Chandigarh April 19 – The SAD-BJP Bathinda candidate Ms. Harsimrat Kaur Badal today asked the Election Commission of India to fix stringent norms for punishing political parties and candidates who indulged in making false, fabricated and fantastic complaints against their opponent merely to gain cheap media publicity.
In her letter to the EC, Ms. Badal also called for specific time frame for deciding such complaints and definite penalties for complaints found to be frivolous. She said that the tendency among some political parties and candidates to deflect attention from their own weaknesses by leveling false allegations or raising a hue and cry about issues that had no relation to reality was on the rise and needed to be checked.
In her letter, the SAD-BJP candidate specifically expressed surprise over one of her rivals, Raninder Singh of the Congress, lodging a complaint with the EC on her alleged remarks that villages that did not vote for the ruling alliance in Bathinda would be denied government grants for development works. Raninder’s complaint, she said, was clearly the result of the Congress realization that almost all the Panchayats in the region had openly expressed their admiration for development works undertaken by the SAD-BJP government. “I can understand my brother Raninder’s desperation and I even sympathise with him but I would also like to advise him that a resort to lies or to a stray misleading media report is hardly going to bail him out of his difficulties. I am sure that if he were not contesting this election, even he would agree that the development undertaken by the Parkash Singh Badal-led government in Punjab has been phenomenal and without a precedent in the history of the state,” said Ms. Badal.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Congress seeks ban on Asthana’s entry into Patiala
CHANDIGARH, April 19
The Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee has sought ban on the entry of DIG AK Asthana into Patiala as he was indulging in political activities and threatening and intimidating voters there despite having been transferred out.
In a representation to the Chief Election Commissioner of India, the coordinator of the campaign committee Lt Col CD Singh Kamboj pointed out, Asthana’s continuous stay in Patiala was with the obvious intent of helping the ruling Akali-BJP alliance in the forthcoming parliamentary elections.
The complaint said, Asthana was defying the Election Commission orders by virtue of which he had been transferred out of Patiala. Although he has been transferred from Patiala, he continues to remain stationed there telling his subordinates and people that he was to rejoin after elections, with the obvious hint that they should do his bidding in the elections.
The Congress has already brought to the notice of the political activities of Asthana in clear violations of his service conduct as also the Election Commission of India guidelines. The complaint urged the commission to ensure that Asthana’s entry into Patiala till the time of election is banned. Otherwise the purpose of his transfer from Patiala would get defeated as he remains stationed there, enjoying full powers of a serving police officer.
The complaint said, he has defied the orders of the Commission with impunity, thus making the orders of the Commission “totally infructuous” with open support from the Punjab government.
The committee also complained against Satinder Singh, who has recently been posted as S.P. City, Amritsar by the Punjab Government. The complaint alleged, his name was deliberately recommended and sent to Election Commission of India for posting at Amritsar as he has sizable number of relatives in the city and near by village which fall under Amritsar parliamentary constituency. “The Akali-BJP alliance can use his influence on his relatives for their own favour, in the coming elections”, it observed, while urging the commission to get him transferred immediately out of Amritsar in the interest of free and fair elections.
The Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee has sought ban on the entry of DIG AK Asthana into Patiala as he was indulging in political activities and threatening and intimidating voters there despite having been transferred out.
In a representation to the Chief Election Commissioner of India, the coordinator of the campaign committee Lt Col CD Singh Kamboj pointed out, Asthana’s continuous stay in Patiala was with the obvious intent of helping the ruling Akali-BJP alliance in the forthcoming parliamentary elections.
The complaint said, Asthana was defying the Election Commission orders by virtue of which he had been transferred out of Patiala. Although he has been transferred from Patiala, he continues to remain stationed there telling his subordinates and people that he was to rejoin after elections, with the obvious hint that they should do his bidding in the elections.
The Congress has already brought to the notice of the political activities of Asthana in clear violations of his service conduct as also the Election Commission of India guidelines. The complaint urged the commission to ensure that Asthana’s entry into Patiala till the time of election is banned. Otherwise the purpose of his transfer from Patiala would get defeated as he remains stationed there, enjoying full powers of a serving police officer.
The complaint said, he has defied the orders of the Commission with impunity, thus making the orders of the Commission “totally infructuous” with open support from the Punjab government.
The committee also complained against Satinder Singh, who has recently been posted as S.P. City, Amritsar by the Punjab Government. The complaint alleged, his name was deliberately recommended and sent to Election Commission of India for posting at Amritsar as he has sizable number of relatives in the city and near by village which fall under Amritsar parliamentary constituency. “The Akali-BJP alliance can use his influence on his relatives for their own favour, in the coming elections”, it observed, while urging the commission to get him transferred immediately out of Amritsar in the interest of free and fair elections.
Akalis have double standards; are too ungrateful - Raninder
BATHINDA, April 19
The Congress candidate from Bathinda Parliamentary Constituency, Raninder Singh today said, the Akalis had double standards and were ungrateful to the highest degree. He pointed out, while the Chief Minister S. Parkash Singh Badal has no qualms in going begging to the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for every big and small issue in Delhi, here in Punjab he and his party keep on telling people that he (Dr Manmohan Singh) had done nothing for Punjab.
Addressing a series of public meetings in different villages in the Sardulgarh Assembly segment, Raninder Singh pointed out, every now and then the Chief Minister is in New Delhi seeking appointments with Dr Singh for various aids and concessions for the state using all the pleas of a Punjabi and a Sikh Prime Minister with him, but when he comes back home, Badal and other Akalis try to make out as if Dr Singh had done nothing for Punjab.
S Raninder Singh pointed out, not only each and every Punjabi, but every Indian is proud of Dr Manmohan Singh. “Dr Manmohan Singh is an economist of repute, who is consulted by policy makers from the US and Europe and it is an honour to have him as our Prime Minister”. He further added “it was the duty of each and every Punjabi to ensure that the son of the soil is returned as the Prime Minister”.
While appealing to the people to strengthen the hands of Dr Manmohan Singh, he pointed out, Dr Singh had enhanced the pride of Sikhs. “Dr. Singh is a man of integrity, eminent economist, gentleman, humble and soft-spoken…nobody can point an accusing finger towards him”, he said, while adding, “his contribution towards the development of Punjab can not be ignored”.
Listing his contribution towards Punjab he pointed out, “beside releasing liberal funds for strengthening the infrastructure at Amritsar Airport, a new International Airport has been sanctioned for Punjab at Mohali-Chandigarh, two Central Universities (at Amritsar and Bathinda) and one IIT at Ropar have been allocated to Punjab, Guru Gobind Singh Marg has been sanctioned from Talwandi Sabo in Punjab to Nanded (Maharashtra) passing through five other states”.
“These are just few examples and the list is too long”, S Raninder Singh said, while asking Akalis to, “at least be honest and fair to the man who has always given you due respect and honour despite your disrespect and ingratitude towards him by voting against his Prime Ministerhsip in the Parliament”.
The Congress candidate from Bathinda Parliamentary Constituency, Raninder Singh today said, the Akalis had double standards and were ungrateful to the highest degree. He pointed out, while the Chief Minister S. Parkash Singh Badal has no qualms in going begging to the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for every big and small issue in Delhi, here in Punjab he and his party keep on telling people that he (Dr Manmohan Singh) had done nothing for Punjab.
Addressing a series of public meetings in different villages in the Sardulgarh Assembly segment, Raninder Singh pointed out, every now and then the Chief Minister is in New Delhi seeking appointments with Dr Singh for various aids and concessions for the state using all the pleas of a Punjabi and a Sikh Prime Minister with him, but when he comes back home, Badal and other Akalis try to make out as if Dr Singh had done nothing for Punjab.
S Raninder Singh pointed out, not only each and every Punjabi, but every Indian is proud of Dr Manmohan Singh. “Dr Manmohan Singh is an economist of repute, who is consulted by policy makers from the US and Europe and it is an honour to have him as our Prime Minister”. He further added “it was the duty of each and every Punjabi to ensure that the son of the soil is returned as the Prime Minister”.
While appealing to the people to strengthen the hands of Dr Manmohan Singh, he pointed out, Dr Singh had enhanced the pride of Sikhs. “Dr. Singh is a man of integrity, eminent economist, gentleman, humble and soft-spoken…nobody can point an accusing finger towards him”, he said, while adding, “his contribution towards the development of Punjab can not be ignored”.
Listing his contribution towards Punjab he pointed out, “beside releasing liberal funds for strengthening the infrastructure at Amritsar Airport, a new International Airport has been sanctioned for Punjab at Mohali-Chandigarh, two Central Universities (at Amritsar and Bathinda) and one IIT at Ropar have been allocated to Punjab, Guru Gobind Singh Marg has been sanctioned from Talwandi Sabo in Punjab to Nanded (Maharashtra) passing through five other states”.
“These are just few examples and the list is too long”, S Raninder Singh said, while asking Akalis to, “at least be honest and fair to the man who has always given you due respect and honour despite your disrespect and ingratitude towards him by voting against his Prime Ministerhsip in the Parliament”.
Rahul attacks BJP on terrorism front
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Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi on Sunday termed as "dismal" the previous NDA govt's record in handling terrorism and charged that its "weakness was exposed" during the Kandahar episode when "the terrorists responsible for the recent Mumbai attacks were let off".
"The people who are talking about terrorism themselves bowed before terrorists and released two of their associates, who were later responsible for the terror attacks in Mumbai," Rahul said, addressing an election rally in the temple town. In contrast, UPA government acted decisively in tackling the Mumbai attacks and exerted intense diplomatic pressure on Pakistan putting onus on that country for the terror mechanism operating from its soil, he claimed. The Congress leader, who was in Pandharpur to canvass votes for Union Power Minister and party's candidate from Solapur Lok Sabha constituency Sushil Kumar Shinde, wondered as to why the Opposition was raking the issue of black money in Swiss banks now and had maintained silence over the issue in the last five years.
Communalism, Naxalism great threat to country: PM
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Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh said communalism and Naxalism are great threats to the country and the Congress is committed to fight the divisive forces.
Dr. Singh also said that the current global economic crisis is a result of mishandling of resources by developed nations. He said the UPA government has taken a number of measures to ameliorate the hardships on account of this economic slowdown. Refutes Lalu's allegation over Babri Masjid demolition Dr Singh also refuted RJD chief Lalu Prasad's allegation that Congress was also to be blamed for the demolition of Babri Masjid. "Congress believed the affidavit filed by then UP chief minister Kalyan Singh in the Supreme Court (promising to protect the mosque), that was the only fault of the party," said the Prime Minister. Mr. Singh expressed confidence that the Congress and its allies will be able to form "a credible government" at the Centre after the polls. Promises "new Promising to work for a "new New ministry for minority affair To queries if Assam United Democratic Front would be a threat to the Congress, he said, "AUDF can only divide the secular votes and play a disruptive role". All right thinking people ensure violence is given no place in body politic," said Dr Singh. The prime minister also assured the people of the state of renewed attention to the recurring flood problem in "Unfortunately the N-E Water Resource Development Agency has not yet been formed. So this time we will make a determined effort," he said.
Listing out the central government's flagship programmes like NREGA and NRHM, the PM said that the work is still incomplete and efforts have to be made to rid
The PM also mentioned the steps taken by the UPA government for the welfare of minorities like formation of a new ministry for minority affair, PM's 15-point programme and identification of minority concentrated districts for carrying out special development works.
He also expressed concern over "certain parties doing politics by dividing people on caste and community lines" and felt such politics obstructs the country's progress.
Dr Singh expressed the hope that there will not be any violence during the elections. "Hope violence is given no place in body politic.
He said activities of insurgency groups were a matter of concern for the governments of
"Seventy five projects have been taken up by the state government with the help of central government to tackle floods on a high priority basis," Dr Singh said.
He was addressing a press-conference in Aamingaon near Guwahati.
The second phase of polling in
PM to cast his vote in
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who did not cast his vote in 2004 parliamentary elections and also skipped the Assembly polls two years later, would exercise his franchise in
"Yes, I will be coming here for voting on April 23. My wife (Gursharan Kaur) will also vote with me," Dr Singh, who represents
Dr Singh has his name in the Dispur area voters' list that comes under the Guwahati Lok Sabha constituency and his residential address is of Sorumataria. The constituency goes to polls on April 23 in the second phase of elections.
PM, Advani address rallies in Assam as campaigning picks up for 2nd phase
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Campaign hots up for the second phase of polling scheduled on Thursday in 13 states for 141 constituencies while repoll in one polling booth in
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh campaigned in Assam on Sunday while Congress President Sonia Gandhi addressed rallies in Lucknow, Faizabad and Allahabad. AICC General Secretary Rahul Gandhi is on an election tour to Maharashtra. In West Bengal, Trinamool leader Mamta Banerjee, Congress veteran Pranab Mukharjee and state Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee are campaigning extensively. BJP leaders Lal Krishna Advani and Rajnath Singh also held public rallies in UP and Maharashtra. Repoll held The election commission had ordered re-polling in 46 polling booths spread across seven states. Repolling in 37 polling booths took place in 29 polling stations in Andhra Pradesh, five in Repoll in one polling booth in Five polling stations in Arunachal Pradesh and three in Nagaland will go to polls again on April 20th. On Thursday, a total of 124 constituencies spread across 15 states and two union territories went to polls in the first phase of Lok Sabha elections. Girija Vyas, Maneka Gandhi, J P Agrawal file nomination Congress leader Girija Vyas filed her nominations for the Lok Sabha elections in Rajasthan to be held on 7th May. Vyas submitted her papers from Chittorgarh Lok Sabha seat. Saturday was the last day of filing nomination for the fourth phase of elections. BJP candidate Maneka Gandhi also filed her nomination papers from Aonla parliamentary constituency. Maneka filed her papers before the Bareilly District Magistrate at the collectorate office. Congress candidate from North East Delhi constituency J P Agrawal also submitted his nomination papers. BSP Chief and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati has said that her government doesn't provide shelter to any criminals. She was addressing an election rally in Balrampur. The Communist Party of India Marxist, has said that the The constituency goes to polls on 23rd April in the second phase of elections. Elected four times in a row to Rajya Sabha from Assam since 1991, the Prime Minister and his wife had left Assam just a day before Assembly polls in 2006.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who did not cast his vote in 2004 parliamentary elections and also skipped the Assembly polls two years later, would exercise his franchise in Assam on 23rd April for the Guwahati Lok Sabha constituency.
"Yes, I will be coming here for voting on April 23. My wife (Gursharan Kaur) will also vote with me," Singh, who represents Assam in Rajya Sabha, told reporters in Guwahati today while replying to a query.
Singh has his name in the Dispur area voters' list that comes under the Guwahati Lok Sabha constituency and his residential address is of Sorumataria.
The Prime Minister has rented a flat on the premises of former chief minister Hiteswar Saikia's residence.
Singh had not caste his vote here during the 2004 polls.
According to election rules, the Prime Minister is not eligible for postal ballot, since the facility is only for officials on poll duty and men from the services
Congress can tackle terror: PM
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today asserted that only Congress can provide a strong government in "difficult times" when the country is facing threats like terrorism.
Addressing an election rally at Amingaon in North Guwahati, Singh voiced concern over the growing acts of terrorism which posed a threat to the country.
"The Congress party can only give you a strong government in this hour by having all the apparatus to face difficult times," he said.
Stating that "terrorism has no place in our society", the Prime Minister condemned the recent acts of violence in India and Assam in particular where the common man, women and children were the victims.
"I have my sympathy for the victims of this senseless attacks and want to assure the people that we want to stop such acts of violence," Singh said.
After the Mumbai terror strike, the UPA government had strongly dealt with the emerging situation and was in contrast to what the BJP did when similar attacks took place during their rule, he said.
"There is a difference between what they (BJP) promise and what they do. That is for you to know," Singh said.
This was the prime minister's first election rally in Guwahati parliamentary constituency of Assam after he had to cancel his poll campaign in Dibrugarh on April seven due to bad weather.
The prime minister claimed that Sonia Gandhi-led party had fulfilled its promise and worked hard to ensure that the "fruits of development" reach to the poor.
"Our job is not fully done. We have a lot to do to remove poverty. The Congress should get five more years to carry on with the process of development," he said.
The Congress, he said, had taken care of the minorities and had set up a separate ministry.
"Nine minority dominated districts in Assam have been identified where special schemes will be taken to improve their plight," the Rajya Sabha MP from Assam said.
The Prime Minister also referred to the mid-day meal scheme and said under the Rashtriya Gramin Mission, 23,000 primary health centres and 1, 46,000 sub centres would be opened.
Health insurance scheme had been launched and loans of small farmers were also waived off, he said.
The prime minister also announced that three new medical colleges and a world class university would be set up in Assam.
"I appeal you to strengthen the hands of Congress and Sonia Gandhi and help in hastening development in both urban and rural areas," he said.
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