Amarinder is Cong’s CM choice: Rahul

Vows stern laws to eradicate ‘chitta’

GS Paul

Tribune News Service

Majitha, January 27

Cong vice-president Rahul Gandhi with PPCC chief Capt Amarinder Singh and Navjot Singh Sidhu at Majitha on Friday. photo: vishal kuma

On a three-day tour of Punjab ahead of the February 4 elections, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi today addressed an impressive gathering at Majitha, the bastion of Bikramjit Singh Majithia, Revenue Minister and brother-in-law of Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal. He announced Capt Amarinder Singh as the party’s chief ministerial candidate, eliciting a thunderous applause.

Amid cries of ‘Jo Bole So Nihal’ and flanked by Capt Amarinder and party’s Amritsar East candidate Navjot Singh Sidhu, Rahul promised to eradicate ‘chitta’ (drugs).

Finally, Rahul names Capt as Cong CM face

FRONTAL ATTACK Targets Badals on drug issue in SAD stronghold Majitha, raps Kejri at Bathinda, Talwandi Sabo rallies

“The Akalis made fun of me when I raised the issue in the past. Today, there is enough evidence to prove how Punjab’s youth is being destroyed by drugs. If voted to power, the Congress will bring in stern laws to tackle the problem,” he said, also promising to waive farm loans and take back cases registered against those who had dared to raise their voice against the Badals. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi claims to fight corruption. How then can he support the Akali Dal? The entire nation knows the Akali Dal has ruined Punjab,” Rahul said. Ridiculing the SAD further, he claimed that contrary to Guru Nanak Dev’s preaching of “tera he tera”, the Akalis had pursued the dictum of “mera he mera”. Accusing the Badals of monopolising all trade, be it transport, cable network or the hotel industry, Rahul said: “Punjab ke badlon ne andhera phaila diya hai (Badals have spread darkness). You have to give a ‘cut’ to them if you want to set up business in Punjab. That’s why industrialists have moved to other states. The damage done is huge. We need people’s support to clean the mess.” In an apparent reference to the growing incidents of sacrilege in Punjab, he said while Modi claimed he was against communalism, “he is backing a party that is creating communal polarisation in Punjab”.In a veiled attack on AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal, Rahul said Punjab would not be run by a “remote control” as it did not need one. Capt Amarinder accused the SAD-BJP government of implicating youths in false cases. He claimed that of the approximately 90 lakh youth in the 18- 35 years’ age group, “at least five lakh have been booked in frivolous cases to intimidate them”. Sidhu attacked the Badals in his inimitable style, provoking much laughter. Later in the day, Bikram Majithia tweeted: “Rahul Gandhi has nothing to deliver for the people of Punjab. He has only false hopes & failed dreams to offer to win votes” and “Rahul is facing ire of Punjabis during his rallies as the wounds inflicted on them by his grandma & father are still bleeding”.

MAJITHA: Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Friday finally named party’s Punjab chief Captain Amarinder Singh as the chief ministerial candidate, ending months of speculation on who will lead the party’s battle against the ruling SAD-BJP and the AAP in the poll-bound state.“Our chief minister will be from Punjab. Our CM candidate is sitting here. He is Captain Amarinder Singh,” said Rahul while addressing a rally at the SAD stronghold Majithia.

Rahul, who has repeatedly targeted the ruling Badal family for failing to address the problem of drug abuse in the state where an estimated 70% of the youth are said to be addicted to what is locally known as ‘chitta’, said: “The Congress will fight the war against drugs and will win it. He added that the party will also bring in such a stringent law that peddlers would shiver even thinking about drugs.

Without naming anybody, he said if voted to power, the party will send to jail all those who have looted the state and failed to address the drugs problem..

Later, while addressing rallies in Bathinda and Talwandi Sabo, Rahul lashed out at AAP supremo and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, describing him as “dictator CM” who now wants to switch over to Punjab.

SAD MP cries ‘political murder’ by Sukhbir as ‘sleazy’ video goes viral

FAZILKA/JALALABAD: A video allegedly showing Ferozepur’s Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) MP Sher Singh Ghubaya – whose son is contesting the assembly polls from Fazilka on Congress ticket – in an intimate position with a woman went viral on Friday. The MP declared the video “fabricated” and said it was “a ploy” by SAD chief (and deputy CM) Sukhbir Singh Badal, who is contesting from Ghubaya’s home seat Jalalabad.This video is fabricated. It’s an insult to Rai Sikhs. It’s a ploy by Sukhbir Singh Badal to politically murder me SHER SINGH GHUBAYA, SAD MP

Flanked by Congress MP and Jalalabad candidate Ravneet Singh Bittu, Ghubaya ripped open the rupture with Sukhbir to openly side with the Grand Old Party, and said, “It is an attempt to politically murder me.” Ghubaya has already been actively seeking votes for his son and the Congress in Fazilka, and has a significant sway over the 30% Rai Sikh (Scheduled Caste) vote in Jalalabad too.

At the press conference in Jalalabad— from where AAP’s Bhagwant Mann is also in fray — the veteran Rai Sikh leader said he would write to the Union home minister to increase his security cover as there is a “threat to my life.” Playing the caste card, he said the video “is an insult to Rai Sikhs”Bittu was quick to seize the moment: “This is an attack on a man’s dignity. The central government must get a free and fair probe into the entire matter — either from a parliamentary committee or sitting judge of high court.”

The video purportedly shows a man alleged to be Ghubaya drinking liquor and indulging in sexual activities with a woman other than his wife. Sources attributed its origins to Ghubaya’s personal staff, while there was talk of more such videos set to be released.

Ghubaya, who was MLA from Jalalabad before vacating the seat in 2009 for Sukhbir, also said he won’t resign as MP or from the Akali Dal. “People elected me for a full term, and I will complete it,” he said. There were reports of his leaving the Akali Dal, but eventually only his son and wife joined the Congress. His son Davinder even got the ticket. Ghubaya referred to a vigilance raid at a college owned by him just after the report of his switching allegiances. SAD Union minister and Sukhbir’s wife, Harsimrat Kaur Badal, had at the time said Ghubaya was free to leave the party. Ghubaya on Friday recounted his version of the rift, “After the 2012 polls, Sukhbir was sought to politically eliminate me from Jalalabad initially by sending outsiders as halqa in-charge. When I complained to chief minister Parkash Singh Badal, he asked me to discuss it with Sukhbir. But Sukhbir never paid any heed to my repeated pleas.” Then, he said, Sukhbir ignored his requests for party ticket from Jalalabad, Ferozepur Rural, Guru Har Sahai or Fazilka seats for the assembly polls.

Dictator Kejri eyeing CM post, says Rahul

BATHINDA/TALWANDISABO:Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Friday lashed out at Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supremo and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, describing him as “dictator CM” who now wants to switch over to Punjab.

Addressing elections rallies at Bathinda and Rama Mandi in Talwani Sabo, he also termed Amarinder as an undisputed leader who is far better than incumbent CM Parkash Singh Badal and will work democratically unlike the “dictator CM Kejriwal” in Delhi.

“Kejriwal wants to run away from Delhi because he is unable to run the government there. He now wants to become the chief minister in Punjab,” Rahul said at the rally in Bathinda, where Manpreet Badal is the party candidate. “One man (Kejriwal) cannot change Punjab. As you know Kejriwal is a one-man show in Delhi,” Rahul earlier said at the Rama Mandi rally in support of Talwani Sabo Congress candidate Khushbaaz Singh Jatana.Rahul was all praise for Amarinder, who was not present at both the rallies even as he had attended the Congress vice-president’s election meeting at Majitha earlier in the day.

Dubbing deputy CM Sukhbir Badal as corrupt, he accused the Badals of demanding a share in every industrial unit. “This is why the state now witnesses industrial recession,” he said.

Akali strategy is to choke Ghubaya with ‘sex tape’

his (sharing stage with Cong MP Bittu) is an antiparty activity and party has taken a serious view of the matter. DALJEET CHEEMA, SAD spokesperson

From page 01 CHANDIGARH : The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) think-tank is divided over booting out its Ferozepur MP Sher Singh Ghubaya even as the rebel Rai Sikh leader on Friday unfurled a banner of revolt against SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal in the wake of a sleazy video.

HT FILEIN GOOD TIMES: Sher Singh Ghubaya (right) had vacated the Jalalabad assembly seat for Sukhbir Singh Badal in 2009.

The political temperature of the poll-bound Punjab rose suddenly after a video clip allegedly that of Ghubaya in a compromising position began circulating on Friday morning.

Stunned by the expose, the SAD MP flanked by Congress MP Ravneet Singh Bittu, who is in the fray from Jalalabad against Sukhbir Badal, held a news conference blaming his party chief Sukhbir Badal for leaking the “fake” video to “politically murder” him.

Ghubaya became a thorn in the flesh for the SAD after his son Davinder Ghubaya, 25, joined the Congress to contest February 4 election from Fazilka segment.Ghubaya hails from a Rai Sikh community that has a majority in Jalalabad and Fazilka segments.

SHARING DAIS WITH THE CONGRESS

What has enraged the SAD leadership is the audacious attempt of Ghubaya who on Friday and for the first time directly attacked Sukhbir Badal. One section of the SAD think tank wanted Sukhbir to throw the MP out of the party. Another section’s opinion, however, was “not to take action” and let the MP “expose himself”.

“Ghubaya wants that party should sack him so that he becomes an independent MP in the Lok Sabha,” a SAD source said. A top SAD leader said in the Parliament, Ghubaya will be bound by the party whip. “If Ghubaya defies the party whip, he will be disqualified. That’s what we want. We will not fall into his trap.”

On the other hand and earlier in the day, SAD spokesperson Daljit Singh Cheema dubbed Ghubaya’s stance as “serious act of indiscipline”. “This is an anti-party activity and party has taken a serious view of the matter,” Cheema said. It is understood that SAD’s core committee will discuss this issue.

NO SURPRISE

The SAD MP has been at the loggerheads, especially with Sukhbir Badal, after vigilance bureau (VB) last month raided the Ghubaya College of Engineering and Technology at Sukhera Bodla village in Fazilka district in connection with alleged financial irregularities.

But, Ghubaya holding press conference with Congress’ Jalalabad candidate—post sleazy video clip leakage—has given a new twist to the SAD’s tussle with the Ferozepur MP.

The video clip has given SAD ammunition to clandestinely ambush the defiant MP. The timing of the video surfacing is significant as this development has potential to put Congress on the back foot.

SAD sources say before the steamy clip went viral, it was shown to certain SAD leaders on Thursday.

Though the SAD think tank is divided over action against the defiant MP, they are on the same page over its well-oiled dirty tricks department exploiting the scandalous video to the hilt to demolish the adventurous Ghubaya beyond repair.

No AAP wave in Malwa, Kejriwal a thug: Sukhbir

KHARAR/CHAMKAUR SAHIB: Punjab deputy chief minister and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Badal on Tuesday said there was no Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) wave in the Malwa region as was being projected by the rookie party.

SANJEEV SHARMA/HTPunjab deputy chief minister Sukhbir Badal addressing a public meeting in Kharar on Wednesday.

Sukhbir termed the “AAP a party of scoundrels and Arvind Kejriwal a thug”. He said this while addressing a rally in favour of party’s Kharar candidate Ranjit Singh Gill.“The party has been wiped out in Majha and Doaba. In Malwa, they are claiming that they are strong. It is a lie. The results on March 11 will prove me correct,” he said. He said the AAP’s Kharar candidate Kanwar Sandhu, a former journalist, used his position to get his son admitted to a medical college and did not want to pay his fee. “Later he used his position to get his son a government job through the Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC),” Sukhbir alleged.

Later, addressing a rally at Chamkaur Sahib in favour of candidate justice (retd) Nirmal Singh, he attacked Congress candidate Charanjit Singh Channi saying that he completely failed as leader of the opposition. He accused Channi of trying to woo voters by distributing liquor in the constituency.

He said people of Punjab would never forgive the Congress and Gandhis for attacking Harmandar Sahib with tanks.

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Amritsar senior deputy mayor joins Congress

SETBACK TO SAD Truckanwala is considered close to Inderbir Singh Bolaria

Navjot Singh Sidhu along with Avtar Singh Truckanwala (sitting third from left) in Amritsar on Friday.

In a setback to ruling Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) in the city, senior deputy mayor and three-time councillor Avtar Singh Truckanwala on Thursday evening joined Congress along with few other local BJP leaders in the presence of party’s star campaigner Navjot Singh Sidhu.

Close to the family of former SAD member of legislative assembly (MLA) and Congress candidate from Amritsar South Inderbir Singh Bolaria, Truckanwala has considerable sway in the Amritsar South and Amritsar East segments from where Sidhu is contesting the elections. He had been elected thrice as a councillor from ward number 29, 36 and 15.

He came into limelight after another local SAD leader Navdeep Singh Goldy had allegedly manhandled him and tossed his turban in a meeting held regarding the development of Amritsar South assembly segment in August last year. Goldy had not been suspended from the party, but an FIR was registered against him. However, he was reinstated by the Akali leadership. The senior deputy mayor was upset over Goldy’s reinstatement. “How can I stay in a party which accommodates the man who tossed my turban irrespective of my age which is equal to that of his father’s. So, I left the party for my dignity and self-respect,” he said while speaking to Hindustan Times.“Apart from this, Akali minister Bikram Singh Majithia, who is at the helm of affairs in Majha, has harassed me time to time by cutting my ticket and changing my wards during the municipal corporation elections. Still I have always won wherever I have contested from,” he said.

“Being the senior most Akali, I deserved a lot for the SAD ticket in Amritsar South for assembly elections, but again, I was ignored and the ticket was allotted to Gurpartap Singh Tikka. These are the main reasons behind my decision,” he said, adding, “Sidhu’s character like honest politicians appealed to me as well”.

Truckanwala did a show of strength at Simran Palace here on Thursday late evening where Sidhu as well as senior Congress leader and former MLA Jasbir Singh Dimpa arrived to induct him into the party. Besides him, several local BJP leaders including Ashwani Sharma and Harpreet Singh Jammu also joined Congress.

This is a second big jolt to the SAD’s urban vote bank as just a week ago, Surinder Singh Sultanwind, chief of Akali councillors in Amritsar, joined the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the presence of senior AAP leader and Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia.

Dissatisfied people of Punjab will chase CM ‘out of power’: Sidhu

Congress’s star campaigner Navjot Singh Sidhu asked Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal to leave his reign on his own as the dissatisfied people of Punjab are going to chase him ‘out of power’ in the upcoming state assembly elections.

Sidhu said this while addressing a rally in favour of Gurdaspur Congress nominee Barindermeet Singh Pahra at Hanuman Chowk here on Friday.

Sidhu alleged that current Badal regime has been proven to be worst for the people of the state though Badals have multiplied their wealth manifold by ‘corrupt means’ and ‘misusing’ their political power.Sidhu accused Parkash Singh Badal of perpetrating cruelties on the opposition leaders, workers besides looting the state ex-chequer mercilessly to serve his vested interests. Sidhu asserted that Badal government almost ignored the state on development front.

Sidhu further termed Aam Aadmi Party convener Arvind Kejriwal a liar.

Capt dares Kejriwal to name AAP’s chief ministerial face

FEROZEPUR: Punjab Congress president Captain Amarinder Singh has yet again challenged Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal to name his party’s chief ministerial candidate to “prove his sincerity about welfare of the people of Punjab”.Captain was in the area to address rallies at Guruharsahai and Ferozepur Rural on Friday. He flayed Kejriwal’s continued attempts to make a back-door entry to “grab the chief ministerial post in Punjab without contesting” the polls.

Pointing out that all other major political parties in the fray have announced their CM faces, Amarinder said, “There was enough evidence to indicate that Kejriwal himself was eying the top post in the state despite his total disconnect with Punjab’s people and their concerns”.“Kejriwal’s refusal to name a Punjabi chief ministerial candidate and to clarify on the AAP candidate for deputy CM’s post gives suggests that he is interested in taking over the coveted post, as was in fact publicly mentioned by his own party leader recently,” he added.

AAP’s total disconnect with Punjab was evident from the fact that it was bringing in thousands of people from other states to steer its electioneering, said Captain Amarinder, adding that Kejriwal, as a Haryanvi, could not be expected to stand by Punjab on issues of SYL, Chandigarh and Punjabi language.

Meanwhile, he also attacked Badals for allegedly destroying the state’s economy. Expressing concern over the spate of farmer suicides in the state, Captain Amarinder reiterated his promise to waive off all farm debts on coming to power.

He also reiterated his promise of one job per family and revival of industry to wean the youth away from drugs and bring Punjab back on the track of development.

Captain Amarinder warned of strict action against all politicians and police officers involving in framing innocent people in fake cases and vowed to bring to book those responsible for pushing the state’s youth into drugs.

Despite cold weather, people enthusiastically listened to Captain at Guruharsahai, where he sought votes for his close aide and three-times MLA, Rana Gurmit Singh Sodhi. At Ferozepur Rural, Captain asked voters to vote for Congress leader Satkar Kaur.

Sunam seat a challenge for both SAD, Congress

I am not contesting against any party or individual.We are fighting against corruption, drugs, mafias and injustice. Dhindsa knew that he cannot not win. So, he opted for another seat AMAN ARORA, AAP candidate
I am getting huge response and party workers are with me. The Deepa factor will not work against me. My rival is AAP candidate and SAD knows that their candidate is not in the fray DAMAN THIND BAJWA, Congress candidate

SANGRUR: Equations have changed in Sunam this time as the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has fielded four-time MLA from Sunam, Punjab finance minister, Parminder Singh Dhindsa, from the Lehra assembly constituency. The two-time cabinet minister and son of party stalwart Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, Rajya Sabha member, is contesting against Congress candidate Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, former chief minister. The SAD has fielded Gobind Singh Longowal, former cabinet minister from Sunam. Longowal is sitting MLA from Dhuri .

Although Dhindsa spent around ₹150 crore on roads alone in the constituency and also improved the infrastructure of schools, colleges and it is, yet he considered more on Lehra during the past two years and managed grants for his new constituency. The region has also witnessed a large number of farmer suicide in the last five years. Winning the seat is a major challenge for Longowal this time.

CHALLENGE FOR AAP

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has fielded former All India Congress Committee (AICC) member and the son of former Punjab minister Bhagwan Das Arora, Aman Arora, 42, from the constituency.

He joined the AAP in January 2016. Bhagwan Das Arora, who passed away in 2000, was a Congress minister and his son-inlaw Rajinder Deepa is also contesting from the same seat as the Congress rebel and independent candidate. “I am not contesting against any party or individual. Indeed, we are fighting against corruption, drugs, mafias and injustice in the state. I don’t want to make any comment on Parminder Dhindsa, but he knew that he could not win from the constituency and decided to contest from another seat,” said Aman Arora, 42.CONG TOO OPTS FOR FRESH FACE

Facing protests since the Congress announced her candidature from Sunam, Daman Thind Bajwa, 28, had held roadshows with her youth aides and is very confident of winning the seat.

As the Congress announced Bajwa’s name in its second list, Rajinder Deepa held protest against the party’s decision and filed nomination as an independent candidate. “I am getting huge response and party workers are with us.

The Deepa factor will not work against me. My rival is AAP candidate and SAD knows that their candidate is not in the fray,” said Daaman, former NSUI president.

MAJOR ISSUES

The birth place of Shaheed Udham Singh is being considered a backward area and people of the region are demanding basic necessities like pure water, sewerage and health services. There are only 2 colleges in the segment but 55 liquor shops.

The agriculture based area demands industry and employment. There a total of 12 candidates in the fray.

KEY CONTESTS

Majithia’s opponents harp on drug taint in Majitha

Revenue Minister faces AAP’s Himmat Shergill, Cong’s Lali

Tribune News Service

Majitha (Amritsar), Jan 27

Akali flags dominate the space in the Majitha Assembly segment, where its MLA Bikram Singh Majithia is seeking a third term on the development agenda. He is also banking on his “influence” to get the works done.

For the Congress and AAP, it’s a contest that will define the battle for Majha. They promise to end the drug mafia and provide the youth with jobs.

Revenue Minister Majithia is the target in the speeches of his rivals across the state for his alleged drug links. AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal has promised to send Majithia to jail by April 15. The Congress has also assured action against him.

Congress nominee Sukhjinder Raj Singh Lali Majithia and AAP’s Himmat Singh Shergill are contesting to end the hegemony of Majithia and the Badals. But people have a question for them: Can they defeat Majithia?

The predominant rural constituency stands apart from others in the area with well laid-out roads, paved concrete streets and drains. Posters and banners dot the path to Majithia’s rally, where he boasts of spending Rs450 crore on development.

“Saffron flags atop the houses are a testimony to his support. Majithia has brought unprecedented development. The streets were all slush and mud earlier,” says Joginder Singh of Ajaibwala village. “He will win, though the margin of victory may not be high like the last Assembly elections.”

Jagtar Singh standing nearby has a different take. “Jhandean te naa jao. Jhandi Akali di te vote Lali di (Don’t go by flags. These may show Akali dominance, but votes are of Lali Majithia),” he says.

At some houses, one can spot Akali flags and AAP posters together. AAP posters emphasise Himmat Singh’s degree — Barrister at Law — from the UK. Shergill was earlier fielded from Mohali, but the party changed his seat to take on Majithia on his turf.

Will he make a difference? “AAP is working hard, but we have not pasted its posters. Someone did this overnight,” says Sandeep Singh of Gopalpura village.

As for Lali Majithia, he seems to be putting up a better fight this time as he has the backing of the Congress. In the 2012 elections, he had contested as an Independent after the Congress denied him the ticket. He had polled 26,363 votes then, while Congress nominee Shalinderjit Singh Shelly had polled only 7,629 votes. Their combined vote share was not even half of Majithia’s. He had polled 73,944 votes.

In 2007, Majithia had garnered 51,690 votes and his opponent Lali (Congress) had got 28,682 votes. In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, BJP nominee Arun Jaitley had got a lead of about 21,000 votes from Majitha over Congress’ Capt Amarinder Singh. Akali supporters quote these figures, claiming they will win Majitha hands down.

An interesting facet of the contest is that whosever wins, a Shergill will be the winner. Shergill is the sub-caste of all three main candidates. Does that mean anything to voters? Not much, they say.

Flags don’t reveal much

Akali flags dominate the space in Majitha segment, where its MLA Bikram Singh Majithia is seeking a third term. “Saffron flags atop the houses are a testimony to his support,” says Joginder Singh of Ajaibwala village. Jagtar Singh standing nearby has a different take. “Jhandean te naa jao. Jhandi Akali di te vote Lalli di (Don’t go by flags. These may show Akali dominance, but votes are of Lalli Majithia),” he says.
BJP activist Sika joins Cong
Tribune News Service

Amritsar, January 25
A BJP activist, Sandeep Sika (50), who is also brother of Municipal Councillor Anuj Sika, today joined the Congress in presence of Navjot Singh Sidhu and Sunil Dutti. He owns a gas agency and was working for the BJP since 2002. Sika was associated with Navjot Singh Sidhu when he was in the BJP. Sidhu had been instrumental in making him join the Congress. However, Sika alleged that he was upset due to personal attacks by BJP leader Anil Joshi.

He said, “Navjot Singh Sidhu contacted me and asked to join his party recently. I have regards for Sidhu as he is a good politician. Today, I joined the Congress along with supporters.”

Sika claimed that he had hold in the Amritsar (East) and (North) constituencies. He will campaign for Sidhu and Sunil Dutti, also a Congress candidate.