News Analysis India

Tag: Uttar Pradesh

  • LIVE | Mukhtar Ansari’s Death: Mukhtar Ansari’s Body Left From Banda To Ghazipur Amid Tight Security |

    Gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari died following a heart attack on March 28. He was 63. The Uttar Pradesh government has imposed Section 144 across the state while security have been beefed up in several areas including Mau, Banda, Ghazipur, Balia and Pryagraj where the gangster had wide influence. Ansari was brought to Banda Medical College hospital after his health deteriorated. Ansari breathed his last in the hospital.

    ZEE News पर माफिया मुख्तार अंसारी की मौत के बाद का सबसे पहला वीडियो#BreakingNews #MukhtarAnsari #HeartAttack #MukhtarAnsari pic.twitter.com/ndacOLbaqj
    — Zee News (@ZeeNews) March 28, 2024

    The district hospital issued a statement confirming Ansari’s death. “Convicted/under trial prisoner Mukhtar Ansari, son of Subhanallah, age 63, was admitted to the emergency ward of Rani Durgawati Medical College, Banda at 8.25 pm by the prison officials after the complaint of vomiting and unconsciousness. The patient was administered treatment by a team of nine doctors. However, despite efforts, the patient died due to cardiac arrest,” said the hospital.

    #BigBreaking | दिल का दौरा पड़ने से मुख्तार अंसारी की मौत, डॉक्टरों ने मुख्तार को मृत घोषित किया#BreakingNews #MukhtarAnsari #HeartAttack @vishals12517801 @vishals12517801 pic.twitter.com/iK8OAZ1zJo
    — Zee News (@ZeeNews) March 28, 2024

    The postmortem will be videographed as well. His body will be cremated tomorrow in Ghazipur.

    Check Live Updates Here:

    4:45 PM After the post-mortem, Mukhtar’s body is being taken from Banda to Ghazipur. The viscera has been preserved during the post-mortem. Mukhtar’s elder son Abbas Ansari is in jail. In such a situation, a post-mortem was done in the presence of the younger son Umar Ansari. Videography was done. 

    4:30 PM: Mukhtar Ansari’s son Omar Ansari and Abbas Ansari’s wife Nikhat Ansari have reached Banda Medical College to collect the body. Mukhtar’s body can now leave for Ghazipur at any time.

    4:15 PM: Asaduddin Owaisi mentioned the ‘slow poison’ claim of Mukhtar’s family and asked for a fair investigation into the death of a gangster-turned-politician. 

    4:00 PM: Mukhtab Ansari’s post mortem has been completed and now he will be taken to funeral. 

    3:40 PM: Chief Judicial Magistrate’s court in Banda asks additional CJM to conduct probe into the death of Mukhtar Ansari and submit a report within a month.

    3:30 PM: A judicial inquiry has been ordered by the Chief Judicial Magistrate Banda, the three-member team will conduct a magisterial investigation into the death of Gangster-politician Mukhtar Ansari.

    2:29 PM: Mukhtar Ansari’s son Umar Ansari says, “It (postmortem) is their procedure. I have written a letter that it should be done by doctors of AIIMS Delhi. We don’t trust the medical system, government and administration here…You know why I am saying this…Panchnama is done. DM has to make a decision. Let’s see what he decides. The postmortem has not begun…We hope that the court will help investigate the suspicions that we are expressing. We will consult our legal team. We are confident that this is not a natural death but an orchestrated murder.”

    #WATCH | Mukhtar Ansari’s son Umar Ansari says, “It (postmortem) is their procedure. I have written a letter that it should be done by doctors of AIIMS Delhi. We don’t trust the medical system, government and administration here…You know why I am saying this…Panchnama is… https://t.co/EKsC0SM0be pic.twitter.com/L19DwGU9b7
    — ANI (@ANI) March 29, 2024

    1:10 PM: A panel of five doctors have finished Mukhtar Ansari’s post-mortem in Banda. His body will be handed over to his family at 2 pm, according to sources.

    12:46 PM: Mukhtar Ansari Death: “It is unfortunate that Akhilesh Yadav is demanding resignation,” says KC Tyagi. “It is unfortunate that Akhilesh Yadav is demanding resignation of CM Yogi Adityanath. Akhilesh Yadav had been a custodian of law and order when he was the CM. He (Akhilesh Yadav) should not issue such statements on the death of a criminal,” says JD(U) leader KC Tyagi on the opposition parties raising questions over Mukhtar Ansari’s death. 

    11:19 PM: Wife of Krishnanand Rai – former BJP MLA, Alka Rai said, “What can I say? This is the blessing of the Almighty. I used to pray to him for justice and the justice has been served today. We never celebrated Holi…”

    #WATCH | Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh | Wife of Krishnanand Rai – former BJP MLA who was killed by Mukhtar Ansari – Alka Rai says, “What can I say? This is the blessing of the Almighty. I used to pray to him for justice and the justice has been served today. We never celebrated Holi… pic.twitter.com/SyMFo4TXey
    — ANI (@ANI) March 29, 2024

    10:05 PM: Samajwadi Party supremo Akhilesh Yadav slams ‘government anarchy’ in 1st reaction to Mukhtar’s death. 

    हर हाल में और हर स्थान पर किसी के जीवन की रक्षा करना सरकार का सबसे पहला दायित्व और कर्तव्य होता है। सरकारों पर निम्नलिखित हालातों में से किसी भी हालात में, किसी बंधक या क़ैदी की मृत्यु होना, न्यायिक प्रक्रिया से लोगों का विश्वास उठा देगा:

    – थाने में बंद रहने के दौरान
    – जेल के…
    — Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) March 29, 2024

    9: 15 AM: Sibgatullah Ansari, Mukhtar Ansari’s elder brother, claimed on Friday that the latter has been “unwell” for nearly two weeks, alleging that he was not being “given any treatment despite raising an alarm again and again.”
    He also claimed that the administration did not inform him and he learned about his brother’s death through the media.

    8:28 AM: BSP chief Mayawati tweets, “The apprehensions and serious allegations made by Mukhtar Ansari’s family regarding his death in jail require a high-level investigation so that the facts of his death can come to light. In such a situation, it is natural for his family to be sad…”

    मुख़्तार अंसारी की जेल में हुई मौत को लेकर उनके परिवार द्वारा जो लगातार आशंकायें व गंभीर आरोप लगाए गए हैं उनकी उच्च-स्तरीय जाँच जरूरी, ताकि उनकी मौत के सही तथ्य सामने आ सकें। ऐसे में उनके परिवार का दुःखी होना स्वाभाविक। कुदरत उन्हें इस दुःख को सहन करने की शक्ति दे।
    — Mayawati (@Mayawati) March 29, 2024

    8:24 AM:  Preparations for Mukhtar Ansari’s funeral under way at Kali Bagh Graveyard

    #WATCH | Ghazipur: Preparations for the funeral of gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari underway at Kali Bagh Graveyard. pic.twitter.com/JxXD6rxliN
    — ANI (@ANI) March 29, 2024

    8:10 AM: Abbas Ansari to appeal in high court for parole in order to attend last rites of father Mukhtar Ansari.  

    7:45 AM: Mukhtar Ansari’s portmostem to take place at 10 AM. Umar Ansari’s arrival is awaited. 

    7:27 AM: Prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), which bars large gatherings, has been imposed across the state. Additional security personnel have been deployed in the Banda, Mau, Ghazipur and Varanasi districts.

    6:43 AM: Shops to remain close at Mohammadaband faatak today. 

    6:37 am: Security strengthened in Firozabad, following the death of Gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari after suffering from cardiac arrest. Police conducted a flag march in the area, and an alert has also been issued in the entire state, said IG Aligarh Range Shalabh Mathur. “After the death of Mukhtar Ansari, an alert has been issued in the entire state. There is also an alert in the area regarding this and now SSP Aligarh is with us and taking stock regarding this. Police administration will remain alert on all these points. All the officials will monitor the spread of rumours on social media,” he added.

    6:19 am: Umar Ansari, son of Mukhtar Ansari said, “I was not told anything from the administration side, I came to know about it through the media… But now the whole nation knows everything… Two days ago I came to meet him, but I was not allowed… We said earlier also and even today we will say the same about the allegation of giving slow poison. On March 19, he was poisoned in the dinner. We will move to the judiciary, we have full faith in it…” 

    23.57 pm: Former Bihar Deputy CM and leader of RJD Tejashwi Yadav also raised question on Ansari’s death. “Sad news was received about the demise of former UP MLA Shri Mukhtar Ansari. We pray to the Almighty to grant peace to the departed soul and strength to the bereaved family to bear the loss. A few days ago he had complained that he had been poisoned in jail, yet it was not taken seriously. This is not fair and humane. Constitutional institutions should take suo motu cognizance of such strange cases and incidents,” he said.

    23.45pm: Mukhtar Ansari will be creamted in Ghazipur tomorrow. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav is likely to visit Ghazipur tomorrow. Meanwhile, the UP Police has asked people to vacate the area after hundreds of people gathered at Ansari’s home in Ghazipur.

    23.30pm: Congress questions the death of Mukhtar Ansari. Congress spokesperson Surendra Rajput said that there is a jungle raj in Uttar Pradesh. He demanded a probe in the death of the gangster. His death raises a serious question on the BJP government, said Rajput. Congress leader Pappu Yadav termed Ansari’s death as institutionalised murder. 

    23.20 pm: The UP government has decided to keep safe visceral samples of Ansari as there were allegation of him being poisoned in the jail.

    23.10 pm: Uttar Pradesh Police is closely monitoring social media posts as well. Any derogatory tweet or posts aimed at provoking sentiments are being monitored. Police said that it will take strict action in case of any violation.

    23.00 pm: A significant meeting is underway at the Chief Minister’s residence. DGP Prashant Kumar and ADG Law and Order Amitabh Yash are present. The events at the Chief Minister’s residence are under close observation. In any case, unpleasant incidents should be avoided, says Chief Minister Yogi.

    10.55pm: Tomorrow is Friday, prompting high alert in the main mosques of the state. Sensitive Muslim areas will be closely monitored following Mukhtar Ansari’s death. Surveillance of all districts in Purvanchal, including Gazipur, will be conducted from the police headquarters in Lucknow. Forces will remain stationed outside major mosques after Friday prayers. Last year, Atik Ahmad was murdered during the month of Ramadan. Similarly, Mukhtar Ansari also passed away during the month of Ramadan.

    Death Following Deteriorating Health

    Earlier, Mukhtar Ansari was shifted from Uttar Pradesh’s Rani Durgawati Medical College to jail after his discharge on Tuesday. Mukhtar Ansari was admitted to a hospital after he complained of abdominal pain in jail. Ansari’s lawyer, Naseem Haider, had claimed that the former MLA in the Uttar Pradesh assembly is experiencing difficulty speaking.

    Ansari was elected as an MLA from the Mau constituency five times – twice on Bahujan Samaj Party ticket and then on Samajwadi Party’s ticket. He last contested the assembly polls in 2017. He was sentenced to life imprisonment in a case related to the use of forged documents for obtaining an arms licence in 1990. This was the eighth case in which the he was convicted.

    In December 2023, the MP/MLA Court of Varanasi convicted Mukhtar Ansari for intimidating Mahavir Prasad Rungta, a witness in the murder case of 26-year-old coal businessman Nand Kishor Rungta. Ansari was sentenced to five and a half years of rigorous imprisonment and fined Rs 10,000. Last year, on October 15, the Enforcement Directorate seized lands, a building, and bank deposits valued at over Rs 73.43 lakh as part of the money laundering probe involving Mukhtar Ansari.

  • Will Gangster-Politician Mukhtar Ansari’s Death Impact Upcoming Elections In Eastern UP? |

    NEW DELHI: Gangster-politician Mukhtar Ansari’s political journey is intricately intertwined with the socio-political fabric of Eastern Uttar Pradesh, where his influence extended far beyond his criminal background. From his emergence as a gangster to his transformation into a powerful political figure, Ansari’s legacy leaves a significant imprint on the region’s political landscape.

    Early Life And Criminal Beginnings

    Born into a politically influential family, Ansari’s foray into crime began in the 1980s and 1990s when he established himself among government contract mafias in Uttar Pradesh. His criminal activities, ranging from extortion to murder, earned him notoriety in the region. Despite facing numerous criminal charges, Ansari’s political ambitions remained undeterred.

    Foray Into Politics: From Gangster To Legislator

    Ansari’s transition from gangster to politician marked a pivotal moment in his life. He capitalized on his criminal network to build a formidable political base, eventually winning elections on the tickets of various political parties. His ability to secure electoral victories, even from behind bars, underscored his enduring influence and the complexities of Uttar Pradesh’s political landscape.

    Dominance In Eastern UP

    Ansari’s political dynasty, encompassing multiple generations, wielded considerable influence in Eastern Uttar Pradesh. Constituencies like Mau and Ghazipur emerged as electoral fortresses for the Ansari family, with Mukhtar and his relatives consistently winning elections by significant margins. Their stronghold over local politics reflected a blend of power, patronage, and legacy.

    Despite his criminal background, Ansari enjoyed widespread support among certain sections of the population, particularly among Muslims and Dalits. Many locals viewed him as a Robin Hood-like figure, attributing his popularity to his perceived assistance to the underprivileged. His ability to provide financial aid for medical treatment, weddings, and other necessities cemented his support base in the region.

    Impact On Eastern UP: Socio-Political Dynamics And Governance

    Ansari’s influence extended beyond electoral politics, shaping the socio-political dynamics of Eastern Uttar Pradesh. His patronage networks, coupled with his ability to mobilize voters, played a crucial role in determining electoral outcomes and influencing governance priorities. However, his dominance also led to allegations of corruption, nepotism, and criminalization of politics.

    Controversies: Legal Battles And Allegations

    Throughout his political career, Ansari faced numerous legal battles and controversies. From allegations of criminal intimidation to charges of corruption, his tenure was marred by accusations of wrongdoing. However, his ability to navigate these challenges and maintain his political relevance speaks to the complexities of power dynamics in Uttar Pradesh.

    Post-Ansari Era In Eastern UP

    With Mukhtar Ansari’s demise, Eastern Uttar Pradesh finds itself at a crossroads, grappling with the aftermath of his political legacy. The void left by his absence raises questions about the future trajectory of the region’s politics and the emergence of new power brokers. As parties vie for control in the upcoming elections, the impact of Ansari’s legacy continues to reverberate through the corridors of power in Eastern Uttar Pradesh.

    Mukhtar Ansari’s political journey, characterized by a blend of criminality and electoral success, remains a subject of fascination and debate in Uttar Pradesh. His impact on Eastern Uttar Pradesh, both as a gangster and a politician, underscores the intricate interplay between power, patronage, and populism in the region’s politics. As the region navigates the post-Ansari era, the legacy of one of its most enigmatic figures will continue to shape its political landscape for years to come.

  • Senior SP leader Azam Khan sentenced to 7 years in Dungarpur case

    Azam Khan, the senior Samajwadi Party (SP) leader, has been sentenced to seven years in prison in the Dungarpur case. Along with Khan, three others – Aale Hasan, Azhar Ahmad Khan, and Barkat Ali – were also convicted and received five-year prison terms. The judgment was delivered by the Rampur MP/MLA court, and the convicted individuals were sentenced under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

    Background of the Case

    The case dates back to 2016 and involves a property dispute in the Dungarpur area of Uttar Pradesh’s Rae Bareilly district. This marks the fifth case in which Azam Khan has been convicted in the past two years, highlighting a series of legal troubles for the SP leader.Previous ConvictionsAzam Khan and his family have faced multiple convictions in recent years. Last year, Khan, his son Abdullah Azam, and wife Tanzeen Fatima were convicted in a fake birth certificate case. Additionally, Khan has been convicted in cases related to hate speech and blocking traffic.

    Ongoing Legal IssuesCurrently, Azam Khan is serving a sentence in Sitapur jail in another criminal case. The court proceedings were conducted via video conferencing, highlighting the continued legal challenges faced by the veteran politician.

    ImplicationsThe conviction of Azam Khan and others in the Dungarpur case underscores the need for adherence to the law and accountability for actions. It also raises questions about the future of the Samajwadi Party, as one of its senior leaders faces significant legal repercussions.The conviction of Azam Khan in the Dungarpur case adds to his legal troubles and highlights the complexities of the Indian political landscape. As the legal proceedings continue, the case will be closely watched for its impact on the political dynamics in Uttar Pradesh and beyond.

  • Uttar Pradesh: After failed BSP experiment in 2019, SP pins hope on Congress tie-up to stop BJP juggernaut in UP

    The coming general election may throw some surprising results in Uttar Pradesh with the SP-BSP alliance now replaced by the SP-Congress pact under the INDIA bloc. The Samajwadi Party-Bahujan Samaj Party alliance in 2019 had offered some resistance to the BJP on a handful of seats in the western and eastern parts of UP, but failed to make a big impact.

    With BSP supremo Mayawati deciding to duke it out alone this time, it will be up to the SP and Congress to stop the marauding juggernaut of the NDA, which has now has RLD on its side, as well as a number of caste-based regional parties in the Poorvanchal region.

    In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP and allies won 73 out of 80 Lok Sabha seats in the state. The party ceded some ground in the 2019 general election, when the opposition parties scraped their combined tally to 16.

    Even with the conventional anti-incumbency apprehensions at work, the saffron party laid its claim on the state winning 62 seats, bolstered further by two more won by its ally Apna Dal (Sonelal).

    In 2019, the maximum seats — 23 — for the BJP came from the state’s western part, where the SP-BSP alliance could manage to win only four seats each. The BSP won Saharanpur, Bijnor, Amroha and Nagina (SC seat) in the western UP, while the Samajwadi Party emerged victorious in Sambhal, Moradabad, Mainpuri (first held by Mulayam Singh Yadav then by Dimple Yadav in a bypoll) and Rampur that year. The central region of the state has prominent parliamentary constituencies of Amethi and Rae Bareli — both long considered bastions of the Congress.

    In 2019, former Congress president Sonia Gandhi retained her Rae Bareli seat, while her son Rahul Gandhi lost the long held Amethi constituency to Union minister Smriti Irani.

    Defence minister Rajnath Singh won from Lucknow.

    The BSP won only one seat from this region in Ritesh Pandey, who bagged Ambedkarnagar Lok Sabha constituency. The SP scored a zilch.

    The BJP won 13 seats from the region, which includes the coveted Faizabad Lok Sabha seat, the epicentre of a Hindu reverie that drowned parts of the nation in a collective religious fervour after the Ram Temple consecration.

    Varanasi, represented by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the Lok Sabha, is one of the 30 seats in the eastern part of the state.

    From this region, the BSP won five seats, while the SP won one, Azamgarh. Apna Dal (Sonelal) won two seats from here.

    The Bundelkhand region was swept in 2019 by the BJP, which won all four Lok Sabha seats of Jhansi, Banda, Hamirpur, and Jalaun-SC.

    The parched Bundelkhand region has been seeing the start of some irrigation projects and its residents getting safe drinking water.

    Expressways, new airports in different parts of the UP have narrowed the regional disparity the state has witnessed for a long time.

  • Ayodhya: Maharashtra cabinet gives nod to 300-acre park in Mumbai; guesthouse for pilgrims in Ayodhya

    Just ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, the Maharashtra cabinet on Monday cleared 18 proposals, including the development of a 300-acre park in Mumbai and the construction of a guesthouse in Ayodhya for pilgrims from the state. As per an official statement, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde chaired a cabinet meeting, during which he cleared the urban development department’s proposal to develop a 300-acre landscaped park along the lines of New York’s Central Park.

    The cabinet approved the public works department’s proposed construction of a guesthouse in Ayodhya for pilgrims from the state visiting the newly inaugurated Ram temple and other sites in the Uttar Pradesh town, it said.

    Among other decisions, the cabinet also cleared a proposal by the women and child development to include names of mothers in all state government documents. The department had earlier said that this decision could be seen as a step towards giving more recognition to mothers as government documents traditionally carry the father’s name.

    The cabinet also approved the housing department’s proposal to reduce stamp duty for residents of the BDD chawl and slums and a plan for permanent houses for families of workers from 58 textile mills, which were once operational in the city.

  • Fake Video Of UP CM Yogi Adityanath Endorsing Diabetes Drug Goes Viral, FIR Filed

    The 41-second video features a clip from a news channel and was uploaded on February 26 by the reported account ‘Grace Garsia.’ The video garnered significant attention on Facebook

  • Azamgarh: Previous governments in Uttar Pradesh made Azamgarh hub of crime and mafia activities, says CM Adityanath

    Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday alleged the previous governments in Uttar Pradesh made Azamgarh a hub of crime and mafia activities, and said the image of which has changed now with developmental activities. “Azamgarh was known for crime and mafia activities seven years ago, but today the prime minister is showering the district with money, bringing forth projects worth thousands of crores of rupees,” he said.

    Speaking at the inauguration and foundation stone laying ceremony of 782 development projects worth Rs 34,700 crore at the Manduri Airport complex in Azamgarh, Adityanath expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for providing a better security environment to Azamgarh over the past decade and for spearheading its development, modernising infrastructure and implementing various public welfare initiatives.

    The chief minister said the Azamgarh, Lalganj and Ghosi seats will show its support to the BJP in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. Adityanath highlighted the pivotal role of the Purvanchal Expressway, constructed at a cost exceeding Rs 22,000 crore, in the development of Azamgarh.

    He emphasised that it has transformed the economy of eastern Uttar Pradesh, enabling the residents of Azamgarh to reach Lucknow in just two hours.

    “The prime minister’s vision of ensuring that even those who wear slippers can travel by plane is now a reality in UP and across the nation. In UP, where earlier only two airports were operational, we now have nine operational airports and the PM has inaugurated five new airports today,” Adityanath said. The chief minister emphasized the longstanding demand for Azamgarh to have its own university which is now set to become a reality. “Named after Maharaja Suhail Dev, renowned for his bravery and valour in history, this university was inaugurated by the prime minister,” he said.

    Adityanath underscored the transformative initiatives of the double engine government, citing the establishment of a Music College in Hariharpur to enrich the cultural landscape of Azamgarh.

    “Through the ‘one district, one product’ scheme, local products like Black Pottery and Mubarakpur silk sarees have garnered global acclaim, contributing to the vision of a self-reliant India. Additionally, an Atal Residential School has been established to provide education to the children of the labourers,” he said.

    Highlighting the remarkable turnaround, the chief minister noted that while Azamgarh was once associated with fear, it is now earning national and international recognition for its contributions to art, education, literature and development.

    Adityanath said that Azamgarh has reclaimed its ancient identity and is on the path of prosperity under Prime Minister Modi’s guidance.

    “The previous governments in the state made Azamgarh a hub of crime and mafia activities, the image of which has changed now with developmental activities,” he said.

    Asserting the emergence of a new India, Adityanath said, “We are witnessing the new railway and national highway projects within the state. Before Holi, the residents of the state are receiving gifts worth thousands of crores of rupees.”

    The chief minister highlighted that the double-engine government is ensuring that the benefits of governance schemes reach every village, including the poor, youth, and farmers without any discrimination.

    “In Azamgarh district, 11.30 lakh Ayushman cards have been distributed, while 7.5 lakh farmers have received Rs 1,940 crore under the Kisan Samman Nidhi. Three lakh beneficiaries have received free cooking gas connections under the Ujjwala scheme,” Adityanath said.

    “Housing has been provided to 1.10 lakh beneficiaries under the PM Awas (Rural) scheme with an additional 17,000 beneficiaries in the urban areas in Azamgarh,” he added.

  • BJP Lok Sabha Candidates List: 57 OBCs, 28 Women, 27 SCs, 18 STs; Fom First List, BJP Moves To Balance Caste Equations |

    BJP First Candidate List For 2024 Polls: The BJP has released its first list of candidates for the Lok Sabha Elections 2024 having 195 names including that of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. The BJP’s candidate list comprises 57 OBCs, 28 women, 27 from Scheduled Castes, and 18 from Scheduled Tribes. With this, the BJP has indicated that it will not only go hard against low performers but will also keep its focus on balancing caste equations. The party has fielded candidates keeping in mind the opposition alliance and their candidates, especially in Uttar Pradesh.

    BJP’s Move To Capture SC Votes

    Among the Scheduled Caste candidates, names like Kripa Nath Mallah, Kamalesh Jangde, Vinodbhai Lakhmashi Chavda, Dineshbhai Kodarbhai Makwana, Ajay Tamta, Bhola Singh, Om Kumar, Satyapal Singh Baghel, Soumitra, and Priya Saha are included, representing various sections of the marginalized society. This comes at a time when the opposition parties especially Congress are trying to make caste census a poll issue to counter BJP’s Hindutva politics.

    29 फरवरी, 2024 को प्रधानमंत्री श्री @narendramodi की गरिमामयी उपस्थिति और श्री @JPNadda की अध्यक्षता में आयोजित केंद्रीय चुनाव समिति की बैठक में आगामी लोकसभा चुनाव हेतु 195 लोकसभा सीटों के लिए बीजेपी उम्मीदवार के नामों पर मंजूरी दी गई। (1/4) pic.twitter.com/Wv8yVYnegK
    — BJP (@BJP4India) March 2, 2024

    Focus on Tribal Votes

    In addition, the BJP has given tickets to candidates from Scheduled Tribes to secure their votes. Mahesh Kashyap, Amar Singh Tisso, Radheshyam Rathia, Chintamani Maharaj, Bholaraaj Naag, Jaswant Singh Bhambhor, Prabhubhai Nagarbhai Vasava, Manoj Tigga, Tala Marandi, Sunil Soren, Geeta Koda, Samir Uranv, Himadri Singh, Faggan Singh Kulaste, Anita Nagar Singh Chauhan, Mahendra Malviya, and Mannalal Rawat are among those who have received tickets. 

    OBCs In Spotlight

    Since Rahul Gandhi keeps raising the OBC issues every now and then, the BJP’s list also has the highest representation from the community. It also aligns with the saffron party’s considerable OBC voter base. Notably, Prime Minister Modi himself belongs to the OBC category. The BJP has given tickets to OBC candidates like Rajesh Varma, Ghanshyam Lodhi, Parmeshwar Lal Saini, Rajveer Singh, Rekha Varma, Sakshi Maharaj, Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti, and Rahul Lodhi. In this way, the BJP has made a concerted effort to address the interests of OBCs by allocating 57 tickets to them.

    Women Candidates Get Greater Representation

    In the BJP’s first list of candidates, there are 28 women candidates. The party has given tickets to Bansuri Swaraj, Shobha Surendran, Sandhya Ray, Lata Wankhede, Jyoti Mirdha, Kamaljeet Sahrawat, Annapurna Devi, Hema Malini, Rekha Varma, and Priya Saha, among others. 

    Opposition Slams BJP

    Reacting to the BJP’s first list, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said that the BJP has accepted defeat in Uttar Pradesh. The BJP’s first list has 51 candidates from Uttar Pradesh. Taking to X, Yadav said, “The first list of BJP’s Lok Sabha candidates shows that ‘prima facie’ this list has come only on those 195 seats where there is even a slight possibility of BJP winning. Its meaning is clear but BJP is wiped out on the rest. In the first list itself, BJP has accepted its defeat because due to fear of rebellion, it is re-nominating those people who are not getting any work done in their respective parliamentary constituencies or because of their involvement in corruption. There were no expectations for tickets. Those who wanted to pack their bags and leave are being asked to fight again under pressure. What opposition will these inflexible people face?”

    Yadav further claimed that there is deep disappointment among BJP workers due to the list because they are aware of the wind blowing against most of their MPs among the public. Congress leader Pawan Khera said that the current BJP MPs were useless and thus the party was forced to remove them.

  • Rajya Sabha Election 2024 Live Updates: Cross-Voting In UP, HP May Benefit BJP |

    Voting for the Rajya Sabha elections in three states – Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh – are underway with 15 seats up for grabs. The polls are likely to be highly competitive for three seats in two states governed by the Congress and one seat in Uttar Pradesh. Due to the fear of cross-voting in Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh, the Congress and Samajwadi Party are keeping a close eye on their MLAs. In a setback for the Samajwadi Party, while an MLA (Manoj Kumar Pandey) resigned from the party, two other indicated that they will vote for the ruling party candidate. According to Zee News TV, at least 7 SP MLAs held a meeting with the BJP minister.

    On Samajwadi Party MLA Manoj Kumar Pandey’s resignation, UP Minister Dayashankar Singh said, “Manoj Pandey has always been a supporter of Sanatana Dharma. He has always been giving statements regarding the same. He wanted everyone to visit Ayodhya and have a darshan. This is the reason he is showing faith in PM Modi’s leadership and is taking such a decision…”

    02.20 PM: According to Zee News TV, the affirmative reports of cross-voting have come from both Himachal Pradesh and UP, 7 MLAs from UP, while 8-10 MLAs from Himachal Pradesh’s Congress have allegedly voted for the BJP. Sudhir Sharma, Rajeev Rana, Ravi Thakur, Davinder Kumar (Bhutto), Chaitanya Sharma, and Inder Dutt Lakhanpal are some names who have reportedly voted for the BJP. 

    01:55 PM: Karnataka JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy said, “Congress has been disturbing JD(S) MLAs everyday. Each day they have been saying that more than 12-13 JD(S) are ready to join Congress. To show our strength, we put forward a candidate in this election.”

    01.45 PM: On speculation of cross-voting, Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Sukhu said, “We have 40 MLAs. If no one is sold, then we will receive 40 out of 40 votes. (Agar koi bika nahi hoga toh humein 40/40 votes aayenge).”

    01.36 PM: In response to speculations about cross-voting in the Rajya Sabha elections by Karnataka BJP leader ST Somashekar, Congress MLA Dinesh Gundu Rao asserts our unity remains unshaken. He added, “For the BJP, it has become a practice to use any method to win.”

    01.22 PM: ST Somashekar, BJP MLA Basanagouda R Patil (Yatnal) said that sometimes such things happen. He added, “The party had given clear direction to vote for BJP-JD(S) candidates.”

    01.15 PM: UP’s Jansatta Dal (Loktantrik) leader Raja Bhaiya affirmed that 8candidates from BJP will win. “We had made it clear that Jansatta Dal will support BJP candidates,” he added.

    01.03 PM: Voting concluded for the Rajya Sabha polls of Himachal Pradesh, a total of 68 MLAs voted.

    12.40 PM: Responding to the rumours of cross-voting Himachal Pradesh Congress chief Pratibha Virbhadra Singh accused the BJP of using money power. “We will see when the results come out and face the situation. We will sail through, we have the majority,” she added. While, Himachal Pradesh minister & Congress leader Vikramaditya Singh said my conscience is clear.

    12.33 PM: On rumors of cross-voting in Rajya Sabha elections, BJP Chief in Karnataka Assembly, Doddanagouda G. Patil says, “It is confirmed that ST Somashekar has cross-voted. We are discussing what can be done and what action to be taken.”

    12.24 PM: On Himachal Rajya Sabha elections, CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said”…All our MLAs have voted for the elections. I hope they have all voted on the ideology of the party. We can only say anything once the results are declarred. ‘BJP mein antar-aatma naam ki chiz nahi hai, waha toh paisa antar-aatma chalta hai’…”

    12.14 PM: A number of cross votings were witnesses in Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh during the ongoing Rajya Sabha polls. While SBSP MLA Jagdish Narayan, part of the BJP-led NDA alliance, voted for the Samajwadi Party, several SP MLAs voted for the BJP candidate. These MLAs include Manoj Pandey, Rakesh Pratap Singh and Pallavi Patel. In Karnataka, BJP MLA S. T. Somashekhar cross-voted in favour of the Congress. 

    12.05 PM: Reacting to the cross-voting, Akhilesh Yadav said that the BJP manipulated and lured MLAs by hook and crook method. Yadav alleged that some MLAs were offered various incentives while some were threatened. “Not everybody has the guts to stand against the Government…pressure is put on everybody, is there anyone who doesn’t know that BJP would go to any extent to win. BJP was dishonest during Chandigarh elections also… When it comes to UP, BJP did everything to get votes and those who left, might not have had the guts to stand against the govt. Action will be taken because our party leaders want such people to be kept away from the party,” said Yadav.

    12.00 Noon: On Karnataka Rajya Sabha elections, Congress MLA Rizwan Arshad said, “There will be no cross-voting. Congress candidates will get more votes than required. If people from some other party want to vote for us, then we won’t say no to it.”

    11.40 AM: Reacting to the BJP-JDS fielding additional candidate, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah said, “They (BJP) have also fielded candidate to win the elections, but for the 5th candidate they required 45 votes, do they have 45 votes? How will they win without numbers? Though they know that they don’t have numbers they fielded Kupendra Reddy and they tried to poach our MLAs, that’s why an FIR has been lodged against him. I’m sure all our 3 candidates are going to win.”

    Resort Politics In Karnataka

    Ruling Congress in Karnataka has relocated its MLAs to a hotel to safeguard them from external pressures. On Monday, the Congress shifted all its MLAs to a hotel, marking the beginning of the state’s trademark resort politics. All parties have issued whips to their MLAs ahead of today’s election. On Monday, Janardhan Reddy, Karnataka MLA and chief of Kalyana Karnataka Pragati Paksha, met CM Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar after he announced his support for Congress in the Rajya Sabha election. This further solidifies Congress’s winning chances. 

    While the Congress had a smooth path in securing four of Karnataka’s three seats due to its numerical strength, the BJP-Janata Dal Secular alliance complicated matters by nominating a second candidate. If there were four candidates, each would need 45 votes to win; however, in the case of additional candidates, preference votes would come into play. The Congress with 135 MLAs has the exact number to elect its three candidates, Ajay Maken, Nasir Hussain and G C Chandrashekhar.

    The entry of multi-millionaire real estate baron, D Kupendra Reddy, a Janata Dal (Secular)-BJP candidate has turned the elections to the fourth seat into a keen contest. Reddy, who declared Rs 1,200 crore assets in his election affidavit, has been fielded by the JD(S)-BJP combine. Reddy is confident that he will get the votes to win the election. Earlier, the Congress has complained that MLAs are being blackmailed to vote for Kupendra Reddy. A Congress delegation filed a complaint with the Bengaluru Police Commissioner. The BJP has 66 MLAs, which means it can easily get its main candidate, party worker Narayansa Bhandage, elected. Combined with the 19 JD(S) MLAs, the BJP-JDs second candidate Kupendra Reddy will need to get support of three Independents and get at least three Congress MLAs to cross-vote if he wants to win.

    Khela In Uttar Pradesh

    In Uttar Pradesh, the cross-voting fear has gripped the Samajwadi Party but the leading opposition party has maintained that all is well. According to Zee News TV sources, 8 to 10 of the Samajwadi Party MLAs may vote for the BJP alliance. The ruling BJP and SP had sufficient support to secure the unopposed election of seven and three members to the Rajya Sabha, respectively. However, the BJP escalated the competition by nominating Sanjay Seth, a former SP member and industrialist, as its eighth candidate. To secure an election, a candidate from the state requires approximately 37 first-preference votes.

    Ahead of voting, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav hoped that all three candidates of his party will win despite the BJP’s tactics. “BJP will do everything possible for victory. Some of our leaders who want personal gains can go to the BJP,” said Yadav expressing apprehension of the cross-voting.

    The SP has put forward Jaya Bachchan, an actor-MP, retired IAS officer Alok Ranjan, and Dalit leader Ramji Lal Suman. This decision has reportedly caused a rift with ally Apna Dal (Kamerawadi) leader Pallavi Patel, who expressed disagreement with the choice of Bachchan and Ranjan and stated she would abstain from voting.

    Congress’s Whip To MLAs In Himachal 

    In Himachal Pradesh, the actions taken were not as extreme as in Karnataka. The party has warned its MLAs about the election of its lone Rajya Sabha seat.  The focal point of the Congress’ contest in the state is its senior leader, Abhishek Manu Singhvi, pitted against the BJP’s core committee member, Harsh Mahajan. The Congress enjoys a clear majority with 40 MLAs, while the BJP has 25 members. Three MLAs, including two BJP rebels, identify as independents. Sources indicate that the BJP is currently seeking to woo dissatisfied Congress MLAs. 

    41 MPs Elected Unopposed

    Elections were due for 56 Rajya Sabha seats but since 41 leaders were elected unopposed including former Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, BJP chief JP Nadda, Ashok Chavan, Union ministers Ashwini Vaishnaw and L Murugan, the elections are being held for 15 seats in Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh.

  • UP to witness keen contest in Feb 27 Rajya Sabha polls

    Lucknow: The February 27 Rajya Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh will witness a high-pitched electoral battle ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, with the BJP fielding eight candidates and the opposition Samajwadi Party three for the 10 seats up for grabs. The outcome of the polls to the Rajya Sabha is likely to have an impact in the politically crucial state just ahead of the general elections in the country.

    The ruling BJP and the principal opposition SP have the numbers to send seven and three members respectively unopposed to the Rajya Sabha, but with the BJP fielding Sanjay Seth as its eighth candidate, a keen contest is on the cards in one of the seats.

    Seth, a local industrialist and former SP leader, joined the BJP in 2019. He filed his nomination in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya and other senior party leaders. Voting for the 10 Rajya Sabha seats will be held on Tuesday and the results will also be announced the same day.

    The BJP and the SP are the two largest parties in the 403-member state assembly with 252 MLAs and 108 MLAs respectively. The Congress, an alliance partner of the SP, has two seats. BJP ally Apna Dal (Sonelal) 13, NISHAD Party six, RLD nine, SBSP six, Jansatta Dal Loktantrik two and the BSP one. Four seats are currently vacant.

    The seven other candidates fielded by the BJP are former Union minister RPN Singh, former MP Chaudhary Tejveer Singh, general secretary of the party’s Uttar Pradesh unit Amarpal Maurya, former state minister Sangeeta Balwant (Bind) party spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi, former MLA Sadhna Singh and former Agra mayor Naveen Jain. The SP has fielded actor-MP Jaya Bachchan, retired IAS officer Alok Ranjan and Dalit leader Ramji Lal Suman. To get elected to the Rajya Sabha from Uttar Pradesh, a candidate needs nearly 37 first preference votes, an official said.

    Elaborating further about the Rajya Sabha elections, Returning Officer Brijbhushan Dubey said, “A candidate will need 36.37 first preference votes to register a win. At present, there are 399 MLAs in the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly.”

    Asked whether the three jailed MLAs will also be able to vote in the Rajya Sabha elections, Dubey told PTI that it would be decided by the court and the political party concerned.

    SP MLAs Irfan Solanki and Ramakant Yadav and Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) legislator Abbas Ansari are in prison.

    Dubey further said that MLAs will enter from gate 7, take ballot papers from room 80 and head to Tilak Hall to cast their votes.

    “Polling will be held from 9 am to 4 pm. Counting will commence from 5 pm and results are likely to be announced on Tuesday night,” he added.

    Exuding confidence in the BJP’s performance in the Rajya Sabha elections, Maurya told PTI, “All BJP candidates will register a win in the Rajya Sabha elections.”

    Chief whip of the Samajwadi Party in the legislative assembly Manoj Pandey said all SP MLAs will be voting for the party’s candidates in the Rajya Sabha election.

    Asked if one of the SP candidates may eventually fall short by one vote, Pandey said, “How will we fall short? Our people had contested (the 2022 UP Assembly elections) from the SBSP and the Rashtriya Lok Dal. And, basically, they are from the SP.”

    Although Pandey exuded confidence that MLAs of the SBSP and the RLD will vote for the SP candidates, both parties have joined the BJP-led NDA.

    Apna Dal (Kamerawadi) leader Pallavi Patel, an ally of the Samajwadi Party, had earlier said that she would not vote in the Rajya Sabha polls as she did not agree with the SP decision to field Bachchan and Ranjan.

    Speaking to PTI on Sunday, she said, “I will be voting in the Rajya Sabha elections. That is my right and my duty. But I have not decided yet who will be the candidate.”

    On whether the two jailed SP MLAs would be casting their votes, Pandey said, “The party is making efforts to bring them to Lucknow so that they can cast their votes.”

    “All the three candidates fielded by the party will emerge victorious in the Rajya Sabha elections,” former chief secretary of the state and SP candidate Ranjan told PTI.

    He added that unlike the Lok Sabha elections or the legislative assembly elections, Rajya Sabha polls are a different ball game altogether.

    Congress MLA from Pharenda in Maharajganj district told PTI, “Now, with the Congress and Samajwadi Party forging an alliance for the upcoming Lok Sabha election, the picture here is also very clear. We will vote for the candidates fielded by the SP. The candidate of the SP will be our candidate. We will vote for the SP candidate, about whom we will be told by SP chief Akhilesh Yadav.”

    Ramashish Rai UP unit chief of Rashtriya Lok Dal, which recently switched over to the NDA fold said that all the RLD MLAs will vote for the BJP candidates in the ongoing Rajya Sabha elections.

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