Batala duo in cleft stick

Batala: All eyes are on Deputy CM Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa and Cabinet minister Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa in Batala. Earlier this month, they had raised a political storm by urging then CM Capt Amarinder Singh to elevate the status of this sub-divisional town to a full-fledged revenue district. Days later, the issue went into a limbo as a tug-of-war started within the Congress. Now, again there is a glimmer of hope among Batalvis because the two are back at helm. However, there is a catch. Making Batala a district means annoying the lawyers' community of neighbouring Gurdaspur. Indeed, the new ministers have been caught in a cleft stick. Hope the issue does not end up being a storm in a tea cup!

Taken for granted, no more

Amritsar: Amidst reports of PCC chief Navjot Singh Sidhu's "visible" dominance over newly appointed CM Charanjit Singh Channi in public appearances, a video has surfaced suggesting otherwise. During Channi's visit to the holy city, the Amritsar Improvement Trust chairman was hurriedly replaced with Sidhu's confidant Damandeep Singh. During the announcement in Channi's presence, Sidhu got the official letter from Principal Secretary Hussan Lal and directly handed it over to Damandeep, standing to his left. Much to Sidhu's embarrassment, Channi, who was to Sidhu's right, caught hold of the letter, took out his glasses and read it before making the announcement. Political experts believe Channi acted keeping the sanctity of the CM's office in mind. The message was clear for Sidhu - not to take him for granted.

What’s in a name

Amritsar: Three-time MLA Raj Kumar Verka, who was inducted into the Council of Ministers of the Charanjit Singh Channi government on Sunday, is popularly referred to as 'Doctor Sahib'. Leaders from his party, too, address him with the moniker when they call him to deliver a speech on the stage. In reality, he is not a qualified doctor. The epithet of 'doctor' is entrenched before his name so firmly that a large number of people addressed him as 'Doctor Sahib'. His supporters even raise slogans of 'Doctor Sahib'. Mentored by late Congress stalwart RL Bhatia, Verka has contested the Assembly elections four times, winning thrice.