Punjab Polls | Navjot Singh Sidhu is a hero, doesn't matter who will be Congress' CM face, says his wife
With speculations making the headlines over the Congress' chief ministerial candidate of Punjab, state PCC chief Navjot Singh Sidhu's wife Navjot Kaur Sidhu said her husband is a 'hero' and it does not matter whom the party chooses as its face in the state for the polls.
"Navjot Singh Sidhu is a hero, he will remain a hero, it doesn't matter who will be the CM. The only thing that matters is that whoever will be the CM should listens to ministers, sign their files and let them work," ANI quoted Navjot Kaur Sidhu as saying.
UP Polls Phase I: Richest candidate has assets worth Rs 148 crore, two have nil
Among those in the fray for the first phase of Uttar Pradesh assembly polls, the richest candidate holds assets worth over Rs 148 crore, while two nominees who have declared zero assets, according to poll reforms advocacy group ADR. Of the financially bottom-three candidates excluding those with zero assets, two have declared having around Rs 1,000, while one has Rs 10,000, the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) stated.
The average of assets per candidate contesting in the first phase of the polls is Rs 3.72 crores, it said in a report in which it analysed self-sworn affidavits of the nominees. Among major parties, the average of assets for 28 SP candidates analysed by the ADR is Rs 13.23 crores, while it was Rs 12.01 crore for 57 BJP candidates, Rs 8.32 crores for 29 RLD candidates, Rs 7.71 crore for 56 BSP candidates, Rs 3.08 crores for 58 INC candidates and Rs 1.23 crores for 52 AAP candidates.
Voting is scheduled for February 10 in 58 assembly constituencies across 11 districts of western Uttar Pradesh with over 600 candidates, including Independents, in the fray.
Among the financially top-three candidates, Amit Agarwal of the BJP (Mathura Cantonment) has declared the highest assets worth over Rs 148 crore, followed by S K Sharma of the BSP (Mathura) with Rs 112 crore and Rahul Yadav of the Samajwadi Party (Sikandrabad) with just over Rs 100 crore, the report showed. Notably, two candidates have declared zero assets. These candidates are Bahujan Mukti Party's Kailash Kumar, who has filed nomination from Atrauli in Aligarh, and Rashtra Nirman Party's Km Priti, who will be contesting from the Meerapur seat in Muzaffarnagar, it noted. Among the bottom three candidates in terms of finances declared are Independents Shiv Charan Lal (Etmadpur) with just Rs 1,000 worth assets and Ambedkari Hasanuram (Kheragarh seat) with Rs 1,100, the report stated.
Punjab polls: Rahul Gandhi to visit Ludhiana on February 6
Rahul Gandhi will address a virtual rally in Ludhiana on February 6 amid speculation that the Congress leader may announce the party's chief ministerial face for the February 20 Punjab Assembly polls. Gandhi will address a virtual rally in Ludhiana on February 6, Congress sources said.
During his last visit to Punjab on January 27, Gandhi had announced that the Congress will announce the name of its chief ministerial candidate for the upcoming election and a decision on it will be taken soon after consulting the party workers. Besides taking the feedback from party leaders and workers, the Congress is also seeking the opinion of the public on who should it be its chief ministerial face through an automated call system. For the last several weeks, both Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi and state Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu have, directly or indirectly, made a case for themselves to be declared as the party's candidate for the top post. Addressing a virtual rally in Jalandhar last week, Gandhi had said Channi and Sidhu have assured him that whosoever is chosen as the party's chief ministerial face, the other will support him.
Samajwadi Party govt tried to withdraw cases against terrorists: J P Nadda
BJP national president J P Nadda on Thursday called the SP "supporter of anti-nationals", alleging that the party tried to withdraw cases against "terrorists" when it was in power in Uttar Pradesh. "Goons" is a small word for them, Nadda said here at Sirathu after Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya submitted his nomination papers for the state Assembly polls. "They are supporters of anti-nationals," said Nadda, alleging that the Akhilesh Yadav-led previous regime in the state tried to withdraw cases against "terrorists" involved in bomb blasts in the state. A special court in Gorakhpur has awarded life sentence to one of them, Nadda said.
"In another incident, a CRPF camp in Rampur was attacked, in which seven soldiers were killed. The CBI arrested seven people in the case but Akhilesh Yadav tried to withdraw the case against them on the directions of the person, who is currently fighting the elections from jail," Nadda alleged, apparently referring to Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan. "Of the seven, four were awarded capital punishment and three got life imprisonment," he said.
Congress' Punjab CM candidate will be announced on February 6, says Charanjit Singh Channi
CM candidate will be announced on February 6. "I will be with RahuI Gandhi on that day," says Punjab CM Charanjit Singh Channi in Sri Chamkaur Sahib.
PM Modi to address digital rally in UP and Uttarakhand on February 4
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to address a digital rally on February 4 covering 14 assembly constituencies of Uttarakhand, BJP sources said on Thursday. On the same day, Modi is also likely to address a digital rally in Uttar Pradesh, sources said. It would be Modi's second set of digital rallies with the first one having been held on January 31.
Friday's digital rally in Uttar Pradesh would cover nearly 20 assembly seats in western part of the state. The first phase of assembly polls in UP is on February 10, and the second and third phases are on February 14 and 20. Most of the western UP constituencies would go for polls in the first three phases. Polls in the state will be held in seven phases in all. The elections in Uttarakhand will be held in a single go on February 14. The Election Commission has so far not allowed full-scale physical rallies, and only public meetings with a cap of 1,000 people are allowed.
Amit Shah cautions Jayant Chaudhary over tie-up with Akhilesh Yadav
BJP leader Amit Shah on Thursday cautioned Rashtriya Lok Dal president Jayant Chaudhary over his party's tie-up with Samajwadi Party, saying Akhilesh Yadav does not even listen to his father and uncle then how would he listen to him. Addressing a poll event in Anupshahr assembly constituency in Bulandshahr district of western UP, the Union Home Minister also claimed that the SP will not be able to form government in Uttar Pradesh. Lauding the Yogi Adityanath-led government in UP since 2017, Shah hit out at Yadav, a former chief minister, and asked if the Samajwadi Party chief can keep law and order in check in the state. He does not meet people, does only press conferences and has our Jayant ji by his side. Sarkar warkar to banni nahi hai ye samajh kar chalna but Jayant Chaudhary thinks if the government is formed, Akhilesh babu would listen to him. Jayant babu, it's a fallacy. Someone who does not listen to his own father and uncle, how would he listen to you, Shah said.
Congress appoints farmers' cell leader as poll coordinator for Srinagar, Dharampur seats
Kisan Congress leader Rakesh Kumar Singh has been appointed the poll coordinator for Srinagar and Dharampur assembly constituencies in Uttarakhand. The letter of appointment issued by AICC incharge for Uttarakhand Devender Yadav said the assignment was being given to him considering his experience. Uttarakhand Congress president Ganesh Godiyal is contesting from Srinagar seat in Pauri district while Dinesh Aggarwal is contesting from Dharampur seat in Dehradun.
Current Goa govt is embroiled in scams; AAP has a vision for the state's development, says Arvind Kejriwal
The current Goa govt is embroiled in scams. MLAs are corrupt. Ministers involved in labour scam, job scam... AAP has a vision for the state's development. While Congress, BJP have no agenda...For the 1st time, an honest party is coming into the state, AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal said.
People of Punjab want AAP to form next govt in state: Bhagwant Mann
People of Punjab are tired of giving chances to the Congress and the SAD for the last 44 years and now want the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to be in the saddle, says the party's chief ministerial face Bhagwant Mann.
The 48-year-old Mann, who is contesting from the Dhuri Assembly segment, also says that mafia raj, unemployment, inflation, drug menace and farm distress are some of the major issues facing the state and his party will work to solve them. Mann has been declared as the chief ministerial candidate of the AAP after the party in Punjab held a first of its kind 'Janta Chunegi Apna CM' drive last month.
Vote for AAP this time for sake of Goa's future: Arvind Kejriwal urges supporters of other parties
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday made a strong pitch to the supporters and workers of other political parties, including the BJP and the Congress, to vote for the AAP in the upcoming Goa Assembly polls for the sake of their own future as well as that of the coastal state. He said they can vote for the AAP without having to change their party affiliation. Elections to all 40 Assembly seats in Goa are scheduled on February 14 and results will be declared on March 10. The AAP is contesting all the Assembly seats in the state. "I am here to address those people who are supporters and voters of BJP, Congress or any other political party. I am not asking them to join AAP. You can remain in your party, but for your own sake, future of Goa and future of your family, vote for AAP this time," he said while talking to reporters. Kejriwal said that the BJP has been in power in Goa since the last 15 years, but it has not done anything for the state. "This time, vote for AAP and you will see a change in the state," he said. Congress has ruled Goa for several years, but it has been turned into a "cadre feeder" for the BJP, he said, adding, "People join Congress to become a leader and then switch to BJP."
Issue instructions to CM Yogi Adityanath to use the "language in accordance of the Model Code of Conduct, SP writes to Election Commission of India
UP economy at second spot, says UP CM Yogi Adityanath
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has said Uttar Pradesh's economy was at the sixth and the seventh spot in the country from 1947-2017. No work was done in 70 years...But in merely five years, BJP successfully helped the state claim the second spot. UP is the first state to deploy women police personnel at all gram panchayats to initiate joint patrolling, he said. "It's also the first state that saw no riots, terror activities in the last five years and the first state to use new technology to promote e-Prosecution," he said.
Speaking about the government's COVID management the CM said, "In the second wave we set up over 551 oxygen plants in view of oxygen crisis. We have also managed to successfully contain the third wave. Active cases in the state have reduced by about 60,000 in the last 15 days. Over a lakh cases reported on January 17, today it's about 41,000."
The first round of the seven-phased UP elections begins on February 10.
Not double engine, it's trouble engine, says Randeep Singh Surjewala
Congress releases list of 27 candidates for UP polls
The Congress on February 2 released its seventh list of 27 candidates for the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections. The list has 11 women, including four replacing candidates announced earlier.
The party has replaced its Lucknow East candidate, nominating Manoj Tiwari in place of Pankaj Tiwari. The Congress is contesting the state polls with women in focus and has also released a separate manifesto for youth, assuring them of employment opportunities.
SP candidate refuses to fight from a new seat, wants to return party ticket
A Samajwadi Party candidate from the Matera assembly seat in Bahraich district of Uttar Pradesh on February 2 sought to return the party ticket, saying he cannot fight on an entirely new seat instead of the one he had been tending for 10 years. Haji Mohammad Ramzan announced his intention to return the SP ticket hours after his candidature for Matera was announced.
Talking to reporters, Ramzan said he was working for the Shravasti segment for the last 10 years and the locals wanted him to contest from that seat. "It is not possible to contest an election from a new area like Matera (Bahraich) just before the election," Ramzan said.
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