13112026-TTC-01.qxd 11/13/2026 12:47 AM Page 1 13 CHANDIGARH | GURUGRAM | JALANDHAR | BATHINDA | VOL. 10 NO. 313 | 18 PAGES | ~5.00 | REGD. NO. CHD/0006/2024-2026 ESTABLISHED IN 1881 BULLDOZER ROLLS UP OUTSIDE ABHISHEK’S WB HOUSE >> NATION /thetribunechd BIBI’S WIFE CLASHES WITH EX-PM BENNETT IN PARL >> WORLD GEOPOLITICAL SPILLOVER SONIA’S MEMOIR UNDER MARKS WEST ASIA WAR FIRE OVER FACTUAL >> MILITARY LIT FEST ERRORS >> BACK PAGE friday | 13 november 2026 /thetribunechd www.tribuneindia.com AAP names 31 more for SAD-BJP pact in final stages, Sukhbir likely Punjab poll, drops 8 MLAs to meet Shah today Two sitting MPs fielded | Nephew replaces Khudian Aditi Tandon Ruchika M Khanna Tribune News Service Tribune News Service Security personnel check a vehicle in Srinagar following the Kulgam terror attack on a CRPF checkpost. ANI Day later, bullet-riddled bodies of 2 missing SPOs found in Kishtwar Arjun Sharma Tribune News Service Jammu, November 12 The two Special Police Officers (SPOs) who had gone missing in the Dachhan-Marwah area of Kishtwar district in Jammu division on Wednesday were found dead with bullet wounds on Thursday, prompting security forces to launch a massive anti-terror operation. The service weapons of the two victims, identified as Bobby Chand and Rashpal Kumar, both residents of Kiyar, were missing from the continued on page 10 Kejriwal, daughter get death threat from Bishnoi gang MOHALI: The Punjab Police have registered a case following a complaint filed by Delhi AAP MLA Jarnail Singh, who claimed to have received a death threat message concerning party leader Arvind Kejriwal and his daughter. The MLA claimed that he received both a call and a WhatsApp message on his mobile phone on November 6. The caller, who identified as a member of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, allegedly demanded ~7 crore. INSIDE Visa to attend Cong summit cancelled: Norwegian scribe NEW DELHI: Norwegian journalist Helle Lyng has claimed that her Indian visa was cancelled at the last minute, moments before she was scheduled to leave for the airport in Norway to attend the Congress-organised Bharat Summit in Hyderabad. She was invited to speak on media, press freedom and democracy. Lyng attributed the alleged decision to “orders from above” in the Ministry of Home Affairs. — TNS Can’t wait for violence to end: Farooq bats for talks with Pak Speaking to reporters in JamJammu, November 12 National Conference (NC) pres- mu, Abdullah said he had conident Farooq Abdullah on sistently urged Pakistan to abandon terrorism and take Thursday called for diathe path of dialogue, logue between India maintaining that neither and Pakistan to resolve bullets nor military conall outstanding disfrontation could resolve putes, asserting that political disputes. waiting for the guns to Responding to a fall silent before initiatFarooq Abdullah question on the BJP’s ing talks would be too late. He also reiterated that stand that talks and bullets Kashmir was and would always could not go together, he said remain an integral part of India. continued on page 10 Chandigarh, November 12 The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Thursday announced its second list of 31 candidates for the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections, replacing eight MLAs, including Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian. The party has also fielded two sitting MPs for the Assembly elections. The latest list takes the total number of candidates announced by the party to 71, even as no other party has declared its candidates so far. AAP had released its first list of 40 candidates on October 31. Khudian, who represents Lambi, has been replaced by his nephew, Randhir Singh Dhira. Dhira said he had the blessings of his uncle, who had assured him of support during the election campaign. Lambi is also the most important seat for the SAD and party president Sukhbir Singh Badal is likely to contest from this seat in the upcoming elections. Among the other prominent replacements today are Nitin Kohli, who has been fielded from Jalandhar Central in FIELDED Raj Kumar Chabbewal Phagwara Meet Hayer Barnala place of Raman Arora; Gopal Singh from Bathinda Rural in place of Amit Rattan; Jaskanwar Singh, alias Jassa Patti, from Patti in place of Laljit Singh Bhullar (a former minister, who is in jail); Jasvir Singh Garhi from Chamkaur Sahib in place of Dr Charanjit Singh; Parminder Singh Goldy from Kharar in place of Anmol Gagan Maan; and Varinder Kaur Loomba from Shutrana in place of Kulwant Singh Bazigar. In Amritsar North, where sitting MLA Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh resigned last week to join the BJP AAP , has fielded former Amritsar Mayor Karamjit Singh Rintu. Two sitting AAP MPs, Raj Kumar Chabbewal and Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer, have been named the candi- DROPPED Gurmeet S Khudian Lambi MLA Laljit Singh Bhullar Patti MLA dates from Phagwara and Barnala, respectively. Interestingly, both were MLAs till the 2024 General Election, when they contested and won as MPs from Hoshiarpur and Sangrur, respectively. The party has retained two sitting MLAs in this list — Saravjit Kaur Manuke from Jagraon and Amandeep Singh Goldy Musafir from Balluana. Five women candidates figure in the list. Besides Manuke and Loomba, the party has fielded Sonia Mann from Rajasansi, Suhani Doda from Abohar and Harjot Kaur Lohtia from Phillaur. Two players, wrestler Jaskanwar Singh, alias Jassa Patti, and kabaddi player Balvir Singh Pala continued on page 10 Channi kicks off youth cycle yatra as Cong At 6.09%, inflation projects unity ahead of ’27 Assembly poll exceeds RBI’s upper Senior leaders share stage, target AAP over drug issue limit; rate hike likely Rajmeet Singh & Lalit Mohan Tribune News Service Chamkaur Sahib, November 12 The Punjab Congress on Thursday launched its Jawani Sambhal Cycle Yatra, with Congress MP and former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi leading the party’s outreach campaign from Chamkaur Sahib ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections. Congress general secretary and Punjab affairs in-charge Sachin Pilot, along with senior state leaders, was present as the yatra was flagged off from Chamkaur Sahib, the Assembly constituency earlier represented by Channi, who is now the MP from Jalandhar. The first phase of the eightday yatra will cover around 625 km across 28 Assembly constituencies. The campaign is aimed at mobilising youth against drug abuse and highlighting the alleged failures of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government. Seen as Channi’s outreach to Punjab’s youth, the event also turned into a show of Aditya Rangroo Tribune News Service Punjab Congress in-charge Sachin Pilot, PPCC chief Pargat Singh, former CM Charanjit Singh Channi, CLP leader Partap Singh Bajwa and other senior leaders at Chamkaur Sahib in Ropar. PHOTO: RAVI KUMAR strength for the Congress, with a large number of senior leaders coming together to project unity ahead of the Assembly polls. Pilot flagged off the yatra in the presence of Punjab Pradesh Congress Commit- tee chief Pargat Singh, Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, Rana Gurjeet Singh and Vijay Inder Singla, among others. Former PPCC chief Amrinder Singh Raja War- ring, who was conspicuous by his absence at the rally, said he could not attend due to a personal exigency. Before the launch, Channi paid obeisance at Gurdwara Katalgarh Sahib. Elaborate arrangements were continued on page 10 New Delhi, November 12 Retail inflation surged to 6.09 per cent in October, breaching the Reserve Bank of India’s upper tolerance limit for the first time in two years and strengthening expectations that the central bank may consider a policy rate hike next month. Consumer Price Index (CPI)-based retail inflation had stood at 5.54 per cent in September. A sustained rise in food and beverage prices, along with higher inflation in restaurant services and transport, contributed significantly to the increase in the October headline figure. Data released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation showed that food inflation jumped to 8.94 per cent in October from 7.74 per cent in September, underscoring continued price pressures in essential commodities and Household expenses climb as food prices surge to 8.94% their impact on overall inflation. The latest reading comes after the government revised the base year for the CPI from 2012 to 2024 in February this year, updating the basket of goods used to measure price changes. With inflation crossing the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) tolerance band of 2-6 per cent, concerns have resurfaced over persistent price pressures. Food items, which account for nearly 40 per cent of the CPI basket, continue to be the main driver of retail inflation. Onion prices have nearly doubled since the start of the year, while protein-rich foods such as meat, milk and eggs have also witnessed significant price increases. continued on page 10 Former Punjab SSP gets5-yrjailin1992 disappearancecase Mohali, November 12 A Special CBI court in Mohali on Thursday sentenced former Punjab Police SSP Gurmeet Singh Randhawa to five years’ imprisonment in the 1992 disappearance case of Ludhiana-based transporter Amrik Singh Sakri. Randhawa was convicted on Wednesday, while the quantum of sentence was announced on Thursday. The conviction came nearly 34 years after Sakri was allegedly picked up by the Punjab Police from a wedding palace in Ludhiana and thereafter he disappeared. Co-accused constable Parminderjit Singh, alias Babbu, was acquitted in the case. Randhawa, who was then Deputy Superintendent of Police, Tarn Taran, was convicted under Sections 365 and 120B of the IPC. The court sentenced him to five years' imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 for abduction, besides awarding a two-year jail term and a fine of Rs 25,000 for criminal conspiracy. Both sentences will run concurrently. INSIDE Nvidia CEO quits amid twin affairs, Kress takes charge Special session of Parl for IIT-Kharagpur to offer6postgraduate In blow to AI boom, tech giant’s market value tanks further after losing No. 2 spot to Microsoft Hong Kong, November 12 ing as a spy for Beijing. His entrepreneur and venture said it took its obligation to medical courses Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang troubles compounded late investor. Shares of Nvidia comply with US export conNEW DELHI: The Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, has become the first IIT to introduce National Medical Commission-accredited PG medical courses, offering six MD specialisations from the 2026-27 academic session. The institute will offer a total of 12 seats at its Dr BC Roy Multi-Speciality Medical Research Centre. The programmes will cover general medicine, radiology, physiology, pathology, community medicine and biochemistry, with two seats in each discipline. BACK PAGE New Delhi, November 12 The much-anticipated alliance between the Shiromani Akali Dal and the BJP for the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections is nearing finalisation, with both sides eyeing an announcement on the pact this month. Two top BJP sources on Thursday confirmed the development to The Tribune, with one of them saying that the plan was to announce the pre-poll arrangement in November itself. In line with these developments, SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal is learnt to be arriving in Delhi tomorrow, sources said. He has also had to postpone a scheduled Friday event in Punjab to welcome rebel Bibi Jagir Kaur back into the party fold. Sukhbir is expected to meet BJP’s top strategist and Union Home Minister Amit Shah tomorrow. He may also meet Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil, who is Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s pointsperson for Punjab election strategy and planning. Patil is spearheading the BJP’s ground-level surveys across Punjab, including the seat-by-seat assessment in the 117-member Assembly and an evaluation of constituencies considered winnable for the party. Sources said the chief ministership question would be addressed after the election results amid indications that the partner winning more seats may stake claim to the top post. It remains to be seen how the SAD negotiates this issue with the BJP . Meanwhile, the top RSS brass has also scheduled a Punjab poll strategy meeting in Chandigarh tomorrow. Arun Kumar, RSS joint general secretary handling northern states, will chair the event, which is expected to be attended by senior Sangh and BJP leaders from the state. Back in Delhi, a BJP source said seat-sharing talks with the SAD were underway. The BJP is said to be insisting on at least 45 seats. “We will win several rural seats and will no longer be a mere urban or semi-urban party,” a senior BJP leader said, adding that the party was reaching out to all sections of Punjab society. The BJP is especially concentrating on 34 reserved constituencies. resigned on Thursday after his alleged extramarital affairs raised national security concerns, in a spectacular downfall for the longtime head of the chipmaker, a vital player in the artificial intelligence boom. The company named Colette Kress as interim chief executive. She is the current executive vice-president and chief financial officer. Huang faced growing calls to resign after his affair with a Chinese businesswoman who reportedly was also act- Wednesday after media reports said Huang had another extramarital affair with an Nvidia employee who reported to him. Kress took over the role as Nvidia’s chief financial officer in 2013, overseeing the company’s global finance operations. Before that, she worked for three years at Cisco and spent 13 years at Microsoft. In a statement Thursday, Kress said Nvidia’s “strength has always come from its people” and that she Jensen Huang Colette Kress was “committed to building on the extraordinary foundation Jensen created over the last 33 years”. The board of directors said it had also named its first-ever chairman, Harvey C Jones, an tumbled 14 per cent at the opening bell on Thursday, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq slid 1.5 per cent. Nvidia’s board had gathered to discuss Huang’s future after revelations about his affair with Alice Huang, a former executive at Singapore-based Megaspeed International suspected of being a Chinese government agent. The two are not related. In its first statement since the scandal broke, Megaspeed on Thursday Today’s issue is of 18 pages, including four-page Jalandhar Tribune. c m y b trol laws “extremely seriously”. The company prominently touts a partnership with Nvidia on its website. “Megaspeed is committed to working constructively and transparently with the US government,” said the statement signed by its chairman and CEO, Tan Yong Pong, who also goes by James Tan. Nvidia has said it had “no reason to believe” that national security was compromised, but that its inquiry would examine all available information. — AP women’s quota Bill soon Aditi Tandon Tribune News Service New Delhi, November 12 The government has not abandoned plans of calling a special session of Parliament to clear the pending agenda of delimitation and 33 per cent women’s reservation. Top sources today said a special session was in the works as parliamentary managers were now confident of securing the high majority needed to clear the Constitution amendment Bills. The sources said they were confident they would win with a margin of “15 to 18 votes”, adding that the winter session was normally held in December but a special session could be called before that. The confidence stems from ongoing efforts of government leaders to engage all parties across the political spectrum to formalise 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies, and endorse a delimitation of constituency plans to do the same. The previous versions of the Bills were defeated on the floor of continued on page 10