Terming the SP-BSP alliance as a `scientific experiment` which did not succeed, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/samajwadi-party-to-go-solo-in-uttar-pradesh-assembly-bypolls-if-bsp-tie-ends-akhilesh-yadav-224248">SP chief Akhilesh Yadav </a>on Wednesday said that his respect for BSP supremo Mayawati remained intact even after they have parted ways.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/now-rld-announces-it-will-fight-up-assembly-bypolls-alone-224447">Now RLD announces it will fight UP assembly bypolls alone</a>

"I studied engineering in Mysore. As a science student, I know that all experiments do not always succeed. But still we give it a trial and learn what is lacking," said Akhilesh while talking to reporters here.

Akhilesh on Tuesday announced that his party would contest all 11 Assembly by-elections in the state after BSP chief Mayawati announced that her party has decided to contest these elections on its own following the poor performance of SP-BSP alliance in the recently held Lok Sabha elections.

Samajwadi Party had got 5 seats in the state, while BSP got 10 taking the `mahagathbandhan` tally to a dismal 15, far behind the BJP`s 62 Lok Sabha seats in the state.

Maintaining that his respect for Mayawati remains intact, Akhilesh said: "In the very first press conference, I had said that my respect is Mayawati ji`s respect and even today I stand by that statement.

"To the possibility of his party joining hands with the BSP again in the UP assembly elections which are due in 2022, Akhilesh said, "We are fighting by-elections on our own. After consultation with senior party leaders, we will finalise the strategy for 2022."

"We can have different paths and different working styles and I would extend my best wishes to everybody," he added.

Extending his wishes to the whole nation on the auspicious occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, Akhilesh said, "We all should commit to preserving Ganga-Jamuni culture and the beauty of the nation where people of all castes and religion live in harmony."

Taking on the state BJP government in the wake of the killing of his party functionary in Ghazipur, Akhilesh said, "In Amethi, a BJP leader was killed by the BJP people only and immediate action was taken by police. But in the case of SP worker who was killed in Ghazipur, no action has been taken."

"A girl was burnt alive while another girl was picked by goons in Lucknow. The whole state is reeling under lawlessness," he said.

To a query of whether he would like to extend birthday wishes to UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Akhilesh quipped: "I don`t generally wish people on their birthdays. I believe we should not feel happy on our birthdays as we grow one year older."&nbsp;

Terming the SP-BSP alliance as a `scientific experiment` which did not succeed, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday said that his respect for BSP supremo Mayawati remained intact even after they have parted ways.

Terming the SP-BSP alliance as a `scientific experiment` which did not succeed, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday said that his respect for BSP supremo Mayawati remained intact even after they have parted ways. Also read: Now RLD announces it will fight UP assembly bypolls alone "I studied engineering in Mysore. As a science student, I know that all experiments do not always succeed. But still we give it a trial and learn what is lacking," said Akhilesh while talking to reporters here. Akhilesh on Tuesday announced that his party would contest all 11 Assembly by-elections in the state after BSP chief Mayawati announced that her party has decided to contest these elections on its own following the poor performance of SP-BSP alliance in the recently held Lok Sabha elections. Samajwadi Party had got 5 seats in the state, while BSP got 10 taking the `mahagathbandhan` tally to a dismal 15, far behind the BJP`s 62 Lok Sabha seats in the state. Maintaining that his respect for Mayawati remains intact, Akhilesh said: "In the very first press conference, I had said that my respect is Mayawati ji`s respect and even today I stand by that statement. "To the possibility of his party joining hands with the BSP again in the UP assembly elections which are due in 2022, Akhilesh said, "We are fighting by-elections on our own. After consultation with senior party leaders, we will finalise the strategy for 2022." "We can have different paths and different working styles and I would extend my best wishes to everybody," he added. Extending his wishes to the whole nation on the auspicious occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, Akhilesh said, "We all should commit to preserving Ganga-Jamuni culture and the beauty of the nation where people of all castes and religion live in harmony." Taking on the state BJP government in the wake of the killing of his party functionary in Ghazipur, Akhilesh said, "In Amethi, a BJP leader was killed by the BJP people only and immediate action was taken by police. But in the case of SP worker who was killed in Ghazipur, no action has been taken." "A girl was burnt alive while another girl was picked by goons in Lucknow. The whole state is reeling under lawlessness," he said. To a query of whether he would like to extend birthday wishes to UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Akhilesh quipped: "I don`t generally wish people on their birthdays. I believe we should not feel happy on our birthdays as we grow one year older."

We are fighting by-elections on our own, will finalise the strategy for 2022: Akhilesh Yadav

After the SP-BSP Gathbandhan faced a massive rout in the Uttar Pradesh Lok Sabha elections, both BSP Supremo Mayawati and SP Chief Akhilesh Yadav Tuesday announced to contest the upcoming bypolls alone.

Mayawati and Akhilesh part ways after Lok Sabha rout

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav said the party will fight bypolls alone on all 11 Uttar Pradesh Assembly seats if its alliance with the BSP ends, stressing that he would deliberate on the decision carefully.

After the BSP president <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/will-contest-by-polls-alone-but-not-permanent-break-from-samajwadi-party-mayawati-224105">Mayawati announcing her decision to go solo in the bypolls</a>, the alliance with the SP appeared to be falling apart on Tuesday.

Yadav, who was in Ghazipur to visit the residence of SP worker Vijay Yadav to express his condolence after his murder, said, "If the gathbandhan (alliance) has disintegrated or whatever that is being said about the gathbandhan is true, then I will deliberate on it very carefully..."

"When there is no alliance, we will prepare on our own for the upcoming UP bypolls and contest on all the 11 seats. We will be preparing for it and a decision will be taken after consulting senior members of the party," he told reporters.

He said that even if the BSP treads a separate path, it is welcome.

The SP chief said, "At this point of time, the 'gathbandhan' is not important for us. What is more important is that the family of our slain party worker should get justice...I am more concerned over the killing of our workers."

Vijay Yadav was killed by some unidentified people who attacked him after barging into this house on May 24.

Akhilesh Yadav, who was earlier in Azamgarh, the seat from where he won the Lok Sabha election, said, "In 2022, the SP will form a government in Uttar Pradesh and this is our strategy."

Earlier, Mayawati said her party will fight the upcoming bypolls alone but can work with the SP in the future if Yadav is able to "fulfil his duties".

She also said that the Bahujan Samaj Party's ties with the Samajwadi Party "is never going to end" and she will try to ensure that their relationship stays "intact".

The alliance was formed in the run-up to the Lok Sabha polls after a similar tie-up ensured the rout of the BJP from three Lok Sabha seats -&nbsp;Gorakhpur, Phulpur and Kairana -&nbsp;in bypolls held last year after the saffron party swept to power in the state.

But the tie-up this time failed to yield desired results for the SP, which contested 37 of the 80 Lok Sabha seats, and for the BSP which pitted its candidates in 38 seats.

While the BSP wrested 10 seats this time from nil in 2014, the SP won five, the same number of seats it bagged last time. Another ally RLD lost on all the three seats it contested jointly with the SP and the BSP.

The alliance had not fielded candidates in the Congress strongholds of Rae Bareli and Amethi, though the grand old party could retain only Rae Bareli, losing out Amethi to BJP's Smriti Irani.&nbsp;

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav said the party will fight bypolls alone on all 11 Uttar Pradesh Assembly seats if its alliance with the BSP ends, stressing that he would deliberate on the decision carefully.

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav said the party will fight bypolls alone on all 11 Uttar Pradesh Assembly seats if its alliance with the BSP ends, stressing that he would deliberate on the decision carefully. After the BSP president Mayawati announcing her decision to go solo in the bypolls, the alliance with the SP appeared to be falling apart on Tuesday. Yadav, who was in Ghazipur to visit the residence of SP worker Vijay Yadav to express his condolence after his murder, said, "If the gathbandhan (alliance) has disintegrated or whatever that is being said about the gathbandhan is true, then I will deliberate on it very carefully..." "When there is no alliance, we will prepare on our own for the upcoming UP bypolls and contest on all the 11 seats. We will be preparing for it and a decision will be taken after consulting senior members of the party," he told reporters. He said that even if the BSP treads a separate path, it is welcome. The SP chief said, "At this point of time, the 'gathbandhan' is not important for us. What is more important is that the family of our slain party worker should get justice...I am more concerned over the killing of our workers." Vijay Yadav was killed by some unidentified people who attacked him after barging into this house on May 24. Akhilesh Yadav, who was earlier in Azamgarh, the seat from where he won the Lok Sabha election, said, "In 2022, the SP will form a government in Uttar Pradesh and this is our strategy." Earlier, Mayawati said her party will fight the upcoming bypolls alone but can work with the SP in the future if Yadav is able to "fulfil his duties". She also said that the Bahujan Samaj Party's ties with the Samajwadi Party "is never going to end" and she will try to ensure that their relationship stays "intact". The alliance was formed in the run-up to the Lok Sabha polls after a similar tie-up ensured the rout of the BJP from three Lok Sabha seats - Gorakhpur, Phulpur and Kairana - in bypolls held last year after the saffron party swept to power in the state. But the tie-up this time failed to yield desired results for the SP, which contested 37 of the 80 Lok Sabha seats, and for the BSP which pitted its candidates in 38 seats. While the BSP wrested 10 seats this time from nil in 2014, the SP won five, the same number of seats it bagged last time. Another ally RLD lost on all the three seats it contested jointly with the SP and the BSP. The alliance had not fielded candidates in the Congress strongholds of Rae Bareli and Amethi, though the grand old party could retain only Rae Bareli, losing out Amethi to BJP's Smriti Irani.

Samajwadi Party to go solo in Uttar Pradesh Assembly bypolls if BSP tie ends: Akhilesh Yadav

In a clear indication that she is not happy with the performance of the 'gathbandhan' with Samajwadi Party in the just-held Lok Sabha polls, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/no-decision-on-future-of-gathbandhan-in-bsp-review-meeting-223888">BSP chief Mayawati</a> Monday asked party workers not to depend on an alliance to win votes but to improve the party's organisation.

At a meeting of the Bahujan Samaj Party's Uttar Pradesh unit, she also asked the office bearers, MLAS and newly-elected MPs to be prepared to contest the assembly by-elections on their own, sources aware of the development said here.

A total of 11 assembly bypolls are due in UP after MLAs won the Lok Sabha polls.

Her remarks, sources said, are significant as the BSP does not usually contest bypolls.&nbsp;

Nine BJP MLAs won the Lok Sabha elections, while one each from BSP and SP were elected to the lower house.

She told the gathering at the party headquarters here that the BSP won 10 seats in Uttar Pradesh due to BSP's traditional vote bank and the votes of Samajwadi Party could not get transferred to its candidates.

She cited the poor performance of its alliances in various states during assembly and Lok Sabha elections to drive home the point that the BSP will have to strengthen its own organisational structure and not to depend on other parties to win votes.&nbsp;

The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister also pressed for the need to increase the involvement of members of other backward classes in the party organisation.&nbsp;

In a clear indication that she is not happy with the performance of the 'gathbandhan' with Samajwadi Party in the just-held Lok Sabha polls, BSP chief Mayawati Monday asked party workers not to depend on an alliance to win votes but to improve the party's organisation.

In a clear indication that she is not happy with the performance of the 'gathbandhan' with Samajwadi Party in the just-held Lok Sabha polls, BSP chief Mayawati Monday asked party workers not to depend on an alliance to win votes but to improve the party's organisation. At a meeting of the Bahujan Samaj Party's Uttar Pradesh unit, she also asked the office bearers, MLAS and newly-elected MPs to be prepared to contest the assembly by-elections on their own, sources aware of the development said here. A total of 11 assembly bypolls are due in UP after MLAs won the Lok Sabha polls. Her remarks, sources said, are significant as the BSP does not usually contest bypolls. Nine BJP MLAs won the Lok Sabha elections, while one each from BSP and SP were elected to the lower house. She told the gathering at the party headquarters here that the BSP won 10 seats in Uttar Pradesh due to BSP's traditional vote bank and the votes of Samajwadi Party could not get transferred to its candidates. She cited the poor performance of its alliances in various states during assembly and Lok Sabha elections to drive home the point that the BSP will have to strengthen its own organisational structure and not to depend on other parties to win votes. The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister also pressed for the need to increase the involvement of members of other backward classes in the party organisation.

Don't depend on alliances to win votes: Mayawati tells BSP leaders

Terming the contest of 2019 Lok Sabha elections as "a race between a Ferrari and a bicycle", <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/lok-sabha-election-result-2019-samajwadi-party-leaders-mulayam-singh-akhilesh-yadav-register-victory-221167">Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav</a> on Monday said that the BJP did not win elections on the basis of development.

"We have lost the elections, but even today I challenge our adversaries to compare their development record with the Samajwadi development. They will not stand a chance. They have not won the election for development but for other reasons," the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister said.

"This race was between a Ferrari and a bicycle. Who used to be on television every day? Who owned the television? They played with and infiltrated our minds," he added.

Yadav's Samajwadi party fared poorly in the Lok Sabha elections despite fighting in alliance with Mayawati's BSP and Ajit Chaudhary's RLD.

"It is a different fight. They termed the SP-BSP alliance an alliance of Muslims, Yadavs and Dalits. We could never make people understand our fight. Only the BJP has the power to divert people`s attention," Akhilesh said.

Speaking of preparations for Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls and next national elections, Akhilesh said, "Many political battles have been fought. We also have to dream big and target 2022 and 2024. If you dream big then only you will succeed."

Samajwadi Party got 5 seats in the state, while BSP got 10 and RLD drew a blank, taking the 'mahagathbandhan'&nbsp;tally to a dismal 15, far behind BJP's 62. The state has a total of 80 Lok Sabha seats.&nbsp;

Terming the contest of 2019 Lok Sabha elections as "a race between a Ferrari and a bicycle", Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Monday said that the BJP did not win elections on the basis of development.

Terming the contest of 2019 Lok Sabha elections as "a race between a Ferrari and a bicycle", Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Monday said that the BJP did not win elections on the basis of development. "We have lost the elections, but even today I challenge our adversaries to compare their development record with the Samajwadi development. They will not stand a chance. They have not won the election for development but for other reasons," the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister said. "This race was between a Ferrari and a bicycle. Who used to be on television every day? Who owned the television? They played with and infiltrated our minds," he added. Yadav's Samajwadi party fared poorly in the Lok Sabha elections despite fighting in alliance with Mayawati's BSP and Ajit Chaudhary's RLD. "It is a different fight. They termed the SP-BSP alliance an alliance of Muslims, Yadavs and Dalits. We could never make people understand our fight. Only the BJP has the power to divert people`s attention," Akhilesh said. Speaking of preparations for Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls and next national elections, Akhilesh said, "Many political battles have been fought. We also have to dream big and target 2022 and 2024. If you dream big then only you will succeed." Samajwadi Party got 5 seats in the state, while BSP got 10 and RLD drew a blank, taking the 'mahagathbandhan' tally to a dismal 15, far behind BJP's 62. The state has a total of 80 Lok Sabha seats.

2019 was race between Ferrari and cycle: Akhilesh Yadav

No decision concerning the future of the Grand Alliance was taken during the BSP review meeting held here on Monday, claimed party sources.

No discussions took place on the future of BSP's alliance with the Samajwadi Party (SP) and RLD, they added. The meeting was chaired by party supremo Mayawati.

The meeting was held to accesses party's poor performance in Uttar Pradesh in the recently held Lok Sabha elections.

Riding high on Modi-wave, BJP bagged 62 seats in Uttar Pradesh, while BSP and SP managed to bag only 10, 5 seats respectively. RLD drew a blank.

"It was a closed-door review meeting, election results were discussed. It was analyzed why we lost, how we lost. Several issues including EVMs were discussed. No decision or discussion took place on the future of Gathbandhan," said a party source.

Newly-elected BSP parliamentarians, Lok Sabha elections candidates, zone in-charges and district presidents took part in the meeting at the party's office in the national capital.&nbsp;

No decision concerning the future of the Grand Alliance was taken during the BSP review meeting held here on Monday, claimed party sources. No discussions took place on the future of BSP's alliance with the Samajwadi Party (SP) and RLD, they added.

No decision concerning the future of the Grand Alliance was taken during the BSP review meeting held here on Monday, claimed party sources. No discussions took place on the future of BSP's alliance with the Samajwadi Party (SP) and RLD, they added. The meeting was chaired by party supremo Mayawati. The meeting was held to accesses party's poor performance in Uttar Pradesh in the recently held Lok Sabha elections. Riding high on Modi-wave, BJP bagged 62 seats in Uttar Pradesh, while BSP and SP managed to bag only 10, 5 seats respectively. RLD drew a blank. "It was a closed-door review meeting, election results were discussed. It was analyzed why we lost, how we lost. Several issues including EVMs were discussed. No decision or discussion took place on the future of Gathbandhan," said a party source. Newly-elected BSP parliamentarians, Lok Sabha elections candidates, zone in-charges and district presidents took part in the meeting at the party's office in the national capital.

No decision on future of 'Gathbandhan' in BSP review meeting

The Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath-led government in Uttar Pradesh on Saturday banned ministers from carrying their mobile phones in cabinet meetings.

The ban on mobile phones has reportedly been put at the behest of the Chief Minister Yogi.

All ministers will now have to leave their phones outside while a cabinet meeting or an official meeting with Adityanath is in progress.

The last cabinet meeting of the UP cabinet was held on May 28, the rule will become applicable from the next meeting as and when it is called by the UP Chief Minister.&nbsp;

The Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath-led government in Uttar Pradesh on Saturday banned ministers from carrying their mobile phones in cabinet meetings. The ban on mobile phones has reportedly been put at the behest of the Chief Minister Yogi.

The Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath-led government in Uttar Pradesh on Saturday banned ministers from carrying their mobile phones in cabinet meetings. The ban on mobile phones has reportedly been put at the behest of the Chief Minister Yogi. All ministers will now have to leave their phones outside while a cabinet meeting or an official meeting with Adityanath is in progress. The last cabinet meeting of the UP cabinet was held on May 28, the rule will become applicable from the next meeting as and when it is called by the UP Chief Minister.

No ministers should carry mobile phones during cabinet meetings: Yogi Adityanath

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP President Amit Shah and Uttar Pradesh's Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath reaches destination to address BJP party workers. Earlier PM Modi offers his prayers in Kashi Vishwanath temple.

PM Modi, BJP President Amit Shah and UP's CM Yogi Adityanath together to address BJP workers

Pappu ki Adi, the famous tea stall in Varanasi, is bustling with chai lovers on Monday.

What makes the day more special is - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/prime-minister-narendra-modi-to-visit-varanasi-today-221858">Prime Minister Narendra Modi is coming to Varanasi</a>, to the place whose voters sent him to Lok Sabha for the second consecutive time in the recently concluded general elections.

Chandra Prakash Jain, a local businessman who had come to get his daily cup of tea, said the whole of Varanasi was waiting eagerly for PM Modi and added that the constituency would ensure PM Modi's win for many more terms in the future.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> Varanasi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi waves at people on his way to Kashi Vishwanath temple. <a href="https://t.co/BIeoXzlwua">pic.twitter.com/BIeoXzlwua</a>
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/1132874944692531202?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 27, 2019</a></blockquote>
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"We welcome Prime Minister Modiji on his first visit to Varanasi post his win in the Lok Sabha polls. The whole of Varanasi is eager to see him and thank him for the developmental work he has carried out in Varanasi and the country. He will win from here again and will definitely win two or three times more," Jain told ANI here.

Sridhar Pandey, an astrologer from Ganga Ghat, said that PM Modi is a unique leader and his love for the people knows no bounds. Pandey said he had also conducted pujas for the Prime Minister on his earlier visits.

"It is unique that a leader is coming to thank the people after winning the elections. It shows he is a unique and compassionate leader who cares for the people. His unceasing, tireless work in the past five years has made people love him even more," the astrologer said.

"We know it takes time for development but we want him to finish all the good work he has started, especially the cleaning of Ganga. I have personally accompanied PM Modi when he did aarti at the Ganga ghat in his previous trips, he is a great person," Pandey told ANI.

Ram S Mishra, a local journalist, said that there was no doubt about PM Modi's capability but also implored him to take a closer look at the work being done in his constituency.

"Kashi had chosen its MP the last time but this time we have chosen the Prime Minister of the country. This is a great achievement for Varanasi and we thank Modiji for enhancing its image in the globe," he said.

"We also want him to monitor and assess the development work in his second term as the MP from this constituency and ensure better use of funds. Kashi thanks PM Modi and will be with him always," said Mishra.

There is energy and excitement in Varanasi, a sentiment summed up in a few lines by Manoj, the son of the iconic Pappu tea stall's owner who is managing the shop since the morning."We will wholeheartedly welcome PM Modi for his rally, he has done great work in the constituency and will do much more in the future. We have full faith in him and his commitment," Manoj said.

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Visuals of security from Varanasi ahead of PM Narendra Modi's visit today. An LED screen has been installed at the entrance of Kashi Vishwanath Temple (pic 4) which will live stream visuals from inside when PM Modi will offer prayers. <a href="https://t.co/VObjmcgJ5E">pic.twitter.com/VObjmcgJ5E</a>
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/1132841600248188928?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 27, 2019</a></blockquote>
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The preparations for Modi's welcome have been completed and the area has been decked up with BJP flags, ribbons and wall paintings of Buddha and other spiritual idols.

Cleaning and maintenance work in the area has also been completed.

An LED screen has been installed at the entrance of Kashi Vishwanath Temple which will live stream visuals from inside when PM Modi offers prayers.

Modi's visit is nothing less than a festival for the people of his constituency. Dancers, musicians, and acrobats also took to the streets of the holy city to perform and keep the crowds waiting for Prime Minister entertained.

On Sunday, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also held a meeting with local administration officials in Varanasi to assess preparations for Modi's visit.&nbsp;

Pappu ki Adi, the famous tea stall in Varanasi, is bustling with chai lovers on Monday. What makes the day more special is - Prime Minister Narendra Modi is coming to Varanasi, to the place whose voters sent him to Lok Sabha for the second consecutive time in the recently concluded general elections.

Pappu ki Adi, the famous tea stall in Varanasi, is bustling with chai lovers on Monday. What makes the day more special is - Prime Minister Narendra Modi is coming to Varanasi, to the place whose voters sent him to Lok Sabha for the second consecutive time in the recently concluded general elections. Chandra Prakash Jain, a local businessman who had come to get his daily cup of tea, said the whole of Varanasi was waiting eagerly for PM Modi and added that the constituency would ensure PM Modi's win for many more terms in the future. #WATCH Varanasi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi waves at people on his way to Kashi Vishwanath temple. pic.twitter.com/BIeoXzlwua — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) May 27, 2019 × "We welcome Prime Minister Modiji on his first visit to Varanasi post his win in the Lok Sabha polls. The whole of Varanasi is eager to see him and thank him for the developmental work he has carried out in Varanasi and the country. He will win from here again and will definitely win two or three times more," Jain told ANI here. Sridhar Pandey, an astrologer from Ganga Ghat, said that PM Modi is a unique leader and his love for the people knows no bounds. Pandey said he had also conducted pujas for the Prime Minister on his earlier visits. "It is unique that a leader is coming to thank the people after winning the elections. It shows he is a unique and compassionate leader who cares for the people. His unceasing, tireless work in the past five years has made people love him even more," the astrologer said. "We know it takes time for development but we want him to finish all the good work he has started, especially the cleaning of Ganga. I have personally accompanied PM Modi when he did aarti at the Ganga ghat in his previous trips, he is a great person," Pandey told ANI. Ram S Mishra, a local journalist, said that there was no doubt about PM Modi's capability but also implored him to take a closer look at the work being done in his constituency. "Kashi had chosen its MP the last time but this time we have chosen the Prime Minister of the country. This is a great achievement for Varanasi and we thank Modiji for enhancing its image in the globe," he said. "We also want him to monitor and assess the development work in his second term as the MP from this constituency and ensure better use of funds. Kashi thanks PM Modi and will be with him always," said Mishra. There is energy and excitement in Varanasi, a sentiment summed up in a few lines by Manoj, the son of the iconic Pappu tea stall's owner who is managing the shop since the morning."We will wholeheartedly welcome PM Modi for his rally, he has done great work in the constituency and will do much more in the future. We have full faith in him and his commitment," Manoj said. Visuals of security from Varanasi ahead of PM Narendra Modi's visit today. An LED screen has been installed at the entrance of Kashi Vishwanath Temple (pic 4) which will live stream visuals from inside when PM Modi will offer prayers. pic.twitter.com/VObjmcgJ5E — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) May 27, 2019 × The preparations for Modi's welcome have been completed and the area has been decked up with BJP flags, ribbons and wall paintings of Buddha and other spiritual idols. Cleaning and maintenance work in the area has also been completed. An LED screen has been installed at the entrance of Kashi Vishwanath Temple which will live stream visuals from inside when PM Modi offers prayers. Modi's visit is nothing less than a festival for the people of his constituency. Dancers, musicians, and acrobats also took to the streets of the holy city to perform and keep the crowds waiting for Prime Minister entertained. On Sunday, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also held a meeting with local administration officials in Varanasi to assess preparations for Modi's visit.

Varanasi brims with festivities as PM Modi visits holy city

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-election-disaster-britains-main-parties-to-offer-brexit-clarity-221998">After European election disaster, Britain's main parties to offer Brexit clarity</a>

Britain's two main parties promised on Monday to work to resolve the deadlock over Brexit, hoping to win back voters who abandoned them for a new movement led by eurosceptic Nigel Farage at European elections.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-national-assembly-passes-resolution-to-prevent-forced-conversions-221987">Pakistan National Assembly adopts resolution to prevent forced conversions&nbsp;</a>

The National Assembly of Pakistan on Monday adopted a resolution to prevent forced conversions in the country.

The resolution seeks to criminalise forced conversions and recommends an imprisonment of seven years and a fine of up to one million Pakistan rupees for anyone found indulging in forced conversion.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/industrial-body-says-modi-needs-to-cut-tax-interest-rates-to-revive-economy-ahead-of-inauguration-222012">Industrial body says Modi needs to cut tax, interest rates to revive economy ahead of &nbsp;inauguration&nbsp;</a>

India's slowing economic growth is of serious concern and the country needs to urgently cut tax and interest rates to revive the economy, a top industrial body said on Monday ahead of the inauguration of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's second term.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-says-any-us-trade-talks-must-be-based-on-mutual-respect-221968">China says any US trade talks must be based on 'mutual respect'&nbsp;</a>

China on Monday said any US trade talks must be based on "mutual respect" and equality after President Donald Trump said there was a good chance of clinching a deal.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/lok-sabha-results-create-vacancies-in-uttar-pradesh-cabinet-first-reshuffle-likely-soon-221963">Lok Sabha results create vacancies in Uttar Pradesh Cabinet, first reshuffle likely soon</a>

The BJP's massive win in Uttar Pradesh has paved the way for the first reshuffle of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's council of ministers as three ministers have won the Lok Sabha election creating vacancies in the state Cabinet.

After European election disaster, Britain's main parties to offer Brexit clarity Britain's two main parties promised on Monday to work to resolve the deadlock over Brexit, hoping to win back voters who abandoned them for a new movement led by eurosceptic Nigel Farage at European elections.

After European election disaster, Britain's main parties to offer Brexit clarity Britain's two main parties promised on Monday to work to resolve the deadlock over Brexit, hoping to win back voters who abandoned them for a new movement led by eurosceptic Nigel Farage at European elections. Pakistan National Assembly adopts resolution to prevent forced conversions The National Assembly of Pakistan on Monday adopted a resolution to prevent forced conversions in the country. The resolution seeks to criminalise forced conversions and recommends an imprisonment of seven years and a fine of up to one million Pakistan rupees for anyone found indulging in forced conversion. Industrial body says Modi needs to cut tax, interest rates to revive economy ahead of inauguration India's slowing economic growth is of serious concern and the country needs to urgently cut tax and interest rates to revive the economy, a top industrial body said on Monday ahead of the inauguration of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's second term. China says any US trade talks must be based on 'mutual respect' China on Monday said any US trade talks must be based on "mutual respect" and equality after President Donald Trump said there was a good chance of clinching a deal. Lok Sabha results create vacancies in Uttar Pradesh Cabinet, first reshuffle likely soon The BJP's massive win in Uttar Pradesh has paved the way for the first reshuffle of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's council of ministers as three ministers have won the Lok Sabha election creating vacancies in the state Cabinet.

News brief: Big stories of the day

The BJP's massive win in Uttar Pradesh has paved the way for the first reshuffle of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/ravi-kishan-meets-yogi-adityanath-after-winning-gorakhpur-lok-sabha-seat-221437">Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's council of ministers</a> as three ministers have won the Lok Sabha election creating vacancies in the state Cabinet.

Also, a vacancy was created after the disgruntled minister and SBSP leader O P Rajbhar was sacked by the chief minister for his outburst against his senior NDA partner, the BJP.

The ruling party is likely to reward its leaders for their hard work during the general election campaigning which resulted in it winning 62 seats, BJP sources said.

This would be the first cabinet reshuffle since Adityanath was sworn in as the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh in March 2017.

Adityanath had indicated during an interview to PTI that a cabinet reshuffling was very much on the cards and he was likely to take a decision soon.

Watch:&nbsp;PM Modi, BJP President Amit Shah and UP's CM Yogi Adityanath together to address BJP workers

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"We will do it (Cabinet expansion). We will do everything as and when time comes. We will do everything in the interest of the state," he had said.

"Mahendra Singh was the party's in-charge in Assam, where the BJP had won nine out of 14 Lok Sabha seats. After the elections were over in Assam, he was assigned the task of organising the roadshow of BJP chief Amit Shah in Amethi and Gorakhpur. Both the roadshows were highly successful," a senior UP BJP leader told PTI.

Mahendra Singh is the minister of state (independent charge) for Rural Development and Overall Village Development.

Another leader of the BJP state unit said UP minister Swatantradev Singh was made in-charge of the crucial state of Madhya Pradesh, where the party bagged 28 out of 29 Lok Sabha seats.

"The task was indeed very challenging as the BJP had lost in the assembly elections to the Congress. Hence, to boost the morale of the party workers and to ensure that a positive result for the party comes from that state was a tough task. His efforts paid rich dividends for the party, as Congress bigwigs such as Digvijay Singh and Jyotiraditya Scindia had to taste defeat," he said.

Swatantradev Singh is the minister of state (independent charge) for Transport and Protocol.

Four cabinet ministers in the UP government were in the poll fray. Of them, three won and one lost.

UP Cabinet Minister for Animal Husbandry, Minor Irrigation and Fisheries S P Singh Baghel registered a win from Agra by a margin of 2,11,546 votes.

Similarly, Rita Bahuguna Joshi, who is the minister of women's welfare, family welfare, mother and child welfare, tourism, won from Allahabad, defeating her nearest rival Rajendra Singh Patel by 1,84,275 votes.

Satyadev Pachauri, who holds the portfolio of Khadi Village Industries, Sericulture, Textile, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Export Promotion, won from Kanpur.

However, UP Cooperative Minister Mukut Bihari Verma lost to BSP's Ritesh Pandey by 95,880 votes.

With the monsoon session of the UP Legislative Assembly likely in the next couple of months, it is to be seen whether the reshuffle takes place before or after the session.

The BJP's massive win in Uttar Pradesh has paved the way for the first reshuffle of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's council of ministers as three ministers have won the Lok Sabha election creating vacancies in the state Cabinet.

The BJP's massive win in Uttar Pradesh has paved the way for the first reshuffle of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's council of ministers as three ministers have won the Lok Sabha election creating vacancies in the state Cabinet. Also, a vacancy was created after the disgruntled minister and SBSP leader O P Rajbhar was sacked by the chief minister for his outburst against his senior NDA partner, the BJP. The ruling party is likely to reward its leaders for their hard work during the general election campaigning which resulted in it winning 62 seats, BJP sources said. This would be the first cabinet reshuffle since Adityanath was sworn in as the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh in March 2017. Adityanath had indicated during an interview to PTI that a cabinet reshuffling was very much on the cards and he was likely to take a decision soon. Watch: PM Modi, BJP President Amit Shah and UP's CM Yogi Adityanath together to address BJP workers "We will do it (Cabinet expansion). We will do everything as and when time comes. We will do everything in the interest of the state," he had said. "Mahendra Singh was the party's in-charge in Assam, where the BJP had won nine out of 14 Lok Sabha seats. After the elections were over in Assam, he was assigned the task of organising the roadshow of BJP chief Amit Shah in Amethi and Gorakhpur. Both the roadshows were highly successful," a senior UP BJP leader told PTI. Mahendra Singh is the minister of state (independent charge) for Rural Development and Overall Village Development. Another leader of the BJP state unit said UP minister Swatantradev Singh was made in-charge of the crucial state of Madhya Pradesh, where the party bagged 28 out of 29 Lok Sabha seats. "The task was indeed very challenging as the BJP had lost in the assembly elections to the Congress. Hence, to boost the morale of the party workers and to ensure that a positive result for the party comes from that state was a tough task. His efforts paid rich dividends for the party, as Congress bigwigs such as Digvijay Singh and Jyotiraditya Scindia had to taste defeat," he said. Swatantradev Singh is the minister of state (independent charge) for Transport and Protocol. Four cabinet ministers in the UP government were in the poll fray. Of them, three won and one lost. UP Cabinet Minister for Animal Husbandry, Minor Irrigation and Fisheries S P Singh Baghel registered a win from Agra by a margin of 2,11,546 votes. Similarly, Rita Bahuguna Joshi, who is the minister of women's welfare, family welfare, mother and child welfare, tourism, won from Allahabad, defeating her nearest rival Rajendra Singh Patel by 1,84,275 votes. Satyadev Pachauri, who holds the portfolio of Khadi Village Industries, Sericulture, Textile, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Export Promotion, won from Kanpur. However, UP Cooperative Minister Mukut Bihari Verma lost to BSP's Ritesh Pandey by 95,880 votes. With the monsoon session of the UP Legislative Assembly likely in the next couple of months, it is to be seen whether the reshuffle takes place before or after the session.

Lok Sabha results create vacancies in Uttar Pradesh Cabinet, first reshuffle likely soon

Lack of organisational network and a strong disconnect with the rural population led to the fall of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/had-ensured-that-the-mp-from-amethi-would-be-chosen-from-our-party-smriti-irani-to-wion-221599">Congress stronghold Amethi</a>, which has remained loyal to the Gandhi family since 1980.

BJP's Smriti Irani defeated the Congress chief and sitting MP <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/lok-sabha-election-result-2019-at-cwc-meet-rahul-gandhi-offers-to-step-down-as-party-chief-committee-rejects-resignation-221506">Rahul Gandhi</a> by a margin of 55,120 votes.

Though the grand old party had been comfortably winning the seat, the victory had all through been thanks to the charisma and name of the Gandhi family without the support of the party organisation, political pundits opined. 
 
In the 2014 Lok Sabha election, Gandhi had defeated Irani by 1,07,903 votes.

On the first real challenge, in the face of concerted campaigning by Irani, the Congress fortress came tumbling down since she had prepared and strengthened her organisation in this dusty constituency, 120 Km from the state capital.

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The constituency also laments that though <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/in-historic-lok-sabha-polls-2019-rahul-gandhi-scripts-two-electoral-records-221043">Rahul Gandhi</a> had been a frequent visitor during this three stints as the MP, he had not reached the remote areas and failed to make a connection with those in the rural areas.

"Rahul used to get down at the Fursatganj airport and drive straight to Amethi and all his activities were confined there only. When he did not give enough time to the people how will he get the votes," said wholesale trader Neel Singh of Salon Navin Mandi area.

Indicating that Rahul's connect with the electorate was superficial, Raju Solanki who runs a tea stall at Salon bus stand, said, "It is his team of advisors that has spoilt his chances.

"His programmes used to be finalised around the main localities and highways but in contrast Smriti Irani reached villages and houses to establish a direct dialogue with the locals, seeking votes for development and change and also benefitted through it," he explained.

The locals feel Priyanka's presence had also failed to make a difference as her programmes too were finalised by those who had little knowledge of the nerve of the constituency.

"You don't get votes merely by waving hands and moving about on the roads in big vehicles," a local, Khilawan Raj, said.

Kishori Lal, a strong Congress supporter said the new generation in the constituency are not aware of the works done by the Congress for the development of the area and so the youth got carried away by the "BJP's selling of their schemes."

"The youth here does not know that this was usar (infertile) land which was got treated during the tenure of Rajiv Gandhiji. They got carried away by the BJP propaganda, and the manner in which they literally sold the central government schemes in the election market," Lal claimed.

Asha Singh of Pipri village said Smriti Irani went to every gram panchayat for canvassing and this appears to have made an impact.

Besides, they feel that local party leadership and staff of Rahul Gandhi had adopted a very high-handed attitude towards the people.

"They seem to have held the MP's office captive... It was easy to meet Rahul Gandhi than to meet his representatives who had to take follow up action of the works assigned by him for completion," Ram Pujan, a small trader said.

Political pundits say that the process of Congress' defeat in Amethi had started with its losses in the Assembly polls.

In the 2017 UP assembly polls, the Congress failed to win even a single seat though the BJP managed to bag four and Samajwadi Party one seat in the Lok Sabha constituency.

In the 2012 Assembly polls too, the Congress had only one seat - Jagdishpur - while rivals had taken up the remaining seats.

"Why the Congress leadership preferred to ignore taking corrective measures despite a poor show in Assembly polls is not understandable," they wonder.

Union minister Irani said on Friday that her win was not a "rocket science" as people of the Lok Sabha constituency wanted a representative who would work for them for the next five years.

Her victory was due to the development agenda of the Modi government, she said, adding that people of Amethi had reposed their trust in her by voting in large numbers for the BJP in 2014 and that she worked in the past five years to keep their faith.&nbsp;

Lack of organisational network and a strong disconnect with the rural population led to the fall of the Congress stronghold Amethi, which has remained loyal to the Gandhi family since 1980.

Lack of organisational network and a strong disconnect with the rural population led to the fall of the Congress stronghold Amethi, which has remained loyal to the Gandhi family since 1980. BJP's Smriti Irani defeated the Congress chief and sitting MP Rahul Gandhi by a margin of 55,120 votes. Though the grand old party had been comfortably winning the seat, the victory had all through been thanks to the charisma and name of the Gandhi family without the support of the party organisation, political pundits opined. In the 2014 Lok Sabha election, Gandhi had defeated Irani by 1,07,903 votes. On the first real challenge, in the face of concerted campaigning by Irani, the Congress fortress came tumbling down since she had prepared and strengthened her organisation in this dusty constituency, 120 Km from the state capital. × The constituency also laments that though Rahul Gandhi had been a frequent visitor during this three stints as the MP, he had not reached the remote areas and failed to make a connection with those in the rural areas. "Rahul used to get down at the Fursatganj airport and drive straight to Amethi and all his activities were confined there only. When he did not give enough time to the people how will he get the votes," said wholesale trader Neel Singh of Salon Navin Mandi area. Indicating that Rahul's connect with the electorate was superficial, Raju Solanki who runs a tea stall at Salon bus stand, said, "It is his team of advisors that has spoilt his chances. "His programmes used to be finalised around the main localities and highways but in contrast Smriti Irani reached villages and houses to establish a direct dialogue with the locals, seeking votes for development and change and also benefitted through it," he explained. The locals feel Priyanka's presence had also failed to make a difference as her programmes too were finalised by those who had little knowledge of the nerve of the constituency. "You don't get votes merely by waving hands and moving about on the roads in big vehicles," a local, Khilawan Raj, said. Kishori Lal, a strong Congress supporter said the new generation in the constituency are not aware of the works done by the Congress for the development of the area and so the youth got carried away by the "BJP's selling of their schemes." "The youth here does not know that this was usar (infertile) land which was got treated during the tenure of Rajiv Gandhiji. They got carried away by the BJP propaganda, and the manner in which they literally sold the central government schemes in the election market," Lal claimed. Asha Singh of Pipri village said Smriti Irani went to every gram panchayat for canvassing and this appears to have made an impact. Besides, they feel that local party leadership and staff of Rahul Gandhi had adopted a very high-handed attitude towards the people. "They seem to have held the MP's office captive... It was easy to meet Rahul Gandhi than to meet his representatives who had to take follow up action of the works assigned by him for completion," Ram Pujan, a small trader said. Political pundits say that the process of Congress' defeat in Amethi had started with its losses in the Assembly polls. In the 2017 UP assembly polls, the Congress failed to win even a single seat though the BJP managed to bag four and Samajwadi Party one seat in the Lok Sabha constituency. In the 2012 Assembly polls too, the Congress had only one seat - Jagdishpur - while rivals had taken up the remaining seats. "Why the Congress leadership preferred to ignore taking corrective measures despite a poor show in Assembly polls is not understandable," they wonder. Union minister Irani said on Friday that her win was not a "rocket science" as people of the Lok Sabha constituency wanted a representative who would work for them for the next five years. Her victory was due to the development agenda of the Modi government, she said, adding that people of Amethi had reposed their trust in her by voting in large numbers for the BJP in 2014 and that she worked in the past five years to keep their faith.

The fall of Amethi: Why did Rahul Gandhi lose Congress stronghold?

Adding<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/the-fall-of-amethi-why-did-rahul-gandhi-lose-congress-stronghold-221658"> insult to injury</a>, Congress candidates lost their deposits in both Allahabad and Phulpur Lok Sabha seats in Prayagraj, a region traditionally considered a Congress fortress.

In Uttar Pradesh - the most politically significant state - the only saving grace for Congress was Raebareli, the seat won by Sonia Gandhi. In most of the other 79 parliamentary constituencies, the grand old party was decimated to humiliating lows.

Particularly in Allahabad and Phulpur, Congress' could not even field candidates from its own cadre for the crucial seats.

Yogesh Shukla, who crossed over from BJP days before filing nomination, was fielded from Allahabad seat. Pankaj Niranjan, the son-in-law of Apna Dal faction's Krishna Patel, was given Congress ticket from Phulpur.

Both leaders failed to make any impact and subsequently lost their deposits.

Shukla got a meagre 3.59 per cent of the total votes polled in Allahabad, Niranjan's vote share stood at a pitiably low of 3.35 per cent in Phulpur.

According to the Election Commission's guidelines, a candidate loses their deposit if they fail to win at least 1/6th (16.67 per cent) of the total votes polled in the constituency. Candidates contesting are required to submit Rs 25,000 as a security deposit.

Analysis: What poll losses in Guna and Amethi mean for Congress

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It is said that the top Congress leadership foresaw the humiliating defeat of their candidates on both seats as neither party president Rahul Gandhi nor his sister and general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra campaigned for them.

Both the Lok Sabha seats voted in the penultimate phase of elections on May 12.

Taking moral responsibility of the defeat, party presidents of Prayagraj district and city units have offered their resignations.

"The kind of influence Congress used to enjoy in Allahabad is now vanishing from the hearts of the people. We are trying to find out the reason behind this change. We will try to once again take the party to the people," party's Prayagraj unit president Haseeb Ahmed said.

Phulpur was first represented by India's first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru after his victory in 1951 Lok Sabha elections, first polls after the nation secured independence. After Nehru's demise, his sister Vijay Laxmi Pandit won two Lok Sabha elections in 1964 (bypoll) and 1967 from the constituency.

In 1969, Janeshwar Mishra of Samyukta Socialist Party won the by-poll in Phulpur sweeping the Congress for the first time.

Veteran actor Amitabh Bachchan, who was a good friend of Rajiv Gandhi, won the Allahabad seat for Congress in 1984 Lok polls. Bachchan had defeated former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna.

History took an unprecedented turn after 25 years when Bahuguna's daughter and state cabinet minister, Rita Bahuguna Joshi, also a BJP turncoat, handed a humiliating defeat to the Congress candidate Allahabad.

With the district Congress office bearers taking responsibility and offering to quit, political pundits say, the grand old party's hold will further deteriorate in the holy city.

Getting just one seat out of 80, despite Priyanka Gandhi being in-charge of the party's fortunes in the eastern part, has been a massive blow for the Congress.

Rahul Gandhi losing Amethi to BJP's Smriti Irani was one of the biggest takeaways of the 2019 polls. The seat - considered till now as a Nehru-Gandhi bastion - was represented by Rahul since 2004, however, he managed a massive victory from Kerala's Wayanad.

The national picture was equally dismal for the Congress as they managed to bag just 52 seats, far behind BJP's massive 303.

&nbsp;

Adding insult to injury, Congress candidates lost their deposits in both Allahabad and Phulpur Lok Sabha seats in Prayagraj, a region traditionally considered a Congress fortress.

Adding insult to injury, Congress candidates lost their deposits in both Allahabad and Phulpur Lok Sabha seats in Prayagraj, a region traditionally considered a Congress fortress. In Uttar Pradesh - the most politically significant state - the only saving grace for Congress was Raebareli, the seat won by Sonia Gandhi. In most of the other 79 parliamentary constituencies, the grand old party was decimated to humiliating lows. Particularly in Allahabad and Phulpur, Congress' could not even field candidates from its own cadre for the crucial seats. Yogesh Shukla, who crossed over from BJP days before filing nomination, was fielded from Allahabad seat. Pankaj Niranjan, the son-in-law of Apna Dal faction's Krishna Patel, was given Congress ticket from Phulpur. Both leaders failed to make any impact and subsequently lost their deposits. Shukla got a meagre 3.59 per cent of the total votes polled in Allahabad, Niranjan's vote share stood at a pitiably low of 3.35 per cent in Phulpur. According to the Election Commission's guidelines, a candidate loses their deposit if they fail to win at least 1/6th (16.67 per cent) of the total votes polled in the constituency. Candidates contesting are required to submit Rs 25,000 as a security deposit. Analysis: What poll losses in Guna and Amethi mean for Congress × It is said that the top Congress leadership foresaw the humiliating defeat of their candidates on both seats as neither party president Rahul Gandhi nor his sister and general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra campaigned for them. Both the Lok Sabha seats voted in the penultimate phase of elections on May 12. Taking moral responsibility of the defeat, party presidents of Prayagraj district and city units have offered their resignations. "The kind of influence Congress used to enjoy in Allahabad is now vanishing from the hearts of the people. We are trying to find out the reason behind this change. We will try to once again take the party to the people," party's Prayagraj unit president Haseeb Ahmed said. Phulpur was first represented by India's first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru after his victory in 1951 Lok Sabha elections, first polls after the nation secured independence. After Nehru's demise, his sister Vijay Laxmi Pandit won two Lok Sabha elections in 1964 (bypoll) and 1967 from the constituency. In 1969, Janeshwar Mishra of Samyukta Socialist Party won the by-poll in Phulpur sweeping the Congress for the first time. Veteran actor Amitabh Bachchan, who was a good friend of Rajiv Gandhi, won the Allahabad seat for Congress in 1984 Lok polls. Bachchan had defeated former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna. History took an unprecedented turn after 25 years when Bahuguna's daughter and state cabinet minister, Rita Bahuguna Joshi, also a BJP turncoat, handed a humiliating defeat to the Congress candidate Allahabad. With the district Congress office bearers taking responsibility and offering to quit, political pundits say, the grand old party's hold will further deteriorate in the holy city. Getting just one seat out of 80, despite Priyanka Gandhi being in-charge of the party's fortunes in the eastern part, has been a massive blow for the Congress. Rahul Gandhi losing Amethi to BJP's Smriti Irani was one of the biggest takeaways of the 2019 polls. The seat - considered till now as a Nehru-Gandhi bastion - was represented by Rahul since 2004, however, he managed a massive victory from Kerala's Wayanad. The national picture was equally dismal for the Congress as they managed to bag just 52 seats, far behind BJP's massive 303.

Once Congress fortresses, candidates lose deposits in Allahabad, Phulpur

After her<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/in-a-neck-and-neck-battle-smriti-irani-defeats-rahul-gandhi-in-amethi-221025"> historic victory in Uttar Pradesh's Amethi</a> constituency in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, former Union Minister Smriti Irani spoke to WION's Editor in Chief Sudhir Chaudhary discussing her five-year plan that made inroads for the BJP in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/north-remembers-smriti-iranis-dig-at-rahul-gandhi-after-amethi-win-221254">Congress bastion</a>.

WION: This was your second fight from the Amethi constituency. Did you ever think of defeating Gandhi from his bastion?

Smriti Irani: &nbsp;Amethi has voted for development. Under Narendra Modi's guidance and Yogi Adityanath's help, we were able to perform work in the constituency. The issue of the election was development. I had said during the election campaign that the fight&nbsp;was not against Smriti Irani and Rahul Gandhi, but instead, it was people's fight for their rights, for the developments of their families. People of the country are never going to lose any election if they decide to fight for their rights.

WION: When did you first realise that you can beat Rahul Gandhi and your situation at the ground was stronger than him?

Smriti Irani: I was working for the past five years for BJP's victory and not for Gandhi's defeat. And this would have been possible only if&nbsp;people would give their blessings and support to BJP. It was possible only after we talked to every family. This was possible only after services from BJP's central and state government reached every single person in the constituency.

In the last five years, I categorically said and ensured that whosoever gets&nbsp;the ticket from BJP, but the MP from Amethi will be chosen from our&nbsp;party. 
Our sole aim was the victory of a BJP candidate in Amethi.

WION: Did you ever feel that the fight in Amethi has become personal between Smriti Irani and Rahul Gandhi or Gandhi family and not between BJP and Congress? Is there any personal rivalry between you and Rahul Gandhi?

Smriti Irani: There is no rivalry between us, rivalry exists among people with the same stature. As a party worker, I feel proud that my party has scripted&nbsp;a political and social history so that the people rose above caste and religious&nbsp;discrimination and voted for positive development.

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&nbsp;

After her historic victory in Uttar Pradesh's Amethi constituency in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, former Union Minister Smriti Irani spoke to WION's Editor in Chief Sudhir Chaudhary discussing her five-year plan that made inroads for the BJP in the Congress bastion.

After her historic victory in Uttar Pradesh's Amethi constituency in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, former Union Minister Smriti Irani spoke to WION's Editor in Chief Sudhir Chaudhary discussing her five-year plan that made inroads for the BJP in the Congress bastion. WION: This was your second fight from the Amethi constituency. Did you ever think of defeating Gandhi from his bastion? Smriti Irani: Amethi has voted for development. Under Narendra Modi's guidance and Yogi Adityanath's help, we were able to perform work in the constituency. The issue of the election was development. I had said during the election campaign that the fight was not against Smriti Irani and Rahul Gandhi, but instead, it was people's fight for their rights, for the developments of their families. People of the country are never going to lose any election if they decide to fight for their rights. WION: When did you first realise that you can beat Rahul Gandhi and your situation at the ground was stronger than him? Smriti Irani: I was working for the past five years for BJP's victory and not for Gandhi's defeat. And this would have been possible only if people would give their blessings and support to BJP. It was possible only after we talked to every family. This was possible only after services from BJP's central and state government reached every single person in the constituency. In the last five years, I categorically said and ensured that whosoever gets the ticket from BJP, but the MP from Amethi will be chosen from our party. Our sole aim was the victory of a BJP candidate in Amethi. WION: Did you ever feel that the fight in Amethi has become personal between Smriti Irani and Rahul Gandhi or Gandhi family and not between BJP and Congress? Is there any personal rivalry between you and Rahul Gandhi? Smriti Irani: There is no rivalry between us, rivalry exists among people with the same stature. As a party worker, I feel proud that my party has scripted a political and social history so that the people rose above caste and religious discrimination and voted for positive development. ×

Had ensured that MP from Amethi would be chosen from our party: Smriti Irani to WION

Since beginning of the Lok Sabha polls the nation is witnessing a question that 'If not Modi, then who?'; The way to PM is always led from Uttar Pradesh as it consists 80 seats. The cold war between SP-BSP that fragmented the dalits and muslims voters in UP came together when the chiefs of both party announces an alliance in UP, and too is considered as a turning point in this election. Results shows nothing but a reoil in Uttar Pradesh.

What went wrong for SP-BSP alliance in Uttar Pradesh these polls?

With the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/lok-sabha-polls-2019-counting-of-votes-to-take-place-on-thursday-fates-of-over-8000-candidates-to-be-decided-220612">counting of votes due on Thursday</a>, all eyes will be on Uttar Pradesh which offers a massive chunk of 80 parliamentary constituencies. The strategic significance of the state in deciding the fate of the incumbent central government could never be undermined.&nbsp;

The state has given 10 prime ministers since independence. Going by the exit polls predictions, the BJP-led <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/lions-share-of-uttar-pradeshs-seats-going-to-bjp-predict-exit-polls-219936">NDA is likely to get the lion's share of Uttar Pradesh</a>'s 80 Lok Sabha seats. Times Now-VMR said the NDA will get 58 seats in UP and C-Voter suggested 38 seats for the alliance. The poll of polls, a collection of various exit polls, predicted 43 seats for the NDA.

For Rahul Gandhi-led Congress, the pollsters painted a dismal picture giving just a couple of seats to the party in the state. The SP-BSP-RLD alliance is predicted to bag between 20 to 40 seats, pollsters said.&nbsp;

During the last Lok Sabha polls, the NDA registered a landslide win with 71 seats out of 80.&nbsp;

Along with its NDA constituents, the BJP won 336 out of 543 seats and formed the government at the Centre. It was for the first time in about three decades that a party won such a huge number of seats.

This time around, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/exit-polls-2019-pm-modi-returning-to-power-with-300-plus-seats-say-pollsters-219927">the exit polls show the BJP cornering over 300 seats</a> and form a government at the Centre comfortably. The party, along with its allies, is predicted to sweep a lion's share of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/bjp-in-countrys-hindi-heartland-exit-polls-spell-thumping-victory-for-party-in-madhya-pradesh-4-other-states-219985">Hindi heartland of the nation</a> including states like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Bihar as well as the national capital.&nbsp;

With the counting of votes progressing on Thursday, fates of some of the political bigwigs will be sealed who are contesting from the key constituencies of Uttar Pradesh.&nbsp;

Varanasi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is seeking a second term from Varanasi Lok Sabha seat where he is in the contest with Congress' Ajai Rai.&nbsp;

Amethi: Congress chief Rahul Gandhi is in a tough fight against BJP minister Smriti Irani.&nbsp;

Rae Bareli: Sonia Gandhi is in a straight contest with BJP's Dinesh Pratap Singh.

Azamgarh: A traditional SP stronghold, Azamgarh will see a battle between chief Akhilesh Yadav and BJP's Dinesh Lal Yadav Nirahua.

Mainpuri: Another SP bastion, party patriarch is set to lock horns here with BJP's Prem Singh Shakya.&nbsp;

Lucknow: Union Home Minister is set to take on SP's Poonam Sinha and Congress' Acharya Pramod Krishnam.&nbsp;

Gorakhpur: Here, the fight is mainly among Madhusudan Tripathi of the Congress, Ravindra Shyamnarayan Shukla alias Ravi Kishan of the BJP and Rambhual Nishad of the SP.

Sultanpur: The seat will witness a close contest as the BJP's candidate is the Union minister Maneka Gandhi, who is replacing her son Varun Gandhi.

Congress candidate Sanjay Singh will give tough competition to Maneka Gandhi, as Congress has had a hold on this seat in 7 Lok Sabha elections against the BJP's 4 wins in this constituency.

Allahabad: Rita Bahuguna Joshi is BJP's candidate on the Allahabad seat.

Joshi is fighting against Congress leader Yogesh Shukla and SP's Rajendra Singh Patel.

With the counting of votes due on Thursday, all eyes will be on Uttar Pradesh which offers a massive chunk of 80 parliamentary constituencies. The strategic significance of the state in deciding the fate of the incumbent central government could never be undermined.

With the counting of votes due on Thursday, all eyes will be on Uttar Pradesh which offers a massive chunk of 80 parliamentary constituencies. The strategic significance of the state in deciding the fate of the incumbent central government could never be undermined. The state has given 10 prime ministers since independence. Going by the exit polls predictions, the BJP-led NDA is likely to get the lion's share of Uttar Pradesh's 80 Lok Sabha seats. Times Now-VMR said the NDA will get 58 seats in UP and C-Voter suggested 38 seats for the alliance. The poll of polls, a collection of various exit polls, predicted 43 seats for the NDA. For Rahul Gandhi-led Congress, the pollsters painted a dismal picture giving just a couple of seats to the party in the state. The SP-BSP-RLD alliance is predicted to bag between 20 to 40 seats, pollsters said. During the last Lok Sabha polls, the NDA registered a landslide win with 71 seats out of 80. Along with its NDA constituents, the BJP won 336 out of 543 seats and formed the government at the Centre. It was for the first time in about three decades that a party won such a huge number of seats. This time around, the exit polls show the BJP cornering over 300 seats and form a government at the Centre comfortably. The party, along with its allies, is predicted to sweep a lion's share of the Hindi heartland of the nation including states like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Bihar as well as the national capital. With the counting of votes progressing on Thursday, fates of some of the political bigwigs will be sealed who are contesting from the key constituencies of Uttar Pradesh. Varanasi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is seeking a second term from Varanasi Lok Sabha seat where he is in the contest with Congress' Ajai Rai. Amethi: Congress chief Rahul Gandhi is in a tough fight against BJP minister Smriti Irani. Rae Bareli: Sonia Gandhi is in a straight contest with BJP's Dinesh Pratap Singh. Azamgarh: A traditional SP stronghold, Azamgarh will see a battle between chief Akhilesh Yadav and BJP's Dinesh Lal Yadav Nirahua. Mainpuri: Another SP bastion, party patriarch is set to lock horns here with BJP's Prem Singh Shakya. Lucknow: Union Home Minister is set to take on SP's Poonam Sinha and Congress' Acharya Pramod Krishnam. Gorakhpur: Here, the fight is mainly among Madhusudan Tripathi of the Congress, Ravindra Shyamnarayan Shukla alias Ravi Kishan of the BJP and Rambhual Nishad of the SP. Sultanpur: The seat will witness a close contest as the BJP's candidate is the Union minister Maneka Gandhi, who is replacing her son Varun Gandhi. Congress candidate Sanjay Singh will give tough competition to Maneka Gandhi, as Congress has had a hold on this seat in 7 Lok Sabha elections against the BJP's 4 wins in this constituency. Allahabad: Rita Bahuguna Joshi is BJP's candidate on the Allahabad seat. Joshi is fighting against Congress leader Yogesh Shukla and SP's Rajendra Singh Patel.

Lok Sabha election 2019: Results of high-stakes polls in Uttar Pradesh's 80 seats to seal Mahagathbandhan's fate 

The BJP and its ally Apna Dal (Sonelal) are leading in 61 of the 80 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh, according to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/">Election Commission trends</a> at 3.30 pm.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is leading by a huge margin of over 4 lakh votes in Varanasi against Samajwadi Party candidate Shalini Yadav.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi continued to trail in Amethi, where Union minister and BJP candidate Smriti Irani is leading by over 16,000 votes.

The BJP is ahead in 60 seats and Apna Dal (S) in one seat. The SP-BSP-RLD alliance is leading in 18 seats. Mayawati's BSP is ahead in 12 seats, while Akhilesh Yadav's SP is leading in six seats.

The Congress is leading on only one seat, Rae Bareli, where UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi is ahead of the BJP's Dinesh Pratap Singh by over 1.16 lakh votes.

In pics:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/lok-sabha-election-result-2019-bjp-heads-to-historic-win-as-modi-wave-sweeps-india-220967">BJP heads to historic win as Modi wave sweeps India</a>

RLD chief Ajit Singh and his son, Jayant Chowdhury, are trailing from Muzaffarnagar and Baghpat respectively.

It was mixed fortune for the Yadav clan, with two senior leaders Mulayam Singh and Akhilesh Yadav maintaining their leads.

SP chief Akhilesh Yadav is leading by over 1.2 lakh votes in Azamgarh, while his father and SP patron Mulayam Singh Yadav is ahead by nearly 28,000 votes.

Akhilesh Yadav's cousins, Dharmendra Yadav and Akshay Yadav, and wife Dimple Yadav are trailing respectively from Badaun, Firozabad and Kannauj seats.

SP leader Azam Khan is leading in Rampur by over 1.4 lakh votes over BJP candidate Jaya Prada, who switched sides from the SP to join the saffron party ahead of the Lok Sabha election.

Kunwar Danish Ali, who joined the BSP after leaving the JDS, is leading by over 60,000 votes in Amroha.

State BJP chief Mahendra Nath Pandey is leading by more than 9,000 votes in Chandauli.

Union ministers Rajnath Singh and Santosh Gangwar are leading in their respective seats of Lucknow and Bareily. But another Union minister, Manoj Sinha, was trailing in Ghazipur, where mafia-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari's brother, Afzal Ansari, of the BSP is leading by over 45,000 votes.

In Gorakhpur and Phulpur, where the Opposition had unseated the BJP in bypolls, the saffron party appeared to be taking a sweet revenge by leading at both the places.

Kairana was, however, an exception where sitting Samajwadi Party MP Tabassum Begum is maintaining a lead over the BJP, which had lost in a bypoll to Begum.

Watch:&nbsp;BJP workers welcome Amit Shah at party headquarters after BJP's stellar performance&nbsp;

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Sitting BJP MP Hema Malini is leading by 2 lakh votes against SP-BSP-RLD alliance candidate Kunwar Narendra Singh in Mathura.&nbsp;

The BJP and its ally Apna Dal (Sonelal) are leading in 61 of the 80 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh, according to Election Commission trends at 3.30 pm. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is leading by a huge margin of over 4 lakh votes in Varanasi against Samajwadi Party candidate Shalini Yadav.

The BJP and its ally Apna Dal (Sonelal) are leading in 61 of the 80 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh, according to Election Commission trends at 3.30 pm. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is leading by a huge margin of over 4 lakh votes in Varanasi against Samajwadi Party candidate Shalini Yadav. Congress president Rahul Gandhi continued to trail in Amethi, where Union minister and BJP candidate Smriti Irani is leading by over 16,000 votes. The BJP is ahead in 60 seats and Apna Dal (S) in one seat. The SP-BSP-RLD alliance is leading in 18 seats. Mayawati's BSP is ahead in 12 seats, while Akhilesh Yadav's SP is leading in six seats. The Congress is leading on only one seat, Rae Bareli, where UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi is ahead of the BJP's Dinesh Pratap Singh by over 1.16 lakh votes. In pics: BJP heads to historic win as Modi wave sweeps India RLD chief Ajit Singh and his son, Jayant Chowdhury, are trailing from Muzaffarnagar and Baghpat respectively. It was mixed fortune for the Yadav clan, with two senior leaders Mulayam Singh and Akhilesh Yadav maintaining their leads. SP chief Akhilesh Yadav is leading by over 1.2 lakh votes in Azamgarh, while his father and SP patron Mulayam Singh Yadav is ahead by nearly 28,000 votes. Akhilesh Yadav's cousins, Dharmendra Yadav and Akshay Yadav, and wife Dimple Yadav are trailing respectively from Badaun, Firozabad and Kannauj seats. SP leader Azam Khan is leading in Rampur by over 1.4 lakh votes over BJP candidate Jaya Prada, who switched sides from the SP to join the saffron party ahead of the Lok Sabha election. Kunwar Danish Ali, who joined the BSP after leaving the JDS, is leading by over 60,000 votes in Amroha. State BJP chief Mahendra Nath Pandey is leading by more than 9,000 votes in Chandauli. Union ministers Rajnath Singh and Santosh Gangwar are leading in their respective seats of Lucknow and Bareily. But another Union minister, Manoj Sinha, was trailing in Ghazipur, where mafia-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari's brother, Afzal Ansari, of the BSP is leading by over 45,000 votes. In Gorakhpur and Phulpur, where the Opposition had unseated the BJP in bypolls, the saffron party appeared to be taking a sweet revenge by leading at both the places. Kairana was, however, an exception where sitting Samajwadi Party MP Tabassum Begum is maintaining a lead over the BJP, which had lost in a bypoll to Begum. Watch: BJP workers welcome Amit Shah at party headquarters after BJP's stellar performance × Sitting BJP MP Hema Malini is leading by 2 lakh votes against SP-BSP-RLD alliance candidate Kunwar Narendra Singh in Mathura.

Lok Sabha election results 2019: BJP, ally maintain lead over rivals in Uttar Pradesh

After a few incidents of EVM’s being transported allegedly without any security were reported from Uttar Pradesh, the Election Commission has come out with a statement calling the allegations “baseless and frivolous”.

Election Commission reacts on allegations over EVM tempering; says 'baseless'

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Monday tweeted a picture with Bahujan Samaj Party supremo Mayawati after <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/mayawati-meets-akhilesh-yadav-after-exit-polls-projections-220072">holding discussions</a>. The tweet in Hindi read, "Ab agale kadam ki tayyari (Now, preparing for the next step)".&nbsp;

According to reports, Yadav drove to the residence of Mayawati in the morning and held closed-door talks with her for about an hour.

Aiming to check the return of NDA at the Centre, Mayawati had opted to sink decades-long differences to enter into an alliance with the SP for the Lok Sabha election.

In the 2014 general election, the BJP had won 71 seats, ally Apna Dal bagged 2, Samajwadi Party 5 and the Congress 2, while the BSP drew a blank.

The BJP's impressive show in Uttar Pradesh helped the BJP to pull off a record 282 seats in the 543-member Lok Sabha to oust the Congress, which was decimated to just 44 seats.

With 80 Lok Sabha seats, Uttar Pradesh has the largest number of seats in the lower house of Parliament.

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अब अगले क़दम की तैयारी... <a href="https://t.co/jrnI4TNoNK">pic.twitter.com/jrnI4TNoNK</a>
— Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) <a href="https://twitter.com/yadavakhilesh/status/1130422061791416320?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 20, 2019</a></blockquote>
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This time around, the pollsters predict the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/lions-share-of-uttar-pradeshs-seats-going-to-bjp-predict-exit-polls-219936">Bharatiya Janata Party stealing a lion's share</a> on the total 80 parliamentary constituencies.&nbsp;

The exit polls have predicted that the BJP-led NDA will again get the lion's share of Uttar Pradesh's 80 Lok Sabha seats. While Times Now-VMR says NDA will get 58 seats in UP, C-Voter is a little conservative predicting 38 seats for it. The poll of polls, a collection of various exit polls, predicts 43 seats for NDA.

Meanwhile, Telugu Desam Party chief and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/chandrababu-naidu-calls-on-mamata-banerjee-discusses-formation-of-non-bjp-government-220201">N Chandrababu Naidu met his West Bengal counterpart</a> in Kolkata today.&nbsp;

Naidu, who reached here from Amaravati, held a 45-minute-long meeting with Banerjee on the future strategies of the "Mahagatbandhan" (Grand Alliance), the highly-placed sources said.

The meeting also discussed possibilities of forming a non-BJP government including regional parties with the support of the Congress.

Top opposition leaders will meet in the national capital on Tuesday to discuss the political situation and possibilities of a non-NDA alliance to stake claim for government formation.

According to sources, leaders of opposition parties such as the Congress, TDP, Left parties, BSP, NCP and TMC will <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/notwithstanding-exit-polls-opposition-leaders-set-to-meet-tomorrow-220222">informally meet on Tuesday</a> to discuss the way forward in case the NDA fails to get to the majority mark.

Ahmed Patel and Ghulam Nabi Azad of the Congress, Sharad Pawar of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), TDP's Naidu, Satish Chandra Misra of the BSP, Sitaram Yechury of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), D Raja of the Communist Party of India (CPI) and Derek O'Brien of the TMC are expected to take part in Tuesday's meeting among others.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Monday tweeted a picture with Bahujan Samaj Party supremo Mayawati after holding discussions. The tweet in Hindi read, "Ab agale kadam ki tayyari (Now, preparing for the next step)".

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Monday tweeted a picture with Bahujan Samaj Party supremo Mayawati after holding discussions. The tweet in Hindi read, "Ab agale kadam ki tayyari (Now, preparing for the next step)". According to reports, Yadav drove to the residence of Mayawati in the morning and held closed-door talks with her for about an hour. Aiming to check the return of NDA at the Centre, Mayawati had opted to sink decades-long differences to enter into an alliance with the SP for the Lok Sabha election. In the 2014 general election, the BJP had won 71 seats, ally Apna Dal bagged 2, Samajwadi Party 5 and the Congress 2, while the BSP drew a blank. The BJP's impressive show in Uttar Pradesh helped the BJP to pull off a record 282 seats in the 543-member Lok Sabha to oust the Congress, which was decimated to just 44 seats. With 80 Lok Sabha seats, Uttar Pradesh has the largest number of seats in the lower house of Parliament. अब अगले क़दम की तैयारी... pic.twitter.com/jrnI4TNoNK — Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) May 20, 2019 × This time around, the pollsters predict the Bharatiya Janata Party stealing a lion's share on the total 80 parliamentary constituencies. The exit polls have predicted that the BJP-led NDA will again get the lion's share of Uttar Pradesh's 80 Lok Sabha seats. While Times Now-VMR says NDA will get 58 seats in UP, C-Voter is a little conservative predicting 38 seats for it. The poll of polls, a collection of various exit polls, predicts 43 seats for NDA. Meanwhile, Telugu Desam Party chief and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu met his West Bengal counterpart in Kolkata today. Naidu, who reached here from Amaravati, held a 45-minute-long meeting with Banerjee on the future strategies of the "Mahagatbandhan" (Grand Alliance), the highly-placed sources said. The meeting also discussed possibilities of forming a non-BJP government including regional parties with the support of the Congress. Top opposition leaders will meet in the national capital on Tuesday to discuss the political situation and possibilities of a non-NDA alliance to stake claim for government formation. According to sources, leaders of opposition parties such as the Congress, TDP, Left parties, BSP, NCP and TMC will informally meet on Tuesday to discuss the way forward in case the NDA fails to get to the majority mark. Ahmed Patel and Ghulam Nabi Azad of the Congress, Sharad Pawar of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), TDP's Naidu, Satish Chandra Misra of the BSP, Sitaram Yechury of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), D Raja of the Communist Party of India (CPI) and Derek O'Brien of the TMC are expected to take part in Tuesday's meeting among others. (With inputs from agencies)

Preparing for the 'next step,' Akhilesh Yadav tweets picture with Mayawati after holding discussions 

With <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/exit-polls-2019-pm-modi-returning-to-power-with-300-plus-seats-say-pollsters-219927">exit polls going live with their predictions</a> for the Lok Sabha 2019 results on Sunday, one thing that looks imminent is the BJP making a clean sweep in most of the Hindi heartland of the country. The party is slated to win the general elections with a clear majority, comfortably bagging over 300 seats, the pollsters said.&nbsp;

As per various exit polls, the BJP is set to steal the show in states like <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/lions-share-of-uttar-pradeshs-seats-going-to-bjp-predict-exit-polls-219936">Uttar Pradesh</a>, Bihar, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh.&nbsp;

In Rajasthan, the NDA is looking to bag over 20 seats out of a total of 25 seats, C-Voter predicted. Today's Chanakya predicted the BJP making a clean sweep in Rajasthan, winning all 25 seats.&nbsp;

The prediction is almost similar for Gujarat where C-Voter predicted the BJP to claim victory on 22 of 26 seats - a slight dip from its 2014 tally when it had swept the state. Today's Chanakya, however, predicted that the party will make a clean sweep, registering a win on all 26 seats.&nbsp;

In Madhya Pradesh, where 29 Lok Sabha seats are at stake, pollsters predicted 25 to 27 seats to go to BJP's kitty. Today's Chanakya showed 27 seats for the BJP while the Congress will settle with 2. The IPSOS exit poll predicted 24 to 27 seats for the BJP and 2 to 4 for the Congress in the state.

The Aaj Tak Axis poll suggested the BJP would register a massive win in Madhya Pradesh with 26 to 28 seats.&nbsp;

The BJP-led NDA is slated to get the lion's share of Uttar Pradesh's 80 Lok Sabha seats, as per exit polls. Times Now-VMR said NDA will get 58 seats in the state, C-Voter predicted 38 seats for the party. The poll of polls, a collection of various exit polls, suggested 43 seats for the NDA.

It is going to be a flop show for the Congress-RJD alliance and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/flop-show-for-congress-rjd-in-bihar-says-pollsters-nda-to-win-big-219966">a thumping victory for the NDA in Bihar</a>, exit polls depicted on Sunday. Out of 40 Lok Sabha seats in the state, the NDA will claim around over 30 seats while the Congress-RJD alliance will settle with around 4-6.&nbsp;

The News18-IPSOS survey gives 34-36 seats to the NDA in Bihar while Congress-RJD is likely to bag 4 to 6 seats. Today's Chanakya projected NDA to win 32 seats and Congress to claim 8. &nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/exit-polls-2019-pollsters-predict-bjp-to-make-a-clean-sweep-in-delhi-on-all-7-seats-219933">In the national capital, exit polls</a> predicted all seven seats to go to the Bharatiya Janata Party.&nbsp;

In 2014, the BJP, along with its NDA constituents had won 336 out of 543 seats and formed the government at the Centre - the first time in about three decades that a party had won such a huge number of seats.

The final results of Lok Sabha 2019 polls will be announced on May 23.&nbsp;

Watch: Reliability, methodology and other things you need to know

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With exit polls going live with their predictions for the Lok Sabha 2019 results on Sunday, one thing that looks imminent is the BJP making a clean sweep in most of the Hindi heartland of the country.

With exit polls going live with their predictions for the Lok Sabha 2019 results on Sunday, one thing that looks imminent is the BJP making a clean sweep in most of the Hindi heartland of the country. The party is slated to win the general elections with a clear majority, comfortably bagging over 300 seats, the pollsters said. As per various exit polls, the BJP is set to steal the show in states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. In Rajasthan, the NDA is looking to bag over 20 seats out of a total of 25 seats, C-Voter predicted. Today's Chanakya predicted the BJP making a clean sweep in Rajasthan, winning all 25 seats. The prediction is almost similar for Gujarat where C-Voter predicted the BJP to claim victory on 22 of 26 seats - a slight dip from its 2014 tally when it had swept the state. Today's Chanakya, however, predicted that the party will make a clean sweep, registering a win on all 26 seats. In Madhya Pradesh, where 29 Lok Sabha seats are at stake, pollsters predicted 25 to 27 seats to go to BJP's kitty. Today's Chanakya showed 27 seats for the BJP while the Congress will settle with 2. The IPSOS exit poll predicted 24 to 27 seats for the BJP and 2 to 4 for the Congress in the state. The Aaj Tak Axis poll suggested the BJP would register a massive win in Madhya Pradesh with 26 to 28 seats. The BJP-led NDA is slated to get the lion's share of Uttar Pradesh's 80 Lok Sabha seats, as per exit polls. Times Now-VMR said NDA will get 58 seats in the state, C-Voter predicted 38 seats for the party. The poll of polls, a collection of various exit polls, suggested 43 seats for the NDA. It is going to be a flop show for the Congress-RJD alliance and a thumping victory for the NDA in Bihar, exit polls depicted on Sunday. Out of 40 Lok Sabha seats in the state, the NDA will claim around over 30 seats while the Congress-RJD alliance will settle with around 4-6. The News18-IPSOS survey gives 34-36 seats to the NDA in Bihar while Congress-RJD is likely to bag 4 to 6 seats. Today's Chanakya projected NDA to win 32 seats and Congress to claim 8. In the national capital, exit polls predicted all seven seats to go to the Bharatiya Janata Party. In 2014, the BJP, along with its NDA constituents had won 336 out of 543 seats and formed the government at the Centre - the first time in about three decades that a party had won such a huge number of seats. The final results of Lok Sabha 2019 polls will be announced on May 23. Watch: Reliability, methodology and other things you need to know ×

BJP in country's Hindi heartland: Exit polls spell thumping victory for party in Madhya Pradesh, 4 other states

Voter turnout till 1:45 PM: Uttar Pradesh- 37 %, West Bengal- 49.79%, Jharkhand 52.89%. Watch the latest updates for the last phase polling.

Voter turnout till 1:45 PM: Uttar Pradesh- 37 %, West Bengal- 49.79%, Jharkhand 52.89%

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Friday held a roadshow in Uttar Pradesh's Kushinagar Lok Sabha constituency on the last day of poll campaigning.

Priyanka, sitting atop a black car along with Congress candidate from Kushinagar seat, RPN Singh, waved to the crowd and shook hands while urging people to vote on May 19.

Singh is contesting against BJP's Vijay Kumar Dubey from Kushinagar seat, where polling will be held in the seventh and the final phase of the Lok Sabha election on Sunday.

Earlier today, Priyanka also held a roadshow in Mirzapur while campaigning for Congress leader from the constituency, Lalitesh Pati Tripathi.

While addressing the crowd, Priyanka said that it would have been great if they had chosen legendary actor Amitabh Bachchan as the Prime Minister.

"You have chosen the greatest actor as Prime Minister. It would have been better if you had made Amitabh Bachchan as Prime Minister, anyhow they did not do anything for you," she said candidly.

The election campaigning will end at 5:00 pm today.

The result will be announced on May 23.&nbsp;

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Friday held a roadshow in Uttar Pradesh's Kushinagar Lok Sabha constituency on the last day of poll campaigning. Priyanka, sitting atop a black car along with Congress candidate from Kushinagar seat, RPN Singh, waved to the crowd and shook hands while urging people to vote on May 19.

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Friday held a roadshow in Uttar Pradesh's Kushinagar Lok Sabha constituency on the last day of poll campaigning. Priyanka, sitting atop a black car along with Congress candidate from Kushinagar seat, RPN Singh, waved to the crowd and shook hands while urging people to vote on May 19. Singh is contesting against BJP's Vijay Kumar Dubey from Kushinagar seat, where polling will be held in the seventh and the final phase of the Lok Sabha election on Sunday. Earlier today, Priyanka also held a roadshow in Mirzapur while campaigning for Congress leader from the constituency, Lalitesh Pati Tripathi. While addressing the crowd, Priyanka said that it would have been great if they had chosen legendary actor Amitabh Bachchan as the Prime Minister. "You have chosen the greatest actor as Prime Minister. It would have been better if you had made Amitabh Bachchan as Prime Minister, anyhow they did not do anything for you," she said candidly. The election campaigning will end at 5:00 pm today. The result will be announced on May 23.

On last day of poll campaigning, Priyanka Gandhi holds roadshow in Uttar Pradesh's Kushinagar

PM Modi addressed his final rally in West Bengal's Mathurapur on Thursday even as the bitter clash between the BJP and TMC kept rumbling in the background as chief minister Mamata Banerjee held a roadshow attacking the BJP.

The Election Commission(EC) on Wednesday had banned campaigning in nine West Bengal constituencies in the Lok Sabha elections from 10 pm on Thursday night in the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/police-trying-to-wipe-out-evidence-of-statue-desecration-modi-219198"> aftermath of the violence</a> which occurred during BJP president Amit Shah's roadshow&nbsp;in West Bengal.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

PM Modi speaking exclusively to Zee in Uttar Pradesh, emphatically demanded that the CCTV footage of vandalisation of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/we-will-take-revenge-for-vandalisation-of-vidyasagars-statue-mamata-banerjee-219188">Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar's </a>statue&nbsp;should be made public. The PM asserted that the TMC wants to win the elections by "trampling democracy".&nbsp;

"Those who are neutral and not supporting us have also demanded that CCTV footage of the destruction of the statue of Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar should be made public."&nbsp;

"About violence in West Bengal, there were panchayat elections in J&amp;K and also in Bengal, although it was peaceful in J&amp;K but in West Bengal, several people were killed, houses were burnt and polling booths were looted," he said.

"The candidates just to get their nomination had to go to court and take permission. There was so much violence which the country had witnessed at that time," the prime minister said on West Bengal.

"Even before the elections were announced, leaders from the BJP were prevented from landing there, not just this even the prime minister's meetings were targeted."

"The local administration, TMC goons and the West Bengal government have joined together and have been trying to trample democracy in order to win the polls but the people will not bow down to this kind of politics."

"It was quite apparent that Durga puja celebrations were stopped, Kali puja celebrations were also a concern which was done primarily for vote bank politics in West Bengal."

"It has been happening repeatedly," the prime minister said.

"My detractors have nothing to say so they are resorting to abusing me and taking out their frustration but I don't want to waste my time," he said. "I want to do good things to the streets, good things to this country and the villages so I really don't think about it."

"It is not a question of my toughness, the people of this country have given me their love and confidence. I also expect myself to be able to deliver results. I need to meet the expectations of the people and I am working hard towards it."

"The fact is the Opposition has called my name so many times that it has become a poll issue and the people have also liked my work, so both the Opposition and the people are saying Modi, Modi, Modi but as far as I am concerned I would say that I am just a normal human being, I only want to do things for the people."

With SP and BSP combining to pressure the BJP in Uttar Pradesh, the PM said: "Most parties and political pundits who call themselves neutral are still affected by the 20th century, they are not ready to understand the 21st century, in 2019, the results in Uttar Pradesh will force them to change their theory."

"The unique thing about this election is that all the slogans have come from the people." "Only Modi will come, when I heard it, I was surprised, there are so many slogans floating around which shows their love."

The prime minister said the BJP will win more seats than 2014.

"The BJP will win more seats than 2014 and West Bengal has become so attached that it will help the BJP alone to cross 300 seats."

"Both the BJP and NDA will increase their tally, their strength, we will also win from new places and we will work for the country," the prime minister stressed.

"In this election, there is a pro-incumbency wave, the people are fighting this election," he said. "The country is far ahead of parties and politicians."

PM Modi addressed his final rally in West Bengal's Mathurapur on Thursday even as the bitter clash between the BJP and TMC kept rumbling in the background as chief minister Mamata Banerjee held a roadshow attacking the BJP.

PM Modi addressed his final rally in West Bengal's Mathurapur on Thursday even as the bitter clash between the BJP and TMC kept rumbling in the background as chief minister Mamata Banerjee held a roadshow attacking the BJP. The Election Commission(EC) on Wednesday had banned campaigning in nine West Bengal constituencies in the Lok Sabha elections from 10 pm on Thursday night in the aftermath of the violence which occurred during BJP president Amit Shah's roadshow in West Bengal. PM Modi speaking exclusively to Zee in Uttar Pradesh, emphatically demanded that the CCTV footage of vandalisation of Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar's statue should be made public. The PM asserted that the TMC wants to win the elections by "trampling democracy". "Those who are neutral and not supporting us have also demanded that CCTV footage of the destruction of the statue of Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar should be made public." "About violence in West Bengal, there were panchayat elections in J&K and also in Bengal, although it was peaceful in J&K but in West Bengal, several people were killed, houses were burnt and polling booths were looted," he said. "The candidates just to get their nomination had to go to court and take permission. There was so much violence which the country had witnessed at that time," the prime minister said on West Bengal. "Even before the elections were announced, leaders from the BJP were prevented from landing there, not just this even the prime minister's meetings were targeted." "The local administration, TMC goons and the West Bengal government have joined together and have been trying to trample democracy in order to win the polls but the people will not bow down to this kind of politics." "It was quite apparent that Durga puja celebrations were stopped, Kali puja celebrations were also a concern which was done primarily for vote bank politics in West Bengal." "It has been happening repeatedly," the prime minister said. "My detractors have nothing to say so they are resorting to abusing me and taking out their frustration but I don't want to waste my time," he said. "I want to do good things to the streets, good things to this country and the villages so I really don't think about it." "It is not a question of my toughness, the people of this country have given me their love and confidence. I also expect myself to be able to deliver results. I need to meet the expectations of the people and I am working hard towards it." "The fact is the Opposition has called my name so many times that it has become a poll issue and the people have also liked my work, so both the Opposition and the people are saying Modi, Modi, Modi but as far as I am concerned I would say that I am just a normal human being, I only want to do things for the people." With SP and BSP combining to pressure the BJP in Uttar Pradesh, the PM said: "Most parties and political pundits who call themselves neutral are still affected by the 20th century, they are not ready to understand the 21st century, in 2019, the results in Uttar Pradesh will force them to change their theory." "The unique thing about this election is that all the slogans have come from the people." "Only Modi will come, when I heard it, I was surprised, there are so many slogans floating around which shows their love." The prime minister said the BJP will win more seats than 2014. "The BJP will win more seats than 2014 and West Bengal has become so attached that it will help the BJP alone to cross 300 seats." "Both the BJP and NDA will increase their tally, their strength, we will also win from new places and we will work for the country," the prime minister stressed. "In this election, there is a pro-incumbency wave, the people are fighting this election," he said. "The country is far ahead of parties and politicians."

CCTV footage of vandalisation of Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar's statue should be released: PM Modi

Samajwadi Party on Monday slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and accused him of deceiving people of the country.

"People (Modi) who came by deceiving you, by saying `hum chaiwala hain` (I am a tea seller), those who came by becoming a chaiwala`, our people trusted them and helped them. But now you know the taste of that tea in those 5 years and these 2 years. How was the taste?" Yadav said while addressing an election rally here.

"People know that is why BJP has been nowhere in this elections," he added.

Gathbandhan has fielded Ram Bhual Nishad against Madhusudan Tripathi of the Congress and actor-turned-politician Ravi Kisan from the BJP in Gorakhpur.

The Gorakhpur seat was represented by UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for five terms since 1998 until Praveen Kumar Nishad of Samajwadi Party won the seat in a by-poll last year.

The seat was vacated by Yogi Adityanath when he became the CM.&nbsp;

However, Nishad joined hands with BJP and is now contesting from Sant Kabir Nagar constituency.

Gorakhpur, one of 13 parliamentary constituencies in Uttar Pradesh will go to polls on May 19 in the last phase of Lok Sabha elections.

Samajwadi Party on Monday slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and accused him of deceiving people of the country. "People (Modi) who came by deceiving you, by saying `hum chaiwala hain` (I am a tea seller), those who came by becoming a chaiwala`, our people trusted them and helped them.

Samajwadi Party on Monday slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and accused him of deceiving people of the country. "People (Modi) who came by deceiving you, by saying `hum chaiwala hain` (I am a tea seller), those who came by becoming a chaiwala`, our people trusted them and helped them. But now you know the taste of that tea in those 5 years and these 2 years. How was the taste?" Yadav said while addressing an election rally here. "People know that is why BJP has been nowhere in this elections," he added. Gathbandhan has fielded Ram Bhual Nishad against Madhusudan Tripathi of the Congress and actor-turned-politician Ravi Kisan from the BJP in Gorakhpur. The Gorakhpur seat was represented by UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for five terms since 1998 until Praveen Kumar Nishad of Samajwadi Party won the seat in a by-poll last year. The seat was vacated by Yogi Adityanath when he became the CM. However, Nishad joined hands with BJP and is now contesting from Sant Kabir Nagar constituency. Gorakhpur, one of 13 parliamentary constituencies in Uttar Pradesh will go to polls on May 19 in the last phase of Lok Sabha elections.

Lok Sabha polls 2019: Akhilesh accuses PM Modi of deceiving people

Total 63.75% Voter turnout in Phase 6 polls.Voting took place in Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Delhi, Bihar , Haryana, and Jharkhand.

India Votes: Voting Ends for Sixth Phase; W.B records highest Voter Turnout

Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav on Monday accused BJP of taking the country backwards, saying the 'gathbandhan'&nbsp;government (grand alliance) will leave no stone unturned to build a new India.

"They (BJP) said they will build a new India. In the last five years, development has come to a halt. They are not debating on the damages caused due to GST and demonetisation. They are not talking about what work they have done in five years. They are hatching a conspiracy to come to power," Yadav said at a joint rally, which was also attended by BSP chief Mayawati and RLD chief Ajit Singh.

"They snatched your jobs and education of children. They are working to take this nation backwards. But, 'gathbandhan'&nbsp;will ensure that our country moves forward. Gathbandhan will give a new prime minister, who will make a new India," he added.

Launching a fresh attack on BJP for not doing enough to address farmers'&nbsp;plight, Yadav said, "BJP promised to give Rs 1.5 lakh loan waiver to farmers. How many of them have got? Have the income of farmers doubled?"

Taking a dig at BJP's fight against terror, Yadav said if the ruling party was "scared" of a Jawan (former BSF soldier Tej Bahadur Yadav), then "how come they say that they have eliminated terrorism."

"These people showed dreams to the youth that jobs will be provided. But no employment opportunity was given to them and today youth are sitting at home. Inflation has also increased. Prices of petrol, diesel and gas connections have skyrocketed," he added.

Accusing BJP of coming to power by spreading "lies" and "hatred", Yadav said there is a need to remove 'chowkidar'&nbsp;(Prime Minister Narendra Modi) and 'thokidar'&nbsp;(Adityanath).

"These people betrayed you and came to power. He came to power by becoming a 'chaiwala'&nbsp;(tea seller). Now you know what is the taste of the tea? We need to remove both 'chowkidar'&nbsp;from Delhi and 'thokidar'&nbsp;from Lucknow," he said.

Yadav also accused Adityanath of adopting a 'thoko niti'&nbsp;(shoot at sight approach).

"Police has forgotten whom to shoot. People are also shooting at the police. Such a culture was not there before. We need to remove this 'thokidar'&nbsp;soon," he said.

From Gorakhpur parliamentary constituency, SP-BSP alliance has fielded Ram Bhuwal Nishad against Bhojpuri actor Ravi Kishan of BJP and Congress'&nbsp;Madhusudan Tiwari. (ANI)He claimed 'gathbandhan'&nbsp;was ahead after six phases of polling and no one fight against the alliance.

Gorakhpur is one of the 13 Lok Sabha seats which will go to polls on May 19. The counting of votes will take place on May 23.&nbsp;

Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav on Monday accused BJP of taking the country backwards, saying the 'gathbandhan' government (grand alliance) will leave no stone unturned to build a new India.

Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav on Monday accused BJP of taking the country backwards, saying the 'gathbandhan' government (grand alliance) will leave no stone unturned to build a new India. "They (BJP) said they will build a new India. In the last five years, development has come to a halt. They are not debating on the damages caused due to GST and demonetisation. They are not talking about what work they have done in five years. They are hatching a conspiracy to come to power," Yadav said at a joint rally, which was also attended by BSP chief Mayawati and RLD chief Ajit Singh. "They snatched your jobs and education of children. They are working to take this nation backwards. But, 'gathbandhan' will ensure that our country moves forward. Gathbandhan will give a new prime minister, who will make a new India," he added. Launching a fresh attack on BJP for not doing enough to address farmers' plight, Yadav said, "BJP promised to give Rs 1.5 lakh loan waiver to farmers. How many of them have got? Have the income of farmers doubled?" Taking a dig at BJP's fight against terror, Yadav said if the ruling party was "scared" of a Jawan (former BSF soldier Tej Bahadur Yadav), then "how come they say that they have eliminated terrorism." "These people showed dreams to the youth that jobs will be provided. But no employment opportunity was given to them and today youth are sitting at home. Inflation has also increased. Prices of petrol, diesel and gas connections have skyrocketed," he added. Accusing BJP of coming to power by spreading "lies" and "hatred", Yadav said there is a need to remove 'chowkidar' (Prime Minister Narendra Modi) and 'thokidar' (Adityanath). "These people betrayed you and came to power. He came to power by becoming a 'chaiwala' (tea seller). Now you know what is the taste of the tea? We need to remove both 'chowkidar' from Delhi and 'thokidar' from Lucknow," he said. Yadav also accused Adityanath of adopting a 'thoko niti' (shoot at sight approach). "Police has forgotten whom to shoot. People are also shooting at the police. Such a culture was not there before. We need to remove this 'thokidar' soon," he said. From Gorakhpur parliamentary constituency, SP-BSP alliance has fielded Ram Bhuwal Nishad against Bhojpuri actor Ravi Kishan of BJP and Congress' Madhusudan Tiwari. (ANI)He claimed 'gathbandhan' was ahead after six phases of polling and no one fight against the alliance. Gorakhpur is one of the 13 Lok Sabha seats which will go to polls on May 19. The counting of votes will take place on May 23.

PM candidate from 'gathbandhan' will build 'new India': Akhilesh Yadav

BJP candidate <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/attack-on-bjp-candidate-by-trinamool-congress-in-west-bengal-act-of-frustration-javadekar-218097">Bharati Ghosh was attacked in West Bengal</a> and a poll officer was allegedly beaten up by an MLA of the saffron party in Uttar Pradesh during the Lok Sabha poll's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/lok-sabha-polls-2019-633-total-voter-turnout-recorded-in-phase-6-election-commission-218138">sixth and penultimate phase on Sunday</a> in which over 63 per cent turnout was recorded in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/live-lok-sabha-phase-6-elections-voting-begins-for-59-constituencies-across-seven-states-217872">59 seats across six states and the national capital</a>.

Elections were held in 14 seats in Uttar Pradesh, 10 seats in Haryana, eight constituencies each in Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal, four in Jharkhand and seven seats in Delhi where votes were cast by a number of public figures, including President Ram Nath Kovind, Congress chief Rahul Gandhi, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.

With today's polling, votes have already been cast in nearly 89 per cent of the 543 constituencies, while the last phase of voting will take place on May 19 for the remaining 59 seats.&nbsp;

The Election Commission (EC) announced 63.3 per cent turnout across the states and Delhi, with West Bengal recording over 80 per cent polling and the national capital registering just 60 per cent.&nbsp;

Union ministers Radha Mohan Singh, Harsh Vardhan and Maneka Gandhi, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and Congress leaders Digvijay Singh, Jyotiraditya Scindia and Sheila Dikshit as also celebrity contestants Gautam Gambhir, Vijender Singh, Dinesh Lal Yadav 'Nirahua', Ravi Kishan and Hans Raj Hans were among several prominent faces in the fray.

Delhi&nbsp;saw a dip in its turnout from 65 per cent in 2014, despite a three-cornered contest between the BJP, Congress and AAP with several high profile candidates, while the EC also appeared disappointed at the low polling figure even after its enhanced efforts to draw the voters to polling booths&nbsp;

Over 80 per cent polling was recorded in eight seats in West Bengal, where BJP's Ghatal candidate and former IPS officer Bharati Ghosh was attacked twice by local people when she tried to visit polling stations in her constituency.&nbsp;

Ghosh suffered minor injuries when a group of women allegedly attacked her when she tried to take a BJP agent inside a polling booth at Keshpur area, officials said.

Following this, bombs were hurled and stones were pelted towards her convoy when she was going to visit another booth at Dogachia in Keshpur after receiving complaints of rigging there. One of her security guards was injured and a vehicle was damaged, they said.

In the politically crucial state of Uttar Pradesh, 54 per cent polling was reported in 14 constituencies. SP president Akhilesh Yadav and Maneka Gandhi are in the fray in the state that sends 80 members to Lok Sabha.

Maneka Gandhi and her rival BSP candidate Chandra Bhadra Singh had a face-off in Sultanpur, with the BJP leader warning him that hooliganism will not work. Singh dismissed her charge.

In Badohi, BJP MLA Dinanath Bhaskar and four others allegedly beat up a presiding officer in the Aurai assembly segment, accusing the official of deliberately slowing the polling process. Poll officials have sought a report on the matter.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

In Azamgarh, Akhilesh is trying to retain his father and SP founder Mulayam Singh Yadav's seat against Bhojpuri film star 'Nirahua' of the BJP&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 
In Bihar, around 59.38 per cent turnout was recorded for the eight Lok Sabha seats.

In Sheohar Lok Sabha constituency, a polling officer was killed at a booth in a freak incident of firing by a home guard before polling started.

A few incidents of malfunctioning of EVMs were reported from various booths, officials said.

Haryana recorded around 66.30 per cent turnout in 10 Lok Sabha seats and officials said no untoward incident was reported and polling remained peaceful in the state.

However, Congress' Rohtak candidate Deepender Singh Hooda, who is seeking re-election for a fourth term, accused Haryana Minister and Rohtak MLA Manish Grover of "intimidating" voters by forcibly entering some polling booths.

Grover, however, rejected the charge claiming that Deepender, who is the son of former CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda, made baseless allegations in the face of "imminent defeat".

Union ministers Rao Inderjit Singh and Krishan Pal Gurjar are among the 223 candidates in fray in Haryana.

In Jharkhand, an estimated 64.46 per cent turnout was recorded for four Lok Sabha seat and officials said no untoward incident was reported.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Madhya Pradesh, which recorded 59.96 per cent turnout, saw several heavyweights contesting the polls. Eight constituencies went to polls Sunday.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

In Bhopal, Congress veteran Digvijay Singh was locked in a battle with BJP candidate and 2008 Malegaon blast accused Pragya Singh Thakur.

Congress general secretary Jyotiraditya Scindia, who is seeking re-election from Guna seat, is locked in a battle with BJP's K P Yadav, who is contesting his first general election.

Former chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and his family members exercised their franchise at their native village Jait, which falls under the Vidisha Lok Sabha seat.

Union minister Narendra Singh Tomar, who is the sitting MP from Gwalior, is in the fray from the Morena seat this time.

BJP candidate Bharati Ghosh was attacked in West Bengal and a poll officer was allegedly beaten up by an MLA of the saffron party in Uttar Pradesh during the Lok Sabha poll's sixth and penultimate phase on Sunday in which over 63 per cent turnout was recorded in 59 seats across six states and the national capital.

BJP candidate Bharati Ghosh was attacked in West Bengal and a poll officer was allegedly beaten up by an MLA of the saffron party in Uttar Pradesh during the Lok Sabha poll's sixth and penultimate phase on Sunday in which over 63 per cent turnout was recorded in 59 seats across six states and the national capital. Elections were held in 14 seats in Uttar Pradesh, 10 seats in Haryana, eight constituencies each in Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal, four in Jharkhand and seven seats in Delhi where votes were cast by a number of public figures, including President Ram Nath Kovind, Congress chief Rahul Gandhi, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. With today's polling, votes have already been cast in nearly 89 per cent of the 543 constituencies, while the last phase of voting will take place on May 19 for the remaining 59 seats. The Election Commission (EC) announced 63.3 per cent turnout across the states and Delhi, with West Bengal recording over 80 per cent polling and the national capital registering just 60 per cent. Union ministers Radha Mohan Singh, Harsh Vardhan and Maneka Gandhi, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and Congress leaders Digvijay Singh, Jyotiraditya Scindia and Sheila Dikshit as also celebrity contestants Gautam Gambhir, Vijender Singh, Dinesh Lal Yadav 'Nirahua', Ravi Kishan and Hans Raj Hans were among several prominent faces in the fray. Delhi saw a dip in its turnout from 65 per cent in 2014, despite a three-cornered contest between the BJP, Congress and AAP with several high profile candidates, while the EC also appeared disappointed at the low polling figure even after its enhanced efforts to draw the voters to polling booths Over 80 per cent polling was recorded in eight seats in West Bengal, where BJP's Ghatal candidate and former IPS officer Bharati Ghosh was attacked twice by local people when she tried to visit polling stations in her constituency. Ghosh suffered minor injuries when a group of women allegedly attacked her when she tried to take a BJP agent inside a polling booth at Keshpur area, officials said. Following this, bombs were hurled and stones were pelted towards her convoy when she was going to visit another booth at Dogachia in Keshpur after receiving complaints of rigging there. One of her security guards was injured and a vehicle was damaged, they said. In the politically crucial state of Uttar Pradesh, 54 per cent polling was reported in 14 constituencies. SP president Akhilesh Yadav and Maneka Gandhi are in the fray in the state that sends 80 members to Lok Sabha. Maneka Gandhi and her rival BSP candidate Chandra Bhadra Singh had a face-off in Sultanpur, with the BJP leader warning him that hooliganism will not work. Singh dismissed her charge. In Badohi, BJP MLA Dinanath Bhaskar and four others allegedly beat up a presiding officer in the Aurai assembly segment, accusing the official of deliberately slowing the polling process. Poll officials have sought a report on the matter. In Azamgarh, Akhilesh is trying to retain his father and SP founder Mulayam Singh Yadav's seat against Bhojpuri film star 'Nirahua' of the BJP In Bihar, around 59.38 per cent turnout was recorded for the eight Lok Sabha seats. In Sheohar Lok Sabha constituency, a polling officer was killed at a booth in a freak incident of firing by a home guard before polling started. A few incidents of malfunctioning of EVMs were reported from various booths, officials said. Haryana recorded around 66.30 per cent turnout in 10 Lok Sabha seats and officials said no untoward incident was reported and polling remained peaceful in the state. However, Congress' Rohtak candidate Deepender Singh Hooda, who is seeking re-election for a fourth term, accused Haryana Minister and Rohtak MLA Manish Grover of "intimidating" voters by forcibly entering some polling booths. Grover, however, rejected the charge claiming that Deepender, who is the son of former CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda, made baseless allegations in the face of "imminent defeat". Union ministers Rao Inderjit Singh and Krishan Pal Gurjar are among the 223 candidates in fray in Haryana. In Jharkhand, an estimated 64.46 per cent turnout was recorded for four Lok Sabha seat and officials said no untoward incident was reported. Madhya Pradesh, which recorded 59.96 per cent turnout, saw several heavyweights contesting the polls. Eight constituencies went to polls Sunday. In Bhopal, Congress veteran Digvijay Singh was locked in a battle with BJP candidate and 2008 Malegaon blast accused Pragya Singh Thakur. Congress general secretary Jyotiraditya Scindia, who is seeking re-election from Guna seat, is locked in a battle with BJP's K P Yadav, who is contesting his first general election. Former chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and his family members exercised their franchise at their native village Jait, which falls under the Vidisha Lok Sabha seat. Union minister Narendra Singh Tomar, who is the sitting MP from Gwalior, is in the fray from the Morena seat this time.

Lok Sabha polls 2019: 63% voting in sixth phase; BJP candidate attacked in Bengal, poll official beaten up in UP

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Saturday claimed that BJP will see a reduced seat count in Uttar Pradesh and draw a blank in seven other states and the party and Prime Minister Narendra Modi are losing confidence about winning the ongoing Lok Sabha polls.

She said BJP is looking at West Bengal for votes as it has fared badly in the last five phases of the Lok Sabha polls.

"Where will BJP get the numbers from? In Uttar Pradesh, its seat count will reduce from 73 to 13 or 17. In other states like Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Punjab and Odisha the party will draw a blank. Its seats will reduce in Madhya Pradesh also", Banerjee claimed while addressing a public meeting here in support of Trinamool Congress candidate Nusrat Jahan.

Modi is losing confidence, she said and urged the electorate not to vote for BJP.

"In Bengal, Trinamool Congress should win all the 42 seats which will help it to have some control in the formation of the new government," Banerjee who has been claiming that her party would play an important role at the Centre after the general elections, said.

"We do not want BJP. Show the door to the party through votes," the Trinamool Congress supremo said.

She alleged that BJP, Congress and CPI(M) are of the same ilk. "Some people are supporting BJP in the morning, Congress in the afternoon and CPI(M) in the night. So voting any of the three will be a waste. Vote for TMC, it is the only party which has the guts to fight BJP.

"BJP has kept the entire country petrified. Captured institutions like RBI, CBI, Income Tax and the ED... Instead of giving food, shelter and clothing, it has dismantled Planning Commission with Niti Aayog and shown how to create riots ... It started cow vigilantism and lynching syndicates", she said.

Modi and BJP president Amit Shah have often attacked the TMC by accusing it of running 'syndicates raj'.

Continuing her tirade against Modi, Banerjee said in the last parliamentary polls he had said a lot of things and became the prime minister. "But what work has he done in the last five years?"

Prices of commodities had risen during BJP's rule and are going to increase more after the elections.

"The BJP has forgotten Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose who gave the Jai Hind slogan. Nathuram Godse (who killed Mahatma Gandhi) is now its leader," she added.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Saturday claimed that BJP will see a reduced seat count in Uttar Pradesh and draw a blank in seven other states and the party and Prime Minister Narendra Modi are losing confidence about winning the ongoing Lok Sabha polls.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Saturday claimed that BJP will see a reduced seat count in Uttar Pradesh and draw a blank in seven other states and the party and Prime Minister Narendra Modi are losing confidence about winning the ongoing Lok Sabha polls. She said BJP is looking at West Bengal for votes as it has fared badly in the last five phases of the Lok Sabha polls. "Where will BJP get the numbers from? In Uttar Pradesh, its seat count will reduce from 73 to 13 or 17. In other states like Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Punjab and Odisha the party will draw a blank. Its seats will reduce in Madhya Pradesh also", Banerjee claimed while addressing a public meeting here in support of Trinamool Congress candidate Nusrat Jahan. Modi is losing confidence, she said and urged the electorate not to vote for BJP. "In Bengal, Trinamool Congress should win all the 42 seats which will help it to have some control in the formation of the new government," Banerjee who has been claiming that her party would play an important role at the Centre after the general elections, said. "We do not want BJP. Show the door to the party through votes," the Trinamool Congress supremo said. She alleged that BJP, Congress and CPI(M) are of the same ilk. "Some people are supporting BJP in the morning, Congress in the afternoon and CPI(M) in the night. So voting any of the three will be a waste. Vote for TMC, it is the only party which has the guts to fight BJP. "BJP has kept the entire country petrified. Captured institutions like RBI, CBI, Income Tax and the ED... Instead of giving food, shelter and clothing, it has dismantled Planning Commission with Niti Aayog and shown how to create riots ... It started cow vigilantism and lynching syndicates", she said. Modi and BJP president Amit Shah have often attacked the TMC by accusing it of running 'syndicates raj'. Continuing her tirade against Modi, Banerjee said in the last parliamentary polls he had said a lot of things and became the prime minister. "But what work has he done in the last five years?" Prices of commodities had risen during BJP's rule and are going to increase more after the elections. "The BJP has forgotten Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose who gave the Jai Hind slogan. Nathuram Godse (who killed Mahatma Gandhi) is now its leader," she added.

BJP will see reduced seat count in UP, draw blank in seven other states: Mamata Banerjee

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/uttar-pradesh-yogi-adityanath-terms-sp-congress-as-supporters-of-terrorists-217652">Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath</a> Saturday tore into the SP-BSP alliance by likening <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/phase-6-polls-akhilesh-yadav-maneka-gandhi-among-key-candidates-in-uttar-pradesh-217752">SP chief Akhilesh Yadav</a> to Aurangzeb, who had imprisoned his father emperor Shahjahan.

He said the "'mahamilawatis' are behaving like snakes, frogs and scorpions who come together during floods.

In a tweet in Hindi, the chief minister said, "The one who dethroned his father, like Aurangzeb, joined hands with the sworn enemy. After May 23, they will again abuse each other. These 'mahamilavati' people are behaving today like scorpions, frogs and snakes which come together during floods."

Adityanath, who addressed an election meeting in Ballia on Saturday, said in another tweet, "When I and (Narendra) Modiji put a lock on the shops of 'Bua' (Mayawati) and 'Babua' (Akhilesh), they opened another counter to sell 'mahamilavati' goods and cheat the people.

"This counter will also be closed by the people on May 23 and they will again abuse each other. So do not waste your votes. Think, understand and get involved in the setting up a new and strong India."

Adityanath had earlier called Akhilesh 'goondon ka sartaj' (king of goons) and has often accused him of taking development works and extending basic facilities on caste and communal lines.&nbsp;

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath Saturday tore into the SP-BSP alliance by likening SP chief Akhilesh Yadav to Aurangzeb, who had imprisoned his father emperor Shahjahan.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath Saturday tore into the SP-BSP alliance by likening SP chief Akhilesh Yadav to Aurangzeb, who had imprisoned his father emperor Shahjahan. He said the "'mahamilawatis' are behaving like snakes, frogs and scorpions who come together during floods. In a tweet in Hindi, the chief minister said, "The one who dethroned his father, like Aurangzeb, joined hands with the sworn enemy. After May 23, they will again abuse each other. These 'mahamilavati' people are behaving today like scorpions, frogs and snakes which come together during floods." Adityanath, who addressed an election meeting in Ballia on Saturday, said in another tweet, "When I and (Narendra) Modiji put a lock on the shops of 'Bua' (Mayawati) and 'Babua' (Akhilesh), they opened another counter to sell 'mahamilavati' goods and cheat the people. "This counter will also be closed by the people on May 23 and they will again abuse each other. So do not waste your votes. Think, understand and get involved in the setting up a new and strong India." Adityanath had earlier called Akhilesh 'goondon ka sartaj' (king of goons) and has often accused him of taking development works and extending basic facilities on caste and communal lines.

Yogi Adityanath likens Akhilesh to Aurangzeb, says dethroned his father

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

A court here has ordered to attach the property of all six accused in a Muzaffarnagar riots case as they failed to surrender before it despite repeated arrest warrants.

The accused had allegedly stabbed a youth, Shahnawaz, to death at Kawal village in Muzaffarnagar on August 27, 2013.

The accused have been identified as Ravinder, Prehlad, Bishan Singh, Tendu, Devender and Jitender.

The Chief Judicial Magistrate Rakesh Gautam Monday evening ordered to attach their properties as they failed to surrender before it.

The next hearing in the case is on June 7.

The stabbing incident had led to widespread riots in Muzaffarnagar and adjoining districts, where more than 60 persons were killed and over 40,000 displaced.&nbsp;

A court here has ordered to attach the property of all six accused in a Muzaffarnagar riots case as they failed to surrender before it despite repeated arrest warrants.

A court here has ordered to attach the property of all six accused in a Muzaffarnagar riots case as they failed to surrender before it despite repeated arrest warrants. The accused had allegedly stabbed a youth, Shahnawaz, to death at Kawal village in Muzaffarnagar on August 27, 2013. The accused have been identified as Ravinder, Prehlad, Bishan Singh, Tendu, Devender and Jitender. The Chief Judicial Magistrate Rakesh Gautam Monday evening ordered to attach their properties as they failed to surrender before it. The next hearing in the case is on June 7. The stabbing incident had led to widespread riots in Muzaffarnagar and adjoining districts, where more than 60 persons were killed and over 40,000 displaced.

Muzaffarnagar riots: Court orders to attach property of six accused

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We are fighting by-elections on our own, will finalise the strategy for 2022: Akhilesh Yadav