CM vows to help students of Salaria’s medical college

Says steps being taken to move them elsewhere

Ravi Dhaliwal

Tribune News Service

Gurdaspur, September 30

Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh today tried to divide the BJP’s traditional Hindu vote bank by presiding over Dasehra celebrations in Pathankot.Hindus account for 80 per cent of votes in the district, which comprises the Assembly seats of Pathankot city, Bhoa and Sujanpur.Amarinder later also addressed an ex-servicemen’s rally, but even there he did not make any political speech. Former defence personnel have an impressive vote share in all three segments.Amarinder, meanwhile, assured students of Chintpurni Medical College, owned by BJP candidate Swaran Salaria, that his government would not allow their future to be spoiled due to the “mismanagement of the college authorities”.“Steps are being taken to shift them to other medical institutions in the state,” said Amarinder. The CM, who met the students after his arrival here for the ex-servicemen rally, also allayed their fears that Salaria might try to harm the process of their shifting to other colleges.“He is no longer in control of the college and will not be able to harm you in any way,” he told the students.He said the state government had sought permission from the Medical Council of India (MCI) to shift them to other medical colleges.AAP leaders join Cong AAP leader Kulbhushan Singh, who contested the last Assembly poll from Sujanpur, and party general secretary Lakhvir Singh, on Saturday joined the Congress in the presence of Capt Amarinder Singh. The leaders said they had quit AAP as it “failed” to meet the aspirations of the people. PTI

• Amarinder woos ex-servicemen ahead of Gurdaspur bypoll

• Pathankot, Sep 30 (PTI) Ahead of the Gurdaspur bypoll, Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh today sought to woo ex-servicemen here, promising that he would ensure “justice and respect” for them.The Gurdaspur bypoll, slated to be held on October 11, was necessitated by the death of BJP MP Vinod Khanna in April this year. The Congress has fielded Punjab Congress chief Sunil Jakhar for the seat.Promising all-around development for the region, the chief minister said a vote for Jakhar would be a vote for development.“Your sacrifices for the nation cannot be ever forgotten and the least my government can do is to ensure that you get respect and justice,” he told ex-servicemen at a rally here.

  “Don’t hesitate to approach me directly in case you have any problems,” he said.

  Singh urged the ex-servicemen to support Jakhar in the ensuing by-election. “He is a gem of a person and will fight for the rights of the people of Gurdaspur region in the Lok Sabha,” the CM said.

  Referring to his government’s ‘Guardians of Governance’ scheme, Amarinder said the voluntary force of ex-servicemen would ensure implementation of all government schemes and programmes and see that benefits of these schemes reach the people.

  The chief minister said his government will set up a Sainik school for the children of defence personnel and training institutes in Majha and Malwa regions.

•