Assembly Election 2022 Updates: Parties welcome EC's decision to postpone Punjab polls

We wanted to contest Goa polls along with Congress but due to some local leaders, alliance couldn't be formed. Tomorrow, our Gen Secretary & a minister will visit Goa to talk about the alliance... We'll contest the Manipur polls in alliance with Congress: NCP leader Nawab Malik

The AAP on Monday asked Delhi BJP president Adesh Gupta to clarify his links with the builder mafia or resign "immediately", after the Delhi High Court sought his response on a plea alleging his role in an illegal and unauthorised construction. The plea has also alleged that Gupta, the councillor of West Patel Nagar, has made crores of rupees in corruption and spent huge amounts in properties and construction work by misusing his power and position.
The public interest litigation filed in the court alleging that Gupta was involved in unauthorised-illegal construction on public land has "exposed" the BJP's "intoxication of power and repeated misuse of public assets", the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) said in a statement.

In a setback to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Gujarat ahead of the Assembly polls, two prominent leaders - Vijay Suvada and Mahesh Savani - deserted the Arvind Kejriwal-led outfit within a span of 24 hours and one of them joined the ruling BJP on Monday. Suvada, a popular folk singer who resigned from the AAP membership on Sunday, joined the ruling BJP in the presence of its state unit chief CR Paatil in Gandhinagar a day later, saying he has "returned home". Hours after Suvada's switchover, another Gujarat AAP leader, Mahesh Savani, a Surat-based businessman and philanthropist, left the party claiming he is unable to focus on his business and social service activities due to his political commitments.

The Congress party on Monday said it will hold 'Pratigya Chaupals' all over Uttar Pradesh for campaigning in the state assembly elections, complying with all COVID-19 protocol.

In a letter issued to candidates and office bearers of the party on Monday, UPCC president Ajay Kumar Lallu said in view of the current COVID wave, the Congress has postponed all its large gatherings but small programmes can be organised with caution. In such a situation, the party will hold 'Pratigya Chaupals' in villages, mohallas and wards, he said. The UPCC president said 'Pratigya Chaupals' will be held in two-three villages every day in which state, district and block-level office bearers of the party will take part.

Taking a dig at Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath over his handling of COVID-19 during the second wave in that state, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Monday said the people of Gorakhpur will remember it and will cast their vote against Yogi Adityanath in the coming Assembly polls in UP.

With the BJP deciding to field Yogi Adityanath from his home turf Gorakhpur (Urban) assembly seat in the February polls, Owaisi told reporters here : "The way the Yogi government went missing during COVID second wave leaving the Uttar Pradesh public on their own...dead bodies were floating in rivers in Uttar Pradesh and also in Gorakhpur...I am hopeful the people of Gorakhpur will remember this and will take a good decision against Yogi Adityanath".

BJP core group members met at a party office on Monday evening in Delhi. UP CM Yogi Adityanath, UP deputy CM's, party chief JP Nadda, BL Santosh, Swatantra Dev Singh are present at the meeting. 

AIMIM releases second list of candidates for UP polls

The AIMIM on Monday released its second list of candidates for the upcoming Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls. The list has eight names. The party has fielded Pandit Manmohan Jha from Sahibabad assembly constituency.

Political parties in Punjab on Monday welcomed the Election Commission’s decision to postpone the state Assembly polls to February 20 in view of Guru Ravidas Jayanti, saying it will enable his followers to visit UP’s Varanasi for festivities. Earlier, Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi and political parties in the state had urged the poll panel to postpone the date of voting as lakhs of followers of Guru Ravidas travel to Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh to celebrate his birth anniversary on February 16.

With the BJP deciding to field UP CM Yogi Adityanath from his home turf Gorakhpur (Urban) assembly seat in the February polls, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav on Monday sought to woo the sitting BJP MLA Radha Mohan Aggarwal, offering him his party ticket for the seat. Asked about BJP’s Gorakhpur (Urban) MLA Aggarwal, the Samajwadi Party chief told reporters here, "If you (reporters) can establish contact with him and speak to him, the ticket will be announced and he will get the ticket.” Yadav was speaking to reporters at his party headquarters here on the occasion of 'Ann Sankalp Divas'. Agarwal has been the MLA from Gorakhpur Urban seat since 2002.

A day after Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal opened the doors of the Aam Aadmi Party for former Chief Minister late Manohar Parrikar's son Utpal to join his party, Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut on Monday urged non BJP parties to jointly support Utpal's candidature for the upcoming assembly polls.

Punjab Congress leader and two-time MLA from Garhshankar, Luv Kumar Goldy joins the Punjab Lok Congress along with his supporters including members of the municipal council and block samitis, says the party.

BJP - 39.4 per cent

SP - 37.5 per cent

BSP - 12.6 per cent 

Congress - 6.5 per cent 

Others - 4.2 per cent 

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Noida, Uttar Pradesh | We're not supporting anyone. Yogi ji (CM Yogi Adityanath) must win election from (Gorakhpur) as we need strong opposition in the State: Rakesh Tikait, leader, Bharatiya Kisan Union

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav, on Monday, said that when his party comes to power, he would ensure minimum support price for all crops for farmers. He said that he would create a farmers' revolving fund to ensure payment of cane dues besides making adequate arrangements for ensuring free irrigation, loan, pension and insurance for them. He also said that he would withdraw all cases lodged against farmers and the families of those who had died during the agitation would be given Rs 25 lakhs each. Yadav said that all this would be included in the Samajwadi manifesto which would be released after the BJP released its manifesto.

In a shot in the arm for the BJP ahead of the upcoming assembly polls in Uttarakhand, Pradesh Mahila Congress president Sarita Arya on Monday joined the saffron party. The former Nainital MLA joined the BJP at its state headquarters here in the presence of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, Pradesh party president Madan Kaushik and other leaders.

ECI has announced that Punjab assembly election will now be held on February 20. Political parties had earlier demanded to change the date of the polls in view of the Gurupurab of Sri Guru Ravi Dass ji on 16th February

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is to provide central security cover to important BJP leaders in Punjab after reviewing the security situation in the state in view of the forthcoming assembly election, sources in the security set up said. The sources also said that the security cover of some union ministers and BJP leadership will also be enhanced during the election campaign, though they did not disclose the names of the protectees due to security reasons. Besides, the Centre will also accord VIP security to the leaders of the RSS, some Hindu religious outfits and the turncoats who have recently joined BJP, the sources added.

The driver of an Aam Aadmi Party candidate was arrested after the election material seized was seized from his vehicle here, police said on Monday. Circle officer Sadar Akhand Pratap Singh said during checking banners and hoardings were found from the vehicle belonging to the AAP candidate from Dadraul assembly constituency here Rajeev Kumar Singh. A case was registered against Singh and his driver at Roja police station on the complaint of election magistrate Alok Agarwal on Saturday, and the driver was also arrested. The driver was later released on bail on Sunday, police said.

Case registered against BSP candidate Salman Saeed in Charthawal PS & BJP MLA Umesh Malik, for violating the Model Code of Conduct & COVID19 guidelines, says Police.

Congress’s Sarita Arya has joined BJP today. BJP is expected to field her from Nainital

We have released the first list of candidates; AIMIM will contest on 100 seats: AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi on upcoming UP assembly election

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has said that it will consider the demands of the political parties to reschedule the Assembly elections in Punjab. According to news agency ANI, a meeting of ECI officials is currently underway in Delhi to discuss the possibility of rescheduling the poll date. Read more here 

SP-RLD announce the names of their two more candidates

Samajwadi Party (SP)-Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) announce the names of their two more candidates for the upcoming Uttar Pradesh Elections 2022. They have announced the names of candidates for 38 seats so far.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday condoled the death of Kathak exponent Birju Maharaj. Birju Maharaj's passing away is an irreparable loss to the world of arts, he said. In a tweet in Hindi, Adityanath said, "The demise of Kathak maestro Padma Vibhushan Pandit Birju Maharaj ji is extremely sad. His passing away is an irreparable loss to the world of arts. Prayers to Lord Ram to grant the departed soul a place at his feet,and give strength to the bereaved family to bear the loss." Birju Maharaj died at his home in Delhi in the early hours of Monday.

Weeks after he walked out of the Congress fold, joined the Trinamool Congress and quit it a day before without assigning any reason, former Goa Congress working president Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco on Monday hinted at rejoining his parent party. He has apologised to his supporters and well-wishers for committing the "mistake" of joining the Mamata Banerjee-led party ahead of the next month's Assembly polls. Addressing a press conference in Panaji on Monday, Lourenco said he had to face severe backlash after deciding to join the TMC, which he said had promised a "new dawn". 

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal said that the name of Punjab CM candidate will be announced tomorrow at 12pm.

Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Sanjeev Balyan met Bharatiya Kisan Union's Naresh Tikiat on Monday. The meeting was held at Tikait's village. 

BJP's Uttar Pradesh unit vice president and Noida MLA Pankaj Singh on Sunday said he has tested positive for COVID-19 and has mild symptoms. Singh, the son of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, said he has isolated himself and requested those who came in contact with him over the last few days to get themselves isolated and tested for the viral disease.

The Congress party will form a government in Uttarakhand, expelled Bharatiya Janata Party Minister Harak Singh Rawat asserted on Monday, ahead of assembly elections in the state. In a statement, Rawat today said he will work for the Congress party. Read more here

Even though there has been no formal merger of the Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party Lohia (PSPL) into the Samajwadi Party (SP), PSPL president Shivpal Singh Yadav has said that he and his party candidates will contest on the SP symbol. Shivpal Yadav said that though his party had been allotted an election symbol -- stool -- but there was very little time left to popularise it. Earlier, the PSPL had been allotted a 'key' as its poll symbol.

As the Congress leaders are tight-lipped on the issue of Harak Singh Rawat, the sacked BJP Minister in Uttarakhand, joining the party, Rawat himself has opened up and said he will work for the Congress and that the talks with the party are on and he is camping in Delhi. While speaking to the media on Monday, he said, "The wind is blowing in favour of Congress and I will work for the party that comes to power." He said the situation will be clear within days as the last date of nomination is near.

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which wrested power in Manipur for the first time in 2017 in alliance with two political parties and supported by independent MLAs, this time most probably fight alone, party leaders indicated. Union Minister Pratima Bhowmik and Assam Minister Ashok Singhal, BJP's in-charges for the Manipur elections, separately indicated that the saffron party is keen to contest the elections on its own this time.

With an aim to form a government for the second time in a row in Uttar Pradesh, the BJP is focussing on its Hindutva agenda and has started campaigning with a theme song which focusses on Ayodhya, Kashi and Mathura.

The Election Commission is meeting today morning to discuss demands by various political parties to defer the February 14 assembly polls in Punjab in view of Guru Ravidas Jayanti. Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi had urged the EC to defer the polls by six days in view of the Jayanti.

Similar requests have been made by other parties, including the BJP and BSP to postpone the single-phase poll.

Lakhs of devotees visit Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh to celebrate the day and parties feel that they would not be able to cast their votes due to this.

The Jayanti is on February 16.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will interact with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers in his constituency Varanasi, for the first time after the announcement of the Assembly elections, on Tuesday.

BJP Kashi region unit president Mahesh Chand Srivastava said that the Prime Minister's interaction with the party workers from Kashi will take place through the NaMo app at 11 a.m. on Tuesday.

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Union Minister Pralhad Joshi called me to meet in Delhi, due to traffic there was a bit of delay. I wanted to meet him and Home Minister Amit Shah, but as soon as I reached Delhi, I saw on social media that they (BJP) expelled me: Expelled BJP Minister Harak Singh Rawat

They (BJP) didn't talk to me once before taking such a big decision. If I hadn't left Congress to join BJP, I would have resigned from BJP 4 years ago. I don't have much interest in being a minister, I just wanted to work: Expelled Uttarakhand BJP Minister Harak Singh Rawat

The Opposition CPI-M led Left Front on Sunday claimed that the public meeting of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 4 in Agartala has caused a massive surge in the Covid-19 cases in Tripura.

"The Central and state governments are aware about the Omicron, the new variant of Covid-19 creating havoc across the country. In this situation the PM's public rally has further aggravated the situation in Tripura," Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) Tripura state Secretary Jitendra Chaudhury told the media.

Even as Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) president Naresh Tikait has announced extending support towards the Samajwadi Party-Rashtriya Lok Dal (SP-RLD) alliance in the upcoming Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls, his brother and BKU spokesperson Rakesh Tikait has denied this, saying "there was a misunderstanding".

"We didn't extend any support, people have made a mistake in understanding," Rakesh Tikait said,

A video of Naresh Tikait extending support to the SP-RLD has recently emerged. On being asked on this, Rakesh Tikait told IANS: "We have not extended any support yet and we will soon confirm that through our official social media account as well."

Ahead of the assembly elections, Samajwadi Party (SP) MLC Ghanshyam Lodhi, who joined Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday slammed SP saying that they never worked for the development of other backward classes (OBCs).

Lodhi also alleged that party chief Akhilesh Yadav has inducted people into the party who have criminal cases against them.

Lodhi said, "Samajwadi Party says something else and does something else. SP has been in power for four terms, but they never worked for the development of OBCs. Akhilesh Yadav has added such people to his party who have 10-20 criminal cases against them."

SP MLC Shailendra Singh and Ghanshyam Lodhi on Sunday joined BJP in Lucknow.

After releasing the candidate list for 105 Assembly seats in Uttar Pradesh, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday held discussions on all 70 seats of the Uttarakhand assembly polls.

A panel of three names was sent to Delhi, which was discussed in the core group meeting today. 

The 70 seats which have been discussed would be taken forward in the CEC meeting to be held on January 19. 

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The final list of BJP candidates for the Goa Assembly elections will be announced on January 19, says CM Pramod Sawant

Ahead of assembly polls, Harak Singh Rawat, who was dismissed from the Uttarakhand cabinet and expelled from the BJP for six years, is likely to join the Congress on Monday.

Rawat and his daughter-in-law Anukriti Gusain have already left for Delhi on Sunday and both are likely to join the Congress on Monday.

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