In Jharkhand, according to a speculation that the Congress is in favor of exploring ways to form a Government with the support of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), but opinion within the party is reportedly divided on this.
Jharkhand was placed under President’s Rule in January this year, and this ends in July.

Mr. Gandhi also reviewed the party’s prospects in Odisha too. Congress State unit chief Jayadeva Jena presented a roadmap of political activity, including an aggressive campaign against the “misrule and corruption” of the ruling BJD Government ahead of the 2014 General Elections and a party membership drive over the next three months.

According to the sources party patriarch LK Advani advised to BJP president Rajnath Singh suggesting his predecessor Nitin Gadkari be asked to head the party’s election committee ahead of Assembly elections in five crucial States. The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), which is the BJP’s ideological mentor, has indicated for months that it would like to see the Gujarat Chief Minister in that upcoming role.

Only few months ago, LK Advani was Chief among those instrumental in stalling an unprecedented second term for Mr Gadkari as Party President. Then, he had vociferously argued that with Mr Gadkari being named in a corruption scandal, the BJP would shed serious equity if he continued to be party Chief.

Now, Mr Advani has reportedly told Rajnath Singh that the party needs a cohesive effort to fight the State Elections in the next few months and that Mr Gadkari is the man to do that.

He said till now, Youth Congress quietly heard whatever saffron leaders said about Rahul or the PM or Sonia Gandhi, but not anymore. “Now, if Sushma Swaraj says something baseless, we will go to her office to tell her she is wrong”.

The intent marks a break from a prolonged period for Rahul Gandhi initiated “democratization” of youth outfits which coincided with the insiders say “the most peaceful period in their history”.

Party men were astonished as the outfit this month registered protests the activities in West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh while storming the BJP headquarters in the Lutyens’ Delhi.

The modest beginning has raised hope in Congress that the party can still bank upon the youth cadre to supplement its political troubles.

Youth Congress and NSUI were traditionally the “fighting arms” of the parent party, specializing in street battles for several years. The zealousness often led to lumped behavior but seen as par of the course.

Youth’s complete disappearance was setback for Congressmen, especially for the last two turbulent years when youth of BJP and BJP Sr. repeatedly laid siege to the Government over corruption and security issues. Party leaders lamented that the frontal outfits had lost focus to “democratization”.

The sense of weariness was read in Congress, the Chief Sonia Gandhi last month addressing a gathering of NSUI said “Why should we allow our opponents to get away with propagating negative impressions” and this was seen as a cue from the leadership.

Satav said the process of transformation slowed things down but it would be back to normal soon. “BJP was lying all this and we were not answering back. We will not resort to hooliganism but we will tell the truth, visiting to their office, again and again,” he uttered, adding, “We will come forward whenever it is needed”.

The IYC President Rajiv Satav claimed “democratization” had changed the organization with “performance” replacing nepotism as the tool of assessment. “Earlier, whoever was close to the IYC chief would move up, others would languish. Now, there is performance evaluation of all office-bearers”.

Not only there are differences on who should be the party’s presumptive Prime Minister in the next general elections, but senior leaders seem to be speaking in different voices even about the very process, how that leader will be chosen. Sushma Swaraj, seen as a contender for the top post, said today that the BJP’s allies in the National Democratic Alliance it leads will be consulted on who will be the party’s face for 2014 if at all someone is projected.

Whether we will have a Prime Ministerial face or not and if we decide on who it will be, these issues will be decided by the BJP Parliamentary Board in consultation with NDA partners, Ms Swaraj cleared the air.

“Common man dreams are not looked at…it is just one man’s dream that prevails in the state and who is doing politics of anger,” Gandhi said without naming Modi.

“What’s the problem here….this one man who claims to run Gujaratand having changed the entire state is full of anger….and with anger the state cannot progress ahead,” Gandhi said, while addressing a rally here ahead of the second phase of polling on December 17.

The Amethi MP said it was “love of the people” that could help the state progress and not anger. “This state can only progress ahead with love….a path shown by Mahatma Gandhiji…this is what I wanted to tell you..,” Gandhi said asking people to vote for a change.

“Two out of four people who mattered the most to me in my life were snatched away by terrorists…When my grandmother and father died, I had a lot of angst in me…,” he said.

“What anger does… it makes a person blind…I was like a blind man…but when I kept the anger aside I started seeing things clearly…I don’t have one bit of anger today in me..” he asserted comparing himself with the BJP strongman.

New Delhi:

While there was no official word as to what transpired at the meeting, the Prime Minister has been time and again inviting the young leader to join the government.

There have been repeated demands from within the Congress that Gandhi play a “larger role” in the organisation and the government.

The decisions were taken at a meeting of Trinamool parliamentary party meeting here.

Trinamool has 28 members in Parliament, 19 in Lok Sabha and 9 in Rajya Sabha.

New Delhi:

The opposition alliance said it had reservations over the re-nomination of Ansari, particularly the manner in which he conducted the Rajya Sabha when the Lokpal Bill was discussed and the Women’s Reservation Bill was passed.

“We have decided not to give them (Congress-led UPA) a walkover… We have unanimously decided that Jaswant Singh will be the NDA candidate in the Vice Presidential poll,” L K Advani, NDA Working President, announced after an NDA meeting.

Advani said JD(U) chief Sharad Yadav had also raised concerns over Ansari’s conduct in the passage of the Women’s Reservation Bill in the Rajya Sabha where marshals were used to oust those opposed to the legislation.

He said the same concerns were shared with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh when he had called him on Saturday to seek support for Ansari’s candidature.

Advani said Yadav, also the NDA convenor, was initially approached to contest the Vice Presidential election, but he declined citing his interest in active politics.

The BJP leader indicated that the NDA would reach out to all such parties which have not committed their support to the UPA nominee.

Reacting to his nomination, 74-year-old Jaswant Singh said, “It is a matter of great respect that the NDA has unanimously chosen me as their candidate for the post of Vice President. It is a big responsibility and also a challenge”.

Dehradun:

No untoward incident was reported from anywhere in the area, chief electoral officer Radha Raturi said.

Despite intermittent rains throughout the day, heavy polling was witnessed with people lining up in serpentine queues at polling stations.

New Delhi:

Expressing dissatisfaction over the Returning Officer’s dismissal of their complaint, a three-member delegation on behalf of Sangma met the Election Commission, which gave them time to present their written submission on their demand by Monday evening.

After the meeting, Janata Party President Subramanian Swamy claimed that Mukherjee continued to hold two more offices of profit – as Vice President of Birbhum Institute of Engineering and Technology and Chairman of Rabindra Bharti Society, which forms the Rabindra Bharti University.

He said the delegation met the Chief Election Commissioner V S Sampath and placed their concerns. The Constitution allows the EC to intervene in the conduct of elections.

“Here the issue is of fraud. Let the EC decide on whether there is a fraud in the nomination process. Let the EC take the final decision,” Swamy said.

The delegation, which also included BJP leader and Sangma’s counsel Satya Pal Jain and his election agent Bhartruhari Mahtab, raked up the issue of Mukherjee’s signature on his letter of resignation from the Indian Statistical Institute and its acceptance.

Opposing the Returning Officer’s decision, Jain said they have made three submissions before the EC and sought its intervention. “As per rules, the EC has powers to intervene as the election process is on. We would be filing our written statement petitioning the Election Commission on Monday.”

He said, under Article 324 the EC has overall jurisdiction over the conduct and supervision of all elections and said the situation calls for its intervention.

Citing examples of the recent Jharkhand Rajya Sabha poll and H N Bahuguna’s Lok Sabha election from Garhwal in 1980, he said the EC has intervened on these occasions during the election process.

“We told the CEC that as per rules the Returning Officer is duty bound to look at all the objections raised by them. The RO has not looked at all objections raised by us,” Jain said.

Mahtab said, “This way the Returning Officer has helped the person against whom forgery allegations have been made. Resignation of Pranab Mukherjee from the ISI was not appropriately accepted as M G K Menon is not the appropriate authority to accept the reservation of the Chairman.”

Among the objections raised by the delegation before the EC are that if the Returning Officer has powers to examine the signatures of proposers and seconders, then it is also his duty to examine the genuineness of his signatures.

Sangma’s camp has raised the issue of Mukherjee’s resignation letter where his signature was disputed. It was also disputed that the letter was backdated.

Jain said instead of deciding on these objections, the returning officer says, these are issues on which the decision can be given at from other appropriate forum. The RO has not identified this forum.

The petitioners maintained under section 5(E) of the President’s and Vice President’s Election Act even if there is a dispute about the signatures of the proposer or the seconder or there is a fraud in this regard, the RO has to decide on the matter.

Agartala:

Returning Officer, Shankar Chakraborty said, over 95% votes were polled peacefully.

The CPI-M fielded Tapan Chandra Das and the Congress Dwijendralal Majumder. There were two other candidates.

Eight companies of BSF, Tripura State Rifles and CRPF were deployed for the bypoll.

The seat fell vacant following the death of ruling CPI-M, MLA, Sukumar Burman on March 10.

Chandigarh:

]]> http://www.jaintv.com/2012/06/06/regional-2/punjab-cong-sacks-48-rebels-civic-polls/feed/ 0 http://www.jaintv.com/2012/06/06/politics/bsp-field-candidate-dimple-yadav-kannauj/ http://www.jaintv.com/2012/06/06/politics/bsp-field-candidate-dimple-yadav-kannauj/#comments Wed, 06 Jun 2012 08:36:12 +0000 Admin http://www.jaintv.com/?p=21868 Lucknow: Giving a free run to SP nominee Dimple Yadav, wife of Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav, main opposition BSP today announced not to contest the byelections for Kannauj parliamentary constituency.

“The party has decided not to field its candidate in byelection for Kannauj parliamentary seat in Uttar Pradesh,” a party spokesman said here.

He alleged that after the formation of Samajwadi Party government in the state there is an environment of anarchy and several welfare schemes have been closed.

The spokesman alleged that while people were reeling under incidents like rioting within three months of SP government, SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav is appealing to people and opposition to give six months time to his son.

“Now continuing with its tradition of nepotism, SP has fielded Dimple Yadav wife of UP CM Akhilesh Yadav as its candidate in Kannuaj byelection,” he alleged.

The BSP spokesman said that now it was being said Dimple was being fielded for the development of Kannauj.

“People’s experience of SP’s “development” had been very bitter as Mulayam did not display political honesty, took care of only his home district Etawah while ignoring even his parliamentary constituency whether it was Mainpuri or Sambhal,” he alleged.

The BSP spokesman said, “SP considers prosperity of its family as development and this is its policy”.

He said that to expose this policy of SP and in the wake of appeal by party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav, BSP has decided not to field its candidate in Kannauj byelection.

With BSP deciding to keep away from bypoll, it would be smooth sailing for Dimple as Congress and BJP have already announced not to field their candidates.

The Kannauj byelection has been necessitated following the resignation of Akhilesh Yadav after his election to the Legislative Council.

Meanwhile, the BSP said that it has also decided not to contest byelection to the Math assembly seat in Mathura district necessitated due to resignation of RLD MLA Jayant Chaudhary.

Chaudhary resigned to retain Mathura parliamentary constituency.

The candidature of Reddy, a sitting member of the Rajya Sabha, was announced by AICC General Secretary Oscar Fernandes here today.

Congress also announced candidates for the bye-election to the 18 assembly constituencies.

Sambari Samma Rao will be in the fray from Parakal, Dharmana Ramdas from Narasannapeta, Gantla Sumana from Payakaraopeta, Thota Thrimurthulu from Ramachandrapuram, Kothapalli Subbarayadu from Narasapuram, Nupa Parvathi from Polavaram and TJR Sudhakar from Prathipadu.

Other candudates are Pinneli Laxma Reddy (Matcherla), Mangutha Parvathamma (Ongole), K Vijayarami Reddy (Udaygiri), Meda Mallikarjuna Reddy (Rajampet), K Eshwariah (Kodur), M Ram Prasad Reddy (Rayachoti), Gangula Pratap Reddy (Allagadda), Y Rudra Gaud (Yemmiganur), Patil Venugopal Reddy (Rayadurga), Mursheed Begum (Anantpur) and M Venkataramana (Tirupati).

The Tirupati seat was vacated by actor-turned-politician Chiranjeevi after he was elected to the Rajya Sabha recently.

The bye-elections will be held on June 1

New Delhi:

The key UPA ally is keen to back Mukherjee over Vice-President Hamid Ansari, who is also among the top contenders for the post of the President.

“Pranab Mukherjee suits us more,” a NCP leader said on condition of anonymity.

He pointed out that both the UPA and the NDA do not have the numbers to get their choice of candidates elected and will have to depend on allies.

The party believed that former President APJ Abdul Kalam and other non-political candidates were out of contention for the top post.

When asked for comments on the Presidential election, NCP spokesperson DP Tripathi said neither has the party thought of any name nor has any name being suggested to it by the Congress or other UPA partners.

“The party has not thought about any name, nor has any name been suggested to us,” he said.

Asked about Mukherjee emerging as a candidate, Tripathi said the NCP has not formed any view on the subject.

“It has to come to us from the Congress, then we can think of a response,” he said.

Asked whether the party would back Ansari for the top post, Tripathi said that he cannot pre-judge the stand of the party.

On NCP General Secretary PA Sangma’s statement pitching for a tribal candidate as President, Tripathi merely said that “Sangmaji is an important leader of the country. He has every right to have his say.”

UPA as well as NDA leaders say that anybody who has the support of two of the three non-Congress leaders Mulayam, Mamata and Mayawati can have the next President of his choice to succeed incumbent Pratibha Patil, who is retiring on July 25.

While Congress chief Sonia Gandhi held some preliminary talks with NCP chief Sharad Pawar on the crucial issue, the talk in the ruling alliance is that the formal discussions would gain momentum after May 10.

Government’s first priority appears to be to get the Union Budget 2012-13 passed and has set May 8 as the date for the passage of the Finance Bill.

Vice President Hamid Ansari and Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee are among the names doing rounds in the ruling party circles.

The BJP has given signals that it would like a non-Congressman and especially a non-Sonia Gandhi loyalist for the top post, hinting that its fight was for the post of the Prime Minister in 2014.

Mulayam’s party has not zeroed in on any name so far. Ansari hails from Uttar Pradesh and had also been the Vice Chancellor of the Aligarh Muslim University.

In an interesting development, Gopalakrishna Gandhi yesterday met Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in Bhubhaneswar, fuelling speculation that the visit was linked to Presidential polls.

RJD chief Lalu Prasad is pitching for Vice President Hamid Ansari while other parties kept the cards close to their chest.

Gandhi’s visit was significant as it came a day after media reports on certain non-UPA and non-NDA parties planning to support Kalam for the Presidential polls.

Ansari had also met the chief minister here recently.

Patnaik is yet to make his stand known about who his party would support for the post of the President and Vice-President.

Ansari has got support from RJD chief Lalu Prasad who said his party would support the Vice President as the Presidential candidate.

“Our Vice President Hamid Ansari should be made the President. He is a good candidate for the President’s post. He should be upgraded as the President,” Prasad said yesterday.

Sources said that the Congress leadership will also be consulting DMK chief M Karunanidhi on the issue any time next week.

A senior Congress functionary, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that consultations on the issue were a natural course of action to decide a name for the country’s top job. Obviously the allies will be the first to be consulted, he said.

The meeting between Pawar and Gandhi lasted half-an-hour. “We want a name with consensus,” NCP General Secretary DP Tripathi said when asked about NCP’s preference for the next President.

“The President’s post is the top post in the country. It is necessary to maintain its dignity,” he said.

Key UPA ally Trinamool Congress today maintained that it would decide on a Presidential nominee only after the date for the election to the top post is announced. Railway Minister Mukul Roy.

The bypolls in 16 of the 18 seats are necessitated due to disqualification of sitting Congress MLAs who switched loyalty to Kadapa MP Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy and voted against the Congress government during a floor test in December last.

Another MLA quit in support of Jagan while actor-turned-politician Chiranjeevi resigned as MLA following his election to Rajya Sabha.

The by-election has been necessitated for Nellore Lok Sabha constituency as the sitting Congress MP quit in support of Jagan.

Of the 18 Assembly segments, only one (Parkal) is in Telangana and all others are in coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions. The Nellore Lok Sabha seat is in coastal Andhra.

The bypolls are important for Jagan and his fledgling YSR Congress as a poor performance would derail his political journey ahead of the Lok Sabha elections in 2014.

For ruling Congress too, the bypolls are significant as success is a must to retain power in 2014 assembly elections.

Having drawn a blank in the bypolls held last month for seven Assembly seats, it faces the twin challenge from Jagan and main Opposition TDP.

TDP had also failed to win a single seat in the March bypolls. The Chandrababu Naidu-led party must put up a sound performance in the bypolls to remain a major political force in state politics, observers said.

The BJP president released a dossier listing 35 alleged scams and cases of corruption involving Delhi Government and slammed it for ignoring findings of Prime Minister-appointed Shunglu Committee and Comptroller and Auditor General examining alleged irregularities in hosting of the CWG.

“The BJP does not need to say about the CWG irregularities. The Prime Minister-appointed Shunglu Committee and CAG have reported about them. The Shunglu clearly said tax payers’ money was wasted due to wrong policies of Delhi government,” Gadkari said.

Alleging large scale irregularities in hosting of the CWG, he claimed that clearances were given to files relating to the CWG by the PMO, the Finance Minister, the Sports Minister, the Expenditure Finance Committee and the Cabinet Sub Committee.

Pointing finger at Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit for the alleged irregularities in hosting of the event, he said the Congress leader should have resigned after submission of the Shunglu Committee report.

“Like the UPA government, the Sheila Dikshit government has also been involved in series of scams and wrongdoings,” he said appealing the people of the city to vote for BJP in the civic polls to be held on April 15.

Gadkari also criticised Congress for not taking action against Delhi PWD Minister Raj Kumar Chauhan whose removal was recommended to President Pratibha Patil last year by city Lokayukta for his alleged involvement in protecting a private resort in a tax evasion case.

“Congress had demanded removal of the previous Karnataka Chief Minister following a Lokayukta report last year. BJP had removed him (BS Yeddyurappa) from the post. But did Congress take action against the Delhi Minister whose removal was recommended by Delhi Lokayukta,” he asked.

Promising a clean municipal administration, Gadkari appealed to the people to vote for BJP in the ensuing municipal polls.

The dossier, prepared by BJP leader Kirit Somaiya, mentions about 35 alleged scams involving Delhi Government which include “CWG scam, power privatisation scam, unauthorised colonies scam, DTC bus procurement scam and water privatisation scam”.

Kejriwal was expected to cast his vote at a polling station in Indirapuram area, but he left in the morning for Delhi to catch a flight for Goa.

However, some persons protested against his action which prompted Kejriwal to return to the polling booth.

However, his name was missing in the voters’ list.

“I have a voters identity card. My name was in the voters’ list on the earlier occasions,” he said.

Some voters who were inconvenienced by the media glare on Kejriwal outside the polling booth also shouted slogans.

Asked about him initially deciding not to cast his votes, Kejriwal said the Team Anna programme in Goa was finalised a month ago and at that time, they did not realise that the voting day and campaigning programme would clash.

Addressing a rally in Bijnor, Yadav promised to include 17 OBC castes including Gadarias and Kewats in the SC category. He also wooed the Muslim voters by promising that if elected, his party would pressurise the Centre to increase quota for the community.

In his short speech, Yadav also promised free education till Class VIII, scholarships for intermediate-passed girls for their higher education.

Thirteen districts where polling would be held include Saharanpur, Prabuddha Nagar, Meerut, Bagpath, Ghaziabad, Panchsheel Nagar, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Bulandshahr, Aligarh, Muzaffarnagar, Mathura, Mahamayanagar and Agra.

“More than 2.17 crore voters are expected to cast their votes at 22,137 polling centres,” the Election Commission said.

A total of 1,103 candidates, including 1,017 men and 86 women are in the fray in this phase.

To ensure free and fair election, adequate forces, including central forces, have been deployed.

All the political parties including the Congress, SP, BSP, BJP and RLD have campaigned extensively in the State.

This phase would test the popularity of the Congress’ alliance with the Ajit Singh-led Rashtriya Lok Dal, which has its stronghold in the western region of the State.

It would also decide the fate of the deputy leader of the BJP Legislative Party, Mr Hukkum Singh, and former minister, Mr Rajveer Singh, who is also the son of former Chief Minister, Mr Kalyan Singh.

While the RLD’s Mr Jayant Chaudhary, who is the MP from Mathura, is contesting from the Math seat in Mathura, the Energy Minister Mr Ramveer is seeking a re-run from the Sikandrarau seat in Hathras district.

Mr Ramveer’s prominence would also be put to test in the Sadabad and Dibai seats from where his brother-in-law Mr Satyendra Sharma and brother Mr Vinod Updhayaya are contesting respectively. The latter is pitched against Mr Rajveer Singh, son of former CM, Mr Kalyan Singh.

Two more Cabinet ministers, Mr Jaiveer Singh and Mr Dharm Singh Saini, are also in the fray in this phase from the Barauli and Nakud seats.

The popularity of Mr Rashid Masood, who left the SP and joined Congress, would also be put to test in this phase as his nephew, Mr Imran Masood, is in the fray from the Nakud seat in Saharanpur district.

This phase would also decide the impact of an appeal made by the Shahi Imam of Delhi’s Jama Masjid, Maulana Ahmad Bukahri, in favour of the SP as his son-in-law Mr Umar Ali is in the fray for the Behat seat in Saharanpur disrict.

“The biggest problem in UP is that the leaders do not reach out to people to hear their problems. After becoming the Chief Minister, they forget about them and start looting the money.

“They understand only the language of money and not of the poor,” the Gandhi scion told a string of election rallies.

“When there was trouble in Bhatta Parsaul only we went there. The Opposition said Rahul had gone mad and Mayawati termed it as natak (drama),” he said.

Targeting the BSP supremo and SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, Rahul alleged they gave nothing to the people except promises.

“The SP leader claims he is a leader of Muslims but what has he done for them,” asked the Congress leader.

“There was drought in Bundelkhand but he never found time to visit the region and now he says he will turn Bundelkhand into Israel,” Rahul said.

“When people of other countries visit India, they get amazed with its progress, but this progress is not reflected in UP,” he said.

Urging people to vote for the Congress, Rahul said “if they can help in development of Maharashtra, Haryana, Delhi and other states, they can also make their state developed.”

Thirteen districts where polling would be held include Saharanpur, Prabuddha Nagar, Meerut, Bagpath, Ghaziabad, Panchsheel Nagar, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Bulandshahr, Aligarh, Muzaffarnagar, Mathura, Mahamayanagar and Agra.

“More than 2.17 crore voters are expected to cast their votes at 22137 polling centres,” the Election Commission said. A total of 1103 candidates, including 1017 men and 86 women are in the fray in this phase.

To ensure free and fair elections adequate force, including central forces, has been deployed.

All the political parties including Congress, SP, BSP, BJP and RLD have extensively campaigned in the Jat land of the state.

This phase would test the popularity of Congress’ alliance with Ajit Singh led Rashtriya Lok Dal which has its stronghold in the western region of the state.

It would also decide the fate of youth face of RLD Jayant Chaudhary, Energy Minister Ramveer Upadhyaya, deputy leader of BJP Legislative Party Hukkum Singh and former minister Rajveer Singh, who is also son of former Chief Minister Kalyan Singh.

While Jayant, who is MP from Mathura is contesting from Math seat in Mathura, Energy Minister Ramveer is seeking rerun from Sikandrarau seat in Hathras district.

Ramveer’s prominence would also be put to test in Sadabad and Dibai seats from where his brother-in-law Satyendra Sharma and brother Vinod Updhayaya are contesting respectively.

Ramveer’s brother Vinod is pitched against Rajveer Singh, a former minister and son of ex CM Kalyan Singh.

Two more cabinet ministers Jaiveer Singh and Dharm Singh Saini are also in the fray in this phase from Barauli and Nakud seats.

Popularity of Rashid Masood, who left SP and joined Congress, would also be put to test in this phase as his nephew Imran Masood is in fray from Nakud seat in Saharanpur district.

This phase would also decide the impact of an appeal made by Shahi Imam of Delhi’s Jama Masjid Maulana Ahmad Bukahri in favour of SP as his son-in-law Umar Ali is in the fray for Behat seat in Saharanpur disrict.

Polling started at 7 AM amidst tight security arrangements and 50.16 per cent votes were cast till 3 PM, Chief Electoral Officer of UP Umesh Sinha said here.

In 2007 assembly elections, total 47.57 per cent votes were cast in this phase.

Maximum 55 per cent votes were polled in Firozabad.Among other districts, Mahoba and Hamirpur saw 49 per cent voter turnout, Jalaun 51.75 per cent, Etawah 52 and Auraiya 50 per cent.

There were reports of voters boycotting the poll process in Etah, Lalitpur, Jalaun and Hamirpur over development issues.

There were also reports of minor scuffles between election officials and voters in Kanpur.

The Cantt seat area saw some tension as the local Congress candidate alleged that 75 per cent of voters’ names were missing from the voter list despite their having voter-ID cards. Angry voters created a ruckus but heavy police presence prevented the situation from worsening.

Senior officials said the problem arose due to a minor error in the list which was changed after delimitation and the problem was resolved peacefully with the voters.

Another part of Cantt seat also witnessed similar confusion in the voter list and slogan-shouting among rival party supporters.

In this phase, fate of 829 candidates, including that of Leader of Opposition in the state assembly Shivpal Singh Yadav, BJP leader Uma Bharati and former UP chief minister Kalyan Singh would be decided.

Polling is underway in Firozabad, Kanshiram Nagar, Etah, Mainpuri, Etawah, Auraiya, Ramabainagar, Kanpur, Jalaun, Jhansi, Lalitpur, Hamirpur and Mahoba districts.

The fifth phase covers assembly seats in backward Bundelkhand region, bastions of SP and former chief minister Kalyan Singh. In this phase, Shivpal Singh Yadav is seeking re-election from Jaswantnagar seat in Etawah district.

Fate of firebrand leader Uma Bharati, who is making her debut in UP electoral politics, would be put to test from Charkhari seat in Mahoba district.

Charisma and political strength of former UP chief minister Kalyan Singh would also be tested in this phase when elections would be held in his stronghold of Etah.

]]> http://www.jaintv.com/2012/02/23/politics/polls-50-voter-turnout-late-afternoon/feed/ 0 http://www.jaintv.com/2012/02/23/politics/polls-39-voters-exercise-franchise-6-hrs/ http://www.jaintv.com/2012/02/23/politics/polls-39-voters-exercise-franchise-6-hrs/#comments Thu, 23 Feb 2012 09:44:32 +0000 Admin http://www.jaintv.com/?p=12296 Lucknow:  Brisk polling was recorded in the fifth phase of UP assembly elections spread over 49 seats with around 39% of the over 1.56 crore voters exercising their franchise in the six hours amidst reports of poll boycott in some areas.

Polling started at 7am amidst tight security arrangements and 38.76% votes were cast till 1 PM, Chief Electoral Officer of UP Umesh Sinha said here.

Maximum 45% votes each were polled in Firozabad and Lalitpur districts.

Among other districts, Etah recorded 43.7%, Etawah 42%, Hamirpur 37%, Mainpuri, Jalaun and Jhansi 39% each and Mahoba 38.

There were reports of voters boycotting the poll process in Etah, Lalitpur, Jalaun and Hamirpur over development issue.

In Kanpur, 32 percent voter turnout was recorded till 1 PM.

There were also reports of minor scuffles between election officials and voters in the industrial city.

The Cantt seat area saw some tension as the local Congress candidate alleged that 75% of voters’ names were missing from the voter list despite their having voter-ID cards. Angry voters created a ruckus but heavy police presence prevented the situation from worsening.

Senior police officials said the problem arose due to a minor error in the list which was changed after delimitation and the problem was resolved peacefully with the voters.

Another part of Cantt seat also witnessed similar confusion in the voter list and slogan-shouting among rival party supporters.

In this phase, fate of 829 candidates, including that of Leader of Opposition in the state assembly Shivpal Singh Yadav, BJP leader Uma Bharati and former UP chief minister Kalyan Singh would be decided.

Polling is underway in Firozabad, Kanshiram Nagar, Etah, Mainpuri, Etawah, Auraiya, Ramabainagar, Kanpur, Jalaun, Jhansi, Lalitpur, Hamirpur and Mahoba districts.

The fifth phase would cover assembly seats in backward Bundelkhand region, bastions of SP and former chief minister Kalyan Singh.In this phase, Shivpal Singh Yadav is seeking re-election from Jaswantnagar seat in Etawah district.

Fate of firebrand leader Uma Bharati, who is making her debut in UP electoral politics, would be put to test from Charkhari seat in Mahoba district.

Charisma and political strength of former UP chief minister Kalyan Singh would also be tested in this phase when elections would be held in his stronghold of Etah.`

“If Congress gets majority then it will form the government… In case we don’t get clear majority we sit in the opposition and I see no alternative but governor’s rule,” the Union Coal Minister told reporters here after casting his vote.

The Congress leader said “those who lack confidence are looking for alliance….Congress will not forge any alliance.” But shortly later after reaching New Delhi, he appeared to retract, saying his statement was “twisted” by reporters.

“…the reality is that we will form a government with clear majority in UP and nobody can stop it from happening,” Jaiswal said.

He claimed that some scribes had asked him about constitutional provisions in case no party is able to form government.

“I told them what is mentioned in the Constitution. That is, in such a case President’s rule is imposed,” he explained.

He claimed that even if Congress fails to get complete majority, it will be invited to form the government by the Governor as being the single largest party. “Independents and smaller parties will themselves extend support if we fall short of 10 or 5 seats,” he said.

But his statement evoked sharp response from the BJP whose leader Uma Bharati said it was “undemocratic and a threat to the voters”.

“On the threat that they would impose President’s rule, I appeal to the electorate not to poll in favour of Congress as the party is not understanding the importance of their votes,” she said in Charkhari, from where she is contesting.

Bharati said such a statement was “undemocratic and was not an announcement, but a threat.

“It is indicative of feudal mindset. Congress does not believe in democracy that is why they are saying this,” she alleged.

]]> http://www.jaintv.com/2012/02/23/politics/uttar-pradesh-elections-polling-starts-dull-note/feed/ 0 http://www.jaintv.com/2012/02/21/regional-2/bsp-leaders-join-bjp/ http://www.jaintv.com/2012/02/21/regional-2/bsp-leaders-join-bjp/#comments Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:29:43 +0000 Admin http://www.jaintv.com/?p=12196 Lucknow: Three senior BSP leaders, including a former legislator, today joined the BJP in Uttar Pradesh’s Etah district. Ex-MLA Subhakar Verma, Bhoop Singh Rathore and Girish Chandra Verma joined the BJP in the presence of its former president Rajnath Singh. Their induction into the BJP would strengthen the party, state party chief Surya Pratap Shahi said.

Addressing an election rally at the Exhibition Grounds here, Mayawati said had the centre conceded to the state government’s repeated pleas for funds, the state of UP would have been marching ahead in different fields.

Refuting the allegation of corruption against her party’s government in Uttar Pradesh, the Chief Minister said, “in the last Assembly elections, a number of infiltrators had managed to sneak into our party and get elected.”

“Some of them became ministers. When we detected their wrong doings we immediately removed them from their respective posts”, she said.

Taking a dig at the Bhartiya Janata Party, Mayawati said, “When we removed certain corrupt elements from our party, other parties who championed the cause of honesty accepted them with open arms”.

Mayawati said, “the Bhartiya Janata Party has no moral right to speak of corruption after the track record of their party’s government in Karnataka has come before the country. The track record of the NDA government which ruled in the centre for about seven years also reflects the BJP’s fickle commitment to the cause of fighting corruption”, she said.

Hitting out at the UPA government, the Chief Minister said, “the UPA government’s numerous scandals just in the past three years should expose the true face of the Congress Party on the issue of corruption.”

Referring to the reservation issue and the Congress Party’s “ambivalent stand” on the matter, the Chief Minister said, “by indiscriminately adding other groups to the OBC list, the Congress Party is depriving the existing beneficiaries in the quota list”.

The Chief Minister said, “By promising 9 per cent reservation to Muslims in government jobs, the Congress Party is trying to trick both the Muslims and the other OBC groups who are already in the quota ambit”.

Referring to the slow pace of development in some sectors in the state, she said, “Our target is to provide 24-hour electricity per day if we are given further chance to serve the state and if the Centre cooperates with us”.

She said that the Centre had been very stingy in releasing funds for the state and “whatever development has taken place in UP during the past five years has been achieved with our own meagre resources and in some cases with the help of private sector”.

The Chief Minister said that the state has done more for farmers during the past five years than had ever been done by governments who claimed to champion the cause of the farmers.

She cited the example of “doubling of the minimum purchase price for sugarcane in the state” during her tenure.

The Chief Minister said that her party was determined to maintain communal peace and harmony in the state. This was reflected by the manner in which her government succeeded in maintaining peace in Uttar Pradesh in the aftermath of the declaration of the High Court case on the explosive Babri Masjid-Ram Janambhoomi Issue.

“During the entire mass contact programme neither Rahul Gandhi addressed a meeting, nor did he take out any procession. Therefore, he has not violated the model conde of conduct,” the state Congress president claimed.
She alleged that the Mayawati government was “nervous and shaken” after the “success” of Rahul’s roadshow in Lucknow.
Jaiswal said, “Rahul Gandhi has not violated any election code. Was there curfew in the town, that he should not have visited those areas?”
Rahul’s roadshow began at the Circuit House this morning and crossed through all the five assembly segments here with people standing on both sides of the roads to greet the leader.
In Muslim-dominated Chunnigang area, people welcomed him by showering flowers while the Congress leader garlanded an Ambedkar statue in Bajaria area.
Kanpur will go to polls in the fifth phase of February 23.

Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president BS Gnanadesikan said that Congress General Secretary and in-charge of party affairs in Tamil Nadu Ghulam Nabi Azad agreed to the proposal.

DMK president M Karunanidhi had yesterday hinted that his party was ready to consider fielding a common opposition RPT opposition candidate for the by election if all parties felt the need to prevent vote splitting.

DMK’s J Jawahar Suryakumar is pitted against ruling AIADMK’s S Muthuselvi, chairperson of Sankarankovil Municipality in the bypoll, which has been necessitated by the death of state minister C Karuppasamy.

Vijaykant-led DMDK is yet to take a decision on fielding its candidate, while MDMK has announced that former MLA Sathan Thirumalai Kumar would be its candidate for the bypoll.

“Certainly, the intent or effect (of what he said) of it was neither to vitiate any law nor to violate any code of conduct,” Congress spokesman Abhishek Singhvi told reporters shortly after Verma met him.

Noting that Verma is “a very veteran politician”, Singhvi said there was no question of slightest disrespect to the EC intended or done in any manner because “I know Verma holds it (Election Commission) in the highest esteem”.

Singhvi, who is a senior Supreme Court advocate, said, Verma will request the EC to take a balanced view of the whole thing and make it clear that he did not intend to bring down the dignity of the poll panel even fractionally.

The Commission had issued a showcause notice to the steel minister on Saturday, seeking clarification on his remarks on sub-quota for minorities.

At a rally in Farrukabad on 15 February, Verma had said reservations for minorities must be increased and had dared the EC to take action against him.

After elaborating on the “plight” of Muslims and the facilities that his party would provide to the community, Verma had specifically requested people to vote for the Congress.

The Commission, which had seen the video recording of Verma’s rally, had said it was prima facie satisfied after seeing the footage that the minister had violated the provisions of the model code of conduct.

“The Congress is not uttering a word on corruption and price rise in its regime. If you all made a mistake while exercising franchise, you all have to face life of insult and hooliganism”, she said while addressing an election meeting here.

Attacking Congress for defaming her government on the issue of corruption, Mayawati alleged 62 scams of Rs 20 lakh crore took place in the Congress-led government at the Centre.

Promising to provide 24-hour electricity, Mayawati said that contrary to oppositions’ claim, BSP would get absolute majority in the state.

The manifesto was released by All India Congress Committee general secretary Oscar Fernandes in the presence of national and state party leaders.

Congress has also assured to solve the problem of housing in the state by providing 5,000 flats and row houses through the Housing Board Corporation in the next five years.

“We will also form a committee of agricultural experts to survey fallow paddy fields and suggest an action plan to make it cultivable and fast track courts would be set up to solve land related disputes,” the manifesto said.

The Congress has also promised a slum-free Goa through rehabilitation of existing slum dwellers.

The party has assured to increase the ceiling of mediclaim scheme from Rs 1.2 lakh to Rs seven lakh, covering all illness.

The Congress further said that it would increase monthly allowance to senior citizens under Dayanand Niradhar Yojana from Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,500 and every application of widow and handicapped people would be disposed of within three months.

Addressing an election rally at the exhibition ground, he asked the electorate to shun “Cycle” and “Elephant”, poll symbols of SP and BSP respectively, and vote for Congress for rapid development of the state.

“In the past 22 years, Mulayam Singh Yadav has been Chief Minister three times and Mayawati four times. What have you got?” the Gandhi scion asked the voters.

“They will come to you only at election time and make tall promises,” he said.

Referring to Mulayam, Rahul said “you go to any election rally of his and tell him that you do not like the colour of the sky and want it to be green. Within two minutes he will promise this. He will say whatever you want him to say.”

The people of the state had got entangled in the circle of “Cycle and Elephant” and they should get rid of this, the Congress general secretary said.

Recalling the success story of his party in the 2009 Lok Sabha election, he said it got 22 seats and people would give 40 in 2014 as the Congress was working for welfare of all sections of the society.

On the Muslim reservation issue, Rahul said Mulayam, who had termed the proposed 4.5 per cent quota for minorities as inadequate, did nothing when he was the Chief Minister.

Lucknow:

More than 1.74 crore voters are expected to cast their votes to seal the fate of 967 candidates in the polling to be held in Hardoi, Unnao, Lucknow, Rae Bareli, Farukkhabad, CSM Nagar, Kannauj, Banda, Chitrakoot, Fatehpur and Pratapgarh.

Stakes are high for ruling BSP, Congress, SP and the BJP in the no holds barred fight for the 403 assembly seats.

This phase has 103 candidates with criminal cases pending against them, besides 139 ‘crorepatis’.

The fourth phase would test fate of several stalwarts and heavyweights including three ministers, 32 sitting MLAs, 12 former ministers, national vice-president of BJP Kalraj Mishra and Congress state president Rita Bahuguna Joshi.

In this phase, senior BJP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Kalraj Mishra is making his debut in electoral politics from Lucknow east seat, whereas UPPCC president Rita Bahuguna Joshi is in fray from Lucknow Cant seat.

This phase would also test the luck of Louis Khurshid, wife of Union Law Minister Salman Khurshid from Farukkhabad Sadar seat.

Congress Legislative Party leader Pramod Tiwari is seeking re-run from his traditional Rampur Khas seat in Pratapgarh district.

Among ministers while Urban Development Minister Nakul Dubey has shifted to Bakshi ka Talab seat, Science and Technology Minister Abdul Mannan is re-contesting from Sandila seat.

Chairman of Housing and Development Board Achche Lal Nishad is in fray from Tindwari and chairman of UP Agro Brijmohan Singh Kushwaha from Baberu seat.

Senior BJP leader and MP Lalji Tandon’s son Ahustosh Tandon alias Gopalji is also making his debut from Lucknow north seat.

Sitting BSP MLA and son of former minister Naresh Agarwal, Nitin Agarwal is again contesting from Hardoi Sadar seat but on SP ticket this time.

Synonymous with empowerment of women in Bundelkhan region and leader of Gulabi gang Sampat Pal would also be in the fray as Congress candidate.

Independent candidate from Rae Bareli Sadar seat Akhilesh Singh would be contesting as Peace Party candidate, whereas heavyweight and sitting MLA Raghuraj Pratap Singh alias Raja Bhaiyya is testing his luck from Kunda seat.

Veer Singh, son of slain dacoit Daddua, is contesting for Karvi seat in Chitrakoot as SP nominee.

Mumbai:

“The result is surprising…unexpected. We tried to consolidate secular votes but could not meet with desired outcome,” Chavan told reporters on Friday evening.

Chavan, who played a crucial role in hammering out the alliance in Mumbai, however, blamed Samajwadi Party for the debacle. “The role played by Samajwadi Party was a big setback in our efforts to stop division of the secular votes,” he said.

Chavan said the alliance had benefited both the ruling partners in the state government in Mumbai and Thane.

“I congratulate Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray. We accept defeat in Mumbai. We need to introspect,” he said.

The logic behind cobbling together the alliance was that if secular parties came together, “we would be able to defeat the communal forces,” Chavan said.

Lucknow:

“Their charge is about communalising elections but it is the BJP which has communal agenda on its manifesto,” Sibal told newspersons here.

He said a Hindu organisation had complained to the Election Commission on temple being an issue on the BJP manifesto and the poll watchdog had served the party president with a notice.

The Union HRD minister questioned BJP’s motive in mentioning the temple issue in the manifesto when “they know that they are not coming to power nor have any hopes for it.”

“It is clear that they want vote on Ram temple … it is BJP which is trying to communalise elections”, he said recalling that when the NDA was in power they did nothing saying that it is a coalition government and need clear majority for it.

“The issue is now being raised by the sants of the Hindu organisations,” he said.

Taking offence to an advertisement of the BJP, he said it is an attempt to distort what has not been said by the Congress. “We have not talked about Muslim reservation. We have talked about minority reservation”, he said, adding that the party has written to the EC in this connection.

To a question on the controversy over the NCTC, Sibal said the government formulates a policy after properly thinking over it and opposition to it, if any, is also heard.

Terming opposition to any issue as a part of democracy, he said he was sure that the controversy would end soon and states would be assured that it is not a matter of infringing upon their rights.

Kanpur:

Addressing his first election rally in the UP assembly elections, the Prime Minister targeted Chief Minister Mayawati over allegations of corruption against her government on several issues, including the much talked about NRHM, MNREGA and other centrally-sponsored schemes.

Singh said the condition of law and order, power supply, potable water facilities and infrastructure in the state has gone down.

“The reason behind this bad situation is that non- Congress governments which came to power in the state in the last 22 years did not pay attention either to governance or the problems of the common man,” he said.

Singh urged people to vote Congress to power by promising “we will work with greater strength for the development of UP if the Congress comes to power.”

The PM also referred to the Bundelkhand package saying Rahul Gandhi played a key role in ensuring the measure but it was not fully utilised by the state government due to “irregularities” in its implementation.

“There is a need to change this situation. You need a government which changes the shape of UP and focuses on development by rising above caste and religious lines. Congress led by Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi can provide such a government,” the Prime Minister said.

Solapur:

While Congress bagged 44 seats, NCP won 16.

Solapur is the hometown of Congress leader and Union Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde.

Shiv Sena got 8 seats, BJP 26 and RPI only 1. BSP and CPM won 3 seats each. An independent candidate won from one ward.

Mayor Arif Sheikh (Congress) won his seat, defeating nearest rival, advocate Rajak Sheikh (BJP).

Pune::

NCP has bagged 31 seats in the 152-member house so far. MNS, which has substantially improved upon its tally of 7 in the last house, has left Congress and BJP behind, who have won 15 and 13 seats respectively as per the results by 3 pm.

Rae Bareli:

“….we respect the Election Commission…during election time it sometimes happens…people keep saying certain things all the time…some in our party also say things which are wrong”, she said replying to a question during an informal chat.

“How can it be a mandate (from the top)…it cannot be the party”s policy”, she said.

Priyanka, who is campaigning in the Congress bastions of Rae Bareli and Amethi continously since the past several days, has been exuding confidence of winning all the ten seats in the area.

Verma dared the EC to take action against him with his sub-quota for Muslims remarks which drew round criticism from friends and foes as also Congress party.

Farukhabad (UP)

Louis, who is contesting polls from Sadar seat here, has been charged with violating the model code of conduct for not taking prior permission to conduct road shows of Bollywood actors Sanjay Dutt and Raj Babbar.

Similar cases have been filed against BJP candidate Dwivedi, Jankranti Party candidate Mohan Agarwal and Independent Anupam Dubey at city police station for allegedly violating the conduct during campaigning.

Rae Bareilly:

Addressing an election meeting in Sadar Assembly segment of the constituency from where Akhilesh Singh, the sitting MLA having a criminal record is seeking re-election, Priyanka said the question before the people is whether they want to be “free of backwardness and terror or not”.

Singh is a Peace Party candidate this time.

“Think seriously and use your vote judiciously for development of the area,” she said.

“It should be for bringing a new trend in politics and a leader who is dedicated to you….you have to take an important decision on February 19 to vote for yourself, your area as well as state to be rid of backwardness and fear.”

“Leave backwardness and fear behind, get rid of it and move ahead,” she said.

In democracy, the real power is in your hands and the real responsibility is also yours,” she said, adding that it is not the question of election of one MLA but of the future of the people.

Priyanka is presently camping in her family pocket borough Rae Bareli for the party.

Farukkhabad:

“Reservation for Muslims will be increased and if the EC wants, it can now issue notice to me,” Verma said while addressing a rally at Kaimganj last night in the presence of Congress general secretary Digvijay Singh and Union Law Minister Khurshid.

The minister said Khurshid was “honestly fighting for the Muslims”.

Referring to the row between EC and Khurshid, Beni said that if Congress comes to power, then they would work for more reservation.

Khurshid had last week triggered a controversy by stating that he would continue to speak on nine per cent sub-quota for minorities even if the Election Commission “hangs me”.

The EC had yesterday put a lid on the standoff with Khurshid after he expressed regrets over his “defiance” of the poll body over his remarks on subquota for minorities.

During a separate election meeting organised in the city, Khurshid, while campaigning in support of his wife and Congress candidate Louis Khurshid, said that when he said the same thing in Parliament (on quota) nobody said anything and when he repeated it in Farukkhabad, hullabaloo was created.

He said besides reservation, there were number of others laws which would benefit the poor, farmers and workers.

The minister promised higher compensation for farmers whose land would be acquired.

Apparently referring to BJP leader Arun Jaitely, Khurshid said that when he talks about Muslims, the BJP leader says that he talks about only one community. “I want to ask why he is opposed to one community”.

Hamirpur:

Apparently realising the political import of his remarks on SP’s readiness to support Congress, Mulayam at a hastily convened news conference in Lucknow said the question of support did not arise, claiming his party will be getting absolute majority.

“The question of giving or taking support to Congress or anyone else did not arise as SP is getting absolute majority in the state,” Mulayam said.

“We are supporting Congress at the Centre to keep BJP at bay. But the question for the same does not arise in UP…”, he added.

At a meeting in Hamirpur earlier in the day, Mulayam had kept open the option of a post-poll tie up with Congress, saying his party can support Congress to stop “communal” forces if he sees BJP coming to power.

“There is wave in favour of SP, which is going to form next government in the state…If I see BJP coming to power, our party can support Congress in the state to prevent communal forces,” the former UP chief minister said.

About the Congress, he claimed at the news conference it was at number four position in the state and if somehow it reached the third spot it was an achievement for the party.

“The Congress is there in talks among media and leaders but not a the village level”, Yadav claimed.

The Congress on its part gave a lukewarm response to Mulayam’s readiness to support the party in UP after the assembly polls. Counting of votes is due to be taken up on March 6.

The question is “premature and unnecessary at this point of time”, Congress spokesperson Renuka Chowdhury told reporters in New Delhi in reply to questions on Mulayam’s remarks and whether the SP was the ‘natural ally’ of Congress.

Noting that the Congress attitude on the issue was going to be “wait and watch”, she said”there has been no pre-poll pact between Congress and the Samajwadi Party. We have not arrived at post-poll scenario as yet.

Lucknow:

Sultanpur district recorded maximum 50 percent polling, whereas minimum 44.88 percent was registered in Jaunpur.

“Voting began at 7 am for the third phase of assembly elections and 47.05 percent polling was recorded till 3 PM,” Election Commission officials said here.

Among other districts, CSM Nagar recorded 47 percent, Kaushambi 47 percent, Varanasi 46.62 percent, Bhadoi 47 percent and Sonbhadra 46 percent.

This phase will decide the fate of three cabinet ministers, a minister of state, 29 sitting MLAs and 14 former ministers.

More than 1.75 crore voters are expected to cast their votes to seal the fate of 1,018 candidates in the polling to be held in CSM Nagar, Sultanpur, Kaushambi, Allahabad, Jaunpur, Chandauli, Varanasi, Sant Ravidas Nagar, Mirzapur and Sonbhadra.

Fate of 1,018 candidates in 10 districts, including Amethi and Rae Bareli, bastion of Nehru-Gandhi family, and Naxal-hit districts Chandauli, Sonbhadra and Mirzapur would be decided in the third phase.

In this phase, at least 121 candidates with criminal background and as many as 48 ‘crorepatis’ are in the fray. Sinha said that polling would end by 4 PM in Naxal-affected area of Chakia in Sonbhadra and Duddhi in Robertsganj of Sonbhadra.

A total of 2,025 polling stations have been identified as sensitive and 1,766 as hyper sensitive.

The CEO said that polling was being held at 18,374 polling booths at 11,607 polling stations where 1,122 video cameras and 1,190 digital cameras have been installed to maintain a vigil on poll process.

Stakes are high for ruling BSP, Congress, SP and the BJP in the no holds barred fight for the 403 assembly seats.

Unnao (UP):

“Youth are supporting the Congress all over and this is the reason that voter turnout is touching 60 to 65%”, Gandhi said in Unnao.

The Congress leader who addressed two election meetings covering four Assembly constituencies of the district, while exhorting the voters to give five years to his party to form the government of common people for the development of the state, said that both the hands (government at the centre and state) were required for speedy progress.

“Both hands are required for doing work… there is a government at the centre and only one hand is working… give us government in UP and both hands would work”, he said.

Lashing out at Mayawati and Mulayam Singh Yadav, he said that the former has been chief minister four times and the latter three times. If they return they will again make promises but nothing would be done, he said.

He questioned whether Mayawati and Mulayam Singh has been seen in villages in the past five years and stressed that for politics it is essential that common people should be contacted.

He also attacked the BJP for its India Shining slogan and Yadav for promising to transform Bundel Khand saying that no leader visited there during drought.

“I go to villages, talk to youth about development and understand issues concerning them”, he said adding that he has come here to change the state and not talk about caste and religion.

Hamirpur (UP):

Addressing an election rally here, Mr. Singh said, “there is a wave in favour of SP, which is going to form the next government in the state…If I see BJP coming to power, our party can support Congress in the state to prevent communal forces“.

He asked party workers to ensure that voters go to the booth to cast their votes. He also asked them to propagate ideologies of the party and inform people about what SP could do for them, if voted to power.

In an obvious reference to the opposition attack on SP that hooliganism was on the rise in its regime, Mulayam said that all the goonda elements and mafias would be brought to book.

“My government will ensure that mafia and goondas go behind the bars”, he said.

Lucknow:

Naxal-hit Sonbhadra district recorded maximum 38 per cent polling, whereas minimum 30 per cent was registered in Allahabad.

“Voting began at 7 AM for the third phase of assembly elections and 34.72 per cent polling was recorded till 1 PM,” Election Commission officials said here.

Among other districts, CSM Nagar recorded 36 per cent, Sultanpur 33 per cent, Kaushambi 36 per cent, Jaunpur 32.66 per cent, Varanasi 32.8 per cent, Bhadoi 37 per cent and Mirzapur 34 per cent.

This phase will decide the fate of three cabinet ministers, a minister of state, 29 sitting MLAs and 14 former ministers.

More than 1.75 crore voters are expected to cast their votes to seal the fate of 1,018 candidates in the polling to be held in CSM Nagar, Sultanpur, Kaushambi, Allahabad, Jaunpur, Chandauli, Varanasi, Sant Ravidas Nagar, Mirzapur and Sonbhadra.

Fate of 1,018 candidates in 10 districts, including Amethi and Rae Bareli, bastion of Nehru-Gandhi family, and Naxal-hit districts Chandauli, Sonbhadra and Mirzapur would be decided in the third phase.

In this phase, at least 121 candidates with criminal background and as many as 48 ‘crorepatis’ are in the fray.

Sinha said that polling would end by 4 PM in Naxal-affected area of Chakia in Sonbhadra and Duddhi in Robertsganj of Sonbhadra.

A total of 2,025 polling stations have been identified as sensitive and 1,766 as hyper sensitive.

The CEO said that polling was being held at 18,374 polling booths at 11,607 polling stations where 1,122 video cameras and 1,190 digital cameras have been installed to maintain a vigil on poll process.

Stakes are high for ruling BSP, Congress, SP and the BJP in the no holds barred fight for the 403 assembly seats.

Lucknow:

Naxal-hit Chandauli district recorded maximum 25 percent polling, whereas minimum 17.6 percent was registered in Varanasi.

“Voting began at 7 am for the third phase of assembly elections and 20.51 percent polling was recorded in the first four hours,” Election Commission officials said here.

Among other districts, CSM Nagar recorded 21 percent, Sultanpur 22 percent, Kaushambi 20.11 per cent, 18 Jaunpur percent, Bhadoi 20.8 percent, Mirzapur 18 percent and Sonbhadra 21 percent.

This phase will decide the fate of three cabinet ministers, a minister of state, 29 sitting MLAs and 14 former ministers.

More than 1.75 crore voters are expected to cast their votes to seal the fate of 1,018 candidates in the polling to be held in CSM Nagar, Sultanpur, Kaushambi, Allahabad, Jaunpur, Chandauli, Varanasi, Sant Ravidas Nagar, Mirzapur and Sonbhadra.

In this phase, at least 121 candidates with criminal background and as many as 48 ‘crorepatis’ are in the fray.

A total of 2,025 polling stations have been identified as sensitive and 1,766 as hyper sensitive.

The CEO said that polling was being held at 18,374 polling booths at 11,607 polling stations where 1,122 video cameras and 1,190 digital cameras have been installed to maintain a vigil on poll process.

Stakes are high for ruling BSP, Congress, SP and the BJP in the no holds barred fight for the 403 assembly seats.

Lucknow:

“The party’s manifesto for UP has been implemented in BJP-ruled states. If given a chance to rule in UP, the party will change the face of the state by ensuring development,” he told reporters here.

On the naxal problem in his state, Singh said his government was dealing with it by ensuring development in areas infested with extremists.

On alleged mining scam in Chhattisgarh, he said neither he nor his relatives owned any mine as they were involved in farming only.

BJP women wing chairperson Smriti Irani favoured “Nari adalat” to deal with crime related to women.

Kannauj (UP):

“We will pressurise the Centre for ensuring reservation to Muslims and if needed an amendment in the law will be made… The party will also ensure that 17 castes are included in the SC category,” Yadav told election meetings in these districts.

Charging Congress with misleading Muslims in the name of reservation, Yadav said only his government could help the community in getting their rights.

In Kannauj, he appealed to the voters to get all party candidates elected as it was parliamentary constituency of SP state president Akhilesh Yadav.

He said development work took a backseat during the Mayawati government, which he dubbed as very corrupt.

Farukhabad (UP):

Local lawyer K K Gupta filed the petition here yesterday alleging that Khurshid’s statement that he would ensure nine per cent reservation to Muslims “even if the EC hangs him” were aimed at ensuring the victory of his wife Louis Khurshid by flaring up communal sentiments.

“Thus appropriate action should be taken against him under the Peoples Representation Act and relevant section of the IPC,” he said.

The lawyers said that he had given application to the local police chief demanding action against Khurshid but “nothing was done”.

The court of Judicial Magistrate (10) Vikas has fixed February 18 as the next date of hearing.

The Law Minister told an election meeting in Farrukhabad last week that he would continue to fight for Muslim sub-quota even “if they (EC) hang me”.

The EC had written a letter to President Pratibha Patil seeking her intervention on Khurshid’s alleged defiance of the poll body’s censure of his remarks promising to double job sub-quota for Muslims

Hardoi:

“It was not the responsibility of the central government but since the UP government was not seen in Bundelkhand, a package of Rs 8,000 crore was provided…And it could have changed the entire area…The India Shining which the BJP talked about could have started”, Gandhi said addressing an election meeting here.

Referring to the Bundelkhand package, he said that the money which was sent for digging up wells and providing tractors were misused and the farmers who also invested their share for the wells faced losses.

“The tractors were given to the sons of ministers, don’t know what they are doing with it… Running them in their sitting rooms,” Gandhi said adding that when he raised these issues, Mayawati said Rahul Gandhi was enacting a drama.

On the package for weavers, he said that they came to him and he took them to the planning commission and the prime minister took only two minutes and UPA, the government of the common people, provided a package.

“This was not our work but that of Uttar Pradesh government, Mayawati and Mulayam Singh Yadav. We had not made any promises for Bundelkhand and weavers in 2004 and 2009 but when they came to us we worked for them,” Rahul said.

Reiterating that he has not come here to ask for votes, Rahul Gandhi said the real power is in the hands of the people but regretted that the governments in the state were wasting their strength and knowledge and not giving them due respect.

In a letter delivered to the EC midnight on Monday night, Khurshid said that he “bows to the wisdom of EC” and has given his commitment to ensure that such a situation does not arise again.

Khurshid’s letter came close on the heels of Congress disapproving his comments against the EC, saying that “people occupying posts of responsibility should speak responsibly”.

“I treat this matter as unfortunate and regret the statement…it has never been my intention to transgress the law and undermine the election code of conduct. I have great respect for the Commission and the decisions it takes and has taken…,” Khurshid said in his short communication.

In an unprecedented move, the EC had on Saturday written a letter to President Pratibha Patil seeking her intervention on Khurshid’s alleged defiance of the poll body’s censure of his remarks promising to double job sub-quota for Muslims which the EC found violative of the model of conduct.

Even after the EC’s censure, the Law Minister told an election meeting in Farrukhabad that he would continue to fight for Muslim sub-quota even “if they (EC) hang me”.

The President had forwarded the letter to the office of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. The Law Minister met Singh and explained his position.

In his letter to EC, Khurshid said he was “disturbed with the developments arising out of one of my statements” made in the course of electioneering in Uttar Pradesh.

He added that “it has caused me an equal measure of sadness”.

The minister said he was committed to EC’s authority as a constitutional body and said that he bows to the wisdom of the EC and will remain committed to ensure that such a situation does not arise again.

The CEC found the tone and tenor of the remarks of Khurshid “as utterly contemptuous and dismissive” of the Election Commission and damaging to the level-playing field” in Uttar Pradesh assembly election and sought “immediate and decisive” intervention of the President.

Khurshid’s sub-quota remarks were first made during a rally in support of his wife Louise who is contesting as a Congress candidate in Farrukhabad.

On Saturday night, the Law Minister had at another rally stuck to his sub-quota stand, drawing the anger of the panel.

MUZAFFARNAGAR (UP):

The nomination of Vishal Kashyyap, RLD candidate for Kairana Constituency, was rejected by Returning Officer J S Mishra after it was found that he provided false information in regard to his education and criminal background, officials said.

New Delhi:

The EC said the defiance by a Union minister of the Constitutional body was “unprecedented” and his “improper and unlawful action” has put a strain on the delicate balance of functions between Constitutional authorities.

The strongly-worded two-page letter was written to the President after an emergency meeting of the full Commission in the wake of Khurshid’s statement earlier in the day that he would continue to pursue the line on nine percent sub-quota for minorities ‘even if they hang me’.

The EC had earlier censured him for the same statement made on January 8 while campaigning in Uttar Pradesh elections, holding that it was violative of the Election Model Code of Conduct.

“The Commission is shocked that instead of being remorseful about the violation of the Model Code, that carries the consensus of all political parties and the sanction of the Supreme Court, the minister has chosen to be defiant and aggressive. This is unprecedented,” the EC letter said.

Lucknow:

The fate of 1,098 candidates, including two state party chiefs, 31 MLAs and 24 former ministers was sealed in the Electronic Voting Machines in today’s exercise.

Polling for the second round, in which 59 assembly seats were up for grabs, was generally peaceful in Sant Kabir Nagar, Maharajganj, Gorakhpur, Kushinagar, Deoria, Azamgarh, Mau, Ballia and Ghazipur districts.

“An estimated 59 percent electorate cast votes in the second round,” state Chief Electoral Officer Umesh Sinha told reporters here. “The polling was generally peaceful,” he said adding Kushinagar district recorded the highest 63 percent voting and Deoriya and Ballia 54 percent each, the lowest, in round two.

Ruling BSP, Congress, SP and BJP pulled out all the stops to woo voters in the no-holds-barred fight for the 403-seat House in the politically-crucial state.

The first phase had recorded around 63 percent polling in 55 constituencies in nine districts.

In New Delhi, Deputy Election Commissioner Alok Shukla said “these constituencies witnessed a turnout of 43.41 percent in the 2007 assembly election.”

Residents of village Chacheri in Khalilabad constituency in Sant Kabir Nagar district boycotted the polling protesting lack of development in their area, Shukla said.

Polling began amid tight security on a dull note but picked up as the day advanced. Barring a couple of incidents, the polling passed off peacefully, state CEO and police said.

In Dakshin Tola area in Mau district, police used force to disperse voters who indulged in unruly behaviour outside a polling station. Police also used force in Mahaveer Akhara hamlet in Rasra area in Ballia district after some locals indulged in slogan-shouting.

Speaker Sukhdeo Rajbhar, Revenue minister Phagu Chauhan, BSP state chief and Cabinet minister Swami Prasad Maurya and state BJP head Surya Pratap Shahi were among the notable candidates whose fate was sealed in the EVMs.

The Speaker contested from newly-created Deedarganj seat in Azamgarh district as a BSP candidate while SP Deputy Leader in the House Ambika Chaudhary tried his luck from Phephna in Ballia.

Maurya staked his political fortunes from Padrauna in Kushinagar and Shahi from newly-created Pathardeva seat in Deoria district. Chauhan threw his hat in the ring from Ghosi seat in Mau district.

Former Forest Minister Fateh Bahadur Singh, sacked and denied ticket by Chief Minister Mayawati, sought people’s mandate from Kampiarganj on the NCP ticket.

Naresh Yadav, son of MP Governor Ram Naresh Yadav, crossed swords with BJP candidate Yogendra Yadav, nephew of MP Ramakant Yadav, as Congress nominee from Phoolpur seat in Azamgarh district.

Aman Tripathi, son of SP MLA Amarmani Tripathi, facing jail term in poetess Madhumita murder case, contested the Nautanwa seat in Maharajganj district.

Independent MLA Mukhtar Ansari, facing several criminal charges, fought from two seats Mau and Ghosi and is the candidate of his brother Afzal Ansari’s party Kaumi Ekta Dal.

Rahul Gandhi, the key Congress campaigner, criss-crossed several districts to garner support for his party candidates. The Congress had romped home in 2007 only two constituencies out of 59.

New Delhi:

“If left  unchecked, these postures will undermine the legitimacy of the Election Commission of India and its constitutional obligation for providing free and fair elections,” the BJP said.

“Lest the model code of conduct becomes a toothless wonder, there is dire need for the ECI to impose sanctions more stringent than mere censure. It is now more than apparent that the law minister will continue undaunted to seek votes on the basis of religion–a practice abhorred by the Commission. It is, therefore, necessary in the fitness of things to keep him away from the scene of elections,” said the BJP complaint against Khurshid to the Election Commission.

Citing its earlier orders in banning cabinet ministers from campaigning in Lalu Prasad Yadav’s constituency in Bihar elections, BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, who sent the fresh complaint to the EC, said “this is a fit case where the ECI could consider imposing a ban on Shri Khurshid entering the state of Uttar Pradesh during the poll process. District Magistrates do pass such orders in the interest of maintenance of law and order.”

Naqvi, in his complaint, added, “ECI may also like to report the whole matter to the Prime Minister for suitable disciplinary action against the Law Minister for undermining the authority of the Commission during the crucial period of a poll process.”

LUCKNOW:

“Polling started at 7 AM and till 3 PM, 46.2 per cent polling was registered in 59 seats spread over 9 districts amid tight security arrangements,” Election Commission officials said here.

Stray incidents of violence were reported in some districts.

In Dakshin Tola area in Mau district, police used force when a large number of people gathered outside a polling station indulged in unruly behaviour. Unconfirmed reports said six persons were injured in the firing.

Police also used force in Mahaveer Akhara hamlet in Rasra area in Ballia district after some local residents indulged in slogan shouting.

There were reports of voters boycotting polls at a number of places including in Bheeta in Ballia district and Hathiya in Azamgarh districts, besides minor complaints related to problems with electronic voting machines (EVM).

Maximum 53 per cent voting was registered in Ghazipur district while a minimum of 46 per cent was registered at Gorakhpur, Ballia and Azamgarh, they said.

The voters will seal the fate of 1,098 candidates in the polling which is being held in Sant Kabir Nagar, Maharajganj, Gorakhpur, Kushinagar, Deoria, Azamgarh, Mau, Ballia and Ghazipur, Chief Electoral Officer Umesh Sinha said.

The second phase would seal the fate of many senior leaders, including speaker Sukhdeo Rajbhar, Revenue Minister Phagu Chauhan, state presidents of BSP and BJP, deputy leader of SP Ambika Chaudhary, 31 MLAs and 24 former ministers.

Vidhan Sabha Speaker Rajbhar is in fray as BSP candidate from newly-created Deedarganj seat in Azamgarh district, whereas deputy leader of SP in Assembly Ambika Chaudhary is seeking re-run from Phephna in Ballia.

Prestige of state presidents of BSP and BJP is also at the stake in this phase.

While BSP state president and cabinet minister Swami Prasad Maurya is contesting from Padrauna seat in Kushinagar, BJP state president Surya Pratap Shahi is trying his luck from newly-created Pathardeva seat in Deoria district.

Stakes are high for ruling BSP, Congress, SP and the BJP in the no-holds-barred fight for the 403 Assembly seats in the seven-phase polls.

A total 1098 candidates are in the fray, including 1,021 men and 76 women.

LUCKNOW:

“Polling started at 7 AM and till 1 PM, 34 per cent per cent polling was registered in 59 seats spread over 9 districts amid tight security arrangements,” Election Commission sources said here.

Maximum 40 per cent voting was registered in Deoria district while a minimum of 28.3 per cent was registered at Sant Kabir Nagar, they said.

Among districts, 34 per cent polling was registered in Ballia, 33.3 per cent in Azagarh, 31 per cent in Ghazipur, 38 per cent in Kushinagar, 36 per cent in Maharajganj, 33.55 per cent in Gorakhpur, 34 per cent in Mau and 39.31 in Deoria.

In Dakshin Tola area in Mau district, police used force when a large number of people gathered outside a polling station indulged in unruly behaviour. Unconfirmed reports said six persons were injured in the firing.

Police also used force in Mahaveer Akhara hamlet in Rasra area in Ballia district after some local residents indulged in slogan shouting.

There were reports of voters boycotting polls at a number of places including Bheeta in Ballia district and Hathiya in Azamgarh districts, besides minor complaints related to problems with electronic voting machines (EVM).

The voters will seal the fate of 1,098 candidates in the polling which is being held in Sant Kabir Nagar, Maharajganj, Gorakhpur, Kushinagar, Deoria, Azamgarh, Mau, Ballia and Ghazipur, Chief Electoral Officer Umesh Sinha said.

The second phase would seal the fate of many senior leaders, including speaker Sukhdeo Rajbhar, Revenue Minister Phagu Chauhan, state presidents of BSP and BJP, deputy leader of SP Ambika Chaudhary, 31 MLAs and 24 former ministers.

Vidhan Sabha Speaker Rajbhar is in fray as BSP candidate from newly-created Deedarganj seat in Azamgarh district, whereas deputy leader of SP in Assembly Ambika Chaudhary is seeking re-run from Phephna in Ballia.

Prestige of state presidents of BSP and BJP is also at the stake in this phase.

While BSP state president and cabinet minister Swami Prasad Maurya is contesting from Padrauna seat in Kushinagar, BJP state president Surya Pratap Shahi is trying his luck from newly-created Pathardeva seat in Deoria district.

Stakes are high for ruling BSP, Congress, SP and the BJP in the no-holds-barred fight for the 403 Assembly seats in the seven-phase polls.

The voters will exercise their franchise at 20,425 polling booths at 12,995 polling centres.

While 3,265 polling booths have been identified as sensitive and 9,971 as hyper sensitive for which adequate force has been deployed, he said.

A total 1098 candidates are in the fray, including 1,021 men and 76 women.

Lucknow:

In Dakshin Tola area in Mau district, police used force when a large number of people gathered outside a polling station indulged in unruly behaviour. Unconfirmed reports said six persons were injured in the firing.

Police also used force in Mahaveer Akhara hamlet in Rasra area in Ballia district after some local residents indulged in slogan shouting.

“Polling started at 7 am and in the first four hours 19 percent polling was registered in 59 seats spread over 9 districts amid tight security arrangements,” Election Commission sources said here.

Maximum 28 percent voting was registered in Maharajganj assembly seat while a minimum of 13 per cent was registered at Tamkuhiraj, they said.

Among districts, maximum 10 percent polling was registered in Ballia and Deoria districts and minimum 4 percent in Ghazipur.

There were reports of voters boycotting polls at Bheeta in Ballia district and Hathiya in Azamgarh districts, besides minor complaints related to problems with electronic voting machines (EVM).

The voters will seal the fate of 1,098 candidates in the polling which is being held in Sant Kabir Nagar, Maharajganj, Gorakhpur, Kushinagar, Deoria, Azamgarh, Mau, Ballia and Ghazipur, Chief Electoral Officer Umesh Sinha said.

The second phase would seal the fate of many senior leaders, including speaker Sukhdeo Rajbhar, Revenue Minister Phagu Chauhan, state presidents of BSP and BJP, deputy leader of SP Ambika Chaudhary, 31 MLAs and 24 former ministers.

Vidhan Sabha Speaker Rajbhar is in fray as BSP candidate from newly-created Deedarganj seat in Azamgarh district, whereas deputy leader of SP in Assembly Ambika Chaudhary is seeking re-run from Phephna in Ballia.

Prestige of state presidents of BSP and BJP is also at the stake in this phase.

While BSP state president and cabinet minister Swami Prasad Maurya is contesting from Padrauna seat in Kushinagar, BJP state president Surya Pratap Shahi is trying his luck from newly-created Pathardeva seat in Deoria district.

Stakes are high for ruling BSP, Congress, SP and the BJP in the no-holds-barred fight for the 403 Assembly seats in the seven-phase polls.

The voters will exercise their franchise at 20,425 polling booths at 12,995 polling centres.

While 3,265 polling booths have been identified as sensitive and 9,971 as hyper sensitive for which adequate force has been deployed, he said.

A total 1098 candidates are in the fray, including 1,021 men and 76 women.

Lucknow:

The voters will exercise their franchise at 20,425 polling booths at 12,995 polling centres.

3,265 polling booths have been identified as sensitive and 9,971 as hyper sensitive for which adequate force has been deployed, he said.

Total 1098 candidates are in fray, including 1,021 men and 76 women.

The second phase would seal the fate of many senior leaders, including speaker Sukhdeo Rajbhar, revenue minister Phagu Chauhan, state presidents of BSP and BJP, deputy leader of SP Ambika Chaudhary, 31 MLAs and 24 former ministers.

Vidhan Sabha Speaker Rajbhar is in fray as BSP candidate from newly-created Deedarganj seat in Azamgarh district, whereas deputy leader of SP in Assembly Ambika Chaudhary is seeking re-run from Phephna in Ballia.

Prestige of state presidents of BSP and BJP is also at the stake in this phase.

While BSP state president and cabinet minister Swami Prasad Maurya is contesting from Padrauna seat in Kushinagar, BJP state president Surya Pratap Shahi is trying his luck from newly-created Pathardeva seat in Deoria district.

Former BJP state president Ramapati Ram Tripathi is in the fray from Siswan seat in Maharajganj district, whereas revenue minister Phagu Chauhan is contesting from Ghosi seat in Mau district.

Former forest minister Fateh Bahadur Singh, who was sacked and denied ticket by chief minister Mayawati, is contesting from Kampiarganj candidate on NCP ticket.

Naresh Yadav, son of MP Governor Ram Naresh Yadav, has been pitched against BJP candidate Yogendra Yadav, nephew of MP Ramakant Yadav as Congress nominee for Phoolpur seat in Azamgarh district.

Aman Tripathi, son of SP MLA Amarmani Tripathi, facing jail term in poetess Madhumita murder case, is in the fray for Nautanwa seat in Maharajganj district.

Independent MLA Mukhtar Ansari, facing several criminal charges, is contesting from two seats Mau and Ghosi and is the candidate of his brother Afzal Ansari’s party Kaumi Ekta Dal.

For Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), which had secured maximum of 29 seats out of 59 seats in the 2007 Assembly polls, it would be a do-or-die situation as betterment of performance by rivals would botch political prospects of the party, which was mired in controversies due to corruption cases.

Samajwadi Party is also under pressure to perform in the area to increase its tally from 20 seats in the 2007 Assembly polls. The party’s performance in the region could help it in catapulting to power, SP leaders feel.

BJP’s performance has not been upto the mark in last elections. In 2007, BJP had succeeded in getting victory on six seats only.

Congress, which secured only two seats in the last elections, is also making desperate efforts to improve its tally in the region.

While Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi has toured eastern UP, party president Sonia Gandhi had addressed a rally in Deoria.

Going by the 2007 record on these seats, BSP had won 29 seats while SP secured 20, BJP six and Congress and independents two seats respectively

New Delhi:

With this list, the BJP has so far announced 28 candidates out of the total of 40 assembly constituencies.

The finalised names include Manohar Shirodkar from Bicholim assembly seat, Kiran Kandolkar from Tivim seat, Rupesh Rajanikant Mahatme from Margao, Nilesh Joao Cabral from Curchorem, Ganesh Chandru Gaonkar from Sanvordem and Subhash Uttam Phal Dessai from Sanguem assembly seat.

Earlier on February 5, the Central Election Committee of the BJP had announced 22 candidates.

The process for filing nominations has already started in the state and the last date for the same is February 13. The last date for withdrawal of candidature is February 16.

Panaji:

The anxiety in Congress is palpable from the fact that the ruling party has withheld announcing its third and final list of four candidates out of 33 seats it is contesting in alliance with NCP which is fielding candidates on 7 seats.

“We will try to meet every aspirant. Talk to them and try to take them on board,” senior Congress leader Oscar Fernandes, who heads the screening committee to shortlist the candidates, told a news agency last evening after holding a series of meetings throughout the day.

In a bid to check dissidence, Fernandes is holding parleys with the hopefuls and a few upset party leaders in the coastal state.

“It is common thing that everybody who does not get a ticket feels hurt. The party will talk to everyone individually and put in all the efforts to ensure that they (dissidents) don’t leave the organisation,” he said.

Congress has so far released two lists. However, owing to rebellion it is going slow in announcing the third one where dispute is on regarding two seats.

In Mormugao, minority community candidate Saifulla Khan is vying for party ticket and so is Sankalp Amonkar.

In Faturdo constituency, another hopeful MK Shaikh has thrown his hat in ring while Vijay Sardesai is staking claim for the seat.

In a pointer to the heart burn in the party rank and file over distribution of tickets, two leaders, Dinar Tarcar and Pravin Zantye, have put down their papers.

Tarcar would be contesting on Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party’s (MGP’s) ticket in St Cruz constituency while Zantye will file his nomination as an Independent from Mayem constituency.

MGP has recently entered into a pre-poll alliance with main opposition BJP.

Meanwhile, Victoria Fernandes, who is a lone woman legislator in Congress, is fuming over being denied ticket to contest from St Cruz seat.

She has announced that her son, Rudolf, will be fighting as an Independent in the constituency against the official candidate of the party.

Responding to a query, Fernandes said the party would announce the third list comprising four candidates in the next three days.

“We have selected candidates as per people’s wish,” he said, adding the decision not to field Victoria Fernandes was also taken after thorough deliberations.

“Comparing today’s UP with what it used to be 22 years ago brings to one’s notice lots of unwelcome changes,” she told an election rally in Allahabad.

“Parties, which had ruled the state during this period, have done so without any sincerity of purpose and they are responsible for the general deterioration, lawlessness and corruption,” Gandhi said.

“These parties are again trying to hoodwink people by pretending to attack each other in public,” the Congress chief said.

“Their antics are aimed at electoral gains as the state is poll-bound. People should not be fooled by this and must remember that they have all shared power in the past,” she said.

They must remember that the BSP had a truck with the Samajwadi Party, the Congress leader said.

“And nobody can forget the partnership between BSP and BJP with both parties agreeing to share power – each heading the government for six months,” she said.

At an election meeting in Unnao, Gandhi said her party is contesting the UP election for forming a government and not for striking a coalition with any party.

“The Congress is not contesting these elections to forge a coalition with any party but for forming its government,” she said.

“The Congress will establish a relationship of trust with the people and will stand by them in good and bad times.”

Lucknow: 

After an initial lull due to rain, polling picked up quickly around midday as the skies cleared with 62-64 per cent of the 1.7 crore-strong electorate casting ballot on an incident-free day, Chief Electoral Officer Umesh Sinha said.

Today’s polling was spread over 10 districts — Sitapur, Barabanki, Faizabad, Ambedkar Nagar, Bahraich, Shravasti, Balrampur, Gonda, Siddharth Nagar and Basti and held under tight security.

The first phase of elections for the 403-member assembly will decide the fate of two ministers, 31 MLAs and 15 former ministers. There are in all 796 men, 65 women and one eunuch in the fray.

Long queues of voters were seen at polling booths in several areas in late afternoon. “The biggest problem was that of rain in the initial hours, but later the response from the electorate was good,” Sinha said.

Amidst complaints of EVM malfunctioning, a lower turnout was registered in Bahraich district, while in Sitapur people boycotted polling in Gularia village in Misrikh assembly seat to protest lack of development, officials said.

In Gonda, nearly 800 voters boycotted poll process at booth number 34 in Mehnaun assembly seat to protest shifting of the polling station three kilometres away from the village.

The remaining phases of polling will be held on February 11, 15, 19, 23, 28 and March 3. Counting of votes will take place on March 6.

Lucknow: 

Amdist complaints of EVM malfunctioning, 31 per cent polling was recorded in Bahraich district. Sitapur, where people boycotted polling in Gularia village in Misrikh assembly seat to protest lack of development, registered 46.88 per cent polling by 3 PM. Similarly in Gonda, which recorded 42 per cent polling till 3 PM, nearly 800 voters boycotted poll process at booth number 34 in Mehnaun assembly seat to protest shifting of polling station three kilometres away from the village.

Polling also picked up in in Faizabad where 50 per cent electorate exercised their franchise till 3 PM as compared to 30 per cent in the first four hours. Maximum 50 per cent polling till 3 PM was recorded in Ayodhya, where a long queue of voters was witnessed at polling stations. Lowest poll percentage 35.38 per cent was recorded in Balrampur district followed by 40.5 per cent in Siddharth Nagar district.

Initially, heavy rain in most of the assembly seats for which polling is being held played, spoilsport. In Basni Assembly seat in Siddharth Nagar, not a single vote was cast in the first two hours of polling due to heavy rains, officials said. Polling is being held in 10 districts — Sitapur, Barabanki, Faizabad, Ambedkar Nagar, Bahraich, Shravasti, Balrampur, Gonda, Siddharth Nagar and Basti amidst tight security arrangements.

Sonebhadra:

At an election meeting here, Yadav said SP alone could dislodge Mayawati’s party in Uttar Pradesh.

He said SP has always fulfilled all promises made by it in its election manifestos and promised to do the same again if given a chance.

Yadav said if his party was voted to power, it would provide free medical treatment to farmers, unemployed youths, students and rickshaw pullers among others.

Amethi(UP):

On a campaign trail in poll-bound Uttar Pradesh, Priyanka is scheduled to address about 20 meetings tomorrow starting from Rasulpur area in Salon constituency, Congress media in-charge Jagdish Piyush said.

She campaigned for Rahul Gandhi from Februay 3 and continued it till February 6 before returning back.

Priyanka will later shift her focus to neighbouring Rae Bareli, represented by her mother Sonia Gandhi in Parliament.

Unnao(UP):

“Congress is not contesting these elections to forge a coalition with any party but for forming its government”, Gandhi said at an election meeting in Chamrauli area this afternoon.

“Congress would establish a relationship of trust with the people and would stand by them in the good and bad times”, he said.

While stating that there was no difference between the BJP, BSP and Samajwadi Party, Gandhi said all these parties have entered into alliances with each other at different times and ruined the state by distributing chairs (posts) to serve their vested interests.

The Congress president lamented that for the past 20 to 22 years the governments taking over the reins had betrayed the people and instead of developing the state have dragged it behind.

“There had been the rule of either the criminals or corrupt”, she said.

Referring to the various welfare schemes of the UPA government like the loan waiver for farmers and package for weavers, she said that had it not happened things would have been worse.

Recalling that the UPA-I had given MNREGS and gave Rs 20 thousand crores for it, Gandhi said that people of the state would have to take account of how much of it reached them and how much was looted by the corrupt.

The Congress president said that more than Rs one lakh crore have been given to the state for NRHM, JNNURM, Rajiv Gandhi rural electrification schemes and education for all among others.

Food security bill has been presented in the Parliament to ensure that no one goes hungry, she said.

Addressing the meeting, party general secretary Digvijay Singh said that the fight is between Cognress and SP in the UP polls and lashed out at Mulayam Singh Yadav for taking the support of fundamentalists, both muslim and hindu, at different points of time.

“Yadav got Kalyan Singh who has been held guilty by the Supreme Court on his cycle and sent Sakhsi Maharaj, accused of demolishing Babri Mosque to the Rajya Sabha”, he said adding that now he has taking Imam Bukhari along with him.

Singh exhorted the people to make a “mazboot government and not a majboor (helpless) one and said that like they changed the govenrment in 207 they should do the same in 2012. He said that BSP was out of the race.

Bangalore:

A day after the incident caused huge embarrassment to the BJP government, all the three tainted ministers were summoned to the party office and were asked to submit their resignation after a meeting of the senior leaders presided over by Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda.

Minister for Cooperation Laxman Savadi, Minister for Women and Child Development C C Patil and Minister for Ports and Science and Technology Krishna Palemar announced after a meeting with top leaders that they have decided to quit. “We don’t want the party and the government to face further embarrassment. All of us have decided to resign from the ministry”, Savadi told reporters outside the BJP office. Savadi and Patil demanded that the Speaker of the state assembly K G Bopaiah institute a probe into the issue of watching the porno video footage and expressed confidence that “they would come clean from the allegations”.

Palemar, another minister, who had to pay a price for allegedly providing the blue film clippings to Savadi said he was contemplating legal course over the issue. Savadi and Patil were caught yesterday while they were allegedly viewing the porno video footage inside the state assembly, an incident that battered the image of the Sadananda Gowda Government and BJP, evoking widespread condemnation across the state. Under the directions of BJP National President Nitin Gadkari, Gowda today held a meeting with the state unit Party President K S Eswarappa, former Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, senior ministers Jagadish Shettar and Govind Karjol in the party office and decided to ask the three ministers to put in their papers. Savadi and Patil said they would submit their resignation to Gowda and request him to accept it. Savadi and Patil, who had to demit the ministry under cloud, blamed the media for blowing the incident out of proportion.

Ballia:

Addressing election meetings, Yadav said all promises made in the SP manifesto would be fulfilled and steps taken for the welfare of muslims.

Asking people to help him form a majority government, Yadav alleged that during the Mayawati regime there had been atrocities, crime and corruption all round.

Yadav said that all the parties are seeking votes but they were not on the scene when the BSP government was committing atrocities on the people.

“Almost one lakh cases have been filed against political functionaries under the BSP government though there had been not a single one against the BJP and Congress”, he said.

Asking people to teach a lesson to those indulging in wrong practices, he said that on coming to power, the SP would also get cases probed against the bureaucrats involved in wrong works and punish them on finding them guilty.

He said that on coming to power his party would not allow forced acquisition of farmers’ land.

Yadav said that relief would also be provided to farmers who have not been able to repay their loans and would take their cases in its hand in case the situation comes to the stage of auctioning their land.

Attacking Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati, he said that she spent the hard earned money of people on setting up parks and memorials and now she would have to give an answer to the people on it.

Ridiculing Mayawati, he said that she is the only living woman in the world who started the tradition of installing statues of living beings and also offering flowers to them.

Ghazipur:

The incident occurred this evening when the dais gave in due to ‘excessive load’ while Gadkari was being welcomed by some party leaders during an election meet at Raghuvarganj area, police said here.

No one injured in the incident.

Hathras:

According to the affidavit filed by Ramvir along with his nomination papers today, he has assets worth Rs 187 crore which included an Ambassador car, a gypsy, a tractor and Rs 3.48 lakh cash.

His wife has property worth Rs 2.09 crore, which included a Fortuner car, 1,300 gram gold ornaments and Rs 4.92 lakh cash.

Ramvir, considered close to Chief Minister Mayawati, is seeking re-election from Sikandara Rau constituency and his wife is an MP from Fatehpur Sikri.

He is also facing Lokayukta inquiry on charges of amassing enormous wealth through corrupt practice and threatening a police officer.