu from Jalalabad and former CM Rajinder Kaur Bhattal and Finance Minister PS Dhindsa from Lehragaga.
The CM’s ‘estranged’ nephew, Manpreet Badal, is was trying his luck from Bathinda Urban. He is pitted against Sukhbir’s right-hand man Sarup Chand Singla. In Gidderbaha, Youth Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring faces SAD’s Hardip Singh ‘Dimpi Dhillon’, a “lieutinent” of the Deputy CM. Agriculture Minister Tota Singh is facing a tough challenge from Sukhjit Singh Kaka Lohgarh, a three-time MP, and AAP’s Daljit Singh.
Malwa is restive. People say they are yearning for “change.” They complain about the “high-handedness” of halqa chiefs. In almost all constituencies, SAD-BJP candidates have faced voters’ ire with some villages ‘boycotting’ them. Demonetisation seems to have eroded the BJP vote bank. The trading community is angry, and so are the farmers. “Ignored” by the SAD-BJP and the Congress, the Dalits seem to be gravitating towards AAP.
The support of the controversial Dera Sacha Sauda to the ruling alliance has disappointed “Panth” supporters, who feel let down. There are misgivings in the minds of dera followers, too, many of whom are weighing their options— whether or not to go by the dera diktat.
In all likelihood, the dera vote will be split with some of it going to the Akalis, some to the Congress and some to AAP.
In Delhi, AAP had emerged victorious, winning 67 of the 70 Assembly seats, despite the dera backing the BJP.
Akali-dera ‘pact’ irks Sikh leaders
Arun Sharma
Tribune News Service
Ropar, February 2
The support of Dera Sacha Sauda to the SAD-BJP alliance followed by several SAD leaders’ decision to facilitate ‘satsangs’ of controversial dera head Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in the state seems to have boomeranged for the government. People across party lines, including those in the ruling party and various religious leaders, have condemned it and said that Sikhs were feeling hurt and Akal Takht must summon SAD leaders involved in the move.
Akal Takht had issued a ‘hukamnama’ to boycott the dera head for wearing clothes like Guru Gobind Singh nine years ago in May 2007. Still, many SAD leaders had shared the stage with dera followers and appreciated dera head, welcoming his decision to support the SAD-BJP alliance at Bathinda yesterday.
Former Takht Jathedar Bhai Ranjit Singh alleged that to save his chair, Badal was using religion and playing with the sentiments of the Sikh community. He alleged that through the SGPC, Badal was exploiting all Sikh religious institutes for his political gains.
Another former Takht Jathedar Bhai Kewal Singh alleged that SAD leaders had violated ‘hukamnama’ of Akal Takht. He alleged that the SAD was in control of the SGPC and through it, the party was managing Akal Takht too. “Such actions of SAD leaders would further vitiate the atmosphere in state,” he said. SAD vice president Karnail Singh Panjoli, YAD leader Gurvinder Singh Doomchheri and SGPC member Principal Surinder Singh too criticised the move by party’s leaders in Malwa.
Panjoli has written to Akal Takht, seeking its intervention in the matter. SGPC member Surinder Singh said SAD leaders welcoming the support by dera had committed a sin. SAD general secretary and party spokesman Prem Singh Chandumajra said in a democratic set-up, all are free to vote in favour of candidates of their choice.
The backlash
- Leaders across party lines, including those in the ruling party, have said that Sikhs are feeling hurt over SAD accepting support from the controversial dera head. Akal Takht must summon Akali leaders involved in the development, they say.
Bittu: Won’t desert Jalalabad voters
Our Correspondent
Abohar, February 2
Congress MP and party candidate from the Jalalabad Assembly constituency Ravneet Singh Bittu here today promised the voters that he would not desert them.
“All of us are outsiders, including Sukhbir Badal and Bhagwant Mann. You elected Sukhbir earlier, but he never established his base here. He operates mainly from New Delhi, not even from Chandigarh. Similar is the case of Mann. I make a commitment that I will always be available for you,” he said.
Meanwhile, Hundreds of youths took part in Bittu’s roadshow in Jalalabad and Arniwala. Ex-MLAs Hans Raj Jossan and Mehtab Singh accompanied him.
Bittu’s mother Jasvir Kaur and wife Anupama were joined by SAD MP Sher Singh Ghubaya’s daughter Sukhpreet Kaur during door-to-door campaigning in rural areas.
Slips for free fuel ‘issued’ during Akali roadshow
Archit Watts
Tribune News Service
Lambi, February 2
Employees of a petrol pump, owned by Deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal’s uncle Major Bhupinder Singh Dhillon, today allegedly issued slips to motorists for free fuel. The motorists later participated in Sukhbir’s roadshow here.
Around 10am, there was a rush of motorcyclists at the fuel station. Slips of Rs 350 for two-wheelers and that of Rs 1,000 for four-wheelers were allegedly being issued.
Kalu Ram said, “Eh 350 rupaye de petrol di muft di parchi de rahe hai. Bas number note karao te tel pavao. Main vi roadshow ch jana hai taan hi ethe aya hain. (They are issuing slips of Rs 350 for free petrol. Just tell them the registration number of the vehicle and get fuel for free. I have to go to the roadshow, so I have come here).”
An employee of the fuel station admitted that free slips were issued for the roadshow.
Major Bhupinder’s son Bawa Dhillon, however, denied to have issued slips for free fuel. He, though, requested to downplay the news.
At the Congress rally in Lambi village, some people said from the stage that the SAD leaders issued slips to get free fuel for their roadshow.
Before the roadshow, Sukhbir told the media: “People are ready to teach a lesson to the ‘ahankari’ (haughty) Raja. There is a wave in the favour of Badal Saab. My father’s opponents in Lambi — Capt Amarinder Singh and Jarnail Singh — will lose their security deposits.”
Drugs being sold illegally in Amritsar
Jupinderjit Singh
Tribune News Service
Amritsar, February 2
Labourers working in factories manufacturing medicines are making a quick buck ahead of the Punjab Assembly elections. How? They are illegally selling Tramadol, a pain killer that drug addicts use an alternative to intoxicants, on the outskirts of the city and in villages.
With a few days left for elections, the demand for the pain killer is high.
On paper, the manufacturing of Tramadol has been banned in the state. The government had suspended licences of several Amritsar factories manufacturing the drug. But the ground realty presents a different picture. After the model code of conduct was enforced, the police and the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) seized nearly 1.7 lakh Tramadol capsules from here last month. And on Wednesday night, the NCB seized more than 7 lakh tablets and capsules from Hoshiarpur. The value of seized medicines was Rs 38.15 lakh.
NCB officials claimed Tramadol was being manufactured illegally. A woman labourer working with an NGO showed us envelopes filled with hundreds of capsules. “I sometimes get 5,000 capsules to sell. A few days of ‘work’ and I earn more than my monthly wages,” she said.
The danger of getting caught always looms. “I feel guilty, but I need money for my children,” she said. She makes around Rs 15,000 a month selling habit-forming medicines.
She is not alone. The NGO worker introduced us to another labourer. “I have just returned from Jhabbal village. I have customers there and neighbhouring villages,” he said.
Kaustubh Sharma, Director NCB (North Zone), “The seizures indicate that the drug is being manufactured illegally. Our teams have recovered tablets and capsules from chemists and peddlers.” Pardeep Kumar Mattu, Joint Commissioner, Food and Drug Administration, said, “We don’t have proof that Tramadol is being manufactured by those whose licences have been suspended. The manufacturing the capsules by other companies in or outside Punjab may have been misused.”
MURDER BID CASE
Sessions court tells Sukhbir to appear today
Faridkot, February 2
The District and Sessions Judge today directed Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal to appear in his court at 9.30 am tomorrow. The order was issued after the police failed to serve a notice on Sukhbir in the past week on a complaint in an attempt to murder case.
On January 27, complainant Naresh Kumar Sehgal, a resident of Kotkapura, had asked the court to cancel Sukhbir’s bail and revoke the latter’s exemption from appearance before the court.
A case was registered against Sukhbir at Kotkapura police station, Faridkot, on June 30, 2006, on the directions of the Punjab and Haryana High Court after Sehgal had approached the court. The court of the Judicial Magistrate (First Class) had acquitted Sukhbir on April 2, 2016, but Sehgal challenged the acquittal in the sessions court here. — TNS
Notice to Tota Singh’s son for poll meet at gurdwara
Kulwinder Sandhu
Tribune News Service
Moga, February 2
SDM-cum-Returning Officer of Moga Charandeep Singh has issued a notice to senior Akali leader Jathedar Tota Singh’s son Barjinder Singh Brar alias Makhan Brar for holding an assembly of party workers at Bibi Kahan Kaur gurdwara today.
District Magistrate Praveen Kumar Thind said a notice had been served on Brar, seeking a reply from him. “We have a video clip of the assembly at the gurdwara and action will be taken against him as per the EC guidelines,” he said.
He said he had also ordered to deploy paramilitary forces on all booths in the Dharamkot and Moga Assembly constituencies, declaring these as vulnerable. Tota Singh is contesting from Dharamkot and Brar from Moga.
Based on intelligence inputs, the EC has asked the administration to keep an eye on the political activities and movements of the father-son duo and a few of their firm supporters who could be influencing the voters with muscle and money power. Special teams had been constituted for the purpose.
“I will not allow anybody to influence the voters with money and muscle power. Legal action will be taken against those found guilty. No outsider will be allowed to stay in the district from tomorrow,” he added.
Congress, AAP nominees, too, get notice
The Moga RO has also issued notices to Congress candidate Dr Harjot Kamal and AAP candidate Rameh Grover for violating the poll code during their roadshows. They used motor vehicles beyond the permissible limit. The administration had videographed the events.
Petrol pumps raided in Abohar
Abohar, February 2
Taking cognisance of complaints that free petrol was being supplied to promote two-wheelers’ participation in a roadshow organised in favour of AAP candidate Atul Nagpal here, Sub-Divisional Magistrate-cum-Returning Officer Jaspreet Singh conducted a raid at Verma Sons petrol pump near Major Surinder Chowk. As the SDM, escorted by a videographer and security men, reached the filling station, most of the bikers/scooterists ran helter-skelter. AAP state joint secretary Sanjeev Verma who runs the petrol pump was present there. The SDM reportedly took some “free coupons” in his custody and is investigating the matter.
The SDM also raided another petrol pump, located opposite a cinema house and reportedly owned by Atul Nagpal’s family, but bikers sped away. — OC
Din ends, silent voter holds key
Sarbjit Dhaliwal
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, February 2
The high-pitched campaign for the February 4 Assembly elections in Punjab came to an end this evening with the three main contenders — SAD-BJP, Congress and AAP — holding impressive roadshows to give a final push to their campaigns. As loudspeakers went silent at 5 pm, party cadres were seen going door-to-door to persuade the voters. AAP is fighting the Assembly elections in Punjab for the first time.
Edit: No scope for violence
The campaigning, that was often shrill and at times nasty, was marred by the twin blasts at Maur Mandi in Bathinda on January 31 in which six persons were killed and several injured. But for the Bathinda incident, campaigning in the state was by and large peaceful.
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In the first round, the electioneering revolved around the issues of drugs, unemployment, agrarian crisis and incidents of sacrilege. It was reduced to mere rabble-rousing in the last phase, with leaders making wild allegations against one another. What stood out was the participation of the Punjab youth in a big way.
Polling for the 117 Assembly constituencies in Punjab on February 4 will decide the fate of 1,145 candidates in the fray. There is a stiff triangular contest among the SAD-BJP, Congress and AAP candidates in a majority of constituencies. Other parties, such as the BSP, are in the election arena too.
On the last day of campaigning, AICC vice-president Rahul Gandhi chose to focus on Malwa, including Lambi, where PPCC chief Capt Amarinder Singh is pitted against Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal. Deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal held a roadshow in Lambi. The AAP convener, Arvind Kejriwal, held one in Ludhiana. Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal spent the day in Jalalabad, her husband’s constituency.
AAP's Bhagwant Mann and Congress’ Navjot Singh Sidhu drew huge crowds during campaigning. Among the key campaigners were Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BSP chief Mayawati, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and a number of senior leaders from various parties.
The Prime Minister addressed two rallies in Jalandhar and Kotkapura where he sought votes on the “stability” plank, saying Pakistan was trying to disturb the state’s peace.
On the other hand, Rahul claimed Punjab, a front-ranking state, had fallen behind as the ruling Akalis had “plundered” it to serve their own interests. He promised tough laws to curb the drug menace.
New entrant AAP accused the SAD and the Congress of “hobnobbing” with each other and vowed to put the Badal family behind bars on the issue of drugs. All parties wooed the Dalits who constitute over 30 per cent of the electorate.
Last-ditch efforts by Mohali contestants
Roadshows, direct contact with voters mark last day of campaigning
Kulwinder Sangha
Mohali, February 2
It was a day marked by roadshows and personalised contact by candidates for the Assembly elections in the SAS Nagar constituency. While the Congress and Aam Aadmi Party candidates held roadshows on the last day of electioneering today, the SAD-BJP candidate continued his programme of direct contact with voters, particularly in the city’s commercial areas.
While Congress candidate Balbir Singh Sidhu and his supporters moved through various parts of the city in their roadshow to woo voters, AAP candidate Narinder Singh Shergill also used tractors as part of the party roadshow to cover parts of the city and adjoining villages.
The roadshows, with supporters carrying party flags and raising slogans, presented a colourful picture of the last-day attempt of the two contesting parties to impact electors.
The roadshow of the Congress candidate started from Phase XI and, after moving through different areas, concluded in Phase V here. The number of cars used in the show was limited. The candidate and his supporters preferred to walk through parts of the city.
During the roadshow, Balbir Singh Sidhu asked electors to vote for a candidate whom they had known for a long time and not for those who were new in the political arena. The sitting MLA asked the constituency voters to make the right choice as they had done in the last Assembly elections. He promised to continue to work for the development of the constituency if the voters gave him another chance.
The roadshow of AAP candidate Shergill started from near Dara Studio and, after passing through Mohali village and main roads of Phases I, V, VII and XI, entered the rural areas. It covered different villages, including Kambala, Mauli Baidwan and Saneta, and culminated at the AAP office in Phase IIIB2.
Shergill promised that the AAP would bring about changes in Punjab, which the people of the state wanted. He said the voters had a chance in the elections to get rid of the Akalis and Congressmen, who had been “plundering” the state for six decades. APP’s main agenda was to remove corruption and the drug menace. Shergill said he had separate development plans for the city, villages and colonies in the constituency.
SAD-BJP candidate TPS Sidhu and his supporters utilised the last day of electioneering personally meeting voters, particularly in the market areas. His supporters moved around in small groups of about five persons each and urged residents to vote for TPS Sidhu, who had served Mohali as the Deputy Commissioner and was well aware of the problems and needs of the residents.
The SAD candidate had promised a green, clean and safe Mohali in line with his “charter of vision” released earlier. The charter included the setting up at least five all-women police stations, 100 per cent CCTV coverage of public places, affordable houses for the weaker sections, 24-hour drinking water supply and upgrading of the Civil Hospital.
Congress holds rally at Rayya
Tribune News Service
Amritsar, February 1
Navjot Singh Sidhu today addressed a rally in support of Santokh Singh Bhalaipur, the Congress candidate from Baba Bakala Assembly constituency. The rally was organised by former MLA of the area, Jasbir Singh Dimpa.
Sidhu in his inimitable style lambasted the Badals for their misrule, corrupt and oppressive regime and appealed to voters to exercise their right for the Congress candidate to dislodge the SAD-BJP government.
He said Badals failed to keep promises made with people of the state. One such promise was of providing jobs to youth, he added. “They are an obstacle in development of the state, have promoted drugs and ruined youth,” said Sidhu while accusing Badals of forcefully acquiring sand, cable and transport business.
In his address, Jasbir Singh Dimpa said, voters would free Punjab from the SAD-BJP coalition government as all sections of society had already made their intentions public.
He alleged that the arrogance of Badals would make them lose power. Meanwhile, he dubbed AAP leaders as bunch of disgruntled and frustrated elements.
With straight bat, Sidhu hits out at rivals
Blames Badals, Kejriwal for chaos, Punjab’s ills during a rally in support of Manpreet Badal
Sukhmeet Bhasin
Tribune News Service
Bathinda, February 2
In his signature style, Congress firebrand leader Navjot Singh Sidhu today lashed out at the Badal family and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal while addressing a rally in support of Congress candidate from Bathinda (Urban) Manpreet Badal in the city.
He said the state which was known for feeding the whole country and was a frontrunner during the green revolution had lost its previous stature.
He alleged that earlier Badal had 60 buses and now the fleet had touched 650 mark.
Earlier, they had only two companies and now they have eight, Sidhu alleged.
Sidhu said there was cable mafia in the state and media channels only spoke about the Badal only.
Attacking AAP, he said, “AAP leaders Durgesh Pathak and Sanjay Singh approached me and asked me to join the party. They said Kejriwal would come to meet me only to retract later. They asked me to meet Kejriwal. When I went to meet the Delhi Chief minister, I was told to hold six-seven rallies for AAP in Punjab. It was a lollipop and that too without a wrapper.”
Sidhu appealed to the people to support Manpreet Badal and said the Congress government was the need of the hour as it would safeguard the interest of the people of Punjab or else the SAD-BJP government would keep on exploiting the people.
Earlier, Manpreet Badal and Arjun Badal also addressed the rally, which was organised by Arun Jeet Mal Wadhawan outside the Sadar police station in the city.
Sidhu arrives late, still evinces smiles
Navjot Singh Sidhu was scheduled to reach the city at 2 pm, but he arrived at the rally at 4.45 pm. He was able to speak only for 15 minutes as campaigning came to an end at 5 pm. Congress leaders and people were eagerly waiting for the Sidhu to listen to his potshots. As Sidhu went to the stage running, there were smiles all around.
Before polls, battle begins on opinion polls, surveys
Sukhmeet Bhasin
Tribune News Service
Bathinda,February 2
A survey war between political parties has heated up as supporters of various candidates distributed or pasted posters about results of poll surveys in their favour.
After Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) pasted posters of a survey which shows the party with 100 seats, Congress with 14 and SAD with 3 seats, the Congress too distributed pamphlets showing opinion poll of four channels which predicted it as the winning party. The pamphlet shows Zee Punjabi News opinion poll which predicts 58 seats for Congress, 25 seats for SAD-BJP and 33 seats for AAP. Total TV opinion poll shows Congress with 63 seats, SAD-BJP with 21 seats and AAP with 33 seats. It also shows India Today-Axis opinion poll which predicts Congress with 65 seats, AAP with 40 seats, SAD-BJP with11 seats and others one seat. The posters by AAP also have logos of major TV channels and a survey by C-Voter. The survey was conducted by The Huffington Post and C-voter last year.
To mislead voters, political parties are showing only those opinion polls which support them. Gagandeep Singh, a city resident, said it was sad to see that sidelining major problems or issues faced by residents, political parties were banking on surveys, but these surveys, he said, couldn’t change the minds of the people.
Another resident Sunil Gupta claimed that this practice should be stopped and the Election Commission should take strict note of it.
AAP like baraat sans groom: Sidhu
Deepkamal Kaur
Tribune News Service
Jalandhar, February 2
In his unique sarcastic style, Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu today ridiculed the Aam Aadmi Party leadership saying that it was like a marriage procession standing at the doorsteps of the house of a bride, who was sleeping under a peepal tree, because it comes sans a groom.
In contrast, he compared the Congress with a baraat whose groom (Capt Amarinder Singh) has twisted moustaches. “I am sirbala (a young protector of groom) of this baraat,” he said making the gathering laugh aloud in the last election rally of Jalandhar Cantonment candidate and MLA Pargat Singh.
Standing besides Pargat with whom he had made Awaaz-e-Punjab front, Sidhu opened up more on the chapter of his talks with AAP ahead of his joining the Congress. He said, “As talks continued for about three months, I was eventually offered the post of Deputy CM. I asked them to name the CM candidate first, which they have not done still. I could realise that Kejriwal wanted to make a hopside jump on the back of Punjab. They said I will be Deputy CM only for a year and eventually I will be all in all”.
Through the talks, the AAP leaders kept on making selective media leaks, which was not the case during my talks with AICC leaders Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi. “AAP leaders shattered my faith. Faith is like an earthen pot, which if breaks once cannot be fixed again,” he said.
Batting for Pargat Singh in his Jalandhar Cantonment constituency, Navjot Sidhu (donning yellow turban) repeatedly called him his brother. “We both have been insulted by Machla Baba (he takes the name for CM Parkash Singh Badal). At a time, when Punjab is facing character crisis, there are people like Pargat too. He was adamant on fighting from here. I tried to convince him to go to Nakodar, but he said that he had taken a stand for the people of this constituency and wanted to fight for their cause. Now he stands before you seeking your support”, Sidhu concluded.
Christians to support Cong in Cantt
Jalandhar, February 1
The Samaritan Ministries India Charitable Trust, an organisation of Christian community, today announced its support to the Congress for the upcoming elections.
Members of the organisation decided to vote for Congress candidate from Jalandhar Cantonment, Pargat Singh, at a meeting held under the leadership of Alfred James. They said the SAD-BJP alliance had deteriorated the law and order situation in Punjab leading to an atmosphere of fear among people and NRIs. —TNS
