CVM walks out of pact with SAD, BJP

Firefighting on

Times of Chandigarh

Chandigarh, November 28: Cracks developed in the CVM-SAD-BJP alliance today with Mr Harmohan Dhawan, president of the Chandigarh Vikas Manch (CVM), announcing an end to their month-long alliance formed for the upcoming Municipal Corporation elections.

...Meanwhile, talking to TNS, Mr Satya Pal Jain, ex-MP, stated that one could not beat the Congress without the BJP.

   "A few days back, Mr Dhawan met our leaders and expressed his desire to join us in our struggle against the Congress. We met him several times and gave him some options. We were to meet today again, however, unfortunately he unilaterally announced certain decisions. Our doors are still open to all those who are keen to join."...

CVM breaks alliance with BJP

Times of Chandigarh

CHANDIGARH: Efforts to form a formidable opposition to fight Congress during the forthcoming municipal corporation elections received a blow on Tuesday when former Union minister Harmohan Dhawan snapped his party's alliance with BJP. Dhawan also announced Chandigarh Vikas Manch candidates for ten seats.

...BJP senior leader Satyapal Jain said that Dhawan himself had approached them for a tie-up to defeat the Congress, so the announcement was quite a surprise for BJP. "On Monday we had given certain options to Dhawan, but on Tuesday he unfortunately announced the break-up,"he added. 

Jaitley addresses joint workers' meet

Yahoo India News

Chandigarh, November 26: Emphasising on having a united show to defeat the Congress party in the ensuing Municipal Corporation elections, national general secretary of Bharatiya Janata Party Arun Jaitley today claimed that the BJP-CVM-SAD alliance would register a landslide victory in the elections.

...The workers' meeting was also addressed by senior BJP leader and former MP Satya Pal Jain, president of Chandigarh Vikas Manch Harmohan Dhawan and general secretary, SAD, Captain Kanwaljeet Singh.

...They said in the last five years, the prices of essential commodities had skyrocketed, which had left the poor struggling to make both ends meet.

Price rise to be poll plank of BJP-SAD-CVM alliance

Chandigarh Tribune

Chandigarh, November 26: Putting its reported differences on seat-sharing on the backburner, the BJP-SAD-CVM alliance today kicked off its election campaign for the December 20 election to the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh (MCC), saying price rise will occupy the centrestage of the electoral battle.

...Though the other speakers were guarded in their criticism of the local Congress leadership, a former MP, Mr Satya Pal Jain, launched a scathing attack on the Minister of State for Finance, Mr Pawan Bansal, alleging that the the Congress had gone back on its majority of promises made during the 2001 MCC poll and the 2004 Lok Sabha elections.

Discounting differences among the alliance partners on the seat-sharing issue, Mr Jain claimed that the alliance was united and geared up for the crucial polls. ...

Jaitley addresses joint workers' meet

Chandigarh Newsline

Chandigarh, November 26: Emphasising on having a united show to defeat the Congress party in the ensuing Municipal Corporation elections, national general secretary of Bharatiya Janata Party Arun Jaitley today claimed that the BJP-CVM-SAD alliance would register a landslide victory in the elections.

Addressing the joint workers' meeting, Jaitley said there had been a sharp rise in the prices of essential commodities during the Congress regime. He said people were ready to uproot the Congress party in the coming elections and it was up to the opposition leaders to grab the opportunity.

Over 2,000 workers of BJP-SAD-CVM alliance were present on the occasion. Carrying flags and banners of their parties, these workers exhibited their unity ahead of the crucial party meeting in which a decision on seat sharing would be taken by the leaders. ...

...The workers' meeting was also addressed by senior BJP leader and former MP Satya Pal Jain, president of Chandigarh Vikas Manch Harmohan Dhawan and general secretary, SAD, Captain Kanwaljeet Singh. With the ensuing MC polls at the back of their in minds, these leaders touched upon the local issues and alleged that Congress had failed to fulfill the poll promises made to the people.

They said in the last five years, the prices of essential commodities had skyrocketed, which had left the poor struggling to make both ends meet.

Display of Unity: Chandigarh Vikas Manch president Harmohan Dhavan, Siromani Akali Dal general secretary Capt. Kanwaljeet Singh, Bhartiya Janata Party's general secretary Arun Jaitly and BJP's former MP Satyapal Jain join hands together at a workers convention for the preparation of local bodies elections in Chandigarh on November 26, 2006. [Photo: Akhilesh Kumar - Image Courtesy: The Hindu]

The Hindu Images

BJP-led alliance has support of Janata Party: Jain

Yahoo India News

Sunday November 26, 04:12 AM

Putting aside any differences within the alliance over the issue of seat sharing, senior BJP leader and former MP Satya Pal Jain today announced the unconditional support of the Janata Party. He said the final decision over the sharing of seats would be taken within the next two days.

   Addressing the mediapersons, Jain said BJP-CVM-SAD alliance had already announced to unitedly contest the ensuing Municipal Corporation elections. There was no threat to the alliance and talks were being held under a cordial atmosphere, he added. ...

Jain denies differences among alliance partners

Chandigarh Tribune

Chandigarh, November 25: In an effort to dispel "rumors" of an "impending breakup" of the BJP-SAD-CVM alliance, BJP leader Satya Pal Jain today said a joint workers' rally of the three parties would be addressed tomorrow by BJP general secretary Arun Jaitley.

   Addressing a press conference at the BJP office in the afternoon, Mr Jain said there was no question of "problems" in the alliance. "These are just rumors being floated by the opposition,"stated Mr Jain.

...The Janata Party today also announced "unconditional" support to the BJP.

"We will support the BJP-SAD-CVM alliance for the upcoming elections," stated Janata Party president Ajay Jagga.

Meanwhile, Lok Jan Shakti Party's UT senior vice-president Ved Prakash Jundla has joined the BJP. ...

BJP-led alliance has support of Janata Party: Jain

Chandigarh Newsline

Chandigarh, November 25: Putting aside any differences within the alliance over the issue of seat sharing, senior BJP leader and former MP Satya Pal Jain today announced the unconditional support of the Janata Party. He said the final decision over the sharing of seats would be taken within the next two days.

   Addressing the mediapersons, Jain said BJP-CVM-SAD alliance had already announced to unitedly contest the ensuing Municipal Corporation elections. There was no threat to the alliance and talks were being held under a cordial atmosphere, he added. ...

...On Sunday, BJP national general secretary Arun Jaitley alongwith party incharge Kiran Maheshwari are scheduled to visit Chandigarh. A joint workers' meeting of BJP, SAD, CVM and Janata Party would reportedly be addressed by the senior national leaders, he added. ...

'Cong failures our poll plank'

Yahoo India News

Friday November 24, 02:37 AM

... BJP leader Satya Pal Jain said, "During the elections, besides highlighting the failure of the Congress party on all fronts, the controversy surrounding all the mayors will also be highlighted. This is the first MC where allegations of nepotism and corruption are levelled against all the mayors."

'Cong failures our poll plank'

Chandigarh Newsline

Chandigarh, November 23: After failing to grab the opportunity to highlight the "shortcomings" of the Congress party during the latter's last five-year rule in the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh, the opposition alliance of BJP-CVM-SAD has decided to make controversies surrounding the mayors and other councillors of the Congress their major poll issue. ...

...BJP leader Satya Pal Jain said, "During the elections, besides highlighting the failure of the Congress party on all fronts, the controversy surrounding all the mayors will also be highlighted. This is the first MC where allegations of nepotism and corruption are levelled against all the mayors."

Tussle over ticket in Cong, seat sharing in oppn

Chandigarh Tribune

Chandigarh, November 21: Only two days are left for the filing of nominations for the Municipal Corporation elections. However, the BJP-SAD-CVM alliance is yet to decide on seat sharing.

... Talking to The Tribune, Mr Satya Pal Jain, a former BJP MP, stated that formal talks were on with the other parties. Attributing the delay to the recent sad demise of Sandeep Singh, general secretary of the Chandigarh Vikas Manch (CVM), Mr Jain said a decision would be taken in the coming three-four days.

   "It is not that big an issue. In fact in the last MCC elections candidates were announced almost on the last date of filing the nominations," he stated.

   According to sources, the BJP is preparing a list of candidates from all 26 wards. "We would, however, announce the candidates only from those wards that the BJP would contest from. We have prepared our cadre to the possibility that some of them might not get ticket after the seat sharing with the alliance," stated Mr Jain. ...

'Illegal' voters cause concern

Chandigarh Tribune

Chandigarh, November 16: Residents of the city, particularly villages, are resenting the voters' list prepared by the Election Department by including names of the occupants of illegal colonies and unauthorised places. The Pind Bachao Committee has sought cancellation of illegal votes.

...Mr Satya Pal Jain, a former Member of Parliament, said "Every citizen has the right to vote, which has nothing to do with his residence. The only rider is that no registered voter can vote at two places". ...

CVM gen secy Sandeep Singh dead

Chandigarh Tribune

Chandigarh, November 14: The BJP-SAD-CVM alliance today suffered a major jolt in the death of general secretary of the Chandigarh Vikas Manch Sandeep Singh, who died of brain haemorrage at the young age 38 at Mohali.

   Sandeep was one of the main architects of the alliance between the arch rivals, the BJP and the CVM. He was a strong contender for the alliance ticket from Ward No 21 in the next month's elections to the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh (MCC).

...Mr Satya Pal Jain, senior BJP leader, said it is not only the CVM which has suffered an irreparable loss but the cruel hands of death have snatched an emerging political leader of Chandigarh. ...

MC polls: Parties readying menifestos

Chandigarh Newsline

Chandigarh, November 9: POLITICAL parties are busy finalising their election manifesto for the Municipal Corporation elections.

Interestingly, both the Congress and the BJP have included similar issues, like providing better traffic and parking system, in their manifestos. While the BJP is talking about beautifying the city after coming to power, the Congress is promising to bring Chandigarh on international map. ...

... However, the BJP is all set to counter the development slogan of Congress by highlighting the issues of corruption, price rise and imposition of property tax, sources in the party say. Though the BJP leaders are tight-lipped on the issues included in its manifesto, sources say apart from promising further beautification of the city, the party has promised the people to provide better traffic and parking systems.

Satya Pal Jain, former BJP MP, says, "Issues affecting the life of the common man have been included in the manifesto," he added.

Cong matches BJP's star power

Times of Chandigarh

Chandigarh: The BJP and Chandigarh Vikas Manch (CVM) led by former union minister Harmoh CHANDIGARH: The Congress is all set to invite the chief ministers of four states - Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Uttaranchal - to showcase its strength at a rally it soon intends to hold for the ensuing Chandigarh municipal corporation polls. ...

...On the other hand, the BJP-led alliance has not finalised its election strategy yet. However, senior BJP leader and former MP Satya Pal Jain maintained that they would launch an intensive campaign for the MC election. "During it we would not only invite senior leaders of the party, but also leaders from Akali Dal (Badal) and Chandigarh Vikash Manch. Congress is trying to confuse the people, we would clear the mist," he said. ...

Chandigarh Vikas Manch joins hands with BJP for MC elections

PunjabNewsline.com

Chandigarh: The BJP and Chandigarh Vikas Manch (CVM) led by former union minister Harmohan Dhawan Tuesday announced political alliance for the coming Municipal Corporation (MC) elections here. ...

... Addressing a joint press conference here Dhawan and former BJP MP Satya Pal Jain said that the alliance between both the parties is the first step for their long relationship. The general secretary of Shiromani Akali Dal Capt Kanwalj t Singh was also present in the press conference.

   While replying a question on the sharing of the seats, Jain said that the decision will be taken after the draw of the reservation of seats for the women which is scheduled on November 3. ...

Dhawan, BJP join hands for MC poll

Chandigarh Tribune

Chandigarh, October 31: Stopping short of a merger, the BJP and the Chandigarh Vikas Manch(CVM) today announced an alliance for the December MC elections. Announcing the alliance at a joint press conference, the CVM chief, Mr Harmohan Dhawan, former BJP MP, Satya Pal Jain, and former Punjab minister, Kanwaljit Singh stressed on the consolidation of 'anti-Congress" forces.

   Mr Dhawan claimed that there were no pre-conditions for joining the BJP after the MC poll. ...

   ...While Capt Kanwaljit Singh and Mr Dhawan were guarded in their criticism of the Congress-led MC, Mr Jain blasted the Congress for its "betrayal" of the people's faith during the past about five years. ...

BJP, SAD (B), CVM form alliance

Chandigarh Newsline

Chandigarh, October 31: To take on the ruling Congress party in the forthcoming Municipal Corporation elections, three political parties- Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Shrimonai Akali Dal (Badal) and Chandigarh Vikas Manch (CVM)- have joined hands. The newly-formed alliance said it will win 22 of the total 26 seats.

   The announcement about the formation of the alliance was made in a press conference held at the BJP office. The alliance leaders alleged that the Congress has failed in fulfilling promises it made during the last elections.

   Senior BJP leader Satpal Jain said the BJP and Chandigarh Vikas Manch have decided to work together in the interest of the residents of Chandigarh. The electoral alliance is the start of a formal relationship between the BJP and CVM, he added. ...

... Replying to the questions, Jain alleged that some of the officials who were fighting corruption were deliberately transferred.

   He said before the last elections the Congress leaders had promised not to impose any new tax. However, after winning the MC elections taxes were imposed, he added. ...