Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav and Union minister Maneka Gandhi are among key contestants in the second-last phase of polling in 14 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh on Sunday.

Polling will be held in Sultanpur, Pratapgarh, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/a-battle-of-turncoats-in-phulpur-allahabad-lok-sabha-seats-217034">Phulpur, Allahabad</a>, Ambedkarnagar, Shrawasti, Domariyaganj, Basti, Sant Kabirnagar, Lalganj, Jaunpur, Machchlishahr, Bhadohi and Azamgarh constituencies in Purvanchal region of the state.

The Bharatiya Janata Party had won 13 of these 14 constituencies in the 2014 Lok Sabha election. The only exception was Azamgarh, won then by SP founder Mulayam Singh Yadav.

However, the BJP had to bite the dust in the bypolls in Phulpur and Gorakhpur constituencies last year. While, the anti-BJP alliance would like to retain its grip over both the seats, the saffron party is looking to wrest them from the opposition.

Their importance can be gauged from the fact that Gorakhpur was represented by Yogi Adityanath in Lok Sabha from 1998 to 2017 before he became the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh.

Similarly, Phulpur was won for the first time by the BJP in 2014, when Keshav Prasad Maurya emerged victorious from the seat once represented by Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first prime minister. Maurya vacated the seat after he became the deputy chief minister of the state in 2017.

The BJP had swept the 2014 polls winning 71 of the total 80 seats in the state, with two others being won by ally Apna Dal (Sonelal). The Congress won two and the SP five.

In Azamgarh this time, Akhilesh Yadav is trying to retain his father's seat against Bhojpuri film star Dinesh Lal Yadav 'Nirahua' of the Bharatiya Janata Party.

In 2016, Akhilesh Yadav had conferred the state's prestigious Yash Bharti award on Nirahua, who says that he too was getting a good response from youth and the middle-income group in the constituency.

The SP president's decision to contest from his father's bastion is being touted as a move to consolidate the Yadav, Dalit and Muslim voters in the Purvanchal region of Uttar Pradesh.

The constituency has a substantial population of Yadavs, Jatavs and Muslims -- the three communities which form the crux of the SP-BSP alliance in the politically crucial state.

Since 1996, only Muslims and Yadavs have won the Azamgarh Lok Sabha seat.

Azamgarh has over 17 lakh voters. Estimates say that about four lakh of them are Yadavs, three lakh Muslims and around 2.75 lakh Dalits.

Sultanpur too is seeing an interesting contest as the BJP has fielded Union minister Maneka Gandhi for the seat won by her son Varun Gandhi in 2014.

The seats appear tricky for Maneka Gandhi as BJP strategists are relying on a division of Congress and gathbandhan votes, besides possible counter-polarisation of non-Yadav and non-Jatav Dalit and OBC votes.

The party is also hoping that the Modi factor and central welfare schemes will make the voters' repose faith in the BJP yet again in the seat vacated by Maneka Gandhi's son Varun Gandhi.

The Union minister faces Chandra Bhadra Singh of the BSP and Sanjay Singh of the Congress, who was the Sultanpur MP from 2009-14.

Sanjay Singh did not contest in 2014 but fielded his wife Ameeta Singh who ended fourth.

The constituency has a total of 1,430,955 eligible voters out of which 764,314 are males and 666,641 females.

Altogether, 177 candidates are contesting in these 14 constituencies, where 2.53 crore people are eligible to vote at 16,998 polling centres.&nbsp;

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav and Union minister Maneka Gandhi are among key contestants in the second-last phase of polling in 14 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh on Sunday.

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav and Union minister Maneka Gandhi are among key contestants in the second-last phase of polling in 14 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh on Sunday. Polling will be held in Sultanpur, Pratapgarh, Phulpur, Allahabad, Ambedkarnagar, Shrawasti, Domariyaganj, Basti, Sant Kabirnagar, Lalganj, Jaunpur, Machchlishahr, Bhadohi and Azamgarh constituencies in Purvanchal region of the state. The Bharatiya Janata Party had won 13 of these 14 constituencies in the 2014 Lok Sabha election. The only exception was Azamgarh, won then by SP founder Mulayam Singh Yadav. However, the BJP had to bite the dust in the bypolls in Phulpur and Gorakhpur constituencies last year. While, the anti-BJP alliance would like to retain its grip over both the seats, the saffron party is looking to wrest them from the opposition. Their importance can be gauged from the fact that Gorakhpur was represented by Yogi Adityanath in Lok Sabha from 1998 to 2017 before he became the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh. Similarly, Phulpur was won for the first time by the BJP in 2014, when Keshav Prasad Maurya emerged victorious from the seat once represented by Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first prime minister. Maurya vacated the seat after he became the deputy chief minister of the state in 2017. The BJP had swept the 2014 polls winning 71 of the total 80 seats in the state, with two others being won by ally Apna Dal (Sonelal). The Congress won two and the SP five. In Azamgarh this time, Akhilesh Yadav is trying to retain his father's seat against Bhojpuri film star Dinesh Lal Yadav 'Nirahua' of the Bharatiya Janata Party. In 2016, Akhilesh Yadav had conferred the state's prestigious Yash Bharti award on Nirahua, who says that he too was getting a good response from youth and the middle-income group in the constituency. The SP president's decision to contest from his father's bastion is being touted as a move to consolidate the Yadav, Dalit and Muslim voters in the Purvanchal region of Uttar Pradesh. The constituency has a substantial population of Yadavs, Jatavs and Muslims -- the three communities which form the crux of the SP-BSP alliance in the politically crucial state. Since 1996, only Muslims and Yadavs have won the Azamgarh Lok Sabha seat. Azamgarh has over 17 lakh voters. Estimates say that about four lakh of them are Yadavs, three lakh Muslims and around 2.75 lakh Dalits. Sultanpur too is seeing an interesting contest as the BJP has fielded Union minister Maneka Gandhi for the seat won by her son Varun Gandhi in 2014. The seats appear tricky for Maneka Gandhi as BJP strategists are relying on a division of Congress and gathbandhan votes, besides possible counter-polarisation of non-Yadav and non-Jatav Dalit and OBC votes. The party is also hoping that the Modi factor and central welfare schemes will make the voters' repose faith in the BJP yet again in the seat vacated by Maneka Gandhi's son Varun Gandhi. The Union minister faces Chandra Bhadra Singh of the BSP and Sanjay Singh of the Congress, who was the Sultanpur MP from 2009-14. Sanjay Singh did not contest in 2014 but fielded his wife Ameeta Singh who ended fourth. The constituency has a total of 1,430,955 eligible voters out of which 764,314 are males and 666,641 females. Altogether, 177 candidates are contesting in these 14 constituencies, where 2.53 crore people are eligible to vote at 16,998 polling centres.

Phase 6 polls: Akhilesh Yadav, Maneka Gandhi among key candidates in Uttar Pradesh

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav Saturday accused the Congress of spreading rumours about the SP-BSP alliance and said he has faith in workers of both the parties that they will not pay heed to them.

"Recently, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/election-commission-issues-fresh-notice-to-sidhu-over-objectionable-comments-against-pm-modi-217655">Prime Minister Narendra Modi</a> said Samajwadi Party is assisting other parties and is not with the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/election-commission-not-strict-against-leaders-using-derogatory-language-for-women-mayawati-217721"> BSP</a> and now we have come to know that the Congress is also spreading similar rumours," Yadav told reporters here.

"I want to say the SP-BSP alliance is strong. It is my appeal to the workers of both the parties to remain alert. We have faith in SP workers, the leadership and workers of the BSP that they will pay no heed to them," he said.

The SP chief said both the BJP and the Congress were the same in spreading rumours.

Referring to the language being used by BJP leaders in electioneering, he said such words should not be used.

"Our Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath says that others are the chiefs of 'goondas', but the biggest criminal of Bihar Rajan Tiwari is made to join the BJP clandestinely in Lucknow," he said.

Yadav also alleged that 'red cards' were being issued only to Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party leaders and workers and accused the BJP of conspiring to scare people against voting.

"Will red cards be issued to SP-BSP only? Is everyone in the BJP clean, is there no one with a criminal background who was issued a red card?" he asked.

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav Saturday accused the Congress of spreading rumours about the SP-BSP alliance and said he has faith in workers of both the parties that they will not pay heed to them.

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav Saturday accused the Congress of spreading rumours about the SP-BSP alliance and said he has faith in workers of both the parties that they will not pay heed to them. "Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Samajwadi Party is assisting other parties and is not with the BSP and now we have come to know that the Congress is also spreading similar rumours," Yadav told reporters here. "I want to say the SP-BSP alliance is strong. It is my appeal to the workers of both the parties to remain alert. We have faith in SP workers, the leadership and workers of the BSP that they will pay no heed to them," he said. The SP chief said both the BJP and the Congress were the same in spreading rumours. Referring to the language being used by BJP leaders in electioneering, he said such words should not be used. "Our Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath says that others are the chiefs of 'goondas', but the biggest criminal of Bihar Rajan Tiwari is made to join the BJP clandestinely in Lucknow," he said. Yadav also alleged that 'red cards' were being issued only to Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party leaders and workers and accused the BJP of conspiring to scare people against voting. "Will red cards be issued to SP-BSP only? Is everyone in the BJP clean, is there no one with a criminal background who was issued a red card?" he asked.

Akhilesh Yadav accuses Congress of spreading rumours about SP-BSP alliance

Sacked BSF jawan Tej Bahadur Yadav on Monday moved the Supreme Court challenging the Election Commission's decision to cancel his candidature from the Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency from where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is contesting.

Yadav, who was dismissed in 2017 after he posted a video online complaining about the food served to the troops, was fielded by the Samajwadi Party as its candidate from the Varanasi seat.

However, the returning officer rejected Yadav's nomination papers citing his failure to submit a certificate that he was not sacked for either corruption or disloyalty.

Yadav, in his plea, termed the decision of the poll panel discriminatory and unreasonable and said it should be set aside.&nbsp;

The SP had initially fielded Shalini Yadav as its candidate to contest against Modi and later nominated the sacked BSF jawan.

Sacked BSF jawan Tej Bahadur Yadav on Monday moved the Supreme Court challenging the Election Commission's decision to cancel his candidature from the Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency from where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is contesting.

Sacked BSF jawan Tej Bahadur Yadav on Monday moved the Supreme Court challenging the Election Commission's decision to cancel his candidature from the Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency from where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is contesting. Yadav, who was dismissed in 2017 after he posted a video online complaining about the food served to the troops, was fielded by the Samajwadi Party as its candidate from the Varanasi seat. However, the returning officer rejected Yadav's nomination papers citing his failure to submit a certificate that he was not sacked for either corruption or disloyalty. Yadav, in his plea, termed the decision of the poll panel discriminatory and unreasonable and said it should be set aside. The SP had initially fielded Shalini Yadav as its candidate to contest against Modi and later nominated the sacked BSF jawan.

Sacked BSF jawan moves Supreme Court against Election Commission decision to cancel his candidature

<a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/lok-sabha-polls-2019-congress-more-keen-on-forming-govt-in-up-in-2022-rather-than-halting-bjp-says-akhilesh-yadav-213642&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwja3aKXqPzhAhVMSX0KHe5MCa8QFjACegQIBRAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw2e1YlGiOEXprzp9S6XvHeo">Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav</a> feels that Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led BJP government at the Centre has failed on the national security front."BJP has failed so far as the national security is concerned. Our soldiers are dying on the border and in the Naxal affected areas," Yadav told ANI in an exclusive interview.

When asked whether national security will be one of the core agendas of the non-BJP government is formed at the Centre, Yadav said,&nbsp;"National security is the most important issue for any country."

"Regional parties are closer to the people. They have experience as well, given the fact that they have done a good job in the past. So they will deliver their best," said Yadav, also former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh.

He went on to add, "I do not need to tell people about my life. I have spent seven years of my life in military school. My college mates were martyred on the border. My wife`s father has spent his life in the military. My wife`s sister and her husband are in the military."

"I ask the BJP people, who claim to be more patriotic - how many people from their families are in the Army. Like the BJP, we do not drumbeat our nationalism," he said."If anyone asks me to do the parade, I can. I know when there are open and close lines and how to salute," he added.

The former Chief Minister also hit out at the BJP, stating that one security person dies every day in the country. "BJP talks about soldiers. What type of national security is it when one soldier dies every day," he said.

Stating that his party believes in working and not in advertising, he said,&nbsp;"When the SP was in power in UP, aircraft like Sukhoi, Mirage, and Hercules had landed on Lucknow-Agra Expressway. We do not need to furnish certificates for our contribution to the country. Netaji (Mulayam Singh Yadav) has been the Defence Minister of the country. We never mentioned what we gave to the forces."

Yadav further said,&nbsp;"Union Minister Nitin Gadkari had said that he would get more roads constructed like the Expressway. I ask the BJP leaders if they have made a single road where aircraft can land when the need arises."

Slamming UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for heading a Hindu 'math'&nbsp;and also holding a Constitutional post, Yadav said,&nbsp;"He says terrorists have the SP flag. Will he tell me how many flags he has. He has one flag of his 'math,'&nbsp;one of Hindu Yuva Vahini, and one of the RSS."

In Uttar Pradesh, where 80 Lok Sabha seats are up for grabs, SP is contesting 37 seats, BSP 38, and their ally - RLD - three seats. They have not fielded candidates from Amethi and Raebareli from where Congress president Rahul Gandhi and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi are seeking their re-election.

Yadav is in the poll fray from Azamgarh Lok Sabha constituency, currently held by his father and SP patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav. So far 39 Lok Sabha seats have gone to polls in the state, while remaining 41 will go to polls during the remaining three phases of the polling, the last phase of voting being on May 19. The counting of votes will take place on May 23.

Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav feels that Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led BJP government at the Centre has failed on the national security front.

Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav feels that Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led BJP government at the Centre has failed on the national security front."BJP has failed so far as the national security is concerned. Our soldiers are dying on the border and in the Naxal affected areas," Yadav told ANI in an exclusive interview. When asked whether national security will be one of the core agendas of the non-BJP government is formed at the Centre, Yadav said, "National security is the most important issue for any country." "Regional parties are closer to the people. They have experience as well, given the fact that they have done a good job in the past. So they will deliver their best," said Yadav, also former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. He went on to add, "I do not need to tell people about my life. I have spent seven years of my life in military school. My college mates were martyred on the border. My wife`s father has spent his life in the military. My wife`s sister and her husband are in the military." "I ask the BJP people, who claim to be more patriotic - how many people from their families are in the Army. Like the BJP, we do not drumbeat our nationalism," he said."If anyone asks me to do the parade, I can. I know when there are open and close lines and how to salute," he added. The former Chief Minister also hit out at the BJP, stating that one security person dies every day in the country. "BJP talks about soldiers. What type of national security is it when one soldier dies every day," he said. Stating that his party believes in working and not in advertising, he said, "When the SP was in power in UP, aircraft like Sukhoi, Mirage, and Hercules had landed on Lucknow-Agra Expressway. We do not need to furnish certificates for our contribution to the country. Netaji (Mulayam Singh Yadav) has been the Defence Minister of the country. We never mentioned what we gave to the forces." Yadav further said, "Union Minister Nitin Gadkari had said that he would get more roads constructed like the Expressway. I ask the BJP leaders if they have made a single road where aircraft can land when the need arises." Slamming UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for heading a Hindu 'math' and also holding a Constitutional post, Yadav said, "He says terrorists have the SP flag. Will he tell me how many flags he has. He has one flag of his 'math,' one of Hindu Yuva Vahini, and one of the RSS." In Uttar Pradesh, where 80 Lok Sabha seats are up for grabs, SP is contesting 37 seats, BSP 38, and their ally - RLD - three seats. They have not fielded candidates from Amethi and Raebareli from where Congress president Rahul Gandhi and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi are seeking their re-election. Yadav is in the poll fray from Azamgarh Lok Sabha constituency, currently held by his father and SP patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav. So far 39 Lok Sabha seats have gone to polls in the state, while remaining 41 will go to polls during the remaining three phases of the polling, the last phase of voting being on May 19. The counting of votes will take place on May 23.

BJP has failed on national security front: Akhilesh Yadav

''Nation's self-respect gone up in last 5 years,'' says PM Modi in Ayodhya rally. Watch this complete video to know more.

Lok Sabha Election 2019: ''Nation's self-respect has gone up in last 5 years,'' says PM Modi

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Friday said the Congress game plan was not to stop the BJP from forming the government at the Centre, but to come to power in Uttar Pradesh in 2022.

Akhilesh Yadav also said that his party and the BSP have sacrificed seats in the national interest.

"Our intention is clear right from the word go. We formed an alliance (with BSP and RLD) to stop the communal party and in the process, we in the SP and also the BSP had to sacrifice seats in the national interest," said Akhilesh.

But, the Congress' agenda in the ongoing parliamentary polls is not to stop the BJP from forming the next government at the Centre.

They are working for making the next UP chief minister in 2022 (when the next assembly polls are due), Akhilesh&nbsp;added.

His no holds barred attack came days after he lashed out at the Congress for its "too big ego".

The SP chief's remarks assume significance against the backdrop of Congress president Rahul Gandhi himself asserting that his party will form the government at the Centre and that "after the Lok Sabha polls, the next target was (UP) assembly elections (in 2022) to ensure that the state is at the top in education, health and employment as before."

Maintaining that his alliance with the BSP and the RLD is "strong", Akhilesh said, "Both the parties have sacrificed for the sake of the country.

''We have given up half of our seats only to ensure the communal BJP did not return to power again", Akhilesh said.

When asked about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's prediction that the SP-BSP alliance will crack the moment election results are out on May 23, Akhilesh said, "What has the BJP got to do with it? Why are they bothered? In UP we are strong and the BJP is nowhere. And this is the ground reality. They are trailing far behind the alliance."

Asked to comment on Modi terming the alliance as "maha milawat", Akhilesh retorted, "What should we call their (BJP) alliance with 38 parties? We are contesting on core issues and people have seen hope in our alliance."

Trashing Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya's statement that complaints about EVM malfunctioning across the state by the SP show that it has sensed defeat after the third phase of polls, Akhilesh said, "He could not become CM.

''He is still under training. He did not get a helicopter for campaigning for three days. He is nobody in the party", Akhilesh&nbsp;added.

"There are large scale discrepancies in EVM machines in Rampur, Badaun and Mainpuri too. Hundreds of EVMs malfunctioned. Is this not serious?" the former UP CM shot back.

About BJP's campaign targeting corruption during previous SP and BSP regimes, Akhilesh said, "They (BJP) did not have any development issues to raise. Why are they not taking action if there is an anomaly in previous regime works? Who is stopping them?"

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Friday said the Congress game plan was not to stop the BJP from forming the government at the Centre, but to come to power in Uttar Pradesh in 2022.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Friday said the Congress game plan was not to stop the BJP from forming the government at the Centre, but to come to power in Uttar Pradesh in 2022. Akhilesh Yadav also said that his party and the BSP have sacrificed seats in the national interest. "Our intention is clear right from the word go. We formed an alliance (with BSP and RLD) to stop the communal party and in the process, we in the SP and also the BSP had to sacrifice seats in the national interest," said Akhilesh. But, the Congress' agenda in the ongoing parliamentary polls is not to stop the BJP from forming the next government at the Centre. They are working for making the next UP chief minister in 2022 (when the next assembly polls are due), Akhilesh added. His no holds barred attack came days after he lashed out at the Congress for its "too big ego". The SP chief's remarks assume significance against the backdrop of Congress president Rahul Gandhi himself asserting that his party will form the government at the Centre and that "after the Lok Sabha polls, the next target was (UP) assembly elections (in 2022) to ensure that the state is at the top in education, health and employment as before." Maintaining that his alliance with the BSP and the RLD is "strong", Akhilesh said, "Both the parties have sacrificed for the sake of the country. ''We have given up half of our seats only to ensure the communal BJP did not return to power again", Akhilesh said. When asked about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's prediction that the SP-BSP alliance will crack the moment election results are out on May 23, Akhilesh said, "What has the BJP got to do with it? Why are they bothered? In UP we are strong and the BJP is nowhere. And this is the ground reality. They are trailing far behind the alliance." Asked to comment on Modi terming the alliance as "maha milawat", Akhilesh retorted, "What should we call their (BJP) alliance with 38 parties? We are contesting on core issues and people have seen hope in our alliance." Trashing Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya's statement that complaints about EVM malfunctioning across the state by the SP show that it has sensed defeat after the third phase of polls, Akhilesh said, "He could not become CM. ''He is still under training. He did not get a helicopter for campaigning for three days. He is nobody in the party", Akhilesh added. "There are large scale discrepancies in EVM machines in Rampur, Badaun and Mainpuri too. Hundreds of EVMs malfunctioned. Is this not serious?" the former UP CM shot back. About BJP's campaign targeting corruption during previous SP and BSP regimes, Akhilesh said, "They (BJP) did not have any development issues to raise. Why are they not taking action if there is an anomaly in previous regime works? Who is stopping them?"

Congress more keen on forming government in UP in 2022, rather than halting BJP: Akhilesh Yadav

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/elections/politicians/akhilesh-yadav">Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Akhilesh Yadav </a>lashed out at the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/akhilesh-calls-congress-sabse-dhokebaaz-party-211959">Congress</a>, saying that the Rahul Gandhi-led party betrayed the SP.

"If there is somebody who has betrayed the Samajwadi Party then it is the Congress," said Yadav at an election rally in Kanpur on Wednesday.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-polls-2019-akhilesh-yadav-and-mayawati-are-pm-material-says-shatrughan-sinha-213364">Akhilesh</a>’s SP had formed an alliance with Congress for the Uttar Pradesh Legislative election in 2017. However, the relations between the two parties soured after they faced a drubbing in the polls.

"Ye sahi hai ki hamara gathbandhan tha lekin hame nahi pata tha ki Congress mein zyada ghamand hai, gathbandhan kuch nahi hota ghamand zyada badi cheez hai. (It’s true that we had formed an alliance, but we didn’t know that Congress party is more arrogant. For them arrogance is more important but alliance is nothing),” Akhilesh added.

Ahead of the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, there was speculation that Congress would stitch an alliance with SP and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) in Uttar Pradesh but Akhilesh joined hands with the BSP, keeping the Congress out of their seat-sharing agreement.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Akhilesh Yadav lashed out at the Congress, saying that the Rahul Gandhi-led party betrayed the SP. "If there is somebody who has betrayed the Samajwadi Party then it is the Congress," said Yadav at an election rally in Kanpur on Wednesday.

Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Akhilesh Yadav lashed out at the Congress, saying that the Rahul Gandhi-led party betrayed the SP. "If there is somebody who has betrayed the Samajwadi Party then it is the Congress," said Yadav at an election rally in Kanpur on Wednesday. Akhilesh’s SP had formed an alliance with Congress for the Uttar Pradesh Legislative election in 2017. However, the relations between the two parties soured after they faced a drubbing in the polls. "Ye sahi hai ki hamara gathbandhan tha lekin hame nahi pata tha ki Congress mein zyada ghamand hai, gathbandhan kuch nahi hota ghamand zyada badi cheez hai. (It’s true that we had formed an alliance, but we didn’t know that Congress party is more arrogant. For them arrogance is more important but alliance is nothing),” Akhilesh added. Ahead of the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, there was speculation that Congress would stitch an alliance with SP and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) in Uttar Pradesh but Akhilesh joined hands with the BSP, keeping the Congress out of their seat-sharing agreement.

If there is somebody who has betrayed the Samajwadi Party then it is Congress: Akhilesh Yadav

Under attack within the Congress for describing BSP supremo Mayawati and SP leader Akhilesh Yadav "Prime Minister material", actor-turned-politician <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/india-news/its-my-duty-as-head-of-family-and-a-husband-shatrughan-sinha-on-campaigning-for-wife-poonam-sinha-in-lucknow-211614&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwii5_iE0OrhAhX073MBHZ_uB-4QFjADegQIEBAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw1srWyAuvvj1MyOVG1LNvGc">Shatrughan Sinha</a> Wednesday said anyone having successfully ruled a state is competent for the top job in the country.

The Patna Sahib MP, who recently severed his ties with the BJP and joined the Congress which has fielded him from the same seat, also took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi dubbing his interview with actor Akshay Kumar as one conducted after "rehearsals" and with the help of "scriptwriters".

"I hold that a prime minister does not need to have exceptional qualities. It is basically a number game. If you and I have the support of the requisite number of MPs, we too can become the prime minister," he told a news channel in Patna.

"Moreover, I think that anybody who has had a successful tenure as a chief minister does have the necessary experience for the top job," Mr Sinha said.

Bihar CM Nitish Kumar is also a prime minister material though the JD(U) president is now with the BJP, he said adding that Mayawati and Akhilesh Yadav also ruled Uttar Pradesh and therefore they too fit the bill.

"After all, what are the credentials of Narendra Modi except that he had served as the chief minister of Gujarat. It was ordinary BJP workers like me who created the buzz around him which resulted in the Modi-Modi-Modi chant heard across the country. I have seen it all. I know the tricks of the game," he said.

Mr Sinha had ruffled many feathers within the Congress when he recently campaigned for his wife Poonam who is contesting from Lucknow on a Samajwadi Party ticket through the Congress has also fielded its candidate from there.

His praise for Mayawati and Akhilesh Yadav has drawn censure from a section of Congress leaders who found it objectionable in the wake of the SP-BSP alliance giving a cold shoulder to the party in Uttar Pradesh.

About Modi's interview by Akshay Kumar telecast on Wednesday, Mr Sinha said, "As far as the prime minister is concerned, I have known him closely as a friend. He gives interviews after lots of rehearsals which are conducted with the help of scriptwriters. What to speak of it?"

He said he knows Akshay and his family well.

Of late he is supporting many a cause through his choice of movies though he has so far been apolitical, the former actor said.

To a query, Mr Sinha said, "I would love to interview Modi, which is not choreographed and rehearsed. But he would not agree to it."

He said PM Modi must be the only democratically elected prime minister in the world, who has not held a single press conference during the five years he has been in power.

About his wife contesting from Lucknow on SP ticket, Sinha claimed that Congress president Rahul Gandhi and general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra have knowledge of it and supported her candidature.

"We may be contesting from different parties, but we are working towards the common goal of defeating the one-man army and two-man army," he said referring to PM Modi and BJP president Amit Shah.

Mr Sinha claimed that Akhilesh and Mayawati wanted him to contest from Lucknow.

"But I told them that I am committed to fighting from Patna Sahib. Then they said my wife who is a social activist and an active participant in my election campaigns could be a good choice," he said.

So, Mr Sinha said, "Lucknow is witnessing a fight between Home Minister Rajnath Singh and the home minister of Ramayana. We will have a thrilling contest between two home ministers".

Ramayana is the name Mr Sinha's Mumbai residence.

Under attack within the Congress for describing BSP supremo Mayawati and SP leader Akhilesh Yadav "Prime Minister material", actor-turned-politician Shatrughan Sinha Wednesday said anyone having successfully ruled a state is competent for the top job in the country.

Under attack within the Congress for describing BSP supremo Mayawati and SP leader Akhilesh Yadav "Prime Minister material", actor-turned-politician Shatrughan Sinha Wednesday said anyone having successfully ruled a state is competent for the top job in the country. The Patna Sahib MP, who recently severed his ties with the BJP and joined the Congress which has fielded him from the same seat, also took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi dubbing his interview with actor Akshay Kumar as one conducted after "rehearsals" and with the help of "scriptwriters". "I hold that a prime minister does not need to have exceptional qualities. It is basically a number game. If you and I have the support of the requisite number of MPs, we too can become the prime minister," he told a news channel in Patna. "Moreover, I think that anybody who has had a successful tenure as a chief minister does have the necessary experience for the top job," Mr Sinha said. Bihar CM Nitish Kumar is also a prime minister material though the JD(U) president is now with the BJP, he said adding that Mayawati and Akhilesh Yadav also ruled Uttar Pradesh and therefore they too fit the bill. "After all, what are the credentials of Narendra Modi except that he had served as the chief minister of Gujarat. It was ordinary BJP workers like me who created the buzz around him which resulted in the Modi-Modi-Modi chant heard across the country. I have seen it all. I know the tricks of the game," he said. Mr Sinha had ruffled many feathers within the Congress when he recently campaigned for his wife Poonam who is contesting from Lucknow on a Samajwadi Party ticket through the Congress has also fielded its candidate from there. His praise for Mayawati and Akhilesh Yadav has drawn censure from a section of Congress leaders who found it objectionable in the wake of the SP-BSP alliance giving a cold shoulder to the party in Uttar Pradesh. About Modi's interview by Akshay Kumar telecast on Wednesday, Mr Sinha said, "As far as the prime minister is concerned, I have known him closely as a friend. He gives interviews after lots of rehearsals which are conducted with the help of scriptwriters. What to speak of it?" He said he knows Akshay and his family well. Of late he is supporting many a cause through his choice of movies though he has so far been apolitical, the former actor said. To a query, Mr Sinha said, "I would love to interview Modi, which is not choreographed and rehearsed. But he would not agree to it." He said PM Modi must be the only democratically elected prime minister in the world, who has not held a single press conference during the five years he has been in power. About his wife contesting from Lucknow on SP ticket, Sinha claimed that Congress president Rahul Gandhi and general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra have knowledge of it and supported her candidature. "We may be contesting from different parties, but we are working towards the common goal of defeating the one-man army and two-man army," he said referring to PM Modi and BJP president Amit Shah. Mr Sinha claimed that Akhilesh and Mayawati wanted him to contest from Lucknow. "But I told them that I am committed to fighting from Patna Sahib. Then they said my wife who is a social activist and an active participant in my election campaigns could be a good choice," he said. So, Mr Sinha said, "Lucknow is witnessing a fight between Home Minister Rajnath Singh and the home minister of Ramayana. We will have a thrilling contest between two home ministers". Ramayana is the name Mr Sinha's Mumbai residence.

Lok Sabha polls 2019: Akhilesh Yadav and Mayawati are 'PM material', says Shatrughan Sinha

Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav on Friday called Congress `sabse dhokebaaz` (most betraying) party of the country.

"Congress desh ki sabse dhokebaaz party hai," Akhilesh said at a press conference in Lucknow.

His comment came after Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Thursday reportedly said that SP and BSP leaders are afraid of Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he has the CBI and Enforcement Directorate under him.

"Those Congress people who are saying that we are afraid of ED and CBI, we are in fact not afraid of any organisation. Congress itself got an investigation done on us. The person who filed the PIL belongs to Congress. Big leaders of Congress gave money to get PIL filed against Netaji (Mulayam Singh Yadav) and our family. That person is still a part of Congress. When the investigation got over and the matter came up for review, that person joined hands with BJP," said Akhilesh.

"I want to make this clear that the person who filed PIL on Netaji, me and my wife Dimple has joined hands with both BJP and Congress. Both the parties have formed an alliance on this," he added.&nbsp;

Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav on Friday called Congress `sabse dhokebaaz` (most betraying) party of the country. "Congress desh ki sabse dhokebaaz party hai," Akhilesh said at a press conference in Lucknow.

Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav on Friday called Congress `sabse dhokebaaz` (most betraying) party of the country. "Congress desh ki sabse dhokebaaz party hai," Akhilesh said at a press conference in Lucknow. His comment came after Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Thursday reportedly said that SP and BSP leaders are afraid of Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he has the CBI and Enforcement Directorate under him. "Those Congress people who are saying that we are afraid of ED and CBI, we are in fact not afraid of any organisation. Congress itself got an investigation done on us. The person who filed the PIL belongs to Congress. Big leaders of Congress gave money to get PIL filed against Netaji (Mulayam Singh Yadav) and our family. That person is still a part of Congress. When the investigation got over and the matter came up for review, that person joined hands with BJP," said Akhilesh. "I want to make this clear that the person who filed PIL on Netaji, me and my wife Dimple has joined hands with both BJP and Congress. Both the parties have formed an alliance on this," he added.

Akhilesh calls Congress 'sabse dhokebaaz' party

We brings to you LIVE visuals from Mainpuri rally where Mulayam Singh Yadav and Mayawati can be seen sharing stage after 24 years. Watch full video to know more.

Watch: Mulayam Singh Yadav, Akhilesh Yadav and Mayawati at a rally in Mainpuri

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav filed his nomination from Azamgarh Lok Sabha constituency on Thursday in the presence of BSP general secretary Satish Chand Mishra.

"SP and BSP both have worked together in Azamgarh and 'gathbandhan'&nbsp;will take the state on the path of development," said Yadav, before filing his nomination papers.

"BJP has to give an account of its work in the last 5 years at centre and 2 years in the state," he added.

SP, BSP and RLD are contesting the Lok Sabha polls in alliance in Uttar Pradesh in which the SP is contesting on 37 seats, BSP on 38 and RLD on three.

Akhilesh's father Mulayam Singh Yadav, who is contesting from Mainpuri constituency, is the sitting MP from Azamgarh.

Uttar Pradesh is undergoing polling today in the second phase for 8 parliamentary constituencies. It went to polls on April 11 for 8 Lok Sabha constituencies. The remaining seats will witness polling in the next five phases, and counting of votes will take place on May 18.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav filed his nomination from Azamgarh Lok Sabha constituency on Thursday in the presence of BSP general secretary Satish Chand Mishra.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav filed his nomination from Azamgarh Lok Sabha constituency on Thursday in the presence of BSP general secretary Satish Chand Mishra. "SP and BSP both have worked together in Azamgarh and 'gathbandhan' will take the state on the path of development," said Yadav, before filing his nomination papers. "BJP has to give an account of its work in the last 5 years at centre and 2 years in the state," he added. SP, BSP and RLD are contesting the Lok Sabha polls in alliance in Uttar Pradesh in which the SP is contesting on 37 seats, BSP on 38 and RLD on three. Akhilesh's father Mulayam Singh Yadav, who is contesting from Mainpuri constituency, is the sitting MP from Azamgarh. Uttar Pradesh is undergoing polling today in the second phase for 8 parliamentary constituencies. It went to polls on April 11 for 8 Lok Sabha constituencies. The remaining seats will witness polling in the next five phases, and counting of votes will take place on May 18.

Akhilesh Yadav files nomination from Azamgarh

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav Saturday said the 2019 Lok Sabha elections are "historic" as they will take the nation in a new direction and restore respect for the poor.

"The BJP wants to create a gulf of hatred," he said at a joint rally of the SP-BSP-RLD alliance in favour of Samajwadi Party candidate Dharmendra Yadav here.

The BJP wants to divide the society for gaining power in the manner in which the British divided us," he said.

"These elections are historic," Yadav said. "They are not just for winning the Lok Sabha, but to take the nation in the new direction, to bring change and restore the respect of the poor who have been humiliated."

Taking potshots at Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the SP chief said, "Mayawatiji had said that our 'baba mukhyamantri' (chief minister)) has talked about the caste of God.

He referred to claims last year over the community to which Lord Hanuman belonged and blamed BJP leaders for it. This time, the gods are not happy with these people," he said.

Yadav said he did not need to give a certificate of the work done by him when he was the chief minister. Whenever the SP or the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) come to power, development takes place in the state.

"Roads and bridges were constructed, and arrangement for power was made, but the BJP government stopped all the facilities," he said.

"The BJP says the borders are safe as it is their government at the Centre, but I want to tell them that the borders and the country are safe because of our brave Soldiers, he said.

Governments keep coming and going, but the jawans posted at the borders keep the country safe," the SP leader added.

He said people spread rumours, tell lies, hatch conspiracies and misuse the official machinery, but he has faith in them that on the day of polling, they will ensure that SP and BSP candidates are victorious.

Yadav said the country faced issues of hunger, disease and education, and only the opposition alliance can find a solution to them.

"This is an alliance for the poor people living in villages," he said.

The first phase of polling was held on April 11. 
&nbsp;

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav Saturday said the 2019 Lok Sabha elections are "historic" as they will take the nation in a new direction and restore respect for the poor.

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav Saturday said the 2019 Lok Sabha elections are "historic" as they will take the nation in a new direction and restore respect for the poor. "The BJP wants to create a gulf of hatred," he said at a joint rally of the SP-BSP-RLD alliance in favour of Samajwadi Party candidate Dharmendra Yadav here. The BJP wants to divide the society for gaining power in the manner in which the British divided us," he said. "These elections are historic," Yadav said. "They are not just for winning the Lok Sabha, but to take the nation in the new direction, to bring change and restore the respect of the poor who have been humiliated." Taking potshots at Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the SP chief said, "Mayawatiji had said that our 'baba mukhyamantri' (chief minister)) has talked about the caste of God. He referred to claims last year over the community to which Lord Hanuman belonged and blamed BJP leaders for it. This time, the gods are not happy with these people," he said. Yadav said he did not need to give a certificate of the work done by him when he was the chief minister. Whenever the SP or the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) come to power, development takes place in the state. "Roads and bridges were constructed, and arrangement for power was made, but the BJP government stopped all the facilities," he said. "The BJP says the borders are safe as it is their government at the Centre, but I want to tell them that the borders and the country are safe because of our brave Soldiers, he said. Governments keep coming and going, but the jawans posted at the borders keep the country safe," the SP leader added. He said people spread rumours, tell lies, hatch conspiracies and misuse the official machinery, but he has faith in them that on the day of polling, they will ensure that SP and BSP candidates are victorious. Yadav said the country faced issues of hunger, disease and education, and only the opposition alliance can find a solution to them. "This is an alliance for the poor people living in villages," he said. The first phase of polling was held on April 11.

Lok Sabha polls historic, will restore respect for poor: Akhilesh Yadav

CBI told the Supreme Court Friday that it had closed in 2013 a preliminary inquiry against former Uttar Pradesh chief minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/sc-gives-cbi-4-weeks-to-reply-on-mulayams-da-case-209793">Mulayam Singh Yadav </a>and his son Akhilesh in a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/ancestral-corrupt-yogi-adityanath-takes-a-dig-at-akhilesh-mulayam-after-sc-seeks-status-report-on-13-year-old-da-case-205546">disproportionate assets </a>case.

Taking note of the oral submission of the agency, a bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi asked the CBI to file its response within four weeks on a fresh plea filed by a Congress activist seeking to know the status of probe in the assets case against the family members of the Samajwadi Party patriarch including his second son Prateek.

The bench, which also included Justice Sanjiv Khanna, had on March 25 granted two weeks to CBI, represented by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, to file the response to the plea.&nbsp;

Yadav, who is contesting Lok Sabha polls from Mainpuri seat in Uttar Pradesh, in its reply has alleged that the petition, filed on the poll eve, was politically motivated.&nbsp;

He said the petition against him and his family was filed in 2005 and the CBI and the Income Tax Authorities did not find anything adverse.&nbsp;

He alleged in an affidavit that Congress activist Vishwanath Chaturvedi was trying to rake up an old disproportionate assets case against him and his family to malign their image during the current general elections.

Yadav, who had filed his affidavit in response to the notice issued to him on March 25, said Chaturvedi filed a fresh plea for extraneous reasons and with an objective to gain political mileage "just at the time and eve of the 2019 General Elections with mala fide reasons".&nbsp;

Chaturvedi has sought a direction to the CBI to place the status report on probe either before the apex court or before a magisterial court in the assets case against the three SP leaders -- Yadav and his two sons, Akhilesh, also a former Chief Minister, and Prateek.

"The petition is not bona fide and has been filed for extraneous reasons and considerations to malign the reputation of Yadav and his family particularly when the petitioner is aware that respondents would be contesting in the upcoming general elections," the affidavit claimed.

The petitioner is associated and affiliated to a political adversary and he himself contested assembly election in the past and lost, it added.

Yadav said even after a detailed enquiry, spread over the period of about two years, no case was found by the CBI against him or his son Akhilesh and daughter-in-law Dimple Yadav.

He had further submitted that due to one petition filed, he has been subjected to a prolonged investigation by the CBI but nothing was unearthed.&nbsp;

"It is stated that on account of the said proceedings, Yadav has been suffering and facing completely uncalled for embarrassment in the public sphere. 
&nbsp;He has been subjected to the investigation only for the reason that he and his family members have been in public life and have held high offices both at the state and central level," he said in the affidavit.

Yadav had submitted that in the absence of any direction of registration of FIR or regular case by the CBI no directions can be given by the top court for placing the report of the probe agency before the jurisdictional magistrate as sought by the petitioner.

Chaturvedi, in 2005, had filed the PIL in the top court seeking a direction to the CBI to take appropriate action to prosecute Yadav, Akhilesh and his wife Dimple, and Prateek under the Prevention of Corruption Act for allegedly acquiring assets more than the known source of their income by misusing their power of authority.

The apex court in its verdict of March 1, 2007, had directed the CBI "to inquire into allegations" and find out as to as to whether the plea with regard to disproportionate assets of SP leaders was "correct or not".

In 2012, the court had dismissed the review petitions of Yadav and his sons against its verdict and directed the CBI to go ahead with the probe against them in the disproportionate assets case.

It had allowed the review plea of Dimple and directed the CBI to drop the inquiry against her saying that she was not holding any public office.

The court had also modified its March 1, 2007 order and asked the CBI to file the status report before the court, not the government.

The top court had on March 25, 2019, had also asked the probe agency to file a report within two weeks and said that "there was a status report (of 2007 by CBI) saying that prima facie case is made out. We are entitled to know as to what happened to the investigation".

CBI told the Supreme Court Friday that it had closed in 2013 a preliminary inquiry against former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mulayam Singh Yadav and his son Akhilesh in a disproportionate assets case.

CBI told the Supreme Court Friday that it had closed in 2013 a preliminary inquiry against former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mulayam Singh Yadav and his son Akhilesh in a disproportionate assets case. Taking note of the oral submission of the agency, a bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi asked the CBI to file its response within four weeks on a fresh plea filed by a Congress activist seeking to know the status of probe in the assets case against the family members of the Samajwadi Party patriarch including his second son Prateek. The bench, which also included Justice Sanjiv Khanna, had on March 25 granted two weeks to CBI, represented by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, to file the response to the plea. Yadav, who is contesting Lok Sabha polls from Mainpuri seat in Uttar Pradesh, in its reply has alleged that the petition, filed on the poll eve, was politically motivated. He said the petition against him and his family was filed in 2005 and the CBI and the Income Tax Authorities did not find anything adverse. He alleged in an affidavit that Congress activist Vishwanath Chaturvedi was trying to rake up an old disproportionate assets case against him and his family to malign their image during the current general elections. Yadav, who had filed his affidavit in response to the notice issued to him on March 25, said Chaturvedi filed a fresh plea for extraneous reasons and with an objective to gain political mileage "just at the time and eve of the 2019 General Elections with mala fide reasons". Chaturvedi has sought a direction to the CBI to place the status report on probe either before the apex court or before a magisterial court in the assets case against the three SP leaders -- Yadav and his two sons, Akhilesh, also a former Chief Minister, and Prateek. "The petition is not bona fide and has been filed for extraneous reasons and considerations to malign the reputation of Yadav and his family particularly when the petitioner is aware that respondents would be contesting in the upcoming general elections," the affidavit claimed. The petitioner is associated and affiliated to a political adversary and he himself contested assembly election in the past and lost, it added. Yadav said even after a detailed enquiry, spread over the period of about two years, no case was found by the CBI against him or his son Akhilesh and daughter-in-law Dimple Yadav. He had further submitted that due to one petition filed, he has been subjected to a prolonged investigation by the CBI but nothing was unearthed. "It is stated that on account of the said proceedings, Yadav has been suffering and facing completely uncalled for embarrassment in the public sphere. He has been subjected to the investigation only for the reason that he and his family members have been in public life and have held high offices both at the state and central level," he said in the affidavit. Yadav had submitted that in the absence of any direction of registration of FIR or regular case by the CBI no directions can be given by the top court for placing the report of the probe agency before the jurisdictional magistrate as sought by the petitioner. Chaturvedi, in 2005, had filed the PIL in the top court seeking a direction to the CBI to take appropriate action to prosecute Yadav, Akhilesh and his wife Dimple, and Prateek under the Prevention of Corruption Act for allegedly acquiring assets more than the known source of their income by misusing their power of authority. The apex court in its verdict of March 1, 2007, had directed the CBI "to inquire into allegations" and find out as to as to whether the plea with regard to disproportionate assets of SP leaders was "correct or not". In 2012, the court had dismissed the review petitions of Yadav and his sons against its verdict and directed the CBI to go ahead with the probe against them in the disproportionate assets case. It had allowed the review plea of Dimple and directed the CBI to drop the inquiry against her saying that she was not holding any public office. The court had also modified its March 1, 2007 order and asked the CBI to file the status report before the court, not the government. The top court had on March 25, 2019, had also asked the probe agency to file a report within two weeks and said that "there was a status report (of 2007 by CBI) saying that prima facie case is made out. We are entitled to know as to what happened to the investigation".

Preliminary inquiry against Mulayam Singh Yadav, Akhilesh in DA case closed in 2013: CBI to Supreme Court

Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday sent notices to Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati and UP CM Yogi Adityanath over their speeches delivered in Deoband in Saharanpur on April 7 and 9 respectively, which allegedly violated the Model Code of Conduct.

Both the leaders have been asked to submit their response within 24 hours.

The two leaders have been issued notice under Sub-Section (3) of Section 123 of the Representation of the People`s Act.

The commission in its notice to them also reminded that the Supreme Court through a judgement in 2017 had ordered that religion and caste cannot be used by anyone while making any statement during electioneering or otherwise.

"The EC is prima facie of the opinion that you have violated the aforesaid provisions of the MCC and also wilfully disobeyed the order of the Supreme Court by making impugned statements," the Commission said in the notice issued to both the leaders.

Mayawati while addressing a rally in Deoband on April 7 had said, "I want to say to the people of the Muslim community that you should not distribute your votes in the name of relations and friendship. If you want to defeat the BJP in UP, then you should not let your votes get divided. Instead, vote for the grand-alliance candidates in a consolidated manner. This is my request, especially to the people of the Muslim community."

Replying to Mayawati, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath while addressing a rally in Meerut said, "You would have heard Mayawati`s speech day before yesterday. She said that if she gets only Muslim votes, then grand-alliance doesn`t need the votes of others. I also want to tell you that if Congress, Samajwadi Party, BSP have faith in Ali, then we have faith in Bajrangbali."

"They have accepted that followers of Bajrangbali will never tolerate them. That is why by shouting `Ali-Ali` from stages, they want to spread a green virus to bite this country," the Chief Minister had added.&nbsp;

Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday sent notices to Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati and UP CM Yogi Adityanath over their speeches delivered in Deoband in Saharanpur on April 7 and 9 respectively, which allegedly violated the Model Code of Conduct.

Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday sent notices to Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati and UP CM Yogi Adityanath over their speeches delivered in Deoband in Saharanpur on April 7 and 9 respectively, which allegedly violated the Model Code of Conduct. Both the leaders have been asked to submit their response within 24 hours. The two leaders have been issued notice under Sub-Section (3) of Section 123 of the Representation of the People`s Act. The commission in its notice to them also reminded that the Supreme Court through a judgement in 2017 had ordered that religion and caste cannot be used by anyone while making any statement during electioneering or otherwise. "The EC is prima facie of the opinion that you have violated the aforesaid provisions of the MCC and also wilfully disobeyed the order of the Supreme Court by making impugned statements," the Commission said in the notice issued to both the leaders. Mayawati while addressing a rally in Deoband on April 7 had said, "I want to say to the people of the Muslim community that you should not distribute your votes in the name of relations and friendship. If you want to defeat the BJP in UP, then you should not let your votes get divided. Instead, vote for the grand-alliance candidates in a consolidated manner. This is my request, especially to the people of the Muslim community." Replying to Mayawati, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath while addressing a rally in Meerut said, "You would have heard Mayawati`s speech day before yesterday. She said that if she gets only Muslim votes, then grand-alliance doesn`t need the votes of others. I also want to tell you that if Congress, Samajwadi Party, BSP have faith in Ali, then we have faith in Bajrangbali." "They have accepted that followers of Bajrangbali will never tolerate them. That is why by shouting `Ali-Ali` from stages, they want to spread a green virus to bite this country," the Chief Minister had added.

EC sends notice to Yogi, Mayawati for 'violation' of Model Code of Conduct, seeks reply within 24 hours

BSP chief Mayawati will address rallies in Greater Noida & Meerut today

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/didnt-name-anyone-in-connection-with-chopper-deal-michel-tells-delhi-court-pm-modi-says-charge-sheet-names-ahmed-patel-family-208154">Didn't name anyone in connection with chopper deal, Michel tells Delhi court; PM Modi says charge sheet names 'Ahmed Patel', 'family'</a>

Christian Michel, alleged middleman arrested in the AgustaWestland VVIP Chopper scam, told a Delhi court on Friday that he has not named anybody in connection with the deal during the investigation by the Enforcement Directorate, which has filed a supplementary charge sheet, news agency PTI reported.&nbsp;

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Mohamed Abu Amer, a landscape gardener, was working in downtown Cairo when national security agents took him away on February 6, 2018, his family said.

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A WikiLeaks tweets posted on Friday reported that WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange will be expelled within "hours to days" from the Ecuador embassy and that there already exists an agreement with the United Kingdom for his arrest.&nbsp;

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Final authorised opinion polls published Friday just days ahead of the Israeli general elections showed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu heading for a fifth term in office, leading a right-wing coalition.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-polls-sp-releases-vision-document-calls-for-mega-transformation-208133">Lok Sabha polls: Samajwadi Party releases 'vision document'; calls for mega transformation</a>

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Friday released party manifesto ahead of the Lok Sabha polls due next week. Calling the manifesto their "vision document", Yadav said the document will be used for "answering the BJP".&nbsp;

Didn't name anyone in connection with chopper deal, Michel tells Delhi court; PM Modi says charge sheet names 'Ahmed Patel', 'family' Christian Michel, alleged middleman arrested in the AgustaWestland VVIP Chopper scam, told a Delhi court on Friday that he has not named anybody in connection with the deal during the investigation by the Enforcement Directorate, which has filed a supplementary charge sheet, news agency PTI reported.

Didn't name anyone in connection with chopper deal, Michel tells Delhi court; PM Modi says charge sheet names 'Ahmed Patel', 'family' Christian Michel, alleged middleman arrested in the AgustaWestland VVIP Chopper scam, told a Delhi court on Friday that he has not named anybody in connection with the deal during the investigation by the Enforcement Directorate, which has filed a supplementary charge sheet, news agency PTI reported. Egypt kills hundreds of suspected militants in disputed gun battles: Report Mohamed Abu Amer, a landscape gardener, was working in downtown Cairo when national security agents took him away on February 6, 2018, his family said. WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to be expelled within 'hours to days' from Ecuador embassy; arrest likely A WikiLeaks tweets posted on Friday reported that WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange will be expelled within "hours to days" from the Ecuador embassy and that there already exists an agreement with the United Kingdom for his arrest. Israeli polls see Netanyahu ahead, but many still undecided Final authorised opinion polls published Friday just days ahead of the Israeli general elections showed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu heading for a fifth term in office, leading a right-wing coalition. Lok Sabha polls: Samajwadi Party releases 'vision document'; calls for mega transformation Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Friday released party manifesto ahead of the Lok Sabha polls due next week. Calling the manifesto their "vision document", Yadav said the document will be used for "answering the BJP".

News brief: Big stories of the day

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-polls-2019-akhilesh-yadav-vs-dinesh-lal-yadav-nirahua-fight-puts-the-spotlight-on-azamgarh-207977">Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav</a> on Friday released party manifesto ahead of the Lok Sabha polls due next week. Calling the manifesto their "vision document", Yadav said the document will be used for "answering the BJP".&nbsp;

The 16-page document called for 'mahaparivartan' (mega transformation) and emphasised the gaping chasm between the rich and the poor. &nbsp;&nbsp;

While releasing the document, the SP chief said the future of the country should be better for all sections, including farmers and Muslims. &nbsp;

Asked whether the document is an election manifesto, Yadav said, "If I say it is a manifesto, you will ask are you going to form a government. This is a vision document or message to party cadre with which they will reply to the BJP and understand the party's stand on various issues. Our party candidates and workers will take it to people."

"We feel the future of the country should be better for all sections - be it farmers, youth or Muslims. The chasm between rich and poor has become very wide," he said.

The document, studded with the photographs of Akhilesh and party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav, also carried Ram Manohar Lohia's quote, "The fight against poverty is a farce till there is discrimination on basis of caste and sex."

(With inputs from PTI)

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Friday released party manifesto ahead of the Lok Sabha polls due next week. Calling the manifesto their "vision document", Yadav said the document will be used for "answering the BJP".

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Friday released party manifesto ahead of the Lok Sabha polls due next week. Calling the manifesto their "vision document", Yadav said the document will be used for "answering the BJP". The 16-page document called for 'mahaparivartan' (mega transformation) and emphasised the gaping chasm between the rich and the poor. While releasing the document, the SP chief said the future of the country should be better for all sections, including farmers and Muslims. Asked whether the document is an election manifesto, Yadav said, "If I say it is a manifesto, you will ask are you going to form a government. This is a vision document or message to party cadre with which they will reply to the BJP and understand the party's stand on various issues. Our party candidates and workers will take it to people." "We feel the future of the country should be better for all sections - be it farmers, youth or Muslims. The chasm between rich and poor has become very wide," he said. The document, studded with the photographs of Akhilesh and party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav, also carried Ram Manohar Lohia's quote, "The fight against poverty is a farce till there is discrimination on basis of caste and sex." (With inputs from PTI)

Lok Sabha polls: Samajwadi Party releases 'vision document'; calls for mega transformation

Seeking to give a tough fight to Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav in a known socialist bastion Azamgarh, BJP fielded Bhojpuri actor Dinesh Lal Yadav from the constituency.

But coming together of Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party, the fight for Azamgarh is expected to be a cakewalk for Akhilesh Yadav.

In 2014, the consolidated vote level of the SP's Mulayam Singh Yadav and BSP's Shah Alam Alias Guddu Jamali in Azamgarh was more than 63%, compared to the 28.8% of the BJP candidate Ramakant Yadav.

Bhojpuri superstar Dinesh Lal Yadav aka ‘Nirahua’ had joined the BJP a few days back during a meeting with chief minister Yogi Adityanath on March 27.

Nirahua, who had acted in dozens of 'Bhojpuri' films and enjoys huge popularity, especially in eastern UP &nbsp;and Bihar, had campaigned for the Samajwadi Party patron Mulayam Singh Yadav in Azamgarh in 2014 Lok Sabha polls.

Akhilesh Yadav is replacing father Mulayam in Azamgarh; the move, however, is also a key move to cement Samajwadi Party's position in the important east UP region which includes Varanasi and Gorakhpur, important for the BJP.

In 2014 Lok Sabha elections, Mulayam had contested from two seats -- Azamgarh and Mainpuri. However, he later gave up Mainpuri seat which was subsequently successfully contested by grandnephew of Mulayam Singh Yadav, Tej Pratap Singh Yadav.&nbsp;

The seven-phase Lok Sabha polls are set to begin on April 11 and will go on till May 19. The counting of votes will take place on May 23.

In Uttar Pradesh, where 80 seats are at stake, polling will be held in all seven phases. Azamgarh will vote in the sixth phase - on May 12.

Seeking to give a tough fight to Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav in a known socialist bastion Azamgarh, BJP fielded Bhojpuri actor Dinesh Lal Yadav from the constituency.

Seeking to give a tough fight to Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav in a known socialist bastion Azamgarh, BJP fielded Bhojpuri actor Dinesh Lal Yadav from the constituency. But coming together of Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party, the fight for Azamgarh is expected to be a cakewalk for Akhilesh Yadav. In 2014, the consolidated vote level of the SP's Mulayam Singh Yadav and BSP's Shah Alam Alias Guddu Jamali in Azamgarh was more than 63%, compared to the 28.8% of the BJP candidate Ramakant Yadav. Bhojpuri superstar Dinesh Lal Yadav aka ‘Nirahua’ had joined the BJP a few days back during a meeting with chief minister Yogi Adityanath on March 27. Nirahua, who had acted in dozens of 'Bhojpuri' films and enjoys huge popularity, especially in eastern UP and Bihar, had campaigned for the Samajwadi Party patron Mulayam Singh Yadav in Azamgarh in 2014 Lok Sabha polls. Akhilesh Yadav is replacing father Mulayam in Azamgarh; the move, however, is also a key move to cement Samajwadi Party's position in the important east UP region which includes Varanasi and Gorakhpur, important for the BJP. In 2014 Lok Sabha elections, Mulayam had contested from two seats -- Azamgarh and Mainpuri. However, he later gave up Mainpuri seat which was subsequently successfully contested by grandnephew of Mulayam Singh Yadav, Tej Pratap Singh Yadav. The seven-phase Lok Sabha polls are set to begin on April 11 and will go on till May 19. The counting of votes will take place on May 23. In Uttar Pradesh, where 80 seats are at stake, polling will be held in all seven phases. Azamgarh will vote in the sixth phase - on May 12.

Lok Sabha polls 2019: Akhilesh Yadav vs Dinesh Lal Yadav 'Nirahua' fight puts the spotlight on Azamgarh

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday poked fun at the BJP by asking if it will release its manifesto of "achhe din" after the elections.

"Vikas puch raha hai...Pradhanji ka acche din wala ghoshna patra kya chunav baad ayega? Is baar toh BJP wale ek-dusre se bhi nahi keh pa rahe 'acche din aane wale hain' toh janata se kya kahenge? ('Vikas' is asking if the prime minister's manifesto of 'achhe din' will come after the polls? This time even the BJP supporters are not able to say among themselves that 'acche din' is coming, so how will they say this to people?)" Akhilesh said in a tweet.

The SP chief also said that countdown of the BJP has started.

Akhilesh is using hashtag #VikasPoochhRahaHai in his tweets to attack Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his development claims.&nbsp;

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday poked fun at the BJP by asking if it will release its manifesto of "achhe din" after the elections. "Vikas puch raha hai.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday poked fun at the BJP by asking if it will release its manifesto of "achhe din" after the elections. "Vikas puch raha hai...Pradhanji ka acche din wala ghoshna patra kya chunav baad ayega? Is baar toh BJP wale ek-dusre se bhi nahi keh pa rahe 'acche din aane wale hain' toh janata se kya kahenge? ('Vikas' is asking if the prime minister's manifesto of 'achhe din' will come after the polls? This time even the BJP supporters are not able to say among themselves that 'acche din' is coming, so how will they say this to people?)" Akhilesh said in a tweet. The SP chief also said that countdown of the BJP has started. Akhilesh is using hashtag #VikasPoochhRahaHai in his tweets to attack Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his development claims.

Akhilesh ridicules BJP, asks if manifesto will come after polls

Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya Monday launched a veiled attack on SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, asking how a person disloyal to his father could forge a relationship of bua-bhatija and wondered how long this tie would last.

He claimed that BSP chief Mayawati and Yadav have become "weak" by forging the SP-BSP-RLD alliance.&nbsp;

"Neither Akhilesh Yadav has been able to strengthen neither himself, nor Mayawati in the 'gathbandhan'. In fact, both have become weak by forging this alliance. A person who has not been loyal to his father and uncle, how can he forge a fake relationship of bua (aunt) and bhatija (nephew)? Do you think that such a relationship will go on?" Maurya told PTI in an interview.

Akhilesh Yadav and Mayawati are often referred to as bua-bhatija.

"They are disturbed over whether the SP's votes will be transferred to the BSP or vice-versa. And, when they come to know that transfer of votes is hitting a roadblock, then their tension and blood pressure level shoot up," he added.

The BJP leader coined new names for the rival political parties, describing the SP as 'Samaapt Party', the BSP as 'Bilkul Samaapt Party' and the RLD as 'Roj Ludhaktaa Dal'. He said the character of the three parties was in front of everyone.

He claimed that SP and BSP leaders were active only on social media, unlike BJP leaders who toil on the ground and had a vision for the country. 
When asked to about the threat posed by the alliance of anti-BJP parties, Maurya said, "We do not consider the gathbandhan a threat or a challenge to the BJP, either in the western part of the state or the eastern part, northern or southern part. I am of the view that along with the SP, BSP, RLD, even the Congress is a part of the alliance."

He said the alliance has generated a false alarm that specific castes are with the SP, a particular community is with the BSP, and Muslim votes will add to their tally.&nbsp;

"But, they have forgotten that the madness of casteism which they spread till 2014 has been effectively overpowered by our nationalism, developmentalism, gareebvaad (concern for the poor) and kisaanwaad (concern for the farmers)," Maurya said, exuded confidence that the margin of victory in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls will exceed that of 2014.&nbsp;

On the saffron party's chances in the Congress bastions of Amethi and Rae Bareli, the senior state BJP leader said, "We are winning Amethi and Rae Bareli. On Azamgarh seat, our candidate will be declared. Our margin of defeat in Azamgarh was less in 2014, and this time, we nuetralised it. All the seats where the party had lost in 2014 will be reclaimed."

Referring to the Congress's minimum income scheme, he said it does not suit any Congress leader, especially those born in the Gandhi family, to speaking about poverty alleviation, as in 10 years of the Manmohan Singh government, they were unable to provide justice to the country's poor.&nbsp;

"It is that family which did injustice to the people of the country. Today when steps have been taken to give justice, they are becoming restless, as those who are out on bail are apprehensive of going to Tihar jail," Maurya said.&nbsp;

"None of the rival political parties' aim is to give justice to the people of the country or eradicate poverty, terrorism and corruption. Their only aim is to stop Narendra Modi from becoming the prime minister, while the people want Modiji to become the next prime minister," the deputy chief minister said.

He said none of the BJP's political opponents had the courage to question the party on the issue of development, national security and welfare programmes initiated to eradicate poverty, and the success of the Kumbh mela held in Allahabad.&nbsp;

Maurya said the opposition today is devoid of any issue, leader and policy.

Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya Monday launched a veiled attack on SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, asking how a person disloyal to his father could forge a relationship of bua-bhatija and wondered how long this tie would last.

Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya Monday launched a veiled attack on SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, asking how a person disloyal to his father could forge a relationship of bua-bhatija and wondered how long this tie would last. He claimed that BSP chief Mayawati and Yadav have become "weak" by forging the SP-BSP-RLD alliance. "Neither Akhilesh Yadav has been able to strengthen neither himself, nor Mayawati in the 'gathbandhan'. In fact, both have become weak by forging this alliance. A person who has not been loyal to his father and uncle, how can he forge a fake relationship of bua (aunt) and bhatija (nephew)? Do you think that such a relationship will go on?" Maurya told PTI in an interview. Akhilesh Yadav and Mayawati are often referred to as bua-bhatija. "They are disturbed over whether the SP's votes will be transferred to the BSP or vice-versa. And, when they come to know that transfer of votes is hitting a roadblock, then their tension and blood pressure level shoot up," he added. The BJP leader coined new names for the rival political parties, describing the SP as 'Samaapt Party', the BSP as 'Bilkul Samaapt Party' and the RLD as 'Roj Ludhaktaa Dal'. He said the character of the three parties was in front of everyone. He claimed that SP and BSP leaders were active only on social media, unlike BJP leaders who toil on the ground and had a vision for the country. When asked to about the threat posed by the alliance of anti-BJP parties, Maurya said, "We do not consider the gathbandhan a threat or a challenge to the BJP, either in the western part of the state or the eastern part, northern or southern part. I am of the view that along with the SP, BSP, RLD, even the Congress is a part of the alliance." He said the alliance has generated a false alarm that specific castes are with the SP, a particular community is with the BSP, and Muslim votes will add to their tally. "But, they have forgotten that the madness of casteism which they spread till 2014 has been effectively overpowered by our nationalism, developmentalism, gareebvaad (concern for the poor) and kisaanwaad (concern for the farmers)," Maurya said, exuded confidence that the margin of victory in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls will exceed that of 2014. On the saffron party's chances in the Congress bastions of Amethi and Rae Bareli, the senior state BJP leader said, "We are winning Amethi and Rae Bareli. On Azamgarh seat, our candidate will be declared. Our margin of defeat in Azamgarh was less in 2014, and this time, we nuetralised it. All the seats where the party had lost in 2014 will be reclaimed." Referring to the Congress's minimum income scheme, he said it does not suit any Congress leader, especially those born in the Gandhi family, to speaking about poverty alleviation, as in 10 years of the Manmohan Singh government, they were unable to provide justice to the country's poor. "It is that family which did injustice to the people of the country. Today when steps have been taken to give justice, they are becoming restless, as those who are out on bail are apprehensive of going to Tihar jail," Maurya said. "None of the rival political parties' aim is to give justice to the people of the country or eradicate poverty, terrorism and corruption. Their only aim is to stop Narendra Modi from becoming the prime minister, while the people want Modiji to become the next prime minister," the deputy chief minister said. He said none of the BJP's political opponents had the courage to question the party on the issue of development, national security and welfare programmes initiated to eradicate poverty, and the success of the Kumbh mela held in Allahabad. Maurya said the opposition today is devoid of any issue, leader and policy.

How can person disloyal to father forge bua-bhatija relationship: Keshav Prasad Maurya on Akhilesh

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/supreme-court-dismisses-plea-seeking-ban-on-roadshows-bike-rallies-during-polls-205462">Supreme Court Monday</a> issued a notice to CBI on a plea seeking direction to the probe agency that it place the investigation report in the disproportionate assets case against SP leader Mulayam Singh Yadav and his sons Akhilesh and Prateek.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice Deepak Gupta asked the CBI to file its response in two weeks on the status of the investigation against the Samajwadi Party patriarch and his sons.

The bench was hearing a plea filed by Congress leader Vishwanath Chaturvedi seeking a direction to the probe agency to apprise the court of the status of the investigation.

Chaturvedi in 2005 filed the PIL in the top court seeking directions to CBI to take appropriate action to prosecute Yadav, Akhilesh and his wife Dimple and Prateek under the Prevention of Corruption Act for allegedly acquiring assets more than the known sources of their income by misusing their powers.

The apex court in its verdict of March 1, 2007 directed CBI "to enquire into allegations" and find out as to whether the plea with regard to disproportionate assets of the SP leaders was "correct or not".

In 2012, the court dismissed the review petitions of Yadav and his sons against its verdict and directed CBI to go ahead with the probe against them in the disproportionate assets case.

It allowed the review plea of Dimple and directed CBI to drop the inquiry against her saying that she was not holding any public office.

The court had modified its March 1, 2007 order and asked CBI to file the status report before the court and not the government.

Chaturvedi, in his fresh plea, said: "Despite the yawning gap between the complaint made/court's directions and the pendency of filing of a regular Case in this matter, an unusually long period as already escaped without any action being taken on the matter for 11 long years."

The matter is still pending with CBI for registration of a regular case.

Till date, no FIR has been registered against the Yadavs and it has not only caused "some irremediable and irrecoverable damaged to the whole case, but also raised serious questions of credibility and integrity of our investigating agencies", the plea had said.

The CBI is duty bound to register a regular case as mandated by the provisions of law and also report the FIR to the jurisdictional magistrate as mandatory and provided by procedure law, it said.

Referring to the CBI's earlier status report, the fresh plea said it indicated that disproportionate assets were possessed not only by Yadav, Akhilesh and Prateek but also by Dimple.

On the basis of Income Tax Returns and reliable documents of the Yadav family members, the disproportionate assets were calculated at Rs 2.63 crore, it said.

The Supreme Court Monday issued a notice to CBI on a plea seeking direction to the probe agency that it place the investigation report in the disproportionate assets case against SP leader Mulayam Singh Yadav and his sons Akhilesh and Prateek.

The Supreme Court Monday issued a notice to CBI on a plea seeking direction to the probe agency that it place the investigation report in the disproportionate assets case against SP leader Mulayam Singh Yadav and his sons Akhilesh and Prateek. A bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice Deepak Gupta asked the CBI to file its response in two weeks on the status of the investigation against the Samajwadi Party patriarch and his sons. The bench was hearing a plea filed by Congress leader Vishwanath Chaturvedi seeking a direction to the probe agency to apprise the court of the status of the investigation. Chaturvedi in 2005 filed the PIL in the top court seeking directions to CBI to take appropriate action to prosecute Yadav, Akhilesh and his wife Dimple and Prateek under the Prevention of Corruption Act for allegedly acquiring assets more than the known sources of their income by misusing their powers. The apex court in its verdict of March 1, 2007 directed CBI "to enquire into allegations" and find out as to whether the plea with regard to disproportionate assets of the SP leaders was "correct or not". In 2012, the court dismissed the review petitions of Yadav and his sons against its verdict and directed CBI to go ahead with the probe against them in the disproportionate assets case. It allowed the review plea of Dimple and directed CBI to drop the inquiry against her saying that she was not holding any public office. The court had modified its March 1, 2007 order and asked CBI to file the status report before the court and not the government. Chaturvedi, in his fresh plea, said: "Despite the yawning gap between the complaint made/court's directions and the pendency of filing of a regular Case in this matter, an unusually long period as already escaped without any action being taken on the matter for 11 long years." The matter is still pending with CBI for registration of a regular case. Till date, no FIR has been registered against the Yadavs and it has not only caused "some irremediable and irrecoverable damaged to the whole case, but also raised serious questions of credibility and integrity of our investigating agencies", the plea had said. The CBI is duty bound to register a regular case as mandated by the provisions of law and also report the FIR to the jurisdictional magistrate as mandatory and provided by procedure law, it said. Referring to the CBI's earlier status report, the fresh plea said it indicated that disproportionate assets were possessed not only by Yadav, Akhilesh and Prateek but also by Dimple. On the basis of Income Tax Returns and reliable documents of the Yadav family members, the disproportionate assets were calculated at Rs 2.63 crore, it said.

Supreme Court notice to CBI in disproportionate assets case against former UP CMs Mulayam, Akhilesh

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav will contest the 2019 Lok Sabha polls from Uttar Pradesh's Azamgarh city. Party's founder member Azam Khan will contest from Rampur seat, the party announced on Sunday.&nbsp;

The party also released a list of star campaigners which includes Akhilesh Yadav, Ram Gopal Yadav, Azam Khan, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-samajwadi-party-names-3-women-candidates-dimple-yadav-to-contest-from-kannauj-202078">Dimple Yadav</a> and Jaya Bachchan.

The campaigners'&nbsp;list did not include party founder Mulayam Singh Yadav.

The party had earlier released a&nbsp;list of its candidates for 2019 elections.

The list had fielded&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-polls-samajwadi-party-releases-list-of-6-candidates-mulayam-singh-yadav-to-fight-from-mainpuri-201964">Mulayam Singh Yadav</a>&nbsp;as a&nbsp;candidate from the&nbsp;Mainpuri seat, considered as an SP&nbsp;stronghold.

Mulayam Singh Yadav had represented Mainpuri in the Lok Sabha in 1996, 2004 and 2009. In the 2014 Lok Sabha polls,&nbsp;he had contested from Azamgarh and Mainpuri and had won both seats.

While Dimple Yadav will contest from Kannauj constituency, from where the 41-year-old has already been elected twice -- in 2012 by-polls and 2014 general elections.

The Samajwadi Party is contesting the polls in alliance with BSP. According to the seat-sharing arrangement, Samajwadi Party will contest 37 seats while BSP will contest 38.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav will contest the 2019 Lok Sabha polls from Uttar Pradesh's Azamgarh city. Party's founder member Azam Khan will contest from Rampur seat, the party announced on Sunday.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav will contest the 2019 Lok Sabha polls from Uttar Pradesh's Azamgarh city. Party's founder member Azam Khan will contest from Rampur seat, the party announced on Sunday. The party also released a list of star campaigners which includes Akhilesh Yadav, Ram Gopal Yadav, Azam Khan, Dimple Yadav and Jaya Bachchan. The campaigners' list did not include party founder Mulayam Singh Yadav. The party had earlier released a list of its candidates for 2019 elections. The list had fielded Mulayam Singh Yadav as a candidate from the Mainpuri seat, considered as an SP stronghold. Mulayam Singh Yadav had represented Mainpuri in the Lok Sabha in 1996, 2004 and 2009. In the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, he had contested from Azamgarh and Mainpuri and had won both seats. While Dimple Yadav will contest from Kannauj constituency, from where the 41-year-old has already been elected twice -- in 2012 by-polls and 2014 general elections. The Samajwadi Party is contesting the polls in alliance with BSP. According to the seat-sharing arrangement, Samajwadi Party will contest 37 seats while BSP will contest 38.

Lok Sabha 2019: Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav to contest from Azamgarh in Uttar Pradesh

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav Friday attacked the BJP-led central government and said "stop pretending to be the Indian Army". &nbsp; &nbsp;

Hitting back at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his attack on opposition&nbsp;parties over the Pulwama attack and the subsequent IAF airstrikes in Balakot, Yadav also said that in a democracy it was a "fundamental right" to ask questions of politicians.

"Politicians who say they cannot be questioned are dangerous," he said.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
The sacrifices of our Armed Forces should never be questioned. 
 
To ask questions of politicians in a democracy is our fundamental right. 
 
This government needs to stop pretending to be the Indian Army. Politicians who say they cannot be questioned are dangerous.
— Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) <a href="https://twitter.com/yadavakhilesh/status/1108977561462292480?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 22, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Yadav's remarks came after his party colleague Ram Gopal Yadav came in for heavy criticism from the PM for alleging that the Pulwama terror attack was a "conspiracy" to garner votes.

In a series of tweets, the PM also slammed Congress' Sam Pitroda for saying he wanted to "know more" about the Balakot strike and asking as to how many terrorists were killed in the operation.&nbsp;

In his attack, Modi termed the Opposition "the natural habitat of terror apologists" and accusing them of "insulting" armed forces.

Akhilesh Yadav's tweet came an hour after the Prime minister's.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Opposition is the natural habitat of terror apologists and questioners of our armed forces. 
 
This reprehensible statement by a senior leader like Ram Gopal Ji insults all those who have given their lives in protecting Kashmir. It humiliates the families of our martyrs. <a href="https://t.co/BZyWbIyJjo">https://t.co/BZyWbIyJjo</a>
— Chowkidar Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1108965321434497024?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 22, 2019</a></blockquote>
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"The sacrifices of our Armed Forces should never be questioned. To ask questions of politicians in a democracy is our fundamental right. This government needs to stop pretending to be the Indian Army," the SP leader said.&nbsp;

On Thursday, referring to the Pulwama attack, SP general secretary Ram Gopal Yadav alleged that the Pulwama terror attack was a "conspiracy" to garner votes, drawing a sharp reaction from Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

Yadav also said once there is a change at the Centre, investigations will be conducted into the incident and claimed that prominent people will come under the scanner of the probe.

Hitting out at the SP leader, Adityanath said this an example of "atrocious politics" and Yadav should apologise for his comment. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav Friday attacked the BJP-led central government and said "stop pretending to be the Indian Army". Hitting back at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his attack on opposition parties over the Pulwama attack and the subsequent IAF airstrikes in Balakot, Yadav also said that in a democracy it was a "fundamental right" to ask questions of politicians.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav Friday attacked the BJP-led central government and said "stop pretending to be the Indian Army". Hitting back at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his attack on opposition parties over the Pulwama attack and the subsequent IAF airstrikes in Balakot, Yadav also said that in a democracy it was a "fundamental right" to ask questions of politicians. "Politicians who say they cannot be questioned are dangerous," he said. The sacrifices of our Armed Forces should never be questioned. To ask questions of politicians in a democracy is our fundamental right. This government needs to stop pretending to be the Indian Army. Politicians who say they cannot be questioned are dangerous. — Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) March 22, 2019 × Yadav's remarks came after his party colleague Ram Gopal Yadav came in for heavy criticism from the PM for alleging that the Pulwama terror attack was a "conspiracy" to garner votes. In a series of tweets, the PM also slammed Congress' Sam Pitroda for saying he wanted to "know more" about the Balakot strike and asking as to how many terrorists were killed in the operation. In his attack, Modi termed the Opposition "the natural habitat of terror apologists" and accusing them of "insulting" armed forces. Akhilesh Yadav's tweet came an hour after the Prime minister's. Opposition is the natural habitat of terror apologists and questioners of our armed forces. This reprehensible statement by a senior leader like Ram Gopal Ji insults all those who have given their lives in protecting Kashmir. It humiliates the families of our martyrs. https://t.co/BZyWbIyJjo — Chowkidar Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 22, 2019 × "The sacrifices of our Armed Forces should never be questioned. To ask questions of politicians in a democracy is our fundamental right. This government needs to stop pretending to be the Indian Army," the SP leader said. On Thursday, referring to the Pulwama attack, SP general secretary Ram Gopal Yadav alleged that the Pulwama terror attack was a "conspiracy" to garner votes, drawing a sharp reaction from Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Yadav also said once there is a change at the Centre, investigations will be conducted into the incident and claimed that prominent people will come under the scanner of the probe. Hitting out at the SP leader, Adityanath said this an example of "atrocious politics" and Yadav should apologise for his comment.

Government should stop pretending to be Indian Army, says Akhilesh

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The review petition has been filed by former union ministers Arun Shourie and Yashwant Sinha, and the lawyer Prashant Bhushan.&nbsp;

 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eu-leader-donald-tusk-backs-long-delay-if-britain-rethinks-brexit-203291">EU's Donald Tusk backs 'long' delay if Britain 'rethinks' Brexit</a>

EU leader Donald Tusk said Thursday that European capitals could approve a long delay to Brexit, in a last-ditch push to persuade Prime Minister Theresa May to change her negotiating red lines. &nbsp;&nbsp;

During consultations ahead of next week's EU summit, Tusk said he "will appeal to the EU27 to be open to a long extension if the UK finds it necessary to rethink its Brexit strategy and build consensus around it."

 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/sp-bsp-will-have-joint-rallies-in-uttar-pradesh-says-akhilesh-203316">Lok Sabha polls: SP &amp; BSP will hold joint rallies in Uttar Pradesh, says Akhilesh</a>

In Uttar Pradesh, the SP and BSP will hold joint election rallies during the ensuing Lok Sabha polls, former chief minister Akhilesh Yadav said here on Thursday.&nbsp;

'We have planned joint rallies in Uttar Pradesh,' he told ANI in reply to a question about what transpired in his meeting with BSP president Mayawati on Wednesday.&nbsp;

 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/wing-commander-abhinandans-debiefing-complete-he-will-now-go-on-sick-leave-iaf-sources-203327">Wing Commander Abhinandan's debriefing complete, he will now go on sick leave: IAF sources</a>

Wing Commander Abhinandan Varathaman's debriefing is now complete, Indian Air Force sources said on Thursday.&nbsp;

The news agency ANI quoted the sources as saying Abhinandan will now go on sick leave for a few weeks on the advice of doctors at the army's Research and Referral Hospital in Delhi.&nbsp;

 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/over-100-malaysian-schools-shut-after-toxic-waste-dump-203324">Over 100 Malaysian schools shut after </a><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/over-100-malaysian-schools-shut-after-toxic-waste-dump-203324">toxic</a><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/over-100-malaysian-schools-shut-after-toxic-waste-dump-203324"> waste dump</a>

Over 100 schools in Malaysia have been closed after the dumping of toxic waste into a river caused hundreds of people to fall ill, including many children, authorities said.

A lorry is believed to have dumped the waste in southern Johor state last week, sending hazardous fumes across a wide area and causing those affected to display symptoms of poisoning such as nausea and vomiting.

Rafale review petition: 'Security of state supersedes everything,' government tells Supreme Court Attorney General KK Venugopal told the Supreme Court Thursday that the "security of state supersedes everything".

Rafale review petition: 'Security of state supersedes everything,' government tells Supreme Court Attorney General KK Venugopal told the Supreme Court Thursday that the "security of state supersedes everything". The court is hearing a review petition of its earlier judgement in the Rafale case which had said the deal did not need to be investigated for corruption. The review petition has been filed by former union ministers Arun Shourie and Yashwant Sinha, and the lawyer Prashant Bhushan. EU's Donald Tusk backs 'long' delay if Britain 'rethinks' Brexit EU leader Donald Tusk said Thursday that European capitals could approve a long delay to Brexit, in a last-ditch push to persuade Prime Minister Theresa May to change her negotiating red lines. During consultations ahead of next week's EU summit, Tusk said he "will appeal to the EU27 to be open to a long extension if the UK finds it necessary to rethink its Brexit strategy and build consensus around it." Lok Sabha polls: SP & BSP will hold joint rallies in Uttar Pradesh, says Akhilesh In Uttar Pradesh, the SP and BSP will hold joint election rallies during the ensuing Lok Sabha polls, former chief minister Akhilesh Yadav said here on Thursday. 'We have planned joint rallies in Uttar Pradesh,' he told ANI in reply to a question about what transpired in his meeting with BSP president Mayawati on Wednesday. Wing Commander Abhinandan's debriefing complete, he will now go on sick leave: IAF sources Wing Commander Abhinandan Varathaman's debriefing is now complete, Indian Air Force sources said on Thursday. The news agency ANI quoted the sources as saying Abhinandan will now go on sick leave for a few weeks on the advice of doctors at the army's Research and Referral Hospital in Delhi. Over 100 Malaysian schools shut after toxic waste dump Over 100 schools in Malaysia have been closed after the dumping of toxic waste into a river caused hundreds of people to fall ill, including many children, authorities said. A lorry is believed to have dumped the waste in southern Johor state last week, sending hazardous fumes across a wide area and causing those affected to display symptoms of poisoning such as nausea and vomiting.

In Uttar Pradesh, the SP and BSP will hold joint election rallies during the ensuing Lok Sabha polls, former chief minister Akhilesh Yadav said here on Thursday.&nbsp;

'We have planned joint rallies in Uttar Pradesh,'&nbsp;he told ANI in reply to a question about what transpired in his meeting with BSP president Mayawati on Wednesday.&nbsp;

'The meeting was to discuss the poll strategy for the ensuing Lok Sabha elections. We have decided on meeting and rallies of SP and BSP. We have also planned joint rallies,'&nbsp;he said.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/alliance-with-bsp-rld-final-seat-sharing-no-problem-akhilesh-yadav-191195">SP-BSP are fighting the ensuing Lok Sabha polls in UP as allies</a>. As per the seat-sharing agreement, SP is contesting 37 seats and BSP 38.&nbsp;

Three seats have been left for the RLD — Mathura, Muzaffarpur, and Bagpat. Two seats — Rae Bareli and Amethi — <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/congress-kept-out-of-up-alliance-to-correct-poll-arithmetic-akhilesh-yadav-191942">have been left for the Congress</a>.&nbsp;

Exuding confidence, Yadav said that his party would now reach out to the people of the state, where Lok Sabha elections will be held in seven phases beginning April 11 to end on May 19. The counting of votes will take place on May 23.&nbsp;

Yadav said: “The Lok Sabha election dates have been declared. Every party is announcing its candidates. SP and BSP have also announced some candidates. It is the time to reach out to the people of the state.”&nbsp;

Attacking the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath-led BJP government, Akhilesh said: “The government has not achieved anything which was promised to the people to come to power. Where are laptops he was supposed to give? Where are jobs? And where is the share of farmers?” &nbsp;

Yadav, however, avoided questions on Congress general secretary and in-charge for the party`s east UP affairs Priyanka Gandhi Vadra meeting with Bhim army chief Chandrashekar Azad in a hospital in Meerut on Wednesday. In 2014 Lok Sabha polls, NDA had won 73 seats from the state. SP had got just five seats, while BSP drew a blank.&nbsp;

In Uttar Pradesh, the SP and BSP will hold joint election rallies during the ensuing Lok Sabha polls, former chief minister Akhilesh Yadav said here on Thursday.

In Uttar Pradesh, the SP and BSP will hold joint election rallies during the ensuing Lok Sabha polls, former chief minister Akhilesh Yadav said here on Thursday. 'We have planned joint rallies in Uttar Pradesh,' he told ANI in reply to a question about what transpired in his meeting with BSP president Mayawati on Wednesday. 'The meeting was to discuss the poll strategy for the ensuing Lok Sabha elections. We have decided on meeting and rallies of SP and BSP. We have also planned joint rallies,' he said. SP-BSP are fighting the ensuing Lok Sabha polls in UP as allies. As per the seat-sharing agreement, SP is contesting 37 seats and BSP 38. Three seats have been left for the RLD — Mathura, Muzaffarpur, and Bagpat. Two seats — Rae Bareli and Amethi — have been left for the Congress. Exuding confidence, Yadav said that his party would now reach out to the people of the state, where Lok Sabha elections will be held in seven phases beginning April 11 to end on May 19. The counting of votes will take place on May 23. Yadav said: “The Lok Sabha election dates have been declared. Every party is announcing its candidates. SP and BSP have also announced some candidates. It is the time to reach out to the people of the state.” Attacking the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath-led BJP government, Akhilesh said: “The government has not achieved anything which was promised to the people to come to power. Where are laptops he was supposed to give? Where are jobs? And where is the share of farmers?” Yadav, however, avoided questions on Congress general secretary and in-charge for the party`s east UP affairs Priyanka Gandhi Vadra meeting with Bhim army chief Chandrashekar Azad in a hospital in Meerut on Wednesday. In 2014 Lok Sabha polls, NDA had won 73 seats from the state. SP had got just five seats, while BSP drew a blank.

Lok Sabha polls: SP & BSP will hold joint rallies in Uttar Pradesh, says Akhilesh

Former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday said that India cannot defeat Pakistan if the central government does not form a long-term strategy to safeguard the country's borders.

Akhilesh on Sunday met the family of Ajit Kumar, a CRPF jawan, who lost his life during the Pulwama terror attack on February 14.

Asked why Opposition leaders were are now pointing fingers at the central government even when they agreed to stand united with the Centre over the issue of national security, Akhilesh told media, "The Opposition stands united (with the central government) in teaching a lesson to Pakistan. But the government should not forget that China is with them (Pakistan). We feel that the government should have a long term strategy to safeguard our borders and make the country strong. If long term strategy won't be adopted then you can't defeat Pakistan."

Talking about Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman recent visit to India, Akhilesh said, "Recently media showed how a Crown Prince first visited Pakistan and helped them. Then he came to India and hugged Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Later he went to China. In today's times, the role of neighbouring countries matters... BJP leaders are the most 'milawati'."

Akhilesh also urged the central government to give Rs 1 crore to the families of all the CRPF jawans, who lost their lives in the Pulwama terror attack.

"The government should fulfill its promises given to the jawans. Most of the state governments have given Rs 1 crore to the families of CRPF jawans killed in Pulwama attack. The Uttar Pradesh and central government should also do the same and give Rs 1 crore to them," he said.

Former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday said that India cannot defeat Pakistan if the central government does not form a long-term strategy to safeguard the country's borders.

Former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday said that India cannot defeat Pakistan if the central government does not form a long-term strategy to safeguard the country's borders. Akhilesh on Sunday met the family of Ajit Kumar, a CRPF jawan, who lost his life during the Pulwama terror attack on February 14. Asked why Opposition leaders were are now pointing fingers at the central government even when they agreed to stand united with the Centre over the issue of national security, Akhilesh told media, "The Opposition stands united (with the central government) in teaching a lesson to Pakistan. But the government should not forget that China is with them (Pakistan). We feel that the government should have a long term strategy to safeguard our borders and make the country strong. If long term strategy won't be adopted then you can't defeat Pakistan." Talking about Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman recent visit to India, Akhilesh said, "Recently media showed how a Crown Prince first visited Pakistan and helped them. Then he came to India and hugged Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Later he went to China. In today's times, the role of neighbouring countries matters... BJP leaders are the most 'milawati'." Akhilesh also urged the central government to give Rs 1 crore to the families of all the CRPF jawans, who lost their lives in the Pulwama terror attack. "The government should fulfill its promises given to the jawans. Most of the state governments have given Rs 1 crore to the families of CRPF jawans killed in Pulwama attack. The Uttar Pradesh and central government should also do the same and give Rs 1 crore to them," he said.

Can't defeat Pak without a long-term strategy to safeguard borders: Akhilesh Yadav

Former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Monday said that the priority of the country's leadership should be to ensure that bulletproof jackets are provided to its soldiers, rather than focussing on bullet trains.

Addressing a press conference in Lucknow, Mr Yadav took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led central government's ambitious bullet train project and said, "Today, the country does not require a bullet train, it is more important that our soldiers get bulletproof jackets."

Akhilesh Yadav's comment comes in the wake of the terror on a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) convoy in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama last week, in which over 40 soldiers were killed.

The Samajwadi Party leader also raised questions over intelligence agencies and called on the centre to formulate a long-term strategy for securing the country's borders.

"Why is our Intelligence failing? You can't compensate for the loss of lives. The nation stands by its security forces and jawans. If all political parties have put their political events on hold, the ruling party should do the same and form a long-term strategy to secure our borders," Mr Yadav said.

Earlier on Monday, a petition was filed in the Supreme Court seeking direction from the central government to constitute a commission headed by a retired Supreme Court judge along with Army, intelligence and local administration to conduct an investigation into the Uri attack in 2016 and the Pulwama terror attack.

Former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Monday said that the priority of the country's leadership should be to ensure that bulletproof jackets are provided to its soldiers, rather than focussing on bullet trains.

Former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Monday said that the priority of the country's leadership should be to ensure that bulletproof jackets are provided to its soldiers, rather than focussing on bullet trains. Addressing a press conference in Lucknow, Mr Yadav took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led central government's ambitious bullet train project and said, "Today, the country does not require a bullet train, it is more important that our soldiers get bulletproof jackets." Akhilesh Yadav's comment comes in the wake of the terror on a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) convoy in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama last week, in which over 40 soldiers were killed. The Samajwadi Party leader also raised questions over intelligence agencies and called on the centre to formulate a long-term strategy for securing the country's borders. "Why is our Intelligence failing? You can't compensate for the loss of lives. The nation stands by its security forces and jawans. If all political parties have put their political events on hold, the ruling party should do the same and form a long-term strategy to secure our borders," Mr Yadav said. Earlier on Monday, a petition was filed in the Supreme Court seeking direction from the central government to constitute a commission headed by a retired Supreme Court judge along with Army, intelligence and local administration to conduct an investigation into the Uri attack in 2016 and the Pulwama terror attack.

Don't need bullet train, soldiers should get bulletproof jackets: Akhilesh Yadav

Samajwadi Party Wednesday raised in the Lok Sabha the issue of Uttar Pradesh authorities preventing their chief Akhilesh Yadav from flying to Allahabad even as the Centre asserted that neither the government nor the BJP had any role. After Yadav was stopped at Lucknow airport, SP workers clashed with police in several parts of Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday. During the Zero Hour, Dharmendra Yadav and other SP members displayed placards to register their protest on the issue.

Yadav, whose forehead was bandaged, alleged that workers were lathicharged by UP Police on Tuesday. He claimed that members of the legislative council, workers and women, among others, were beaten up. While noting that some MPs were also beaten up, he urged Speaker Sumitra Mahajan to direct authorities to take action against police officers involved. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said the SP chief was prevented from flying to Allahabad on the grounds of law and order.

The BJP and the government do not have anything to do with it, he stressed. On Tuesday, Akhilesh Yadav said he was stopped by authorities at the Lucknow airport in a bid to prevent him from visiting Allahabad, triggering outrage by party lawmakers in the state legislature and workers. During the Zero Hour, TMC members were in the Well displaying placards and shouting slogans against the government. Later, some Congress members also trooped into the Well and sought to raise the issue of Rafale deal. A member was also seen throwing paper planes.

Samajwadi Party Wednesday raised in the Lok Sabha the issue of Uttar Pradesh authorities preventing their chief Akhilesh Yadav from flying to Allahabad even as the Centre asserted that neither the government nor the BJP had any role.

Samajwadi Party Wednesday raised in the Lok Sabha the issue of Uttar Pradesh authorities preventing their chief Akhilesh Yadav from flying to Allahabad even as the Centre asserted that neither the government nor the BJP had any role. After Yadav was stopped at Lucknow airport, SP workers clashed with police in several parts of Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday. During the Zero Hour, Dharmendra Yadav and other SP members displayed placards to register their protest on the issue. Yadav, whose forehead was bandaged, alleged that workers were lathicharged by UP Police on Tuesday. He claimed that members of the legislative council, workers and women, among others, were beaten up. While noting that some MPs were also beaten up, he urged Speaker Sumitra Mahajan to direct authorities to take action against police officers involved. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said the SP chief was prevented from flying to Allahabad on the grounds of law and order. The BJP and the government do not have anything to do with it, he stressed. On Tuesday, Akhilesh Yadav said he was stopped by authorities at the Lucknow airport in a bid to prevent him from visiting Allahabad, triggering outrage by party lawmakers in the state legislature and workers. During the Zero Hour, TMC members were in the Well displaying placards and shouting slogans against the government. Later, some Congress members also trooped into the Well and sought to raise the issue of Rafale deal. A member was also seen throwing paper planes.

Akhilesh Yadav detained at airport: SP MLAs raise issue in Lok Sabha, party workers clash with police

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India's antitrust commission is looking into accusations that Alphabet Inc's unit Google abuses its popular Android mobile operating system to block its rivals, four sources with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-hotel-fire-people-jumped-to-save-themselves-but-to-their-deaths-196943">Delhi hotel fire: People jumped to save themselves, but fell to their deaths</a>

People jumped from the top floors of the Hotel Arpit Palace in Delhi's Karol Bagh after it caught fire early Tuesday morning, but to their deaths.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/samajwadi-party-chief-akhilesh-yadav-stopped-at-lucknow-airport-alleges-govt-preventing-him-from-visiting-allahabad-196923">Akhilesh Yadav stopped at Lucknow airport, alleges govt preventing him from visiting Allahabad</a> 
 
Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday claimed he was stopped at Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport in a bid to prevent him from visiting Allahabad to attend an oath-taking ceremony at Allahabad University.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/contempt-of-court-ex-cbi-chief-nageswara-rao-leaves-courtroom-after-serving-day-long-sentence-of-confinement-196949">SC allows ex-CBI chief M Nageswara Rao to leave </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/contempt-of-court-ex-cbi-chief-nageswara-rao-leaves-courtroom-after-serving-day-long-sentence-of-confinement-196949">court</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/contempt-of-court-ex-cbi-chief-nageswara-rao-leaves-courtroom-after-serving-day-long-sentence-of-confinement-196949"> after day-long detention</a> 
 
The Supreme Court has finally allowed former interim CBI director M Nageswara Rao to leave the court after his day-long detention.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-denies-telling-banks-to-stop-working-with-palestinians-196947">US</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-denies-telling-banks-to-stop-working-with-palestinians-196947"> says it did not tell banks to stop working with Palestinians</a>

The United States has denied accusations it is pressuring banks to stop dealing with the Palestinian government, whose relations with Washington have been plummeting.

India probing if Google used its Android operating system to block rivals: Sources India's antitrust commission is looking into accusations that Alphabet Inc's unit Google abuses its popular Android mobile operating system to block its rivals, four sources with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters.

India probing if Google used its Android operating system to block rivals: Sources India's antitrust commission is looking into accusations that Alphabet Inc's unit Google abuses its popular Android mobile operating system to block its rivals, four sources with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters. Delhi hotel fire: People jumped to save themselves, but fell to their deaths People jumped from the top floors of the Hotel Arpit Palace in Delhi's Karol Bagh after it caught fire early Tuesday morning, but to their deaths. Akhilesh Yadav stopped at Lucknow airport, alleges govt preventing him from visiting Allahabad Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday claimed he was stopped at Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport in a bid to prevent him from visiting Allahabad to attend an oath-taking ceremony at Allahabad University. SC allows ex-CBI chief M Nageswara Rao to leave court after day-long detention The Supreme Court has finally allowed former interim CBI director M Nageswara Rao to leave the court after his day-long detention. US says it did not tell banks to stop working with Palestinians The United States has denied accusations it is pressuring banks to stop dealing with the Palestinian government, whose relations with Washington have been plummeting.

Samajwadi Party president <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/congress-kept-out-of-up-alliance-to-correct-poll-arithmetic-akhilesh-yadav-191942">Akhilesh Yadav</a> on Tuesday claimed he was stopped at Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport in a bid to prevent him from visiting Allahabad to attend an oath-taking ceremony at Allahabad University.

"The government is afraid of oath ceremony of a student leader and is stopping me at the airport to prevent me from visiting Allahabad," Yadav claimed.

He also posted photographs in his official Twitter handle in which he was seen talking to police officers inside the airport.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
I was prevented from boarding the airplane without any written orders. Currently detained at Lucknow airport. 
 
It is clear how frightened the govt is by the oath ceremony of a student leader. The BJP knows that youth of our great country will not tolerate this injustice anymore! <a href="https://t.co/xtnpNWtQRd">pic.twitter.com/xtnpNWtQRd</a>
— Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) <a href="https://twitter.com/yadavakhilesh/status/1095205611380400128?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 12, 2019</a></blockquote>
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He said he had to attend an oath-taking ceremony at Allahabad University.

When asked, Airport Director AK Sharma said, "I have no such information."

The matter rocked the Uttar Pradesh legislature.

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My statement on the negative and undemocratic politics behind my detention at Lucknow Airport. <a href="https://t.co/dP7MvdjOcT">pic.twitter.com/dP7MvdjOcT</a>
— Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) <a href="https://twitter.com/yadavakhilesh/status/1095235277533204480?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 12, 2019</a></blockquote>
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As soon as Samajwadi Party members came to know about their national president being stopped at the airport, they tried to raise the matter during Question Hour in the assembly.

"The present regime is trying to kill democracy and stop our leader from visiting Allahabad," Samajwadi Party leader Narendra Verma said.

The members also trooped into the Well of the House due to which Speaker Hriday Narain Dixit adjourned the proceedings for 20 minutes during the Question Hour.

The matter was also raised in the Legislative Council, leading to the adjournment of the House for 25 minutes during the pre-lunch sitting.

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday claimed he was stopped at Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport in a bid to prevent him from visiting Allahabad to attend an oath-taking ceremony at Allahabad University.

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday claimed he was stopped at Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport in a bid to prevent him from visiting Allahabad to attend an oath-taking ceremony at Allahabad University. "The government is afraid of oath ceremony of a student leader and is stopping me at the airport to prevent me from visiting Allahabad," Yadav claimed. He also posted photographs in his official Twitter handle in which he was seen talking to police officers inside the airport. I was prevented from boarding the airplane without any written orders. Currently detained at Lucknow airport. It is clear how frightened the govt is by the oath ceremony of a student leader. The BJP knows that youth of our great country will not tolerate this injustice anymore! pic.twitter.com/xtnpNWtQRd — Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) February 12, 2019 × He said he had to attend an oath-taking ceremony at Allahabad University. When asked, Airport Director AK Sharma said, "I have no such information." The matter rocked the Uttar Pradesh legislature. My statement on the negative and undemocratic politics behind my detention at Lucknow Airport. pic.twitter.com/dP7MvdjOcT — Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) February 12, 2019 × As soon as Samajwadi Party members came to know about their national president being stopped at the airport, they tried to raise the matter during Question Hour in the assembly. "The present regime is trying to kill democracy and stop our leader from visiting Allahabad," Samajwadi Party leader Narendra Verma said. The members also trooped into the Well of the House due to which Speaker Hriday Narain Dixit adjourned the proceedings for 20 minutes during the Question Hour. The matter was also raised in the Legislative Council, leading to the adjournment of the House for 25 minutes during the pre-lunch sitting.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav stopped at Lucknow airport, alleges government preventing him from visiting Allahabad University

Samajwadi Party supremo Akhilesh Yadav has said that despite his "immense respect" for Congress President Rahul Gandhi, the grand old party was kept out of the SP-BSP alliance in Uttar Pradesh to correct "poll arithmetic" in order to defeat the BJP.

Without ruling out the possibility of working with the Congress after polls, Akhilesh said he has good relations with the party and would be "happy" if the next prime minister was from his home state.

Asked if the SP was open to working with Congress after the polls, Akhilesh said, "We can't answer it right now. We will answer it after the elections. But I can say this much that the country wants a new prime minister and it will have one after polls".

Akhilesh was speaking exclusively to PTI during his visit to the city for the January 19 united opposition rally.

"If you take out the number of seats in Uttar Pradesh, you will notice that the BJP government doesn't have the majority. BJP keeps talking about social engineering. So, I also decided to correct my poll arithmetic and did it through this alliance," Akhilesh said.

He said that despite carrying out a lot of developmental works during his tenure as Uttar Pradesh chief minister, he lost the 2017 assembly elections as his poll arithmetic was not right.

"So, I decided to correct the arithmetic by taking along Bahujan Samaj Party and Rashtriya Lok Dal and left two seats for the Congress," he said.

The Samajwadi Party and the Congress had joined hands in the 2017 assembly poll in UP but lost to the BJP.

"In order to correct the arithmetic of UP and defeat BJP, it (SP-BSP alliance) has been done. Should we lose seats (to BJP) just to pacify others," he questioned.

Left out of the SP-BSP pre-poll tie-up in Uttar Pradesh, the Congress has announced that it would go it alone in all the 80 Lok Sabha seats in the state for the upcoming general election.

Congress' decision to contest in all the 80 seats came in the backdrop of SP and BSP announcing their alliance in Uttar Pradesh, sharing 38 seats each, and leaving two seats for the smaller parties, besides leaving Rae Bareli and Amethi to United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Congress chief Rahul Gandhi, respectively.

When asked whether keeping Congress out of the opposition alliance would dampen the prospects of opposition in the politically crucial state, Akhilesh said, "With this seat adjustment, we have further strengthened the opposition unity. We have kept two seats for Congress. Our relationship with Congress has always been good. The issue of relationship is different. The main issue is how to defeat BJP and I have worked towards that arithmetic".

Akhilesh had earlier said that the Samajwadi Party's alliance with BSP and the RLD was "final" and there would be no issues as regards seat-sharing in the Lok Sabha polls while ruling out any understanding with the Congress.

"We have left two seats for them. Now, they (Congress) have decided to fight in 78 other seats. If they want to fight it is up to them. We have nothing to say about it," he said.

When asked if the alliance would field candidates in the changed scenario as the Congress has decided to contest in all the 80 seats, he said SP-BSP will not do so in Rae Bareli and Amethi.

Akhilesh, however, maintained that keeping Congress out of the alliance and giving them just two seats will not have any impact on the opposition vote share in the polls.

When asked to comment on Rahul Gandhi's remarks that he has "tremendous respect" for the leaders of SP and BSP, Akhilesh said that he also has immense respect for Rahul Gandhi.

"Anybody from any part of the country can become the next prime minister. But it would be good if the next PM is from Uttar Pradesh because there is a notion that those who want to become PM fights from UP or increases its tally from this state," he said.

Asked who is his first choice as PM - BSP chief Mayawati or Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee - Akhilesh refused to give a direct reply and said efforts should be made to elect a new prime minister and some issues can be discussed after the polls.

Akhilesh, however, sounded confident that regional parties which have come together at the January 19 Brigade Parade Grounds rally here organized by the Trinamool Congress would stay together even after the polls.&nbsp;

Samajwadi Party supremo Akhilesh Yadav has said that despite his "immense respect" for Congress President Rahul Gandhi, the grand old party was kept out of the SP-BSP alliance in Uttar Pradesh to correct "poll arithmetic" in order to defeat the BJP.

Samajwadi Party supremo Akhilesh Yadav has said that despite his "immense respect" for Congress President Rahul Gandhi, the grand old party was kept out of the SP-BSP alliance in Uttar Pradesh to correct "poll arithmetic" in order to defeat the BJP. Without ruling out the possibility of working with the Congress after polls, Akhilesh said he has good relations with the party and would be "happy" if the next prime minister was from his home state. Asked if the SP was open to working with Congress after the polls, Akhilesh said, "We can't answer it right now. We will answer it after the elections. But I can say this much that the country wants a new prime minister and it will have one after polls". Akhilesh was speaking exclusively to PTI during his visit to the city for the January 19 united opposition rally. "If you take out the number of seats in Uttar Pradesh, you will notice that the BJP government doesn't have the majority. BJP keeps talking about social engineering. So, I also decided to correct my poll arithmetic and did it through this alliance," Akhilesh said. He said that despite carrying out a lot of developmental works during his tenure as Uttar Pradesh chief minister, he lost the 2017 assembly elections as his poll arithmetic was not right. "So, I decided to correct the arithmetic by taking along Bahujan Samaj Party and Rashtriya Lok Dal and left two seats for the Congress," he said. The Samajwadi Party and the Congress had joined hands in the 2017 assembly poll in UP but lost to the BJP. "In order to correct the arithmetic of UP and defeat BJP, it (SP-BSP alliance) has been done. Should we lose seats (to BJP) just to pacify others," he questioned. Left out of the SP-BSP pre-poll tie-up in Uttar Pradesh, the Congress has announced that it would go it alone in all the 80 Lok Sabha seats in the state for the upcoming general election. Congress' decision to contest in all the 80 seats came in the backdrop of SP and BSP announcing their alliance in Uttar Pradesh, sharing 38 seats each, and leaving two seats for the smaller parties, besides leaving Rae Bareli and Amethi to United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Congress chief Rahul Gandhi, respectively. When asked whether keeping Congress out of the opposition alliance would dampen the prospects of opposition in the politically crucial state, Akhilesh said, "With this seat adjustment, we have further strengthened the opposition unity. We have kept two seats for Congress. Our relationship with Congress has always been good. The issue of relationship is different. The main issue is how to defeat BJP and I have worked towards that arithmetic". Akhilesh had earlier said that the Samajwadi Party's alliance with BSP and the RLD was "final" and there would be no issues as regards seat-sharing in the Lok Sabha polls while ruling out any understanding with the Congress. "We have left two seats for them. Now, they (Congress) have decided to fight in 78 other seats. If they want to fight it is up to them. We have nothing to say about it," he said. When asked if the alliance would field candidates in the changed scenario as the Congress has decided to contest in all the 80 seats, he said SP-BSP will not do so in Rae Bareli and Amethi. Akhilesh, however, maintained that keeping Congress out of the alliance and giving them just two seats will not have any impact on the opposition vote share in the polls. When asked to comment on Rahul Gandhi's remarks that he has "tremendous respect" for the leaders of SP and BSP, Akhilesh said that he also has immense respect for Rahul Gandhi. "Anybody from any part of the country can become the next prime minister. But it would be good if the next PM is from Uttar Pradesh because there is a notion that those who want to become PM fights from UP or increases its tally from this state," he said. Asked who is his first choice as PM - BSP chief Mayawati or Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee - Akhilesh refused to give a direct reply and said efforts should be made to elect a new prime minister and some issues can be discussed after the polls. Akhilesh, however, sounded confident that regional parties which have come together at the January 19 Brigade Parade Grounds rally here organized by the Trinamool Congress would stay together even after the polls.

Congress kept out of UP alliance to correct poll arithmetic: Akhilesh Yadav

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