New Delhi, August 16
Ending a four-decade plus association with the Congress party in poll-bound Haryana, suspended leader Birender Singh today shared the saffron stage with party leaders, including BJP president Amit Shah, at the Jind rally.

His wish list at the bargaining table may have included the bid for the top post in the state, also being eyed by many in-house BJP contenders, sources indicated no such scope for him.

BJP sources, in fact, said no call has been taken on who will be the party’s CM candidate in Haryana or for that matter in any other poll-bound state. “For Amit Shah, winning elections is the main focus at this point of time. He is unlikely to risk that by announcing a CM candidate, that too ahead of the elections. The decision on the CM will be taken after assessing each leader’s contribution,” they added.

Winning elections may have been the reason behind Shah’s red carpet for the rebel Congress leader but many in Haryana’s saffron fold are not so conducive to the idea. “There are already far too many contenders for the post of the CM. One more only complicates the matter further. But nobody could have dared to voice opposition to a decision made by Shah,” the sources said.

The list of BJP hopefuls includes state leaders Ram Bilas Sharma, Om Prakash Dhankhar, Captain Abhimanyu, Manohar Lal Khattar, Rao Inderjit Singh and Krishan Pal Gujjar.

Senior leaders in know of the developments also insist that the “next Haryana Chief Minister, whenever the decision is finalised, will be someone who has been with the party for long”. “Birender Singh joining the BJP spells a setback for the Congress and a positive impact for us. But the next Haryana CM will definitely be someone who has served with the ranks for long,” they said.

Apart from ensuring tickets for his supporters, Birender Singh also stands the chance of being accommodated in the Centre. 

New Delhi, August 16
After he formally joined the BJP at a rally in Jind today, suspended Congress leader Birender Singh is all set to lose his Rajya Sabha membership on account of disqualification from the House under the provisions of the Anti-Defection law.

The Congress today asked its Haryana unit to submit evidence of Birender Singh formally announcing his entry into the BJP in the presence of BJP chief Amit Shah at a political rally today.

Armed with evidence of Birender’s defection to another party while still being a member of the Congress (since he has only been suspended and not expelled), the Congress will shortly write to Rajya Sabha Chairman Hamid Ansari to proceed against Singh under the Anti-Defection Law.

An MP found guilty of defection can be disqualified from the House.

Speaking to The Tribune, top party sources said, “Now that Birender has openly joined the BJP, he becomes liable for disqualification under the law. We have sought evidence of his defection and after the Congress president’s approval in the matter, we will ask our Leader in the Rajya Sabha to petition the House chairman seeking Singh’s disqualification.”

After the RS Chairman disqualifies Singh, the Congress will write to the Election Commission seeking fresh elections to the vacant RS seat from Haryana.

The Congress had strategically suspended Birender to allow him to make the first move of voluntarily leaving the party. When a member voluntarily leaves the party while being a member of another, he becomes liable to disqualification under the Anti-Defection Law. If the parent party expels him instead, he gets to retain his RS seat.

New Delhi, August 16
Former minister Kumari Selja today set the tone for discussions on the Haryana Congress manifesto ahead of the Assembly poll by demanding job reservations for the poor irrespective of caste considerations.

This is the first time a top leader of the party has, in black and white, underlined the need in the Congress to move away from caste to economic criteria as the basis for reservations. Selja, Rajya Sabha MP from Haryana, has in fact mentioned “employment quotas for all Economically Backward Sections irrespective of caste” as her first suggestion among 42 to the party leadership which is currently inviting suggestions for inclusion in the Haryana Congress election manifesto.

Selja’s charter of recommendations comes two days ahead of the Haryana Congress Manifesto Committee meeting scheduled for August 18. Part of the 16-member committee, the former minister today sent her recommendations to panel chief 
Ram Prakash, as she would not be able to attend the meeting.

A copy of the recommendations accessed by The Tribune shows that Selja has also demanded discussions on the long pending issue of student elections in various colleges and universities of the state. “There is a need to promote democracy across institutions. Student union elections should be allowed in colleges and universities,” Selja said in her suggestions to the panel.

For long, elections to the student bodies in the state colleges and universities have not been held, leading to politicisation of institutions and lack of students’ opinions in decision making.

Congress sources said landmark policy changes would be attempted in the Congress manifesto in line with the realisation that the upcoming elections are “very tough”.

The party leader indicated that an all inclusive manifesto draft was what they were aiming for considering the incumbent government led by CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda had faced criticism for being pro-Jat.

Selja, a strong votary of Dalit rights, has, meanwhile, also demanded that the state Congress should offer in the manifesto a promise of reservations to the SCs and OBCs in jobs in the private sector.

Faridabad, August 16
Radha Narula, a senior Congress leader and a former vice-president of the HPCC, has resigned from the party. With her resignation, she has made it to the list of some of the senior Congress leaders who have left the party in the recent past.

Sources said Narula, who had been the vice-president of the HPCC till 2010, had been in the party for the past over two decades. She had been a leading women leader of the party at the district level since the early 90s.

The sources said she had submitted her resignation to the district HPCC citing personal reasons.

The Congress has already received a setback in view of former MP Avatar Singh Bhadana and a former Minister Harsh Kumar leaving the party recently. Rajender Singh Beesla, a former MLA, had left the Congress last year to join the INLD.

In another development, Yogesh Sharma, a former MLA from Ballabgarh, has announced to join the BJP. He was formally inducted into the BJP at the Jind rally on Saturday. Yogesh, who was an MLA between 1987 and 1991, had left the Congress last year to join the AAP.

Karnal, August 16
Phool Singh Kheri from the Guhla (reserved) Assembly segment and Krishan Lal Panwar from Israna (reserved) segment, both INLD MLAs, and Chief Parliamentary Secretary Sultan Singh Jadola today submitted their resignation from the Assembly to Speaker Kuldeep Sharma at his residence in Sector 8.

The Speaker accepted the resignation and declared trio seats vacant. The MLAs did not specify a reason for resignation.

Both MLAs joined the BJP on Thursday in Mahindragarh in presence of BJP national president Amit Shah after the denial of ticket to them. Sultan Singh today joined the BJP at the Kaithal rally.

Kehri said, “I have tendered my resignation under no pressure. I was ignored by the INLD and not given ticket for the upcoming Assembly elections. I was a dedicated worker and did a lot for it. The party forced me to quit by not recognising my work. The party leaders are not able to control the party and cadres. There is lot of dissatisfaction among the root-level workers and dedicated leaders.”

Panwar, said, “The INLD made me quit by neglecting my dedication towards the party. I and Phool Singh have already faxed our resignations to the Speaker before joining the BJP on August 14 and now we have personally handed over our resignations.” Jadola said he joined the BJP after consulting his supporters.

Chandigarh, August 16
Demanding a probe by a sitting judge of the Supreme Court into various acts of omission and commission of the Bhupinder Singh Hooda Government, the main Opposition INLD today submitted a ‘chargesheet’ to Governor Kaptan Singh Solanki against the Congress government.

The140-page chargesheet, which was submitted to Solanki by an INLD delegation led by senior leaders Abhay Singh Chautala and Ashok Arora, gave an account of various irregularities committed by the Hooda government in the about last 10 years.

New Delhi, August 16
The HJC is tipped to make former Home Minister of Haryana Subhash Batra, who is set to join it tomorrow, the head of its campaign committee for the Assembly elections.

The HJC has decided to go ahead with its poll-related moves under the cloud of uncertainty of its electoral alliance with the BJP.

It will announce the proposed role for Batra either tomorrow or during its working committee meeting, which is likely to be convened here on August 19, sources said.

“I will join the party with a large number of my supporters,” confirmed Batra. He declined to dwell further on the issue.

It will be a homecoming for Batra when he joins the HJC.

A known associate of former chief minister late Bhajan Lal, he is the founder member of the HJC, which was launched on December 2, 2007.

Rewari, August 16
The Haryana State Committee for Slaughter House has recommended the state government to declare cow progeny state animals under the domestic animal category in order to check cow slaughter.

The committee, which was formed on the directives of the Supreme Court for supervising and monitoring the implementation of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, has also asked the Animal Husbandry Department to examine reconstitution of an animal welfare board as per rules.

Naresh Kadian, member of the committee and a social activist, told The Tribune that giving the cow progeny status of state animal would turn be instrumental in preventing the smuggling and slaughter of cows in the state.

“We have sent our recommendations to the state government and are hopeful that it will take up the issue,” said Kadian, adding that the Rajasthan Government had also declared camel as state animal last month to check the swindling number of camels and their illegal trade.

He said the committee, at its meeting held recently, also directed the district authorities to install CCTV cameras at toll barriers and inside the slaughter houses to keep a tab on their functioning.

Chandigarh, August 16
The state government released over Rs 20.52 crore grant-in-aid for development works in municipal corporations, municipal councils and municipal committees under the Rajiv Gandhi Urban Development Mission Haryana (RGUDMH) scheme for 2014-15.

An official spokesman for the Urban Local Bodies Department said in Ambala district, Rs 74.55 lakh and Rs 25.69 lakh had been released for Ambala and Naraingarh MCs, respectively. In Bhiwani district, Rs 36.68 lakh had been released for Charkhi Dadri, Rs 22.90 lakh for Loharu and Rs 20.13 lakh for Siwani. Likewise, in Fatehabad district, Rs 30.54 lakh had been released for Bhuna, Rs 35.96 lakh for Ratia and Rs 50.34 lakh for Tohana.

He said in Gurgaon district, Rs 165.81 lakh had been released for Gurgaon, Rs 14.58 lakh for Farukh Nagar, Rs 28.46 lakh for Haily Mandi, Rs 29.15 lakh for Pataudi and Rs 28.46 lakh for Sohna. Apart from this, in Hisar district, Rs 51.06 lakh had been released for Barwala and Rs 24.30 lakh each for Narnaund and Uklana Mandi. He said in Jhajjar district, Rs 17.35 lakh had been released for Beri.

The spokesman said in Jind district, Rs 55.45 lakh had been released for Jind, Rs 23.60 lakh for Julana, Rs 42.83 lakh for Narwana, Rs 47.47 lakh for Safidon and Rs 12.50 lakh for Uchana. Similarly, in Kaithal district, Rs 34.10 lakh had been released for Cheeka, Rs 24.99 lakh each for Kalayat and Pundri and Rs 10.42 lakh for Rajaund. Likewise, in Karnal district, Rs 122.04 lakh had been released for Karnal MC, Rs 40.28 lakh for Asandh, Rs 43.87 lakh for Gharaunda, Rs 11.40 lakh for Indri, Rs 18.05 lakh for Nilokheri, Rs 11.10 lakh for Nissing and Rs 66.17 lakh for Taraori.

He said in Kurukshetra district, Rs 68.33 lakh and Rs 46.75 lakh had been released for Shahbad and Ladwa, respectively. Similarly, in Mewat district, Rs 22.22 lakh had been released for Ferozepur Jhirka and Rs 22.90 lakh for Punhana. Likewise, in Mahendergarh district, Rs 27.07 lakh had been released for Mahendergarh, Rs 56.10 lakh for Narnaul and Rs 10.42 lakh for Nagal Choudhary. Apart from this, in Panchkula district, Rs 83.91 lakh had been released for Panchkula MC. Also, in Panipat district, Rs 119.78 lakh had been released for Panipat MC. 

Kuruksehtra, August 16
Irked with Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan’s statement of having no proposal to give benefits of government employees to the Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs), the ASHA workers today held a demonstration in the town.

The agitating workers gathered in a park near new Bus Stand, took out a protest march and burnt the effigy of Harsh Vardhan.

Rani Devi, ASHA workers’ district chief, said “Resentment prevails among the workers with the Health Minister’s statement that the government has no proposal of giving benefits of government employees to us. We have been working merely on incentives and have been seeking regularisation of jobs and minimum wages from a long time but no attention has been paid towards our demands.”

She said, “The government should give the benefit and status of government employees to us and in case the government fails to fulfill our demands, we will continue our protest.”

Sirsa, August 16
Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh said he would not have any direct intervention in the state Assembly elections.

Speaking to mediapersons before launching a tree-plantation drive on his birthday yesterday, the dera chief said the issue of Haryana elections had not come under discussion before him so far and even otherwise, he did not have any direct influence over his followers on the issue.

“My only advice to the followers is that they should vote for bringing honest people in power and discourage those who promote vices like liquor, drugs and other immoral activities,” the dera chief said.

Ram Rahim Singh exhorted his followers to make it a point to cast their votes for strengthening democracy and suggested that the government should announce some incentives for those who use their right to franchise.

Punjab People’s Party’s president Manpreet Singh Badal and Congress candidate from Talwandi Sabo in Punjab Harminder Singh Jassi met the dera chief to seek his blessings in the bypoll.

Faridabad, August 16
Krishan Pal Gurjar, Union Minister of State for Roads and Transport, has demanded upgrading of eight roads connecting Haryana with UP as National Highways. This demand was raised at the foundation stone laying ceremony of a Rs 200 crore bridge over the Yamuna river to connect Faridabad with Noida here on Friday, where Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Roads and Transport, was the chief guest.

Gurjar, Lok Sabha MP from Faridabad, took up the demand while addressing a public meeting held at Manjhawali village soon after the function. He claimed that the upgrade of some of these roads located in Faridabad and Palwal districts will not only result in hassle-free commuting but would also provide a boost to overall economic activities due to a large concentration of population in the belt.

The roads proposed to be upgraded include 75-km-long Sohna- Faridabad- Noida- Ghaziabad stretch, 60-km-long Nuh- Mindkola- Palwal- Jewar- Bulandhshahar road, 85-km-long Ballabhgarh- Tigaon- Noida- Sikandarabad (UP) road, Palwal- Aligarh Road (83 km), Hodal- Hassanpur, Arua – Chandpur link road (65 km) Faridabad (Jassana Kheri)- Yamuna Expressway road (25 km), Maholi- Hassanpur- Malab (UP) road and NH- 2- Ashram- Kalindi Kunj- Noida stretch. 

Sirsa, August 16
Eyebrows are being raised at the “forcible collection of money” from traders of Sirsa for a magic show by Jadugar Samrat Shankar here on August 18.

Though the authorities have maintained that this is a charity show for the welfare of differently-abled students and the contribution for the show is voluntary, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) as well as the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) has alleged that traders were being coerced to buy multiple tickets for Rs 500 each by officials of various enforcement departments.

Showing the cards sold to him forcibly by an official, a local trader, on the condition of anonymity, alleged that those expressing inability to purchase the tickets were being threatened with “dire consequences” by the officials.

Issued on behalf of the district administration, the invitation cards bear the name of Deputy Commissioner Anshaj Singh, Additional Deputy Commissioner Shiv Prasad Sharma, since transferred from Sirsa, and City Magistrate Nirmal Nagar on its bottom.

“A big fraud is being committed in the name of charity show as invitation cards are being forcibly sold to traders through officials of the departments, who have the authority to regulate their trade. The invitation cards bear no price tag on them and the officials selling these cards are charging value of their own choice, ranging from Rs 500 to more, depending upon the seniority of the officials and capacity of the businessman. There is no mechanism to observe transparency about the exact amount of money being collected from people by fleecing them,” alleged Prahlad Singh Bharukhera, a state executive member of the AAP.

Jasbir Singh Jassa, a state executive member of the INLD, said “If this is the attitude when elections for the State Assembly are round the corner, one can easily imagine how people have been fleeced during the past 10 years.”.

DC Anshaj Singh, however, maintained that it was a charity show for the welfare of disabled students and nobody was being forced to buy the invitation cards.

Fatehabad, August 16
A local property dealer today committed suicide at Inderpura Mohalla.

Krishan Narula (40) shot himself on his head with his licenced revolver at 9am.

His wife rushed to his room and found him lying in a pool of blood. She raised the alarm after which family members shifted him to General Hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead. —TNS

Rewari, August 16
Three persons were killed and 20 others injured in a head-on collision between a Rajasthan Roadways bus and a mini truck near Pali railway crossing on the Rewari-Narnaul road in the district last night. Around 50 goats loaded in the truck were also killed in the mishap.

The victims have been identified as truck driver Pawan of Mahendragarh district and bus passengers Shri Niwas of Guti village and Pallar Ram of Dudhvaas village in Rajasthan, while the injured have been admitted to Trauma Centre in the town where condition of one of the injured is stated to be critical.

Hari Singh, a police official said, the accident took place when the roadways bus carrying around 50 passengers was on its way to Bikaner from Delhi while the truck was going to Delhi from Narnaul.