DHURI BYPOLL - Factionalism in Akali Dal, rival groups hold separate rallies
Sunday, 05/04/2015
http://www.indiapress.org/gen/news.php/The_Tribune/
Bhalwan (Dhuri) : Factionalism in the Akali Dal today came to the fore in this village of the Dhuri assembly constituency as Chief Minister (CM) Parkash Singh Badal addressed two rallies in the village in favour of party candidate Gobind Singh Longowal.
The first rally at Bhalwan village was held by SGPC member Bhupinder Singh Bhalwan and sarpanch Jarnail Singh while the second rally was organised by former sarpanch Baldev Singh.
Sources said factionalism in the party might hamper Longowal's prospects. Sarpanch Jarnail Singh admitted that due to factionalism in the village, former sarpanch Baldev Singh had organised a separate rally near bus stand on the Bhalwan-Dhuri road.
Addressing the first rally, Badal said the SAD would win this byelection with a record margin owing to party's high credibility while, on the other hand, the Barnala family was contesting on Congress ticket. He said instead of bowing before Sonia Gandhi for Congress ticket, the Barnalas should have stayed away from the election.
He criticised Capt Amarinder Singh and Rajinder Kaur Bhattal for giving statement in Dhuri that they could not do anything for the people as the SAD-BJP government would remain in power for at least two years. He said only SAD could execute development works, so people should vote for the SAD candidate and give a crushing defeat to the Congress.
Others present were Cabinet ministers Parminder Singh Dhindsa and Sohan Singh Thandal, SAD candidate Gobind Singh Longowal, SGPC member Bhupinder Singh Bhalwan and MLA Iqbal Singh Jhundan.
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Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal on Saturday said the SAD-BJP alliance was important for Punjab and ‘Punjabiat’. Addressing a rally of BJP workers organised by senior BJP leader Brajeshwar Goyal here today, Sukhbir said the byelection was a test of the SAD-BJP unity as the entire rank and file of both parties realised the need to fast-track development in the constituency. He said: "I am committed to changing the face of this constituency within one year. All essential services, including water works, sewerage, street roads and lights, will be provided within one year."
SAD-BJP to blame for state's ruin: Raja Warring
President of the Indian Youth Congress Amarinder Singh Raja Warring on Saturday held the SAD-BJP government responsible for rising unemployment and drug addiction in the state. Warring campaigned in favour of Congress candidate Simar Pratap Singh Barnala in various villages of the Dhuri constituency. He visited more than six villages, including Bhasaur, Palasaur, Dugni, Kaheru and Kumbarrwal. Warring said there were no new employment avenues, but instead, the existing industry was moving out of Punjab. He asked the Chief Minister to list a single project undertaken by the government for the betterment of state's youth.
CM indulging in smear campaign: Bhattal
Former Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Rajinder Kaur Bhattal on Saturday accused Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal of indulging in smear campaign to woo voters. Bhattal is on a tour to various villages of the Dhuri constituency to canvass for Congress candidate Simar Pratap Singh Barnala, grandson of former CM Surjit Singh Barnala. She held election rallies at Rajomajra, Dhandhiwal and Balian villages. She said: "Badal is fearing defeat in the Dhuri assembly byelection. He seems to have lost his political mooring as his utterances during the campaign at election meetings reflect frustration on his part and Akalis." She criticised the Badal government for imposing water cess on canal water. She said the government had failed to protect the interests of farmers.
