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Dera Sacha Sauda gathers followers’ views ahead of poll
Gurgaon BJP candidate put on notice for code violation
Eye on farmers’ votes, CM bats for Ajit Singh |
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Cong, BJP on their way out: Karan Chautala
Constituency watch: sirsa
Pension applications hit poll code barrier
Checks initiated to plug flow of money to influence voters
DCs, SPs of 6 dists of 3 states to meet in Sirsa tomorrow
Villagers gherao Narnaul DC’s residence
BJP men clash with cops; admn mum
INLD opposes extension to Chief Secy
CM shying away from judicial probe: INLD
Haryana’s Shame
Teacher held on rape charge
16 more booked for false affidavits to get HUDA plots
Drug peddler gets 15-yr jail
ZP chairman among 12 hurt in Yamunanagar group clash
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Dera Sacha Sauda gathers followers’ views ahead of poll
Sirsa, September 17 Representatives of the dera’s political affairs wing, accompanied by members of the 45-person state-level committee, have started meeting dera followers in Assembly segments. The political affairs wing helps prepare the dera’s strategy during the election while the committee deals with other activities. The dera, according to sources, has constituted six teams (Team A, B, C, D, E, and F) by including representatives from the political affairs wing as well as the committee. On Tuesday, Team A visited Sonepat, Rai, Gohana and Gannaur; Team B went Bilaspur, Sadhora, Khijrabad, Jagadhri, Mustfabad, Yamunanagar, Jathlana and Radaur; Team C visited Gharaunda, Kunjpura, Nilokheri, Karnal and Indril; Team D went to Dabwali, Ellenabad, Sirsa, Rampur Theri, Rania and Kalyan Nagar; Team E went to Mahendragarh, Ateli, Rewari, Narnaul and Kosli while Team F went to Kurukshetra, Ladwa, Shahbad, Ismailabad, Pipli, Babain and Mandheri to meet followers and ascertain their mood. The teams’ schedule is published in dera-owned newspaper ‘Sach Kahun’ to facilitate followers. Dera spokesperson Pawan Insan said the political affairs wing had initiated the process to ascertain views of followers. He, however, said the process was at the initial stage and it will take time before a conclusion can be drawn. Another dera functionary said team members were impressing upon followers the importance of voting in unison. He said the upcoming poll was crucial and the dera was likely to play its cards more seriously than ever before. “Before announcing support to a candidate or a political party, the dera will ask them to give an undertaking that they will not promote intoxication or any other social evil,” he said. Fanning out The dera has constituted six teams, including representatives from the political affairs wing as well as state-level committee
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Gurgaon BJP candidate put on notice for code violation
Gurgaon, September 17 The notice was issued on a two-page advertisement that appeared in newspapers without his seeking prior permission of the Returning Officer. “A full two-page advertisement appeared in papers on Tuesday. On one side were pictures of newspaper clippings while on the other were advertisements in favour of the BJP candidate. We have taken strong exception to it as the Model Code of Conduct is in force. Prior permission has to be sought from the District Media Certification and Monitoring Committee for publishing any advertisement or publicity material,” said an administrative statement. As per rules, the matter has to be in the knowledge of the Returning Officer (RO) so the expenditure can be added to election expenditure of the concerned candidate, besides checking that nothing objectionable is printed. The advertisement did not bear any print line that would have otherwise made it clear from which Press it was printed, also mandatory under election rules. Kurukshetra: The Election Commission has put INLD Kurukshetra district chief Kuldeep Multani on notice for organising Digvijay Chautala’s public meeting without taking prior permission in Ladwa constituency on Wednesday. Karnal: The police have booked four persons, including two Independent candidates and one aspirant for the Congress ticket, for violating the poll code in Indri segment. Independents Rakesh Kumar alias Bhag Singh and Rajeev Rangila, Congress ticket aspirant Sunil Panwar and his wife Navjot Kashyap were booked for putting up hoardings and posters without permission. Panwar said the posters were put up before the poll code came into force and had been blackened subsequently. He said he had apprised the DSP of the case. SDM Sushil Malik also confiscated around 12,000 pamphlets without the name of the printing press from a shop in Club Market.
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Eye on farmers’ votes, CM bats for Ajit Singh
Chandigarh, September 17 In a letter to the Union Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu, Hooda termed the Central Government’s move to vacate the house as ‘unceremonious and discourteous’. “I have come to know that the Central Government has issued ex parte eviction order with respect to 12, Tughlak Road, and disconnected its water and electricity supply, causing unwarranted hardship to Ajit Singh, former union minister,” Hooda’s letter said. The letter also said, “Since the days of Charan Singh, who moved into the house in 1978, the house has been the centre of the Kisan Trust’s activities. Thousands of people associated with farmers’ movement visit this house for inspiration and guidance. The eviction has hurt the feelings of millions of the farmers, who consider Charan Singh as their messiah,” the letter asserted demanding that the house be converted into the Charan Singh Smriti Bhavan, to perpetuate the memory of the veteran farmer leader.” The Central Government recently disconnected water and power supply to 30 bungalows occupied by former ministers and MPs, including that of Ajit Singh, who failed to vacate the houses despite eviction notices. Even Ajit Singh had reportedly said he was not entitled to this house and sought time till the pitripaksh (inauspicious period in the Hindu calendar) to end for shifting to a new house. CM’s well-timed support
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Cong, BJP on their way out: Karan Chautala
Sirsa, September 17 “People of Haryana have already rejected the Congress government led by Bhupinder Singh Hooda due to its misdeeds. Now, the results of the bypolls have made it clear that the Narendra Modi magic that catapulted BJP to its present position is not going to influence the Assembly polls in Haryana,” Karan said while talking to the mediapersons at Badopal village in Fatehabad today. He addressed election meetings in 21 villages for INLD nominee Balwan Singh Daulatpuria in Fatehabad today. The INLD leader said the party was presently mobilising support for its September 25 rally at Jind to mark the birth anniversary of former Deputy Prime Minister Devi Lal and would launch a full-fledged campaign under senior SAD (B) leaders from Punjab after the rally. The party has approached the Delhi High Court for seeking permission for former CM Om Prakash Chautala to address this rally and a decision on this is expected on September 19. Holding UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi responsible for sentencing of their leaders, Karan Singh Chautala appealed to the villagers to vote for INLD so that their jailed leaders: Om Prakash Chautala, Ajay Singh Chautala and Sher Singh Badshami, could be released.
Party to repeat its ’87 performance: Abhay
SONEPAT: Senior INLD leader Abhay Singh Chautala today claimed that pro-INLD wave was sweeping the state and the party would repeat its 1987 performance. He was addressing party workers of Gohana and Baroda constituencies at Gohana today. “There is internal bickering among the Congress leaders and the party has failed to name its candidates so far,” he said. |
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Development a casualty in politics of wrangling
Sushil Manav Tribune News Service
Sirsa, September 17 The reason? There were three power centres here at same time — Gopal Kanda, who was elected as an Independent and became a minister; then Congress MP Ashok Tanwar; and the INLD that had control over the Zila Parishad as well as the Municipal Council during all these years. Kanda says development initiatives took a hit after he was imprisoned in connection with the abetment to suicide of Geetika Sharma, former airhostess in his now-defunct airline. And because INLD-controlled civic bodies delayed the projects. He cites incomplete water works and sewage treatment plant to back his claim. Since Kanda remained in jail for almost two years, people allege that there was no check on bureaucracy, resulting in red tapism in government departments. As other four Assembly seats in this district — Dabwali, Rania, Ellenabad, Kalanwali - were represented by INLD legislators in the Assembly, it did not help the matters. Of the 11 Assembly elections in Sirsa since 1967, late Congress leader Lachhman Dass Arora contested 10 times. He won five times in 1967, 1982, 1991, 2000 and 2005. The BJP won this seat twice, and the Lok Dal and Janata Party once. Independents emerged victorious twice. In the 2009 Assembly elections, Independent Gopal Kanda defeated INLD's Padam Jain and Arora to win the seat. He won by 6,521 votes. His rivals — Jain and Arora polled 31,608 and 30,306 votes, respectively. In the recent Lok Sabha elections, INLD's Charanjit Singh Rori polled 42,920 votes from this segment and remained on top. Haryana Janhit Congress’ Sushil Indora, who had Kanda's backing, polled 36,554 votes, while Ashok Tanwar of the Congress secured 30,456 votes. Clash of moneybags
Kanda supported the Hooda government and was rewarded with a Cabinet berth. He gave up the ministry after he was charged with abetting the suicide of Geetika Sharma, former airhostess in his now-defunct airline. Kanda has floated Haryana Lokhit Party (HLP) and will be contesting this seat again. To match Kanda's money power, the INLD has fielded businessman Makhan Lal Singla against him. Both Kanda and Singla have spent more than
Rs 5 crore each among voters for development works. As for the Congress, it is in a quandary following the switchover of Arora’s daughter, Sunita Setia, to the BJP. Now, the Congress has to chose from its second-rung leaders — Hoshiari Lal Sharma, Naveen Kedia and Bhupesh Mehta. The blame game
“It was a deliberate attempt to keep Sirsa underdeveloped and I was blamed for it. In the General Election, voters gave a befitting reply to those (Congress leaders) who conspired to keep Sirsa underdeveloped. The electorate will show them their place in the Assembly elections as well,” Kanda says. The HLP chief claims he ensured enough funds for the segment's growth, but the INLD that had control over the Municipal Council, delayed the projects. “As the Industry Minister, I had discussed a plan to set up tax-free industrial zone in Sirsa, but Bhupinder Singh Hooda divested me of the portfolio.” Jain and Setia, however, contradict Kanda's claims and, instead, say that the MLA is responsible for the poor development in Sirsa. Trying to save his seat, Kanda faces division of votes from his Aggarwal community because the INLD has fielded Singla. Both faces stiff challenge from Setia, who will cash in on the goodwill created by her father. at a glance Total voters: 1.81,938 Main issues
Since the local MLA, Gopal Kanda, was imprisoned in the Geetika Sharma suicide case, the constituency suffered on the development front. Very few development projects kicked off in the past five years. Corruption at the bureaucratic and police level is another matter of concern. Segment scan
The Assembly segment is known as the land of deras, as five deras, including the controversial Dera Sacha Sauda, are situated in the district. Sirsa is said to have derived its name from the Sarasvati river, called Sarusati during medieval period. The segment comprises 31 municipal wards in Sirsa town and as many villages. The communities having considerable vote share in the constituency are Punjabis (34,000), Aggarwals (33,000) and Bagri Jats (31,000). The other communities are Sainis and Scheduled Castes. Legislatorspeak
Gopal Kanda Oppositionspeak
Sunita Setia, bjp leader In fray bjp: Sunita Setia inld: Makhan Lal Singla hlp: Gopal Kanda The probables Congress: Hoshiari Lal Sharma, Naveen Kedia, Bhupesh Mehta
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Pension applications hit poll code barrier
Faridabad, September 17 Departmental sources said the authorities had recently directed the office here to conduct a survey to verify the age of some beneficiaries already drawing old age pension. Sushila Devi, District Social Welfare Officer, however, said all work regarding preparation of pension had come to a halt due to imposition of the poll code. Claiming that while no official order had been received regarding fresh verification of some pensioners, she said the verification was done mainly at the time of processing of the application. She also said no formal complaint had surfaced in her office regarding withdrawal of pension on false age proof. However the sources claimed that there could be many beneficiaries who could be underage to claim such a benefit as there were several applicants who do not have proper documents including a birth certificate to establish the proof of their age.
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Checks initiated to plug flow of money to influence voters
Sirsa, September 17 City Magistrate Nirmal Nagar yesterday addressed a meeting of bankers in his office and asked them to report any suspicious transaction in their banks to the Election Office. Nagar said the candidates would have to furnish an affidavit in case there was a cash transfer of Rs 1 lakh or more in their accounts directly or through RTGS. He said the bankers would have to furnish details if a sum of Rs 10 lakh or more was transferred to or from an account of any person in the last two months. Nagar said whenever cash was transferred from one bank branch to another; the official accompanying the cash van must have complete details with him, as the nodal officers appointed by the Election Office could check it at any time. He added the candidates could make payments through a bank account opened for the purpose of election or could make payment up to Rs 20,000 to an individual or a company in cash. A candidate was allowed to carry on his person, cash amount of Rs 50,000, and election material worth Rs 10,000. Describing the measures as of little use now, Prahlad Singh Bharukhera, state committee member of the AAP, alleged it was a well-known fact that two prominent candidates in Sirsa had already distributed several crores for influencing voters in their favour. Swaran Singh Virk, state executive member of the CPI, alleged these measures were merely to harass honest and poor candidates, as those who had black money had already played their game. ‘Acting late’
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DCs, SPs of 6 dists of 3 states to meet in Sirsa tomorrow
Sirsa, September 17 He said the issue of setting up police barricades on inter-state borders and checking inflow of anti-social elements to Haryana during the elections would be discussed during the meeting. He said a list of bail jumpers and proclaimed offenders had also been sought to ensure that such elements were not able to disrupt the poll process. The porous border of the two Haryana districts with the neighbouring states makes it easier for anti-social elements to slip away from the police after committing a mischief in Haryana or to enter Haryana. Several candidates and political parties contesting the poll in Sirsa and Fatehabad districts also draw their supporters and campaigners from Rajasthan and Punjab. The SAD (B) from Punjab has already announced that its will contest two seats in Haryana in alliance with the INLD.
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Villagers gherao Narnaul DC’s residence
Narnaul, September 17 The protesters relented when the authorities assured them that their demand would be considered. The villagers threatened to boycott the assembly poll if the authorities did not accept their demand. Earlier, a large numbers of villages gathered at Mahavir Chowk and marched towards the DC’s residence shouting slogans. The protesters gheraoed the residence before being persuaded by the police personnel deputed there to go to the mini-secretariat to register their protest. The protesters then reached the mini secretariat and started shouting slogans against the authorities. The DC and the SP came out of their offices and assured them of favorable action on their demand. “The police authorities have constituted a special committee to investigate the matter. No arrest will be made till then. The DC has assured us of not taking any action against those found innocent in the probe,” said Rajender Prasad, Sarpanch of Bhungarka village. He maintained the panchayat had given the authorities 15 days to complete the inquiry. A mahapanchayat of 40 villages would be convened if the authorities failed to withdraw the cases by then, he added. Earlier, the protesters alleged that false cases were registered against them while they were peacefully protesting to ensure the arrest of anti-social elements who assaulted some villagers a day before the incident.
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BJP men clash with cops; admn mum
Rohtak, September 17 Infuriated over the alleged slow and soft approach of the local police/administration towards the Congress workers who had allegedly clashed with RSS and INLD workers recently, BJP workers forcibly entered the local mini-secretariat, demanding to meet the Deputy Commissioner and the Senior Superintendent of Police. The police personnel deployed there maintained that the DC and SSP were not in their offices but the BJP members still tried to barge into the office complex. The protesters also clashed with two DSPs and several other police officials who tried to stop them from entering the premises. Meanwhile, the police arrested Monu, the main accused among those whose arrest was being sought by the BJP members. He was produced at a local court, where he got bail. Oppose ‘soft’ approach
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INLD opposes extension to Chief Secy
Chandigarh, September 17 In a communication to Chief Election Commissoner VS Sampath, INLD general secretary RS Choudhary said such extensions presumed that the services of such a person were indispensable and that there was no serving officer competent enough to run the administration at a time when the EC was in the process of holding the Vidhan Sabha poll. Choudhary also drew EC’s attention toward the media reports that CS’s husband, Ramendra Jakhu, a retired IAS officer, was in touch with senior leaders of a political party. —TNS |
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CM shying away from judicial probe: INLD
Chandigarh, September 17 In a statement issued here, senior INLD leader Abhay Chautala asserted that he would welcome Hooda’s legal notice though he was yet to get a copy of it. “If Hooda’s dealings have been above board in 10 years in office, why is the Chief Minister reluctant to a probe by a judge of the Supreme Court or the High Court into his disproportionate assets,” Chautala asked. Asserting that the INLD would bring a supplementary ‘chargesheet’ against close relatives of the Chief Minister soon, the leader claimed that the earlier ‘chargesheet’, highlighting various acts of omission and submitted to Governor Kaptan Singh Solanki was entirely based on facts. “Despite several irregularities pointed out by senior IAS officer Ashok Khemka into land dealings and in several departments, including HARTRON, Hooda has preferred to push this officer’s reports under the carpet. On the other hand, Khemka was harassed by the state government through repeated transfers,” Chautala alleged.
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Two sisters molested, beaten up; six booked
Our Correspondent
Yamunanagar, September 17 The police have booked six persons in the connection and two of the accused, Gurdeep and Lucky, have been arrested. They were sent to judicial custody for 14 days today. A case was registered on the complaint of victims’ mother. She told the police that her daughters had gone to Bilaspur town to take an exam. While they were waiting for the bus after the exam, Gurdeep came there and started teasing them. When they opposed, he beat them. Shopkeepers in the area rescued the victims. The accused managed to flee. The agitated family members of the girls had held a demonstration and blocked the road at Shiv Chowk, Bilaspur, last night. However, they lifted the blockade after the assurance of police officials. Today morning, the kin of the victims again blocked the Jagadhri-Bilaspur road. They lifted the blockade after the police officials reached the spot and told them that the main accused had been arrested.
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Teacher held on rape charge
Ambala, September 17 The father of the victim had lodged a complaint against Hoshiyar Singh on September 14, alleging that his daughter had been missing since September 12 and he suspected that the accused had taken his daughter away on the pretext of marrying her. An investigating team was constituted and the accused was arrested yesterday. The victim was rescued and handed over to her parents.
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16 more booked for false affidavits to get HUDA plots
Faridabad, September 17 The police had earlier booked 16 cases earlier this month. According to HUDA officials, more persons would be booked. The action comes in the wake of directions by the High Court that had asked the department concerned to take action taken against offenders. The plots were allotted in various sectors of the district in the past several decades. As per norms, a person owning a plot or house in a HUDA sector in the state cannot apply for plots in a reserved category such as defence or government employees. Affidavits are sought from applicants who do not have any residential property or plot in HUDA sectors in the district or any part of the state. Those booked in the fresh FIRs in response to a complaint by the Estate Officer, HUDA, hails from various parts of the state. They have been identified as Ganga Singh (Panchkula), Bhup Singh (Mahendergarh), Iqbal Singh, Lal Singh (Rewari), Pale Ram, Dilbagh Singh, Kishan Singh (Rohtak), Ram Kumar (Jind), Kashmiri Lal (Karnal), Jai Bhagwan (Jind), InderPal Singh (Ballabgarh), Jagjit, Devinder Kumar (Faridabad), Raj Pal (Gurgaon) and Kishan Lal (New Delhi). Two others booked previously have given their address near the residences of Prime Minister and Congress’ office in New Delhi, it is reported.
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Drug peddler gets 15-yr jail
Kuruksehtra, September 17 The court also imposed a fine of Rs 2 lakh on the convict. The Shahabad police arrested Darshan Singh from Saha Chowk in Shahabad on June 2 and seized the drugs from his possession.
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ZP chairman among 12 hurt in Yamunanagar group clash
Yamunanagar, September 17 After the clash, the tension prevailed in the village and the district administration deputed the police force there. Dharampal, husband of chairperson of Zila Parishad Reena Rani, said they were attacked by the people of the upper caste without any reason. In the attack, over 30 persons of their community, including his wife, sustained injures. He said the attackers damaged his wife’s government car and other vehicles of their community. On the other hand, the people of upper caste said they were first attacked by the people of the Schedule Caste, injuring 12 persons of their community. Naveen, Anju and Suraj, who sustained injures, said they were mercilessly beaten up by the people of the Schedule Caste. The reason behind the clash could not be ascertained as the people of both communities were holding one another responsible for the attack. Sachin Kumar, SHO, Sadar police Yamunanagar, said only three or persons from both side received injuries.
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In a development that is being seen as a desperate attempt to woo the farming community ahead of the October 15 Assembly polls, Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda has batted for former Prime Minister and veteran farmer leader Charan Singh’s son, Ajit Singh, who is facing eviction from a palatial bungalow in New Delhi.
The INLD leaders are in an upbeat mood after the bypoll results. Karan Singh Chautala, in charge of INLD’s campaign from nine Assembly segments falling under Sirsa parliamentary seat, said his party was all set to get majority on its own in the coming Assembly polls.
As is the situation in most parts of Haryana, the Sirsa Assembly segment suffered on the development front in the past five years.
The reason? There were three power centres here at same time — Gopal Kanda, who was elected Independent and became a minister; then Congress MP Ashok
Tanwar; and the INLD that had control over the Zila Parishad as well as the
Municipal Council.
As is the situation in most parts of Haryana, the Sirsa Assembly segment suffered on the development front in the past five years.
Voting trends
I tried to bring Sirsa on the country's industrial map, but then local MP Ashok Tanwar scuttled my efforts. Nevertheless, I brought several projects such as the state-of-the-art water works and sewage treatment plant, but these are hanging fire after my
arrest. 
Sirsa lagged behind rest of the state during Kanda's term in the Assembly. He brought disrepute to the segment because of his involvement in the Geetika Sharma suicide
case.