Defense Minister Rajnath Singh Wednesday said Uttar Pradesh’s economy grew three-fold during the last five years as the state was served by a “triple engine” government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and the contribution of people.
Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday said the Samajwadi Party-led alliance will score a double-century of seats by the fourth phase of Uttar Pradesh polls and asked people to ensure a historic win for the coalition.
Taking a jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) president Jayant Chaudhary on Wednesday said the people of Uttar Pradesh should no longer seek relief or development from the government as the PM has brought the issue of Ukraine to the state polls.
Chaudhary, whose RLD is fighting the UP assembly polls in a tie-up with the Samajwadi Party, referred to Modi's speech in Bahraich on Tuesday during which he made a reference to the eastern European nation.
Currently tension is high between the neighbouring nations amid apprehensions of Russia invading Ukraine.
In his speech, Modi had said turmoil is prevailing in the world, India needs to be stronger and for difficult times, a tough leader is needed.
An average of 57.45 per cent polling was recorded till 5 pm on Wednesday in 59 Assembly constituencies during the fourth of the seven-phase elections in Uttar Pradesh, according to the Election Commission.
As many as 624 candidates are in the fray in this round of voting being held in Pilibhit, Lakhimpur Kheri, Sitapur, Hardoi, Unnao, Lucknow, Rae Bareli, Banda, and Fatehpur districts.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday promised to enhance the security of cows, while also ensuring that the state government will help protect farmers' fields from stray cattle.
Adityanath asserted that 'gaushalas' (cow shelters) will be built on a large scale to protect cows.
"We have completely stopped illegal slaughterhouses. I promise that we will not let 'Gaumata' be slaughtered while we'll also protect fields of farmers from stray cattle," the chief minister said, addressing a rally in the Tiloi assembly constituency of Amethi.
Accusing Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav of "maintaining silence" on the alleged connection between his party and the kin of one of the Ahmedabad blast convicts, Adityanath reiterated his charge that "the terrorist's family is a campaigner of the Samajwadi Party."
An average of 49.89 percent voting was recorded on Wednesday till 3 pm in 59 Assembly constituencies spread over nine districts of Uttar Pradesh, the Election Commission said.
The polling started at 7 am and will continue till 6 pm.
The districts where the polling is being held are Pilibhit, Lakhimpur Kheri, Sitapur, Hardoi, Unnao, Lucknow, Rae Bareli, Banda, and Fatehpur.
An average of 37.45 per cent voting was recorded on Wednesday in the first six hours of polling in 59 Assembly constituencies spread over nine districts of Uttar Pradesh, the Election Commission said.
The polling started at 7 am and will continue till 6 pm.
The districts where the polling is being held are Pilibhit, Lakhimpur Kheri, Sitapur, Hardoi, Unnao, Lucknow, Rae Bareli, Banda, and Fatehpur.
This is the fourth of the seven phase assembly polls in the state. As many as 624 candidates are in the fray in this round of voting.
Surrounded by a large number of security personnel, Union Minister and BJP leader Ajay Mishra, embroiled in a major controversy involving his son, cast his vote here for the Uttar Pradesh assembly polls on Wednesday.
The Union Minister of State for Home Affairs did not speak to the media, neither while going into the polling booth at a school in Banwaripur nor when he came out after casting his vote.
Purported videos on social media showed Mishra, whose vote falls in the Nighasan assembly constituency, walking to and fro the voting centre around 11.30 AM flanked by an unusually large number of security personnel.
A central minister, Mishra hogged limelight in October 2021 when eight people, including four farmers, were killed during violence in the Tikunia area in his native district here.
"Those who hurt innocent people will have to face the law... The entire country felt happy when terrorists were given the death sentence but dynastic party (SP) did not even welcome it. They have a problem with anything that is in national interest," says Modi.
"We came up with the 'One Nation, One Ration' card scheme by which you can get rations anywhere in India... Before BJP, people did not know when rations were being given and the poor were unaware of schemes for their benefit.," says Modi.
"People are going to elect BJP again... I have gauged the pulse of the state from the polling booths," says Modi.
"You have the power... you had pressed our symbol in the last elections, following which we have carried out development works. Let's have a repeat performance," says Nadda.
"You had to run from pillar to post for basic facilities... We have now created an environment of development, showing that there can be more advancement when we have already done so much," says Modi.
"We feel the pain of Muslim sisters even if we are not their family members... Doing away with triple talaq provides great security to Muslim women and peace of mind to their fathers and brothers," says Modi.
"The benefit of our schemes have been felt by all people, especially Dalit women and Muslim sisters... Doing away with the triple talaq has helped them to a large extent," says Modi.
"If someone will form a government in UP, it is us. If there is a chief minister, it is Yogi ji," says Modi.
"The 'parivarvadhi' (familial) political party do not want the poor to get basic facilities... Instead, they thrive on getting people to keep coming to them for favours," says Modi.
UP Deputy CM Dinesh Sharma casthis vote at a polling booth in Lucknow "After the fourth phase, BJP will hit a double century and will march ahead to break its previous records. Development works done by PM Modi and CM Yogi Adityanath has reached everyone's house," he said.
(ANI)
"BJP will not only repeat the history but it is also an undeniable possibility that our number of seats will increase," said Defence Minister and BJP leader Rajnath Singh in Lucknow.
(ANI)
A voter turnout of 9.1% was recorded in the first two hours of polling in Uttar Pradesh, with 59 assembly seats going to the vote on Thursday.
BJP MP Sakshi Maharaj cast his vote at Gadan Khera Primary School in Unnao. "BJP will win all six seats in Unnao with a majority. On the basis of all campaigning I did, I can say that CM Yogi will form the government again by breaking his own 2017 record. I think the numbers may go up to 350."
Speaking on the hijab row, he blamed the Opposition for bringing the issue into elections. "This rule (for uniform) was formed in Karnataka, people did this (row) in reply. But I think, a law should be made to ban hijab across the country," he said.
(ANI)
"Today UP is crime and terrorism free. Everyone feels safe. People are getting jobs. We've made UP economy No 2 and will also make it No 1 and people are voting for that. We are forming the govenment," said UP minister Mohsin Raza after casting his vote in Lucknow.
(ANI)
"Muslims are not happy with Samajwadi Party. They will not vote for them. People of UP have rejected SP even before voting as voting for SP means 'gunda raj and mafia raj.' Riots happened under the SP government. The face of SP leaders tell that they are not coming to power," said BSP chief Mayawati.
(ANI)
The BJP candidate from Raebareli (Sadar) seat, Aditi Singh, casther vote at a polling booth in Lalpur Chauhan, Raebareli. "I want people to vote and make the voting percentage high. Congress is nowhere in the race," she said.
(ANI)
The high-decibel campaigning for this phase ended on Monday as sparring among political rivals intensified during the last-minute canvassing.
Nine districts, including Lakhimpur Kheri, will go to the polls in the fourth phase in Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday, whose outcome could decide the fate of Union minister Ajay Mishra and present a reality check to the Congress of its political future in Raebareli.