Sidhu-AAP talks ‘inconclusive’

Jupinderjit Singh

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 27

It’s back to square one for Navjot Singh Sidhu. The former BJP MP first held parleys with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), later announced his own front (Awaaz-e-Punjab) and followed it with several rounds of talks with the Congress. Now, he is again negotiating with AAP.

Sidhu met AAP leaders Durgesh Pathak and Gurpreet Singh Waraich in New Delhi last night. The talks, however, remained inconclusive.

Arvind Kejriwal, party’s national convener and Delhi Chief Minister, had told The Tribune during a visit to the state recently that AAP was in talks with Sidhu.

Waraich, party’s state party affairs incharge Sanjay Singh and Punjab Dialogue head Kanwar Sandhu confirmed the development. However, none of them could specify what Sidhu was seeking.

Sources said Sidhu had talked about the possibility of getting the Deputy Chief Minister’s post and wanted to know whether the CM candidate had been finalised.

The former cricketer had told reporters in Chandigarh last month that he was tired of being used as a showpiece by political parties. However, he decided not to turn Awaaz-e-Punjab into a political party for the Assembly poll.

Bidding for Punjab votes

No political party for implementing economic reformThe Punjab Government has regularised the services of 27,000 employees, which is expected to put an additional annual burden of Rs 2,000 crore. AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal has demanded immediate implementation of a Supreme Court direction for equal pay to regular and temporary employees. Punjab has also granted Rs 100 crore for burial grounds for Christians and Muslims. All of these are perfectly legitimate and desirable decisions, but perhaps suited to another world, and not the economy as obtaining at present in Punjab.

Curiously, all these wondrous decisions were not taken in the past 10 years of the current dispensation. The fact is Punjab cannot afford them as the government’s finances are in a mess. And this state has been achieved through decisions that were taken with full awareness of the consequences, like free power for agriculture. The government has now also announced Rs 102 crore for giving power connections to far-flung houses at the discretion of SAD ‘halqa in-charges’, besides free power to the Backward Classes. The state's employees have pay scales higher than the Central government's. It is another matter that thousands go without salary for months, or the power, health and education sectors are being rendered dysfunctional for want of funds.

Legitimate hiring reforms and required levels of public spending on education and health can happen only if the macro economy of the state is reformed first. Going by the offers being made by the government and promises by AAP and the Congress, there seems to be little hope of any course correction. SAD has given no indication it intends to cut subsidies, and none of the rivals have condemned that. Free electricity was a gift of elections a decade ago, this time it could well be loan waivers, overstaffing in government departments, and tax cuts. Freebies are a drug no category of voters is able to resist, and one that never fails to work. What the voter fails to realise is he is being bought off with money taken from his pocket.

BJP’s Mehria joins Cong

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, October 27

Subash Mehria, former minister of rural development in the NDA government led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee, today joined the Congress in Rajasthan along with over 400 supporters. Mehria, a Jat leader, formally entered the Congress in Delhi along with Hari Singh, another veteran Jat leader from Rajasthan.

Mehria has thrice represented Sikar in the Lok Sabha on the BJP ticket. He has left citing differences with Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje Scindia, saying: “This is homecoming for me. My father was a Congress man.”

Rajasthan Congress chief Sachin Pilot and AICC media head Randeep Surjewala were present at the joining here. Former Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot was conspicuous by his absence, with leaders privately saying the joining was a handiwork of the anti-Gehlot camp. Rajasthan is 22 months away from polls.

Sidhu an opportunist, says CM

Ravi Dhaliwal

Tribune News Service

Kalanaur (Gurdaspur), Oct 27

After training guns on PPCC chief Capt Amarinder Singh and AAP president Arvind Kejriwal, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal termed Navjot Singh Sidhu as an “opportunist of the first order”. He said this while presiding over the Sangat Darshan programme held here today.

He said Sidhu had backstabbed his mother party and that was the reason why “no party was wiling to touch him even with a bargepole”.

“He has absolutely no stand. A rolling stone gathers no moss. He is putting his best foot forward to negotiate a favourable deal, but is yet to find success so far. He is into the politics of opportunism which is an art in itself but he is yet to master it. I wish him all the best in his future endeavours,” said Badal.

“Sidhu is a defector and a fugitive. He defected from his parent party without giving any solid reason and later became a fugitive. For days nobody knew where he was. I fail to understand why the man is playing games when the need of the hour for him was to come clean. How will people repose their trust in a deserter going by the name of Navjot Sidhu?” said the CM.

Taking on Amarinder yet again, the CM said he had concrete information that the Congress would consign the debt waiver scheme to backburner if at all the party was voted to power.

“People still remember the fact that Amarinder withdrew the facility of free power to farmers during his regime. A leopard can never change its spots,” he added.

Wife: SC order won’t affect Cong parleys

Amritsar, October 27

A day after the Supreme Court directed Navjot Singh Sidhu to face trial in a case filed by his opponent, OP Soni, during the 2009 Lok Sabha elections, his wife Dr Navjot Kaur Sidhu said today that the complaint was baseless.

Dr Sidhu said the process of transferring government officials prior to the elections or during the MP’s tenure was a routine affair.

“The SC verdict won’t impact our talks with the Congress as the case pertained to a petition filed seven years ago and that too is frivolous,” she said.

Soni, Congress MLA from Amritsar Central, welcomed the SC’s decision and said he had started exploring legal options to proceed against Sidhu. — TNS

Kejri’s wife may enter CM fray, says Chhotepur

Faridkot, October 27

Aapna Punjab Party (APP) chief Sucha Singh Chhotepur said here today that AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal was trying to project his wife Sunita as a prospective CM candidate.

Addressing a gathering in Kotkapura this evening, the former AAP state convener said, “Kejriwal does not trust any Punjabi. So, he is striving for a backdoor entry for his wife.” Chhotepur said his newly-formed party would field candidates from all 117 seats. — TNS

Ex-cop Pinki joins National Freedom Party

Jalandhar, October 27

Former state police “cat” Gurmeet Singh Pinki has joined the National Freedom Party (NFP) which had recently announced an alliance with Sucha Singh Chhotepur’s Aapna Punjab Party.

President of the NFP Amlan Biswas, who was earlier associated with the Vivekananda Foundation, has confirmed the same.

Asked if he was also being made to contest, Biswas said: “We can’t say that as of now. In any case, we will be releasing our first list of candidates on Saturday.”

An alleged terrorist-turned-police cat, Pinki’s life has been rid with controversies and he has no acceptance among Sikh hardliners. Asked as to why he had been taken in, Biswas said, “Our party aims at bringing people into the mainstream and society always supports such moves.” — TNS

Now, govt using roadways buses for publicity

Archit Watts

Tribune News Service

Muktsar, October 27

Don’t be surprised if you travel in an ordinary Punjab Roadways bus next time and find an LED screen installed in it. The SAD-BJP state government is showcasing its publicity material of almost nine-and-half-year “successful” rule and screening ‘Chaar Sahibzade’ movie for passengers.

The 24-inch LED screen has been installed in some buses just behind the driver’s seat with four speakers and a woofer. A voltage stabilizer has also been installed. The bus staff has been given a USB flash drive, loaded with the movie and pro-government publicity material of nearly two-and-a-half-hour duration.

“The bus can be checked anytime while plying on the road. If some other movie is being screened on the LED screen, the inspector can fine us,” said an employee of a state-run bus of Moga depot plying in Muktsar district today.

He said the state government had chosen only new buses, which are red and white in colour, for this purpose. “The installation of LED screen and speakers has been done recently in Chandigarh,” he added.

Charanjit Singh Brar, General Manager, Punjab Roadways, Muktsar, said, “The higher-ups had demanded seven buses from Muktsar depot, in which the LED screen and speakers have been installed.”

Ashwani Sharma, Director, State Transport, said, “The buses having LED screens are those which are chosen for the CM’s Tirath Darshan Yatra.”

However, the buses fitted with LED screens, showing the movie and pro-government material, were found plying on Wednesday and Thursday.

One IAS, 20 PCS officers transferred

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 27

The Punjab Government today issued the transfer/posting orders of one IAS and 20 PCS officers. A government spokesman said IAS officer Mohammad Tayyab had been appointed Special Secretary, Housing and Urban Development, in addition to Special Secretary, Forests and Wildlife.

Among the PCS officers, Babita has been posted as ADC, Phagwara; Iqbal Singh Sandhu as ADC (General), Hoshiarpur; Surinder Singh as SDM, Pathankot, in addition to Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Pathankot, and Estate Officer, Amritsar Development Authority; Paramjit Singh-II as SDM, Amritsar-II; Geetika Singh as SDM, SBS Nagar; Rajesh Kumar Sharma as SDM, Ludhiana (East); and Sumit Mudh as Jaito SDM.

16 ‘unqualified’ doctors appointed specialists

Balwant Garg

Tribune News Service

Faridkot, October 27

The Health and Family Welfare Department, Punjab, has appointed 16 MBBS doctors as specialists in various fields even as they failed in their postgraduate MD/MS examination.

In their new posting orders, these “unqualified” doctors have been posted in various specialist fields of paediatrician, gynaecologist, anaesthetist, surgeon, ophthalmologist and orthopaedician. They have even been allowed to put “MD/MS” after their name.

In the past over one year, despite having conducted eight walk-in interviews to hire specialists, the department failed in filling more than 30 posts of specialist doctors.

On September 14 and October 10, the department issued posting orders of 49 Punjab Civil Medical Services (PCMS) doctors after they had finished their MD/MS courses in the different medical colleges in the state. The result of MD/MS courses was declared on July 18.

Information procured under the RTI Act revealed that though 16 of these 49 MBBS doctors were declared failed in their MD/MS examination, the Health Department gave them new posting orders as specialists in various fields.

Dr RL Taneja, president, Indian Medical Association, Punjab, said an MBBS doctor, who failed in the MD/MS examination at the end of three-year postgraduate course, got another chance by appearing in supplementary exams after six months. However, a doctor could not be designated as a specialist or an MD/MS until he/she passed the practical and theory examination, he added.

Dr HS Bali, Director, Health and Family Welfare, Punjab, had proposed the name of these “failed” MD/MS doctors for their appointment as specialists. However, he feigned ignorance about posting these doctors as specialists. Defending such postings, if there were any, Dr Bali said as there was a shortage of specialists in the department, there was no harm in utilising their three-year experience during their postgraduation courses.

The doctors appointed as specialists in various specialties in district and sub-divisional government hospitals are Dr Sunita Arora, Manpreet Kapoor, Dr Ravi Kant, Dr Inderpal, Dr Ravinder Singh, Dr Tripatjot Singh, Dr Sandeep Kumar, Dr Amandeep Kaur, Dr Ravi Kumar, Dr Rajinder Pal Singh, Dr Inderjit Kaur, Dr Livleen Kaur, Dr Jasbir Singh, Dr Neel Kamal Singh, Dr Ravisha Bhardwaj, Dr Suneet Kaur Gurm.

Shortage of 317 specialists

• The Health Department decided to post these “unqualified” doctors as there is an acute shortage of 317 specialists in various fields, including 107 in paediatrics, 43 in medicine, nine in gynaecology, 38 in radiology, 37 in anaesthesia and 25 in psychiatry.

Sidhu back in game as Cong, AAP renew offers to woo him

CHANDIGARH/PATIALA: At a time when political pundits had almost written off cricketerturned-politician Navjot Sidhu as a game-changer in the Punjab polls, the former test opener is back in the reckoning with both the Congress and AAP trying to seal a deal with him. And Sidhu is learnt to be bargaining hard for the best offer for himself and his outfit Awaaz-e-Punjab.

It is learnt that Congress leader Priyanka Vadra got in touch with Sidhu through Ghulam Nabi Azad this morning, and the AAP sent its national organisation-building in-charge Durgesh Pathak to strike a deal with Sidhu on Wednesday evening.

Confirming that he met Sidhu and his group, Pathak said he cannot divulge the details of what transpired. “All I can say is that the meeting went off positively,” he told HT. Sources close to Sidhu, however, claimed that the AAP has offered the post of the deputy CM to Sidhu if the party comes to power as also two ministerial portfolios and five MLA tickets, including one to his wife Navjot Kaur Sidhu. In order to circumvent the AAP rule that it does not give two tickets from a family, the AAP has offered an alliance with Sidhu’s Awaaz-ePunjab rather than merger of the outfit into the AAP.Sources said Sidhu and other leaders of Awaaz-e-Punjab are, however, not enthusiastic about the AAP offer. “Going by the past record, AAP leaders can go back on their word once the elections are won. The experience with them has been bitter,” said Sidhu’s close aide, adding that they decided last evening to wait for the Congress offer  Congress leaders on Thursday claimed that the deal with Sidhu had been “finalised”. “Azad had a detailed meeting with Sidhu this morning and a deal has been formalised. The Congress has offered a Lok Sabha seat for Sidhu, six assembly seats to fight polls and a cabinet berth for Sidhu’s wife if Congress forms a government in the state,” said a senior Congress leader, requesting anonymity, adding that Azad will discuss the final deal with Rahul Gandhi on Friday.

A section of the Awaaze-e Punjab, however, said their joining the Congress when Amarinder was heading the party in Punjab was not acceptable and no deal had been finalised as yet.

Sources in the Congress said the deal with Sidhu had almost been sealed a fortnight back, but Amarinder’s calling Sidhu a “clown” and his outfit a “tonga party” spoiled the parleys. The party then directed Amarinder to tone down his attack and he issued a statement welcoming Sidhu into the party.AAP’s interest in Sidhu, on the other hand, was renewed after the party analysed that the response of recent visit of national convener Arvind Kejriwal to Punjab was lower than anticipated. The party’s state top leaders, barring a few, are learnt to have asked Kejriwal to talk to Sidhu before it was too late.

The party’s state in-charge Sanjay Singh said in a press conference here on Thursday that talks were on with Sidhu but only time will tell what final shape they take. Party’s state convener Gurpreet Singh Wariach said there were no hard feelings of the party towards Sidhu for his outburst against Kejriwal. “A single statement cannot be held against a person forever,” said Waraich. Ankit Lal, a senior party leader heading the IT wing, however, tweeted on Thursday that the party had “not” offered the post of deputy CM to Sidhu.

Rana Gurjit Singh, 64

My biggest contribution is that I did not let SAD halqa in-charge Sarabjit Makkar, henchman of Sukhbir Badal, to loot the people.

HOW HE PERFORMED

Being an MLA from the opposition party, the MLA claims, he could not get funds from the state government. He emphasised that the projects that he got sanctioned for Kapurthala when he was Jalandhar MP (when Kapurthala was part of the Jalandhar Lok Sabha segment) could not see light of day because of the state’s SAD-BJP government scuttled them. He says his biggest contribution as an MLA has been that he did not allow SAD leader Sarabjit Makkar to get settled in Kapurthala segment. Rana and his family have contested six elections but never lost from Kapurthala area. He runs his political affairs and constituency matters through a team of his lieutenants. In the Vidhan Sabha, he got into a row over use of foul language.

Navtej Singh Cheema, 42

HOW HE PERFORMED

His performance as opposition MLA was considered above average. The MLA was seen fighting for the people on the ground throughout his tenure and managed to get the the Congress to win municipal polls in Sultanpur Lodhi. He also got sanctioned different, relatively small development works to the tune of around `1 crore from the MPLAD fund of Rajya Sabha member Ambika Soni. Easily accessible to the people, and a lowprofile politician, Cheema also used his pressure as an MLA to sort out smaller problems through the local administration. He also banks largely upon the legacy of his father, Gurmail Singh Cheema, who had served as minister in Beant Singh-led Congress government in the 1990s.

Manjit Singh Mianwind, 41

HOW HE PERFORMED

He got sanctioned `12 crore for laying new water supply and sewerage system in Baba Bakala town. Besides, he was instrumental in improving water supply and sewerage network in Beas town. For overall development of villages, including link roads and veterinary clinics, the government sanctioned `50 crore, but work on this is still in progress. A number of village link roads are in a poor condition even after five years of his tenure, and this is primarily due to the MLA failing to monitor the work. Portions of the Baba Bakala-Batala road which passes through the constituency remain in a deplorable state. Illegal sand mining along the Beas river is rampant. He did, however, remain accessible to the people of his constituency.

Jagir Kaur, 62 

A university or airport is not the need of my constituency. I made basic infrastructure here the best in Punjab.

Constituency: BHOLATH

Education: BA, B.Ed

Assets declared in last polls: `13.4 cr

Electoral record

2012: Defeated Congress candidate Sukhpal Khaira by 7,005 votes

2007: Lost to Cong’s Sukhpal Khaira by margin of 8,864 votes

ASSEMBLY RECORD

31 Questions asked: 0 Call attention moved:

POWER PUNCH A SAD heavyweight; ex-SGPC chief; heads local deraWHAT NEXT Can’t fight unless HC stays conviction for daughter’s abortion*

HOW SHE PERFORMED

With her clout and aggressive style, she managed to bring in special grants for roads and sewerage in small towns such as Bholath, Nadala, Dhilwan and Subhanpur in the constituency. In villages, too, her focus remained on basic infrastructure. She claims there is not a single household in her constituency that doesn’t have water and power connection. She managed to bring a sub-divisional hospital to Bholath, but, due to the lack of staff, it has become merely a referral centre. The only government college in the segment at Bholath is running with classes for only humanities. Her direct connect with voters makes for her strength. She heads the local Sant Prem Singh Muralewale dera that enjoys support of the powerful Lubana community.

Ghubaya best in MPLADS funds utilisation, Vinod Khanna worst

DEVELOPMENT SCHEME All 13 MPs in Punjab entitled to `15 cr in first 3 years of their term, but Gurdaspur MP got `7.5 cr as he failed to submit progress report

   

From page 1 FATEHGARH SAHIB: Four-time Bharatiya Janata Party’s Lok Sabha MP from Gurdaspur Vinod Khanna has been the worst performer among all Punjab parliamentarians in utilising the Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) funds, while Ferozepur MP Sher Singh Ghubaya has been the best, having utilised 90.63% of the `12.5 crore allocated to him.

Congress MP from Jalandhar Santokh Singh Chaudhary has been adjudged the second best as he utilised 89.05% of the `7.5 crore he got.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Sangrur MP Bhagwant Mann has been ranked sixth. He utilised 64.46% of the `10 crore allocated to him under the MP fund.

Khadoor Sahib MP Ranjit Singh Brahmpura utilised 75% of his `10 crore. The remaining eight MPs got `12.5 crore each (See box).

All 13 parliamentarians in Punjab were entitled to `15 crore under MPLAD funds in the first three years of their term.

The amount released to Punjab MPs is `147.5 crore of the total entitlement of `195 crore. The average utilisation of funds comes out to 67%.

As per the data released by the ministry of statistics and programme implementation just before the completion of twoand-half years of the Narendra Modi government, Khanna could utilise only about 42% of his `7.5 crore MPLADS funds as his deteriorating health has been keeping him away from the constituency.

Meanwhile, a report released by the ministry on 21 October said that no funds were allocated to Khanna and Chaudhary after the first instalment in 2015-16 as they failed to submit monthly progress reports, audit and utilisation certificates.Explaining reasons for nonrelease of funds, Pathankot deputy economic and statistical adviser Ravinder Pal Dutta said: “Utilisation of funds of previous instalment is to be justified to claim more funds.” Delay in sending proposals also hampers release of funds.

Punjab lives with a troubled legacy

TAKING STOCK On November 1, 1966, Punjab was trifurcated on linguistic lines in the name of Punjabi Suba. Haryana was born and three districts were merged with Himachal Pradesh. As Punjab and Haryana gear up to celebrate the 50th anniversary, Hindustan Ti

From page 1 CHANDIGARH: Fifty years after it was reorganised with Punjabi language as the basis, Punjab lives with the troubled legacy of disputes with neighbouring Haryana and Himachal Pradesh over land and water.Trifurcated with the Punjab Re-organisation Act on November 1, 1966, the state is in dispute with Haryana on the sharing of river waters besides the transfer of the Union territory of Chandigarh and Punjabispeaking areas.

Politicians of Punjab and Haryana rake up these contentious issues on the eve of elections though they have no roadmap for their implementation.

The core issues of development, health, education and security remain concerns for both states five decades on.

Though Hindus and Sikhs were divided on the creation of a Punjabi Suba (state) on linguistic lines – with the Akalis calling for it and the Arya Samajis and Jan Sanghis opposing the idea – both communities later made peace with the division. CONDITIONS APPLY

The Punjabi Suba movement leaders were, however, disappointed.

“Langda Punjab (Lame Punjab),” was how Sant Fateh Singh, a key protagonist of the Punjabi Suba, described the state’s trifurcation in 1966.

He was upset with Sections 78-80 of the Act that gave control and management of river waters to the Centre through the Bhakra Beas Management Board; and Section 4 declaring Chandigarh a Union territory and capital of re-organised Punjab and newly created Haryana. The protagonists alleged that certain Punjabispeaking areas were left out of Punjab.Recounting the struggle, JS Grewal, a historian and former vice-chancellor of Guru Nanak Dev University, says Shiromani Akali Dal’s iconic president Master Tara Singh led the struggle for a Punjabi Suba single-handedly. “Two peaceful morchas (agitations) for the Punjabi Suba were organised by the Akalis in 1955 and 1960. A large number of Sikhs were arrested but that paved a way for the creation of a new Punjab,” he says.

The proactive role of Sikhs in the 1965 India-Pakistan war also worked as a catalyst in the creation of a new Punjab as it established that Sikhs were pro-India. HISTORY IN THE MAKING

When Giani Kartar Singh initiated the demand for a Punjabi Suba soon after Independence, India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru opposed the idea as “a fundamentally wrong principle”.

Partap Singh Kairon, who was the chief minister of Punjab from 1956-64, also opposed the reorganisation but distanced himself from the issue after he was termed anti-Sikh.

The Centre banned pro-Punjabi Suba slogans and Master Tara Singh, who was leading the struggle, was arrested for defying the ban.

In August 1965, Sant Fateh Singh went on a fast and threatened self-immolation if the demand for a Punjabi Suba was not met. It was then that the Government of India appointed the Punjab Reorganisation Committee headed by Sardar Hukum Singh.

After the re-organisation in 1966, another struggle for “complete rights” was initiated. In October 1969, Darshan Singh Pheruman died on the 74th day of fast in Amritsar jail. His death marked the beginning of a new struggle, which still continues. WARRING FRONT

When Prime Minister Indira Gandhi announced the arbitration award in 1966, she chose to do so through a resolution in the Congress Working Committee, belying a political motive.

It was expected that the Hindi-speaking areas of Punjab would become part of Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and New Delhi, depending on the geographical contiguity. The birth of Haryana came as a surprise.

“With its (Haryana’s) creation, Punjab got a permanent warring front. Haryana gets a major share of water from Punjab and shares its capital with the state. The re-organisation is unjustified,” says historian GS Dhillon.

But Panjab University historian M Rajivlochan, says, “Punjab and Haryana have gained as separate entities. They’ve seen brisk growth individually. As a part of Punjab, Haryana was backward.In the coming days, Hindustan Times takes a look at the state of the two states in terms of how they fared on the economy, agriculture, power, industry, health and sports fronts.

Eye on polls, Punjab to start free pilgrimage bus service to Amritsar

WILL PROVIDE PILGRIMS A GLIMPLSE OF NEWLY-OPENED HERITAGE WALK IN PRECINCTS OF GOLDEN TEMPLE AND THE WAR HEROES’ MEMORIAL AND MUSEUM

BATHINDA: After launching free bus and train service under the Mukh Mantri tirath yatra scheme, the Punjab government is going to launch free pilgrimage bus service for the people to visit Amritsar to have a glimpse of the newly-opened heritage walk in the precincts of Golden Temple and the war heroes’ memorial and museum.

The service is expected to kick off from November 1 and would cover al the 117 assembly constituencies in the state.

Earlier, the state government offered free train facility to Nanded Sahib, Varanasi and Ajmer Sharief, besides starting free bus service to the Salasar dham in Rajasthan.

On the sidelines of a statelevel function to mark the 105th birth anniversary of Sant Fateh Singh, one of the founders of Punjabi Suba, Rajya Sabha member Balwinder Singh Bhunder said the free bus service to Amritsar would help people to have a peep into the rich heritage and culture of Punjab.“The leaders can’t explain the grandeur of the heritage street in their speeches, therefore the state government has planned free bus service to ferry people to Amritsar,” Bhunder said.

Seconding Bhunder’s views, cabinet minister Janmeja Singh Sekhon and Bholath MLA Bibi Jagir Kaur said the heritage street and war heroes’ memorial are best in the country and people must visit them as the government had put a lot of effort to promote culture and tourism.

Meanwhile, the SAD leaders used the stage to exhort people to vote for the SAD-BJP combine in the coming elections and slammed the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Congress.Attacking Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal over his meetings with panthic leaders in Punjab, Sekhon said Kejriwal was trying to disturb the peaceful atmosphere in the state by garnering support from radical forces.

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.