Comedian Harsh Gujral took social media by storm with a hilarious tale about crime in Uttar Pradesh. At an awards show, he entertained the audience with a quirky exchange involving a banana seller in Lucknow, who boldly declared that crime was a thing of the past. Present at the event was Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who couldn't help but laughed at the punchline.
Debutant director Radhika Bansal aims to bright up this Diwali with her feel-good, slice of life movie Meethe Mein Kya Hai. As the film inches closer to its Diwali week release, the makers have been dropping songs from the album composed by Amit Trivedi. Building on the success of Jagmaga and Chhad De, the makers dropped the third track from the album. Ichak Dana Bichak Dana, sung by Nakash Aziz and written by Kumaar, marks a vibrant third song for the film, bringing a heavy dose of nostalgia to Meethe Mein Kya Hais musical line-up. Ichak Dana Bichak Dana is an upbeat, feel-good number by Amit Trivedi, it brings to life the joy of a family coming together under one roof. With its catchy tune and nostalgic feel, the song fits into Meethe Mein Kya Hai's storyline. Full of energy and warmth, it captures the films lively family dynamic and celebrates the little moments, shared traditions and bonds. Set over four days during Diwali at the family matriarchs home in Lucknow, Meethe Mein Kya Hai is a warm, witty family entertainer that explores the chaos, affection and unexpected surprises that come with a multigenerational family reunion. The movie's trailer, which was released on October 21, has been received well by the audience. The film stars and ensemble cast that includes Ritwik Bhowmik, Rohini Hattangady, Ayesha Raza, Gaurav Sharma, Tarana Raja, Abhay Kaul, Dalai, Vikram Bakshi, Ayuushman Ghai, Kiara Chouhan and Shivika Rishi. Written and directed by debutant filmmaker Radhika Bansal, the film premieres on Netflix on 30 October. Also Read: Meethe Mein Kya Hai trailer out: Debutant director Radhika Bansal brings a multigenerational family story to Netflix
BJP bags four of 11 UP MLC seats, SP gets two
The BJP has secured four of the 11 Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council seats, while the Samajwadi Party has won two, with vote counting still in progress for other constituencies. Key wins for BJP include Teachers' and Graduates' seats in Bareilly-Moradabad, Lucknow, and Meerut. The Samajwadi Party claimed victories in Varanasi Teachers' and Agra-Aligarh Teachers' constituencies, with its candidates also leading in other graduate seats. The elections are seen as a crucial battle ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh assembly elections.
The counting is underway in Lucknow, Varanasi, Agra, Meerut, Jhansi, Bareilly and Gorakhpur
UP MLC polls counting underway: BJP wins four, SP secures Varanasi Teachers' seat
Digital Desk | Lucknow, Oct 28 (IANS) The elections for the Legislative Council's Teachers' and Graduates' constituencies, seen as a crucial indicator of the political climate ahead of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, are witnessing a fierce contest between the BJP and the Samajwadi Party. In the ongoing vote count for 11 seats, the BJP has secured victory in four, while the Samajwadi Party's Lal Bihari Yadav has won the Varanasi Teachers' constituency. The BJP has retained both the Teachers' and Graduates' seats in Meerut. Umesh Dwivedi achieved a hat-trick by winning the Lucknow Teachers' seat for the third consecutive time. Meanwhile, the counting of votes for the remaining seats is underway. Polling for these 11 seats, comprising five Graduates' and six Teachers' constituencies, took place on October 23, with a total of 152 candidates in the fray. The outcome will be determined by the votes of approximately 14.81 lakh electors. The counting process began at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday across seven centres in the state. Tight security arrangements are in place, with the process being monitored via CCTV cameras and videography. The BJP emerged victorious in both the Teachers' and Graduates' constituencies of the Meerut-Saharanpur division. For the Teachers' seat, BJP candidate Shrichand Sharma won by securing 18,099 votes, while in the Graduates' constituency, the BJP's Dinesh Goyal secured victory with 24,928 votes. Hari Singh Dhillon of the BJP won from the Bareilly-Moradabad Teachers' constituency. As mentioned, Umesh Dwivedi of the BJP secured a hat-trick by winning the Lucknow Teachers' constituency for the third time in a row. Following his victory, Umesh Dwivedi expressed his gratitude to the teachers and voters. I express my gratitude and thanks to all my respected teachers and fellow voters. I also extend my heartfelt thanks to the Bharatiya Janata Party, Yogi-ji, Modi-ji, and the party's lakhs of workers and office-bearers for placing their trust in me, he said. Meanwhile, in the Varanasi Teachers' constituency, Lal Bihari Yadav of the Samajwadi Party emerged victorious. Following his victory, he stated, The BJP's claims of winning both seats had proven hollow. Teachers had placed their trust in Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav, and campaigning by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had no impact on the election. Lal Bihari Yadav also accused the administration of harassing his supporters during the election. He alleged that some individuals were placed under house arrest, while others were pressured not to leave their school premises. There has been no official response from the administration regarding these allegations. During the vote counting for the Agra Teachers' Constituency, a dispute arose between the Samajwadi Party and BJP candidates. SP candidate Akash Agarwal alleged that he was assaulted at the counting centre and that his 'kurta' was torn; he held BJP supporters responsible for the incident. Following the incident, tension escalated at the counting centre, with supporters from both parties confronting one another. Conversely, BJP workers dismissed the allegations, claiming that Akash Agarwal had torn his own 'kurta'. BJP workers also staged a sit-in protest. Police Commissioner Deepak Kumar stated that both sides have levelled accusations of assault against each other, leading to a contentious situation at the counting centre. The counting of votes for the Gorakhpur-Faizabad Teachers' Constituency is taking place at the Commerce Department of Gorakhpur University. Here, the Samajwadi Party has boycotted the counting process, alleging electoral malpractice. SP leaders alleged that the democratic process is being compromised, claiming that administrative officials and observers are working to ensure the victory of the BJP candidate. These allegations have not been independently verified. A tight contest between the BJP and the SP is also being observed in the Graduates' Constituencies. In the Allahabad-Jhansi Graduates' Constituency, SP candidate Mansingh Yadav took the lead following the fifth round of counting. In the Lucknow Graduates' Constituency, SP candidate Kanti Singh has been leading since the initial rounds. Meanwhile, for the Varanasi Graduates' constituency seat, the contest is between Ashutosh Sinha of the SP and Kedar Singh of the BJP. The counting of first-preference votes has commenced here. The result for this seat is expected to be declared later in the day. In the remaining constituencies, the counting of votes is currently underway.
Comedian Harsh Gujral touches Yogi Adityanath's feet, cracks crime joke at UP event [Watch]
Comedian Harsh Gujral received a youth icon award at an event in Uttar Pradesh in the presence of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. He narrated a humorous anecdote about a banana seller in Lucknow who claimed crime had ended, joking that he was a former criminal who now sold bananas
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Harsh Gujral's banana seller joke about crime in UP leaves CM Yogi laughing | Watch
A video of comedian Harsh Gujral is going viral on social media. In it, he shares a humorous story about crime in Uttar Pradesh in the presence of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. While receiving an award on stage from the Chief Minister, Harsh narrated a real-life incident from Lucknow that also drew laughter from the audience. Yogi Adityanath was seen laughing at the comedians punchline. The video featuring Harsh and the Chief Minister is now making waves on social media.
UP govt to promote traditional pottery through 11-day Mati Kala Mahotsav 2026 in Lucknow
Digital Desk | Lucknow, Oct 27 (IANS) The Uttar Pradesh government, under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanaths leadership, is set to promote traditional pottery and terracotta craftsmanship through the 11-day Mati Kala Mahotsav 2026, beginning on October 28 in Lucknow. The festival will continue until November 7 at the Khadi Bhawan premises in Dalibagh. The idea is to provide a major platform for traditional artisans to showcase their skills and products. Organised by the Uttar Pradesh Mati Kala Board, the state-level festival will be held under the theme Mitti se Sanskriti, Sanskriti se Samriddhi (Culture from Soil, Prosperity from Culture). The initiative aims to preserve the states rich cultural heritage, encourage local craftsmanship and create greater market opportunities for pottery artisans. The grand exhibition will be inaugurated by Rakesh Sachan, Minister for Khadi and Village Industries, Silk Industry, Handloom and Textiles, on Wednesday, October 28. According to the official announcement, the inauguration ceremony is scheduled to take place at 5 p.m. at the Uttar Pradesh Mati Kala Board premises, Khadi Bhawan, 8-Tilak Marg, Dalibagh, Lucknow. Anil Kumar Sagar, Principal Secretary of the Khadi and Village Industries Department, will also attend the event. Artisans from various districts of Uttar Pradesh will participate in the festival, displaying a wide range of high-quality pottery and traditional clay products. The exhibition is expected to highlight the creativity, craftsmanship and cultural significance of clay-based art while bringing traditional artisans closer to potential customers. The festival also reflects the government's efforts to strengthen traditional industries, support rural livelihoods and encourage self-employment among skilled craftspeople. By offering artisans a direct platform to exhibit their creations, the event aims to increase public appreciation for indigenous art and help sustain traditional pottery-making practices. Shishir, Chief Executive Officer of the Uttar Pradesh Mati Kala Board, has appealed to citizens, art enthusiasts and members of the public to visit the exhibition, explore the products and encourage local artisans. According to officials, the 11-day celebration is expected to bring together tradition, creativity and economic opportunity, reinforcing the importance of pottery in Uttar Pradeshs cultural identity.
Forced to Sell Bananas: CM Yogi Responds After Comedian Harsh Gujral Jokes About UP Crime
Stand-up comedian Harsh Gujral left Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath laughing at the TOI Youth Icons Summit in Lucknow after sharing a humorous anecdote about a banana seller and crime in the state. Gujral recalled asking a vendor whether crime had reduced in Uttar Pradesh, to which the seller reportedly replied that he had once been involved in criminal activities but was now selling bananas. Responding to the anecdote, Yogi credited his governments zero-tolerance policy, implemented in 2017, for the change. He said mafias had been wiped out and contrasted the past with the One District, One Product scheme.
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No Favouritism: CM Yogi Highlights UPs Push on Startups, MSMEs & Jobs at TOI Youth Icons Summit
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath highlighted the states efforts to generate employment, promote startups and strengthen industries while addressing the TOI Youth Icons Summit & Awards UP Chapter in Lucknow. Thanking The Times of India for recognising young achievers, he outlined Uttar Pradeshs transformation, contrasting its past challenges with initiatives such as the One District, One Product (ODOP) scheme. He said the scheme was promoting district-specific products nationally and internationally while creating employment opportunities for lakhs of young people. Highlighting the MSME sector, Yogi said UP has 96 lakh MSME units, providing direct employment to 3.25 crore people. He also cited 9.5 lakh government jobs filled over nine-and-a-half years and promised one lakh more within six months.
SGPGIMS Junior Resident (Hepatology) Recruitment 2026
Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow (SGPGIMS) has invited eligible candidates to attend a Walk-in Interview for 3 Junior Resident posts. The walk-in interview will be held on 30 October 2026 at School of Telemedicine, Second Floor, SGPGIMS, Lucknow. Candidates should report at 10:30 AM. Further details are available at sgpgims.org.in.
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When Harsh Gujrals hilarious take on UP crime left CM Yogi in splits
Digital Desk | Mumbai, Oct 27 (IANS) Comedian and actor Harsh Gujral once narrated an interesting incident about the diminishing rate of crime in Uttar Pradesh. An old video of the comedian-actor from UP Creators Summit & Awards 2026 has resurfaced on the internet, and it shows him recollecting the funny incident as he stood next to the UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. He said in his speech, Im telling you a real life example. I was in Lucknow for a show. I went out for a walk when I asked a shopkeeper selling bananas about the crime rate in UP. He said the crime rate has diminished a lot in UP. I asked him how he was so sure about that. He said, Im a criminal myself but Im not selling bananas. Thank you so much for this award, Uttar Pradesh Rocks. While the comedian-actor shared a personal anecdote, the National Crime Records Bureaus (NCRB) data shows fluctuations in Uttar Pradeshs registered crime rate over recent years. On a cursory glance, the rate stood at 225.3 cases per lakh population in 2016, climbed up to 278.2 in 2019 and reached 287.4 in 2020. It declined to 262.5 in 2021 and 171.6 in 2022, before it rose sharply to 335.3 in 2023. In 2023, UP recorded approximately 7.93 lakh cases under the Indian Penal Code and Special and Local Laws, while its crime rate remained below the national average of 448.3. Talking about Harsh Gujral, he made his Bollywood film debut with Mere Husband Ki Biwi, directed by Mudassar Aziz. The romantic comedy also starred Arjun Kapoor, Bhumi Pednekar and Rakul Preet Singh in lead roles, with Gujral appearing in a supporting role. The film was released on February 21, 2025.
Three generations, one state: Film personalities reflect on roots in Uttar Pradesh
Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow (SGPGIMS) has released the official notification for 3 vacancies, including Senior Resident and Junior Resident posts. Selection will be carried out through a Walk-in Interview scheduled on 30 October 2026 at School of Telemedicine, Second Floor, SGPGIMS, Lucknow. For complete details, candidates can visit sgpgims.org.in.
Yogi REVEALS One Condition to DRDO for BrahMos, Says UP-Made Missile Left Pak in Turmoil
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, speaking at the TOI Youth Icons Summit & Awards 2026 UP Chapter in Lucknow, recounted how his government allocated land for DRDOs missile project during the COVID-19 pandemic. He said the government agreed to spend around 200 crore on land, despite objections, citing national security. Yogi said a condition was placed on DRDO to include UP institutions in its recruitment process. Through campus selection at AKTU, around 500 young engineers and technical professionals secured jobs. He also highlighted BrahMos missile manufacturing in Lucknow and said UP received 35 crore in GST from missile sales.
TOI Youth Icons Summit: UP panel explores youth employment, womens safety and cultural values
BJP agent: AAP slams UP CEO after objectionable remarks on X
Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) issued an apology on Tuesday, October 27, after his objectionable comments on the official X handle sparked outrage. A day ago, State Chief Electoral Officer Navdeep Rinwa made controversial remarks while responding to a video of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Sanjay Singh, who alleged absurd irregularities Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
UP cabinet clears 22 proposals, including four link expressways, cyber security centre
The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath at his official residence in Lucknow on Tuesday, approved 22 proposals, including the development of four link expressways, cashless medical treatment for non-teaching staff in educational institutions and the establishment of a cyber security operations centre. Among the key decisions was the approval of four link expressway projects aimed at strengthening road connectivity across the state. These include the Farrukhabad Link Expressway, a link expressway connecting the Agra-Lucknow Expressway with the Purvanchal Expressway, the Jhansi Link Expressway and the Jewar Link Expressway. The Cabinet also approved a proposal to establish a cyber security operations centre in Uttar Pradesh through IIT Kanpur's C3iHub. In another decision, the Cabinet approved the free transfer of 9.524 hectares of land for the Sainik School in Mainpuri. It also cleared proposals to extend cashless medical treatment facilities to non-teaching...
The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Uttar Pradesh has issued an official apology following severe backlash over controversial comments posted from its official social media handle and major discrepancies in the states electoral rolls. The controversy escalated after Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh held a press conference in Lucknow on Monday, [] The post UP Election Body Issues Apology Following Row Over Controversial Social Media Posts and Voter Roll Errors appeared first on Pragativadi I Latest Odisha News in English I Breaking News .
Police Suspended After Triple Murder In Lucknow
Two police personnel in Lucknow have been suspended following the murder of three family members, including an RSS functionary, over a car parking dispute. The accused has been arrested, and an FIR has been registered against eight people under murder and rioting charges. The incident led to protests by BJP leaders demanding action against the police.
UP MLC polls: Counting underway for 11 seats, SP candidate expresses confidence in victory
Digital Desk | Lucknow, Oct 27 (IANS) Counting of votes for 11 Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council seats began on Tuesday, with Samajwadi Party (SP) candidate Sanjay Tripathi expressing confidence in his victory in the Gorakhpur-Faizabad Teachers constituency, citing years of hard work and the support of teacher voters. Speaking in Gorakhpur, Tripathi said he was hopeful of a favourable outcome, adding that the support he had received from teachers had strengthened his confidence. I am grateful to God and seek His blessings. This is the result of years of continuous hard work, and today is the time for it to bear fruit. The way I have received the cooperation and support of teacher voters has made me very confident, he said. Counting is underway at designated centres across the state amid tight security arrangements. In Lucknow, the counting process is being conducted at the Ramabai Ambedkar Rally Ground, where multi-layer barricading has been put in place. Candidates and their supporters have also gathered at the counting centre. In another development, counting for the Graduate and Teachers constituency elections is underway at Naveen Mandi Samiti. Security has been strengthened at the venue, while traffic diversions have been implemented for heavy vehicles to ensure smooth traffic movement around the counting centre. Earlier, DIG Shivhari Meena said the Varanasi Police Administration had prepared a three-tier security plan to ensure the peaceful and orderly counting of votes. The Varanasi Police Administration has prepared a three-tier security plan for the counting of votes in the MLC election. It includes outer, inner and isolation cordons... Security arrangements are being strengthened, and social media is being monitored. Drones and CCTV cameras have also been deployed to ensure tight security so that the vote-counting process can be conducted smoothly, he said. The elections cover five Graduates constituencies and six Teachers constituencies, with 152 candidates in the fray and 14,81,310 registered voters. A total of 2,697 polling stations were established across 72 districts, while Kanpur Nagar, Kanpur Dehat and Unnao were excluded from the electoral exercise. The main contest is between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Samajwadi Party, although Independent candidates and party rebels are also in the race. Meanwhile, the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Monday ordered the immediate suspension of six supervisory officers and initiated disciplinary proceedings against five presiding officers and 16 police personnel over alleged dereliction of duty and supervisory lapses during the biennial election to the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council from the Agra Teachers constituency, according to media reports.
TOI Youth Icons Summit & Awards UP: Celebrating Young Changemakers
TOI Youth Icons Summit & Awards, UP Chapter, comes to Lucknow on October 27. It brings together achievers, emerging leaders and influential voices to celebrate young Indians shaping the countrys future. The day features an address by the Chief Minister, talks by leading voices from film and public service, an entrepreneurship masterclass, and fireside chats on journeys from small towns to the world stage and on taking rooted Indian stories global. Panels explore UPs transformation, from jobs, skills and startups to safety, connectivity and culture. The Awards honour achievers from Uttar Pradesh in enterprise, sports, society, culture and social media.
UP Weather Forecast, October 27: Cyclonic Storm May Bring Thunderstorms, Strong Winds and Rain
Lucknow, October 27, 2026 (Udaipur Kiran): Weather conditions in Uttar Pradesh are likely to change from October 28 under the influence of a cyclonic storm over the Bay UP Weather Forecast, October 27: Cyclonic Storm May Bring Thunderstorms, Strong Winds and Rain
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Nepali gang arrested for murder of retired IPS officers wife in Hyderabad
Digital Desk | Hyderabad, Oct 26 (IANS) More than five months after Tanuja Ranjan, wife of retired Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Ray Vinay Ranjan, was brutally murdered at their residence in Hyderabad, police on Monday arrested four Nepalese. Those arrested include the domestic worker, Dharma Tiruwa alias Kalpana, who had worked at the victims residence. The arrests were made following a five-month-long investigation spanning several states and the India-Nepal border. Hyderabad Police Commissioner V. C. Sajjanar announced the arrests at a press conference. A Special Investigation Team (SIT), probing rising property offences committed by Nepali gangs across the three Police Commissionerates, arrested four accused near Nampally Railway Station on Monday (October 26). Dharma alias Kalpana, 26, is from Surkhet district in Nepal. Ganesh B.K. alias Ganesh Bishwakarma alias Dinesh Thapa, 31, is a labourer who was residing in Pune; Chandra Bahadur Tamang alias Ranjeet Thapa alias Shanker Chandra Lama alias Kancha, 44, a cook whose listed Indian address is in Gurugram, Haryana; and Ganesh Bahadur Shahi, 37, a watchman who was residing in Pune. Police said two other accused remained absconding and that teams were continuing efforts to trace them. The police had earlier arrested two other accused in the case. Police said the accused entered the house in Prashasan Nagar on the night of May 78, restrained Tanuja Ranjan and smothered her. They allegedly escaped with 225 grams of gold jewellery and other valuables. The police investigation revealed that Dharma came to Hyderabad in June 2025 through a relative and began working as a domestic help at the Jubilee Hills residence for a monthly salary of about Rs 20,000. During her employment, she allegedly remained in contact with Bikas, a Nepal national based in Pune, who repeatedly asked about her employer, the households assets and the valuables inside the house. He eventually proposed a robbery in return for a share of the proceeds. In April 2026, Dharma travelled to Pune to visit her ailing father and came into contact with other members of the alleged gang. On May 4, when her employer left for Bengaluru, she allegedly alerted the group. The police account says Ganesh Bahadur Shahi, Shanker Chandra Lama and Sunil Pariyar met at Kalamboli in Raigad district, Maharashtra, on May 4 and travelled to Pune in a hired Maruti Ertiga. The next day, they met other alleged accomplices, including Ganesh B.K., before setting out for Hyderabad. On the morning of May 7, Ganesh B.K. and Suresh Shahi allegedly met Dharma near her workplace, surveyed the premises and discussed how the group could enter the house. Two groups allegedly carried out the operation. According to police, the gang assembled at Ravindra Bar near the Mahatma Gandhi Bus Station area on the evening of May 7. It allegedly split into two groups under a plan devised by Sujan Shahi, also known as Suresh Shahi. One group, comprising Ganesh B.K., Suresh Shahi and Shanker Lama, was assigned to enter the house and carry out the robbery. The other, comprising Ganesh Bahadur Shahi, Sunil Pariyar and Netra Shahi, allegedly remained near Nampally railway station as a lookout team. During the intervening night of May 7 and 8, Dharma allegedly opened the door to let the others in. Police said Tanuja woke up during the incident. The attackers allegedly gagged and restrained her, causing her death by suffocation. The group then searched the house, broke open cupboards and took gold jewellery and other valuables. After leaving through the rear gate, the accused allegedly travelled to Nampally and joined the lookout team. Investigation revealed that the group subsequently travelled towards Kazipet, moved into isolated hilly terrain and divided the stolen property into nine equal shares. Members then split into smaller groups, fled towards Nepal and disposed of the valuables at different locations. On May 22, Task Force teams arrested Sunil Bahadur Aauji alias Sunil Pariyar and alleged receiver Dilip Bahadur Mijar alias Sonar. Police recovered 26 grams of the stolen property from them. The investigation continued across Bengaluru, Mumbai, Pune, Surat, Patna, Delhi, Lucknow and Uttarakhand. The SIT also carried out field inquiries near the India-Nepal border, spending more than five months gathering intelligence in remote and hilly areas. Police said local informers helped the team track the suspects alleged hideouts, travel routes, employment and contacts.
Lucknow: NEET Aspirant Allegedly Fakes Kidnapping, Sends Death Message; Demands
A 17-year-old NEET aspirant in Lucknow staged his own abduction, demanded a 5 lakh ransom, and falsely claimed he had been killed before police traced him unharmed.
Digital Desk | Lucknow, Oct 26 (IANS) Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav on Monday pitched for linking the voters' list with Aadhaar and other biometric verification tools, arguing that this was the need of the hour given the scale of electoral irregularities and manipulation of electoral rolls by those in power. The SP supremo made the demand during a press conference on Monday, where he pointed fingers at the Centre and the Election Commission, accusing them of facilitating tampering of the voter list and rigging in elections. He accused the Centre of weakening democracy and eroding the trust of people in constitutional institutions through match-fixing of votes. The government that shuns questions weakens democracy, he said and called for safeguarding the integrity of elections by deploying the latest technology. Voter lists should be linked with Aadhaar, and a biometric system should be introduced at the polling booths. It should not be optional, and everyone should be added. These devices are not very expensive, and technology can help rectify irregularities, he said. The SP supremo, raising concerns over duplicate voter entries and their impact on electoral outcomes, said that on multiple occasions, the same names appear in the electoral rolls again and accused the BJP of orchestrating these discrepancies for electoral gains. Akhilesh alleged that over 2,000 entries under the name Sunita, wife of Rajesh have been found across the state. He emphasised that it is the Election Commission's responsibility to ensure that no eligible voter is left out and that no ineligible names are included, and argued that creating duplicate voter IDs would not be easy, but could be controlled to a large extent if the Commission harnesses technology to investigate the alleged irregularities. Akhileshs fresh attack on the poll panel and Centre came while inducting party leaders from other parties who jumped ship to join SP. The leaders who joined the SP in the presence of the party chief included former BJP MLAs Sinod Shakya and Kushagra Sagar, former IAS officer Ram Bahadur Pasi, BJP leader Chandra Kumar Mishra, and Dara Singh Prajapati (previously associated with the BSP). Akhilesh stated that the SP has experience of coalition politics and will work alongside its allies to oust the BJP from power. He urged party workers to strengthen the organisation at the booth level. He also commented that many BJP MLAs are also interested in switching allegiance.
