New Delhi: Campaigning in 86 constituencies in seven States and two Union Territories that are scheduled to go to the polls in the fifth phase of general election on Wednesday (May 13) concluded on Monday evening. The last phase of the Lok Sabh election will witness polling taking place in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Himachal Pradesh , Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab States and Chandigarh and Puducherry, the two Union Territories. The prominent contestants in the fray are Congress's P. Chidambaram and Mohd. Azharuddin, BJP's Maneka Gandhi, Varun Gandhi, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and Vinod Khanna, DMK's M K Azhagiri, Dayanidhi Maran, T R Baalu and A Raja, MDMK's Vaiko, Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee and Samajwadi Party's Jayaprada. The other important contestants in the fray are Mani Shankar Aiyar, Navjot Singh Sidhu, Sajjad Gani Lone, and Tamil actor M Karthik. Elections will be held to four seats in Himachal Pradesh, two in Jammu and Kashmir, nine in Punjab, 39 in Tamil Nadu, 14 in Uttar Pradesh, 11 in West Bengal, five in Uttarakhand, the lone one seat each in Chandigarh and Puducherry. Uttar Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir are the only states to have undergone polls in all the five phases. So far, elections have been completed to 457 seats since the exercise began on April 16. On May 7, the fourth phase of the Lok Sabha elections held for 85 constituencies spread across seven States had witnessed 57 per cent voting of the total 9.46 crore eligible votes. The first, second and third phases of polling were held on April 16, 23 and 30 respectively. The counting of votes will take place on May 16. The 543-member House will be constituted before June 2.

Congress, BJP make a last attempt to woo Sikh voters

      Amritsar / Majitha: Just hours before the election campaign deadline for the final phase of elections in Punjab, Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party leaders made allout attempt to reach out to Sikh voters in Punjab. One of the main topics that found mention in Congress and BJP election rallies on Monday was the atrocities of Taliban against Sikhs in Pakistan’s North West Frontier Province (NWFP). Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, addressing an election rally for a Congress candidate Om Parkash Soni from Amritsar , said that India was fully aware of the problems faced by minorities in Pakistan . Dr. Singh also mentioned that the situation across the border was not good but India is in touch with Pakistan government on the issue of Taliban’s atrocities and on recovery of Jazia (tax) from the minorities in Pakistan . "We are aware of the problems people of different religions are facing in Pakistan . We have initiated a dialogue with Pakistan about Taliban seeking Jazia from minorities there. India will take step in this regard," said Dr. Manmohan Singh. Dr. Singh recalled his good old days spent in Amritsar and how much he still values a personal bond with this holy city. He remembered the day when, after the Partition, his family took shelter in Amritsar . Dr. Singh stated that today if he is the Prime Minister of India it is because of two reasons. First, because of “your love and affection” for which he always is indebted to the people of Amritsar and second due to his hard work and education. Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi was also present during this rally. In another election rally held at Majitha, BJP leader Lal Krishan Advani also expressed concern over the issue of ‘Jazia’ being charged from Sikhs, who are in minority, in Pakistan. Advani, while campaigning for Navjot Singh Sidhu, said that the ‘Jazia’ reminded him of the Mughal era when such kind of disparities and atrocities were there on the minorities. Advani said that in case he came to power he would personally see the interests of Punjab, particularly of Amritsar . Sidhu is contesting for third time in the parliamentary elections from Amritsar constituency. Advani assured all Punjabis here to give special consideration for the development of the area if NDA came into power. Later, Advani also visited the Golden Temple and had ‘Langar’ (religious food) at the temple. He also expressed gratitude to the SAD for being the major coalition partners with NDA since 1952.
- May 11, 2009