Now, Badal’s photographs appear in school board textbook

Now, Badal’s photographs appear in school board textbook

Archit Watts
Tribune News Service

CM Parkash Singh Badal’s picture in a PSEB class VIII book.

Muktsar, April 7
In this academic session, students in the schools affiliated with the Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) will learn about the SAD-BJP state government’s populist schemes as these have been made part of the syllabus.
Questions on various Punjab Government schemes like the Shagun scheme will feature in their examinations.
In the recently published social science textbook for class VIII, the last chapter “Efforts of the government in social circles and its effects on the people” throws light on the state’s populist schemes under the title “Efforts made by the Punjab Government to uplift the social status of women”.
It includes the Mai Bhago scheme, Shagun scheme and Nanhi Chhaan project of Bathinda MP and Badal ‘bahu’ (daughter-in-law) Harsimrat Kaur Badal.
Two pictures of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal have been published -- showing him distributing bicycles and the shagun amount among the beneficiaries -- and an illustration of the Nanhi Chhaan project on three pages (270, 271, 272) in the English medium textbook.
Though the chapter is not new to the textbook, the state government’s populist schemes have been added this year, say government teachers.
This textbook has already reached the schools in three languages English, Punjabi and Hindi and has been distributed among the students. This is also available at book stores for the students of private schools.
Not only the state’s populist schemes, but also some central schemes like the mid-day meal scheme and villages’ road-linking schemes too have been described in the chapter. But no Union minister’s name or photo has been able to carve out any space, unlike Badal.
Earlier, Badal’s photographs had appeared on ambulances, ration cards, bicycles under the Mai Bhago scheme, sports kits, Bhagat Puran Singh health insurance scheme cards and RO water treatment plants.
The Congress had raised its voice time and again for their removal. PPCC leaders had approached the Election Commission of India this month seeking the removal of Badal’s photos from ‘108’ ambulances.
Kuldeep Chand Agnihotri, Vice-Chairman, PSEB said, “There is nothing wrong in publishing material related to social science. We have published the pictures of the CM doing social work to tell the students about the state government’s social schemes.”

Nothing wrong, says PSEB vice-chief

There is nothing wrong in publishing any material related to social science. We have published the pictures of the Chief Minister doing social work to tell the students about the state government’s social schemes. Central government’s schemes too have been mentioned in the same chapter. Other states also put the social activities being carried out there in their textbooks
—Kuldeep Chand Agnihotri, vice-chairman, PSEB

Kaka, Kiki, Kuku… nicknames catch Punjab leaders’ fancy

Kaka, Kiki, Kuku… nicknames catch leaders’ fancy 

Archit Watts
Tribune News Service

Muktsar, April 6
Lally, Kaka, Kiki, Kuku, Tikku, Teenu, Nannu... These are not children studying in some village school but the nicknames of Punjab's politicians.

While some of them have preferred these catchy, easy to remember nicknames to get familiar with the public, others got these in a usual manner.

Former Congress Working Committee (CWC) member Jagmeet Brar is 'Lally' to some of his close friends and family members. Similarly, Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal is called Kakaji by his partymen. He is also addressed as 'Boss' by his friends, especially by the Youth Akali Dal leaders.

Kaka seems to be the most famous nickname among politicians as Nabha MLA Randeep Singh also adds Kaka with his name. Similarly, Congress MLA from Khanna Gurkirat Singh Kotli is known as 'Kaka'.

Former MLA from Faridkot Kushaldeep Singh Dhillon is known as Kiki. Former Muktsar MLA Bhai Harnirpal Singh is mostly called Kuku. Former Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh's son Raninder Singh is known as Tikku. SAD's candidate from Jalandhar parliamentary constituency Pawan Kumar is known as Teenu. BJP leader from Ferozepur Sukhpal Singh's nickname is Nannu.

Former Chief Minister Beant Singh's grandson and Congress candidate from Ludhiana parliamentary constituency Ravneet Singh is widely known as Bittu.

Akali MLA from Ajnala Amarpal Singh is known as Bony. Former SAD minister Capt Kanwaljit Singh's son Jasjit Singh is known as Bunny.

Chief Minister's younger brother Gurdas Badal is known as Das. A majority of people call him 'Das ji', due to his old age. Capt Amarinder Singh is known as Yuvi in his friend circle.

A senior Congress leader informed that former Chief Minister Rajinder Kaur Bhattal's nickname is Rajji.

SAD's Muktsar constituency in charge Kanwarjit Singh is mostly known as Rozy and Gidderbaha constituency in charge Hardeep Singh Dhillon as Dimpy. Sitting Congress MLA from Gidderbaha Amarinder Singh is famous as Raja. Former Kotkapura MLA Ripjit Singh Brar's nick name is Rimpa.

Congress MLA from Ferozepur city Parminder Singh is known as Pinki. Former Talwandi Sabo MLA Jeet Mohinder Sidhu is known as Pebby.

Sitting SAD MP from Bathinda, ‘Badal Bahu’, Harsimrat Kaur Badal is addressed by her party workers as 'Biba' or 'Bibaji'.

Some more prominent politicians known by their nicknames are Charanjit Singh 'Channi', Simarjeet Bains 'Simar', Manpreet Ayali 'Mani', Sher Singh Ghubaya 'Shera', Harminder Singh 'Jassi', Sukhwinder Singh 'Danny', Jasbir Singh 'Dimpa', Joginder Singh 'Jindu', Anumit Singh Sodhi 'Hira', Barjinder Brar 'Makhan Brar', Bharat Bhushan 'Ashu', Vardev Mann 'Noni', Rajinder 'Deepa', Satwinderjit Singh 'Manta', Jaswinder Singh 'Rocky' and Shiv Lal Doda 'Sholly'.

Some for village names

Some politicians have preferred to add their village's name as their surname. AMong them are Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, Gulzar Singh Ranike, Ranjit Singh Talwandi, Ranjit Singh Brahampura, Prem Singh Chandumajra, Surjit Singh Barnala, Sikander Singh Maluka, Darshan Singh Kotfatta, Sukhdarshan Singh Marar and many others. Some politicians say they had started adding their villages' names as their surnames so that the prevailing caste system did not mar their political career.

Punjab’s who’s who
Sukhbir Badal, Deputy Chief Minister: Kakaji and ‘Boss’ (as called by Youth Akali Dal workers)
Amarinder Singh, former Chief Minister and Congress candidate from Amritsar: Yuvi
Jagmeet Brar, former Congress Working Committee member: Lally
Harsimrat Kaur Badal, sitting MP and SAD-BJP candidate from Bathinda: Bibaji
Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, former Chief Minister and Congress MLA from Lehragaga: Rajji
Raninder Singh, Capt Amarinder Singh's son: Tikku
Randeep Singh, Nabha MLA: Kaka Gurkirat Kotli, Congress MLA from Khanna: Kaka Kushaldeep Dhillon, ex-MLA from Faridkot: Kiki Bhai Harnirpal Singh, former Muktsar MLA: Kuku Pawan Kumar, SAD candidate from Jalandhar Lok Sabha seat: Teenu Ravneet Singh, Congress’ Ludhiana candidate: BittuGurdas Badal, Chief Minister’s brother: Das

Studies take a back seat, PPP chief’s son campaigns for him; Arjun to campaign for Bajwa too

Studies take a back seat, PPP chief’s son campaigns for him 

Archit Watts
Tribune News Service

Muktsar, April 4
PPP chief Manpreet Badal’s son Arjun Badal has planned to postpone the third semester of his Bachelor’s Degree in the New York University. He would instead campaign for his father who is fighting a high-pitched political battle as Congress-PPP joint candidate against his sister-in-law and sitting Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal.

Arjun Badal

Arjun (20) had come to India on March 16 on his spring break and was scheduled to leave for the US on April 13.

Sources said apart from having good public speaking skills, he was a bright student and held a scholarship in the university.

During the assembly elections in 2012 too, Arjun had canvassed for his father and other PPP candidates. At that time, he was studying in school and had to leave before the polling day (as schools in the US are very strict about allowing leave).

Those who have listened to his speech said Arjun might be too young to start a political career but the way he conveys his message to people is really appreciable and it does not look like a youngster is addressing them.

He speaks in chaste Punjabi and starts his speech by greeting everyone with “Sat Sri Akal”. Nowadays, he visits about 15 villages in Bhucho and Bathinda rural assembly segments to garner support for his father.

“We get a lot of phone calls from other assembly constituencies to send Arjun there for canvassing as he has mastered the art of canvassing. People love to listen to him and a lot of youngsters are connecting with us,” said Manpreet’s brother-in-law Jaijeet Singh Johal.

He said, “Arjun has also campaigned in Bareta, Budhlada, Sardulgarh areas. He has developed an image of a star campaigner and has thus been entrusted with the task of holding 400 public meetings in villages and 135 meetings in urban areas of Bathinda parliamentary constituency.”

He confirmed that Arjun had postponed the third semester of his ongoing studies, saying, “He has set a goal to make his father win this time and for that, he has overlooked his studies.”

Arjun, being a US citizen by birth, does not have the right to vote in India.
He has also authored a book “Subera”.

Arjun to campaign for Bajwa too

PPP chief Manpreet Badal’s son Arjun Badal (in pic) will go to Gurdaspur parliamentary constituency to canvass for PCC chief Partap Singh Bajwa on April 6 and 7. “The popularity of Arjun can be gauged from the fact that he is going to another constituency and to canvass for Partap Singh Bajwa. Arjun and Vikram Bajwa (Partap Bajwa’s son) are friends and he will canvass there for two days,” said Jaijeet Singh Johal, Manpreet’s brother-in-law.

Despite code, political hoardings dot Muktsar

Despite code, political hoardings dot Muktsar  

Archit Watts
Tribune News Service

Muktsar, March 6
More than 24 hours after the code of conduct came into force for the Lok Sabha elections, hoardings of political parties continue to dot the main roads in the district.

A Youth Akali Dal hoarding on the Fazilka-Delhi highway in Malout on Thursday. Tribune photo
Though the Deputy Commissioner had yesterday held a meeting with the representatives of various political parties and directed them to remove their posters and banners, the latter seem to be in mood to relent.
Be it national highway or any main road of the town, hoardings, stickers and posters of political parties are still visible in Malout, Muktsar, Gidderbaha and Lambi assembly constituencies, which fall in Ferozepur, Faridkot and Bathinda parliamentary constituencies.

The pictures of the Chief Minister on reverse osmosis water treatment plants are also yet to be covered at some places. Similarly, overhead water tanks painted blue and yellow (colours associated with the SAD) are yet to be covered. 

Women voters outnumber men in Muktsar district

Women voters outnumber men in Muktsar district 

Archit Watts
Tribune News Service

Muktsar, March 10
The number of new women voters surpassed the men voters at a special enrolment drive in Muktsar district yesterday. Of the total 7,518 new voters registered across the district for the upcoming elections, 4,157 are women and 3,361 men.

The data procured from the district election office reveals that over 1,280 women and only 804 men have got themselves enrolled as voters in the Lambi Assembly segment. In the Muktsar Assembly segment, 2,409 new voters were registered, which included 1,226 women and 1,183 men. In the Gidderbaha Assembly segment, 1,677 persons got enrolled as new voters, including 960 women and 717 men. The Malout segment registered the enrolment of 1,348 new voters, which included 691 women and 657 men.

The maximum number of women enrolled as new voters are above the age of 19. In the 18-19 age group, the newly registered women voters were lesser in number than men.

Raman KP, a social activist, said, "With much publicity by the Election Commission and media, women have become aware of their right to vote. Their enrolment is a positive sign for the country.”

He further it had been seen that women were reluctant to get registered as voters after getting married. But now the trend was undergoing a change, he said.

New voters

• Over 1,280 women and 804 men have got themselves enrolled as voters in the Lambi Assembly segment
• In the Muktsar Assembly segment, 2,409 new voters were registered, which included 1,226 women and 1,183 men.
• The Gidderbaha Assembly segment registered 1,677 new voters, including 960 women.

Year after panchayat poll duty, employees yet to receive dues

Year after panchayat poll duty, employees yet to receive dues 

Archit Watts
Tribune News Service

Muktsar, March 10
A year after the panchayat elections, the state government employees deployed during the electoral process are yet to receive various dues, including tour and dearness allowance (TA/DA).

There has been no word on the pending payments even as the employees have been told to prepare for the General Election.

In a letter sent on May 8 last year (The Tribune has a copy), the Under Secretary, Elections, had directed all district election officers that the staff deployed on election duty be given the TA/DA by their respective departments.

On being contacted, a few teachers, who have to be paid Rs 1,500 each per day, said the order was yet to be implemented.

Boota Singh, a teacher, said, “The government has not released anything for availing our services during the zila parishad, panchayat samiti and gram panchayat elections.” In Muktsar district alone, around 3,200 teachers are awaiting dues.

Kulwinder Singh, Government Teachers’ Union state vice-president, said, “In the assembly and parliamentary elections, the election staff gets TA/DA and honorarium on the day of polling itself from the Election Commission of India. But the dues for panchayat elections have to be cleared by the State Election Commission.”

District Education Officer Devinder Kumar Rajoria said, “We neither received any notification directing us to pay TA/DA to teachers nor any budget has been earmarked for the purpose. It is up to the election authorities to clear the payment.”

Maheshinder Badal hangs up boots

Maheshinder hangs up boots 

Archit Watts
Tribune News Service

Badal (Muktsar), March 11
Maheshinder Singh Badal (Cong), estranged cousin of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, has decided to hang up his boots. He will not contest the Lambi assembly seat anymore. Lambi is among the nine constituencies that comprise the Bathinda parliamentary seat.

Maheshinder Singh Badal

"I have made up my mind not to contest in future, but will continue supporting the Congress in all elections,” he said. He said his decision had nothing to do with the Congress pact with Manpreet Badal. “I will support him and abide by the high command’s decision."

Asked if he would address public gatherings in support of Manpreet, he said: “I will seek public support for my party, not any individual." Sources said Maheshinder does not have a good rapport with PPCC chief Partap Singh Bajwa. 

Badal village remains immune to model code

Badal village remains immune to model code 

Archit Watts
Tribune News Service

Badal (Muktsar), March 11
In spite of repeated directions by Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Electoral Officer to officials of all departments and political parties to remove political hoardings, the violation of poll code goes on in Chief Minister’s native village Badal.

The photographs of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and his deputy Sukhbir Badal on a water treatment plant at Badal village in Muktsar district. Tribune photo

In violation of the code, large photos of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and his deputy Sukhbir Singh Badal are fixed on a Reverse Osmosis (RO) water treatment plant located next to the CM’s house.

However, none from the department concerned has removed the hoardings painted in SAD’s trademark yellow and blue colours, which reads as “Assi chukkya tuhadi naroyi sehat da jimma (We took the responsibility of your good health)” and SAD-BJP government’s slogan “Raaj Nahi Sewa (Service, not rule)”.

People feel that if the district administration had failed to remove the hoardings of the ruling party, how it would ensure free and fair elections. The situation was similar in other villages, they said.

Earlier, the hoardings of some politicians were found on the Fazilka-Delhi national highway in Malout after the enforcement of poll code.

Meanwhile, the district administration has set up an election control room and a helpline number 01633-262757 to lodge election-related complaints.

CODE VIOLATION

* Since the district administration has failed to check violation of model code, how it would conduct elections in a fair manner, people ask

* The administration has set up a helpline 01633-262757 to lodge poll-related complaints

Badal, Harsimrat on Lambi tour, train guns at Manpreet

Badal, Harsimrat on Lambi tour, train guns at Manpreet 

Archit Watts
Tribune News Service

Lambi, March 12
Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur today started a four-day tour of the Lambi segment. They will cover at least 12 villages everyday, say sources.

Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal campaigns for his daughter-in-law Harsimrat Kaur at a Muktsar village on Wednesday. A Tribune photograph

With Manpreet Badal, Congress-PPP candidate, in the fray, local Akali leaders have been assigned duties in specific areas.They have been told to ensure there is no decline in the number of votes for the SAD from any area this time.

Team Sukhbir, comprising the Deputy CM's confidantes, who have been

accommodated as chairmen/members of various boards, is supervising Harsimrat's campaign.

At the poll meetings today, both Badal and Harsimrat criticised Manpreet for having joined hands with the Congress. They spoke little about development works. A senior Akali leader said that the Badal family had also chalked out an election plan for Holi.

At Mohlan village, the CM described his younger brother Gurdas as Laxman. He said the latter had no other option but to back his son Manpreet.

"Dekh lo kitey votan naa ghata deyo eis vaari te mainu sanyas laina pae jaave (Don't let the margin of votes decline this time or else I will have to quit politics)," he pleaded with the voters.

Harsimrat said: "Two zeroes (PPP and Congress) can only make a big zero, nothing else. Manpreet failed to make any impact in the assembly elections and will definitely meet the same this election too".

Lambi residents corner CM with ‘kundi’ demand

Lambi residents corner CM with ‘kundi’ demand 

Archit Watts
Tribune News Service

Lambi (Muktsar), March 13
Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and her daughter-in-law and Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal had to face embarrassment today when residents of Bhai Ka Kera village in Lambi assembly segment sought permission for electricity through “kundi” connections.

Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal addresses people at Lambi in Muktsar district on Thursday as Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal looks on. A Tribune photograph

“Tuhade CM hon da ki fayda, je asi bijli da bill hi dena hai. Ek vaar Modi sahib di sarkar aa jaave, fer taan saanu hor kundiyan laaun di manjoori ho jaaugi (If we have to pay the electricity bills then what is the advantage of you being the CM? As soon as Modi will form the government, we will get permission to set up more illegal power connections)”, said a resident.

Visibly irate over this demand, Badal said: “Your demand is not genuine and can’t be fulfilled. Already I am paying the bills for your illegal connections. Raise any genuine demand, which I can fulfill”.

SAD supporters, however, assured the residents saying that they would continue to get power through illegal connections under the SAD-BJP Government.

Addressing the gathering, Badal asked residents to “teach a lesson” to Manpreet by defeating him with a huge margin.

In her address, Harsimrat Kaur also targeted Manpreet. She said: “Manpreet has raised questions over my NGO Nanhi Chhan a number of times. He too had started an NGO, which is totally defunct. He has nothing to speak against me”.

Manpreet’s kin contribute their bit for campaign

Manpreet’s kin contribute their bit for campaign  

Archit Watts
Tribune News Service

Gidderbaha, March 15
People’s Party of Punjab (PPP) chief Manpreet Singh Badal’s relatives have reached Bathinda constituency to give a push to his election campaign. Duties have been assigned to them and areas divided for canvassing.

Manpreet’s wife Vinu Badal came from Delhi two days ago and has been holding meetings with party workers. She is looking after Bathinda (urban) and Maur areas. His daughter Ria, a student of class XII at Choate Rosemary Hall (a boarding school) at Wallignford in the United States, has also arrived and is meeting people in Bathinda to garner support for her father.

Manpreet’s son Arjun Badal, who studies in New York University, will campaign in Bathinda rural, Bhucho and Sardulgarh areas.

Meanwhile, Manpreet’s brother-in-law Jaijeet Singh Johal “Jojo” is holding public meetings in Mansa and Budhlada areas. Gurdas Singh Badal, Manpreet’s father, has been given the task to campaign in the ruling Badal’s stronghold Lambi assembly segment, from where he lost the assembly elections in 2012. He will be accompanied by Jagjeet Singh “Honey Fattanwala”, a cousin of Manpreet, who too had unsuccessfully contested assembly elections from Muktsar. Manpreet's other cousins Manjeet Singh Fattanwala and Jimmy Fattanwala have been told to meet party workers in Bathinda rural and Bhucho areas, respectively.

Jaijeet Johal said, “At present, we are holding meetings with Congress leaders and workers in all assembly segments under the Bathinda parliamentary constituency. The campaign will formally begin in the next two to three days, when senior Congress leaders will come to Bathinda.” 

Pitching in

* Manpreet's wife Vinu Badal has been assigned Bathinda (urban) and Maur areas

* Daughter Ria is meeting people in Bathinda

* Son Arjun Badal will campaign in Bathinda rural, Bhucho and Sardulgarh areas

* Father Gurdas Singh Badal and cousin Jagjeet Singh "Honey Fattanwala" will campaign in the Lambi assembly segment

Harsimrat’s daughter to come next month

* The third generation of the ruling Badal family is set to join the seniors in canvassing. Harkeerat Kaur, the elder daughter of Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal, will join her mother in campaigning next month.

Poll purse: Tewari spent highest in ’09

Poll purse: Tewari spent highest in ’09 

Archit Watts
Tribune News Service

Muktsar, March 16
The data available with the Chief Electoral Office, Punjab, shows that Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Manish Tewari, had spent the highest (Rs 18.47 lakh) durig the 2009 Lok Sabha elections in the state.

Vijay Inder Singla, Congress MP from Sangrur, had declared the lowest expenditure at Rs 7.24 lakh during the last elections.

BJP MP from Amritsar Navjot Singh Sidhu was second on the lost. He had declared that he had spent Rs 17.03 lakh. He was followed by SAD MP from Ferozepur, Sher Singh Ghubaya, who had declared his expenditure at Rs 16.82 lakh.

Congress MP from Jalandhar Mohinder Singh Kaypee had declared his expenses at Rs 15,83 lakh. Congress MP from Anandpur Sahib Ravneet Singh Bittu had declared his expenses at Rs 14.75 lakh.

Patiala MP Preneet Kaur had declared her election expenditure at Rs 14.39 lakh.

Congress MP from Hoshiarpur, Santosh Chowdhary, had declared her expenses at Rs 12.45 lakh. Gurdaspur MP Partap Singh Bajwa had declared his election expenditure at Rs 11.61 lakh.

SAD’s Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal had spent Rs 11 lakh during polls. She had, however, received Rs 10.6-lakh grant, meaning she spent Rs 39,704 only on her own.

Only 138 NRIs enrolled as voters in state

Only 138 NRIs enrolled as voters in state 

Archit Watts
Tribune News Service

Muktsar, March 20
It may sound strange but only 138 NRIs are enrolled as voters in Punjab. Of the total, 81 are men and 57 women.

Procured from the Punjab Chief Electoral Office (till January 6 this year), the figures show that of the 138 NRI votes, maximum 31 are in Hoshiarpur parliamentary constituency. And surprisingly, all are women.

Ludhiana parliamentary constituency is second with 26 NRIs voters -- all men. Fatehgarh Sahib parliamentary constituency is having 15 NRI voters, all being women. Faridkot and Sangrur parliamentary constituencies have 14 NRIs Punjab (all men).

But Jalandhar parliamentary constituency, from where a large number of Punjabis have gone abroad, has only 13 NRIs (all women) enrolled as voters. The segment stands on fifth spot.

Khadoor Sahib parliamentary constituency has 12 NRIs, Anandpur Sahib nine and Ferozepur has four.\Records showed that Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Bathinda and Patiala constituencies did not have even a single NRI voter.

Manpreet refuses security

Manpreet refuses security 

Tribune News Service

Muktsar, March 21
Manpreet Badal, the Congress-PPP candidate from Bathinda who is taking on his sister-in-law Harsimrat Kaur Badal, has refused to accept the police security provided to him saying he was against VIP culture.

Acting on the Election Commission guidelines, the police had deployed four security personnel with Manpreet. But, he is not taking them along during his canvassing and as a result, the policemen return after sitting the entire day at his residence in Badal village.

Speaking over phone, Jaijeet Singh Johal, Manpreet’s brother-in-law, said, "Four security personnel have been sent to Manpreet’s residence but he has refused to accept the security. He never favoured police protection in the past too.”

Johal said though they had refused security, senior officials had directed the police personnel to remain present at Manpreet's residence.

Manpreet's wife Vinu Badal had alleged that their phones were being tapped, and that intelligence personnel were “keeping tabs” on the family’s activities.

Johal also alleged that the policemen and other state government agencies were getting information about their next day's schedule in advance.

Manpreet’s father Gurdas Singh Badal, younger brother of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, still has security cover and an escort Gypsy vehicle.

LS poll: Govt denies leave to babus

LS poll: Govt denies leave to babus 

Tribune News Service

Muktsar, March 26
Citing shortage of bureaucrats, the state government has asked all IAS and PCS officers in the state not to take leave till the completion of Lok Sabha election process.

As per a circular issued by the Special Secretary (Personnel) to the officers, the latter have been told that no fresh leave would be sanctioned, be it casual, privilege, LTC or child care.

The leave would be granted only in those circumstances which are unavoidable like any ailment or occurrence of any unfortunate incident in family.

The circular states a large number of officers were expected to be sent to other states as election observers and the remaining would be given additional charge in their absence. The officers will have to do protocol duties, maintain law and order during the election period.

The references of the Election Commission of India and Chief Electoral Officer have also to be disposed off immediately.

Sources said another possible reason for the decision was to stop bureaucrats from serving their political masters in any manner by availing leave.

Manpreet begins campaign in Lambi; Maheshinder Badal skips all events

Manpreet begins campaign in Lambi 

Archit Watts
Tribune News Service

Lambi, March 27
Congress-PPP candidate Manpreet Singh Badal today started his election campaign in the Lambi assembly segment, holding public meetings in villages. But his 'estranged' uncle, Maheshinder Singh Badal, skipped all the events of the day.

Sources say Maheshinder and Gurdas Badal, who are first cousins, do not share cordial ties. On March 19, during a meeting at Maheshinder's residence, some workers had accused Manpreet of "victimising and torturing" Congress men when he was part of the SAD-BJP Government.

Gurmeet Singh Khudian, Congress district president, who accompanied Manpreet said: "Mahesh ji thinks that when I am touring villages with Manpreet, he need not appear at public meetings. He is undoubtedly backing Manpreet." Maheshinder has always given a tough fight to Parkash Singh Badal. Most people of the area say they have always vote for Maheshinder, not for the party. He is popular among the downtrodden people because of charity works.

Manpreet is depending on the Congress in this constituency from where Maheshinder had got more than 43,000 votes in the last assembly elections. In 2007, Maheshinder had lost to Badal by just 9,000 votes.

Manpreet today visited 18 villages. To win over Congress workers, he said: "I lost the Assembly elections because I was alone then. Now I have your support and I will definitely win." Manpreet's father Gurdas Badal accompanied him everywhere. 

Badals do not vote in local elections; They now ask people to vote for LS poll

Badals do not vote in local elections They now ask people to vote for LS poll

Archit Watts
Tribune News Service

Muktsar, March 30
The Badals did not cast their vote during the last two zila parishad, panchayat samiti and gram panchayat elections. But with CM's daughter-in-law Harsimrat Kaur Badal and his estranged nephew Manpreet Badal taking on each other from the Bathinda parliamentary constituency, they are now asking the people to exercise franchise.

During the zila parishad and panchayat samiti elections in 2008, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, Sukhbir Badal and Manpreet Badal did not exercise franchise. During the gram panchayat elections too the three did not cast their vote.

Nobody from the CM's family or from PPP chief Manpreet's family cast their vote during the gram panchayat elections in 2013. Last year, the Badals did not cast their ballot for the zila parishad and panchayat samiti elections. Sukhbir was reported to be out of the country. 

Manpreet seeks votes in his old constituency Gidderbaha

Manpreet seeks votes in his old constituency Gidderbaha 

Archit Watts
Tribune News Service

Muktsar, March 31
PPP chief Manpreet Singh Badal today for the first time shared stage with the Congress leaders in Gidderbaha assembly constituency — from where he was elected four times as MLA on the SAD ticket but lost the last elections on the PPP ticket — seeking votes for Joginder Singh Punjgraian, Congress candidate from Faridkot parliamentary constituency.

Addressing the public in a joint meeting organised by the Congress and PPP, Manpreet trained guns on his uncle, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, saying, “He (Parkash Singh Badal) often says that Manpreet could not become loyal to his uncle and how can he become loyal to public of Punjab. I ask him the same, the uncle who could not become loyal to his nephew, how can he become loyal to the public?”

Manpreet said he left the SAD for its “wrongdoings” and proved that he did not love any post but wanted to work for public welfare.

Manpreet’s father Gurdas Singh Badal was also present in the meeting.

Punjgraian said, “The SAD-BJP leaders fear the Congress-PPP alliance. It is the right time to teach them a lesson.” He assured them of all possible development of the area after getting elected as the MP.

Senior leaders of the Congress, including its district chief Gurmeet Singh Khuddian, Gursant Brar and Harcharan Singh Sotha, were present in the meeting.

As the Congress and PPP have come to a poll pact, first-time Congress MLA from Gidderbaha Amarinder Singh Raja Warring today addressed the Congress workers, saying, “The vendetta cases against Congress workers in this area were registered at the behest of Manpreet’s supporters, not by Manpreet himself, who are still in the SAD.”

Earlier, the Congress leaders had been accusing Manpreet of committing atrocities on them.

Even Capt Amarinder Singh had, as state Congress president, during his visit to Malout town during assembly elections accused Manpreet and his relatives of registering vendetta cases against Congress workers in Gidderbaha.

Badal brothers refrain from attacking each other at rallies

Badal brothers refrain from attacking each other at rallies 

Archit Watts
Tribune News Service

Lambi, April 3
They two brothers have different political affiliations but, at heart, they have strong feelings for familial ties.

And this is evident from their speeches during public rallies. They have not indulged in petty politics of mudslinging, pointing that their bonhomie is still intact even after contesting the assembly elections in 2012 against each other.

Though the estranged Badal brothers — Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and his younger brother Gurdas Badal — are regularly campaigning to secure victory for their next generation,

This time, the Chief Minister’s daughter-in-law, sitting Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal, and Gurdas’ son, PPP chief Manpreet Singh Badal, are in the fray from Bathinda. Badal brothers avoid even of naming each other during public rallies.

While Badal accuses Manpreet of stabbing the SAD in the back, Gurdas urges public to vote for change and bring reform by electing his son. Badal brothers are unlike their next generation who rarely miss a chance to accuse each other on any public platform.

When this correspondent asked the reason for not naming Gurdas in his speeches, Badal said, “I do not even want to mention the name of Manpreet, but some facts are necessary to be made public.”

He further said that they (both brothers) still had cordial relations, but circumstances separated them. It is an open secret that they often met before the announcement of elections.

When asked about his affection towards his elder brother, Gurdas gets a bit emotional. “Badal Saheb is more than my elder brother. We had a good time together. Every time he went abroad, he made it a point to bring some thing for me. I looked after his constituency in his absence. The circumstances changed and we had no other option but to separate.”

The locals say the Badal brothers are like Ram-Laxman as they were known as “Pash te Dass di jodi”. Badal villagers say whoever wins, they would get a Badal as their MP who would definitely develop the area, as both are educated.

CAMPAIGN TRAIL: CM campaigns for Harsimrat; Eyes highest margin

CAMPAIGN TRAILCM campaigns for Harsimrat 

Archit Watts
Tribune News Service

Lambi, April 2
It is eight in the morning and 86-year-old Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal is touring villages in his home turf – Lambi assembly segment, which is part of the Bathinda parliamentary constituency – not only to secure victory for his daughter-in-law, Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal, but also to record the highest victory margin.

Parkash Singh Badal addressing public in a Lambi village.

Notwithstanding his busy schedule, he has not missed his routine of exercising for an hour and reciting “path” for almost the same period of time, as he has started waking up around 4.30 am, a bit earlier than usual.

Harsimrat is contesting against her estranged brother-in-law, People’s Party of Punjab (PPP) chief Manpreet Badal.

In all villages he visits, Badal urges people, “Eh aapni aan te shaan di gall hai. Sirf jittna hi nahi, ek nava record vi banuana hai te oh vi sirf Punjab nahi poore desh ch sabh ton vaddi jitt da. (This is the matter of our respect and reputation. We not only want to win, but win with the highest margin of votes ever, not only in Punjab, but in the entire country).”

As Badal’s cavalcade reaches the first village of Roranwali of his day’s schedule at 8.15 am, he enters the “pandal”, greets everyone with “Sat Sri Akal” and starts the speech, “The time is running out. The Lok Sabha elections are approaching fast. Do cast your vote, keeping in mind the important issues.”

Then he trains guns on the Congress, saying that the party ruled for 10 years, but failed on all fronts. “The UPA-led Congress Government failed to protect the country from neighbouring countries. Sometimes, China enters our territory and, sometimes, Pakistan beheads our brave soldiers,” he says.

The CM appeals to people to help in forming the government led by BJP’s PM pick Narendra Modi.

Later, he raises the issues related to the state, stressing on agriculture, and assures to get maximum financial assistance from the Centre, if the NDA comes to power.

Then he turns to Harsimrat. “Last time, Capt Amarinder Singh’s son was defeated by maximum votes from here. This time, do the same thing by defeating Manpreet.”

Turning a bit emotional, Badal says: “The party (SAD) gave him (Manpreet) everything. I left my constituency for him, even made him the Finance Minister. Still, he left us. Now, tell me what more can the party do for him. Still he did not give respect to the party, which is like the mother of a person.”

In the same breath, he cautions public. “Don’t fall prey to the conspiracy of Congress, which has joined hand with Manpreet. He had taken oath in the name of Shaheed Bhagat Singh while forming his party, promising to bring some ‘reforms’. But the present situation is that the Sanjha Morcha formed by Manpreet has dismantled. The PPP has also met with the same fate, as all of its leaders have left.”

Cong, a divided house: Badal

Speaking to The Tribune, Badal took potshots at the Congress. “The internal fight within the state Congress is set to increase, as state Congress chief Partap Singh Bajwa has remarked that he would be the next Chief Minister. The remark will not go down well with a section of the Congress leaders,” the Chief Minister said.

When asked which contest is tough, Amritsar or Bathinda, Badal said: “There is no competition anywhere. We will win all 13 seats in the state.”

Badal is holding public meetings from 8 am to 6 pm every day, sleeps around 9.30 pm to make another early morning start. The only thing which he misses in villages is the timely delivery of newspapers.

Eyes highest marginWe not only want to win in Bathinda, but win with the highest margin of votes ever, not only in Punjab, but in the entire country.