Navjot to have ‘larger’ role in Punjab politics?

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 12

Former BJP leader Navjot Singh Sidhu today met Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi in the Capital. Sources said during the 30-minute meeting, the two discussed modalities on the former cricketer joining the Congress.“Sidhu did not join all these days as he considered the pre-Lohri period as inauspicious,” said a party activist. By inference, he may join on or post-Lohri. However, the Congress did not give any date.A Congress leader said Sidhu may join the party in Chandigarh. He claimed he would have a “larger” role in Punjab politics and that Rahul would “carve out” that role. The indications came a day after Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh said it was up to the Congress high command to decide whether to make Sidhu Deputy CM, should the Congress win the Assembly poll. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)The Congress has withheld the Amritsar East seat in its third list. Sidhu’s wife Dr Navjot Kaur is a sitting MLA from here. The Congress is likely to field one of them from here.

Five former Akalis in Cong’s third list, local cadres seethe

Rajwinder Kaur Bhagike, Deepinder Singh Dhillon and Davinder Ghubaya

Aditi Tandon and Rajmeet Singh

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 12

A day after Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi publicly acknowledged at a national convention here that nominees in the Congress are often foisted from outside, his party fielded several newcomers in Punjab, leaving the local cadres seething. In the third list of 23 candidates announced today, the Congress cited “winnability” to nominate five former Akalis. They are Kamaljit Singh Karwal from Atam Nagar; Rajwinder Kaur Bhagike from Nihalsinghwala, sitting Akali MP Sher Singh Ghubaya’s son Davinder Ghubaya from Fazilka, Pritam Kotbhai from Bhucho Mandi and Deepinder Dhillon from Dera Bassi.(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)Most of these former Akali leaders had joined the Congress in December last year —Kotbhai and Bhagike on December 6, Karwal on December 15 and Ghubaya on December 21. Deepinder Dhillon had joined the Congress in February last.Among the others nominees are kin of state leaders, including former minister and Sanaur MLA Lal Singh’s son Rajinder Singh (Samana), former Jagraon MLA Gurdeep Singh Bhaini’s son Major Bhaini (Dakha), former Punjab minister Ramesh Dogra’s son Arun Dogra (Dasuya), Lok Sabha MP Santokh Chaudhary’s wife Karamjit Kaur (Phillaur), Ludhiana-based hotelier Jassi Khangura’s relative Bhupinder Sidhu (Ludhiana South)  and Dera Sacha Sauda chief Baba Ram Rahim’s relative Harminder Singh Jassi (Maur).Sitting Ludhiana North MLA Rakesh Pandey managed to get the ticket despite massive resistance from a section of central Congress leaders with Punjab Congress chief Capt Amarinder Singh stoutly backing the five-time MLA.The nomination of Tejinder Bittu from Jalandhar North, where ex-minister Avtar Henry was seeking a ticket for his son, has triggered a revolt. Trouble is brewing in areas like Sham Chaurasi with the Congress denying the ticket to former Union Minister Santosh Choudhry’s family and fielding district leader Pawan Adhia. The nomination of newcomer Amit Vij, son of Pathankot leader Anil Vij, is also causing problems.Senior Pathankot Congress leader Raman Bhalla, a contender for the seat, said: “I am shocked that the party has fielded Amit Vij who lives in Delhi. In Bhoa they have named Joginder Singh who runs a mining business and is known to be Bikram Majithia’s partner. I am writing a protest letter.”In Ludhiana, there’s angst over Karwal’s nomination. Also, local leaders are surprised over the nomination of Bhupinder Sidhu, who mainly lives in Canada. Ludhiana Congress leader Pawan Dewan questioned Sidhu’s nomination, claiming the latter was not even an applicant.Santosh Choudhry said she was hurt at the denial of the party ticket to her daughter. “Wards of other leaders have managed the ticket. Why?” she wondered.By giving the ticket to Bhai Harnirpal Singh Kuku from Kotkapura, the party has prevented the damage that he may have otherwise caused to Muktsar candidate Karan Kaur Brar. Kuku was seeking the ticket from Muktsar. Likewise, by fielding Karwal from Atam Nagar, the party has tried to counter Simarjit Singh Bains of the Lok Insaf Party. Karwal is a former associate of the Bains brothers.

 

A poll laced with shoes

Punjab deserves a better discourse

Yet another shoe has been hurled. Unlike on most previous occasions, this time it hit the target, and it was none less than the Chief Minister of Punjab. This is an abominable act that goes not only against all norms of civilised behaviour, but also, in the political context, is a direct assault on certain firm assumptions in a democracy. No matter what the provocation, no one may in an ordered society take recourse to violence — real or symbolic — to convey his anger, frustration or set right any injustice. For any immediate cause, there is the recourse of the police and courts. For anger against an elected government, there is the ballot, the ultimate weapon in the hands of even the least empowered.Punjab is going through an extremely impassioned election. Up against Parkash Singh Badal is an AAP candidate who came into the limelight only after having himself hurled a shoe at a Union minister. That act of gross misbehaviour was applauded in certain political quarters; the AAP even rewarded him with a nomination. Over the past few days, AAP MP Bhagwant Mann has referred to a possibility of people stoning SAD leaders. After the shoe incident SAD MP Harsimrat Kaur has mentioned how AAP workers may come to harm in case Akali workers turned violent. This is messaging of the worst kind. There have been incidents of party workers clashing, villagers acting hostile towards leaders, or candidates themselves using intemperate language. It is very unfortunate that top party leaders have not condemned such incidents in the strong terms expected of them.The Election Commission is now in charge of law and order in the state. It must respond to all such incidents with such alacrity and severity that political parties and their workers may not find it profitable to incite anyone to violence. The parties too need to reconcile what they do in the heat of the moment. They will have to live with the consequences — for themselves as well as the state — once the elections are over. No one would want a disturbed state to take over.

We have had enough, say angry Jalalabad residents

A milestone being used by a butcher to support his chicken cage near Kandhawala Hazar Khan village in Jalalabad. Tribune photo

Vishav Bharti

Tribune News Service

Kandhawala Hazar Khan (Jalalabad), January 12The GPS fails as we near the destination. A man points towards a milestone used by a butcher to support his chicken cage. It is empty. An arrow directs right for Kandhawala Hazar Khan. Five minutes on the narrow straight road dividing young wheat fields, we are among a group of men. It is this Dalit vehra on the periphery of the village where Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal’s cavalcade was stoned three days ago.“Akalis are facing the wrath here,” Sunil Kumar, a young labourer, cracks the conversation. He says not long ago, the entire village had voted for the Akalis. But people are now fed up. He tells how Dalits have not been given benefits of government schemes and the sarpanch is working only for the landlords.He asks us to come with him. Almost every Dalit woman shows a pit in her house which was dug as they were promised a grant of Rs 15,000 for the construction of toilets. If someone says her calf died after falling in the pit, another says her husband was injured as he toppled after stepping on it.The houses are of mud, but the village roads are concrete. They are called “bomb-proof roads” in this side of Punjab and Sukhbir is often ridiculed for these.We enter Gurbans Singh’s house, a mud, windowless darkroom. He points to an elderly paralytic woman crawling on the cold floor. “She is my wife. They don’t give her share of wheat as she doesn’t have an Aadhar card.” He points at her crippled fingers. “Officials say she can’t have the card as they can’t get her finger prints.”Go further into the village and farmers complain how they were not given compensation for the cotton crop damaged in 2015 or how Akalis in connivance with local arhtiyas duped them when it came to procuring their paddy. Babu Singh, who owns 16 acres of land, tells that before him all his four generations were Akali supporters. “This time we will not vote for the Akali Dal,” he says.If someone talks about not getting atta-dal, others talk about unfulfilled promise of providing 5-marla plots. That the money is being siphoned off by the Akali henchmen in various schemes is a common allegation.It was an election rally of 10 surrounding villages on Sunday. The rest of the story is known. Dalit men and women were not allowed to go near Sukhbir. They started raising slogans and were beaten up by the police. When the cavalcade started moving away from the village, stones were pelted.Late night, the police came in large numbers. “As far as I could see, there were only police vehicles on the entire street,” says Kala Ram. They were looking for his son Gulab Ram. They forced their way into the houses and hurled abuses at the women, says Simbo, whose son hasn’t returned since Sunday evening.After the incident, most of the youngsters left the village. “More than 20 still haven’t returned,” says Kumar, adding that sarpanch Gurdeep Singh has threatened them with social boycott.Kumar then takes us to the periphery of the village. In the middle stands a tall dark green dome. Punjabi couplets are written almost on every wall. He says this is one of the biggest dargahs of 18th century Sufi poet Bulleh Shah built after the Partition, when a man brought a brick from his dargah from Pakistan. “Jhooth aakhan ta kuj bachda aey. Sach aakheya bhambar machda aey,” reads one of the couplets on the wall.Five minutes on the road, the same milestone guides us back to National Highway-10. The afternoon sun is shining upon us; the cage is now filled with chickens. It seems the butcher has arrived.

Badal family grew richer by Rs 13 cr in five years

None owns a car | Sukhbir richest at Rs 32 cr | 3 tractors worth Rs 9.4 lakh | Cash Rs 82,500

Minister Bikram Singh Majithia after filing his nomination papers from Majitha in Amritsar on Thursday. PTI

Archit Watts

Tribune News Service

Muktsar, January 12

Chief Minister P

arkash Singh Badal’s family is worth Rs 76.87 crore and among all the members, his deputy-son and SAD president Sukhbir Badal is the richest.  Sukhbir, as per the nominations filed today, has declared his total net assets (after deducting liabilities) worth Rs 32.69 crore. His wife and Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal has shown her total assets worth Rs 29.68 crore. At Rs 14.5 crore, the Badal Senior owns the least among the trio. The combined assets of the Chief Minister, his son and daughter-in-law and Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal have shown an increase of Rs 13.1 crore over the past five years. During the 2012 Vidhan Sabha elections, Parkash Singh Badal had declared his total assets worth Rs 6.75 crore while Sukhbir’s net worth was Rs 45 crore. Harsimrat had declared her assets worth Rs 12.02 crore during the 2014 Lok Sabha poll (total previous worth is Rs 63.77). Surprisingly, the family does not own a car, though they have three tractors worth Rs 9.4 lakh. Two tractors are owned by Sukhbir (worth Rs 5.5 lakh) and one by Parkash Singh Badal (worth Rs 3.9 lakh). Harsimrat doesn’t even own a tractor.They have total bank balance of Rs 1.12 crore, which includes Rs 34.7 lakh with Parkash Singh Badal, Rs 65.27 lakh of Sukhbir and Rs 12.66 lakh of Harsimrat.The trio owns immovable property worth Rs 67.76 crore, including agricultural land worth Rs 15.78 crore. This comprises Parkash Singh Badal’s land of Rs 8.53 crore, Harsimrat’s of Rs 5.59 crore and Sukhbir’s land of Rs 1.65 crore. The total movable assets are worth Rs 48.8 crore.Sukhbir has liabilities of Rs 39.7 crore while his wife’s are of Rs 5 lakh. The CM has none.Their worthMajithia’s assets: Rs 11 crore

• Total assets: Rs 11,89,66,30
• Cash in hand: Rs 15,000 with his wife Ganieve Kaur: Rs 12,500
• Fixed deposits: Rs 21,46,393 his wife’s: Rs 24,66,007
• Investments in bonds, debentures: Rs 11,11,42,977 his wife’s: Rs 1,40,22,265
• Wife’s insurance policy/postal savings: Rs 14,72,100
• Jewellery & valuables: Rs 26,50,000 his wife’s: Rs 30,15,000

Sodhi owns Rs 7-lakh guns 

• Watches: Rs 6 lakh
• Guns: Rs 7 Lakh
• Vehicles: Honda Accord, Cheverolet Cruze
• Gold: 700 gm worth  Rs 21 lakh
• Movable assets: Rs 35.57 lakh his wife Tina Sodhi’s Rs 22.67 lakh
• Immovable: 13 acres agricultural land at Mohan Ke Utar village worth Rs 1.5 cr, 4.3 acres at Kotbilia village worth Rs 2.5 cr; house in Sector 4, Panchkula, worth Rs 4.5 cr; commercial building in Ferozepur worth Rs 70 lakh
• Fixed deposits:  Rs 16 lakh

Warring ‘poorer’ by Rs 2.2 cr

• Total assets: Rs 1.69 cr
• Movable assets: Rs 1.15 cr
• Immovable assets: Rs 1 cr
• Liability: Rs 45.92 lakh
• • Cash in hand: Rs 60,000
  • Jewellery: Rs 2.6 lakh
  • Vehicle: Toyota Innova
  • Assets in 2012: Rs 3.9 cr

Twenty-six of 117 MLAs kept mum in House in their five-year tenure

Cong MLAs Balbir Singh Sidhu, Sardoolgarh Ajit Inder Singh raised max questions

Gurminder Singh Grewal

Samrala/ Khanna January 12

Political parties are busy declaring their candidates from various seats for the upcoming Assembly elections and people are also hopeful that the MLAs concerned will raised their issues in the Assembly, but 26 of 117 MLAs have failed to take up any single issue in their 5-year tenure. Out of ministers apart from Tota Singh and Dr Daljit Singh Cheema, other 16 ministers kept mum. This was the information gathered under RTI from Punjab Vidhan Sabha Secretariat provided on January 3 by the Under Secretary-cum-Public Relations officer. As per the information, 17 MLAs of Akali Dal, seven of BJP and two of the Congress failed to take up any issue during their tenure. Of these, about 12 managed to get tickets again while ticket of five had been dropped. Some others were still waiting to get a ticket. The MLAs who didn’t take up the issues also include two times and three times elected MLAs. Congress MLA from Mohali Balbir Singh Sidhu topped in raising questions. He raised 89 questions, including eight in writing, while Congress MLA Sardoolgarh Ajit Inder Singh Mofar raised 77 questions. Akali ministers Tota Singh and Daljit Singh raised 23 and 25 questions, respectively, while most others kept mum in the Assembly. Darshan Singh Shivalik topped from Akali Dal with 61 direct and two written questions. Akali Dal MLAs who did not speak in the house at all were Amarpal Singh from Ajnala, Ashwani Kumar from Pathankot, Avinash Chander from Phillaur, Balvir Singh Ghunas from Dirba, Des Raj Dhuga from Sri Hargobindpur, Dinesh Singh from Sujanpur, Bibi Farjana Alam from Malerkotla, Gurbachan Singh Babehali from Gurdaspur, Harmit Singh Sandhu from Tarntaran, Indervir Singh Bolaria from Amritsar South, Jeet Mohinder Singh Sidhu from Talwandi Sabo, KD Bhandari from Jalandhar North, Manoranjan Kalia from Jalandhar Central, Mantar Singh Brar from Kotkapura, Bibi Mohinder Kaur Josh from Sham Churasi, NK Sharma from Dera Bassi, Nand Lal Chaudhry from Balachaur, Bibi Navjot Kaur Sidhu, Parkash Chand Garg from Sangrur, Pawan Kumar Teenu from Adampur, Sarup Chand Singla from Bathinda, Sarwan Singh Phillaur, Som Parkash from Phagwara, Surinder Singh Rathan from Garhshankar, Virsa Singh Valtoha from Khemkaran did not raise any question about their area, while two Congress MLAs including Amrik Singh Dhillon from Samrala and OP Soni from Amritsar Central also did not raise any question during their period.Meanwhile, women members including Karan Kaur Brar, Aruna Chaudhary and Bibi Guriqbal Kaur raised 44,47 and 38 questions, respectively, including direct and written questions. Interestingly Captain Amarinder Singh also did not raise any question during his tenure before his election as MP from Amritsar. At present, the Vidhan Sabha Secretariat had removed the website on which this information and RTI is the only way to give information about it.What RTI says

• As per the information under the RTI, 17 MLAs of Akali Dal, seven of BJP and two of the Congress failed to take up any issue during their tenure. Of these, about 12 managed to get tickets again while ticket of five had been dropped. Some others were still waiting to get a ticket. The MLAs who didn’t take up the issues also include two times and three times elected MLAs.
• Congress MLA from Mohali Balbir Singh Sidhu topped in raising questions. He raised 89 questions, including eight in writing, while Congress MLA from Sardoolgarh Ajit Inder Singh Mofar raised 77 questions.
• Akali ministers Tota Singh and Daljit Singh raised 23 and 25 questions, respectively, while most others kept mum in the Assembly.
• Darshan Singh Shivalik topped from Akali Dal with 61 direct and two written questions.

Donning new role, General goes door to door

Former Army Chief and SAD nominee General JJ Singh campaigns in Patiala. Tribune photo: Rajesh Sachar

Aman Sood

Tribune News Service

Patiala, January 12

“Without pity, without remorse” is how former chief of the Indian Army General Joginder Jaswant terms the poll battle against Punjab Congress chief Capt Amarinder Singh.Ensuring to reach at every gathering at the scheduled time, the former Army man is finding it tough to go by the clock as was the case in the Army where punctuality was a key factor to success.Walking through the dusty lanes in the inner heart of the city, guided by his local SAD workers as navigators, former Army chief and Akali Dal candidate from Patiala Gen JJ Singh promises “to be a de facto” MLA from Patiala and not like Capt Amarinder and his wife Preneet Kaur, incumbent Patiala MLA, whom he terms as “dummy leaders”.Talking about the state politics and his stint as Army chief JJ Singh has a lot to talk about his battles fought in the past and his being a tough task master. “I will ensure that the people of Patiala see development and get rid of corruption,” he says as he skips talking about the local issues that are haunting the city for the past few years.“Battle has just started and I am happy with the crowd response. Door-to-door campaigning is something which is new for me but I have started liking it,” says the 71-year old.As a former Army chief, Gen JJ Singh gets some curious onlookers in the gathering who wants to have a glimpse of his. “I will stay here, roam the streets like a commoner and despite being in the Army and then a Governor, I assure you that you would see me often,” he says.Addressing a gathering in the Sher-e-Punjab market, majority consisting of urban Sikhs, the talking point is the cut beard supported by Gen JJ Singh. A few Akali workers are seen smiling at each other on their party now fielding a Sikh with his beard trimmed. “Times have changed. Liquor traders, Sikhs with trimmed beard, realty tycoons and parachute candidates are all making hay in SAD. We have little choice but to accompany them as the party wants it,” they said.To a query, Singh claims that all is well within the party and the local Akali workers are now standing like a wall with him. Whatever be the case, the Patiala voters have an interesting choice to make.

Congress list of 23 candidates

Badal ‘bahu’ inciting violence, says AAP

• AAP has demanded removal of Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur from the Cabinet and registration of a case against her for “inciting violence”. It also complained to the EC.

Black flags shown to Sukhbir in Jalalabad

• Sukhbir was shown black flags at Jalalabad Tehsil by lawyers for “not attaching” 44 villages in Jalalabad police circle for works relating to criminal cases and police matters.

He denied CM siropa, now backs Jarnail

Balbir Singh

GS Paul

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, January 12

Former Golden Temple ‘ardasia’ Balbir Singh has given up the idea of challenging Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal from Lambi and would instead support AAP nominee Jarnail Singh.Balbir, who shot to limelight after denying ‘siropa’ to CM Badal and his deputy Sukhbir Badal at the Golden Temple, said his decision was based on the feedback he received from ‘Sikh Sangat’. He had announced to take on CM Badal, alleging that the state government did little to check sacrilege incidents.He subsequently uploaded a video on the social media seeking advice from the Sikh community on whether or not to enter the poll arena. “My sole aim was never to see Badal in power again. The Sikh population from across the world supported my cause overwhelmingly. But a majority of them calculated that my candidature could divide anti-Badal votes and defeat the purpose,” he said.Balbir said he would support Jarnail and even campaign for him. “He is fighting for the cause of Sikh panth and anti-Badal policies,” he said.

Manpreet files nomination papers on Day 2

Congress candidate Manpreet Badal files his nomination papers along with his family members in Bathinda on Thursday. Photo: Vijay Kumar

Sukhmeet Bhasin

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, January 12

Congress candidate Manpreet Singh Badal today filed his nomination papers from the Bathinda Urban constituency with Returning Officer, Bathinda, SDM, Sakshi Sawhney on the second day of the nominations.Manpreet was accompanied by his son Arjun Badal, daughter Rhea Badal, nephew Mannat Johal and Rajan Garg inside the SDM office. Manpreet’s family has total assets worth around Rs 40 crore that includes properties in Chandigarh, Haryana and Rajasthan.As per the affidavit filed before the Returning Officer here, Manpreet declared assets of around Rs 40 crore, with movable assets to the tune of around Rs 3 crore and immovable assets worth around Rs 38 crore.He has declared his gross total value in the form of cash, vehicle and jewellery at Rs 3,17,005, Rs 18,54,484 of his wife Venu, Rs 18,487,551 of Hindu Undivided Family (HUF), Rs 1,48,940 in the name of his son Arjun and Rs 3,98,884 in the name of his daughter Rhea.Manpreet owns nine vehicles, including Fortuner, Honda CRV, three jeeps and two tractors.The Manpreet family owns a house in Chandigarh which is worth Rs 17 crore and it also owns a house in Gurgaon, worth Rs 1.25 crore. They also have three commercial buildings in Chandigarh. The family also has a liability or loans of around Rs 7 crore.After filing the nominations, Manpreet said the Congress would address issues of people after coming to power. He condemned the incident in which a shoe was thrown at Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal in a village of his constituency. But he claimed that he was not shocked as the “misrule” by them has led to anger in the public.

Total assets worth Rs 40 crore

• Manpreet Badal’s family has total assets worth around Rs 40 crore that includes properties in Chandigarh, Haryana and Rajasthan. As per the affidavit filed before the Returning Officer here, Manpreet declared assets of around Rs 40 crore, with movable assets to the tune of around Rs 3 crore and immovable assets worth around Rs 38 crore.

Balbir Singh Sidhu seeks PUDA chief’s transfer

Congress candidate from Mohali Balbir Singh Sidhu addresses a press conference in Mohali on Thursday. Tribune photo: Vicky Gharu

Our Correspondent

Mohali, January 12

In a complaint to Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi, Congress MLA from Mohali Balbir Singh Sidhu sought the transfer of the Chief Administrator, Punjab Urban Development Authority (PUDA).Releasing a copy of his complaint to CEC Nasim Zaidi at a press conference here today, Balbir Sidhu accused PUDA Chief Administrator (CA) Manvesh Singh Sidhu of using his office for campaigning purposes and pressuring the staff and others to support SAD-BJP candidate TPS Sidhu.Balbir Sidhu sought the immediate transfer of the PUDA Chief Administrator to some other state for a free and fair elections.In the complaint, the Congress candidate said the CA was a close relative of the SAD-BJP candidate, who was also from the IAS cadre and was contesting the election after resigning from the post of Secretary, Punjab Mandi Board.Balbir Sidhu said the PUDA CA had been on the same seat for the past five years due to the blessings of political high-ups, who were also very close to him.Copies of the complaint have also been sent to the Punjab State Election Commissioner, Chandigarh, and the District Electoral Officer-cum-Deputy Commissioner, Mohali.

‘SAD candidate an outsider’

At the press conference, Balbir Sidhu also termed SAD-BJP candidate TPS Sidhu as an “outsider”. He said residents of Mohali could not trust TPS Sidhu as he was not even aware of their problems. He was now promising everything in the world to the residents. He wondered why TPS Sidhu did not do this when he was the Mohali Deputy Commissioner. The SAD-BJP candidate was only making false promises to ensure his win, he added.Balbir Sidhu said he had spent half his life serving the people of Mohali and vowed to serve them till his last breath. The misuse of power and the fleecing of people would not work here, said the Congress candidate.

Deepinder Dhillon is Cong candidate from Dera Bassi

Deepinder Singh Dhillon

Satinder Pal Singh

Dera Bassi, January 12

Congress National president Sonia Gandhi today ended all speculations about the party ticket for the Dera Bassi seat. Sonia Gandhi made it amply clear that Deepinder Singh Dhillon is the party candidate from Dera Bassi. An announcement to this effect was made by the Congress high command today.Deepinder Singh Dhillon is all set to take the electoral plunge in the Assembly elections to be held on February 4. He is the party candidate from the Dera Bassi Constituency.Dhillon would thus be fighting against SAD-BJP candidate and sitting MLA NK Sharma, and AAP’s Bibi Sarabjeet Kaur, wife of late Capt Kanwaljit’s Singh, a former SAD minister.Dhillon is seen as a candidate who can make the going difficult for SAD-BJP candidate and sitting MLA NK Sharma given that he knows the ‘ins and outs’ of the SAD-BJP in the Dera Bassi Constituency and could manage to bring in more party members into the Congress fold.Party insiders said the decision to field Deepinder Singh Dhillon from Dera Bassi was a deliberate one in view of his close association with this Constituency and the special bond that the people here shared with him.The party also expects that an overwhelming public response to Deepinder will send a strong signal to potential allies that the Congress is not a spent force.“We are more than happy to welcome him. He is a local face and it is more a homecoming for him. Now, the Congress will be taking Akalis with a bang,” said a local Congress leader.

About Deepinder Singh Dhillon

Deepinder Singh Dhillon, a confidant of former Minister of State for External Affairs, Preneet Kaur, quit the Congress in 2012 after he was denied Congress ticket for the Dera Bassi seat. Dhillon contested the 2012 Assembly elections from the Dera Bassi Constituency as an Independent candidate. He was just second to NK Sharma in the last elections and had got 51,248 votes as an Independent.Dhillon was expelled from the Congress before the Assembly elections on January 22, 2012, after he announced to contest as an Independent candidate from Dera Bassi. Later on, he joined the SAD and was appointed the District Planning Board Chairman, Patiala.Dhillon’s elevation to the plum post had left many a senior SAD leaders of Patiala district red-faced. Notably, the names of most of the SAD leaders were missing from the hoardings installed to congratulate Dhillon.Dhillon even contested the Lok Sabha poll in 2014 against Preneet Kaur and AAP candidate Dharamvir Gandhi. He had finished third in a three-corner contest where Congress candidate Preneet Kaur was the runner-up and AAP’s Dharamvir Gandhi won.In 2016, Dhillon was expelled from the SAD for his alleged anti-party activities. Deepinder blamed Akali MLA from Dera Bassi NK Sharma for leaving him with no option but to quit the SAD and join the Congress.

Tough ride for Congress candidate Tajinder Bittu

Avtar Henry, Raj Kumar Gupta set to oppose him

Deepkamal Kaur

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, January 12

It will not be an easy ride for Congress candidate Tajinder Bittu, who has got ticket from Jalandhar (North), as he is sure to face dissidence not just from former Congress minister Avtar Henry but also former MLA Raj Kumar Gupta.As the news spread, Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit, son of Delhi CM Shiela Dikshit, went to Henry’s place and tried to placate him, but failed in doing so. The party workers, who had gathered there in large numbers, gave him two-day time to get the decision reverted. Henry has so far maintained that he would go by what majority of workers would suggest.Workers, however, continued to allege that Bittu was an outsider in this constituency. He is an agent of the SAD. If the ticket is not changed in two days, we will plan future course of action. There have been reports of Henry mulling plans to shift to the AAP or contest independently. The AAP ticket currently is with businessman Gulshan Sharma.Four MC councillors, PPCC secretary Balwant Shergill, ex-councillors Mahesh Puri Pappi, Gian Chand Sodhi, Avtar Singh, Haripal Sondhi, Nirmal S Nimma, comrade Raj Kumar, Rakesh Kumar Gannu, Desh Deepak, Om Parkash and Surinder Kaur were among those who resigned today in support of Henry.Likewise, former MLA Raj Kumar Gupta (80), who too was a claimant of the seat has called a meeting of his supporters tomorrow noon to discuss his plan. His son Pawan Gupta (51), who is two-time party councillor, said, “The entire Aggarwal community associated with us is angry at ticket not coming to my father. This will affect the party in two constituencies –Jalandhar (Central), where my father was MLA in 2002, and Jalandhar (North), where we had been waiting to get ticket. Our community has 20,000 voters in both the constituencies.”He further rued, “We were hoping that we would be adjusted in Jalandhar (North). But today, the party announced ticket for Tajinder Bittu, which is not acceptable to us. If our supporters suggest us to contest independently, we may go by them.”

Cong bet on Mann in Phagwara

Our correspondent

Phagwara, January 12

The Congress today declared Joginder Singh Mann as its candidate from the Phagwara Assembly constituency. Mann, who belongs to the Valmiki community, is the nephew of veteran Congress leader and former union home minister Buta Singh.A former state minister himself, Mann has won the seat three times and lost twice since 1985. The AAP have nominated Jarnail Nangal while BSP has announced Surinder Dhadhey as its candidate. Sitting MLA Som Parkash and Mohan Lal are seeking the BJP ticket.Meanwhile, no nomination paper was filed in Phagwara on the second day of filing nomination papers today, Returning Officer and SDM, Phagwara, Balbir Raj Singh said this evening.

Cong leader Chaudhary Surinder banks on his legacy, aims to focus on jobs

Chaudhary Surinder Singh meets residents during a door-to-door campaign at a village of Kartarpur in Jalandhar. A Tribune Photograph

Rachna Khaira

Tribune News Service

“I am the grandson of Master Gurbanta Singh, son of Chaudhary Jagjit Singh, and I want to serve people.” This line was posted on the Facebook wall of Chaudhary Surinder Singh which is enough to tell about his proud lineage which residents of Kartarpur can swear on!

One may assess the political importance of the Kartarpur constituency that right from the government of former Chief Minister Partap Singh Kairon in mid-1950s, incumbent MLAs from there remained important ministers. Political standing of the family may be judged from the fact that whosoever defeated Master Gurbanta Singh and Chaudhary Jagjit Singh became a minister in recognition of the fact that he defeated a political heavyweight.Piara Ram Dhanowalia of the Republican Party defeated Master Gurbanta Singh in 1967 and became a minister in Justice Gurnam Singh’s first non-Congress government. Avinash Chander of the SAD, a political novice at the time, was rewarded with the position of the Chief Parliamentary Secretary by Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal, on defeating political stalwart Chaudhary Jagjit Singh. Again, Sarwan Singh, an Akali, defeated Chaudhary Surinder and became a minister in recognition of his success in trouncing a strong opponent.Having been promised the ticket from Kartarpur by PPCC chief Capt Amarinder Singh following the death of Chaudhary Jagjit Singh in August 2016, an official announcement for Chaudhary Surinder Singh’s candidature came recently.So what are the top agendas? “The major focus will be made on providing employment to youth here. We would make strenuous efforts to bring some corporates to further enhance the employment opportunities in the constituency,” said the Dalit leader, who is a fitness freak.Will he be able to revive the lost glory of the historic furniture market of Kartarpur?”I don’t think there is a need to do that as a majority of the manufacturers had already shifted to other professions after facing tough competition from the Chinese market. However, we will encourage entrepreneurship efforts in the area,” said the Congress leader.As Kartarpur had always remained a constituency where a candidate has only won by a mere margin of 500 to 1,000 votes, what impact it will have on the Congress prospects after the arrival of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) which is reported to have attracted around 10,000 to 15,000 persons from a database of 1.5 lakh voters?”No, I am hopeful that our traditional vote bank has remained intact and will not be disturbed with the arrival of other political parties in the area. All that which ensure my win is my proud legacy and my will to serve people,” claimed Chaudhary Surinder.

Chaudhary Surinder Singh

• Party: Congress
• Qualification: MA History
• Constituency: Kartarpur
• Poll record: Contesting for the first time.
• Focus: To provide employment to every family in the constituency. Will make strenuous efforts to bring some corporates to further enhance the employment opportunities

It’s Kaypee-Tinu face-off in Adampur after 15 years

Deepkamal Kaur

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, January 12

It will be a repeat of 2002 as former minister Mahinder Singh Kaypee, whose candidature from the Congress was announced today, will contest against sitting MLA Pawan Tinu from the Adampur Assembly segment.Kaypee and Tinu had come face-to-face 15 years back as both of them had then contested from Jalandhar South seat (now Jalandhar West after the last delimitation). Tinu, who was the BSP candidate then, had lost to Kaypee by 13, 485 votes.The situation was different in the constituency. “Tinu was a candidate from a weaker party. He is now a sitting MLA of the Akali Dal and is riding on party’s achievements, including the foundation stone laying of airport in the constituency, laying of sewage works and upgrade of Bhogpur sugar mill. Kaypee was then banking on the fact that his father and five-time Congress MLA Darshan Singh Kaypee, had been killed by militants just 10 years back. Kaypee, who has been out of power for 10 years, has now come on a different turf,” said a political observer from Jalandhar.There are other factors on which the fight will depend. It is believed that Pawan Tinu has been facing dissidence within the party with Akali leaders including councillor Darshan Singh Karwal and his two brothers, and SGPC member Gurcharan Kaur Kalra, while political observers say Kaypee has no such dissidence as two other claimants from the party have got adjusted well. Satnam Kainth, who contested the last time, is now the candidate from Banga while Seth Satpal Mal had joined the Akali Dal and is now the candidate from Kartarpur. The presence of the AAP and the BSP candidates from the reserved seat too would be other deciding factors.

New Delhi, January 7

A special court on Saturday issued fresh summons against three accused in a money laundering case related to the Rs 3,600 crore VVIP chopper deal in which it had earlier issued an open-ended non-bailable warrant (NBW) against British national and alleged middleman Christian Michel James.Special Judge Arvind Kumar re-issued the summons against India-based firm M/s Media Exim Private Limited and its directors R K Nanda and J B Subramaniyam while asking them to be present in court on February 22. The firm was set up by James, Nanda and Subramaniyam.The court passed the order after advocate N K Matta, appearing for the Enforcement Directorate, informed it that the summons issued against the three accused on the last date of hearing could not be executed.It had on November 31 last year issued an open-ended NBW against James and summons against other three accused in the case, saying, “There is prima facie evidence against the accused.”The NBW was issued against James after ED had told the court that the alleged middleman was out of India and pressed for an arrest warrant against him to bring him here to face the trial. An open-ended NBW (arrest warrant) does not carry a time limit for its execution.In June last year, ED had filed a 1,300-page prosecution complaint (equivalent for charge sheet) in connection with its money laundering probe in the case.It had said the agency’s investigation into the case had found that James allegedly received Euro 30 million (about Rs 225 crore) from M/s AgustaWestland which was nothing but “kickbacks” paid by the firm to execute the deal for sale of 12 helicopters to India in favour of the firm in “guise” of genuine transactions for performing multiple work contracts in the country. — PTI

Amaninder Pal

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 18

Call it an enthusiasm to contest or just a fallout of the entry of a new political party, but it is after a long gap of 32 years that the number of nominations filed by candidates for the 117 Punjab Assembly seats has almost touched the 2,000-mark.Also, the number of nominations filed for the 2017 Assembly elections has increased by 200 compared to 2012, when 1,731 candidates had filed nominations.A total of 1,941 candidates have filed papers this time. Today was the last day to file nominations.(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)It was way back in 1985 that 2,175 candidates had filed nominations despite the fact that militancy was at its peak and the state had gone to hustings after President’s rule. But only 875 were left in fray after withdrawal of candidature and scrutiny of papers then.The number of candidates who will remain in the contest will drop after the scrutiny of nominations on Thursday and withdrawal of candidature by Saturday (January 21). “An increase in the number of nominations was expected due to entry of AAP. The new party has not only fielded candidates in all segments, its entry has also persuaded a lot many small and splinter groups to jump into elections,” said a senior electoral officer.

In ‘brush’, AAP sees ‘danger’ to broom

• Chandigarh: After “torch” and “ladyfinger”, it’s now “toothbrush” in which the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) sees a threat to its “broom”. In a request to the Election Commission and the Chief Electoral Officer of Punjab, the party has sought that the “toothbrush” be removed from the list of election symbols meant for Independent candidates as it was “deceptive” and too similar to its own party symbol. Senior AAP leader Raghav Chadha pleaded, “The symbol is similar to AAP’s broom and may create confusion in the minds of innocent voters.” During the Delhi Assembly elections in January last year, AAP had demanded that the symbol of “torch” be delisted. The EC retained the “torch” but without the beam. TNS

Which way the wind is blowing in the Malwa region

The Tribune correspondent hops on to a bus and traverses the Malwa to feel the pulse of the common man as election is just three weeks away

CM Parkash Singh Badal addresses a gathering at Bodiwal village in Lambi. Tribune photo: Vishav Bharti

Vishav Bharti

Tribune News Service

As the private bus moves at 70 km an hour on a chilly morning on National Highway-95, flex boards carrying political posters are the only reminder that the Punjab Assembly poll is just three weeks away. Inside the bus, hardly anyone discusses politics.As the conductor blows the whistle and the bus is about to leave Samrala, a man sporting an Akali-blue turban boards the bus and takes the seat behind me. He is carrying a sheaf of papers. We soon strike a conversation and the topic changes to election. He says for four generations they have voted only for “babe di takdi”.

Mohan Singh, a small farmer from Sherpur Bet in Samrala, says but this time it will be different. He shuffles his papers saying he is on his way to Ludhiana to see a lawyer. “My relatives, in connivance with local Akali leaders, have taken away my land,” he says, adding that like many others in his village he will support the Aam Aadmi Party. “Ehna (Akalis) ne jo gundagardi keeti hai, ehna nu taan kise dargah te vi maafi ni milni.”At Ludhiana, as the conductor looks for passengers for Barnala, a plump man, who seems in his 30s, takes the seat beside me. He says he is not interested in election. “I won’t vote this time. Earlier, I had hope from jharuwalas, but their candidates are no different,” he says as he puts his earplugs on.Meanwhile, a few vendors move in the aisle shouting their wares as the bus heads towards the sandy dunes of the Malwa.Located right on the Bathinda-Fazilka highway, a gathering—outnumbered by policemen—is waiting for Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal at Bodiwala village in Lambi constituency. “Ki-ki siftan kariye Badal sarkaar diyan,” a dhadi jatha is trying to hold the gathering.Before moving on to another village, Badal says, “I am not interested in becoming CM. Mera path-pooja karan da time hai. Bande nu agge ja ke vi hisab dena hunda hai. I had told my party to relieve me, but they refused. When a cart gets stuck, it needs a strong ox to pull it out. The party said the cart could not move without me.”On National Highway-64, just before the roadways bus leaves Barnala for Sangrur, a posse of policemen boards it. The young conductor does not ask them for tickets, nor do they care to tell him their destination. A young constable from Sunam, who joined police six years back, says they are returning from Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal’s security duty at Barnala. “We started at 4 am,” he says, adding, “I want the Congress to return to power for then we would be less frequently deployed on the road as the ‘maharaja’ doesn’t travel much.” With a wry smile, he says police personnel generally favour the Congress.From Sangrur, as the ‘AC’ bus of Punjab Roadways starts for Chandigarh, a man unhappy with its dilapidated condition takes a jibe at the driver asking him to close the door or the ‘AC’ would be ineffective, leaving the passengers within earshot in splits.The second-last seat in the bus is occupied by one Parminder Singh, the son of a labourer and a fresh graduate from Faridkot’s Government Brijindra College, who is visiting a relative in Patiala. A bit shy, he says he has so far voted only once–in the 2014 election. He wants the new government to provide jobs and health care.Despite it being in bad shape, the bus runs smoothly on the newly laid-out road, the very road which Sukhbir Badal had once referred to as “bomb-proof”. When pointed out that the new road means development, the youth says the roads have been laid out for the Badals’ buses to ply on.The continuous din of conductors’ whistles and shouts besides sundry other noises at the Patiala bus stand once again remind you of the noisy election scene in the days to come.At the Chandigarh counter, a Punjab Roadways bus full of passengers is flanked by two brand new white Mercedes Benz luxury buses of Taj Travels, a company owned by the Badals. The conductor of the luxury bus is looking for passengers to Chandigarh. With a half-empty bus, it seems he is groping in the dark.

Poll effect: Akalis lose security cover

1,200 gunmen, 28 escort vehicles withdrawn

Jupinderjit Singh

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 18

On the directions of the Election Commission, the Punjab Police have withdrawn the alleged unauthorised security cover given to Punjab ministers, Chief Parliamentary Secretaries, former SAD MLAs, several “VIP” halqa in-charges, district presidents besides youth Akali leaders. A reality check of over 300 VVIPs, mainly political leaders and their supporters by the Election Commission, found that improper security had been given to many of them.The commission found that the security cover, which had over the years become a status symbol, was beyond the entitlement but the VVIPs had been getting it for several years. The police had not withdrawn it despite the demands by the Opposition.Around 1,200 police guards given to the VVIPs have been withdrawn. Along with it, 28 escort vehicles have been taken back.Among those affected are 24 Chief Parliamentary Secretaries, who had security cover of 18 security guards equivalent to the status of a minister. The EC has authorised them to have four guards only, as per the limit fixed for a member of the Legislative Assembly. Also, a number of youth Akali leaders, some of whom even had up to 20 gunmen, have lost the special cover.Dyal Singh Kolianwali, Muktsar SAD president, had 20 gunmen out of which 10 have been withdrawn now.Former MLAs Sucha Singh Langah, Sewa Singh Sekhwan and some others too have lost their security cover. SOI leaders, too, have to shed their excess cover.However, police sources said no change had been made in the security cover of CM Parkash Singh Badal and his deputy Sukhbir Badal. Both leaders fall in the ‘Z-plus’ security and have faced attacks in last few days.The EC has also reviewed the security of AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal, who is the party’s top campaigner in the state. Apart from the security given to him as the CM, he will have a dedicated escort vehicle of the Punjab Police or a paramilitary force.ADGP VK Bhawra, who is Nodal Officer of the Election Commission, said the security was withdrawn after a proper review.

Badals untouched

• Police sources said no change had been made in the security cover of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and his deputy Sukhbir Badal. The two leaders fall in the ‘Z-plus’ security and have faced attacks in last few days.

Cong puts up united face, Bittu files papers

Congress’ Jalalabad candidate and Ludhiana MP Ravneet Singh Bittu submits papers on Wednesday. Tribune photo

Praful Chander Nagpal

Fazilka, January 18

Ludhiana Congress MP Ravneet Singh Bittu filed nomination papers from the Jalalabad constituency here today. The Congress has pitted the grandson of late Chief Minister Beant Singh against SAD president Sukhbir Badal and AAP MP Bhagwant Mann.The Congress put up a united face at the time of filing of papers as several ticket aspirants were also present.Bittu said the desecration of Guru Granth Sahib was a slur on the Punjab government. He alleged that SAD-BJP combine had plunged Punjab’s youth into the well of drugs and the Congress would eradicate the menace in four weeks if its government came to power.Bittu is worth Rs 4.5 croreAccording to the affidavit filed by Bittu, he owns moveable and immoveable property worth Rs4.5 crore. An agriculturist, Bittu is the owner of 17 acres of agriculture land and residential plots in Mohali and Ludhiana. He also possesses a pistol.

Capt says contesting Lambi to rout Badals

Capt Amarinder Singh files his nomination from the Lambi segment in Malout on Wednesday. Tribune photo: Pawan sharma

Archit Watts

Tribune News Service

Lambi, January 18

Punjab Congress chief Capt Amarinder Singh today filed his nomination from Lambi. Termed it as father of all battles, he said: “I will defeat Badal for sure, I am here to beat him.” When asked which seat he would retain if wins both Patiala and Lambi, he said: “I will announce it after the results.”He later held a roadshow from Malout to Lambi. During his halts on the way, he said: “I will teach Badal a lesson for all atrocities unleashed on the people of the state during the last 10 years and set an example for all future CMs.”Amarinder yesterday filed his nomination from Patiala and exhorted the people there to take care of his home town while he took on Badal.At a rally at Lambi village, Amarinder announced that neither Badal nor his kin would be spared for their “wrongdoings” and for bringing the state to such a “pathetic” situation.He also held the Badals responsible for the sacrilege incidents. “We will probe all sacrilege cases and send Badals to jail. Even the ‘Akal Purkh’ will not forgive them for these incidents and his whole family will be wiped out from the state’s political scene,” he claimed.Taking a dig at AAP, Amarinder asked the public that would comedians like Bhagwant Mann and Gurpreet Ghuggi and shoe-thrower Jarnail be able to run the government. “Are they going to run the government by cracking jokes and by throwing shoes at their opponents,” he asked.

Sidhu meets ’04 rival before nomination

Congress’ Amritsar East nominee Navjot Sidhu with veteran leader RL Bhatia, whom he had defeated in 2004 LS poll. Photo: Vishal Kumar

GS Paul

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, January 18

Former cricketer and BJP MP Navjot Singh Sidhu today filed his nomination papers for the Amritsar East Assembly seat. Prior to the filing of nomination, Sidhu went to see veteran Congress leader and five-time Amritsar MP Raghunandan Lal Bhatia to seek his blessings. Sidhu had opened his political innings by defeating Bhatia in the 2004 Lok Sabha elections by a margin of around 1 lakh votes. Sidhu said, “Bhatia Saheb is like a father figure. I am here to seek his blessings,” he said. While showering his best wishes on Sidhu, Bhatia said, “Sidhu’s entry will strengthen the Congress. He deserves ‘due honour’ in the party. He will play a vital role in the Punjab politics,” he said. On “anticipated” friction between PPCC chief Capt Amarinder Singh and Sidhu, he said, “All differences between them would be buried at the party level.” Later, Sidhu reached the office of the Returning Officer along with his wife Navjot Kaur Sidhu and other supporters. He also declared his assets while submitting papers. Sidhu has a total income of Rs 9.66 crore as per his 2015-2016 income tax return. His wife’s income was shown as Rs 24.71 lakh during the same period. His immovable and movable assets are valued at Rs 40 crore. He owns immovable properties worth Rs 34.75 crore, including his palatial house in the holy city having a market value of Rs 28.5 crore, besides commercial and residential property in Patiala. 

Manpreet challenge looms, MP pitches in for Singla

SAD candidate and sitting MLA from Bathinda (Urban) Sarup Chand Singla during his door-to-door campaign on Wednesday. A TRIBUNE PHOTOGRAPH

Sukhmeet Bhasin

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, January 18

Old memories of bitter family feuds getting ever more intense during the elections have come alive with Union Minister of Food Processing and Member of Parliament Harsimrat Kaur Badal taking command of fighting election at the Bathinda (Urban) seat against her brother in-law and Congress leader Manpreet Singh Badal.She has held many poll gatherings with SAD candidate Sarup Chand Singla and instructed party workers about the election strategy.Harsimrat Badal held a meeting with Sarup Chand Singla yesterday and instructed the latter to bring back party rebels who have joined the Congress.She said if rebels were not ready to return then, at least, they could be pursued not to seek votes for the Congress candidate.In the last 15 days, many SAD-BJP leaders have left the party and joined the Congress.These leaders include senior SAD leader Pirthipal Singh Jalal, former Municipal Council president Bhupinder Singh Bhullar, SAD district vice-president Chamkaur Mann, SAD circle president Ashwanu Bunty, SAD councillor Sukhwinder Kaur, BJP councillor Priyanka Goyal and former councillor Darshan Garg.A close aide of Singla, Beopar Mandal president Rajinder Raju, Artiya Association president Satish Babbu, contractor Harish Garg and Mohinder Narula have also joined the Congress.Recently, Harsimrat Badal held a meeting with SAD-BJP cocunillors and listened to their grievances.Councillors raised various issues plaguing the party and alliance, including the issue of leaders being ignored.

Former AAP leader to prop up Congress campaign

Women’s wing vice-president of the Congress and former AAP leader Simrat Kaur Dhaliwal addresses the media in Bathinda on Wednesday. Photo: Vijay Kumar

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, January 18

Former AAP leader Simrat Kaur Dhaliwal today claimed that she would help the Congress to win Assembly elections at all seats.She joined the Congress as women’s wing vice-president on January 13 in the presence of Captain Amarinder Singh.She has levelled allegations against AAP over deviating from its basic principles on ticket distribution and giving tickets to people with criminal record.She said tickets were sold by AAP to many candidates and she herself was asked by some senior-most leaders to pay Rs 50 lakh to get the ticket.She threatened to reveal the names of such people, along with proofs, soon.“The wrong distribution of tickets by the party that could not remain firm on its principles and selling of tickets to people proved corruption within the party. Due to this, I have joined congress for the better future of the state,” said Simrat Kaur.“I was the vice-president of the party’s women’s wing. I spent a large amount on serving the party and forming its structure in Punjab. Sucha Singh Chhotepur was thrown out without any fault following a deep-rooted conspiracy by Arvind Kejriwal. I submitted my resign to AAP Punjab convener Gurpreet Singh Ghuggi on January 12 and joined the Congress on January 13,” she added.

Kharar constituency: Issues that matter

AAP candidate Kanwar Sandhu files his nomination in Kharar. Tribune photo: Vicky Gharu

Congress candidate Jagmohan Singh Kang submits his nomination papers in Kharar. Tribune photo: Vicky Gharu

Congress candidate Deepinder Singh Dhillon files his papers in Dera Bassi. Tribune photo: Nitin Mittal

SAD leaders join Congress at Jagraon

Akali leaders who joined the Congress at Jagraon on Wednesday. A Tribune photogaph

Our Correspondent

Jagraon, January 18

The election campaign of Congress candidate from Jagraon constituency Malkiat Singh Dhaka gained a momentum today when several SAD leaders, including two municipal councillors of the Jagraon MC, and members of five panchayats joined the Congress.The leaders who joined the Congress included municipal councillor from Ward No. 1 Gurpreet Kaur Tatla, councillor from Ward No. 11 Dr Iqbal Singh, and Block Samiti member Davinder Singh. Besides, the panchayats members of Galib Kalan, Galib Khurd, Galib Ran Singh, Kothe Baggu and Kothe Jeeva also joined the Congress.Congress leader Karan Singh Galib played a key role in their joining. Malkiat Singh Dhaka thanked Galib and welcomed those joining the party. Galib also inaugurated the election office of Malkiat Singh Dhaka on the Raikot Road, Jagraon.Billa files papers as independentAvtar Singh Billa, Congress ticket aspirant from Jagraon, on Wednesday filed nomination papers as an independent candidate. Billa was accompanied by his close aides, Vicky Rana and Thekedar Pappu, on the occasion. Billa was aspiring for Congress ticket from Jagraon constituency but after the party decided to field former minister Malkiat Singh Dhaka from Jagraon, Billa decided to contest the poll as an independent. “The Congress has awarded the party ticket to an outsider and people of Jagraon would never accept an outsider as their leader. I decided to contest as independent after consulting my supporters,” said Billa after filing his papers.

Will cook Badal’s goose in his backyard: Capt

IN CM’S BASTION, CAPT TERMS CONTEST GRANDFATHER OF ALL BATTLES; DUBS BADAL AS ‘CONSPIRATOR’ BEHIND SACRILEGE

LAMBI (MUKTSAR): Punjab Congress chief Capt Amarinder Singh on Wednesday filed his nomination papers from Lambi constituency, challenging chief minister Parkash Singh Badal in his bastion.

SANJEEV KUMAR/HTPunjab Congress chief Capt Amarinder Singh filing his papers in Lambi in Muktsar on Wednesday.

Amarinder, who is also contesting his traditional Patiala seat, filed papers at Malout. Muktsar district Congress president Gurmeet Singh Khudian, who was a strong contender for the Lambi ticket, filed the papers as Capt’s covering candidate. The Congress chief later led his cavalcade of more than 100 vehicles to Lambi for a ‘show of strength’ rally, where he vowed to “cook Parkash Singh Badal’s goose in his own backyard” and “wipe him out” from Punjab’s political scene. He termed the contest as ‘grandfather of all battles’.

He also dubbed Badal as a “conspirator” behind the incidents of desecration of Guru Granth Sahib last year. “Ae saara kujh hi isne aap karaya hai. (He got it all done himself),” he added, promising arrest of the culprits. He also assured people that the Behbal Kalan police firing case would be taken to its logical end and the guilty cops would be prosecuted. Two young protesters had died in the firing during the public protests against sacrilege incidents.

AAP candidate in Lambi Jarnail Singh has been making similar accusations against Badal. The CM has so far skipped the sacrilege issue in his campaign, while blaming the Congress for Operation Bluestar and the 1984 riots. Capt also said he will put Badal’s associate and SGPC members Dyal Singh Kolianwali behind the bars after coming to power. In the past, Kolianwali has been accused of being involved in election violence and corrupt practices.

Capt my leader, will be his soldier: Sidhu

Amritsar: Cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu, who filed his nomination papers as a Congress candidate from the Amritsar (East) assembly segment on Wednesday, said he would work as a soldier of Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) chief Captain Amarinder Singh.

GURPREET SINGH/HTAmritsar East Congress candidate Navjot Singh Sidhu filing his nomination papers on Wednesday.

Terming Amarinder Singh as his leader, Sidhu said, “We want that this time Congress forms a Government in Punjab and Captain Saab leads us. I will work as soldier of Capt. Amarinder Singh.”

He said he was not here for personal battles but to revive the state that was in a shambles. He said things have come to such a pass in Punjab that the government of people has become a onefamily regime.

Addressing mediapersons after filing his nomination papers, Sidhu said, “To change things, one has to come into the system. In Punjab, only one family is having 23 ministerial portfolios in the government and this has to be changed.”

He said he will announce his agenda for Punjab on January 20.

India, Portugal sign defence, six other pacts to boost ties
Prime Minister Narendra Modi with his Portuguese counterpart Antonio Costa during release stamps during “Exchange of Agreements and Press Statements” in New Delhi on Saturday. PTI
New Delhi, January 7

India and Portugal on Saturday inked seven pacts to expand bilateral engagement in a wide range of areas, including defence and security, IT and renewable energy even as they took a veiled dig at China for blocking New Delhi’s move at the UN to list JeM Chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist.
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In wide-ranging talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Portuguese counterpart Antonio Costa, while agreeing to deepen the ties, also called for tough global action against terror networks and States harbouring them stressing that there should not be any double standards in combating terrorism.
Modi, in a statement to the media, said he and Costa discussed the need for the global community to take strong and urgent action against the rapidly growing and widely spreading threats of violence and terror.
“Recognising the importance of the Central role of UN in combating terrorism, they exhorted the international community to effectively implement the measures enumerated by the 1267 UN Sanctions Committee,” a joint statement issued after the talks said.
On December 30, China had blocked India’s move to list Pakistan-based Azhar as a global terrorist, at the 1267 Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council. China was the only member on the 15-nation Committee to have opposed India’s move.
The joint statement said both sides called for strengthening cooperation in combating terrorism in a spirit of ‘zero tolerance’, underlining that States should not support any terror entity including ‘non-State actors’ on any grounds.
The two leaders also called for eliminating terrorist safe havens and infrastructure, disrupting terrorist networks and their financing, and sought adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism by the UN.
The Prime Minister said his talks with Costa, who traces his origin to Goa, covered full range of India–Portugal ties across various sectors.
“We agreed that the two countries must focus on action oriented approach to realize the full potential of economic opportunities in our partnership. The agreements signed today are just one indication of our shared resolve to do exactly that,” he said.
Modi also thanked Costa for Portugal’s support to India’s membership of the Missile Technology Control Regime, and for its continued support for India’s membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group.
The MoU on defence envisages cooperation meeting security challenges, including in the maritime domain and defence industries. — PTI

The nuclear-capable strategic ballistic missile on parade during Republic Day. File photo

Bhubaneswar, January 2

India on Monday successfully test fired the nuclear-capable Agni IV ballistic missile from the Abdul Kalam Island off the Odisha coast.

The missile was launched at about 11.50 am, from a mobile launcher off the Balasore coast, defence sources said.

This is sixth test of the missile and second user associate launch.

The two-stage solid-propelled, surface-to-surface ballistic missile is designed to carry a 1-tonne payload to a distance of 4,000 km.

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The test comes within a week of the successful test firing of Agni V intercontinental ballistic missile.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has designed and developed the missile.

The missile’s length is 20 meters and launches weight 17 tonnes. It is equipped with state-of-the-art technologies, which include indigenously developed ring laser gyro and composite rocket motor.

Agni-IV has undergone one failed and five successful tests over the course of five years, said sources. — IANS

The politico­bureaucratic regime has made a series of blunders in dealing with the armed forces, compounded by a dubious supersession in army chief’s appointment

Ihave always been in favour of merit being the criterion for promotion, especially for the top job. Deep selection to be acceptable, however, must ensure that selected candidates are head and shoulders above those superseded. Basing it on subjective criteria undermines the armed forces’ carefully crafted ethos with its emphasis on honourable conduct and tradition-strengthened professionalism. The principle of seniority in selection was preferred to obviate political interference or senior officers seeking political patronage.

PHOTO: DEFENCE PROLt Gen Praveen Bakshi visiting troops at Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh. The general has wide­ranging experience over all kinds of warfare and in all types of terrain.

This unfortunate controversy is the latest in a series of gaffes which have affected the smooth functioning of civil-military relations. In recent years, we’ve seen the mishandling of OROP, an unwillingness to address anomalies arising out of the 7th Pay Commission, downgrade of military ranks in comparison with their civilian counterparts in the defence ministry, exploiting of cross-LOC raids for political purposes and unwarranted delay in appointments of services chiefs and senior commanders. As a weapon of last resort, the armed forces’ effectiveness and prestige must not be blunted.

SELECTION OF THE ARMY CHIEF

Working in damage-control mode, the ruling dispensation’s spin-doctors have alleged that Lt Gen Praveen Bakshi has ‘done a lot of service in Rajasthan’ implying thereby that he is a desert warfare specialist and not au fait with operations in the mountains, counter-insurgency or LOC operations. This is an unacceptable argument for supplanting him since the military’s system of training and grooming for high command ensures that by the time they rise to the top, senior commanders are fully conversant with all strains of warfare and specialisation.

General JN Chaudhari served with horsed cavalry or armour. Yet, he successfully rose, trained, equipped and put into place the large mountain shield in the Himalayas in the wake of the 1962 war which has not been breached since. General Sundarji despite being an infantryman (having served mostly with machinegun units at that) effectively commanded an armoured division.

General Bakshi served on the general staff of counter-insurgency force delta and later as the chief of staff, Northern Command. Staff appointments give one invaluable experience of dealing with operations, planning, training, logistics and coordination supplying deep insights into the nitty-gritty of command. He later commanded IX Corps which is committed to counter-insurgency/counter-terrorist operations in a large area of Jammu province and northern Punjab. Now, Bakshi is the eastern army commander.

An army chief should be selected for his strategic way of thinking and ability to contribute to the formulation of policy rather than a tactical mindset.

NAVAL CHIEF TO CRACK THE WHIP

Coming as it does on the heels of a long string of major accidents involving it’s warships in the last decade and a half, the INS Betwa mishap has left the Navy red-faced. Naval chief admiral Sunil Lanba is determined to arrest the slide. A measure proposed by him is strict accountability. The axe is going to fall on deteriorating seamanship, integrity and watchfulness after the Betwa inquiry report is out.

WHILE A MAJORITY OF JOBS IN THE ARMED FORCES ARE OPEN EQUALLY TO MEN AND WOMEN, THERE ARE SOME TO WHICH WOMEN ARE JUST NOT PHYSICALLY SUITED. THE IDEA OF WOMEN IN COMBAT IS FRAUGHT WITH FRIGHTFUL CONSEQUENCES ON NATIONAL SECURITY

Women have been in the military in various jobs, such as medical corps (doctors and nursing officers) for long. Some time ago, they were inducted into supporting arms, such as EME, ordinance, engineers, signals, artillery and legal branch etc.

More recently, both the supreme commander of the armed forces and the defence minister want women in all streams of combat elements, supposedly in the special operations units as well. The defence minister has moved a step further and wants an all-women combat unit. While it may be interesting to know the reaction to this move by the Pakistan Army, here the focus needs be on the implications of their induction into combat arms: Infantry and tank units.

DON’T COMPROMISE ON NATIONAL SECURITY

Women in submarines and as fighter pilots may fit in some manner, but women fighter pilot bailing out over enemy territory has its own implications. Perhaps the supreme commander and the defence minister may prefer gloss over this pertinent issue, but surely the air chief should look into this aspect of their role as fighter pilots.

While the Union government has exercised a number of options to wreck the military, inducting women into fighting arms may prove the proverbial last straw. Both during India’s past and more recently during the conflict in Iraq and Afghanistan, women did take part in combat exercises, but when we call upon women to take part in the full spectrum of combat arms fighting, it’s a different ball game. Women in combat arms and taking part in operations are fraught with frightful consequences on the national security.

ABILITY VS GENDER

Advocates of the idea of inducting women into combat arms are working on a false premise of gender equality. Such notions and illusions miss on the nature of actions combat arms are called upon to undertake and the imperatives of winning a war. Political leadership in India, unlike some other democracies, has no experience of wearing a military uniform or even marginally acquainting itself with the nature of combat and what all it involves. Military’s sole mission, when compelled to wage a war, is to win the same and vanquish the enemies on land, sea and air. It cannot be used as a social engineering project by naïve and uninformed politicians.

Even if one is to gloss over problems, such as being on long patrols where women may have to share a blanket with a man, or during combat, when injuries sustained by women on private parts require immediate first aid, the ultimate fighting prowess of women needs to be taken into account. A woman to be part of a tank crew where space is limited and constant body contact with others unavoidable has its own implications.

STANDARDS OF PHYSICAL FITNESS

Combat for an infantry soldier is the extreme form of violence carried out without pity, remorse and contrition. How many of our policymakers know what it takes to get up and advance through a hail of bullets and exploding shells with comrades being blown to bits and ending up with hand to hand fighting with the enemy. Then, there is the question of physical strength of women, especially of the upper body part, which will impact hand-tohand fighting and some other soldierly undertakings.

It is no body’s case to deny women their right to equal opportunities. Denial of entry into fighting arms of the army can be compensated in a range of other areas of employment. There could be and is an all-women border police unit, but their range of duties and functions are poles apart from that of a soldier in a full-blooded battle. At the first signs of a war, the border police will be pulled back into rear areas. In India, women have done exceeding well in civil services, police, medical services and other fields and it’s here they can be provided additional opportunities.

It’s for the military leadership to advice the government and not allow themselves to be carried along in such outlandish proposals. Nation’s military leaders have a moral duty to inform the political executive that such policies are not in the best interest of the military and national security. It’s not to be left to the women to take a call whether to join combat arms or not, as being advocated by the army chief. Chiefs of defence services must have the courage to stand up and the wisdom to advise the government where its policies can have adverse impact on their service and consequently on national security issue.

• LT GEN HARWANT SINGH (RETD) Lt Gen Harwant Singh (retd) letterschd@hindustantimes.com (The writer, a former vice­chief of the army staff, is a Chandigarh­based commentator on defence and security issues. Views expressed are personal)

There has been heavy snow in Kashmir for the past few days. Tribune photo: Amin War

Azhar Qadri
Tribune News Service
Srinagar, January 25

An army officer and four civilians have been killed as avalanches swept two locations in north and central Kashmir on Wednesday.
A police official in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district said an avalanche hit a camp of Territorial Army at Sonamarg resort. The police official said an army officer had died.
“There are also reports that some bodies are still buried, but that could not be immediately confirmed as the area is out of bounds,” the police official said.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

In another incident, four civilians were killed when an avalanche hit a house in a remote village in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district as the region faces one of the most widespread snow spell of recent years.
An official in Bandipora district said the four civilians were buried inside their house at Badogam village when it was hit by the avalanche. The official said the bodies of the four people, all belonging to the same family, were recovered early in the morning.
The dead included 50-year-old Habilullah, his wife, a daughter and a son.The snow is intermittently falling across the Kashmir Valley for the second consecutive day on Wednesday.

SC rejects Jagir Kaur’s petition to contest poll

Jagir Kaur, former SGPC chief

Legal Correspondent

New Delhi, January 17

The Supreme Court today rejected former SGPC chief Jagir Kaur’s plea for suspension of her conviction in the 2000 murder case of her daughter Harpreet Kaur.A Bench comprising Justices AK Goel and UU Lalit refused to entertain the plea even as senior counsel Shyam Divan contended that this was necessary to enable his client to contest the February 4 Punjab Assembly poll as a SAD candidate.

Divan pleaded that she had been sentenced to five years by the trial court only on the charge of criminal conspiracy, not for the substantial offence of murder.The Punjab and Haryana High Court had already stayed the sentence, but a stay on the conviction was necessary for contesting the poll. Divan pleaded that his client had a long public life and had a good chance of getting acquitted by the HC. The nomination would close tomorrow and she should be allowed to contest the poll.“Sorry,” the Bench said while dismissing her appeal against the HC verdict declining to stay her conviction.Harpreet had allegedly married a person against the wishes of her mother. Prior to the murder, she was subjected to abortion.

Polls predict a change

Yogendra Yadav
But would it be what the people of Punjab really wanted?

 

WILL Punjab get the change that it has long waited and prepared for? This is the big question that we should be asking in the forthcoming Assembly elections. This is no ordinary election. Punjabis within and outside Punjab have looked forward to this election for nearly three years, if not more. They have pinned big hopes on this election, not just hopes of change in government, but also change in the nature of politics itself. As we wait till the February 4 for Punjabis to answer this question, and another excruciating month for the answer to be revealed, the picture is beginning to reveal itself.With Navjot Singh Sidhu finally entering the Congress and all lists of candidates being released, we do not have many imponderables left in the field. This was preceded by the release of two polls, one by CSDS-Lokniti for ABP News and the other by Axis for Aak Tak/India Today TV. Both these are well-known agencies and credible news organisations. But then how does one make sense of the two very different pictures that emerge from these two polls?While both polls agree that it is a three-horse race, there is a sharp difference in how the three are placed: the CSDS puts the ruling Akali Dal-BJP coalition at the top, while Axis puts them at the bottom. While both polls say that the Congress is clearly ahead of the AAP, CSDS says the lead is 10 percentage points, while the Axis poll puts it at six points. Both polls project a hung Assembly. The CSDS poll expected the ruling party to secure a near majority of seats, between 50 to 58, followed by the Congress with 41-49 and the AAP way behind at 12-18. The Axis poll puts the Congress just below majority at 49-55, followed closely by the AAP at 42-46 and the Akali Dal-BJP a poor third with 17-21 seats. (See accompanying table).The difference is irreconcilable, or so it would seem. But actually, the two polls are doing two different things and are therefore compatible with each other. The CSDS did plain reporting while Axis offered an interpretation of data. Specifically, the Axis-India Today poll used the December data to project the likely outcome in February while CSDS-ABP merely reported the voting intention as it stood in the month of December.I guess both surveys got more or less the same data from their fieldwork. When they asked their respondents about who they would vote for, if elections are held tomorrow, the answers were something like this: Akali Dal-BJP: 36-40 per cent, Congress: 33-37 per cent, AAP: 20-24 per cent and the rest about 5 per cent. The CSDS made one routine adjustment and revised ‘others’ to 14 per cent. Everyone else was shrunk proportionately and they presented this data to the public. These figures may contain a lot of over-reporting (by respondents, not by CSDS) for the Akali Dal-BJP, partly due to fear, and partly, the usual bias for the incumbent.The Axis poll appears to have made an additional adjustment for ‘recall’ of the respondents. They adjusted the raw data by how their respondents’ reporting of who they voted for in 2014 matched with the actual outcome. Presumably, they found massive over-reporting for the Akali Dal and thus something like 38 per cent for the Akali-BJP combine was thus reduced to 24 per cent and so on. Now, this is not cheating; this is legitimate data adjustment. But the reader needs to know about it.Besides their differing projections, both polls offer a good deal of valuable information on the public mood in Punjab. The CSDS team should be complimented for their transparency and for putting most of the data in the public domain. (Full disclosure: I was on CSDS faculty for two decades, but have resigned now and have no connection with their survey team). Both of them agree that the people of Punjab are in no mood to give the ruling alliance a third chance — according to CSDS, the division is 5:2 against another chance to the Akali Dal. Both polls put Capt Amarinder Singh as the front-runner in the CM’s race. The CSDS poll also gives a glimpse of why people are unhappy with the ruling coalition: their unhappiness is not so much on account of lack of development as it is about lack of employment, rule of law and prevalence of corruption.At this stage, it is safe to draw the following conclusions: One, there is a massive anti-incumbency wave against the Akali Dal-BJP. They are headed for their electoral Waterloo. Two, the AAP, which appeared as the front-runner against the ruling coalition about six months ago, has slipped from that position. The CSDS poll says that its support is concentrated in the central districts of Malwa, not in eastern and western Malwa, nor in Majha and Doaba. Three, outside these districts, the Congress is poised as the front-runner. According to the Axis poll, in the last few months, the Congress has increased its lead over the AAP. Navjot Sidhu’s entry could give the Congress the final push it needed. Four, while the rebellion of Dr Dharamvir Gandhi against the AAP leadership and the exit of Sucha Singh Chhotepur from the party have seriously dented the image of the party and its poll prospects, they do not seem to be making it a four-cornered contest. We should be careful though as opinion polls tend to under-estimate new parties.The fieldwork for both these polls was done between the second and third weeks of December. So, it seems Punjab will have a political change. The question is: will it have the change that it had looked forward to? Sadly, no matter what the final outcome, the answer to this question is negative. None of the big issues Punjab faces today have been addressed in this campaign. Punjab  has seen some reckless, populist promises, but the blueprint on any of these critical areas — unemployment, indebtedness, agrarian crisis, exodus of industries, and drug menace, to name a few. While the problem of drugs has been talked about, there is not even a half-hearted attempt to work out a solution. There is a new entrant in this election, but it has ended up recycling the same set of discredited political actors, and has relayed the standard script so familiar to Punjab. Those who want a real change in Punjab may have to look beyond, and work towards politics beyond this election.Yogendra.yadav@gmail.com

Amarinder rules out alliance, calls JJ Singh ‘average cadet’

Tribune News Service

Patiala, January 17

Punjab Congress chief Capt Amarinder Singh today ruled out any pre/post-poll alliance, saying that his party would win the Assembly elections with two-thirds majority.Amarinder, who filed his nomination papers from the Patiala Urban seat, dismissed his rival – SAD candidate and former Army Chief Gen JJ Singh (retd) – as “an average cadet and a bogus man.”He said, “JJ Singh became the Chief of Army Staff due to his seniority, not calibre.”Ridiculing AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal’s allegation that he was contesting from Lambi — which was part of the Patiala royal estate till 1930 — to help CM Parkash Singh Badal, Amarinder said his decision was motivated by the desire to save the people of Punjab from the Badals.Later, he took out a roadshow. “You take care of Patiala and I will take care of Badal,” he told the crowd from the open-roof vehicle in which he was accompanied by wife and former Union Minister Preneet Kaur.

Capt in Lambi today, to file nomination papersLambi: PPCC chief Capt Amarinder Singh will start his election campaign here on Wednesday. He will file his nomination in Malout town and hold a roadshow from Malout to Lambi before addressing a rally at Lambi village. Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal will conclude his six-day election campaign here on Wednesday by visiting all 72 villages once. AAP nominee Jarnail Singh, too, has once covered all villages by addressing public meetings. AAP convener and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal is scheduled to hold five public meetings in Lambi on January 20. TNSTo be named CM candidate soonChandigarh: The Congress is set to announce Capt Amarinder Singh as the party’s chief ministerial candidate. Party insiders said decks had been cleared for the move with the launch of cricketer-turned-politician Navot Singh Sidhu’s campaign from Amritsar. “The Congress will use the outsider-versus-insider card against Arvind Kejriwal on the CM issue,” said sources in the party. TNS

Roadshow with Sidhu on Jan 19

• Amarinder clarified that he wasn’t present in New Delhi for Navjot Singh Sidhu’s induction into the Congress on Monday as he was busy campaigning in Punjab. He cited his strong Patiala connection with Sidhu, whom he had known since he was a kid. “Sidhu has joined the Congress unconditionally,” the ex-CM said, adding that he and the former cricketer would hold a joint roadshow in Amritsar on January 19.

LS poll: Preneet in contention

• On speculation that Congress leader Lal Singh could be fielded from Patiala in the 2019 Lok Sabha poll as he had missed out under the ‘one family, one ticket’ rule, Amarinder said his wife, sitting MLA Preneet Kaur, would contest the parliamentary elections.

Sukhbir blames AAP for spurt in sacrilege cases

Sukhbir Singh Badal

Ravi Dhaliwal

Tribune News Service

Gurdaspur, January 17

SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal today claimed that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) had assured Sikh hardliners that the control of gurdwaras would be handed over to them once the party came to power.Addressing gatherings at Sri Hargobindpur and Kahnuwan in favour of SAD candidates, Sukhbir said AAP’s rise as a party in Punjab had coincided with an increase in the number of incidents of sacrilege. “It happened because Kejriwal made an assurance to the hardliners. This, in turn, vitiated the atmosphere in the state,” he said.Stating that only the SAD could preserve the heritage of the ‘qaum’, he added, “We have transformed the precincts around Harmandar Sahib in Amritsar. In contrast, the Congress ordered an attack on the shrine, while AAP hurt Sikh sentiments by disrespecting the Golden Temple.”

On poll pitch, high-decibel battles set rhythm

Badals, Amarinder have been challenged on their turf | With 69 seats, Malwa to witness most of the thrilling contests

State Congress chief Capt Amarinder Singh, submits his papers

Sarbjit Dhaliwal

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 17

With the Congress following an AAP’s strategy of pitting heavyweights against strong candidates of rival parties, the Punjab Assembly elections are all set for an edge-of-the-seat contest.The battle between “political gladiators” may become one of the finest points in the careers of some of them, while others may have to hang their boots in the face of defeat.The Malwa region with 69 seats out of 117 will witness most of the thrilling contests. The interesting part is tha Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal and state Congress chief Capt Amarinder Singh have been challenged on their turf.It is perhaps for the first time in the history of re-organised Punjab that a former Chief Minister (Amarinder) will be pitted against the incumbent Chief Minister (Badal). There have been big political battles in the past, but not at the scale of a Chief Minister versus a former Chief Minister to be witnessed in Lambi.There have been a few electoral battles between the family of late Chief Minister Harcharan Singh Brar and Badal. The Akali leader has lost elections only once. That was in 1967 when Brar defeated Badal by just 57 votes from Gidderbaha.The contest in Lambi has another ingredient to become a thriller. It is in the form of AAP’s nominee Jarnail Singh. He has resigned from the Delhi Assembly to take on Badal on his turf. Jarnail, a former journalist, had shot into limelight when he threw a shoe at then Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram.Amarinder is also locked in another high-decibel battle on his home turf. The Akalis have put up former Army chief JJ Singh against him from Patiala Urban. The Captain versus General contest is already being talked about as the toast of the elections. Amarinder, known for acerbic and dismissive barbs against his opponents, finds himself at the receiving end of some of them from the General.Equally interesting will be a battle in Jalalabad, where SAD president Sukhbir is pitted against AAP’s Sangrur MP Bhagwant Mann and Congress’ Ludhiana MP Ravneet Singh Bittu.Mann, who belongs to a small farmer family, has emerged as a popular campaigner because of his satirical and stinging political attacks. His two opponents belong to the families of Chief Ministers. With Mann, AAP started to field its top leaders against rival parties.Another thrilling electoral battle will be in Sangrur’s Lehra constituency, where former Chief Minister Rajinder Kaur Bhattal is pitted against Finance Minister Parminder Singh Dhindsa. Stakes are high for the two families that are into politics for more than four decades.In Majha, the big battle is in Majitha. AAP, which has been targeting SAD nominee and Sukhbir’s brother-in-law Bikram Singh Majithia for “patronising” drug trade, has fielded Himmat Singh Shergill against him. As for the Congress, it has fielded Lali Shergill.Another interesting battle will be in Sanaur, where a member of the Tohra family is pitted against a Tohra loyalist’s son. AAP has fielded Tohra’s daughter Kuldeep Kaur against SAD MP Prem Singh Chandumajra’s one Harinder Pal.The contest in Amritsar East, where cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu is in fray, and in Bathinda City, where Manpreet Singh Badal is in contention, will also be keenly watched. But compared to other contests, the two Congress nominees are facing lighter adversaries.

KEY BATTLES

Lambi: Incumbent Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal vs former Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh vs former journalist Jarnail Singh

Patiala Urban: Captain Amarinder Singh vs General JJ Singh

Jalalabad: Sukhbir Badal vs Ravneet Singh Bittu vs AAP  MP Bhagwant Mann

Majitha: SAD chief Sukhbir Badal’s brother-in-law Bikram Singh Majithia vs AAP’s Himmat Singh Shergill

884 nominations have been filed in the state so far 

SINGING PAENS TO CAPT SARKAR

Chaunda hai Punjab Captain di sarkar (What Punjab wants is Capt’s government), the campaign song of Congress that hums a very filmi paean to state president Capt Amarinder Singh, is slowly getting a life of its own on the social media with over 3 lakh hits on YouTube. The song has Shahid Mallya and Richaa Sharma crooning “Pind pind te shehar shehar bas iko chale lehar lehar khushiyan mudke aun gaayeean, Khetan which bhangre paan gayiaan (There is just one wave in Punjab, which is all set to bring back happiness to the state)”. From farmers and youth to women, the song touches every section of the voters. It also makes an oblique reference to “baharwale”, clearly an indication toward AAP. Capt’s hand and watch come in for special attention as do his cutouts. Mallya had sung the “Chitta Ve” song in ‘Udta Punjab’, while Sharma had won an award for “Sajda” in ‘My Name is Khan’ (2010). The longwinded lyrics’ tune is catchy enough. And as long as you remember “Capt di Sarkar”, it meets its goal.

In battleground Patiala, it’s load, lock and shoot

Captain­General contest turns murkier as the two rivals launch frontal attacks on each other over Operation Bluestar, army careers

PATIALA: The electoral battle between the two former army officers on the Patiala assembly seat turned murkier on Tuesday with Punjab Pradesh Congress President (PPCC) Captain Amarinder Singh on Tuesday asking Gen JJ Singh (retd), who is Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) candidate, why he did not resign from the army after Operation Bluestar, if he is so concerned with Punjab and Sikhism.

Hitting back, the General said, “Who is Amarinder to judge me? Be it in the army or politics, Amarinder is an absentee and thus he has no right to do any type of assessment of mine.”

While it is the first election of Gen JJ Singh, Amarinder has declared that it would be his last electoral battle. Reacting to the General’s remarks that the Congress was responsible for Operation Bluestar and that SAD defends rights of Sikhs, Amarinder lashed out on the latter and termed him a thankless person.

“General is a thankless person. JJ Singh was an average cadet and a bogus man who became chief of army staff due to his seniority, not because of any caliber. Having been made the army chief and then a governor by the UPA, he is now claiming to have been upset by Operation Bluestar, exposing himself to be the fraud he is,” said Amarinder.

“General must answer why he had not resigned from the army, if he is so critical of Operation Bluestar, which he is citing as the reason to join SAD?” he asked.

In response, Gen Singh said, “Amarinder has spent only two years in the army, that too without facing any bullet or fighting in the field. He never went to a battalion, but remained attached with senior officials.” He added, “I have faced battles of 1971, Kargil and other operations. Amarinder has no right to judge me. Whatever I have achieved came due to my hard work, honesty and extraordinary services… Amarinder has no role to comment on my service.”

Gen Singh said Amarinder was misleading the public by claiming that he had fought in the 1965 battle. “He had never gone on any front. He has neither fired nor faced a single bullet whereas I have fought from the front. Before questioning my credentials, Amarinder should come clean on his track record in the army. He was an absentee army man, absentee CM, MLA and MP as he never met public in his entire life. He has no right to judge me,” he said.

political punch of the day

Gen JJ Singh was a year junior to me and, I know, he was a lacklustre and an average general… He was a bogus man who became the chief of army staff just because of his seniority. AMARINDER SINGH, Cong candidate in Patiala Amarinder has no authority to judge me. I’ve been decorated in every rank. A Capt is Capt and Gen is Gen. How can he compete, compare with me?… He’s a big fraud, never fought on any front. GEN JJ SINGH, SAD candidate in Patiala

Captain, General, Jarnail among 573 file nominations; last day today

CHANDIGARH: Punjab Congress chief Capt Amarinder Singh and former army chief Gen J J Singh (SAD) were among 573 candidates who filed their nominations on Tuesday, the penultimate day for filing of papers for assembly polls in the state. With this nominations, the total number of candidates for next month’s polls has risen to 884.

BHARAT BHUSHAN /HTPunjab Pradesh Congress Committee president Captain Amarinder Singh along with his wife Preneet Kaur addressing supporters at a road show in Patiala on Tuesday.

Former chief minister Amarinder filed his nomination papers from the Patiala assembly constituency to launch the countdown to his last electoral battle. He was accompanied by wife and Patiala MLA Preneet Kaur and other family members. Amarinder will file his papers from Lambi, the other seat from which he is contesting the assembly polls, on Wednesday. At Lambi, he is taking on CM Parkash Singh Badal.

JJ’S PENCHANT FOR ‘V’ SIGN

General JJ Singh (retd), who is taking on former Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh in Patiala, loves to show the ‘V’ (victory) sign. The Akali candidate went to the election office on Tuesday to file his nomination along with his wife Anupama Singh who also submitted her papers as his ‘covering candidate’. On their way out, she took out her camera to click him to capture another moment from the “battle of ballots”. The former army chief promptly posed for the photograph, flashing the ‘V’ sign. The fight, though a difficult one, has made the polls more interesting.

BHARAT BHUSHAN/HTGeneral JJ Singh (retd) posing to his wife Anupama Singh in Patiala on Tuesday.

Sidhu hits campaign trail in Amritsar: ‘Here for Punjab’

Navjot Singh Sidhu will make no difference in the elections. He’s over. ARVIND KEJRIWAL , AAP chief on Sidhu joining Congress

AMRITSAR: Returning to home city to begin his new political innings, Congress’ Amritsar East candidate Navjot Singh Sidhu has said he is not here to fight “personal battles” but with a mission to change Punjab.

GURPREET SINGH//HTNavjot Singh Sidhu with other Congress leaders during a road show in Amritsar on Tuesday.

Earlier, Sidhu was given a rousing welcome by Congress leaders and workers, who lined up along the roads as he took a round in an open vehicle.

“I have no personal enmity with anyone. Punjab has been pushed into a mess and we all need to get together to make this state prosperous again,” Sidhu said.

“I will reveal my agenda on January 20 and aim is to change Punjab and bring out a plan to rid Punjab of ‘chitta’. A state known for the Green Revolution is now known for ‘chitta’. Those responsible for this will be taught a lesson.”

Upping the ante against deputy chief minister Sukhbir Badal, the Congress candidate and the star campaigner for the party said, “Some people constructed ‘Sukhvlas’ on the ‘dukh’ (sorrows) of the people of Punjab.” “I will expose everyone and open their ‘pol’. I am here to fight for Punjab and not to settle personal scores. I want to tell that it is time to stay united to change the face of Punjab. I am here to turn Punjab from ‘behaal to khushaal’.”

Sidhu paid obeisance at the Golden Temple. On a question how many seats he predicts for the Congress party, he said people will decide that. The threetime MP from Amritsar said he was thankful to the people of Amritsar for all their love and support. “I can leave anything but not Amritsar,” he said.

Many conspiracies were hatched to throw me out of Amritsar and people are aware who feels insecure from me.

Manpreet’s campaign gets a shot in the arm

3 SAD-BJP leaders, Apna Punjab Party city president join Congress

Sukhmeet Bhasin

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, January 16

Congress candidate from Bathinda (Urban) Manpreet Singh Badal’s campaign today got a shot in the arm when Apna Punjab Party (APP) Bathinda city president Ashok Singla today joined the Congress in the presence of Manpreet’s father Gurdas Badal in a function held in the area near the Canal Colony police station.In another development and major setback to the SAD-BJP alliance, two sitting councillors, along with the SAD circle president, have joined the Congress.The SAD circle president, Ashwani Bunty, had quit the party and had joined the Congress and his wife Sukhwinder Kaur, who is a sitting councillor from Ward No. 45, is also set to join the Congress on January 19.Ashwani Bunty said he had joined the Congress and his wife would join the party on January 19 during a function in his area.He said the reason behind his joining the Congress was that two swords could not be contained in one sheath as the SAD leadership honoured Vijay Kumar, who contested against the SAD in the MCB elections, with a party position.BJP councillor from Ward No. 24 Priyanka Goyal has joined the Congress. While talking to Bathinda Tribune, Priyanka said: “She had joined the Congress as a few months ago she had some family problems. However, SAD candidate Sarup Chand Singla failed to help us during that period, which we did not like. Hence, now we have decided to support Manpreet Badal.”Even another sitting Independent-turned-SAD councillor from Ward No. 42 Pardeep Kumar Gola is expected to leave the party. However, a final decision regarding the same had yet to be taken.While talking to Bathinda Tribune, Pardeep said the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) had approached him to join their parties. But he had not taken any decision regarding it yet as he had called a meeting of his supporters on January 18 in his area and a final decision would be taken after consulting them.

Another SAD councillor to leave party

• Even another sitting Independent-turned-SAD councillor from Ward No. 42 Pardeep Kumar Gola is expected toleave the party. However, a final decision regarding the same had yet to be taken. While talking to Bathinda Tribune, Pardeep said the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) had approached him to join their parties. But he had not taken any decision regarding it yet as he had called a meeting of his supporters on January 18 in his area anda final decision would be taken after consulting them

Realtor Makkar has properties worth Rs 57 cr

SAD candidate Sarbjeet Makkar, along with his wife and suppoters, filing his nomination papers from the Jalandhar Cant constituency on Tuesday. Photo: Sarabjit Singh

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, January 17

The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) candidate from Jalandhar Cantonment Sarbjeet Makkar today sprung a surprise as he came to file his nomination papers along with the SAD district president Gurcharan Singh Channi.Channi had been cut off from him and had not joined his campaign earlier, terming Makkar as a “land grabber”. But the district president showed exceptional bonhomie today as he came along in his cavalcade and joined him in the office of Returning Officer-cum-RTA RP Singh.SGPC member Paramjit Singh Raipur and AAP Lok Sabha 2014 candidate Jyoti Mann, who joined SAD yesterday in Ludhiana, also accompanied him during the filing of his papers.

From Makkar’s affidavit

Qualification: Under matric

Age: 57 years

Immovable assets: Rs 47.33 croreMovable assets: Rs 1.9 crore

Vehicles: Audi, BMW, Fortuner

Cash in hand: Rs 3.5 lakh

Liabilities: Rs 2.16 crore

List of properties:

61 kanal 16 marla land in Dhogri worth Rs 2.47 crore

119 kanal 15 marla land in Raipur Rasoolpur worth Rs 4.15 crore

71 kanal 18 marla land in Raowali village worth Rs 4.93 crore

3 kanal 10 marla land in Dolo Nanga village, Amritsar, worth Rs 35 lakh

2 kanal 5 marla land in Makhdoompura for Rs 2.25 crore

13 marla land in Makhdoompura worth Rs 65 lakh

36 marla land in Lajpat Nagar worth Rs 1.8 crore

1 kanal 9 marla land in Lajpat Nagar for Rs 1.47 crore

1 kanal 2 marla land in SUS Nagar worth Rs 1.96 crore

14 marla land in PUDA complex worth Rs 2.1 crore

57 marla plot near Khalsa College worth Rs 2.85 crore

1 kanal 2 marla building at SUS Nagar worth Rs 1.54 crore

3 kanal and 3 marla land in New Jawahar Nagar worth Rs 9.45 crore

31 marla land on Cool Road worth Rs 1.55 crore

Spouse:

Immovable assets: Rs 10.34 crore

Movable assets: Rs 40.47 lakh

Vehicles: Car, Scorpio jeep

Cash in hand: Rs 1.25 lakh

Liabilities: Rs 70.97 lakh

List of properties:

9 marla building on Mithapur Road worth Rs 80 lakh16 kanal land in Amritsar woth Rs 1.35 crore

47 marla land in Civil Lines worth Rs 3 crore24 marla land in Lajpat Nagar worth Rs 1.2 crore

18 kanal 19 marla land in Lesriwal worth Rs 35 lakh