Assembly Polls 2022 highlights: Congress releases a list of 3 candidates for the upcoming UP Elections

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav has finally hit back at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for its attack on him regarding nepotism and dynastic politics. Meanwhile, elections were held in 58 assembly constituencies spanning 11 districts in western part of Uttar Pradesh on Thursday, with over 2.28 crore registered voters, of which only 60.17 per cent turned up at poll booths, according to the EC.

Days of "divisive and issue-less" politics are over in western Uttar Pradesh, says BKU leader Rakesh Tikait while crediting farmers' agitation for bringing about the change

Congress releases a list of 3 candidates for the upcoming UP Elections

We will not allow Goa to become a coal hub. The most important thing that Goa has is the environment and that has to be protected at all costs: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in Goa

Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath campaigns in Bareilly, ahead of second phase of polling

Uttarakhand polls: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh claims BJP provided corruption-free governments both at Centre and in Uttarakhand, urges voters to secure second consecutive term for party for state's continued development

Election Commission launches nationwide contest to spread electoral awareness

Punjab CM Channi should have resigned after security breach during PM Modi's Punjab visit: HP CM Jai Ram Thakur

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Bhupinder Singh Hooda, & Charanjit Singh Channi are among party's star campaigners for the fifth phase of Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections

BJP govt believes in development but has bulldozers for mafia: UP CM Adityanath

Election Commission warns Uttarakhand BJP to be more careful in future, advises it to follow all provisions of poll code, days after it tweeted morphed picture of Congress leader Harish Rawat

AAP releases manifesto for Uttarakhand polls

AAP releases manifesto for Uttarakhand polls: Promises 300 units of free electricity to every household, revised MSP of rice, wheat, sugarcane, and doubling of state budget in 5 years

During Covid the supply of pesticides andfertilizer got effected. The price of pesticides & fertilizer was increased in global market. But we imported it & gave it to farmers on lower prices: Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaking at public rally in Kasganj

Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami conducted a poll campaign in Bazpur, Udhampur Singh Nagar

"When there is a government of the poor, it works on the path of development for all. But when the extreme familyists live in the government, they cannot even think outside their family," says PM Modi

Modi lauds Adityanath's security environment in UP

"The security environment that Yogi ji has given in UP has opened a new door of prosperity. Every section of the society should work hard, progress, the environment which is necessary for this, the government of Yogi ji has given that environment," says PM Modi

Modi cautions people in UP against 'parivaarwadi' parties

"I also want to caution the people of UP. These family members are so angry at this time that they are determined to stop all the schemes going on for the poor first. So, never give chance to such people," says Modi

BJP's flag flying high after first phase of polling in UP, rivals depressed: PM Modi at rally in Kasganj

Yogi Adityanath restored rule of law in UP; BJP will receive positive mandate in 5 assembly polls: Union minister Nitin Gadkari

Each vote to BJP in UP will change the face of the state, says Modi at rally in Kasganj

The 'Parivarwadi' people have realised that their boat has sunk andhence they've started blaming the EVM andthe Election Commission. The truth is that the people of UP are not ready to accept them & their 'Gunda Raj': PM Modi at a public rally in Kasganj

Modi congratulates Adityanath for naming 'chowk' after Lata Mangeshkar in Ayodhya

Congress will win majority of seats in Goa elections; there won't be any need for post-poll alliances: Rahul Gandhi

I won't get into conversation which distracts people; my focus is on what is important for them: Rahul Gandhi on hijab issue

He doesn’t understand history of those times: Rahul Gandhi on PM Modi’s remark that Congress government took 15 years to liberate Goa from Portuguese

"This time we will get a solid majority, and we will act immediately to make sure that we have a government in Goa," says Congress leader Rahul Gandhi

PM Modi wants to distract people in Goa from the 'real issues', omitted speaking about environment and unemployment, says Rahul Gandhi

Making party workers take 'loyalty pledge' is a question of intent: Rahul Gandhi

We plan to restore mining in a sustainable and legal way in Goa soon after we are voted to power: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, in Goa

Jinnah's soul has entered into Congress: Himanta Biswa Sarma

Sometime they say that India isn't a nation but union of states. Hearing all this makes one feel if Jinnah's soul has entered into Congress. It's only right for their politics of polarisation to end. I think it'll end to a large extent after elections in the five states: HimantaBiswaSarma

We've come here to appeal for votes for Bhagwant Mann but here people already have decided to vote for Bhagwant Mann. People understand that they (AAP) have done work in Delhi and will do it here too: Sunita Kejriwal, wife of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will address public meetings in Khatima, Haldwani and Srinagar tomorrow

Our 'double engine' government works at double the speed of other governments: Yogi

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will address public meetings in Khatima, Haldwani and Srinagar tomorrow

Hijab controversy reaches UP, Opposition parties smell 'conspiracy'

The hijab controversy, which has rocked Karnataka, has reached Uttar Pradesh amid the ongoing assembly elections with Muslim students taking out protest marches and the Opposition parties alleging that it was a 'conspiracy' to 'polarise' the polls along communal lines.

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Security personnel stand guard outside a EVM strong room after the first phase of Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls, in Mathura district, Friday, February 11, 2022.

Punjab polls: Sanyukt Samaj Morcha on sticky wicket in hotbed of farmers’ stir

The Sanyukt Samaj Morcha--the political front of 22 farmer unions which had taken part in the stir against the Centre’s farm laws--is finding it hard to woo voters here, with many questioning their foray into politics.

The opposition to the Morcha’s move to contest the Punjab assembly polls has come from some of the most influential farmer unions, especially the Bhartiya Kisan Union (Ekta-Ugrahan).

The union is the state’s largest farmer outfit holding considerable influence in Sangrur, which was a hotbed of the struggle against the central laws.

The union’s head, Joginder Singh Ugrahan, says they can’t compromise on principles.

Country is struggling... with Karnataka incident. The way Congress is trying to divide the country is worrisome... it's representing 'tukde tukde' gang... they have only one goal, to repeat the situation as it was before 1947: Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma in Uttarakhand

(ANI)

Why Mayawati's trusted bureaucrats have moved away

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) president Mayawati, as chief minister, has always been lucky to have a loyal and dedicated band of bureaucrats who have helped her steer through the turbulent waters of Uttar Pradesh politics.

The bureaucrats, mainly Dalits, have shown unflinching loyalty towards her and have been a major strength in her success as the chief minister.

However, these bureaucrats -- now retired -- are moving away from the BSP and have no qualms in criticising her style of function and deviation from Kanshi Ram's ideology.

The latest in this line is retired IAS officer Kunwar Fateh Bahadur, who joined the Samajwadi Party two days ago.

Goa polls: Silent wave in my favour, says Utpal Parrikar

Asserting that there is a silent wave in his favour, Utpal Parrikar, elder son of late Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar, who is contesting the February 14 Assembly election as an independent candidate from the Panaji seat, has said he was a favoured choice after his father's death in 2019, but was denied poll ticket by the BJP due to local politics. On the BJP offering him three seats other than Panaji for next week's election, Parrikar (41), a businessman, said the fight was "never for options".

Infrastructure development in Uttarakhand's border villages is BJP's priority, people will benefit from Parvatmala, Vibrant Village projects: PM Modi

Amit Shah addresses rally in Uttar Pradesh's Bhojipura

I-T department mulls action against Channi's nephew

After the Enforcement Directorate's PMLA case, the Income Tax department is also considering lodging a case against Bhupinder Singh Honey, the nephew of Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi.

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Manaskhand tourism circuit to be developed in Uttarakhand's Kumaon on priority over next 5 years: PM Modi

Uttarakhand needs to choose between 'Paryatan' and 'Palayan', says Modi in Almora

After 10th March, Dhami Ji's government will work aggressively to further develop tourism sector in Uttarakhand. You (public) have to decide whether you want in power those who promote 'Paryatan' (tourism) or 'Palayan' (migration): PM Modi in Almora

But if SP comes to power, then will these three continue to be in jail? It is BJP alone that puts mafia behind bars. No one else can do this: Union Home Minister and BJP leader Amit Shah in Bareilly

NCP releases election manifesto for Goa polls

Modi invokes 'Parvatmala Scheme' for hilly areas in Uttarakhand

I recognise the power, good intentions, sincerity of people of Uttarakhand. In this Union Budget, we've proposed 'Parvatmala Scheme' to build ropeways for hilly areas. We'll build modern roadways & transport infrastructure in the state: PM Modi in Almora, Uttarakhand

BJP isn't casteist, says Amit Shah in Bareilly

CM Yogi Adityanath has finished mafia from western UP and Rohilkhand. There was a time when UP Police used to run away after seeing the mafia. Now mafia runs away after listening to Police siren... This change can't be brought by SP-BSP because it's the compulsion of casteist parties to provide protection to mafia. BJP isn't casteist. BJP is a party that runs on PM Modi's mantra of 'sabka saath, sabka vikas': HM & BJP leader Amit Shah, in Bareilly

Congress indulges in nationwide caste politics, says PM Modi

BJP govt ensured successful remote vaccination, says Modi

Opposition divides and loots, says PM Modi

Uttarakhand will get double engine govt again, says Modi

AICC General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra during a roadshow for the upcoming state assembly elections, in Moradabad, Thursday, February 10, 2022.

Cong trying to bring hijab in schools of Devbhoomi: BJP

Days before polling in Uttarakhand, the BJP has claimed that the Congress is trying to bring hijab in schools of 'Devbhoomi'.

The ruling BJP has already claimed that the 'Muslim University' controversy has been intentionally created by the Congress to polarise the minority votes ahead of February 14 Assembly polls.

The BJP claimed that the Congress is trying to make hijab a part of school uniform in 'Devbhoomi'. National secretary Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) and in-charge of party youth wing in Uttarakhand, Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga told IANS that if the Congress party came to power in Devbhoomi, hijab will be worn in schools.

Track Hijab Row Live updates on DH

Man dressed as CM Yogi Adityanath casts vote in Noida

I am saying this on record. BJP will get more seats than the last elections. I will attend the swearing-in ceremony of Pushkar Singh Dhami: Madhya Pradesh CM and BJP leader, Shivraj Singh Chouhan in Haridwar

(ANI)

He (Rahul Gandhi) destabilised a proper functioning govt in Punjab. Congress is going through a leadership crisis. They have a G-24 group in Delhi that openly shows disagreement. Even in Uttarakhand, who is Congress' leader?: Shivraj Singh Chouhan

(ANI)

Rahul Gandhi says he's not scared. Who's scaring you? He speaks in Parliament & runs away, he doesn't have courage to listen to reply. His public rallies are source of entertainment. Congress needs no rivals, Rahul Gandhi alone does all that's needed: MP CM SS Chouhan in Haridwar

(ANI)

I talk about 'ganna' (sugarcane), they talk about Jinnah: Yogi in Shahjahanpur

SP, BSP, Congress, live for their families, says Yogi in Shahjahanpur

They encouraged dynasties. If we talk about nationalism, they talk about casteism, we talk about development, they talk about religion and graveyards, he said.

Another desperate attempt to distort history: P Chidambaram on BJP's allegation that Jawaharlal Nehru 'delayed' liberation of Goa

'Small parties' AAP and TMC splitting non-BJP votes in Goa, nearly all their candidates defectors from other parties: P Chidambaram

Announcing CM candidate not a factor in Goa assembly elections: Congress leader P Chidambaram to PTI

I asked Akhilesh Yadav where has he done any development, he said he made the boundary walls of graveyards. If he could get votes with boundaries of graveyards, BJP is giving the treatment: CM Yogi in in Dadraul, Shahjahanpur

Punjab PCC chief Navjot S Sidhu's daughter, Rabia Kaur Sidhu speaks on Charanjit Channi being made CM face for Punjab polls.

"Maybe they (high command) had some compulsion. But you can't stop an honest man for long. Dishonest man has to eventually stop," she told ANI.

Proud to have a family, says Akhilesh Yadav on 'parivarvadi' label

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav has finally hit back at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for its attack on him regarding nepotism and dynastic politics.

"Those who do not have families cannot understand the agony of what the migrant labourers went through during the Covid lockdown. I want to say that only those who have families can understand the pain of a family. I am proud to have a family," he said in a statement.

Akhilesh further said, "A family person will not run away with jhola (bag) and leave family behind. During the lockdown, if the chief minister had a family, he would have understood the pain of labourers walking miles to reach their home."

Union Minister Rajnath Singh and Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi to visit Uttarakhand today

RLD leader Jayant Chaudhary to address rally in Saharanpur

SP chief Akhilesh Yadav to address party workers in Bareilly, Rampur

Union Minister Amit Shah's rallies in Bareilly, Sultanpur

PM Modi to address rally in Kasganj, Uttar Pradesh

Mukhtar Ansari to contest from Mau on SBSP ticket

Jailed mafia don and MLA Mukhtar Ansari is all set to contest the Assembly polls from the Mau Sadar seat district on the symbol of Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party (SBSP) from jail.

Mukhtar's lawyer Daroga Singh confirmed that he had submitted a plea before the court of special judge (MP/MLA) to allow Mukhtar's lawyer, notary lawyer, proposers and photographer to meet him in the Banda jail to complete the formality of seeking his signature and other formalities to file nomination from Mau Sadar seat. The court has accepted the plea.

Singh said that the SBSP has decided to field Mukhtar on its ticket from Mau Sadar seat.

Congress talks about bikini/hijab, CAA/Rafale, but public never accepts them because they never talk about poor welfare. They only know how to gather votes with politics of appeasement...You can write down, Akhilesh will lose from his seat: Anurag Thakur

(ANI)

A few dynastical people (RLD chief Jayant Chaudhary) don't cast their votes. Their opinions on democracy show very clearly. Such parties have lost earlier also, they will lose in future again: Union Minister Anurag Thakur

After every election post-2014, few Opposition parties always try to do something, where international links also join. Be it Rafale, CAA or any other issue, the public never accepts such blames & trusts PM Modi & CM Yogi: Union Minister Anurag Thakur

Denied tickets, 2 BJP leaders to contest as VIP candidates

Two BJP leaders, who have been denied tickets, have joined the Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) to contest the Assembly polls.

Surendra Singh, the sitting BJP MLA from Bairia seat in Ballia, has joined the VIP, a new entrant in Uttar Pradesh's electoral politics, after being denied ticket by the BJP.

He has been named as VIP candidate from Bairia.

Channi's nephew to be produced in court today

Bhupinder Singh Honey, the nephew of Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi will be produced before the Jalandhar court by Enforcement Directorate on Friday after the expiry of his custody in connection with a Prevention of Money Laundering case pertaining to illegal mining in Punjab.

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Family above everything: Cong MP Preneet Kaur says in support of husband Capt Amarinder

Even as the Assembly elections in Punjab are around the corner, Congress MP Preneet Kaur, who is also former chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh’s wife, continues to stay away from poll campaigning in Patiala. “Family is above everything,” she says.

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Modi, Rahul train guns in last leg of Uttarakhand campaign

With two more days left for election campaigning in Uttarakhand, political slugfest between the BJP and the Congress reached a crescendo on Thursday, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi training guns at each other.

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People voting in large numbers as BJP govt extended security to women, traders: Adityanath

The turnout in the first phase of the Uttar Pradesh assembly polls shows people are voting in large numbers because of the security extended to women and traders by the BJP’s double-engine government, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said on Thursday.

There are no riots in Uttar Pradesh, and crime and anarchy has stopped, he said.

"There is silence in the houses of those who used to indulge in riots and committed crimes as their countdown will start from March 11," Adityanath said, adding that several generations of those who indulge in riots will be made to pay as their pictures will be put up at crossings.

A heavy turnout has been seen in the first phase of polling across 58 assembly constituencies, he said.

BJP not only 'distorted' history but 'destroyed' Hinduism too: Mamata

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday held the BJP responsible for not only "distorting" history but also "destroying" Hinduism.

She also alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi poses as 'Saint' only to garner votes.

Addressing a freehold rights distribution programme at Netaji Indoor Stadium, the Chief Minister said: "They (BJP) are destroying everything. They have changed history. Dalits, Adivasis are being tortured. Original Hindu religion is being forgotten, but when election comes, he (PM Modi) becomes 'saadhu'. He poses as 'sant'.

Terming Ram Krishna Paramhans and Swami Vivekananda as "real saints", she said: "One cannot become saints like them".

Punjab polls: 2.15 cr voters to decide fate of 1,304 candidates on Feb 20

Only 93 of the 1,304 candidates in the fray for the February 20 Punjab Assembly polls are women, and another two are transgenders, according to officials.

There are nine candidates aged 25 years while six candidates are above 80 years. The oldest person in the fray is 94 years old and he is contesting from the Lambi Assembly constituency in Sri Muktsar

Sahib, Punjab's Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) S Karuna Raju said on Thursday.

Notably, Shiromani Akali Dal patriarch Parkash Singh Badal at 94 is India’s oldest candidate in the fray.

There are 2,14,99,804 registered voters in the state of which 1,12,98,081 are men, 1,02,00,996 women, 727 third genders, 1,58,341 persons with disabilities, 1,09,624 service voters, 1,608 NRI voters and 5,09,205 above the age of 80, Raju said.