Moga bypoll : Deploy central forces in Moga, demands Cong

Thursday, 31/01/2013

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2013/20130131/punjab.htm#5

Moga : The Congress has urged the Election Commission (EC) to deploy central security forces in the Moga assembly segment for the entire electioneering period beginning from the filing of nominations till the day of counting.

Talking to mediapersons here today, PCC president Capt Amarinder Singh said the party would write to the Chief Election Commissioner seeking deployment of security forces not just during polling but for the entire period of the election process.

He said the state police was under tremendous pressure and demoralised by the "arm-twisting" attitude of the Akalis. "Hence, it may not be possible for them to act in a fair and impartial manner," he said.

He alleged the incidents of Amritsar ASI's murder and attack on an AIG in Ludhiana by SAD workers reflected humiliation of police officers by Akalis and their kin. "It is thus very difficult to expect them (police personnel) not to submit to the Akalis diktats," he said.

Later addressing party leaders from across the state who had come to attend the meeting in wake of the Moga byelection, Capt Amarinder said the local people were feeling cheated by Joginder Pal Jain who had struck a business deal with the Akalis. He claimed that the people would teach him a lesson.

"We have provided the best alternative to the electorate in Vijay Sathi, who has a clean image throughout his political career," he said.

Local party leaders, including Dr Malti Thapar, Darshan Singh Brar, Ajit Singh Shant, Sukhjit Singh Kaka, Jagdarshan Kaur, Jagroop Singh Takhtupura, Sukhwinder Singh Danny, Dr Tara Singh Sandhu, Vinod Bansal and Vijay Dheer, were present on the occasion.

Rahul to discuss bypoll
Vice-President of the All India Congress Committee Rahul Gandhi has called a meeting of senior party leaders in New Delhi on Thursday to discuss party's strategy for the ensuing Moga assembly byelection. A leader said Rahul had called CWC member Jagmeet Singh Brar and PCC president Capt Amarinder Singh for the meeting.

No rationale, says SAD
Chandigarh: The SAD has said by demanding the deployment of central forces without any rationale, the Punjab Congress chief has conceded defeat in the Moga byelection. The demand has been made only to make a ground for justification of the defeat which the Congress will face in the byelection, it said.

In a press statement issued today, party secretary and spokesman Dr Daljit Singh Cheema said the demand for deployment of central forces in Moga was immature, illogical and uncalled for. "It is an insult to the highly distinguished police force of the state which is known for its efficiency throughout the country," he stated.

49 cases of liquor seized
Moga: Hours after the notification for Moga Assembly bypoll by the Election Commission, the Excise and Taxation department today seized 49 liquor cases from a dharamsala (community centre) in Moga city and took into custody a mahant (religious leader) for further investigations.

Rajwinder Kaur, Assistant Excise and Taxation Commissioner (AETC), who is also additional returning officer for the Moga bypoll, said on a tip-off, an excise department team raided the community centre premises in the old town area in the afternoon.

During a search, 49 cases of liquor were seized from there.