A wedding was called off in Uttar Pradesh&#39;s Rampur because no beef was served.

The marriage was called off by the groom&#39;s family.&nbsp;

ANI reported that the incident took place at Dariyagarh village under the Bhot Police Station.

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<h5>&#39;The government has banned beef. How can we serve it?&#39; the bride&#39;s mother said</h5>
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ANI reported that the groom&#39;s family gave the bridegroom&#39;s family the ultimatum that they either serve beef or cancel the marriage.

And that the groom&#39;s family was allegedly also demanding a dowry.

&quot;They demanded beef to be served at the wedding and a car. When we denied for both, they called off the wedding. The government has banned beef. How can we serve it?&quot; ANI reported the bride&#39;s mother as saying.&nbsp;

The groom's family told the bridegroom's to either serve beef or be prepared to cancel the wedding

A wedding was called off in Uttar Pradesh's Rampur because no beef was served. The marriage was called off by the groom's family. ANI reported that the incident took place at Dariyagarh village under the Bhot Police Station. 'The government has banned beef. How can we serve it?' the bride's mother said × ANI reported that the groom's family gave the bridegroom's family the ultimatum that they either serve beef or cancel the marriage. And that the groom's family was allegedly also demanding a dowry. "They demanded beef to be served at the wedding and a car. When we denied for both, they called off the wedding. The government has banned beef. How can we serve it?" ANI reported the bride's mother as saying.

UP: No beef, so wedding called off

Anti-Romeo squads, which undertook a massive exercise to check eve-teasing at public places, lodged 538 cases and initiated legal action against 1,264 people in Uttar Pradesh in past two months.

According to an official release, 3,38,344 people, mostly youths, were let off with warnings by the squads of policemen.

During the period between March 22 and May 28, the squads questioned over seven lakh people at more than two lakh spots including malls, markets, outside schools, colleges and educational institutions, bus and railway stations.

Anti-Romeo squads, a poll promise of the BJP, were set up the Yogi Adityanath government soon after coming to power with an aim to ensure safety of women, especially young girls.

The squad had also attracted criticism from some quarters after visuals of policemen targeting young boys and girls were shown on the TV and on social media.

At a few places in the state, some youths were made to do sit-ups at busy crossings holding their ears and taking pledge not to indulge in eve-teasing.

Later, however, the government issued strict instructions to the police and the anti-Romeo squads to exercise restraint, saying things like shaving of heads or blackening of face should not be done or innocent people harassed.

(PTI)

According to an official release, 3,38,344 people, mostly youths, were let off with warnings by the squads of policemen

Anti-Romeo squads, which undertook a massive exercise to check eve-teasing at public places, lodged 538 cases and initiated legal action against 1,264 people in Uttar Pradesh in past two months. According to an official release, 3,38,344 people, mostly youths, were let off with warnings by the squads of policemen. During the period between March 22 and May 28, the squads questioned over seven lakh people at more than two lakh spots including malls, markets, outside schools, colleges and educational institutions, bus and railway stations. Anti-Romeo squads, a poll promise of the BJP, were set up the Yogi Adityanath government soon after coming to power with an aim to ensure safety of women, especially young girls. The squad had also attracted criticism from some quarters after visuals of policemen targeting young boys and girls were shown on the TV and on social media. At a few places in the state, some youths were made to do sit-ups at busy crossings holding their ears and taking pledge not to indulge in eve-teasing. Later, however, the government issued strict instructions to the police and the anti-Romeo squads to exercise restraint, saying things like shaving of heads or blackening of face should not be done or innocent people harassed. (PTI)

More than 500 cases lodged by anti-Romeo squad of Uttar Pradesh Police

The Saharanpur district authorities Friday&nbsp;refused permission to Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi to visit the strife-torn district.

Rahul was scheduled to visit tomorrow Shabbirpur village, where Dalit houses were torched on May 5.

&quot;Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi has not been given permission to visit Saharanpur,&quot; said Senior Superintendent of Police, Saharanpur, Bablu Kumar.

Bablu Kumar replaced SSP Subhash Chandra Dubey, who was suspended on May 24 in the wake of clashes in the district.

BSP chief Mayawati had recently toured the village and lashed out at the Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government for &quot;failing to maintain law and order&quot; in the state.

Saharanpur has witnessed widespread caste-based clashes this month.

Violence first broke out in Saharanpur about 40 days ago following a procession to mark Ambedkar Jayanti. On May 5, a person was killed and 15 people were injured in clashes between two communities.

About a dozen police vehicles were set ablaze and 12 policemen were injured on May 9.

On May 23, another person was shot dead and two others were wounded, following which the government suspended the SSP and district magistrate and transferred the divisional commissioner and the deputy inspector general of police.

The Centre has sent 400 anti-riot police personnel to Saharanpur to help the state restore peace in the region.

(PTI)

The Congress vice-president was scheduled to visit tomorrow Shabbirpur village, where Dalit houses were torched on May 5

The Saharanpur district authorities Friday refused permission to Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi to visit the strife-torn district. Rahul was scheduled to visit tomorrow Shabbirpur village, where Dalit houses were torched on May 5. "Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi has not been given permission to visit Saharanpur," said Senior Superintendent of Police, Saharanpur, Bablu Kumar. Bablu Kumar replaced SSP Subhash Chandra Dubey, who was suspended on May 24 in the wake of clashes in the district. BSP chief Mayawati had recently toured the village and lashed out at the Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government for "failing to maintain law and order" in the state. Saharanpur has witnessed widespread caste-based clashes this month. Violence first broke out in Saharanpur about 40 days ago following a procession to mark Ambedkar Jayanti. On May 5, a person was killed and 15 people were injured in clashes between two communities. About a dozen police vehicles were set ablaze and 12 policemen were injured on May 9. On May 23, another person was shot dead and two others were wounded, following which the government suspended the SSP and district magistrate and transferred the divisional commissioner and the deputy inspector general of police. The Centre has sent 400 anti-riot police personnel to Saharanpur to help the state restore peace in the region. (PTI)

Rahul Gandhi denied permission to visit strife-torn Saharanpur

The Income Tax department on Wednesday conducted raids at the premises of several top bureaucrats in Uttar Pradesh.

Premises of Meerut range Road Transport Officer (RTO) Mamta Sharma, former Baghpat district magistrate and additional CEO Greater Noida have been raided.

Offices located at Ghaziabad and Lucknow of former district magistrate Satyendra Singh has also been raided.

According to reports, raids are going on in six cities of Uttar Pradesh, covering 15 locations.

Raids cover four officers of UP Government.

Last month, the department had searched over 20 premises and detected undisclosed income of over Rs 10 crore.

(ANI)&nbsp;

The department had searched over 20 premises last month and detected undisclosed income of over Rs 10 crore

The Income Tax department on Wednesday conducted raids at the premises of several top bureaucrats in Uttar Pradesh. Premises of Meerut range Road Transport Officer (RTO) Mamta Sharma, former Baghpat district magistrate and additional CEO Greater Noida have been raided. Offices located at Ghaziabad and Lucknow of former district magistrate Satyendra Singh has also been raided. According to reports, raids are going on in six cities of Uttar Pradesh, covering 15 locations. Raids cover four officers of UP Government. Last month, the department had searched over 20 premises and detected undisclosed income of over Rs 10 crore. (ANI)

Income Tax raids top bureaucrats across Uttar Pradesh

One person was killed and four others were injured as fresh violence erupted today in Saharanpur which has been witnessing inter-caste clashes since April.

Some unidentified persons set fire to at least 12 houses of Thakurs in Shabbirpur village ahead of the arrival of BSP chief Mayawati there, SP (City) Prabal Pratap said.

District Magistrate N P Singh and SSP Subhash Chandra Dubey rushed to the scene and pacified members of the Thakur community.

After Mayawati wrapped up her visit to the village, a sword-wielding mob attacked a Bolero of some BSP supporters, who had come from Sarsawa to attend her event.

Police sources said the attackers allegedly fired their guns and wielded batons, killing Ashish (24), who hailed fom Sarsawa town, on the spot and injuring four others.

The injured have been admitted to the district hospital.

As word of the incident spread, Dalits in the city allegedly indulged in rioting and stone pelting at some places, forcing closure of markets.

Mayawati during her visit to the village held the BJP-led UP government responsible for the violence and alleged that the ruling party had failed to stop its own brigade from attacking weaker sections.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath termed the incident as sad and unfortunate and offered his condolences to the family of the deceased.

He said the culprits would be identified and strict action taken against them. He also appealed for peace and restraint and asked the opposition parties to cooperate in restoration of peace.

He also ordered a four member team to visit the spot for inquiry. The team comprises ADG, Law and Order, Aditya Mishra, IG STF Amitabh Yash, DG Security Vijay Bhushan and is led by Home Secretary Mani Prasad Mishra.

Saharanpur has been in the grip of caste violence since April.

On May 5, a Dalit group had objected to a procession of Thakurs in Shabbirpur to mark the birth anniversary of Rajput king Maharana Pratap, triggering violence, in which one person was killed and over 15 were injured.

Dalits say upper caste Thakurs had earlier prevented them from installing a statue of BR Ambedkar on the premises of the Ravidas temple in the village.

Members of the Bheem Army, a Dalit group, had on May 9 torched a bus and set a number of two-wheelers afire after the administration had turned down their request to hold a mahapanchayat in Gandhi Park to demand compensation for those affected in the May 5 inter-caste clashes.

The village is home to around 600 Dalits and over 900 Thakurs.

(PTI)

A sword-wielding mob attacked a Bolero of BSP supporters after Mayawati wrapped up her visit to Shabbirpur village

One person was killed and four others were injured as fresh violence erupted today in Saharanpur which has been witnessing inter-caste clashes since April. Some unidentified persons set fire to at least 12 houses of Thakurs in Shabbirpur village ahead of the arrival of BSP chief Mayawati there, SP (City) Prabal Pratap said. District Magistrate N P Singh and SSP Subhash Chandra Dubey rushed to the scene and pacified members of the Thakur community. After Mayawati wrapped up her visit to the village, a sword-wielding mob attacked a Bolero of some BSP supporters, who had come from Sarsawa to attend her event. Police sources said the attackers allegedly fired their guns and wielded batons, killing Ashish (24), who hailed fom Sarsawa town, on the spot and injuring four others. The injured have been admitted to the district hospital. As word of the incident spread, Dalits in the city allegedly indulged in rioting and stone pelting at some places, forcing closure of markets. Mayawati during her visit to the village held the BJP-led UP government responsible for the violence and alleged that the ruling party had failed to stop its own brigade from attacking weaker sections. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath termed the incident as sad and unfortunate and offered his condolences to the family of the deceased. He said the culprits would be identified and strict action taken against them. He also appealed for peace and restraint and asked the opposition parties to cooperate in restoration of peace. He also ordered a four member team to visit the spot for inquiry. The team comprises ADG, Law and Order, Aditya Mishra, IG STF Amitabh Yash, DG Security Vijay Bhushan and is led by Home Secretary Mani Prasad Mishra. Saharanpur has been in the grip of caste violence since April. On May 5, a Dalit group had objected to a procession of Thakurs in Shabbirpur to mark the birth anniversary of Rajput king Maharana Pratap, triggering violence, in which one person was killed and over 15 were injured. Dalits say upper caste Thakurs had earlier prevented them from installing a statue of BR Ambedkar on the premises of the Ravidas temple in the village. Members of the Bheem Army, a Dalit group, had on May 9 torched a bus and set a number of two-wheelers afire after the administration had turned down their request to hold a mahapanchayat in Gandhi Park to demand compensation for those affected in the May 5 inter-caste clashes. The village is home to around 600 Dalits and over 900 Thakurs. (PTI)

1 killed, 4 injured as violence breaks out again in Saharanpur

An IAS officer was found dead under mysterious circumstances on the roadside in Lucknow&#39;s Hazratganj area this morning.

Anurag Tiwari, a 2007 batch Karnataka cadre Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, was staying at a guest house in the area for the last two days. His body was found near the guest house.

AK Shahi, Inspector of Hazratganj Police Station, said some passers-by informed the police after spotting him lying on the road.

He said the victim&#39;s identity was ascertained by an identity card recovered from his belongings.

The inspector said a preliminary examination confirmed an injury on his chin while no other injury is visible.

He said the body has been sent for post-mortem to ascertain the exact cause of his death.

Tiwari was a native of UP&#39;s Bahraich district.

(PTI)&nbsp;

Police said a preliminary examination confirmed an injury on his chin, and that no other injury is visible.

An IAS officer was found dead under mysterious circumstances on the roadside in Lucknow's Hazratganj area this morning. Anurag Tiwari, a 2007 batch Karnataka cadre Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, was staying at a guest house in the area for the last two days. His body was found near the guest house. AK Shahi, Inspector of Hazratganj Police Station, said some passers-by informed the police after spotting him lying on the road. He said the victim's identity was ascertained by an identity card recovered from his belongings. The inspector said a preliminary examination confirmed an injury on his chin while no other injury is visible. He said the body has been sent for post-mortem to ascertain the exact cause of his death. Tiwari was a native of UP's Bahraich district. (PTI)

Karnataka cadre IAS officer found dead by roadside in Lucknow

The Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) raided seven petrol pumps which were allegedly using remote-controlled electronic chip in fuel dispensing machines to dupe unsuspecting consumers.

All seven petrol pumps have been sealed and about 14 people were being questioned in this connection, ASP (STF) Arvind Chaturvedi said.

Media reports said several petrol pumps in Delhi were also raided by police. 
&nbsp; 
On a tip-off, STF sleuths last night picked up an electrician who used to instal these chips in petrol dispensing machines which reduced the fuel output, Arvind Chaturvedi revealed.

&quot;On his information, we carried out raids in seven petrol pumps and found that all of them were using the chip and making profits by saving petrol in every filling,&quot; the ASP said.

Raids will also be carried out in other parts of the state as the STF has information that the chip has been sold to a large number of pumps, he added.

The chip costing around Rs 3,000 when installed in the dispensing machines reduced the output by nearly five to ten per cent. The chip is attached with a wire which is linked with a remote control that set the limit, the STF added.

If the dispensing machine is fitted with this chip, a customer will get only 940 ml petrol for the price of one litre.

&quot;On an average, the petrol pumps using this device were earning an undue profit of Rs 14 lakh per month,&quot; the ASP said.&nbsp;

(PTI) 
&nbsp;

The STF sealed seven petrol pumps and took 14 people for questioning

The Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) raided seven petrol pumps which were allegedly using remote-controlled electronic chip in fuel dispensing machines to dupe unsuspecting consumers. All seven petrol pumps have been sealed and about 14 people were being questioned in this connection, ASP (STF) Arvind Chaturvedi said. Media reports said several petrol pumps in Delhi were also raided by police. On a tip-off, STF sleuths last night picked up an electrician who used to instal these chips in petrol dispensing machines which reduced the fuel output, Arvind Chaturvedi revealed. "On his information, we carried out raids in seven petrol pumps and found that all of them were using the chip and making profits by saving petrol in every filling," the ASP said. Raids will also be carried out in other parts of the state as the STF has information that the chip has been sold to a large number of pumps, he added. The chip costing around Rs 3,000 when installed in the dispensing machines reduced the output by nearly five to ten per cent. The chip is attached with a wire which is linked with a remote control that set the limit, the STF added. If the dispensing machine is fitted with this chip, a customer will get only 940 ml petrol for the price of one litre. "On an average, the petrol pumps using this device were earning an undue profit of Rs 14 lakh per month," the ASP said. (PTI)

UP Special Task Force raids petrol pumps, recovers remote-controlled electronic chips in fuel machines

The&nbsp;<a href="http://aninews.in/keysearch/keyword-search/uttar-pradesh-government.html">Uttar Pradesh Government</a>&nbsp;on Wednesday transferred 84 Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers, including 37 District Magistrates.

<a href="http://aninews.in/keysearch/keyword-search/nine-provincial-civil-services.html">Nine Provincial Civil Services</a>&nbsp;(PCS) officers also have been transferred in Uttar Pradesh.

Earlier this week, among the 12 IPS officers transferred in Uttar Pradesh, state&nbsp;<a href="http://aninews.in/keysearch/keyword-search/director-general-of-police-dgp-javeed-ahmed.html">Director General of Police (DGP) Javeed Ahmed</a>&#39;s name also surfaced.

Ahmed has been replaced by Sulkhan Singh.

Other IPS officers being transferred include Surya Kumar, Jawahar Lal Tripathi, Alok Prasad, Aditya Mishra, Bhavesh Kumar Singh, Vijay Kumar, Daljeet Singh, Alok Singh, Sanjay Singhal and Navneet Sikera.

Seven&nbsp;<a href="http://aninews.in/keysearch/keyword-search/ias-officers.html">IAS officers</a>&nbsp;have also been transferred.

On March 23,&nbsp;<a href="http://aninews.in/keysearch/keyword-search/uttar-pradesh.html">Uttar Pradesh</a>&nbsp;Chief Minister&nbsp;<a href="http://aninews.in/keysearch/keyword-search/yogi-adityanath.html">Yogi Adityanath&nbsp;</a>paid a surprise visit to Lucknow&#39;s Hazratganj police station to have an inspection of the place.

Following the inspection, Adityanath opined that the police should be people-friendly, thereby ensuring that appropriate action will be taken to maintain law and order in the state.

The Chief Minister also came up with the idea of &#39;anti-Romeo squads&#39; to keep a check on eve-teasing.

Certain changes in the police administration are expected since the change of the government in the state.&nbsp;

<a href="http://aninews.in/" target="_blank">(ANI)</a>

Eighty-four Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers, including 37 District Magistrates, have been transferred by the local government

The Uttar Pradesh Government on Wednesday transferred 84 Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers, including 37 District Magistrates. Nine Provincial Civil Services (PCS) officers also have been transferred in Uttar Pradesh. Earlier this week, among the 12 IPS officers transferred in Uttar Pradesh, state Director General of Police (DGP) Javeed Ahmed's name also surfaced. Ahmed has been replaced by Sulkhan Singh. Other IPS officers being transferred include Surya Kumar, Jawahar Lal Tripathi, Alok Prasad, Aditya Mishra, Bhavesh Kumar Singh, Vijay Kumar, Daljeet Singh, Alok Singh, Sanjay Singhal and Navneet Sikera. Seven IAS officers have also been transferred. On March 23, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath paid a surprise visit to Lucknow's Hazratganj police station to have an inspection of the place. Following the inspection, Adityanath opined that the police should be people-friendly, thereby ensuring that appropriate action will be taken to maintain law and order in the state. The Chief Minister also came up with the idea of 'anti-Romeo squads' to keep a check on eve-teasing. Certain changes in the police administration are expected since the change of the government in the state. (ANI)

India: Major bureaucratic reshuffle in Yogi Adityanath's Uttar Pradesh

A Times of India report said Sunday that the Uttar Pradesh government has downgraded the security cover of several opposition leaders including former chief ministers Mulayam Singh Yadav, his son Akhilesh Yadav, and Mayawati.&nbsp;

On the other hand, the security cover of senior BJP leader Vinay Katiyar has been upgraded. Katiyar, who is the founder president of the Bajrang Dal, he is currently a Rajya Sabha MP, will now get Z cover security.&nbsp;

The TOI report said the decision was taken late Saturday night, following a meeting of the state&#39;s security committee made up of the principal secretary (home), ADG Intelligence and ADG Security, along with the state&#39;s newly appointed DGP Sulkhan Singh.&nbsp;

(WION) 
&nbsp;

Former UP chief ministers Mulayam, Akhilesh, and Mayawati have all had their cover downgraded

A Times of India report said Sunday that the Uttar Pradesh government has downgraded the security cover of several opposition leaders including former chief ministers Mulayam Singh Yadav, his son Akhilesh Yadav, and Mayawati. On the other hand, the security cover of senior BJP leader Vinay Katiyar has been upgraded. Katiyar, who is the founder president of the Bajrang Dal, he is currently a Rajya Sabha MP, will now get Z cover security. The TOI report said the decision was taken late Saturday night, following a meeting of the state's security committee made up of the principal secretary (home), ADG Intelligence and ADG Security, along with the state's newly appointed DGP Sulkhan Singh. (WION)

Yogi downgrades security cover of opposition leaders, Bajrang Dal founder-prez gets upgrade

Uttar Pradesh Navnirman Sena&#39;s Amit Jani was arrested on late Saturday evening in connection with the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/leave-up-or-uttar-pradesh-billboards-urge-kashmiris-to-leave-state-14754" target="_blank">anti-Kashmiri</a> hoardings, or billboards, that were displayed across the city.

The incident came to light after a complaint was lodged at the Partapur Police Station, accusing Jani of propogating a sense of hatred through the posters, asking Kashmiris to leave the state.

&quot;Boycott those Kashmiris who pelt stones at Indian Army. Kashmiris leave UP or...,&quot; the banner reads. (There is no more text on the billboard after the ellipsis.)

Soon after, Jani absconded and a decision was taken to send out teams to locate and arrest him.

SSP J&nbsp;Ravindra Gaur said that he was caught, while he was trying to leave the town.

Jani will be presented in court on Sunday.&nbsp;

(ANI)

Jani, wanted in connection with the hoardings calling for Kashmiris to leave Uttar Pradesh, tried to abscond but was first located by police

Uttar Pradesh Navnirman Sena's Amit Jani was arrested on late Saturday evening in connection with the anti-Kashmiri hoardings, or billboards, that were displayed across the city. The incident came to light after a complaint was lodged at the Partapur Police Station, accusing Jani of propogating a sense of hatred through the posters, asking Kashmiris to leave the state. "Boycott those Kashmiris who pelt stones at Indian Army. Kashmiris leave UP or...," the banner reads. (There is no more text on the billboard after the ellipsis.) Soon after, Jani absconded and a decision was taken to send out teams to locate and arrest him. SSP J Ravindra Gaur said that he was caught, while he was trying to leave the town. Jani will be presented in court on Sunday. (ANI)

UP Navnirman Sena's Amit Jani arrested for anti-Kashmiri billboards

One recent afternoon, dozens of young Hindu men, swords drawn and saffron scarves draped around their necks, rode motorcycles through a Muslim neighbourhood near the capital of India&#39;s most populous state and chanted &quot;Hail Lord Ram!&quot;

In the preceding weeks they and their peers had acted as informers, police officials say, helping them identify thousands of Muslim-run butchers&#39; shops that have since been shut and urging officers to stop Muslim youths talking to Hindu girls in the street.

Their organisation is the Hindu Yuva Vahini (Hindu Youth Force), a private militia set up in 2002 by Yogi Adityanath, a local priest and politician, to assert the dominance of India&#39;s main religion which he felt was being eroded by minority faiths.

Since Adityanath&#39;s promotion last month to chief minister of Uttar Pradesh state, home to 220 million people of which a fifth are Muslims, the group has become emboldened, openly proclaiming its Hindu roots and putting pressure on police.

The appointment of the 44-year-old, known for his fiery anti-Muslim rhetoric and a campaign against &quot;Love Jihad&quot; - or the conversion of Hindu women to Islam - has shocked some Indians, who say it undermines the country&#39;s secular status.

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<h5>Daljit Singh Chawdhary, additional director general of police for Uttar Pradesh, dismissed the threat of the youth force acting outside the law</h5>
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They worry that Prime Minister Narendra Modi&#39;s &quot;development for all&quot; agenda will be overtaken by radical, Hindu-first policies with the potential to stoke communal tensions that have erupted sporadically through India&#39;s 70-year history.

Adityanath declined to be interviewed for this article.

&quot;Blood can be shed, and Muslims will feel the pain,&quot; Pankaj Singh, a senior leader of the Hindu Youth Force, told Reuters in an interview on the sidelines of the rally in Unnao, an hour&#39;s drive southwest of the capital Lucknow.

Such comments have sent a chill through some in the Muslim community, on the defensive in Uttar Pradesh since this year&#39;s election in which Adityanath rallied the Hindu majority and delivered a resounding victory to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

In return for his successful campaign, the party handed the priest one of India&#39;s most powerful positions, emboldening his militia to act and speak more openly than it did under the previous administration.

Based in Uttar Pradesh and funded by members who want to win favour with local power brokers, the youth force says it is 2 million strong and growing.

In Unnao, police stood back as members blocked traffic, honked horns and shouted pro-Hindu slogans on the busy streets. Muslims who came out to watch did so quietly from their doorways.

HINDU RIGHT, HINDU RADICAL

Modi himself is the product of the Hindu right, coming from the BJP and its powerful parent movement, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), that nurtured him early in his career.

But since sweeping to power in 2014, he has focussed on economic reforms that he hopes will drag India into the modern era and create enough jobs for a swelling workforce.

Adityanath represented the BJP during the Uttar Pradesh state polls earlier this year, and helped Modi consolidate power as he bids for re-election in a national ballot in 2019.

The priest, however, has often defied BJP discipline and is not part of the RSS machine, raising fears that Modi may have unleashed radical &quot;Hindutva&quot;, or religious-nationalist forces that he will struggle to contain.

&quot;The BJP has no command over this organisation. They respond to Adityanath and no one else,&quot; said Gilles Verniers, assistant professor of political sciences at Ashoka University.

A close aide to Modi said it was Adityanath&#39;s job to maintain law and order in the state.

&quot;The onus lies on him. It is his duty to take care of his vigilante group,&quot; said the aide.

Daljit Singh Chawdhary, additional director general of police for Uttar Pradesh, dismissed the threat of the youth force acting outside the law.

&quot;We are not tolerating any vigilante group taking the law into their (own) hands, while at the same time anyone is free to provide us with tip-offs,&quot; he said.

&quot;We have had no recent complaints against the Hindu Yuva Vahini, so there is no reason for us to take action against them.&quot;

DEVOTION AND POWER

The original source of Adityanath&#39;s power is an ancient temple in Gorakhpur, eastern Uttar Pradesh, where people treat the shaven-headed priest with reverence.

Soon after he was named chief minister last month, a devotee collected dust from the rug on which Adityanath had walked, so as to worship it.

Built on such devotion, the youth force has evolved into a powerful group that dispenses justice and has proved itself a formidable vote-getter.

The BJP&#39;s national spokesman, Nalin Kohli, said the party&#39;s victory in Uttar Pradesh was not only thanks to Adityanath and his private militia. But Singh expressed little doubt about the group&#39;s importance in securing the result.

&quot;Modi won Uttar Pradesh because of Adityanath&#39;s ground force,&quot; Singh said.

One of Adityanath&#39;s first directives after becoming chief minister was to impose a ban on Uttar Pradesh slaughterhouses that operated without licences.

Most Indian states have laws that ban the slaughter of cows, considered sacred by Hindus, while buffalo slaughter requires permission from state governments.

Butchers in Uttar Pradesh have long complained that authorities failed to issue new licences, although the outgoing government allowed them to continue operating anyway, ensuring employment and food for the Muslims who dominate the industry.

Adityanath&#39;s militia has been pushing police to enforce rules calling for a complete ban on illegal slaughterhouses and the sale of meat from unlicenced shops.

&quot;We got the police to shut down 45,000 small meat shops in less than 24 hours ... they would have failed without our informers,&quot; said Singh, who added that he reported daily to Adityanath. &quot;They (police) know we are the real heroes now.&quot;

Chandani Qureshi, a mother of four, said her husband worked as a sweeper in a meat shop in Lucknow. Her family relied on his daily wage of 300 rupees ($4) to survive.

&quot;The chief minister&#39;s men came with orange flags, broke the window panes of our shops and threw knives and weighing scales out on the street,&quot; she said, sitting in her one-room home. &quot;We had no power to stop them.&quot;

Owners of large abattoirs have sought injunctions to block Adityanath&#39;s orders to ban unlicenced slaughterhouses and thousands of butchers have protested against the ban, yet some doubt they will prevail.

&quot;I don&#39;t think we can defeat Adityanath&#39;s militia. It would be better if we start selling something else,&quot; said Mohammed Faizan, who inherited a meat shop from his grandfather.

Uttar Pradesh&#39;s deputy chief minister and state BJP president, Keshav Prasad Maurya, said his government would not let slaughterhouses sell cow and buffalo meat. It wanted shop owners instead to start selling chicken and eggs.

&quot;The dairy business is more profitable than the beef trade,&quot; he said.

He also said members of Adityanath&#39;s militia were acting as responsible citizens. &quot;It would be wrong to consider them as a parallel administration.&quot;

&quot;HANDS OFF HINDU GIRLS&quot;

At the rally in Unnao, Singh stood on a rickety stage and awarded idols of Hindu gods to youths for halting sales of beef, stopping religious intermarriage and composing poetry in honour of cows.

As well as helping to close down butchers, the militia has been tipping off &quot;Anti-Romeo Squads&quot;, groups of police who intervene to prevent young men and women meeting publicly.

A police official who oversees 64 such squads said the units were formed to tackle sexual harassment of women, but admitted that there had been cases where militia members pressured policemen to target Muslim men seen in the company of Hindu women. He declined to be named.

Muslims say they are being singled out.

&quot;They think our boys are villains,&quot; said Irshad Sheikh, whose son was detained by police recently.

Singh, the youth force leader, rejected suggestions that the squads deliberately targeted Muslims.

At the rally, he met the father of a 21-year-old Hindu woman who was recently forced by members of the militia to call off her wedding to a Muslim man.

&quot;For centuries, Muslims have been playing the dirty game of converting Hindus,&quot; Singh said, as his men returned from their run through the Muslim neighbourhood. &quot;But now if they touch a Hindu girl, we can fight with our swords.&quot;

The woman&#39;s father, Subhash Chandra, said he welcomed the militia&#39;s intervention.

&quot;The Muslim boy trapped her and wanted to convert her. I am lucky that Yogi Adityanath&#39;s people saved my daughter&#39;s life. How can a Hindu become a Muslim? It is a sin to convert anyone.&quot;

(Reuters)

Police said the organisation had acted as informers, helped shut thousands of butchers' shops & urged police to stop boys talking to girls

One recent afternoon, dozens of young Hindu men, swords drawn and saffron scarves draped around their necks, rode motorcycles through a Muslim neighbourhood near the capital of India's most populous state and chanted "Hail Lord Ram!" In the preceding weeks they and their peers had acted as informers, police officials say, helping them identify thousands of Muslim-run butchers' shops that have since been shut and urging officers to stop Muslim youths talking to Hindu girls in the street. Their organisation is the Hindu Yuva Vahini (Hindu Youth Force), a private militia set up in 2002 by Yogi Adityanath, a local priest and politician, to assert the dominance of India's main religion which he felt was being eroded by minority faiths. Since Adityanath's promotion last month to chief minister of Uttar Pradesh state, home to 220 million people of which a fifth are Muslims, the group has become emboldened, openly proclaiming its Hindu roots and putting pressure on police. The appointment of the 44-year-old, known for his fiery anti-Muslim rhetoric and a campaign against "Love Jihad" - or the conversion of Hindu women to Islam - has shocked some Indians, who say it undermines the country's secular status. Daljit Singh Chawdhary, additional director general of police for Uttar Pradesh, dismissed the threat of the youth force acting outside the law × They worry that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "development for all" agenda will be overtaken by radical, Hindu-first policies with the potential to stoke communal tensions that have erupted sporadically through India's 70-year history. Adityanath declined to be interviewed for this article. "Blood can be shed, and Muslims will feel the pain," Pankaj Singh, a senior leader of the Hindu Youth Force, told Reuters in an interview on the sidelines of the rally in Unnao, an hour's drive southwest of the capital Lucknow. Such comments have sent a chill through some in the Muslim community, on the defensive in Uttar Pradesh since this year's election in which Adityanath rallied the Hindu majority and delivered a resounding victory to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). In return for his successful campaign, the party handed the priest one of India's most powerful positions, emboldening his militia to act and speak more openly than it did under the previous administration. Based in Uttar Pradesh and funded by members who want to win favour with local power brokers, the youth force says it is 2 million strong and growing. In Unnao, police stood back as members blocked traffic, honked horns and shouted pro-Hindu slogans on the busy streets. Muslims who came out to watch did so quietly from their doorways. HINDU RIGHT, HINDU RADICAL Modi himself is the product of the Hindu right, coming from the BJP and its powerful parent movement, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), that nurtured him early in his career. But since sweeping to power in 2014, he has focussed on economic reforms that he hopes will drag India into the modern era and create enough jobs for a swelling workforce. Adityanath represented the BJP during the Uttar Pradesh state polls earlier this year, and helped Modi consolidate power as he bids for re-election in a national ballot in 2019. The priest, however, has often defied BJP discipline and is not part of the RSS machine, raising fears that Modi may have unleashed radical "Hindutva", or religious-nationalist forces that he will struggle to contain. "The BJP has no command over this organisation. They respond to Adityanath and no one else," said Gilles Verniers, assistant professor of political sciences at Ashoka University. A close aide to Modi said it was Adityanath's job to maintain law and order in the state. "The onus lies on him. It is his duty to take care of his vigilante group," said the aide. Daljit Singh Chawdhary, additional director general of police for Uttar Pradesh, dismissed the threat of the youth force acting outside the law. "We are not tolerating any vigilante group taking the law into their (own) hands, while at the same time anyone is free to provide us with tip-offs," he said. "We have had no recent complaints against the Hindu Yuva Vahini, so there is no reason for us to take action against them." DEVOTION AND POWER The original source of Adityanath's power is an ancient temple in Gorakhpur, eastern Uttar Pradesh, where people treat the shaven-headed priest with reverence. Soon after he was named chief minister last month, a devotee collected dust from the rug on which Adityanath had walked, so as to worship it. Built on such devotion, the youth force has evolved into a powerful group that dispenses justice and has proved itself a formidable vote-getter. The BJP's national spokesman, Nalin Kohli, said the party's victory in Uttar Pradesh was not only thanks to Adityanath and his private militia. But Singh expressed little doubt about the group's importance in securing the result. "Modi won Uttar Pradesh because of Adityanath's ground force," Singh said. One of Adityanath's first directives after becoming chief minister was to impose a ban on Uttar Pradesh slaughterhouses that operated without licences. Most Indian states have laws that ban the slaughter of cows, considered sacred by Hindus, while buffalo slaughter requires permission from state governments. Butchers in Uttar Pradesh have long complained that authorities failed to issue new licences, although the outgoing government allowed them to continue operating anyway, ensuring employment and food for the Muslims who dominate the industry. Adityanath's militia has been pushing police to enforce rules calling for a complete ban on illegal slaughterhouses and the sale of meat from unlicenced shops. "We got the police to shut down 45,000 small meat shops in less than 24 hours ... they would have failed without our informers," said Singh, who added that he reported daily to Adityanath. "They (police) know we are the real heroes now." Chandani Qureshi, a mother of four, said her husband worked as a sweeper in a meat shop in Lucknow. Her family relied on his daily wage of 300 rupees ($4) to survive. "The chief minister's men came with orange flags, broke the window panes of our shops and threw knives and weighing scales out on the street," she said, sitting in her one-room home. "We had no power to stop them." Owners of large abattoirs have sought injunctions to block Adityanath's orders to ban unlicenced slaughterhouses and thousands of butchers have protested against the ban, yet some doubt they will prevail. "I don't think we can defeat Adityanath's militia. It would be better if we start selling something else," said Mohammed Faizan, who inherited a meat shop from his grandfather. Uttar Pradesh's deputy chief minister and state BJP president, Keshav Prasad Maurya, said his government would not let slaughterhouses sell cow and buffalo meat. It wanted shop owners instead to start selling chicken and eggs. "The dairy business is more profitable than the beef trade," he said. He also said members of Adityanath's militia were acting as responsible citizens. "It would be wrong to consider them as a parallel administration." "HANDS OFF HINDU GIRLS" At the rally in Unnao, Singh stood on a rickety stage and awarded idols of Hindu gods to youths for halting sales of beef, stopping religious intermarriage and composing poetry in honour of cows. As well as helping to close down butchers, the militia has been tipping off "Anti-Romeo Squads", groups of police who intervene to prevent young men and women meeting publicly. A police official who oversees 64 such squads said the units were formed to tackle sexual harassment of women, but admitted that there had been cases where militia members pressured policemen to target Muslim men seen in the company of Hindu women. He declined to be named. Muslims say they are being singled out. "They think our boys are villains," said Irshad Sheikh, whose son was detained by police recently. Singh, the youth force leader, rejected suggestions that the squads deliberately targeted Muslims. At the rally, he met the father of a 21-year-old Hindu woman who was recently forced by members of the militia to call off her wedding to a Muslim man. "For centuries, Muslims have been playing the dirty game of converting Hindus," Singh said, as his men returned from their run through the Muslim neighbourhood. "But now if they touch a Hindu girl, we can fight with our swords." The woman's father, Subhash Chandra, said he welcomed the militia's intervention. "The Muslim boy trapped her and wanted to convert her. I am lucky that Yogi Adityanath's people saved my daughter's life. How can a Hindu become a Muslim? It is a sin to convert anyone." (Reuters)

On streets of Uttar Pradesh, Hindu Yuva Vahini calls the shots

Eight coaches of Meerut-Lucknow Rajya Rani Express derailed near Rampur in Uttar Pradesh today leaving at least two passengers injured, railway officials said.

The accident happened between Mundapandey and Rampur railway stations, Northern railway spokesperson Neeraj Sharma said.

He said while two passengers have been injured there was no casualty in the accident.

Moradabad Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) has reached the spot to oversee the rescue and relief operations. A medical team has also reached the spot, he said.

The official said causes of the accidents are not known yet.

Earlier, police officials in Rampur had said 15 passengers were injured and rushed to hospital.

(PTI)

The accident happened between Mundapandey and Rampur railway stations

Eight coaches of Meerut-Lucknow Rajya Rani Express derailed near Rampur in Uttar Pradesh today leaving at least two passengers injured, railway officials said. The accident happened between Mundapandey and Rampur railway stations, Northern railway spokesperson Neeraj Sharma said. He said while two passengers have been injured there was no casualty in the accident. Moradabad Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) has reached the spot to oversee the rescue and relief operations. A medical team has also reached the spot, he said. The official said causes of the accidents are not known yet. Earlier, police officials in Rampur had said 15 passengers were injured and rushed to hospital. (PTI)

At least two passengers injured as train derails near Rampur in UP

Tractor sales in India are likely to grow&nbsp;in double digits in the fiscal year that started on April 1, following a decision by at least two states to waive some loans to farmers, India&#39;s biggest tractor maker said on Wednesday.

India&#39;s tractor industry posted 18 per cent volume growth in the fiscal year that ended March 31.

Nearly two-thirds of farmers in India buy tractors via bank loans and a waiver by two states on loans to farmers whose crops have been hit by poor weather for crops will make them eligible for fresh borrowing. Other states are considering similar moves.

&quot;The farm loan waiver is certainly a positive enabler for the industry,&quot; Rajesh Jejurikar, the head of Mahindra &amp; Mahindra&#39;s farm equipment division, told Reuters on the sidelines of a conference.

On Wednesday, Mahindra launched new tractor platform Jivo, aiming to boost its sales of small tractors, Jejurikar said.

India&#39;s most populous state, Uttar Pradesh, said on Tuesday it would waive $5.6 billion of loans to help millions of farmers reeling from losses after unfavourable weather in the past few years hit their crops.

The southern state of Tamil Nadu has also waived farm loans, while the western state of Maharashtra and northern state of Punjab are considering writing off loans to smallholders.

(Reuters)

Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu have both waived some loans to farmers, while Punjab and Maharashtra are considering doing the same

Tractor sales in India are likely to grow in double digits in the fiscal year that started on April 1, following a decision by at least two states to waive some loans to farmers, India's biggest tractor maker said on Wednesday. India's tractor industry posted 18 per cent volume growth in the fiscal year that ended March 31. Nearly two-thirds of farmers in India buy tractors via bank loans and a waiver by two states on loans to farmers whose crops have been hit by poor weather for crops will make them eligible for fresh borrowing. Other states are considering similar moves. "The farm loan waiver is certainly a positive enabler for the industry," Rajesh Jejurikar, the head of Mahindra & Mahindra's farm equipment division, told Reuters on the sidelines of a conference. On Wednesday, Mahindra launched new tractor platform Jivo, aiming to boost its sales of small tractors, Jejurikar said. India's most populous state, Uttar Pradesh, said on Tuesday it would waive $5.6 billion of loans to help millions of farmers reeling from losses after unfavourable weather in the past few years hit their crops. The southern state of Tamil Nadu has also waived farm loans, while the western state of Maharashtra and northern state of Punjab are considering writing off loans to smallholders. (Reuters)

Indian tractor sales seen rising as regions waive farm loans

Samajwadi Party, the ruling party of India&#39;s most critical state Uttar Pradesh between 2012 and 2017, has plunged into another bout of family recrimination, just days after the political organisation suffered a debilitating loss in the recently-concluded elections.

Mulayam Singh Yadav, the party patriarch, agreed with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi&#39;s assessment of his son Akhilesh Yadav being disloyal.

Speaking at a function in their family bastion of Mainpuri -- about 350 kilometres from New Delhi -- Mulayam echoed one of Modi&#39;s speech about his son: &quot;Yeh sahi hai jo apne baap ka nahin woh kisi ka nahi ho sakta&nbsp;(It is true that a son who can&#39;t be loyal to his father can&#39;t be loyal to his people).&quot;

Modi, during the frenzied political campaign in Uttar Pradesh, had blamed Akhilesh -- the chief minister of India&#39;s northern state then -- for insulting his father by going against him.

Mulayam also accused his son of &quot;humiliating and betraying him&quot;.

&quot;While the people of UP voted for me in 2012, I chose Akhilesh to be the next chief minister, but he humiliated him thereafter,&quot; The Times of India quoted Mulayam as saying.

Mulayam&#39;s outburst comes after Samajwadi Party won a meagre 47 of the 403 Assembly seats in the 2017 elections.

The three-time chief minister of the state also lashed out at Akhilesh&#39;s decision to join hands with the Congress before the polls, especially because the party had launched &quot;murderous attacks&quot; against him in the past.

The father-son feud has been a protracted affair, stretching back to last year -- a bitter fight that clearly hampered the party&#39;s preparation for the elections.

(WION)

&nbsp;

The Samajwadi Party patriarch agreed with PM Narendra Modi that his son was not trustworthy

Samajwadi Party, the ruling party of India's most critical state Uttar Pradesh between 2012 and 2017, has plunged into another bout of family recrimination, just days after the political organisation suffered a debilitating loss in the recently-concluded elections. Mulayam Singh Yadav, the party patriarch, agreed with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's assessment of his son Akhilesh Yadav being disloyal. Speaking at a function in their family bastion of Mainpuri -- about 350 kilometres from New Delhi -- Mulayam echoed one of Modi's speech about his son: "Yeh sahi hai jo apne baap ka nahin woh kisi ka nahi ho sakta (It is true that a son who can't be loyal to his father can't be loyal to his people)." Modi, during the frenzied political campaign in Uttar Pradesh, had blamed Akhilesh -- the chief minister of India's northern state then -- for insulting his father by going against him. Mulayam also accused his son of "humiliating and betraying him". "While the people of UP voted for me in 2012, I chose Akhilesh to be the next chief minister, but he humiliated him thereafter," The Times of India quoted Mulayam as saying. Mulayam's outburst comes after Samajwadi Party won a meagre 47 of the 403 Assembly seats in the 2017 elections. The three-time chief minister of the state also lashed out at Akhilesh's decision to join hands with the Congress before the polls, especially because the party had launched "murderous attacks" against him in the past. The father-son feud has been a protracted affair, stretching back to last year -- a bitter fight that clearly hampered the party's preparation for the elections. (WION)

Mulayam lashes out at Akhilesh to deepen SP fissures

Eight coaches of the&nbsp;Jabalpur- Nizamuddin Mahakaushal Express derailed early Thursday morning at 2.07 am, the Chief Public Relations Officer, North Central Railway said.

Twenty-two people were&nbsp;injured in the accident out of which 19 have been discharged, Anil Saxena, DG (PR) of Indian Railways said.

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22 people suffered injuries in Mahakaushal express derailment accident, out of which 19 discharged :Anil Saxena, DG (PR) of Indian Railways <a href="https://t.co/lAE4jR3hPv">pic.twitter.com/lAE4jR3hPv</a>
&mdash; ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/847280179034574848">March 30, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Around eight coaches of the Delhi-bound train derailed between Mahoba and Kulpahar stations, the CPRO said.

Senior officials have rushed to the spot and rescue operations are on.

The cause of derailment is yet to be ascertained.

Railway officials have operationalised helplines at Jhansi, Gwalior, Banda and Nizamuddin stations to disseminate information to relatives of the passengers.

(WION with inputs from PTI, ANI)

The cause of derailment is yet to be ascertained

Eight coaches of the Jabalpur- Nizamuddin Mahakaushal Express derailed early Thursday morning at 2.07 am, the Chief Public Relations Officer, North Central Railway said. Twenty-two people were injured in the accident out of which 19 have been discharged, Anil Saxena, DG (PR) of Indian Railways said. 22 people suffered injuries in Mahakaushal express derailment accident, out of which 19 discharged :Anil Saxena, DG (PR) of Indian Railways pic.twitter.com/lAE4jR3hPv — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 30, 2017 × Around eight coaches of the Delhi-bound train derailed between Mahoba and Kulpahar stations, the CPRO said. Senior officials have rushed to the spot and rescue operations are on. The cause of derailment is yet to be ascertained. Railway officials have operationalised helplines at Jhansi, Gwalior, Banda and Nizamuddin stations to disseminate information to relatives of the passengers. (WION with inputs from PTI, ANI)

Uttar Pradesh: 22 injured as Mahakaushal Express derails near Mahoba

Uttar Pradesh&#39;s BJP chief minister Yogi Adityanath today declared &quot;Namaz is similar to Surya Namaskar, there are many similarities in the posture&quot; while addressing a&nbsp;yoga conference in the state.

The newly crowned Uttar Pradesh chief minister advocated &quot;yoga for all&quot; as he&nbsp;praised&nbsp;PM Narendra&nbsp;Modi for &quot;making it universal&quot;.&nbsp;

Surya Namaskar mein jitne aasan aate hain ,usme jo Pranayam ki kriyaein hain wo Muslim bhai jo Namaz (Muslim prayer ritual)&nbsp;padhte hain usse milte-julte hain (The Surya Namaskar asanas have techniques that are similar to ones followed by our Muslims brothers while offering Namaz),&quot;&nbsp;the UP CM said.

The opposition Congress party immediately hit back saying Yogi was &quot;communalising&quot; the issue.

&quot;What a beautiful example of harmony. But some bhogis&nbsp;who do not believe in yoga, indulged in dividing the society on lines of caste, creed, religion and region among others,&quot; he said.

&quot;Before 2014, even talking about Yoga was considered communal. But things changed after Modi took steps to make yoga popular across the world,&quot; he said.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Watch?src=hash">#Watch</a> Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath says there are similarities between the postures of Surya Namaskar and Namaz <a href="https://t.co/8DCT8KToze">pic.twitter.com/8DCT8KToze</a>
&mdash; ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/847069523983437826">March 29, 2017</a></blockquote>
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UP CM Adityanath said, &quot;Modi deserves all the credit for the global recognition which yoga has got&quot; and referred to the UN declaring International Yoga Day on June 21.&nbsp;&quot;The number of countries which participated in the International Yoga Day celebrations in 2015 was 175, which went up to 192 in the subsequent year.&quot; &nbsp;

The Modi government had tried to push &#39;Surya Namaskar&rsquo; and yoga as a compulsory drill for school students in India two years ago however the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) came out strongly against the move declaring it against &quot;beliefs of the Muslims&quot;.

Several Muslim organizations resisted Modi government&#39;s move in 2015 to make June 21 as International Yoga day which included doing the &#39;Surya Namaskar&rsquo;.

(WION)

The newly crowned Uttar Pradesh chief minister advocated 'yoga for all' as he?praised?PM Narendra?Modi for 'making it universal'

Uttar Pradesh's BJP chief minister Yogi Adityanath today declared "Namaz is similar to Surya Namaskar, there are many similarities in the posture" while addressing a yoga conference in the state. The newly crowned Uttar Pradesh chief minister advocated "yoga for all" as he praised PM Narendra Modi for "making it universal". Surya Namaskar mein jitne aasan aate hain ,usme jo Pranayam ki kriyaein hain wo Muslim bhai jo Namaz (Muslim prayer ritual) padhte hain usse milte-julte hain (The Surya Namaskar asanas have techniques that are similar to ones followed by our Muslims brothers while offering Namaz)," the UP CM said. The opposition Congress party immediately hit back saying Yogi was "communalising" the issue. "What a beautiful example of harmony. But some bhogis who do not believe in yoga, indulged in dividing the society on lines of caste, creed, religion and region among others," he said. "Before 2014, even talking about Yoga was considered communal. But things changed after Modi took steps to make yoga popular across the world," he said. #Watch Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath says there are similarities between the postures of Surya Namaskar and Namaz pic.twitter.com/8DCT8KToze — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 29, 2017 × UP CM Adityanath said, "Modi deserves all the credit for the global recognition which yoga has got" and referred to the UN declaring International Yoga Day on June 21. "The number of countries which participated in the International Yoga Day celebrations in 2015 was 175, which went up to 192 in the subsequent year." The Modi government had tried to push 'Surya Namaskar’ and yoga as a compulsory drill for school students in India two years ago however the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) came out strongly against the move declaring it against "beliefs of the Muslims". Several Muslim organizations resisted Modi government's move in 2015 to make June 21 as International Yoga day which included doing the 'Surya Namaskar’. (WION)

Namaz is similar to Surya Namaskar, declares UP chief minister Adityanath

As the Yogi Adityanath government goes after mechanised slaughterhouses, meat producers in Uttar Pradesh say the action conflicts with the Centre&#39;s policy of encouraging the meat industry and are considering going to court against it.

&quot;The Centre has been encouraging the meat industry and the food processing ministry too provides aid of upto 50 per cent to support them. But the UP government has ordered a ban on all mechanised slaughterhouses,&quot; a senior functionary of the All India Meat and Livestock Exporters Association said.

&quot;It is in contravention to the central government policy&quot;, the functionary, who wished not to be named, said.

He said that Uttar Pradesh accounts for nearly 50 per cent of India&#39;s total meat exports and such a decision would affect the livelihood 25 lakh people directly or indirectly.

The Association &quot;supports banning illegal abattoirs&quot; but opposes the move to shut down all the mechanised ones, he said.

If the state government brings an ordinance in this regard, the Association would approach the court, he said.

&quot;We are keeping a close watch on the developments and will wait. An organised industry should not be dealt with in this manner,&quot; he said.

In the past three months the industry has suffered huge losses due to demonetisation and the closure of mechanised slaughter houses will add to the woes, he added.

As per estimates, the country exports meat products worth Rs 26,685 crore annually and with the closure of slaughter houses in UP it will come down to half, the association functionary lamented.

In its pre-poll manifesto, the BJP had said that if voted to power, it would shut all the illegal slaughterhouses and impose a blanket ban on mechanised abattoirs. And immediately after assuming office, Adityanath government has gone after such abattoirs with full gusto.

Teams across Uttar Pradesh are inspecting slaughterhouses and several of them have been shut down. According to reports, a slaughterhouse belonging to a relative of former BSP MP Haji Shahid Akhlaq and one belonging to another BSP leader Haji Yakub Qureshi were closed down in Meerut yesterday.

Many others too faced action across the state.

Referring to the Centre&#39;s policy of encouraging the meat industry, the functionary of the All India Meat and Livestock Exporters Association said that the Union Ministry of Food Processing Industry envisages a grant of 50 per cent of the cost of plant and machinery and technical civil work and other eligible items subject to a maximum of Rs 15 crore per abattoir in general areas.

It is 75 per cent of the cost in areas like North-eastern states, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Integrated Tribal Development notified areas of the states.

UP Chief Secretary Rahul Bhatnagar yesterday said, &quot;The priority of the state government is to close the illegal slaughter houses in the state, and at the same time put a blanket ban on all the mechanised slaughter houses.&quot;

He had directed the officials posted in various districts to inspect the slaughter houses. PTI&nbsp;

(PTI)

They say the action conflicts with the Centre's policy of encouraging the meat industry

As the Yogi Adityanath government goes after mechanised slaughterhouses, meat producers in Uttar Pradesh say the action conflicts with the Centre's policy of encouraging the meat industry and are considering going to court against it. "The Centre has been encouraging the meat industry and the food processing ministry too provides aid of upto 50 per cent to support them. But the UP government has ordered a ban on all mechanised slaughterhouses," a senior functionary of the All India Meat and Livestock Exporters Association said. "It is in contravention to the central government policy", the functionary, who wished not to be named, said. He said that Uttar Pradesh accounts for nearly 50 per cent of India's total meat exports and such a decision would affect the livelihood 25 lakh people directly or indirectly. The Association "supports banning illegal abattoirs" but opposes the move to shut down all the mechanised ones, he said. If the state government brings an ordinance in this regard, the Association would approach the court, he said. "We are keeping a close watch on the developments and will wait. An organised industry should not be dealt with in this manner," he said. In the past three months the industry has suffered huge losses due to demonetisation and the closure of mechanised slaughter houses will add to the woes, he added. As per estimates, the country exports meat products worth Rs 26,685 crore annually and with the closure of slaughter houses in UP it will come down to half, the association functionary lamented. In its pre-poll manifesto, the BJP had said that if voted to power, it would shut all the illegal slaughterhouses and impose a blanket ban on mechanised abattoirs. And immediately after assuming office, Adityanath government has gone after such abattoirs with full gusto. Teams across Uttar Pradesh are inspecting slaughterhouses and several of them have been shut down. According to reports, a slaughterhouse belonging to a relative of former BSP MP Haji Shahid Akhlaq and one belonging to another BSP leader Haji Yakub Qureshi were closed down in Meerut yesterday. Many others too faced action across the state. Referring to the Centre's policy of encouraging the meat industry, the functionary of the All India Meat and Livestock Exporters Association said that the Union Ministry of Food Processing Industry envisages a grant of 50 per cent of the cost of plant and machinery and technical civil work and other eligible items subject to a maximum of Rs 15 crore per abattoir in general areas. It is 75 per cent of the cost in areas like North-eastern states, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Integrated Tribal Development notified areas of the states. UP Chief Secretary Rahul Bhatnagar yesterday said, "The priority of the state government is to close the illegal slaughter houses in the state, and at the same time put a blanket ban on all the mechanised slaughter houses." He had directed the officials posted in various districts to inspect the slaughter houses. PTI (PTI)

UP meat producers mull legal options against ban

Close on the heels of Yogi Adityanath taking charge as the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, police have started an &#39;anti-Romeo&#39; drive to curb incidents of sexual harassment across the district.

According to Inspector General of Police, Meerut zone, Ajay Anand, anti-Romeo squads have been formed on the directives of the chief minister.

Each police station in the districts under the zone has formed a squad comprising one SI, three constables and a woman constable, he said.

The squads will carry out the &#39;Operation Romeo&#39; outside colleges and their functioning will be monitored by the city SP, Anand said.

While campaigning in the state, BJP President Amit Shah had said that the BJP, if voted to power, would form anti-Romeo squads to check instances of sexual harassment of women.

SP (city) Alok Priyadarshi said that the drive was meant to create an atmosphere of security for the women.

Hotels &quot;with a bad reputation&quot; across the city have also found themselves on the receiving end of the drive with officials conducting raids at various such establishments.

In one such raid at a hotel in Sadar Bazar area here, policemen found a hookah bar which they promptly shut down.

Bottles of hookah flavours found there would be sent for &quot;forensic tests&quot;, police said, adding that youths were being intoxicated through the flavours.

It is not immediately clear how the seizure fell under the purview of the anti-Romeo drive.&nbsp;

(PTI)

The squads have been formed on the directive of the new chief minister

Close on the heels of Yogi Adityanath taking charge as the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, police have started an 'anti-Romeo' drive to curb incidents of sexual harassment across the district. According to Inspector General of Police, Meerut zone, Ajay Anand, anti-Romeo squads have been formed on the directives of the chief minister. Each police station in the districts under the zone has formed a squad comprising one SI, three constables and a woman constable, he said. The squads will carry out the 'Operation Romeo' outside colleges and their functioning will be monitored by the city SP, Anand said. While campaigning in the state, BJP President Amit Shah had said that the BJP, if voted to power, would form anti-Romeo squads to check instances of sexual harassment of women. SP (city) Alok Priyadarshi said that the drive was meant to create an atmosphere of security for the women. Hotels "with a bad reputation" across the city have also found themselves on the receiving end of the drive with officials conducting raids at various such establishments. In one such raid at a hotel in Sadar Bazar area here, policemen found a hookah bar which they promptly shut down. Bottles of hookah flavours found there would be sent for "forensic tests", police said, adding that youths were being intoxicated through the flavours. It is not immediately clear how the seizure fell under the purview of the anti-Romeo drive. (PTI)

UP begins anti-Romeo drive

A BSP leader Muhammad Shami was shot dead by unknown assailants in Allahabad city in India&#39;s northern state of&nbsp;Uttar Pradesh, reports said.

Media reports said he was shot by bike-bourne assailants.&nbsp;According to reports, the accused shot Shami near his house.&nbsp;

In the recently concluded Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, Shami had contested against Raghuraj Pratap Singh alias Raja Bhaiya, who is six time-winner from the Kunda constituency.

Uttar Pradesh police&nbsp;is investigating the matter.

&nbsp;

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UP: BSP Leader Mohd Shami shot dead by bike borne assailants in Allahabad <a href="https://t.co/DvpzNw5foC">pic.twitter.com/DvpzNw5foC</a>
&mdash; ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/843709652378370050">March 20, 2017</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

(WION)&nbsp;

Media reports said BSP leader Muhammad Shami was shot by bike-bourne assailants

A BSP leader Muhammad Shami was shot dead by unknown assailants in Allahabad city in India's northern state of Uttar Pradesh, reports said. Media reports said he was shot by bike-bourne assailants. According to reports, the accused shot Shami near his house. In the recently concluded Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, Shami had contested against Raghuraj Pratap Singh alias Raja Bhaiya, who is six time-winner from the Kunda constituency. Uttar Pradesh police is investigating the matter. UP: BSP Leader Mohd Shami shot dead by bike borne assailants in Allahabad pic.twitter.com/DvpzNw5foC — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 20, 2017 × (WION)

BSP leader shot dead in Uttar Pradesh

Despite a massive mandate and a chief minister at helms of affairs in Uttar Pradesh, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) continues to be in pains to explain the sudden elevation of five-time Lok Sabha MP Yogi Adityanath as the chief minister of India&rsquo;s most populous state.

Senior leaders in the party continue to speculate on the sudden elevation of Adityanath&nbsp;despite the plethora of leaders sharing the dais with the new chief minister in Lucknow. Senior BJP ministers struggle&nbsp;to explain that Yogi Adityanath was the choice of the elected members, and BJP did not decide the name before the meeting.

Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Venkaiha Naidu, who had flown to Uttar Pradesh to settle the matter, told WION,&rdquo; No name was given to me by the leadership. When I went to Lucknow and spoke to elected MLAs [Member of the Legislative Assembly], I realised that the sentiment was in favour of Yogi Adityanath.&rdquo; Sources said that it was after this interaction that Mr Naidu spoke to BJP leaders including BJP chief Amit Shah, Bhupendra Yadav, Om Mathur and Ram Lal.

It was during this meeting, the proposal for appointing Yogi as the chief minister was moved by Suresh Khanna and signed by nine&nbsp;other members including Dara Singh, SP Baghel and SP Sahi. Naidu also said that it was Adityanath&rsquo;s idea to have two deputy chief ministers to which the party had no issues. BJP for last 48 hours has been trying to give the impression that Yogi Adityanath&rsquo;s elevation should be seen in this context only.

Though sources in the BJP give a different picture all together. Sources say that BJP leadership was very much aware of Adityanath&rsquo;s political muscle as a senior BJP Cabinet Minister from Maharashtra had already briefed Amit Shah that Yogi enjoys support of 187 MLAs and 90 per cent of the BJP MLAs from eastern Uttar Pradesh were refusing to accept any other person than Adityanath.

Sources admit that top leadership of the BJP concluded much before the Lucknow meeting that bickering post appointment could affect the mandate, hence decided to lend support to Yogi Adityanath.

Sources also confirmed that Yogi on his part remained silent and did not threaten anyone. So, for the first time after coming to power in 2014, Yogi Adityanath was picked by the central leadership of the BJP because the ground response for Yogi was too much to be ignored. Once BJP leadership accepted the reality, they asked Yogi to accept two deputies to which he quickly agreed.

It is for this reason BJP has not been able to come up with a concrete reply on Adityanath&rsquo;s elevation, as they would have to accept that the party was caught unaware of Yogi&rsquo;s popular support, and had no option but to go with the popular sentiment.

(WION)

Yogi Adityanath was picked by the central leadership of the BJP because the ground response for Aditnayath was too much to be ignored

Despite a massive mandate and a chief minister at helms of affairs in Uttar Pradesh, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) continues to be in pains to explain the sudden elevation of five-time Lok Sabha MP Yogi Adityanath as the chief minister of India’s most populous state. Senior leaders in the party continue to speculate on the sudden elevation of Adityanath despite the plethora of leaders sharing the dais with the new chief minister in Lucknow. Senior BJP ministers struggle to explain that Yogi Adityanath was the choice of the elected members, and BJP did not decide the name before the meeting. Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Venkaiha Naidu, who had flown to Uttar Pradesh to settle the matter, told WION,” No name was given to me by the leadership. When I went to Lucknow and spoke to elected MLAs [Member of the Legislative Assembly], I realised that the sentiment was in favour of Yogi Adityanath.” Sources said that it was after this interaction that Mr Naidu spoke to BJP leaders including BJP chief Amit Shah, Bhupendra Yadav, Om Mathur and Ram Lal. It was during this meeting, the proposal for appointing Yogi as the chief minister was moved by Suresh Khanna and signed by nine other members including Dara Singh, SP Baghel and SP Sahi. Naidu also said that it was Adityanath’s idea to have two deputy chief ministers to which the party had no issues. BJP for last 48 hours has been trying to give the impression that Yogi Adityanath’s elevation should be seen in this context only. Though sources in the BJP give a different picture all together. Sources say that BJP leadership was very much aware of Adityanath’s political muscle as a senior BJP Cabinet Minister from Maharashtra had already briefed Amit Shah that Yogi enjoys support of 187 MLAs and 90 per cent of the BJP MLAs from eastern Uttar Pradesh were refusing to accept any other person than Adityanath. Sources admit that top leadership of the BJP concluded much before the Lucknow meeting that bickering post appointment could affect the mandate, hence decided to lend support to Yogi Adityanath. Sources also confirmed that Yogi on his part remained silent and did not threaten anyone. So, for the first time after coming to power in 2014, Yogi Adityanath was picked by the central leadership of the BJP because the ground response for Yogi was too much to be ignored. Once BJP leadership accepted the reality, they asked Yogi to accept two deputies to which he quickly agreed. It is for this reason BJP has not been able to come up with a concrete reply on Adityanath’s elevation, as they would have to accept that the party was caught unaware of Yogi’s popular support, and had no option but to go with the popular sentiment. (WION)

Yogi on top: How BJP had to give in

Pakistan&#39;s cricketer-turned- politician Imran Khan&#39;s stand on the recently concluded PSL final in Lahore reached Parliament with&nbsp;PML-N lawmaker Mian Javed Latif calling the Pakistani cricket legend a &quot;traitor&quot;.

Mian Javed Latif&#39;s defiant stand led to a heated argument with Murad Saeed who belongs to Imran Khan&#39;s Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf. Their argument soon disintegrated into a scuffle which was stopped in time by other lawmakers present in the&nbsp;National Assembly.

The matter did not end there, Saeed kept the issue burning&nbsp;saying&nbsp;PML-N lawmaker had no reason to call Imran Khan a &quot;traitor&quot; and asked the Speaker to take notice.

Not to be undone, PML-N&#39;s Talal Chaudhry accused the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf lawmaker&nbsp;of deliberately creating unpleasant scenes in Parliament.

The controversy<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_VFoCr0bxk"> was ignited yesterday by Imran Khan in a leaked video</a> in which he opposed staging of Sunday&#39;s final of the Pakistan Super League in Lahore.

Watch Video:&nbsp;
<centre><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3_VFoCr0bxk" width="560"></iframe><centre>
&nbsp;

The PTI chief&nbsp;wanted the tournament to be played in the UAE citing security reasons. The former World Cup-winning captain went a step further and <a href="http://www.wionews.com/cricket/imran-khan-angers-fans-by-calling-darren-sammy-third-class-13151">used derogatory terms against some foreign players in the league namely Darren Sammy of the West Indies calling him &quot;</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/cricket/imran-khan-angers-fans-by-calling-darren-sammy-third-class-13151">phateechar</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/cricket/imran-khan-angers-fans-by-calling-darren-sammy-third-class-13151">&quot;&nbsp;</a>meaning &quot;third class&quot;.

Imran Khan&#39;s leaked video went viral as several Pakistan fans attacked the former cricket captain on social media even though he seemed to take a soft stand publicly&nbsp;on Twitter congratulating Peshawar for winning the final

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Congratulations to Peshawar Zalmi on winning the PSL final.
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but he soon appeared on a Pakistani news channel and declared, &quot;Sammy was captain but he is not a big player, had Chris Gayle come, had Kevin Pietersen come, I would have said they were big international stars.&quot;&nbsp;

Several players had in fact backed down from playing in Pakistan. England cricketer Pietersen withdrew from the final over security fears along with other Quetta players Rilee Rossouw from South Africa and England&#39;s Luke Wright and Tymal Mills who also refused to play in Pakistan.

(WION with agency inputs)
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The choice of Adityanath, an ascetic firebrand with a history of agitation against Muslims, has stunned observers. Here's why

Pakistan's cricketer-turned- politician Imran Khan's stand on the recently concluded PSL final in Lahore reached Parliament with PML-N lawmaker Mian Javed Latif calling the Pakistani cricket legend a "traitor". Mian Javed Latif's defiant stand led to a heated argument with Murad Saeed who belongs to Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf. Their argument soon disintegrated into a scuffle which was stopped in time by other lawmakers present in the National Assembly. The matter did not end there, Saeed kept the issue burning saying PML-N lawmaker had no reason to call Imran Khan a "traitor" and asked the Speaker to take notice. Not to be undone, PML-N's Talal Chaudhry accused the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf lawmaker of deliberately creating unpleasant scenes in Parliament. The controversy was ignited yesterday by Imran Khan in a leaked video in which he opposed staging of Sunday's final of the Pakistan Super League in Lahore. Watch Video: The PTI chief wanted the tournament to be played in the UAE citing security reasons. The former World Cup-winning captain went a step further and used derogatory terms against some foreign players in the league namely Darren Sammy of the West Indies calling him "phateechar" meaning "third class". Imran Khan's leaked video went viral as several Pakistan fans attacked the former cricket captain on social media even though he seemed to take a soft stand publicly on Twitter congratulating Peshawar for winning the final Congratulations to Peshawar Zalmi on winning the PSL final. — Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) March 5, 2017 × but he soon appeared on a Pakistani news channel and declared, "Sammy was captain but he is not a big player, had Chris Gayle come, had Kevin Pietersen come, I would have said they were big international stars." Several players had in fact backed down from playing in Pakistan. England cricketer Pietersen withdrew from the final over security fears along with other Quetta players Rilee Rossouw from South Africa and England's Luke Wright and Tymal Mills who also refused to play in Pakistan. (WION with agency inputs)

Hardline priest Yogi Adityanath's elevation a sign Modi is moving toward Hindu India

Yogi Adityanath, a firebrand lawmaker from Gorakhpur,&nbsp;took&nbsp;today oath as the 32nd chief minister of India&#39;s most populous state of Uttar Pradesh&nbsp;in the state capital Lucknow.

In his first interaction with media persons after taking over, Adityanath said his government will follow the &#39;sabka saath sabka vikas&#39; (With all, development for all) agenda in serving the people.

The Uttar Pradesh chief minister said his government would work for all sections of the society without any discrimination.

&quot;Our Government will work for the welfare of the people. We will work for all the sections of the society without any discrimination. Special efforts will be made for the welfare of the poor, Dalits and backward classes,&quot; Yogi Adityanath said in his address to the media.

He also said the government would work towards bettering the law and order situation and tackle the unemployment problem.

&quot;The people have borne a heavy loss due to the deteriorated situation of law and order and corruption. Our Government will work for the welfare of the people,&quot; he said.&nbsp;&quot;We will surely work to improve job crisis&quot;. 
 
He said that in the last 15 years, Uttar Pradesh had been left behind in all respects, and vowed to take the state on the&nbsp;path of growth and development.

Deputy Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Dinesh Sharma said that all the promises including waiving off farmers&rsquo; loan would be fulfilled. &quot;Don&rsquo;t worry. All the promises which were made during elections rally will be fulfilled,&quot; he said when asked whether farmers&rsquo; loans would be waived off.

Adityanath, deputy chief ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya and Dinesh Sharma, and a 43-member Cabinet were sworn-in by Governor Ram Naik&nbsp;at the&nbsp;Kanshiram Smriti Upvan. 
 
The Muslim face of the Cabinet, former cricketer Mohsin Raza, was sworn in as the Minister of State.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FLASH?src=hash">#FLASH</a>: Yogi Adityanath takes oath as Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister <a href="https://t.co/IA6U6kYUPX">pic.twitter.com/IA6U6kYUPX</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/843383613211205632">March 19, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Yogi Adityanath becomes Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, leaders congratulate him at the ceremony. <a href="https://t.co/BgLvQJs4Nd">pic.twitter.com/BgLvQJs4Nd</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/843384792645353472">March 19, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Keshav Prasad Maurya takes oath as Deputy Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. <a href="https://t.co/buO161ZPCg">pic.twitter.com/buO161ZPCg</a>
&mdash; ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/843384794096447488">March 19, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Lucknow: Dinesh Sharma takes oath as Deputy Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh <a href="https://t.co/10H64qmGfL">pic.twitter.com/10H64qmGfL</a>
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Yogi Adityanath was chosen as the next chief minister of Uttar Pradesh on Saturday ending days of speculation.

The swearing-in ceremony was attended by the top brass of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, party president Amit Shah, Union ministers Rajnath Singh,&nbsp;Nitin Gadkari,&nbsp;Uma Bharti, and senior party leader LK Advani.

Samajwadi Party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav was also invited for the ceremony and could be seen interacting with PM Modi. 
&nbsp;

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash">#WATCH</a> PM Narendra Modi and Mulayam Singh Yadav interact post swearing-in ceremony of Yogi Adityanath as Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister <a href="https://t.co/8NfGbtzfRO">pic.twitter.com/8NfGbtzfRO</a>
&mdash; ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/843421317428891651">March 19, 2017</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, Chhattisgarh chief minister Raman Singh, Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, and Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu were also present on the occasion.

The party&#39;s state president Keshav Prasad Maurya and Lucknow mayor Dinesh Sharma were chosen as the deputy chief ministers.

The decision was made after a high-power meeting at Lok Bhawan in Lucknow. The meeting was attended by Union minister Venkaiah Naidu and BJP vice-president Om Mathur.&nbsp;

Adityanath is known to be&nbsp;a Hindu hardliner, with his incendiary comments often creating controversies.

The five-time MP has compared Pakistan to Satan and Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan to Hafiz Saeed, the alleged mastermind of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.

In 2002, he formed a right-wing outfit named Hindu Yuva Vahini. The group has been known for enforcing cow protection and love jihad (inter-religious marriages) campaigns.

Born on June 5, 1972, Adityanath was the youngest member of the 12th Lok Sabha at 26.&nbsp; 
 
The 44-year-old has also been accused of converting Christians to Hinduism in 2005.

Most recently, he lauded US President Trump&#39;s travel ban that aimed to halt immigrants from a handful of Muslim-majority countries from entering America, saying India needed similar action to check terrorism.

Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya was instrumental in the BJP securing over 300 seats in these elections as he helped the saffron party get the non-Yadav OBC votes. And like Modi, he worked at several tea stalls when he was a young boy.

Maurya&#39;s colleague Dinesh Sharma, the national vice-president of the BJP, is believed to be close to Modi. Sharma, also the mayor of Lucknow, played a key role in boosting the party&#39;s membership from 10 million to 110 million before this year&#39;s elections.

Adityanath&#39;s appointment removed the shroud of uncertainty about the identity of the state&#39;s next chief minister.

Besides Adityanath, Union minister Manoj Sinha, BJP leader Shrikant Sharma and Maurya were in the reckoning to be the head of India&#39;s northern state.

Till a few hours ago, it was Manoj Sinha who was believed to be in the inside lane of the chief ministerial race. But minutes before the Lok Bhawan meeting at 4 pm yesterday (March 18), there were strong indications that Adityanath had stolen a march over Sinha.

&quot;This is a watershed moment in the history of BJP,&quot; Venkaiah Naidu, Federal Information &amp; Broadcasting Minister Venkaiah Naidu told reporters after BJP officials met in Uttar Pradesh&#39;s capital Lucknow on Saturday.

&quot;The mandate is for development, good governance and against caste politics.&quot;

The BJP swept to power in UP, winning&nbsp;312 seats in a 403-member house, while its allies Apna Dal (Soneylal) and Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party got nine and four seats respectively.&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from agencies)

&nbsp;

The chief minister said his government would work for all sections of the society and would tackle the law and order problem in the state

Yogi Adityanath, a firebrand lawmaker from Gorakhpur, took today oath as the 32nd chief minister of India's most populous state of Uttar Pradesh in the state capital Lucknow. In his first interaction with media persons after taking over, Adityanath said his government will follow the 'sabka saath sabka vikas' (With all, development for all) agenda in serving the people. The Uttar Pradesh chief minister said his government would work for all sections of the society without any discrimination. "Our Government will work for the welfare of the people. We will work for all the sections of the society without any discrimination. Special efforts will be made for the welfare of the poor, Dalits and backward classes," Yogi Adityanath said in his address to the media. He also said the government would work towards bettering the law and order situation and tackle the unemployment problem. "The people have borne a heavy loss due to the deteriorated situation of law and order and corruption. Our Government will work for the welfare of the people," he said. "We will surely work to improve job crisis". He said that in the last 15 years, Uttar Pradesh had been left behind in all respects, and vowed to take the state on the path of growth and development. Deputy Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Dinesh Sharma said that all the promises including waiving off farmers’ loan would be fulfilled. "Don’t worry. All the promises which were made during elections rally will be fulfilled," he said when asked whether farmers’ loans would be waived off. Adityanath, deputy chief ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya and Dinesh Sharma, and a 43-member Cabinet were sworn-in by Governor Ram Naik at the Kanshiram Smriti Upvan. The Muslim face of the Cabinet, former cricketer Mohsin Raza, was sworn in as the Minister of State. #FLASH: Yogi Adityanath takes oath as Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister pic.twitter.com/IA6U6kYUPX — ANI (@ANI_news) March 19, 2017 × Yogi Adityanath becomes Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, leaders congratulate him at the ceremony. pic.twitter.com/BgLvQJs4Nd — ANI (@ANI_news) March 19, 2017 × Keshav Prasad Maurya takes oath as Deputy Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. pic.twitter.com/buO161ZPCg — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 19, 2017 × Lucknow: Dinesh Sharma takes oath as Deputy Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh pic.twitter.com/10H64qmGfL — ANI (@ANI_news) March 19, 2017 × Yogi Adityanath was chosen as the next chief minister of Uttar Pradesh on Saturday ending days of speculation. The swearing-in ceremony was attended by the top brass of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, party president Amit Shah, Union ministers Rajnath Singh, Nitin Gadkari, Uma Bharti, and senior party leader LK Advani. Samajwadi Party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav was also invited for the ceremony and could be seen interacting with PM Modi. #WATCH PM Narendra Modi and Mulayam Singh Yadav interact post swearing-in ceremony of Yogi Adityanath as Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister pic.twitter.com/8NfGbtzfRO — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 19, 2017 × Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, Chhattisgarh chief minister Raman Singh, Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, and Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu were also present on the occasion. The party's state president Keshav Prasad Maurya and Lucknow mayor Dinesh Sharma were chosen as the deputy chief ministers. The decision was made after a high-power meeting at Lok Bhawan in Lucknow. The meeting was attended by Union minister Venkaiah Naidu and BJP vice-president Om Mathur. Adityanath is known to be a Hindu hardliner, with his incendiary comments often creating controversies. The five-time MP has compared Pakistan to Satan and Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan to Hafiz Saeed, the alleged mastermind of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. In 2002, he formed a right-wing outfit named Hindu Yuva Vahini. The group has been known for enforcing cow protection and love jihad (inter-religious marriages) campaigns. Born on June 5, 1972, Adityanath was the youngest member of the 12th Lok Sabha at 26. The 44-year-old has also been accused of converting Christians to Hinduism in 2005. Most recently, he lauded US President Trump's travel ban that aimed to halt immigrants from a handful of Muslim-majority countries from entering America, saying India needed similar action to check terrorism. Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya was instrumental in the BJP securing over 300 seats in these elections as he helped the saffron party get the non-Yadav OBC votes. And like Modi, he worked at several tea stalls when he was a young boy. Maurya's colleague Dinesh Sharma, the national vice-president of the BJP, is believed to be close to Modi. Sharma, also the mayor of Lucknow, played a key role in boosting the party's membership from 10 million to 110 million before this year's elections. Adityanath's appointment removed the shroud of uncertainty about the identity of the state's next chief minister. Besides Adityanath, Union minister Manoj Sinha, BJP leader Shrikant Sharma and Maurya were in the reckoning to be the head of India's northern state. Till a few hours ago, it was Manoj Sinha who was believed to be in the inside lane of the chief ministerial race. But minutes before the Lok Bhawan meeting at 4 pm yesterday (March 18), there were strong indications that Adityanath had stolen a march over Sinha. "This is a watershed moment in the history of BJP," Venkaiah Naidu, Federal Information & Broadcasting Minister Venkaiah Naidu told reporters after BJP officials met in Uttar Pradesh's capital Lucknow on Saturday. "The mandate is for development, good governance and against caste politics." The BJP swept to power in UP, winning 312 seats in a 403-member house, while its allies Apna Dal (Soneylal) and Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party got nine and four seats respectively. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Yogi Adityanath sworn in as Uttar Pradesh chief minister, promises inclusive development

The Financial Express reported Thursday that &quot;after five days of drama and speculation, BJP is set to name Rajnath Singh as the new Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh.&quot;&nbsp;

The report said the news had been confirmed by a &quot;top BJP source&quot;.&nbsp;

It added that Dinesh Sharma and Siddharth Nath Singh had been the other two contenders for the post but that the party&#39;s leaders finally settled on Rajnath Singh for the post.&nbsp;

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<h5>The other two contenders for the post had been Dinesh Sharma and Siddharth Nath Singh but the party&#39;s leaders finally settled on Rajnath Singh</h5>
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The FE report added that the top BJP source confirmed that the home ministry, currently headed by Rajnath Singh, will be given to Arun Jaitley.&nbsp;

And that Piyush Goyal, who is currently power minister, will take charge of the finance ministry.&nbsp;

(WION)

The Financial Express reported that Arun Jaitley will take over the home ministry

The Financial Express reported Thursday that "after five days of drama and speculation, BJP is set to name Rajnath Singh as the new Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh." The report said the news had been confirmed by a "top BJP source". It added that Dinesh Sharma and Siddharth Nath Singh had been the other two contenders for the post but that the party's leaders finally settled on Rajnath Singh for the post. The other two contenders for the post had been Dinesh Sharma and Siddharth Nath Singh but the party's leaders finally settled on Rajnath Singh × The FE report added that the top BJP source confirmed that the home ministry, currently headed by Rajnath Singh, will be given to Arun Jaitley. And that Piyush Goyal, who is currently power minister, will take charge of the finance ministry. (WION)

Rajnath Singh to be chief minister of UP: Report

<img src="http://i.imgur.com/yaWyK95.png" style="margin:0 auto;width: 350px;height:auto;" />

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Sources: <a href="http://www.indiatvnews.com/politics/national-exit-poll-assembly-elections-five-states-india-tv-371824">IndiaTV &ndash; Cvoter</a> ; <a href="http://indiatoday.intoday.in/live-blogs/exit-poll-2017-assembly-elections-result-up-results-/199.html">India Today - Axis My India</a> ; <a href="http://www.newsx.com/national/58142-live-newsx-mrc-exit-polls-the-most-accurate-break-up-of-numbers?pfrom=tags">NewsX - MRC</a> ; <a href="http://www.timesnow.tv/india/article/exit-polls-bjp-win-projected-in-4-states/57316">Times Now- VMR</a> ; ABP &ndash; Lokniti <a href="http://www.abplive.in/india-news/bjp-set-to-sweep-uttarakhand-may-get-34-42-seats-abp-news-exit-poll-503210">1</a>, <a href="http://www.abplive.in/india-news/punjab-exit-poll-live-updates-congress-aap-or-bjp-sad-503122">2</a>, <a href="http://www.abplive.in/india-news/abp-news-exit-poll-live-updates-wholl-be-victorious-in-up-uttarakhand-punjab-goa-502918">3</a>, <a href="http://abpnews.abplive.in/india-news/assembly-elections-exit-polls-2017-know-which-party-is-going-to-win-the-election-574390">4</a> ; <a href="http://www.todayschanakya.com/">News24 - Today&#39;s Chanakya</a> &nbsp;

Party abbreviations: INC: Indian National Congress, AAP: Aam Aadmi Party, SAD: Shiromani Akali Dal, BJP: Bharatiya Janta Party, BSP: Bahujan Samaj Party, SP: Samajwadi Party.&nbsp;

Note: Only the seat totals given by various agencies were compared, not the predictions for individual constituencies. Also, if an agency had given out a seat range as opposed to a specific seat total for any party/alliance, the mid-point of the range was used for comparison.&nbsp;

Update: Images were modified to accurately reflect the exit poll results.

Which polling agencies got the Indian state election results right? And which got it badly wrong? Check the graphics below to find out.

Sources: IndiaTV – Cvoter ; India Today - Axis My India ; NewsX - MRC ; Times Now- VMR ; ABP – Lokniti 1, 2, 3, 4 ; News24 - Today's Chanakya Party abbreviations: INC: Indian National Congress, AAP: Aam Aadmi Party, SAD: Shiromani Akali Dal, BJP: Bharatiya Janta Party, BSP: Bahujan Samaj Party, SP: Samajwadi Party. Note: Only the seat totals given by various agencies were compared, not the predictions for individual constituencies. Also, if an agency had given out a seat range as opposed to a specific seat total for any party/alliance, the mid-point of the range was used for comparison. Update: Images were modified to accurately reflect the exit poll results.

Indian Assembly elections: Did anyone get their predictions right?

Daljit Chaudhary, Additional Director General of Police (ADG) who oversaw the operation in Lucknow during Tuesday&#39;s anti-terror operation in <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/terror-suspect-killed-near-lucknow-was-part-of-is-group-planning-major-attack-authorities-13168">Thakurganj outside&nbsp;Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh said there </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/terror-suspect-killed-near-lucknow-was-part-of-is-group-planning-major-attack-authorities-13168">was</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/terror-suspect-killed-near-lucknow-was-part-of-is-group-planning-major-attack-authorities-13168">&nbsp;no evidence yet of IS&nbsp;link to Saifullah</a> who was gunned down by the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terror Squad.

&quot;Eight pistols, more than 600 cartridges, bomb making instruments, pellets, timers, wires were recovered,&quot; Daljit Chaudhary added.

Daljit Chaudhary also said&nbsp;the police recovered 45grams&nbsp;of gold and foreign currency from the house.

The investigation into the encounter in Lucknow, where a suspected IS terrorist was killed, is likely to be handed over to the NIA, a senior Home Ministry official told PTI on Wednesday.

Earlier, IG Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) Aseem Arun had said that the slain terror suspect was an active member of the IS.

&quot;The slain terror suspect belongs to the Khurasan module of the IS&nbsp;and was an active member. But, whether he has been indoctrinated or not is a matter of investigation,&quot; Arun had told reporters.

In fact, speaking in Madhya Pradesh Assembly, chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan had categorically said that those who orchestrated the blast arrived from Lucknow and<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bhopal-ujjain-train-explosion-a-terrorist-attack-police-13147"> planted the bomb in the passenger train</a> as part of a &quot;pre-planned conspiracy&quot;.

&quot;The terrorists were influenced by Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) terror ideology and carried out the blast. It was a pre-planned conspiracy,&quot; Chouhan declared in the Assembly during the state budget session.

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We have no such evidence yet of any <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ISIS?src=hash">#ISIS</a> link: Daljit Chaudhary,ADG on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LucknowTerrorOp?src=hash">#LucknowTerrorOp</a> <a href="https://t.co/kMHQuifJIr">pic.twitter.com/kMHQuifJIr</a>
&mdash; ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/839450782013472768">March 8, 2017</a></blockquote>
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The encounter<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/lucknow-anti-terror-operation-ends-after-12-hours-1-terror-suspect-killed-13158"> started on Tuesday around 4 pm in Thakurganj area outside Lucknow after police received </a>a&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/lucknow-anti-terror-operation-ends-after-12-hours-1-terror-suspect-killed-13158">tip-off</a> from outside the state. Earlier in the day, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bhopal-ujjain-train-explosion-a-terrorist-attack-police-13147">a blast occurred in the Bhopal-Ujjain train</a> which was later linked to Saifullah.&nbsp;

Uttar Pradesh ATS quickly surrounded the house and waited for Saifullah to surrender but he refused, finally, after nearly 12 hours, he was gunned down by the ATS commandos.

(WION with agency inputs)

The anti-terror operation near Lucknow resulted in the death of a suspected terrorist named Saifullah who police believed was linked to IS

Daljit Chaudhary, Additional Director General of Police (ADG) who oversaw the operation in Lucknow during Tuesday's anti-terror operation in Thakurganj outside Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh said there was no evidence yet of IS link to Saifullah who was gunned down by the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terror Squad. "Eight pistols, more than 600 cartridges, bomb making instruments, pellets, timers, wires were recovered," Daljit Chaudhary added. Daljit Chaudhary also said the police recovered 45grams of gold and foreign currency from the house. The investigation into the encounter in Lucknow, where a suspected IS terrorist was killed, is likely to be handed over to the NIA, a senior Home Ministry official told PTI on Wednesday. Earlier, IG Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) Aseem Arun had said that the slain terror suspect was an active member of the IS. "The slain terror suspect belongs to the Khurasan module of the IS and was an active member. But, whether he has been indoctrinated or not is a matter of investigation," Arun had told reporters. In fact, speaking in Madhya Pradesh Assembly, chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan had categorically said that those who orchestrated the blast arrived from Lucknow and planted the bomb in the passenger train as part of a "pre-planned conspiracy". "The terrorists were influenced by Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) terror ideology and carried out the blast. It was a pre-planned conspiracy," Chouhan declared in the Assembly during the state budget session. We have no such evidence yet of any #ISIS link: Daljit Chaudhary,ADG on #LucknowTerrorOp pic.twitter.com/kMHQuifJIr — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 8, 2017 × The encounter started on Tuesday around 4 pm in Thakurganj area outside Lucknow after police received a tip-off from outside the state. Earlier in the day, a blast occurred in the Bhopal-Ujjain train which was later linked to Saifullah. Uttar Pradesh ATS quickly surrounded the house and waited for Saifullah to surrender but he refused, finally, after nearly 12 hours, he was gunned down by the ATS commandos. (WION with agency inputs)

Uttar Pradesh encounter: We have no evidence yet of any IS link, say police

The anti-terror operation being conducted inside a house in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh is finally over after 12 hours. One terror suspect has been killed.&nbsp;

Anti Terror Squad IG Assem Arun told ANI that the terrorist killed was a member of the ISIS Khorasan module, and that the room was being checked for explosives,<a href="http://indianexpress.com/article/india/lucknow-encounter-up-ats-operation-terrorist-linked-to-ujjain-train-blast-killed-as-lucknow-encounter-comes-to-an-end-4559431/" target="_blank"> Indian Express</a> reports.

Originally it was reported that an Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad was trying to flush out two suspected terrorists holed up&nbsp;in a house in Thakurganj, Lucknow, media reports said.&nbsp;

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Op still on. We thought initially that there is one youth inside,but there are two. Trying to arrest them as soon as possible:ADG Law&amp;Order <a href="https://t.co/0iUZjliZ0E">pic.twitter.com/0iUZjliZ0E</a>
&mdash; ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/839154333065236481">March 7, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Latest reports say&nbsp;there could be an IS link to the terrorists who are holed up in the house in Lucknow. Police have confirmed there are at least two suspected terrorists inside the house, earlier reports said&nbsp;there was just one suspected terrorist.

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Suspected terrorist holed up by UP ATS in Thakurganj area of Lucknow. Operation in progress. (Visuals deferred by unspecified time) <a href="https://t.co/fHDHM7b2tQ">pic.twitter.com/fHDHM7b2tQ</a>
&mdash; ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/839071167055073280">March 7, 2017</a></blockquote>
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The operation started on Tuesday evening as&nbsp;several high-ranking police officials rushed to the area. There were initial reports of gunshots being heard in the area. Media reports said the suspected terrorist named Saiful is a suspect in the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bhopal-ujjain-train-explosion-a-terrorist-attack-police-13147">Bhopal-Ujjain train&nbsp;blast which occurred earlier in the day&nbsp;in Madhya Pradesh</a>.

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A restrained Op managed by senior officers.Need few more hours to finish the Op.Want to investigate the suspect in detail: ADG Law&amp;Order <a href="https://t.co/hQMNLdoaUW">pic.twitter.com/hQMNLdoaUW</a>
&mdash; ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/839110278910390276">March 7, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Suspect holed up by security forces in Lucknow&#39;s Thakurganj area, a total of 20 rounds have been fired, ambulance called in <a href="https://t.co/8BPrtM9P5K">pic.twitter.com/8BPrtM9P5K</a>
&mdash; ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/839095620312973312">March 7, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Uttar Pradesh police said they got a tip-off from outside the state. Up to&nbsp;90 commandos took part in the operation, according to reports. The ATS used chilli bombs to force the suspected terrorist out of the house.

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In order to arrest him alive, we used chilli bombs but he has not come out yet. He is firing intermittently: IG ATS <a href="https://t.co/x3i9oxtcJZ">pic.twitter.com/x3i9oxtcJZ</a>
&mdash; ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/839098633547104260">March 7, 2017</a></blockquote>
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&quot;We suspect the presence of only one person inside the building, input came in from outside the state,&quot;&nbsp;ADG (Law &amp; Order) Daljit Chaudhary said.

Earlier this morning, at least eight persons were injured, two of them seriously, in the blast in Bhopal-Ujjain passenger train near Jabdi station in Shajapur, Madhya Pradesh.

Madhya Pradesh&#39;s IG Law &amp; order Makrand Devaskar confirmed to ANI news agency that the Bhopal-Ujjain passenger train explosion was a terrorist attack. He confirmed the explosion was&nbsp;a result of an IED blast.&nbsp;

Three persons have been detained,&nbsp; IG Law &amp; order Makrand Devaskar added.&nbsp;The blast took place in a general coach of the train near Jabdi station in Shajapur district between 9:30am&nbsp;and 10am, a railway official told PTI.

The train was on its way to Ujjain from Bhopal.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UPDATE?src=hash">#UPDATE</a>: Shots fired by suspected terrorist at security forces in Thakurganj area of Lucknow, operation underway. <a href="https://t.co/ue1Ny6IqNw">pic.twitter.com/ue1Ny6IqNw</a>
&mdash; ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/839068057100234753">March 7, 2017</a></blockquote>
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(WION with agency input)

The operated lasted for 12 hours. An Anti Terror squad IG told ANI the slain terrorist was a member of the ISIS Khorasan module

The anti-terror operation being conducted inside a house in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh is finally over after 12 hours. One terror suspect has been killed. Anti Terror Squad IG Assem Arun told ANI that the terrorist killed was a member of the ISIS Khorasan module, and that the room was being checked for explosives, Indian Express reports. Originally it was reported that an Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad was trying to flush out two suspected terrorists holed up in a house in Thakurganj, Lucknow, media reports said. Op still on. We thought initially that there is one youth inside,but there are two. Trying to arrest them as soon as possible:ADG Law&Order pic.twitter.com/0iUZjliZ0E — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 7, 2017 × Latest reports say there could be an IS link to the terrorists who are holed up in the house in Lucknow. Police have confirmed there are at least two suspected terrorists inside the house, earlier reports said there was just one suspected terrorist. Suspected terrorist holed up by UP ATS in Thakurganj area of Lucknow. Operation in progress. (Visuals deferred by unspecified time) pic.twitter.com/fHDHM7b2tQ — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 7, 2017 × The operation started on Tuesday evening as several high-ranking police officials rushed to the area. There were initial reports of gunshots being heard in the area. Media reports said the suspected terrorist named Saiful is a suspect in the Bhopal-Ujjain train blast which occurred earlier in the day in Madhya Pradesh. A restrained Op managed by senior officers.Need few more hours to finish the Op.Want to investigate the suspect in detail: ADG Law&Order pic.twitter.com/hQMNLdoaUW — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 7, 2017 × Suspect holed up by security forces in Lucknow's Thakurganj area, a total of 20 rounds have been fired, ambulance called in pic.twitter.com/8BPrtM9P5K — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 7, 2017 × Uttar Pradesh police said they got a tip-off from outside the state. Up to 90 commandos took part in the operation, according to reports. The ATS used chilli bombs to force the suspected terrorist out of the house. In order to arrest him alive, we used chilli bombs but he has not come out yet. He is firing intermittently: IG ATS pic.twitter.com/x3i9oxtcJZ — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 7, 2017 × "We suspect the presence of only one person inside the building, input came in from outside the state," ADG (Law & Order) Daljit Chaudhary said. Earlier this morning, at least eight persons were injured, two of them seriously, in the blast in Bhopal-Ujjain passenger train near Jabdi station in Shajapur, Madhya Pradesh. Madhya Pradesh's IG Law & order Makrand Devaskar confirmed to ANI news agency that the Bhopal-Ujjain passenger train explosion was a terrorist attack. He confirmed the explosion was a result of an IED blast. Three persons have been detained, IG Law & order Makrand Devaskar added. The blast took place in a general coach of the train near Jabdi station in Shajapur district between 9:30am and 10am, a railway official told PTI. The train was on its way to Ujjain from Bhopal. #UPDATE: Shots fired by suspected terrorist at security forces in Thakurganj area of Lucknow, operation underway. pic.twitter.com/ue1Ny6IqNw — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 7, 2017 × (WION with agency input)

Anti-terror operation finally ends in Uttar Pradesh, 1 terror suspect killed

Uttar Pradesh Governor has written to chief minister Akhilesh Yadav asking for reasons to retain Gayatri Prajapati as a minister, PTI reported quoting Raj Bhawan sources

Gayatri Prajapati has been booked in a rape case. He is accused of raping and sexually harassing a woman from Uttar Pradesh&#39;s Bundelkhand region for two years.

The Akhilesh Yadav-led government in Uttar Pradesh has come under sharp attack from the BJP for not initiating any action against the tainted minister.

Earlier, Kalraj Mishra, union minister of micro, small and medium enterprises, on Sunday assured that the absconding minister will be arrested once the BJP government comes to power. &nbsp;

BJP also termed the issuing of a non-bailable warrant against him as a hoax and said that the hysteria being created by the Akhilesh Yadav-led government is to fool the people, ANI reported.

Keshav Prasad Maurya, Uttar Pradesh BJP chief, said that Akhilesh has not yet sacked the minister and that he is contesting the assembly polls despite facing serious allegations of rape.

&quot;All of it is drama staged by the Akhilesh government. After a case was registered against him (Prajapati), he was seen roaming around the Chief Minister. He is fighting the elections. What does the Akhilesh government wants to prove by issuing a non-bailable warrant against Prajapati?&quot; asked Maurya.&nbsp;

&quot;He is the part of Akhilesh`s Cabinet. He has not been removed from his ministerial post. He was hiding at the Chief Minister`s residence for two days then was shifted to another place. The police has not able to arrest him. If he absconds from the country, I will hold Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav responsible for it,&quot; he added.

On February 20, Prajapati moved the top court seeking protection from arrest and recalling of its earlier order where it had asked the Uttar Pradesh Police to register a case against him in connection with rape and sexual harassment, ANI reported. 
&nbsp; 
Earlier, the woman had approached the top court after the Uttar Pradesh Police did not register the FIR, following which the top court ordered the police to file a status report in the matter within eight weeks.

(WION with inputs from agencies)

The Akhilesh Yadav-led government has come under sharp attack from the BJP for not taking action against the tainted minister

Uttar Pradesh Governor has written to chief minister Akhilesh Yadav asking for reasons to retain Gayatri Prajapati as a minister, PTI reported quoting Raj Bhawan sources Gayatri Prajapati has been booked in a rape case. He is accused of raping and sexually harassing a woman from Uttar Pradesh's Bundelkhand region for two years. The Akhilesh Yadav-led government in Uttar Pradesh has come under sharp attack from the BJP for not initiating any action against the tainted minister. Earlier, Kalraj Mishra, union minister of micro, small and medium enterprises, on Sunday assured that the absconding minister will be arrested once the BJP government comes to power. BJP also termed the issuing of a non-bailable warrant against him as a hoax and said that the hysteria being created by the Akhilesh Yadav-led government is to fool the people, ANI reported. Keshav Prasad Maurya, Uttar Pradesh BJP chief, said that Akhilesh has not yet sacked the minister and that he is contesting the assembly polls despite facing serious allegations of rape. "All of it is drama staged by the Akhilesh government. After a case was registered against him (Prajapati), he was seen roaming around the Chief Minister. He is fighting the elections. What does the Akhilesh government wants to prove by issuing a non-bailable warrant against Prajapati?" asked Maurya. "He is the part of Akhilesh`s Cabinet. He has not been removed from his ministerial post. He was hiding at the Chief Minister`s residence for two days then was shifted to another place. The police has not able to arrest him. If he absconds from the country, I will hold Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav responsible for it," he added. On February 20, Prajapati moved the top court seeking protection from arrest and recalling of its earlier order where it had asked the Uttar Pradesh Police to register a case against him in connection with rape and sexual harassment, ANI reported. Earlier, the woman had approached the top court after the Uttar Pradesh Police did not register the FIR, following which the top court ordered the police to file a status report in the matter within eight weeks. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Uttar Pradesh Governor to Akhilesh: Why is rape-accused minister still in cabinet?

BSP leader Mayawati today hit back at <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/now-pm-modi-compares-himself-to-lord-krishna-12485">PM Modi&#39;s</a> &#39;Behenji Sampatti (wealth)&nbsp;Party&#39; barb, calling the Indian prime minister &quot;Mr Negative Dalit Man&quot;.

Mayawati&#39;s latest dig at Modi comes after the Indian prime minister said &quot;those who deposit wealth for themselves can never solve the problems of people&quot;.

&quot;Arrey Behenji discussion not because elections are being held but because you have deposited Rs 100 crore after note ban...BSP is no longer Bahujan Samaj Party...Bahujan toh Mayawati me simat gaya hai...It is Behenji Sampatti Party now. Those who deposit wealth for themselves, can they solve your problem?&quot; the prime minister said at an election rally in Orai region in Bundelkhand, Uttar Pradesh.

Mayawati was quick to hit back declaring the PM Modi would get a tit-for-tat reply in the Uttar Pradesh polls.

&quot;Money started being deposited in banks all of a sudden (after demonetisation) and Mayawati started shouting as why is it only at election time that the account of her brother has been made public...why is it being discussed that Rs 100 crore have been deposited,&quot; the India prime minister said.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash">#WATCH</a>: BSP President Mayawati says PM Modi&#39;s full name means that he is an anti-Dalit man. <a href="https://t.co/Nhl0lDbNH3">pic.twitter.com/Nhl0lDbNH3</a>
&mdash; ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/833604759508578304">February 20, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Prime Minister Modi has been attacking the Bahujan Samaj Party(BSP) and Samajwadi Party(SP) repeatedly in an effort to get his party the Bharatiya Janta Party(BJP) back in power after fourteen long years. He recently attacked the Yadav family of the Samajwadi Party singling out chief minister Akhilesh Yadav for aligning with the Congress.

Uttar Pradesh, India&#39;s largest state, is the middle of a hard-fought election campaign spread across seven phases. The results&nbsp;are set to be declared on March 11. Most pollsters and political pandits have given the opposition BJP the edge but with the recent coalition of the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/rahul-invokes-dilwale-dulhania-dacoit-gabbar-singh-to-hit-pm-modi-12501">Congress </a>and Samajwadi Party, the political equations in Uttar Pradesh have changed with every party trying its best to win over the electorate, often at any cost.

(WION with agency inputs)

BSP leader Mayawati's latest dig comes after PM Modi's 'Behenji Sampatti Party' remark at an election rally in Uttar Pradesh

BSP leader Mayawati today hit back at PM Modi's 'Behenji Sampatti (wealth) Party' barb, calling the Indian prime minister "Mr Negative Dalit Man". Mayawati's latest dig at Modi comes after the Indian prime minister said "those who deposit wealth for themselves can never solve the problems of people". "Arrey Behenji discussion not because elections are being held but because you have deposited Rs 100 crore after note ban...BSP is no longer Bahujan Samaj Party...Bahujan toh Mayawati me simat gaya hai...It is Behenji Sampatti Party now. Those who deposit wealth for themselves, can they solve your problem?" the prime minister said at an election rally in Orai region in Bundelkhand, Uttar Pradesh. Mayawati was quick to hit back declaring the PM Modi would get a tit-for-tat reply in the Uttar Pradesh polls. "Money started being deposited in banks all of a sudden (after demonetisation) and Mayawati started shouting as why is it only at election time that the account of her brother has been made public...why is it being discussed that Rs 100 crore have been deposited," the India prime minister said. #WATCH: BSP President Mayawati says PM Modi's full name means that he is an anti-Dalit man. pic.twitter.com/Nhl0lDbNH3 — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) February 20, 2017 × Prime Minister Modi has been attacking the Bahujan Samaj Party(BSP) and Samajwadi Party(SP) repeatedly in an effort to get his party the Bharatiya Janta Party(BJP) back in power after fourteen long years. He recently attacked the Yadav family of the Samajwadi Party singling out chief minister Akhilesh Yadav for aligning with the Congress. Uttar Pradesh, India's largest state, is the middle of a hard-fought election campaign spread across seven phases. The results are set to be declared on March 11. Most pollsters and political pandits have given the opposition BJP the edge but with the recent coalition of the Congress and Samajwadi Party, the political equations in Uttar Pradesh have changed with every party trying its best to win over the electorate, often at any cost. (WION with agency inputs)

PM Modi is Mr 'Negative Dalit Man', says BSP leader Mayawati

Sudhir Chaudhary interviews Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav during the all-important Uttar Pradesh election

This interview has been translated from the original Hindi, and lightly edited for length: By Sudhir Chaudhary Sudhir Chaudhary: If you believe that "kaam bolta hai" ("your work speaks for itself") and you will form a government, what was the point of a coalition with Congress? This shows your weakness... Akhilesh Yadav: Just to eradicate confusion about whether Samajwadi Party (SP) will form a government or not, this coalition was done. And I can say that both parties in the coalition government will win the election. If I contested alone, I would have won 200-250 seats, but now the coalition government will win around 300 seats. Sudhir: Why are you being greedy for 300 seats? 250 is enough for you. I ask because, as I said, you and your party didn't have faith in yourself to win elections... Akhilesh: I did this so that the confusion can be eradicated, and now nobody will have confusion in Uttar Pradesh (UP). Whether we will win or not, the way Uttar Pradesh experienced the first phase election now it is confirmed - SP and Congress will win the elections. Sudhir: Congress party today is just a small party, they won only 44 seats in Lok Sabha elections and they have just seven per cent vote share in UP, and you have given 105 seats to this party. This is an example that shows you are either confused or not sure about your victory. Akhilesh: Politics is a big game, but if you want good friendship you need to have heart. I would have bargained with Congress, but I tried. That friendship should be strong. Sudhir: Who is more of a miser among you? Akhilesh: I will not call this miser, we both got equal share. At least we established a strong bond. Sudhir: But do you think Rahul and you can be good friends? The only one common thing you share is that you both are in politics. Akhilesh: I say its a youth coalition, coming together as a new idea and new development in UP, at least Rahul thinks UP should change its motto towards development. Sudhir: So what do you think how Rahul Gandhi's opinion changed suddenly about you? Akhilesh: Yes there was a motto against me, but that motto can be changed. 27 years of social well-being, It happened in the past, I don't want to consider that. And for long term friendships, we need to move ahead. Sudhir: See this report...what Rahul said about you... Akhilesh: These lines were said in absence of a coalition government, he (Rahul) said that Akhilesh failed, but now I believe I will pass. Sudhir: Who has a bigger role in coalition government during a press conference? Rahul's body language was as if he was your elder brother...do you agree? Akhilesh: In politics there are no such terms like junior or senior. In coming press conferences there will be no such attitude between us. Both are equal and we need to consider them as a national party, since Independence many times they formed governments. We accept the fact. Sudhir: So you were waiting for the moment when Congress would be weakest, and you will adopt them. Akhilesh: You never know when and what situation comes up, and sometimes situations lead to conclusions. So maybe Congress and Samajwadi Party wanted a coalition, so it happened in UP. Sudhir: A viral joke going around now is: "Couples either come from heaven or form due to fear of Modi." Akhilesh: I was listening to BJP candidates and it seems they are more afraid. And I think if blood pressure due to fear...it's of BJP. My blood pressure is still normal. It's just phase-1 in Uttar Pradesh. The majority of voters didn't vote yet, so we are not afraid of any party. This coalition is of youth and new development goals. Sudhir: BJP thinks that this duo is over-aged, they call it ''youth" but they are actually are over age. Akhilesh: I have met several politicians who are 75-85. Still, they call themselves "youth". It hardly matters whatever is our age. But those commenting on this, at least we are younger than them. Sudhir: Don't you think 105 seats is a lot and you wasted this amount of seats? If you had contested alone or would have contested with someone else then maybe you could win in a better way. Akhilesh: Now I don't think this way...whether it's a loss or gain, but now will look forward, and will contest responsibly with all our party candidates. Sudhir: There was a confusion between you and Rahul about who will contest from Amethi, because Congress is the winning party from that constituency. Are you ready to compromise with him on this? Akhilesh: I tried my best to give them seats from different constituencies from wherever they can win...still Samajwadi Party is contesting from those constituencies. Sudhir: Like you have your MLA Prajapati who is contesting from Amethi? Akhilesh: Prajapati is contesting from Amethi. Rakesh, the second sitting MLA, is also contesting elections. In fact, we have Devendraji who is contesting from Rae Bareli. Manoj Pandey is also contesting. I feel that during coalition governments, someone or the other has to face the consequences. Sudhir: Clearly you feel Congress will fail in key constituencies, so Samajwadi Party is contesting from those constituencies. Akhilesh: They removed some candidates, we removed some candidates. The picture will be clearer soon. Sudhir: How is your experience with Rahul Gandhi till now? I was looking through the pictures and videos and while you both were contesting there were electric wires you had to wade through during a rally.... Akhilesh: We came across wires and poles, but at least we were safe and sometimes you need to follow the route your worker's decide...and it's good to visit such localities and it's a matter of experience for politicians. Sudhir: What you think Rahul Gandhi will learn from you in this election? Akhilesh: I will not teach him anything, but as politicians, we move ahead as situations come up, events take place, this makes a politician an experienced person. Sudhir: Let's assume you win this election and everything goes well. So in 2019, will you again contest again with Rahul? Akhilesh: Not yet planned for 2019, but after winning this election situation will change. And what situation will be there in 2019, we will see. Sudhir: You are young. If you win the election for the second time and get a majority, you will establish yourself as a young national leader, and many people assume that this election is important for 2019, and it is a possibility that your name will come up for the PM candidature. Akhilesh: I don't dream very big, my dream is limited only to Uttar Pradesh. If people will give me a chance I will work. This led to Lucknow expressway, and want to extend it to Gazipur and Baliya. As soon as possible this work will get done. We will set market and industries near the expressway, so that skill development for youth and employment can be achieved. Villages should get 24x7 electricity, that's my big dream. Who will stay in Lucknow. I'll last longer than those who stay in Delhi.... Sudhir: It also means Rahul Gandhi should not feel insecure, and if the situation arrives, you will not create any trouble for him. You will stay happy here in Lucknow... Akhilesh: Like I said I don't dream big, at least I believe whosoever stays away from Delhi, lasts longer and will always be happy...I am not in a rush to move to Delhi. Sudhir: But it's a dream for Congress. Akhilesh: If Congress has a dream they need to take a responsible decision because it's a big dream to achieve. Sudhir: I asked this because once Netaji (Mulayam Singh) almost reached there. But some people didn't let him become the PM, so it's a possibility that his son might become.... Akhilesh: Right now he is a politician, and I believe after this election Netaji will be proud, and right now my priority is that 20-25 days of election is left. Samajwadi should win with a majority, and after that what decision we should take will be considered later... Sudhir: Who is your competitor? Akhilesh: I can say that Samajwadi Party is heading, we are cyclists, we balance our handle and go with a good speed. And we do not consider who is behind us... Sudhir: Mulayam Singh never favoured you for this coalition, but still you did it...he might have felt bad. Akhilesh: I tried to be under Netaji, and coalition was the need of the hour, that's why it happened, so that confusion persists. Sudhir: Till now Mulayam Singh hasn't supported you on this... Akhilesh: For whosoever he might contest they are part of Samajwadi Party only. Sudhir: But he is only supporting Shiv Pal and not supporting anyone. Akhilesh: We went to Jaswant Nagar, Bhartana, Lucknow, and I feel with whomsoever he went they all are Samajawadi candidates. He is also saying SP should win. So this is a blessing for the whole party. Sudhir: What kind of coalition is this where Netaji is not active, Sonia Gandhi is not active, Priyanka is not active? It seems everything is totally upon your shoulders... Akhilesh: See how much they trust us that this duo will change UP politics. Sudhir: What have you done till now regarding Netaji's support? Even if you win the election without his support, what's the whole point of it? Akhilesh: There is a lot of time in this...But nobody wants Netaji to be disappointed. Sudhir: But he is... Akhilesh: I feel he is supporting the party, and wherever he is going, he is in favour of the party Sudhir: It's been a long time, still this question arises: when there was a dispute going on in your family, many people used to say it was planned. "Netaji wants to make his son an undisputed leader, and the Samajwadi symbol that is the cycle should go in your favour and that's why it was done". I ask that you answer honestly, was it planned? Akhilesh: What was my situation nobody will know .. and if I talk about people's perception, family drama or planned, everything is wrong as people were angry. But the majority of the party is in my favour. Sudhir: Though we belong to that country where Shrawan Kumar was born, so for any son it is difficult to go against his father ...hardly matters whether it is for the party's sake. As a son, how difficult was it for you to go against your father? Akhilesh: Netaji and party members wanted the party to do well and move ahead towards progress, and according to the situation at that time, my decision was right. But it was for party's sake. If we form a government, Netaji will be very happy. Sudhir: I still remember it was the night of December 31, an occasion people usually celebrate. For you, how was it? Akhilesh: I think it's not a topic for discussion...maybe after elections we can discuss it, because keeping everything aside we want support from people. We should get a chance... Sudhir: Any person who would be in your situation, who is chief minister and doesn't know whether he will continue or not, will do lots of planning. Maybe you are planning for UP, but your wife might be busy deciding which packer and mover should be booked, where to shift next time. Have you planned where you will shift to after this? Akhilesh: My party members know that I don't have much with me. Even if the situation arises I don't need any packer and mover to relocate. And I know people will support Samajwadi Party, and you will see me here again after March 11. I am thinking what else I should bring here after March 11. Sudhir: We build highways...you made us count your achievements, but what about law and order? And still, women are afraid to go out alone in UP. Maybe you deny the fact but Uttar Pradesh is on top in crime, you failed in that aspect... Akhilesh: Anyone accusing me should at least bring reports or facts containing data about each state, not talk about incidents. They should also think and consider other states where incidents also happen. We have worked for law and order. For example, we have given 100 number service, the opposition doesn't have goals for development. This is a sign of failure. Sudhir: Can you swear that women are safe in UP? Akhilesh: We are trying to improve the situation. The police should work effectively, this goal was given to us... Sudhir: Jungle raj...complete lawlessness...rule of the gun are used for UP NCRB data. At 12.7, UP is more notorious than Bihar. Akhilesh: I am saying you should consider stats of different states.It should be per lakh (per 100,000). Sudhir: Yadav title is dominating the UP services. Akhilesh: This is old news...report was sent to the governor regarding this. If you say why mostly people dying are Yadavs? Sudhir: On national perspective Uttar Pradesh lags behind many states including Rajasthan, Orissa, West Bengal and Jharkhand. In GDP UP also lags behind..... Akhilesh: Mostly awards are won by Uttar Pradesh, including IT sector, forest cover, Guinness Book of World Record for tree plantation. Nutrition mission run by SP. We are No-1 in sugarcane plantation and sugar manufacturing, top in potato production. We have made India's largest expressway... Sudhir: But when rape happens on an expressway that's an issue... Akhilesh: We have police check-points every 30 kilometres on the expressway...you can take it on record Sudhir: Why does the media love you so much... Akhilesh: I don't own a share, and I guess you understand better how channels run...incidents in UP make it to "breaking news", but in other states it does not... Sudhir: What will you change if you become CM again? Akhilesh: If SP forms the government, UP will be on top in every sector, and will create skill development centres, will create mandi's, we have allotted land to Baba Ramdev. I will support whoever will come here in food processing... Sudhir: Let's talk about your opposition. They say you will not form the government... Akhilesh: They are very disappointed because in the first phase they didn't have major support of the people, and they know the truth and voters too know the truth. That's why they are accusing us. They should first talk about their work... Sudhir: Do you think this election totally depends upon demonitisation? Akhilesh: People vote in every election. During Lok Sabha elections, people considered central goals. We got less seats because BJP got BSP support, and also many young voters went with the BJP keeping in mind that government will make progress in many issues. Demonitisation was a desperate move because people faced challenges. Sudhir: Will demonitisation help? Akhilesh: Peole should know and understand what corruption means. Money is not judged by colour, it's just transactions which are black, and people who faced challenges will again stand in line and will vote against BJP. Sudhir: What is brand Akhilesh? People say it's your golden period. Akhilesh: I'm confident that if Samajwadi Party will experience a golden period, we will win. Sudhir: What will be the effect on presidential election due to this election? Akhilesh: UP is the largest state, the most populous state. I think we will have an important vote in the presidential elections. Sudhir: Do you have any candidate for presidential elections? Akhilesh: We will think after March 11... Sudhir: How do you feel when your brother's picture gets published in newspapers, driving a five crore ($740,000) car. Akhilesh: He is doing a business, and if he is earning well and buying a car, it hardly matters to us. It's not affecting the ethics of the Samajwadi Party. We are moving ahead now and giving smartphones, 1.4 lakhs (140,000) registrations have been done... Sudhir: Rahul and you both have been called "Sultan" and "Tipu", respectively: Would you like to comment on it? Akhilesh: Our duo will work together towards progress and will bring in new change and both of us will stand together... (WION)

No junior or senior, Congress and SP are equal partners, says UP chief minister Akhilesh Yadav

By &nbsp;Arghya &nbsp;Roy Chowdhury

The mother of all battles,&nbsp;kickstarts in Uttar Pradesh from Saturday. The importance of UP in India&#39;s electoral politics can&#39;t be overstated. Not only does it have the highest number of Lok Sabha seats, it also has given more prime ministers than any other state in the country.

The state is so important, even Narendra Modi had to contest from Varanasi to leverage his own charisma to get Bharatiya Janata Party home.

The frenzy generated by Modi mixed with an electorate divided along communal lines, ensured that BJP managed to virtually sweep the entire state. But this time the situation is bit different, and one of the main reasons is the alliance between Congress and SP.

The first phase, where 73 constituencies are going to polls are spread across 15 districts. They are Shamli, Muzaffarnagar, Baghpat, Meerut, Ghaziabad, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Hapur, Bulandshahr, Aligarh, Mathura, Hathras, Agra, Firozabad, Etah and Kasganj.

Many of these districts are communally sensitive and the Muzaffarnagar riots in 2013 greatly affected the voting patterns in 2014. One of the biggest puzzles of this phase would be whether people chose to vote along religious lines or go back to their usual pattern of caste-based identities.

One party which would be hedging their bets for the&nbsp;conventional order to resume is Ajit Singh&#39;s Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD). A party predominantly asserting the Jat identity, its message resonates well in the sugarcane-soaked Jat heartlands.

The party won 9 of out 73 seats, in the last Assembly elections and was on the cusp of stitching up an alliance with SP and Congress before talks fell through.

RLD still enjoys decent clout and may upset equations in several constituencies where close contest is on cards.In the last elections, SP and BSP both won 11 seats out of the 73 up for grabs on Saturday.

For BSP, this is a crucial phase as many of the seats have a&nbsp;strong concentration of Dalits and Muslim, once Mayawati&#39;s favourite hunting ground.

But it will be up for a stiff concentration with Owaisi&#39;s AIMIM in contention and SP and Congress fighting together. Congress has been a marginal player in Western UP for decades now, but it will try to galvanise the upper-caste votes for SP.

But no other party has more riding on phase one than the BJP. A good start will give it much-needed momentum to march towards the majority mark.

The party has made a major gamble by not putting up a CM face. It hopes that carpet-bombing by top leaders including Modi and Shah will do the trick.

Some of the top BJP candidates contesting in this phase are Rajnath Singh&#39;s son, Hukum Singh&#39;s daughter and controversial leaders like Sangeet Som and Suresh Rana.

In some of the more urbane districts like Noida and Agra, the party is likely to perform well.

The issues which have dominated the campaign cycle so far have been demonetisation, the law-and-order situation, communal disharmony, lack of industries and the informal sector facing a&nbsp;crisis.

Of which the opposition have tried to skewer BJP on demonetisation. Western UP is the hub of small scale industries, many of them been adversely affected by the&nbsp;cash crunch.

The SP government is facing the heat for poor law and order condition, especially it&#39;s ham-handed handling of the riots.

While Western UP is no longer the communal tinderbox it was in 2014, undercurrents of deep religious disharmony permeate till this day. And politicians of all hue have tried to exploit that according to their vote banks.

Both SP and BSP will be pretty happy if they can hold on to their 2012 tally.

For BJP, a good start is extremely necessary. PM Modi has given a clarion call for voting out SCAM (Samajwadi-Congress-Akhilesh-Maywati) which got an angry response from others.

Amit Shah has made a bold prediction that BJP will win 90 out of 143 seats in the first two phases.So, BJP is looking for high strike rate in Western UP to make up for its organisational weakness in other phases. Others will be desperate to deny them the perfect start.

&nbsp;

(This report first appeared in DNA)

Not only does UP have the highest number of Lok Sabha seats, it also has given more prime ministers than any other state in the country

By Arghya Roy Chowdhury The mother of all battles, kickstarts in Uttar Pradesh from Saturday. The importance of UP in India's electoral politics can't be overstated. Not only does it have the highest number of Lok Sabha seats, it also has given more prime ministers than any other state in the country. The state is so important, even Narendra Modi had to contest from Varanasi to leverage his own charisma to get Bharatiya Janata Party home. The frenzy generated by Modi mixed with an electorate divided along communal lines, ensured that BJP managed to virtually sweep the entire state. But this time the situation is bit different, and one of the main reasons is the alliance between Congress and SP. The first phase, where 73 constituencies are going to polls are spread across 15 districts. They are Shamli, Muzaffarnagar, Baghpat, Meerut, Ghaziabad, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Hapur, Bulandshahr, Aligarh, Mathura, Hathras, Agra, Firozabad, Etah and Kasganj. Many of these districts are communally sensitive and the Muzaffarnagar riots in 2013 greatly affected the voting patterns in 2014. One of the biggest puzzles of this phase would be whether people chose to vote along religious lines or go back to their usual pattern of caste-based identities. One party which would be hedging their bets for the conventional order to resume is Ajit Singh's Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD). A party predominantly asserting the Jat identity, its message resonates well in the sugarcane-soaked Jat heartlands. The party won 9 of out 73 seats, in the last Assembly elections and was on the cusp of stitching up an alliance with SP and Congress before talks fell through. RLD still enjoys decent clout and may upset equations in several constituencies where close contest is on cards.In the last elections, SP and BSP both won 11 seats out of the 73 up for grabs on Saturday. For BSP, this is a crucial phase as many of the seats have a strong concentration of Dalits and Muslim, once Mayawati's favourite hunting ground. But it will be up for a stiff concentration with Owaisi's AIMIM in contention and SP and Congress fighting together. Congress has been a marginal player in Western UP for decades now, but it will try to galvanise the upper-caste votes for SP. But no other party has more riding on phase one than the BJP. A good start will give it much-needed momentum to march towards the majority mark. The party has made a major gamble by not putting up a CM face. It hopes that carpet-bombing by top leaders including Modi and Shah will do the trick. Some of the top BJP candidates contesting in this phase are Rajnath Singh's son, Hukum Singh's daughter and controversial leaders like Sangeet Som and Suresh Rana. In some of the more urbane districts like Noida and Agra, the party is likely to perform well. The issues which have dominated the campaign cycle so far have been demonetisation, the law-and-order situation, communal disharmony, lack of industries and the informal sector facing a crisis. Of which the opposition have tried to skewer BJP on demonetisation. Western UP is the hub of small scale industries, many of them been adversely affected by the cash crunch. The SP government is facing the heat for poor law and order condition, especially it's ham-handed handling of the riots. While Western UP is no longer the communal tinderbox it was in 2014, undercurrents of deep religious disharmony permeate till this day. And politicians of all hue have tried to exploit that according to their vote banks. Both SP and BSP will be pretty happy if they can hold on to their 2012 tally. For BJP, a good start is extremely necessary. PM Modi has given a clarion call for voting out SCAM (Samajwadi-Congress-Akhilesh-Maywati) which got an angry response from others. Amit Shah has made a bold prediction that BJP will win 90 out of 143 seats in the first two phases.So, BJP is looking for high strike rate in Western UP to make up for its organisational weakness in other phases. Others will be desperate to deny them the perfect start. (This report first appeared in DNA)

India: First phase of Uttar Pradesh elections could make or break BJP's dream to rule

Ahead of the first phase of polling in India&#39;s northern state of Uttar Pradesh, India&#39;s Prime Minister Narendra Modi decided to take on the ruling Samajwadi Party and its coalition partner Congress today.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the SP-Congress a tie-up between two families who have &quot;looted&quot;(robed) Uttar Pradesh and the country, and mocked Rahul Gandhi saying no leader has as many jokes on him as he does for his &quot;childish&quot; acts.

&quot;When both families were separate, they caused so much destruction in the country and Uttar Pradesh. What will happen when they have joined hands. If you want to save Uttar Pradesh, you will have to save it from these families,&quot; he said addressing a rally in Bijnor district of Uttar Pradesh.

With BJP locked in a tough fight in the state assembly polls, the Prime Minister dwelt at length on the &quot;family rule&quot; of the Yadav clan and cases of crimes under its watch, besides alleged &quot;corruption&quot; during the reign of Akhilesh Yadav and Mayawati governments.

Modi, who has been accused by Congress of using foul language and repeatedly humiliating opposition after his raincoat jibe against former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, persisted with his shrill attack on rivals saying they have only served their families.

With Jats playing a key role in the two phases for which polling will be held tomorrow and in the second phase on February 15, he said a BJP government in the state will set up a farmers welfare fund named after Charan Singh, a noted Jat leader.
<centre><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tiDLHPC34PQ" width="560"></iframe><centre>
Clearing the dues of sugarcane farmers and waiving loans of small and marginal farmers, both promises being part of the BJP&#39;s manifesto, will be a top priority for the state government if his party is voted to power, he declared.

It was, however, his attack on the SP-Congress alliance and the ruling Yadav family which was the focus of his speech.

&quot;I do not know Akhilesh Yadav much. I have met him a few times in meetings and it seemed to me after reading various reports that he is an educated young man who is trying to learn. I was hopeful that a young man will be fit for politics in 5-10 years,&quot; the Prime Minister said.

&quot;On the other hand there is a Congress leaders who does so many childish acts that if you do a search on computer, you will find that no other leader has as many jokes on him as he has.&quot;

&quot;Even senior Congress leaders keep a distance from him. When the leader avoided by his senior party leaders was embraced by Akhilesh, then I began doubting his wisdom. One can make blunders but not of this kind,&quot; Modi said, targeting the Congress vice president.

He said it is an alliance between two families, one of which &quot;looted&quot; the country and the other Uttar Pradesh.

He noted that so many members of the extended ruling Yadav family are MPs, MLAs and serving in various other capacities in government.&nbsp;While Bijnor with about 2,000 villages has one MP, there are so many of them in Parliament, assembly and other government bodies from Safai, the family village of Akhilesh Yadav, he said.

They made one caste (Yadav) as their vote bank but served only their family, he said. The opposition BJP is being touted as a probable winner by political pandits and poll surveys but the recent Congress, Samajwadi Party coalition has changed the political fervour in the northern state engaged in a bitter poll fight with even the Mayawati-led BSP vying for the top slot.

(WION with PTI inputs)
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PM Narendra Modi attacked the tie-up of the Congress and Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh ahead of the first phase of polling tomorrow

Ahead of the first phase of polling in India's northern state of Uttar Pradesh, India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi decided to take on the ruling Samajwadi Party and its coalition partner Congress today. Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the SP-Congress a tie-up between two families who have "looted"(robed) Uttar Pradesh and the country, and mocked Rahul Gandhi saying no leader has as many jokes on him as he does for his "childish" acts. "When both families were separate, they caused so much destruction in the country and Uttar Pradesh. What will happen when they have joined hands. If you want to save Uttar Pradesh, you will have to save it from these families," he said addressing a rally in Bijnor district of Uttar Pradesh. With BJP locked in a tough fight in the state assembly polls, the Prime Minister dwelt at length on the "family rule" of the Yadav clan and cases of crimes under its watch, besides alleged "corruption" during the reign of Akhilesh Yadav and Mayawati governments. Modi, who has been accused by Congress of using foul language and repeatedly humiliating opposition after his raincoat jibe against former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, persisted with his shrill attack on rivals saying they have only served their families. With Jats playing a key role in the two phases for which polling will be held tomorrow and in the second phase on February 15, he said a BJP government in the state will set up a farmers welfare fund named after Charan Singh, a noted Jat leader. Clearing the dues of sugarcane farmers and waiving loans of small and marginal farmers, both promises being part of the BJP's manifesto, will be a top priority for the state government if his party is voted to power, he declared. It was, however, his attack on the SP-Congress alliance and the ruling Yadav family which was the focus of his speech. "I do not know Akhilesh Yadav much. I have met him a few times in meetings and it seemed to me after reading various reports that he is an educated young man who is trying to learn. I was hopeful that a young man will be fit for politics in 5-10 years," the Prime Minister said. "On the other hand there is a Congress leaders who does so many childish acts that if you do a search on computer, you will find that no other leader has as many jokes on him as he has." "Even senior Congress leaders keep a distance from him. When the leader avoided by his senior party leaders was embraced by Akhilesh, then I began doubting his wisdom. One can make blunders but not of this kind," Modi said, targeting the Congress vice president. He said it is an alliance between two families, one of which "looted" the country and the other Uttar Pradesh. He noted that so many members of the extended ruling Yadav family are MPs, MLAs and serving in various other capacities in government. While Bijnor with about 2,000 villages has one MP, there are so many of them in Parliament, assembly and other government bodies from Safai, the family village of Akhilesh Yadav, he said. They made one caste (Yadav) as their vote bank but served only their family, he said. The opposition BJP is being touted as a probable winner by political pandits and poll surveys but the recent Congress, Samajwadi Party coalition has changed the political fervour in the northern state engaged in a bitter poll fight with even the Mayawati-led BSP vying for the top slot. (WION with PTI inputs)

PM Narendra Modi attacks 'family rule' in Uttar Pradesh election rally

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