UP CM Yogi Adityanath to address rallies in western UP today

Sachin Pilot is President of the Rajasthan Congress Committee. He has been a two-term MP and also served as a minister of state under Manmohan Singh.

He lost his Lok Sabha seat in the Modi wave of 2014. Since then he has kept his focus on Rajasthan, even relocating to the state.

Today, with an assembly election coming up, the Congress is on a strong wicket in the state. It is the BJP government that will have to fight anti-incumbency. The Congress did very well in the recent by-elections and Sachin says the BJP will be defeated in Rajasthan. His entire interview with WION follows:&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
 
WION: How has the Rajasthan government handled the farmer unrest and the debt issue? 
Sachin Pilot: 150 farmers have already committed suicide in the state. Farmers'&nbsp;distress today stands at its worst stage. The state government has turned a blind eye to the farmers'&nbsp;problem. Unavailability of water and seeds compounded with debt management has broken farmers back in the last 3 years. 
&nbsp; 
WION: Do you think rural distress as an issue can also resonate in Madhya Pradesh? 
Sachin Pilot: Both Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan are suffering from massive agrarian distress. Both are agriculture based states and a large part of population depends on it. BJP has not paid sufficient attention to the farmers. Congress too has not forgotten Mandasaur incident. It is for this reason Congress President Rahul Gandhi visited the place to mark death anniversary of the farmers who were shot while agitating. I feel this resentment will express itself during the time of vote. 
&nbsp; 
WION: Is Kairana a roadmap for the Opposition for the coming Lok Sabha elections? 
Sachin Pilot: To an extent but every state has a different dynamic and tieups will happen keeping that in mind. Mrs Gandhi had recently organised a meet of 17 parties. Subsequently we saw a realignment in Uttar Pradesh. But we should not forget that Congress is the only party which can nationally mount a challenge against BJP. For any anti-BJP alliance, Congress will have to be in the pivot position. Political players to come together on a platform like this will have to give up personal interests. 
&nbsp; 
WION: What about states like Rajasthan where Congress does not need an alliance? Will the Kairana model be applicable there? 
Sachin Pilot: Rajasthan is a two-party state. Elections are fought between BJP and Congress. Our party does not need any alliance in the state. We will defeat BJP on our strength. Rajasthan bypolls have shown as to how weak BJP has become in the state. Lot of like-minded people in Rajasthan are coming together to fight BJP. Tribals, Dalits and farmers have received a raw deal under the Rajasthan government. 
&nbsp; 
WION: Congress is refocusing on OBC vote. Historically, after Charan Singh’s exit from Congress, OBC votes remained with the Opposition parties then and now rests with BJP and regional setups. How do you expect Congress to catch up? 
Sachin Pilot: It is never too late. Congress is a rainbow party. I will not deny that strong OBC leadership in recent past have emanated from regional parties. It is a talented community and Congress will be building its fresh leadership in the party. &nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
WION: You said Dalits have got a raw deal in Rajasthan but if you look at the Karnataka results, BJP has not done badly in reserved constituencies. 
Sachin Pilot: I’m not an expert on Karnataka. In north India, atrocities against Dalits have increased manifold. Dalit community is very vulnerable today. They have been at the receiving end and in many states, videos of violence against them have also come up. So, there is a huge turnaround of the Dalit community in north India. 
&nbsp; 
WION: Can we say that Sachin Pilot is the CM candidate? 
Sachin Pilot: No. It all depends on the Congress President Rahul Gandhi. My job is to fight election. We will fight elections collectively. I have received support from everyone and it is for this reason that Congress gave impressive results in Rajasthan. 
&nbsp; 
WION: How is your relation with Ashok Gehlot? (Senior Congress leader and former Rajasthan CMAshok Gehlot has been moved to Delhi and made a General Secretary of the party.)&nbsp; 
Sachin Pilot: I have a very good relationship with Ashok Gehlot. I have good relationship with everyone in the Rajasthan Congress. Ashok Gehlot and many other senior leaders have done good work in the state. Now he has a new assignment as General Secretary of the Congress Party. 
&nbsp; 
WION: Congress has built a strong anti-Modi campaign but you have not come out with alternative ideas and a positive theme. Why? 
Sachin Pilot: &nbsp;Tall promises were made by Narendra Modi and not us in 2014. We are doing the correct thing by asking questions. We are exposing BJP by asking questions as everyone knows that promises have not been kept. We are not being just critical. We are making BJP accountable. And Congress too will have a positive campaign. Let the time come.

The recent Rajasthan bypolls have shown how weak the BJP has become in the state, Pilot said. Rajasthan will go to the polls in 2018

Sachin Pilot is President of the Rajasthan Congress Committee. He has been a two-term MP and also served as a minister of state under Manmohan Singh. He lost his Lok Sabha seat in the Modi wave of 2014. Since then he has kept his focus on Rajasthan, even relocating to the state. Today, with an assembly election coming up, the Congress is on a strong wicket in the state. It is the BJP government that will have to fight anti-incumbency. The Congress did very well in the recent by-elections and Sachin says the BJP will be defeated in Rajasthan. His entire interview with WION follows: WION: How has the Rajasthan government handled the farmer unrest and the debt issue? Sachin Pilot: 150 farmers have already committed suicide in the state. Farmers' distress today stands at its worst stage. The state government has turned a blind eye to the farmers' problem. Unavailability of water and seeds compounded with debt management has broken farmers back in the last 3 years. WION: Do you think rural distress as an issue can also resonate in Madhya Pradesh? Sachin Pilot: Both Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan are suffering from massive agrarian distress. Both are agriculture based states and a large part of population depends on it. BJP has not paid sufficient attention to the farmers. Congress too has not forgotten Mandasaur incident. It is for this reason Congress President Rahul Gandhi visited the place to mark death anniversary of the farmers who were shot while agitating. I feel this resentment will express itself during the time of vote. WION: Is Kairana a roadmap for the Opposition for the coming Lok Sabha elections? Sachin Pilot: To an extent but every state has a different dynamic and tieups will happen keeping that in mind. Mrs Gandhi had recently organised a meet of 17 parties. Subsequently we saw a realignment in Uttar Pradesh. But we should not forget that Congress is the only party which can nationally mount a challenge against BJP. For any anti-BJP alliance, Congress will have to be in the pivot position. Political players to come together on a platform like this will have to give up personal interests. WION: What about states like Rajasthan where Congress does not need an alliance? Will the Kairana model be applicable there? Sachin Pilot: Rajasthan is a two-party state. Elections are fought between BJP and Congress. Our party does not need any alliance in the state. We will defeat BJP on our strength. Rajasthan bypolls have shown as to how weak BJP has become in the state. Lot of like-minded people in Rajasthan are coming together to fight BJP. Tribals, Dalits and farmers have received a raw deal under the Rajasthan government. WION: Congress is refocusing on OBC vote. Historically, after Charan Singh’s exit from Congress, OBC votes remained with the Opposition parties then and now rests with BJP and regional setups. How do you expect Congress to catch up? Sachin Pilot: It is never too late. Congress is a rainbow party. I will not deny that strong OBC leadership in recent past have emanated from regional parties. It is a talented community and Congress will be building its fresh leadership in the party. WION: You said Dalits have got a raw deal in Rajasthan but if you look at the Karnataka results, BJP has not done badly in reserved constituencies. Sachin Pilot: I’m not an expert on Karnataka. In north India, atrocities against Dalits have increased manifold. Dalit community is very vulnerable today. They have been at the receiving end and in many states, videos of violence against them have also come up. So, there is a huge turnaround of the Dalit community in north India. WION: Can we say that Sachin Pilot is the CM candidate? Sachin Pilot: No. It all depends on the Congress President Rahul Gandhi. My job is to fight election. We will fight elections collectively. I have received support from everyone and it is for this reason that Congress gave impressive results in Rajasthan. WION: How is your relation with Ashok Gehlot? (Senior Congress leader and former Rajasthan CMAshok Gehlot has been moved to Delhi and made a General Secretary of the party.) Sachin Pilot: I have a very good relationship with Ashok Gehlot. I have good relationship with everyone in the Rajasthan Congress. Ashok Gehlot and many other senior leaders have done good work in the state. Now he has a new assignment as General Secretary of the Congress Party. WION: Congress has built a strong anti-Modi campaign but you have not come out with alternative ideas and a positive theme. Why? Sachin Pilot: Tall promises were made by Narendra Modi and not us in 2014. We are doing the correct thing by asking questions. We are exposing BJP by asking questions as everyone knows that promises have not been kept. We are not being just critical. We are making BJP accountable. And Congress too will have a positive campaign. Let the time come.

Congress does not need an alliance in Rajasthan, will beat BJP on its own: Sachin Pilot to WION

Ten people have been arrested for showing black flags to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath during his day-long visit in Etawah, Uttar Pradesh, police said on Saturday.

"On Friday, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was on a visit to Etawah. At Kachaura crossing, under the Civil Lines police station, some people waved black flags at him," Circle Officer (City) Anjani Kumar said.

"Police arrested 10 people while they were fleeing from the spot. A case has been registered against them," Kumar added.

All 10 were released later at night on personal surety after medical examination.

All 10 were released later at night on personal surety after medical examination

Ten people have been arrested for showing black flags to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath during his day-long visit in Etawah, Uttar Pradesh, police said on Saturday. "On Friday, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was on a visit to Etawah. At Kachaura crossing, under the Civil Lines police station, some people waved black flags at him," Circle Officer (City) Anjani Kumar said. "Police arrested 10 people while they were fleeing from the spot. A case has been registered against them," Kumar added. All 10 were released later at night on personal surety after medical examination.

10 arrested for waving black flags at UP CM Yogi Adityanath

Counting of votes in&nbsp;4 Lok Sabha bypoll seats began on Thursday morning. The bypolls were held on Monday in Kairana in Uttar Pradesh, Palghar and Bhandara-Gondiya in Maharashtra and in a single seat in Nagaland.

After taking an early lead through postal ballots,&nbsp;BJP's&nbsp;Mriganka Singh is now trailing against&nbsp;RLD's&nbsp;Tabassum Hasan&nbsp;by over 8,000 votes.

After leading in Bhandara-Gondiya, BJP is now trailing against NCP in Maharashtra's Bhandara-Gondiya by 3,000 votes.&nbsp;

In Palghar, BJP's Gavit Rajendra Dhedya is leading by over 10,000 votes against&nbsp;Shiv Sena.

The high profile Kairana seat has all political pandits transfixed with BJP's Mriganka Singh, daughter of late BJP MP Hukum Singh pitted against Rashtriya Lok Dal's (RLD) Tabassum Hasan with the Opposition Congress, Samajwadi Party and BSP providing support on the ground.

A victory for RLD would be seen as strengthing of the federal front after its victory in Karnataka&nbsp;Assembly elections recently and in the Gorakhpur and Phulpur seats in Uttar Pradesh earlier.

The voter turnout in Kairana was 54 per cent amid complaints of Electronic Voting Machine(EVM) Voter-Verifiable Paper Audit Trail(VVPAT) malfunction which led the Election Commission to order repoll in 73 booths.

Malfunctioning of EVMs was also reported in Palghar and Bhandara-Gondia Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra. The BJP and NCP are locked in a bitter battle in the crucial Maharashtra seats.

The lone seat in Nagaland had reported 70 per cent polling with the People's Democratic Alliance (PDA) battling the NDPP and the BJP.

Malfunctioning of EVMs was also reported in Palghar and Bhandara-Gondia Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra.

Counting of votes in 4 Lok Sabha bypoll seats began on Thursday morning. The bypolls were held on Monday in Kairana in Uttar Pradesh, Palghar and Bhandara-Gondiya in Maharashtra and in a single seat in Nagaland. After taking an early lead through postal ballots, BJP's Mriganka Singh is now trailing against RLD's Tabassum Hasan by over 8,000 votes. After leading in Bhandara-Gondiya, BJP is now trailing against NCP in Maharashtra's Bhandara-Gondiya by 3,000 votes. In Palghar, BJP's Gavit Rajendra Dhedya is leading by over 10,000 votes against Shiv Sena. The high profile Kairana seat has all political pandits transfixed with BJP's Mriganka Singh, daughter of late BJP MP Hukum Singh pitted against Rashtriya Lok Dal's (RLD) Tabassum Hasan with the Opposition Congress, Samajwadi Party and BSP providing support on the ground. A victory for RLD would be seen as strengthing of the federal front after its victory in Karnataka Assembly elections recently and in the Gorakhpur and Phulpur seats in Uttar Pradesh earlier. The voter turnout in Kairana was 54 per cent amid complaints of Electronic Voting Machine(EVM) Voter-Verifiable Paper Audit Trail(VVPAT) malfunction which led the Election Commission to order repoll in 73 booths. Malfunctioning of EVMs was also reported in Palghar and Bhandara-Gondia Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra. The BJP and NCP are locked in a bitter battle in the crucial Maharashtra seats. The lone seat in Nagaland had reported 70 per cent polling with the People's Democratic Alliance (PDA) battling the NDPP and the BJP.

Live Lok Sabha bypolls: BJP's Mriganka Singh trails in Kairana; NCP leads in Bhandara-Gondiya

In a big setback to the ruling BJP, opposition parties on Thursday won two out of four Lok Sabha seats strengthening non-BJP unity in the run-up to the 2019 general elections. BJP retained one seat and its ally Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) won the Nagaland Lok Sabha bypoll.

With prestige at stake in every single bypoll, the BJP was seen losing the high-profile Kairana Lok Sabha seat in politically important Uttar Pradesh to a united Opposition after a communally-charged election campaign, while similar appeared the result for Bhandara-Gondiya Lok Sabha constituency in Maharashtra, as per the trends and results announced by the Election Commission.

United opposition&nbsp;candidate Rashtriya Lok Dal's Tabassum Hasan, who was supported by the Congress, the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party,&nbsp;won the Kairana seat by a margin of 44,618 votes

However, the BJP retained another Lok Sabha seat from Maharashtra, Palghar, where it had faced a challenge from its own ally Shiv Sena but the Opposition could not pose a united fight. BJP's Rajendra Gavit won the seat, defeating Shiv Sena's Shrinivas Wanaga by 29574 votes.

The fourth Lok Sabha seat, Nagaland, for which bypoll was held earlier this week appeared to be going in favour of the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP), a BJP allly in the northeastern state.

The results appeared more slanted against the BJP after taking into account the parties that had won these seats before bypolls were necessitated. While the BJP alliance was seen retaining two Lok Sabha seats -- one in Maharashtra and another in Nagaland -- it failed to retain two others -- UP's Kairana and Maharashtra's Palghar.

Commenting on the results, senior BJP leader and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said one has to take two steps backward before a big leap.

Asked about the BJP's performance in these by-elections ahead of next year's general polls, Singh said, "For a massive leap, one always has to go two steps backward."

"We are going to take a massive leap," he added.

AAP leader and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal latched onto the bypoll results to attack the BJP and said it reflects the anger against the Modi government.

The trends from UP showed the biggest electoral upset for the BJP with the joint opposition candidate, RLD's Tabassum Hasan, leading by a big margin in Kairana Lok Sabha constituency.

&nbsp;The seat fell vacant following the death of the BJP candidate Mriganka Singh's father, Hukum Singh.

Rashtriya Lok Dal's Tabassum Hasan, supported by the Congress, Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party, established an early lead over Mriganka Singh right from the beginning to establish an almost invincible lead by noon.

In Maharashtra, the BJP retained Palghar but was staring at defeat in the Bhandara-Gondiya Lok Sabha constituency, which the BJP had won in the 2014 elections. The NCP's Madhukar Kukade was leading over the BJP's Hemant Patel, as per latest trends.&nbsp;

The announcement of results was not without controversies. While repolling was held in few polling booths due to EVMs failures, on the counting, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray said that said that there were some discrepancies in counting and appealed to the Election Commission to announce the results after those discrepancies are sorted out. However, Election Commission rejected the request and issued the victory certificate to the BJP candidate, Rajendra Gavit.&nbsp;

(With PTI inputs)&nbsp;

The BJP retained another Lok Sabha seat from Maharashtra, Palghar, where it had faced a challenge from its own ally Shiv Sena

In a big setback to the ruling BJP, opposition parties on Thursday won two out of four Lok Sabha seats strengthening non-BJP unity in the run-up to the 2019 general elections. BJP retained one seat and its ally Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) won the Nagaland Lok Sabha bypoll. With prestige at stake in every single bypoll, the BJP was seen losing the high-profile Kairana Lok Sabha seat in politically important Uttar Pradesh to a united Opposition after a communally-charged election campaign, while similar appeared the result for Bhandara-Gondiya Lok Sabha constituency in Maharashtra, as per the trends and results announced by the Election Commission. United opposition candidate Rashtriya Lok Dal's Tabassum Hasan, who was supported by the Congress, the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party, won the Kairana seat by a margin of 44,618 votes However, the BJP retained another Lok Sabha seat from Maharashtra, Palghar, where it had faced a challenge from its own ally Shiv Sena but the Opposition could not pose a united fight. BJP's Rajendra Gavit won the seat, defeating Shiv Sena's Shrinivas Wanaga by 29574 votes. The fourth Lok Sabha seat, Nagaland, for which bypoll was held earlier this week appeared to be going in favour of the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP), a BJP allly in the northeastern state. The results appeared more slanted against the BJP after taking into account the parties that had won these seats before bypolls were necessitated. While the BJP alliance was seen retaining two Lok Sabha seats -- one in Maharashtra and another in Nagaland -- it failed to retain two others -- UP's Kairana and Maharashtra's Palghar. Commenting on the results, senior BJP leader and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said one has to take two steps backward before a big leap. Asked about the BJP's performance in these by-elections ahead of next year's general polls, Singh said, "For a massive leap, one always has to go two steps backward." "We are going to take a massive leap," he added. AAP leader and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal latched onto the bypoll results to attack the BJP and said it reflects the anger against the Modi government. The trends from UP showed the biggest electoral upset for the BJP with the joint opposition candidate, RLD's Tabassum Hasan, leading by a big margin in Kairana Lok Sabha constituency. The seat fell vacant following the death of the BJP candidate Mriganka Singh's father, Hukum Singh. Rashtriya Lok Dal's Tabassum Hasan, supported by the Congress, Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party, established an early lead over Mriganka Singh right from the beginning to establish an almost invincible lead by noon. In Maharashtra, the BJP retained Palghar but was staring at defeat in the Bhandara-Gondiya Lok Sabha constituency, which the BJP had won in the 2014 elections. The NCP's Madhukar Kukade was leading over the BJP's Hemant Patel, as per latest trends. The announcement of results was not without controversies. While repolling was held in few polling booths due to EVMs failures, on the counting, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray said that said that there were some discrepancies in counting and appealed to the Election Commission to announce the results after those discrepancies are sorted out. However, Election Commission rejected the request and issued the victory certificate to the BJP candidate, Rajendra Gavit. (With PTI inputs)

Lok Sabha bypoll results: Opposition snatches Kairana from BJP, NCP wins Bhandara-Gondiya

Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) leader Jayant Chaudhary, whose party candidate wrested the Kairana Lok Sabha seat from BJP in the bypolls, on Thursday said that the united opposition had succeeded in halting the "chariot of hate" of the BJP in Uttar Pradesh.

The combined opposition would keep its momentum to defeat the BJP in the Lok Sabha elections next year, he said.

"I am confident that RLD will play a role in how to carry forward the opposition unity and alliance and ensure we give an alternative to BJP in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Whatever the alliance, we will play a positive role," he told reporters.

His comments came after the combined opposition candidate Tabassum Hasan defeated BJP`s Mriganka Singh in Kairana and Samajwadi Party candidate won in the Noorpur Assembly election. The SP and Congress backed the RLD while the BSP was said to have extended its tacit support. Mriganka Singh is the daughter of Hukum Singh, whose death necessitated the bypoll.

"Normally, the ruling party is supposed to win by-polls. It`s been just a year that BJP formed a majority government in the state. So in that sense it is a big victory for us. The BJP does not like losing elections. They don`t understand it (loss).

"The BJP is used to high-decibel and high-voltage campaign. They use the media and are visible in all forums. They use all the strength at their command to win elections by any means and the nation saw how Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a public meeting in neighbouring Baghpat on Sunday in an influence voters here. The Chief Minister and Deputy Minister, MPs and MLAs were all here to rake up the agenda of riots. But the people did not accept it. Their agenda has been rejected," Chaudhary said.

"We had said earlier that in the contest between `ganna` (sugarcane) and Jinnah, ganna would win. Jinnah and danga (communal riot) have been defeated and ganna has won. We see that the real issues, that of the the farmers, development and the youth have dominated," Chaudhary, the son of former Union Minister Ajit Singh, said while addressing the media.

He said the BJP does a lot of tom-tomming about its achievements. "It is one or two people running the nation now. The Prime Minister likes to take credit -- whether it is the Mars Mission or a six km road construction. So if you take credit for everything, then people are bound to ask where is the Modi wave."&nbsp;

The BJP had swept 73 out of the 80 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh in 2014 general elections and won an overwhelming 312 seats out of a total 423 in the state assembly elections last year.

(With agency&nbsp;inputs) 
&nbsp;

"I am confident that RLD will play a role in how to carry forward the opposition unity and alliance and ensure we give an alternative to BJP in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Whatever the alliance, we will play a positive role," he told reporters.

Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) leader Jayant Chaudhary, whose party candidate wrested the Kairana Lok Sabha seat from BJP in the bypolls, on Thursday said that the united opposition had succeeded in halting the "chariot of hate" of the BJP in Uttar Pradesh. The combined opposition would keep its momentum to defeat the BJP in the Lok Sabha elections next year, he said. "I am confident that RLD will play a role in how to carry forward the opposition unity and alliance and ensure we give an alternative to BJP in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Whatever the alliance, we will play a positive role," he told reporters. His comments came after the combined opposition candidate Tabassum Hasan defeated BJP`s Mriganka Singh in Kairana and Samajwadi Party candidate won in the Noorpur Assembly election. The SP and Congress backed the RLD while the BSP was said to have extended its tacit support. Mriganka Singh is the daughter of Hukum Singh, whose death necessitated the bypoll. "Normally, the ruling party is supposed to win by-polls. It`s been just a year that BJP formed a majority government in the state. So in that sense it is a big victory for us. The BJP does not like losing elections. They don`t understand it (loss). "The BJP is used to high-decibel and high-voltage campaign. They use the media and are visible in all forums. They use all the strength at their command to win elections by any means and the nation saw how Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a public meeting in neighbouring Baghpat on Sunday in an influence voters here. The Chief Minister and Deputy Minister, MPs and MLAs were all here to rake up the agenda of riots. But the people did not accept it. Their agenda has been rejected," Chaudhary said. "We had said earlier that in the contest between `ganna` (sugarcane) and Jinnah, ganna would win. Jinnah and danga (communal riot) have been defeated and ganna has won. We see that the real issues, that of the the farmers, development and the youth have dominated," Chaudhary, the son of former Union Minister Ajit Singh, said while addressing the media. He said the BJP does a lot of tom-tomming about its achievements. "It is one or two people running the nation now. The Prime Minister likes to take credit -- whether it is the Mars Mission or a six km road construction. So if you take credit for everything, then people are bound to ask where is the Modi wave." The BJP had swept 73 out of the 80 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh in 2014 general elections and won an overwhelming 312 seats out of a total 423 in the state assembly elections last year. (With agency inputs)

Kairana bypoll: We have stopped 'chariot of hate' in UP, says RLD

Repolling in 123 booths in Maharashtra's Bhandara-Gondiya, Uttar Pradesh's Kairana and Aonglenden in Nagaland started on Wednesday morning.

Election Commission yesterday ordered re-poll at 73 polling stations in Kairana, 49 in Bhandara-Gondia and one polling station in Nagaland, after VVPAT machines developed snags during Monday's Lok Sabha bypolls.

The repolling is taking place at 49 booths in Bhandara-Gondiya and 73 booths in Kairana.

In Aongleden, repolling is being conducted at only one polling booth.

Following allegations of EVM malfunctioning, the Election Commission on Monday ordered the transfer of District Collector Abhimanyu Kale. He was replaced by Kadambari Balkawade.

Kale cited high temperatures as the primary reason for the malfunctioning of the Voter-Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) during the polling in the Bhandara-Gondia Lok Sabha constituency.

On Monday, the by-polls for four Lok Sabha seats and nine assembly constituencies were held on Monday across 10 states.

Assembly bypolls were held in Noorpur (Uttar Pradesh), Shahkot (Punjab), Jokihat (Bihar), Gomia and Silli (Jharkhand), Chengannur (Kerala), Palus Kadegaon (Maharashtra), Ampati (Meghalaya), Tharali (Uttarakhand) and Maheshtala (West Bengal).

Counting of votes will take place tomorrow.

In Aongleden, repolling is being conducted at only one polling booth

Repolling in 123 booths in Maharashtra's Bhandara-Gondiya, Uttar Pradesh's Kairana and Aonglenden in Nagaland started on Wednesday morning. Election Commission yesterday ordered re-poll at 73 polling stations in Kairana, 49 in Bhandara-Gondia and one polling station in Nagaland, after VVPAT machines developed snags during Monday's Lok Sabha bypolls. The repolling is taking place at 49 booths in Bhandara-Gondiya and 73 booths in Kairana. In Aongleden, repolling is being conducted at only one polling booth. Following allegations of EVM malfunctioning, the Election Commission on Monday ordered the transfer of District Collector Abhimanyu Kale. He was replaced by Kadambari Balkawade. Kale cited high temperatures as the primary reason for the malfunctioning of the Voter-Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) during the polling in the Bhandara-Gondia Lok Sabha constituency. On Monday, the by-polls for four Lok Sabha seats and nine assembly constituencies were held on Monday across 10 states. Assembly bypolls were held in Noorpur (Uttar Pradesh), Shahkot (Punjab), Jokihat (Bihar), Gomia and Silli (Jharkhand), Chengannur (Kerala), Palus Kadegaon (Maharashtra), Ampati (Meghalaya), Tharali (Uttarakhand) and Maheshtala (West Bengal). Counting of votes will take place tomorrow.

Re-polling underway in Kairana, Bhandara-Gondia and Aonglenden

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73 polling stations in Uttar Pradesh's Kairana Lok Sabha constituency will see repolling on Wednesday, the Election Commission has said.

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'Terrorist' attacker kills three in Belgium's Liege, gunman dead A man killed two policewomen and a bystander in the Belgian city of Liege on Tuesday before being shot dead in a gunbattle at a school in what prosecutors are treating as a terrorist attack. What is the S-400 missile defence system that India is eyeing to buy India has concluded price negotiations with Russia for a nearly Rs 40,000 crore deal to procure S-400 Triumf air defence missile systems for the Indian Air Force. S-400 is known as Russia's most advanced long-range surface-to-air missile defence system. Gaza militants launch heavy barrage into Israel, Israel responds with air strikes Palestinian militants on Tuesday launched their heaviest mortar bomb barrage against Israel since a 2014 Gaza war and Israeli aircraft struck Islamic Jihad camps in the enclave in response. Trump says meetings taking place on US-North Korea summit US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that several meetings were being carried out between the US and North Korea ahead of the historic summit and confirmed that a top North Korean official was en route to New York. UP bypolls: Re-polling to take place at 73 booths in Kairana 73 polling stations in Uttar Pradesh's Kairana Lok Sabha constituency will see repolling on Wednesday, the Election Commission has said.

News brief: Big stories of the day

73 polling stations in Uttar Pradesh's Kairana Lok Sabha constituency will see repolling on Wednesday, the Election Commission has said.

Repolling will be held on May 30 between 7 am and 5 pm, during which 80,000 voters are likely to exercise their franchise.

Repolling will be held in 23 polling stations at Nakur, 44 in Gangoh and one at Thana Bhawan in Saharanpur and five in Shamli.

"Brawl took place at one spot yesterday & police had taken action. We will ensure that any untoward incident doesn't take place during re-polling tomorrow," said &nbspPraveen Kumar, Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Law and Order.

A total of 54 per cent polling was recorded on Monday in Kairana seat, which fell vacant with the death of Bharatiya Janata Party MP Hukum Singh. In 2014, 73 per cent voting was recorded.

Repolling will be held in 23 polling stations at Nakur, 44 in Gangoh and one at Thana Bhawan in Saharanpur and five in Shamli.

73 polling stations in Uttar Pradesh's Kairana Lok Sabha constituency will see repolling on Wednesday, the Election Commission has said. Repolling will be held on May 30 between 7 am and 5 pm, during which 80,000 voters are likely to exercise their franchise. Repolling will be held in 23 polling stations at Nakur, 44 in Gangoh and one at Thana Bhawan in Saharanpur and five in Shamli. "Brawl took place at one spot yesterday & police had taken action. We will ensure that any untoward incident doesn't take place during re-polling tomorrow," said &nbspPraveen Kumar, Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Law and Order. A total of 54 per cent polling was recorded on Monday in Kairana seat, which fell vacant with the death of Bharatiya Janata Party MP Hukum Singh. In 2014, 73 per cent voting was recorded.

UP bypolls: Re-polling to take place at 73 booths in Kairana

Braving heavy rains, people turned out in large numbers to cast their franchise on Monday&nbsp;morning today as bypoll in the Chengannur Assembly constituency began.

Leader of Opposition in the Kerala state assembly, Ramesh Chennithalawas among the early voters in the constituency, which had witnessed a fierce contest between all the three fronts in the run-up to the polls.

While CPM's Saji Cheriyan, the party's Alappuzha district secretary, is the candidate of the Left Democratic Front (LDF), Congress leader D Vijayakumar is the United Democratic Front (UDF) nominee.

Former BJP president P S Sreedharan Pillai, is testing his luck once again from the constituency.

The bypoll was necessitated following the death of sitting MLA K K Ramachandran Nair (CPM) in January this year due to illness.&nbsp;The outcome of the bypoll is widely seen as a referendum of the performance of the Pinarayi Vijayan led government in the state and Narendra Modi government at the Centre.

The nearly two-month-long electioneering witnessed an unparalleled fierce campaign by the fronts, who used all means to launch attacks against each other.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

The bypoll was necessitated following the death of sitting MLA K K Ramachandran Nair (CPM) in January this year due to illness.

Braving heavy rains, people turned out in large numbers to cast their franchise on Monday morning today as bypoll in the Chengannur Assembly constituency began. Leader of Opposition in the Kerala state assembly, Ramesh Chennithalawas among the early voters in the constituency, which had witnessed a fierce contest between all the three fronts in the run-up to the polls. While CPM's Saji Cheriyan, the party's Alappuzha district secretary, is the candidate of the Left Democratic Front (LDF), Congress leader D Vijayakumar is the United Democratic Front (UDF) nominee. Former BJP president P S Sreedharan Pillai, is testing his luck once again from the constituency. The bypoll was necessitated following the death of sitting MLA K K Ramachandran Nair (CPM) in January this year due to illness. The outcome of the bypoll is widely seen as a referendum of the performance of the Pinarayi Vijayan led government in the state and Narendra Modi government at the Centre. The nearly two-month-long electioneering witnessed an unparalleled fierce campaign by the fronts, who used all means to launch attacks against each other.

Bypolls: Despite rain, large voter turnout in Chengannur Assembly constituency

At least 6 electronic voting machines (EVMs) malfunctioned in Uttar Pradesh's Kairana as polling began on Monday morning.

Bypoll in Uttar Pradesh’s Kairana began at&nbsp;7 am today. The polling will continue till 5 pm&nbsp;in the evening.

Bypolls are being&nbsp;held in 4 Lok Sabha and 10 assembly constituencies across India.

It is to be mentioned that the number of constituencies undergoing bypolls is one of the largest such exercises in recent times.

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Punjab: Voting underway at a polling booth in Shahkot <a href="https://t.co/nWHY9QBH8J">pic.twitter.com/nWHY9QBH8J</a>
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Polling has also begun in Uttar Pradesh’s Noorpur, Gomia and Silli constituencies of Jharkhand, Chengannur in Kerala, Maheshtala in West Bengal, Jokihat in Bihar, Ampati in Meghalaya, and Nagaland parliamentary constituency.

Polling in Bihar, Meghalaya and Nagaland parliamentary constituency will continue till 4 pm&nbsp;and Kerala and West Bengal will continue till 6 pm

Polling in Maharashtra’s Palghar, Bhandara-Gondiya, Palus Kadegaon will start at 7:30 am. and will continue till 5:30 pm.

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Bihar: Voting underway at a polling booth for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Jokihat?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Jokihat</a> assembly by-poll. <a href="https://t.co/q7JxR8hGS3">pic.twitter.com/q7JxR8hGS3</a>
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Shahkot in Punjab and Tharali in Uttarakhand will start voting at 8 am&nbsp;and will continue till 5 pm

The counting of votes will be held on May 31st.

The Lok Sabha seats going for polls are Palghar and Bhandara-Gondiya in Maharashtra Kairana in Uttar Pradesh, and Nagaland parliamentary constituency.

While the assembly bypolls is taking place in Gomia and Silli constituencies of Jharkhand Noorpur in Uttar Pradesh Shahkot in Punjab Jokihat in Bihar Chengannur in Kerala Palus Kadegaon in Maharashtra Ampati in Meghalaya Tharali in Uttarakhand and Maheshtala in West Bengal.

Bypolls will be held in 14 Lok Sabha and assembly constituencies across 10 states of India

At least 6 electronic voting machines (EVMs) malfunctioned in Uttar Pradesh's Kairana as polling began on Monday morning. Bypoll in Uttar Pradesh’s Kairana began at 7 am today. The polling will continue till 5 pm in the evening. Bypolls are being held in 4 Lok Sabha and 10 assembly constituencies across India. It is to be mentioned that the number of constituencies undergoing bypolls is one of the largest such exercises in recent times. Punjab: Voting underway at a polling booth in Shahkot pic.twitter.com/nWHY9QBH8J — ANI (@ANI) May 28, 2018 × Polling has also begun in Uttar Pradesh’s Noorpur, Gomia and Silli constituencies of Jharkhand, Chengannur in Kerala, Maheshtala in West Bengal, Jokihat in Bihar, Ampati in Meghalaya, and Nagaland parliamentary constituency. Polling in Bihar, Meghalaya and Nagaland parliamentary constituency will continue till 4 pm and Kerala and West Bengal will continue till 6 pm Polling in Maharashtra’s Palghar, Bhandara-Gondiya, Palus Kadegaon will start at 7:30 am. and will continue till 5:30 pm. Bihar: Voting underway at a polling booth for #Jokihat assembly by-poll. pic.twitter.com/q7JxR8hGS3 — ANI (@ANI) May 28, 2018 × Shahkot in Punjab and Tharali in Uttarakhand will start voting at 8 am and will continue till 5 pm The counting of votes will be held on May 31st. The Lok Sabha seats going for polls are Palghar and Bhandara-Gondiya in Maharashtra Kairana in Uttar Pradesh, and Nagaland parliamentary constituency. While the assembly bypolls is taking place in Gomia and Silli constituencies of Jharkhand Noorpur in Uttar Pradesh Shahkot in Punjab Jokihat in Bihar Chengannur in Kerala Palus Kadegaon in Maharashtra Ampati in Meghalaya Tharali in Uttarakhand and Maheshtala in West Bengal.

Bypolls: EVMs malfunction in Uttar Pradesh's Kairana

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/kerala-death-toll-from-nipah-virus-rises-to-14-140144">Kerala: Death toll from Nipah virus rises to 14</a>

The death toll from the deadly Nipah virus on Sunday rose to 14 in Kerala after one more death was reported in&nbspKozhikode. Most of the deaths reported are from Kozhikode and Malappuram districts.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/why-kairana-bypoll-is-a-key-player-in-the-run-up-to-2019-ls-polls-140093">Why Kairana by-poll is a key player in the run-up to 2019 Lok Sabha polls</a>

Kairana constituency in the politically crucial state of Uttar Pradesh has virtually assumed the dimension of a strategic player in the run-up to the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/maharashtra-bypoll-keen-contest-on-cards-in-2-lok-sabha-seats-tomorrow-140117">Maharashtra by-poll: </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/maharashtra-bypoll-keen-contest-on-cards-in-2-lok-sabha-seats-tomorrow-140117">Keen</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/maharashtra-bypoll-keen-contest-on-cards-in-2-lok-sabha-seats-tomorrow-140117"> contest on cards in 2 Lok Sabha seats tomorrow</a>

The by-elections to Palghar and Bhandara-Gondia Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra will be held on May 28 for which all four major parties have pulled out all stops as the outcome is likely to have a bearing on their future course.&nbsp

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-pm-shahid-abbasi-inaugurates-1st-section-of-cpecs-superhighway-140120">Pakistan PM Shahid Abbasi inaugurates 1st section of CPEC's superhighway</a>

Pakistan Prime Minister Shadid Abbasi on Saturday inaugurated the first section of the 392-km Multan-Sukkur Motorway, which is the largest transportation infrastructure project under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).&nbsp

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-refutes-reports-saying-its-seeking-economic-help-from-us--140112">North Korea refutes reports saying it's seeking economic help from </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-refutes-reports-saying-its-seeking-economic-help-from-us--140112">US</a>

North Korea on Sunday disputed reports which said that North Korea is seeking economic assistance from the United States in exchange for complete denuclearisation.&nbsp

Kerala: Death toll from Nipah virus rises to 14 The death toll from the deadly Nipah virus on Sunday rose to 14 in Kerala after one more death was reported in&nbspKozhikode. Most of the deaths reported are from Kozhikode and Malappuram districts. Why Kairana by-poll is a key player in the run-up to 2019 Lok Sabha polls Kairana constituency in the politically crucial state of Uttar Pradesh has virtually assumed the dimension of a strategic player in the run-up to the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Maharashtra by-poll: Keen contest on cards in 2 Lok Sabha seats tomorrow The by-elections to Palghar and Bhandara-Gondia Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra will be held on May 28 for which all four major parties have pulled out all stops as the outcome is likely to have a bearing on their future course. Pakistan PM Shahid Abbasi inaugurates 1st section of CPEC's superhighway Pakistan Prime Minister Shadid Abbasi on Saturday inaugurated the first section of the 392-km Multan-Sukkur Motorway, which is the largest transportation infrastructure project under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). North Korea refutes reports saying it's seeking economic help from US North Korea on Sunday disputed reports which said that North Korea is seeking economic assistance from the United States in exchange for complete denuclearisation.

Kairana by-election is being called the mother of all battles as Rashtriya Lok Dal ( RLD) candidate is giving a tough fight to BJP. The BJP had won this seat in a wave in 2014. The 2014 elections also witnessed complete rout of RLD, SP and BSP candidates in Uttar Pradesh. After tasting victory in Phoolpur and Gorakhpur, Opposition has once again got together and both SP and BSP are supporting the RLD candidate. RLD’s campaign is being held together by Jayant Chaudhary, former MP and grandson of former Prime Minister late Chaudhary Charan Singh. He says that RLD will defeat BJP candidate.

WION: Is RLD confident of winning election in Kairana?

Jayant Chaudhary: We will win elections in Kairana. The local economy is not doing well and farm crisis has affected every family in this region. We are running an innovative campaign. It is localised in nature and we have picked up issues related to common men. We have been asking people,”Is Ganna important to you or Jinnah.”&nbsp;Our’s is not a high decibel BJP campaign. I have done 145 meetings already and none of them were huge rallies. BJP’s campaign is negative as of now. More so our coalition is working in harmony and cadres of SP-BSP are supporting and cooperating with each other. Our workers are also watching national development very keenly and they feel that BJP can be taught a lesson in this election. For this reason, there is coming together of non-BJP people.

WION: 2013 riots created polarisation which wiped out your party. What is different today that Jat community will vote for you once again?

Jayant Chaudhary: I would say that the social alliance broke after 2013 riots. Hindu Muslim tensions made it difficult for the community to vote together. But we have built bridges. We organized bhaichara sammelans in the area. Lot of water has passed under the bridge since 2013. People want to move on. A lot of cases are being settled outside the courts too. We will beat the polarisation by bringing the people together. We failed to recognise the tension which existed prior to 2013 and could not effectively resolve it. Subsequently, small incidents led to bigger events and an open conflagration.

WION: Is Grand Alliance a good idea?

Jayant Chaudhary: Grand Alliance is in the national context. There is a difference but they can be worked out. But we need to choose sides. RSS says that regional partiers have always failed. Regional parties can take on Modi. All that is required is a coherent strategy.

WION: Big alliances in past have never completed the term ever?

Jayant Chaudhary: We are jumping the gun. Politics always throw up surprises. Life is not linear and history does not always repeat itself.

WION: Can grand alliance in Uttar Pradesh defeat BJP?

Jayant Chaudhary: It is happening. It can happen. At the regional level, votes can be transferred. Real cooperation can take place between regional parties. Cadres are motivated. They see themselves as part of a national story and this feeling is making a big difference on ground.

WION: Can we say that only challenge BJP is receiving from is from regional parties?

Jayant Chaudhary: Regional parties definitely pose a challenge but understand that Congress too will have to play a role. It is the largest national party in the Opposition. Congress will have to play the role of an axle. They are in middle of it too. But regional parties are playing an effective role of an Opposition. There is no problem of coming together but a larger understanding will need to be built for it to sustain itself.

&nbsp;

Kairana by-election is being called the mother of all battles as Rashtriya Lok Dal ( RLD) candidate is giving a tough fight to BJP

Kairana by-election is being called the mother of all battles as Rashtriya Lok Dal ( RLD) candidate is giving a tough fight to BJP. The BJP had won this seat in a wave in 2014. The 2014 elections also witnessed complete rout of RLD, SP and BSP candidates in Uttar Pradesh. After tasting victory in Phoolpur and Gorakhpur, Opposition has once again got together and both SP and BSP are supporting the RLD candidate. RLD’s campaign is being held together by Jayant Chaudhary, former MP and grandson of former Prime Minister late Chaudhary Charan Singh. He says that RLD will defeat BJP candidate. WION: Is RLD confident of winning election in Kairana? Jayant Chaudhary: We will win elections in Kairana. The local economy is not doing well and farm crisis has affected every family in this region. We are running an innovative campaign. It is localised in nature and we have picked up issues related to common men. We have been asking people,”Is Ganna important to you or Jinnah.” Our’s is not a high decibel BJP campaign. I have done 145 meetings already and none of them were huge rallies. BJP’s campaign is negative as of now. More so our coalition is working in harmony and cadres of SP-BSP are supporting and cooperating with each other. Our workers are also watching national development very keenly and they feel that BJP can be taught a lesson in this election. For this reason, there is coming together of non-BJP people. WION: 2013 riots created polarisation which wiped out your party. What is different today that Jat community will vote for you once again? Jayant Chaudhary: I would say that the social alliance broke after 2013 riots. Hindu Muslim tensions made it difficult for the community to vote together. But we have built bridges. We organized bhaichara sammelans in the area. Lot of water has passed under the bridge since 2013. People want to move on. A lot of cases are being settled outside the courts too. We will beat the polarisation by bringing the people together. We failed to recognise the tension which existed prior to 2013 and could not effectively resolve it. Subsequently, small incidents led to bigger events and an open conflagration. WION: Is Grand Alliance a good idea? Jayant Chaudhary: Grand Alliance is in the national context. There is a difference but they can be worked out. But we need to choose sides. RSS says that regional partiers have always failed. Regional parties can take on Modi. All that is required is a coherent strategy. WION: Big alliances in past have never completed the term ever? Jayant Chaudhary: We are jumping the gun. Politics always throw up surprises. Life is not linear and history does not always repeat itself. WION: Can grand alliance in Uttar Pradesh defeat BJP? Jayant Chaudhary: It is happening. It can happen. At the regional level, votes can be transferred. Real cooperation can take place between regional parties. Cadres are motivated. They see themselves as part of a national story and this feeling is making a big difference on ground. WION: Can we say that only challenge BJP is receiving from is from regional parties? Jayant Chaudhary: Regional parties definitely pose a challenge but understand that Congress too will have to play a role. It is the largest national party in the Opposition. Congress will have to play the role of an axle. They are in middle of it too. But regional parties are playing an effective role of an Opposition. There is no problem of coming together but a larger understanding will need to be built for it to sustain itself.

We will defeat BJP in Kairana: RLD leader Jayant Chaudhary to WION

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