Assembly Polls 2022 Highlights: Rahul takes on BJP in Goa

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's virtual rally, which was scheduled to be held in Uttarakhand on Friday, has been cancelled due to inclement weather. However, he did address voters in Uttar Pradesh, after Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath filed his nomination from the Gorakhpur assembly seat in Amit Shah's presence. Come back tomorrow for the latest updates.

UP Polls: SP complains to EC about Yogi's 'undignified' speeches

The Samajwadi Party (SP) in Uttar Pradesh has written to the Election Commission of India (ECI) complaining about the tone and tenor of the language used by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath during his election meetings.

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Akhilesh-Jayant focus on farmers' issues, unemployment to blunt BJP's polarisation bid in western UP

In what appears to be a strategic move to polarise the forthcoming assembly polls, especially in the Jat-dominated western Uttar Pradesh, Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav and Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) chief Jayant Chaudhary have been harping on the issues concerning farmers besides unemployment and price rise during their campaign in the region.

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Cong weakened but CPM to cooperate with all secular parties to defeat BJP: Draft resolution

A “weakened Congress” is unable to rally all secular parties but the CPI(M) will cooperate with the Opposition for the “broadest mobilisation” to fight the BJP, the “political arm” of the “fascistic” RSS, and adopt electoral tactics that could maximise the pooling of anti-BJP votes, its draft political resolution stated.

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Rahul Gandhi promises 'nyay scheme' for Goa's poorest

"We're taking a historic decision in Goa, a new 'Nyay Scheme' will be launched. Rs 6,000 per month, i.e. Rs 72,000 in a year, will automatically be transferred to Goa's poorest citizens," Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said in a virtual rally from Goa.

(ANI)

Adityanath freed UP from criminals: Amit Shah

Union Home minister Amit Shah on Friday credited Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath with freeing the state from criminals, who he said can now only be found in jails or Samajwadi Party’s candidate lists for the Assembly polls.

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Rahul Gandhi takes on BJP in Goa

"You saw how the BJP govt failed in tourism, Covid-19, and employment. We're not giving tickets to defectors, have given tickets to new people this time. Congress will form a govt in Goa with a full majority. The fight is between Congress & BJP only, do not waste your vote," said Rahul Gandhi in Goa.

(ANI)

Amit Shah to give detailed presser on Owaisi firing

Mustn't let people create gap with Sikh community, says Rajnath in Punjab

"Kartapur Sahib is just 4-5 kilometres from the international border. If little effort is made, Kartarpur Sahib would have been in India only. Some powers are trying to create a gap between us and the Sikh community but we'll not let it happen," said Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in Sujanpur, Punjab.

(ANI)

Ghulam Nabi Azad, Manish Tewari not in Congress list of star campaigners for Punjab

UP Polls: Aparna Yadav faces SP protest while on campaign trail

Aparna Yadav, the daughter-in-law of Mulayam Singh Yadav, who recently joined the BJP, faced protests from workers of the Samajwadi Party during campaigning for the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections on Thursday. She was on the way to address a meeting in Mauthari village under the Sadar assembly seat in favour of a BJP candidate when a group of SP workers jeered at her and raised slogans praising party chief Akhilesh Yadav.

Will form ministry for 'harassed' men if voted to power in UP: MARD party

A little known political party believes that men are a harassed lot and says it will set up a ministry for their welfare if voted to power. The party 'Mera Adhikar Rashtriya Dal' (MARD), registered in 2018, had unsuccessfully contested the 2019 Lok Sabha elections from Lucknow and Varanasi. 'Mard' means man in Hindi.

Nadda concludes UP speech after telling voters to opt for development

Nadda: Yogi, Modi started Ram temple work while previous regimes indulged in 'gunda raj', mafias

Extensive work done on highways in the state, says Nadda in Uttar Pradesh

Nadda reiterates the UP 'Upyogi' line

Nadda speaks about the medical institutions that have recently come up, claiming that Modi has given the most number of medical colleges to the state. He says that this is a clear indicator of the party's development plans.

'Vikas' (development) is a synonym for Bharatiya Janata Party, says Nadda

"You all (voters) have a big responsibility on your shoulders to spread my word to how many ever people possible," says Nadda, referring to Covid-19 protocols restricting attendance at rallies, even as supporters chant, hailing Nadda and Modi.

Modi concludes his virtual rally pitch for BJP

JP takes the stage to address rally in Orai of Uttar Pradesh

Yogi government will ensure safety and security of women, says Modi

Modi woos voters in Uttar Pradesh to vote for the Yogi government, as the chief minister listens to the virtual rally.

Yogi government will ensure safety and security of women, says Modi

The entire world is facing a pandemic today. Humankind had never seen such a crisis on a global level in 100 years. Even during this crisis, we've seen the double benefits of this double-engine: PM at 'Jan Chaupal' in western UP via video conferencing

No one could have imagined that criminals would ever come under control. Yogi Ji has established the rule of law in UP. In the 21st century, UP needs a Govt that continuously works at double-speed and only a double-engine Govt can do this: PM Modi

(ANI)

These polls are to maintain security, honour & prosperity. These polls are to keep history-sheeters out & to make new history. I'm delighted that people of UP have made up their minds that they won't allow rioters and mafia to take control of UP from behind the curtains: PM Modi

(ANI)

Manipur speaker, 4 others file nomination for assembly polls

Manipur Assembly Speaker Yumnam Khemchand Singh has filed his nomination from the 13-Singjamei Assembly Constituency for the upcoming Manipur Assembly elections.

Four other candidates, including former minister Karam Shyam, also submitted their papers in Imphal West district on the third day of filing of nominations for the first phase of polls, on Thursday, officials said.

People provided me with the fortune to lay the foundation stone of this expressway. This is evidence of the fact that the BJP govt does what it says: PM Narendra Modi addresses 'Jan Chaupal' in western UP via video conferencing

(ANI)

Modi vows to remove 'history-sheeters' in western Uttar Pradesh

Political parties come during polls, seek votes & say things to charm people. They forget things they said in the past & go ahead with fresh promises. But it's BJP & PM Modi alone who changed culture of India's politics: BJP chief JP Nadda in Konch, Jalaun

(ANI)

With Amit Shah by his side, Yogi Adityanath files nomination from Gorakhpur

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanathfiled his nomination papers from Gorakhpur (Urban) on Friday.

Yogi was accompanied byUnion Home Minister Amit Shah for filing nomination.

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After 25 years, Yogi Adityanath established rule of law in Uttar Pradesh: Amit Shah in Gorakhpur

Goa polls: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi meets a family during his door-to-door campaign in support of party candidate in Mormugao.

BJP marching ahead with resolve of '300 paar', says Amit Shah; Yogi files nomination from Gorakhpur

BJP is going to repeat the history in UP. In 2014, 2017 and 2019 polls, people of UP chose the development under the leadership of PM Modi & gave absolute majority. Today with CM Yogi filing nomination, BJP is marching ahead with resolve of '300 paar': HM Amit Shah, in Gorakhpur

(ANI)

Home Minister Amit Shah addresses public meeting at Gorakhpur

Asaduddin Owaisi gets Z category security after firing incident

The Government of India has reviewed the security of AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi and provided him with Z category security of CRPF with immediate effect, according to ANI quoting sources.

Meanwhile, two persons have been arrested for firing at the car of AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi yesterday in Uttar Pradesh. The arms used in the crime have also been recovered.

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Adityanath sharpens attack on Samajwadi Party

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday sharpened his attack on the Samajwadi Party, saying it has a dynastic mindset and it works to stir riots.

Addressing a meeting of BJP workers here, Adityanath said the third wave of Covid-19 is now under control, and keeping this in mind, schools and colleges will be opened from February 6.

"'SP ka naam Samajwadi, soch pariwarwadi aur kaam dangavadi hai.' The party bowed in front of the mafia. It distributed the Samajwadi pension meant for women, elders and the differently-abled to its office bearers," the chief minister said.

Modi's virtual rally in Uttarakhand cancelled due to 'bad weather'

Speaking on post-poll alliance for Goa Elections 2022, Delhi CM & AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal speaks on prospects of forging an alliance with Congress. He says, "We'll think about it if Congress MLAs remain in the party, they all will go to BJP

(ANI)

Battle for UP: 5 held for killing minister's aide

The Mathura police have arrested five persons, including two alleged shooters, hired for killing a BJP worker and village head, Ramveer Singh, an aide of Uttar Pradesh cabinet Minister Laxmi Narain Chaudhary.

Ramveer Singh was shot dead on Wednesday. The shooters had been reportedly hired by Singh's opponent who had unsuccessfully contested the 2020 Panchayat polls against him.

The motive behind the killing was to force a bypoll and subsequently get a grant of Rs 21 crore after winning the polls, police said.

Nirbhaya case lawyer Seema Kushwaha appointed as BSP's first woman spokesperson

The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has appointed Seema Kushwaha, the lawyer in the Nirbhaya case who recently joined the party, as its national spokesperson.

She is the party's first woman spokesperson.

In a statement, the party said that Kushwaha had been at the forefront of fighting cases of crime against women and had played a crucial role in getting women justice from lower courts up to the Supreme Court.

BJP releases campaign song for Punjab Assembly polls

Almost a fortnight before the polling, the BJP on Friday released a song for the Punjab Assembly polls. The BJP Punjab campaign song is sung by party Lok Sabha member and Bhojpuri actor-singer Manoj Tiwari.

Song titled 'Punjab Umar Ke Bola Hun Rang De Basanti Chola' was released on social media.

Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri gave creative inputs for the song and video. The BJP has already released campaign songs for Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. BJP in-charge of national information and technology department Amit Malviya shared the video of the almost five minute-long campaign song on Twitter.

The song highlights Narendra Modi government's initiatives for Sikhs and Punjab. The song says that Prime Minister Modi is living for the country and has dedicated his life to the nation.

"Rainfall affecting 'Jan sampark' but we areholding indoor meetings. Workers are in full vigour and confident that with people's blessings, we will meet our slogan of 'Abki baar 60 paar'. BJP will form governmentwith absolute majority,"Uttarakhand CM PS Dhami told ANI.

Two arrested for firing at AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi's vehicle in Uttar Pradesh

Two persons have been arrested for firing at the car of AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi yesterday in Uttar Pradesh.

The arms used in the crime have also been recovered.

"The accused said they were hurt by his remarks against a particular religion. They will be produced before the court," UP ADG (L&O) Prashant Kumar told ANI.

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SP faces rebel candidates in 4 Lucknow seats

The Samajwadi Party (SP), which is in the middle of hectic campaigning, is now facing the threat of rebel candidates on four Assembly constituencies in Lucknow.

Claimants, who have been denied tickets, have filed their nominations as independent candidates and pose a threat to official SP candidates.

In the high-profile Sarojini Nagar Assembly constituency, the SP has fielded former minister Abhishek Mishra.

Former SP MLA Sharda Pratap Shukla has filed his nomination papers as an independent candidate. Shukla, one of the senior SP leaders, is a two-time MLA.

Battle for UP: Saints urge Hindus to re-elect Yogi

Saints and seers have urged Hindus to re-elect Yogi Adityanath as the next Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and a government that protects the culture and ethos of the religion.

The saints, attending the "Sant Sammelan' at the ongoing Magh Mela said: "There is an urgent need to elect a government which could conserve our sanatan culture as well as protect the Hindu dharma sanskriti. There is a need for leadership that is strong enough to end the menace of love jihad and conversion."

BJP spreading 'communal hate', indulging in caste politics, alleges Mayawati

BSP Supremo Mayawati on Thursday accused Bharatiya Janata Party of indulging in politics of caste and spreading “communal hate”.

The Dalit leader alleged that the BJP’s failure in keeping prices of edible oil, petrol and diesel has aggrieved people in the state.

She attacked the Congress and accused it of overlooking BR Ambedkar, the Dalit icon, for Bharat Ratna when it was in power.

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Prominent Manipuri actor, 40 others join BJP ahead of polls

After several Congress leaders and MLAs recently joined the BJP in poll-bound Manipur, the ruling BJP received another boost on Thursday when a prominent Manipuri film star R.K Somendro Singh, popularly known as Kaiku, joined the saffron party along with 40 co-actors and associates from the film community.

Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh welcomed Singh, 40, and the co-actors to the BJP at a function held at the BJP office in Imphal.

UP Polls: Aparna Yadav faces SP protest while on campaign trail

Aparna Yadav, the daughter-in-law of Mulayam Singh Yadav, who recently joined the BJP, faced protests by workers of the Samajwadi Party during campaigning for the Uttar Pradesh Assemblyelectionshere on Thursday.

She was on the way to address a meeting in Mauthari village under the Sadar assembly seat in favour of a BJP candidate when a group of Samajwadi Party (SP) workers jeered at her and raised slogans praising party chief Akhilesh Yadav.