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P4 » SUNSET TUESDAY 6.00 PM SUNRISE WEDNESDAY 7:25 AM » TUESDAY | 28 JANUARY 2025 | AMRITSAR Dr BR Ambedkar’s AAP’s Jatinder Bhatia is new city Mayor Vandalism offlakfromallquarters statue draws Congress holds demonstration, alleges unfair election for top post of the MC PK Jaiswar Tribune News Service AAP state unit president Aman Arora (2nd to left) and Cabinet Minister Kuldeep Dhaliwal at a press conference; and (right) Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring argues with Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh in Amritsar on Monday. PHOTOS: VISHAL KUMAR Charanjit Singh Teja Tribune News Service Amritsar, January 27 Aam Aadmi Party’s Jatinder Singh Moti Bhatia was elected Mayor, Priyanka Sharma as Senior Deputy Mayor, and Anita Rani as Deputy Mayor during a stormy General House meeting of the Amritsar Municipal Corporation (MC) here today. The election was reportedly conducted by attaining a majority through a show of hands. Congress councillors and leaders claimed that the AAP announced names of the Mayor and other office-bearers without holding proper elections. Congress councillors and senior leadership, led by state president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, staged a demonstration outside the Government Medical College, where the swearing-in ceremony of Mayor and others was held. The Congress has decided to move the court to oppose the alleged unfair election process. Jatinder Singh Moti Bhatia said, “I am thankful to the sen- AMAN ARORA THANKS SAD COUNCILLORS FOR VOTING IN AAP’s FAVOUR During a press conference here, AAP state unit president Aman Arora thanked four SAD councillors, who reportedly gave them unconditional support, for electing his party’s Mayor. However, while talking to The Tribune, SAD councillors Avtar Singh Truckanwala, Inderjeet Singh Pandoori and Nagwinder Kaur said they were not even aware of who the AAP’s mayoral candidate was in the House or who was elected for the post. Meanwhile, Congress councillors claimed that SAD councillors had initially decided to vote against the incumbent government. Upset over the announcement of the Mayor without proper voting process, SAD councillors joined Congress councillors in their protest. ior leadership of the AAP and the people of Amritsar for giving me this responsibility. I will pursue water, sewer and sanitation issues and find solution. Development works will be carried out as per the suggestions of local AAP leaders.” The Congress claimed support a total of 41 councillors out of 92, which included 85 councillors and seven MLAs from the urban constituencies. After the election, while protesting against the government, the Congress held a parade of its 41 councillors. Four SAD councillors also joined the Congress members and claimed they were in the House to vote against the incumbent government, but no elections were held. SAD Councillor Avtar Singh Truckanwala said, “The entire election process was completed within two minutes. We are not even aware of whom they declared Mayor.” The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) decided to walk out of the House after taking the oath ceremony. The saffron party’s seven councillors did not participate in the voting held for the mayoral elections. The AAP won only 24 seats, but seven independents and 2 BJP councillors joined them. With the support of seven AAP MLAs, their total number reached 40. With the support of seven MLAs, AAP’s total number reached 41. Congress leaders claimed that with the four votes of the SAD councillors, they could have proven their majority if elections were held fairly. Raj Kawal Preet Pal Singh Lucky, the Congress aspirant for Mayor, said, “It is a murder of democracy. They undemocratically announced the Mayor. We have more members in the House than AAP and the support of the SAD. They didn’t even announce the Congress candidate’s name in the House. As per the law, the names of candidates should be announced, and then the observer should count hands. But they didn’t follow the process.” Meanwhile, the AAP issued a statement claiming that during the elections, two Congress councillors remained absent from the House, weakening the party’s position. Besides, both the Congress and the BJP failed to nominate their mayoral candidates, indicating a lack of preparation and internal coordination. The Congress senior leadership started an indefinite protest dharna on the circular road while AAP leaders held a press conference and claimed a historic win in MC polls. At a press conference, Aman Arora said, “Today, the AAP has been entrusted with the opportunity to serve the holy land of Guru Sahib. Our team will begin work immediately to transform Amritsar into a beautiful and welldeveloped city. The guarantees in our corporation manifesto will be implemented without delay. We extend our gratitude to the SAD councillors for their support.” On this occasion, Cabinet Ministers Harpal Singh Cheema, Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, Harbhajan Singh ETO, and MLAs Inderbir Singh Nijjar, Dr Jasbir Singh, Jiwan Jot Kaur, Dr Ajay Gupta and Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh were also present. Amritsar, January 27 A day after vandalisation of the life size statue of Dr BR Ambedkar at Town Hall in Heritage Street here on Sunday, a number of political leaders of the state government and from the opposition parties visited the site. While opposition leader criticised the AAP government over deteriorating law and order situation in Punjab, the ruling party leaders reiterated their stand to take stern action against culprits behind the incident. The incident has invited widespread condemnation from all quarters, while various Dalit community organisations held demonstration at the Bhandari bridge against the incident. AAP leaders led by Cabinet minister and AAP president Aman Arora visited the spot in the evening today. Among others, who accompanied him, include Cabinet Ministers Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, Harbhajan Singh ETO and Harpal Cheema. They garlanded Dr BR Ambedkar’s statue and paid rich tributes to him. Condemning the incident, the ministers said nobody would be allowed to disturb the peaceful atmosphere in Punjab. Cheema said the accused in the incident was arrested and the case would be investigated threadbare. “A high-level probe is underway and whoever is found involved will be taken to task,” he said. Amritsar MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla also strongly condemned the incident, while adding that such acts insult the ideals of jus- MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla (left) with senior Congress leader Raj Kumar Verka washes sculpture of the Constitution of India near statue of Dr BR Ambedkar in Amritsar. tice, equality and secularism gifted to citizens. Aujla along with another senior Congress leader Raj Kumar Verka washed Dr Ambedkar’s statue with milk following the desecration incident. Last night Partap Singh Bajwa also visited the site. While condemning the incident, Bajwa alleged that Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann was busy in election campaigns in Delhi, while leaving Punjab and its people at the mercy of the God. The law and order in Pun- jab was deteriorating, he said. Aujla demanded a probe into the incident by a sitting judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Senior SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia termed the incident as “pre-planned and premeditated conspiracy” to create division in civil society. The incident had exposed total failure of the police, he said, while adding that accountability of officials concerned should be fixed. He also demanded action against senior police officials. Saundh unfurls Tricolour at R-Day function in Guru Nanak Stadium Commuters irked as Launches helpline number to encourage children and adults to do business under the “Future Tycoon” protesters block roads Neeraj Bagga Tribune News Service Cabinet Minister Tarunpreet Singh Saundh at a Republic Day function at Guru Nanak Stadium; and (right) BSF soldiers during the flag hoisting ceremony at the Attar-Wagah border post on Sunday. SUNIL KUMAR Tribune News Service Amritsar, January 27 Cabinet Minister Tarunpreet Singh Saundh launched the helpline number for Future Tycoon and a rehabilitation centre, a project that helps children and adults to do business in Amritsar, while he was chief guest at the Republic Day function at the Guru Nanak Stadium here on Sunday. Holding diverse portfolios, including Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Investment Promotion, Labour, Hospitality, Industry and Commerce and Rural Development and Panchayat he touched almost all these issues in his speech, which he delivered at the function. Talking about Amritsar, Saundh said he awarded 100 farmers of the district, who did not burn stubble with the Kisan Hero award, adopted 1,700 TB patients to make the district TB free, and set up girls’ self-help groups. Projects like starting Mind Spark Labs in schools to strive for and impart education for schoolchildren according to their interests were launched, he said. While attending the function held to mark the 76th Republic Day, Saundh paid tributes to Indian armed forces, which made supreme sacrifices for the country, while remembering martyrs Shaheed Udham Singh and Bhagat Singh and valuable contribution of freedom fighters and of Dr BR Ambedkar. Unfurling the Tricolour Saundh said the state government had doubled the exgratia amount given to families of martyred soldiers and the police personnel. He said, “Fulfilling the promise of providing employment to the youth, our government has given 50,000 government jobs during the past 34 months and this process is continuing. Employment, health, education, free electricity and other administrative reforms are the main agenda of our government.” At least 881 Aam Aadmi Clinics, where lakhs of people were getting free of cost treatment every day were started, he said. Besides, 118 schools of eminence were running to impart world-class education to children, he said. On administrative reforms, he said 43 citizen-centric services were being provided. Instead of visiting government offices, citizens could call on the helpline number 1076 from the comfort of their own homes and get the service at their convenience. He said the government spent over Rs 73 crore for the maintenance, innovation and modernisation of ancient and historical buildings related to tourism and culture in 2024. BSF celebrates Republic Day with patriotic fervour The Border Security Force (BSF), Punjab Frontier, displayed enthusiasm and nationalistic fervour during 76th Republic Day celebrations here. Satish S Khandare, ADG, HQ, SDG, WC, Chandigarh, unfurled the National flag at the BSF Headquarters in Khasa on the occasion, in the presence of Dr Atul Fulzele, IG, BSF Punjab, and OP Upadhyay, IG (Ops), WC. He commended both the BSF and the local population for their active participation in BSF’s anti-drug drives, as well as the unwavering sup- c m y b port of the village defence committees (VDCs) in assisting the force to prevent transborder smuggling. Speaking on the occasion he highlighted the significant achievements of the Punjab Frontier, which included the seizure of 301 kg of heroin, the recovery of 319 Pakistani drones, 40 weapons, and more than 375 rounds of ammunition. Besides, 101 Indian smugglers and 30 Pakistani intruders were apprehended, while five Pakistani intruders were neutralised during infiltration from Pakistan to the Indian territory from January 1, 2024, to January 26, 2025, he said. HN. Joshi, Commandant, unfurled the National Flag at the historic Attari Joint Check Post. The ADG also witnessed a friendly cricket match between the teams of Eastern Command and Western Com- mand of the BSF at the Khasa playground in Amritsar. He presented prizes to the teams. The main function of this momentous day was held at the Attari JCP in the evening. The ceremony featured a series of performances, including a patriotic song by singer Satinder Sartaj, a thrilling dog show, the Gatka performance and cultural and patriotic presentations by school and college students, along with other institutions. The BSF Mahila BOLDS team and the BSF Mahila band also gave a spectacular performance, infusing the crowd with waves of patriotic fervour. Following this, the ADG unveiled the T-Shirts for the fourth edition of the “Bordermen Marathon-2025”, scheduled for February 23 with the theme “Hand in hand with border population”. Amritsar, January 27 Commuters today had a harrowing experience while driving on city roads as most crucial crossing points were blocked by Dalit organisations protesting against yesterday’s vandalisation of Dr BR Ambedkar’s statue. Traffic movement was further curtailed after leaders of major political parties arrived in Amritsar for selecting a Mayor prompting the police to divert traffic on certain major city roads. Inderpreet Singh of the Anand Avenue said a portion of the old Jail road was blocked to felicitate the movement of Congress leaders, who had gathered at a hotel, before heading towards the municipal corporation (MC) office to elect the Mayor. He said, “To my surprise, the passage heading towards the Bhandari railway overbridge was completely choked. The police standing at the barricaded approach road conveyed that protesters had blocked the Bhandari bridge due to which traffic movement was completely stopped.” “The same scene was witnessed at the Hukum Singh road railway overbridge where vehicles were lined up well before the traffic lights at the mouth of the Batala road. The situation same at Joda Phatak. At that point I dropped the idea of going to my shop in the walled city area which is situated across the railway line.” Rachit Arora, a resident of Bharat Nagar on the Batala road, said he was to deliver lunch to his relative at a private hospital on the GT road. However, when he reached Sant Singh Sukha Singh Chowk, he found the road ahead blocked. “I turned to the Majitha road to take further diversion from the Lawrence road. Commuters coming from the walled city to the Bhandari railway overbridge and the elevated road were stuck in traffic jam. Serpentine queues of vehicles were seen on elevated road,” he said. Vehicles were stuck in a traffic jam on the adjoining Cooper Road, Crystal Chowk, Ram Bagh, outside Hall Gate, Hathi Gate and on various other roads in the city, he said. People cross Bhandari Bridge on foot to reach railway station as traffic was stopped following a protest by Dalits in Amritsar.