CHANDIGARH: The Shiromani Akali Dal (Mann) has become the first political party in Punjab to come out with asset of instructions for its nominees for the coming Lok Sabha and assembly elections in the State.
The instructions probably issued in the wake of the killing of three candidates all from various Akali factions-not only stress the need for personal security of each candidate but also deal with several important facets of electioneering.
According to the instructions each candidate would take care of his personal security by arranging trust-worthy guards. The candidates have been advised against taking “official” security.
Candidates have also been instructed to keep their travel plans and routes secret not to travel after dusk not to come out of their houses at night and not to go to “secret” or “confidential” meetings without at least three to four security guards.
The Dal has advised its nominees not to collect any donations from any government employee or antisocial clement. Besides they have been restrained from any kind of mud-slinging against other candidates. Electioneering should be done in accordance with the programs and policies of the dal and no candidate or party worker should be permitted to take part in electioneering after intoxication the instructions said.
Interestingly the Dal wants that religion should not be used to solicit votes. It also wants the candidates to maintain proper accounts of their election expenses.
‘The Dal (Mann) has taken serious view of the reported withdrawal from contest of Mr Dhyan Singh Mand a former MP from Valtoha assembly constituency in favor of the AISSF chief Bhai Manjit Singh.
The Dal has also expelled a number of its party workers for their alleged “anti-panthic” activities. They include Mr Darshan Singh Mand president of the Faridkot unit of the Dal besides Mr Gurdev Singh Rameana Mr Sardool Singh Broondi Mr Talib Singh Sandhu and Mr Kuldip Singh. Mr Ajmer Singh Fauji of Mehna has been appointed the new Jathedar of Faridkot district.
Meanwhile the Dal list issued today says that it is trying to adopt Ms Ravinder Kaur as its nominee for the Ropar parliamentary seat. Other candidates are Mr Gurpal Singh (Ferozepore) Mr Gurmeet Singh Khudian (Faridkot) MrSat Pal Singh (Bathinda) Mr Maninderjit Singh (Sangrur) Mr Kamikar Singh (Ludhiana) Mr Mewa Singh (Patiala) Mr Jiwan Singh (Hoshiarpur) Mr Satwant Singh Mohi (Phillaur) Mr Samam Singh (Jalandhar) Mr Tarlochan Singh Tur (Tarn Taran) Mr Sarabjit Singh (Amritsar) and Mr Ajab Singh (Gurdaspur).
The Dal also released a list of 114 candidates for the assembly elections.
Article extracted from this publication >> May 24, 1991
