Akali Dal names 69 candidates for Punjab polls, Dhindsa shiftedrevious Image

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 16

The Shiromani Akali Dal president and Punjab Deputy Chief Minister, Sukhbir Singh Badal, on Wednesday announced the first list of 69 candidates of the party for the Punjab Vidhan Sabha elections due early next year.

Releasing the list from the party head office, Sukhbir said all the Cabinet ministers will contest for their respective assembly segments barring Parminder Singh Dhindsa who will contest from Lehragaga instead of Sunam.

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He said the second list of the party will also be released soon in the coming days.

Among those named in the first list include Cabinet minister Bikramjit Singh Majithia who will be seeking a re-election from Majitha assembly constituency in Amritsar district.

The party which is having an alliance with the BJP will be contesting 94 seats. There are 117 Assembly seats in the state.

Among the ministers named were — Adesh Partap Singh Kairon (Patti), Ajit Singh Kohar (Shahkot), Gulzar Singh Ranike (Attari), Sohan Singh Thandal (Chabbewal), Janmeja Singh Sekhon (Maur), Tota Singh (Dharamkot), Bikram Singh Majithia (Majitha), Sikander Singh Maluka (Rampura Phul), Surjit Singh Rakhra (Samana), Sharanjit Singh Dhillon (Sahnewal) and Daljeet Singh Cheema (Ropar).

Others on the list included Amarpal Singh Bonny from Ajnala, Veer Singh Lopoke (Raja Sansi), Sarup Chand Singla (Bathinda Urban), Jeet Mohinder Singh Sidhu (Talwandi Sabo), Hari Singh (Zira).

MP Prem Singh Chandumajra's son Harinderpal Singh was named as the SAD candidate from Sanour.The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has already announced the names of 79 candidates for the Punjab polls. — With inputs from agencies

AAP fields Tohra’s daughter

Party’s 5th list has 12 names, most of them first-timers

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 17
Kuldeep Kaur, daughter of the late Akali stalwart Gurcharan Singh Tohra, is one of the 12 candidates announced by the Aam Aadmi Party for the Punjab elections today.

Kuldeep Kaur, an SGPC member from Sanaur, will contest from the Sanaur seat in Patiala district.

With the release of the fifth list, AAP has announced 91 candidates so far.

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Apart from her, an ENT specialist, a retired Army officer and a retired PCS officer figure in the list. Dr Sanjeev Kumar Sharma will contest from Jalandhar (Central); Capt Bikramjit Singh Pahuwindia from Khemkaran; Rajkumar Mahajan from Pathankot; Balwinder Singh Sahota from Amritsar (West), Narinder Singh Sandha from Ferozepur (City); Malkiat Singh Thind from Guru Harsahai; Kanwalpreet Singh Kaki from Qadian; Bhupinder Singh Bittu from Khadoor Sahib; Giriraj Rajora from Balluana; Capt Gurbinder Singh Kang from Baghapurana and Harbhajan Singh from Jandiala.

Kuldeep Kaur said the families of Akali stalwarts have been ignored by the current leadership of Akali Dal for the past several years. “Now I find only AAP which is close to the politics of the common man.”

In August, leaving the Akali Dal, Kuldeep Kaur Tohra and her husband Harmail Singh Tohra had joined AAP.

SAD faces revolt day after first list

Kartarpur MLA Phillaur resigns

Rachna Khaira

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, November 17

Former Jail Minister and sitting SAD MLA from Kartarpur Sarwan Singh Phillaur today resigned from the party, a day after he was denied ticket.

Phillaur told The Tribune that he had submitted his resignation today at the office of Vidhan Sabha Speaker Charanjit Singh Atwal.

When asked about the possible reason for the ticket denial, Phillaur said despite working hard for the development of his constituency, his effort was not recognised by the party.

Also denying his son Damanvir Singh’s alleged involvement in the multi-crore drug racket case to be the reason behind the ticket denial, Phillaur said he would open his cards at the right time.

Phillaur was earlier Jail Minister but was removed from his post after he and his son Damanvir Singh’s name cropped up in the drug racket. His close proximity to Goraya-based businessman Chunni lal Gaba also proved to be a costly affair.

Phillaur was instrumental in winning the Congress dominated Kartarpur seat for SAD in 2012. He had earlier contested from Phillaur and remained its MLA for four times.

Will contest at any cost: Bhagike

Balwant Garg

Tribune News Service

Faridkot, November 17

The SAD is facing a tough time in the Nihal Singh Wala Assembly constituency after the party denied ticket to sitting MLA Rajwinder Kaur Bhagike and announced Jagraon MLA SR Kaler as the party candidate.

Irked over the move, Bhagike announced her resolve to contest the coming elections at “any cost”.

A large number of Bhagike’s supporters assembled at her residence and demanded the party to reconsider its decision. It is quite strange that a sitting MLA has been denied the ticket without any concrete basis, they claimed.

Kaler has reportedly been shifted from Jagraon to Nihal Singh Wala in Moga district because of the alleged rivalry between Agriculture Minister Tota Singh and Bhagike.

Tota Singh had been putting his weight behind Moga district zila parishad chairperson Amarjit Kaur Sahoke for Nihal Singh Wala seat. But the party chose Kaler and gave ticket to Sahoke from Jagraon.

Bhagike said the party has ignored 60 years of her family’s dedication. Kaler said the party’s decision was for its betterment and every party worker should abide the party decision.

Sandhu irked

Manish Sirhindi

Tribune News Service

Patiala, November 17

Akali Dal leader Tejinder Pal Singh Sandhu is reportedly planning to contest as an Independent candidate from Ghanaur.

Sandhu had contested the last elections from Sanaur, but lost to Lal Singh of the Congress. He was then made halqa incharge of this constituency. He was recently replaced by Harinder Pal Singh Chandumajra, who also bagged the party ticket from Sanaur.

Sandhu said he had met party president Sukhbir Badal and told him clearly that he would contest the next elections. “I have convened a meeting of my supporters following which I will make a formal announcement to contest as an Independent candidate,” Sandhu said.

Political observers said the development might affect the party’s prospects as Sandhu had a considerable support base in Ghanaur.

AAP’s fifth list of 12 candidates

Dr Sanjeev Kumar Sharma (63)

Jalandhar (Central)

An ENT specialist, he is a former president of the Indian Medical Association, Jalandhar unit. He runs an NGO ‘Vision Punjab’.

Capt Bikramajit Singh Pahuwindia (47)

Khemkaran

He is AAP’s Punjab Ex-Servicemen Wing’s former convener. He was honoured with Shaurya Chakra. He is popular for his social service in border areas for running Shaheed Baba Deep Singh Charitable Trust.

Rajkumar Mahajan (48)

Pathankot

He is a councillor in Pathankot and the president of the local Mahajan Sabha.

Balwinder Singh Sahota (39)

Amritsar (West)

He is a gold medallist in MSc (statistics). Sahota is a software consultant by profession.

Narinder Singh Sandha (56)

Ferozepur (City)

He is former chairman of the Zila Parishad. He is also an ex-president of the Market Committee and Truck Union.

Malkiat Singh Thind (48)

Guruharsahai

He holds a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy; has been running a chemist shop for 27 years.

Kanwalpreet Singh Kaki (38)

Qadian

At 38, he is the youngest candidate in the fifth list. He was convener of Pagri Sambhal Jatta and former chairman Block Samiti, Kahnuwan.

Bhupinder Singh Bittu (50)

Khadoor Sahib

He is a former sarpanch of Khawaspur village. Besides, he is a former chairman of the Market Committee, Khadoor Sahib, and former member of Block Samiti, Khadoor Sahib.

Giriraj Rajora (59)

Balluana

He is a former GM, Punjab Smal Industries Corporation. He is the chairman of NGO Malwa Rural Development Council. Rajora has studied law.

Capt Gurbinder Singh Kang (62)

Bagha Purana

A commercial pilot, he is the president of farmer and labour wings of AAP. He was instrumental in organising AAP’s mega rally at Bagha Purana in September.

Harbhajan Singh (48)

Jandiala

He has MA and B Ed degrees. He was an officer from the Punjab Civil Services (Allied).

Wife of Sukhbir’s OSD fails to appear in court

Tribune News Service

Muktsar, November 17

The court of Vishesh, Chief Judicial Magistrate, Muktsar, has now given the fresh date of December 15 to Karamjit Kaur, wife of Charanjit Singh Brar who is OSD to SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal, to appear in a case of cheating registered against her in 2003.

The court had issued proclamation notice against Karamjit Kaur, telling her to appear in court on November 15. But she didn’t do so. Earlier, the non-bailable warrant of her arrest had returned unexecuted.

A case was registered against Karamjit Kaur after former MLA Gidderbaha Raghubir Singh Pardhan had filed a complaint to the then Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh. He had alleged that she had produced fake certificates to get admission to a higher course on the basis of which she got the job of a teacher.

Thereafter, Amarinder had marked a probe to the state Vigilance Bureau, which had booked her under Section 420 of the IPC as she was found guilty of having produced fake education certificates.

Cheating case

Karamjit Kaur had allegedly produced fake certificates to get admission to a higher course on the basis of which she got the job of a teacher.
The state Vigilance Bureau had booked her under Section 420 of the IPC

Plea for Tota Singh’s removal fails to make any headway

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 17

The plea for the removal of Tota Singh from the Cabinet of ministers today failed to make any headway.

As the issue came up for consideration, the Punjab and Haryana High Court asked petitioner’s counsel HC Arora to explain the Bench’s jurisdiction to direct the Chief Minister to consider removing Tota Singh from the Cabinet.

The removal was being sought on the ground of his conviction and a year’s imprisonment on charges of corruption and framing of charges in another case under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

Arora was also asked by the Bench to satisfy it regarding petitioner Sukhjeet Singh’s locus standi to maintain the PIL against Tota Singh as he was the minister’s political opponent and had also filed an election petition against him.

At this stage, a counsel appearing for Tota Singh requested for adjournment for filing a reply in the matter. Taking a note of the request, the Bench granted him two weeks time before adjourning the hearing on the PIL for December 5.

Arora has all along been pleading that the issue before the Bench was the enforcement of Supreme Court judgment, for which every citizen has the right to approach the High Court. The petitioner was not seeking any relief for himself.

SYL: Cong for fresh tribunal

Ravi S Singh

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 17

Punjab Congress president and former Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh today led a delegation to President Pranab Mukherjee.

He urged the President to act upon the opinion given to him by the Supreme Court on the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) Canal only after ascertaining the ground reality in the state which is reeling under acute water shortage. To this effect, the delegation urged the institution of a fresh tribunal.

All the Congress MLAs, who have resigned on the water issue, and MPs were part of the delegation.

The Congress submitted a memorandum to Mukherjee which said that the SC’s verdict on SYL was not based on the current realities in Punjab.

The memorandum pointed out that Haryana and Rajasthan are neither riparian nor basin states. Hence, they have no locus standi for a share in the waters.

Emerging from the meeting, Amarinder said the Congress has apprised Mukherjee of a possible outbreak of violence in the state where the situation was extremely fluid and tense following the apex court verdict.

He said that if the Congress comes to power in the state, a new law would be enacted to protect the state’s interests on riverwaters.

He alleged that the SAD-BJP government was aggravating the situation with its irresponsible actions, including passing of the two “illogical resolutions in the state Assembly that are mere eye wash.” He condemned AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal for maintaining a “studious” silence on the SYL issue.

Delegation meets CEC

Earlier, Amarinder led a delegation to Chief Election Commissioner Naseem Zaidi and raised apprehensions on the possible misuse of authority by the ruling SAD-BJP to rig the Assembly election. The Congress demanded holding of snap polls under President’s Rule and immediate imposition of the Model Code of Conduct.

Pay for water, Majithia tells Delhi CM

Chandigarh: Revenue Minister Bikram Singh Majithia on Thursday said Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal should first pay the complete cost to Punjab for the water his state had been receiving for long before coming to Punjab to solicit support for AAP. Majithia said Kejriwal should immediately respond to the Punjab's resolution by releasing the payment. He said Kejriwal on a visit to the state had stated that Punjab had no spare water, but he took a U-turn on returning to Delhi. tns

‘Capt master cook’

Chandigarh: Union Minister Harsimrat Badal alleged that PPCC chief Capt Amarinder Singh had proved he was a master cook by cooking up a resignation drama. She said: "It is one week since the SC order, but he has still not sent the resignation in the required format." tns

Sukhbir, Majithia meet Radha Soami sect head

Archit Watts

Tribune News Service

Muktsar, November 17

Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal and his brother-in-law Bikram Singh Majithia yesterday met Dera Radha Soami head Baba Gurinder Singh Dhillon at the dera premises in Muktsar and Malout.

The visit was kept a secret. Even the police and senior officers in the district administration were not informed in advance.

Majithia’s wife Ganeive Grewal is a relative of the dera head. The visit just after announcing the first list of candidates for the Assembly elections has raised eyebrows.

Congress MLA from Muktsar Karan Kaur Brar, who was present at the dera congregation in Muktsar, said, “Sukhbir and Majithia reached the dera about 5.20 pm. They sat among the people for nearly 10 minutes and then met the dera head behind the podium briefly.”

Later, the two SAD leaders reached the dera premises in Malout, where they held a meeting with the dera head.

A SAD leader of Malout said, “It was a secret meeting and none other than the three (Sukhbir, Majithia and Babaji) were allowed to enter the room. It lasted almost 30 minutes. Babaji is here for a congregation on Thursday.”

SYL: Leaders in catch-22 ahead of Punjab elections

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 17

The Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal issue, which has once again heightened bitterness between the two neighbouring states, has put many political leaders from Haryana, who campaigned in Punjab for elections in the past, in a tricky situation.

Leaders of almost all political parties – the BJP, the Congress and the INLD – had been campaigning for their respective parties during elections in Punjab and likewise, politicians from the neighbouring state campaigned in Haryana.

The INLD, for instance, had been sending a large number of its workers to the neighbouring districts of Punjab for campaigning for SAD candidates while senior Akali leaders used to come to Haryana for campaigning.

Such have been the relations between top leadership of the INLD and the SAD that Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal campaigned for the party in Haryana during the 2014 polls even as the INLD was contesting against the BJP, SAD’s alliance partner in Punjab.

In the 2009 and 2014 Assembly elections, the SAD won one seat each in Haryana in alliance with the INLD.

However, things have changed. The INLD snapped its political ties with the SAD after the Punjab State Assembly passed a resolution against the construction of the SYL canal in March this year. “We are not going to support any political party in Punjab this time,” confirmed Ashok Arora, INLD state president.

Congress leaders of both states, too, have been campaigning in each other’s state in the past. However, the current rancour has forced Congress leaders from Haryana to hold back this time.

Former CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda has rather demanded imposition of the President’s rule in Punjab and its continuation till the construction of the canal was completed under the supervision of the Centre. “I will definitely go to Punjab for campaigning, if I am invited. But I will demand Haryana’s share of SYL waters in my speeches,” Hooda told The Tribune. Captain Abhimanyu, a senior minister in the Khattar government, is in a catch-22 situation as he has been appointed the party’s co-in-charge of campaign in Punjab.

Though Abhimanyu said after the SC verdict that both states would find an amicable solution to the issue, it was to be seen how he will strike a balance between interest of his own state and those of Punjab.

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 17

In the 2009 and 2014 Assembly elections, the SAD won one seat each in Haryana in alliance with the INLD.

Congress leaders of both states, too, have been campaigning in each other’s state in the past. However, the current rancour has forced Congress leaders from Haryana to hold back this time.

Changing equation

The INLD snapped its political ties with SAD after the Punjab State Assembly passed a resolution against the construction of the SYL canal in March this year.

SYL land ‘returned to owners’ even as court battle still on

DEFIANT, AND HOW For revenue record mutation in four districts, staff working overnightFARMERS HAVE BEEN TOLD BY LOCAL AKALI LEADERS TO TAKE PHYSICAL POSSESSION AFTER TAKING COPIES OF LAND RECORDS

PATIALA: Even as the battle with Haryana is still on in the Supreme Court, land for the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal is being restored, in revenue records, to the original owners at breakneck speed by Punjab’s SAD-BJP government.

On Thursday, the November 16 notification by irrigation secretary Kahan Singh Pannu reached deputy commissioners of four districts where the SYL land is located. Within hours, revenue department officials showed the land as returned to the original owners.

Officials have even reported that “90% owners have taken possession”. That is on the basis of the March 16 and 17 action when, assisted by all political parties, the original owners had taken over land after the Punjab assembly passed a bill for the acquired land’s de-notification.

That bill is still pending for assent by the governor and the Supreme Court too had ordered status quo, but the state cabinet earlier this week took an executive decision to return the land anyway. The cabinet’s defiant move had come after the SC on November declared “invalid” Punjab’s 2004 law by which the state had unilaterally annulled all water-sharing agreements, including the SYL canal with Haryana.“The report for restoration has been recorded in the official books of every patwari. The record-mutation work is on. We will complete it within the next few hours,” said a revenue official overseeing the process at Fatehgarh Sahib and Patiala, where patwaris were on the job at least till 8pm. Other two districts covered are Rupnagar and SAS Nagar.

The number of original owners is around 4,900 for the 5,376 acres. “We have clear directions to implement this decision in 24 hours,” said a deputy commissioner who refused to be named, fearing ire of the SC for alleged contempt of its orders. Other DCs and senior officials expressed the same concern.

Punjab Patwar Union leader Mohan Singh said, “We have decided to work overnight so that by Friday we can start giving mutation record copies to the original owners. In case of descendents and legal heirs, the mutation can be changed again later, but for now we will restore the land in the name of the person from whom it was acquired, whether he/she is alive or not.” Lambardars (local revenue officials) has been directed to assist patwaris.

Farmers have been told by local Akali leaders to take physical possession after taking copies of land records. “We levelled the canal next to our fields in March, but could not start farming as officials later denied permission. I have decided to sow wheat on that land now,” said Jagsir Singh of Banaur village.

The state’s notification says, “In view of the decision of [the] cabinet of government of Punjab, it is hereby notified that the land acquired for the SYL canal project which is presently vested in the Punjab Government, free from all encumbrances, stands de-notified with immediate effect and shall forthwith vest in the original land owners or their lineal decadents/legal representatives, free of cost.”

Rajpura sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) Harpreet Singh Sudan said there are 49 villages in Patiala from where land for SYL was acquired, and most were in Rajpura. “Revenue officials are acting as per government notification,” he said.

In SAD’s first list, a mix of fresh and tested candidates

GURMEET SINGH KULAR ALSO HAS A STRONG BACKING OF HERO CYCLES LIMITED, A CYCLE GIANT BASED IN LUDHIANA, AND ALSO HOLDS A REPUTATION NOT ONLY AMONG THE CYCLE AND BICYCLE PARTS MANUFACTURERS BUT ALSO OTHER INDUSTRIALISTS OF THE CITY

LUDHIANA: From fielding a wellknown industrialist in the city opposite independent candidate Simarjeet Bains to giving the ticket to a woman candidate in Jagraon, the Shiromani Akali Dal, while announcing names for the 11 of the total 14 constituencies in Ludhiana, has introduced three fresh candidates, retained five old faces while shuffled three candidates and in its bid to ‘balance’ it out besides targeting Dalit vote in the process.

The SAD has changed the candidates for six of these 11 constituencies. While from Payal, which was earlier the constituency of Vidhan Sabha speaker Charanjit Singh Atwal, the party has fielded Isher Singh Meharban. The former minister had quit Congress to join SAD in 2014. He lost to Shiv Ram Kaler in 2012 by a close margin of 204 votes. Meharban, who is a twotime MLA from Koom Kalan, had unsuccessfully contested the last assembly election from Jagraon and lost with a narrow margin of 200 votes from SAD candidate Shiv Ram Kaler. He had also resigned from the post of the state executive member of PPCC in 2013 a protest against party appointments done by then PPCC president Partap Singh Bajwa. He is known to have a strong influence in Ludhiana.

Atwal’s son Inder Iqbal Singh Atwal has been given the ticket from Raikot (SC).

Meanwhile, SAD has fielded Bibi Amarjit Kaur Sahoke from Jagraon not giving the ticket to sitting MLA Shiv Ram Kaler from this constituency. Kaler has been given the ticket from Nihal Singh Wala (SC).

Sahoke has remained as the chairman Zila Parishad from Nihal Singh Wala.

Hira Singh Gabria who lost from Atam Nagar constituency in 2012 by 28,498 votes has been fielded from Ludhiana (South) in these elections.

A well-known industrialist from Ludhiana, Gurmeet Singh Kular, has been given the SAD ticket from Atam Nagar constituency. Gurmeet Singh Kular who is the chairman of United Cycle and Parts Manufacturers Association has been placed as a candidate by SAD at Atam Nagar against firebrand independent MLA Simarjit Singh Bains. The area has considerable number of small industrial units as a result, Kular could be able to make a mark in the area as he himself is a cycle parts manufacturer.

Kular also has a strong backing of Hero Cycles Limited, a cycle giant based in Ludhiana, and also holds a reputation not only among the cycle and bicycle parts manufacturers but also other industrialists of the city.

From Samrala constituency, the SAD has fielded Santa Singh Umaidpur, former chairman of the Punjab Subordinate Service Selection Board who is also contesting from the first time.

From Sahnewal, Khanna, Ludhiana (North), Gill and Dakha constituencies, the SAD has given tickets to old timers Ranjit Singh Talwandi (Khanna), Sharanjit Singh Dhillon (Sahnewal), Ranjit Singh Dhillon (Ludhiana North), Darshan Singh Shivalik (Gill)and Manpreet Ayali (Dakha).

Manpreet, Singla, Jassi vie for Bathinda Congress ticket

Harminder to rebel against any move for ticket to Manpreet

I am willing to contest from Bathinda. But I will act as per the wishes of the party high command: I have nothing to comment on Jassi’s rebel meeting. MANPREET BADAL, Congress leader

BATHINDA: In view of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) fielding its sitting MLA Sarup Chand Singla from Bathinda, the Congress is facing tough postures from the state’s two erstwhile finance ministers Manpreet Badal and Surinder Singla, besides former MLA Harminder Singh Jassi for contesting from the politically charged constituency.

Jassi even exhibited his show of strength on Wednesday against any chance of Manpreet Badal getting the ticket, saying it was he who “stood by Manpreet during the last (2014) Lok Sabha polls and led to the increase of 30,000 votes in favour of Manpreet from the Bathinda urban area, which helped Manpreet get a face- saving defeat against Harsimrat Badal".

The vociferous Jassi roped in Bathinda district Congress committee chief Mohan Lal Jhumba at the meeting attended by 5 of the 9 party councillors and over 500 cadres with many holding ranks in the party at his residence here. Jassi even accused Manpreet of behaving like “the owner of this Bahinda urban constituency”.

Manpreet, whose huge posters emerged in Bathinda in the recent past on festive occasions, told HT that he was willing to contest from Bathinda.

“But I will act as per the wishes of the party high command, and I have nothing to comment on this (Jassi's rebel meeting),” he said. ANOTHER RIVAL

Former finance minister Surinder Singla also sounded bitter against Manpreet, as he said, “The one who could not save his own constituency (Gidderbaha), how could he (Manpreet) win from any other constituency?" Manpreet had remained Gidderbaha MLA in the past, before launching his own People’s Party of Punjab (PPP) and then lost the Gidderbaha seat in 2012 to Amrinder Singh Raja Waring of the Congress.

Singla banks on Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) president Capt Amarinder Singh who had earlier been quoted for backing Singla for the ticket.

"You see, how Captain Amarinder Singhji said I would be the candidate when he last came here," Singla told HT.

The PPCC president, during his ‘kisan bus yatra’ had last month (October 19) stated while talking to reporters here that he would recommend Singla's name as the candidate from Bathinda (urban).

Singla remained Bathinda (urban) MLA in 2002-07 and served as finance minister in the cabinet of then chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh.

Singla on Thursday told HT that he regretted contesting the 2007 Amritsar Lok Sabha byelection. “I should have stuck to my constituency here (Bathinda),” he said. Banking on the “heavy anti-incumbency factor” against the Akali-BJP regime, the Congress leadership here had got a boost with the PPCC president’s visit last month. PAST PERFORMANCES

Manpreet had got a lead of 30,000 from Bathinda (urban) assembly segment during the 2014 Lok Sabha polls that he lost to Harsimrat Kaur Badal for the Bathinda parliamentary seat.

Jassi had lost the 2007 assembly poll from here by a thin margin of 6,600 votes to the SAD's Sarup Chand Singla. He was then unsuccessfully fielded for the Talwandi Sabo assembly bypoll against the SAD's Jeetmohinder Singh Sidhu in the current AkaliBJP regime in 2014.

SAD workers ‘beat up’ AAP activist in Sangrur village

My father was attacked with sharpedged weapons by SAD supporters. Culprits came in two cars and beat him up brutally. When he fell unconscious, they ran away from the spot. GURDEEP SINGH, vicim’s son

SANGRUR: Aam Aadmi Party’s Dirba circle in-charge was allegedly assaulted by Akali supporters at Khadial village on Thursday.

The incident took place around 12:45 pm in the village when the victim was returning home from his fields.

The victim was identified as Karamjit Singh, 50, who is a panchayat member and associated with the AAP. As he was injured, Singh was admitted to the civil hospital Sangur where he is still under treatment and unfit to make any statement before the police.

His son, Gurdeep Singh, alleged that the Akali goons assaulted his father.He said, “My father was attacked with sharp-edged weapons by SAD supporters. The culprits came in two cars and beat him up brutally. When he fell unconscious, they ran away.”

“It is a condemnable act and we demand strict action against the accused. After Karamjit gives his statement, the culprits should be arrested immediately,” said AAP Dirba candidate Harpal Cheema.“Police are looking into the matter and we have visited the hospital, but he was unfit to say anything. Action will be taken according to law after the statement of the victim,” said, Hardial Dass, Mehlan Chowk police post in-charge.