Rs 74.90 CR VALUABLES SEIZED AFTER ENFORCEMENT OF CODE

Chandigarh: After the Model Code of Conduct came into force in the state for Punjab Vidhan Sabha elections, various enforcement teams have seized valuables worth Rs 74.90 crores in violation of code till January 22 (Saturday). The state Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Dr S Karuna Raju on Sunday said that surveillance teams have seized 11.38 lakh litres of liquor worth Rs 3.62 crore. Similarly, the enforcement wings have also recovered psychotropic substances amounting to Rs 56.17 crores besides confiscating unaccounted cash of Rs 14.05 crore, he added. As per the Election Commission’s directions, Dr Raju said that of total 3,90,275 licensed weapons in the state, 3,69,086 have been deposited till date, while 41 without licenses weapons were seized.

SSM ANNOUNCES 8 MORE CANDIDATES

Chandigarh: Sanyukt Samaj Morcha, Punjab’s farmers’ political outfit, on Sunday announced eight more candidates for the ensuing state Assembly elections. The announcement came a day after the Morcha, in a surprising move, announced gangster-turned-social activist Lakha Sidhana as its candidate from Maur. With the fresh list, the SSM has now announced 76 candidates for February 20 polls. The party has named retired bureaucrat Khushi Ram from Phagwara, Chamkaur Singh from Bathinda Rural, Raj Kumar Mahal Khurd from Banga, Rashpal Singh Raju from Chabbewal, Dr Jang Bahadur Singh Rai from Garhshankar, Jaswant Singh Randhawa from Mukerian, Gora Singh from Bhadaur, and Kuldeep Singh Dalla from Jagraon. Besides the SSM has also withdrawn the candidature of two candidates fielded earlier — Harwinder Singh Harpalpur from Rajpura and Balraj Singh Thakur from Kadian. The decision has been taken in view of suggestions by the public, said the SSM spokesperson.

SAD FIELDS FORMER MLA JALAL USMAN FROM BABA BAKALA

Chandigarh: Shiromani Akali Dal on Sunday announced the candidature of former MLA Baljit Singh Jalal Usma as party candidate from Baba Bakala segment in Amritsar district for next month’s Punjab Assembly polls. With this, the party has, so far, declared 95 candidates of the total 97 seats it will contest in alliance with BSP. SAD is yet to announce candidates for key constituencies of Lambi and Amritsar East. Lambi is currently represented by former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, while Punjab Congress president Navjot Singh Sidhu is seeking his re-elections from the Amritsar East segment.

3 AKALI FAMILIES JOIN CONGRESS

Mohali: In a push to Congress election campaign in Mohali, three Akali families have joined the Congress party at Sekhan Majra village on Sunday. In the presence of Balbir Singh Sidhu, the former cabinet minister and Congress candidate from Mohali, the families declared support to Balbir Sidhu while expressing full faith in his leadership. The families said that they were impressed with Sidhu’s relentless work in rural areas in past years. To help him in continuing his good work and to ensure his re-election from Mohali with a big margin, we joined his campaign and Congress. Meanwhile, Sidhu maintained that he was committed to improve Mohali’s basic infrastructure. “We have tried hard to improve the town on every index of development. In past years, it has remained our endeavor to bring a planned development in every sphere of Mohali,” he said.

HEAVY RAIN FAILs TO DAMPEN CANDIDATES’ SPIRITS

Mohali: Heavy rains throughout the day, coupled with chilly weather, failed to dampen the spirit of young and energetic Ravneet Brar, candidate from farmers’ political outfit ‘Samyukta Samaj Morcha’ from Mohali. Brar continued his election campaign on Sunday in Mohali’s various villages and received an overwhelming response. Accompanied by limited supporters as per Election Commission’s guidelines in the wake of COVID-19 protocol, Brar lashed out at his opponents while assuring the overall development of the constituency—covering both urban and rural areas.