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The police districts of Batala, Pathankot and Gurdaspur have made tight security arrangements to ensure peaceful polling tomorrow in the Lok Sabha byelection. Following an Election Commission directive, several politicians who were camping in the constituency for the past few days have left. There were reports that some senior Congress leaders refused to leave. However, Returning Officer GS Sidhu claimed that no “outsider” was present. “Only the contesting candidates and the state heads of the parties have been allowed to stay,” he said. Paramilitary forces have been deployed in all polling stations which have been declared sensitive or hypersensitive. Gurdaspur will become the first parliamentary constituency in the country where all polling stations will have Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machines. This device gives the voter using an EVM confirmation about his vote. Security personnel have been stationed at every 20 yards and vehicles are being checked randomly. Checking was intensified here today after reports that crates of liquor were being transported to villages from the city , despite the prohibition order.
ECI allows alternative IDs
Chandigarh: The ECI has allowed voters to use alternative identity cards as proof of identity. A spokesman said those who did not have the elector photo identity card (EPIC, also called voter ID card) could exercise their franchise using documents such as the Aadhaar card, passport, driving licence or service ID cards (with photo) issued by central/state governments or public sector undertakings. The EC has also allowed the use of bank or post office passbooks with photos, PAN card, MGNREGA job card, health insurance smart card, pension documents and authenticated voter slips for the purpose. — TNS
Chhotepur incommunicado
Chandigarh: A section of Aapna Punjab Party (APP) leaders has questioned party chief Sucha Singh Chhotepur’s silence on two leaders’ decision to back the BJP nominee. Chhotepur, who had on Saturday remained non-committal on supporting any candidate, has gone incommunicado. A senior APP leader said: “Our president’s conduct in the past two days has aroused suspicion. He is not only inaccessible, but has also not reacted to HS Kingra and RR Bhardwaj’s announcement in favour of the BJP candidate. It shows that he has made a pact with the saffron party.” — TNS+ Dominance in Majha at stake Chandigarh: The Gurdaspur byelection has underlined the fierce rivalry between Congress and Akali leaders in Majha. The result, to be declared on October 15, will tell who gets to boast about “Majhe da sardari”. Congress leaders Navjot Singh Sidhu and Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa have thrown their weight behind party candidate Sunil Jakhar, while prominent Akali leaders — party president Sukhbir Singh Badal and former minister Bikram Singh Majithia are backing BJP’s Swaran Salaria. Majithia, who earned the sobriquet “Majhe da jarnail” during the SAD-BJP’s 10-year rule, finds himself on a sticky wicket after the Congress made deep inroads into the border region in this year’s Assembly elections. The Sucha Singh Langah episode has been another spoiler for the Akali Dal. Sidhu, who switched over from the BJP to the Congress in the run-up to the Assembly polls, and Randhawa have emerged as powerful leaders for the ruling party in Majha. Both are known for never missing any opportunity to target the SAD. Who will bag the bragging rights in a region with a predominantly feudal mindset? We will know the answer on Sunday. — Ruchika M Khanna
Govt work comes to standstill Chandigarh: The Punjab Civil Secretariat wore a deserted look on Tuesday, with all Cabinet Ministers yet to return after two weeks of campaigning in Gurdaspur. “Tired of hectic canvassing, the ministers, other MLAs and political appointees need rest. Work is likely to resume after polling on Wednesday,” a senior party leader said. A Secretary-rank officer in the secretariat said no major decision had been taken in recent days as the ministers concerned were away. Another officer argued that no decision could be taken without the Election Commission’s nod in view of the model code of conduct. TNS Courts closed today Chandigarh: The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Tuesday declared a holiday in Gurdaspur and Pathankot district and sessions courts on Wednesday in view of the byelection. The order was issued by the High Court Chief Justice, Justice Shiavax Jal Vazifdar. TNS
Main candidates
Seven of the nine Vidhan Sabha seats under the parliamentary constituency are held by the Congress — Gurdaspur (Barindermeet Singh Pahra), Pathankot (Amit Vij), Bhoa (Joginder Pal), Dinanagar (Aruna Chaudhary), Dera Baba Nanak (Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa), Fatehgarh Churian (Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa) and Qadian (Fateh Jung Bajwa). Dinesh Singh Babbu (BJP) and Lakhbir Singh Lodhinangal (SAD) represent Sujanpur and Batala, respectively. Main candidates
- Congress: Sunil Jakhar, PPCC chief and three-time former MLA
- BJP: Swaran Salaria, business magnate; making electoral debut
- AAP: Maj Gen Suresh Khajuria (retd), another first-timer
- Batala’s industrial units, a majority of which have shut down following tax rebates given to adjoining sates of J&K and HP.
- Pathankot’s seven railway crossings on Jogindernagar-Pathankot narrow gauge railway line. These crossings are closed simultaneously at least seven times a day, restricting traffic movement.
- Waterlogging in several villages of Dinanagar Assembly seat renders fields unfit for paddy and wheat cultivation.
- The lake of the Ranjit Sagar dam yet to be developed as a tourist spot and water sports hub despite repeated promises by politicians over the years
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