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Sonia launches Congress campaign in K'taka

March 24, 2009

Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Monday had a dig at the Third Front, expressing doubt over its longevity and taunted the grouping for having as many Prime Ministerial aspirants as the number of parties in it.

In her first comments on the Front, she said there is talk of a new alliance and discussion on parties constituting it.

"Who knows when, who and where and along with whom they will remain", she told a rally at Davanagere in Karnataka nearly two weeks after the the Third Front was launched in Tumkur, also in Karnataka, on 12th March.

"There are as many prime ministers (aspirants) as the number of parties in it", Gandhi said indicating that the nation cannot progress under such a dispensation.

For political stability, the country needed a strong, far-sighted and experienced government with an able and honest leadership, she said.

Gandhi said some people are jealous of Indian progress and different types of hurdles are being placed on its path of development and "terrorism is such an attempt. It is a challenge".

"But we are not like BJP or BJP people who took terrorists lodged in our jails like guests to Afghanistan", the Congress President said referring to Kandahar hijack episode in which the then union minister Jaswant Singh had accompanied terrorists in exchange for release of hostages.

She said she would like to instill trust in people that the government is fully capable of fighting terror

Don't vote those who let the nation down: Cong

March 11, 2009
As attempts to stitch a formidable Third Front continue, Congress has asked the people to be wary of electing representatives who have "let us down on earlier occasions" and vote with an "all India perspective" in the coming Lok Sabha polls.

"When the people go to vote this time they have to reflect whether they can risk the country at the hands of less experienced (people) that have let us down on earlier occasions", the party said in the latest issue of its mouthpiece 'Sandesh'.

The comments in the Congress journal come close on the heels of the party chief Sonia Gandhi's statement that the nation needs a national party like Congress.

The Left parties are in the forefront of sewing up a credible Third Front with TDP, AIADMK and JD(S).

Support of BSP, led by Mayawati and Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who has snapped ties of his party, BJD, with the BJP, is also being sought to bolster Third Front prospects.

Congress, in its journal, said it is all very well to think of limited issues "but this time around the entire nation must vote on an all India perspective".

In an editorial, it said that the general elections in a democracy are a test of the true strength of a political party.

"Essentially it should reflect the acceptance of the policies enunciated by the party but in our country, issues of regionalism, communalism, caste and other emotive issues often sway the electorate," the Congress said.

Speaking at a meeting of the Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) a fortnight ago, Gandhi had said that the forthcoming polls are for "electing a national government, a government that has an all-India perspective, a government that has the concerns of the entire country..."

She said the party will focus on the country needing a national party which is sensitive to regional and local sentiments.

Senior party leader Pranab Mukherjee too spoke of the importance of national parties vis a vis the regional parties.

"Whether it is BJP, whether CPI-M, whether it is SP, whether it is any Tamil party or RJD. Is there any political party which has five critieria.... its foreign policy, fiscal policy, its internal security policy?" he said at a closed-door media workshop of the party early this month.

(DD-10.3)

Cong seeks EC, President's intervention

On the eve of the trial of strength of the Naveen Patnaik government in Orissa, the Congress on Tuesday sought the Election Commission and President's intervention to stop it, claiming it was violative of the Model Code of Conduct.

"When the general election date has been announced and the code of conduct enforced there is no necessity to call the assembly and give an opportunity to the state government to prove its strength," Campaign Committee chairman of the state Congress Srikanta Jena said in a statement.

"We appeal to the Election Commission and the President of India to intervene immediately," he said.

"This is in violation of the code of conduct as it is likely to influence the voters' mind," he said and demanded immediate resignation of the chief minister in view of withdrawal of support by the BJP.

He alleged that a minority government was trying to get a certificate indirectly to prove its legitimacy through 'horse trading' for utilising officials and government machinery for elections. (BJ-10/03

Sukhpal Singh Khaira
MLA, Bholath

SAD-BJP Govt. of Punjab, for violation of model code of conduct related to an advertisement

To Dated : 06.03.2009
Sh. Tapas Kumar
Principal Secretary,
Election Commission of India
Nirvachan Sadan,
New Delhi - 1

Subject: Request for action SAD-BJP Govt. of Punjab, for violation of model code of conduct related to an advertisement in all major newspapers dated 03.03.2009 (Copy attached) appearing after announcement of Lok Sabha Poll dates.

Dear Sir,

As you are aware dates for Lok Sabha elections have been announced by the Election Commission of India on 2nd March 2009 for a five phase poll in the country. Unfortunately the SAD-BJP Govt. in Punjab despite having full knowledge of announcement of polls, went ahead with the said advertisement, with the intention to influence the voters of Punjab in their favour. Although, if the commission analysis the frivolous advertisement campaign launched by the SAD-BJP Govt. during the last six months, it was nothing but a well planned campaign to influence the voters of Punjab to their advantage at the cost of public exchequer.

The said violation of model code of conduct through this advertisement highlighting 2 years, 100 tasks, 1000 challenges, one goal, no stopping Punjab, full fast forward” carries the photographs of S. Prakash Singh Badal, Chief Minister, S. Sukhbir Singh Badal, Dy. Chief Minister and Sh. Manoranjan Kalia, Local Bodies Minister, Punjab. The advertisement has been issued by the Director Public Relation Punjab at D.A.V.P rates applicable by newspapers for Govt. sponsored advertisement.

The said issue of violation of model code of conduct through this advertisement has also been raised in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha during the zero hour by the Congress Party on 04.03.2009.

Being the principle opposition party in the state, I on behalf of Congress Party request the commission that appropriate action in accordance with the provisions of model code of conduct be taken against the SAD-BJP Govt. of Punjab. Also strict action in form of F.I.R. be taken against the Chief Minister, Dy. Chief Minister, Local Bodies Minister and the Director Public Relations Punjab. In order to ensure free and fair elections in Punjab it is imperative that the guilty be brought to book.

With Regard

Copy to :
Smt. Kusumjit Kaur, IAS,
Election Commissioner, Punjab.

Cong to announce some candidates for UP LS polls

March 04, 2009

Congress, which is engaged in protracted seat sharing talks with Samajwadi Party, has said that it will announce "some" of its candidates for the Uttar Pradesh Lok Sabha polls.

This was stated by AICC General Secretary Digvijay Singh, who, however, declined to hazard a guess as to the number of candidates it was considering to declare.

The Congress has been asking for at least 25 of the 80 seats in UP from the Mulayam Singh Yadav-led party but is yet to reach an understanding on the issue.

Singh's remarks came close on the heels of SP leaving little elbow room for Congress in its seat-sharing talks and by declaring that it was against friendly fights, an issue being pressed by Congress.

"I have said on many occasions that there is no meaning of having friendly fights. A fight is a fight. However, the alliance with Congress in UP is very much on and it would materialise soon," the SP chief said on Tuesday.

Digvijay Singh also has had a meeting with UPCC chief Rita Bahuguna Joshi who has been a strong advocate of the party contesting a minimum of 25 seats. (DD-4.3)

Cong must have natl poll alliance with allies: Pawar

Mounting pressure on the Congress, NCP chief Sharad Pawar toughened the party's stance to get a 50 pc share of seats in Maharashtra in General elections and pressed UPA's lead party to go for a national pre-poll alliance with its allies saying it may have to look for "an alternative" otherwise.

"We want to have an alliance with the Congress at national level. And it will benefit everyone I think. But if it doesn't happen we will think for an alternative," said Pawar while asking the Congress to rethink its decision in disfavouring national level alliance with the UPA allies.

Facing strident demands from within his party that the NCP must insist on getting 24 of the 48 seats at stake, Pawar indicated his party may have a rethink if the Congress did not relent though he did not say in as many words.

"For the present we are with the United Progressive Alliance," he said in the backdrop of reports of NCP cosying up to Shiv Sena.

Addressing a state level convention of the NCP and talking to reporters at Nashik on Sunday, Pawar also said his party had seat-sharing talks with Chandrababu Naidu(TDP) and Jayalalitha (AIADMK) but "no final decision has been taken."

Looking beyond Maharashtra, Pawar said NCP wants to put candidates for around 20 Lok Sabha seats outside the state.

Several NCP functionaries told Pawar at closed-door sessions that the party should insist on contesting at least 24 out of 48 Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra if alliance with Congress is to continue, NCP Maharashtra unit spokesperson Madan Bafna told the news agency.

Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal and Tariq Anwar is reported to be among them.

Replying to a query over NCP, part of ruling coalition with Congress in Maharashtra, insisting on sharing the chief ministerial chair for half the term, Pawar said "Congress has shown us the way."

He cited the example of power sharing formula adopted by Congress in Jammu and Kashmir which paved the way for Ghulam Nabi Azad becoming chief minister.

n Congress's pre-poll strategy, Pawar said "We hope that Congress rethinks the decision of not having pact with UPA allies at national level. Our worry is that if we are forced to go in for local level adjustments, we will have to include those who are opposed to Congress."

"Our desire is to have a national alliance with Congress. I hope Congress takes a decision on the issue at least a week before last date for filing nominations," Pawar said.

Asked if he was giving a deadline to Congress, Pawar said "we belong to a small party. How can we give an ultimatum to a big party like Congress".

Stating that there will be confusion among people if the UPA partners did not face elections together, Pawar said "if we make adjustments at local level, many times we will have to take with us those opposed to Congress."

"If Congress goes ahead with its decision, we will have to take separate route in separate states like Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Haryana, Orissa and the North-East," Pawar said.

Asked what he thought was the reason for Congress to decide on not having a tie-up with UPA partners at national level, Pawar said "every party thinks of how to build their own base...and they have every right to do so." (ST-1/03)

Councillor joins Congress

Ludhiana, Feb. 29, 2009
Pawan Dewan

In a major boost to the Congress, an independent councilor from Ward 3, Rakesh Sharma joined the party alongwith hundreds of his supporters here today in presence of the All India Congress Committee Spokesperson, Manish Tewari, District Congress Committee president, Jagmohan Sharma, former Mayor Nahar Singh Gill, Varsha Rampal and others.

Sharma said, he had always liked and admired the policies of the Congress and was very much impressed with the leadership qualities of Manish Tewari. He said, he was confident that Tewari would make a best representative for the people of Ludhiana parliamentary constituency.
He was critical of the Shirmani Akali Dal-Bharitya Janata Party government for its failure to provide good governance.

Welcoming him into the party fold, Manish Tewari said, more and more people were joining the Congress. He pointed out, despite the Congress being in opposition in the state people were rushing to join the party. This speaks itself as how much people, particularly the representatives of the public were disillusioned and alienated with the government.
Tewari promised that he would ensure that the people of Ludhiana were properly and ably represented in all the forums wherever he goes. He said, several more councilors were likely to join the party in near future besides a number of Akali and BJP workers and leaders.

Congress to contest not less than 25 LS seats in UP

Feb. 25, 2009
Ending speculation over the number of Lok Sabha seats which Congress would contest in Uttar Pradesh, the party has said it will fight the polls in not less than 25 seats out of the available 80 in the ensuing general elections.

"We will not contest less than 25 seats in UP. We are ready and our party cadres are fully prepared for it," UP Congress chief Rita Bahuguna Joshi told reporters at New Delhi on Wednesday.

Joshi said a final decision on the seat sharing talks with SP in UP would be taken in a day or two.

She said the screening committee on UP would be meeting anytime now and the Congress leader from the state would also meet party president Sonia Gandhi on the development.

Meanwhile, a senior BSP leader Ishan Singh who is also a former Rajya Sabha MP, joined Congress in the presence of Joshi and UP Congress leader Pramod Tiwari.

Former BJP minister Satish Sharma also joined the party along with Singh.

(DD-25.2)

Tewari flays SAD-BJP for mis-governance

Feb. 14, 2009

AICC spokesperson Manish Tewari today lashed at the SAD-BJP government in the state for corruption, nepotism and vindictiveness. He also warned those officials who at the behest of the Akali-BJP leadership were intimidating the Congress workers on false charges.

Addressing a series of public meetings in Jagaraon assembly segment, Tewari pointed out, the government had failed on all fronts. There was no electricity and the power cuts have been the longest ever. The only thing the Akalis have succeeded in, he remarked, is in gaining the personal wealth.

He said, due to the lack of vision and total misgorvernance of the Akalis, the state was on the brink of bankruptcy. This is because the Akalis cared only for their personal interests while putting at stake the interests of the masses.

The AICC spokesperson said, the Congress president, Sonia Gandhi had once again reposed her faith in the leadership of Dr Manmohan Singh, who is again going to be the Prime Minister of the country. He said, there could be no better leader than Dr Manmohan Singh who can guide the country through the worldwide recession.

About the grant of ticket by the Congress in Ludhiana, Tewari argued, this was the prerogative of the Congress president to choose the right and winning candidate. There must not be any personal politics about it. Everybody, he said, had a right to stake his claim for the ticket and it was only upto the party to take the final decision.

Addressing the function, the local legislator Gurdeep Singh Bheni said that success of the public meetings at Mullanpur Dakha under the stewardship of Manish Tewari vindicated popularity of Congress and certain win. He assured Manish Tewari that people of Jagraon were impressed with his candid views and his dedication to serve them honestly. People of Jagraon are looking forward to vote for him in huge numbers and have full faith in his leadership.

Tewari also visited village Dangia to pay condolence at the demise of son of Congress leader Jagdeeshar Singh Dangian at village Dangian and at village Daidka at the residence of late sarpanch Mukhtiar Singh.

Manjit Dhillon, Pritam Akahra, Gopal Sharma, Jagjit Singh Kaunke, all Congress municipal councilors, Raman Kumar, Rajesh Gogi, Ram Murti Sabarwal, ex MC president Davinder Kathuria and Pawan Dewan were also present during the meetings. (eom)

To all freinds in the Electronic and Print Media,
Your are coordially invited to the press conference to be addressed by Capt. Amarinder Singh, former Chief Minister, Punjab at the Press Club, Chandigarh on Saturday, 14th February 2009 at 12 noon.
Best wishes,
Jeetmohinder Singh MLA

Badal's new wave of political vendetta particularly against Capt. Amarinder Singh

Feb. 13, 2009
Sukhpal Singh Khaira
MLA Bholath

Keeping in view the impending Lok Sabha elections the Badal's have unleashed a new wave of political vendetta particularly against Capt. Amarinder Singh and his son Raninder Singh. The latest case against Raninder Singh is primarily to damage him so that he doesn't contest the Bathinda Lok Sabha against the Badal family. As we are aware that cases related to any company illegalities have to be dealt by Income Tax authority or registrar of companies and not by the vigilance. Infact by registering a fourth case against Capt. Amarinder Singh the Badal's have proved beyond doubt that the vigilance is being used as a convenient tool to browbeat political opponents in Punjab. The Congress party strongly condemns the politicization of the State police machinery.

Similarly Punjab is witnessing an era of Jungle Raj in the state. The way peaceful student protestors were beaten up at the Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar, it reminds us of the erstwhile arrogant Mughals and the Britishers regimes. During the past two years women anganwari workers, blind, Etc. teachers and now students have been lathi charged ruthlessly. The state Govt. has become intolerant and is unable to digest any dissent or protest and has been particularly harsh, therefore the Congress also condemns the high handedness of the police force while dealing with protests and demonstrations.

There is complete breakdown of Govt. on all fronts in the state and Punjab has remained in darkness this entire winter. There are cuts for days together for industry and the domestic consumers are made to suffer equally. With an eye on Lok Sabha elections Mr. Sukhbir Badal is on a foundation stone laying spree, the other day he commissioned the Stage-II of the Lehra Mohabbat power project where as it would not generate electricity for the next six months as many works are yet to be completed. Is he not trying to mislead the people for electoral gains?

Blemished Police officers charged under grievous criminal offenses are being promoted against norms to pay back their services rendered politically to the Badals. Anarchy is the order of the day with terror let loose on Congress workers through the Police. Schools and hospitals are in shambles with the Govt. losing focus on these core primary sectors. If there is anything that is thriving in Punjab it is the Badal family. They are forcibly usurped the entire transport, mining and cable network trades in Punjab. They have manipulated democratic institutions to perpetuate family rule in Punjab.

The Congress Legislature party would raise all these people related issues in the ensuing Vidhan Sabha session commencing on the 27th Feb and would take the Govt. to task for their draconian and blatantly unconstitutional working

Amarinder rubbishes malicious vigilance leaks

Feb. 09, 2009
Jeetmohinder Singh MLA

Former Chief Minister and chairman of the Pradesh Congress Campaign Committee, Capt Amarinder Singh today rubbished the claims of the vigilance officials that he had tried to pass the buck on to his cabinet colleagues or that he had been non cooperative or offensive during the questioning on the so called Amritsar Improvement Trust case.

He was referring to the distorted leaks by the vigilance to the media alleging that he (Amarinder) had blamed his cabinet colleagues, Chaudhary Jagjit and Raghunath Sahaipuri and the former Amritsar Improvement Trust chairman, Jugal Kishore for the so called Improvement Trust "scandal".
In a statement issued from Delhi, the indomitable Amarinder reiterated that he took the responsibility of all the decisions taken by his government. "As the Chief Minister and the leader of the government I take the full responsibility of all the decisions taken during my tenure and there is no question of my shifting the blame on my colleagues, whether in the party or the government" Amarinder asserted.
The former Chief Minister lashed out at the vigilance officials for their malicious campaign aimed at defaming him at the behest of their political masters like Parkash Singh Badal and his son Sukhbir Badal. But, he added, he would not be deterred by such propaganda come what may.

Amarinder pointed out, the timing of the questioning and the selective and distorted leaks to the media are quite understandable. He said, the old and aging Badal and his maverick son, Sukhbir, were feeling frustrated and panicky over the massive and overwhelming response his political rallies have been getting across the state. "Now they are trying to use all the unethical means to divert the public attention, but they will never succeed come what may", Amarinder asserted obviously feeling angry over the malicious and distorted story presented to the media by the vigilance.

The chairman of the campaign committee said, the Badals are trying to do this with the intention to influence the courts as his case of disqualification as MLA is coming up in the Honourable Supreme Court tomorrow, as well another case is scheduled in the Honourable High Court in Chandigarh.
Lastly Capt Amarinder warned the Badals that if they carry on with this kind of false and malicious propaganda against him and his former collegues, Punjab and its people will give them a crushing defeat in the coming Parliament elections.

Sonia accuses BJP of divisive politics

Virtually kickstarting the Congress campaign for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections, party president Sonia Gandhi has targeted the BJP accusing it of indulging in polarisation and divisive politics.

"Grave damage has been done to our secular polity, society and economy by the BJP-led NDA. Theirs is a voice of polarisation, of division, of hatred. Ours is a voice of social justice, communal harmony and inclusiveness," she said.

Gandhi, who was addressing a meeting of her party's district and block level office-bearers at New Delhi o0n Sunday, said BJP-NDA spoke for the "privileged few" while the Congress was the "voice of the multitude and the aam aadmi".

Noting that safeguarding of the secular polity, unprecedented economic growth and fight against terror were among the Congress-led government's achievements, Gandhi said though the country was reeling under the impact of a global recession, the government had done a commendable job.

"The world is going through a economic recession. There is no room for complacency but India is demonstrating its resilience," she said. (DD-8.2)

To refuse questions on any political matter is a sign of weakness.

Mr. Sukbir Singh Badal,
Deputy Chief Minister, Punjab,
House No-256,
Sector 9C,
Chandigarh
160017

6 February, 2009

Dear Sukhbir,

Think before you leap

I know that sudden elevation in politics can have a tremendous uplifting and intoxicating effect on most politicians but I am seriously concerned that it may have affected your judgement.

That this should happen so soon after your self-generated coronation is indeed alarming for most Punjabis, who need sound judgement from today’s Punjab leadership.

Your comments that corruption starts at, and is largely confined to, the lower rung surprised many, especially those that have had some insight to the opulent lifestyle of today's political masters in Punjab.

Your inconsistency on the Anandpur Sahib Resolution and your current failure to respond to questions on the same issue has shocked many.

I cannot match your political pedigree, but I would humbly suggest that in politics it is wise to only push a political issue where one is comfortable in defending and debating it for as long as it takes.

To refuse questions on any political matter is a sign of weakness.

To refuse questions on a self-generated issue is a sign of failure.

To display anger and aggression is a symptom of guilt.

In future, you might find it preferable to be better informed and conversant on an issue before you initiate a public debate.

Our parents, teachers and professors taught us to think before we leap, lest we be accused of suffering from foot in mouth disease.

You may wish to consider the pranayama breathing exercises portrayed by Swami Ramdev Ji.

Yours sincerely,

Jassi Khangura MLA
Halqa Qila Raipur

Congress organizes spectacular show in Ludhiana

Ludhiana, Thu 2/5/2009 3:25 AM
Pawan Dewan

The Congress workers meet organised by Manish Tewari, the spokesperson All India Congress Committee at Mullapur Dakha near here today turned out into a huge rally with the attendance of at least fifty thousand people. The local grain market, venue of the rally, proved too small for the multitude of the crowds who had converged there cramming the venue and people literally fighting for the space.

The added attraction to the grand show was the presence of the entire state leadership of the party including the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee president, Mohinder Singh Kaypee, chairman of the Campaign Committee Capt Amarinder Singh, leader of the opposition in Punjab assembly, Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, convenor of the Campaign Committee, Ashwani Sekhri and former minister and the party in charge for Ludhiana, Lal Singh.

Manish Tewari

The tone and tenor of the rally was thoroughly anti government and anti Badals. Right from Amarinder Singh to Manish Tewari, the speakers lashed out at the government for victimizing the Congress workers and indulging in nepotism and corruption.

Amarinder pointed out, the Badals had made it a family estate with the father being the Chief Minister, the son the Deputy Chief Minister, the nephew Finance Minister, the son in law the Food and Civil Supplies minister and so on. He said, senior Akali leaders within the party were feeling suffocated as the family members of the Badals were grabbing everything.

The Campaign Committee chairman remarked, there seemed to be no end to the lust for money for the Badals as they had grabbed everything, be it the sand contracts, the liquor contracts, the transport permits or the cable operations.

He warned the Badals against victimizing the Congress workers. He said, the Deputy Chief Minister, Sukhbir Badal would make good his escape before the next assembly elections as he knows that people will not spare him his misdeeds.

Speaking in the same vein, Rajinder Kaur Bhattal lashed out at Akalis for their failure in providing good governance to the people of Punjab. Congratulating Manish Tewari for organizing a spectacular show today, she said, it would be a matter of great privilege for the people to have him as their representative. She also thanked the Congress president, Sonia Gandhi for providing such a brilliant and articulate candidate to the people of Ludhiana.

Speaking on the occasion, the PCC president Mohinder Singh Kaypee appealed to the people to ensure that the Congress won the elections. He said, the people of the state were quite upset and disappointed with the Akali-BJP government and they wanted to get rid off it at the earliest.

Expressing his gratitude to the people, the workers and the leaders, the party spokesperson, Manish Tewari pointed out, it was the Congress which had provided such a good governance in the state. He said, the Congress government at the centre had raised the minimum support price of wheat by Rs 300 while the BJP led NDA government had enhanced it by Rs 30 during their six year tenure. Moreover, he pointed out, it was Sonia Gandhi who had appointed the son of the soil, Dr Manmohan Singh as the Prime Minister of the country.

Legislators including Tej Parkash Singh, Jassi Khangura, Gurdeep Singh Bhaini, Harmohinder Singh, Isher Singh, Darshan Singh Brar, former ministers Harnam Dass Johar, Rakesh Pandey, Milkiat Singh Dakha, Milkiat Singh Birmi, Surinder Dawer, Punjab Youth Congress president, Ravneet Singh Bittu and others. (eom)

Sukhpal Singh Khaira
MLA Bholath

Government to consider regularization of Home Guard Jawans

To Dated : 04.02.2009
S. Prakash Singh Badal
Chief Minister
Punjab.

Subject : Regularisation of approx. 12000 Home guard Jawans and request to grant 100% house rent allowance to all constables of Punjab Police at par with Head Constables.

Dear Sir,

As stated above I urge the State Government to consider regularization of Home Guard Jawans. As we are aware that there are approx. 12000 Home Guard personnel working in Punjab on daily wages with merely Rs. 4500 per month salary. Needless to mention their duty is as rigorous as that of Punjab Police constables. They have been performing duty during terrorism days and in the process scores of Home Guard Jawans have lost their lives. They have performed election duties in far away states like West Bengal, MP and Gujrat. They have also worked with the Indian Army on our borders and costly life from 01.01.2003 to 31.03.2003. In today's era of inflation it is highly impossible to sustain a family with Rs. 4500 as per month salary. Therefore, keeping in view humanitarian considerations, I would request that the services of Home Guard Jawans be regularized at par with Punjab Police Constables with pensionary benefits.

Similarly, I also urge the government to sympathetically consider granting house rent allowance to 100% Punjab Police Constabulary. As you are aware that our Police Act is very old and obsolete therefore 40% constables are being denied house rent allowance with today's high cost of living and inflation, it is also very difficult for these constables to make two ends meet. I shall feel highly obliged if the facility of 100% house rent allowance is granted to all constables of the Punjab Police as being granted to all Head Constables in the State.

I am hopeful that you would consider both my demands on priority and with human consideration, as they are connected with thousands of families of Punjab.

With regards

(Sukhpal Singh Khaira)
MLA Bholath

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BJP is a party full of conflicting political ideology and paradoxical standards

Wed 2/4/2009 12:25 AM
Sukhpal Singh Khaira
MLA Bholath

The rejection of Mr. Tiksan Sud's resignation by Mr. Badal can be termed a Cock and bull story. It was a farce enacted by the BJP in connivance with Mr. Badal to attain moral high ground and divert criticism due to death of 5 infants in the Rajendra Medical College Patiala. Infact BJP is a party full of conflicting political ideology and paradoxical standards. While on one hand the BJP forced Sh. Lalu Prasad Yadav to quit as Bihar C.M. when he was charge-sheeted in the fodder scam, on the other hand it supports Mr. Badal as Chief Minister in Punjab who also stands charge-sheeted in a corruption case.

It is sad to note that 5 infants lost their lives due to poor medical facilities in an important medical college of the state for want of funds as stated by the Minister while quitting. Only recently the state coffers were opened to celebrate the coronation of S. Sukhbir Singh Badal as Deputy Chief Minister wasting crores of public money. According to information under RTI the annual expenditure of Mr. Badal's helicopter is approx. Rs. 6 crores, I wonder if the govt. had spent this money on core priority sectors of health and education probably the lives of those 5 children could have been saved.
The reality is that Mr. Badal is afraid of accepting Mr. Sud's resignation on moral grounds, as many finger's would have pointed on him as well his newly appointed Dy. CM son as they stand charge-sheeted in a corruption matter in a Mohali court, a moral issue much bigger than that of Mr. Tiksan Sud.

The congress party urges the BJP to publicly apologize to the people of Punjab for the drama of resignation enacted by a light weight minister and clarify as to what has changed in the last five days for Mr. Sud to continue as Minister again. The lust of office in order to amass wealth is the sole criteria of the Badal's and his team of motley ministers as is evident of this whole charade.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sukhpal Singh Khaira
MLA, Bholath

Anandpur Sahib Resolution

S. Prakash Singh Badal Dated : 31.01.2009
Chief Minister,
Punjab.

Subject : Anandpur Sahib Resolution.

Dear Badal Sahib,

True to your style, you have once again raised the issue of Anandpur Sahib Resolution keeping in view the impending Lok Sabha Elections. Needless to remind you that you rake up these issues only during election times in order to emotionally blackmail the Sikhs in order to gain political mileage. Once you have achieved your purpose of gaining political power you put all such political demands back into the cold storage.

The other day you have once against raised the issue of Anandpur Sahib Resolution demanding greater autonomy for the States. During your public speech you said you will convince NDA and its allies to support your case for more powers to the States. To remind you that only recently Mr. L. K. Advani the projected PM candidate of the NDA has categorically rejected the idea of more powers to the States and other demands included in the Anandpur Sahib in his autobiography "My Life My Country". Not only Mr. Advani but your immediate alliance partners at the State level including Mr. Rajinder Bhandari President BJP Punjab and Sh. Balram Ji Dass Tandon Senior BJP leader have outrightly rejected the Anandpur Sahib resolution. If you do not have the support of those on whose strength your Govt. sustains, how would other alliance partners of NDA support your idea?

You have also remarked in one of your press meetings that those opposing Anandpur Sahib Resolution have probably not read the document. I stress here that neither have you read the resolution nor do you have faith in the document, despite being Chief Minister fourth time you have never even once raised the issue once in power. What was stopping you to take up this issue while you were CM in 1997-2002 and the NDA was in power from 1999-2004. Did you even once utter a word in favour of Anandpur Sahib Resolution?

Not only this you have also burnt and mutilated copies of the Constitution of India asking for an amendment of Article 25(2)(B) of the Constitution in early 1984. Thereafter your swore by the same Constitution in 1997 to become the Chief Minister. Your whole political life is full of paradoxical and confused political approach. You raise such emotional issues merely to gain power and through power your have amassed wealth running into thousand's of crores, contrary to the basic ideology contained in the Anandpur Sahib Resolution.

To quote a few clauses of the resolution which could have been implemented as the State level as these were state subjects, you preferred to look the other way. The original Anandpur Sahib Resolution dated 16-17 October 1973 later approved by the General house of the Akali Dal at its session in Ludhiana on 28.08.1977 contains your signatures as you were a member of the working Committee in 1973 after being CM for the first time. Following are a few subheadings of the resolution that require your attention.

Agriculture Sector

a) "In order to remove the growing gap between the rich and the poor the existing legislation on land ceiling would have to be revised and a firm ceiling of 30 standard Acres per family would have to enforced with proprietary rights to the actual tillers. The excess land would be distributed among landless tenants and poor farmers."

They say charity begins at home and it is never too late, can your family begin implementation of Anandpur Sahib Resolution with this clause? Can you donate your excess hundreds of Acres of land?

Political Goal

7) "The Shiromini Akali Dal seeks ban on the sale of liquor and other intoxicants and shall press for prohibition on the consumption of intoxicants and smoking in public places".

Have you ever tried to implement the above clause despite being CM for the 4th time?

Industrial Sector

"Every industrial unit beyond worth one crore assets should be brought under the public sector. The Akali Dal stands for progressive nationalization of Transport".

I would suggest that your family surrender the Trident hotel at Gurgaon a property worth over 1000 crores to the public sector and set an example. Similarly if you are serious about the implementation of Anandpur Sahib Resolution you must offer your Orbit Transport Co. with over 100 buses for nationalization at once.

In case you fail to implement these few exemplary clauses of the resolution, you have no moral right to speak on such vital issues. I of the firm opinion that you never practice what you preach. Please clarify your stand on all above mentioned issues.

With regards,

Sukhpal Singh Khaira
MLA, Bholath

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Congress chalks out strategy for Feb 5 rally

1/31/2009 3:18 AM
Pawan Dewan

Setting at rest the specualtions and in a strong rebuff to the critics about the so called differences within the party in Ludhiana, the Congress leaders today came together on a single platform to chalk out the strategy for the February 5 rally of the party which would be addressed among others by the chairman of the campaign committee of the Pradesh Congress, Capt Amarinder Singh.

The meeting was chaired by the senior Congress leader and former minister, Lal Singh and attended among others by the secretary and spokesman AICC, Manish Tewari, legislators Jassi Khangura, Gurdeep Singh Bhaini, Harmohinder Singh Pradhan, former legislators Surnider Dawer, Milkait Singh Birmi, Milkait Singh Dakha, the rural and urban district presdients Jagmohan Sharma and Bhulinder Singh, chairman HOUSEFED, KK Bawa, sitting and former councillors and other party leaders.

Addressing the meeting Lal Singh lambasted the Akali-BJP government in the state for having failed the expectations of the general masses. He said, the government was neck deep in corruption and it had turned out to be a family affair of the Badals. He observed, the common man was not being heard and he had nowhere to go. He claimed that the Aakalis were so much afraid in the state in general and Ludhiana in particular, that they were not able to decide about the candidate from here. Appealing the workers of the party to join hands and work harder, he said, the forthcoming parliamentary elections would be a referenduma gainst the ruling alliance.

Speaking on the occasion, Manish Tewari expressed his gratitude to all the workers and leaders for participating in the meeting. He said, the Febraury 5 rally will set the tone for campaigning for the forthcomnig parliamentary elections. He pointed out, the participation of the entire leadership of the party from the distict in today's meeting was a clear and unambiguous rebuff for all those who tried to project that there was no unity in the party. He asserted, the Congress was absolutely united in Ludhiana as had been established during today's meeting. He maintained, "there is total unanimity among the Congressmen and leaders that come what may Congress has to and it will sweep the parliamentary elections in Punjab with the largest lead from Ludhiana".

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Criticizing the Rs. 80 per quintal increase of wheat MSP, totally uncalled for, unjustified

30-01-09
Sukhpal Singh Khaira
MLA, Bholath

The Congress party castigates the statements for public consumption of the father-son duo criticizing the Rs. 80 per quintal increase of wheat MSP for the current year by the UPA govt. The criticism of Mr. Badal is totally uncalled for, unjustified and politically motivated. I am attaching a comparative chart of the MSP increase of Wheat and Paddy offered by the NDA govt. from 1999-2004 and that of the UPA govt. from 2004-2009 to clarify matters.

To set the record straight, Congress reiterates that the NDA of which the Akali's are allies made a meagre increase of Rs. 70 per quintal for A-grade Paddy and an increase of Rs. 80 per quintal for the Wheat crop during their 5 years of rule from 1999-2004. Whereas the UPA has substantially increased the MSP of A-grade Paddy by Rs. 330 per quintal and that of Wheat by Rs. 440 per quintal in its present tenure. During the present UPA rule farmers of Punjab have benefited approx. Rs. 10,000 Crores due to the increase in MSP of Wheat and Paddy with their annual production of 1,50,000 Metric tonnes of Wheat and 1,25,000 Metric tonnes of Paddy annually.

Now I wish to question both the senior and junior Badals, why they made no effort or did not criticize the NDA for more remunerative prices of Wheat and Paddy then? Is it just to criticize and ridicule huge increases offered by the UPA now? For the information of Mr. Badal, price of Wheat in the international market is approx. Rs. 900 per quintal much less than the Rs. 1080 offered by the UPA.

Keeping in view the present poor agrarian economy there is no doubt that the cost of input of agriculture has gone very high and that some more relief in terms of higher prices or added bonus is the need of the hour. What has the present state govt. done to mitigate the sufferings of the farmers of Punjab? Can't the state govt. offer a bonus of Rs. 50 per quintal, if they are genuinely concerned? The fact is that Mr. Badal has offered mere lip service to the farmers of Punjab and has practically done nothing to solve any issue of Punjab particularly related to the farmers. To remind Mr. Badal, your representative in the 1977 Janta Party govt., Mr. Surjit Singh Barnala, the then Agriculture Minister of India had increased the MSP of Wheat by Rs. 1 per quintal, was it not a cruel joke played on the farmers then?

Similarly the Congress party welcomes the decrease of petroleum products, petrol by Rs. 5 per litre, diesel by Rs. 2 per litre and LPG cylinder by Rs.25. This decrease would bring great relief to the general masses of India, Mr. Badal has not digested this pro people step and has instead chosen to wrongly criticize the UPA govt. on this issue as well.
Probably not knowing that "Actions speak louder than words" Mr. Badal has chosen words for politically motivated criticism of the UPA govt. while Dr. Manmohan Singh and Sonia Gandhi prefer actions that suit the people of India.