INDIA
Samajwadi Party said the people of Uttar Pradesh are fed up of Mayawati-led BSP and want a change of guard.
Congress, BJP and SP on Saturday welcomed the announcement of seven-phase elections in Uttar Pradesh but ruled out any more pre-poll alliances, each claiming it will come to power on its own steam.
Samajwadi Party, which stood second in the 2007 elections with 98 seats, said the people of Uttar Pradesh are fed up of Mayawati-led BSP and want a change of guard.
In Lucknow, SP leader Akhilesh Yadav said, "We will not go for any alliance now. People of UP, be they from the backward or the forward castes, should give Samajwadi Party a majority."
He insisted his cycle yatra throughout the state had propelled the party to the centrestage and others were "thousands of kilometres behind us".
SP also clarified that it was not against modernisation and use of computers- a charge levelled against the party during the last Assembly elections when its manifesto said computers and English were not welcome.
"SP is not against English. We have said that computers should use Hindi or Urdu or even English," he said.
Taking on his political adversaries, Yadav said while BJP had transferred its vote to BSP in the past, BSP itself has governed badly and made people angry.
"Congress is also responsible for problems in the state relating to power, water and farmers. We are having difficulty in explaining 2G scam to farmers and labourers," he said.
BJP welcomed the announcement but hit out at BSP for its "misrule" in UP.
"Had the law and order situation been better in UP, I think the Election Commission would not have announced a seven phase schedule," former party president Rajnath Singh said.
BJP also demanded that the Election Commission remove those top bureaucrats and police officials who are close to Chief Minister Mayawati, accusing them of working as BSP "agents".
"We will fight the elections in Uttar Pradesh on the issues of corruption and crime which have increased manifold under Mayawati's rule. However, the BJP feels free and fair polls in the politically crucial state of UP are not possible till police officers and top bureaucrats are removed from key postings," BJP Vice-President Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said.
He demanded that these officials, who have conducted themselves as "spokespersons and agents of BSP" in the last four and half years should be removed from key postings. He said UP Cabinet Secretary and DGP were among them.
BJP Chief spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad maintained that the time has come for people of UP to "get rid of the troika of Congress, BSP and SP who are friends in need and deed in Delhi but maintain a facade of opposition in Lucknow".
He charged that these three parties are representatives of misrule, corruption and non-development".
Hailing the poll schedule, Congress said it is raring to go and claimed the exercise will again show it is the only pan-Indian party.
"The Congress is raring to go. It is fit as a fighting machine. It will show yet again that it is the only pan-Indian party with a strong presence in every nook and corner of the country," party spokesman Abhishek Singhvi said.
Congress UP unit chief Rita Bahuguna Joshi welcomed "preponing" of the polls and claimed the "winds of change blowing in UP are in its favour".
Rita Bahuguna Joshi alleged that there was complete breakdown of law and order in the state which was reeling under increasing unemployment and government-sponsored corruption.
"We are confident of getting a majority as the Centre has fulfilled all its promises. In his campaigns in the state, Rahul Gandhi has spoken about development and creation of job opportunities," she said.
She maintained that people will vote for Congress and give it a clear majority.
JD(U), which will contest the elections in alliance with BJP, also welcomed the poll date announcement.
"JD(U) will contest in all five states with full confidence," party general secretary Javed Raza said.
Anna Hazare and his fight against corruption and for a strong Lokpal is also playing on the minds of these political parties.
"The Lokpal Bill has been introduced in Parliament. Congress had promised to bring the Lokpal Bill and this has been done," Congress leader and union minister RPN Singh said.
Yadav said corruption, which has been flagged by Hazare too, will be a big issue in the elections.
Saudi, Iran: Cautious dance toward détente?
Anushka Sharma shares glimpse of Children’s Day special dish for daughter Vamika, son Akaay
Jaw-dropping! Man wraps massive green anaconda around his shoulders, internet says...
Donald Trump plans to end Russia-Ukraine war with THIS move, is expected to 'soon' appoint...
As pollution worsens in Delhi with AQI at 'severe' level, experts at COP29 urge India to...
SDM Assault Case: 60 people arrested in Rajasthan's Tonk
Veg thali cost more than non-veg thali in October, here's why
Land drug trafficking patterns in North-Eastern Region
Shillong Teer Result November 14, 2024: Know updates on lucky winning numbers
Mukesh Ambani's SUPERHIT offer for Jio users: Get unlimited validity for 84 days at just Rs...
Delhi air quality dips to 'severe' category as AQI nears dangerous...
Bigg Boss OTT-fame Bhojpuri actress Akshara Singh receives extortion threat
‘All I do is…’: After Arjun Kapoor confirms breakup with Malaika Arora, her cryptic video goes viral
World Diabetes Day 2024: Types, causes, precaution to avoid this chronic disease
Children's Day 2024: 50 WhatsApp wishes, messages, quotes to share on bal diwas
AUS vs PAK Live Streaming: When and where to watch Australia vs Pakistan 1st T20I live in India?
IND vs SA: Ramandeep Singh achieves THIS feat on T20I debut, joins Suryakumar Yadav in elite list
Meet man who used to earn just Rs 65, now heads Rs 23416 crore company, he is…
DNA TV Show: Arsh Dalla, Khalistani terrorist, arrested in Canada
Pushpa 2 first review: Rashmika Mandanna says Allu Arjun movie is 'freaking amazing'
SA vs IND: Tilak Varma scripts history with maiden century in 3rd T20I against South Africa
Delhi becomes world's most polluted city, overtakes Pakistan's Lahore, AQI recorded at...
Last Supermoon of 2024: Know when and how to watch it and other details here
Noida man arrested for creating ‘cannabis nursery’ inside house after being inspired by…
Actor John Krasinski named 'Sexiest Man Alive 2024' by People magazine
Meet outsider who worked in bank for eight years, became OTT star, will now star opposite Kajol in..
What is wedding invitation scam, how to protect yourself from it?
Arjun Tendulkar achieves rare feat which father Sachin Tendulkar never did in his 25-year career
Mukesh Ambani suffers Rs 12548 crore loss after buying Star from Disney, here's how
Ananya Panday sets Instagram on fire in sizzling bikini; BFF Suhana Khan, mom Bhavana Pandey react
International Trade Fair 2024 in Delhi from Nov 14: Know ticket price, timings, venue and more
SA vs IND: Varun Chakravarthy eyes Ravichandran Ashwin's all-time India record in T20Is
This govt company sold Rs 28880000000 shares of Ratan Tata firm, reduces its holding to...
Delhi Air Pollution: AQI hits 'Severe' category, record high in India today with 418
Tesla CEO Elon Musk spreading misinformation on X? His own AI model says...
Independent candidate slaps SDM outside booth during Rajasthan bypolls, watch video here
Viral video: Vistara crew bids emotional farewell on last flight before merger with Air India, watch
NBR Group Redefines Luxury Living With New Brand Identity, Tagline, and Logo
Resham Kamboj: Empowering Souls and Financial Freedom Through Spiritual Mentorship
NTPC Green Energy Rs 10000 crore IPO: Check subscription date, price band, lot size and more
India’s first hydrogen train to start trials soon: Check route, features, top speed to be…
Tejasvi Jaiswal's selfless sacrifice for brother Yashasvi Jaiswal rewarded with life's greatest gift
Mukesh Ambani, Isha Ambani to shut down these outlets under Reliance Retail due to...
Watch viral video: This MP stole Bill and ran away with intention to...
US comedian's hilarious imitation of Donald Trump goes viral, watch video here
Jharkhand Assembly Elections 2024: CSK legend MS Dhoni and wife Sakshi cast vote in Ranchi - Watch
LoP Rahul Gandhi rides Kerala's longest zipline in Wayanad to boost tourism after landslides; watch
Nita Ambani stuns in floral ensemble as she poses with Anupam Kher at NMACC