MC Election News Highlights, February 22: EC relaxes curbs on physical rallies, road shows

Union Home Minister Amit Shah (Image Source: Amit Shah/Twitter screengrab)

Curbs on rallies, road shows relaxed: EC

The Election Commission of India, in view of the dwindling COVID-19 cases, has further relaxed the restrictions that were imposed on physical rallies. The poll body on February 22 said rallies, public meetings, road shows and campaigns are allowed subject to the state disaster mamangement authority's regulations. Read full report

SP, BSP govts turned UP into bastion of terror, centre of riots: Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday targeted previous SP and BSP governments in Uttar Pradesh, alleging that they had turned the state into a bastion of terror and centre of riots. They had made the state a corridor of mafia but now a defence corridor is being built in the state, Shah said addressing an election event in Durga Puja Park of Pritam Nagar here.

Yogi Adityanath's government has eliminated the mafia in five years and if the Samajwadi-led government comes to power again, people like Azam Khan, Atiq Ahmed and Mukhtar Ansari will be out of jail, Shah alleged. There was a time when countrymade firearms were being made in Uttar Pradesh, he said. Previous SP-BSP governments had made the state a bastion of terror, centre of riots and a mafia corridor, he alleged. There was a time when countrymade firearms were being made in Uttar Pradesh, he said. (PTI)

SP-BSP-Congress responsible for split in Muslim votes, says Peace Party chief

Peace Party President Dr Ayub, who is trying his luck once again in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls, on Tuesday blamed the SP, BSP and Congress for the split in 'secular' and Muslim votes, and said if the three come together there will be no division of 90 per cent of these votes.

Under the banner of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) smaller parties like the National Ulama Council led by Maulana Amir Rashadi, Kisan Party led by Kurmi leader Dr BL Verma, Janhit Kisan Party of Shyam Sundar Chaurasia, Nagrik Ekta Party led by Mohammad Shamim have united and entered the poll fray. The Peace Party of Dr Ayub is contesting on 50 seats as part of the UDA.

On the split in Muslim votes and the BJP benefitting from it due to parties like Peace Party, Rashtriya Ulama Council and Asaduddin Owaisi's AIMIM, Dr Ayub said its not Peace Party or Owaisi's party which is responsible for the victory of the BJP but the Congress, SP and BSP together ensure victory of the saffron party. "With secular votes, these parties also divide Muslim votes. Had they (SP, BSP, Congress) been together there would be no division of this 90 per cent votes," he said.

Goa's chief electoral officer seeks report over alleged violations in ballot paper voting during Assembly polls

Goa's Chief Electoral Officer has sought reports from the returning officers of both districts and director general of police (DGP) in connection with the alleged violations reported during ballot paper voting for the legislative Assembly elections held on February 14, an official said on Tuesday.

Talking to PTI, Chief Electoral Officer Kunal said North and South Goa district returning officers and the DGP were on Monday asked to submit a report within three days about the alleged violations reported during ballot paper voting for service voters.

Vote for BJP as this election will decide Manipur's future for next 25 years, says PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said the BJP's "double-engine" government has laid strong a foundation for Manipur for the next 25 years. Addressing an election rally in Imphal, Modi said the stability and peace achieved in the last five years have to be made permanent, urging the people of the Northeastern state to re-elect the BJP government.

"Last month, Manipur completed 50 years of its formation. During this period, the state witnessed several governments and their works. But after decades of Congress rule, Manipur got only inequality," he said.

In the last five years, BJP's "double-engine" government has worked with sincerity for the development of Manipur, he said, adding that "you saw both good governance and good intention".

Through hard work "we have laid a strong foundation for the next 25 years", the prime minister said. "This election will decide the future of Manipur for the next 25 years," he said.

Modi called upon the first-time voters of the state to press the button for 'Lotus' -- the BJP's election symbol, stating that they have become an important part of the government's agenda. "The stability and peace which were established in the last five years, it has to be made permanent," Modi said. To achieve this, it is absolutely necessary to have a BJP government in the state, he said.

Rakesh Tikait, other farm leaders to visit Prayagraj, Gorakhpur, Varanasi

Farmer leader Rakesh Tikait along with other members of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) will visit Prayagraj, Gorakhpur and Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh ahead of assembly elections in these districts. Tikait, the influential national spokesperson of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU), which is part of the SKM, shared the information on social media. Tikait, the influential national spokesperson of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU), which is part of the SKM, shared the information on social media.

The SKM, an umbrella body of dozens of north Indian farmers' unions, had spearheaded the agitation against the Centre's now-repealed farm laws through protests that continued for over a year. BKU spokesperson Saurabh Upadhyay said the SKM will hold presence conference in Prayagraj on February 23, in Gorakhpur on February 28 and in Varanasi on March 2. BKU spokesperson Saurabh Upadhyay said the SKM will hold presence conference in Prayagraj on February 23, in Gorakhpur on February 28 and in Varanasi on March 2.

Farmer leaders Rakesh Tikait, Shivkumar Sharma 'Kakkaji', Yogendra Yadav, among others, will visit these places as part of the SKM programme. We are not telling anyone whom to vote for, we are just asking people to punish those who are against farmers, Upadhyay told PTI. Assembly polls are scheduled in Prayagraj on February 27, in Gorakhpur on March 3 and in Varanasi on March 7. Election results will be declared on March 10. Assembly polls are scheduled in Prayagraj on February 27, in Gorakhpur on March 3 and in Varanasi on March 7. Election results will be declared on March 10.

While Uttar Pradesh government ministers like Nand Gopal Gupta and Siddharth Nath Singh are among popular BJP candidates in the fray from Prayagraj, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will be contesting assembly polls from Gorakhpur. Varanasi is the Lok Sabha constituency of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and considered a bastion of the BJP. Varanasi is the Lok Sabha constituency of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and considered a bastion of the BJP.

Punjab Politics TV banned: Apps, websites, social media accounts prohibited under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act

The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, on February 22, announced an order to block apps, websites, and social media accounts of foreign-based “Punjab Politics TV”. The order states that Punjab Politics TV has close links with Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), an organisation that has been declared unlawful under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.

The ministry further stated that the YouTube channel was attempting to use online media to disturb public order during the ongoing State Assembly Elections. Following intelligence inputs, the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting used emergency powers under the IT Rules on February 18 to block the digital media resources of Punjab Politics TV.

It further stated that the contents of the blocked apps, websites and social media accounts had the potential to incite communal disharmony and separatism. The ministry also found that the content on Punjab Politics TV was “detrimental to the sovereignty and integrity of India, security of the State, and public order.” It was also observed that the launch of new apps and social media accounts was timed to gain traction during the ongoing elections.

Recently, Union Home Minister Amit Shah assured Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi that the government has taken the matter of alleged support to the AAP by the banned separatist group and asserted that no one will be allowed to play with India's unity and integrity.

SP-BSP-Congress responsible for split in Muslim votes: Peace Party leader

Peace Party President Dr Ayub, who is trying his luck once again in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls, on Tuesday blamed the SP, BSP and Congress for the split in 'secular' and Muslim votes, and said if the three come together there will be no division of 90 per cent of these votes.

Under the banner of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) smaller parties like the National Ulama Council led by Maulana Amir Rashadi, Kisan Party led by Kurmi leader Dr BL Verma, Janhit Kisan Party of Shyam Sundar Chaurasia, Nagrik Ekta Party led by Mohammad Shamim have united and entered the poll fray. The Peace Party of Dr Ayub is contesting on 50 seats as part of the UDA.

On the split in Muslim votes and the BJP benefitting from it due to parties like Peace Party, Rashtriya Ulama Council and Asaduddin Owaisi's AIMIM, Dr Ayub said its not Peace Party or Owaisi's party which is responsible for the victory of the BJP but the Congress, SP and BSP together ensure victory of the saffron party. "With secular votes, these parties also divide Muslim votes. Had they (SP, BSP, Congress) been together there would be no division of this 90 per cent votes," he said.

PM Modi in Imphal says BJP work in Manipur in the last 5 years has laid the foundation for the next 25 years

In the last 5 years, BJP's double engine government worked towards the overall development of Manipur. You have seen BJP's good governance and good intentions. Our work in the last 5 years has laid the foundation for the next 25 years, says PM Modi in Imphal

Why UP govt did not move SC over bail to Ashish Mishra: Jayant Chaudhary

Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) chief Jayant Chuadhary on Tuesday slammed the Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government over the Lakhimpur Kheri incident, alleging the BJP is anti-farmer. He also questioned why the UP government did not file a review petition in the Supreme Court after the decision of the Allahabad High Court, which granted bail to Ashish Mishra, a key accused in the case and son of Union Minister Ajay Mishra.

His remarks come a day after families of victims of the Lakhimpur Kheri violence moved Supreme Court and a day ahead of assembly elections in the district. Yogi ji should tell, why was he so happy with Ashish Mishra Teni getting bail? Why the UP government did not submit a review petition in the Supreme Court against the decision of the Allahabad High Court? The point is clear: BJP government is anti-farmer, Chaudhary tweeted in Hindi.

A single judge bench of the high court, on February 10, had granted the relief of bail to Mishra who had spent four months in custody. On October 3, last year, eight people were killed in Lakhimpur Kheri during violence that erupted when farmers were protesting against Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya's visit to the area.

Four farmers were moved down by the SUV. A driver and two BJP workers were then allegedly lynched by angry farmers. A journalist had also died in the violence that triggered outrage among opposition parties and farmer groups agitating over the Centre's now-repealed agri laws.

It is not proper for a CM to compare 2 states: Pinarayi Vijayan on Yogi Adityanath's remarks

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday termed his Uttar Pradesh counterpart Yogi Adityanath's recent alleged disparaging remarks against the southern state as an "inappropriate" one made with political interests. While referring to the recent episode in the state Assembly, he said he has a view that it is not appropriate for a Chief Minister to compare two states and so he does not want to go deep into the details of the issue.

"Kerala is far ahead in various sectors and the growth the state has achieved is unparalleled. His comments can be viewed only as an inappropriate one made with political interests," Vijayan told the state Assembly. In a video message to the electorate ahead of the UP Assembly polls earlier this month, Adityanath had warned them that the north Indian state could soon become a Kashmir, Bengal or Kerala if they commit any mistakes in the election.

Hitting back at Adityanath, Vijayan, who is also a senior CPI(M) leader, had said if the north Indian state develops like Kerala, people will enjoy peace and better living conditions. If UP turns into Kerala as @myogiadityanath fears, it will enjoy the best education, health services, social welfare, living standards and have a harmonious society in which people won't be murdered in the name of religion and caste. That's what the people of UP would want, the Kerala CM said in a tweet. Vijayan also tweeted the same in Hindi and tagged his UP counterpart.

UP Election 2022: 59 assembly constituencies to vote in 4th phase on February 23; 624 candidates in fray

As many as 56 assembly seats spread across nine districts will go to polls in fourth phase of assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh on February 23.

A total of 624 candidates are in the fray for the seats that cover Pilibhit, Lakhimpur-Kheri, Sitapur, Lucknow, Hardoi, Unnao, Rae Bareli, Fatehpur and Banda districts in Rohilkhand, Terai region, Awadh and Bundelkhand regions of the state. The phase includes 16 reserved constituencies.

As many as 172 of the 403 seats in Uttar Pradesh Assembly have voted in first three phases of elections. The remaining seats will vote in four phases till March 7 while the results will be declared on March 10, along with the results of Goa, Uttarakhand, Punjab and Manipur.

This phase of UP assembly election is considered crucial for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress. For the BJP, that had won 51 of 59 seats in 2017 assembly polls, challenge would be retain its seats in Terai region where it’s member of parliament (MP) Varun Gandhi has been breaking ranks and seeking accountability from the BJP government, at Centre and in state, on a host of issues. Gandhi’s parliament seat Pilibhit has four seats and all have BJP MLAs.

Crowd gathers at Imphal's Luwangsangbam sports complex for PM Modi's rally

Bharatiya Janata Party supporters gathered at Imphal's Luwangsangbam sports complex for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rally, ahead of Manipur Assembly polls. Manipur to vote on Feb 28 & 5 March.

Bharatiya Janata Party supporters gathered at Imphal's Luwangsangbam sports complex for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rally, ahead of Manipur Assembly polls

Manipur to vote on Feb 28 & 5 March. pic.twitter.com/FS58IHRwRb

— ANI (@ANI) February 22, 2022

Goa TMC chief Kiran Kandolkar claims I-PAC abandoned party candidates after Assembly polls

Goa Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Kiran Kandolkar has claimed that their political consultant I-PAC abandoned the party candidates after the state Assembly polls held last week. Talking to reporters here on Monday, Kandolkar also said he was not quitting as TMC's Goa unit chief, but was upset with I-PAC head Prashant Kishor and his team.

There have been speculations since some time about a rift between the TMC and I-PAC (Indian Political Action Committee), which had helped the Mamata Banerjee-led party during the West Bengal Assembly polls. The TMC contested the Goa Assembly elections in alliance with the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP).

Polling was held on February 14 and the counting of votes will be done on March 10. Kandolkar had contested the election from Aldona Assembly seat, while his wife Kavita contested from Thivim on TMC's ticket.

He claimed that most of the TMC candidates in Goa felt they were abandoned by the I-PAC after the polls. "All candidates fielded by the TMC have some or the other issues with the I-PAC. When the candidates told me about their issues with Prashant Kishor and his I-PAC team, I discussed the matter with my party workers, who advised me to quit as the TMC Goa president," he said. I am not quitting as TMC Goa head, but I am upset with Prashant Kishor and the I-PAC team," he said.

A meeting of all party candidates has been called on Tuesday to discuss the polling in their respective Assembly constituencies, he added.

PM Modi election rallies today

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address election rallies in Imphal, Manipur and Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh today

SP and BSP have back stabbed Muslims: Asaduddin Owaisi

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Monday said the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party have back stabbed Muslims, even after they voted for these parties. Addressing an election meeting here in support of All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AMIM) candidate Akram Beg, he also said that "they will talk about Muslims till the elections and after its over, they will forget about you".

Assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh are being held in seven phases and the fourth is on February 23. "SP-BSP is making you feel afraid for the past 30 years and taking your vote. You have given your vote to the SP and the BSP, but you have been stabbed in the back. Your children did not get education, jobs, and poverty became our destiny," Owaisi said.

Taking a jibe at Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, he said, "The chief minister only speaks about 'garmi' and 'sardee'. Are you a meteorologist?" Owaisi also highlighted the problems of farmers.

"The SP and the BSP could not defeat the BJP in 2014, 2017 and 2019. Do not show me the fear of Modi-Yogi, I am not going to be afraid of anyone," he said. Referring to the hijab row, Owaisi said that "the hijab issue is that of me and you (hijab kaa masla mera aapka hai), but the SP and the BSP have not even spoken on this".

Voter turnout nearly 72% in Punjab, lowest compared to last three assembly polls

A voter turnout of nearly 72 per cent was recorded in Punjab where polling for 117 assembly seats was held on Sunday. According to data shared by the office of Punjab's chief electoral officer (CEO) on Monday evening, the final voter turnout was 71.95 per cent in the state.

This is the lowest voting percentage when compared to that observed in the three previous assembly elections. In the 2017 Punjab assembly polls, the voting percentage was 77.40. The percentage in 2007 and 2012 was 75.45 and 78.20 respectively. In the 2002 elections, the voting percentage was 65.14.

It took more than 24 hours, after polling ended at 6 pm on Sunday, for the office of Punjab's CEO to release the final turnout figure. CEO S Karuna Raju said that out of the total 2,14,99,804 voters, 1,54,69,618 exercised their franchise.

There were 81,33,930 men voters and 73,35,406 women voters while 282 were transgenders. Polled EVMS have been moved to the 117 strong rooms at 66 locations in the state. As per the Election Commission's guidelines, a three-tier security has been deployed and security forces are keeping strict vigil round the clock, Raju said. Polled EVMS have been moved to the 117 strong rooms at 66 locations in the state.

Among 117 assembly constituencies, Gidderbaha in Muktsar district recorded the highest voter turnout at 84.93 per cent followed by Talwandi Sabo at 83.70 per cent and Sardulgarh at 83.64 per cent. Amritsar West recorded the lowest percentage at 55.40 per cent, Ludhiana South at 59.04 per cent and Amritsar Central at 59.19 per cent.

Wind blowing in favour of BJP has dashed opposition hopes: Dinesh Sharma

Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Dinesh Sharma on Monday said the BJP is going to break all its previous victory records in the ongoing assembly polls in the state. "Today, the wind is blowing in support of the BJP. Many veterans of rival political parties will have their poll deposits forfeited. The opposition which was planning to cross the electoral river on the plank of casteism and communal polarisation has been washed away," Sharma said at an election meeting here.

The wind blowing in favour of the BJP has dashed the hopes of the opposition, he said. "The BJP government gave facilities to the people, while governments of the opposition parties gave the pain of loot, murder, dacoity, riots and crimes against women. In the past five years, there were no riots in the state," Sharma said.

He added that during the previous governments, "people were forced to undertake exodus" in western Uttar Pradesh, while under the BJP government, action has been initiated against criminals, and the mafia has fled the state. Lucknow will vote on February 23. Lucknow will vote on February 23.

UP polls no ordinary elections, fight between development and goonda raj: Smriti Irani

Union Minister and BJP leader Smriti Irani on Monday said that the Uttar Pradesh assembly polls was no ordinary elections and it was a fight between values and goonda raj'. Addressing a rally in support of party candidate Harshvardhan Bajpai, she attacked Samajwadi Party's Akhilesh Yadav, saying, We have seen how a chief of a party was pushed on stage by his own son.

Akhilesh Yadav was seen in a video purportedly pushing his father Mulayam Singh Yadav on a stage during a power struggle within the party before the 2017 assembly elections. See the difference in values. On one side, senior SP leaders are pushed from stage and on the other, BJP's Harshvardhan Bajpai bows to his father, she said. See the difference in values.

This Uttar Pradesh poll is no ordinary elections, its development versus goonda raj and security versus goonda raj, Irani said. She also stressed that the BJP government was all about ensuring law and order.

Rahul Gandhi doesn’t know history, Modi govt responded to all challenges posed by China: Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah questioned Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on the latter’s knowledge about history with regard to Indo-China relations. Shah also accused Gandhi of breaking protocols to meet a Chinese delegation.

“Rahul Gandhi doesn’t know the history of this country. He doesn’t know what happened in 1962 and because of whom. The Narendra Modi government has given strong reply to every challenge posed by China,” Shah said in an interview with Network18 Group Editor-in-Chief Rahul Joshi.