STUDENTS ALLEGE 'RAGGING' AT GHAZIABAD COLLEGE

Peeyush Khandelwal,

Several students of LLB I yr at Mewar Institute at Vasundhara area of Ghaziabad have alleged that they were beaten up by senior students when they tried to stop them proceeding further during an ‘introduction session’ on August 21. The college management denied any ‘ragging’ incident took place.

As per the junior students, the incident happened when some of the senior students asked them for their introduction which they gave wilfully. “When they asked for the introduction, we co-operated with them. Then they asked us about our hobbies like singing and dancing and told us to perform. Some of the girls from our batch resisted their demands and came out of the college campus. We also told them that they have no reasons to ask for performance and this would amount to ragging which is banned by the Supreme Court of India,” said Keshav Garg, a student of LLB I yr. Garg also dialled police helpline number 100 but no police personnel turned up.

While the students said that they came out of the college campus, the senior students threatened them with dire consequences and later turned up in a car bearing number ‘006’ in front of a juice-shop across the road, students said. “They were at least six in number and they attacked us and thrashed us. One of the student also fainted during the incident. We entered the college and appraised the management about the incident who asked us to go to a nearest private hospital,” Garg said.

The students have alleged that one Vivek Tiwari, fell unconscious after the incident. The alleged attackers were wearing college uniform which is black trousers and white shirt. “I was beaten by them during the incident and told the college management about the incident. This should not have happened with the junior students who come for studies. There should be strict rules to prevent students,” said Tiwari. His father, who reached the college campus, however denied any such incident having taken place.

Chief Finance Controller Pankaj Gautam and Media Relations Officer Maria Haseen denied any such incident took place and said that everything was fine. Later, institute’s Chairman Ashok Kumar Gadia said that the students clashed with each other over a friendship matter with girls.

“Some senior students had reportedly slapped the junior students. This matter was concerning friendship with girls. Later on, we called their respective parents and made them feel sorry for the incident. The matter was later resolved and came to a happy ending,” Kumar said.

'RAGGING' AT GHAZIABAD COLLEGE

Peeyush Khandelwal,

Several students of LLB I yr at Mewar Institute at Vasundhara area of Ghaziabad have alleged that they were beaten up by senior students when they tried to stop them proceeding further during an ‘introduction session’ on August 21. The college management denied any ‘ragging’ incident took place.

As per the junior students, the incident happened when some of the senior students asked them for their introduction which they gave wilfully. “When they asked for the introduction, we co-operated with them. Then they asked us about our hobbies like singing and dancing and told us to perform. Some of the girls from our batch resisted their demands and came out of the college campus. We also told them that they have no reasons to ask for performance and this would amount to ragging which is banned by the Supreme Court of India,” said Keshav Garg, a student of LLB I yr. Garg also dialled police helpline number 100 but no police personnel turned up.

While the students said that they came out of the college campus, the senior students threatened them with dire consequences and later turned up in a car bearing number ‘006’ in front of a juice-shop across the road, students said. “They were at least six in number and they attacked us and thrashed us. One of the student also fainted during the incident. We entered the college and appraised the management about the incident who asked us to go to a nearest private hospital,” Garg said.

The students have alleged that one Vivek Tiwari, fell unconscious after the incident. The alleged attackers were wearing college uniform which is black trousers and white shirt. “I was beaten by them during the incident and told the college management about the incident. This should not have happened with the junior students who come for studies. There should be strict rules to prevent students,” said Tiwari. His father, who reached the college campus, however denied any such incident having taken place.

Chief Finance Controller Pankaj Gautam and Media Relations Officer Maria Haseen denied any such incident took place and said that everything was fine. Later, institute’s Chairman Ashok Kumar Gadia said that the students clashed with each other over a friendship matter with girls.

“Some senior students had reportedly slapped the junior students. This matter was concerning friendship with girls. Later on, we called their respective parents and made them feel sorry for the incident. The matter was later resolved and came to a happy ending,” Kumar said.

GREEN DEATH IN GHAZIABAD

Over 6000 trees vanish due to garbage dumping; 30000 more set to meet the same fate

By: Peeyush Khandelwal

Thousands of trees under a dense forestry area of around 200 acres, developed by Ghaziabad Municipal Corporation (GMC) near New Bus Stand from 2002 to 2005 with a expenditure of around Rs 4 crores, are on verge of extinction. As per GMC officials’ internal enquiry-reports 6000 trees have already vanished from the area following large-scale garbage dumping, burning and disposal of sewage water into the said land.

Due to the gross negligence of the various authorities, the garbage-dumping has continued unabated in the are even though the MCG’s horticulture department has raised repeated concerns over the dumping of garbage. Needless to say that has caused environmental hazards and ecological imbalance in the region.

The copies of the internal-enquiry reports and file-notings were made public by Rajendra Tyagi, a municipal councillor and an RTI activist. He says that around 150 MCG trucks dump garbage, everyday, on the said land, which is later brunt by the MCG employees. “The garbage dumping area is increasing day by day. Large patches of green-cover have vanished and remaining are filled with sewage water up to 4 feets. This has endangered lives of over 30000 green-trees which may perish soon. Officials have not taken any action in the matter and we will resort to legal action against the officials responsible. It is a sheer waste of public money in name of developing green areas,” he said.

As per reports, over 2 lac trees of different varieties, including Mango, Guava, Amaltaas, Neem, Jamun, Peepal, Banyan etc., were planted from period between 2002 to 2005 with a cost of around Rs 4 crores. Although the land belongs to the MCG, a Supreme court’s order states that non-forest activities cannot be carried out in a ‘forest area’ of 15 acres or more. It further states that any plantation in 15 acres or above area automatically falls under the category of ‘Forest Area’, irrespective of its ownership. Further, the said dumping activities pose potential threat to the flights operating from Hindon Air Base, which is just a few kilometres away from the site. This openly violates yet another Supreme Court’s directives that prohibits setting up of any waste-site within a radius of 8 kilometers to avoid danger to the aircraft.

Municipal Commissioner, Ajay Shanker Pandey, however preferred not to be quoted on the issue till the copies were made available to him. GMC’s Horticulture Department in-charge, A.K. Singh said: “We are trying to stop the garbage-dumping activities in the area to save the trees. All efforts are being made to stop illegal-felling, burning of trees in the area,” Singh said. While the District Forest department, just ducked the issue saying that it is GMC land and they cannot intervene unless someone lodges complaint on the issue.

While the 200 acres green-area, is under potential threat of becoming extinct soon, efforts are required on war-footing to save the treatment meted out to mother nature. “Sewage water, illegal cutting and grazing have also aggregated the problems. This is going on in the heart of the city, unchecked and under the knowledge of the officials,” Tyagi said.

FATHER KILLS FIVE CHILDREN, INJURES WIFE, SELF

By: Peeyush Khandelwal

In a shocking incident, father of five children, killed his three daughters and two sons, under influence of alcohol, and critically injured his wife and self at Rozy Colony at Vijaynagar sector-12 area of Ghaziabad, police told Monday morning.

During the police investigations with the family members, it was also revealed that Ravinder Verma (37), a truck driver, had also killed his two months old daughter two years back. “He bashed the head of the two month old girl around two years back. We later came to know of this but the family members decided not to reveal. It was our mistake to hide this fact earlier,” Amit Verma, younger brother said.

As per family members, Verma was violent by nature and was under ‘depression’ and changed jobs frequently. “Like a Maniac, he used to beat us and father at slightest provocation. He had tried to kill the family members at least 3-4 times in past,” Amit told. However, family members denied Verma killed his children due to scarcity of finances as had applied for a visa for a job in Dubai.

As per Inspector General (IG) (Meerut Zone) Gurbachan Lal, Ravinder was under a state of ‘acute depression.’ “He first bashed up his elder daughter with a grinding-stone and later killed all of children in descending order, one by one. He later battered his wife’s head, critically injuring her, and lastly sliced his hands with sharp weapon in order to commit suicide,” IG said. Police also recovered an iron-rod which was also used in the crime and had blood-stains over it. As per police sources, Verma had brought two razor-blades on Sunday evening which he used to injure himself and had pre-planned the murders.

Verma’s wife, Durgawati Verma (35), was transferred to GTB Hospital in Delhi where she is under coma due to two critical head injuries, doctors at MMG hospital Ghaziabad told HT. The five children who were brutally killed were Anjali Verma (14), Preeti Verma (12), Mona Verma (10), Devraj Verma (5) and Lucky Verma (9 months). All of the four children studied in classes 6, 5, 4, 1 respectively.

As per police, the murder came to light at around 6 AM Monday morning. “When we broke open the door of the house, we found Verma, his wife and 9 month child in a pool of blood in front room. The other four children had succumbed to their injuries in a second room,” said D.C. Tiwary, station officer Vijaynagar.

Police arrested Verma and took him to MMG hospital at Ghaziabad for treatment. “He is out of danger and has confessed to the crime,” IG said. As per Chief Medical Superintendent (CMS) MMG hospital, the bodies of the children were in a ‘twisted’ state. “It means that murders were committed at least between 12 to 1 AM on Sunday midnight,” said CMS Y.C. Gupta.

“I have committed murders. I don’t want to live. I want to die,” Verma told at MMG hospital. He gave no substantial reasons for killings.

Verma’s parents, who live nearby, and neighbours deny hearing any cries during the night. Reacting to this, IG Gurbachan Lal did not rule out the possibility of the victims being under the influence of some toxic substance which rendered them helpless during the incident. “We have sent the food samples, which they consumed last night, for testing,” IG said. Monday evening, children were cremated after post-mortem. The family originally hails from Siwan district in Bihar.

THREE CHEERS FOR GHAZIABAD. THREE GHAZIABAD STUDENTS TOP CLASS 10 CBSE EXAMINATIONS IN NCR REGION

By: Peeyush Khandelwal

Dravyansh Sharma – NCR topper 98.6 per cent
Dravyansh Sharma is an introvert and a shy teenager as his father says but he proved his mettle in academics when he outscored all the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) class 10 students in the NCR region on Friday.

The Delhi Public School (Ghaziabad, Meerut Road) student the results decalred on Friday and scored 100 marks each in Mathematics and Sanskrit and secured 99 each in Social Studies and Science subjects. He also scored 95 in English and 92 in Hindi. Together in best-five subjects, Sharma notched up an aggregate of 98.6 per cent, topping the NCR region.

Sharma, who even topped his school in class 8 and 9, is a bookworm. “He studies 6-7 hours a day and has come out winning. He has made us proud. Although we encouraged him to take coaching for a few subjects, he denied and remained adamant on self-study pattern,” said Dharamveer Sharma, his father.

Sharma’s mother is a homemaker and his father is a Civil-engineer with Agra Development Authority (ADA). Like father like son, Shamra too wants to be an Engineer and wish to clear the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) examinations. “I spend a sleepless night just before the declaration of the result. I checked it out on my PC along with my younger brother. I wish to get there to IIT Mumbai or IIT Delhi for my future studies in engineering,” Dravyansh Sharma said.

While Sharma still finds it hard to believe his success, the family members are already planning a grand celebrations at their Ghaziabad residence.

Anusha Gupta – NCR topper 98.6 per cent
Anusha Gupta from APJ school at Noida, also topped the class 10 CBSE examinations in the NCR region along with Drivyansh Sharma. Gupta is a resident of Kaushambi in Ghaziabad.

Anusha scored 100 marks each in Mathematics and Social Studies. She also scored 97 marks each in English and Science and 98 marks each in Sanskrit and Computers. She aggregated 98.6 per cent in best five subjects.

She fractured her right hand just before the examinations but that did not deter her from competing at her best in class 10 exams. “She fractured her right hand while driving a scooty a fortnight before her examinations. We took permission from the CBSE for an examination-writer for her. Even then, she did not opt for the exam-writer’s services and did the examinations herself,” said K.N. Gupta, Anusha’s father and a director with a real-estate company.

Anusha has big plans for her future. She wish to be an Economist. “I want to pursue Economics either from Sriram College of Commerce (SRCC), and if I am lucky enough, I wish to do it from London School of Economics,” said Anusha. Gupta is a music-freak and loves playing basketball.

Kumar Tanuj – NCR topper in physically disabled category
Kumar Tanuj, a 16 year old teenager from Ghaziabad, topped the NCR region class 10 results of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) examinations, declared on Friday, in the physically disabled category.

Tanuj is a student of Delhi Public School (Sector-30) Noida and resides in Vaishali area of Ghaziabad. Tanuj scored 94 marks each in Mathematics and German Language. He scored 92 marks each in English and Social Studies and 84 in Science. He scored 51 in Hindi with a day’s study. He scored 91.2 per cent in his best five subjects.

His parents are professionals in academics and attribute the success of their son to his hard work. “His disability on the right side of his body, since his birth, has not proved a hindrance to him and he enjoys his life like a normal child. We all have a firm belief in god and I always tell him that his disability is his strength. During the examinations, he never opted for extra time allotted to students under this category. He writes with his left hand,” said a tearful Chandan Kumar, his mother.

Tall and lanky Tanuj is a IPL freak and Ishant Sharma’s fan (IPL team Kokotta Knight Rider’s fast bowler) “This is the team I love and I am a die-hard fan of SRK’s team. My mother left her job 3 months before my examinations so that I could concentrate on my studies and preparations. I am thankful to her. Around 10 per cent of marks have been awarded to me by the grace of god,” said Tanuj, who wish to be an economist.

It is the never-say-die attitude of the child that the family had no jitters on the result day. “Cheerfully, he and his younger sister garlanded their computer and the Modem in their room, prayed and then opened up the web-site,” said Komal Hanspal, Tanuj’s grandmother and a singer with All India Radio (AIR).

HUMAN SKULLS AND REMAINS RECOVERED IN GHAZIABAD

By: Peeyush Khandelwal

Over six human skulls and dozens of human bones were recovered nearby the district mortuary near river Hindon at Ghaziabad. This has prompted the district administration officials to order an enquiry into the matter, Additional District Magistrate (City) Sunil Kumar Srivastava said. However, the officials remained unfazed by the recovery of the said skeletons. Post-Nithari, the officials neither sent the recovered remains for forensic examinations nor did they visit the spot to check out the gravity of the situation.

The skulls and bones were discovered Monday afternoon by some people around the district mortuary at a secluded spot nearby the railway tracks along the river Hindon. The said area is used as a dumping ground by the Municipal Corporation. “It seems that these remains are of unidentified bodies but I have ordered an enquiry into the incident and sought report from officials responsible,” said ADM (City) S.K. Srivastava.

“Skulls were lying scattered and a large number of bones were also recovered here. There could be many more hidden below the garbage. Most of the skulls recovered seemed to belong to adults,” said Satender Raghav, an eyewitness.

Monday afternoon, police officials sent a Circle Officer (CO) for investigations. “It does not seem to be a case of crime or mass-killings. We are investigating further,” said SP (City) Anant Dev.

Soon after the discovery of the skeletons, the blame game began. SP (City) said that it was the responsibility of the Chief Medical Officer (CMO), who is the in-charge of the district mortuary. CMO A.K. Dhawan said that it was the responsibility of the police authorities. “The skulls and bones were reportedly recovered away from the mortuary. Our staff does not throw the bodies after post-mortem, we hand them over to the police,” said Chief Medical Officer (CMO) A.K. Dhawan.

“This appears to be a case of laxity of police personnel and violation of Human Rights. If these are dead bodies of unidentified people, they deserve an honourable cremation,” said Harpreet Jaggi, an advocate.

The case seems to be of laxity and carelessness on part of some of the police personnel who bury the unidentified bodies at this secluded spot near the district mortuary. Last week, in a similar instance, dozens of human skeletons were discovered in Aligarh district of Uttar Pradesh.

SHORTFALL OF ELECTRICITY PRODUCTION, DELAY IN LAND-ALLOTMENT FOR SUB-STATIONS, LEAVES GHAZIABAD REELING UNDER SEVERE POWER CRISIS

By: Peeyush Khandelwal

While the city already reeling under severe power-cuts, the officials and development agencies do not have a answer to suffering of households and industrial unit owners. Shortage of power, pending land-allotment for proposed electric sub-stations, lack of coordination between various infrastructure development agencies, have left residents reeling this summer too.

While the residents and industries hold only the distribution company UPPCL responsible for the shortage of power, the other agencies like the Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA), Municipal Corporation (MCG) and Awaas Vikas Parishad, are not far behind for their responsibility to allot land for the pending and proposed electricity sub-stations in various areas.

The foremost problem lies in the shortfall in electricity production and increase in power-demands. As per Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation (UPPCL) officials, the entire city requires around 550 MW of electricity. “Even the entire state is under severe shortfall of around 2000 MW, which have led to frequent power cuts in Ghaziabad too. Also, in past 20 years no 132 KV sub-stations have been built to meet out the load-bearing capacity with the fast paced development. So we have to shut down sub-stations frequently,” said S.N. Yadav, superintending engineer UPPCL.

Also, the officials attribute frequent power-cuts to the overloading of various 132 KV sub-station in Mohan Nagar, Vaishali and Rathi and 220 KV sub-station at Sahibabad. “The electricity is shutdown from Lucknow, then due to over-loading we have to shutdown the sub-stations also. This leads to extended hours of power-cuts. Out of the available power, we have to supply around 40 MVA to Noida from Sahibabad sub-station. All these factors have led to frequent power-cuts. Also, the load-bearing capacity has not been increased and immediately require the building of proposed 400 KV and 220 KV sub-stations,” Yadav said.

The land-allotment for proposed 400 KV sub-stations (Indirapuram, Morti and Govindpuram) and 220 KV sub-stations (Brij Vihar, Shastri Nagar, Nehru Nagar) have not matured as yet. “This is due to the non-availability of land and lack of co-ordination between the development agencies. Once these are built, the load-bearing capacity will increase and will not require abrupt power-cuts,” Yadav said.

The Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) attribute the delay in land-allotment for Indirapuram sub-station, to Awas-Vikas Parishad, Municipal Corporation (MCG) and UPPCL. “We have already developed 7 sub-stations. Land allotment for Indirpuram sub-station is to be done by Awas-Vikas Parishad. Proposals are already underway for Morti and Govindpuram sub-stations. Other 220 KV sub-stations are to be developed at Brij Vihar, Shastri Nagar, Nehru Nagar,” said GDA Chief Engineer Anil Garg.

The residents fail to figure out the reason for delay in allotment of land for sub-stations and have to shelve out Rs 11 to Rs 13 for power-backups to builders as against the UPPCL rates of Rs 3.5 per unit. The fact is the builder-GDA nexus which is going on in the name of development of housing projects. The builders are minting money from huge rate of per unit of power-backup which they charge from the residents. In absence of the sub-stations, the power-backups at high-prices will prevail.

“When you can develop malls, develop supermarkets and housing projects through builders, why a small piece of land cannot be allotted to electricity sub-stations? This is due to lack of coordination among various agencies. If the electricity production cannot be increased, new sub-stations should be built on priority basis. Until this is done, the problem will continue to burn holes in our pockets and city’s prospects for 2010 Commonwealth Games are bound to suffer,” said Kuldeep Saxena from Indirapuram RWA federation.


KEY STATISTICS:

UP electricity demands : 9000 MW
UP electricity production : 3000 MW
Demand for 4000 MW is met from Delhi and Northern-Grid
Shortfall of 2000 MW
Ghaziabad’s demands around 550 MW of power
To meet the shortfall, State Government has recently singed an MoU for 9000 MW with power-production companies

Proposed 400 KV sub-stations in Ghaziabad
Indirapuram, Morti, Govindpuram

Proposed 200 KV sub-stations
Brij Vihar, Shastri Nagar and Nehru Nagar

Ghaziabad electricity is supplied through 400 KV and 220 KV sub-station at Muradnagar, 220 KV and 132 KV sub-stations at Sahibabad, 132 KV sub-stations at Mohan Nagar, Vaishali and Rathi, Lal-Kuan, Morta. Apart from these, there are 19 (33KV) sub-stations in Sis-Hindon area and 24 (33KV) sub-stations in Trans-Hindon area

VERDICT 2009: COMMUNAL AND KIGMAKERS SNIFF DUST

By: Peeyush Khandelwal

Country has given its verdict in the 2009 General Elections with United Progressive Alliance (UPA) coming out a clear winner with an outstanding performance. National Democratic Alliance (NDA), Third front and the Fourth front have been routed.

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Samajwadi Party (SP) have suffered at the hands of the electorate. While L.K. Advani’s dream to become the PM has been routed at the hands of UPA, he now feels shy to face the Manmohan Singh government by sitting in the opposition. Mayawati, who wanted to be a king-maker and had eyed the PM post in Delhi, has been reduced to a regional party confined to Uttar Pradesh. SP has seen a split now with Azam Khan, the founder member, submitting his resignation to the SP Parliamentary board. RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav who parted ways with the UPA just before the elections now finds himself and his friend Ram Vilas Paswan with nothing in their hands after elections.

The UPA won most of seats due to the hard work of its youth brigade under the leadership of its General Secretary Rahul Gandhi, who campaigned at the grass-root levels. Congress, who was completely routed in UP during the last elections has again raised itself from the rubbles.

The major difference between the Congress and the BJP in the current elections was the difference between the two Gandhis who campaigned. While Varun Gandhi’s comments were more communal, sarcastic and aggressive, it was Rahul Gandhi who won the hearts of millions with his progressive, secular and decent speeches throughout the length and breadth of the country.

The BJP did not learn from 2004 elections when it targeted Sonia Gandhi on her foreign origin issue, this time too they targeted the ever calm and sedate PM Manmohan Singh over Nuclear-Deal, terrorism and price-rise. Through its verdict, the electorate has again reaffirmed its support to the policies of the UPA government and have again voted the UPA to give them a more stable and strong government.

Although, the BJP tried to move away from its communal image, they mentioned Ram-Temple, article 370 in its manifesto. The remaining part of its communal image was completed by the hate-speeches of Varun Gandhi. The NDA did not have any agenda. Their manifesto was also the improved version of the UPAs policies and programmes.

The NDA also remained over-confident over its victory and even highlighted Narendra Modi as their next PM for 2014 elections. In absence of an able leader like Vajpayee, Advani’s image was not to the liking of the electorate. His targeting the UPA on issues like Afzal Guru hanging, price-rise and terrorism proved costly for him as he could not explain his handling of the Kandhahar issue to the public.

If BJP is to win anywhere in future, it will have to snap it RSS dependent image and leave the Ram-Temple and other contentious issues. It will have to work more towards a more progressive image and for all communities and religions. The party has now to shed its more hardcore communal image and instead of ‘hindutva’ it has to concentrate more on people-centric approach. The seat-allotment issues have also been raised post-polls by BJP leaders like Murli Manohar Joshi. Remember the Virendra Singh issue from Salempur seat in UP.

For the time now, its UPA all the way who finds itself in a more comfortable driving seat and will have to concentrate more on its policies and programmes. Failing which, it might suffer the same fate in 2014 elections.

NDA WILL WORK FOR ‘CONSTRUCTIVE DEVELOPMENT’ WITH THE UPA; ADVANIJI WILL RECONSIDER DECISION TO STEP DOWN AS LEADER-OF-OPPOSITION: RAJNATH

By: Peeyush Khandelwal

Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) national president and Ghaziabad Lok-Sabha MP Rajnath Singh has conceded National Democratic Alliance’s (NDA) defeat in the 2009 General Elections. Speaking to media-persons at Ghaziabad, he said that the results were ‘not expected’ and now the NDA would work for a ‘constructive development’ with the UPA government.

“I have congratulated the UPA chairperson Soniya Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh over UPA’s resounding victory in the polls. Now, we would be working for the ‘constructive development’ of the country with the UPA-led government. I would be holding meetings with the professionals from various industries and professions and seek their expert opinions about solving the persistent problems,” Singh said.

While NDA leader L.K. Advani has announced that he would not be acting as ‘leader of opposition’ in the next Lok-Sabha. Advani, who lost his last chance to become the next Indian Prime Minister after NDA huge loss in 2009 polls, announced his decision before the parliamentary board meeting on Saturday. Advani (81), was projected as the PM-in-waiting by the NDA before 2009 polls.

“Advaniji’s decision was told to all of us in a meeting on Saturday. But the party top leaders did not accept his decision and told him to reconsider his decision. I have been assigned the task to convince Advaniji to re-consider his decision. I will speak to him in coming days and hopeful that he would not go ahead with the decision,” Singh said.

Rajnath hinted at the next NDA meeting in coming days to find out the possible reasons for the poor performance of the NDA during the polls.

RAJNATH SINGH SECURES HIS FIRST LOK-SABHA WIN IN GHAZIABAD

By: Peeyush Khandelwal

Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) national president Rajnath Singh secured his maiden Lok-Sabha MP win and emerged out winner from Ghaziabad Lok-Sabha constituency on Saturday. Ghaziabad Returning Officer Mrityunjaya Narayan declared Singh as winner after the counting was over at Govindpuram counting station.

Singh, who secured a total of 359637 votes, defeated his nearest rival and Congress sitting MP Surendra Prakash Goyal by a margin of 90681 votes. Goyal secured a total of 268956 votes. Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) candidate Amarpal Sharma who remained on the third position, secured a total of 180285 votes from a total of 829832 votes polled on May 7 for the Ghaziabad Lok-Sabha constituency.

BJP district unit expressed satisfaction over Singh’s victory but the celebrations remained a low-key affair after the country-wide performance of National Democratic Alliance (NDA). “He has received the unanimous support from all segment and communities in Ghaziabad. We will continue with the development process of the constituency,” BJP spokesperson S.P. Singh said.

Rajnath Singh secured highest votes from Ghaziabad, Sahibabad, Muradnagar and Dhaulana assembly segments but lagged behind in Loni assembly segment where the Congress candidate secured highest votes. Since the beginning of the counting Saturday morning, Rajnath Singh extended his lead over his rivals during the successive rounds of counting.

In all, a total of 16 candidates contested for the seat. None of the remaining 13 contesting candidates could secure over 4200 votes individually and lost their deposits. Rajnath Singh also secured the highest number of postal ballots, ahead of Goyal and Amarpal Sharma.