A man's inked marked finger is seen as he leaves a polling station on his bike after casting his vote. (Representative image: Reuters)
Punjab polls | BJP, allies announce 11-point 'Sankalp' document
Fast track courts for sacrilege incidents, free power up to 300 units, 33 per cent reservation for women in the police force, debt waiver for farmers having up to five acres of land are among many promises made by the BJP and its allies PLC and SAD (Sanyukt) for the February 20 Punjab Assembly polls. The BJP is fighting the assembly polls in alliance with former chief minister Amarinder Singh-led Punjab Lok Congress (PLC) and Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa-led Shiromani Akali Dal (Sanyukt).
An 11-point 'Sankalp' (pledge or commitment) document was released here on Friday as the BJP and its alliance partners seek to form the next government in Punjab after the assembly polls. Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri, PLC chief Amarinder Singh, SAD (Sanyukt) chief Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, Punjab BJP president Ashwani Kumar Sharma and general secretary Subash Sharma were present on this occasion.
Puri said the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) will ensure peace, safety and security of Punjab and its people besides all-round development with sabka sath, sab ka vikas if it comes to power. He said the state, unfortunately, had fared badly and needed strong and supportive leadership to revive its past and lost glory.
Puri said all the commitments made will be fulfilled in a time-bound manner, within two years of the formation of the government. He further said each and every word in the 'Sankalp' will be implemented in letter and spirit.
Punjab BJP chief Sharma said there will be zero tolerance on the issue of sacrilege incidents and asserted that special task force and fast track courts will be set up for such incidents. He also promised relief of Rs 5 lakh to each family of the victims of terrorism during the dark days of militancy and also announced the setting up of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission for redressing the grievances of the families of the terrorist attack victims.
According to the 11-point 'Sankalp' document, the NDA has promised 300 units of free power for everyone and Rs 3 per unit after consuming more than 300 units, while power for micro, small and medium enterprises will be charged at Rs 4 per unit and at Rs 5 for the rest of the industry. It also promised farm debt waiver for farmers having up to five acres of land, MSP for fruits, vegetables, pulses and oilseeds, Rs 5,000 crore for crop diversification, guaranteed 150 hours of work for youth every month under Saksham Yuva Yojana' and Rs 4,000 per month unemployment allowance for unemployed graduates.
For women, it promised 33 per cent reservation in the police force, setting up of women police stations and women courts in all districts, Rs 1,000 per month scholarship from post-matric to post-graduate girls, and raising the Anganwadi worker allowance to Rs 10,000. It also promised an increase in old-age pension to Rs 3,000 per month, Rs one lakh crore spending in the state in five years, strict implementation of law and a task force in each district to check drug supply, besides making dope tests mandatory for contestants before filing nomination papers.
PLC leader Amarinder Singh promised to double ex-gratia compensation for the families of martyrs from defence forces to Rs 1 crore. To a question on the arrest of the nephew of Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi, he said, Look, investigation is an investigation. If the investigating officer feels that somebody is corrupt or somebody has done something wrong. It is his job to do it. Why are you blaming parties? This is the job of any agency. Be it ED, CBI or anybody it is.
Source: PTI
Punjab polls | Ghulam Nabi Azad, Manish Tewari not among Congress' star campaigners
Congress leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad and Lok Sabha MP from the state Manish Tewari are not among the party's star campaigners for the February 20 assembly election in Punjab. The Congress released its list of 30 star campaigners' for Punjab, which includes Sonia Gandhi, Manmohan Singh, and Rahul Gandhi.
Azad and Tewari are among the prominent members of the G-23 who had written to party leadership seeking an overhaul and have been questioning the leadership. Azad was also recently conferred with Padma Bhushan by the government of India.
However, some other members of the G-23 such as Anand Sharma and Bhupinder Singh Hooda are among the star campaigners for Punjab. The party has also included former Rajasthan deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot, who earlier rebelled against the Congress.
Tewari is also the lone Hindu MP from Punjab, even though another MP from Punjab Ravneet Singh Bittu has been included in the list. The list also includes Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Harish Chaudhary, PCC chief Navjot Singh Sidhu, Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi, Ambika Soni, and former Speaker Meira Kumar.
Chief ministers Ashok Gehlot and Bhupesh Baghel, former PCC chiefs Sunil Jakhar, Partap Singh Bajwa, Ajay Maken, and Randeep Surjewala are among the star campaigners. Haryana Congress chief Kumari Selja, Rajeev Shukla, Ranjeet Ranjan, Netta D'Souza, BV Srinivas, Imran Pratapgarhi, Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, Amrita Dhawan, Raminder Awla, and Tajender Singh Bittoo have also been named in the list of 30 star campaigners for Punjab.
Source: PTI
Elections must be fought on issue of development not caste or religion: Priyanka Gandhi
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Thursday sought the support of the people of Bulandshahar for her party nominees in the coming assembly elections and stressed that elections should be fought on the issue of development and not caste or religion.
Priyanka Gandhi also met the family members of a woman who was shot dead in a village here. Her family alleged that she was also raped before being killed and they were forced to cremate her in a hurry. A Congress spokesperson in Lucknow said Priyanka Gandhi has assured the family of all possible help in their fight for justice.
On a door-to-door campaign in Sikandarabad, Anupshahr and Syana assembly segments of Bulandshahar district of western Uttar Pradesh, the Congress general secretary was greeted with loud cheers and slogans as she moved about on the streets with party leaders. In Sikandarabad, she was greeted by young girls carrying placards with "ladki hoon, lad sakti hoon" written on them while flower petals were showered on her from the rooftops while some locals clicked pictures and shot videos on their mobile phones.
Priyanka Gandhi interacted with the people and enquired about the their problems. She also distributed her party's manifesto, especially to women, and urged them to read it. The Congress is contesting the assembly elections with the focus on women-related issues.
In an informal chat with newspersons, the Congress leader, who is leading the party's campaign to revive the party in the state, said,"Elections should be fought on the issue of development not caste or religion. People here are also saying the same thing." "People want to know (from the BJP) about the development work they have done, arrangements for employment or education or health. These must be the issues of the election," she said.
"The BJP and Samajwadi Party are not talking about the real issues of the people in the election. They are busy giving statements. Congress on the other hand talks about the real issues of the people. This is why we will have the support of the general public," she added. Priyanka Gandhi was accompanied by local Congress leaders and party's candidates for the upcoming polls. The door-to-door campaign in the district continued for over four hours.
Source: PTI
Rahul Gandhi to declare Congress' CM face for Punjab polls on Sunday: Harish Chaudhary
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will announce the name of the party's chief ministerial candidate for the Punjab elections on Sunday when he visits Ludhiana for a virtual rally, party's senior leader Harish Chaudhary said on Friday. Reacting to the development, Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi reiterated that he would wholeheartedly back the party's candidate who would be named for the chief ministerial post.
"On February 6, Rahul Gandhi ji will visit Ludhiana and from there will address a virtual rally in the afternoon and announce the CM face," Chaudhary, who is party's Punjab affairs in-charge, said.
Channi, who was in Bhadaur, the second assembly seat from where he is contesting the polls, when asked about the party's announcement about the CM face, said, "I had already said from the stage in Jalandhar (virtual rally) that I will go with party's decision on CM face. I have already made a commitment from the stage in Rahul Gandhi's presence that whosoever is made CM face, I will wholeheartedly back him and the same commitment has been made by Navjot Singh Sidhu and other leaders."
SP synonymous with 'hooliganism', says BJP chief J P Nadda
BJP president J P Nadda on Friday said the Samajwadi Party was synonymous with "hooliganism", while Uttar Pradesh under his party's rule is writing a new story of peace and development. Launching a blistering attack at the SP, he said during its rule, Uttar Pradesh saw "mafia raj" and "kidnapping became an industry, whereas in the Yogi Adityanath rule all sorts of crimes have seen a decline." "Wherever there is SP, there is goondagardi (hooliganism)," he said addressing a poll meeting in Jalaun district. Nadda said the BJP workers go to people with pride to say that whatever was promised have been delivered during the party government.
UP polls: 2 held for attack on Asaduddin Owaisi, says Hapur Police
The Hapur Police on Friday said it has arrested the second suspect involved in firing on the car of AIMIM chief and Lok Sabha MP Asaduddin Owaisi. The police have lodged an FIR for attempt to murder in the case and the accused duo has been remanded in judicial custody, it said.
The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief's car came under attack in Hapur while he was returning to Delhi after attending election-related events in western Uttar Pradesh on Thursday evening, a week before assembly polls begin in the state. No one was injured in the incident, Owaisi said. "One of the accused has been identified as Sachin, a resident of Badalpur in Gautam Buddh Nagar, while the other is Shubham, a native of Nakur in Saharanpur," police said in a statement. Two pistols were seized from their possession and a Maruti Alto car has also been impounded in connection with the case, police said.
UP election is about brotherhood vs BJP: Akhilesh Yadav
Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Friday took a swipe at the ruling BJP asking if anyone saw criminals fleeing the state as the party has been claiming. He said the SP will ensure a historic defeat to BJP and will send Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath back to Uttarakhand. Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar gave us the Constitution on which the country is run and this election is also about safeguarding the Constitution.
This is why Samajwadi Party is taking along people from all groups. This election is about brotherhood versus BJP, the SP chief said, addressing a joint press conference with his alliance partner Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) chief Jayant Chaudhary. The people of the state will vote on issues and send the chief minister back to Uttarakhand, Akhilesh said referring to Yogi Adityanath's ancestral roots in Uttarakhand.
Rs 72,000 to be transferred to Goa's poorest citizens every year: Rahul Gandhi
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on February 4 launches Nyay Scheme in Goa. "We're taking a historic decision in Goa, a new 'Nyay Scheme' will be launched. Rs 6,000 per month, i.e. Rs 72,000 in a year, will automatically be transferred to Goa's poorest citizens," he said in a virtual rally. "You saw how BJP govt failed in tourism, COVID-19, & employment. We're not giving tickets to defectors, have given tickets to new people this time. Congress will form a govt in Goa with a full majority. The fight is between Congress & BJP only, do not waste your vote," he said.
Support us to form a govt in Punjab and we will see who dares to sell drugs & attempt sacrilege: Rajnath Singh
Support us to form a govt here (in Punjab)& we will see who dares to sell drugs& attempt sacrilege. Today Punjab's economy is in bad condition. The economy of Uttar Pradesh has reached Rs 21 lakh crore in the last 5 yrs under our government: Defence Min Rajnath Singh in Gurdaspur
Kartapur Sahib just 4-5 kms away; if little efforts were made it would have been in India, says Defence Minister
Kartapur Sahib is just 4-5kms away from international border. If little efforts were made Kartarpur Sahib would have been in India only.Some powers are trying to create a gap between us&Sikh community but we'll not let it happen, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said in Sujanpur, Punjab. he further added that, "Congress leader Rahul Gandhi believes in China's mouthpiece 'Global Times'. One of the Australian papers has said that 40-50 Chinese soldiers died in the Galwan Valley clash. I want to say that people will come and go but the country should remain."
Case filed against Akhilesh Yadav, Jayant Chaudhary, and others for violating COVID-19 & ECI's guidelines
A case filed against SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, RLD chief Jayant Chaudhary, SP's Dadri candidate Rajkumar Bhati, SP's Gautam Buddh Nagar chief Indra Pradhan& 300-400 others, for violating COVID19 & ECI's guidelines during a campaign in Dadri on Feb 3: Gautam Buddh Nagar Police
Goa Assembly polls: Congress candidates take 'anti-defection' oath in Rahul Gandhi's presence
Hit hard by defections in the last five years, the Congress in Goa on Friday made its candidates sign affidavits and take an oath of loyalty to the party in the presence of its senior leader Rahul Gandhi, days ahead of the state Assembly polls. Elections to all 40 Assembly seats in Goa will be held on February 14 and the results will be declared on March 10. The Congress has tied up with the Goa Forward Party (GFP) for the polls. While the grand old party has fielded 37 candidates, the GFP is contesting on three seats.
GFP candidates, who also signed affidavits stating that they will not quit the party if they get elected, were also present at the programme. Gandhi arrived in the poll-bound state on Friday morning, after which he participated in the door-to-door campaign in Mormugao Assembly constituency. He is scheduled to address a public meeting at Sankhalim later in the day.
Arrest of Charanjit Channi's nephew political vendetta: Randeep Surjewala
Congress leader Randeep Surjewala has called the arrest of Punjab CM Charanjit Channi's nephew Bhupinder S Honey a politically motivated move ahead of polls.
Arvind Kejriwal opened liquor stores, can go to any limits for profit: Smriti IraniArvind Kejriwal opened liquor stores, proved he can go to any limits for profit. I'd ask all brothers here, imagine a sister passing by a liquor store hoping for respect& safety, every day; Kejriwal responsible for her struggle, Union Women & Child Development Minister Smriti Irani said. "BJP is constructing a temple & Kejriwal govt is opening a liquor store near it. You'll find a liquor store in the middle of 2 gurudwaras in Tilak Nagar. Religion has a decorum that has been violated by Kejriwal govt... & then he promises a 'nasha-mukt' Punjab, she further added.
AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal visited & offered prayers at Ganpati Temple in Dabolim, Goa. "We're in this temple to pray for Goa & country's happiness & health. Premanand Babu Nanoskar is contesting on AAP's behalf...give him a majority of votes," he said.
Need to be very careful while casting your vote, fake Samajwadi will make you go hungry, says PM Modi
You need to be very careful while casting your vote. If they get a chance, these family-driven fake Samajwadis will stop the aid being provided to farmers... These fake Samajwadi will make you go hungry, PM Narendra Modi said at 'Jan Chaupal' in western UP via video conferencing.
PM Modi addresses a virtual rally for UP polls
No one could have imagined that criminals would ever come under control. Yogi Ji has established the rule of law in UP. In the 21st century, UP needs a Govt that continuously works at double-speed & only a double-engine Govt can do this, said PM Modi. These polls are to maintain security, honour & prosperity. These polls are to keep history-sheeters out & to make new history. I'm delighted that people of UP have made up their minds that they won't allow rioters and mafia to take control of UP from behind the curtains, he said.
Yogi Adityanath established rule of law in Uttar Pradesh: Amit Shah
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday lauded Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, saying he has freed Uttar Pradesh of mafias by establishing rule of law in the true sense after 25 years. The opposition alliance, he said, had lost to the BJP in Uttar Pradesh previously and would be defeated again.
Shah was addressing an election meeting ahead of nomination filing by Adityanath from the Gorakhpur Urban assembly seat. The union minister also praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for taking special care of development particularly of the Purvanchal region.
Besides Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan, chiefs of BJP allies -- Apna Dal and NISHAD party -- were present on the occasion.
AAP reaches out to ST community in Goa, unveils eight-point action plan
Ahead of the Goa Assembly polls, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Friday announced an eight-point action plan for the welfare of the Scheduled Tribes (ST) in the state, seeking to "end the injustice meted out to the community by the previous governments". Talking to reporters, AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal said if his party comes to power in Goa after the February 14 polls, it would provide free education and free medical treatment to the members of the ST community, and they will also get priority in jobs.
He alleged that the governments in Goa have violated the Constitution and the law of the land to deprive members of the ST community of their rights. "But AAP will focus on eradicating the injustice meted out to this community in the state by all the past governments," he said.
No objections with the law doing its work, says Punjab CM Charanjit Singh Channi on the arrest of nephew
"We have no objections with the law doing its work...," Punjab CM Charanjit Singh Channi said on the arrest of his nephew Bhupinder S Honey by ED in an illegal sand mining case. As per reports, Honey was has arrested by the ED on Thursday evening.
Yogi Adityanath files nomination papers as a BJP candidate from Gorakhpur Urban Assembly constituency
Accompanied by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, CM Yogi Adityanath files nomination papers as a BJP candidate from Gorakhpur Urban Assembly constituency.
Asaduddin Owaisi gets Z category security day after firing incident All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi's security will be upgraded to Z category immediately, news agency ANI reported on Febraury 4, a day after the Hyderabad MP's convoy was fired upon in Meerut in Uttar Pradesh. Two persons have been arrested for firing at Owaisi's car.
Arvind Kejriwal accuses Punjab CM Channi of corruption
It takes people four to five years to do corruption, he (Punjab chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi) did wonders within 111 days itself. Unfortunate! People are watching, want honest government, says Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal in Dona Paula (Goa) on the arrest of Punjab CM's nephew Bhupinder S Honey by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in illegal sand mining case
Punjab CM's nephew arrested by ED: Report
Ahead of the Punjab assembly elections, chief minister Charanjit Channi’s nephew Bhupinder Singh Honey has been arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), News agency ANI has reported.
People at the top want a weak CM who can dance to their tunes. Do you want such a CM, Congress chief Navjot S Sidhu
Yogi Adityanath to file nomination papers from Gorakhpur Urban todayUttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath will file his nomination papers as a BJP candidate from Gorakhpur Urban constituency on February 4. Before the filing of nomination, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Union Minister & State BJP In-Charge Dharmendra Pradhan will address a rally in the city.
Meghalaya's ruling National People's Party (NPP), newly-formed Kuki People's Alliance (KPA), and Maharashtra's ruling partners Shiv Sena and NCP announced candidates for the Manipur assembly polls on February 3.
Conrad Sangma-led NPP released its third list of nine candidates for the elections. Among those fielded are Sapam Kangleipal Meitei from Lamlai, Yumkhaibam Erabot from Wangkhei and M Rameshwar Singh from Kakching. NCP named candidates for five seats—George T Haokip from Saikot, Poonam Rani Wangkhem from Khetrigao, Khuraijam Ratankumar Singh from Khurai, Oinam Haridas Singh from Wangkhem and Md Islamuddin Khan from Keirao.
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