BJP more secular than other parties, says its lone Muslim candidate
The BJP’s nominee in Manipur’s Lilong seat, Y Antas Khan, is the only Muslim candidate fielded by the party in the ongoing Assembly elections in five states that include Punjab, Goa, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh besides Manipur.
“The BJP is more secular than Congress. The anti-Muslim tag on BJP has been put by the Congress,” says Khan, 34. He admits that the lack of Muslim leadership in the BJP is the main reason why the party is perceived to be “anti-Muslim or Hindu-centric party”. “Initially I had the same idea. But after I joined the BJP and entered into its system, I found that it is more secular than any other party,” he claims.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday accused the opposition of playing politics of “appeasement” and alleged that the Bahujan Samaj Party's list of candidates for the state polls resembled a "Muslim league". Addressing a series of meetings in the poll-bound state, he said the opposition parties are spreading hatred among communities to increase their votebank.
“While the Samajwadi Party's (SP) candidate list gives a clear message that the party is not ready to leave criminals, goons and rioters, the Bahujan Samaj Party's (BSP) list of candidates resembles a 'Muslim league'. This proves that they will not give equal representation to all sections and regions,” he said during public meetings at Pathardeva, Salempur and Rudrapur assembly constituencies in Deoria. (PTI)
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Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Monday said with her party fighting at 400 Uttar Pradesh assembly seats after many years, she expects “encouraging result” for it. She expressed the hope while talking to reporters here after holding a roadshow in Bansdih town of the district. She said she hoped her party will get "encouraging results" in these elections.
"The Congress has performed well in five phases of the elections so far. We are contesting elections on 400 seats after many years. Our candidates are fighting well. They are fighting strongly at many seats," she said responding to a question. Asked about her party's likely support to any other party to form the government, she said it would be considered after the results are announced. (PTI)
BJP president J P Nadda on Monday alleged that Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav protected terrorists during his tenure as the CM of Uttar Pradesh, which is witnessing a rule of law today. After 2017, the BJP government has taken strict action against such elements, he said. "It is the rule of law in the state now and not that of a family or an individual," Nadda said addressing an election rally in Mirzapur.
"Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav, during his tenure as the (Uttar Pradesh) chief minister, used to give protection to terrorists, withdraw cases against them and embrace them," Nadda alleged. The BJP president also accused Yadav of instigating people by calling the Covid vaccine as the "BJP vaccine". However, he did not stop from taking the jab when needed, Nadda said. (PTI)
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Monday claimed the BJP is hatching a conspiracy to end reservation and hence, is selling government organisations to the private sector. Addressing an election meeting in the Jalalpur assembly constituency, Yadav said his party will win all the seats of Ambedkarnagar as well as of neighbouring Azamgarh district in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls.
"The BJP is hatching a conspiracy to end reservation, and hence it is selling government organisations to the private sector," he said. (PTI)
Polling officials seal Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) and VVPATs after the conclusion of the first phase of Manipur Assembly elections.
78.03 per cent voter turnout was recorded in the first phase of the Assembly polls in Manipur as of 5 pm on Monday, the chief election officer informed.
Uttar Pradesh CM and BJP leader Yogi Adityanath holds a roadshow in Gorakhpur.
67.53 per cent voter turnout was recorded in the first phase of the Assembly polls in Manipur as of 3 pm on Monday, the chief election officer informed.
A Manipur Police personnel, who was on poll duty on Monday, was killed in a "suspected case of accidental firing" from his service rifle during the first phase of assembly elections to 38 seats in the northeastern state, Chief Electoral Office (CEO) Rajesh Agarwal said.
The incident took place in Tipaimukh assembly constituency in Churachandpur district. The police personnel was identified as Naorem Ibochouba, a resident of Kakching district. Agarwal condoled the death of the police personnel, and said that his body has been airlifted to Imphal and sent to a state-run hospital for autopsy, the officer added. (PTI)
I have an emotional connect with Ballia as the scheme to provide free gas cylinders Ujjwala was launched from here. Development of UP is my responsibility and priority. Under Yogi's government, a trader in Ballia is no longer afraid of his money being stolen, says PM Modi at an election rally in Ballia. (ANI)
48.88 per cent voters turnout was recorded till 1 pm in the first phase of Manipur Assembly polls. (ANI)
Sporadic incidents of violence marred elections to 38 assembly constituencies in the first phase of Manipur assembly polls on Monday even as 27.34 per cent of around 12.09 lakh voters exercised their franchise till 11 AM, election officials said. Voting began at 7 AM in 1,721 polling stations in five districts amid tight security and strict adherence to Covid-19 protocols. A total of 173 candidates, including 15 women, are in the fray, they said.
At least one person was injured in a clash between two parties in Churachandpur district. An EVM was damaged, and it was later replaced. Alleged Congress workers vandalised a BJP polling booth in Kakwa area in Langthabal constituency in Imphal West district, while a vehicle of an NPP candidate was damaged by supporters of a rival group in Keirao seat, although nobody was injured in the incident. (PTI)
Polling for 38 seats in Manipur started on Monday, with 27.34 per cent voting recorded until 11 am. This is the first of the two-part election in the insurgency-hit state.
Voting was stalled at a polling station in Saitu constituency this morning after a clash broke out between two groups, police said. This is the first of the two-part election in the insurgency-hit state.
A havildar of 8th Manipur Rifles who was deployed for poll duty was found dead in Pherzawl district early on Monday morning, police said. While it remains unclear how the incident occured, police has registered a case for further inquiry. The body has been airlifted to Imphal.
Women security personnel assist voters in one of the polling stations in Wangkhei constituency. Wangkhei is one of the 4 constituencies manned by an all-women polling team.
Polling for 38 seats in Manipur started on Monday, with 9.9 per cent voting recorded until 9 am. No violence has been reported in polling booths so far. This is the first of the two-part election in the insurgency-hit state.
Here is a district-wise breakdown:
Imphal East: 9.8 per cent
Imphal West: 10.7 per cent
Bishnupur: 12.1 per cent
Churachandpur: 5.3 per cent
Kagpokpi: 13.2 per cent
Less than half an hour after voting commenced in Manipur, Governor La Ganesan and Chief Minister N Biren Singh exercised their franchise in their respective constituencies.
The governor, after casting his vote at a polling booth in T G Higher Secondary School in Sagolband assembly constituency in Imphal West district, appealed to all eligible voters in Manipur to exercise their franchise.
"There is democracy in our country and the sign of democracy is election. The poll officers have made good arrangements," he said. (PTI)
Manipur's Deputy CM and NPP candidate from Uripok, Yumnam Joykumar Singh cast his vote in Naoremthong Upper Primary School in Imphal.
It is 8 pm on a Saturday, and 29-year-old Pithang Haolai and his two friends have stepped out to “enjoy the weekend” in Imphal. Close to the famous Ima Keithel (Women’s Market) of Manipur, Haolai and friends take turns to pose under the canopy of festive, twinkly lights that envelop a street that was dark until recently.
In insurgency-ridden Manipur, where life comes to standstill at sunset, places like “Thangal Lambi”, or Thangal Road, where Haolai is on Saturday, have emerged as a rare bright spot in capital Imphal. As a cold, still February night envelopes the city, the bright lights of Thangal Lambi have more than a few takers: apart from Haolai, young parents stroll their babies and an older couple takes a walk as a lone security guard keeps watch. Nearby, some women sell vegetables.
Just two months ago, the Biren Singh-led BJP government in the state revamped the 500-metre stretch on the side of Ima Keithel, installing strings of lights, several park benches, potted plants, and a sign that declared it as Imphal’s “new mall road”. Read more.
Polling in the first phase of assembly elections in Manipur began at 7 AM on Monday in 38 constituencies spread across five districts with strict adherence to Covid-19 protocols.
As many as 12,09,439 voters are eligible to exercise their franchise to elect their representatives from among 173 candidates, including 15 women, across 1,721 polling stations.
The prominent candidates in the fray include Chief Minister and BJP candidate N Biren Singh, Assembly Speaker Y Khemchand Singh, Deputy Chief Minister and NPP candidate Yumnam Joykumar and Manipur Congress president N Lokesh Singh. Of the 38 seats, 10 constituencies are in Imphal East, 13 in Imphal West, six each in Bishnupur and Churachandpur, and three in Kangpokpi district. Manipur Chief Electoral Officer Rajesh Agarwal has said that out of the total 173 candidates, 39 have criminal antecedents. (PTI)
Manipur Governor La Ganesan voted at Tamphasana Girls' Higher Secondary School in Imphal on Monday. "I appeal to all people of Manipur that they should exercise their franchise because in our country democracy is prevailing & sign of democracy is election," he told ANI.
CM and BJP candidate from Heingang, N Biren Singh casts his vote at Shrivan High School in Imphal. "I'm expecting that 75% people of my constituency will vote for BJP & me. BJP is expecting at least 30 out of 38 seats in the first phase. People of Manipur like PM Modi," he told ANI.
Voting for the first phase of Manipur elections begins. As many as 173 candidates in 38 constituencies are in the fray. The key candidates whose fates would be decided today include Chief Minister N Biren Singh, who is contesting from Heingang, speaker Y Khemchand Singh from Singjamei, Deputy Chief Minister Yumnam Joykumar Singh from Uripok and state Congress chief N Lokesh Singh from Nambol.