Assembly Elections 2022: EC revises guidelines for Assembly Polls; Limit of 50% relaxed

As the Uttar Pradesh state gears for the fourth phase of polling on February 23, a ruckus-like situation erupted in Prayagraj when an unidentified man tried to climb the stage at the rally being addressed by Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav. The man was thrown out from the stage as a huge crowd was reportedly gathered at the rally site. Many people were seen attempting to climb on the speakers and stage while barricades were destroyed as police tried to control the crowd. 

Senior Congress leader and former Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan predicted that BJP will lose in all poll-bound states as it does not have any issue to talk about. Speaking to ANI, Chavan said, "BJP won't get the majority in any of the five poll-bound states because last time, elections were contested on Ram Mandir issue and now it will be constructed or it's not an issue now. Rubbishing the PM's allegation that Congress has a relationship with terror sympathizers, Chavan contended that the former should not talk without proof. 

In a massive development, the Information & Broadcasting Ministry ordered the blocking of the website, Apps and social media accounts of 'Punjab Politics TV' linked to terror outfit Sikhs for Justice (SFJ). As per the Centre, this decision was taken after intelligence inputs indicated that the aforesaid channel was trying to disturb public order during the ongoing Punjab Assembly polls. Moreover, it revealed that the contents of the channel had the potential to incite "separatism" and was deemed detrimental to the sovereignty and integrity of India.

Addressing a poll rally in Imphal for the upcoming Manipur polls, PM Modi explains the reason why BJP deserved a chance to be re-elected in the state. He said, "These polls will decide the next 25 years of Manipur. The process of stability and peace that started in the last 5 years now have to be made permanent. That's why a full-fledged BJP government is necessary for Manipur. BJP Govt has made the impossible possible". 

He added, "Congress never worked on developing and improving connectivity in the region. We did what we said. Manipur will become an important centre for East Asia connectivity after the highway connecting Myanmar-Thailand is completed". 

In a big development, Congress MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla conceded that Punjab Congress president Navjot Singh Sidhu is facing a tough fight in Amritsar East. Sidhu was pitted against Shiromani Akali Dal general secretary Bikram Singh Majithia and AAP's Jeevan Jyot Kaur. Speaking to the media, Aujla observed that people were angry as Sidhu could not visit the constituency. Moreover, he pointed out that the voting percentage in the seat has registered a dip. Advising him to use proper language, the Lok Sabha MP also didn't rule out his victory. At the same time, Aujla exuded confidence in Punjab CM Charanjit Singh Channi's victory from Chamkaur Sahib and Bhadaur. 

Speaking to the media in Dehradun, Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhammi scoffed at Congress leader Harish Rawat's claim that the Sonia Gandhi-led party will win over 48 seats. The state went to the polls on February 14. Dhami said, "As the 10th gets closer, his number will keep on decreasing. His happiness for a few days will reduce gradually". He added, "The reality is different. BJP is going to form the government with a huge majority". 

• Lucknow Cantonment: Brajesh Pathak (BJP) vs Surendra Singh Gandhi (SP)

This seat will witness a direct faceoff between BJP's Brajesh Pathak and Surendra Singh Gandhi of SP. At present, Pathak is serving as the Minister for Law, Justice and Rural Engineering Service in the Yogi Adityanath-led Cabinet. Though Suresh Chandra Tiwari won this seat in the by-election, speculation was rife that Aparna Yadav who recently joined BJP and Rita Bahuguna Joshi's son Mayank were also in the race to get the party ticket. Eventually, Pathak who was a sitting MLA from Lucknow Central was nominated from Lucknow Cantonment. Congress' Dilpreet Singh Virk and Anil Pandey of BSP are the other key contenders. 

• Sarojini Nagar: Rajeshwar Singh (BJP) vs Abhishek Mishra (SP)

In a key move, BJP has fielded former Enforcement Directorate Joint Director Rajeshwar Singh in this constituency which was won by Swati Singh in 2017. The latter holds the Independent Charge of Women's Welfare and Child Development & Nutrition in the UP government. A BTech and PhD in policy, human rights and social justice, Rajeshwar Singh was deputed to ED in 2007. On the other hand, SP has reposed faith in former UP Minister Abhishek Mishra. 

• Hardoi: Nitin Agarwal (BJP) vs Anil Verma (SP)

Since 1989, a member of the Agarwal family has been consistently winning the Assembly election from Hardoi. While Naresh Chandra Agarwal represented this seat until 2008, his son Nitin carried forward his mantle and emerged victorious in three successive elections. While Nitin Agarwal even served as Minister in the Akhilesh Yadav government and was elected on an SP ticket in 2017, he became the Deputy Speaker of the Assembly in October 2021 with the support of BJP. However, he officially resigned from his post and SP only in January. He will take on SP's Anil Verma. 

• Rae Bareli: Aditi Singh (BJP) vs Manish Chauhan (Congress)

Falling under the Rae Bareli constituency whose MP is Sonia Gandhi, this seat is considered a Congress bastion. The JP Nadda-led party has nominated Aditi Singh from here. The daughter of late Congress veteran Akhilesh Kumar Singh who represented Rae Bareli from 1993 to 2012,  Aditi Singh emerged victorious in this constituency on a Congress ticket in 2017.  On January 19 this year, she formally resigned from the Assembly and Congress before switching allegiance to BJP. Congress has fielded Manish Chauhan from here. 

• Lakhimpur: Yogesh Verma (BJP) vs Utkarsh Verma Madhur (SP)

This constituency is perceived as a high-stakes battle for BJP and the opposition in the aftermath of the violence on October 3, 2021, leading to the death of 8 persons including 4 farmers. While Union MoS Home Ajay Mishra's son Ashish Mishra has been named as the main accused in the case, he was released from jail a week back after being granted bail by the Allahabad High Court. Yogesh Verma, the BJP candidate, won Lakhimpur in 2017 by beating his nearest opponent Utkarsh Verma Madhur of SP with a margin of more than 37,000 votes. 

Coming down heavily on Priyanka Vadra for laughing when Punjab CM Charanjit Singh Channi made the disparaging 'Bhaiya' remark, BJP's Aditi Singh asserted that people won't support Congress in the UP elections.

Aditi Singh remarked, "Why didn't she (Priyanka Vadra) replicate (women empowerment initiatives) in Punjab and other states where Congress has its own government? On one hand, you will abuse the people of UP and Bihar in Punjab and you think people here will support you? Which world are you living in, Priyanka Ji?"

Post the third phase of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, a case has been registered against former chief minister and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav for violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). The case was registered against Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday for interacting with media personnel outside the polling booth.

The Samajwadi Party chief took a dig at Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath over the deteriorating law and order situation in the state, which stirred the issue. He was accompanied by his wife Dimple Yadav, at the poll booth. Meanwhile, the complaint against him alleges that Yadav not only violated the ECI issued MCC but also breached the COVID-19 protocols. 

On Tuesday, PM Modi will address a public meeting at Shivdaha Mor of Payagpur Assembly Constituency in Bahraich, UP at 11 am. This will be followed by his maiden poll rally in Manipur at the Luwangshangbam Sports Complex at 3.35 pm. Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah will also be campaigning in UP today and shall address three rallies.

Police have booked actor Sonu Sood for violating orders of the Moga additional district magistrate in connection with the model code of conduct. A case was registered against Sood under section 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) of the Indian Penal Code on Sunday in Moga district. The Election Commission had restrained the actor and philanthropist from visiting polling stations in Moga after receiving complaints that he was allegedly influencing voters. Moreover, Sood's vehicle was impounded by police and a video surveillance team had also been deployed outside his residence. His sister Malvika Sood contested on a Congress ticket from Moga

The fourth phase of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly election will take place on February 23. Polling parties will move to their respective polling stations tomorrow. Above 50% of polling stations will be under live webcast surveillance: BD Ram Tiwari, Additional Chief Electoral Officer

Congress leader and Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Sunday slammed the Bharatiya Janata Party, saying that it creates a rift between people despite talks of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam'. 

Addressing a public rally at Uttar Pradesh's Sultanpur, Baghel said, "They (BJP) talk of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' which means the world is one family but behave differently which divide people." 

She had the opportunity to make the same promises (on jobs) in Punjab where she has her government...On one hand, they (Congress) abuse (people of) UP-Bihar and then they expect UP's support...What world do you live in Priyanka Ji?: Raebareli Sadar MLA Aditi Singh on Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's rally

A case has been registered at Saifai Police Station against Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav for violation of Model Code of Conduct, yesterday, SDM Saifai told ANI.

We've decided to constitute a 'Purohit Kalyan Board' (Priest Welfare Board). All Sanskrit students will get a special scholarship. Congress won't know anything about culture, they say they're accidental Hindu, we should be proud of being a Hindu: UP CM Yogi Adityanath in Raebareli

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Monday offered prayers at Dakshin Kali Mandir in Haridwar, Uttarakhand.

"We are crossing 60 this time. All our workers have worked really hard. Soon, the Opposition will be disappointed," he says.

Congress, SP, BSP were nowhere to be found during the COVID crisis, only BJP and corona warriors were there. It's our responsibility to recognize these opportunists, as they'll deprive the public of necessities and bring the chaos of anarchy: UP CM Yogi Adityanath, in Lucknow

We don't raise our children to wait for a sack of ration from govt all their life. Some money and free ration will not make people Aatmanirbhar. They say "charbi (fat) nikaal denge", I ask them "Bharti (vacancies) kab nikaloge?": Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in Lucknow, UP

You want bullet train development or 'puncture wali Cycle' in the state? Yogi in state and Modi at Centre will bring bullet train-like development here: Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath in Raebareli

Kejriwal is a terrorist who scares the corrupt...There is a dialogue from Sholay movie..."Jab baccha bhrashtachar karta hai toh maa kehti hai soja beta varna Kejriwal aajayega...": AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal in Lucknow, UP

I want to ask should we support the bicycle which is used to make innocent people victims of terror incidents. The bicycle should be punctured forever. They are 'Sawajwadi' by name, 'Parivarwadi' by the thought process, and 'Dangawadi' by profession: UP CM Yogi Adityanath in Hardoi

Rahul Gandhi opposes India's Kashmir policy in Parliament. Should such people be supported in politics?: Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath in Raebareli

What benefit has the BJP government given in the last 5 years? They talk about religion, Pakistan & terrorism, but won't talk about the terror of unemployment & inflation. People don't have money for food and they divert our mind towards religion and Pakistan: Congress' Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in Hardoi, UP

The Modi-Yogi govt provided free vaccines to 28 crore people in UP. Akhilesh Yadav tried to remove charges on terrorists in 2013, but the court asked him "today you want to release the terrorists, will you give them Padma Bhushan tomorrow?": Union Min Anurag Thakur in Banda, UP

BJP is a confused party. They have a problem if Neta Ji (Mulayam Singh Yadav) comes close or goes far. BJP should thank me for not saying anything about their families, I don't utter a word, as this poll is for unemployment, inflation, etc: SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, in Raebareli

This govt (BJP) isn't a govt for the poor, but for the rich. We won't get a loan easily, will have to put our land and house for a mortgage, but big industrialists ran away after looting banks...ask anyone on road, everyone will say SP is coming: SP chief Akhilesh Yadav in Raebareli,UP

Today there is no 'bahubali' in UP, only 'Bajrangbali' now...SP, BSP, Congress would do appeasement politics, insult the armed forces, would bail out terrorists. While BJP works for the poor, youth, women: BJP leader and Home Minister Amit Shah in Sitapur, UP

Samajwadi Party & other parties are doing politics at the nation's cost. Congress, SP, BSP are toying with the security of the nation & society... earlier, there used to be no electricity on Holi/Diwali, but on Eid/Muharram: UP CM Yogi Adityanath in Raebareli, Uttar Pradesh

In trouble for Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, an FIR was slapped against him for violating the Model Code of Conduct. The former UP CM has been accused of speaking to the media on the premises of his polling centre. 

In a key development, Samajwadi Party named PSP-L chief Shivpal Singh Yadav as its star campaigner. He will campaign for the Akhilesh Yadav-led party in the remaining phases of the Uttar Pradesh election. The list of 30 star campaigners released by the party also includes Akhilesh Yadav, Mulayam Singh Yadav, Prof. Ram Gopal Yadav and Dimple Yadav. Moreover, former UP Minister Swami Prasad Maurya who recently quit BJP also found a place on the list.

BJP president JP Nadda's itinerary:

11:00 am- Worker's Conference at Sandila Town, Imalia Bagh, Church- Sandila
12:45 pm- Workers Conference at Ground near village Jhingna, Near Prem cold storage, Rae Bareli -Unchahar, Salon
1:45 pm-  Worker's Conference at  Sultanpur Airstrip, Sultanpur, -Isauli, Sultanpur, Lambhua Jaisinghpur, Kadipur
3:00 pm- Worker's Conference at Ground near Mubarakpur, Jagdishpur-Amethi, Gauriganj, Tiloi and Jagdishpur

Union Home Minister Amit Shah's itinerary: 

01:15 pm- Drummond Government Inter College, Pilibhit
02:45 pm-* Public meeting at Krishak Inter College, Maholi, Sitapur of Maholi Vidhan Sabha, Sitapur
04:05 pm- Public meeting at  Mela Ground, Fatehpur Road, Barabanki  
07:00 pm- Organizational meeting at Hotel Taj Nadesar Palace, Varanasi

The Samajwadi Party announced that the kin of the villagers killed in a bull attack will receive financial assistance of Rs.5 lakh.

Speaking to the media after the third phase of polling, Akhilesh Yadav asserted, "BJP is doing politics of hatred and dividing people. There have been complaints at many places in the third phase of polling, complaints were made about EVM malfunctioning at the polling booth. Despite this BJP is trailing." 

Uttar Pradesh:

Republic P-MARQ Opinion poll predicts that the NDA is likely to emerge as the single largest alliance once again in Uttar Pradesh with 249-269 seats in the 2022 Assembly polls. However, the saffron will suffer a major seat loss as Akhilesh Yadav's Samajwadi Party and its allies may win 113-133 seats. The Bahujan Samaj Party's seat share is likely to reduce further as the Republic P-MARQ Opinion Poll suggests only 9-17 seats for Mayawati's party. On the other hand, Congress may get 3-9 seats.

Uttarakhand:

Republic P-MARQ Opinion poll predicts that BJP is likely to retain power with the party projected to win 34-40 seats in the 70-member Assembly. On the other hand, Congress is likely to see major gains. The grand old party is projected to win 27-33 seats, while debutant AAP can win 0-2 seats. The other parties and independents are likely to win 1-3 seats.

Punjab:

Republic P-MARQ Opinion poll predicts that Punjab may witness a hung assembly as Arvind Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party might win 49-55 seats, just short of the majority mark. The ruling Congress is predicted to win 43-49 seats while Shiromani Akali Dal can get 15-21 seats. BJP, who is fighting polls in alliance with Captain Amarinder Singh's Punjab Lok Congress and SAD (Sanyukt), can win 1-3 seats.

Goa: 

Republic P-MARQ Opinion poll predicts the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is likely to win 15-19 in the 40-member House. On the other hand, Indian National Congress, which was the single largest party in the 2017 assembly elections, is likely to get 10-14. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) which went black in the last polls might win 5-9 seats. Debutant Trinamool Congress along with its ally MGP can get 1-5 seats. The majority mark is 21.

Manipur: 

Republic P-MARQ Opinion poll predicts that BJP is likely to stay ahead in the race as the poll shows the saffron party bagging the most 29-35 seats out of 60 seats followed by the Indian National Congress winning 13-19 seats. The National People’s Party (NPP) and the Naga People’s Front (NPF) remain behind INC with 4-10 and 2-6 seats respectively.

With a decrease in COVID-19 cases, the Election Commission of India decided to restore the maximum limit on the number of star campaigners with immediate effect- 40 for national/state parties, 20 for other than recognized parties. The list of additional star campaigners can be submitted to ECI latest by 5 pm on February 23.

As per the revised figures declared by the Election Commission of India, Punjab recorded a voter turnout of 69.65%. This is still lower than 2017 when 77.36% of eligible voters exercised their franchise. 

The present round of Assembly polls is taking place in 5 states- Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa, Manipur and Punjab. The ruling BJP in Uttar Pradesh under CM Yogi Adityanath faces a resurging Akhilesh Yadav, in Uttarakhand it faces a strong Congress under ex-CM Harish Rawat, in Goa, Pramod Sawant faces a tricorner fight with Congress, TMC and AAP in the fray and Manipur CM Biren Singh faces a beleaguered Congress. However, in Punjab, it is the ruling Congress, which is now heavily embroiled in infighting, faces a rising AAP, Akali Dal-BSP and an unlikely combination of BJP-Amarinder Singh, apart from the farm union political leaders. Results for all elections will be declared on March 10.