MC Election Update Today February 9: Will win with an overwhelming majority & people in 5 states, says PM Modi

-- UP to go for first phase of polling tomorrow

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Promises galore as parties release manifestoes ahead of UP Assembly polls 2022

It's raining promises to woo voters ahead of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls, with political parties pledging free power to farmers, lakhs of jobs, smartphones and laptops if voted to power. After the release of manifestoes by the BJP and the Samajwadi Party (SP) the previous day, the Congress came up with its poll promises on Wednesday. BSP president Mayawati has already declared that like in the past, they will not issue any manifesto and will go to people with achievements of the party's past governments.

AAP candidate from Charthawal constituency joins Samajwadi Party on poll eve 

A day before polling, the Aam Aadmi Party candidate from Charthawal assembly constituency, Yavar Roshan, on Wednesday resigned from the party and joined the Samajwadi Party. During the first phase of polling, the voting will start at 7 am on Thursday in 58 constituencies spread across 11 districts in the western part of Uttar Pradesh.

Announcing his support for the SP candidate Pankaj Malik in Charthawal town in the Muzaffarnagar district, Roshan said he has resigned from the AAP. A video has gone viral on social media in which Roshan can be seen with the SP candidate at his election office, declaring that he has full faith in Samajwadi Party.

25% candidates contesting UP polls in phase-2 have criminal cases against them: ADR     

Out of 584 candidates contesting in the upcoming Uttar Pradesh assembly polls in phase two, about 147 candidates (25 per cent) have criminal cases registered against themselves, the Association for Democratic Reforms said on Wednesday. The Uttar Pradesh Election Watch and the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) have analysed the self sworn affidavits of 584 out of 586 candidates contesting the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections. The affidavits of two candidates were not analysed as they were either badly scanned or complete affidavits were not uploaded on the Election Commission's website.

Out of 584 candidates analysed, 147 (25 percent) candidates have declared criminal cases against themselves, while 113 candidates (19 percent) have declared serious criminal cases against themselves. Among the major parties, 35 candidates (67 percent) out of 52 candidates analysed from the Samajwadi Party (SP), 23 (43 percent) out of 54 candidates from the Congress, 20 (36 percent) out of 55 candidates from the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), 18 (34 percent) out of 53 candidates from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), one (33 percent) out of three candidates from the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) and seven (14 percent) out of 49 candidates from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) have declared criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said at a public meeting in Sakhali Bazar, Goa: “We have given stability and development to Goa in the last five years. We promise to make the state ‘Golden Goa’ and ‘self-reliant Goa’ in the next five years. For the Gandhi family, Goa is just a vacation spot and they come here as tourists only.”

UP Polls | 2.28 crore voters to exercise their franchise tomorrow

As many as 2.28 crore voters will exercise their franchise in 58 Assembly constituencies of 11 districts in western Uttar Pradesh tomorrow. “In place of EPIC card, voters can use 12 types of identity card to cast vote, including MGNAREGA card, PAN card, Aadhar card, and passport,” said Additional CEO BDR Tiwari.

WATCH | PM Modi’s interview with ANI’s Smita Prakash UP will accept us in 2022 after seeing our work: PM Modi

"We won in 2014. We were then voted (to power) in 2017 & 2019. So the old theory (a party not repeating its victory in consecutive polls in UP) has been rejected by UP. They accepted us in 2014, 2017 & 2019. They'll accept us in 2022 after seeing our work," PM Modi to ANI.

Yogi Adityanath turned impossible into possible: PM Modi

Dynastic politics is biggest enemy of democracy: PM Modi

When a party is run for generations by a family, there's only dynasty, not dynamics. Starting from J&K, where there're two parties run by two separate families, you can see similar trend in Haryana, Jharkhand,UP &TN. Dynastic politics is biggest enemy of democracy, says PM Modi to ANI

Polls are like open universities with opportunities for new recruitments & to polish ourselves, says PM Modi

BJP began winning after losing again & again. When we win, we try to connect to grassroots & leave no stone unturned in winning hearts. We look for hope even in loss. For us, polls are like open universities with opportunities for new recruitments & to polish ourselves, PM Modi to ANI.

Will win with an overwhelming majority & people in 5 states, says PM Modi

In an interview win news agency ANI, PM Modi said, "BJP is always involved in serving people. When in power, we work with mantra of 'sabka saath, sabka vikas'. I can see a wave for BJP in all states. We'll win with an overwhelming majority & people in 5 states will give us an opportunity to serve them."

PM Modi to address three election rallies in Punjab on February 14, 16, 17

To give a boost to the NDA's election campaign, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address public rallies in Punjab on February 14, 16 and 17, covering all three regions of Malwa, Doaba and Majha, a BJP leader said on Wednesday. Elections to the 117-member Punjab Assembly will be held on February 20

In 5 years, Uttarakhand roads to be as good as those in US: Nitin Gadkari

Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday said the network of roads in Uttarakhand will become as good as the those in the US in the next five years. Talking to reporters here after releasing the BJP's manifesto ahead of the upcoming polls, Gadkari said the Rs 12,500 crore Chardham all-weather road project will be completed by December this year.

"Besides making the pilgrimage to the Himalayan temples safe during all seasons, it will be the lifeline of the people of Uttarakhand," he said. He also said the Centre has decided not to allow any cutting of trees for the construction of Chardham all-weather road.

Amit Shah holds door-to-door campaign in support of BJP candidate in Goa's Maem Assembly constituency

Congress will form govt in Goa but TMC, AAP won't gain political dividend: Sachin Pilot

Congress will get a clear majority in the February 14 Goa elections but "newcomers" like AAP and TMC will not gain any "political dividend", senior Congress leader Sachin Pilot said on Wednesday. Addressing a press conference here, Pilot said the Congress will form government in Goa after March 10, when counting of votes will be taken up. "It is interesting to see that many parties are trying to enter Goa. These parties which are contesting elections in Goa are doing a lot of chest-thumping and resource mobilisation but voters will look at the background of parties who are capable of delivering (on promises)," he said.

BJP Won't Make Promises That Can't Be Fulfilled: Union Min on Manifesto for Manipur Polls

Punjab polls: Delhi univ lecturer quits job to contest on Sanyukt Samaj Morcha ticket

An English literature lecturer at a Delhi college, Anuroop Kaur Sandhu quit her job to take the plunge into politics after being part of the farmers' movement and is contesting the Punjab assembly polls on a Sanyukt Samaj Morcha ticket. The Sanyukt Samaj Morcha (SSM), headed by Balbir Singh Rajewal, is a political front launched by 22 farmer unions in December 2021 for the February 20 elections to the 117-member Punjab Assembly. It has fielded candidates from varied backgrounds, including agriculturists, activists, teachers and doctors. Kaur said following her association with the farmers' movement, she applied for the ticket from Muktsar when the SSM was floated and was selected. She is actively campaigning in the assembly segment these days.

Nitin Gadkari Releases BJP's Manifesto for Uttarakhand

Voting for first phase to begin on February 10

The battle for Uttar Pradesh will begin on Thursday with polling scheduled to take place in 58 assembly seats spread across 11 districts in the western part of the state. Campaigning in the constituencies going to vote in the first round of the seven-phase election in the politically crucial state ended on Tuesday evening. The polling will start at 7 am in these constituencies according to the guidelines of the Election Commission to ensure Covid-safe polls. The voting will end at 6 pm. READ MORE HERE

Void left by Manohar Parrikar will always be felt as he was a tall & important leader but Pramod Sawant has done good work on the path shown by him. Due to his guidance, Pramod Sawant has achieved success in Goa. I am happy about it: Union Min Nitin Gadkari on Goa Election 2022

UP Polls | BJP promises to work on women safety for next 5 years

Senior Congress leader Sunil Jakhar's decision to retire from electoral politics after Rahul Gandhi on February 6 announced that the party would seek re-election in Punjab under the leadership of Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi has surprised political analysts. A prominent Hindu leader from Punjab, the 68-year-old Jakhar has on several occasions said his religion came in the way of him getting the top job.

READ MORE HERE

Farmers' loans to be waived off within 10 days of coming to power, says Priyanka Gandhi Vadra 

While launching the Congress manifesto in Uttar Pradesh, Priyanka Gadnhi Vadra said, "All suggestions have been taken from the UP public. Farmers' loans will be waived off within 10 days of coming to power. Electricity bills will be waived off, COVID-affected families will be given Rs 25,000. We'll provide 20 lakh govt jobs." "Aid up to Rs 10 lakh will be given for any disease. Cow dung will be bought for Rs 2/kg, which will further be used in vermi-composting. Small & medium businesses were more affected, no support came from the government. We'll develop clusters & support them," she further added.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra launches Congress manifesto

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra launches the Congress manifesto 'Unnati Vidhan Jan Ghoshna Patra-2022' for Uttar Pradesh. 

Charanjit Channi Only Good To Be A Minister, Not Chief Minister, Navjot Sidhu Irresponsible: Amarinder Singh

Former chief minister and Punjab Lok Congress chief Captain Amarinder Singh attacked Congress leadership in the state saying that Congress' Chief Ministerial face Charanjit Singh Channi is good enough to become a state minister but not CM and party state chief Navjot Singh Sidhu is an "irresponsible person."

"Both Sidhu and Channi are not good for Punjab, Channi can become a minister but not CM whereas Sidhu is not a responsible person," news agency ANI has reported quoting Amarinder Singh.

3 riders will be able to ride a bike for free if govt comes to power, SBSP founder & chief OP Rajbhar

SBSP founder & chief OP Rajbhar said, "A train carries 300 passengers on 70 seats & doesn't get challans... why's there a challan if 3 people ride a bike? When our govt comes to power, 3 riders will be able to ride a bike for free, otherwise, we'll put challan on jeeps/trains." READ MORE HERE

UP polls: BJP MLA booked for violating code of conduct, Covid protocols

An FIR has been registered against over a thousand people, including Uttar Pradesh BJP MLA Surendra Singh, for allegedly violating the model code of conduct and Covid protocols, and hindering traffic, police said on Wednesday. Singh, who resigned from the BJP's primary membership after being denied a ticket, reached Bairia with his supporters on Tuesday and held a meeting there, they said.

UP Assembly Polls | 5 key candidates in first phase of voting

58 assembly seats in 11 districts of Uttar Pradesh will vote on February 10 in the first round of the mammoth seven-phase election in the state. The BJP stormed to power in the state in the 2017 polls by winning 303 of the 403 seats. The party, led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, is hoping for a second term even as the Samajwadi Party-led alliance of regional parties and the Congress are going all guns blazing on the campaign front. READ MORE HERE

BJP chief JP Nadda to address three public meetings in Uttarakhand

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national president JP Nadda will address three public meeting sin poll-bound Uttarakhand today. He will attend the first rally in Kedarnath at 12.05 pm, second in Chaubattakhal at 2.25 pm and last in Kotdwar at 4.05 pm.

Electioneering ends for first phase of polling in UP

Electioneering ended yesterday evening for the first phase of assembly polls in western Uttar Pradesh after a busy day during which the ruling BJP and the main opposition Samajwadi Party released their manifestoes. Polling will take place for 58 assembly constituencies spread across 11 districts, out of the 403 seats in the state, tomorrow.

Jalandhar court sends Punjab CM's nephew to ED custody till Feb 11

A local court has sent Bhupinder Singh alias Honey, the nephew of Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi, to ED custody till February 11 in a money laundering case linked to alleged illegal sand mining in the border state, reported news agency PTI citing official sources.

Authorities complete arrangements for conducting polls in Ghaziabad: DM

In Ghaziabad, the authorities have completed all arrangements to conduct free and fair polling on February 10, District Magistrate Rakesh Kumar Singh on Tuesday said. He said after 6 pm, when the election campaign stops, the activity of all political parties would be observed closely.

First-phase polling will be eye-opener for govt, says Akhilesh Yadav

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav has attacked the BJP government, saying the "eyes and ears of the government will open in the first phase itself", as farmers and youngsters have "made up their mind" to defeat the BJP. After filing his nomination papers from the assembly seat in Mainpuri district, the former UP chief minister said: "The way the wind is blowing and seeing the atmosphere (of elections), it seems the eyes and ears of the (BJP) government will open in the first phase itself." (PTI)