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The first of the seven phases of UP Assembly polls, on Saturday (February 11), would decide the fate of 839 candidates, in 73 seats. It’s a make or break for all parties in the electoral fray. Modi in Bijnor announced several packages including creating a Chaudhary Charan Singh Welfare Fund of Rs. 800 crore and forgoing loan of small farmers. Smart phones and homes for poor are the SP-Congress Common Minimum Programme (CMP). Some of the main candidates in the first phase of polling are Rajnath Singh’s son, Pankaj Singh, Lalu Prasad Yadav’s son-in-law, Rahul Yadav, and BJP’s controversial leader, Sangeet Som. Meanwhile, recently Punjab and Goa went to assembly polls last week where a record 83 per cent voted in Goa, while there was a voter turnout of 70% in Punjab. In Goa, the ruling BJP is engaged in a fierce fight with the Opposition Congress, AAP and an alliance of MGP (Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party), Shiv Sena and GSM (Goa Suraksha Manch) for the 40-member House; while in Punjab there is a high-stake contest between the Congress, new entrant AAP and ruling SAD (Shiromani Akali Dal)-BJP combine. Beginning today, our Associate Editor, Navodita, will take a look at the Assembly Polls, in five states. Here’s a report, as UP goes to poll in the first phase, exclusively for Different Truths.
As Uttar Pradesh went to polls in the first phase of elections in the state amidst tight security, speculations are on as to who would be the next CM. Will anti-incumbency play its part, will the Muslim vote matter, and will the Congress-SP alliance bear fruit and so on. While politicians are busy addressing rallies all across the state, Modi in Bijnor announced several packages including creating a Chaudhary Charan Singh Welfare
So as 73 constituencies went to polls on Saturday (Feb 11), some of the main candidates in the first phase of polling are Rajnath Singh’s son, Pankaj Singh, Lalu Prasad Yadav’s son-in-law, Rahul Yadav, and BJP’s controversial leader, Sangeet Som. The polling exercise includes important political nerve points like Kairana (Shamli), Noida, Meerut, Agra, Muzaffarnagar, Dadri (Ghaziabad), etc. While Pankaj Singh managed to get a ticket from Noida, Sangeet Som will be contesting from Sardhana. He is an accused in Muzaffarnagar riots and is known for his explosive remarks on ‘love jihad’ and ‘Kairana exodus’. SP’s Rahul Yadav will garner much attention, as he is contesting from Sikandrabad seat, in Bulandshahar district.
Meanwhile, recently Punjab and Goa went to assembly polls last week where a record 83 per cent voted in Goa, while there was a voter turnout of 70% in Punjab. In Goa, the ruling BJP is engaged in a fierce fight with the Opposition Congress, AAP and an alliance of MGP (Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party), Shiv Sena and GSM (Goa Suraksha Manch) for the 40-member House; while in Punjab there is a high-stake contest between the Congress, new entrant AAP and ruling SAD (Shiromani Akali Dal)-BJP combine.
If the BJP wins in these elections it will credit the success to PM Modi’s ban on 500-and-1000-rupee notes
©Navodita Pande
Photos from the internet.
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