INDI Alliance Vs BJP: Campaign In Uttar Pradesh Till Now

After Kerala LS polls, Tharoor heads to Delhi for third phase campaign

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A day after the Lok Sabha polls in Kerala, Shashi Tharoor, UDF candidate from Thiruvananthapuram, returned to New Delhi to campaign in states going to the polls in the third phase. Asked about his victory margin, Tharoor told TNIE he has never predicted his result or even cricket scores. The third phase of LS polls is scheduled to be held on May 7 in Assam, Bihar, Chattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Jammu and Kashmir, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu. Unlike the earlier three Lok Sabha elections, this time Tharoor had seven weeks of campaign duration and he utilised the campaign phase to the optimum potential. Tharoor remained unfazed when a whispering campaign was on against him citing he was facing anti-incumbency. Rumours were also rife that the Thiruvananthapuram DCC did not play an active role toward the run-up to Tharoors campaign and vice versa. But the central election committee planned Tharoors campaign routes meticulously which did not raise any complaints. He is confident of repeating his winning streak for the fourth consecutive term. I never predict cricket scores or election numbers. We are winning comfortably, said Tharoor. Kerala LS polls: Congress pins hope on Thiruvananthapuram coastal belt The excruciating humid conditions had not only affected the candidates, but the party workers as well. When asked how Tharoor wished to unwind himself from the hectic campaign, he quipped, I dont intend to do much unwinding. The AICC has asked me to campaign in other states. I reached Delhi by Saturday afternoon. I didnt bring any books with me from Thiruvananthapuram. I might watch some IPL highlights to unwind. Like everyone, Tharoor is also eager to know the poll outcome. He didnt hide his disappointment in having a long 37-days wait. Our electoral process is unnecessarily prolonged. It seems bizarre that we have so many phases spread out over so much time, he said. Pannian busy completing pending works It was a day to finish pending works for CPI veteran Pannian Raveendran. A day after the LS poll, the LDF candidate was busy completing an array of tasks. The about one-and-a-half-month-long campaigning under sweltering heat has, however, given him fresh energy, said the CPI leader. Pannian, who is also the chief editor of party organ Navayugam, dedicated his time to complete his regular sports column Kaliyezhuth for CPI mouthpiece Janayugam on Saturday. He also attended an array of meetings to analyse the LS polls. He also spent time to read some books, including the autobiography of former president A P J Abdul Kalam. We need to regularly update ourselves when we take on intellectuals. This election was a noble mission for me. Travelling in an open vehicle braving the scorching sun has given me some fresh energy. It gave me more confide-nce about myself and my energy level, he told TNIE.

Fire breaks out at timber shop in UP's Prayagraj

Now here's a shrine in eastern UP where the faithful meat!

At Gorakhpurs Tarkulha Devi temple, slow cooked mutton is Prasad & its truly divine

Hathras Market: Voter Neglect, Discontent Prevail Ahead of UP Elections

Hathras Market: Voter Neglect, Discontent Prevail Ahead of UP Elections Before one arrives at Hathras' famed 'hing' (asafoetida) market, the pungent smell of the condiment greets visitors, almost pinpointing the place. As one gets to the market, a scene of disrepair takes over -- roads riddled with potholes and littered with debris, and congested lanes dotted with dilapidated houses. For local traders and residents, these are physical manifestations of the government's ''neglect'' that mirror broader systemic challenges. Hathras 'hing' received the coveted Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2023 but it appears to have done little for the local traders, who are seeking change and accountability in this Lok Sabha election. ''Our leaders need to focus on improving our living conditions instead of engaging in empty rhetoric,'' said hing trader Rohit Upadhyay. Pritish Jindal, a shopkeeper, said, ''We contribute significantly to the local economy and yet we are burdened with excessive taxes and receive little in return in terms of infrastructure or support.'' Some feel bogged down by the ''soaring'' GST rates. ''This is the biggest hing market in the world. Hing brought from Iran and Iraq is processed here and the market is known for this process worldwide. Despite the significant business here, we feel ignored when it comes to key issues like inflation, unemployment and infrastructure. The Goods and Services Tax (GST) has devastated our trade,'' said Lalit Vashney, another hing trader. ''The soaring GST rates are suffocating our businesses. Profit margins are shrinking, making it increasingly challenging to sustain our livelihoods,'' said another trader Ramesh Gupta. The GST rate for hing is 18 per cent. According to the local trade union, India imported 1,500 tonnes of asafoetida milk worth Rs 940 crore last year. Ranging from Rs 100 per kg to Rs 35,000 per kg, about 90 per cent of hing is sourced from Afghanistan, 8 per cent from Uzbekistan and 2 per cent from Iran, according to the union. Hathras goes to polls in the third round of Lok Sabha polls on May 7. The western Uttar Pradesh constituency will see a direct fight between the BJP and the SP. While the BJP has fielded state minister Anoop Pradhan Balmiki from the seat, the SP has fielded Jasveer Valmiki. ''The BJP has fielded a state minister from here. Aware of the weak competition from the opposition, they are not coming here to address our grievances,'' claimed a local trader who did not wish to be named. Reviving Hathras' economic hubs is one of the issues on Valmiki's poll agenda. ''The neglect of our markets is a symptom of larger governance failures,'' the SP candidate said. ''If elected, I will prioritise infrastructure development and advocate for tax relief to bolster our local businesses,'' he said. On the other hand, Balmiki's campaign so far has been focused on the progress made at the national level under the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government. Votes for all seven phases of Lok Sabha elections will be counted on June 4. Irrespective of who loses, the traders hope they will win this time.

Massive Fire Breaks Out In Noida Building, 15 Fire Tenders Rushed To Spot

A fire broke out in Sector 65 of Noida district of Uttar Pradesh late Saturday night. On receiving the information, 5 fire brigade vehicles reached the spot.

Amit Shah to hold meet in city today

History prof awarded NCC badge for 23

2-day intl conference begins

What first-timers want: Better colleges, job vistas

Excellent win, says Avesh Khan

Kanpur Metro: Construction work of girders completed

Running water better first-aid for burns than ice

PWD officials booked for removing temple idols without notice

UP leg done, Akash Anand cuts teeth on campaign trail

18 hospitalised after eating laddus in Old City

School kids in Chacha Chaudhary avatar turn voting influencers

AIMIM chief Owaisisspeech under scanner

Candidates encouraging their spouse to contest elections

Show cause notice to sanitary inspector

Mighty Samson, Jurel help RR seal win against LSG

Two shot at in group clash in Jaunpur

Hand over reins of power to PM Modi once again: Meenakshi Lekhi

Appeal to cover all open manholes, ducts in city

Five who cracked UPSC exam feted

Drunkardsbooked for burning hut

All corrupt and criminals are in BJP: Akhilesh Yadav

All corrupt and criminals are in BJP: Akhilesh

Youths wandering for employment: Akhilesh

Woman falls into well of a temple, dies

CST contest rewards engg innovations

Yogi slams Cong for allowing cow slaughter in Rams land

Singer accusesman of rape, blackmail

UP tops with 80L PMJAY linked OPD registrations

Dhananjay Singh shifted to Bareilly jail

Mother-son duo ends life due to financial crunch

Congress-SP alliance is betrayal to the country, says CM

Relevance of Chanakyas teachings in modern mgmt discussed during 3-wk course by BHU

3 killed, 2 injured in road accident

Congress 'Aiming To Allow Beef Consumption' If It Wins: Yogi Adityanath's Big Charge

In a fresh attack on Congress over its elections manifesto, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday accused the party of 'aiming to allow consumption of beef' if voted to power.

Anita Katyal | Manifesto fiasco costs Cong dear; BJP forced to lean on Chouhan

Launched with great fanfare and described as a path-breaking document, the Congress Partys election manifesto has been grabbing headlines for all the wrong reasons. The Bharatiya Janata Party has clearly studied the manifesto in great detail and come out with an aggressive strategy to corner the Congress. This is in sharp contrast to the Congress whose members have a cursory knowledge of the manifestos contents. On its part, the party has made little effort to acquaint its spokespersons and other key functionaries in the states with the details of the manifesto. Soon after it was released, the party had initially planned to hold press conferences at multiple venues across the country to explain the partys agenda to the people. But nothing came of it. Also, copies of the manifesto have not been distributed as widely as would be expected. As a result, most party functionaries are ill-equipped to rebut the charges being bandied about by the BJP regarding the Congress plans for redistribution of wealth and minority appeasement. The low voter turnout in the first phase of the general election has turned out to be a blessing in disguise for former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. He was gradually sidelined after last years Assembly election after being denied another term in office. Keen to make a mark, Mr Chouhan wanted to contest from the Chhindwara Lok Sabha constituency known to be senior Congress leader Kamal Naths stronghold. However, the party denied him the opportunity to emerge as a possible giant killer just in case he did defeat Kamal Naths son who is battling it out for a second term. Instead, Mr Chouhan was fielded from his old constituency Vidisha, a safe BJP seat which presented no challenge to him.To make matters worse, the BJP deliberately chose not to deploy him for campaigning though individual candidates did ask Mr Chouhan to address meetings in their constituencies. However, there has been a sea change after the first phase of voting. Realising that the party needs all hands on deck, the BJP has belatedly started involving Mr Chouhan in the poll campaign for the forthcoming phases. The former chief minister is once again in demand for participation in election rallies. Not just Madhya Pradesh but the low voter turnout in the first phase is also worrying the Bharatiya Janata Party in Uttar Pradesh. While this is being attributed to several factors like voter indifference, election fatigue and the heat, there are murmurs in the party that an unhappy Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath is not making sufficient efforts to mobilise voters. BJP leaders informally point to the possibility that Yogi Adityanath may be replaced, as was the case with Shivraj Singh Chouhan, if Prime Minister Narendra Modi notches up a spectacular victory in this election. Yogi has emerged as a leader in his own right and is often mentioned as a worthy successor to Mr Modi. This is obviously not acceptable in the present BJP which has room for only one leader. But for Mr Modi to achieve his goal, the BJP has to necessarily improve upon the 62 seats it won in Uttar Pradesh in 2019 for which Yogis cooperation is critical. While Yogi is said to be ambivalent, the Thakur community to which he belongs is angry as it feels it has not got its due in the selection of candidates. Well aware that he cannot afford to alienate Yogi, Mr Modi has now taken to praising the chief minister in his public rallies. The Rajasthan unit of the Congress discovered a new popular campaigner these elections. The state unit president Govind Singh Dotasra surprised everyone with his oratorical skills and ability to connect with the people in the recently-concluded poll campaign. Though Mr Dotasra is a three-time legislator and has been in the Congress for nearly three decades, not many were acquainted with this side of his personality. This was not surprising as former chief minister Ashok Gehlot has been a domineering figure in the desert state and has tended to eclipse other Congress leaders till the arrival of his younger colleague Sachin Pilot. Mr Dotasra got an opportunity to campaign extensively this time as Gehlot was preoccupied with his son Vaibhavs election from Jalore. Mr Pilot, too, concentrated on the Gujjar-dominated areas. Like Shivraj Singh Chouhan, this election also proved lucky for Mr Dotasra who turned out to be a hit with the crowds. While Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi are busy campaigning, a relaxed Sonia Gandhi was spotted last week at the Capitals India International Centre. Accompanied by Rupika Chawla, wife of the former chief election commissioner Navin Chawla, the former Congress president had dropped in to see an art exhibition. Sonia Gandhi slipped in virtually unnoticed except for a few stray members who took note of her presence. The irony is that a number of Congress functionaries were also present at the IIC at the same time but were busy gossiping over tea in the lounge. They were later fretting about how they had learnt about Sonia Gandhis visit only after she had left, the sub-text being that they lost an opportunity to register their presence with her.

Question Existence Of Those Who Questioned Lord Ram: Yogi Adityanath

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday appealed to the public to question the existence of those who had once questioned the existence of Lord Ram.

Congress Leaves Amethi, Rae Bareli Candidate Decision to Mallikarjun Kharge

MUMBAI: The Congress Central Election Committee (CEC) left the decision to select the candidates of Amethi and Rae Bareli to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge. At the CEC meeting in the national capital on Saturday, the members demanded that Rahul Gandhi must contest from Amethi against Union Minister Smriti Irani and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra be fielded to contest from her mother Sonia Gandhis erstwhile seat, Rae Bareli. General secretary incharge of Uttar Pradesh Avinash Pande urged the Congress leadership that a decision should be taken at the earliest and that the Gandhi siblings be picked as candidates from Amethi and Rae Bareli parliamentary constituencies. Mr Gandhi has already contested polls from the Wayanad Lok Sabha seat in Kerala, which went to polls on April 26. Voting in both Amethi and Rae Bareli is scheduled for May 20 th . Both Rae Bareli and Amethi are considered to be Gandhi bastions. Though Mr Gandhi won from Amethi in 2004, 2009 and 2014, he lost the parliamentary seat to Ms Irani in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Now the party cadres want the seat to be wrested from the BJP. Sources say that the next CEC meeting will take place on Monday, in which the candidates for the remaining seats in Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab will be decided.

Inciting backward classes: CM Siddaramaiah lashes out at PM Modi

Inciting backward classes: CM Siddaramaiah lashes out at PM Modi Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah lashed out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for inciting the Backward class communities against Muslims. He addressed the huge public meeting in Rabakavi Banahatti and called upon the people to ensure the victory of Bagalkote Congress Lok Sabha candidate Samyukta Patil. After the first phase of elections to 102 Lok Sabha constituencies in the country, Modi has clearly got the hint that the BJP will lose. For this reason, he is telling terrible lies. He is inciting the backward classes against the Muslims by telling the lie that the reservation of the backward classes will be taken away to give it to the Muslims. He warned the backward caste-communities to be careful, he said. Modi also lied about reservation. He has no knowledge of the Constitution, CM said. CM Siddaramaiah said that it was the BJP that opposed the Mandal report. It is the same BJP that opposed the Mandal report and instigated the backward classes to resort to suicide. Rama Jois (Former Governor of Bihar) is from BJP who went to court against the reservation of backward classes. It was the same BJP that protested when women were given reservation in local bodies, he added. The voting on 14 seats was held on April 26 in Karnataka alongside 12 other states/Union Territories. In the second phase, the voting was held in 88 Lok Sabha constituencies across 13 States, in Union Territory, including 13 in Rajasthan, 20 in Kerala, eight in Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, five each in Assam and Bihar, six in Madhya Pradesh, three each in Chhattisgarh and West Bengal, and one each in Tripura, Manipur, and Jammu and Kashmir. The first phase of voting in 102 constituencies across 21 states, UTs were held on April 19. The third phase of the seven-phase parliamentary elections will be held on May 7 and the final phase will be on June 1. The results will be announced on June 4. (ANI)

2024 polls an opportunity to teach divisive forces a lesson: Yogi

The Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister said opposition parties are misleading the country by blaming electronic voting machines for their defeat

Video: UP School Teacher Smashes Neighbour's Car With Brick, Attacks Family

A primary school teacher in Uttar Pradesh's Bulandshahr broke into her neighbour's house on Saturday and bashed in the windows of their car, a CCTV video shows.

Gandhis must contest from Amethi, Rae Bareli, says U.P. Congress chief Ajay Rai

Ajay Rai, the partys Uttar Pradesh president, said he had visited Rae Bareli and Amethi, and the mood of the public is in favour of the Congress. In Amethi, people are eager to correct the mistake of 2019, he said

Prachi Nigam Ad Controversy: Bombay Shaving Company faces backlash for 'supportive' ad message

The online bullying of Uttar Pradesh Class 10 topper Prachi Nigam for her facial hair sparked widespread condemnation. Bombay Shaving Company tried to show support for Prachi through an advertisement, but the ad's content backfired, leading to further criticism. The ad, which included a message of encouragement for Prachi, was criticized for its closing statement, We hope you never get bullied into using our razor. Social media users called the ad absurd and disgusting, questioning the company's branding strategy and intentions. Despite attempts to defend the ad as a gesture of support, it was widely seen as lacking in sensitivity.

BJP's False Promises and Broken Trust Outrage Akhilesh Yadav

BJP's False Promises and Broken Trust Outrage Akhilesh Yadav Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday said the BJP government has betrayed every section of the society and is trying to change the Constitution. The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister said this during his public outreach campaign in Kannauj from where he is contesting the Lok Sabha polls. Yadav travelled to different parts of the constituency in his campaign vehicle as part of the programme and addressed small public meetings. ''This Lok Sabha election is an election to save the Constitution, democracy and the rights of farmers and youth. The BJP wants to destroy the Constitution made by Baba Saheb Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar. No one is getting justice in this government,'' he said. Yadav interacted with the people in Rasoolabad area of Kanpur Dehat district, Bela area of Auraiya district and Umrada area of Kannauj during his public outreach campaign. All these areas fall under the Kannauj Lok Sabha seat. Yadav filed his nomination from the Kannauj Lok Sabha seat on Thursday. The polling in Kannauj is on May 13 in the fourth phase of the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. The Samajwadi Party chief said all guarantees made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi have turned out to be mere words. ''The BJP has put the future of the youth in danger. The BJP government has reduced the tenure in the army to four years and it will not be surprising if the tenure of the police also becomes three years. There is a chance to change those who have set out to change the Constitution,'' Yadav said, according to a statement issued by the party. Escalating his attack on the ruling party, Yadav alleged the BJP leaders have become dictators. ''They conspire to implicate people in false cases. BJP people have broken records of corruption. Inflation has increased due to their corruption. Inflation has increased because the BJP has collected thousands of crores, hundreds of crores of rupees in the name of donations,'' Yadav said. ''They increased inflation by increasing the prices of the products and earned profits. The people got crushed due to inflation,'' he added. The Samajwadi Party chief said the ''corrupt and criminals have joined the BJP''. Yadav said the BJP has insulted the farmers. He said that wherever injustice has been done to the people in this government, the people of Samajwadi Party have stood up and reached out for help. ''Socialists always fought for the farmers, youth, poor, backward, dalits and minorities. The development that is visible in this area is the contribution of socialists. The BJP has stopped the development of Kannauj,'' Yadav said.

Wait For Few More Days: Congress Chief On Amethi, Rae Bareli Poll Picks

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday said that the names of party candidates for the prestigious Amethi and Rae Bareli seats in Uttar Pradesh will be announced in a few days.

Arrests Made in Delhi for Marijuana Sales, Ex-Serviceman Involved

Arrests Made in Delhi for Marijuana Sales, Ex-Serviceman Involved The Delhi police has arrested three people, including an ex-serviceman and a minor for allegedly selling marijuana here, officials said on Saturday. The accused were identified as Sujit Kumar Shah, Kamlesh Kumar and a minor, police said. Kamlesh is an ex-serviceman and was working as a guest faculty in various colleges in Uttar Pradesh after completing his PhD, police said. ''Information was received regarding a gang involved in the illegal trafficking of marijuana in the Delhi and NCR area. It was revealed that a huge quantity of marijuana was transported in an auto from New Delhi Railway Station to Jahangirpuri. Following this, a trap was laid and they were arrested,'' Deputy Commissioner of Police (crime) Satish Kumar said. Sujit, an auto-driver told the police that he had gone to collect the consignment from the Railway station with his brother-in-law Virendra, the DCP said. ''Virender gave Rs 50,000 to Kamlesh, to collect the consignment and left the place after directing them to come to Jahangirpuri. A trap was laid near Mukundpur on Friday night and Sujit along with Kamlesh and a juvenile were arrested,'' DCP said. Kamlesh, the kingpin of the illegal trade would carry the consignment from Odisha via train and deliver it to a man in Mukherjee Nagar and Maurice Nagar in Delhi, he said. Police team have recovered 50 kilograms of marijuana and an auto rickshaw used for transportation, he said. A case was registered and efforts are being made to arrest other associates as well, he added.

Opposition Slams Adityanath Over Starvation and Biryani Remarks

Opposition Slams Adityanath Over Starvation and Biryani Remarks Launching a scathing attack on the Congress, Samajwadi Party and BSP, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday said the ''poor were victims of starvation'' and the ''terrorists were fed biryani'' when they were in power. The chief minister addressed separate election rallies in Sikandrarau for Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Anup Pradhan from Hathras seat and Firozabad constituency candidate Thakur Vishwadeep Singh. ''The poor, farmers, women and youth were not in the agenda of the SP (Samajwadi Party), Congress and BSP (Bahujan Samaj Party). They only did vote bank politics, they committed the sin of dividing the caste and society,'' Adityanath said in Hathras. ''During their (opposition governments) time, the poor were victims of starvation and the terrorists were fed biryani. The farmers used to commit suicide and the corrupt people used to enjoy life of luxury, he added. Adityanath said the ''mafia used to wield power as patrons'', but work is being done today in the country and the state ''without any discrimination''. He claimed that more work was done under the BJP rule than what was done by the Congress, Samajwadi Party and BSP. Even in the meeting in Firozabad, the chief minister hit out at the Congress and the Samajwadi Party stating these people want to give permission for cow slaughter on the land of Ram and Krishna. Taking aim at the Congress, Adityanath said the people of 'Discovery of India' think that Ram and Krishna never existed. He said that on one hand the Modi government is giving free ration to 80 crore people of the country, on the other hand even the ration of even the poorest of the poor was wasted during the Congress rule. ''After Kashi and Ayodhya, we have moved towards Mathura,'' Adityanath said. Targeting the Samajwadi Party, he asked whether they have ever done anything for the development of Braj region. Taking potshots at Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, Adityanath said that these people did not think anything outside their family and keep defaming caste in the name of nepotism. His sympathy is not with the poor but with the mafia, he added. Voting will be held in the third phase in Hathras and Firozabad on May 7.

Delhi police busts fake job racket, kingpin held from Punjab

Task Force DCP P. Radha Kishan Rao said, Roshan came into contact with one Mohd. Habeeb of Bazaarghat who use to provide fake educational certificates of various universities and educational boards. (Representational image) Task Force DCP P. Radha Kishan Rao said, Roshan came into contact with one Mohd. Habeeb of Bazaarghat who use to provide fake educational certificates of various universities and educational boards. (Representational image) New Delhi: The Delhi police arrested a woman for allegedly duping around 150 people from India and Nepal for over Rs 4 crore under the pretext of providing jobs abroad, officials said on Saturday. Police said the Economic Offences Wing registered a case last month and launched a probe into the matter. We have received several complaints from all over India including Delhi, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Tamil Nadu, followed by another 29 complaints from residents of Nepal, alleging fraudulent activities orchestrated by a woman, Deputy Commissioner of Police (EOW) Vikram K Porwal said. The accused, kingpin of the gang, was arrested on Thursday from her residence in Zirakpur in Punjab, police said. During the investigation, we learned that the accused would open her office in posh areas to win the victims' trust. She had previously opened offices in areas like Crown Heights in Rohini. One of the offices was in Sector 17 in Chandigarh, the DCP said. The accused told the police that she would initially charge the victims Rs 6,000 and gradually ask them to shell out an amount up to Rs 5 lakh, he said. According to police, the accused and her associates also ran a website and promoted their fraudulent firm on social media. After collecting huge amounts at one place, they abruptly shut down the office and absconded, and later opened an office in another city with a new name of the firm, new website and contact numbers. She also used to hire new telecallers, the DCP said. The police recovered two laptops, over 10 mobile phones, and three passports and other incriminating documents, he said. The woman is from Rajasthan and pursued her undergraduate studies in Arts at Rajasthan University before commencing her career as a telecaller, he said. The accused is in police custody. We are interrogating her about other associates, said the DCP

Army gives 'no objection' if soldier accused of spying dealt under Official Secrets Act

The Indian Army has approved the use of the Official Secrets Act (OSA) in the case of a soldier accused of spying, allowing for legal action under the act. The accused allegedly leaked secret information to Pakistan through individuals connected to the Pakistan High Commission. The army has taken corrective actions to prevent future leaks. The case is ongoing, with arguments on charges scheduled for July. The accused soldier, a Naik from Agra Cantt., Uttar Pradesh, is under military law and faces charges related to national security.

Question existence of those who questioned existence of Lord Ram: CM Yogi's appeal to people

Question existence of those who questioned existence of Lord Ram: CM Yogi's appeal to people Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday appealed to the public to question the existence of those who had once questioned the existence of Lord Ram. In the public meeting organized at Tilak Inter College in Firozabad on Saturday, he not only enumerated the achievements of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government but also attacked Congress and the Samajwadi Party. He said, 272 seats are required to form the government, but whether it is SP or Congress, they are not fighting on that many seats alone. Congress says that Ram did not exist. That means India did not exist before this. People should question the existence of those who question the existence of Ram and Krishna. Enumerating the works of his party, he said, Highways, and expressways are being built in the country, and railway and metro facilities have increased. IIMs, IITs, AIIMS were also formed. There was a time when the Firozabad product was on the verge of closure. Central and state officials used to harass local artisans. As soon as we came to power, we dealt with it strictly. Today, One District, One Product of Uttar Pradesh is popular in the entire country. CM Yogi accused the Congress of taking away the ration but, today 80 crore people are getting ration. He said, SP had tried to withdraw the cases of terrorists who attacked Ayodhya, Sankat Mochan Mandir, judiciary, CRPF Camp Rampur. The court had to intervene. He asked the public whether they would vote for SP which is playing with the people and security system of the country? He further said, Ayushman Bharat cover is given to 60 crore people, Jan Dhan account of 50 crore people, who do not have treatment facility, they wrote me a letter and I make sure that they get the money in their bank accounts. CM Yogi claimed that the houses of the poor now had toilets. 10 crore poor people got free cylinders. It has been asked to provide free cylinders during Holi and Diwali. Electricity for 2.5 crore houses, houses for 4 crores. Did we see anyone's caste or religion? That's why the slogan of Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas was given. This is the concept of Ramrajya, said Yogi. Referring to the discussion on inheritance tax, he said Congress divided the country in 1947. Now they are saying that they will get every person's property surveyed and take half. Your forefathers did the hard work and will distribute it to those, Rohingyas and Bangladeshis. People by whom the population is being increased. They are playing with India's security. The rights of backward and scheduled castes will be robbed and SP will support them. Congress says that it will implement the personal laws of minorities. We have to see their intentions. Before their plans can succeed, they have to be brought to the right place with the power of votes. BJP removed Article 370 and has put the last nail in the coffin of terrorism. Will enforce UCC also when coming back in power, added Yogi. BJP has fielded Thakur Vishwadeep Singh as its candidate for the constituency while SP has filed Akshay Yadav. Polling in the Firozabad Lok Sabha seat is slated to be held in the third phase of general elections on May 7. (ANI)

'Abki Baar 400 Paar' echoes as massive crowd gathers at Modi-Yogi's roadshow in UP's Bareilly

'Abki Baar 400 Paar' echoes as massive crowd gathers at Modi-Yogi's roadshow in UP's Bareilly A massive assembly gathered along the streets of Uttar Pradesh's Bareilly on Friday evening, fervently participating in the grand rally led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. The BJP stalwarts were rallying support for the Lok Sabha candidate from Bareilly, Chhatrapal Singh Gangwar. The rally commenced from the Swayamvar Banquet Hall in Rajendra Nagar, traversing through Shivaji Chowk to the DD Puram intersection at Shaheed Chowk. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath urged the public to elect Chhatrapal Singh Gangwar from Bareilly and send him to the House. Responding to their rallying call, the voters of Bareilly resounded chants of 'Jai Shri Ram' and pledged their commitment to achieving the ambitious goal of 'Abki Baar 400 Paar'. Notably, both majority and minority communities joined hands in welcoming Modi and Yogi during the extensive 45-minute roadshow, underscoring a collective spirit of inclusivity. Throughout the roadshow, the public assured Modi and Yogi that, in return for the development, security, and good governance they've provided, they would ensure Chhatrapal Singh Gangwar's victory for the third time in Bareilly under PM Modi's leadership. The air resonated with chants of 'Jai Shree Ram' and musical renditions of devotional songs, enveloping the surroundings in a reverent aura. Enthusiastic slogans like 'Modi-Yogi Zindabad' and 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' echoed through the streets. Earlier, PM Modi addressed a public gathering for the Aonla constituency in Bareilly on Thursday. Addressing a rally at Aonla in Bareilly district, the Prime Minister attacked the INDI alliance, claiming that the leaders of the opposition alliance are seeking votes for changing the Constitution to provide religion-based reservation. The leaders of the INDI alliance are seeking votes so that they can change the constitution for providing religion-based reservations, while I need 400 seats so that their (opposition's) intention of looting the reservations of ST, SC, and OBC and making it religion-based can be buried, the PM said. (ANI)

Man, daughter killed in accident in UP's Etawah

Tragic accident on Agra-Etawah Highway claims lives of man and daughter, leaving wife injured. Family en route to Auraiya. Importance of road safety highlighted post-mortem.

PM indulging in 'false propaganda', BJP against reservation for SCs, STs, OBCs: Congress

Congress disputes Modi's 'quota snatching' claim, emphasizes historical role in SC, ST, OBC reservations. Modi vows to safeguard quotas, portraying as 'chowkidar' against Congress's alleged redistribution and tax plans. Modi campaigns in Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh.

Dhar LS Polls: Varying Views on Bhojshala Dispute's Influence

Dhar LS Polls: Varying Views on Bhojshala Dispute's Influence The people of Dhar Lok Sabha seat in Madhya Pradesh are divided on how the Bhojshala-Kamal Maula mosque dispute will play out in the polls, with a section believing it will give an advantage to one side, while another claimed factors like employment etc will take centre-stage. The Bhojshala-Kamal Maula Mosque is a medieval-era monument that Hindus claim is a temple of Goddess Vagdevi (Saraswati), while the Muslims say it is a centuries-old mosque. On March 11 this year, the MP High Court had directed the Archaeological Survey of India to carry out a scientific survey of the structure, which has been underway since March 22. As per an ASI order issued on April 7, 2003, Hindus are allowed to worship inside the Bhojshala complex every Tuesday, while Muslims are allowed to offer namaz at the site on Fridays. The scientific survey was ordered after an organization named 'Hindu Front for Justice' challenged this arrangement in the Indore bench of MP HC. Polls in Dhar Lok Sabha seat, which is reserved for Scheduled Tribes, will be held on May 13, while votes will be counted on June 4. ''For us, the Bhojshala is not an election issue but one that pertains to our culture. We want peaceful solution to the Bhojshala dispute like the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid issue in Ayodhya,'' local resident Anju Mittal told PTI on Saturday. Azhar Khan, another resident of Dhar, too claimed the issue will not play a role in the polls, adding that he wanted the focus to be on development of the region. ''We want brotherhood to remain in our city,'' Khan emphasised. However, shopkeeper Nuru Qureshi differed from Mittal and Khan and said the issue will be a decisive factor in the Lok Sabha polls and will give advantage to one side. Qureshi, who says he holds a 'Master of Social Work' degree, added that migrants of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and some other states are taking up jobs in units in the Pithampura industrial belt of Dhar, while youngsters from the area are unemployed. Archana Bansal, whose family runs a business, said proposed railway projects in Dhar will be the main poll issue since they will lead to development in this tribal pocket of the state. ''The Bhojshala dispute is also an important election issue. It will affect the electoral equation,'' she added. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party has held this seat since 2014, while the Congress won it in 2009 and several times in the 1980s and 90s. An ASI application in the HC seeking 8-week extension to complete the survey of the structure will be heard on April 29.

India Today Screenshot Predicting 17 LS Seats For SP In UP Is Edited

BOOM found that the viral graphic is edited and the original graphic actually predicts seven Lok Sabha seats for the Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh.

'People rejecting EVMs today are same who looted ballots...': UP CM Yogi attacks Opposition for questioning EVM

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday launched a scathing attack at the opposition leaders, accusing them of attempting to shift blame for their electoral defeats onto the Electronic Voting machine (EVMs).

Congress may field candidates for Amethi, Rae Bareli in Lok Sabha Election 2024: Kharge

Congress may field candidates for Amethi, Rae Bareli in Lok Sabha Election 2024: Kharge Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday said that the names of party candidates for prestigious Amethi and Rae Bareli seats in Uttar Pradesh will be announced in a ''few days''. Addressing a press conference here, he claimed that though the BJP says the corrupt must be put in jails, when leaders facing corruption charges join the saffron party, they are ''put on the lap'' and sent to Rajya Sabha or assembly. ''You have to wait for a few more days... when the names of candidates come from people to me and I sign the notification, it will be announced,'' he said when asked about candidates for Amethi and Rae Bareli Lok Sabha constituencies. ''Those questioning Congress leaders for changing constituencies must also tell me how many times have (Atal Bihari) Vajpayee and (Lal Krishna) Advani changed their seats,'' Kharge said, when asked about the BJP criticising Rahul Gandhi for fighting the elections from Kerala's Wayanad instead of Amethi. In an apparent reference to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Kharge claimed that Congress is not affected by people who ''grew up in the party and left it later''. ''Congress is like a flowing river, it is not affected by a few persons leaving it,'' he asserted.

Zaheer Khan picks Pant as exclusive wicket-keeper for T20 WC; suggests India debut for Yash Dayal

Zaheer Khan picks Pant as exclusive wicket-keeper for T20 WC; suggests India debut for Yash Dayal Former India pace spearhead Zaheer Khan has picked Rishabh Pant as the sole wicketkeeper in his team for the T20 World Cup while handing out international debut to left-arm seamer Yash Dayal to add a new dimension to the attack. One of Zaheer's most interesting selections was the 26-year-old Dayal, who represents Uttar Pradesh in domestic cricket and Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Indian Premier League. He has taken into account Mohammed Shami's injury layoff while picking his squad. ''When I talk about Yash Dayal, it's a floating spot when the 15 are announced because Mohammed Shami will not be available for the tournament. ''He's one bowler that if you need someone to bowl up, you have Yash Dayal. If you want a back-end bowler and if Siraj's form is spotty, he can be used there as well,'' Zaheer told Jio Cinema. Zaheer also selected Delhi Capitals' captain Pant as the only wicket-keeper in his squad, overlooking others such as Sanju Samson, KL Rahul and Ishan Kishan. ''Rishabh Pant is my only wicket-keeper. I have given more importance to bringing four pace bowlers. You don't want to sacrifice a fast bowler for another wicketkeeper. You have options like KL Rahul, Sanju Samson, and many want to see Dinesh Karthik. ''At this point, we can consider Mahendra Singh Dhoni as well because of his strike rate! I think they'll focus on current players like Samson, KL Rahul, and maybe even Jitesh Sharma. ''If you're building a team for a month-long tournament, your travelling reserve can be your wicketkeeper.'' Zaheer named 16 players in his squad, with the caveat that only one player between Gujarat Titans' captain Shubman Gill and Rajasthan Royals' opener Yashasvi Jaiswal will be selected as Rohit Sharma's opening partner. ''The toughest decision the selectors will have to make will be choosing one opener out of two terrific options. Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal, I think only one of them will make it because the think-tank will want flexibility in the team. ''A player can't be limited to just one role, they might need to move around the batting order.'' Zaheer Khan's India squad for T20 World Cup: Batters: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill/Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rinku Singh All-Rounders: Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja Wicket-Keeper: Rishabh Pant Bowlers: Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, Yash Dayal, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal.

BJP's condition will worsen in remaining phases of LS polls: Akhilesh Yadav

LUCKNOW: The condition of the BJP will worsen in the remaining phases of the Lok Sabha polls, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav claimed on Saturday, a day after the second round of polling was held in 88 seats across 13 states. After the first phase of polling on April 19, Yadav in a statement had said that the BJP is in a very weak position in the ongoing elections while the INDIA bloc, of which the Samajwadi Party (SP) is a member, is on a strong wicket. In a post on X, he claimed that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has not got voters in the first two phases and, in the remaining phases, it will note even get booth agents. 10 , , , - pic.twitter.com/JrLlz75KCi Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) April 27, 2024 After the first two phases of voting, the condition of the BJP will be worse in the next phases, he said and claimed that people are ensuring the BJP's departure. Sharing a video clip of a news channel reporter speaking to a purported BJP booth agent, the SP chief said that after 10 years of lies by BJP leaders, a ooth agent of the BJP is speaking the truth about the party's poor condition. He is saying that the reason people are for not voting in the BJP's favour is because of inflation and unemployment, Yadav claimed. Voting in Uttar Pradesh -- that sends 80 members to the Lok Sabha -- was scheduled for all seven phases.

Congress Likely To Discuss Amethi, Raebareli Seats In Today's Top Meet

Congress will hold a Central Election Committee (CEC) today to discuss candidates for highly anticipated seats in Uttar Pradesh - Raebareli and Amethi.

Akhilesh Yadav predicts BJP's decline in upcoming LS polls phases

Akhilesh Yadav predicts BJP's decline in upcoming LS polls phases The condition of the BJP will worsen in the remaining phases of the Lok Sabha polls, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav claimed on Saturday, a day after the second round of polling was held in 88 seats across 13 states. After the first phase of polling on April 19, Yadav in a statement had said that the BJP is in a very weak position in the ongoing elections while the INDIA bloc, of which the Samajwadi Party (SP) is a member, is on a strong wicket. In a post on X, he claimed that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has not got voters in the first two phases and, in the remaining phases, it will note even get booth agents. ''After the first two phases of voting, the condition of the BJP will be worse in the next phases,'' he said and claimed that people are ensuring the BJP's departure. Sharing a video clip of a news channel reporter speaking to a purported BJP booth agent, the SP chief said that after ''10 years of lies by BJP leaders, a ''booth agent of the BJP'' is speaking the truth about the party's poor condition. He is saying that the reason people are for not voting in the BJP's favour is because of inflation and unemployment, Yadav claimed. Voting in Uttar Pradesh -- that sends 80 members to the Lok Sabha -- was scheduled for all seven phases.

Professors Suspended As UP Students Clear Exam With Jai Shri Ram Answers

Uttar Pradesh: First year students at an Uttar Pradesh University aced the exam by allegedly writing Jai Shri Ram and names of cricketers in the answer sheet. But then the law caught up. Two professors at state-run Veer Bahadur Singh Purvanchal University in Jaunpur were suspended for allegedly extorting money from students in exchange [] The post Professors Suspended As UP Students Clear Exam With Jai Shri Ram Answers appeared first on Pragativadi | Odisha News, Breaking News Odisha, Latest Odisha News .

Lucknow weather: Heat mayhem starts in Apr as temperature soars to 42

Lucknow and several UP cities sweltered in intense heat as temperatures soared above 42 degrees Celsius. The Met office predicts no respite, with dry hot winds and clear skies prevailing for the next five days.

95 Children Rescued From Child Trafficking In UP

Ayodhya: As many as 95 children who were allegedly being transported from Bihar to Uttar Pradesh illegally were rescued by the Uttar Pradesh Child Commission on Friday. As per reports, children were being transported from Bihar to Saharanpur illegally and that they were in Gorakhpur and would go via Ayodhya. The children have been rescued [] The post 95 Children Rescued From Child Trafficking In UP appeared first on Pragativadi | Odisha News, Breaking News Odisha, Latest Odisha News .

Congress and I.N.D.I. Alliance intend to allow unrestricted cow slaughter and beef consumption: Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that these parties aim to grant minorities the freedom to consume 'food of their choice,' that is, they are talking about 'giving freedom to cow slaughter.

Lucknow has more voters aged 80+ than first-timers

In Lucknow, political parties aim to boost first-time voter turnout. Elderly voters hold significant sway, surpassing 18-19 age group. Men outnumber women voters, reflecting evolving demographics and electoral patterns.

Cattle Menace: A Pressing Issue for Farmers in Western Uttar Pradesh

Cattle Menace: A Pressing Issue for Farmers in Western Uttar Pradesh ''When I come to work in the fields in the morning, stray cattle are standing there, ready to attack. I was once hit on the back and was hospitalised for a week,'' says Keshav Kumar, a farm worker in Pilkhana village in Uttar Pradesh's Hathras. Besides, he said, he has been chased by cows and Nilgai multiple times. Dharmendra Singh, a farmer, in Firozabad's Akilabad village, says, ''I lost 30 per cent of my produce due to stray cattle entering my field. There is drought, unseasonal rain and now this stray cattle menace. What are we supposed to do?'' Instances like these are not uncommon in western Uttar Pradesh and encapsulate the stray cattle menace that farmers have been struggling with for several years now. The problem, exacerbated by recent policy changes, has emerged as a major issue in western Uttar Pradesh in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. The importance of the issue can be gauged from the fact that it is the sole deciding factor for some. ''I voted for 'phool' (referring to the BJP's party symbol lotus) in the last two general elections thinking that this problem would be solved. As the problem remained unresolved, I didn't vote for them in the assembly polls and plan to vote for the SP this time,'' Kumar said. In villages across western Uttar Pradesh, the sight of emaciated stray cattle roaming around has become all too common and so is the sight of destroyed crops. When they can't enter fields, many cows feed on plastic and garbage. Farmers are also upset over the state government's decision to reinforce an old order that no barbed wires should be used to fence fields. Now, most farmers use plain wires or saris and dupattas to fence fields. ''They are of no use. We don't understand why the government cannot understand our losses,'' said Akilabad farmer Singh. According to the 2019 Livestock Census, there are over 1.90 crore cattle in Uttar Pradesh, including 62,04,304 milch cows and 23,36,151 dry cows. The indigenous female cattle population increased by 10 per cent in 2019 compared to the previous census in 2012. The population of exotic and cross-bred cattle increased by 26.9 per cent from 2012 to 2019. The stray cattle menace has also added to farmers' economic woes as they do not know what to do with cows that have stopped giving milk. ''Earlier, we would give the old cow in exchange for 10-20 per cent of the down payment and get a new one. But with the new policy, even that is not possible. We have no option but to either sell them illegally or abandon them,'' said a farmer who did not wish to be named. In May 2017, the Centre banned the sale of cattle for slaughter in animal markets across the country. The environment ministry notified the stringent 'Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Regulation of Livestock Markets) Rules, 2017' under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. Every village in western Uttar Pradesh has a cow shelter but they are at capacity.

Uttar Pradesh students write 'Jai Shri Ram', names of cricketers in exam; get 50 per cent marks

Four students from VBSP University in Jaunpur, UP, received 50% marks in a DPharma exam for writing 'Jai Shri Ram' and cricketers' names. An RTI application exposed the incident, leading to an investigation and recommendation for teachers' dismissal.

Delhi: Man held for posing as Singapore Airlines pilot

NEW DELHI: A 24-year-old man impersonating as a Singapore Airlines pilot was nabbed while wandering in the Metro Skywalk area near the Delhi airport, a police officer said on Friday. According to the officer, the accused was identified as Sangeet Singh, a resident of Gautam Buddha Nagar, Uttar Pradesh. The officer said that a youth clad in a Singapore Airlines pilot uniform was spotted wandering in the Metro Skywalk area on Thursday following which he was intercepted by the security staff. Presenting himself as a Singapore Airlines pilot to CISF personnel, he displayed an ID card hanging from his neck. Upon interception, he was identified as Sangeet Singh in possession of a Singapore Airlines ID card for in-flight operations, which were subsequently confirmed to be counterfeit upon verification, the officer said. Investigations revealed that he had forged the IDs using an online app and purchased the uniform accessories from Sector 9 in Dwarka.

BJP will win with huge majority: Uttar Pradesh Deputy CM Pathak on Lok Sabha phase 2 election

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People of minority communities angry, upset, says Congress`s Naseem Khan

The MVA recently announced its seat-sharing arrangement for Maharashtra`s 48 Lok Sabha seats, the second-largest contributor to the lower house of Parliament, after Uttar Pradesh with 80 seats

Lok Sabha elections: 65% turnout in 2nd phase

NEW DELHI: In a relatively improved showing, the second phase of the Lok Sabha elections recorded over 65% voter turnout covering 88 seats across 13 states. The highest voting percentage was recorded in Tripura at 78.53% while the lowest was in Uttar Pradesh at 54.85%. Kerala, Karnataka and Rajasthan accounted for more than half the seats. Elections to 14 seats were held in Karnataka, 13 seats in Rajasthan, 8 seats each in Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, 6 seats in Madhya Pradesh, 5 seats each in Assam and Bihar, 3 seats each in Chhattisgarh and West Bengal, and 1 seat each in Manipur, Tripura and Jammu and Kashmir. All eyes are on the high stakes battle in Kerala, where the BJP has been aggressively working to open its account. The contests in Wayanad, where former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi is contesting, and Thiruvananthapuram where Union minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar is pitted against sitting MP Shashi Tharoor, are keenly watched. Other top guns in the fray include actor-turned-politician Arun Govil in Meerut, Karnataka deputy CM D K Shivakumars brother D K Suresh in Bangalore Rural, and former Karnataka chief minister H D Kumaraswamy (JDS) in Mandya. BJPs Hema Malini, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat are seeking a hat-trick of wins from Uttar Pradeshs Mathura, Rajasthans Kota and Jodhpur, respectively. With the conclusion of the second phase, voting has been completed in 14 states/UTs.

EVM glitches in peaceful polls in Noida, Ghaziabad

NEW DELHI: Despite the Opposition flagging malfunctioning of EVMs in certain pockets, voting for the second phase of Lok Sabha elections in Ghaziabad and Gautam Budh Nagar in Uttar Pradesh on Friday was more or less peaceful. Malfunctioning in one of the EVMs at a polling station in Noida Sector 66 briefly affected the poll process. In Greater Noida polling booths, too, a few complaints of malfunction were reported but were addressed. At Mamura, an EVM reportedly broke down. In Ghaziabad, Congress candidate Dolly Sharma tagged the Election Commission on X and claimed that the EVMs at booth number 335 had been shut for two hours. She also alleged that people of the areas dominated by the minority communities were being threatened. The Samajwadi Party also tagged the EC on X and claimed that it had received information about EVM malfunction at booth number 282 of Ghaziabad. Around 2:30 pm, Sharma again complained about an EVM malfunction in Vijay Nagars Sardar Patel School in Ghaziabad. She alleged about fake voting at the booth. In terms of voter turnout, Gautam Budh Nagar fared better than Ghaziabad. While it registered 52.46% voting, Ghaziabad recorded an all-time low voting with only 49.8%, as per the EC. In Ghaziabad, residents admitted fleeing to holiday destinations due to the long weekend and the absence of outreach by the candidates as reasons behind the lack of enthusiasm. Polling stations at high-rise buildings witnessed an impressive footfall of voters. The administration had reportedly set up 100 polling booths at over 60 high-rise societies in Noida and Greater Noida.

95 children illegally being taken to Bihar from Uttar Pradesh rescued

children illegally being taken to Bihar from Uttar Pradesh rescued

Noida model polling booths to showcase vibrant democracy

NEW DELHI: The Gautam Budh Nagar district of Uttar Pradesh on Friday sought to showcase vibrant colours of democracy; setting up model polling booths in a bid to promote the essence of the elctoral process and boost voter turnout. Voting percentage of the Gautam Budh Nagar parliamentary constituency stood around 60% in the 2019 edition Lok Sabha polls. To strengthen voter turnout, the administration took several steps such as providing facilities of waiting areas, clean drinking water, toilets and voter assistance booths at the polling stations. Further, over 35 Model Polling Booths to celebrate the Loktantra ka Mahaparv (the festival of democracy), made polling day colourful for the residents of the city. The model booths were decorated to exhibit the significance of voting and make the voters engage in the festival of democracy. From entrance till exit at these polling stations, the voters were regaled with the arrangements made by the district administration. Every entrance of the model polling station was decked with balloons in the colour of the Indian national flag. At one of the schools where a model polling station was installed, students along with teachers had made several posters depicting the significance of exercising the democratic right to vote. Voting is not only our right, it is our power, Power is in your finger, Voting is a responsibility and not just a right were some of the messages showcased on the posters. The administration had also made provision of light music to heighten the mood, and make the polling process more engaging. Where they were 8 at Gandhi Smarak Inter College Chauda Sadatpur 1 at Gandhi Smarak Junior High School 2 at Summer Village School D 89A Sector 22 2 at Ramkrishna Paramhans Public School 7 at City Public School Sector 51 5 at Vishwa Bharti Public School Sector 28 6 at Army Public School Sector 37 3 at RSS International School Sector 45 1 at Pathways School Sector 100

At 49 per cent, Ghaziabad polling lowest since 2009 elections

NEW DELHI: Over 49 per cent voter turnout was recorded in Ghaziabad constituency of Uttar Pradesh during the second phase of Lok Sabha elections on Friday, the Election Commission of India data showed. The voting percentage was lowest compared to 55.8 per cent in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls and 56.9 per cent in the 2014 general elections. Of these, Dholana geographically comes in adjoining Hapur district. The polling was, by and large, peaceful, with no untoward incident. According to the ECI data, at 9 am, around 11 per cent of voting was recorded in all five assembly segmentsLoni, Muradnagar, Sahibabad, Ghaziabad and Dhaulana. Till 11 am, total turnout was nearly 24 per cent, and reached 35 per cent at 1 pm and 42.4 per cent at 3 pm. When going to print, the figure was 49.8 per cent. Among the assemblies, highest 59.3 per cent was registered in Dhaulan while lowest of 42.8 per cent in Sahibabad. This time, the district administration arranged polling booths in high-rise societies to increase voter turnout. Despite the efforts, the voting percentage could have been more impressive. Somesh Dhar, a housing society Crossings Republik resident, said in view of the long weekend, many of his neighbours have already left for vacation. Several complained that they were disappointed as no candidate contacted them to hear their grievances during the campaign. There is a common perception that no one come to address the issues related to them. It has been 10 years since urban voters have been waiting for the redressal of their problems, another resident said. A total of 14 candidates are in the fray for the Ghaziabad seat, with over 29 lakh eligible voters. Known as the BJP bastion, the constituency witnessed a triangular contest with the saffron party fielding Ghaziabad legislator Atul Garg, the Congress contesting the polls as the INDIA bloc constituent picking Dolly Sharma, and the BSP nominating Nandkishor Pundhir. In 2019, BJPs Gen (retired) V K Singh won from Ghaziabad. The constituency had 3,092 polling stations, of which, 608 categorised as critical and 37 as vulnerable. Official had said web casting will be done from 1,549 polling stations. A total of 1,127 polling stations, the maximum, lie in the Sahibabad, followed by 530 in Loni. Booths inside high-rise societies This time, the district administration arranged polling booths in high-rise societies to increase voter turnout. Despite the efforts, the voting percentage could have been more impressive.

Lok Sabha elections 2024 LIVE Updates | Congress likely to decide Amethi and Rae Bareli candidates today

According to the EC data, the highest voting percentage in the second phase was recorded in Tripura, which registered 78.53% polling, while the lowest turnout was in Uttar Pradesh at 53.80%.

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Even sangi-saathis, not just voters, have given up on BJP: SP president