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  • Do or die battle for these leaders in Uttar Pradesh

    Do or die battle for these leaders in Uttar Pradesh

    Interestingly, most of these leaders belong to the new generation and this is the first time that they are in full command of the party they are heading, a report by Amita Verma

    The 2022 assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh are more than just about forming a government.

    This is a ‘do-or-die’ battle for those leaders whose political future depends on the outcome of the elections.

    Interestingly, most of these leaders belong to the new generation and this is the first time that they are in full command of the party they are heading.

    The leader who faces the biggest challenge of his political career in this election is Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav.

    Having positioned himself as the main challenger to the ruling BJP, Akhilesh has single-handedly led the campaign, stitched up alliances and even selected candidates.

    Akhilesh Yadav and Rahul Gandhi

    In 2017 and 2019, leaders like Mulayam Singh Yadav and Prof Ram Gopal Yadav had helped Akhilesh. Mulayam in 2019, had openly expressed his dissent on the alliance with the Bahujan Samaj Party.

    This time, Mulayam Singh Yadav has stayed away from election-related activities though he does make an occasional appearance at the party office.

    The credit – or the blame – of the SP performance in the 2022 elections will, therefore, fall squarely on the fragile shoulders of Akhilesh Yadav. The outcome could make or mar his career, as most senior party leaders claim.

    Another leader in the same league is Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra who is in total charge of the party’s state unit.

    Priyanka is finalising the poll strategy, selection of candidates and also the mood of the campaign. While she has focussed on the election strategy, she has failed to check the health of the party’s state unit which is witnessing an unprecedented exodus of leaders.

    (Picture source: Twitter@priyankagandhi)

    Her campaign for women and 40 per cent reservation for them in party tickets may have created a buzz in state politics but whether it will reap benefits for the Congress remains to be seen.

    The Congress has also been losing leader after leader to other parties and this has left the cadres rather demoralised.

    Since this is Priyanka’s first independent political outing, the result will decide her future in the Congress.

    What makes her task even more daunting is the fact that this time, Priyanka’s mother and Congress president Sonia Gandhi will not be campaigning due to health issues and her brother Rahul Gandhi has also kept himself away for unexplained reasons.

    If the Congress fails to achieve the desired results in these elections, it will be Priyanka’s second failure after 2019 when she had taken charge of UP and Rahul Gandhi lost his Amethi seat.

    Her failure this time could bring out the knives and also create hurdles in her elevation to national politics.

    Jayant Chaudhary, president of the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), is also facing a make-or-break battle in the UP elections.

    RLD chief Jayant Chaudhary addresses during Samvidhan Live in New Delhi. (Photo: IANS)

    This is the first time that he is independently leading his party into elections after the demise of his father Chaudhary Ajit Singh.

    Jayant has the advantage of being the sole political beneficiary of the year-long farmers’ agitation and his political handling of the election scenario could revive his party that has been languishing in the sidelines for long.

    If the RLD performs as per expectation in these elections, Jayant will be able to establish himself as the undisputed political leader of the Jats.

    These elections are extremely crucial for Mayawati, president of the Bahujan Samaj Party. The BSP is at its lowest ebb and Mayawati’s unexplained absence from the campaign has demoralised the cadres.

    If the BSP fails to get a decent number of seats, it could further isolate the party in Uttar Pradesh and put Mayawati in an uncomfortable position.

    ALSO READ: BJP begins door-to-door campaign in Uttar Pradesh

  • UP minister resigns, may join SP; 3 MLAs say quitting party

    UP minister resigns, may join SP; 3 MLAs say quitting party

    Maurya, who hails from the other backward class (OBC) community, had crossed over to the BJP from the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) before the 2017 assembly polls…reports Asian Lite News

    In a jolt to the BJP in poll-bound Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday, OBC leader Swami Prasad Maurya resigned from the state cabinet while three other MLAs announced they are quitting the party.

    Maurya, who is expected to join the Samajwadi Party (SP), said he resigning from the Yogi Adityanath cabinet due to “gross neglect” towards Dalits, backwards, farmers, unemployed youth and small traders.

    BJP Tindwari MLA Brajesh Prajapati, Tilhar MLA Roshan Lal Varma and Bilhaur MLA Bhagwati Sagar have announced they are leaving the party in support of Maurya.

    There was no immediate word on the resignations being accepted.

    On Twitter, Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya urged the leader to reconsider his move.

    “I don’t know for what reasons respected Swami Prasad Maurya has tendered his resignation. I appeal to him to sit down for a talk. Decisions taken in a hurry often prove wrong,” he said in a tweet in Hindi.

    The SP tweeted a photograph of Swami Prasad Maurya and Varma with party chief Akhilesh Yadav, and said in Hindi, “Welcome to the Samajwadi Party. There will be a social justice revolution. There will be a change in 2022.”

    In his resignation letter addressed to Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel, Maurya said, “I discharged my responsibilities as the minister for labour, employment, and coordination in the council of ministers headed by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, despite adverse circumstances and ideology.”

    “Due to the attitude of gross neglect towards Dalits, backwards, farmers, unemployed youth and small and medium-sized traders, I am resigning from the Yogi ministry of Uttar Pradesh,” he said in a tweet in Hindi.

    Maurya, who hails from the other backward class (OBC) community, had crossed over to the BJP from the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) before the 2017 assembly polls.

    He is a five-time MLA from Padrauna, while his daughter Sanghmitra Maurya is a BJP MP and represents Badaun in the Lok Sabha.

    In a tweet, Yadav said, “This time all the oppressed, downtrodden, neglected will unite against the BJP’s insulting and divisive politics.

    “There will be a revolution of SP’s politics of giving respect to all. In 2022, with everyone meeting each other, there will be positive politics of ‘mela hobe’. There will be a historic defeat of the BJP,” he said.

    The setback to the ruling party came on a day when a key BJP meeting to discuss the Uttar Pradesh assembly polls, now just a month away, was taking place in Delhi.

    Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Adityanath and Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya attended the meeting, as the party begins shortlisting its candidates.

    The Uttar Pradesh polls will be held in seven phases — on February 10, 14, 20, 23, 27, March 3 and 7. The results will be declared on March 10 along with the four other poll-bound states of Punjab, Uttarakhand, Goa and Manipur.

    Speaking to reporters here, Swami Prasad Maurya said, “I am a political person and I will be talking to some political party or the other. With whom I will talk, it will be done after consulting supporters.”

    Asked when was the first time felt he felt angry with the government, he said, “As soon as I felt angry, I tendered my resignation. I was upset with anti-Dalit, anti-backwards, anti-farmers, anti-youth attitude (of the BJP government). I always spoke at the relevant forum be it the government or the party leadership. I was heard, but it led to nothing.”

    Maurya’s departure from the BJP is likely to damage the party’s prospects in at least 20 seats spread across Kushinagar, Pratapgarh, Kanpur Dehat, Banda and Shahjahanpur.

    BJP Tilhar MLA Varma, who had reached the Raj Bhavan here with the hard copy of Maurya’s resignation, said, “I have resigned from the BJP, and I will be with Swami Prasad Maurya. When we used to raise the grievances of the people, we were not heard.”

    “We had complained to the chief minister and also to (the state BJP chief) Swatantra Dev Singh. But nothing happened. I will be joining the SP in the next couple of days,” he said while speaking to PTI.

    Varma said better than him, people know the reasons behind he leaving the BJP.

    “There has been an increase in unemployment and the backward and most backward classes people have been ignored. We flagged their issues, but no one heard us. Only a handful of officials run this government. Cabinet Minister Suresh Khanna in Shahjahanpur had put hurdles in various works including development,” he said.

    This time, the SP is going to form a majority government in Uttar Pradesh, works of public interest will be done and respect will be given to everyone, Varma asserted.

    Speaking to reporters at Maurya’s residence, Sagar said he is with Swami Prasad Maurya.

    “We will decide our future course of action and go where ever our interest is redressed and we get justice,” he said.

    When asked why he has taken the decision now when the assembly polls have been declared, Sagar said, “We were struggling for the past over four years. It is not the matter of getting party tickets for contesting polls, the decision is taken in the interest of our community.”

    BJP MLA from Tindwari, Prajapati, has sent a letter regarding his leaving the party to the state party president.

    Meanwhile, another Uttar Pradesh Minister Dharam Singh Saini denied quitting the cabinet and the BJP.

    “Swami Prasad Maurya ji remains an elder brother to me. I am hearing on TV channels that he has given my name among those joining the SP with him. There is no talk with him on this…I deny quitting the cabinet and the BJP,” Saini, who is minister of state (independent charge) for Ayush, Food Security and Drug Administration, said in a video message.

    ALSO READ-BJP to contest on 80 seats in Punjab

  • ‘Uttarakhand polls contest between Harish Rawat and BJP’s misrule’

    ‘Uttarakhand polls contest between Harish Rawat and BJP’s misrule’

    The election will be against the BJP which has imposed this useless government in Uttarakhand…Harish Rawat speaks with Arvind Malguri

    The Assembly elections in Uttarakhand are a contest between Harish Rawat and BJP’s misrule, former Chief Minister of the state Harish Rawat said in an exclusive interview. The Himalayan state is set to go to the polls on February 14. The counting of votes will be taken up on March 10. Here are the excerpts from the interview:

    Who do you think is the contest with — Pushkar Singh Dhami vs Harish Rawat or BJP vs Congress?

    This contest will be Harish Rawat vs the BJP. Because Pushkar Singh Dhami is just a small pawn, whom the party has put forward to dodge anti-incumbency and to avoid questions being raised within the BJP.

    Are you sure that you will come back to power with full majority?

    Yes, we will come back with a very good majority, and we have told the voters that if you are happy with us, then vote so that we can easily form the government and give you a good government.

    So can we say if Congress comes to power, then Harish Rawat is going to be the next Chief Minister of Uttarakhand?

    Right now all I can say is that a Congressperson is going to be the next Chief Minister in March, and it is my responsibility to ensure this. But who will be the Chief Minister, the party will decide.

    Have the internal bickerings in the party for quite some time ended? Or is it still going on?

    There is no tension in the party, but whatever it is, it will not affect the party’s prospects in the elections. That much I can say.

    BJP says that PM has a lot of influence in Uttarakhand, Harish Rawat will not be able to overcome that. What do you think?

    Look, if Modi ji was contesting the election here then people would be comparing Modi ji with Harish Rawat. People here have to choose their chief minister, and in the last five years people have been disappointed. A double engine government was formed on the call of PM Modi, but that government failed on all fronts. Now if Modi ji apologizes to the people that he made a mistake then, people may consider his appeal. But people are saying that if double engine government comes again, it will be a disaster. That’s why people are now looking towards Harish Rawat.

    What do you think about digital campaign, will you be able to use it, that too in a place where there is no good internet connectivity in many areas?

    Look, we will face all the challenges which come our way. The challenge may come in any form. I have also started addressing digitally. Yesterday I did the first digital address, in which more than 20,000 people joined. Even today I am holding an election meeting in Haldwani. We are adapting ourselves to the emerging challenges.

    You say that Dhami is a pawn, the election will be between BJP and Harish Rawat. That is, between Harish Rawat and Modi?

    The election will be against the BJP which has imposed this useless government in Uttarakhand.

    On what issues you will be fighting the election?

    Obviously unemployment is a big issue in Uttarakhand, yet there are other issues — law and order, inflation, misgovernance, indiscriminate mining. Health and medical infrastructure has collapsed in the state, this is a big issue. The issues are many, the thing is that development has been stalled for five years. And the state’s economy has completely collapsed.

    The people of your party say that under Harish Rawat, small leaders do not get opportunities, they are not able to move ahead, what would you like to say?

    This is not true. I have helped all the leaders of this generation to move forward from time to time. So it’s not like that, and there are challenges in politics, and everyone has to face this. And I want to wish all my friends the best that they should face the challenges bravely.

    ALSO READ-Women participation sees rise with UP at maximum

  • AAP may just fall short of majority in Punjab

    AAP may just fall short of majority in Punjab

    The surprise of the pack is AAP’s Bhagwant Mann, who has shot to 23 per cent approval rating in the latest round of the survey, up from 13 per cent last time…reports Asian Lite News

    The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Congress are projected to poll 40 per cent and 36 per cent votes in Punjab, respectively, as per the ABP-CVOTER Battle for the States survey.

    The 117-member Punjab Assembly will go to the polls on February 14, and the counting of votes will be taken up on March 10.

    The numbers could propel the AAP in pole-position as far as the race for Punjab is concerned, as per the survey.

    But despite the lead in vote share, AAP may just fall short of majority due to regional distribution of voter base. Also, Congress is benefiting from its Mayawati moment by installing the first Dalit CM in the state, Charanjit Singh Channi, thus consolidating its hold over Dalit voters.

    Charanjit Singh Channi

    The sample size for the survey was 14,360 across 117 Assembly seats in Punjab.

    Regardless of AAP’s continued lead, there is a distinct possibility of amplification of the current trend of convergence with Congress’ vote share. If the race tightens any further, the eventual outcome will be decided on a seat-by-seat basis. Therefore, candidate selection may become very important.

    Which brings us to the conclusion that this is a waveless election in Punjab. For all the political and social turmoil witnessed in the state, the electorate is remarkably split in its expression. If this situation continues to hold for another month, we may see a hung Vidhan Sabha in Punjab with AAP emerging as the single largest party, closely followed by the Congress.

    Shiromani Akali Dal’s (Badal) projected vote share has declined by 2 per cent from the last round, and it is expected to poll 18 per cent votes and may win around 20 seats in the Badal family strongholds. Currently it seems to be out of reckoning, but the party’s performance will most certainly act as the tie-breaker between AAP and Congress.

    Amarinder Singh’s alliance with the BJP does not seem to be adding up to anything significant. Currently the vote share (2.5 BJP) and seat share (2 seats) of the grouping is projected to remain in lower single digits. However, the alliance’s performance may influence the fate of around 30 seats.

    Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi is preferred by 29 per cent Punjabis as the CM candidate in 2022 polls, and interestingly this number corresponds to the rough headcount of Dalit population in Punjab. Congress President Navjot Singh Sidhu is preferred by only 6 per cent of the voters. AAP’s Arvind Kejriwal is preferred by 17 per cent voters while Sukhbir Singh Badal of the SAD is the choice of 15 per cent Punjabis.

    The surprise of the pack is AAP’s Bhagwant Mann, who has shot to 23 per cent approval rating in the latest round of the survey, up from 13 per cent last time.

    If AAP declares him as the CM face, it could consolidate his numbers further as the total support for Kejriwal and Mann is almost 10 per cent more than Channi and 5 per cent more than Channi and Sidhu put together.

    Regionally, the Dalit population is more concentrated in Doaba and Majha regions that account for a total of 48 seats. The Congress is projected to win 25 out of its 40 seats from these two regions. AAP is doing significantly better in Malwa region that accounts for the remaining 69 seats. It is expected to win 41 of its 55 seats from Malwa alone.

    Therefore, the three X factors that will ultimately decide the Punjab verdict are as follows :

    * The relative sweep of AAP and Congress in their respective strongholds

    * The performance of Akali Dal and its potential impact on AAP and Congress

    * Ability of Amarinder Singh to dent the prospects of Congress

    For now, despite a reenergised and repositioned political stance, Congress is facing more headwinds than AAP. Also, the rural peasantry, fresh from the protests at Singhu border, is unlikely to fully trust the Akali Dal or Congress. Both these parties have baggage with Jatt farmers that dominate the rural polity.

    In terms of Jatt Sikh politics, the survey projections are indicative of an emerging vacuum. From 1997-2021, Punjab saw a duopoly of Badal-Amarinder, and currently no leader is polling enough support to inherit the mantle of Jatt leadership. Sukhbir Badal is liked by some sections while others prefer Bhagwant Mann. Navjot Sidhu’s theatrics have not helped him gain traction in state politics, despite the outsized media imagery projected.

    ALSO READ-BJP to showcase law and order, Hindutva to woo voters

  • BJP to replace number of sitting MLAs

    BJP to replace number of sitting MLAs

    The state leadership, which met on Monday night, indicated that they favoured dropping a significant number of incumbents…reports Asian Lite News

    The BJP plans to counter the anti-incumbency factor in Uttar Pradesh by replacing over 100 sitting legislators for the Assembly elections slated to begin next month.

    Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and other state leaders are expected to reach Delhi on Tuesday with their recommendations for the first two phases of the polls for western Uttar Pradesh.

    The state leadership, which met on Monday night, indicated that they favoured dropping a significant number of incumbents.

    The party is banking on the “goodwill over welfare schemes” and the robust law and order situation prevailing in the state to deliver a “pro-incumbency” sentiment in the polls and leaders believe that the discontent against individual MLAs might see the party losing a few seats that it should win.

    However, these reports have made the sitting BJP legislators increasingly restive.

    BJP MLA Radha Krishna Sharma, who won the Bilsi Assembly seat in Badaun, joined the Samajwadi Party (SP) on Monday. Earlier, BJP MLAs Madhuri Verma (Bahraich) and Rakesh Rathore (Sitapur) also shifted loyalty to the SP.

    “We should have been informed in advance about the party decision. The nomination for the first phase begins in two days and we are yet undecided about our fate. This is bound to lead to discontent and, perhaps, even internal sabotage,” said an MLA from western Uttar Pradeh.

    “There is no doubt that one-third of the sitting legislators will be replaced, mainly because of non-performance. However, it will be done in a way that denial of tickets does not result in too many rebels,” said a senior party functionary.

    He said that replacements of the existing MLAs will be announced on the last dates of filing of nominations.

    The BJP’s poll in-charge and Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has already held consultations with leaders from various regions to discuss the electoral prospects of sitting MLAs and other candidates for seats that the party had lost in 2017.

    ALSO READ-First phase in UP is challenge for BJP, hope for SP

  • BJP to showcase law and order, Hindutva to woo voters

    BJP to showcase law and order, Hindutva to woo voters

    The party has been sounding confident on the issues it has taken up for the elections, as well as on the popularity of its faces in Delhi and Lucknow…reports Asian Lite News

    With the announcement of polling dates for the assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, all major political parties have intensified their campaign, apart from taking pot-shots at one another.

    The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is confident of making a comeback in the state despite the opposition parties — the Congress, Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party, giving the saffron party a tough fight.

    The party has been sounding confident on the issues it has taken up for the elections, as well as on the popularity of its faces in Delhi and Lucknow.

    In fact, the BJP veterans have been continuously claiming that the party will repeat its last election’s performance.

    The party which has often backed the idea of “a double engine government”, is constantly putting forth the issues and agendas related to Hindutva along with the development work. According to party sources, the BJP leaders will try to woo people on the basis of this strategy.

    Apart from listing the achievements of the public welfare work of the Narendra Modi and Yogi Adityanath governments, the BJP leaders will also discuss the issue of Ayodhya, Kashi and Mathura, its core agenda.

    Terming the issue of law and order as the biggest achievement of the Yogi Adityanath government, the BJP leaders are likely to be seen appealing to people to vote in favour of the party to keep the momentum going.

    The BJP has also prepared a blueprint for the digital campaign in an attempt to reach out to the voters amid restrictions imposed by the Election Commission following rise in the number of Covid cases.

    A BJP leader associated with the election campaign told, the party would be making an effort to woo every section of the electorate to vote in favour of the party. Hence, “the party has taken special care of the youth, women, elderly, the workers as well as the voters associated with the party over the Hindutva ideology”.

    The party will continue to focus on its core agenda of “Ayodhya-Kashi-Mathura” as well, he said.

    ALSO READ-First phase in UP is challenge for BJP, hope for SP

  • BSP implodes in Uttar Pradesh

    BSP implodes in Uttar Pradesh

    Dalits in Uttar Pradesh are an influential caste group Their population is around 21.6 per cent, which includes 66 Dalit sub castes. Seventeen of the 80 Lok Sabha seats in UP are reserved for Scheduled Castes…reports Amita Verma

     It was the Bahujan Samaj Party that brought them together and it is, again, the BSP that is slowly driving them away.

    The parry itself is imploding.

    After nearly two decades, Uttar Pradesh is likely to witness a fragmentation of Dalit votes that is bound to weaken the political base of the BSP.

    With the announcement of election dates, Mayawati becomes the only leader who will guide her voters into election without addressing them even once.

    The rallies addressed by BSP MP Satish Chandra Mishra have been aimed at bringing Brahmins into the BSP, rather than in keeping the Dalits together.

    Dalits in Uttar Pradesh are an influential caste group Their population is around 21.6 per cent, which includes 66 Dalit sub castes. Seventeen of the 80 Lok Sabha seats in UP are reserved for Scheduled Castes.

    Of these, the BJP won 14 in the 2019 general election, including the Hathras seat. The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) won two and the Apna Dal one seat.

    This proves that on its own, the BSP cannot get elected unless it has the support of other caste groups.

    Since 1993, when late Kanshi Ram formed an alliance with Mulayam Singh Yadav’s Samajwadi Party and formed the first BSP government in a coalition, Dalits have been voting en bloc for BSP.

    It was Mayawati who led the BSP to its first government with a majority in 2007 and in 2022, it is Mayawati’s unexplained inertia that had led to the dismantling of her own party and also her vote base.

    Since 2012, whether BSP’s vote power has been in the decline and its oft-tested Dalit-Muslim card is no longer in play.

    “It is only the Jatav community that remains loyal to the BSP while other sub-castes are searching for greener pastures. Dalits, in general, are disillusioned with Mayawati’s leadership since the BJP came to power in UP. Her statements are erratic and leave her voters confused about her relationship with the BJP. This political inconsistency that made Muslims think twice about supporting BSP. Dalit Muslims and Dalit, to a considerable extent, are shifting to the Samajwadi Party who seems better positioned to defat the ruling BJP,” said Israr Ahmad, a former BSP leader.

    Muslims have also been upset after Mayawati came on to a stage at her party office last year, carrying a ‘trishul’ while a bunch of supporters chanting ‘Jai Shri Ram’.

    “This was the last thing we expected from the BSP president. If this is the new party posture, we might as well join the BJP,” said a former Muslim MLA of the party.

    Mayawati has sacked leaders with a vengeance and the exodus of veterans like Sukhdev Rajbhar, Lalji Varma and Ram Achal Rajbhar has ensured that these leaders have taken Dalits away from the BSP in their respective areas of influence.

    The BSP now lacks the presence of a senior Dalit leader and the party which had won 19 seats in 2017, is now left with just three MLAs.

    Satish Chandra Mishra, the second tallest leader of the party, is the new face of the BSP, along with his wife and son, who have been addressing Brahmins.

    The BSP leaders in Rajya Sabha, Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha now belong to upper castes.

    Dalits, naturally, are wondering if this is the same party that swore its allegiance to Dalits.

    A major factor, meanwhile, that is all set to divide Dalit votes, especially in west UP, is the emergence of the Bhim Army chief Chandra Shekhar.

    Chandra Shekhar became a known face in the state after the Dalit-Thakur clash in Saharanpur in May 2017.

    He has been relentlessly working at the grassroots level among Dalits – holding classes to educate Dalit children and protecting the welfare of his community members.

    He has been visiting various areas where atrocities on Dalits have been reported and now enjoys a sizeable following among Dalit youth.

    “We need a leader who responds and is accessible. Mayawati remains locked in her ivory tower and even during the Hathras incident, she did not step out. Chandra Shekhar is becoming increasingly acceptable because the BSP is losing its core ideology,” said Raj Narain Gautam, a young student who now works for Bhim Army.

    Even as Mayawati’s presence recedes from the state’s political horizon, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav has been quick to step into the vacant space.

    Akhilesh has formed the Baba Saheb Vahini and celebrated Dalit Diwali on Ambedkar’s birth anniversary. He has opened his door for leaders expelled from BSP and is ardently wooing non-Jatav Dalit leaders from various sub castes.



    The SP is trying to extend its social alliance to add Dalits and Most Backward Castes in UP by forming alliances with smaller caste-based parties and organising caste and community conferences.

    It would not be surprising if the SP finally eats into BSP’s vote base and get a slice of Dalit votes in these elections.

    The BJP, on its part, has also worked on its Dalit outreach and even used the Buddhist circuit to appease Dalits. The party is focusing on castes like Pasi, Kori and Dhobi and if the party ensure representation of these sub castes in ticket distribution, it could grab a chunk of Dalit votes.

    The Congress that seems to be making a renewed bid for power in Uttar Pradesh after three decades of exile, is also focussing on Dalits.

    The Gandhis have rushed to areas where atrocities against Dalits have been reported.

    Rahul and Priyanka were among the first to rush to Hathras, following the rape and murder of a Dalit girl in September 2020.

    Priyanka also went to the home of Arun Valmiki, a Dalit who died in police custody, and even sent financial assistance to the family.

    Priyanka, interestingly, has endeared herself to Dalit women.

    “Look at her, she happily embraces us without grimacing. Have you ever seen a photograph of Mayawati embracing a Dalit woman?” asks Preeti Valmiki, now an applicant for a Congress ticket.

    ALSO READ-Modi wishes Indian diaspora on Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas

  • On your mark, get set, poll

    On your mark, get set, poll

    Elections to five states Assemblies — Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Gao, Punjab and Manipur — would be held from February 10 to March 7, and the counting of votes will take place on March 10, reports Asian Lite News

    Spanned over seven phases, the elections to five states Assemblies — Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Gao, Punjab and Manipur — would be held from February 10 to March 7, and the counting of votes will take place on March 10, the Election Commission of India announced on Saturday.

    Uttar Pradesh will go to polls on February 10, 14, 20, 23 and March 3 and 7; Punjab, Goa and Uttarakhand would vote on February 14; while Manipur will vote in two phases on February 27 and March 3, said Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra.

    The elections would be held following full Covid protocols.

    Up to January 15, no physical rallies roadshows, padyatras, or vehicle rallies will be allowed keeping in view the pandemic situation. All parties have been advised to conduct campaigns in virtual mode.

    Invoking Article 171 (1), Chandra said that the AAssembly’stenure has to end in five years and, therefore, elections are necessary.

    As per the Covid protocols for conducting elections, all elections officials will be double vaccinated, will be given a booster dose, and will also be treated as frontline workers. Booths would be fully sanitised and there will be adequate gloves, sanitizers, etc for the polling staff.

    More than 15 crore people in the five poll-bound states have received the first dose of the vaccine, while nine crore people have received both shots.

    Polling time has been increased by one hour in all the states.

    The final electoral rolls were published on January 5. There are a total of 18.34 crore voters, including service voters. Of these, 8.55 crore are women. The EC has made an effort to increase the number of voters and as a result, all states have seen an increase, with the maximum voter increase in Uttar Pradesh.

    There are a total of 24.5 lakh first-time electors and 30.47 lakh senior citizens. The EC has capped the number of voters per booth to 1,250, resulting in an increase in the number of polling stations to 30,334 as the average number of voters per polling booth has decreased.

    At least one booth in each Assembly constituency will be managed exclusively by women, Chandra said.

    “It will now be mandatory to publish criminal records of candidates a minimum three times in local newspapers and television channels. Even the parties are expected to do so with their candidates,” he said.

    Earlier, Chandra said that the Commission has set out three goals for these elections: Covid-free elections, hassle-free voting experience and maximum participation by voters.

    The preparations have been going on for at least six months with EC teams visiting poll-bound states.

    Model Code of Conduct kicks in

    With the announcement of the seven-phase polling for assembly elections for five states on Saturday, the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) has come into force with immediate effect.

    The Model Code of Conduct for political parties and candidates will be in force till the completion of the election in the states scheduled to go for polls — Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Manipur and Goa.

    The Election Commission’s letter to the Chief Secretaries of the states concerned drew attention to the particular provisions of the MCC relating to the ‘party in power’ which says that the party in power shall ensure that no cause is given for any complaint that it has used its official position for the purpose of its election campaign. “In particular, the Ministers shall not combine their official visit with electioneering work and also shall not make use of official machinery or personnel during the electioneering work,” it said.

    The restrictions also include use of government transport, including the aircraft, for furtherance of the interest of the party in power.

    The EC letter also drew attention towards the provisions of use of public places, such as parks, maidans etc. and also about who can use the Rest Houses, Dak Bungalows etc.

    “The issue of advertisement at the cost of public exchequer in the newspapers and other media and the misuse of official mass media during the election period for partisan coverage of political news and publicity gathering achievements with a view to furthering the prospects of the party in power shall be scrupulously avoided,” it said.

    No ministers or other authorities are allowed to sanction any grants/payments out of the discretionary funds from the time elections are announced nor can they lay foundation stone etc. or make any promises for providing any kind of civil facilities.

    The Commission also reminded the top state babu about the complete ban on transfer of officials, and in case utmost necessary, to do so with prior permission of the Commission.

    The assembly elections for five states – Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Goa and Manipur – would be held in seven phases. Uttar Pradesh would have voting on February 10, 14, 20, 23 and March 3 & 7; Punjab, Goa and Uttarakhand would have polling on February 14 while Manipur will have voting in two phases, February 27, and March 3.

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  • ‘No need to defer Budget, EC would not like to interfere’

    ‘No need to defer Budget, EC would not like to interfere’

    While the Budget is presented on February 1, the election procedure would begin on January 14, the day of issue of notification for the first phase of polling in Uttar Pradesh…reports Asian Lite News

    Stating that the Union Budget is for the whole of India and not just the poll-bound states, the Election Commission said on Saturday that there is no need to defer the Budget presentation on February 1.

    The Election Commission would not like to interfere in the presentation of the budget, Chief Election Commission Sushil Chandra said after announcing the election dates for five poll-bound states — Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Goa and Manipur.

    “Budget is a yearly exercise, and a statement has to be placed in the House for it. The Election Commission would not like to interfere in the presentation of the budget because that is for the whole country, not limited to these five states only.

    “(The Budget is) the allocation of expenditure, and revenue-raising measures. How will the Budget presentation disturb the level playing field,” the CEC asked.

    He was responding to a question if the presentation of the Budget would ensure a level playing field for all the stakeholders.

    While the Budget is presented on February 1, the election procedure would begin on January 14, the day of issue of notification for the first phase of polling in Uttar Pradesh.

    Uttar Pradesh would go to polls on February 10, 14, 20, 23 and March 3 and 7; Punjab, Goa and Uttarakhand would vote on February 14; while Manipur will vote in two phases, on February 27 and March 3.

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  • Women participation sees rise with UP at maximum

    Women participation sees rise with UP at maximum

    The CEC said service electors including Security Forces deployed in far-flung places, Mission staff, and others are about 5.29 lakh…reports Asian Lite News

    Women participation in the electoral process has increased in all the five states going to polls — Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa, Punjab, and Manipur as compared to the last assembly elections with UP witnessing the maximum participation of the fair sex at 29 points, Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra said on Saturday while announcing the poll schedule.

    As many as 18.34 crore electors from the five states will take part in the democratic exercise and out of that 8.55 crore are women electors. In the women participation, UP is followed by Goa with 24 points, Manipur with 19 points, Uttarakhand with 18 points, and Punjab at 10 points. In the gender ratio, Goa recorded 1056, Manipur 1065, Punjab 902, Uttarakhand 928, and UP at 868, Chandra said.

    Notably, out of the 24.9 lakh first-time voters, 11.4 lakh are also women.

    Nearly 13.01 lakh are differently-abled voters and 31.47 lakh senior citizens mostly above 80 years will exercise their franchise and this will inspire the younger generation, he said.

    The CEC said service electors including Security Forces deployed in far-flung places, Mission staff, and others are about 5.29 lakh.

    Polling time has been increased by one hour in all the states. The final electoral rolls were published on January 5. The EC has made an effort to increase the number of voters and as a result, all states have seen an increase, with the maximum voter increase in Uttar Pradesh.

    The EC has capped the number of voters per booth to 1,250, resulting in an increase in the number of polling stations to 30,334 as the average number of voters per polling booth has decreased.

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