UP Election 2017: In Lakhimpur, Narendra Modi attacks SP-Congress alliance, accuses corrupt of joining hands

Watch: Firstpost's roundup on the seventh and final phase of UP Election with SanjaySingh and Badrinarayan

Voting for the seventh and final phase in Uttar Pradesh ends

56 percent voting till 4 pm in UP phase 7 polls

Around 56 per cent of the 1.41 crore voters exercised their franchise till 4 PM today in the seventh and last phase of Uttar Pradesh elections covering 40 Assembly seats spread over seven districts. Assembly constituencies in Varanasi saw 45 percent polling while the Naxal-hit Mirzapur had 47.50 percent polling till 4 pm, it said. PTI

Over 41 percent voting till 2 pm in UP phase seven polls

Over 41 per cent votes were polled till 2 pm on Wednesday in the seventh and last phase of Uttar Pradesh elections covering 40 Assembly seats spread over seven districts.

Women vote in large numbers

Aware that it was International Women's Day on the day of polling, most women told the waiting media outside the polling booths that they were voting to ensure safety and security for women and girls. Professors and members from the teaching fraternity turned up in large numbers to cast their votes in the early hours in the Benaras Hindu University (BHU). 

Ajay Rai, the Congress candidate from Pindra, also cast his vote along with his wife. He first performed puja at a temple before heading for the polling station. Rai had unsuccessfully challenged Narendra Modi in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.

Farmers in Mirzapur's Chunar region boycott elections over lack of irrigation facilities

Farmers boycotted voting in Mirzapur's Chunar assembly segment alleging lack of irrigation facilities & development.

From 'bahu ji' to SP star campaigner: The metamorphosis of Dimple Yadav

The reticent and soft-spoken bahu (daughter-in-law) of the first family of the ruling Samajwadi Party in UP, Dimple Yadav, has finally found her groove, emerging as a major crowd puller in election rallies all over the state.

From the fumbling leader who repeatedly corrected herself while going through her written speeches, the new Dimple - the star campaigner - has learnt how to
keep the audience especially the youth involved and impress them.

PTI

Over 26 percent voting till 12 noon in last phase of UP polls

Over 26 per cent votes were polled till noon for the seventh and last phase of Uttar Pradesh elections. Polling started amidst tight security arrangements this
morning with all eyes on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Lok Sabha constituency Varanasi.

Varanasi saw 23.76 percent polling, while the Naxal infested Mirzapur had 26.63 per cent polling till 11 am.

PTI

Narendra Modi made UP Assembly polls a referendum on himself, but at what cost?

A glance at news headlines will give to the uninitiated viewer an impression that this isn't a race for Assembly seats at all, but presidential polls with Modi pitted against a battery of rivals. Therefore, it is pertinent to explore how and why UP Assembly election has become a de facto referendum on Modi, a prime minister who obviously can't be a chief ministerial candidate.

However, his unprecedented involvement in the campaign for state polls not only ensured that Modi remains the central figure in any narrative, but it pitted Mayawati and Akhilesh against him, instead of  weaker BJP candidates.

PM Modi urges people to turn out and cast their votes

Uttar Pradesh has had hung Assembly for 14 years, but trends changed in 2007

Voters threw hung houses in the state for 14 years and that trend changed from 2007 when people decided to deliver a clear mandate. This time, with no clear wave in favour of any party and each of the key players claiming to get over 300 of the 403 seats at stake, party insiders say the outcome is unlikely to go in one direction.

Increasingly seen as the 'bellwether' for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the results will not only decide as to who will rule UP but show which way the wind is blowing ahead of the Lok Sabha elections two years hence.

Uttar Pradesh has had hung Assembly for 14 years, and trend changed in 2007

Voters threw hung Houses in the state for 14 years and that trend changed from 2007 when people decided to deliver a clear mandate. This time, with no clear wave in favour of any party and each of the key players claiming to get over 300 of the 403 seats at stake, party insiders say the outcome is unlikely to go in one direction.

Increasingly seen as the 'bellwether' for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the results will not only decide as to who will rule UP but show which way the wind is blowing ahead of the Lok Sabha elections two years hence.

Spectre of hung Assembly looms over UP

The iconic dialogue — picture abhi baaki hai mere dost — could well describe the current poll scenario in Uttar Pradesh where a hung Assembly is a possibility. Even before the election results are declared on March 11, party insiders do not discount chances of a fractured verdict after the seven phases of polling that will come to an end today in the absence of any wave.

After all the key players talked about notching up 300 plus of the 403 seats, talks of a hung house suddenly gained momentum in the last phases of polling with Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself flagging the possibility of a hung assembly in the state. To win 202 or 50 percent seats this year, a party will need to get 35 percent of the vote share. Five years ago, the Samajwadi Party had needed just 29 percent of the vote share to win 226 seats.

Mayawati's BSP had won only 80 seats with 26 percent votes. The two regional heavyweights saw a steep fall two years later, with the BJP and its ally Apna Dal sweeping the 2014 general election, winning 73 of UP's 80 seats with 42 per cent of the vote share.

The BJP can afford to lose 7 percent of its vote share from 2014 to still win this year, while SP-Congress must gain 6 percent to reach 35 percent, and BSP will have to stretch about 15 percent to win.

Over 13 percent voting till 10 AM in last phase of UP polls

Over 13 per cent votes were polled in the first three hours of the seventh and last phase of UP elections. Three Naxal-affected districts of Sonbhadra, Mirzapur and Chandauli, along with the five Assembly segments under Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency, will be in prime focus.

PTI

Veteran BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi casts his vote from Varanasi North constituency

BSP banking on Muktar Ansari's appeal

The BSP is banking heavily on the appeal of Mukhtar Ansari and his family. The region is home to hundreds of thousands of weavers, many of whom are Muslims. BSP chief Mayawati speaks of a groundswell in her party's favour. 

"People have tried and tested both Narendra Modi and Akhilesh Yadav and there is nothing but disappointment. Purvanchal, like other parts of the state, is looking to the BSP for good governance," the Dalit leader told IANS.

Most of SP's powerful leaders were expelled in Purvanchal region

The Samajwadi Party expelled most of its powerful Purvanchal leaders after an internal party feud involving Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and his estranged uncle Shivpal Singh. Senior cabinet minister and Akhilesh Yadav aide Rajendra Chowdhary said the region has always stood by the Samajwadi Party.

Litmus test for BJP stalwarts in Purvanchal

In Purvanchal, poverty is a dominant theme. In his speeches, Modi spoke a lot on joblessness and poverty. The BJP did not win even a single seat in five of the districts in 2012. The last phase of election is a litmus test for BJP stalwarts. 

Former chief minister and current Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh comes from Chandauli. Mahendranath Pandey, an MP, is a member in the Modi government. Ghazipur MP Manoj Sinha is Minister of State for Railways. Apna Dal leader Anupriya Patel, a BJP ally, has a lot at stake too. Her parliamentary constituency Mirzapur goes to polls on Wednesday. BJP leader Vijay Bahadur Pathak says the party was confident of doing "exceedingly well" in Purvanchal. "We have performed beyond our expectations in the last six phases. We are sure of getting maximum seats in the final phase," Pathak told IANS. 

Onus on Samajwadi Party, but lot at stake for BJP and BSP

Around 1.41 crore voters are eligible to take part in the balloting in the sprawling region that includes Varanasi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Lok Sabha constituency. While the onus is on the ruling Samajwadi Party to retain the 24 of the 40 seats it won in 2012, a lot is also at stake for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Modi himself as the party swept the Poorvanchal in the 2014 Lok Sabha battle.

The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), trying hard to regain power in the country's most populous state, has put in all its might to add to its 2012 tally of five seats. The Congress, now a Samajwadi ally, won three seats in 2012, the Quami Ekta Dal one and three independents too made it to the outgoing assembly.

10.43% voting recorded till 9 am

EC prohibits exit polls in UP till 9 March

The Election Commission (EC) has prohibited exit polls for the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections till 5.30 pm on 9 March following the death of the Samajwadi Party candidate for the Alapur seat, in the wake of which polling, originally scheduled for 27 February, has been pushed back to Thursday, an official said.

State Chief Electoral Officer T Venkatesh said on Monday that if any media organisation published or broadcast exit polls before the stipulated deadline it would be treated as violation of the Model Code of Conduct and strictly dealt with.

The earlier deadline of the exit polls was 30 minutes after the conclusion of the staggered seven-phase polls on 8 March.

Islamic State suspect gunned down in Lucknow after 11-hour operation

A suspected Islamic State operative was killed here in the wee hours of Wednesday after a 11-hour-long anti-terror operation conducted by the Uttar Pradesh Police's Anti-Terror Squad (ATS) commandos. Many efforts to persuade the suspect, who was holed up in a house in Haji colony of Thakurganj area, to surrender went in vain, an official said.

After the initial exchange for fire, the ATS commandos lobbed chilly bombs inside the house to incapacitate him, but to no avail. Police teams bore a hole in the roof and blew up the back wall of the building to enter the house. Senior police officials were camping at the site to oversee the operation, which was also being monitored by the Union Home Ministry. 

40 seats in seven eastern districts

A highly-charged final phase of campaigning for the Uttar Pradesh polls culminated on Monday with the show of strength by the BJP, the SP-Congress combine and the BSP in PM Narendra Modi's Varanasi constituency taking centre stage where he camped for three days. 

Around 40 seats spread over seven eastern districts, including five in Varanasi, will go to polls on 8 March, bringing curtains down on the two month-long exercise staggered in seven phases.

As many as 8,682 polling stations with 14,458 polling booths have been set up. 

Polling will continue till 5 pm in 37 constituencies, whereas in Robertsganj, Duddhi in Sonebhadra district and Chakia segment in Chandauli will end by 4 pm, an Election Commission official said.

In last phase, 1.41 crore are casting their votes

Over 1.41 crore voters are eligible to exercise their franchise in the seventh and last phase of the assembly elections, including 76.87 lakh men and 64.99 lakh women. A total of 706 voters are of the third gender. 

8th and final phase: 535 candidates, including 51 women, in fray

Polling began in 40 Uttar Pradesh assembly segments at 7 am on Wednesday, officials said.

A total of 535 candidates, including 51 women, are in fray for these assembly seats spread across seven districts of eastern Uttar Pradesh, known as Poorvanchal.

Modi slams SP govt for mafia raj

Targeting the SP government of poor law and order, Narendra Modi slammed Akhilesh Yadav of turning the police force into its personal fiefdom. Modi promised to bring back law and order and end mafia-raj in the state if voted to power. 

UP govt only concerned about vote bank and not farmers

Prime Minister Modi said that while other states had implemented the PM Fasal Beema Yojna, the Uttar Pradesh government did not implement the scheme as it is only interested in building vote bank and not in any development activities. 

Modi talks about his various policies for farmers

Addressing a rally in Rohaniya, Modi spoke of helping farmers procure water and urea for their farming activities. Talking about the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojna, he added that his policy has helped farmer hedge their losses due to untoward incidents. 

Modi addresses rally in Rohaniya 

"I feel proud to be serving the people of Varanasi. In 2022, I intend to fulfill people's dream to own a house. I have another dream of doubling the farmer earnings by 2022."  

Watch: Modi inside Lal Bahadur Shastri memorial

PM Modi to address rally shortly

Prime Minister Narendra Modi en-route to Rohaniya in Varanasi for his rally. According to CNN-News18, there is a mini-road show as his convoy is moving towards the helipad. 

Modi did not do what he promised, says Akhilesh

Akhilesh Yadav targets Modi

"If someone does not pay tax that is black money. Note is not black, not paying tax is black money. BJP has fooled country.When will Modi talk about his work? Stop Mann ki baat and start kaam ki baat."

Modi calls Akhilesh Yadav govt lazy

"By 2022, there won't be a single family who won't have a house of their own. Even the poor should get a house. The house should have power and water. That's the kind of work we want to do. We told UP govt that there are 30 lakh people in cities who need houses. The govt is ready to get it done. We wrote so many letters, but this government is sleeping. They couldn't make a list. How do you expect a govt who can't make a list to make houses."

The Prime Minister on surgical strikes

 

The Prime Minister 

PM Modi's convoy reaches Chaukaghat

In Ghazipur, Amit Shah repeats his 'UP ke do rajkumar' barb

"There are two princes in the state (UP). One (Rahul Gandhi) is giving tough times to his mother and the other one (Akhilesh Yadav) to his father. And the entire state is having a tough time facing their antics, says Amit Shah," Shah said.

Mayawati claims PM Modi's Saturday roadshow was in violation MCC

Meanwhile... Rahul Gandhi claims alliance will cinch victory in UP

BJP supporters flocking the streets give an impression of a Modi wave in the temple city

According to the peopel, who CNN-News18's ground reporters interviewed, people in Varanasi are inclined to vote for Modi, if not the local BJP candidate. 
 

Several people, who were undecided about giving Akhilesh another chance, now say that they are impressed by the way Modi is making efforts to reach out to the people of Benaras, despite being such a big leader.

BJP's candidate dilemma may hurt party in PM Modi's parliamentary constituency Varanasi

Watch: PM Modi's roadshow in Varanasi

Meanwhile... Amit Shah holds the front in Ghazipur

As a battery of BJP star campaigners camp at PM's constituency, Varanasi, BJP national president Amit Shah is holding rallies in other districts of eastern UP.

At the moment, Shah is conducting a public meeting in Ghazipur

Muslim weavers in Varanasi back SP-Congress, feel alienated by BJP

Huge Muslim Turnout at Modi Roadshow May Not Translate Into Votes

Huge crowd dotting the roads of Varanasi just to catch a glimpse of PM Modi surpries no one. What's unexpected is the sizeable presence of people from the Muslim community at the PM's roadshow. 

However, the goodwill gesture may not translate into votes for BJP candidates in his parliamentary seat.

"Hamare prime minister hain. Banaras taraqqi karega to hum bhi karengein. But BJP wale humein pasand nahi karte. (He is our prime minister. If Vanarasi progresses, then so will we, but the BJP does not like us), says Rafiq Ahmed, a septuagenarian trader in Madanpura.

If some Muslims give credit to the prime minister for launching developmental schemes aimed at Varanasi and increased cleanliness, there is also lot of resentment in the community over demonetisation, which has especially hit hard the weaving community, comprising mostly Muslims.

Today's roadshow focussed on BJP swing seats

The Prime Minister will be touring the Varanasi North constituency extensively, which it lost to the BSP in last Assembly elections. 

PM Modi's convoy reaches Pandeypur crossing

Shatrughan Sinha calls PM's roadshow a "desperate" effort, says if PM confident of win then what's the need of "taamjhaam

BJP leader Shatrughan Sinha, who was apparently miffed over his name not being in the list of star campaigners, has said that the Prime Minister himself descending down to hold two roadshows in one city shows some desperation.

He said "if you are confident of a win, you have star campaigners then why do you need all this drama"

The mystery of 'official' vs 'unofficial' roadshow

As the Congress and SP cornered the BJP over the Saturday's roadshow, BJP has been on the defensive, stating that it was not really a roadshow but a jandarshan for the PM.

Moreover, the SP-Congress combine has been claiming that they pulled a better crowd than Modi in the PM's Lok Sabha constityuency. With the BJP now claiming that the Saturday's charade was not really a rodshow but an informal interaction, PM Modi stands another chance to beat his opponents at it.

PM Modi lands in Varanasi, to begin road show shortly

UP Governor Ram Naik writes to CM Akhilesh, takes exception to Prajapati still holding Cabinet post

Meanwhile.. SP too struggles with it's tainted minister accused of rape

It's not the BSP alone is is having a tough time with tainted leaders. Samajwadi Party's minister Gayatri Prajapati, who is booked in a rape case and is currently absconding, continues to be the ruling party's Achilles heel.

The UP Police have issued a non-bailable warrant against Prajapati, who was last seen on 27 February at a Samajwadi Party rally, where the UP CM Akhilesh Yadav was also present.

SP's opponents, especially BJP, have been cornering the Akhilesh Yadav government over the issue, but now the Governer of Uttar Pradesh Ram Naik has also taken exception with the tainted minister still holding ranks in the UP cabinet.

BSP candidate from Ayodhya, Bazmi Siddiqui, booked on rape charges

Bahujan Samaj Party candidate from Ayodhya seat, Bazmi Siddiqui and his six aides were booked by the police for allegedly raping a woman.

Five of his accused associates have been arrested, the police said, even as Siddiqui claimed the case was a political conspiracy against him.

Modi to hold roadshow in Varanasi today

Narendra Modi is set to hold a roadshow here today in support of local BJP candidates, a day after an impromptu tour through the winding streets of the city.

Modi is scheduled to begin his tour today with the roadshow which will commence at 3 PM from the Police Lines helipad where his chopper will land, BJP  media convenor for Kashi Prant, comprising several districts in eastern UP, Sanjay Bhardwaj told PTI.

After the rally, Modi will leave for the Diesel Locomotive Works guest house where he will stay the night. Before retiring for the day, the Prime Minister will interact with nearly 2,000 prominent citizens drawn from various walks of life at the DLW premises - PTI

Modi heads to airport to depart for Delhi, promises to come back tomorrow

I am not just your PM but a BJP worker too: Modi
 

At Varanasi rally, Modi layed out his vision to develop Uttar Pradesh and Varanasi

Modi said that he envisions a cleaner, greener and more prosperous Uttar Pradesh with Varanasi at the forefront. He said that he will aspire to provide 24x7 electricity, better roads and cleaner Ganga to the peopel of Kashi. He also took a dig at the UP government for "failing" to implement Centre's developmental schemes.

UP CM lies about providing 24x7 electricity, but todays Shiva himself showed them reality: Modi

Modi said, "Akhilesh Yadav lies about providing 24x7 electricity, I ask you, is power outage a problem or not."

"But today bhole baba (Lord Shiva) himself gave them proof as during their temple visit today, there was power outage," Modi added

PM Modi lauds Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Yojna, says we have slashed prices of life saving drugs

Modi recounts work initiated by him as an MP

Narendra Modi recounted his achievement at Varanasi rally as he sought to seek vote for the local candidates in the region. He said that the work for ring road was stalled for years, which has resumed after his efforts. He also said that the hanging wires from electric poles were also fixed under his tenure, which were a hazard for people.

Modi also reminded people that he has improved the infrastructure and is working to transform key roads into four-lane highways.

Kashi is the paradigm of humanity, its a message for entire human race: Narendra Modi

I want to restore Kashi's former glory, this city is a symbol of humanity: Modi

I want to stay one night in my constituency, amid my people: Modi

PM Modi greets people in Bhojpuri

People were slightly taken aback when PM Modi, known for his extempore speeches, started reading out his address at his Lok Sabha constituency Varanasi. But the people of the ancient temple city were in for a surpirse when Modi greeted his supporters in their language, Bhojpuri.

PM Modi addresses rally in Varanasi

PM Modi thanks people of Varanasi, Jaunpur for love and warm welcome

PM Modi takes a dig at Akhilesh Yadav over tainetd minister, says SP-Congress chant 'Gayatri Prajapati' mantra

Blaming Akhilesh Yadav for "sleeping over" the demand for justice by a "beti" in the rape case against Gayatri Prajapati, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the voters in Uttar Pradesh have got an opportunity to perform the "pind daan" (last rites) of their "tormentors".

PM Modi back in Varanasi, to address people shortly

People at Modi's roadshow mere spectators: Mayawati

BSP chief Mayawati said that those seen at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's roadshow in Varanasi were "mere spectators" brought in from other states and districts in Uttar Pradesh where voting had already taken place.

Addressing a rally in Rohaniya, 20 km away from Varanasi, she also asserted that the BJP and the SP-Congress combine were fighting for second and third place in the UP polls.

After Kejriwal And Parrikar, Akhilesh Yadav Asks UP Voters to Accept Money

After Modi, Akhilesh and Dimple Yadav offer prayers at Kashi Vishwanath temple

Meanwhile... trouble increases for tainted UP minister Gayatri Prajapati

The noose tightened around SP leader Gayatri Prajapati, who is accused of raping a minor girl, as a non-bailable warrant was issued against him on Saturday.

The passport of the SP leader has also been revoked for four weeks and a look out circular has been released by the UP Police.

Sarkar ki chabhi Dimple bhabhi?

According to ground reporters of CNN-News18, UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav's wife Dimple Yadav also seems to be a major crowd puller. While the Samajwadi supporters are anxious to listen to their leader speak, they are equally curious to see Dimple 'Bhabhi.'

Donning a flamingo pink saree and a quarter-sleeved blouse, Dimple flanks her husband at the road show, smiling at the right moments and waving at the crowd amassed to see her. She has addressed several rallies to support husband Akhilesh. Her halting bhojpuri and calm demeanour usually has a pleasant effect on the crowds.

Amid chants of "Dimple Bhabhi sarkar ki chabhi, (Dimple will be the key to forming government), the UP ki bahu is about to address her maiden rally in Varanasi. 

Over 57% voter turnout recorded in sixth phase

Akhilesh claims more number of people turned out to see him than PM Modi

Polling closes for sixth phase elections

SP, BJP workers clash at Akhilesh-Rahul's joint roadshow

A clash broke out between SP and BJP workers during the joint roadshow of Akhilesh Yadav and Rahul Gandhi in Varanasi. The roadshow took off from Kutchery at around 3 pm.

As the procession reached Chaukaghat, with Gandhi and Yadav perched atop an open bus and a swarm of supporters marching on foot, SP workers came face to face with members of BJP which has set up a media centre nearby.

Tempers flared and workers of both parties started yelling and hurling stones at each other. The situation was soon brought under control as policemen deployed along the route resorted to lathicharge. - PTI

Politicos compete over who pulled more crowd in Varanasi face-off, but does footfall at rally equals votes?

Ground reporters of CNN-News18 report that the Akhilesh-Rahul road show pulled almost equal number of people as Modi did in his road shows. Meanwhile, Mayawati also claimed absolute support in the holy city.

But if headcount at a rally were an indicator of people’s preferences at all…

Modi’s road show passing through Muslim dominated areas like Sonarpura and Madanpura evoked lot of curiosity among the community. Even they came out in strength to see him.

What remains to be seen is that whether the milling crowd could actually translate into votes for these leaders.

Varanasi stretches beyond its temples and Brahmins

Amid the din surrounding Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to two prominent Hindu shrines in Varanasi on Saturday, it is the city's Muslim community that felt alienated from the political discourse that gripped this land of temples on the banks of the river Ganga.

The city is home to a sizeable Muslim community, in fact, 15 percent if you talk in numbers. Many among the community, which is usually perceived to be lock, stock and barrel against Modi and the saffron party, had voted for Modi (ergo development) in the 2014 elections.

Political heat picks up in varanasi as Dimpe Yadav joins Akhilesh, Rahul roadshow

 Stone pelting during Congress road show

According to India Today, stones were hurled at the Samajwadi Party and Congress supporters during their road show in Varanasi. More updates are awaited.

It is instructive to note here that, emotions running high in the city amid political face-off between SP-Congress, BSP and BJP. The city has become a political battleground with top leaders of all three major contenders holding their rallies. 

All is not well for BJP in Varanasi as locals notice credibility gap between promise and delivery

A two-day trip to this ancient holy city bursting with over two thousand temples and a host of prominent as well as obscure akharas and mutts belonging to various Hindu sects revealed little sign of religious bigotry or communal prejudice in the majority community. The denial of a ticket to a local icons, its troubled alliance with a cleaving Apna Dal, and demonetisation have only compounded BJP's woes.

Modi heads back to Varanasi, will host townhall style address in the temple city

Roads in Jaunpur, a tell tale sign of Akhilesh govt's 'Kaam'

Urging voters to vote for the BJP, Modi said, "People told me that if you take the Agra-Delhi express highway, even you will vote for Akhilesh Yadav."

He said that then he told those people that if Akhilesh and Rahul will take a road in Jaunpur, even they will not vote for themselves.

Meanwhile, Akhilesh-Rahul begin roadshow in Varanasi

Why politicise issues of national security, asks Narendra Modi in Jaunpur

48.73% voting recorded till 3 pm

According to reports, voter turnout till 3 pm recorded at 48.73% in the sixth phase of Uttar Pradesh election 2017.

WATCH: PM Narendra Modi addresses election rally in Jaunpur

Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauds the Indian Army for the surgical strike and lambasted the opposition for deriding the Army's achievements. Watch Modi's speech LIVE. 

Modi reaches Jaunpur, addresses public meeting

BJP, SP competing only for second and third position: Mayawati
 

Does BHU VC joins Modi's campaign, symbolises end of Left-leaning discourse in the varsity

As reports of BHU VC joining Modi's road show come in, important to highlight the students complain of decreasing space for catharsis at the university. Discourse has moved towards right. Seminars focus more on Golwalkar less on Gandhi. Restrictions on girl students have increased.

'UP ke ladke' begin campaigning right after PM Modi's road show; Mayawati's rally underway in Rohania
 

Modi recreates 2014 in Banaras

For once the chants which were only reserved for Baba Vishwanath, Lord Shiva was made victory chant for Modi, “Har Har Modi Ghar Ghar Modi”. Anything and everything happening in the city became a thing of highest visibility value. Since then the place is now a political Mahakumbh.

The sight of milling crowd, human waves and enthusiastic people along the roads, balconies and roof tops showing BJP flags, chanting Modi, Modi and showering flower petals had become captivating pictures to influence minds of voters in favour of BJP in 2014. Those frames, with same kind of enthusiasm and chants were back on the streets of Banaras today when Modi smartly turned his visit to various temples in the city to a road show.

Competitive campaigning in Varanasi makes nail-biting polls in Poorvanchal even more intense

As the UP election reach the end of business, political heavyweights in the state are leaving no stones unturned. Just as Narendra Modi's road show brought the city out on the roads, UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav was landing in the holy city to address his lok sabhas in the city's Rohaniya Assembly seat.

As Modi's road show was in it's last leg, Akhilesh Yadav's road show took off near the Kacheri Chowk.

With BJP and SP being looked at as the main contenders in UP polls, both parties have just upped the stakes in the eastern part of the state with such competitive campaigning. As for 'banarasis', they are totally enjoying the political limelight. 

Modi camps in Varanasi with a battery of star BJP campaigners... is the PM nervous

The Prime Minister flanked with senior BJP leaders like Amit Shah, Smriti Irani, and Ravi Shankar Prasad will camp in Varanasi overnight. He will shortly fly-off to Jaunpur, where he is scheduled to address a rally. But the Prime Minister will be back to his Lok Sabha constituency by nightfall.

This unusual show of strength in any one city is sending mixed signals. His critics are of the view that this obviously shows that the BJP is nervous about not retaining the voters it gained in the 2014 Lok Sabha election.

BHU vice-chancellor joins Narendra Modi's roadshow in Varanasi

As reports come in that the vice-chancellor of BHU joined Narendra Modi's roadshow in Varanasi, it's imperative to highlight that the students of the university complain of decreasing space for catharsis at the university. 

General discourse has become Right-leaning. Seminars now focus more on Madhav Sadashiv Golwalkar (the second Sarsanghchalak of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) and less on Mahatma Gandhi. Restrictions on female students have increased as well. 

Varanasi road show to begin shortly

Thousands came out in support of Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his roadshow in Varanasi. But Modi is not the only one trying to woo the crucial constituency which goes to polls on 8 March — the final phase of polling. 

Joint roadshow of Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav will soon begin in Varanasi.

Modi offers prayers at Kashi Vishwanath

PM Modi's convoy has reached the famous Shiva temple in Varanasi, Kashi Vishwanath. The Prime Minister, who is also the region's Lok Sabha MP has offered his prayers and performed Abhishek. However, Modi's critics are calling the PM's visit to the temple, that's the heart and soul of the city of temple city, as mere tokenism. 

Narendra Modi's roadshow won't appease ignored Varanasi voters

Varanasi is Narendra Modi's parliamentary constituency, which has not changed much since he became the prime minister. Considering he is the prime minister, he should sweep the district, but that's not happening. BJP is struggling in the constituency.

In south Varanasi seat, there are 55 percent Muslims and are likely to consolidate behind the alliance. In north, two of BJP leaders are contesting independently because they didn't get ticket. They could eat into the BJP candidate's voteshare. And the cantt seat is tough to call.

Weavers from Ansari community in Varanasi furious with Modi after demonetisation

Known for  Gautam Buddha's Sarnath, Ganga and Bismillah Khan's Shehnai, Varanasi is a complex constituency as the demographic divide is complicated as well. Along with sizeable Brahmin population, it consists of weavers who amount to over a lakh. They are from the Ansari community. They are worst hit by demonetisation and are furious with Modi. They question the intention behind it, unlike the rest of Uttar Pradesh where Modi is hailed as a crusader against corruption.

No party ignores the Brahmin factor in Varanasi

The importance of Brahmin votes can be explained by revisiting June 2016, when Mayawati sacked Sanjay Bharti for posting an anti-Brahmin comment on Facebook. Congress president Sonia Gandhi, too, chose Varanasi to kickstart Congress campaign a few months ago. Brahmin voters in Varanasi may be with BJP today, but it was with Congress during the time of Kamalapathi Tripathi. The religious polarisation got acute here when Murli Manohar Joshi and Mukhtar Ansari fought against each other in 2009.

SP-Congress, BJP, BSP rush to please Brahmin voters in Varanasi

All political parties in fray have shifted their focus to the last phase of polling and the spotlight is now on Varanasi. 

Varanasi is one of the high profile constituencies which is going to polls on 8 March. It has a large Brahmin votebank. Even though they are not in majority, parties know the importance of a Brahmin vote because they say it has the power to influence other voters. It is no surprise that Modi and the gathbandhan (SP-Congress alliance) are focusing on Varanasi as the polling reaches its business end.

Adityanath's popularity will be tested in 6th phase

As it is this phase has maximum number of Bahubalis in the fray.

Gorakhpur too is voting today. Yogi Adityanath is a force to reckon with. He monopolises BJP or Hindutava politics in that region. The BJP has been doing well in the past but this time the BJP is a serious contender for power. Amit Shah-Adityanath road show here had drawn huge crowds. Gorakhpur thus has to improve its tally for BJP. Adyitanath's popularity and might is on test.

Stakes high for Narendra Modi in Varanasi

Stakes are particularly high for the BJP in the Prime Minister's Lok Sabha constituency. Top leaders like party chief Amit Shah and vice president in-charge of UP Om Mathur have been conducting whirlwind tours of the city while Union ministers like Arun Jaitley, Smriti Irani and Piyush Goyal have been interacting with citizens from different walks of life.

Around 23 percent voting recorded till 11 am

SP-Congress alliance hopes to cause an upset 3 of 5 seats in Varanasi

The Samajwadi Party-Congress alliance hopes to cause an upset in three of the five Assembly segments falling under Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency currently held by the BJP. Fighting separately in 2012, the two parties had together polled more votes than the BJP in all the three seats, with the Congress finishing as the runner-up in two of these--Varanasi South and Varanasi Cantt.

In Varanasi North, SP had finished third, behind BJP and BSP, and was followed closely by the Congress. All the three seats--which cover almost the entire city--are being contested by the Congress this time, while the SP is fighting the predominantly rural Rohaniya and Sevapuri.

Here's Narendra Modi's itinerary in Varanasi and most of them are temple visits

According to the programme received by the district administration here, Modi is scheduled to arrive at his Lok Sabha constituency at about 3 PM and leave for the Kashi Vishwanath temple after resting for an hour at the guest house of the Benares Hindu University.

After offering prayers at Kashi Vishwanath, Modi will visit the Kaal Bhairav temple, situated a kilometre away.

Modi will then leave for the Kashi Vidyapith University where he is scheduled to address his first public meeting in the ancient temple city during the ongoing Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh. The road show will commence at the Kutchery and conclude at Girijaghar--a church situated in Godaulia locality--close to Kashi Vishwanath and Kaal Bhairav temples.

WATCH: In Varanasi, PM Narendra Modi leads BJP campaign in Purvanchal

Spotlight turns to Varanasi: Modi, Mayawati, Akhilesh and Rahul to hold rallies

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, Rahul Gandhi and BSP supremo Mayawati will descend on Varanasi today making it their battleground ahead of the last phase of UP polls, a schedule that has put the administration on its toes. 

In what is likely to cause jitters to the administration and badly affect traffic in the city known for its congested streets, the Prime Minister's tour will be coinciding with a joint road show by Gandhi and Yadav. The road show was postponed twice last month and is now being held with two more days to go for campaigning in the final lap of seven-phase assembly polls.

A 10 km-long route has been finalised by the district administration in consultation with the elite Special Protection Group (SPG) which provides security cover to both Modi and Gandhi.

Muslims in Azamgarh want SP but doubtful about Congress

For the Muslim electorate in Azamgarh, the alliance between Samajwadi Party and Congress presents an interesting situation. This is an area where Batla House encounter in September 2008 resonates the most. Though the encounter took place in Delhi, the suspected Indian Mujahideen terrorists, who died during that encounter with Delhi Police, belonged to this region. The Congress-led UPA government was in power then and directly controlled Delhi Police. Police Inspector Mohan Chand Sharma died in course of that encounter.

That notwithstanding senior Congress leader Salman Khurshid was on record saying that Congress president Sonia Gandhi cried on seeing pictures of slain boys. Digvijay Singh went to town against position of claiming that the encounter was fake and the boys (suspected Indian Mujahideen terrorists) killed were innocent. The matter went to court where all petitions claiming encounter fake was rejected.

In the run up to 2012 Assembly elections, Rahul Gandhi was booed in Azamgarh's Shibli College. He had to make a hurried exit from the campus. Digvijay Singh was then instrumental in taking Rahul to Shibli College in Azamgarh to re-establish what they call is Congress's secularist credentials.

Interestingly in this election, neither Salman Khurshid nor Digvijay Singh have been heard or seen and Rahul has kept his distance from Azamgarh. The Congress didn't get a single seat in 10 seats of Azamgarh district. The feeling among Muslims is that they would not be voting for Congress but they would be voting for Samajwadi Party and some would vote for the BSP. But at the same time they consider the alliance to be good. The argument is that if the BJP has to be stopped in 2019, the alliances of all kinds would go a long way.

11 percent polling recorded till 9 am

Throwback: In 2012, SP won 27 seats out of the 49 while BJP won 7

In the 2012 Assembly polls, of the 49 seats, 27 were won by the Samajwadi Party, 9 by Bahujan Samaj Party, 7 by Bharatiya Janata Party, 4 by Congress and 2 by others. There will be 17,926 polling booths and 10,820 polling centres in this phase.

The highest number of 23 candidates are contesting from Gorakhpur and the least candidates, numbering seven are in pitted for Mohammadabad Gohna seat in Mau district.

Prominent candidates in 6th phase

Prominent candidates in this phase include BSP turncoat Swami Prasad Maurya from Padrauna (Kushinagar), former BJP state president Surya Pratap Shahi from Pathardeva (Deoria), Shyam Bahadur Yadav (SP), son of former Governor Ram Naresh Yadav from Fulpur Pawai (Azamgarh), SP turncoats Ambika Chowhdury and Narad Rai, who are contesting on BSP ticket from Fefna (Ballia) and Ballia Sadar.

Mukhtar is contesting from Mau and his son Abbas is in fray from adjoining Ghosi seat in Mau district.

1.72 crore voters exercise their franchise in 49 crucial constituencies 

Around 1.72 crore voters, including 94.60 lakh men and 77.84 lakh women, are eligible to cast their votes in this round to decide the fate of 635 candidates including 63 women. The districts where polling is going on in the sixth phase are Mau, Gorakhpur, Maharajganj, Kushinagar, Deoria, Azamgarh and Ballia.

Azamgarh Lok Sabha constituency has 10 assembly seats, of which SP had won nine in 2012, but this time Mulayam has not addressed a single meeting in his parliamentary constituency. The prestige of Union minister Kalraj Mishra, who represents Deoria in the Lok Sabha, too is at stake, besides that of Adityanath.

BJP is contesting 45 seats and its ally Apna Dal one.

In crucial sixth phase, Mulayam's Azamgarh, Adityanath's Gorakhpur, Mukhtar Ansari's Mau in fray

Polling in 49 Uttar Pradesh Assembly seats, with Samajwadi Party patron Mulayam Singh Yadav's Azamgarh being in focus, started today amidst tight security arrangements. Assembly segments of Gorakhpur Lok Sabha constituency of firebrand BJP leader Yogi Adityanath, and Mau, where jailed gangster-turned-MLA Mukhtar Ansari is in fray, also figure in this penultimate phase of polling that will also cover some districts bordering Nepal.

Modi belongs to upper caste, assumed OBC identity to use quota benefits, claims Mayawati
 

In a sizzling attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Mayawati alleged that the Prime Minister actually belonged to the upper caste, but assumed an OBC identity later to gain benefits from the same quota policies that his party opposes.

BJP-RSS are the same people that rioted when Mandal commission report was implemented

Alleging BJP of practicing double standards Mayawati said the same people who are today appropriating themselves as 'Ambedkarvadi,' have rioted in the past against the implementation of the Mandal commission. 

"They were anti-dalits, are anti-Dalits and will always remain anti-Dalit," Mayawati added.

Mayawati responds to Modi's corruption barb at Mirzapur rally

Reponding to BJP's allegation that the BSP deposited huge sums of money post demonetisation, Mayawati said that the BJP has only traded verbal barbs but have never been able to show proof.

It is noteworthy here that earlier in the day, the Election Commission had written to the BSP, seeking a response by 15 March in the issue

BSP chief addresses rally in Jaunpur

Modi cites Mirzapur's proximity with Varanasi, says will develop tourism in district

SP, BSP always neglected 'Poorvanchal'

Amid talks of division of Uttar Pradesh into four new states, today Modi also pointed out at the difference in development between the eastern and the western parts of the state. 

Alleging that the SP and BSP, both of whom have considerable support base in western Uttar Pradesh, have neglected Poorvanchal, Modi urged the people to vote in heavy numbers to support BJP.

The Prime Minister canvassing for the Apna Dal candidate from the region said that BJP alone could bring eastern Uttar Pradesh at par with the western parts of the state, after the years of neglect from subsequent governments.

Modi hits at UP CM over 'unfulfilled promises'

Narendra Modi upped the ante against the Samajwadi Party government at his rally in Mirzapur. Taking on Chief Minsietr Akhilesh yadav, Modi said that what will you expect from a person who could not even fulfill his father's promise. Modi was referring to the two bridges promised by Mulayam Singh Yadav during his tenure. 

In Uttar Pradesh, polls are no less than a festival: Modi in Mirzapur

Addressing a rally in Mirzapur, of the eastern Uttar Pradesh, Narendra Modi said that the polling season is no less than a festival for the state. He also urged the people to celebrate this utsav (festival) by freeing the state from the misrule of Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party and Congress
 

Rahul takes a dig at Rahul Gandhi, says khaat sabhas were a failure

In his usual style, Modi quipped on the Khat Sabhas held by Rahul Gandhi earlier, stating that the people took the cots away as even they knew that it was in fact their money that the Congress party has gathered in its 70-year rule.

He also urged the people to teach those, who have misruled, a message.

Narendra Modi addresses rally in UP's Mirzapur

57.36 percent voter turnout in phase five of UP polls

An estimated 57.36 per cent of 1.81 crore electorate today cast their votes amid tight security during the fifth phase of polling in Uttar Pradesh with Amethi and Faizabad assembly seats remaining the centre of attention.

The day-long poll process remained largely peaceful in 51 Assembly constituencies spread over 11 districts of the state.

PTI

Amit Shah slams Mayawati for BSP posters with Mukhtar Ansari's photos

Amit Shah hit out at BSP chief Mayawati on her promise to end 'goonda raj' in Uttar Pradesh by pointing out at her party's posters with photos of Mukhtar Ansari and his brother Afzal.

His remarks came hours after the Delhi High Court rejected custody parole to Mukhtar, the sitting MLA from Mau, to canvass for himself in the ongoing  Assembly polls.

Ansari, who recently joined the Bahujan Samaj Party to contest from Mau Assembly seat, is accused in rape case.

Over 57% polling recorded in UP phase five till 5 pm: ANI
 

Does BJP regret not fielding Muslim candidates

Perhaps yes, if you look at the recent statement given by Union Minister and BJP's prominent face in UP, Uma Bharti, who calls it a "huge mistake."

Party's lone prominent Muslim face in the state, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi also echoes the same sentiment, even though he's not as forthcoming as Bharti. "Yes the situation could have been better," Naqvi says in response to a question on BJP not fielding even a sigle Muslim candidate.

Union Minister Rajnath also said something on similar lines. "I feel that We could have given more tickets (to Muslims)," Singh had said.

Not fielding Muslims in UP was a mistake: Uma Bharti

 Union minister Uma Bharti on Monday said the BJP made "a huge mistake" by not fielding any Muslim candidate in the ongoing Uttar Pradesh assembly polls.

"I am really feeling sorry that we could not field a Muslim. I spoke with (BJP President) Amit Shah and (state party President) Keshav Prasad Maurya about how we could have brought a Muslim to the assembly," Uma Bharti told CNN-News18.

Uma Bharti's comments met with opposition from her colleague, with Rajya Sabha member Vinay Katiyar questioning the logic behind fielding Muslims.

"When Muslims do not vote for us, then why should we give ticket to them," asked Katiyar.

SP, BSP may do as they like but UP will give majority to BJP: Modi

Modi said it is the right of the SP, the Congress and the BSP in democracy to try to win elections by doing whatever they want against the BJP.

"When the polls were announced and the SP got afraid that they will not win, in a hurry they went and sat in the lap of the Congress...boarded a sinking ship. They got encouraged by media coverage and got intoxicated and thought they will befool the people," Modi said.

However, public knows how to differentiate milk from water, he said.

Why are Sonia, Rahul and Priyanka ignoring Amethi and Raebareli?

As polling comes to an end in Amethi, the voters must be wondering that after being represented by Rahul Gandhi why would the first family of the Congress choose to give them a royal ignore in the first place? Rahul came here only once and Priyanka Gandhi didn't come at all. This was in sharp contrast to 2012 when Priyanka had spent over a week in Amethi, going to several places in every Assembly constituencies to hold rallies. In 2014 parliamentary elections, Priyanka had campaigned on behalf of her brother Rahul.

This is also the first time during an election that Sonia Gandhi did not campaign at all — and not just in Raebareli (her own constituency) but anywhere in Uttar Pradesh. Local Congress leaders attribute her absence to her waning health.  
 

After the 2012 elections, Amethi and Raebareli had disappointed the Gandhis and that could be a reason why they didn't want to put their personal prestige at stake this time around. Ground report from Raebareli, where polling was held in last phase (fourth phase), was not in the favour of Gandhis and Amethi, where polling is underway, reports aren't too encouraging either. 

Akhilesh Yadav's Kaam Bolta Hai slogans sounds feeble in Uttar Pradesh

Kaam Bolta Hai? What's that? Many would come up with this response in the 11 districts where polling is underway. These districts are considered to be the worst developed in Uttar Pradesh. From water to infrastructure to healthcare — too much remains to be done here. Far off from capital Lucknow and notice of powers that be in the state, the only thing that appears to have eluded this area is kaam. It is not surprising that Akhilesh is finding it difficult to convince his audience about his claim. It is not without reason that the BJP's star campaigners have been sharp in their attack on Akhilesh's claim.

Modi in Mau, Rahul and Akhilesh in Deoria and Mayawati in Azamgarh: High-decibel campaigning as 5th phase polling comes to a close

As the fifth phase of polling comes to a close, high-decibel campaigning is on ahead of the sixth phase. Uttar Pradesh's sixth phase of polling is scheduled on 4 March. 

Whille Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi continued the tirade against BJP and Bahujan Samaj Party in Deoria, Prime Minister Narendra Modi attacked the gundaraaj under Samajwadi Party regime. BSP supremo Mayawati did not let it rest either. Addressing an election rally in Azamgarh on Monday, Mayawati referred to Akhilesh as babua (little boy) and called the Modi-Shah duo the guru and chela. 

Addressing a rally in Deoria, Rahul asked the gathered crowd that why was not Narendra Modi waiving off farmers' loan when he could waive them off for Vijay Mallya.

Mayawati's babua and bhabhi jab

Addressing a poll rally, BSP chief Mayawati said that guru and chele  (master and pupil) of the BJP and the babua (little boy) of the Samajwadi Party won't be able to brace against the tsunami that is headed their way. "SP ke babuaa ko to Bhabhi bhi nahi bacha paayegi," Mayawati said referring to Akhilesh's wife and MP of the ruling party, Dimple Yadav. 

Modi in Mau gives impetus to farmers

When Nehru ji was the PM, MP from Ghazipur expressed concern over poverty. Report was presented, but no action was taken: Modi in Mau

BJP is working to double the income of farmers till 2022: PM Modi at election rally in Mau

The world is hailing India, Uttar Pradesh too will develop with a strong BJP govt: Modi addresses rally in Mau

In phase five, 38.72 percent polling recorded till 1 pm

In eastern UP, the age of kings and lords continues

The age of kings and feudal lords maybe officially over, but in the region where polling is underway they live on, grand and larger-than-life as ever. The ruler-subject relation still continues in the many districts in Awadh, Terai belt and eastern Uttar Pradesh going to polls.

The ex-royals are still addressed with great difference and they impact voting behaviour too. It's almost middle ages here. This is one of dark areas in India's democracy. Of course, money power and legacy puts them at advantage over competitors. Surely, one of the biggest failures of the democracy. 

Faizabad: Outside Ayodhya, Dalit votes not Ram Mandir holds sway over poll results

As one moves away from Ayodhya, Ram Mandir is not an issue in other four constituencies. Faizabad district has 20 percent Dalit population and Mayawati is a serious contender here.

The largest community among Dalits, Chamars, are always with BSP. Kori, Dhobi and others shift between BJP and BSP. Pasis are split between SP, BSP, BJP. A large chunk of Dalit vote went to BJP in 2014, which would come back to Mayawati for state polls, although BJP would retain a segment of it.

However, despite the sizeable Dalit vote share, SP-Congress alliance should win 2-3 seats, because BSP is struggling to add on vote to her traditional vote bank.

In Milkipur, Awadhesh Prasad of SP is a 6-time MLA, he should win.

In Bikapur, Mitrasen Yadav's son Anand is locked in a close fight with BJP's Shobha Singh Chauhan, wife of Munna singh Chauhan, who used to be irrigation minister under Mulayam. However, two years ago, Anand had beaten Munna by a huge margin in a bypoll.

And the third seat of Rudauli, where 70,000 Muslims vote, should go to the alliance if the vote share consolidates and doesn't split.

Akhilesh attacks Mayawati in Deoria, says bua kabhi bhi BJP ke saath raksha bandhan mana sakti hain

Amethi battleground: All eyes on Garima Singh and Amita Singh

The most keenly watched fight in Amethi is between Garima singh and Amita singh. Garima is the first wife and Amita is the second wife of Sanjay Singh, a locally influential leader, given RS seat by congress. 

Garima, contesting on BJP ticket, is striking an emotional chord with the electorate while campaigning for "justice against the man who wronged her". Amita, on congress ticket, is relying on sanjay singh's muscle strength.

Akhilesh's good work marred by candidates SP fielded

Akhilesh's popularity is largely because of the laptops and the sewing machines (among other things) that he distributed. But the goodwill has been marred by some of the candidates that SP has fielded. 

Quite a few, electorate says, indulge in hooliganism. SP's Amethi Sadar candidate, Gayatri Prajapati, is a rape accused. Two separate cases, one of gangrape and other of attempt to rape a woman and her minor daughter, have been filed against him.

27% voter turnout recorded till 11 am

Why do bahubalis win elections?

The easy answer would be it is because they intimidate people. Another answer could be they win because they deliver. In a space where the bureaucracy is unresponsive, the police are corrupt and judicial help is a difficult option, the bahubalis offer quick solutions to problems with rough and ready methods.

A bureaucrat would be more attentive to a politician with power to harm than an ordinary citizen. They gain social capital from intervening in everyday problems with quick solutions. Bahubalis are not going away till institutions dedicated to addressing popular grievances are fully efficient.  

Mukhtar Ansari to remain in jail as Delhi HC rejects his parole plea

The popular strongman-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari will stay lodged in the jail. The High Court, taking cognisance of the Election Commission's objection, has rejected his plea seeking parole for canvassing in UP elections.

Ansari had been a supporter of the Samajwadi Party in the Mulayam era, but recently he joined hands with the Bahujan Samaj Party.

Ayodhya: Top brass may keep mum but for BJP cadres, Ram Mandir still a top agenda

The BJP is playing it smart. Ram Mandir has not been loudly spoken about as much during speeches and rallies. But workers on the ground say it is the first thing they mention while door to door campaigns. Also, the communal remarks of BJP leaders cater to the audience desperate for the mandir

Amethi: BJP might gain with votes between SP and Congress being split

Riding on the popularity of Modi, BJP is set to gain in Amethi with votes between SP and Cong being split. Especially among youth in Amethi, while Akhilesh enjoys credibility, Modi is even more popular. pundits thought demonetization would have an impact on Modi's image, it actually has. But positively. Villages after villages praise the move, saying it has attacked the rich who used to misuse money of the poor.

Bahubalis out of the shadows

Director Vishal Bhardwaj's Omkara provided us with a glimpse of the bahubali culture in Uttar Pradesh. In the movie, Naseeruddin Shah as bhaisaab, the politician, is seen protecting and promoting musclemen for his own selfish motives. But many bahubalis in the state have moved out of the shadows of politicians and became politicians themselves.

Of course, like everything else in the state the bahubali culture remains enmeshed in the caste reality.  Often this culture is rooted in the reality of unprivilege and deprivation or the history of feudalism, or both. Some ex-royals also have reputation as bahubalis. Just any criminal with influence cannot be a politician. He needs a social context for greater currency. 

There are number of similarities in Raebareli and Amethi

Both are VIP constituencies and both are underdeveloped. Politically, both have been a failure for the alliance while negotiating seats. In Amethi too, two of the five constituencies are seeing friendly fights between SP and Congress, making BJP the front runner in the district.

In Ayodhya, upper caste youths don't mind agitating for Ram Mandir with communal overtones

Ram Mandir is an issue. Even among upper caste youth, they may not feel as strongly about it as their parents do, but would not mind those agitating for it with communal overtones. It does not crop up in the top three election issues, but students say it needs to be built.

Will BJP's candidtae in Ayodhya storm over the strong Brahmin support and win?

BJP candidate Ved Prakash Gupta is a baniya and has defected from BJP to Samajwadi Party to BSP and has now come back to BJP. He is disliked even among the BJP cadres, let alone the electorate. The SP sitting MLA and his opponent Tej Narain Pandey, a Brahmin, enjoys goodwill among people. 

If BJP wins Ayodhya, it clearly means the Brahmins, who are around 40,000 in the constituency, rallied behind a defector and a baniya to bring BJP back into power. The local caste arithmetic would not matter as much.

We love our criminals, don't we? Our movies are proof enough

Bahubalis have indulged in various illegal business in this region. They have their dirty fingers in every pie — from sand mining to government tenders. But they won't thrive in electoral politics without a degree of social acceptability.  So long as their activities stay separate from the social spheres of people who vote, cause no disruptions in the latter's lives, and there's no credible new alternative, they would thrive.

It helps if they have that Robin Hood image. A criminal with a big heart -  it never fails to impress people in India. You don't have to look beyond our films for proof. How do they glorify gangsters! That's what we mean by social acceptability. People don't have much objection to what the criminal does if he compensates for it with some do-gooding. 

Dust bowl Amethi least developed; BJP focusses on Ayodhya

Amethi is a dust bowl, one of the least developed VIP constituencies. Just like Raebareli, it suffers from basic problems like sanitation, employment, better roads and quality of education. 

In Faizabad, Ayodhya is a constituency BJP is focusing on with great effort. They lost the seat in 2012 and it hurt their ego because an SP candidate won in the Ram Ki Nagari. RSS and BJP cadres combined, they are vigorously campaigning to reverse the 2012 verdict.

Bahubalis or musclemen come to the fore in phase five: Why political parties need them

Bahubalis are no filmy fantasy in this region of the state going to polls in phase five. 

They are a real, overwhelming presence. And they matter a lot to political parties; forget the big talk about criminalisation of politics. There are as many as 117 candidates with criminal records in this round.

No party is averse to fielding them — the share of such candidates is almost equal for each of them. Why so? Finally everything comes down to winnability. They can win seats, which a candidate with no muscle power may find difficult. But muscle power is not the only factor that ensures success of these candidates. It is the image that they have among the people who vote for them. Their success in elections has to do with the image and the positive ring about the person it brings.

More on it later...

5th phase could be he decider

The fifth phase of UP polls is moving to the eastern part and poll pundits say this might be the decider in an election that no one is willing to call. The deciding regions are also those which have contributed immensely to SP's massive in the last Assembly election. 

Amethi has maximum candidates 

The ruling Samajwadi Party had won 37 seats out of 52 (total seats in this phase including Alapur) in 2012. While BJP and Congress won five seats each, BSP had won three and Peace Party two.

In all, 607 candidates are in the fray in this phase with the maximum of 24 candidates in Amethi and minimum of six each in Kapilvastu and Etwa seats in Siddharth Nagar district.

Which are the districts going to polls in the fifth phase:

Balrampur, 
Gonda, 
Faizabad, 
Ambedkar Nagar, 
Bahraich, 
Shravasti, 
Basti, 
Siddharth Nagar, 
Sant Kabir Nagar, 
Amethi and,
Sultanpur.

All eyes on Amethi

Amid tight security, polling began in 51 Assembly constituencies of Uttar Pradesh spread across 11 districts that figure in the fifth phase, with all eyes on the Nehru-Gandhi pocket borough Amethi.

Prominent contestants in this phase include controversial minister Gayatri Prasad Prajapati (SP), who will be facing Amita Singh (Congress) and Garima Singh (BJP) in Amethi, the Lok Sabha constituency of Rahul Gandhi.

Voting in the fifth phase of the crucial Uttar Pradesh Assembly election is underway. We will bring you live updates.

Over 61 percent polling in phase 4 of Uttar Pradesh assembly election: EC

Firstpost News Desk discusses the crucial fourth phase of the UP polls 

BJP's support-base is energised ahead of fourth phase poll

During the past three phases of polling which took place mainly in the Muslim-dominated areas of western Uttar Pradesh, the BJP might have derived benefits from a silent wave in its favour while the Muslim votes got divided. This silent wave seems to have changed for better now, as BJP's supporters feel energised. The election campaign ahead of today's vote saw direct attacks by senior BJP and SP leaders against each other. It seems the SP has got some feedback from the first three phases of polling, which caused some sense of insecurity. As a result, the party launched targeted attacks on BJP.

On the other hand, BJP has tried every bit to focus on weaknesses of the SP government. Its election campaign has reenergised its support base in the rest of Uttar Pradesh where votes will be cast from today onwards.

Urdu Daily claims SP-Congress alliance might collapse after polls

In an editorial, Urdu daily Roznama Khabrein says that during the last three phases of polling, the Samajwadi Party and the Congress have not been able to transfer their votes to each other's candidates. It notes that the supporters of both the parties have not welcomed the SP-Congress alliance since they were already on separate paths, notably when the Congress defeated the SP in mid-term polls in Deoband held after the Muzaffarnagar riots.

"The reality is that the deal (SP-Congress alliance) is a compulsion. The two do not trust each other," it says adding that in fact the Congress might support the BSP should Mayawati emerge in a position to form government.

BSP candidate from Allahabad West is the least educated and votes in Allahabad West split three-way

Pooja Pal, the BSP candidate of Allahabad West is the least-educated among the three main candidates but popular among backward classes and Dalits. In her previous elections she used to be the most favoured candidate due to Atiq Ahmad's polarising tactics.

This time the situation is different. BJP has fielded it's spokesperson, Sidharth Nath Singh who is the grandson (daughter's son) of Lal Bahadur Shastri. He is articulate and has garnered the support of OBCs and upper caste Hindus. OBCs, who were Pooja Pal supporters till now, thus stand divided between her and Singh.

The third important candidate is Samajwadi Party's Richa Singh, who was the President of Students Union of Allahabad University last year. She is the youngest among the three and an impressive and aggressive orator. Students are vigorously campaigning for her. All the three candidates have equal chances and totally trapped in a triangular contest. Even the best of poll pandits cannot predict a victory of any of the three.

BJP MLA, the solitary reaper from Bundelkhand region

Jhansi (Sadar) — This assembly seat has the only BJP MLA out of 19 seats in Bundelkhand. Ravi Sharma was a face saver for BJP in 2012 election, when he won for the first time from Jhansi. Though, in 2012 Assembly election, besides Sharma, present Union Minister and Jhansi MP Uma Bharti was also elected from Charkhari seat in Mahoba, she vacated it after becoming MP in 2014. In the by-election, BSP candidate won Charkhari seat. So Ravi Sharma is a solitary reaper for BJP from Bundelkhand region. The party has pinned a lot of hope on Sharma, as he is expected to make successful for the second time. 

Since early morning, voter turnout has been heavy at the polling booths in BJP-dominated areas like Manik Chowk, Sidro Bazar etc. However, it is also interesting that there is a good turnout of Muslim voters in Jhansi (Sadar). Large number of Muslim voters have made their presence at Deendayal Nagar, Nandanpura and Kalanja Mohalla. According to many Muslim voters and political observers in Jhansi, this time a large number of Muslim votes in Jhansi will go to BSP and not SP. Muslims are the traditional vote bank for Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh.

Similarly there will be a shift in Yadav votes — from Samajwadi Party to BJP in Jhansi this time. "The reason is that the there is no SP candidate in Jhansi, instead Rahul Rai, a new face in the Congress candidate representing the Alliance. Muslims and Yadavs  consider him a weak candidate. So a large number of Muslims will vote for BSP. Similarly many Yadavs will vote for BJP this time," remarked Dr Sanjay Sharma a political observer  in Jhansi.

As per the general trend, Muslims won't vote for BJP. For them vote should be given to any party that can defeat the BJP candidate. And in Jhansi (Sadar), the alliance candidate has been considered as a weak candidate. So they are likely to opt for BSP here. "This simultaneously makes Ravi Sharma's position stronger because besides traditional BJP votes, he will get a good number of Yadav votes," added Dr Sharma. (IN THE PHOTO: Jhansi MLA Ravi Sharma's wife and daughter along with other family members coming out of polling booth at SPI Inter-college Civil Lines after casting their votes.)

Allahabad West: Most sensitive constituency of Allahabad

Shehar pashchimi (Allahabad West) is the second most important constituency of Allahabad city. It is considered to be the most sensitive constituency of Allahabad due to the influence of Atiq Ahmad (don and four-time MLA). Earlier, before boundary delimitation it was a Muslim dominated constituency. Some of the Muslim populated areas have gone to Allahabad South from West, which has reduced Atiq's impact. Recently, he has been to sent to jail for his involvement in a recent criminal case. He wanted the Samajwadi Party's ticket from this constituency or that of Kanpur Cantt, but it was all in vain.

There are a dozen candidates here but the main contestants of Pooja Pal of BSP, Riccha Singh of SP and Sidharth Nath Singh of BJP. Pooja Pal is the second term sitting MLA. She is the wife of Late Raju Pal who was a muscleman and aide of Atiq Ahmad. He had revolted against him and severed relation with him. Later, Mayawati gave him BSP ticket to counter Atiq Ahmad who was involved in State Guest house incident against Mayawati.

Raju Pal was killed in broad daylight and Atiq, his brother Ashraf, and others were alleged to be involved. Raju was the sitting MLA at the time of his murder and in the by-election his wife Pooja Pal was given BSP ticket but Atiq's brother Ashraf won the election. Thereafter, Pooja Pal won the consecutive two terms.

23.78 percent voting in Uttar Pradesh till 11 am 

Watch: Political analyst Ambikanand Sahay explains why all eyes are on Uttar Pradesh election

Voting percentage till 11 am: 

Banda: 21 percent

Raebareli: 25.2 percent

Jalaun: 22.9 percent

Allahabad: 24.24 percent

Raebareli is under-developed, still it chooses Sonia Gandhi as its MP. Why?

Although Raebareli remains one of the least developed VIP constituencies, the fact is that it may or may not be too different from other parts of Uttar Pradesh. A few observers noted that since it is Sonia Gandhi's constituency, the expectations from an outsider are high while most of the electorate is comparing it with other towns of Uttar Pradesh. One of the reasons why she continues to be an MP from here.

Allahabad North: Constituency of huge rich-poor divide

Allahabad North Assembly constituency is an extreme contrast of the poor and elites and all are equally politically awakened. While a section of it is comprised of judges , advocates, doctors, university professors, businessmen, while the other end of the spectrum is made up of population stricken by poverty and who work as domestic help, sweepers, vendors and other small businesses.

It also holds highest number of student population and about half of them are voters living in hostels and rented rooms. Allahabad University, Medical College, Allahabad High Court, Bar Council of UP,  Accountant General's office(employing highest number of people in any single office of UP) are part of Allahabad North constituency.

Unchahar, Raebareli: Voters complain about ticket distribution

Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav's personal popularity may be intact, but electorate complains of bad ticket distribution. In Unchahar, for example, the electorate says the cadres of sitting MLA Manoj Pandey indulge in hooliganism. The Raebareli sadar seat should go with the alliance. Not because of Akhilesh but because the contestant is Aditi Singh, 29-year-old daughter of Akhilesh singh who has been an influential leader here.

Banda: Seat is a SP bastion, but women prefer BJP

Banda (Sadar) seat belongs to Samajwadi Party and the sitting MLA is Vivek Singh from Samajwadi Party-Congress alliance. But the voters who are heading towards polling booths especially women are visibly vocal about BJP.

Good number of voters have come out to cast their rights in Banda. "Is baar to BJP ko aana chahiye" (This time BJP should come to power) — this is the common statements voters are making while waiting outside polling booth at Banda. There will be tough competition both at Banda (Sadar) and Nareni seats between BJP and the respective sitting MLAs from Alliance and BSP.

Raebareli remains least developed VIP constituencies

Raebareli remains one of the least developed VIP consistencies with employment, better standard of living and safe drinking water, being major election issues. In a few pockets of the city, and quite a few villages, fluoride levels in the drinking water are high. In rural Raebareli, the electorate doesn't even have access to toilets.

The factories, industries started during the time of Indira Gandhi have been defunct, generating absolutely no employment opportunities. 

Sonia Gandhi, a few years ago, opened a railway coach factory which has provided a bit of relief. But the problem persists, and the electorate express their desire to migrate, for farming has become economically unviable. And millennial voters say they see how students live in other towns of the country.

Shehar Uttari - Allahabad's most important constituency sees a three-cornered fight

Shehar Uttari (Allahabad North), which is Allahabad city's main and important assembly constituency, has the largest number of candidates this time. It is a three-way contest divided among three patties — BJP, Congress and BSP. Among these three the main contest is between Anugrah Narain Singh of Congress and Harshvardhan Bajpai of BJP. Bajpai has previously contested on BSP's ticket. The point to be noted is that both these candidates count on the votes of Dalits and upper caste. Both the candidates have worked actively among Dalits. Bajpai is the grandson of late Dr. Rajendra Kumari Bajpai (an Indian National Congress politician, a former Union Minister of India and former Lieutenant Governor of Pondicherry). 
 

Anugrah Narain won his first election the ticket of DMKP ( Dalit Mazdur Kisan Party of Hemawati Nandan Bahuguna). He twice lost to Narendra Kumar Singh Gaur of BJP. Thereafter, he has defeated Narendra Singh Gaur and Harshvardhan Bajpai(when he was in BSP). He is a sitting MLA of Congress. 2017 assembly elections will be his successive third term if he wins. Anugrah Narain has own vote due to his popularity among all castes and communities. He is believed to be holding his own irrespective of the party. 

There is a sizeable Muslim population which seems to be inclined towards Anugrah Narain Singh and a small section of it might go to Amit Srivastava of BSP. Notable fact is that Allahabad North consists of huge number of Kayastha population. 

Another interesting candidate of this constituency is Badal Chaterjee, an independent candidate. He is a retired IAS officer who held important posts in District Administration of Allahabad and was also Commissioner of Allahabad Division. He was very popular as an officer and the people of Allahabad staged protest against his transfer. Though among the established political giants he is struggling to garner support.

Banda, Bundelkhand: A BSP stronghold which is slowly inching towards BJP

An interesting trend has emerged in Naraina assembly segment in Banda in the last two days, which is evident among voters today who are heading to polling booths. Banda is an important district in Bundelkhand.  At Naraina which is a reserved seat, there is a visible shift from BSP to BJP. It is a BSP stronghold but the voters majority of whom are from Patel community have shifted their loyalty towards BJP. 

A large section has announced this shift towards BJP. It will be interesting to watch this seat as the sitting MLA is Jaichand Dinkar from BSP. The BJP candidate is Rajkaran Kabir, who got third position in 2012 Vidhan Sabha election from this seat.

12-15 percent turnout till 10 am in fourth phase

Watch: Political analyst Ambikanand Sahay in conversation with Firstpost Hindi

Is BJP taking its traditional votebank of Baniyas and Brahmins for granted?

With three crucial phases gone and four more to go, it's all about numbers in Uttar Pradesh. Raebareli has a sizeable OBC population and the BJP is increasingly playing its politics around them. The state president is Keshav Prasad Maurya and Raebareli district president is Dilip Yadav. 

Here, one is a reserved seat, and out of the remaining four, 2 tickets have gone to OBCs. In its attempt to coax the OBCs, BJP seems to be neglecting its traditional votebank of Brahmins and Baniyas, perhaps indicative of the fact that they now take them for granted.

10.23 percent voter turnout till 9 am 

Raebareli: Crack in SP-Congress alliance hands out advantage to BJP, BSP

The crack in the alliance has handed out advantage to BJP and BSP on a platter. The BJP is likely to gain the most, with Modi being the X-factor. He remains popular among the youth, especially in rural Raebareli, because he "took on black money and corruption through demonetisation".

It is remarkable how a decision, touted as an economic disaster, has turned into a political masterstroke.

SP-Congress alliance struggling in Raebareli

The Samajwadi Party-Congress alliance in Raebareli is struggling because they've not managed to crack a deal. It's a pocket borough of Gandhis but they were routed in 2012 assembly elections and SP had done well here. With both parties claiming the high ground, the end result is Congress and SP both fielding candidates at two of the five seats, defying the alliance.

Keshav Maurya defends PM's graveyard comment, says Ram Temple is matter of faith for BJP

SP and Congress is thug bandhan: Rajnath Singh

Dialling up their offensive against the Samajwadi Party and Congress alliance, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh called the tie-up a "thug bandhan" (coalition of cheats). Addressing an election meeting in Dhanghta, he attacked SP and BSP, alleging that "many corrupt leaders" are present in both the parties. SP and Congress formed the alliance about a month back, just ahead of the Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh. "There is a wave in favour of the BJP and it will make its government after elections," he said.

Congress, SP, BSP = KASAB, says Amit Shah in Gorakhpur

BJP chief Amit Shah kicked up a storm on Wednesday when he dubbed SP, BSP and Congress as 'KASAB', adding yet another acronym in the Uttar Pradesh poll campaign, and said development will elude the state till "Kasab is laid to rest".

Elaborating on the acronym at an election meeting, he said, "Ye Uttar Pradesh ki janata is baar ke chunav mein is Kasab se mukti paa le. Main phir se bolta hu Uttar Pradesh ki janata is baar ke chunav mein is Kasab se mukti paa le. Kasab se mera matlab kuch aur mat nikaliyega. Kasab se mera matlab hai- KA se Congress, SA se Samajwadi Party aur B se BSP. (In this election, people of UP should get rid of Kasab. I say it again, people of UP should get rid of Kasab. Do not take any other meaning when I say Kasab. What I mean by KASAB is -- KA for Congress, SA for Samajwadi Party and B for BSP.)"

Shah made these comments while seeking to draw a parallel between the rival parties and the Mumbai attack perpetrator Ajmal Kasab. "Until and unless Kasab is laid to rest, development and prosperity will continue to elude the poll-bound state. In other words, it means that the state may have to languish further, if there is no respite from these political parties," he said.

Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti casts vote in Hamirpur

Did you know?

First time since 1998, Sonia Gandhi did not campaign in Raebareli

Assembly segments in Congress President Sonia Gandhi's Raebareli Lok Sabha constituency will be among the seats where the electoral exercise will take place.

However, in a first since 1998, Gandhi gave campaigning a miss in her constituency.

First time since 1998, Sonia Gandhi did not campaign in Raebareli

Assembly segments in Congress President Sonia Gandhi's Raebareli Lok Sabha constituency will be among the seats where the electoral exercise will take place.

However, in a first since 1998, Gandhi gave campaigning a miss in her constituency.

Watch: Rahul Gandhi hailing his alliance with Samajwadi Party and promising development

Allahabad, Raebareli, Bundelkhand, Jhansi — crucial districts in fray

Editor's Note: We will be sharing live updates as 53 seats over 12 districts go to polls in the fourth phase of election in Uttar Pradesh. 

Clash between SP and BSP supporters in Mahoba

Mayawati unlikely to hold sway over Lucknow despite sizeable Dalit population

Mayawati is a clear third in Lucknow in spite of a 20% Dalit vote share. The base vote is substantial but there is no add on vote and she too seems to be aware of it.

Moreover, the urban Dalit youth is not homogenous. In rural Lucknow, Dalit youngsters firmly stand by Mayawati. It makes BSP a player in the two reserved seats. The chamars won’t desert Mayawati but Dhobis, Pasis etc keep drifting. The extreme backward castes are inclined towards BJP.                        

When it comes to the Muslim votes, she has gone out of the way to seek support of Maulavis who, she thinks, have the ability to influence the Muslim voteshare. But the youngsters do not take Maulavis seriously. Also, voting Mayawati in urban areas is perceived as helping BJP.

Third phase polling ends in Uttar Pradesh, 69 seats in 12 districts voted to chose their legislators

Electioneering on social media holds sway over young voters

The impact of social media in urban Lucknow is noticeable. The BJP tilting youngsters often cite WhatsApp forwards when asked about demonetization. The SP has also upped its game on social media with a full-fledged team operating from the Vikramaditya Marg. The lack of effective use of social media is another reason why Mayawati is struggling in urban areas and among urban youth.

Conversely, another point of view was that because of social media, the electorate is getting increasingly cagey about expressing their views. A senior professor, speaking about the youth, said they are aware how a single tweet about them can expose their inclinations. They are intimidated considering the vitriol on social media. “People haven't been this reluctant to express their inclinations since emergency,” he says. Also a reason why opinion polls getting it wrong.

With drifting OBC votes, SP may have lost footing to BJP in Lucknow Cantt

Lucknow Cantt has about 25% of the total registered voters are Brahmins, around 12.5% thakurs, 10% Muslims and rest includes Vaishyas, OBC and Dalits. This time the Samajwadi Party is unlikely to keep Kurmis and Mauryas under its fold. Of late they have been losing the support of non-Yadav obc voters, especially  Mauryas and Kurmis of the region to BJP.

Mulayam puts up a brave face, but body language gave up his inner turmoil

Samajwadi Party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav and his second wife Sadhna Gupta rarely, if ever, make a public appearance together; let alone make a political statement. The Yadav family homeland of Saifai witnessed a fresh chapter in the first family's history on Sunday when the two landed there together, within hours of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav casting his vote.

Mulayam, prompted by Sadhna, showed a mark of indelible ink on his finger and proclaimed that the SP was returning to power with a majority on its own.

Though Mulayam's words exuded confidence, his body language suggested that he lacked the vitality, vigour, enthusiasm and force that is usually associated with him during election time in Uttar Pradesh.

This shift in his persona also reflects the changing tides for Akhilesh in the current polls. A number of factors could foil a re-election bid for the chief minister.

Akhilesh poised to gain from the weakening caste-religion identities among youth

In the urban constituencies, the caste and religious identities, while undoubtedly exist even among youth, are being blurred and Akhilesh will gain from it. It means the upper caste youngsters could vote SP. But at the same time, Muslims won’t desert them. But with roughly 30% upper caste vote in Lucknow, BJP always remains in the race. With generations voting for a party, most youngsters could follow their parents.                        

Also, Lucknow has a sizable Shia population, out of which a good chunk has traditionally voted for the BJP. Vajapayee enjoyed great popularity among the Shias. But the anti-Muslim narrative by some of the BJP elements has ensured the Shias have drifted away. The Shia Ulema has declared support to Mayawati. The elder Shia generation won’t vote for SP because of Azam Khan, but the youngsters seem to be willing to ignore him for Akhilesh. Ashutosh Tondon, son of Lalji Tondon, a BJP leader of yore, and who enjoyed respect among Shias, is contesting from Lucknow east, a seat which they are hoping to retain. BJP has thrown its might behind him.

Parth MN will file a series of ground reports on millennial voters in Uttar Pradesh, starting Monday. The author is specifically going to look at the commentary on the concerns of young voters. 

Rahul Gandhi's alliance doesn't factor in for young voters in UP

Rahul Gandhi is hardly a factor. And the alliance is not hurting SP. Those supporting congress even now are never likely to desert them. And Akhilesh’s young supporters may not be excited about the alliance but are not angry enough to vote against him. The transfer of votes should not be a problem.

However, one of the factors that is not working for Akhilesh is security of women. The 1090 helpline number has been introduced but girls say it works inconsistently. They admit the law and order situation had been better under Mayawati whereas “gunda raj” has been on the rise under SP rule.

Unemployment a major plank for young voters in UP

Unemployment is going to be a major point on which the young would be voting. Eastern UP has not many industries and Lucknow youngsters are not confident of making a living here. Many said they'd migrate for better jobs. But the drawbacks of the state are blamed on the old guard. Akhilesh has successfully managed to turn the anti-incumbency away from him on to his father and uncle.

Watch: Akhilesh Yadav and Rahul Gandhi address political rally in Jhansi

More than one reason by young Muslim girls endorse Akhilesh Yadav in Lucknow

Young girls in Lucknow speak of Kanya Vidya Dhan to endorse their claim that Akhilesh has been good for Uttar Pradesh. It is a scholarship scheme for girls from economically downtrodden families, which they can avail after 12th standard.

The teachers at Lucknow University also say the scheme has aided the education of girls from poor families. The scheme was first launched in 2004 under Mulayam, but its implementation was not immediate. Mayawati shelved the scheme, and Akhilesh revived it in 2012. 

Lucknow's Nazia Khan (see the image), 24, is currently looking for a job but in 2014 when her conservative family did not want to spend money on her education, the scheme ensured she did her BA. 

38.9% polling recorded in third phase till 1 pm: NDTV

Narendra Modi addresses election rally in Fatehpur, invokes Sardar patel, Shivaji to woo voters

28 percent voter turnout till noon

Over 28 percent votes were cast till noon in the 69 Assembly constituencies, considered ruling Samajwadi Party stronghold, that figure in the crucial phase three of the staggered Uttar Pradesh elections.

"In the first five hours of polling, the turnout was over 28 percent," a spokesman of UP Chief Electoral Officer said. Polling was going on peacefully in these areas, he said. Besides BSP surpemo Mayawati, Home Minister Rajnath Singh with his family cast their votes in Lucknow while Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav voted in Saifai (Etawah).

Lucknow and Kanpur — Rajnath Singh and Murli Manohar Joshi and how hope in politics never dies

The third phase of Uttar Pradesh elections means a lot for the two BJP stalwarts — Rajnath Singh and Murli Manohar Joshi.

Rajnath Singh has his own standing — as an MP from Lucknow where polling is underway, as Union Home Minister and as a former UP chief minister. It is thus important for him that BJP makes an impressive performance in his parliamentary constituency and outside where he has been campaigning extensively.

Kanpur MP and BJP's margdarshak mandal member, Joshi still thinks that he continues to be a strong and has potential to do things, than just being a mute margdharshak. He was seen on the dais with PM Narendra Modi in an election rally in Kanpur. Though nobody in BJP has bothered to link Kanpur outcome with Joshi's influence but then in politics hope and aspiration never dies.

Youth identify with Akhilesh but BJP supporters still prefer Modi

Popularity of the chief minister among the youth of the state is undisputed. They identify with Akhilesh Yadav and believe he deserves another chance. The youth perceive Akhilesh as one of them.

Even the BJP leaning youngsters are not critical of him. The ones tilting towards the BJP prefer Modi than Akhilesh. Irrespective of the criticism or perceived failure of demonetisation, Modi remains a tall leader here.

Metro, Agra-Lucknow Express Highway are cited by youth when asked about Akhilesh’s developmental work. The Highway is top class, they say, and it was constructed in mere 22 months. A few months back, work for the Lucknow-Baliya highway has begun, which will make eastern UP more accessible.

Dimple Yadav casts her vote

Akhilesh Yadav’s wife and Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav cast her vote in Saifai.

She urged voters to cast their ballots in large numbers. She also ruled out any rift in the party and said that its time for us to look forward for the betterment of people in Uttar Pradesh.

In Saifai, Mulayam says Akhilesh will be CM again

Addressing the media after casting his vote in Saifai, Samajwadi Party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav said that Akhilesh Yadav will be the next chief minister. "Developmental work has been done in UP and Akhilesh once again will be the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. There is no parivarwad in Samajwadi Party," Mulayam said. 

Lashing out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'adoption' comment, Mulayam said that Modi has no idea of what he is saying because Uttar Pradesh has "adopted Samajwadi Party."

Muslim parties in UP could harm the interests of Indian Muslims

Some Islamic clerics think that establishment of Muslim parties in Uttar Pradesh and elsewhere can harm the interests of Indian Muslims. Maulana Mumshad Ali Qasmi, a leading Islamic cleric who has founded Falah-i-Darain Islamia Inter-College at Bilaspur on the outskirts of Muzaffarnagar, told me that Muslims cannot benefit by forming Muslim parties.

"However, my view is that there is a need for a political platform of Muslims which can address Muslim issues," Mumshad Qasmi said, adding that such a political platform must offer a strong leadership and united voice. However, he cautions that it cannot be like any other political party and must have an agenda which should be written and clear so that everyone, both Muslims and Hindus, can see what the agenda is.

Political appeals made to Muslims to vote for a certain party harm the interests of Muslims, he says and adds that if a clear written agenda existed, political parties could be held accountable regarding their promises to Muslims.

Parth MN will file a series of ground reports on millennial voters in Uttar Pradesh, starting Monday. The author is specifically going to look at the commentary on the concerns of young voters. 

All eyes are on Lucknow in the third phase of polling.

A crucial constituency where BJP and SP both see the potential to gain from here. Atal Bihari Vajpayee has won the parliamentary constituency five times. In 2014 too, BJP won it overwhelmingly. 

But in 2012 Assembly elections, seven Samajwadi Party legislatures were elected of the nine assembly seats here. The young vote would be pivotal.

In third phase, Akhilesh leaves nothing to chance

Ideally, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav should have been sitting comfortably ahead of phase three polling which is currently underway in 69 constituencies of Uttar Pradesh. In 2012, Samajwadi Party had swept the polls, winning 54 seats in 12 districts spread over in Yadav bastion of Etawah, Mainpuri, Kannauj, Farrukhabad, Auraiah and so on.

But each election has its own different dynamics. In 2012, Akhilesh Yadav, Mulayam Singh Yadav and Shivpal Yadav were one force, in 2017 not so much. The schism within Yadav clan has resulted in emergence of multiple forces. Also, in 2012 Samajwadi Party was a challenger and in 2017 Samajwadi Party is ruling party.

The fact that in last five days Akhilesh Yadav had extensively campaigned in areas which are considered to be family stronghold is indicative of the fact that he can't be complacent about the outcome. His wife Dimple Yadav, after appearing to be a tentative campaigner and reluctant public speaker too is campaigning for the party.

Akhilesh's alliance partner Rahul Gandhi's Congress has had no presence in the region. The only seat that Congress had won in 2012 was of Rita Bahuguna Joshi in Lucknow Cantt. But Joshi is now part of the BJP. Heavy voter turnout since morning in this phase could cut both ways, depending on voters mood — pro-incumbency, favouring incumbent or anti-incumbency favouring challenger.

Shivpal still remains a dangerous man for Akhilesh

Never underestimate the man outdone in a power game. He could have been pushed to the fringes of the Samajwadi Party by Akhilesh and ploughing a lonely furrow in his Jaswant Nagar assembly constituency at the moment, but Shivpal Yadav remains a dangerous man for Akhilesh.

If rumours are anything to go by he would damage the prospect of the Samajwadi Party in some seats in the Yadav belt. He would ensure that the strike rate of the party goes down by several points. It was 80 percent — and 55 seats — last time. He would not mind playing the BJP's game. Mulayam Singh is still with him but his relationship with Akhilesh remains frosty. Wait for a new episode in the family drama after the results are out.

Actor Ravi Kishan joins BJP

The Bhojpuri actor, who formally was a Congress candidate and contested election in Uttar Pradesh's Jaunpur in 2014, is all set to join the BJP. The announcement was done by BJP MP Manoj Tiwari. 

Akhilesh Yadav casts vote in Saifai

Uttar Pradesh third phase voting: Firstpost Hindi in conversation with contributing editor Ambikanand Sahay

OFF THE BEATEN TRAIL

Black patches on the walls tell an election story
 

The huge, ugly black patches on many walls in the fields on both sides of the road (from Meerut to Kanpur) tell you that someone has done a shoddy job. Look carefully, and try to find what the dark patches are trying to cover. You get the Congress' campaign theme before it entered into an alliance with the Samajwadi Party: '27 saal UP behaal' and you get names of Congress and Samajwadi Party aspirants who didn't finally get the ticket or lost out due to the alliance.
 

Some of them had started campaigning already anticipating party tickets. The names had to be removed from the walls to avoid confusion among voters about the candidates.
 

The black patches could well be heartbreaks, externalised and painted in colour for public viewing. These frustrated aspiring candidates could damage the prospect of running candidates in the Samajwadi Party dominated region through silent sabotage acts.

Etawah a Mulayam-stronghold and recent father-son fight has caused resentment among voters

The third-phase polling today covers Etawah and nearby constituencies which are considered a stronghold of Mulayam Singh Yadav. However, the recent clash between Mulayam Singh and his son Akhilesh Yadav has caused resentment among the voters in this region.

In this region, the competition is between the father and the son. There is anecdotal evidence to suggest that Akhilesh Yadav is being seen as tanashah (dictator), as one person told me. However, it seems to be more of a social case. In Indian society, people generally favour the father in any clash with his son.

Brisk voting in polling booths; 12 percent voter turnout till 9 am

Large crowds swarmed polling stations in Indiranagar, Gomtinagar, Aliganj Chowk in the old city and Aashiana. Many voters were out early morning so that they do not have to wait in long queues later in the day.

Prominent persons who voted here included Rita Bahuguna Joshi, former state Congress President and currently the BJP candidate from Lucknow Cantt seat.

Awadh: With Modi vs Akhilesh debate dominating election talk, it could be a make-or-break region

Brisk voting has been reported from most of the 69 assembly seats which are going to polls on Sunday in the third phase of the Uttar Pradesh elections.

The Modi-versus-Akhilesh debate has dominated the election scenario in Awadh, which could turn out to be a make-or-break region for both parties. Modi, who is the BJP’s strongest vote-puller in a battle without a chief ministerial face, underlined the fact that he was an MP from the state and described himself as UP’s ‘adopted son’.

Long queues have been seen in Lucknow, Kanpur and Etawah where people went early morning to cast their votes. Lucknow, which is generally less excited about exercising franchise, has also witnessed long queues outside polling stations.

OFF THE BEATEN TRAIL

From bhayankar thandi beer to ghanghor thandi beer
 

We know chilled beer. We can forgive the lapse on the sign board writer’s part when he mentions it as ‘child beer’. After all, beer is what matters in the end. But what, pray, is ‘bhayankar thandi beer’? On the road from Meerut to Kanpur one comes across this on a sign board and pauses for a few minutes to grasp the meaning of the words in combination. Thandi is for cold alright and beer needs no explaining. What is bhayankar doing here?
 

Perhaps it’s a case of overdoing things. The owner of the shop wanted extra emphasis on the chill factor and came up with this adjective. Well, cannot say it does not attract attention. If it didn’t, why would one be discussing it in the first place?
 

At another place close to Kanpur, you get ‘ghanghor thandi beer’. It does not surprise anymore. 

Mayawati address media after casting her vote in Lucknow

​

"I urge everyone to cast their important vote in the third phase of Uttar Pradesh voting. After the first two phases, I can confidently say that even in third phase BSP will lead all the parties as far as votes are concerned. In fact, in all the remaining phases as well BSP will come out as a winner. And I can positively say that BSP will form a government on its own, without anyone's assistance or any uncomfortable alliance. Uttar Pradesh needs change, it is looking for development. BJP has been tested and the same goes for Samajwadi Party — the voters have decided."

BSP chief Mayawati casts her vote

Muslim voters know who to vote for

Some resentment is being seen in the Muslim community against appeals made by various leaders for Muslim minority votes. This may not be consequential but there is a realisation that political leaders use Muslims at the time of elections and forget the community after the vote.

Haseeb Ahmad Nizami of the Lucknow-based social organisation Bharatiya Aqaliyat Mahasabha who criticised such appeals for Muslim votes says that Muslims are aware of which party to vote for or not to vote, according to a report in the Urdu daily Akhbar-e-Mashriq on 16 February.

The Urdu daily Roznama Inquilab on 17 February also carried a five-column report from Barabanki quoting several Islamic clerics and local elders saying that appeals made by Muslim leaders to vote for a certain party has confused Muslim voters. Muhammad Yunus Khan, who works for educational uplift of Muslims, is quoted in the report as saying that there is awareness among Muslims as to which party to vote for.

Three-cornered fight in Lucknow North

Lucknow North is witnessing a contest between state minister and SP candidate Abhishek Mishra and BJP's Neeraj Bora, while BSP has fielded former NSUI leader Ajay Srivastava this time, making it a three-cornered fight.

The constituency comprises city area considered stronghold of BJP and in 2012 polls BJP's Bora lost by a narrow margin of 2,219 votes to Mishra.

BJP might have enjoyed silent polarisation in western UP but that changes in eastern UP

During the first two phases of polling which covered western Uttar Pradesh, some division was seen in the Muslim votes. While most Muslim votes went for the Samajwadi Party, the BSP too seems to have received a fair share of Muslim votes. There is effectively a three-cornered contest across Uttar Pradesh.

Except for the Jat voters, the BJP voters have largely stayed with the party. BJP might be enjoying some silent polarisation in its favour. However, talking to people in western UP, it didn't appear that there was any wave in favour of any party. This may change in eastern UP.

Most voters are unable to say with confidence which party might form the next government in Lucknow. Will this election result in a hung assembly? This too cannot be said with certainty, as a shift of just about three percent votes could result in a clear majority for a single party.

Gupt Rog and a sure way to lose clients
 

On the road through the Yadav zone in Uttar Pradesh which goes to polls today, there’s no escaping gupt rog. On the ubiquitous long brick walls amid green fields on both sides you find the mention of gupt rog and the doctor in loud white. In fact, this crude advertisement easily outnumbers those of the candidates in the elections.
 

One wise doctor has fixed a weekday for each category of patients for consultation. “Naamards on Mangalbar (impotents on Tuesday), reads the information on one wall. Somewhere else Thursday is the day for those with the problem of early ejaculation. Something strikes you as odd.
 

“Do you think these doctors do any business on Tuesdays?” I ask the driver, a native of Uttar Pradesh, adding, “I don’t think so.” He is a bit perplexed: “Why?”
 

“Who would like to be seen in the vicinity of the clinic and be branded a ‘naamard’? It’s a society where everyone knows everyone. And word spreads fast. Salacious words move faster. I doubt whether even other patients go to the clinic that day.”
 

The driver gives it a thought, stifles a smile and nods in agreement.

An interesting contest is on in Sarojini Nagar seat, where BJP's woman face and state women wing chief Swati Singh is in fray. BJP has never won the seat.

However, this time the situation for SP is difficult with its MLA Sharda Prasad Shukla contesting on RLD ticket after being spurned by the party.

Lucknow Central — sitting SP MLA faceoff with Congress candidate

Lucknow Central is also witnessing a keen contest, where sitting SP MLA and cabinet minister Ravidas Mehrotra is facing an uphill task with Congress candidate Maroof Khan refusing to withdraw from the field despite a tie-up between the two parties. BJP has given ticket to former MP Brijesh Pathak, a fromer Lucknow University student union president, who switched from BSP.

BSP has given ticket to Rajiv Srivastava in Lucknow.

Third phase is a matter of prestige for Samajwadi Party

Ruling Samajwadi Party is facing a tough battle as it tries to retain the seven Assembly seats it had won last time out of nine in Lucknow, while BJP and BSP queer the pitch. The two other seats were shared by BJP and Congress.

The SP candidates include Mulayam Singh Yadav's daughter-in-law Aparna Yadav and three ministers, one of whom was recently sacked. BJP has preferred to field turncoats on two seats — Lucknow Central and Lucknow Cantt. Rita Bahuguna Joshi, who had won on Congress ticket last time, has been fielded by BJP from Cantt seat against Aparna.

BSP has fielded Yogesh Dixit, who is trying to woo voters by promising good governance by party supremo Mayawati.

The Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh

Previous performances (party-wise) in Uttar Pradesh

Crucial constituencies in fray: Lucknow, Kanpur, Etawah and Mainpuri 

In all, there are 826 candidates in fray whose fate would be decided by 2.41 crore voters. Prominent districts where polling is underway include Lucknow, Kanpur, Etawah, Kannauj, Etah and Mainpuri. 

In this round, all eyes are on people from the Yadav clan, like Shivpal Singh Yadav, Mulayam Singh Yadav's daughter-in-law Aparna Yadav, Akhilesh Yadav's cousin Anurag Yadav. The fate of BJP's Rita Bahuguna Joshi will also be decided in this round.

Officials hope third phase turnout will be better than the second phase's 59.96%

Voting for 69 seats in the third phase of the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections began on Sunday amid tight security. Heavy security deployment has been made across the 12 districts where polling began. Sensitive polling stations marked by the Election Commission (EC) are being monitored online, an official said.

Poll panel officials said they hope that more and more people will come out to vote this time and that the previous turnout of 59.96 per cent in this region in 2012 will be bettered by the end of the day. 

Gayatri Prajapati should not be allowed to contest elections: BJP leader Laxmikant Bajpai

SC orders FIR against UP minister Gayatri Prajapati

The Supreme Court ordered the registration of an FIR against UP minister Gayatri Prajapati in a gang rape and sexual harassment case against him. The bench hearing the case observed that the state machinery could not go slow on a accused just because he was an influential leader in the state.

The apex court has also sought a status report from the UP police within a period of eight weeks.

Priyanka Gandhi shares dais with brother Rahul, but stops short of addressing people

After Smriti Irani's barb, Priyanka finally takes centre stage in UP

After Smriti Irani took on Priyanka Gandhi for not addressing a single rally in Amethi, Priyanka has finally entered the poll limelight as she appeared at a Congress rally in Raebareli, flanked by her brother Rahul Gandhi.

Irani had said on Thursday that Priyanka Gandhi was avoiding canvassing in Amethi because she was afraid of people's questions on their unfulfilled promises.

Congress rejects Narendra Modi's allegation of murder bid on Mulayam Singh Yadav

Congress on Thursday dismissed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's charge that the party had made a bid on Mulayam Singh Yadav's life, saying the word 'murder' was synonymous with Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah. "The word 'murder' is synonymous with Modi and (Amit) Shah.

The killing spree started with the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi by RSS. We are Gandhians from the core of our heart and firm believer of non-violence," AICC General Secretary and in-charge of party affairs in Uttar Pradesh Ghulam Nabi Azad told a news conference here.

Akhilesh's minister joins BSP

Sitting UP minister Vijay Mishra joins Mayawati's party dealing a fresh blow to Akhilesh. Vijay goes on to call Samajwadi Party Anti-Brahmin while Mayawati, all confident, says that Uttar Pradesh will punish Akhilesh for running goonda raj in state.

Amit Shah attacks Congress, SP

UP election is a way to end caste and family politics, says Shah at Amethi rally. Congress-SP alliance is immoral, he adds. 

Two families have entered into an unholy alliance. Initially, people were affected by one shahzada (prince), now it is two. One shahzada is giving pain to his mother, the other to his father," he said, attacking Rahul and Akhilesh, who had a bitter feud with his father Mulayam Singh Yadav over the control over SP.

He asked the voters to shun dynastic and caste-based politics, noting that everything in the state veered around one family.

"What has this family given you? There are problems for farmers while law and order machinery in the state has collapsed. There is acute shortage of water and medicines. What has this state government done for you?" he asked.

-PTI

Amit Shah criticises Samajwadi Party, calls SP-Congress alliance 'unholy'

"Akhilesh says that their party has changed over the years but the goons are still there within the party. Three people have been engaged in spreading corruption in the country and now these people have tied up in an alliance to loot Uttar Pradesh." 

Campaign for 3rd phase ends on Friday, 12 districts go to polls on 19 February

Curtains will come down on Friday on the hectic campaign in 69 Assembly seats spread over 12 districts of Uttar Pradesh that will go to polls in the third phase on 19 February. The districts are Farrukhabad, Hardoi, Kannauj, Mainpuri, Etawah, Auraiya, Kanpur Dehat, Kanpur, Unnao, Lucknow, Barabanki and Sitapur.

Akhilesh Yadav. ReutersAkhilesh Yadav. Reuters
In the 2012 Assembly polls, SP had won 55 of these 69 seats, while BSP, BJP and Congress secured just 6, 5 and 2 respectively. One seat went to an Independent. 

Yadav family image matters just as much as seats 

In Uttar Pradesh’s heartland, where the election enters phase three, the debate is not whether the Yadav dominance in their stronghold would continue, it’s how the bitter power struggle in the Yadav first family would impact the prospect of individual members in the fray. 

The once powerful Shivpal Yadav is a pale shadow of himself after the knock-out blow from nephew Akhilesh. Patriarch Mulayam Singh is a much subdued man these days, preferring to be away from the limelight. Some other members of the family are still in the process of adjusting to the generational shift in the party. The Yadav community has stood by Mulayam for over two decades but this time it’s a bit confused after the coup by Akhilesh which many perceive as an insult to Mulayam.

Modi says those sitting in Delhi cannot gauge the extent of damage at Barabanki

Rahul Gandhi hits out at PM over farmer's debt

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Polling for second phase ends with record voter turnout

Polling closes for second phase in Uttar Pradesh: News 18

Amid poll-time clamour in UP battleground, state's economy is collateral damage

Uttar Pradesh's revenue has taken a big hit — first due to demonetisation and now because most government employees are out on election duty.

Officials in the concerned departments fear that the revenue targets for the current fiscal might take a knock of 25-30 per cent.

The Sales Tax Department, an official told IANS, has seen a drop in collections in the past three months.

While it earned Rs 4,494 crore in tax in November, the collection slipped in December and is set to go down further in January and February due to engagement of employees and officials in election duty.

The Excise Department, the cash cow, has also taken a beating in revenue collection. An official said that as against a target of Rs 1,443 crore in December, the collection was down at Rs 1,345 crore.

With elections for the 403-seat Uttar Pradesh assembly underway, even sale of liquor has fallen, partly because of strictures from the Election Commission.

IANS

Modi recounts recent BJP wins in Kannauj rallly, says people have rejected SP-Congress combine

Picking up BJP's clean sweep in Uttar Pradesh where the party won all three seats of graduate MLC seats in Kanpur, Gorakhpur and Bareilly this month, Narendra Modi during his election rally in Kannauj on Wednesday taunted the SP-Congress alliance by asking, "UP ko yeh saath pasand kyon nahin aya"? (Why did the UP voters show thumbs down to SP-Congress alliance). The taunt was a spin on the alliance partners' campaign slogan. The PM also mentioned BJP's good result in Odisha panchayat polls and interpreted it as the poor endorsing demonetisation despite Opposition slander.

Sweeping phase two election crucial for SP to justify its alliance with Congerss

This phase of election is supremely important for the SP-Congress combine as majority of the 67 seats where the polling process is underway has overwhelming Muslim population.

The underlying purpose behind the alliance between Akhilesh Yadav led Samajwadi Party and Sonia-Rahul Gandhi led Congress party was consolidation of Muslim votes for the combine. Akhilesh Yadav on several occasion has said there was a confusion among some people about Samajwadi's prospects to return to power but after a tie-up with Congress that confusion is gone. If SP-Congress has to come to power, it needs to sweep this phase.



In 2012 elections SP had won 35 of 67 seats, Congress 3, BSP 18 and BJP had won 10, one seat had gone to Independent.



The BJP is banking on some split in Muslim votes between SP-BSP and AIMIM. The BJP is also looking for a situation where aggressive polling by Muslim community members could consolidate Hindutava votes in its favor. Latent Hindutava sentiment is there in sections of Hindu voters but the key question is how much of that is translating into votes.



The BSP has fielded some strong candidates on the ground. The party has also got a number of influential Muslim clerics and community groups to issue appeal in its favor. Despite Supreme Court order, Mayawati has been openly talking of importance of Muslim votes. Will that yield dividend to her. As it is she has solid backing of Dalits, particularly Jatavas.

Polling by noon has shown that polling percentage could go up in this phase, at least as compared to phase one. There lies the catch for all three mainstream contenders SP-Congress, BJP and BSP.
 

How Modi's campaign changed dramatically and what it says about BJP's chances

It was a remarkable spectacle in 2014. While BJP's rivals, especially in the Hindi heartland, were busy slicing and dicing data on caste equations, PM-aspirant Narendra Modi was telling rally after rally of packed audiences how he will bring achhe din. The more his rivals asked the electorate not to trust him, the more Modi talked about development. The opposition called him a 'polarising figure who will usher in riots', Modi said he will usher in vikaas.

The result was stunning. In Uttar Pradesh alone, BJP won 71 out of 80 seats. Dalits abandoned Mayawati and voted in droves for BJP's PM candidate. AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal ran a campaign of anger. Modi defeated him in Varanasi by a huge margin.

Writing for EPW, A K Verma analysed BJP's victory as "…it is significant that the party made electoral gains across all castes and communities and across all regions in the state. This victory signalled a paradigm shift in voter behaviour, with a preference for good governance and development pushing out the identity politics of caste and community."

Was it really a paradigm shift in voter behaviour? Was 2014 the year of enlightenment for Indian voters who suddenly realised that they had been taken for a merry ride by politicians in the name of caste and community equations? Were they eschewing identity politics and its trappings?

Plight of sugarcane farmers and mills missing from poll campaign
 

In the sugarcane zone of Uttar Pradesh there’s not much talk on plight of cane farmers. Not all is hunky-dory with the sugarcane industry here. Farmers have been complaining about rising arrears in payment from the sugar mills.

The sugar mills feel their business is unsustainable in view of falling sugar prices. Some have threatened to die but they cannot do so under the law. Akhilesh has just made things more difficult for them by increasing the State Advisory Price for sugarcane to Rs 305. The BJP promises a loan waiver and payment to farmers within 14 days of delivery. But on the ground, it’s not a big talking point. Interesting. 

Modi uses Isro success to punch in strong dose of nationalism in Kannauj rally

Watch: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses an election rally in Kannauj

Mobilisation of Muslims against BJP in Uttar Pradesh

During Bihar Assembly elections, I heard actual reports that even rumours played a consequential role in defeating the BJP. In rural areas, poor Muslim women were convinced by Islamic clerics and local opinion makers to offer prayers for the victory of Nitish Kumar. They were told that "Modi will demolish mosques." 

Such pure rumours worked against the BJP in Bihar elections. Uttar Pradesh elections have seen mobilisation of Muslim voters against the BJP and in support of the SP-Congress alliance and to some extent for BSP.

To assure Muslims that the BSP will not support the BJP in UP after the elections, Mayawati's statement "Willing to sit in opposition but no alliance with BJP (after the elections)" is a front-page headline in Urdu daily Roznama Akhbar-e-Mashriq on 15 February, as the UP goes to second-phase polling.

It also carries some reports expressing concern that the division of Muslim votes, notably in Pratapgarh region, could hurt secular forces. Roznama Sahafat, another Urdu daily, carries a whole front-page report in favour of Azam Khan, and it's not presented as kind of advert. Statements of Muslim elders such as Chaudhary Munawwar Saleem are given on the entire page to ensure Azam Khan's victory, but there have been occasions where his political rallies faced disruptions in Rampur.

Musalmanon ka Imtehan: Urdu Daily's brazen headline is communal

A day before the first phase of UP polls on 11 February, Roznama Inquilab had carried a frontpage headline: "UP – First phase polling, Musalmanon ka Imtehan (Test for Muslims)." A few days ago in Aligarh, I asked Urdu journalist Hasan Khalid how will Muslims perceive if Hindi newspapers gave such a headline saying elections are a "test for Hindus." Khalid criticises such headlines in the Urdu media and argues that if one has to be so, it must only be: "voters ka Imtehan."

One argument I have not understood but most experts say is that Indian Muslims are voting the BJP, which is correct to some extent within Gujarat but it's not proven elsewhere. Khalid feels that Muslims indeed are voting the BJP but he says that they do not proclaim it publicly. "Within the community, such BJP voters are shamed by clerics and elders and therefore they do not reveal. So, one cannot detect such votes publicly," he explains. Perhaps in times to come, Muslims will vote for the BJP, but the party has not given tickets to any Muslim candidate in UP elections.

Urdu Daily appeals Muslims to vote against 'fascist forces'

On the second-phase polling in Uttar Pradesh, the Urdu-language daily Roznama Inquilab carries a frontpage appeal by some Muslims titled: "Respectful appeal to the imams of mosque." The two-column appeal reads: "The country's fascist forces, under their eternal projects, are conspiring to make Muslims second- and third-grade citizens, and are engaged in targeting the dear country's biggest minority by adopting new, new tactics. And surely, you are no less concerned about these situations."

It reminds the imams that it is their "special responsibility" to use mosques and make the millat (the global Muslim nation) aware of the current conditions and ensure that Muslims know that voting is a democratic right as well as a shar'i fareeza (Islamic religious duty). While the appeal does not say which party to vote against, it urges the imams and others to go to areas where Muslim candidates are in the fray against other Muslim candidates, and explain the situation to the voters to exercise their vote unitedly, presumably against the BJP.

UP records 25 percent turnout till noon; no untoward incident reported

Over 25 percent of the electorate cast their votes till noon in the second phase polling in Uttar Pradesh. In the second of seven-phase election, 2.28 crore voters, including over 1.04 crore women, are eligible to cast their ballots in 14,771 polling centres and 23,693 polling stations.

Official sources said polling was dull initially but picked up as the day wore on. They said till midday there was no report of any untoward incident and polling was going on smoothly.

Why the BJP would like Muslim votes to be shared equally by BSP and the SP-Cong alliance

Which way will the Muslim votes swing? On this question rests the fate of parties in Uttar Pradesh. As voters in the Muslim heavy constituencies queue up at the booths today the suspense would be around whether they have voted for the Samajwadi Party-Congress alliance or the BSP.

If the votes are divided then it’s advantage BJP, says Satish Prakash, Dalit activist. With as many as 34 of the 67 seats under its belt last time, the SP would expect a better show. It has the Congress votes with it now. The BSP, on the other hand, has announced its candidates much earlier and cultivated the constituencies well. The BJP would be happy if the alliance and the BSP shared the Muslim votes equally. 

UP Polls: A look at the previous performance of key players in the state

As Uttar Pradesh votes to choose its Legislative Assembly, BJP hopes to repeat its 2014 sweep victory riding on a Modi wave once again. The Akhilesh camp on the other hand managed to bag the majority in the 2012 Assembly polls. If a party's past performance tells us anythig, it's that in state elections swing votes ensure that its a close call between the key parties. Here is a look back at the previous performances of all the parties in UP.

Initial turnout indicate Muslim voters have come out in large numbers

Initial turnout in Budaun, Saharanpur, Bareilly and Shahjahanpur do indicate that Muslim voters have come out in large numbers in the morning. For instance in Budaun there are reports of 25 percent polls that suggest large turnout of Mulim-Yadav voters in support of the Samajwadi Party.

Similarly, voters registered a significant turnout in Saharanpur and Pilibhit. This round of polls seem to be going in favor of the SP because of demographic profile of the region that comprises Muslim-Yadav as significant  social chunk. In certain pockets where scheduled caste voters are higher in number, Muslims are looking for BSP as an option. But that is very rare as the SP-Congress enjoys a solid support base.

The BJP is expecting benefits from counter pollination which may happen in the second half of the polls.

BEYOND GOOGLE With Ajay Singh

Rampur - Land of Khans

Rampur, a township known as bastion of Samajwadi Party's loudmouth Azam khan, is also known as land of khans.

Historically Pathans from Afghanistan found a shelter in picturesque land of Ruhilkhand. Apar from Lucknow, Rampur emerged as another centre of excellence of Nawabi culture of Uttar Pradesh.

Though Lucknow had familiarised itself with Iranian cultural traditions due to Shia's influence, Rampur borrowed its cultural traits from Mughals of Delhi. As this constituency goes for polls, the electorate gets divided on intense communal lines. However in reality Rampur has  a  rich cultural heritage which has much more to celebrate about than acrimony.

20 percent voter turnout in Uttar Pradesh till 10am

Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi casts his vote: Talks of Ram Rajya

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Speaking to the media after casting his vote Duniyapur says the foundation of the Ram Rajya in Uttar Pradesh will be laid in Rampur. He adds that all parties in Uttar Pradesh are against the BJP. He is confident that the BJP will come to power in full majority in the state and that people will vote against poor governance and corruption.

Mayawati distancing herself from 'Dalit basher BJP': BSP chief's move is most obvious and necessary 

In Kanpur on Tuesday BSP chief Mayawati was at pains to distance herself from BJP, insisting that she will never join hands with the "Dalit basher" party. Mayawati's predicament is understandable. To return to power she must ensure Dalit votes are consolidated and a sizeable portion of Muslim votes are weaned away from the Samajwadi Party. 

To counter her tactic of fielding an unprecedented 99 Muslim candidates, Akhilesh Yadav therefore has been going around telling voters that Mayawati can't be trusted since her party has allied with "communal" BJP three times in past.

The BSP chief's move was to tell voters that such a thing will never be repeated in past. She has gone out of her way to attack BJP, calling the debate around triple talaq part of nefarious RSS agenda.

Women perform better in seats reserved for SCs

In 2002, women won 11 of 314 seats (3.5 percent) for general-category candidates, and 15 of 89 seats (16.9 percent) reserved for SCs. By 2012, women won 22 of 318 general seats (6.9 percent) and 13 of 85 reserved seats (15.3 percent). So, women contesting from scheduled-caste seats had a more than double chance of winning.

Key to Owaisi's expansion plans for UP is an 86-year-old in Sambhal

Enter Sambhal and you will soon realise Asaduddin Owasi and his men mean business.

He has roped in a hugely influential a four-time MP Shafiqur Rehman Barq to his party. Barq is now 86 and has chosen his young grandson Ziaur Rahman Barq to be AIMIM candidate. If AIMIM has a chance to open an account in UP then Sambhal needs to be watched. It's a tough electoral battle.

With a Muslim electorate of over 65 percent all mainstream parties have chosen to field leader from the same community. SP's Iqbal Mehmood is sitting MLA and is considered a very strong candidate. He has for long been a challenger to Barq's dominance in the region. Presence of Mayawati's BSP candidate Rafatulla has further spiced up polls.

What matters for voters in Uttar Pradesh

Is caste the standalone factor that swings the electoral outcome in Uttar Pradesh or the recent tune of development sung by SP-Congress combine and the BJP resonating with the voters.

Here is a look at the key electoral issues in Uttar Pradesh.

Minority muscle in Uttar Pradesh

This round of election spread across electorally Muslim-dominated areas of Saharanpur, Muzaffarnagar, Bijnor, Sambhal, Rampur, Amroha where community presence vary between 30 percent to 65 percent will decide whether Hyderabad based Assaduddin Owasi's AIMIM can spread its political influence outside of Telangana and make a mark in Hindi heartland.

For the first time Owasi is trying his luck here and has fielded 40 candidates from AIMIM symbol. Owaisi and erstwhile Congress ally in Andhra Pradesh and also at the centre during UPA regime had surprised all by opening account in Maharastra assembly election and making substantive gains in civic bodies polls. He, however, had failed in Bihar assembly elections because his party was seen as a vote spoiler. Uttar Pradesh is a big test for him. In his public rallies in Uttar Pradesh, he has pulled fierce punches on Akhilesh Yadav, Mayawati. BJP is his favourite punching bag.

His success, whatever it be, votes or seats, means loss to SP. So far Muslim politics and Muslim voting preference in the state has so far been split between SP and BSP. The BSP has fielded 100 Muslim candidates with SP closely following that number but the fact remains that no party with Muslim leadership at the top, formed with purpose to cater Muslim interests has so far electorally succeeded. Can Owaisi make that exception? His speeches have been fiery, making the crowd lustily cheer for him but can he turn that personal appeal in votes?

Rampur Nawab Naved Miyan addresses media after casting his vote

"My battle is with Azam Khan and not his son. In terms of funding, the chief minister has sent crores worth of funds to the Mohammad Ali Jauhar University, which Azam Khan is the chancellor of. The money hasn’t been used for the upliftment of the people of Rampur."

PINNED POST

Facts from Bijnor that holds true for the whole of Uttar Pradesh: SP-Congress alliance a good idea and demonetisation doesn't matter

In Bijnor, you don’t catch the election mood by speaking to a few people. Most are evasive when they sense a politically-inclined question. The ones who open up are most likely to be sympathisers of one party or the other. However, talking to a cross-section of people here you get to understand a few things:

One, Akhilesh Yadav is not someone who is disliked much, both as a person and a politician;

Two, the Samajwadi Party-Congress alliance is a smart move;

Three, demonetisation won’t impact voting here;

Four, local equations will override other considerations in the elections; and

Five, the BJP's performance this time wouldn't be as good as 2014. Well, these could be true of the whole of UP as well. In any case, these don't give you an idea on which the way voters are going to swing this time.

Rampur: Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi casts his vote

Second phase: Tussle between BSP and SP-Congress alliance; Azam Khan confident Muslim voters will back him

Azam Khan invokes Gujarat while tackling Narendra Modi's charge that police stations in Rampur, his constituency, have become Samajwadi Party's offices. 

A confident Azam Khan, the SP minister, tells Aaj Tak in an interview that Muslims will be firmly behind his party. This phase is crucial for Samajwadi Party which won 34 of 67 seats in 2012 and is under pressure to do an encore. The BJP had got 10 seats during last assembly elections and BSP, 11. Till 9 am, 10.69 percent ballots have been cast in Uttar Pradesh. 

Brisk voting in two hours in UP's 2nd phase poll

Brisk voting is reported in the first two hours of polling in the second phase of the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections on Wednesday.

Excited first time voters, newly weds, elderly, differently-abled and women queued up outside the polling stations to cast their votes at 7 a.m.

Maximum voting was reported from Saharanpur and Bareilly at 11 per cent each, followed by Rampur (nine per cent) and Amroha (7.4 per cent).

IANS

In 2nd phase, all depends on how BJP manages to split Muslim votes 

There are two ways to look at polling in 67 constituencies of Uttar Pradesh. The first is to see it as a contest that could be shaped by the 2014 General Elections when the BJP polled nearly 42 percent votes and led in 49 seats in the region. The other is to go back to 2012 when the BJP polled just around 17 percent, winning 10 seats.

A lot had changed between 2012 and 2014. But a lot has changed from 2014 to 2017. So, neither of the two scenarios is an apt pointer to the trend. The outcome would ultimately depend on how the BJP manages to benefit from a possible split in Muslim votes (nearly 33 percent) and capitalises on counter-consolidation of Hindu votes.

In the end, the outcome may not be decided by issues that have been talked about during the campaign — development, demonetisation, dynasty and corruption. It may well boil down to whether a voter thinks of himself as a Muslim or a Hindu before pressing the button or looks dispassionately at the parties in the fray.

Akhilesh Yadav and Narendra Modi urge voters to go out and cast their vote

Voter turnout stands at 10.69 percent till 9 am 

Overall, the voter turnout stands at 10.96 percent in Uttar Pradesh. According to reports, Moradabad recorded 11 percent voter turnout till 9 am and Saharanpur recorded 12 percent.

Moradabad - Brass industry, which has been hit by demonetisation - in a mood to teach BJP a lesson?

The brass industry of Moradabad has been hit by notebandi (demonetisation) and the predominantly Muslim electorate are in a mood to teach BJP a lesson. 

Some voters though are worried about the succession battle that affected the ruling party in this SP stronghold. One of them tells CNN-News 18 that Mulayam should have understood that he has reached retirement age and should have made it easier for son Akhilesh to succeed him, not tougher. 

Age must give way to youth, says the veteran brass trader. 

Azam Khan's son, Abdullah Azam — Suave son, caustic father 

Abdullah Azam, son of Azam Khan, is believed to be a suave man and a temperate speaker unlike his father. He won't certainly be caught saying something like, "RSS volunteers are homosexuals, that’s why they never get married"; or "Mobile phones are responsible for the rape of minors." 

Both quotes are attributed to Azam. Abdullah is the Samajwadi Party candidate from Suar. As part of the Rampur Lok Sabha constituency, it comes in the extended political catchment of his father. The latter’s prestige would as much at stake here as his.

BJP strategises propping up BSP as party's main rival in the second phase so as to benefit from the splinter 

Spread across 11 districts, the 67 constituencies that go to polls today in the second phase of Uttar Pradesh elections are dominated by the Muslim factor. While Muslims are known to vote tactically to keep the BJP away, the SP-Congress alliance would be hoping that the minority votes are not splintered between it and the BSP. 

It is precisely for this reason that BJP president Amit Shah said in a media conference that Mayawati's outfit is BJP's main rival in this phase. Shah hopes that BSP, which has given tickets to 99 Muslim candidates this time, would spoil SP's plan and help BJP. 

Amroha — Triangular split in Muslim votes might generate hopes for BJP

In a crowded main bazaar of Amroha, one sees a hoarding "Tandoori Roti Rs 35 per kilo". Tandoori Roti or bread is cheaper than the price of raw atta that sells in any bigger cities. But when it comes to voting and understanding voting pattern, things are far more complicated.

Amroha could be taken as a test case to understand Muslim voters polling preference — whether the Muslims were en-bloc with SP-Congress combine or Mayawati's BSP has own claims in the community and how far Assaduddin's Owaisi AIMIM has made inroads in the community.

This constituency has over 65 percent Muslim electorate. So it's not surprising to find that 10 out of a total of 13 candidates in contention are from Muslim community - SP's candidate Mehboob Ali is a minister in Akhilesh Yadav government. He is facing a stiff challenge from BSP's Naushad Ali. The two were pitted against each other in 2012 also. Then there is AIMIM's Shamim Ahmed, RLD's Salim Khan, and Peace Party's Mohammad Rizwan and the list would go on. BJP's Kunwar Singh Saini is one of only three Hindu candidates from Amroha.

Owasi's rally here drew enthusiastic crowd of under-30 youngsters. Can his AIMIM be a winner or spoiler for SP and BSP candidates? A triangular split in Muslim vote, if it happens, would generate hope for BJP candidate.

Politicians should stay away from issue of Triple Talaq: Rampur voters

Speaking to CNN-News18, Muslim women of Rampur, one of the constituencies that will cast its ballot in the second phase, say Triple Talaq isn't an issue that political parties should discuss and is best left for the community to tackle.

The BJP has picked up the topic of Triple Talaq ahead of Uttar Pradesh elections and asked its rivals SP and Congress to clarify their stand on gender justice. The women voters also feel that safety and security of women are of prime concern and they will vote for the party that can ensure it. 

UP Second phase battle is between two royalties

The battle of second phase is between the erstwhile Nawab of Rampur Nawab Kazim Ali Khan and modern day political Nawab of Rampur Azam Khan's son Abdullah Azam Khan.

A well educated and well groomed Nawab Kazim Ali Khan is four time MLA from this constituency. A traditional Congressman Nawab (belonging to a family which had been with Congress since Independence until about a year ago) is now BSP candidate. He now hopes that dailts and other sections on margins of social structure would add on to his personal social clout of a royalty. Pitted against him is a young Samajwadi candidate Abdullah Azam Khan. Though the young Khan is a political green horn but has support and legacy of his mighty father.

What makes this Khan versus Khan battle even more interesting is the fact that this constituency has 60 percent Muslim population and the way members of the community vote here today could send signals elsewhere. Nawab Khan's family and SP's Azam Khan (who practically lords over this region) political rivalry dates is four decade old. But in this assembly election it has become sharper than ever.

This is one of the few constituencies where the election is principally between SP and BSP. But then candidature and claim of BJP's Lakshmi Saini can't be completely ruled out. In 2014 parliamentary poll pattern gives hope to BJP's supporters - Muslim votes got divided between Azam's candidate from SP Naseer Ahmad Khan and Nawab Kazim Ali Khan to pave victory way BJP's Nepal Singh.

Remember Azam and his buffaloes?

That Azam is a powerful man in the Samajwadi Party needs no overstating. So when cattle thieves stole seven of his buffaloes from his farm house two years ago, it was an act of great courage. Call it immense stupidity if you please. You cannot run away with Azam Khan’s buffaloes just like that.

The police administration of the district was under pressure to trace the animals. It made national news too. The buffaloes were traced to Moradabad. We don’t know what the thief went through after being caught, but the message conveyed was clear: nobody messes with Azam, or his buffaloes, in Rampur. 

'Azam Khan's reputation is such that anyone would buy theory that he was involved in Muzaffarnagar riots'

Not many in Muzaffarnagar believe Samajwadi Party's Azam Khan was behind the riots of 2013. "No, the perpetrators were other people. But the reputation of this man is such that people would buy anything said about him," says a Jat leader who plays an important role for farmers of the region and who saw the riots from close quarters. 

"It was a situation that was allowed to escalate and the party in power in the state needs some explaining to do. Making Azam a scapegoat won’t work."

67 seats considered pocket burrough of Samajwadi Party

The 67 seats that go to polls in Uttar Pradesh second phase are considered the pocket burrough of the Samajwadi Party. In most of the seats, Muslims are a third of the electorate and thus the decisive factor.

With their eyes on the demographic balance, every party has stepped into the fray with a different strategy. The BSP and SP alliance have 26 and 25 Muslim candidates. 

The BJP has none. While the first two are hoping to benefit from the support of minorities, the BJP is banking on reverse polarisation.

Amroha: Mehboob Ali of the Cong-SP alliance; BJP's Dr Kunwer Saini and BSP's Naushad Ali contesting

It's not about Hindu or Muslim, your words can hurt anyone: Voter on SP's Azam Khan

"This man is incorrigible," says driver Debendra Singh, a resident of Etawah and a supporter of the Samajwadi Party, about Azam Khan. "He will do some good work but in the end say something so nasty that it will nullify all the goodwill he might have generated for himself. If only he knew how to control his tongue," he adds. 

Considering Azam’s controversial, mostly acidic, statements that generate a lot of political heat frequently, one needs no proof. The senior Samajwadi Party leader is contesting from Rampur. “It’s not about Hindu or Muslim, anyone can be victim of his tongue,” says Debendra.

Voters in Moradabad complain of malfunctioning EVMs

BEYOND GOOGLE with Ajay Singh

Lakhimpur Kheri and its relation with Mulayam Singh Yadav

Pakaria Gurudwara of Lakhimpur Kheri was the first place where Mulayam Singh Yadav visited after his electoral drubbing in 1991. When the BJP won the election, Mulayam was completely crushed in the election.

He had his legs fractured too. But Mulayam found his spirit soaring following using reception he got in wake of killings of 13 Sikhs in fake encounters by the police in Pilibhit. 

In fact, Mulayam's fortune revived from Terai region where Sikhs came out in support of him. This is the precise reason that Samajwadi Party still enjoys considerable clout among sikhs of the area.

Ruhailkhand — dominant Muslim area whose tacit support is crucial

The Ruhailkhand area which comprises Himalayan foothills and forest is socially a diverse land. But it is known for housing a liberal Islamic seminary- called Barelvi school of Islamic though. Adjacent to Deobandi school of Islamic thought that propagates fundamentalist variant of the religion, the Barelvi school is known for promoting a liberal value system among faithfuls. This seminary is quite influential among Muslims of the region. Though they avoid directly to be indulging in politics, their tacit support is critical for parties which vie for Muslim support. This time Ulemmas of the seminary are divided and let the voters take their choice.

Differently-abled woman casts her vote

Few know that the area going to polls in the second phase is known as mini Punjab in Uttar Pradesh.

Sikhs comprise a major population in Terai (Himalayan foothills) that border Nepal. Lakhimpur Kheri, Pilibhit, Bijnor are the core and  buffer forest zones of Dudhwa and Jim Corbett forest ranges. After 1947, Sikhs farmers from Punjab and Bangladeshi hindus were settled in this barren land and given cultivable land.

While Bangli Hindus gradually found the area inhospitable and spread out to other parts while Sikh farmers developed large farmhouses across the area. At the height of Punjab terrorism, a large group of khalistani terrorists found this area as safe haven. But the lush green belt of the region and highly cultivable land is known as paradise for farmers and rice bowl of India.

Firstpost Hindi brings you a comprehensive explainer as Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand vote. For Uttar Pradesh, this is the second phase of voting. 

Second phase of Uttar Pradesh began at 7 am. Join us for LIVE updates on everything that is happening on the ground in the 67 constituencies of India's most populous state. 

Corrupt are joining hands against me, says PM Modi

"The corrupt who I targeted with my demonetisation decision are still unable to sleep well. They stole money from the poor, but I am fighting them. And I will not rest. They are all joining hands against me, because they are afraid their ill-gotten wealth will go away from them," said Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Modi attacks Mayawati, Akhilesh over UP villages still being without electricity

"In her tenure, Mayawati gave electricity to 23 villages. In his tenure, Akhilesh gave electricity to just three more villages. But in just the last two years since I became Prime Minister, I have given electricity to 1,364 villages," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, while addressing a rally in Uttar Pradesh's Lakhimpur district.

Women in UP are scared to wear chains: Modi

"Women in Uttar Pradesh can't even wear chains in public, because they are afraid it'll be snatched away. The largest state in India is in the hands of criminals," says Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing a rally in Lakhimpur.

'SP-Congress alliance is an insult to Dr Lohia'

What's the status of Lucknow Metro, Modi asks Akhilesh

Gangs are run even from jails: Modi

Modi attacks SP government over unfinished projects

BJP will rid Uttar Pradesh of gangs

"Give BJP a chance. Within six months, I promise the law-and-order situation here will improve. The knife-wielding gangs will all be sent to jails within six months," says Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing a rally in Uttar Pradesh's Lakhimpur district.

PM Modi to address Lakhimpur rally

Voting ends for the first phase, around 63% turnout recorded till 5pm

Voting trends from Aligarh

Voting remained slow in Aligarh according to our ground reports.

At the Nahar Singh Inter College, quarsi polling booth around 60% polling was recoded till 4 pm. The officials their suggested that the peak time at this booth was between 11am to 2pm.

As Firstpost spoke to the voters coming out of the booth, the mood remained inclined towards BJP, except for the Jatav votes which remained hitched to the BSP. However, other SC community voters have chosen to vote for BJP in Modi's name and not in the candidate's name. This area has negligible Muslim population.

Voters in Shehar Aligarh divided along caste lines

Firstpost spoke to voters coming out after voting in Aligarh to sense the mood on the ground. Our inputs suggest that Khatig (SC) caste from the region has primarily voted for the BJP while Koli, Kumhar castes are going to SP. Among Muslims Abassi community has favoured the BSP as the local candidate fielded by it  belongs to the Abassi community. However, the BSP has managed to retain the Jatav votes.

Time to end caste-driven politics in UP: Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi renewed his attack on Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday and charged him with presiding over chaos and lawlessness in the state in the past five years.

Addressing a gathering in Budayun, a Yadav stronghold, the Prime Minister said time has come to reverse the caste and community-based policy making in the state and instead embrace the 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikaas' policies of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

UP minister booed at Meerut polling booth

Uttar Pradesh Labour and Employment Minister Shahid Manzoor faced a hostile crowd in Meerut's Kithaur constituency on Saturday when he visited a polling both.

The 61-year-old politician, who is the incumbent legislator from Kithaur constituency, was greeted with slogans and some people also pelted stones at him, after which he beat a hasty retreat, officials said.

The incident happened at the Islamia Madarsa poling booth. When he was talking to the voters, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supporters outside took umbrage to his spending a long time inside.

Soon, all hell broke loose and the Samajwadi Party (SP) leader was gheraoed by an angry mob of BSP supporters after which police had to resort to cane charge to disperse the unruly crowd.

Police had a tough time ensuring the minister's safety.

IANS

Bengali widows in Mathura cast ballot in deciding UP polls
 

Bengali widows, who have found shelter in large numbers in Mathura, exercised their franchise in the crucial elections in the state. 

According to  Telegraph report, some 40,000 widows — about 25,000 from Bengal — are estimated to live in Vrindavan, Mathura region. They primarily live in various government-run homes and private quarters supported by Sulabh International.

BJP's MP Hema Malini ran into a controversy in 2014 when she commented that the aged widows were "unnecesirily crowding" her constituency. 

BJP makes a grand start to UP polls, bags three MLC seats in Kanpur, Bareilly, Gorakhpur

Even as polling is underway for the Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, the BJP won all three graduate MLC seats in Kanpur, Gorakhpur and Bareilly.

The party retained two of its traditional seat while it bagged another seat previously held by the Samajwadi Party.

Red roses for women casting vote in Baraut

In an election that's all about the youth, senior citizens inspire by exercising their franchise

We go on talking about India as a young country and its youthful energy. Political leaders speeches and government programs are angled at wooing them.

Standing in queue to honour my right to vote at a polling station in Kaushambi, Ghaziabad, I realised that polling day is perhaps one day which senior citizens relish the most. They don't complain of queue and hassled walk to polling booth but they like the way its an occasion when the world treats them with respect and dignity they deserve. Its also a day when their preference matters.

It was heartening to see so many senior citizens in their 70s and 80s, even 90s coming out, holding hands of younger members of their family members, some with walking sticks.

In twilight zone of their life them coming out to vote means that the hope that India would change is undying. Hope new rulers of Uttar Pradesh would consider their hopes and aspirations.

A total of 121 candidates are in the fray in Agra. Around 30 percent votes were polled till noon in 73 Assembly constituencies, PTI said

How Modi's campaign changed dramatically and what it says about BJP's chances

"In 2014 Modi had a better narrative than his opponents. To the electorate, pushed against the wall by a non-performing government at the Centre, Modi's promise of 'better days' made more sense than apocalyptic fear of riots.

Even BJP's early campaign script for 2017 Assembly polls promised to take off from where Modi had left in 2014.

Cut to February. BJP's tone has become angry.

BJP seems to have faltered on their strength. Instead of presenting the electorate with a simple yet convincing narrative, they are desperately searching for a better story to trump the one told by Akhilesh. They have been reduced to making the same mistake which Modi's rivals did in 2014 — run an anti-campaign."

Caste-trends change in 1st phase of UP polls

As first phase of polling in western UP is underway, the stress in the media and at other chatter points have been on Jat factor, Jats slipping away from BJP and Muslims looking at Akhilesh Yadav-Rahul Gandhi combination with hope. The impression that Mayawati has capitulated is misleading. Her party candidates are strong on the ground and their campaign has been visible but while talking about BSP, we tend to talk only about Dalits and Muslim.

Total Voting Till 1 pm is 39.43%
 

AGRA - 39.19%
ALIGARH - 38.14%
BAGHPAT - 37.67%
BULANDSHAHR - 41.43%
ETAH - 39%
FIROZABAD - 40.80%
GAUTAM BUDHNAGAR - 36.33%
GHAZIABAD - 38.48%
HAPUR - 43.33%
HATHRAS - 36.09%
KASGANJ - 37.17%
MATHURA - 40.40%
MEERUT - 37.87%
MUZZAFARNAGAR - 41.58%

Voting trends in Aligarh

From Kol tehsil (civil lines side of Aligarh) Haji Zamirullah, the independent candidate who was previously in Samajwadi Party and belonged to the Shivpal camp was seen as a strong contender till morning but now voting has shifted to the Congress and the SP among Muslims. From Kol seat, both the Congress and SP candidates are getting votes. Zamirullah is also a favourite among Muslims as they are of the view that when an independent Muslim candidate is available then why should Muslim votes go to political parties who only use their votes for vested interests.

New favourite of Jats — RLD — could ruin BJP's prospects

The 73 constituencies spread across 15 districts going to the polls in first phase, has an interesting mix of rural areas in western UP. While areas going to the polls includes, two most important cities Noida and Agra, but the centre of attention in this phase is how Jat heartland Shamli, Muzaffarnagar, Baghpat, Meerut, Hapur and Bulandshahar would vote.

Common wisdom would suggest that people or a group or a community would vote to see what suits their interest, who protects their interest and who has the potential to deliver goods for the state and work for popular welfare. Jats are a hugely emotional community and more often than not emotions take priority over prudence. Fellow Jats from adjacent Haryana have been camping in this region to ensure that their brethrens in Western UP got disconnected from the BJP.

It is clear that a majority of Jats have shifted their preference from BJP to their very own Ajit Singh's RLD but then many of them are with the BJP. Ajit Singh's RLD is no winner (it can win few seats) but can play spoiler to the BJP's prospects. It thus becomes important for the BJP what percentage of Jats vote for RLD and what percentage of Jats vote for BJP. BSP and SP-Congress combine is talked here in context of a triangular or a quadrangular fight.

The SP-Congress combine is heavily banking in Muslim voters in the region seeing their combination as sole protector of their interests. This was the region which was affected in 2013 riots.

Can UP ke ladke sway the voters of Western UP

The decision to make Rahul and Akhilesh appear together, days after their joint presence in Kanpur, was guided by emerging circumstances because there was a feeling among sections of Samajwadi-Congress party leaders and supporters that Mayawati had lately become aggressive particularly pitching some influential Muslim religious leaders and groups urging minority community voters to trust and vote for BSP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's high decibel attack against Congress and Samajwadi Party.

There were also reports that on ground level the SP and Congress workers had their own issues and reservation against each other to join hands and fight for common cause. The seat sharing in some constituencies, even as Congress had been allotted 105 seats were there and people, even the party supporters were taking an adverse view. Rahul acknowledged that there were problems in 6-7 seats but underplayed it.

There was a feeling that momentum has been generated, from the point of view of crowd turn out in Lucknow, Agra and Kanpur for Congress-SP dynasts, needed to be maintained. Can that press conference influence voter mind who are going out to vote today? 

Voting slows down in Mathura

Voting slow in several booths in Mathura. Polling officials say footfall may increase later in the day. If it doesn't then the guessing game over results begins all over again. For parties the task right now would be to get their core voters to booths.

Multi-phase polling helps politicians in this day and age

It was a strategic decision Akhilesh Yadav and Rahul Gandhi to hold a joint press conference and slam Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his remarks on their alliance in UP on Saturday morning when first phase of polling in the state was underway.

Multi-phase polling gives politicians this opportunity — to move to areas which would come in later phases of polling and go out either to make high pitch campaigning or hold press conferences to make a last-ditch attempt to shape minds of voters in areas where voting was on. In this age of 24x7 news channels, social and digital media ensures that the message is communicated live.

In Aligarh lies a non-Jat, pro-BJP pocket but saffron party runs the risk of losing the edge

In Tappal area adjacent to Aligarh exists a village where non-jat castes live in large number. In a Baghel-caste dominated village not far from the Yamuna expressway, villagers have decided to vote for the BJP. The reason is obvious.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has done a lot for poor.

"We are not short of fertilizer now as we get it aplenty" said one. They were least affected by demonetisation. What had hit them most is the brazen Yadavaisation of governance by Akhilesh Yadav and increasing criminalization. "We were the worst sufferer of this" said villagers who huddled in a corner to mourn the death of young boy in a road accident. Apparently the village distinctly displays a pro-BJP turn.

Yet the BJP's move to placate Jats runs the risk of triggering a counter-polarization of non-hat castes. This is a tricky political situation for not only the BJP but also for SP-Congress and the BSP.

On the ground reports suggest complete polarisation

Inputs from the field across western Uttar Pradesh from correspondents of ETV show polarisation trends, to the extent that channels showing Muslims in large numbers in front of polling booths since  early morning also played on the minds of the voters. Observers believe that others are turning up now due to that influence. Voting percentage is likely to be very high and reports said that this polarisation helps BJP.

BJP's Anti-Romeo squad initiative strikes resonance with Hindu constituency

The BJP's promise of launching anti-Romeo squads to check eve-teasing in Western UP is calculated to strike resonance with Hindu constituency. Of late there have been reports of eve-teasing assuming a sociological menace in the entire region. Criminals ruling the roost in west UP in the past five year was nothing new. But criminalisation of governance is given a communal touch by a deft political move by the BJP.

An impression has gained ground here that most of these belong to a particular community. This assessment may not be correct. But the perception is stronger than reality. And the BJP's move has found resonance among voters who are divided on communal lines.

The huge turnout in response to communal consolidation of one community in today's polls is indicative of this strategy.

Heavy voters turnout in western UP

According to Firstpost Hindi, voter turnout is heavy in western Uttar Pradesh. Till 1pm, Bulandshahr recorded polling percentage of 41.7 percent, Fatehpur Sikri recorded 45 percent, Aligarh 40 percent and Shamli recorded 43 percent.

Modi addresses rally in Badaun which goes to polls on 15 February

Political rallies and polling booths both attract large crowds 

As the first round of the polls is underway, there is one confusion that prevails among senior leaders of all parties. This confusion is about how to explain the large turn out at meetings of these leaders.

Apparently not only Prime Minister Narendra Modi attracted a good crowd in this region but there was a huge turnout also for Rajnath Singh, Amit Shah and even outsiders like Nitin Gadkari. Similarly Akhilesh, Rahul Gandhi and BSP chief Mayawati also drew good crowds.

Ajit Singh, his son Jayant Singh and his wife Charu Singh also attracted huge turnouts. How could one explain this? Asked leaders. Of course, given large population of the state, the turn outs are poor indicators to read political mood of the state. Yet there is no denying the fact that this election is the most deceptive electoral battle Uttar Pradesh had ever seen.

There is hardly any wave in support of any party. Even at the time of polling, there is hardly signs of any wave.

WATCH: Narendra Modi addresses a rally in Badaun

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"Badaun is one of those villages in India which are the most backward in India. Samajwadi and BSP have promised so much, delivered nothing."

Most of Aligarh Muslim University votes for Congress

Most of Aligarh university votes are going to the Congress but a few votes of non-teaching staff are for Samajawadi Party as well.  Samajwadi Party has strong appeal among the economically lower sections of the population.

BJP puts one last-ditch effort to woo Jats in western UP

Just as Jat-dominated western UP was going to polls today, BJP president Amit Shah had a group of prominent jat leaders hosted by Union Minister Rao Virendra Singh, a jat leader from Haryana. The obvious reason was to neutralise the anger that Jats felt after their agitation in Haryana.

In west UP, there is an impression that the government turned anti-jat after its victory in 2014. As a result MPs like Satypal Singh, former Mumbai police commissioner, who defeated Chaudhary Ajit Singh has also lost relevance in the constituency. Hence this move was planned to rope in Jats who are fence-sitters.

Though the Jat-dominated constituencies are witnessing a heavy turnout, their political conduct remains a mystery. Jats may not have numerical strength on many seats but their influence over political economy of the region can hardly be undermined. That is the reason why the BJP seems a little worried in the first phase.

Largest constituency in Phase one is Sahibabad and smallest is Jalesar

Long queues were seen in places like Mathura, Agra, Muzaffarnagar, Meerut (City), Sardhana, Shamli and Noida. The largest constituency in this phase, as per population, is Sahibabad in Ghaziabad and the smallest is Jalesar in Etah.

There are 26,822 polling centres for over two crore voters in the first phase of polling for 73 seats across 15 districts. Fate of 839 candidates will be sealed on Saturday. Prominent faces who cast their votes earlier included Rajya Sabha member Amar Singh who cast his vote in Sahibabad, Shrikant Sharma of BJP and Congress's Pradip Mathur in Mathura, Sangeet Som in Sardhana and Suresh Rana in Shamli.

BJP's Hukum Singh does a U-turn, says Kairana exodus was never a communal issue

BJP's MP from Kairana, Hukum Singh, on election did a U-turn on the exodus issue, first raked up by him last year. While Hukum Singh had always maintained that the Hindu community in Kairana district was being singled out and targetted, he told CNN-News18 on Friday that it was never a communal issue.

"Exodus was never a communal matter, it was a law and order problem," Hukum Singh said. He however refused to say that the exodus was a non issue, while adding that it was coincidental that the goons behind rangdaari (extortion) and petty crimes belonged to a specific community.

He also insisted that there was no polarisation amid voters of Kairana. 

This statement coming in the backdrop of the Supreme Court ruling directing political parties to refrain from communal or caste appeasement in poll campaigns can be called a remarkable shift.

Aligarh: Scheduled caste vote inclined towards BJP

Aligarh is actually divided into two parts - old city Aligarh and new civil lines Aligarh. Old city side people feel that civil lines side voters are not fragmented and detached. They feel that civil lines area people might goof up the elections as they won't go for consolidated voting since they are divided among four major candidates - Vivek Bansal(congress), Ajju Ishaq (SP), Haji Aamirullah Khan(independent, previously SP candidate), Ram Kumar Sharma (BSP),  Parvez Khan (AIMIM). These candidates are from Kol vidhan sabha (civil lines, Aligarh). BJP candidate from Kol is Anil Parashar. 

Scheduled caste vote is inclined towards BJP candidate for Kol Vidhan Sabha.

Reports of first phase of voting very positive: BSP chief Mayawati

PINNED POST: Polling Percentage till 11 am

27 percent — Muzaffarnagar

24 percent — Agra

21 percent — Ferozabad

24.8 percent — Mathura

26 percent — Ghaziabad

23 percent — Meerut

Phase I polling underway: Technica snag hit EVM malfunctioning at a few polling booths

Voting picked up in the first phase of the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections within hours of its start at 7 am, poll officials said on Saturday. Kasganj witnessed 13 percent polling in the first two hours, Muzaffarnagar 15, Meerut 10, Mathura 11, Noida seven and Greater Noida nine percent. Technical snags in the electronic voting machines (EVMs) were reported in the first hour in polling booths across Noida, Baghpat, Hathras and Mathura.

An EC official informed IANS that these problems were being attended to on a priority basis and EVMs at some places were replaced.  Long queues were seen in places like Mathura, Agra, Muzaffarnagar, Meerut (City), Sardhana, Shamli and Noida.  The largest constituency in this phase, as per population, is Sahibabad in Ghaziabad and the smallest is Jalesar in Etah.

There are 26,822 polling centres for over two crore voters in the first phase of polling for 73 seats across 15 districts. Fate of 839 candidates will be sealed on Saturday. Prominent faces who cast their votes earlier included Rajya Sabha member Amar Singh who cast his vote in Sahibabad, Shrikant Sharma of BJP and Congress's Pradip Mathur in Mathura, Sangeet Som in Sardhana and Suresh Rana in Shamli.

SP candidate Zafar Alam a big hit in shehar Aligarh

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80 percent voters of 76 vidhan sabha seats in shehar Aligarh belong to the Ansari community, mostly engaged in small scale lock industries. Rest of the 20 percent constitute of Qureshi community, darzi, dhobhi, naai, sabzi farosh, pheri wale etc. All are vouching for SP candidate Zafar Alam.

Elderly voters waiting their turn at the booth at Dhouli Pyayu primary school in Mathura

Union Minister Sanjeev Balyan casts vote

6,000 paramilitary personnel deployed in all polling centres in Muzaffarnagar, Shamli

Elaborate security arrangements have been made in all districts for the polls which are being seen as a litmus test for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's nearly three-year rule. Out of 887 polling centres in riot-scarred Muzaffarnagar, around 600 are sensitive where video cameras have been installed to maintain strict vigil.

Around 6,000 paramilitary personnel have been deployed in all polling centres in Muzaffarnagar and neighbouring Shamli to instill a sense of security among voters, especially with focus on areas which had witnessed communal riots in 2013.

The excise department has set up checkposts at inter-state borders as well as along the border with Nepal to check distribution of liquor to voters during elections.

Besides, the EC has set up a police cell to keep a tab on messages received through social media so that trouble makers do not vitiate social harmony. 

-PTI

BJP wins all three MLC seats in UP where elections were held: Kanpur, Gorakhpur and Bareilly

Noida, a brainchild of Congress' ND Tiwari, has nothing to do with the party anymore

The sprawling industrial hub of Noida, which was the brainchild of one-time Congress stalwart and veteran leader ND Tiwari, seems to have nothing to do with the Congress anymore.  Tiwari, as old-timers would remember, was the Chief Minister of undivided Uttar Pradesh thrice, and of Uttaranchal once that was carved out of Uttar Pradesh, is credited with substantial work for the development of the big and politically crucial state of Uttar Pradesh. Tiwari held important portfolios as a minister at the Centre and also served as the Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission.

This time Congress hasn't fielded any candidate due to its alliance with Samajwadi Party.

The major issues of the burgeoning Assembly segment of Gautam Buddh Nagar district are regular supply of power and water, and the alarming crime rate.

Modi loves to peep into bathrooms

"Modi loves to Google, peep into bathrooms, but he should be more concerned about development. Some clerics are resentful. But we believe they will finally support us. Modi is unable to answer on security, jobs, unemployment and that why he is distracting people," Rahul Gandhi.

Modi loves to peep into bathrooms

"Modi loves to Google, peep into bathrooms, but he should be more concerned about development. Some clerics are resentful. But we believe they will finally support us. Modi is unable to answer on security, jobs, unemployment and that why he is distracting people," Rahul Gandhi.

Modi has all the time to do insignificant things, in 2.5 years he has done nothing: Rahul Gandhi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's strategy is distraction. When he can't answer questions, then he starts distracting. Truth is that in two-and-a-half years, he has failed. He peeps into bathrooms and does nothing else. His threats are empty as well." When asked about seat-sharing issues between Samajwadi Party and Congress, Rahul said, "There are issues on six-seven seats, but these issues are insignificant, things will be worked out soon."

A confident Akhilesh

The positive body language of Akhilesh Yadav during the presentation of SP-Congress vision document on Saturday gives an indication of his confidence in outcome. While tackling provocative questions from media, Akhilesh chose to play down the barbs, trying to drive a distinction between SP's development-oriented campaign and BJP's angry rhetoric. Akhilesh advised BJP to be less angry, his easy confidence rubbing on to even Rahul Gandhi. 

Bukhari supports us: Akhilesh

When asked about Shahi Imam Bukhari supported Mayawati and dissed SP-Congress alliance, Akhilesh Yadav said, "Shahi Imam Bukhari saab is a very good and learned man and if you ask him in person he will always give us the blessing and support us."

Issues and expectations of voters in Sector 15A

PINNED POST Western Uttar Pradesh: 2.60 crore voters, 73 constituencies to decide fate of 839 candidates

Amid tight security, polling began for the first of the seven phases of the high-stake Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections with voters queueing up to cast their ballots in 73 constituencies spread over 15 districts of western Uttar Pradesgh.

A total of 2.60 crore voters, including over 1.17 crore women and 1,508 belonging to third gender category are eligible to cast their ballots in 26,823 polling stations to decide the fate of 839 candidates..

The first phase of polling will decide the electoral fortunes of Pankaj Singh (Noida seat), son of Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Congress Legislature Party leader Pradeep Mathur (Mathura) against whom BJP spokesman Srikant Sharma is in fray, Mriganka Singh (Kairana), daughter of BJP MP Hukum Singh and controversial BJP MLAs Sangeet Som and Suresh Rana -Sardhana and Thanabhawan respectively.

Former BJP state president Lakshmikant Bajpai (Meerut), RJD chief Lalu Prasad's son-in-law Rahul Singh (SP) from Sikandarabad, and Sandeep Singh, grandson of Rajasthan Governor Kalyan Singh from Atrauli are among other key figures in this phase.

Politicians do Mann ki Baat and not Kaam ki Baat: Akhilesh Yadav

While announcing the common minimum programme, UP chief minister Akhilesh Yadav says that many do not walk the talk, clearly taking a potshot at Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Akhilesh says he is confident that the first vote cast in the first phase of Uttar Pradesh election was cast in the name of Samajwadi Party-Congress alliance. 

Akhilesh added that noone is better to run a state than two youths. "It will be a government of vision," added Rahul. 

Akhilesh Yadav and Rahul Gandhi launch SP-Congress alliance's common minimum program

WATCH: Akhilesh Yadav and Rahul Gandhi adress media in Lucknow

EVM malfunction hits two booths in Mathura

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Reports said that EVMs in two polling booths in Mathura malfunctioned. Meanwhile, police have detained Gagan Som, brother of BJP candidate Sangeet Som for carrying a pistol inside poll booth.

PINNED POST Polling percentage: Muzaffarnagar records highest

As of 9 am, reports said that Agra recorded 12.8 percent; Muzaffarnagr recorded the highest at 15 percent; Aligarh recorded 9 percent and Ferozabad recorded 11 percent; Bulandshahr 12 percent.

Empty voting centre in Dadri

Aligarh: Number of booths increased to avoid chaotic situation

As Aligarh goes to elections, appeals for vote consolidation intensify. Messages and appeals being circulated on social media and through word of mouth. To avoid any sort of chaotic situation and to provide more convenience to voters, this time Aligarh has increased the number of booths.  To increase voter accessibility the numbers are limited to 1000 votes per booth.

Rajnath Singh's son Pankaj has edge over others in Noida, thanks to Mahesh Sharma

Noida, the assembly constituency was always a bjp stronghold. Mahesh Sharma of BJP held this seat, till the time he became an MP in 2014. In the by-election that followed, the bjp retained the seat. 

After he became an MP, in the 2014 by poll, BJP's Vimla Batham Sharma got elected.

This gives the present BJP candidate Pankaj Singh, who is the son of Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh an edge over others. But it's also challenging for him as he is a first timer. He has been given ticket by replacing Vimla Batham Sharma. Initially this led to some confusion and dissent among local party workers. But BJP leadership has ensured that the contesting candidate gets full support. It needs to be seen whether debutant Pankaj Singh is able retain the tradition of BJP of winning Noida seat this time.

Elaborate security arrangement in sensitive areas of Shamli, Aligarh, Muzaffarnagar 

Elaborate security arrangements have been made for smooth polling, especially in sensitive areas of Shamli, Aligarh, Muzaffarnagar, Mathura, Bulandshahr and Agra.

The electoral battle in the state has grabbed all eyeballs, be it the electoral merger between the Congress and the Samajwadi Party or the infighting within the first family of this politically crucial state.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweets:

After overwhelming win in 2014 LS elections, BJP would want a repeat of the mandate in UP

The political scene in the state has been dominated by regional players (SP, BSP, RLD etc) since the 1990's and the so called national parties (BJP and Congress) have been pushed to the sidelines. If at all BJP and Congress managed to stake claim at the throne of Uttar Pradesh it was by cobbling up an alliance with the regional parties.

But in Lok Sabha elections 2014, the people of the state voted overwhelmingly in support of the BJP. The saffron party would like to repeat the winning streak for obvious reasons, as it will pave a smooth path for the party in Delhi. However, the current ruling party in state, SP, has barely emerged from a succession war and it is Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav's only opportunity to prove his mettle as a leader, after he overthrew his father from the party's helm.

The Bahujan Samaj Party, meanwhile, has been working silently on the ground to regain control on the state by engineering a politically potent but unpredictable amalgamation of two communities, Dalits and Muslims. However, each party has its own Achilles heel to deal with; the nail biting competition can swing any way.

Mathura was in the spotlight last year over the incident at Jawahar Chowk that claimed 24 lives. Two policemen were also killed in attack by encroachers on government land. The BJP raked this issue up during its campaign, citing this as an example of failing law and order under Akhilesh's rule. Will the voters buy it this?

BJP's record in Mathura rather poor

The BJP's record in Mathura, the land of temples and mythology, is rather poor. In the birthplace of Krishna the party has not had its own lawmaker in the assembly for sometime now.

The only bright point is that it has Hema Malini as MP. As voters start trickling in at booths the question is will BJP will do better this time?

Noida: Number of voters expected to increase after 9 am 

Ignoring the chill in the air, with the morning temperature being 11 degrees, the residents of Noida Sector 15 and 16, especially the senior citizens are heading towards polling booths. Many are taking a detour from their morning walk to cast their votes. But right now voters are very few in numbers, which is expected to pick up by 9 am.

73 constituencies, includes communally-sensitive Kairana, Muzaffarnagar, Dadri

Total 73 constituencies, including a larger chunk of the politically important, western Uttar Pradesh goes to polls on 11 February. Key constituencies include communally sensitive constituencies of Kairana, Muzaffarnagar, Dadri and Meerut, apart from Ghaziabad, Noida, Agra etc.

BJP's Mathura candidate Shrikant Sharma casts his vote

UP Election precursor to 2019 Lok Sabha Election

The state elections also arguably set the precursor to the the 2019 Lok Sabha election as Uttar Pradesh was crucial in BJP's cleansweep in 2014 Lok Sabha elections — the saffron party's one-third parliamentarians come from the state that sends 80 MPs to the Lower House. Besides this, with the 2017 Presidential Election is in the offing, UP's strength will also play up in selecting the Constitutional head of the state.

Thus, it is only natural that all eyes remain on the intense political drama unfolding in the state in these high-stake elections. So Firstpost sifted through the political pandemonium playing out in Uttar Pradesh, and brought together all that you need to know to track the humongous polling exercise. 

Polling delayed in booth no.42 in Mathura's Govardhan, and in booth nos 119 and 120 in Baghpat as EVMs are not working

Voting underway in Dadri

Voting begins in first phase of crucial Uttar Pradesh election

Kingmaker state sends the largest number of MPs sends to Rajya Sabha

Uttar Pradesh is called the king-maker state and it's not for nothing. The northern Indian state, with over 14,12,53,172 voters, sends the largest number of Members of Parliament to the Rajya Sabha, where both the ruling party and the Opposition vie to stake control.

Take for example, the current arrangement in both the Houses. The Modi government, enjoying a brute majority in Lok Sabha, has presented a curious and unprecedented tug-of-war between the ruling party and the Opposition. While the BJP-led NDA government can pass any law as it pleases in the Lower House, key legislation often get stuck in the Upper House — where the Congress enjoys a majority — due to Parliament logjams and political bickering. While for the BJP, UP polls will be one chance to wrest free the Rajya Sabha from the controls of the Opposition, ensuring that BJP's strength is limited in Rajya Sabha is the only respite Congress can hope for until the next Lok Sabha Elections.

Shah Imam Bukhari backs Mayawati, but will his approval split Muslim vote?

Hours after the Shahi Imam of Delhi's Jama Masjid, Syed Ahmad Bukhari, blasted the Samajawadi Party-Congress coalition in Uttar Pradesh, and urged Muslims to vote for Mayawati's Bahujan Samaj Party instead, a mildly aggressive gathering of hundreds of young men from the community thundered, "Dekho dekho kaun aya, sher aaya, sher aaya (Oh, look who's here, the lion is here)."

Their body language clearly suggested that the sher they were referring to was their hero, both as a leader and as a rock star performer. The announcement that he had finally arrived resulted in a commotion, with everyone pushing, pulling, vying to catch a glimpse of the one man they were waiting for — Assaduddin Owaisi, Hyderabad Lok Sabha MP and chief of AIMIM.

Amroha has a special significance for Muslims, for the simple reason that around 65 percent of the electorate in this Assembly constituency are Muslims. There couldn’t be a better place for leaders and students of politics to understand the community’s political preference. Owaisi was making his political debut in Uttar Pradesh, and Amroha was the most important stopover for him.

PINNED POST: Polling starts in western UP

After months of campaigning, issues like communal polarisation to development and BJP government's decision to demonetise will be put to test as 73 403 assembly seats in Uttar Pradesh go to the polls today in the first of seven-phase elections. Polling has already begun and is expected to go on till about 5 pm on Saturday.

The principal protagonists – Samajwadi Party-Congress alliance, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Mayawati’s Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) – are hoping for a strong performance in the communally-charged western UP region, infamous for the murderous riots in 2013, so as to gather enough impetus for the later phases. 

The BJP's stakes are high in the crucial state as they are being viewed as a mini-referendum on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s major decisions like demonetisation and the surgical strikes across the border in Pakistan. After a bitter family feud, incumbent Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav's future is at stake as he eyes re-election. 

Uma Bharti claims to have 'tortured rapists' when she was CM

Rapists should be tortured "till their skin comes off", Union minister Uma Bharti has said and accused the Samajwadi Party government of failing to provide justice to the victims of the Bulandshahr gangrape case. 

Addressing an election rally here yesterday, she claimed that during her tenure as chief minister when a rape incident happened, "I also told the woman to watch the rapist being tortured".

"In my tenure as chief minister, when a rape like this had happened, I got this done. Police officials told me that doing this was a violation of human rights. I replied that these 'danavs' (demons) do not have human rights. I also told the woman to watch the rapist being tortured through a lock-up window so that she could get some peace after listening to his screams and cries for help," the BJP leader said.

Rahul Gandhi has forgotten how to count: Amit Shah

Samajwadi Party wants to destroy Uttar Pradesh: Amit Shah

BJP will select candidates for Class III and IV jobs on the basis of merit: Amit Shah

Amit Shah ridicules Rahul Gandhi, Manmohan SiIngh

'Rahul Gandhi has been asking the BJP government of what we did. The first thing we did is gave a PM who can talk. The Manmohan government of corruption, we have given a government which even the opposition can't make a case of corruption. In your government, they used to behead soldiers. In our government, after they burn our soldiers, within ten days, we beat them in their home.'

Akhilesh has given up before election by joining Congress: Amit Shah

We have to end family rule from Etawah: Amit Shah

After Narendra Modi's Bijnor rally, Amit Shah takes the podium in Etawah

Akhilesh Yadav's is the most inefficient government: Narendra Modi

Citing unutilised funds allocated by the central government, Modi attacked Akhilesh Yadav government of failing the people of Uttar Pradesh.

Will create Cahudhary Charan Singh fund with 800 crore

We are walking in the footsteps of Chaudhary Charan Singh: Narendra Modi

Akhilesh government is against farmers: Narendra Modi

We will listen to farmers and decide on insurance: Narendra Modi

Akhilesh government is against farmers: Narendra Modi

Akhilesh Yadav government is against sugarcane farmers: Narendra Modi

'We started Fasal Bima Yojana for farmers. This scheme insures you even if you couldn't sow seeds till August. If your crop is destroyed by natural disaster, your loss be covered. But against the wishes of the sugarcane farmers, they put it under the insurance. A party which talks of making potatoes in factory, what would they know of farming. But at least Akhilesh Yadav should have known. His family's background is farming. Sugarcane is least affected by natural disasters. Even the richest farmer wouldn't insure sugar cane. But this anti-sugar cane farmers government in Uttar Pradesh.'

Modi promises balance payments to sugarcane farmers

It's Akhilesh Yadav's government to give the money to sugar cane farmers. I had said, as soon as I come to power, we paid the money to 32 lakh farmers directly in their accounts. We will destroy the five-six mills hoarding your money.

The only way to save Uttar Pradesh is keep these two families from coming back to power.

Two families who destroyed Uttar Pradesh and India have joined hands: Narendra Modi

Why only one family from Safai with so many politicians: asks Narendra Modi

Women can't walk out of their homes: Narendra Modi

Women's security a challenge in Uttar Pradesh: Narendra Modi | ANI

When it comes to the security of women in Uttar Pradesh, they blame the media. Isn't the crime records in Uttar Pradesh a proof of the poor women security situation in Uttar Pradesh?

Joining hands with Rahul Gandhi shows Akhilesh's intelligence level: Narendra Modi

I thought maybe, a young man (Akhilesh Yadav) will be ready in politics in five years. On another side, there was a politician in Congress, whose childish acts (you should see and find out the jokes on him) and manner of talking had kept Congress politicians away. The politician whose even the Congress leaders were running away from, Akhilesh Yadav has joined hands. That's when I began to doubt Akhilesh Yadav's intellegence.

Those who were fighting, have joined hands: Narendra Modi | ANI

​Rahul Gandhi taunts BJP over 'Swachh Bharat'

Rahul Gandhi to address a rally in Aligarh

Narendra Modi says he will answer his detractors in 2019

Samajwadi Party is ruled by goons, the govt is making no attempts to enforce law and order

Taking on the ruling Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi slammed Akhilesh and said that when he was elected as the chief minister everyone had great hopes from a young, educated leader. "Bachiyan school jaane se darrti hai. Aapki party (SP) ne gundon ko pal rakha hai or UP ka ye haal kar rakha hai (Girls are afraid to go to school because of the goons owned by you)."

The prime minister also lambasted Akhilesh for not generating employment as promised. "Standing today in Ghaziabad, I promise that youths won't have to run around for jobs anymore. And these are not election promises. This is my resolve."

Vikaas ka banwaas: Agenda of this election

"These elections are not about choosing the next government, it is not about which political party will win or not. These elections are about whether development, which has been sent to an exile for the past 14 years, will it come back?" Modi says in Ghaziabad.

Watch: Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Ghaziabad as 1st phase begins on 11 Feb

Akhilesh targets Modi: "Don't make the 2014 mistake again"

"You fell for white lies in 2014. Where is the recovered black money in your bank accounts? Where are the jobs? What happened to all those tall promises you made? Liar, liar." The barbs were, of course, directed at Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The election in Uttar Pradesh is a curious one. The prime minister is in the direct line of attack in a state election. 

Perhaps one of the negative consequences of the personality cult. There's none in the BJP to attack or discuss in Uttar Pradesh. A loss here, if it happens, would be a loss for Modi, none else.  

Victory for Akhilesh-Rahul could be beginning of end for Narendra Modi?

Bhaichaara was the word spoken often by the speakers on the dais. "UP had had enough of communal tension. It has suffered a lot. Now it's the time to put a stop to it. 2014 was a mistake. You put power in wrong hands. Let's not repeat it." This was the essence of their speeches.

Of course, some went beyond this and said a victory for Akhilesh-Rahul would be the beginning of the end of Narendra Modi.     

On The Road: Meerut dubs Akhilesh-Rahul as Karan-Arjun

Karan-Arjun aa gayo, says a placard made of a thermocol sheet fraying all around.

The reference, of course, is to Akhilesh and Rahul. Other placards say, "humko ye saath pasand hai," in a small variation of the alliance slogan "UP ko ye saath pasand hai". Ask the guy carrying the placard what he meant by the filmy comparison — Karan, Arjun are lead characters of a movie played by Shah Rukh Khan and Salman long ago — and he turns away. He is too busy for silly questions.    

Akhilesh-Rahul joint rally: The UP CM might have struck a chord with the youngsters

At Meerut's Nauchandi Chowk, amid batches of placard-carrying Congress and Samajwadi workers who keep streaming in for Akhilesh-Rahul joint rally, you feel  the energy of the  young.

The Samajwadi Party-Congress alliance has got the buzz right and it's drowning out the BJP and the BSP. Speak to the young men at the venue and they quickly chant Akhilesh Bhai ko jitana hai (We have to ensure Akhilesh's victory). What's the big deal, you might ask. It's after all a Samajwadi Party rally. Step beyond the rather cramped space, the buzz refuses to disappear. Akhilesh has struck a chord, it might carry him all the way.

Why didn't Akhilesh govt do anything for farmers? says Modi

"Has it ever happened that the farmers of Uttar Pradesh got the money they deserve?" Modi said.

"I want to ask Akhilesh ji's government: What is your connection with those from the sugar mills? Why doesn't the government provide money to the sugarcane farmers?" Modi said.

"Why does the government give opportunities to traders to loot farmers?" the prime minister further said.

"This government has kept you (farmers) in darkness. The government has bought only 3 percent of its crops in the state," he said.

Samajwadi Party leader Gaurav Bhatia resigns from the party

Watch: Amit Shah addresses election rally in Khurja, Bulandshahr

Despite Mulayam's flip-flop, Akhilesh looks self-assured

With Netaji in kabhi haan kabhi naa mode and uncle Shivpal Yadav planning his own party after elections Akhilesh has reason to be worried. Father Mulayam is taking too many quick turns for his comfort. But atop the vehicle in a road show he is a picture of confidence and self-assuredness.

Give it to the man, his claims may not be beyond suspicion, his confidence is.

Rahul Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav start road show in Agra

An hour late from the scheduled time, UP ke ladke have started their road show in Agra. As TV footage showed, the two leaders stood atop the vehicle, instead of being holed up inside their bullet-proof vehicles, and waved to their supporters, giving the feel that everything is well in the recently-formed alliance. 

Dil mile ya na mile, party toh mil gayi hai, is the current emotion running high in the ruling party of Uttar Pradesh. The mega road show in Agra is a clear message to parties that SP and Congress have decided to bulldoze into minority bastion and claim the Muslim votes. 

Second mandate for Akhilesh? Amit Shah doesn't think so

Kaam bolta hai — goes the campaign catch line for Akhilesh's Samajwadi Party. The SP chief would like to believe his government has done enough to receive a repeat mandate, but BJP president Amit Shah surely is not buying that.

During his roadshow in Meerut few hours earlier he had reeled out statistics on crime to point out that the law and order situation has gone from bad to worse under Akhilesh?

Congress-Samajwadi Party alliance immoral and opportunist: Venkaiah Naidu

Terming Congress-Samajwadi Party alliance as "opportunist and immoral", Union minister M Venkaiah Naidu today said the family drama of ruling Samajwadi Party is "heading towards tragedy from melody and comedy".

"The alliance between Congress and SP is opportunist and immoral. Akhilesh Yadav has made an alliance but did not give space to his father (Mulayam Singh Yadav) even on the carrier of the 'bicycle' (SP symbol) and gave its handle to Congress.

"The family drama of SP is heading towards tragedy from melody and comedy," the senior BJP leader said at a press conference in Lucknow.

BJP to focus on development in 'calm Muzaffarnagar': Sanjeev Balyan

In 2016, nearly two and a half years after the Muzaffarnagar riots, when bypoll was held in  this constituency following the death of the then sitting SP MLA Chitranjan Swaroop, the BJP won the seat battling a sympathy wave in favour of the leader's son. Many analysts had then said the saffron party was able to exploit the communal faultlines through its campaign which was led by riot-accused BJP leaders.

The BJP had deployed local MP and minister of state for agriculture in Modi government, Sanjeev Balyan, MP Hukum Singh and MLA Suresh Rana for campaigning in February-2016 bypoll, the first after the communal riots. They were all named as accused in cases related to the 2013 riots which left at least 60 dead and thousands displaced.

However, for the upcoming elections, the party seems to have adopted the much-publicised narrative of development. Western UP, where tension had prevailed during the 2014 Lok Sabha election too in the wake of riots, is calm and elections would be held peacefully with development being the major issue, Balyan told PTI.

He talked of how despite facing difficulties people have supported demonetisation in national interest. The BJP leader targeted the Akhilesh Yadav Government over alleged corruption and mining mafia. He also said it was his party's strategy not to declare its chief ministerial face. "In the UPA government, it was said that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is honest but the government is corrupt. Now Akhilesh Yadavji is also saying 'I am honest and removed one minister over allegations of corruption' but he reinstated him again after 15 days," Balyan said.

Akhilesh-Rahul to confine road show in areas equipped with basic infrastructure

According to Firstpost reporters on the field, Akhilesh and Rahul have taken lessons from their earlier road show in Lucknow where they had a tough time facing the low hanging electric wires. Thus, confining the road show to areas which is comparatively more equipped in terms of basic infrastructure.

With the choice of their city and preference of safer and urban road map for this show, it seems as if both the leaders are keen to send a strong political message to the people of the state in minimal time. And make out for the losses incurred to their party  because of the delay in forming this unprecedented and fresh alliance.

The roadshow will continue for approximately 3 hours and end around 6pm in the evening.

Roadmap of the roadshow

Starting point of this roadshow will be Dayal Bagh Engineering college, passing through  Bhagwan Talkies, Deewani Chauraha, Sur Sadan, Wazirpur, Hari Parvat Crossing, Chipitola and finally culminating at Bijligarh Chauraha located in the South of the City.

The road map which has been signalled by the district administration for this road show has an interesting mix of both communities, young and old voters and women in general.

For example the Dayalbagh institute is an educational institution area located at Dayalbagh in the heart of the city. The institute has been given deemed university status by UGC and is one of the most sought out campus among students.

Dayalbagh also inhabits a large population of Satsanghis, who are followers of the RadhaSwami sect. The followers in general are taken to be mute supporter of the right wing party.

The roadshow will then proceed towards Bhagwan Talkies , Deewani chauraha, Sur Sadan and then Wazirpur the only area dominated by Muslims the major factor responsible for a turnaround in UP poll results.  From there it moves forward to Hari parvat , Chipitola and finally ending at Bijligarh Chauraha situated in the south of the city.

Amit Shah cancels his foot march that was to be held in Meerut

BJP chief, instead, will meet family of businessman shot dead in the area on Thursday night.

Agra - a symbol of Dalit assertion

In fact, BR Ambedkar was the first one to realise the significance of this township where Dalit assertion manifested for the first time after Maharashtra before India's Independence. Since then Agra was symbolised with Dalit assertion. Ambedkar's influence on Agra's social and political life remains enduring till date.

At the same time, this place is also linked to the family of BJP's tallest leader Atal Bihari Vajpayee.