Volunteers accuse AAP observer of rape

Allege he paid Rs 1 lakh to victim, party buried matter

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 6

A group of AAP volunteers from Barnala today alleged that a Delhi leader, posted as party observer in Barnala, paid Rs 1 lakh to a woman raped by him.

The volunteers, led by Barnala youth wing president Ravinder Singh Dhillon, released an audio tape wherein a ticket aspirant from Barnala was trying to convince a woman not to press rape charges against the observer, Vijay Chauhan.

They alleged that Chauhan sexually exploited a maid servant, who later left the job. They said she recorded a conversation with a ticket aspirant who was funding Chauhan. The group alleged that party leaders, including Sanjay Singh, and Durgesh Pathak, knew about the scandal, but they suppressed the matter.

Sanjay Singh refuted the allegation saying he never heard about it. “Let me go through the tape. We will take strict action if there is concrete evidence,” he said.

Chauhan claimed that it was a conspiracy by disgruntled ticket aspirants. “The maid’s husband was employed at our party office. He later requested me to allow his wife to stay with him and I agreed since she was pregnant. It is shameful that the aspirants stooped so low for petty political gains,” he said.

‘It’s a conspiracy’

It is a conspiracy by disgruntled ticket aspirants. It is shameful that they stooped so low for petty political gains. —Vijay Chauhan, AAP observer, Barnala

Plaint against Delhi MLA

Accusing Delhi AAP MLA Devender Sehrawat of defaming the women of Punjab by levelling false allegations, head of the party’s women wing Baljinder Kaur on Tuesday lodged a complaint with the Punjab Women Commission. She said she was hurt after reading a letter by Delhi MLA to national convener Arvind Kejriwal wherein he accused honest and dedicated AAP leaders of exploiting women in Punjab without having any evidence.

Brar backs AAP; sets no terms

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 6

A year after he announced he would form a grand alliance with the BSP, the Left and other parties, former Congress MP Jagmeet Brar today extended unconditional support of his political front, the Lokhit Abhiyan, to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

Describing Arvind Kejriwal as the only leader who could be compared with Mahatma Gandhi, Brar said it was up to the AAP leadership to allot the ticket to members of his front. “Our support is unconditional.”

He said the alliance would stretch beyond the 2017 elections and Punjab. “The alliance will go up to West Bengal. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is part of it. It was she who advised me to leave the Congress,” Brar said.

Sanjay Singh, in charge of AAP’s political affairs in Punjab, said Brar was known for calling a spade a spade. Jarnail Singh, co-incharge, said Brar was the first to demand justice for the victims of Delhi’s anti-Sikh riots.

Almost all AAP leaders — Sanjay Singh, Jarnail Singh, Gurpreet Singh Ghuggi, Bhagwant Mann, Kanwar Sandhu, Sukhpal Khaira, Himmat Singh Shergill, CD Singh Kamboj and Jasbir Singh Bir were there to welcome Brar.

Capt: They’re just a bunch of outsiders

Varinder Singh

Tribune News Service

Bhucho Mandi, September 6

Calling the AAP top brass, including convener Arvind Kejriwal, a bunch of outsiders in Punjab politics, state Congress chief Capt Amarinder Singh said here today that Punjabis had finally started asserting themselves in AAP, but the party was not in a position to challenge the Congress in the Assembly elections.

“Kejriwal is a Haryanvi. He belongs to a state which has been involved in a long-standing dispute with Punjab over the sharing of river waters and other key issues. How can Punjabis allow such outsiders to rule them?” he said while interacting with mediapersons after a ‘Halke Vich Captain’ programme.

“I am very happy to see Punjabis fight for their dignity in AAP. However, the split in the party will brighten the Congress’ poll prospects,” Capt added.

Amarinder also lashed out the Badals, saying that their demand for additional security amounted to an admission that they feared public wrath and an impending poll defeat.

“Instead of seeking more security from the Centre, they should seek forgiveness from Punjabis for having ruined their future,” he said.

Ready to contest against Kejriwal’

Kotkapura: Amarinder said he would contest against Arvind Kejriwal if the AAP convener decided to enter the poll fray in the state. Addressing a gathering here, he said the police officers who ordered “unprovoked” firing on protesters at Behbal Kalan village last year would be punished. TNS

Fourth front given final shape, ready for launch

Ruchika M Khanna

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 6

The fourth front, floated by Navjot Singh Sidhu, Pargat Singh and MLA brothers Simarjit Singh Bains and Balwinder Singh Bains, will exhort Punjabis to “rise against corrupt traditional politicians and outsiders”.

During a meeting of the four leaders in Delhi tonight, the strategy to be adopted by the front before its formal launch on Thursday in Chandigarh was discussed.

Their front, Awaz-e-Punjab, is in “advanced stages” of talks with the Democratic Swaraj Party headed by former AAP member Prof Manjit Singh. The fourth front leaders are also holding parleys with the breakaway group led by former state AAP convener Sucha Singh Chhotepur.

Chhotepur has already expressed his desire to float a new party, but sources say a majority of his supporters have exhorted him to join the fourth front.

Suspended AAP MP Dharamvira Gandhi, who recently returned from Italy, too is learnt to have held talks with Prof Manjit Singh, late this evening. The fourth front leaders have also been approached by HS Kingra and the Jai Jawan Jai Kisan Party.

Sources say the leaders will also be declaring their willingness to join hands with all “right thinking people”. They will be leveraging as much on the individual credibility of each of the four members in the front as on consolidation of AAP fence sitters who have become indecisive.

Full sympathies with AAP, says Capt

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 6

PCC president Capt Amarinder Singh today said "I have full sympathies for the party (AAP)".

"With friends like Brar, you don't need enemies", he told the AAP, adding, "that is the reason I have complete sympathy for you".

Referring to Brar's "unilateral, unconditional and unsolicited" support to the AAP, the PCC president said Brar had no other option as all doors had been slammed at him.

"He tried the BJP by praising Modi and criticising his own party leadership and then he started praising Kejriwal while still being in the Congress. Despite that, no party showed any interest in his overtures so much so he was now forced to announce unconditional support to the AAP," Amarinder added.

Congress to protest outside DC office tomorrow

Capt Amarinder Singh, Pratap Singh Bajwa and other state leaders to join the agitation over farmers’ issues

Sukhmeet Bhasin

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, September 6

Punjab Pradesh Congress Kisan Cell chairman Inderjit Singh Zira today said farmers were committing suicides every day in the SAD-BJP regime due to the anti-farmer policies but the state government had not taken any step in this regard.

He said to resolve the issues of the farmers, All-India Congress Committee (AICC) president Sonia Gandhi, vice president Rahul Gandhi, PPCC president Capt Amarinder Singh and Asha Kumari had initiated ‘Chetna March’.

Under this programme, they will stage a protest under the banner “Kisana naal insaaf karo, Kisana da karza maaf karo” outside the Deputy Commissioner’s office in the city on September 8.

Capt Amarinder Singh, Pratap Singh Bajwa and other leaders will also participate in the protest.

Inderjit Singh Zira announced it while interacting with mediapersons in a press conference held today at the Congress office in the city.

He said farmers from Bathinda, Mansa, Muktsar, Sangrur and other districts were suffering as no farmer-friendly policy had been adopted by the SAD-BJP alliance in the last nine-and-a-half years.

Zira said the UPA government led by Dr Manmohan Singh had waived off Rs 72,000 crore debt of the farmers in 2008, but the NDA government led Modi had waived off Rs 1.14 lakh crore of Adani and Ambani and other corporate houses.

He questioned if the government could waive off debt of these corporate houses then why couldn’t they do it for the farmers.

He said Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal didn’t have any sympathy for the farmers.

Zira said the dharna was to be staged in 13 constituencies and even then the state government didn’t resolve the issues of the farmers then they would stage a permanent protest outside Parliament.

Later, Narinder Singh Bhularia headed a special meeting over the September 8 protest.

In the meeting Bucho MLA Ajaib Singh Bhatti, Gurpreet Singh Kangar, Harmander Singh Jassi, Sukhdev Singh Chahal and Makhan Singh were present.

Bhularia said led by Capt Amarinder Singh, they would take the farmers’ issues and their demands with the state government through the Deputy Commissioner.

He appealed to the office-bearers, workers, farmers and public to join the protest.HARD TALK

SAD hopes to buck anti-incumbency; AAP fancies its chances

After switching sides from the Congress to the SAD, three-time MLA from Talwandi Sabo Jeet Mohinder Singh Sidhu is busy these days strengthening his grip on 65 villages and two towns of the Talwandi Sabo Assembly constituency. He is not only distributing grants, but also getting the work of SAD supporters done. On the other hand, AAP women's wing president and candidate for the Talwandi Sabo assembly seat Professor Baljinder Kaur is battling sharp attacks by the opposition and is trying to defend her party's move. In this issue of Hard Talk by Gurdeep Singh Mann, both leaders speak of the prevailing political scenario.

Jeet Mohinder Singh Sidhu, SAD MLA from Talwandi Sabo

Why is there a kind of anxiety among the people that the SAD may form the government again?

We take it as a positive sign that despite the anti-incumbency of ten years, people still believe in our policies and think we may again form the government. This is true to a great extent as well! Our vote bank—especially in rural areas—is fixed and so is that of other parties. Let us see in which direction does the floating vote go in the coming days.

What is the policy behind being able to enjoy power for ten years?

It’s only the policy of development and getting dpublic and individual work done at any cost, paying personal attention and listening to the grievances of the common man, keeping in mind the overall interests of the public.

What role money and muscle power play in the field of politics and gaining power?

To some extent! There was a time when such things played a major role but not now. It is actually a myth that votes can be purchased with money. Such things get hyped without any basis.

So what is the key for remaining in power and winning assembly elections thrice in a row?

Bonding with voters, getting their work done, supporting them and remaining on toes for their sake round the clock. For instance, I came from a marriage last night from Patiala at 2 am and here I am, ready by 9 am to listen to the complaints of the people who are standing outside in long queues.

What kind of work people ask you to get done?

We have 19 tail-end khaal (water channel) to irrigate agricultural fields in Talwandi Sabo and people ask me to ensure water supply at these tail-ends in summers and get rid of it during the monsoon. We have successfully brought the sufficient desired quantity of water during the summer and made provisions to reduce it during the rains. Round-the-clock power supply in ‘dhaniyan’ (houses on the outskirts of villages) is provided, arms licences have been given to the families residing in ‘dhaniyan’, workers have been guided in getting various forms for jobs and sometimes, the people also ask me to plead their cases at police stations.

What role can AAP or the Congress can play in the coming Assembly elections?

This time, the fight will be between the SAD and the Congress as we have seen AAP leaders hammering their own toes. Infighting has ruined AAP even without our intervention. On the other hand, SAD workers are hopeful of good performance and say if the SAD loses, then it will be their own loss as we have worked really hard for the personal and public work of our workers.

What are those works that have been done in larger public interest at Talwandi Sabo?

Rs 80 crore has been spent on constructing a new khaal and Rs 20 crore more has been sought for it, Rs 40 crore has been spent on revamping the canal system in Singo, Bangi, Talwandi, Rama/Ramsra and Bhagwangarh minor. Rs 79 crore has been distributed as compensation among farmers/labourers and Rs 40 to 42 crore has been spent on development works in the villages.

What about the loss of life on roads as 19 people lost their lives in road accidents in and around Bathinda city in just last 17 days? Stray cattle menace looms large, there is unbearable pollution, corruption, rampant drugs and liquor vends dot every nook and corner!

I admit that these problems exist but the government is not forcing anyone to consume liquor. We have constructed four gaushalas in Talwandi Sabo. For road accidents, unchecked driving hours for mostly truck and taxi drivers, has become a major reason. After driving for so many hours, they consume cheap drugs to be able to undertake further road journey, which should be checked strictly to reduce road accidents.

Your name cropped up in a multi-crore scam which was investigated by the CBI?

I have nothing to do with that case. Opposition try to malign my image by wrongly linking my name with the scam, but actually it was done by someone else.

Professor Baljinder Kaur, AAP women's wing president

The graph of AAP has gone down following the recent crisis in your party. What is your take on it?

The final day of voting will clear everything and one will see whose graph has gone down. People are still with us against widespread corruption, on drugs issue and they are well aware of the high-headed rich, who are maligning the image of our party.

How do you see the claim of SAD leaders of spending crores on the development of Punjab?

They indeed have spent money but not on the development of Punjab but on their own. Providing roads, power, potable water and lying sewerage pipes does not mean development but is the basic necessity and right of the citizens. The SAD is playing a gimmick to befool the public but now people are well aware of their nefarious designs. They are spending money and using the government machinery only to woo the voters and not to work in larger public interest. The work of only those people gets done who are their workers and it helps the party in getting votes by hook or by crook.

How do you clarify the position of your party over the recent remarks of an AAP Delhi MLA over the immoral acts?

It's the money which is utilized by SAD for making such remarks. It's the most shameful act done by a person. I suggest that leaders of the SAD should speak and comment on some agenda and not malign the image of women in Punjab.

MLA Jeet Mohinder claims to have worked a lot for the benefit of the residents of Talwandi Sabo.

It's a claim only on paper but practically, people are still grappling with liquor vends dotting the state and national highways of Punjab. People are dying in accidents and just two days ago, a young girl of Malkana village was crushed to death in Talwandi Sabo and the police are yet to find the vehicle which hit her scooty. Moreover, the claims of development by a person already facing allegations of being involved in a Rs 231-crore scam does not go down well with the people.

How do you see the protests launched by AAP workers against the allotment of tickets for the coming Assembly elections?

There were and still are many ticket aspirants within and outside this party which is a good sign. Those who failed to get the ticket are now playing into the hands of opposite parties to dent our image, but they have not succeeded so far.

Sukhbir’s dream of becoming CM far-fetched: Bhagwant

Gagan K Teja

Tribune News Service

Ghanaur (Patiala), Sept 6

Scuttling all signs of dissidence that has been brewing in the Ghanour segment of the district, head of the political campaign committee of Aam Aadmi Party (APP) Bhagwant Mann today addressed an impressive gathering of party supporters here today.

While it was being speculated that ticket aspirants, who had been ‘ignored’ by the party while announcing the ticket for Anu Randhawa, would be holding protests during the Mann’s visit, state party leaders managed to call these dissidents for a special meeting in Chandigarh and in their absence Mann held the rally without any ‘disruptions’.

Addressing the rally in favour of AAP candidate Anu Randhawa and Patiala zone coordinator Balbir Singh, Mann said Sukhbir Badal was dreaming of becoming the Punjab Chief Minister and he was finding it hard to believe that it was only a far-fetched idea.

He said the people of the state had made up their mind to wipe out the SAD-BJP alliance from the state’s political scene

and this fact was not

going down well with those in power, who were now

trying to disrupt AAP’s rallies by sending goons.

Mann said it was most unfortunate that Akali goons had attacked AAP supporters injuring a few during the recent rallies held in the Badal bastions. Having a dig at Badals, Mann said they were trying to downplay the AAP effect in the state, but the fact remains that thousands of people were turning up at AAP rallies on their own, which vindicated its popularity.

He said both traditional parties (SAD and Congress) were hand in glove and they had been taking people of Punjab for granted. “Now, the time has come they should be given the taste of their own medicine. They have virtually thrown the Punjab youth into drugs, who were struggling in the absence of job opportunities. The AAP will ensure that the youth were provided jobs so that they become self-sufficient,” he said.