Assembly Polls 2022 Highlights: Nadda to soon visit Manipur to release BJP manifesto, says Biren Singh

The Election Commission relaxed Covid-19-induced restrictions on the assembly poll campaign in five states, allowing padayatras with a limited number of people and reducing the campaign ban period. Election campaign can now be conducted between 6 am and 10 pm instead of earlier 8 am to 8 pm.

Nadda to soon visit Manipur to release BJP manifesto, says Biren Singh

"BJP president JP Nadda will soon visit the state & released the party manifesto for the State Assembly election. PM Modi will also visit the state however the schedule is not confirmed yet," Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on the launch of BJP Creative Campaign. (ANI)

BJP announces candidates on nine seats for seventh phase of UP polls, drops 2 MLAs

The ruling BJP announced the names of candidates for nine seats that will go to polls in the seventh and final phase of the ongoing Uttar Pradesh Assembly election.

The party has fielded Ramesh Jaiswal from Mughalsarai, denying ticket to the MLA from the seat, Sadhna Singh. Similarly, in Chakia, the party has put its trust on Kailash Khairavar over the MLA from the seat, Sharda Singh. (PTI)

Rebel Bairiya BJP MLA booked for violating poll code

Bairiya’s BJP MLA Surendra Singh, contesting the UP assembly election as a Vikasheel Insaan Party ticket after quitting his earlier party, has been booked for allegedly violating the model code of conduct. A case has been registered against Singh and his 100 unidentified supporters at the Haldi police station for violating the poll code during electioneering, police sources said on Saturday. (PTI)

Battleground Goa: 37 re-contesting MLAs show 64% assets increase, Congress's Lobo highest at Rs 38.31 crore

In poll-bound Goa, Michael Vincent Lobo of the Congress has declared assets worth Rs 92.91 crore, registering a maximum increase of Rs 38.31 crore compared to Rs 54.59 crore in 2017, even as the average percentage growth in assets for 37 re-contesting MLAs stood at 64 per cent during the same period.

This was revealed in an analysis by the Association of Democratic Reforms (ADR) ahead of the February 14 Assembly polls in Goa.

There are 37 MLAs from different parties who are re-contesting this time. The average assets of these 37 MLAs, including Independents, in 2017 was Rs 10.24 crore, which rose to Rs 16.77 crore in 2022. (IANS)

After SP, BSP promises restoration of old pension scheme for govt employees in UP

After the SP, the BSP announced on Saturday that once the party comes to power in Uttar Pradesh, the old pension scheme for the state government employees will be restored.

Addressing an election meeting in Auraiya, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati promised that "a commission will be formed to look into the demands of the employees of the education and other departments, who have staged demonstrations, and their genuine demands will be accepted". (PTI)

Election Commission revises poll campaign timings, announces more relaxations

Election Commission allows fresh relaxations and revisescampaign ban period from 8 pm to 8 am to 10 pm and 6 am. Campaign padayatras allowed with limited number of people.

Punjab to be free of mafia, drugs, will be put on development path: BJP chief Nadda

BJP president J P Nadda on Saturday said a "new" Punjab free of mafia and drugs will be built and the state will be put on the path of development if the alliance led by his party wins the Assembly polls.

He claimed that for the BJP, power is a medium to serve people.

During poll meetings in Balachaur and Rupnagar, Nadda trained his guns at the ruling Congress over the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. He alleged that Congress members were involved in the riots. (PTI)

AAP's Mann promises to eradicate mafia rule in Punjab

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab chief ministerial candidate Bhagwant Mann on Saturday campaigned in the villages of his constituency Dhuri, promising to eradicate mafia rule in the state and people's money would be refunded from chit fund companies.

Mann appealed to the people to bring new light to Punjab by electing the AAP government on March 10.(IANS)

Poll campaigning ends in Uttarakhand

Campaigning came to an end on Saturday for the 70 Assembly seats of Uttarakhand going to polls on February 14 with a host of star campaigners, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, holding a series of rallies in support of their party candidates. (PTI)

"Punjab is a(international) border state. There should be no politics over the security of the Prime Minister or internal security,"Delhi CM & AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal in Amritsar, Punjab. (ANI)

"Congress leader Rahul Gandhi doesn't know anything about the mining case. He should first study the subject," saidGoa CM & BJP leader Pramod Sawant on being asked that the Congress leader questioned the seriousness of BJP’s assurance that iron ore mining will be resumed soon. (ANI)

"Most of their candidates are history-sheeter. Their condition is such that some of their candidates are fighting the elections from the jail,"PM Narendra Modi in Kannauj, Uttar Pradesh

HM Amit Shah campaigns door to door in Haridwar in Uttarakhand

PM Modi's rally in Kannauj ahead of Feb 14 voting

"Where is the internal infighting in Congress? Rahul Gandhi Ji has given a decision and we all have welcomed it. No one has any issue with the high command's decision," Punjab Congress president Navjot Singh Sidhu on the party's chief ministerial face. (ANI)

Congress can't develop 'Devabhoomi', they only know appeasement politics, says Shah in Uttarakhand

"Congress cannot develop Devbhoomi, it is an appeasement party. Harish Rawat says that we will make Muslim University. The BJP government keeps the holiday of Egas, Harish Rawat Ji had kept the holiday of Jumme," says Shah, in Uttarakhand.

"When the Covid-19 pandemic started, Rahul Gandhi used to say don't get the vaccine, this is Modi Ji's vaccine. Later, he was scared and got the vaccine. If you had not been vaccinated after listening to them, would you have been safe in the third wave?" Amit Shah in public meeting in Uttarakhand

HM Amit Shah addresses public in Uttarakhand ahead of assembly polls

Congress bets on public sympathy in Unnao Sadar seat, BJP cites govt work, policies

Struggling to regain lost ground in Uttar Pradesh, the Congress is betting on the mother of the Unnao rape survivor from the Unnao Sadar Assembly segment, hoping to convert public sympathy into votes.

Stepping into electoral politics for the first time, Asha Singh wants to convert the contest into a fight for women's honour. She wants to ensure justice for the victims of such heinous crimes. Read more

The Gandhi family doesn't believe in Indian people, says Yogi Adityanath

"Uttar Pradesh sent four members of the (Gandhi) family to Parliament. But when the siblings go to Kerala, they criticise UP and look down on the people of UP. When they go out of India, they raise the finger at the country. They don't believe in the people of India," says UP CM Yogi Adityanath.

(ANI)

BJP, allies release manifesto for Punjab polls

Modi hails Pushkar Singh Dhami government in Uttarakhand

"Several Bengali families live here. I want to congratulate Pushkar Singh Dhami that they decided to remove 'Poorvi Pakistan' mention from caste certificates of rehabilitated Bengalis,"said PM Modi.

'Jai Bharat, Jai Uttarakhand,' chants Priyanka before signing off

Priyanka woos voters with development promises, free bus rides

'What sort of govt is the BJP running by changing CMs so many times?'

Priyanka says that the BJP is inconsistent in its ideas and that the Congress would be the best choice for the state.

Priyanka hits out at BJP over unemployment in state, takes aim at its policies

"It's saddening to see the people from the state go to other places like Delhi to get a job. Why should the state remain like this?" Priyanka says, hitting out at the inflation and rise in prices under the "double engine" government. "There is something fishy, but think of what is -- it is nothing but that the policies are not being made for the people but for businessmen."

My grandmother, Indira Gandhi, had a deep relationship with Uttarakhand, says Priyanka

"It is our duty to safeguard the beauty and nature of this place (Uttarakhand)," says Priyanka, recollecting her visits with her grandmother to the state. She also says that Harish Rawat is a senior leader who works for public welfare and that she "gets to learn something from him every time she meets."

Priyanka takes to the stage amid loud cheers for the leader

Modi hits campaign trail in Uttarakhand, reminds people of support provided during pandemic

"Our govt provided support to the poor during Covid-19 via free ration and several other schemes. Corruption would have happened if Congress was ruling the state," PM Modi said at a rally in Rudrapur of Uttarakhand.

(ANI)

Harish Rawat takes aim at BJP ahead of Priyanka's appearance

"In last five years, whatever development work and schemes for the people have been stopped (by the BJP), we will rectify it all," says Harish Rawat. He urged the people to make the right choice and elect Congress to power, taking up issues of inflation and problems caused to the public, especially the poorer sections.

Priyanka set to address a second rally in Uttarakhand, in Haldwani

Shah promises increased connectivity, road and rail infra for Uttarakhand

"You make the BJP win, we will ensure developmental works, metro rail and increased corridor connectivity in the state," says Amit Shah.

Amit Shah addresses rally in Dhanaulti of Uttarakhand

Priyanka hits out at BJP at Uttarakhand rally

"What is the biggest duty of a political leader? Serving the people, their development. Today all BJP leaders, starting from your CM to the country's PM, are only thinking about their own development. Nobody is thinking about you," says Priyanka. "Policies of entire country are going on just for two industrialists who are friends of the PM. When the Budget comes, it offers nothing for the poor, farmers, middle class, small and medium businessmen - they're nation's spine."

(ANI)

Priyanka woos voters with jobs in Uttarakhand

"Migration is high here. Why does it take place? When jobs are not being generated in the state. Your state has everything — Himalayas, nature, tourism opportunities — but no employment. People migrating out of here for jobs," saysPriyanka Gandhi Vadra in Khatima.

Rajnath hits the campaign trail for BJP in Uttarakhand

"Atal Bihari Vajpayee accorded special status to Uttarakhand. But when Congress came to power in state and Centre, it stripped the state of the special status. When PM Modi came to power, he reinstated the status," said Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in Kapkot of Uttarakhand.

(ANI)

Shiv Sena launches manifesto for Goa polls

Nadda takes on Congress in Punjab

Meanwhile, BJP chief JP Nadda holds a rally in Punjab. Hitting out at the Congress, he said that during the 1984 riots in Delhi, Congress leaders used to say "when a big tree falls, the earth shakes". They had their hands stained with blood. "They brought such a situation where Sikh brothers and sisters were killed and now they are asking for your votes," he said.

(ANI)

Akhilesh takes on BJP, Yogi in rally

Remarking that he sees a lot of smartphones in the audience, he questions if they were given by "Baba Mukhyamantri," following which he receives a resounding "no" in response. He then goes on to hit out at the BJP's policies in the state, unemployment and rising prices of commodities.

Poll arrangements made in Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand Police has undertaken necessary arrangements for the upcoming Assembly polls. As many as 16,000 officers of civil police and armed police of the state are ready. "Special forces have been deployed to the polling booths in sensitive areas on the day of voting," said Uttarakhand DGP Ashok Kumar.

(ANI)

BJP's JP Nadda is in Punjab, while Priyanka Gandhi addresses voters in Uttarakhand and Akhilesh Yadav continues his campaign in Uttar Pradesh

Akhilesh Yadav set to address supporters in Budaun

AAP's Bhagwant Mann holds roadshow in Punjab

North East is not part of Rahul's idea of India: Rijiju

Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju on Friday took a dig at Rahul Gandhi over his 'Gujarat to West Bengal' remark, saying for the former Congress president, the North East is not part of his idea of India.

Rahul had on Thursday tweeted that there is a strength in our Union. "There is strength in our Union. Our Union of Cultures. Our Union of Diversity. Our Union of Languages. Our Union of People. Our Union of States," Gandhi had said in his tweet on Thursday. In the same tweet, he had further added, “From Kashmir to Kerala. From Gujarat to West Bengal. India is beautiful in all its colours. Don't insult the spirit of India."

CM Dhami promises Uniform Civil Code in Uttarakhand after polls

"Implementing Uniform Civil Code in Uttarakhand at the earliest will boost equal rights for everyone in state. It'll enhance social harmony, boost gender justice, strengthen women empowerment & help protect the extraordinary cultural-spiritual identity & environment of the state.

"Soon after its swearing-in, new BJP govt will form a committee to prepare draft of Uniform Civil Code in state. This UCC will provide for same laws regarding marriages, divorce, land-property & inheritance for all people, irrespective of their faith," says Uttarakhand CM

DH Radio | The Poll Whistle: Politics of development in UP's Bundelkhand

Efforts being made to influence UP polls through rhetorics on Karnataka 'hijab' row: Uma Bharti

BJP leader Uma Bharti on Friday alleged efforts were being made to influence the Uttar Pradesh assembly polls through rhetorics on the 'hijab' row in Karnataka as a part of a conspiracy and advised political parties to refrain from commenting on the issue.

Read more

DH Toon | Irony searches for 'moksha' along the Ganges

In what his rivals termed ''highly provocative'' and "objectionable" message, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath released a video hours before the first phase of polling in the western UP region on Thursday, cautioning the electorate against voting for his rivals and saying that the "terrorists" would take over the state if the BJP lost the polls.

Read more

If voted to power, ‘dynasts’ in UP will stop BJP’s welfare schemes for poor: PM at Kasganj rally

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said the BJP's flag was flying high after the first round of voting in Uttar Pradesh and asked people not to vote for the 'dynasts' who intend to stop the government's welfare schemes for the poor if they come to power.

Modi was addressing a physical rally in Kasganj district which will vote in the third phase of the ongoing Uttar Pradesh assembly elections on February 20.

In an apparent dig at the Samajwadi Party, Modi said, "The dynastic leaders are so desperate that they have made up their mind to stop all the schemes (of BJP government) which are run for the poor. Hence, these people should never be given an opportunity."

25% of candidates in fray for Punjab polls face criminal cases: Report

Twenty-five percent of 1,276 candidates contesting the Punjab assembly elections have declared criminal cases against themselves, according to a report prepared by the Punjab Election Watch.

PEW, an affiliate of the Association of Democratic Reforms (ADR), analysed the affidavits of 1,276 candidates out of the total 1,304 in the fray for the February 20 elections.

PEW said it could not analyse the affidavits of 28 candidates as they were either badly scanned or complete details were not uploaded on the website of the Election Commission of India.

As far as educational qualifications of candidates go, more than half of them have studied up to Class 12, the report said.