Assembly Elections 2022: Harish Rawat to contest Uttarakhand polls from Ramnagar seat

The National People's Party on Monday announced its first list of 20 candidates for Manipur assembly elections with three sitting MLAs, including Deputy Chief Minister Y Joykumar Singh, contesting from their seats. The party, which is currently in alliance with the BJP, is going it alone in the upcoming polls and has fielded candidates against its ally in all the seats it is contesting. Y Joykumar Singh will again contest from his Uripok constituency, while NPP's Manipur unit president L Jayantakumar Singh and N Kayisii will seek re-election from Keishamthong and Tadubi assembly segments respectively. State Sports Minister Letpao Haokip, who had won from Chandel seat on an NPP ticket five years ago, joined the BJP in 2021. Congress releases another list of 11 candidates for the upcoming Uttarakhand elections 2022. Harish Rawat will contest from Ramnagar and Anukriti Gusain Rawat, the daughter-in-law of Harak Singh Rawat, from Lansdowne. Congress releases another list of 11 candidates for the upcoming #UttarakhandElections2022 Harish Rawat to contest from Ramnagar and Anukriti Gusain Rawat, the daughter-in-law of Harak Singh Rawat, from Lansdowne. pic.twitter.com/VaqNRCgwCs — ANI (@ANI) January 24, 2022 Uttar Pradesh Minister Sidharth Nath Singh said that the BJP has been calling SP a party of goons but Akhilesh Yadav himself is proving it. Of 23 candidates for assembly polls from Noida seat in Uttar Pradesh's Gautam Buddh Nagar, nominations of 10 rejected during scrutiny: District election officials Congress CEC has approved names of candidates for 11 of the remaining 17 seats (for which names are yet to be announced). Former Chief Minister Harish Rawat is likely to contest from Ramnagar, Anukriti Gusain from Lansdowne. Names for Salt, Chaubattakhal, Tehri, Haridwar Rural pending, said ANI sources. Asaduddin Owaisi's All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen on Monday released the fifth list of candidates for the Uttar Pradesh elections. "Today around 2.30 pm, a person arrived at Sri Kali Mata Mandir in Patiala and climbed on the threshold where the idol of Sri Kali Mata Ji was installed. Following this, he was caught and handed over to the police," Punjab CM Charanjit Singh Channi said. He added, "Some vested interests are continuously trying to destabilise the social harmony of Punjab in view of the upcoming elections, but I will not let them succeed in their malicious motives," According to the list, Akhilesh Yadav to contest from Karhal, Nahid Hasan from Kairana, Abdullah Azam Khan from Suar, Azam Khan from Rampur and Shivpal Singh Yadav from Jaswantnagar. Samajwadi Party (SP) releases a list of 159 candidates for the upcoming #UttarPradeshElections Akhilesh Yadav to contest from Karhal, Nahid Hasan from Kairana, Abdullah Azam Khan from Suar, Azam Khan from Rampur and Shivpal Singh Yadav from Jaswantnagar. pic.twitter.com/sJFJqML4sO — ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) January 24, 2022 Samajwadi Party (SP) releases a list of 159 candidates for the upcoming #UttarPradeshElections Voting will be held in the state in 7 phases. pic.twitter.com/UcA2MEVqkf — ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) January 24, 2022 Samajwadi Party (SP) releases a list of 159 candidates for the upcoming #UttarPradeshElections Voting will be held in the state in 7 phases. pic.twitter.com/7UQ7860SRF — ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) January 24, 2022 Samajwadi Party on Monday released a new list of 159 candidates for the upcoming Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. According to the list, MP Azam Khan, who s currently in jail, will contest polls from Rampur. The Congress party on Monday released a list of 30-star campaigners for the first phase of the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections. The list includes Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and party leaders Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Ghulam Nabi Azad and RPN Singh. #YogiOnRepublic | Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath speaks to Republic as the poll battle heats up Watch here - https://t.co/oefJxIhn1D pic.twitter.com/XCk9XJCE2N — Republic (@republic) January 24, 2022 The TMC hit out at Congress leader P Chidambaram on Monday for attributing the failure to forge an alliance for the Goa assembly polls to "poaching", calling his remark an attempt to give excuses for the main opposition party's "inexplicable and damaging inability" to respond to a mature and courageous call for greater opposition unity. The anticipatory bail application of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Majithia was rejected by Punjab and Harayana High court on Monday. The development comes after his interim protection from arrest in a drugs case expired today. On January 18, the court had extended the interim protection to the former Minister till January 24. Read Full Story. We urged ECI to act against ex-Punjab DGP Mustafa for making a provocative speech in Malerkotla on Jan 20. In a statement, he said “I swear by Allah, I'll not let them (Hindu) organise any political event. I'm a soldier of community": Punjab BJP in-charge Gajendra Singh Shekhawat The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Monday cancelled the anticipatory bail application of Akali leader Bikram Singh Majithia in the drugs case. "We will come to power in Goa, Uttarakhand and Punjab. Bharatiya Janata Party will not win elections in Uttar Pradesh in the upcoming Assembly elections," said Maharashtra Congress Chief Nana Patole. "Pakistan PM had sent a request if you can take (Congress Punjab president Navjot Singh) Sidhu into your Cabinet I will be grateful, he is an old friend of mine. You can remove him if he'll not work," Punjab Lok Congress president and former Punjab CM Amarinder Singh said. #BreakingOnRepublic | Captain Amarinder Singh claims Pakistan PM had requested to induct Navjot Sidhu into the Punjab cabinet Tune in for more details: https://t.co/3AdouQWfxw pic.twitter.com/k9360J4zXc — Republic (@republic) January 24, 2022 #LIVE | Decision of increasing BSF control was absolutely necessary as delivery of weapons via drones were happening till 31 kilometres inside Punjab boundary: Captain Amarinder Singhhttps://t.co/3AdouQWfxw pic.twitter.com/GC3y7d0K8E — Republic (@republic) January 24, 2022 BJP will contest election on 65 seats, Punjab Lok Congress chief on 37 seats & SAD-Sanyukt Chief will contest election on 15 seats: BJP president JP Nadda. #LIVE | BJP will contest on 65 seats whereas Punjab Lok Congress will contest on 37 seats; SAD (Sanyukta) on 15 seats: BJP National President JP Nadda Tune in to watch: https://t.co/3AdouQWfxw pic.twitter.com/ZhRgkKpa2b — Republic (@republic) January 24, 2022 Arvind Kejriwal is a 'scamster'. Congress has complained over this issue to Election Commission...A show-cause notice has been sent today. He's trying to befool the people of Punjab through his dirty tricks...AAP has created a hybrid model of fake news: Navjot Singh Sidhu, Congress Yet another coalition has cropped up against the BJP in Uttar Pradesh, with Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad announcing on Monday, the Samajik Parivartan Morcha (SPM) - a coalition of 35 small political parties. Speaking to Republic TV exclusively, Azad said that his coalition was fighting for representation, not the CM seat. Azad himself has decided to fight against Yogi Adityanath for the Gorakhpur Urban constituency. The 403-seat UP assembly is up for grabs in a 7-phase election from February 10 to March 7. Results will be announced on March 10. "Many parties have come together for the BJP. Today, we have joined all these alliances to avoid division of Opposition votes. We have come together to stop BJP and give a new turn to UP. All govt in UP have been unable to live up to people's expectations and hence have been voted out," he said. Talking about his fallout with the Samajwadi party, he said, "In this fight for social justice, we are trying to progress the backward classes and those fooled by these politicians. We did not have a good experience with bigger parties, hence we have allied with smaller parties. We have allied with those who have worked hard, faced obstacles, jailed under false cases. Samajik Parivartan Morcha will give them opportunities". Elaborating his poll plan, he said, "People are against BJP in UP, hence BJP is preferring virtual rallies. They are not meeting people. If I had allied with the big alliance (SP alliance), I may have become an MLA or minister. That is only personal gain, there would have been no good for the society. Hence, we are preparing leaders to fight for social justice. When the results will come you will see our representatives will be voted to the Assembly as people are not foolish to keep voting for the same old MLAs." Warming up to the Gorakhpur challenge, he said, "This is my first election. People have to decide whether they want a leader who fights for them or the CM who was rallying in Bengal when UP people were struggling for oxygen". The SPM is led jointly by Azad and Dr. Ayub Khan - Peace Party chief. A Peace party spokesperson said, "We are contesting under the joint leadership of Chandrashekhar Azad and Dr. Ayub Khan on all 403 seats. We are not fighting for the CM seat, we just want to win seats". In the wake of Tauqeer Raza Khan's statement on Batla encounter terrorists, Congress leader Rashid Alvi claimed that Congress has not yet accepted his support. Alvi said, "He has extended support, but we have not taken any support from Tauqeer Raza Khan". As Congress backtracks from its 'support' to Muslim cleric Tauqeer Raza Khan, he spoke to Republic TV on Monday, questioned why 'Muslims couldn't support someone?'. Taken aback by Congress' backtracking, he said that 'he had the right to vote his choice'. Khan - an Islamic cleric and the National President Ittihad-e-Millat Council, pledged his support to Congress in the upcoming Uttar Pradesh polls in the presence of UP Congress chief Ajay Lallu "I don't know what anyone has said. Are Muslims not permitted to even support anyone? I have supported congress as per my right. Can Muslims not even think of the nation's betterment? Empowering Congress is the need of hour. If Cong will not accept support, I have the right to vote as per my choice. Why does BJP have so much problem with me supporting Congress?," asked Khan. The infighting in Congress escalated after Punjab Minister Rana Gurjeet Singh demanded the expulsion of Congress' Bholath candidate Sukhpal Singh Khaira from the party. At present, Singh holds the portfolios of Technical Education & Industrial Training, Employment Generation, Horticulture and Soil & Water Conservation. In a letter addressed to Congress president Sonia Gandhi on January 23, he highlighted that Khaira is a habitual turncoat who switched over to the party after winning the 2017 Punjab election on an AAP ticket. Arguing his case, Singh remarked, "It will be difficult for the Congress leaders and contestants to defend the indefensible that on one hand, we have sworn that we have eliminated drugs and on the other hand, we are giving a party ticket to a tainted person who is jail accused of money laundering which he accumulated from drugs. This is high time that the Congress party should take a stand on the issue of drugs and someone who is tainted and is in jail for the same charges should not get the party ticket. Let me add, he is not winning anyways and alloting the party ticket to him or any of his family members will not only send a wrong signal but will also mean wasting a precious constituency during a crucial election." Talking on SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, he said,"SP has been in government four times. Akhilesh Yadav has been CM from 2012-17 and yet everyone knows what is the state of SP in UP. If he had done some development for poor, backward classes in his reign, SP would not be in such a sorry state. 18,000 houses were sanctioned, but not one house was built. We have given lakhs of houses for poor via PM Awas scheme and CM scheme". He added, "Our view is clearly with poor, farmers, backward communities. They (SP) are with those removed Hindus from Kairana, Taliban sympathizers, mafias and goons". He fumed, "Why does Akhilesh ji not talk about development we have done? He must not know. He is a big man's son. He gets up late in the afternoon, gets dressed, and then cycles. You must have also interviewed him late". The CM remarked, "There is a conspiracy to defame India. The nation is secular because Hindus are in majority. Minorities feel safe because Hindus are in majority. Hinduism is not a religion, it is an identity across caste, religion etc. The anti-Hindu sentiment was high before, now it is very less "I have implemented those projects whose foundation I laid. The projects were completed in a timely fashion and dedicated it to the people. We have planned, constructed, implemented, and inaugurated development projects," said the CM. Taking a dig at Akhilesh Yadav, he added, "He will say that he was the one who got electricity to UP from the skies. All districts have 24x7 electricity now. The PPAs done by the SP govt were illegal and looted the people. We scrapped such PPAs and increased electrification". On BSP, Adityanath remarked, "BJP will form govt only with its natural allies. BJP will talk about itself and Behen ji is nowadays tweeting about me. I welcome her to Gorakhnath mutt". #YogiOnRepublic | BJP will talk about itself, only Mayawati can talk about BSP. Mayawati ji is also talking about me. I am happy she's now talking about Gorakhpur Math. I invite her(Mayawati) to visit Gorakhpur Math: @myogiadityanath to Republic Watch -https://t.co/3AdouQWfxw pic.twitter.com/96xbjZWwAU — Republic (@republic) January 24, 2022 When asked about goons, Adityanath said,"If someone is a repeat offender, grabbing poor's houses illegally, we have taken strict action against them. In 2015, the one who was responsible for killing a Hindu businessman is now in jail for 10 years. Those goons who fired at police, have been killed in encounters. We have zero-tolerance towards crimes". On riots, he said,"Riots are not one-sided. If there is a Jallad (traitor) on one side, then there is one on other side too. In 2013, everyone were disturbed by these riots but that govt (Akhilesh govt) rewarded these rioters. There has been no riots in the last five years. No incident has occurred which has endangered the public and police has acted strictly within the frame of law". #YogiOnRepublic | Before 2017, riots were common during previous regime. There have been no riots under our governance. If any incident happened that threatens security of common man, we took action immediately: @myogiadityanath to Republic Watch - https://t.co/3AdouQWfxw pic.twitter.com/ZIYXzozLNZ — Republic (@republic) January 24, 2022 On the exit of OP Rajbhar, he said, "We have fought elections with them in 2014, 2019. The biggest alliance was formed in 2019 of SP, BSP, Congress against us - you saw what was the result. Zero + zero will remain zero. Those people who are inspired by Maharaj Suheldev, can they shake hands with those who follow Salar Masud Ghazi? They cannot. SP has never respected Suheldev Maharaj. We are making a big statue of Suheldev in Bahraich," said Adityanath adding, "Should one shake hands with those who insulted their ancestors? This coalition will fail like the one in 2019" He said,"Congress does not know what it wants to, they don't have a CM face. They are not clear about what issues they want to fight on. This is the result of dynasty politics". #YogiOnRepublic | Congress does not know what it wants to, they don't have a CM face. They are not clear about what issues they want to fight on. This is the result of dynasty politics: @myogiadityanath to Republic Tune in to watch here - https://t.co/3AdouQWfxw pic.twitter.com/jzCoA7Uxz7 — Republic (@republic) January 24, 2022 "This election, the fight is for second place. We will win with a big majority. You can see the threats which SP is giving - this will not be accepted by people. Common man doesn't keep a good view of SP," he added. #YogiOnRepublic | We will win the Uttar Pradesh election with a huge majority, the fight is for the number two spot: @myogiadityanath speaks to Republic Tune in to watch here - https://t.co/aPPzyh3Ybj pic.twitter.com/r8x98H0bzo — Republic (@republic) January 24, 2022 Adityanath said,"I have said that the polls will be fought between 80% and 20%. There are 80% of people who like UP state's policies - govt schemes, law and order etc. They will favour BJP. Those who don't like schemes for poor, strict police action are in 20%. This fight has been happening since 2014, continued in 2017 and hence". #YogiOnRepublic | Those who do not like security, those who are against development will be against the BJP. The fight for this 80:20 will go on: @myogiadityanath speaks to Republic Tune in to watch here - https://t.co/87hPylDoqU pic.twitter.com/vxkFJdjZ9q — Republic (@republic) January 24, 2022 "The Opposition and the 20% are scared of BJP's re-election. Their dreams of destroying UP and creating riots are destroyed. We have never discriminated while implementing schemes for the poor, be it minorities, backward classes etc., and have never appeased anyone. We will continue this unbiased governance in the state," he added. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister speaks to Republic as the poll battle heats up in State. While commenting on Samajwadi Party turncoat Aparna Yadav, he said, "She has chosen nationalism over family. She was in touch with BJP for the last 4 years' #YogiOnRepublic | SP turncoat 'Aparna Yadav has chosen nationalism over family. She was in touch with BJP for the last 4 years': @myogiadityanath to Republic Watch #LIVE here - https://t.co/aPPzyh3Ybj pic.twitter.com/BnlMfqpook — Republic (@republic) January 24, 2022 #YogiOnRepublic | Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath speaks to Republic as the poll battle heats up Watch #LIVE here - https://t.co/aPPzyh3Ybj pic.twitter.com/ZqOMUuseXA — Republic (@republic) January 24, 2022 "Apna Dal (S) and Nishad Party are our old allies. I am not bothered by individuals' leaving as our alliances are based on issues and ideology. Inspite of such political party shifting happening ahead of polls, BJP will win with more than 300 seats,"said Adityanath. He added,"BJP is not a dynastic party and whoever joins BJP is not guaranteed a poll ticket. People join BJP based on ideology but in other parties, one family rules it. They make all decisions. This is the difference between BJP and SP". #YogiOnRepublic | Those who do not like security, those who are against development will be against the BJP. The fight for this 80:20 will go on: @myogiadityanath speaks to Republic Tune in to watch here - https://t.co/87hPylDoqU pic.twitter.com/vxkFJdjZ9q — Republic (@republic) January 24, 2022 Following Utpal Parrikar's resignation from the BJP and his decision to contest the upcoming Goa Assembly polls as an independent candidate after the party denied him a ticket from the Panaji constituency, General Secretary CT Ravi requested him to reconsider his decision and fulfil his father, former Goa CM Manohar Parrikar's dream. Speaking to ANI, Ravi said, "Manohar Parrikar Ji has always worked for BJP's win. I request his son Utpal Parrikar to reconsider his decision and fulfil his father's dream. Only BJP can give people a stable govt. Home Minister Amit Shah will visit here on January 30." Union Minister Amit Shah will visit Goa on January 30 उत्तर प्रदेश के 73वें स्थापना दिवस पर प्रिय प्रदेशवासियों के नाम मेरा संदेश... pic.twitter.com/cIFAum3gDn — Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) January 23, 2022 Samajwadi Party (SP) to hold a virtual rally tomorrow. BJP-turned-SP leader Swami Prasad Maurya and Juhi Singh to attend. The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has released its list of star campaigners for the first phase of the Uttar Pradesh assembly polls, and it includes the names of its chief Mayawati and her brother Anand Kumar. Party general secretary Satish Misra, former MP Muquad Ali and former Uttar Pradesh Minister Nakul Dubey, are also part of the list of 18 star campaigners. We are working hard to get a two-third majority. We have no pre-poll alliance but post-poll alliance can be forged if required: Manipur CM N Biren Singh pic.twitter.com/ucWMyW4CTW — ANI (@ANI) January 23, 2022 Punjab Assembly elections | Surveillance teams have seized 6.60 lakh litres of liquor worth Rs 2 cr today. Enforcement teams have also recovered psychotropic substances worth 44.49 cr besides confiscating unaccounted cash of Rs 16 lakhs: Office of Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab — ANI (@ANI) January 23, 2022 In an intriguing request on Sunday, Samajwadi Party urged the Election Commission of India to immediately impose a ban on opinion polls being aired by news channels. This comes after multiple opinion polls reportedly projected a majority for the BJP-led alliance in the upcoming UP elections. Writing to Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra, UP SP president Naresh Uttam Patel contended that the airing of opinion polls at a juncture when the nomination for the first phase has already finished is a violation of the Model Code of Conduct. Ahead of Uttar Pradesh elections 2022, Bahujan Samajwadi Party (BSP) chief Mayawati slammed Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in a series of tweets, alleging that as far as providing houses to the poor is concerned, her government has excelled in the state. She also alleged that the CM stays in a big bungalow in Gorakhpur. 1. शायद पश्चिमी यू.पी. की जनता को यह मालूम नहीं है कि गोरखपुर में योगी जी का बना मठ जहाँ वो अधिकांश निवास करते हैं, वो कोई बड़े बगंले से कम नहीं है। यदि इस बारे में भी यह बता देते तो बेहतर होता। 1/3 — Mayawati (@Mayawati) January 23, 2022 2. साथ ही, यह भी बेेहतर होता यदि यूपी के सीएम अपनी सरकार की तारीफ के साथ-साथ बीएसपी सरकार के जनहित से जुड़े कार्योंं का भी कुछ उल्लेख कर देते क्योंकि इन्हें मालूम होना चाहिए कि गरीबों को मकान व भूमिहीनों को जमीन देने के मामले में बीएसपी सरकार का रिकार्ड बेहतरीन रहा है। 2/3 — Mayawati (@Mayawati) January 23, 2022 3. बीएसपी सरकार द्वारा मान्यवर श्री कांशीराम जी शहरी गरीब आवास योजना के तहत केवल दो चरण में ही डेढ़ लाख से अधिक पक्के मकान दिए गए तथा सर्वजन हिताय गरीब आवास मालिकाना हक योेजना के तहत काफी परिवारों को लाभ मिला। लाखों भूमिहीन परिवारों को भी भूमि दी गई। 3/3 — Mayawati (@Mayawati) January 23, 2022 I worked for BJP but despite that, I was denied a ticket. BJP said they'll promote youth but had given a ticket to a 75-year-old. Samajwadi Party will form govt in UP and we will work for the welfare of people: Former BJP MLA Jitendra Verma after joining Samajwadi Party pic.twitter.com/2oilkMwG8E — ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) January 23, 2022 An FIR (First Information Report) has been registered against Navjot Sigh Sidhu's aide and former Punjab DGP Mohammad Mustafa for his alleged communal remarks at a public meeting in Malerkotla, police said on Sunday. Mustafa is the principal strategic advisor to state Congress president Navjot Singh Sidhu. His wife Razia Sultana is the Congress candidate from Malerkotla seat- a Muslim majority district. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had accused the ex-IPS officer of making controversial remarks against Hindus at a public meeting. Following the completion of her move to the Bharatiya Janata Party, Aparna Yadav, the daughter-in-law of Mulayam Singh Yadav addressed a press conference in Lucknow on Sunday. During the address, the newest BJP leader said that she joined hands with the party to follow nationalism and further stated that she wished to contribute towards the formation of the ‘new India’. Read full story HERE Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath held a door to door election campaign in the Mohan Nagar area of Ghaziabad, this afternoon. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath held a door to door election campaign in the Mohan Nagar area of Ghaziabad, this afternoon pic.twitter.com/bxyUrLs2PJ — ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) January 23, 2022 On Sunday, the Captain Amarinder Singh-led Punjab Lok Congress announced its first list of 22 candidates for the upcoming Punjab elections. At present, PLC has been allocated 37 seats in the alliance with BJP and Shiromani Akali Dal (Sanyukt) while discussions are on for another 5 seats. Observing that due representation has been given to various sections of the society, Singh stated that 17 candidates are from Malwa, three from Doaba and two from Majha in the first list. The former Punjab CM will contest from Patiala Urban, a seat which he has won 4 times in the past. 1st list of @plcpunjab candidates released by @capt_amarinder for #PunjabElections2022 pic.twitter.com/bAGzRKYFZT — Raveen Thukral (@RT_Media_Capt) January 23, 2022 Gearing up for the Punjab polls, ex-CM Capt Amarinder Singh's Punjab Lok Congress (PLC) is set contest on 35 of 70 seats, said sources on Sunday. As per its alliance with BJP and Akali Dal (Dhindsa), PLC is set to field against big guns of Congress, added sources. PLC will field 5 candidates from Patiala, 2 from Muktsar, 3 from Amritsar, 4 from Ludhiana, said sources. Punjab goes to polls in a single-phase on February 20 with results to be declared on March 10. The PLC's preferred seats include - Fatehgarh Chudiya, Kotkapura, Mansa, SBS Nagar, Amiga, Kapurthala, Bathinda, Tarn Taran, Barnala, Malerkotla, Gurdaspur, Jalandhar, Ferozpur, Faridkot, Bassi Pathana, Khara, Giddherbaha, Amargarh. The 79-year-old ex-Punjab CM will fight from Patiala seat in the 2022 assembly elections which has won four times -- 2002, 2007, 2012 and 2017. Days after forming an alliance with Samajwadi Party for the upcoming UP elections, NCP announced that its supremo Sharad Pawar will campaign in the state. Apart from Pawar, parliamentarians Supriya Sule, Sunil Tatkare, Praful Patel and Fauzia Khan, Maharashtra Minister Nawab Malik, ex-RS MP Majeed Memon, Delhi NCP chief Yoganand Shastri were among the leaders named as the party's star campaigners. While the seat-sharing talks are still going on, SP has agreed to give only one seat to NCP so far. NCP general secretary KK Sharma has been fielded from the Anupshahr assembly constituency in the Bulandshahr district of western Uttar Pradesh. On Saturday, Nawab Malik met party workers in UP and discussed the preparations for the Assembly polls. He also spoke to locals in Anupshahr and urged them to elect Sharma with a huge majority. "Modi govt is planning to arrest our Minister Satyendar Jain right before Punjab elections. We welcome them, they can send ED, CBI etc & arrest anyone they want, including me. We're not afraid as we haven't done anything wrong. We won't cry like Punjab CM Channi," said Kejriwal in press conference. Modi govt is planning to arrest our Minister @SatyendarJain right before Punjab elections We welcome them, they can send ED, CBI etc & arrest anyone they want, including me We're not afraid as we haven't done anything wrong हम चन्नी जी की तरह रोएंगे नहीं! -CM @ArvindKejriwal pic.twitter.com/wcPp1ZPE4b — AAP (@AamAadmiParty) January 23, 2022 Politicising the Amar jawan Jyoti 'merger' with the National War memorial flame, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday, urged people to light a flame to 'light' the Amar Jyoti on January 26. Vowing to light the eternal flame again, Akhilesh Yadav slammed the BJP saying 'Those who did not create history, want to change it'. The two flames were 'merged' on Friday in a grand military ceremony, presided by Integrated Defence Staff chief Air Marshal BR Krishna. ‘अमर जवान ज्योति’ की स्मृति में इस बार 26 जनवरी को हम सब अपने-अपने स्तर पर एक ज्योति जलाएं और मिलकर एक देश की एक आवाज़ उठाएं… ‘26 जनवरी को संकल्प उठाएंगे ~ अमर जवान ज्योति फिर से जलाएंगे!’ जिनका नाम देश के इतिहास में नहीं होता, वही इतिहास बदलना चाहते हैं। जय हिंद! — Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) January 23, 2022 Following the continued allegations against him, Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi on Saturday lashed out at Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia. CM Channi termed the allegations levelled against him ‘baseless and frivolous’ and dared Majithia to present proof indicating his involvement in the Punjab sand mining case, said a press release. The CM any link with the money laundering case investigated by the Enforcement Directorate. “I have never denied my relationship with my nephew Bhupinder Singh Honey and being a relative he might be present at some of my functions. It is not a crime if I get clicked with my relatives at my son’s marriage or some other functions,” CM Channi said. He claimed that Majithia is trying to take revenge over the NDPS case charged against him. Heating up the UP election campaign, Samajwadi party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday, shared a song targetting the Yogi Adityanath government. The song - sung by singer Neha Rathore - asks 'what is in UP?', listing all the failures of the UP govt - unemployment, COVID mismanagement, Lakhimpur Kheri violence, police brutality and communalism. जनता कहे इंक़लाब बा यूपी में बदलाव बा… ठाठा बाबा का अबके बंटाधार बा… डबल इंजन के फुस्स सरकार बा आपस मा सर फुटव्वल जूतम पैजार बा… अबके झूठ के फूलवा का बगीचा उजाड़ बा… बाइस में बाइसिकल का चौचक भौकाल बा… pic.twitter.com/xuKi91uvFg — Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) January 22, 2022 In retaliation, BJP answered with a song 'UP mein ee ba (This is what is in UP)'. The song features a woman listing the Yogi govt's achievements such as - Cash disbursal to farmers, free ration, crackdown on goons, bulldozing illegal houses of mafia and Central schemes like gas connection, toilet construction, free vaccines. The saffron party has begun its massive digital campaign eyeing Yogi Adityanath's re-election. यूपी में ई बा... किसान को 6 हजार बा, राशन दो-दो बार बा, महिलाओं को अधिकार बा, सब गुंडन के बुखार बा, दंगाई की संपत्ति पर बुलडोजर से प्रहार बा#आएगी_बीजेपी_ही pic.twitter.com/gY1NdXfmmz — BJP Uttar Pradesh (@BJP4UP) January 22, 2022 Worried by the possibility of defections after the Goa polls, all Congress candidates took a "pledge" of loyalty towards the people of the state and the party. On Saturday, they visited prominent places of religious importance- the Mahalaxmi Temple, the Bambolim Cross and the Hamza Shah Darga to pledge that they will not defect to any other party post the election results. This gesture assumes significance as 15 out of 17 MLAs who were elected on a Congress ticket in the 2017 Goa polls jumped ship to other parties during the tenure of the BJP government. Overall, a total of 26 out of 40 Goa MLAs are no longer a part of the original party on whose ticket they won the previous election. After Priyanka Gandhi backtracked on her assertion that she is the Congress' CM face in Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls, BSP supremo Mayawati took a swipe at the party. Taking to Twitter on Sunday, the former UP CM contended that Gandhi's decision was a reflection of the poor prospects of Congress in the state. Urging people not to waste their vote on Congress, she requested them to vote for BSP instead. Mayawati added, "In UP, people perceive parties like Congress as vote-cutter parties. In such a situation, it is necessary to throw BJP out of power and form a government whose leadership works for the interests of everyone. In reality, BSP is the number one in this list." Uttar Pradesh: Republic P-MARQ Opinion poll predicts that the Bharatiya Janata Party (and allies) is likely to emerge as the single largest party once against in Uttar Pradesh with 252-272 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 111-131 seats. The Bahujan Samaj Party's seat share is likely to reduce further as the Republic P-MARQ Opinion Poll suggests only 8-16 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 36-42 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 25-31 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 50-56 seats, just short of the majority mark. The ruling Congress is predicted to win 42-48 seats while Shiromani Akali Dal can get 1-17 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 16-20 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 9-13. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) which went black in the last polls might win 4-8 seats. Debutant Trinamool Congress 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 31-37 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 2-9 and 1-5 seats respectively. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has confirmed that he will contest the upcoming Uttar Pradesh polls from Mainpuri's Karhal constituency. . Yadav - who is currently the Azamgarh MP - had previously refused to contest UP polls. While he has now chosen Karhal, he was mulling to contest from Azamgarh's Gopalpur constituency or any constituency in Kannauj or Sambhal. Meanwhile, BJP has fielded incumbent CM Yogi Adityanath from Gorakhpur Urban seat - his home constituency. Gorakhpur is the hometown of Adityanath and he had been the MP from Gorakhpur Lok Sabha seat since 1998 until he became the chief minister in 2017. Facing him, Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad announced that he will contest against Adityanath for the Gorakhpur Urban constituency. On the other hand, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra 'declared' herself as Congress' CM face, only to retract it mere hours later. Speaking to the media, the Congress general secretary contended that she was "irritated" after being asked the same question multiple times. It is also unclear if Vadra will contest polls as she has never done so till date. देवभूमि उत्तराखंड की सेवा करने के लिए पार्टी द्वारा विधानसभा चुनाव 2022 के लिए घोषित प्रत्याशियों को हार्दिक शुभकामनाएं कांग्रेस का आना हुआ तय, अब उत्तराखंड में जनता की होगी विजय pic.twitter.com/dGiJ5Z8CWK — Uttarakhand Congress (@INCUttarakhand) January 22, 2022 The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Saturday extended the ban on physical rallies and roadshows till January 31, 2022. #BreakingOnRepublic | Election Commission extends ban on roadshows, rallies, padayatra, cycle rallies, etc till January 31, owing to the continuous surge of COVID-19 infections across the country Tune in for more updates: https://t.co/3AdouQWfxw pic.twitter.com/D2XT2efnXW — Republic (@republic) January 22, 2022 Elections are set to commence 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. Dates for Elections are as follows: Uttar Pradesh: 7 phase election for 403 seats Issue of notification: January 14, January 21, January 25, January 27, February 1, February 4, February 10 Last date of filing nomination: January 21, January 28, February 3, February 8, February 11, February 17 Polling dates: February 10, February 14, February 20, February 23, February 27, March 3, March 7 Punjab: 1 phase election for 117 seats Issue of notification: January 21 Last date of filing nomination: January 28 Polling date: February 20 Uttarakhand: 1 phase election for 70 seats Issue of notification: January 21 Last date of filing nomination: January 28 Polling date: February 14 Goa: 1 phase election for 40 seats Issue of notification: January 21 Last date of filing nomination: January 28 Polling date: February 14 Manipur: 2 phase election for 60 seats Issue of notification: February 1, February 4 Last date of filing nomination: February 8, February 11 Polling dates: February 27, March 3 Results for all elections will be declared on March 10

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Assembly Elections 2022: Harish Rawat to contest Uttarakhand polls from Ramnagar seat

Elections are set to commence in 5 states - Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa, Manipur and Punjab. While UP will undergo a 7-phase election from Feb 10 to Mar 7, Goa, Uttarakhand will poll on Feb 14, Punjab on Feb 20 and Manipur on Feb 27, Mar 3. Results for all elections will be declared on March 10