Sanjha Morcha

A VIEW ON PUNJAB POLITICS

STATE OF PARTIES : CONGRESS

The hand needs a firm grip

Out of power for a decade, Congress wants to avoid a repeat of 2012

Rajmeet Singh

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 7

As the New Year’s Day dawned in 2012, the Congress looked forward to a new dawn in Punjab. Banking on anti-incumbency and positive surveys, the opposition party assumed that a victory in the Assembly elections was a foregone conclusion. Complacency crept in, ticket allotment was messed up, and the Akali-BJP alliance was again voted to power. Over 30 rebels ate into the party’s vote share, while Manpreet Badal’s People’s Party of Punjab played spoilsport too.Five years down the line, the Congress finds itself in an uncannily similar situation. Barely four weeks are left for polling, but candidates for 40 seats are yet to be announced. The delay in ticket allotment has slowed down the party’s campaign at a time when it should have picked up pace.While the Shiromani Akali Dal and the Aam Aadmi Party are going all out in the electoral arena, the Congress is busy dousing the bush fires of rebellion, triggered by the release of its two lists for 77 seats.So, is the party going the 2012 way? “The Congress is walking on the crutches of media strategist Prashant Kishor, who is lording it over the leaders as if they have never fought any election,” says former senior party leader Bir Devinder Singh, who was expelled for questioning the leadership of PPCC chief Capt Amarinder Singh. He rues that the party has failed to keep its word on announcing candidates six months before the poll.Ludhiana-based political observer Gurpreet Singh Mandiani says the Congress’ strength lies in Amarinder, who is known for aggressively taking on the Badals. He doesn’t look his belligerent self this time, but the former CM is still the best bet for the party that has been out of power in the state for the past decade.A senior party leader, who doesn’t wish to be quoted, says: “The PPCC chief needs to take along his predecessors, some of whom have been pushed out of the frame by him. By imposing the ‘one family, one ticket’ rule, he has targeted stalwarts such as Lal Singh, Rajinder Kaur Bhattal and Partap Singh Bajwa. He and the party’s MPs are not on the same page over preferring turncoats to own leaders. This has made them his adversaries.”The “outsider versus insider” debate has reached a crescendo in recent months after the induction of Akali MLAs Pargat Singh, Inderbir Bolaria and Sarwan Singh Phillaur and BJP legislator Dr Navjot Kaur Sidhu. Senior MPs such as Bajwa and Shamsher Singh Dullo have put their foot down, opposing the candidature of defectors, thus holding up the final list. Despite the discord, Akali-turned-PPP chief-turned-Congress leader Manpreet Badal has been fielded, while former BJP MP Navjot Singh Sidhu is set to spice up the proceedings as the party’s star campaigner.Amarinder feels there’s nothing alarming about dissidence. “Everyone can’t be given the ticket. We will accommodate the unsuccessful applicants, provided they support the party candidates,” he promises.On the “so near yet so far” story of 2012, he says 37 rebels fought against the party candidates, damaging their prospects. According to him, these nominees were picked without his consent. But he hastens to add that he’s firmly in the driver’s seat this time.Wary of the rumblings, the party’s think tank has made the campaign Amarinder-centric, coming up with “Coffee with Captain” and “Punjab da Captain” programmes and promising sops such as loan waiver for farmers and free smartphones. The Congress is again factoring in anti-incumbency to turn the tables on the Akalis. But it can’t afford to dream of getting power on a platter. The national party needs to get its act together in the state — before it’s too late.

Jakhar comes out with Doda’s phone details, seeks probe

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, January 7

Providing the details of seven phone numbers allegedly used by liquor baron and murder accused Shiv Lal Doda and his nephew Amit Doda in Fazilka jail, PPCC vice-president Sunil Jakhar today lodged a complaint with the Punjab CEO, seeking an inquiry into the matter.Jakhar alleged that despite the election code being in force, the officials were working at the behest of their political masters as they had not booked the duo, besides failing to recover mobile phones from them during the raid.“The police recovered 25 cellphones, but failed to confiscate these seven numbers which were in use in the restricted area for the past one year. One of these numbers is with an unauthorised cook who makes food for Doda in a special kitchen inside the jail,” he alleged.He said: “The call details of these numbers should be drawn which will point to the fact that the accused were in constant touch with Satinderjit Singh Manta, OSD to Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal and a DGP (not Suresh Arora). If I can manage to get these details, so can the police and the EC.”Jakhar also expressed shock over the fact that open access was provided to the criminals in prison even after the recent Nabha jailbreak.


Plea to fight poll

Fazilka: Shiv Lal Doda (pic) has filed an application in court, seeking permission to file nomination papers for the Assembly poll. The application before the court of Additional District and Sessions Judge Lachhman Singh came up for hearing on Saturday. As the lawyers stayed away from court on Saturday on their plea of having five working days in a week, the application will be heard on January 9. In the application, Doda has demanded adequate security and permission for filing nomination papers on January 13. — Praful Chander Nagpal

No delay in ticket allocation; Cong will form govt in state, says Capt

No delay in ticket allocation; Cong will form govt in state, says Capt
PPCC president Capt Amarinder while talking to mediapersons in Zirakpur. A Tribune photograph

Satinder Pal Singh

Zirakpur, January 7

Punjab Congress chief Capt Amarinder Singh today exuded confidence that the party would form the next government in Punjab. This was stated by him during a stopover near Zirakpur while on his way to Delhi.The Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) president denied any undue delay in the declaration of candidates for the Assembly elections. He said the Congress was a large party and needed to go through a set procedure to ensure a proper ticket allocation. “The delay will not impact campaigning by Congress candidates,” he said. The PPCC chief added that the remaining candidates would be announced after the approval by Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, who was not in India right now. On the candidature of Deepinder Singh Dhillon from Dera Bassi, Amarinder Singh said the decision would be taken by the Congress president and the winability would be the sole criteria in the selection process. He denied any major dispute in the party on the issue.Speaking about AAP, the PPCC  chief said there was a clear wave in the Congress’ favour as the SAD-BJP and AAP failed the people of the state due to their corrupt and anti-people policies. 

Cong leader joins SAD

  • Mohali: The vice-president of the Mohali District Congress Committee today joined the SAD and extended support to the party candidate for the Mohali constituency, TPS Sidhu. Sukhpal Singh Brar and his supporters were welcomed by Sidhu into the SAD fold.
  • Addressing the media at the Mohali Press Club, Sidhu said he was getting support from people in the constituency even though he had started his campaign only two days ago. He said a lot of development had taken place in Mohali and surrounding areas under the SAD-BJP government. A sum of Rs 2,000 crore had been spent on development works in the area. — OC

Property dealers back Balbir Sidhu

Our Correspondent

Mohali, January 7

The Mohali Property Association today announced its support to Balbir Sidhu, Congress candidate, for the Mohali Assembly seat.A delegation of the association, led by its chairman DS Benipal, met Sidhu and assured him of its support. While thanking the association, Sidhu said various problems facing property dealers would be solved.The real estate sector witnessed a record boom during the Capt Amarinder Singh-led Congress government in the state. However, the lethargic attitude of the SAD-BJP government to the growth of the real estate sector had eclipsed the property boom in the area. As a result, most property dealers suffered losses in the past 10 years.

Sandhu, Bitti, Bajwa front runners for Cong ticket from Sahnewal

Lovleen Bains

Sahnewal, January 7

While there is a long list of those seeking Congress ticket from Sahnewal, Jasminder Sandhu, Satwinder Bitti and Bikram Singh Bajwa are considered strong contenders.Jasminder Sandhu, former chairman of the Market Committee, has been senior vice-president of the Youth Congress of Punjab, vice-chairman of Kisan Cell of the state and councilor numerous times. “The party high command cannot overlook the local leaders who have been with it through thick and thin and just give ticket to someone who either may be a relative or a popular public figure,” Sandhu asserted. He claimed that all these years he had worked for his people, hence greatly enjoyed their favour. Given a chance, he would win confidence and active support of his people to the fullest, he added.Bikram Singh Bajwa, son-in-law of CLP Leader Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, is also believed to be a strong contender. Though his greatest qualification till now has been that he is the son-in-law ofBhattal, a tag which he now wishes to keep aside and stand alone to get the party ticket, as no two candidates from the same family shall be given ticket as per the party norms.Singer Satwinder Bitti, married at Koom Khurd village in Sahnewal, is another strong contender for the party ticket. It is said she might be given preference because of her popularity. She is said to be camping in the area to garner support in her favour and make people forget that she is not an outsider.Another Congress leader Sukhjit Singh Hara has also staked his claim to the party ticket for being in the party for a long time. His grandfather Bahadur Lal Singh was an MP and his father has been the sarpanch of Nandpur village for 30 years. He himself has been the vice-president of the Nagar Council and a councillor twice. Another contender, Swaran Singh Sandhu, is believed to be enjoying NRIs’ support. He has assured the party high command that he could garner public support if he was considered as the party candidate from Sahnewal.Other local leaders Satwant Singh Sidhupur, Sukhwinder Singh Jhajj, Mewa Singh Chauhan, Balwinder Singh Lali, Dr Balkar Singh Rajput, Ramneet Singh Gill, Satwinder Tajpur, Udairaj Singh Gill are, too, in the race for ticket. They said they would never be able to support the party with zeal if the high command ignored their honest services to the party.

Gen JJ Singh joins Akali Dal

Gen JJ Singh joins Akali Dal
Former Army Chief General JJ Singh (right) and his wife with Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Badal in Chandigarh on Saturday. Tribune photo: Manoj Mahajan

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 7

Former Chief of Army Staff Gen JJ Singh was inducted into the Akali fold here today. Fielded by the SAD from the Patiala Urban seat against Capt Amarinder Singh, Gen Singh said he would force the PPCC chief to leave his “qila”.Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal, who presented a siropa to the new entrant, said, “He was the first Sikh to lead the Indian Army. This General will defeat a Captain.”Gen JJ Singh said his maternal and paternal families were from Patiala, rebutting the Congress allegation that he was a “paratrooper”.“Phatte chak deyange,” he said, when asked how he would plan his campaign against Amarinder. “Unlike my opponent, known for his royal arrogance, my humility and humble roots in Patiala will help me get the voters’ support. Like a true soldier, I launch Operation Sampooran Fateh,” he added.


Sidhu likely to join Cong tomorrowAmritsar: Former BJP MP Navjot Singh Sidhu is likely to join the Congress on January 9. His wife, Dr Navjot Kaur Sidhu, said Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi would induct him into the party. “Sidhu will arrive here on January 10 for campaigning in Amritsar East Assembly segment, from where he will be fielded,” she said.  Dr Sidhu had won the seat on the BJP ticket in 2012. Sources said Sidhu would be joining the Congress at the party headquarters in Delhi in the presence of senior Punjab leaders. TNS


SGPC member Gora to join Cong todayMuktsar: Three-time SGPC member and SAD leader Gurpal Singh Gora will join the Congress on Sunday. His son Jagsir Singh was the OSD of SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal in the 2007 government. Gora said, “I was feeling suffocated in SAD. I will join the Congress tomorrow. I am not going for any post but for my self-respect. Manpreet Badal, Raja Warring and Ajaib Singh Bhatti will be there.” Gora, during the desecration incidents in Octoberlast year, had announced to quit the SGPC post. TNS


Akali leader’s son in AAP foldGidderbaha: Kuljeet Singh Monty Brar, son of senior SAD leader Sant Singh Brar, on Saturday joined AAP in Ludhiana. Monty was vice-president of the Youth Akali Dal (YAD), Malwa. His father had contested the Assembly election in 2012 from Gidderbaha on SAD ticket. This time, the party has given ticket to Hardeep Singh Dimpy Dhillon from this constituency. Monty said: “I have joined AAP without any precondition. I will now work to strengthen our candidate Jagdeep Sandhu in Gidderbaha.” tns

 

Bid to ‘influence’ voters, LPG kits seized

Bid to ‘influence’ voters, LPG kits seized
A PRTC Bus with Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal’s photograph.

Raj Sadosh

Abohar, January 7

Acting on a complaint by a resident of Panjkosi village,  whose sarpanch is nephew of a BJP minister, a team of state government officials today raided the village panchayat ghar and seized 44 stoves and cylinders.Ahead of elections, the distribution of LPG kits had been going on for the past two weeks on a war-footing, sources said.Sub-Divisional Magistrate Jaspreet Singh directed the flying squad to examine whether LPG kits were being distributed in Panjkosi village to women from BPL families under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana.The team comprising Assistant Food and Supplies Officer Bhupinder Singh, Naib Tehsildar Jaswinder Singh and Assistant Sub-Inspector Baljit Singh raided the panchayat ghar and took the LPG kits into custody that were being distributed by an Azamwala village-based private gas agency.The kits have been stacked in Khuyiansarwer police station, an inquiry is in progress and the Returning Officers concerned have been informed.The gas agency staff said that the distribution of LPG kits had been going on under the central government-sponsored scheme and no politics was involved. After the raid, all the gas agencies have decided to suspend the distribution of kits.BJP and SAD leaders had posed for photo sessions with the beneficiaries to claim credit on the eve of the Assembly elections. They had also distributed hundreds of sports kits to win over the youth. 


Badal’s pic still on PRTC busesPatiala: Even as the model code of conduct is in force, slogans and pictures of the ruling Akali Dal can still be seen on PRTC buses. While a number of buses sport the picture of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, party’s tagline “Raj nahi sewa” is seen painted on several others. PRTC Managing Director Ravinder Singh said they had ensured that all such advertisements were either covered or removed. If at all some buses were left, they would get every bit of such publicity removed by Sunday, he added. tns

Bhagwant Mann fails to turn up at rally

Bhagwant Mann fails to turn up at rally
Empty chairs during a rally organised by Balwinder Singh Sahota, the AAP contestant from Amritsar West constituency, on Saturday. Photo: Vishal Kumar

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, January 7

In a major embarrassment for the leadership of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) at the local level, Member of Parliament Bhagwant Mann failed to turn up at a political rally organised in support of party candidate from Amritsar (West) constituency from where Balwinder Singh Sahota, a software engineer, is contesting as the party candidate.The crowd had gathered opposite Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU) since 4 pm in the afternoon braving chilly winds and severe cold conditions. They had to return dejected while a large number of chairs remained vacant.Finally, the leaders speaking from the stage announced that Bhagwant Mann was not coming. The crowd had started leaving when no prominent leader from the party turned up till 6 pm.Speaking over the issue, Sahota said Mann was to arrive from Gurdaspur where he was to address another political rally. He said due to inclement weather conditions, his programme got delayed and finally he could not arrive. He claimed that there was no resentment among the people because of this and that the people are connected to a party and not a particular leader.It is pertinent to mention here that a similar situation occurred in the Attari constituency a few days ago when Bhagwant Mann did not turn up to address the crowd that was eagerly waiting for him. He cancelled his programme abruptly. Prior to this, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was to address the rally and people had to return disappointed.

Congress, BJP weigh options for Amritsar Lok Sabha bypoll

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, January 7

Hectic activity and lobbying is underway in political circles after the announcement of election for the Amritsar Lok Sabha bypoll along with Assembly election on February 4.The bypoll was necessitated after sitting MP Captain Amarinder Singh resigned from the Lok Sabha on November 28 to protest against the verdict of the apex court on the Satluj Yamuna Link (SYL) canal. He had ended the 10-year long BJP rule on the Amritsar Lok Sabha seat defeating BJP stalwart Arun Jaitley.Congress leader Navjot Kaur Sidhu said neither she nor her husband Navjot Singh Sidhu would contest the Amritsar Lok Sabha seat. As a BJP nominee, Navjot Singh Sidhu thrice won the Amritsar Lok Sabha seat in 2004, then a bypoll and again in 2009 General Election. She confirmed that she was approached by the Congress leaders to contest the Amritsar Lok Sabha seat but turned it down. She said they did not recommend any name for the seat.Former MLA and district Congress committee president Jugal Kishore Sharma said all three sitting Congress MLAs— OP Soni, Raj Kumar Verka and Sukhbinder Singh Sarkaria— turned down the offer of contesting the Lok Sabha bypoll as they preferred to serve the people of their constituency. He said they would recommend the name of former MLA Sawinder Singh Kathunangal, who had been twice elected MLA from Majitha, for being fielded for the Lok Sabha bypoll.A major surprise was seen in the BJP camp as its firebrand leader Lakshmi Kanta Chawla, who had earlier said she would not contest the previous assembly election, announced she would contest the Amritsar Lok Sabha bypoll in case the party decides on her nomination.Her name along with three other leaders, Tarun Chugh, Pappu Mahajan and Ram Chawla, have been forwarded for being fielded against sitting Congress MLA OP Soni from the Amritsar Central constituency. When asked, she declined to contest the assembly election and reiterated she would contest the Lok Sabha election only.Another BJP leader Rajinder Mohan Singh Chhina has already announced that Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley endorsed his candidature.Meanwhile, insiders said the party had already conducted a survey and would announce its candidate at its parliamentary board meeting to be held in Delhi soon.Verka residents to question politiciansAround the corner Assembly elections and no let up in appalling condition of civic amenities in Verka have given an opportunity to residents to question candidates visiting their area about their contribution in removing basic problems being faced by them.They complained that open sewerage in the area posed serious health problems. Verka was neglected by the ruling SAD-BJP combine, they added.“The government boasts of development in its advertisements, which is nowhere visible in parts of Verka,” said Pawan Deep Sharma of Punjab Sudhar Sabha.He said people had met area councillor many times and apprised him of problems being faced by them, but nothing was done. The councilor had expressed his helplessness, he added.Maninder Pal Singh Arora of the Guru Nanak Nagar area said, “The agency engaged in laying sewerage has dug up a large pit in front of the house of a handicapped school teacher. Due to her disability she fears coming out of her home.”He said, “We have decided to question visiting politicians and stage protest against the administration in coming days if our problems are not solved.”Meanwhile, residents complained that waste water of houses could not drain as the sewerage work was incomplete.“Due to stagnant water in toilets and washrooms, a foul smell fills the entire area,” said Harpal Singh. Residents have also threatened to boycott all political leaders coming to their area.

Sidhu all set to join Congress tomorrow

Party’s final list for Punjab to be out on January 10

NEWDELHI: Cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu is likely to join the Congress on January 9 or 10 after much dilly-dallying and unsuccessful talks with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

According to sources, Sidhu will be given the choice by the Congress leadership to contest either from Amritsar East assembly constituency, held by his wife Navjot Kaur Sidhu till recently, or Amritsar Lok Sabha seat. Punjab Congress president Captain Amarinder Singh resigned from the seat in November last year on the Sutlej Yamuna Link canal issue.

The assembly elections in Punjab along with the by-poll for the Amritsar Lok Sabha seat will be held on February 4.

If the former BJP MP decides against contesting the elections, the Congress will field his wife from Amritsar East and utilise his services in campaigning for the party candidates across the state.

After quitting the BJP in September last year, Sidhu had been in talks with both the AAP and the Congress.

However, his negotiations with the AAP broke down after the new party rejected his demand for naming a chief ministerial candidate ahead of the polls. His wife along with former Indian hockey captain Pargat Singh later joined the Congress in November.

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will release the Congress poll manifesto for Punjab at the Congress headquarters on January 9.

The Congress will also finalise its third and final list of 40 candidates on January 10 in a meeting of its central election committee, headed by Sonia Gandhi.

The announcement of the final list has been delayed due to the induction of rebel leaders from the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) that has caused widespread resentment in the Congress. The proposed move to field former Akali leaders such as Sarwan Singh Phillaur, Deepinder Singh Dhillon, Harinder Pal Singh Harry Mann and Inderbir Singh Bolaria is facing stiff resistance.

Congress leaders have argued that the move to give tickets to these Akali rebels will hurt the party badly in elections as some of them are facing the allegations of being close to drug traders.

“It will weaken the fight against drugs in Punjab and derail the agenda set by Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi to make Punjab a drug-free state,” a senior party leader said.

It’ll be royalty vs soldier’s grandson’

CHANDIGARH :Former army chief Gen JJ Singh (retd), who will be contesting elections against Punjab Congress chief Capt Amarinder Singh from Patiala Urban assembly segment, joined the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) here on Saturday.

“This will be not be a battle between a captain and a general, but between a scion of royalty and a soldier’s grandson,” said Gen JJ Singh, vowing to make Amarinder “bite the dust”.

The ex-army chief was reacting to Amarinder’s Friday remark that for the first time in the history of army, a captain will be defeating a general.

SAD president and deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, who welcomed the general into the party fold, said the Congress was facing a “bankruptcy of ideas” and was raking up non-issues.

“Congress is a divided house, fighting against itself. The Congress must decide on its war horses before launching a broadside on its rivals,” he added.

Gen Singh said he will fight the political battle with all humility and approach all sections of society. “The fight will be clean, though I will give a befitting reply if the rival tries to use foul means,” he said.

On his late entry, when less than a month is left for the polls, Gen Singh said he will be working 18 hours a day while Captain works for only six hours.

“Thus, I have 66 days with me that are more than sufficient, while Captain has only 22 days,” he said.

Ardasia who denied siropa to Badal says will contest against him

AMRITSAR Balbir Singh, the ‘ardasia’ who denied ‘siropa’ to Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal in the sanctum sanctorum of the Golden Temple last year, has now decided to challenge him from Lambi assembly segment.

Balbir Singh, who was recently reinstated by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and had resumed duties, said: “I had never thought of contesting elections. I am not a politician. But I fear if the Badals retain power, more sacrilege incidents will take place in the state.”

Claiming he was in talks with various parties, Balbir Singh said, “If I get a party ticket, it’s fine. Otherwise, I will enter the contest as an Independent and ensure Badal’s defeat.”

“The Badal government failed to nab the culprits behind incidents of sacrilege. This is the reason I denied ‘siropa’ to Badal. If Badal comes to pay obeisance at the Golden Temple again and I am on duty, I won’t offer him a ‘siropa’… Even if I lose my job, I have no problem,” he said.

Balbir Singh was transferred by the SGPC after he denied ‘siropa’ to Badal, but SGPC president Kirpal Singh Badungar reinstated him in December. Balbir Singh claimed he was currently on leave.

Book on Udham Singh released

Book on Udham Singh released
Rajinder Mohan Singh Chhina (centre) and others during the release of a book on Shaheed Udham Singh at Virsa Vihar in Amritsar on Saturday. Photo: Vishal Kumar

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, January 7

Honorary secretary of the Khalsa College Governing Council, Rajinder Mohan Singh Chhina, today released a new book on the life of legendary freedom fighter Shaheed Udham Singh, who killed Michael O’ Dyer, the man responsible for the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. The book is written by Principal Balwinder Singh Fatehpuri, who has already penned down books on freedom struggle.Chhina praised the work on the book, ‘Shaheed Udham Singh— Ik Yodhe Dee Dastan’ and said the martyr is a highly acclaimed figure of independent struggle, who took revenge for the killing of innocents during the massacre on April 13, 1919.Chhina said he was happy to know that this was a highly researched book and lay bare the many aspects of the life of Shaheed Udham Singh. The book release function was organised by Amritsar Vikas Manch (AVM), whose patron Prof Mohan Singh gave a detailed account of the prolific writer.Writer and poet Deep Davinder Singh also spoke about the writer and his works. He said the book was a tribute to Shaheed Udham Singh who wanted to take revenge for the Jallianwala Bagh massacre and finally succeeded in achieving the target in London.Dr Inderjit Singh Gagoani, KS Ankhi, Daljit Singh Kohli, Ikbal Kaur Saundh, Germanjit Singh and Amrit Lal Mannan also addressed the audience on the occasion and thanked Chinna for sparing the time to share his views on the subject with those who represented various writers’ forums and social organizations, apart from the AVM.They also presented a charter of demands to make the holy city beautiful and improve basic amenities for the residents here.

Martyr Udham Singhs great-grandson on dharna for peons job

New Delhi, Jan 3 (PTI) When nationalism and patriotism are dominating the national discourse, the great grandson of iconic revolutionary Udham Singh is struggling to secure the job of a peon in Punjab government which had been promised to him by former Chief Minister Amarinder Singh 10 years ago.

The promise of Congress government did not materialise as the party was out of power for 10 years in the state. The repeated pleas of Jagga Singh, who is great grandson of Udham Singhs elder sister Aas Kaur, to the Shiromani Akali Dal and BJP government did not yield any result.

In a daredevil act, Udham Singh had avenged the killing of hundreds of innocent people in Jallianwala Bagh on Baisakhi Day on April 13, 1919 by General Reginald Edward Harry Dyer.

Singh, who was present on the spot at Jalianwala Bagh in Amritsar on the bloodiest day of Indian Independence struggle history, had avenged the massacre 21 years later by killing in London Michael ODwyer, who was the Governor of Punjab when the massacre took place in Jallianwala Bagh.

Charged with murder, he was hanged to death in one of the prisons in London.

Singh is going through days of extreme poverty with a family of six to take care of which includes his 60-year old father Jeet Singh, a daily labourer.

30-year old Singh, a class X pass out who works at a cloth merchant shop in Sangur on a monthly salary of Rs 2,500, is hoping to draw the attention of Prime Minister Narendra Modiand Home Minister Rajnath Singh through his letters.

Braving the chill of foggy mornings here, Singh has shifted his protests to Jantar Mantar hoping to get his voice heard in the power corridors of the national capital.

But so far, neither the BJP, which is ruling the Centre, nor the Shiromani Akali Dal in the state have offered anything concrete to him.

Speaking to PTI, an emotional Singh said he was promised a job in 2006 by the then Punjab CM Aamrinder Singh but after the government changed, he has been running from pillar to post to get the promise implemented.

“We met Finance Minister Parminder Singh Dhindhsa several time. After a number of meetings, he had told me that our representation was put before the Chief Minister, who said that he cannot help us as the letter of appointment was issued by the Congress-led Amarinder Singhs government and so the job cannot be given to us,” Singh claimed.

He said the then Deputy Collector whom his father had met after Amarinder Singh issued a letter could have given him any job “even that of a peon” but the present regime is not ready to offer even that. (More) PTI SMJ/ABS KIS ASV

शहीद उधम सिंह का पड़पोता चपरासी पद की नौकरी के लिए धरने पर बैठा – 

shaheed-udham-singh- 03 01 2017

नई दिल्ली। क्रांतिकारी नेता शहीद उधम सिंह का पड़पोता पंजाब सरकार की चपरासी पद की नौकरी की मांग को लेकर यहां जंतरमंतर पर धरने पर बैठा है।

इस नौकरी का वादा पंजाब सरकार के भूतपूर्व मुख्यमंत्री अमरिंदर सिंह ने 10 साल पहले किया था। इसके बाद कांग्रेस सत्ता से बाहर हो गई थी इसलिए यह वादा पूरा नहीं हो सका।

उधम सिंह की सबसे बड़ी बहन आस कौर के पड़पोते जग्गा सिंह इस नौकरी की मांग को लेकर कई बार चिट्ठियां लिख चुके हैं लेकिन वर्तमान शिरोमणि अकाली दल की सरकार ने इस पर ध्यान नहीं दिया है।

मालूम हो कि उधम सिंह ने जलियांवाला बाग पर फायरिंग का आदेश देने वाले जनरल डायर से 21 साल बाद लंदन में गोली मारकर बदला लिया था। तब डायर लंदन का मेयर था।

जलियांवाला बाग कांड 13 अप्रैल 1919 को हुआ था। हत्या के आरोप में उधम सिंह को लंदन की जेल में फांसी दे दी गई थी। से जुड़े हर ता

Centre urged to bring back Udham Singh’s pistol from London

CHANDIGARH: Haryana minister of state for food, civil supplies and consumer affairs Karan Dev Kamboj on Saturday said that he had urged upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi to bring back from London the pistol of martyr Udham Singh and the book in which he had concealed the pistol when he entered the Caxton hall to shoot at Michael O’Dwyer.

The book and the pistol will be kept in a museum to inspire the youth and future generations, the minister added.

Kamboj and sports minister Anil Vij were speaking at a function organised on the occasion of 117th birth anniversary of Udham Singh here.

Kamboj also said that as announced by chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar, the biography of Udham Singh will be included in the syllabus of schools.

He further said that one of the entrance gates, being built in the golden jubilee year, will also be named after the martyr Udham Singh.

Also, a chowk would be named after the freedom fighter in the major cities of the state.

Vij said that the martyrs did not belong to a particular religion or community, as they belonged to the entire country. He said that Udham Singh had killed Dwyer to avenge the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in Amritsar.

Both Vij and Kamboj also paid floral tributes to martyr Udham Singh and announced ₹5 lakh each for the construction of Shaheed Udham Singh Memorial Bhawan in Chandigarh.

Unlike state unit, Tarn Taran Cong puts up shows

TARN TARAN: Unlike its state leadership, known for factionalism, the district Congress committee is giving an impression of unity as almost all dissenters have extended support to the candidates fielded by the party high command openly, thereby paving way for a close fight in the assembly polls in all four segments of the district.

After the Congress high command announced the tickets, the local leaders of all segments except Khadoor Sahib, strongly opposed the party’s decision and warned of revolt if the party did not change its decision.

Even Khemkaran candidate Sukhpal Singh Bhullar faced revolt from his family as his elder brother Anoop Singh Bhullar wanted the ticket to be given to his father and former Punjab minister Gurchet Singh Bhullar. However, the dissents have now settled with the intervention of senior leaders.

However, Bhullar had just taken a sigh of relief after his father and brother came out to his support, when another influential local party leader Sarwan Singh Dhun, a close aide of former Punjab finance minister Manpreet Singh Badal, continued to up the ante against him and lay claim on his own candidature citing that he stood first in the survey conduct by the party in the area.

The unsuccessful candidate from Peoples’ Party of Punjab (PPP) which was floated by Manpreet from the segment, Dhun was about to declare himself as an independent candidate, but eventually declared support to Bhullar in a public rally conducted in Khemkaran on Saturday. Other dissidents including Tarlok Singh Chakwalia and Peter Sandhu who opposed the candidature of Bhullar, also backed Bhullar in the rally.

In Tarn Taran, some ticket seekers including Sukhdev Bhargav, Ranjit Singh Gaddiwind, Karanbir Singh Burj, Satinder Singh Dobalian and Gurpartap Singh Palasaur wanted the ticket to be given to one of them and indirectly opposed the candidature of Dharamvir Agnihotri who lost the last polls from SAD candidate Harmeet Singh Sandhu by a margin of only 4,621 votes.

Meanwhile, with the intervention of Rajasansi MLA Sukhbrinder Singh Sukh Sarkaria, all ticket seekers except Satinder Singh Dobalian have been persuaded to back Agnihotri on pretext that they would also be entertained once the party forms the government in state.

On the other hand, youth Congress leader and president of Lok Sabha constituency Khadoor Sahib Harpreet Singh Sandhu and his father Principal Hardeep Singh, who were contenders for the ticket in Patti segment, were going separately from candidate Harminder Singh Gill, too supported Gill openly in a public meeting on Saturday.

In Khadoor Sahib, there was already no competitor of Ramanjit Singh Sikki who came in limelight after he resigned from the post of MLA in protest against a sacrilege incident of Guru Granth Sahib.

The unity being shown by the Congress leaders is expected to give a close fight to SAD candidates Harmeet Singh Sandhu (Tarn Taran), Adesh Partap Singh Kairon (Patti) and Virsa Singh Valtoha (Khemkaran).