Thursday, 1 September 2016

Journalists chased out of AAP rally as Mann loses it

BASSI PATHANA (FATEHGARH SAHIB): Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Bhagwant Mann incited party volunteers to throw mediapersons out of the venue of a rally here on Thursday, after journalists questioned him about a sex scandal leading to ouster of an AAP minister in Delhi. As soon as he asked the media to leave “or people will throw you out”, party volunteers tried to snatch cameras and also manhandled journalists, who had to run out of the venue.It started after Mann, who was over three hours late , went to the stage and, instead of answering media queries, shot back at journalists: “I request the media to leave the pandal and they can publish whatever they want!” Mann said he even knew what will be the headlines in the next day’s papers. “They will write, ‘Mann reaches rally venue three hours late’. And they will accuse me of insulting them,” he said. His entire speech, for about 20 minutes, was dedicated to bashing the media.Party candidate from Bassi Pathana Santokh Singh Salana tried to intervene and snatched the microphone from Mann, but only for a few minutes.
Mann grabbed the microphone again and accused the journalists of taking bribe: “I know you take money for publishing someone’s name. I know that you go to people and say there is a story against them and ask for money not to publish it.” Before leaving, he urged people not to believe the media. “What is the big deal if the mediapersons have left. I am always with you,” he said to the gathering.Later, Fatehgarh Sahib MP Harinder Singh Khalsa, who remains suspended from AAP, quipped, “He is always out of his senses. He must be drunk while doing this blunder.”
Bassi Pathana Akali MLA Nirmal Singh condemned the incident: “Media is the fourth pillar of democracy and Mann has attacked the watchdog of democracy for no reason.” District Congress president Harinder Singh Bhambri , too, issued a statement: “He (Mann) is out of his mind. We demand an unconditional apology from him.”
VOLUNTEERS RESIGN Just before the rally began
on Thursday morning, as many as 50 AAP volunteers resigned from the AAP. Supporters of AAP ticket aspirant Manjinder Romi quit in protest against the candidature of Salana from Bassi Pathana.

AAP stung by another ‘sting’

MORE TROUBLE Former party leader Kingra releases audio clip, accuses AAP’s Delhi leaders of accepting money collected from Punjab; former bureaucrat is close to sacked party convener Chhotepur


A bag containing `16 lakh was given to AAP national spokesman Ashutosh and another `5 lakh to party’s Punjab affairs in-charge Sanjay Singh before Maghi Mela in January. HS KINGRA, former AAP leader

 CHANDIGARH: Former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Hardip Singh Kingra, who recently resigned from the party, alleged that party’s Delhi leaders had been accepting cash collected by Punjab leaders for the party.A former bureaucrat, Kingra is a close aide of party’s sacked leader Sucha Singh Chhotepur.
Addressing a press conference here on Thursday, Kingra said a bag containing ` 16 lakh was handed over to AAP national spokesman Ashutosh and another `5 lakh to party’s Punjab affairs in-charge Sanjay Singh.
“I headed the AAP’s finance committee and we had 12 members with us. Before the Maghi Mela in January this year, we collected around `24 lakh from party supporters,” said Kingra. “While everyone deposited the amount into the party fund, one of the members of the fundraising committee, Surinder Singh Arora, told me that he had collected `6 lakh but given `5 lakh to Sanjay Singh and only `1 lakh was deposited in the party account.”Rubbishing the allegations, Arora said he would file a defamation case against Kingra. Arora said he had all details of funds raised for the party.
Sanjay Singh also refuted the charges and said Arora was telling the truth. `5 LAKH TO MEET PATHAK? Kingra also played a conversation, purportedly between AAP worker from Samrala, Paramjit Dhillon, and party’s Ludhiana sector observer Ambrish Trikha, in which Trikha is heard asking Dhillon that he will have to pay `5 lakh per month to “meet and hang around” party’s national organisation builder Durgesh Pathak so he is seen as a prominent AAP leader. Trikha added that the payment could also be made through cheque. He said if anybody wants to “meet” Pathak, he has to pay `5 lakh. Ambrish could not be contacted despite repeated attempts.
AAP RUBBISHES CHARGES When contacted, Pathak said he was not responsible for a conversation between two persons. “If someone is demanding money using my name, how can I be held responsible for it? The party has taken the recorded conversation seriously. We have asked for an inquiry into the contents of the audio clip. Strict action will be taken if the allegations are found to be true,” Pathak said.
The AAP has dismissed the allegations saying Kingra was defaming the party as he was denied ticket for contesting assembly polls. Kingra said party’s Tarn Taran zone coordinator Iqbal Singh had handed over `16 lakh to Ashutosh. He said the money was part of the `1.5 crore collected during the 13 fundraising lunches and dinners organised by the party across Punjab. Ashutosh could not be contacted despite repeated attempts.
Challenging the party’s legal cell in-charge Himmat Singh Shergill to take him to the court for defaming him, Kingra said he (Shergill) had “lied” when he said that 13 bank accounts of the AAP were functional in Punjab. “Twenty-seven bank accounts of the party were functional during the Lok Sabha polls in Punjab of which only four-five are active now. There is no account from which the Punjab leaders are given money,” he said.

MANY BUSHFIRES ERUPT IN AAP AFTER CHHOTEPUR SACKING

Rebel AAP workers led by former local party leader Ashwani Joshi protested against party convener and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal by burning his effigy and the party’s caps on Chandigarh Road on Thursday. Joshi, who claims to have been shortlisted for the Anandpur Sahib Lok Sabha seat in 2014, said Kejriwal is a dictator and has “forgotten promises”. He accused AAP’s Delhi leaders of insulting Punjabis by acting against MPs Dharamvira Gandhi and Harinder Singh Khalsa, and Chhotepur.

PATIALA: STONES THROWN AT PARTY OFFICE
Volunteers protested at the AAP zonal office, demanding that Chhotepur be made Punjab convener again. They also hurled stones at the closed office and alleged the party has sold tickets. They demanded change of candidate at Ghanaur and Nabha. They were led by Amarinder Singh Tur, Gian Singh Mungo and Narinder Singh Kaleke.PATHANKOT: CLASH BETWEEN AAP FACTIONS
The police in Pathankot booked over a dozen AAP workers owing allegiance to Kejriwal, on Thursday, for a clash with others owing allegiance to Chhotepur. Those booked included a party leader, Amarjit Singh, who arranged a rally on Wednesday in Bhoa constituency, where the group inclined to Chhotepur was allegedly denied entry.
AMRITSAR: VERTICAL SPLIT AFTER THRASHING
The differences within the AAP are out in the open in Amritsar now with allegations and counter-allegations hitting the headlines daily. The rift showed when some volunteers opposing the Delhi team and asking them to go back from Punjab thrashed senior AAP worker Anil Mahajan, who was raising slogans in favour of Kejriwal. This incident on Tuesday vertically divided the party here, with Amritsar zone in-charge Gurinder Singh Bajwa opposing the Delhi team; and national council member Ashok Talwar and other members of the local unit backing Kejriwal.
BATHINDA: RIFT GOES TO THE ROOTS
The rift in AAP has reached the lowest level of party workers here. Angered over Chhotepur’s removal, a volunteer here closed the party’s zonal office being run from his building in Bathinda. This man, Surjit Singh, who had contested the 2007 assembly polls as BSP candidate from Talwandi Sabo, had dedicated his building as party office. The rift has emboldened those not happy with the ticket allotment; which was evident from a protest by workers against the women’s wing president Baljinder Kaur who is the candidate from Talwandi Sabo, on Wednesday. There were reports of a party section being unhappy, but nobody had come forward until the Chhotepur sacking emboldened the disgruntled elements. Ironically, the protesting group was considered opposed to Chhotepur as Baljinder was considered close to Chhotepur not very long ago.

Last session, back Channi, Capt tells Cong MLAs


CHANDIGARH: Punjab Congress president Captain Amarinder Singh has told the party legislators to throw their weight behind leader of opposition Charanjit Singh Channi in the Vidhan Sabha session starting on September 8. It is to caution them not to abandon him like last time.Amarinder briefed them at the state Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting here on Thursday. “It is our last session,” he told the media later, “and I have advised the CLP leader to make it count by raising crucial issues in the House.” In the previous assembly session, an isolated Channi had a struggling initiation as CLP leader.

At the CLP meeting, Ferozepur legislator Parminder Pinky got up to object over the venue, Channi’s house. A few senior leaders were concerned immediately but the MLA — who had a spat with Channi inside the CLP office at the Vidhan Sabha in the last session — claimed “no such thing happened”.Captain asked previous state CLP leader Sunil Jakhar to share his wisdom and experience with Channi, who took over as leader of the opposition earlier this year. The CLP will meet again to shortlist the issues for the four-day session. “The issues are many — farm debt, the poor not getting the benefits of blue card and other schemes,” Amarinder told the media.
He said the MLAs had their respective issues but the session was too short to raise all. Nearly 40 of 46 Congress legislators, besides the party’s Punjab affairs in-charge Harish Chaudhary attended the meeting. Amarinder’s wife, Preneet Kaur; former chief minister Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, and MLAs Karan Kaur Brar (Muktsar), Ajit Inder Singh Mofar (Sardulgarh), and Amrinder Singh Raja Warring (Gidderbaha) were notable absentees.
The next CLP meeting is likely after the obituary references on the first day of the session.Meanwhile, Amarinder clarified that viral fever had kept him away from the death anniversary function of former chief minister Beant Singh on Wednesday. It was in reaction to the news reports that highlight his absence from the event.

HC notice to Punjab for allotting 

‘barren’ land to war widow
CHANDIGARH: The Punjab and Haryana high court has issued a contempt notice to the secretary, revenue and rehabilitation, Punjab, on a petition filed by a 1971 war widow alleging allotment of “useless land” to her across the fence on the international border with Pakistan instead of a cultivable land.
The high court bench of justice Rakesh Kumar Jain has sought a reply by October 21 on the petition moved by Jasbir Kaur, wife of Major Kanwaljit Singh, a Delhi resident.
The petition says Kanwaljit was taken into custody by the Pakistan army during 1971 war but was later declared martyred and was awarded Shaurya Chakra.he high court had in 2015 directed Punjab to allot 10 acres of cultivable land to the petitioner, as per policy of the Punjab government, or in the alternative, to make her payment for the price of the land. The court was told that the revenue department allotted her 10 acres of “useless land”, which could not be cultivated, as it situated across the fence, beyond the BSF check-post, at zero point on the International border between India and Pakistan in Amritsar.
“There is no source of irrigation. Moreover, the authorities don’t permit installation of tubewell. There are many restrictions in approaching the land even during the day. Even a temporary hut for labourers cannot be permitted,” the petitioner had submitted adding that state’s act was in violation of court orders.

AAP leaders indulging in immorality, says SAD

If one studies the AAP list of assembly poll candidates in Punjab, it is clear that it has adopted the Delhi model of ticket distributon. Already there are allegations that corrupt officials and history-sheeters have been fielded. Dr DALJIT SINGH CHEEMA, SAD spokesman
CHANDIGARH: The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Thursday said the AAP leaders had resorted to “debauchery”, pointing out the sex tape scandal of Delhi minister Sandeep Kumar who was sacked after the expose.
“The minster’s episode is one among the long list of crimes of the Delhi AAP legislators, including lying, cheating, domestic violence, sexual misconduct and raking up of communal tensions,” SAD spokespersons Dr Daljit Singh Cheema and Maheshinder Singh Grewal said in a statement here.
“One-third of the AAP MLAs in Delhi, including chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia and assembly speaker Ram Nivas Goyal, have criminal cases pending against them,” the SAD leaders said.hey also pointed out the skirmishes amongst the AAP leaders in Punjab following the release of the candidates’ list of that party.
“If one studies the current list of party tickets released by the AAP for the assembly election in Punjab, it is clear that it has adopted the Delhi model for distributing party nominations. Already there are allegations that corrupt officials and history-sheeters have been given the party tickets in Punjab. Won’t such persons indulge in the same malpractices here?” the SAD leaders asked.
They stated that AAP leaders themselves were detailing that how Uttar Pradesh-based AAP leaders were asking for and taking crores of rupees from ticket aspirants in Punjab.
“In all, 48 criminal cases had been registered against 22 AAP legislators at various police stations in Delhi. The government itself could be toppled soon if this trend continues as the Tihar jail will become home of most of the AAP legislators,” the SAD leaders remarked.

Sukhbir trims passenger list for Sharjah flight to 17

CHANDIGARH: The Punjab government has cut the number of delegates who will take the first international flight from Chandigarh to Sharjah on September 15.
The list trimmed from 50 to 17 has only Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) ministers and legislators, besides officers. Deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal will still lead the delegation.
The state government will buy the Air India Express tickets for the deputy CM, four ministers and five officers, while the party will sponsor seven legislators. On August 30, HT reported that the delegates will also go to Dubai on public exchequer’s expense. The “outreach visit” will go on till September 17. The round-trip will cost the government `1.5 lakh for 10 people.

The principal secretary to the deputy CM has issued a letter saying that Sukhbir has “re-examined” the list endorsed by the CM and “felt the need for some changes”.
The team’s objective is to bring foreign investment to Punjab. PASSENGER LISTThe passenger list includes Punjab ministers Sikandar Singh Maluka, Sharanjit Singh Dhillon, and Parminder Singh Dhindsa, besides CM’s adviser Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal. Principal secretaries Vishavjeet Khanna (housing and urban development), PS Aujla (to the deputy CM), and Anirudh Tewari (industries and commerce); public relations secretary Rahul Tewari; and Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) chief administrator Amit Dhaka will also be on board. Chief secretary Sarvesh Kaushal opted out because of official preoccupations.Akali legislators NK Sharma, Pawan Kumar Teenu, Harmeet Singh Sandhu, Mantar Brar, Saroop Chand Singla, Virsa Singh Valtoha and GS Wadala will also go. All will stay at fivestar Hotel Oberoi in Dubai.

AAP clash: Over 12 workers booked in Pathankot

PATHANKOT: Following a clash between two groups of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Wednesday, the Pathankot Police have booked more than 12 AAP leaders owing allegiance to Delhi chief minister (CM) Arvind Kejriwal. One of the two groups, inclined to expel AAP leader Sucha Singh Chhotepur was allegedly denied entry in the rally while a clash occurred after the group tried to enter the venue in which one Satnam Singh sustained injuries.Satnam alleged he was attacked by a group of AAP leaders and also lodged a complaint to Pathankot SSP Rakesh Kaushal who had deputed his officers to conduct an inquiry.
Satnam had undergone a medical examination at Pathankot civil hospital.

AAP MLA sentenced for worker's death, gets bail

New Delhi, September 1
AAP MLA Pawan Kumar Sharma has been sentenced to 18-month imprisonment by a Delhi court for negligently causing the death of an employee in his steel factory.
Metropolitan Magistrate Virender Singh awarded the jail term to Sharma, MLA from Adarsh Nagar constituency in north Delhi, and imposed a fine of Rs 1 lakh on him. He was later granted bail by the court.
The legislator has been convicted for offences under Sections 287 (negligent conduct with respect to machinery) and 304A (causing death by negligence) of the IPC.
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When contacted, Sharma said he would file an appeal in the superior court challenging the judgment.
According to the prosecution, the incident took place in August 2009, when a worker at his steel factory in Samaipur Badli in northwest Delhi was injured due to flying chips from a rolling machine.
Victim Ram Kumar, who was working as machine operator, was taken to a hospital in Rohini where he succumbed to the injuries.
Police had alleged that the workers, including Ram Kumar, had complained about the defective machine to the factory owner, Sharma, who did not pay heed to it and asked them to leave the job.
It had also alleged that no safety cover was provided to the workers at the mill.
An FIR was lodged against the factory owner at Samaipur Badli Police Station. During the trial, Sharma had claimed innocence and pleaded that it was a false case. — PTI

CD row: Sacked AAP minister alleges conspiracy

New Delhi, September 1
Former Delhi minister Sandeep Kumar, who was sacked over an "objectionable" CD, today alleged that he was being targeted under a "conspiracy" as he was a Dalit and demanded a probe into the issue.
"This is a conspiracy against me as I belong to Valmiki Samaj. There should be a probe into this matter. I am very hurt by watching the video on television. There is no authenticity of this CD. Authenticity should be checked," he told reporters at his residence here.
Asked if he was the one featured in the CD, Kumar, who held the portfolios of Social Welfare and Women and Child Development, said that it is a matter of investigation and truth should come out.
"I am the only Dalit face of the party. I have been popular among Dalit community, that's why a conspiracy has been hatched against me. Other political parties are after us as we do not have a political background," he added.
In a sudden move, Kumar was sacked by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal last night after receiving an “objectionable” CD in which he was shown in a compromising position with a woman.
The decision to remove the 36-year-old minister was taken at a high-level meeting attended by top AAP leaders and the announcement was made by Kejriwal himself through a tweet.
Kumar, however, insisted that he had resigned on moral grounds.
"Someone is saying the video is two months old and others are saying it is three months old. There is no authentication Dalits have been exploited always. I belong to a poor family, so I know the facts are distorted. I have been framed because I am a Dalit," he said.
He also lashed out at the media.
"Without knowing my side, the media is showing things. My family is with me. I am not afraid of such controversies. I am a loyal person and can sacrifice anything for my community. It is the history of this country that whenever we have tried to rise, we have been suppressed. It is entirely a conspiracy against me and there should be an inquiry in it," he said.
"I have resigned on basis of morality. If media is trying to twist it then it is wrong. I was a soldier of AAP earlier and now also I won't let the party be defamed," he said.
BJP protests outside CM residence
Scores of BJP members today staged a protest outside the residence of Delhi Chief Minister demanding expulsion of Sandeep Kumar from the AAP.
Raising slogans against Kejriwal and Kumar and waving BJP flags, party workers tried to march towards the Chief Minister’s residence in Civil Lines area, but were stopped close to it by the police, which barricaded their entry.
Several partymen tried to cross over the barricade but were thwarted as police resorted to use of water cannons.
“We demand this AAP minister’s (Sandeep Kumar) expulsion from the party on moral grounds. Previously, too, few ministers have been sacked over one controversy or another, and this again shows the face of Aam Aadmi Party,” a BJP leader said. — PTI

AAP storm may give rise to fourth front

Ruchika M Khanna
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, September 1

Political churning in Punjab seems to be paving way for the formation of a fourth front with the support of “splinter” but strong leaders who have parted ways with their parent political parties.
Though none of these leaders are willing to openly comment on the issue, they agree that they “are in regular touch as there is a chance and space for a credible fourth front”.
Prof Manjit Singh, president, Swaraj Party, said he and other members of the recently-launched political outfit were “in touch with all right-thinking people, who are trusted by Punjabis to provide credible leadership”.
“I have held talks with some leaders who are no longer affiliated with any of the three parties in the fray,” he said.
Former AAP state convener Sucha Singh Chhotepur, suspended AAP MP Dharamvira Gandhi and leaders of the Swaraj Party are all weighing their options of setting up a fourth front. Sources close to Chhotepur said he would first tour all districts and reassure the cadre created by him for AAP before aligning with other splinter groups.
Both Chhotepur and Gandhi seem to have burnt their bridges with the AAP leadership, while the Sidhu couple (former Rajya Sabha MP Navjot Singh Sidhu and his MLA wife Navjot Kaur Sidhu) too seems to be on a sticky wicket after their outburst against the SAD-BJP and the apparent “indecision” on joining AAP.
Akali MLA and Olympian Pargat Singh too is reportedly weighing his options after a “not-so-sweet” break-up with the Akali Dal. The Bains brothers — MLAs Simarjit Singh Bains and Balwinder Singh Bains — known for their outbursts and activism against the Akalis, too, could be approached, reveal sources.
Though former Congress strongman Jagmeet Singh Brar, whose Lokhit Abhiyan has been gradually garnering support, too was reportedly approached to be part of this front, he seems to be undecided. Denying that he has been approached, Brar told The Tribune that he was willing to align with parties other than the Congress and the Akali Dal that provide an alternative to the dynastic and feudalistic politics of Punjab and steer the state away from agrarian crisis and drug menace.
Admitting that he had met AAP leaders in Delhi earlier this week, he said like-minded persons should get together on issue-based political alliance.
“I feel that the creation of a fourth front will only benefit the Akalis or the Congress as more division of votes will strengthen the two parties. We can have a working relationship on issue-based politics and can reach a consensus with AAP,” he said.

Another attempt to provide alternative

  • This is the fourth time in Punjab’s recent political history that an attempt has been made to steer the largely bipolar politics (between the Akalis and the Congress) towards what now seems to be a four-cornered political arena. In the 1999 general elections and 2002 Assembly elections, former SGPC president Gurcharan Singh Tohra had unsuccessfully tried to create a third political alternative. In 2012, Manpreet Badal too tried to give an alternative to the traditional politics.

Ex-leader Kingra accuses AAP top brass of corruption

PAC meeting to decide on state convener put off
Jupinderjit Singh
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, September 1

The Aam Aadmi Party today ordered an inquiry into the allegations levelled by former AAP leader Hardip Singh Kingra, a supporter of ousted state convener Sucha Singh Chhotepur, against party leaders Sanjay Singh and Durgesh Pathak, even as a crucial meeting of the Political Affairs Committee (PAC), slated for this evening in New Delhi, was put off.
Party sources said the meeting, where the appointment of the new state convener was to be discussed, was not held as national convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal failed to make it to the venue due to a busy schedule.
Earlier, addressing a press conference here this afternoon, Kingra, who quit AAP after not getting the ticket from Faridkot, released a clip in which a person allegedly close to Pathak demanded Rs 5 lakh from a volunteer for fixing a meeting with him. Kingra said he had been footing the board and lodging bill of the Delhi leaders, who never asked him about the source of the money.
He said state AAP legal head Himmat Singh Shergill also enjoyed his hospitality but later turned against him.
Kingra accused Sanjay of pocketing Rs 5 lakh out of about Rs 30 lakh collected from volunteers during the Maghi Mela early this year. He added that Rs 16 lakh collected from volunteers in Tarn Taran was also unaccounted for.
AAP MP Bhagwant Mann said the party would verify the audio tape and probe the allegations. Pathak said, “I am amused at the charges. I am willing to face any probe.”

Bhagwant Mann arrives 3 hrs late, picks on media

Tribune News Service
Bassi Pathana, September 1
When Sangrur MP Bhagwant Mann arrived more than three hours late for a rally organised by party candidate Santokh Singh Salana here today, he found half the ‘pandal’ empty.
Miffed, he refused to interact with the media first even as some AAP volunteers tried to snatch away the cameras. They raised slogans against the media.
Suspended AAP MP Harinder Singh Khalsa and local MLA Nirmal Singh criticised Mann for “misbehaving” with the media, even as district Congress committee president Harinder Singh Bhambhri sought an apology.
In his address, Mann urged the people not to believe media reports, alleging that most of these were planted by rivals.
Meanwhile, 50 party volunteers and supporters of Manjinder Singh Romi quit AAP in protest against the ticket allotment to Salana.

Capt wants full house in House

Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, September 1

Putting up a united front, the Punjab Congress is out to corner the SAD-BJP government during the monsoon session of the Punjab Vidhan that begins on September 8.
Being the last session before the 2017 Assembly elections, the party legislators during a meeting of the Congress Legislative Party (CLP) were today told to ensure their presence and corner the treasury benches on core issues such as farmers’ suicides, drug scourge, denial of blue cards to BPL families affiliated to the Congress and the law and order situation.
“It is a crucial session. If the government does not listen or fails to debate on the issues, our MLAs will go to the well of the House to mark their protest,” said PPCC chief Capt Amarinder Singh after presiding over the CLP meeting attended by 34 MLAs.
The former CM said he had suggested to the CLP leader to issue a whip for ensuring presence of all MLAs. He said the party would not allow the alliance government to use its numbers to browbeat the opposition. Besides Punjab affairs incharge Asha Kumari, AICC secretary incharge Harish Choudhary will attend the session, it is learnt.
Choudhary told the legislators to sink the differences and put up a united effort on the floor of the House. The suggestion came after one of the MLAs spoke in an agitated tone over the Leader of Opposition not visiting all constituencies. Certain MLAs questioned the functioning style of the team members of the Prashant Kishor-run IPAC.
Leader of Opposition Charanjit Singh Channi said he would hold another meeting of the legislators before the session to finalise the party strategy.
Discussions were also held to stage state-level dharnas during the session to highlight the shortcomings of the ruling party.

Congress going strong: Amarinder

  • The PPCC chief said the Congress was going strong and it was not dependent on the fortunes of other parties to sustain itself. He was replying to a question on the possibility of Navjot Singh Sidhu and Sucha Singh Chhotepur joining the Congress. “Let them make up their mind,” he said. Amarinder added that he always believed that AAP was a myth and it had already started to explode. Meanwhile, Capt said he skipped the death anniversary function of Beant Singh on Wednesday as he was down with fever.

Send Delhi leaders back, says AAP zonal head

Tribune News Service
Amritsar, September 1

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) volunteers led by Amritsar’s zonal head Gurinder Singh Bajwa today questioned the integrity of senior party leadership and held it responsible for “ticket trading”.
Bajwa said all the 52 Delhi observers would have to be shunted out of Punjab, who led to chaos in the state party.
He alleged that party’s national organisational secretary Durgesh Pathak was the key person, who had webbed the ticket-trading scam, in connivance with the Delhi team.
“Pathak, who has little knowledge about Punjab or Sikh affairs, had assured Arvind Kejriwal that the wave was in favour of the AAP and any person under its banner could win the seat. In the light of this, any amount of money can be demanded from the ticket aspirants,” he said.
Reacting to AAP crisis, BJP MLA, Dr Navjot Kaur Sidhu, said it was improper on part of the Delhi leadership to dominate their state counterparts. She advised the party to review the ticket allocation. She said AAP should form a state-level committee by clubbing honest leaders together to proceed further to bring about required transformation in Punjab.

AAP’s internal bickering takes social media route

Bharat Khanna
Tribune News Service
Bathinda, September 1
Complaints and grievances against members of the Delhi team in Punjab, including observers, have taken the social media route.
The role of Romi Bhati, Bathinda AAP observer, has also come under lens of the political affairs committee (PAC) with several complaints against him filed in the last three months.
Sources said Gurlabh Singh from Mansa, who allegedly made a sting of Sucha Singh Chhotepur, had filed complaints with proof against Romi Bhati for giving key positions in the party to those who are near and dear to Akali or Congress leaders.
Pictures of a few AAP social media team members, who are said to be staunch supporters of the Congress and the BJP, were also sent to the PAC.
Such complaints were also brought into the notice of APP leader Durgesh Pathak. However, Gurlabh has claimed that he has not filed complaint against anyone.
Last year, the party had appointed Delhi-based leaders as observers in the state in 13 Lok Sabha constituencies.
Romi, however, has refuted the allegations and claimed that all members were appointed after the 10-member committee, including former AAP convener Sucha Singh Chhotepur and Bhagwant Mann, had given its approval.
“It’s Aam Aadmi Party and not the Akali Dal or the Congress. The ‘aam aadmi’ is given importance,” he said.
The rift within the AAP’s Delhi and Punjab teams had come to the fore long time ago with many AAP leaders resigning from their posts following their annoyance over alleged dictatorial behaviour of the Delhi team in the state and recently with Chhotepur’s allegations over conspiracy behind his removal as state convener.
In July this year, AAP State Intellectual Wing vice president Karamjeet Singh Sra, along with Babu Singh Brar, Faridkot coordinator, advocate Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Ferozepur coordinator, Devinder Singh Sekhon, Kisan Wing vice president and Hardeep Singh Dode, secretary Kisan Wing, resigned from their party posts, terming the Delhi team as dictator.
On August 21, the AAP general secretary of the Punjab RTI wing, Harmilap Garewal, also resigned.
“A rift between the Delhi and Punjab AAP members has come to the fore and now, it’s widening as people in the party are raising questions over no action against AAP Delhi members who are allegedly involved in corruption, directly or indirectly, and damaging the party. All this is being done under a conspiracy to demoralise the voters who want change in Punjab politics,” said a party leader from Mansa.
AAP national organisation building in charge Durgesh Pathak, former AAP convener Sucha Singh Chhotepur and Bhagwant Mann, PAC member, could not be contacted for comments despite several attempts. 
Baljinder Kaur claimed that she was unaware of any such complaint with the PAC as she was only a member of the National Executive Committee (NEC) and campaign committee. 
“Such matters are restricted to social media. No complaint in the NEC and campaign committee has landed so far. I can’t comment about the PAC,” she said.

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ਹਤਿੰਦਰ ਮਹਿਤਾ
ਆਦਮਪੁਰ ਦੋਆਬਾ, 1 ਸਤੰਬਰ

ਮੁੱਖ ਮੰਤਰੀ ਪ੍ਰਕਾਸ਼ ਸਿੰਘ ਬਾਦਲ ਨੇ ਅੱਜ ਆਦਮਪੁਰ ਹਲਕੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਚਾਰ ਥਾਈਂ ਸੰਗਤ ਦਰਸ਼ਨ ਕਰ ਕੇ ਪਿੰਡਾਂ ਦੀਆਂ ਪੰਚਾਇਤਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਵਿਕਾਸ ਕਾਰਜਾਂ ਲਈ ਚੈੱਕ ਦੇਣ ਦੀ ਥਾਂ ’ਤੇ ਸਿਰਫ ਐਲਾਨ ਹੀ ਕੀਤੇ, ਜਿਸ ਕਾਰਨ ਚੈੱਕ ਲੈਣ ਆਏ ਸਰਪੰਚਾਂ ਅਤੇ ਪੰਚਾਇਤ ਮੈਂਬਰਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਨਿਰਾਸ਼ਾ ਦਾ ਸਾਹਮਣਾ ਕਰਨਾ ਪਿਆ। ਪੰਚਾਇਤਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਆਸ ਸੀ ਕਿ ਸ਼ਾਇਦ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਵਿਕਾਸ ਕਾਰਜਾਂ ਲਈ ਚੈੱਕ ਅੱਜ ਹੀ ਸੰਗਤ ਦਰਸ਼ਨ ਦੌਰਾਨ ਦੇ ਦਿੱਤੇ ਜਾਣਗੇ ਪਰ ਸੰਗਤ ਦਰਸ਼ਨ ਦੌਰਾਨ ਐਲਾਨੀਆਂ ਰਕਮਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਡਿਪਟੀ ਕਮਿਸ਼ਨਰ ਜਲੰਧਰ ਨੇ ਨੋਟ ਹੀ ਕੀਤਾ ਤੇ ਪੰਚਾਇਤਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਛੇਤੀ ਚੈੱਕ ਆ ਜਾਣ ਦਾ ਭਰੋਸਾ ਦੇ ਕੇ ਸਾਰ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਗਿਆ।
ਇਸ ਦੌਰਾਨ ਅਲਾਵਲਪੁਰ ਵਿਚ ਮੀਂਹ ਪੈਣ ਕਾਰਨ ਸੰਗਤ ਦਰਸ਼ਨ ਅੱਧ ਅਧੂਰਾ ਹੀ ਰਹਿ ਗਿਆ ਤੇ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਬਾਦਲ ਵਲੋਂ ਕਾਹਲੀ ਵਿਚ ਹੀ ਗ੍ਰਾਂਟਾਂ ਦੇ ਐਲਾਨ ਕਰਕੇ, ਬਿਨਾਂ ਕਿਸੇ ਨਾਲ ਗੱਲ ਕੀਤੇ ਹੀ ਚਲੇ ਗਏ। ਇਸ ਕਾਰਨ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਬਾਦਲ ਨੂੰ ਮਿਲਣ ਲਈ ਤਿਆਰ ਹੋ ਕੇ ਆਏ ਵਰਕਰ ਦਿਲ ਮਸੋਸ ਕੇ ਰਹਿ ਗਏ।
ਇਸ ਤੋਂ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ ਹਰੀਪੁਰ ਜਾਣ ਲਈ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਬਾਦਲ ਨੂੰ ਉਦੇਸੀਆਂ, ਤਲਵੰਡੀ ਅਰਾਇਆ, ਚੂਹੜਵਾਲੀ ਰਾਹੀਂ ਜਾਣਾ ਪਿਆ, ਕਿਉਂਕਿ ਆਦਮਪੁਰ-ਹਰੀਪੁਰ ਰੋਡ ’ਤੇ ਸੀਵਰੇਜ ਦਾ ਕੰਮ ਚੱਲਣ ਅਤੇ ਸੜਕ ਦੀ ਹਾਲਤ ਠੀਕ ਨਹੀਂ ਸੀ, ਜਿਸ ਕਾਰਨ ਅਧਿਕਾਰੀਆਂ ਨੇ ਰੂਟ 6 ਕਿਲੋਮੀਟਰ ਲੰਬਾ ਕਰ ਦਿੱਤਾ। ਇਸ ਮੌਕੇ ਹਰੀਪੁਰ ਦੇ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਨੇ ਆਦਮਪੁਰ-ਹਰੀਪੁਰ ਸੜਕ ਦੀ ਮਾੜੀ ਹਾਲਤ ਬਾਰੇ ਵੀ ਮੁੱਖ ਮੰਤਰੀ ਨੂੰ ਜਾਣੂ ਕਰਵਾਇਆ। ਮੀਂਹ ਆਉਣ ਦੇ ਡਰ ਕਾਰਨ ਅਧਿਕਾਰੀਆਂ ਨੇ ਹਰੀਪੁਰ ਵਿਚ ਵੀ ਸੰਗਤ ਦਰਸ਼ਨ ਛੇਤੀ ਹੀ ਖਤਮ ਕਰਵਾ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਤੇ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਬਾਦਲ ਨੂੰ ਪੱਤਰਕਾਰਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਵੀ ਗੱਲ ਨਹੀਂ ਕਰਨ ਦਿੱਤੀ।
ਯੂਥ ਕਲੱਬਾਂ ਦੇ ਮੈਂਬਰਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਵੀ ਪੁਲੀਸ ਪਿੱਛੇ ਹੀ ਰੋਕਦੀ ਰਹੀ ਤੇ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਬਾਦਲ ਵਲੋਂ ਦਖਲ ਦੇਣ ਨਾਲ ਸਿਰਫ ਹਰੀਪੁਰ ਦੇ ਹੀ ਨੌਜਵਾਨ ਹੀ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਮਿਲ ਸਕੇ। ਇਸ ਮੌਕੇ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਬਾਦਲ ਨੇ ਪੰਚਾਇਤਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਅਕਾਲੀ ਉਮੀਦਵਾਰ ਨੂੰ ਜਿਤਾਉਣ ਲਈ ਕਿਹਾ। ਇਸ ਮੌਕੇ ਕਰਵਲ ਸਮਰਥਕ ਅਕਾਲੀ ਆਗੂ ਸੰਗਤ ਦਰਸ਼ਨ ਵਿਚ ਨਜ਼ਰ ਨਹੀਂ ਆਏ।



















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