The Tribune – It’s ‘Bibi Day’ at Kapurthala jail

Deepkamal Kaur, Tribune News Service

Theh Kanjli (Kapurthala), Mar 31. It was a busy day today for staff at the Kapurthala Modern Jail, which saw scores of visitors
pouring in from across the state. Each one of them wanted to meet the VVIP inmate, Bibi Jagir Kaur, sentenced to five years of imprisonment yesterday for plotting the forcible abortion and abduction of her daughter Harpreet Kaur.

In an apparent bid to express solidarity with the former Akali minister, hundreds of SAD leaders, SGPC members and Begowal residents made a beeline at the visitors’ room of the jail. They touched Kaur’s feet and sought her blessings. Minister for Jail, Tourism and Culture Sarwan Singh Phillaur also chose this day to make an official trip to the jail.

Kaur was composed as some visitors tried to console her. “Please, don’t worry about me. All of you remain in good spirits and pray for me. The Almighty is with me. Things will be normal again. I am going to file an appeal in the high court on Monday,” she told them.

Later, interacting with the media, Kaur said: “My opponents are using all their might to spoil my career.” “Before anyone could point a finger at me, I resigned from my post. I am still an MLA and will continue to be an SGPC member,” she said.

Kaur said she had gone through the newspapers this morning to see reports pertaining to her sentence.

Bibi’s younger daughter Rajneet Kaur and son-in-law Yuvraj Singh were with her.

Another convict in the case, Paramjit Singh Raipur, is also lodged in the same jail.

Traffic chaos was witnessed as members of market committees, block samitis and others thronged the jail. Several vehicles were parked outside and many were allowed in.

 http://www.tribuneindia.com/2012/20120401/main2.htm

The Tribune – Sonia to address rallies today

Tribune News Service

Moga, January 18. Electioneering is likely to pick up pace in Punjab with Congress President Sonia Gandhi set to address rallies at Moga and Kapurthala on Thursday. Gulchain Singh Charak, in-charge, party affairs for Punjab, and Vijendra Singla, Sangrur MP, claimed that Sonia’s visit would boost the morale of the candidates.

“Campaigning by Sonia will also attract the attention of the voters and will finally steer the wave in favour of the Congress in the state,” they said.

Meanwhile, the EC on Wednesday made a video of the rally site to count the number of chairs, sound systems, flags and other material being used to set up the dais etc.

Returning Officer Chander Gaind said all the expenditure of the rally would be divided equally among the Congress candidates of 11 constituencies of the region. The Moga rally is being held for 11 constituencies including Faridkot, Muktsar, Moga, Zira and Jagraon.

The local administration has made adequate security arrangements for the visit of Sonia Gandhi. It has set up a helipad adjoining the stage in the New Grain Market so that the Congress president need not have to travel by road. A contingent of National Security Guards has also arrived here to review and take over the security arrangements at the venue.

Meanwhile, local MLA Joginder Pal Jain also claimed that Sonia’s rally would change the mindset of the floating voters to turn in favour of the Congress party. “She is a charismatic woman who has the ability to the poll prospects of the party in the state,” he claimed.

He expressed confidence that the Congress would definitely get a comfortable majority in the state assembly.

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2012/20120119/punjab.htm#9