Assembly Election 2022: BJP finalises names of almost 170 candidates for UP: Sources

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma alleged that the Congress high command and his Punjab counterpart had conspired to assassinate the prime minister through the ‘security breach’ on January 5 while Narendra Modi was visiting the northern state. READ MORE

The BJP is considering fielding Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath from Ayodhya as its senior leaders meet to finalise candidates for the assembly polls starting from February 10. READ MORE

Congress appointed Mohan Prakash as AICC Sr Observer to Uttrakhand

The BJP is considering fielding Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath from Ayodhya as its senior leaders meet to finalise candidates for the assembly polls starting from February 10. Adityanath, currently a member of the legislative council, had recently said that he is willing to contest the assembly polls from wherever the party's top brass decides.

Candidates of the Samajwadi Party and its allies for the first and the second phase of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections will be announced in a day or two after a consensus on seat-sharing was reached in a meeting here on Wednesday, a leader said. Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) state president Uma Shankar Yadav met Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav. The NCP announced that it has forged an alliance with the SP and has got one seat to contest. The Samajwadi Party has also tied up with the Rashtriya Lok Dal, Mahan Dal, Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party, Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) among others for the assembly elections.

Congress removes former party chief from Uttarakhand Kishore Upadhayay from all party positions stating, "hobnobbing with BJP & other parties despite multiple warning."

I am in BJP and dedicated to it. I have not written any letter; going to register an FIR against that person who has done it: UP BJP MLA Ravindra Nath Tripathi on reports of his resignation from the party

Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut on Wednesday claimed a political change was imminent in poll-bound Uttar Pradesh and the recent move by a state minister and some other BJP MLAs to leave the saffron party was just the beginning. Raut also said he wants to tell the people of Goa, where polls to the 40-member Assembly are scheduled on February 14, not to fall prey to monetary inducements, and that the Shiv Sena will stand against any such move by the BJP in the coastal state.

An arrest warrant has been issued against BJP turncoat Swami Prasad Maurya. Maurya quit the BJP yesterday. He will join the Samajwadi Party on January 14. 

The BSP will not lag behind other parties in online public outreach in Uttar Pradesh and a blitzkrieg digital campaign will be undertaken after assessing the poll panel's guidelines post-January 15, its leader SC Misra said on Wednesday. Announcing elections in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Manipur and Goa with a strong focus on digital and virtual modes of campaigning, the Election Commission has banned physical rallies and roadshows till January 15 due to Covid concerns. It said the ban on rallies and roadshows will be reviewed on January 15. "The BSP is connecting with the people through Facebook Live and YouTube. Preparations are afoot to install LED screens in different assembly constituencies to livestream party supremo Mayawati's campaign speeches," BSP General Secretary S C Misra told PTI in an interview.

MLA Roshan Lal Varma, who quit BJP along with his supporters, on Wednesday said he had been feeling suffocated for the past five years as his work was being obstructed. He said hurdles were being created in all the works he was doing for the welfare of the poor and the backwards. Elected from Tilhar assembly seat in the district, Verma who had left BJP on Tuesday said that he will join Samajwadi Party. "There was dictatorship in the BJP as there is no one from the district up to the state level who would listen to what we had to say. On the contrary Samajwadi Party is a party of poor workers, minorities and backwards," Varma told PTI. "I kept feeling suffocated in the party for five years because a minister belonging to the district created obstruction in every work. Whenever I raised the voice of the poor and labourers, I was suppressed, now I am quite happy," he said, apparently referring to senior BJP minister Suresh Khanna, also hailing from Shahjahanpur. Varma said he will contest the coming election from Tilhar seat and the SP will form the next government.

Candidates of the Samajwadi Party and its allies for the first and the second phase of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections will be announced in a day or two after a consensus on seat-sharing was reached in a meeting here on Wednesday, a leader said. The Samajwadi Party has tied up with the Rashtriya Lok Dal, Mahan Dal, Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party, Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party among others for the polls assembly elections. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav tweeted a photo of him with the allies and said, "Held talks with the top leadership of all the allies of the SP on the development and the future of Uttar Pradesh." Its official Twitter handle, the SP said, "Samajwadi Party national president Akhilesh Yadav discussed election preparations with allies. All took a pledge to form the government in 2022 under the leadership of the Samajwadi Party. There will be a change in 2022." Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh will be held in seven phases from February 10 and the results will be declared on March 10.

Samajwadi Party MLA Hari Om Yadav joined the BJP on Wednesday, a day after the ruling party suffered a jolt with the resignation of state government minister Swami Prasad Maurya. Yadav hails from backward castes, and the BJP's decision to induct him into its fold appears to be aimed at refuting suggestions that it is confronting challenges in maintaining its strength among the OBCs, a group in which Swami Prasad Maurya is seen as an influential leader in parts of the state. 

BJP formed govt with the support of Dalits, backward communities...but didn't serve them well, which is why I resigned... Next step would be to hold discussions with my society people and then take a call for future course of action: BJP leader Dara Singh Chauhan on resignation

AAP leader Manish Sisodia on Wednesday said if elected to power, his party will address the problems of people displaced by Tehri dam, and ensure that Rs 1,100 crore that goes to Uttar Pradesh as its revenue share from the dam comes to Uttarakhand. He asked the people to give a chance to AAP after having elected the BJP and Congress alternately to power for so many years, saying Arvind Kejriwal alone has the solution to their problems. "It is unfortunate that the problems of people displaced by the Tehri dam persist even today. We will solve them if elected. We will also ensure that the Rs 1100 crore that goes to Uttar Pradesh as its share from Tehri dam, comes to Uttarakhand. It will be enough to give 300 units of electricity free to every household in the state," Sisodia said.

Uttar Pradesh deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya has asked Minister Dara Singh Chauhan to reconsider his decision of resigning from Yogi Cabinet.

Forest and Environment Minister Dara Singh Chauhan resigns from Yogi Adityanath cabinet. 

Minister Dara Singh Chauhan's resignation letter

Congress leader Imran Masood has joined the Samajwadi Party (SP) ahead of the upcoming Uttar Pradesh assembly elections.

Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut said the party will contest 50 to 100 seats in UP. Raut to visit UP on Thursday.

Samajwadi Party Akhilesh Yadav is meeting the alliance partners at his residence in Lucknow. The parties are likely to finalise the seat-sharing formula for the upcoming Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh.

Congress MLA Naresh Saini joins Bharatiya Janata Party ahead of the Uttar Pradesh polls. Saini represents the Behat constituency.

Arvind Kejriwal presents AAP's 10-Point ‘Punjab Model’: Employment for all; End of Drug Mafia; Peaceful Punjab; End of Corruption; Education Revolution; Healthcare Revolution; 24x7 Free Electricity; Rs 1000/Month for Women; Solve Farmers issues; Business Governance

Former Chief Minister Amarinder Singh’s newly launched political outfit Punjab Lok Congress said it has got a “hockey stick with ball” as the party symbol for the February 14 state assembly polls.

I will be joining the Samajwadi Party on 14th January... I have not received calls from any small or big politician. If they were cautious on time and worked on public issues, then BJP would not have to face this: MLA Swami Prasad Maurya

Congress leader Manish Tewari on Wednesday attacked Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi, saying the state requires a leader who has solutions to challenges and takes tough decisions. "Punjab requires a CM who has solutions to Punjab's challenges, capacity to take tough decisions. Punjab needs serious people whose politics is not Social Engineering, Entertainment, Freebies and not regime favourites rejected by people in successive elections," Tewari said on Twitter.

AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal agreed that if Sanyukt Samaj Morcha (led by Balbir Singh Rajewal) contests the Punjab Assembly elections separately, it will definitely eat into votes of Aam Aadmi Party. he also reiterated promise that the AAP govt will give Rs 1000 per month to every woman above 18 years of age.

If voted to power, we will wipe out the drug syndicate from Punjab, ensure justice in all cases of sacrilege, and end corruption. We will set up 16,000 mohalla clinics & provide free treatment to every Punjabi. We will also provide 24/7 free electricity: AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is unlikely to contest polls from Mathura, sources told India TV. The seat is currently being held by BJP's Shrikant Sharma. Sources said that the saffron party will field Shrikant Sharma again from here. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

Congress Central Election Committee to meet tomorrow to finalize candidates for Punjab Assembly polls.

Captain Amarinder Singh has tested positive for Covid-19. Amarinder floated Punjab Lok Congress after resigning from the Congress. His party has received the ‘hockey stick and ball’ as its election symbol.

We have prepared a 10-point 'Punjab Model' to make the state developed & prosperous if AAP comes to power. We will make such a prosperous Punjab that the youth who went to Canada for employment will return in the next 5 years: AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal in Mohali

NCP chief Sharad Pawar said that his party will contest five seats in Manipur with Congress. Elections will be held in Manipur in two-phase on February 27 and March 3 to elect 60 members of the Legislative Assembly. The votes will be counted on March 10.

On Uttar Pradesh minister Swami Prasad Maurya quitting the state cabinet to join Samajwadi Party, Pawar said, “Every day some new faces will ‘migrate’ in the run up to the voting.” The NCP chief said he will participate in a meeting called by Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav.

Former MP and senior leader Avtar Singh Badhana joins RLD ahead of UP polls. 

Samajwadi Party Akhilesh Yadav has called a meeting of alliance partners today in Lucknow to discuss the issues related to elections. Talks related to seat and ticket distribution will be discussed at the meeting. 

Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party (Lohia) chief Shivpal Yadav reaches Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav's residence in Lucknow to discuss the ticket distribution issue ahead of the Uttar Pradesh polls.

The Trinamool Congress on Tuesday launched its 'Mhaje Ghar, Maalki Hakk' campaign in poll-bound Goa, aimed at giving housing rights to people living in the coastal state before 1976. TMC MP Mohua Moitra and other leaders of the Mamata Banerjee-led party launched the scheme, whose title means 'my home, my right', here. It is a landmark housing rights scheme, TMC leader Kiran Kandolkar said, adding that providing such rights was the Constitutional duty of any government and is interpreted as a fundamental right under Article 21. "Within 250 days of coming to power, the TMC will ensure all Goan families residing in the state before 1976 are given title and ownership rights of the land under their possession. We also plan to give 50,000 subsidised homes to the homeless," Kandolkar said. The TMC, on coming to power, will also operationalise pro-people legislation like The Goa Daman and Diu Agricultural Tenancy Act, 1964 and The Goa Daman & Diu Mundkars (Protection from eviction) Act, 1975. Polls to the 40-member Goa Assembly are slated for February 14 and the TMC has entered into an alliance with the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) for it.

Goa Minister and Independent MLA Govind Gaude on Tuesday resigned from the membership of the Assembly and is set to join the BJP. Gaude, an Independent MLA from Priol, has supported the BJP-led state government since 2017 and was part of the state cabinets of late Manohar Parrikar and Pramod Sawant. “I respect the invitation extended by the BJP to join them. I have been with them for the last five years and have worked closely with them,” he said. Gaude was the art and culture and tribal welfare minister of the coastal state.

A day after joining the BJP, Manipur Congress MLA Chaltonlien Amo on Monday resigned as a member of the state assembly, an official said. In a blow to the Congress, its Manipur vice-president Amo switched over to the ruling BJP after elections to the state assembly were announced. "Chaltonlien Amo has resigned from the membership of the Manipur Legislative Assembly," its secretary K Meghajit Singh said. Since elections to the state assembly in 2017 when the Congress won 28 seats in a house of 60, the grand old party has been beset with desertions that depleted its strength in the house. Amo, who was elected from the Tipaimukh constituency, has been suspended from the Congress after he joined the saffron party. Assembly polls will be held in the state in two phases on February 27 and March 3.

Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) has complained to the Election Commission of India that the BJP-led Manipur state government has violated the election Code of Conduct by issuing several policy orders after the announcement of the Code of Conduct. K Meghachandra Singh, Working President of MPCC in a Press conference held at Congress Bhavan, Imphal on Tuesday, said that state government issued orders converting many private colleges into government aided colleges. The decision was taken in a cabinet meeting held late Friday night, hours ahead of the election Code of Conduct kicking in. Singh also demanded a CBI enquiry into cases of alleged misappropriation of state government funds meant for public works.

Former Punjab MLA Arvind Khanna and several other politicians from the state joined the BJP on Tuesday as the party asserted that it will write a new chapter in the region's electoral history with its success. Khanna, a businessman and two term former MLA, had not been much active politically after quitting the Congress some years back. Kanwarveer Singh Tohra, grandson of former SGPC president Gurcharan Singh Tohra, Gurdeep Singh Gosha, who was with the Akali Dal, and Dharamveer Sareen joined the BJP in the presence of Union ministers Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Hardeep Singh Puri. Welcoming them, Shekhawat, who is the BJP's in-charge for the Punjab assembly polls slated for February 14, said their presence will boost the BJP. The party will write a new chapter in the state's electoral history, he asserted. The BJP has joined hands with former chief minister Amarinder Singh and the Akali faction headed by Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa to fight the polls.

The Congress on Tuesday formed a manifesto committee headed by party MP Partap Singh Bajwa and a Sunil Jakhar-led campaign panel for the February 14 Punjab assembly polls. Congress president Sonia Gandhi set up a 20-member manifesto committee with Bajwa as the chairman, Manpreet Badal as co-chairman and party MP Amar Singh as convenor. Punjab Deputy Chief Minister OP Soni, Rana Gurjeet, Jaiveer Shergill, JS Dhaliwal, Anil Vij, KK Agarwal, Manju Bansal, Vijay Kalra and Surjit Swaich are among those included in the manifesto panel. Gandhi also set up a 25-member campaign committee headed by Jakhar, which has Amarpreet Singh Lally as co-chairman and party MP Ravneet Bittu as the convenor. The campaign committee includes the likes of Vijay Inder Singla, Bharat Bhushan Ashu, Amarinder Raja Warring, Pargat Singh, Hardip Kingra, Emmaneul Masih and Charan Singh. State chief Navjot Singh Sidhu, Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi, working presidents of state Congress, All India Congress Committee secretaries from Punjab, and frontal organisation chiefs of the state Congress will be permanent invitees to both the panels.

SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia on Tuesday said the recent breach in the prime minister's security in Punjab was a conspiracy hatched by the Charanjit Singh Channi government to embarrass the BJP. He also accused the chief minister for trying to downplay the issue of security breach and refusing to own responsibility for the same, and said "earlier also we have witnessed how the persons who had come to garland former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi assassinated him". Majithia, whose party Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) is an erstwhile ally of the BJP, made the remarks while speaking to reporters after he was granted anticipatory bail in a Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act case registered against him. On the issue of security lapse during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to Ferozepur, he said that the security of the prime minister was compromised.

Bahujan Samaj Party's Punjab president Jasvir Singh Garhi has urged the Election Commission to reschedule polls in the state in view of the Guru Ravidas Jayanti. Voting in Punjab is scheduled to take place on February 14 while counting of votes will be held on March 10. In a statement here, Garhi said the 645th Jayanti of Guru Ravidas falls on February 16 and, like every year, thousands of followers of Guru Ravidas will leave from Punjab, especially Doaba area, in special trains for his birthplace Govardhanpur Kanshi Banaras on February 13-14 for paying obeisance there. This will deprive them of their voting right as they will be in Banaras on the polling day for Punjab that is February 14, he said. Keeping this in view, the Election Commission should reschedule polls in Punjab from February 14 to February 20, he said. Garhi said a joint delegation of the SAD-BSP had submitted a memorandum to Phagwara sub-divisional magistrate Kulpreet Singh.

People elect MLAs and in Punjab, they will choose their chief minister as well, not the Congress “high command”, the party’s state unit chief Navjot Singh Sidhu asserted on Tuesday. Sidhu made the sharp retort amid speculation that the former cricketer is himself eyeing the top post if the Congress wins next month’s assembly polls. “The people of Punjab will make the CM. Who told you that the high command will make the CM?” he shot back at a reporter while answering a question on the party’s possible pick for the post. The Congress is yet to announce a CM face for the upcoming assembly polls and Charanjit Singh Channi, appointed the CM after the ouster of Amarinder Singh, is also being seen as a strong contender if the divided party wins.

The Election Commission's decision to ban rallies and roadshows due to surging Covid cases till January 15 has also prompted parties, including the BJP, to tweak its strategy with focus shifting to reaching out to voters through extensive use of social media and door to door campaigns. Polls will be held in 58 seats in the first phase on February 10 and in 55 in the second phase on February 14, and the BJP is likely to announce the names of most of its candidates for these constituencies soon.

The Uttar Pradesh BJP core group has been working to shortlist probable candidates for the assembly elections, especially for the seats which will go to the polls in the initial phases. But there was no official statement on the confabulations in the meeting held at the party headquarters in Delhi.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath attended a key BJP meeting here on Tuesday as party leaders discussed the ongoing campaign for the state assembly polls ahead of the announcement of its candidates for the initial phases in a few days. Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya and Uttar Pradesh BJP chief Swatantra Dev Singh also attended the meeting besides several other leaders, with its national president J P Nadda, who has contracted the coronavirus, attending it virtually.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has said that he will announce the chief ministerial candidate for the upcoming Punjab Assembly elections next week. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

Utkrisht Maurya Ashok, son of Swami Prasad Maurya said that even today, there is no such issue that my father wants a ticket for me or my sister. My father and the party will decide if I have to contest the election or they want me as a party worker for the upcoming Assembly polls.

The press conference by AICC General Secy Priyanka Gandhi Vadra stands postponed

A meeting of the Bharatiya Janata Party's Core Committee on the Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls held on Tuesday lasted for nearly 10 hours wherein Union Home Minister Amit Shah conducted a sector-wise review of six areas and took feedback from the regional in charges about the ground reality in the state.

The meeting was held in the national capital to discuss the poll strategy and to deliberate on the names of probable candidates for the Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls that will begin on February 10.

According to sources, apart from various aspects related to the election strategy, a detailed discussion on the outline of the future programmes of the election campaign was held during the meeting in view of the Election Commission's order banning rallies, roadshows and other programs till January 15.