 |
Cong seeks deployment of central forces
in Patiala, Bathinda
CHANDIGARH, April 25: The Congress today sought adequate
deployment of central security forces in the parliamentary constituencies
of Patiala and Bathinda. A delegation of the party met the Chief
Electoral Officer Kusumjit Sidhu and submitted a letter to her apprising
about the atmosphere of terror being created in Patiala and Bathinda
parliamentary constituencies particularly among the weaker sections
of the society by the ruling Akali-BJP alliance.
According to Karanpal Singh Sekhon, the delegation pointed out,
almost all the polling booths in Patiala and Bathinda had been declared
sensitive by the Election Commission of India. But no remedial measures
have been taken for smooth, fair and fearless conduct of elections.
“There is every apprehension of the voters, particularly those
belonging to the weaker sections of the society being threatened
and terrorized, hence it is important that there is adequate and
abundant presence of central security forces made every where so
that voters vote without any fear”, the letter to the Chief
Election Commissioner said.
The letter pointed out, only five companies of paramilitary forces
are going to be deployed in entire Patiala parliamentary constituency,
which is wholly inadequate in the prevailing circumstances. “Almost
all the polling booths in Patiala and Bathinda parliamentary constituencies
have been declared sensitive by the Election Commission and apprehension
of incidents of violence and booth capturing at the instance of
ruling party, is very much genuine, going by the experience of recently
held Panchayat and Municipal Elections wherein the Shiromani Akali
Dal (B) indulged in large scale violence, intimidation and rigging”,
it said, while adding, “the unfair practices, misuse of official
machinery and atrocities committed by ruling party in the above
elections are still fresh and vivid in the minds of the people”.
The letter added, the gravity of the situation can be gauged from
the fact that even the Director General of Police, Punjab had demanded
200 Companies of Central Forces, but as of now promise of only 86
Companies has been made. This small number of Central Forces would
not make any difference in controlling and handling the delicate
and tense situation particularly when a section of Punjab Police
has always been playing a partisan role at the instance of their
political masters.
BT cotton, water sharing treaty still fresh in people’s
memory
BATHINDA, April 27:
The supply of the BT cotton to the farmers in Malwa region, particularly
in the Bathinda area and the abrogation of the water sharing agreements
is standing good stead for the Congress in the ensuing parliamentary
elections.
Accompanied by the Mansa MLA S SS Gagowal, S Raninder Singh addressed
a series of meeting in the villages of Mansa Assembly segment constituency
today. He pointed out, it was after a long time that the farmers
of Malwa belt had heaved a sigh of relief after BT cotton was made
available to them during the government of Congress led by Capt
Amarinder Singh. He pointed out, “the BT cotton not only changed
the economy of the region, but also revived it”. He said,
otherwise the farmers were left to their own mercy.
While addressing well attended meetings, in villages which included
Burj Rathi, Bhai Desa, Sadasinghwala, Heerewala, Narinderpura, he
also referred to the abrogation of the water sharing treaties with
the neighbouring states. He asserted, “had the previous Congress
government led by Capt Amarinder Singh not abrogated those agreements,
the Malwa region would have turned into a barren desert without
water”. He criticized the Akalis, particularly the Chief Minister
Prakash Singh Badal and his Deputy Chief Minister son, Sukhbir Badal
for never raising the genuine demands of the farmers, and for always
misleading people and playing with their feelings. He pointed out
that Capt Amarinder Singh had put at stake his own government to
save the water and economy of the region.
Appealing to the people to vote for the Congress he said, there
were more reasons than one to elect him as Prime Minister. He is
not only a Punjabi but a Sikh too. He pointed out, 110 crore people
have reposed their faith in Dr Manmohan Singh and it is our duty
to endorse that faith. “If we as Punjabis do not do that,
we will betray our conscience”, he pointed out, while adding,
Dr Singh was the pride of each and every Punjabi
Appealing to the people to vote for the Congress he said, there
were more reasons than one to elect him as Prime Minister. He is
not only a Punjabi but a Sikh too. He pointed out, 110 crore people
have reposed their faith in Dr Manmohan Singh and it is our duty
to endorse that faith. “If we as Punjabis do not do that,
we will betray our conscience”, he pointed out, while adding,
Dr Singh was the pride of each and every Punjabi.
Please Read as:
Appealing to the people to vote for the Congress he said, there
were more reasons than one to elect Dr Manmohan Singh as Prime Minister.
He is not only a Punjabi but a Sikh too. He pointed out, 110 crore
people have reposed their faith in Dr Manmohan Singh and it is our
duty to endorse that faith. “If we as Punjabis do not do that,
we will betray our conscience”, he pointed out, while adding,
Dr Singh was the pride of each and every Punjabi.
Badals conceded defeat too early: Amarinder
CHANDIGARH, April 29
Karanpal Singh Sekhon
: Former Chief Minister and the Chairman of the Punjab
Pradesh Congress Campaign Committee Capt Amarinder Singh today said,
the Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and his Deputy Chief Minister
son, Sukhbir Badal had conceded the defeat earlier than expected.
He observed, “their sense of defeat is well found, as they
have judged the mood of the people who are set to teach them a lesson”.
Reacting to the stand taken by the father-son duo that the May 7
and 13 elections would not be a referendum about the performance
of their government, Amarinder observed, “their running away
from owning up the responsibility ahead of the elections simply
proves that they have conceded the defeat”. Otherwise, he
pointed out, if they were confident enough they would certainly
admit the fact that elections are referendum on the performance
of their government. “They have nothing to their credit except
murder, excesses, criminal intimidation of Congress workers and
rampant corruption”, Capt Amarinder said.
The former Chief Minister pointed out, first it was the junior Badal
who shed off the responsibility claiming that defeat or victory
would be that of the party’s and not his and now it is the
senior Badal who refuses to accept and admit that these elections
are going to be a referendum on the performance of their government.
“Badals’ fears are understandable as they are headed
for a historic defeat by losing all the 13 seats this time despite
trying to use all the foul means and now they have started searching
for excuses”, Capt Amarinder observed, while adding, “otherwise
why should they shed off the responsibility and run away ahead of
the contest”.
Capt Amarinder dared the father-son duo to lead from the front and
accept the challenge. “The leaders don’t shy away and
run away like cowards, they lead from the front with courage and
conviction come what may”, he pointed out, while asking them,
“moreover if you are so confident about your achievements
and victory why are you shying away from claiming the credit?”
The Campaign Committee chairman remarked, “the Badals have
nothing to their credit except for criminal intimidation, murder
and excesses on Congress workers”. Now they have realized
that their time is up and the day of the judgement has come so they
have started making the ground for running away. “But you
will certainly meet your nemesis at any cost no matter what excuses
you try to put forth to defend yourself”, he warned them,
while adding, the victims will certainly avenge the excesses through
their votes.
PCC seeks registration of FIR against Badal
CHANDIGARH, April 29
The Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee has sought registration of
an FIR against the Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, the SAD-BJP
candidate from Anandpur Sahib, Dr Daljeet Singh Cheema and one Bharat
Bhushan Sethi for the alleged forgery by preparing the reemployment
order of Sethi in backdate to hoodwink the Election Commission of
India.
In a complaint submitted to the Chief Election Commission the Coordination
Committee of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee pointed out,
while the election code of conduct came into force on March 2, 2009,
the Punjab cabinet under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister
Parkash Singh Badal approved the reappointment of Sethi on March
3. Sethi had retired on February 28, 2009. However, the date mentioned
on the appointment orders was February 26, 2009.
The complaint said, Sethi was reemployed because of the persuasive
influence of Dr Daljeet Cheema, a former political advisor of the
Chief Minister, who is contesting parliamentary elections from Anandpur
Sahib constituency as Akali-BJP candidate. Sethi is now campaigning
in his official car for Cheema since he also belongs to Anandpur
Sahib.
Urging the Election Commission to cancel the reappointment of Sethi,
the complaint sought regristration of FIR against Badal, Dr Cheema
and other officers connected with forgery in preparing the re-employment
order in back date with dishonest intention.
It also sought the disqualification of Dr Cheema from Anandpur Sahib
parliamentary constituency for committing the corrupt practices
as defined under Section 123(7) of the Representation of People
Act, 1951 by using his persuasive influence over Badal for reemploying
Sethi.
The complaint also sought departmental disciplinary and action against
Sethi for participating in political activities in support of Shiromani
Akali Dal (B) candidate Dr. Cheema.
PCC for immediate implementation of pay
commission recommendation
CHANDIGARH, April 23, 2009
The Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee has sought
immediate implementation of the recommendations of the Sixth Pay
Commission in the state. In a joint statement issued here today,
the Chairman Punjab Pradesh Congress Campaign Committee Capt Amarinder
Singh and the PCC working president Lal Singh said, the government
was deliberately dilly-dallying the issue to deny the employees
their rightful due.
The two leaders pointed out, the government was earlier trying to
use the excuse of election code of conduct. Now with the implementation
having been cleared by the Election Commission of India, the government
has no reason for delay. “By constituting a committee for
the implementation which is supposed to file its report within 15
days the government is only biding the time”, the senior Congress
leaders said, while adding, the matter of the fact remains that
the government is neither sincere nor serious about implementing
the recommendations.
Capt Amarinder and Lal Singh observed, there is every apprehension
that the government might back out after the elections and delay
the matter for an uncertain period of time. They asked, “what
is the logic behind constituting a committee when everything is
already clear, these are just delaying and denying tactics”.
Expressing their solidarity with the protesting employees who are
seeking immediate implementation of the pay commission recommendations,
the Congress leaders said, their sympathy and support was for them
as they understood their problem. They remarked, “the government
must accept the fact that it has already turned bankrupt as earlier
it had presented the vote on account budget and now it is denying
the employees their rightful due”.
The Congress leaders asked the government, “at least be sincere
and sympathetic towards the people who are running your show against
all odds”. They regretted that this was the extreme of insensitivity
on part of the government that it did not care even for its own
employees what to speak of the common masses.
--
Punjab Congress seeks foolproof security
measures
CHANDIGARH, April 23, 2009
Karanpal Singh Sekhon
The Punjab Pradesh Congress has sought adequate security
across the state in general and the Congress workers and leaders
in particular. A delegation of the PCC leaders met the Director
General of Police recently to bring to his notice the violence and
use of force against the Congress activists and ruthless suppression
of the weaker sections by the Akali leaders.
The delegation listed the details of the criminal
activities being committed at the behest of the ruling Akalis in
the state resulting in intimidation of the Congress workers. It
pointed out, “the dare-devil looting of weapons in Hoshiarpur,
murderous attack on Devinder Singh Goldy General Secretary Punjab
Youth Congress S/o Sukhdev Singh Ex. Congress Sarpanch in village
a Nizamiwala, in Dakala assembly segment of Patiala Parliamentary
Constituency, threatening letter to P.P.C.C Secretary Dr. Robinder
Singh of Mohali and written request from Rana Gurjeet Singh Congress
Candidate from Khadoor Sahib Parliamentary Constituency are only
ominous signs of what is in store in the future”.
The party demanded that active and prominent Congressmen
should be provided with effective security cover on the recommendation
of the party candidates, chairman Punjab Congress Campaign Committee
and PCC President.
It also demanded that the Akali leaders and workers who have a track
record of indulging in violence in elections should be bound down
under preventive laws to ensure their good conduct through legal
course and surveillance and their provocative gestures and deeds
should not be allowed to create fear and reaction among the leaders
and workers of the Congress party lest the situation may go beyond
control.
The party sought that the vulnerable areas like habitats
of the weaker sections should be effectively covered by police patrolling
and other means as provided by law to ensure that they may freely
exercise their legal right to vote. Besides, it asked for “sufficient
and adequate deployment of para-military forces well in advance”.
The party also sought setting up of a complaint cum
grievance redressal control room at every sub-divisional headquarters
and the input/output of the cell should be made totally transparent.
Congress complains to EC against Asthana,
Fastway channel
Chandigarh, April 9
The Punjab Pradesh Congress Campaign Committee today
submitted a complaint to the Chief Election Commissioner of India
questioning the political role of the former Patiala DIG, SK Asthana
and his presence in the election meetings of the Shiromani Akali
Dal, presided over by its president Sukhbir Singh Badal.
In a complaint to the ECI, Col (rtd) CD Kamboj, the coordinator
of the campaign committee pointed out, the media had widely reported
about the presence of Asthana in a meeting with Sukhbir Badal in
Patiala on Wednesday and other party workers, in clear violation
of the EC guidelines as also his service conduct.
Moreover, the complaint pointed out, Asthana was a DIG till recent
past and has appointed most of the junior level officers including
the SHOs in the area. His presence in the Akali meetings is clearly
aimed at influencing his subordinates to work for the Akali candidate,
Prem Singh Chandumajra. The complaint sought strict action against
the police officer, who has been acting and behaving more like an
office bearer of the SAD than a responsible government official.
In a separate complaint, the campaign committee has urged the ECI
to order the Fastway TV channel to stop repeated airing of the movie
“Hawaiin”, which is based on the 1984 Delhi riots. The
complaint pointed out, the movie was being aired at frequent intervals
everyday without any break, with the sole motive of reviving the
tragic memories of 1984 at the time of elections.
The complaint said, the Fastway TV channel was controlled by Sukhbir
Badal, who is also the president of the SAD-B. By screening such
a movie which has a tendency to create ill will and hatred between
different communities, the SAD-B has violated the code of conduct
and was a fit case for being derecognized.
Sangrur BSP candidate resigns, joins Congress
Chandigarh, April 8
Madanjit Singh, the Bahujan Samaj Party candidate
from Sangrur today joined the Congress under the leadership of former
Chief Minister and chairman of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Campaign
Committee, Capt Amarinder Singh.
Singh, a former police officer was quite an influential leader in
the BSP. His resignation from the BSP and support to the Congress
would certainly boost the prospects of the party (Congress) candidate
in Sangrur, Vijay Inder Singla.
Speaking on the occasion, Singh said, he was feeling suffocated
in the BSP for various reasons. He alleged that the candidates instead
of being offered financial support by the party were being asked
to donate funds. He said, he was not sure where this money would
go?
More than that, the former BSP leader said, he was quite impressed
with the leadership qualities of the former Chief Minister Capt
Amarinder Singh, who was proving to be a mass leader of the Punjabis.
He said, he was sure and certain that only Capt Amarinder could
ensure the Akalis’ defeat in these elections, which was the
need of the hour.
He alleged, the BSP was in league with the ruling SAD-BJP alliance
with a clean motive to weaken the Congress. He did not rule out
exchange of money for this purpose.
Welcoming Singh into the Congress, Capt Amarinder said, he was getting
an overwhelming response not only from the common masses from across
the state, but also the senior leaders of the parties like Akali
Dal, who were feeling suffocated by the dictatorship of the Badals.
Capt Amarinder said, the countdown for the Akalis in general and
the Badals in particular had already begun and their days were numbered.
He observed, the state of Akali Dal was like that of a sinking ship
and people were jumping towards the safer shores of the Congress.
The former Chief Minister pointed out, the recent state of affairs
within the Akali Dal gave enough indications that the party was
disintegrating and the government was falling apart and most of
the disillusioned and alienated leaders were keen to make a safe
exit at the right time. “Sooner the better”, he remarked.
(eom)
Congress ridicules Akali
charges over Bunny
Chanidgarh, April 6
Karampal Singh Sekhon
The Congress today ridiculed the Shiromani Akali Dal charge of
its role in the revolt by Jasjit Singh Bunny, the son of deceased
Cooperative Minister, Capt Kanwaljit Singh. An official release
of the party said here today, the Akalis’ frustration is too
understandable as they were too shocked and stunned. They are now
trying to search people whom they can blame for their own sins.
The release said, it is too well known and more than clear that
what were the reasons for Bunny’s revolt. Particularly, the
autocratic behaviour of the Akali Dal president Sukhbir Badal, which
was the immediate provocation. The release said, “it is suprising
that the Akalis now see the Congress hand in every thing that is
happening inside the party”.
The party advised the Akalis that they should better introspect
themselves than blame others for their own faults borne out of arrogance
and autocratic attitude of the leadership.
The release made it clear that the revolt by the son of a former
minister and a senior leader was quite an internal matter of the
Akalis and the Congress had nothing to do with it. But if the Akalis
really think that all the decisions related to them have Congress
influence, they should acknowledge their own inefficiency.
The Congress release said, the party had full sympathies with the
bereaved family and it did not want to play any politics with the
tragedy. But it is sad, that the Akalis instead of understanding
the plight of the family members were trying to play politics with
them and attribute so many motives.
Moreover, it added, Capt Kanwaljeet was quite a respected leader
of Punjab and everybody should respect the sentiments of the family.
The Congress sympathises with the family as anyone should feel about
a tragedy and untimely death of a family member. “We are here
to share the grief and not take any political mileage out of it”,
the release said.

|