VOICE OF EX-SERVICEMEN PUNJAB

Use of drugs in polls serious concern: CEC

May deploy central forces at all polling stations

Chandigarh, October 25

As all opposition parties are apprehending the large-scale use of drugs and liquor during the Assembly elections scheduled early next year, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Dr Nasim Zaidi today said the issue had “engaged the commission’s very serious attention.”

Stating that the commission had already started discussions with the enforcement agencies concerned to deal with the issue, Dr Zaidi said they would finalise a strategy to minimise the use of drugs during the elections in the next couple of weeks.

He said this while addressing the media on the last day of his three-day visit to the city to assess poll preparedness.

“The commission has taken a serious note of the feedback given by all stakeholders about the widespread use of drugs. The feedback that drugs might be distributed during the election process has engaged our very serious attention,” he said.

He also hinted that the commission could consider deputing central paramilitary forces at all polling stations. Dr Zaidi said: “The commission had ensured deployment of central forces at 100 per cent polling stations during the recent elections in some states. We have received a similar request for Punjab. We will assess it and provide adequate central police force so that no nexus should influence the election process.”

He said eligible voters, who couldn't enrol themselves in the last phase of the summary revision that concluded on October 7, could still get themselves registered.

Auxiliary polling stations would be set up in leper/TB sanatoriums, old-age homes and homes for visually impaired for the ease and facilitation of electors.

Tough measures on the anvil

• Promises in manifestos: Every party is bound to submit a copy of its manifesto to the Election Commission that would assess the promises made therein and can direct the party to make changes in it
• Penal action against officers found working under the influence of any political party
• CCTV surveillance: Every polling station will be equipped with CCTV cameras and have facility of webcasting
• EVMs are temper proof; proclaimed offenders, bail jumpers and troublemakers will not be allowed to roam free
• Tight security at border areas in Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Fazilka and Ferozepur. Inter-state borders will also be subjected to surveillance

Centre okays e-voting for soldiers

• Punjabi soldiers deployed in other states will be able to vote through the electronic postal ballot. The EC's recommendation seeking this facility for personnel deputed with the three services and the paramilitary forces has been accepted by Ministry of Law and Justice. "It will be implemented on a pilot basis in Punjab," Dr Zaidi said. Around 1.09 lakh soldiers are registered as voters in the state. Till now, they were casting their vote through the postal ballot.

For fair poll in Punjab

EC needs to be tough and watchfulA very ominous shadow has cast itself on the Punjab assembly scene. It is the shadow of the criminal. A large number of proclaimed offenders in Punjab — some 20,000 — is not the only unusual thing that should surprise the visiting Election Commission team. There are 52 gangs in operation as the state DGP has helpfully acknowledged. Parole rules have been relaxed to let convicted criminals offer help in elections. Each SHO reports to a halqa in-charge who decides against whom to proceed or not to proceed. The Punjab Police has been reduced to a political wing of the ruling party.

Never before have so many easy-to-manage state officers been given so many district-level postings. Independent and idealistic IPS officers are unwelcome. It is possible after official briefings and an interaction with select opposition leaders the Election Commission may reach an “all-is-well” conclusion. The team should listen to ordinary citizens, particularly villagers, to know to what extent the rule of law prevails in Punjab.  Though officially, a code of conduct is enforced under the EC, the police and the bureaucracy remain beholden to politicians — for past or/and future rewards. Code violations happen but seldom are parties or influential candidates proceeded against. Malpractices are easily forgiven and forgotten. The use of cash, intoxicants and muscle power is known. When black money or drug seizures are made, seldom are these linked to the actual owners. Only those caught on the spot are booked. The police/officials on polling duty know who the real rulers are. How often are politicians or political parties acted against for open misuse of religion for political gain? 

The dismal situation makes holding a peaceful, fair and free poll a real challenge for the Election Commission. The Commission, to its credit, is a work in progress; it is constantly revising its standard operating procedures. Punjab will test the Commission’s resolve to hold a free and fair poll. It may have to come up with out-of-the-box steps if it wants to deliver in Punjab.

TRIBUNE IMPACT

EC notice to DGP over ‘dummy’ posts

Aman Sood

Tribune News Service

Sangrur, October 25

The state Election Commission has issued a notice to the Director General of Police, Suresh Arora, to explain the transfer of policemen on “dummy” posts in violation of the EC guidelines.

The move followed The Tribune report on the matter. “We have asked the police to send a detailed report on the issue in two days,” said Additional Electoral Officer MS Narang. “The notice was sent after taking cognisance of the news report. The matter has been taken up at the highest level,” he stated.

It was reported that several SHO and DSP-level officers, considered close to local SAD and BJP leaders, had been asked to continue in their respective areas by creating new posts to “hoodwink” EC guidelines.

Sources said Chief Election Commissioner Naseem Zaidi, on the last day of his visit to Punjab, met the Chief Secretary and the DGP and raised the matter. “He was particularly harsh over the role played by halqa chiefs and their interference in day-to-day working of the police officials,” they said.

Meanwhile, the Congress has called for a thorough probe into the matter. The party accused the Badal government of making a mockery of the EC’s efforts to ensure fair and free elections in Punjab.

“The EC should order immediate cancellation of the government orders and penalise the concerned officers for such blatant violation of its directives,” said PPCC leaders Gurpreet Singh Kangar, Surinder Singla and Nathuram.

AAP leaders Sukhpal Khaira and Kanwar Sandhu have also accused the Akalis of using the police machinery “to deceive the EC”. “We have written to the EC for a thorough probe and an action against guilty officers who made such postings to please their political bosses,” they said.

BJP fumes as Akalis go solo for publicity

Deepkamal Kaur

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, October 25

Upset over the SAD solely taking mileage in the publicity material being put up across Punjab, including new wall paintings, bus posters, advertising boards and booklets, the state BJP leaders will be raising the matter in the core committee meeting of the party to be held tomorrow in Chandigarh.

The newly appointed BJP election incharge Narendra Singh Tomar and co-incharge Capt Abhimanyu will be chairing the meeting for the first time.

The new line adopted by BJP state president Vijay Sampla that it will be the Prime Minister who will take credit for Centre’s works and the Chief Minister for Punjab has not gone down well with party leaders. Cabinet minister and BJP’s legislative party leader Bhagat Chunni Lal said, “We partly agree with what Sampla has said but the BJP being an alliance partner should get its due share in publicity. We will raise the point in the core committee meeting.”

“The party leadership has been saying that it’s a non-issue since the Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister are from SAD and are bound to get publicity, but the BJP too should not have been sidelined, especially in the booklets,” said an former minister of the BJP.

Govt scraps wall painting plan

Even as the Public Relations Department had earlier issued a tender notice for wall paintings highlighting government achievements, it has been scrapped now. However, SAD has gone ahead with publicity and painted walls of all flyovers with a series of 40X10 feet promotional messages.

Rahul Tewari, Secretary, Information and Public Relations, had on September 23 issued directions to the Deputy Commissioners to look for space for wall paintings in government schools, overhead water tanks, panchayat ghars and other government buildings and revert within a week. As the administration had begun preparing the lists, the department had called for tenders. “We got just one applicant. We are not going for re-tendering and have called off this work,” said Director Public Relations Senu Duggal.

Bajwa: Sidhu may get a ‘Diwali gift’

Sanjiv Kumar Bakshi

Hoshiarpur, October 25

Former PPCC president Partap Singh Bajwa today said the matter of former BJP leader Navjot Singh Sidhu joining the Congress was under the high command’s consideration. It was Diwali time and Sidhu may get a ‘Diwali gift,’ he said while addressing a press conference here today.

When asked whether it meant that Sidhu would be joining the party, he quipped, “It could be.” Replying to another query, the Rajya Sabha MP said, “If Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi asks me to fight the Assembly elections, I will contest. I am ready to leave the Rajya Sabha and contest polls to strengthen the party, if he says.”

In response to a question, Bajwa said AAP convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was trying to gain a backdoor entry to the post of chief minister in Punjab. This was the reason for AAP not announcing the name of a CM candidate, he added.

“He (Kejriwal) is saying that if he comes to power, Bikramjit Majithia would be put behind bars. After winning, the Congress will not only put Majithia but Sukhbir Badal, Tota Singh and Adesh Pratap Singh Kairon also in jail,” said Bajwa.

Akhand Akali Dal floated

Chandigarh: Akhand Akali Dal, a new political outfit comprising the Akali Dal (1920), Delhi Akali Dal, Panthic Akali Dal and the International Akali Dal, was formed on Tuesday. Ravi Inder Singh, who was elected president of the outfit, said they would try to form a strong fourth front to provide an alternative to the mainstream political parties. Sukhdev Singh Bhaur, general secretary, SGPC, claimed that they had the active support of various Panthic leaders, including former Damdama Sahib Jathedar Giani Balwant Singh Nandgarh. tns

Debt waiver forms: Cong extends campaign

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 25

The Punjab Congress today announced to extend its “Karza-Kurki Khatam, Fasal Di Poori Rakam” campaign till November 4, claiming that there was a huge demand from farmers for its debt waiver forms.

About 10 lakh additional forms (‘maangpatras’) will be distributed in the next 10 days, taking the number of households covered to about 40 lakh, a party spokesperson said in a statement.

More than 9,000 villages have been covered by the farmer outreach campaign so far.

No check on exploitation of farmers, claims Congress

Our Correspondent

Abohar, October 25

Even as Congress state vice-president and Abohar MLA Sunil Jakhar had slammed the state government over “unfair practices” during the purchase of paddy two weeks ago, on Tuesday, he alleged there had been no check on the “exploitation” of farmers.

He said farmers were being forced to pay Rs 100 as transportation charges to rice millers who were running their units beyond a 60-km distance from Abohar. The affected farmers had raised their voice during the visit of senior officers who inspected the grain markets to streamline the arrangements but to no avail. The unfair practice of cartage on each bag also goes unchecked.

Last year too, a similar situation prevailed. The Punjabi Mandi Board top brass had assured farmers and commission agents of taking up the issue with the Chief Minister and get transportation fee fixed for purchasers revised but nothing was done, he said.

He said the state government had promised single-window clearance to promote investments in new industries but none came forward to set up rice mills here due to rampant corruption and red-tapism, some had invested money on industries in neighbouring states.

Cong demands octroi refund on power

Hoshiarpur, October 25

The Congress has warned the government to stop the octroi being charged from the urban electricity consumers and refund the amount collected since the tax was removed in the state. PPCC general secretary MLA Sunder Sham Arora has warned that if it was not rolled back and the refund not initiated, the Congress would start an agitation on the issue along with people of the state.

“On the one hand, electricity in Punjab is dearer than the neighbouring states and on the other hand, urban consumers were being looted on the name of octroi. How can they charge octroi on electricity when it was abolished from the state years ago?” questioned Arora. — OC

AMRITSAR TRUST CASE

Capt, others have to wait more for closure

Tribune News Service

Mohali, October 25

Punjab Congress chief Capt Amarinder Singh and 17 others will have to wait longer for their discharge and the closure of the Amritsar Improvement Trust (AIT) case.

The Vidhan Sabha Secretary, who was supposed to be present in the Special Court here today for an examination, could not appear as the notice was not served on her, defence counsel Ramdeep Pratap Singh said. The Special Judge fixed November 19 as the next date of hearing, with directions to issue a fresh notice to the Vidhan Sabha Secretary for that date.

Amarinder and three co-accused had sought exemption from personal appearance, which the court granted.

The corruption and criminal case had been registered against them in 2008 by the Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) on the Vidhan Sabha’s recommendation, alleging a scam in granting exemption for transferring 32.1 acres of AIT’s prime land to a private developer.

The VB had recently filed a cancellation report before the local Special Court, which had been hearing the case for the past eight years. The VB had also sought the discharge of all accused. The VB had submitted that “neither any mala fide nor any offence had been committed. Also, no incriminating evidence to prove the charges whatsoever levelled had come to the fore during the fresh investigation into the case”.

The co-accused included former Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kewal Krishan and former ministers Chaudhary Jagjit Singh and Raghunath Sahai Puri (all three now deceased).

Sidhu may join Congress on Diwali: Bajwa

The Badals have failed to get a special package for Punjab from the Modi government and voters will force them to leave the state lock, stock and barrel. PARTAP SINGH BAJWA, Rajya Sabha member

HOSHIARPUR: Congress Rajya Sabha member Partap Singh Bajwa, who has all along been batting for cricketer-turned– politician and Awaaz-e-Punjab front leader Navjot Singh Sidhu’s inclusion into the party, said the much speculated move may come on the auspicious day of Diwali.

Talking to the media at Congress leader Inderpal Singh Dhanna’s residence here on Tuesday, he said Sidhu’s coming onboard the party would seal Congress’ victory in the assembly elections.

“Air accidents are rare, yet we opt for a travel insurance policy. The Congress is all set for a comeback in Punjab, but if we take along popular leaders, including Sidhu, it would be an added bonus to the parry,” said Bajwa. Joining hands with Sidhu-led Awaaz-e-Punjab will prevent division of anti-Akali votes, he said. “It’s always beneficial to take along wise people,” the former Punjab Congress chief said.

“The Congress stock had risen considerably in the recent past while the Aam Aadmi Party’s graph had sunk like Bhakra Dam’s water level,” he said, adding that apart from its other drawbacks, the AAP did not have a Sikh face to project as a CM candidate which was necessary to woo the majority Sikh voters.

He said AAP national convener and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal may deny it, but he was seeking a backdoor entry into Punjab. “It’s up to the people to decide if they want a stable, experienced and development-oriented party or a pack of liars,” said Bajwa.

He said on coming to power, the Congress will put SAD president Sukhbir Badal, and ministers Bikram Singh Majithia , Tota Singh and Adaish Partap Singh Kairon behind bars as they had “cheated” and “looted” the state.

EC has strategy to check drug, liquor flow during polls: Zaidi

CHANDIGARH: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has a strategy in place to tackle the flow of liquor and drugs during the Punjab polls. Chief election commissioner Nasim Zaidi said on Tuesday that he had issued instructions to the police authorities to prepare a robust strategy by November 15 to check the drug menace.He was talking to the media on the concluding day of his three-day visit to Chandigarh on Tuesday to take stock of the situation ahead of Punjab polls.

Over the past two days, different political parties had raised apprehensions of distribution of drugs and liquor during the polls.

Talking to the media, he said the chief secretary and the director general of police had been instructed to ensure that poll machinery worked in an unbiased manner and deal strictly with officers not acting in a neutral manner.

On election date, the chief election commissioner said, “It’s going to be on schedule, not before that.”

He said civil and police administration in Punjab needed a major overhaul.He also issued instruction to the police administration to arrest proclaimed offenders and parole jumpers before the imposition of model code of conduct.

“We have data of police officers up to the police station level who are influenced by the local politicians. Will take action at the right time,” he said. ‘POSTAL E-BALLOTS FOR DEFENCE PERSONNEL’

Zaidi said the ECI will make arrangements for postal electronic ballot for the defence personnel who are registered as voters in Punjab. He said defence ministry has cleared the proposal and a notification will be issued soon. He said about 1.09-lakh voters from Punjab were in the defence services and efforts were on to update the figure. 

PARTY MANIFESTOS

Zaidi said a law is in place to examine manifestoes of the political parties and in case a promise looks impractical, the ECI can ask the party to change it. 80% VOTING TARGET

The ECI has set 80% voting target in the ensuing polls. “People in Punjab are educated and prosperous and I have asked the poll officers here to launch systematic voters education and electoral participation (SVEEP) campaign. 

VOTER-VERIFIED PAPER AUDIT TRAIL

The ECI is launching the system of voter-verified paper audit trail (VVPAT) in the 2017 polls for the first time in the country. With this system, a voter can verify that the vote is correctly cast.

The VVPAT machine gives the voter a printed receipt of name of the candidate and party the vote was casted for. It will be launched as a pilot project in select polling stations. DISABLED-FRIENDLY POLLING BOOTHS

All polling booths to have ramps to suit the physically challenged. Also, polling stations will be set up at homes for lepers and visually challenged.

Poll commission raises questions on govt’s ‘achievement booklet’

CHANDIGARH: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has raised questions on a booklet of achievements printed by the Punjab government, which is reportedly being distributed among the voters.

Subsequently, Punjab’s chief electoral office (CEO) has sought comments from chief secretary Sarvesh Kaushal on the issue.

“We will send his (chief secretary) reply to the ECI,” said additional chief electoral officer, Punjab, Manjit Singh Narang.

Sources say the ECI might ask Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) to pay for the money spent on the booklets as there is no mention of coalition partner Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in it.Sources in the government said about 9-lakh booklets had been printed with a cost of about `1 crore.

The booklet has pictures of the chief minister and deputy CM on its front page.

“Every government has the right to take its achievements to the people who have elected it. I think there’s no wrong in it,” said education minister Daljit Singh Cheema, who is also the SAD spokesperson.

OP Soni, 60

Cong

BY THE WAY Uses morning, evening walks to meet people

Constituency: AMRITSAR-CENTRAL Education: Class 12 Assets declared in last polls: `9.8 cr Electoral record 2012: Defeated 2007: Soni won BJP rival Tarun Amritsar-W; this Chugh by a margin seat went to BJP’s of 12,797 votes Laxmi Kanta Chawla 0 ASSEMBLY Questions asked: 0 RECORD Call attention moved: POWER PUNCH A prominent Hindu face of Cong, individually popular WHAT NEXT Four-time MLA who has balanced factions well, will get ticket

HOW HE PERFORMED

The four-time MLA moved to Central segment after his old stronghold, Amritsar-West, got reserved for SCs. He could not do much to bring any development or major project to the constituency which by and large comprises of the old Walled City. He, however, claims that it was at his initiative and due to his proximity with former PM Manmohan Singh that the previous UPA government included Amritsar into the urban renewal mission and also granted a sewerage project. Yet, the area suffers choked sewers. Traffic bottlenecks are numerous. He has been a regular visitor and keeps in touch with the trader community, in particular. He got `3.5 crore from Congress MPs with which he improved drinking water facilities.

Navjot Kaur Sidhu, 53

Ex-BJP*

BY THE WAY Known to be extremely superstitious

Constituency: AMRITSAR-EAST Education: Doctor (MD) Assets declared in last polls: `22.5 cr Electoral record 2012: Defeated 2007: She did not independent candidate contest; seat too Simerpreet came up later in Kaur by 7,099 votes new delimitation ASSEMBLY Questions asked: 0 RECORD Call attention moved: 0 POWER PUNCH Wife of ex-MP Navjot Singh Sidhu, who banks on popularity WHAT NEXT Depends on where her husband-led Awaaz-e-Punjab goes

HOW SHE PERFORMED

In the entire tenure, she remained at loggerheads with the BJP’s alliance partner Shiromani Akali Dal. Though her constituency was backward and had a lot of rural areas, she managed to get the Verka flyover (under-construction), Mehta-Maqboopura road, truck stand scheme, and a medicine centre at Verka. Often accusing Akalis of not releasing funds, she says she was largely dependent on MPLAD funds of her husband who was Amritsar Lok Sabha MP till 2014. Though she kept in touch with her constituency, the Akalis ran a parallel group and, at times, she wasn’t even informed of functions. Due to her differences, she quit the BJP in September. Now her fate is tied to Awaaz-e-Punjab, led by her husband, cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu.

Inderbir Bolaria, 35

Ex-SAD**

BY THE WAY Family trade is commission in goat sale

Constituency: AMRITSAR-SOUTH Education: Graduate Assets declared in last polls: `2.4 cr Electoral record 2012: Defeated 2008 bypoll: Won Congress rival Jasbir against Cong’s Dimpa by a margin Navdeep Goldy by of 15,056 votes 22,233 votes 0 ASSEMBLY Questions asked: 0 RECORD Call attention moved: POWER PUNCH Banking on family legacy and popularity in segment WHAT NEXT Likely to be fielded by the Congress this time

HOW HE PERFORMED

He first became MLA in a bypoll after his father, who was MLA, died. Now a two-time MLA, he came at loggerheads with the party around two years ago, particularly after he objected to a solid waste management plant in his segment. Though he worked on road projects and was also instrumental in bringing a sewerage project in Sultanwind area, his constituency faces a number of issues as far as civic amenities are concerned. Bolaria, who resides in the constituency and has been in touch with the people, also got developed the Pull Taran Wala-Tarn Taran road. Though absence of a flyover remains a major problem, the MLA claims that he fought for it. He has shifted to Congress and is banking on individual and family legacy to stay relevant.

Gulzar Singh Ranike, 58

SAD

BY THE WAY Quit cabinet over a scam, only to return

Constituency:Education: ElementaryATTARI (SC-Reserved) Assets declared in last polls: `5.9 cr Electoral record 2012: Defeated 2007: Defeated Congress rival Rattan Singh of Tarsem Singh DC by Congress by 19,083 4,983 votes votes ASSEMBLY Minister for animal RECORD husbandry POWER PUNCH Close to CM; a Dalit face of the party in Majha WHAT NEXT Set to get ticket again as he has no strong rival within party

HOW HE PERFORMED

The constituency is next to the border with Pakistan, and villages continue to be in a pathetic shape. These border villages hardly have anything in the name of facilities and people have to struggle hard for even routine matters. Many still lack bus facility, and do not have health and education facilities. Unsafe bridges over the defence drain create fear and recently an accident killed seven students. The two-time MLA contributed in expansion of the grain market and got Attari made a sub-tehsil, though. He is closely connected with the people and participates in social gatherings, especially religious programmes. He had to resign over alleged embezzlement of funds in his constituency, but was re-inducted in less than a year.

Chetna Yatra raises issue of jobless educated youth

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, October 25

The ongoing ‘Chetna Yatra’, led by Vikramjit Singh Chaudhary, general secretary, PPCC, reached Kotli Khakhian village in the Phillaur constituency on the 18th day today.

“To my utter dismay, the situation of this village happened to be the same with no civic facilities, no blue cards, no old age pension, but the predominant factor of concern in Kotli Khakhian was that it has a large number of educated, professionally qualified youth who all are disgruntled due to no jobs,” he said.

He highlighted the case of Asha Rani, BA, B.Ed, MA in Punjabi and a computer literate.

“The hapless young girl applied several times for a job in the past four years but could not get one. Youngsters present there were visibly full of anguish that tall claims and false promises of the SAD-BJP government of providing jobs to youth appears to be a cruel joke. The youth are waiting for jobs and are helplessly doing menials jobs to make their both ends meet and are turned into a frustrated lot,” he said.

He assured them all of a possible help.

Captain saviour of Punjab waters, says Bawa

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, October 25

Calling Captain Amarinder Singh the saviour of Punjab waters, Congress leader KK Bawa today said the Captain took a stand on the issue of waters of Punjab and a ‘maseeha’ of farmers of the state.

He was speaking during the ‘knock the door’ campaign in Atam Nagar area. The campaign was started by MP Ravneet Singh Bittu earlier.

Bawa said people of Atam Nagar constituency were tired of the elected representatives. He said the Congress must maintain a distance from ‘opportunistic’ leaders who keep changing their stand on the issue of Punjab waters and don’t have interest of the people of the state in their mind.

SAD MLA returning to BSP fold?

Political circles abuzz with rumours, some say he met Mayawati

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, October 25

Political circles today remained abuzz with rumours of Phillaur SAD MLA Avinash Chander trying to return to the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) fold. There was talk that he had even met BSP chief Mayawati in this regard.

The reports emanated from within the BSP circles, almost two months after he had been replaced by Baldev Khaira as the halqa in-charge of the SAD.

Avinash had originally contested from the Kartarpur seat on the BSP ticket in 2002 and later contested and won from the same seat in 2007 on the SAD ticket. His seat was internally swapped with Sarwan Singh Phillaur in 2012 and he had won with a thin margin of 31 votes in the previous elections from Phillaur.

At the sangat darshan programme in the Phillaur constituency held last month, the SAD had not even put up a single picture of the sitting MLA and the complete wipeout perhaps has been too difficult for the legislator to digest. He had been sidelined since there had been repeated summons from the Enforcement Directorate in the Bhola drug case. There also have been reports of Chander having a meeting with Sucha Singh Chhotepur of the Apna Punjab Party.

However, Chander denied any such development and said: “All these reports are completely baseless. I have all my loyalties for the SAD. Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal has promised some other seat for me. He has even given me a hint of a new place. As of now, I am sitting at home and waiting for the next direction. I am not going anywhere and will certainly support Khaira and other candidates of Doaba.”

Manpreet lends ear to traders, workers

Ticket seekers scour the ground after Capt’s announcement on Surinder Singla’s name for Bathinda (Urban) seat

Nikhila Pant Dhawan

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, October 25

The tussle for the Congress ticket from the Bathinda (Urban) seat seems to be getting more intense.

Ticket aspirants have come out in the open after Captain Amarinder Singh announced that he would recommend the name of former finance minister Surinder Singla for the seat.

While Singla reached the city yesterday and regretted staying away from the city for many years, Manpreet Singh Badal was in the city today to interact with contractual employees of Guru Nanak Dev Thermal Plant and traders.

Although the latter denied visiting the city to counter Singla’s visit, insiders in the party argued otherwise.

“I have not even filed the papers to propose my candidature for the ticket. I was here to interact with employees of the thermal plant to make an attempt to include their demands in the party’s manifesto for the elections. I also met traders to know what they were expecting from the next government,” Manpreet said.

He maintained that “if the party high command wished to” field him from the seat, he would have no choice.

“The common man is dissatisfied with the government. I am in the city to assure people that the scenario will change once the Congress comes to power,” he added.

Interestingly, former Congress MLA Harminder Singh Jassi has already come out in the open against Singla.

On Monday, he derided Singla for staying away from the city for many years.

“He was not in the city for the past many years and now, all of a sudden he is here and expecting the voters to support him. What has he done for the city? He doesn’t even know the issues that the city residents have been facing for so many years?” he questioned.

Meanwhile, PPCC secretary Pawan Mani said although several Congressmen from the city had filed papers, no ticket aspirant must make claims till the time the party high command announced the name of the candidate for the seat.

“Once the candidate is announced, all partymen will canvass for him. The party will handle the task of tackling the detractors,” he said.