The Hindu : Other States / Punjab News : Amarinder launches campaign for Ajnala by-election

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Thursday, Feb 10, 2005

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Amarinder launches campaign for Ajnala by-election

By Our Staff Correspondent

CHANDIGARH, FEB 9. Despite bad weather and intermittent rain, people came out in impressive numbers today to attend rallies addressed by the Punjab Chief Minister, Amarinder Singh, who formally launched the Congress party's poll campaign for the by-election for the lone Ajnala Assembly seat, located along the India-Pakistan border in Amritsar district.

Capt. Singh addressed rallies at Lango Mahal, Gaggo Mahal, Ghonewala and Ramdas villages. The party has fielded Harpratap Singh, the younger son of former Punjab Assembly Speaker, Harcharan Singh Ajnala. He faces a direct challenge from the Shiromani Akali Dal candidate, Amarpal Singh "Bony'', who is the son of a former Minister, Rattan Singh.

The by-election has been necessitated by Mr. Rattan Singh's election to the Lok Sabha. The polling, which is expected to be conducted under a tight security cover, is scheduled for February 23.

The Chief Minister advised the Akali Dal president, Parkash Singh Badal, to shun the politics of opportunism and cautioned him against befooling innocent people by stirring up sentimental issues to achieve ulterior motives. He asked the Akalis to explain their achievements in defending the rights of the State over river waters during the four Governments they formed after adopting Anandpur Sahib resolution in 1978. "Except organising dharnas, morchas and shouting hollow slogans without identifying the objective, the Akalis went nowhere,'' he said reminding that the present Congress Government had stood custodian by passing the historic Punjab Termination of Agreements Bill.

Capt. Singh further said that Congress was the only secular party which stood for fighting the fundamentalist and fissiparous forces. He reminded that peace returned to Punjab due initiatives and sacrifices of the Congress. Again it was the Congress led by its president, Sonia Gandhi, who expressed confidence in Manmohan Singh, who became the first Sikh to assume charge of the Prime Minister of India. Recently, J.J. Singh became the first Sikh to take up the responsibility of Chief of Army Staff.

Capt. Singh said that modalities were being worked out by the Union Government to set up a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) for the border districts to provide employment vistas for the youth. He disclosed that he called on the Prime Minister recently to get the project expedited. Dr. Manmohan Singh expressed his keenness to honour his commitment made during quadracentennial of the installation of Guru Granth Sahib in the Golden Temple.

Capt Singh reiterated the various initiatives his Government had taken up to improve the power scenario of the State. Besides, the State electricity board had undertaken a scheme ensure uninterrupted power supply to all villages by end of June this year. He said efficient procurement of food grains in the State during the present Government was testimony about he concern for the welfare of farmers.

Capt. Singh said that the recent visit of Pakistani Punjab Chief Minister, Pervaiz Elahi, has created a congenial atmosphere of friendship, mutual trust and goodwill. He expressed hope and confidence that with the improvement in socio economic relations of both Punjabs, prospects of trade and commerce in the border areas would also brighten up. He said that he would also be visiting Pakistan Punjab in March this year.

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