Assembly Elections 2022 highlights: Rahul Gandhi to campaign in Punjab on Februar 17

Following the completion of the single-phase poll exercises in Goa and Uttarakhand on Monday, political parties are set to turn their focus to Uttar Pradesh, which still has five phases left, and Punjab, where the competition is fierce, among the ruling Congress, BJP-led alliance, farmer leaders and the AAP. Manipur is set for a competition between the Congress-led alliance and BJP. Catch all the live updates here.

BJP disrespected people's mandate in Manipur: Priyanka

Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Tuesday mounted a blistering attack on the BJP in Manipur, accusing the state's ruling party of having disrespected people's mandate, and used "bullying and bribing" as a tool to form the government in the state where the Congress had emerged as the single largest party in the 2017elections.

Promising to pursue "politics of development", she said more jobs will be created in the state whose potential for tourism will be fully utilised.

Addressing anelectionrally in Imphal online, Gandhi also promised to "protect civil liberties and democratic rights" of all people in the militancy-hit state.

Rahul Gandhi to campaign in Punjab on Februar 17

Kejriwal says rivals doing politics over SYL issue, refuses to take stand

AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday refused to spell out his party’s stand on the Sutlej-Yamuna Link canal issue between Punjab and Haryana, but said doing politics over it will not benefit either of the states.

Kejriwal, whose party is trying to make an impact in the Punjab Assembly polls, was of the opinion that the matter between the two neighbours should be resolved either through court or through dialogue.

Wearing turban on stage doesn't make you Sardar, says Priyanka in a jibe at Modi and Kejriwal

Priyanka Gandhi promises unemployment allowance if Congress elected in Manipur

ANI

I see enthusiasm in people, wherever I go Priyanka in Amritsar

Rahul Gandhi to campaign in Manipur on February 21

EC launches signature campaign in Manipur to promote ethical voting

Ahead of the February 28 and March 5 assemblyelections, theElectionCommission on Tuesday launched a signature campaign to promote ethical voting. Additional Chief Electoral Officer of Manipur Naorem Praveen Singh launching the campaign under the Systematic Voters' Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) said that the campaign was launched to promote ethical voting for the forthcomingelectionsfor the 12th Manipur Assembly.

He said that the theme of the campaign is "Yes, I will vote to the Right Candidate". The official stressed that such a campaign would give the voters the mindset of choosing the right candidate who would work with commitment for the welfare of the people and the development of the state.

SAD-BSP alliance promises solar energy in poll manifesto

The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD)-Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) alliance on Tuesday releasedelectionmanifesto promising what it called "brave and path-breaking initiatives", including a revolutionary shift to clean solar energy to ensure zero-bill electricity to every house and student cards of Rs 10 lakh each for quality education, anywhere.

The alliance promised Rs 10 lakh free annual health insurance for all Punjabis, Rs 2,000 per month to all women heads of 'blue card' families, 5 lakh houses and five marla plots each to homeless poor and hiking old-age pension to Rs 3,100 and shagun scheme of Rs 75,000.

The manifesto promises Rs 5 lakh interest-free loan to every youth, especially women to start their own enterprise.

Let BJP form govt, will see 'Kisne maa ka doodh piya hai' to engage in drugs business, illegal mining in Punjab, says Rajnath

This election is a choice between those who want development of Punjab and those who make plans for destruction: Nadda in Jalalabad

All other political parties are either family-oriented or are limited to small circles: Nadda

Both Modi and Kejriwal started from RSS, says Priyanka Gandhi

'Sann, Sunn, Shunya': Akhilesh Yadav coins new attack on BJP amid Uttar Pradesh polls'Sann, Sunn, Shunya': Akhilesh Yadav coins new attack on BJP amid Uttar Pradesh polls

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav, who has emerged as the main challenger to the BJP in the ongoing assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh, on Tuesday coined a different slogan to attack the saffron party.

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Congress built this nation on the basis that every single voice in our nation, no matter what tribe, culture, religion, caste, every single voice was meant to be equally heard: Priyanka

UP polls: 1 kg 'ghee', free ration to poor for 5 years if SP comes to power, says Akhilesh Yadav

SP chief Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday promised a kilo of 'ghee' to the poor along with free ration for five years if his party comes to power in Uttar Pradesh while claiming that the BJP government was set to discontinue its own free-ration scheme.

"The poor, who are availing their rations, will get it till theelections. It will not be available after theelections. Earlier it was to be given till November but when the UPelectionswere announced, they said they would get it till March," Yadav said.

Addressing anelectionrally here, he said the funds for ration has not been earmarked in "Delhi's budget as they know that theelectionwill end in March."

Manipur polls: BJP govt benefitting few big industrialists, says Priyanka

Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Tuesday said the BJP-led Centre's policy was to benefit big industrialists thereby depriving the poor and middle class, and not providing political and cultural space for people of different religions, castes and regions.

The Congress leader was addressing gatherings in Manipur virtually from Delhi.

She said the BJP government at the Centre was generally giving benefits two to three big industrialists of the country who are making thousands of crores a day whereas the poor and middle class people are not getting any support from the government.

Amit Shah holds road show in Kanpur

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra offers prayers at Gurudwara Shri Tibbi Sahib in Ropar

Battle for UP: SP leads in criminal candidates in 3rd phase

Thirty out of 58 candidates fielded by the Samajwadi Party in the third phase ofelectionsin Uttar Pradesh are from a criminal background.

According to an analysis report released by Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) on Tuesday, 25 out of 55 candidates analysed from the BJP, 23 out of 59 candidates from BSP, 20 out of 56 candidates from the Congress and 11 out of 49 candidates from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) have declared criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits.

The Samajwadi Party again leads when it comes to candidates with serious criminal charges. The Samajwadi party has 21 such candidates while the BJP has 20, BSP has 18, Congress 10 and AAP 11.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Punjab CM Charanjit Singh Channi hold a roadshow in Rupnagar

Punjab not a chemistry lab where experiments can be done, says Rahul Gandhi

"The most important thing in Punjab is peace. This state is not a chemistry lab where experiments can be done. This is a border state, a sensitive state. Congress knows and understands Punjab", he said.

We can protect peace, other can't, says Rahul Gandhi

Akhilesh hits out at BJP, Yogi Adityanath

"Hearing the recent speeches by our 'Baba Mukhyamantri', I can definitely say that BJP are scared of SP and will end up on a zero when the poll results are declared," says Akhilesh Yadav.

Meanwhile, Akhilesh Yadav keeps the rally-go-round alive in UP

Akhilesh Yadav arrives in Kanpur, set to address supporters.

Rajnath continues his attack on Congress

"There's an internal battle in Congress. They keep putting allegations on each other. If CM has no control in his hands, what development will he do for Punjab? One of their MPs said that Congress is favouring liquor mafias rather than party workers," said Rajnath.

(ANI)

Rajnath hits out at Congress in Punjab

"Congress had their govt in Punjab still they couldn't do justice to the people. Farmers in Punjab have done the work of providing food to the country still, they are unhappy for a long time. BJP will give justice to the people and farmers," says Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in Faridkot.

Nadda in Punjab, claims highest MSP support provided by BJP to state

"In Punjab, 132.80 lakh metric tonnes (of crops) were procured and if there is any state that was given the highest MSP by PM Modi, then it is Punjab - record Rs 23,000 crores within a year," said BJP national president JP Nadda in Maur Mandi, Bathinda.

BJP will return in Uttar Pradesh, says Yogi

"BJP is coming to power with a blast... But earlier, the whole state was under anarchy. Now Uttar Pradesh doesn't see riots, curfews, or bombing upon farmers and merchants, Uttar Pradesh sees celebratory Kanwar Yatras," said Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in Sirsaganj, Firozabad district.

(ANI)

Shah highlights development work done by BJP

Claiming that the SP failed to provide electricity, Shah extolled the BJP for setting up a number of educational institutions and strengthening the law and order situation.

'After three consecutive wins, it's time for BJP to score a boundary in up'

Let's celebrate Holi with gas cylinder delivery, says Shah

"Elect us to victory by March 10 and by March 20, we will ensure delivery of gas cylinders," says Shah.

Amit Shah claims Akhilesh is anti-vax

"Have you all taken vaccine?" asks Shah, to a resounding response from the crowd, before launching into a tirade against the SP chief and saying that Modi has ensured the safety of UP people.

Amit Shah addresses rally in Auraiya of Uttar Pradesh, hits out at SP

"Do you know what will happen? The SP will lose and BJP will secure over 300 votes in polls," says Shah.

Shiromani Akali Dal and Bahujan Samaj Party release joint manifesto for Punjab Assembly elections

ECI accepts candidature of Nadeem Javed in place of Faizal Tabrez

Kejriwal predicts 80 seats for AAP in Punjab

"All of you have to vote. If everyone votes, the AAP will definitely win 80 seats at least in Punjab, says Kejriwal in his concluding remarks.

Meanwhile in Manipur rally, Priyanka reiterates Congress' focus on development and women empowerment

"The politics of the past five years have hurt you. The Congress party and the progressive alliance are coming up with initiatives for development," says Priyanka, adding that free healthcare, unemployment allowance and protecting civil liberties of all sections of Manipuri society are on the cards.

Have taken steps to ensure that illegal liquor, drugs are countered in Delhi, says Kejriwal

Responding to a question on illegal drug use, Kejriwal says, "Do you want prohibition in the country?" He takes a shot at governments in Gujarat and Bihar, claiming that he has numbers for liquor delivery and that the government officials are pocketing the money.

AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal takes shot at Congress in Punjab

"I pray for Channi's health. Whenever he tries to sleep, I appear in his dreams like a ghost," says Kejriwal.

'Everyone will claim that Manipur is the jewel of India, but is the state being treated like that?'

Priyanka hits out at BJP over unemployment in Manipur

"Time to create jobs in Manipur. We will create a Manipur regiment and hold exams locally," says Priyanka, adding that further details will be shared In the manifesto.

Priyanka hits out at the BJP for discrimination

"Fundamental sauce of discrimination is exclusive policies, as being done by the BJP. Every state has its own culture; I experienced the same in Goa as well," says Priyanka Gandhi.

Will focus on resolving problems of locals, Congress the best choice, says Priyanka

Responding to a question about water not being released from a water body in the CM's constituency, Priyanka takes a shot at the ruling BJP and says that Congress, if voted to power, will focus on people's demands.

Priyanka Gandhi kicks off address after technical difficulties delay virtual address

Priyanka Gandhi set to address Manipur rally

Couldn't offer prayers at Jalandhar temple as authorities unable to make arrangements: PM

A month after he cut short his Punjab visit due to a security breach in Ferozepur, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said he was unable to pay a visit to a temple in Jalandhar as local authorities could not make necessary arrangements.

"Such is the situation of the government in Punjab," the prime minister said, hitting out at the Congress. He said that he will visit Jalandhar again and pay obeisance at the Devi Talab Mandir.

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Over 1K complaints filed against Rahul over remarks excluding NE in tweet: Assam BJP youth wing

The youth wing of the BJP in Assam on Monday claimed its activists have filed more than 1,000 complaints against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi at various police stations in the state over his tweets that left the Northeast out of India's geographical expanse while he talked about the country's unity.

It was, however, not immediately known if any case has been registered over the complaints.

Rahul asks people not to 'experiment' in Punjab polls, choose Congress

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday cautioned people against going for an "experiment" in the Punjab Assembly polls, saying that maintaining peace was most important for the state and only his party was capable of it.

Addressing poll rallies in Hoshiarpur and Gurdaspur, Gandhi asserted that his party understands Punjab "very well" and can take the state forward.