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Uttar Pradesh: RLD onboard, BJP looks for dominance

LUCKNOW: Having acquired more political muscle through Jat support by taking Jayant Chaudhury-led RLD onboard, the BJP is aiming for a dominance on the eight seats Amroha, Meerut, Baghpat, Ghaziabad, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Bulandshahr, Aligarh and Mathura set to vote on April 26, while the Opposition bloc is ready to put a stiff fight. In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the BJP, while facing the challenge from SP-BSP-RLD grand alliance, won seven of these seats. Only Amroha was won by the alliance. In 2024, the BJP has reworked its strategy by allying with the RLD and allotting the Baghpat seat to the party that has Jats as its core support base. To regain lost ground, the SP has tied up with the Congress. The BSP is going it alone. In this phase, both SP and Congress are contesting on four seats each as per their seat-sharing arrangement. While the SP has fielded candidates in Meerut, Baghpat, Gautam Buddha Nagar and Aligarh, Congress will contest in Ghaziabad, Mathura, Amroha and Bulandshahr. The fate of former Union minister Mahesh Sharma, who is seeking a third term on the BJP ticket from Gautam Budh Nagar, Ramayan fame actor Arun Govil in Meerut and actress Hema Malini, who is seeking a hat-trick from Mathura, will be decided in this phase. Former Mumbai Police commissioner Satya Pal Singh is not in the fray this time. He had defeated RLD chief Ajit Singh in Baghpat in 2014 and Jayant Chaudhary in 2019. BJP has allotted Baghpat to the RLD and Dr Rajkumar Sangwan has been fielded as NDA candidate. Amroha is set to witness a contest among Congresss Danish Ali, BJPs Kanwar Singh Tanwar, and BSPs Dr Mujahid Hussain. The BSP suspended Ali, who was its MP from Amroha, last year for anti-party activities and he joined the Congress. The BJP stronghold Meerut will witness a three-way fight among BJPs Arun Govil, SPs Sunita Verma and BSPs Devvrat Kumar Tyagi. In Meerut, the S P has fielded dalit candidate Sunita Verma replacing OBC aspirant Atul Pradhan. The BJP won the seat in 1996, losing it to Congress in 1999 and BSP in 2004. BJPs Rajendra Agrawal, who has been denied the ticket this time, won the Meerut seat in 2009, 2014 and 2019. The BJP has replaced Agarwal with Govil. Baghpat, an RLD bastion, is in for a three-cornered contest among RLDs Rajkumar Sangwan, SPs Amarpal Sharma and BSPs Praveen Baisala. Former PM Chaudhary Charan Singh had won the seat thrice in 1977, 1980 and 1984. His son Ajit Singh won it in 1989, 1991, 1996, 1999, 2004 and 2009. However, BJP candidate Sompal won the seat in 1998. A BJP bastion since it came into existence in 2008, the Ghaziabad seat is set for a fight between BJPs Atul Garg, Congresss Dolly Sharma and BSPs Nandkishor Pundhir. The BJP is banking on the popularity of Garg to retain the seat, while BSP plans to cash in on anger among Rajputs in rural areas over denial of ticket to two-time BJP MP and Union minister General (retd) VK Singh. The Congress is working on the Brahmin-Muslim formula. In Gautam Budhh Nagar, Mahesh Sharma, who was elected to the Lok Sabha in 2014 and 2019, is seeking a third term as the BJP candidate. He is facing the SPs Rahul Awana, a Gujjar leader, and BSPs Rajendra Singh Solanki, a Rajput. The Bulandshahr reserved seat is all set for a contest among BJPs Bhola Singh, who won the seat in 2014 and 2019, BSPs Girish Chandra, MP from Nagina, and Congresss Shiv Ram Valmiki. In Aligarh, BJPs Satish Gautam (Brahmin), who won the seat in 2014 and 2019, is in the fray for a third term. The BSP has fielded a Brahmin candidate, Hitendra Kumar aka Bunty Upadhyay, a former BJP leader. The SP has nominated Bijendra Singh. In Mathura, two-time BJP MP Hema Malini is seeking a third term. She is pitted against Mukesh Dhangar of Congress and Suresh Singh of BSP. The Congress was earlier planning to field boxer Vijendra Singh in Mathura but he joined BJP.

The New Indian Express 25 Apr 2024 7:56 am

LS Polls: UP govt to provide medical kits for polling personnel in 2nd phase to combat hot conditions

LS Polls: UP govt to provide medical kits for polling personnel in 2nd phase to combat hot conditions In view of the soaring temperatures in Uttar Pradesh, medical kits to address health conditions such as heatstroke, will be provided to the polling personnel for the voting scheduled on April 26 across 8 constituencies in the second phase of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Directions have also been issued to ensure all necessary facilities for polling personnel and voters at polling stations. The polling parties will depart for polling stations on April 25 (Thursday) to ensure fair and peaceful elections in the state. The eight constituencies of UP that are going to polls in the second phase include Amroha, Meerut, Baghpat, Ghaziabad, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Bulandshahr, Aligarh, and Mathura. These 8 Lok Sabha seats fall under 9 districts of the state, namely, Amroha, Hapur, Meerut, Baghpat, Ghaziabad, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Bulandshahr, Aligarh, and Mathura. State Chief Electoral Officer Navdeep Rinwa said that instructions have been given to all the District Election Officers to send polling parties on time for the second phase of voting in 8 Lok Sabha constituencies scheduled for April 26. He mentioned that directions have been issued to all the concerned District Election Officers to ensure necessary facilities for voters and polling personnel at polling centres and polling booths. Before the departure of polling parties, the polling personnel will be provided with medical kits to address health conditions such as heatstroke. Because of the heat, tents, sheds, drinking water arrangements and other necessary facilities will be installed as per the guidelines issued earlier. In compliance with the directives of the Election Commission of India, continuous operations are being carried out across Uttar Pradesh by the Police, Income Tax, Excise, Narcotics, and other departments. For thorough inspection, 480 interstate check posts and 1836 check posts within the state are operational. From March 16 to April 23, 2024, the Police department seized 495 licensed weapons from criminals whereas licenses for 4553 weapons were revoked and deposited. Notices have been issued under the CrPC to 2,532,068 individuals over concerns of peace disruption, of which 2,061,166 have already been restricted. Additionally, the Police department seized 7650 unlicensed weapons, 7753 cartridges, 2900.32 kilograms of explosives, and 411 bombs. Besides, raids were conducted on 3153 illegal weapon manufacturing centres, while 148 were busted. On April 23, licenses for 249 weapons owned by criminals were revoked and deposited by the Police department. Under the CrPC, 36,978 individuals were restricted as a preventive measure. Additionally, 105 unlicensed weapons and 171 cartridges were seized. Raids were conducted on 96 illegal weapon manufacturing centres by the police. (ANI)

devdiscourse 24 Apr 2024 11:11 pm

How the mighty elephant has shrunk to be a pygmy in Meerut

Hara-kiri: The once-mighty Mayawati has chosen a path of self-destruction in UP largely to help the BJP, a course being attributed to fear of ED and CBI

The Hindu Businessline 24 Apr 2024 6:10 pm

Thrilled on knowing his score, class 10 student faints

Meerut: Thrilled upon seeing his score in the class 10 exams, a 16-year-old boy from Uttar Pradesh fainted prompting hospitalisation. Digging into the specifics, the boy identified as Anshul Kumar is from UP's Meerut and his father Sunil Kumar works at a post office on contractual basis. Anshul Kumar, has secured 93.5 percent in the UP Board exam results that were released on Saturday. Thrilled on knowing the score he suddenly fainted. His parents, who tried to wake him up failed and had to shift him to the hospital for assistance. According to the family, Anshul is now stabilised and recovering. UP recorded a pass percentage of 89.55 and 82.60 in the recently released Class 10 and Intermediate results respectively.

Deccan Chronicle 24 Apr 2024 3:53 pm

Arun Govil Unplugged: On Jai Shri Ram, Minorities And 'Karmbhoomi' Meerut I #ElectionsWithTOI

Veteran actor Arun Govil, known for his portrayal of Lord Ram in the TV series Ramayan, elucidates his entry into politics. Arun Govil, who is fielded by BJP for the upcoming Lok Sabha Polls from Meerut seat, says he has no interest in politics but will treat it as his karmabhoomi.

The Times of India 24 Apr 2024 2:26 pm

Mayawati Promises Separate State, High Court Bench Establishment

BSP chief Mayawati vowed to pursue a separate state in western Uttar Pradesh. Reiterating her promise to carve out a separate state comprising districts of western Uttar Pradesh. She said she would make all-out efforts to get a bench of Allahabad High Court established in Meerut if voted to power.... The post Mayawati Promises Separate State, High Court Bench Establishment appeared first on HW News English .

News View 24 Apr 2024 12:15 pm

Would Like To Do A Lot Of Developmental Work For Meerut: BJP's Arun Govil

Amidst the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, Arun Govil, BJP's Meerut candidate, has said that he would like to do a lot of developmental work for the city of Meerut.

NDTV 24 Apr 2024 10:52 am

Would like to do a lot of developmental work for Meerut, says BJP's Arun Govil

Would like to do a lot of developmental work for Meerut, says BJP's Arun Govil Amidst the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, Arun Govil, BJP's Meerut candidate, has said that he would like to do a lot of developmental work for the city of Meerut and would focus on the traffic issue to improve the connectivity of the city. Wednesday is the last day of campaigning in Meerut which will go to the polls on April 26 in Phase 2. Speaking to ANI, Arun Govil said that there is no limit to development and would like to work to improve certain things in the city. There is no limit to development, any amount of development can be done. But there are some two-three big things... There is no airport here and it should have been constructed. There is no sports stadium. The inner ring road is not completed. Some 4.7 kilometres are still left. If that is completed, there will be a lot of impact on connectivity. And I would like to do something on the issue of traffic in the city. That should get alright. Talking about the roadshow that was held a day before, the Ramayana actor said that he is receiving immense respect and love from the people. ... The response on yesterday's roadshow was quite good. People are very positive towards me and they are already positive towards elections. Be it women, or men, everyone is filled with enthusiasm. I am receiving a lot of respect and love from people. And I think everything is fine. Everything is absolutely perfect, he said. On Tuesday, Arun Govil and his 'Ramayana' co-star Dipika Chiklia Topiwala (who played the role of Sita) held a massive roadshow in Meerut as part of the BJP's ongoing election campaign for the Lok Sabha polls. Addressing the crowd, the 'Ramayana' actress urged the people to vote for Arun Govil. Lord Ram has come to serve the country and we are supporting him. I urge the people to vote for Arun Govil. Vote for Arun Govil and make him win by majority. He will surely win but make him win by majority, Topiwala had said. On Tuesday, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had also held a roadshow in favour of BJP candidate Arun Govil. He appealed to the people of Meerut to send Govil, who immortalised the character of Lore Ram through mega TV serial 'Ramayana' to Parliament. Meerut, which is one of the 80 Lok Sabha constituencies in Uttar Pradesh, is set to go on polls in the second phase of the Lok Sabha elections on April 26. (ANI)

devdiscourse 24 Apr 2024 10:11 am

Mayawati pitches for statehood to west UP and HC bench in Meerut

NEW DELHI: Reiterating her promise to carve out a separate state comprising districts of western Uttar Pradesh, BSP chief Mayawati said that she would make all out efforts to get a bench of Allahabad High Court established in Meerut if voted to power. The central government has not been paying attention to it, but when we come to power at the Centre, we will take positive steps, Mayawati said. Addressing an election rally in support of her party nominee Devvrat Tyagi from Meerut, the BSP chief attacked both the Congress and BJP and targeted the Samajwadi Party (SP) on the issue of reservation, alleging the SP did not want people belonging to SC/ST communities to get quota benefits. Referring to a resolution for a separate state passed during her regime in UP, the BSP chief claimed that her party had been of the view that the western region should be made a separate state for better development. We had a resolution passed by the state assembly and sent to the central government, but they did not act on it, she said. Mayawati alleged that the quota facility meant for the Dalits, Adivasis (STs), and OBCs in government jobs had not been filled in the country for years, and the quota in promotions for the SCs/STs was also made ineffective. I want to remind the members of the SCs/STs that when the SP was in power in Uttar Pradesh, it ended reservation in promotions. Will the members of these sections give even a single vote to them and waste it on a party bent upon finishing their reservation? The SP does not want SC/ST people to get full benefits of reservation, she said. She also warned against the saam, daam, dand, bhed policies allegedly being adopted by these parties to attain power. Seeking votes for her party nominee from Meerut, Mayawati said that unlike the past elections, when her party fielded Muslim candidates, it has this time given a ticket to Devvrat Tyagi.

The New Indian Express 24 Apr 2024 9:35 am

Reel Rams Real Rally: Mythology & politics intertwine

From the quaint lanes of Mairashtra, once known as Meerut, to the bustling thoroughfares of today's cityscape, Arun Govil, forever etched in memory as 'Lord Ram' from the iconic '80s TV adaptation of Ramayan, gracefully exits a luxurious vehicle and onto a adorned truck. Occasionally traversing through the crowded streets, he makes his way to connect with people right at their doorsteps.

The Times of India 24 Apr 2024 7:06 am

CM Yogi holds roadshow in Meerut, gets overwhelming response from people

CM Yogi holds roadshow in Meerut, gets overwhelming response from people Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday held a roadshow in favour of BJP candidate Arun Govil, evoking an overwhelming response. He appealed to the people of Meerut to send Govil, who immortalised the character of Lord Ram through mega TV serial 'Ramayana' to Parliament. In response, the voters of Meerut chanted 'Jai Shri Ram'. The roadshow on Hanuman Jayanti also set a new record. Throughout the roadshow, people kept chanting Jai Shri Ram and Ram Ji Ki Sena Chali. The slogans of Modi-Yogi Zindabad and Bharat Mata Ki Jai also resonated the streets of Meerut. Women, elders, men, youth, and children were eager to catch a glimpse of CM Yogi. People eagerly captured every moment of Yogi's roadshow on their mobile phones. In addition, saffron and BJP flags were visible everywhere here. Children dressed in saffron clothes greeted CM Yogi to show their support. The streets of Meerut were completely packed. Members of both the majority and minority communities enthusiastically welcomed the Chief Minister. During the roadshow, BJP candidate Arun Govil from Meerut, Rajya Sabha MP Lakshmikant Bajpai, Member of Parliament Rajendra Agrawal from Meerut, and BJP's regional president Satyendra Sisodia were present Meerut, which is one of the 80 Lok Sabha constituencies in Uttar Pradesh, is set to go on polls in the second phase of the Lok Sabha elections on April 26. The Meerut Lok Sabha seat is likely to see a triangular contest among the BJP, the opposition INDIA bloc, and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP). The BJP is relying on Arun Govil's popularity as the actor who portrayed Ram in the immensely popular Ramayana series, as well as his status as a local resident, for their campaign strategy. (ANI)

devdiscourse 23 Apr 2024 10:15 pm

Lok Sabha Polls 2024: Ramayans Dipika Chikhlia aka Mata Sita campaigns for BJP#39;s Arun Govil in Meerut along with Laxman Sunil Lahri

Dipik Chikhlia campaigns for Arun Govil in Meerut; As the countdown to the Meerut polls ticks away, BJP candidate Arun Govil received a nostalgic boost as he campaigned alongside his onscreen counterpart from the iconic TV series #39;Ramayan#39;.

Money Control 23 Apr 2024 7:27 pm

Lok Sabha Polls 2024: Ramayans Dipika Chikhlia aka Mata Sita campaigns for BJP#39;s Arun Govil in Meerut along with Laxman Sunil Lahri

Dipik Chikhlia campaigns for Arun Govil in Meerut; As the countdown to the Meerut polls ticks away, BJP candidate Arun Govil received a nostalgic boost as he campaigned alongside his onscreen counterpart from the iconic TV series #39;Ramayan#39;.

Money Control 23 Apr 2024 7:27 pm

Lok Sabha Polls 2024: Ramayans Dipika Chikhlia aka Mata Sita campaigns for BJP#39;s Arun Govil in Meerut along with Laxman Sunil Lahri

Dipik Chikhlia campaigns for Arun Govil in Meerut; As the countdown to the Meerut polls ticks away, BJP candidate Arun Govil received a nostalgic boost as he campaigned alongside his onscreen counterpart from the iconic TV series #39;Ramayan#39;.

Money Control 23 Apr 2024 7:27 pm

Lok Sabha Polls 2024: Ramayans Dipika Chikhlia aka Mata Sita campaigns for BJP#39;s Arun Govil in Meerut along with Laxman Sunil Lahri

Dipik Chikhlia campaigns for Arun Govil in Meerut; As the countdown to the Meerut polls ticks away, BJP candidate Arun Govil received a nostalgic boost as he campaigned alongside his onscreen counterpart from the iconic TV series #39;Ramayan#39;.

Money Control 23 Apr 2024 7:27 pm

Lok Sabha Polls 2024: Ramayans Dipika Chikhlia aka Mata Sita campaigns for BJP#39;s Arun Govil in Meerut along with Laxman Sunil Lahri

Dipik Chikhlia campaigns for Arun Govil in Meerut; As the countdown to the Meerut polls ticks away, BJP candidate Arun Govil received a nostalgic boost as he campaigned alongside his onscreen counterpart from the iconic TV series #39;Ramayan#39;.

Money Control 23 Apr 2024 7:27 pm

Lok Sabha Polls 2024: Ramayans Dipika Chikhlia aka Mata Sita campaigns for BJP#39;s Arun Govil in Meerut along with Laxman Sunil Lahri

Dipik Chikhlia campaigns for Arun Govil in Meerut; As the countdown to the Meerut polls ticks away, BJP candidate Arun Govil received a nostalgic boost as he campaigned alongside his onscreen counterpart from the iconic TV series #39;Ramayan#39;.

Money Control 23 Apr 2024 7:27 pm

Lok Sabha Polls 2024: Ramayans Dipika Chikhlia aka Mata Sita campaigns for BJP#39;s Arun Govil in Meerut along with Laxman Sunil Lahri

Dipik Chikhlia campaigns for Arun Govil in Meerut; As the countdown to the Meerut polls ticks away, BJP candidate Arun Govil received a nostalgic boost as he campaigned alongside his onscreen counterpart from the iconic TV series #39;Ramayan#39;.

Money Control 23 Apr 2024 7:27 pm

Lok Sabha Polls 2024: Ramayans Dipika Chikhlia aka Mata Sita campaigns for BJP#39;s Arun Govil in Meerut along with Laxman Sunil Lahri

Dipik Chikhlia campaigns for Arun Govil in Meerut; As the countdown to the Meerut polls ticks away, BJP candidate Arun Govil received a nostalgic boost as he campaigned alongside his onscreen counterpart from the iconic TV series #39;Ramayan#39;.

Money Control 23 Apr 2024 7:27 pm

Lok Sabha Polls 2024: Ramayans Dipika Chikhlia aka Mata Sita campaigns for BJP#39;s Arun Govil in Meerut along with Laxman Sunil Lahri

Dipik Chikhlia campaigns for Arun Govil in Meerut; As the countdown to the Meerut polls ticks away, BJP candidate Arun Govil received a nostalgic boost as he campaigned alongside his onscreen counterpart from the iconic TV series #39;Ramayan#39;.

Money Control 23 Apr 2024 7:27 pm

Lok Sabha Polls 2024: Ramayans Dipika Chikhlia aka Mata Sita campaigns for BJP#39;s Arun Govil in Meerut along with Laxman Sunil Lahri

Dipik Chikhlia campaigns for Arun Govil in Meerut; As the countdown to the Meerut polls ticks away, BJP candidate Arun Govil received a nostalgic boost as he campaigned alongside his onscreen counterpart from the iconic TV series #39;Ramayan#39;.

Money Control 23 Apr 2024 7:27 pm

Lok Sabha Polls 2024: Ramayans Dipika Chikhlia aka Mata Sita campaigns for BJP#39;s Arun Govil in Meerut along with Laxman Sunil Lahri

Dipik Chikhlia campaigns for Arun Govil in Meerut; As the countdown to the Meerut polls ticks away, BJP candidate Arun Govil received a nostalgic boost as he campaigned alongside his onscreen counterpart from the iconic TV series #39;Ramayan#39;.

Money Control 23 Apr 2024 7:27 pm

Lok Sabha Polls 2024: Ramayans Dipika Chikhlia aka Mata Sita campaigns for BJP#39;s Arun Govil in Meerut along with Laxman Sunil Lahri

Dipik Chikhlia campaigns for Arun Govil in Meerut; As the countdown to the Meerut polls ticks away, BJP candidate Arun Govil received a nostalgic boost as he campaigned alongside his onscreen counterpart from the iconic TV series #39;Ramayan#39;.

Money Control 23 Apr 2024 7:27 pm

Lok Sabha Polls 2024: Ramayans Dipika Chikhlia aka Mata Sita campaigns for BJP#39;s Arun Govil in Meerut along with Laxman Sunil Lahri

Dipik Chikhlia campaigns for Arun Govil in Meerut; As the countdown to the Meerut polls ticks away, BJP candidate Arun Govil received a nostalgic boost as he campaigned alongside his onscreen counterpart from the iconic TV series #39;Ramayan#39;.

Money Control 23 Apr 2024 7:27 pm

Lok Sabha Polls 2024: Ramayans Dipika Chikhlia aka Mata Sita campaigns for BJP#39;s Arun Govil in Meerut along with Laxman Sunil Lahri

Dipik Chikhlia campaigns for Arun Govil in Meerut; As the countdown to the Meerut polls ticks away, BJP candidate Arun Govil received a nostalgic boost as he campaigned alongside his onscreen counterpart from the iconic TV series #39;Ramayan#39;.

Money Control 23 Apr 2024 7:27 pm

Lok Sabha Polls 2024: Ramayans Dipika Chikhlia aka Mata Sita campaigns for BJP#39;s Arun Govil in Meerut along with Laxman Sunil Lahri

Dipik Chikhlia campaigns for Arun Govil in Meerut; As the countdown to the Meerut polls ticks away, BJP candidate Arun Govil received a nostalgic boost as he campaigned alongside his onscreen counterpart from the iconic TV series #39;Ramayan#39;.

Money Control 23 Apr 2024 7:27 pm

Lok Sabha Polls 2024: Ramayans Dipika Chikhlia aka Mata Sita campaigns for BJP#39;s Arun Govil in Meerut along with Laxman Sunil Lahri

Dipik Chikhlia campaigns for Arun Govil in Meerut; As the countdown to the Meerut polls ticks away, BJP candidate Arun Govil received a nostalgic boost as he campaigned alongside his onscreen counterpart from the iconic TV series #39;Ramayan#39;.

Money Control 23 Apr 2024 7:27 pm

Lok Sabha Polls 2024: Ramayans Dipika Chikhlia aka Mata Sita campaigns for BJP#39;s Arun Govil in Meerut along with Laxman Sunil Lahri

Dipik Chikhlia campaigns for Arun Govil in Meerut; As the countdown to the Meerut polls ticks away, BJP candidate Arun Govil received a nostalgic boost as he campaigned alongside his onscreen counterpart from the iconic TV series #39;Ramayan#39;.

Money Control 23 Apr 2024 7:27 pm

Lok Sabha Polls 2024: Ramayans Dipika Chikhlia aka Mata Sita campaigns for BJP#39;s Arun Govil in Meerut along with Laxman Sunil Lahri

Dipik Chikhlia campaigns for Arun Govil in Meerut; As the countdown to the Meerut polls ticks away, BJP candidate Arun Govil received a nostalgic boost as he campaigned alongside his onscreen counterpart from the iconic TV series #39;Ramayan#39;.

Money Control 23 Apr 2024 7:27 pm

Lok Sabha Polls 2024: Ramayans Dipika Chikhlia aka Mata Sita campaigns for BJP#39;s Arun Govil in Meerut along with Laxman Sunil Lahri

Dipik Chikhlia campaigns for Arun Govil in Meerut; As the countdown to the Meerut polls ticks away, BJP candidate Arun Govil received a nostalgic boost as he campaigned alongside his onscreen counterpart from the iconic TV series #39;Ramayan#39;.

Money Control 23 Apr 2024 7:27 pm

Lok Sabha Polls 2024: Ramayans Dipika Chikhlia aka Mata Sita campaigns for BJP#39;s Arun Govil in Meerut along with Laxman Sunil Lahri

Dipik Chikhlia campaigns for Arun Govil in Meerut; As the countdown to the Meerut polls ticks away, BJP candidate Arun Govil received a nostalgic boost as he campaigned alongside his onscreen counterpart from the iconic TV series #39;Ramayan#39;.

Money Control 23 Apr 2024 7:27 pm

Lok Sabha Polls 2024: Ramayans Dipika Chikhlia aka Mata Sita campaigns for BJP#39;s Arun Govil in Meerut along with Laxman Sunil Lahri

Dipik Chikhlia campaigns for Arun Govil in Meerut; As the countdown to the Meerut polls ticks away, BJP candidate Arun Govil received a nostalgic boost as he campaigned alongside his onscreen counterpart from the iconic TV series #39;Ramayan#39;.

Money Control 23 Apr 2024 7:27 pm

Lok Sabha Polls 2024: Ramayans Dipika Chikhlia aka Mata Sita campaigns for BJP#39;s Arun Govil in Meerut along with Laxman Sunil Lahri

Dipik Chikhlia campaigns for Arun Govil in Meerut; As the countdown to the Meerut polls ticks away, BJP candidate Arun Govil received a nostalgic boost as he campaigned alongside his onscreen counterpart from the iconic TV series #39;Ramayan#39;.

Money Control 23 Apr 2024 7:27 pm

Lok Sabha Polls 2024: Ramayans Dipika Chikhlia aka Mata Sita campaigns for BJP#39;s Arun Govil in Meerut along with Laxman Sunil Lahri

Dipik Chikhlia campaigns for Arun Govil in Meerut; As the countdown to the Meerut polls ticks away, BJP candidate Arun Govil received a nostalgic boost as he campaigned alongside his onscreen counterpart from the iconic TV series #39;Ramayan#39;.

Money Control 23 Apr 2024 7:27 pm

Lok Sabha Polls 2024: Ramayans Dipika Chikhlia aka Mata Sita campaigns for BJP#39;s Arun Govil in Meerut along with Laxman Sunil Lahri

Dipik Chikhlia campaigns for Arun Govil in Meerut; As the countdown to the Meerut polls ticks away, BJP candidate Arun Govil received a nostalgic boost as he campaigned alongside his onscreen counterpart from the iconic TV series #39;Ramayan#39;.

Money Control 23 Apr 2024 7:27 pm

Lok Sabha Polls 2024: Ramayans Dipika Chikhlia aka Mata Sita campaigns for BJP#39;s Arun Govil in Meerut along with Laxman Sunil Lahri

Dipik Chikhlia campaigns for Arun Govil in Meerut; As the countdown to the Meerut polls ticks away, BJP candidate Arun Govil received a nostalgic boost as he campaigned alongside his onscreen counterpart from the iconic TV series #39;Ramayan#39;.

Money Control 23 Apr 2024 7:27 pm

Lok Sabha Polls 2024: Ramayans Dipika Chikhlia aka Mata Sita campaigns for BJP#39;s Arun Govil in Meerut along with Laxman Sunil Lahri

Dipik Chikhlia campaigns for Arun Govil in Meerut; As the countdown to the Meerut polls ticks away, BJP candidate Arun Govil received a nostalgic boost as he campaigned alongside his onscreen counterpart from the iconic TV series #39;Ramayan#39;.

Money Control 23 Apr 2024 7:27 pm

Lok Sabha Polls 2024: Ramayans Dipika Chikhlia aka Mata Sita campaigns for BJP#39;s Arun Govil in Meerut along with Laxman Sunil Lahri

Dipik Chikhlia campaigns for Arun Govil in Meerut; As the countdown to the Meerut polls ticks away, BJP candidate Arun Govil received a nostalgic boost as he campaigned alongside his onscreen counterpart from the iconic TV series #39;Ramayan#39;.

Money Control 23 Apr 2024 7:27 pm

Lok Sabha Polls 2024: Ramayans Dipika Chikhlia aka Mata Sita campaigns for BJP#39;s Arun Govil in Meerut along with Laxman Sunil Lahri

Dipik Chikhlia campaigns for Arun Govil in Meerut; As the countdown to the Meerut polls ticks away, BJP candidate Arun Govil received a nostalgic boost as he campaigned alongside his onscreen counterpart from the iconic TV series #39;Ramayan#39;.

Money Control 23 Apr 2024 7:27 pm

Lok Sabha Polls 2024: Ramayans Dipika Chikhlia aka Mata Sita campaigns for BJP#39;s Arun Govil in Meerut along with Laxman Sunil Lahri

Dipik Chikhlia campaigns for Arun Govil in Meerut; As the countdown to the Meerut polls ticks away, BJP candidate Arun Govil received a nostalgic boost as he campaigned alongside his onscreen counterpart from the iconic TV series #39;Ramayan#39;.

Money Control 23 Apr 2024 7:27 pm

Lok Sabha Polls 2024: Ramayans Dipika Chikhlia aka Mata Sita campaigns for BJP#39;s Arun Govil in Meerut along with Laxman Sunil Lahri

Dipik Chikhlia campaigns for Arun Govil in Meerut; As the countdown to the Meerut polls ticks away, BJP candidate Arun Govil received a nostalgic boost as he campaigned alongside his onscreen counterpart from the iconic TV series #39;Ramayan#39;.

Money Control 23 Apr 2024 7:27 pm

Lok Sabha Polls 2024: Ramayans Dipika Chikhlia aka Mata Sita campaigns for BJP#39;s Arun Govil in Meerut along with Laxman Sunil Lahri

Dipik Chikhlia campaigns for Arun Govil in Meerut; As the countdown to the Meerut polls ticks away, BJP candidate Arun Govil received a nostalgic boost as he campaigned alongside his onscreen counterpart from the iconic TV series #39;Ramayan#39;.

Money Control 23 Apr 2024 7:27 pm

Lok Sabha Polls 2024: Ramayans Dipika Chikhlia aka Mata Sita campaigns for BJP#39;s Arun Govil in Meerut along with Laxman Sunil Lahri

Dipik Chikhlia campaigns for Arun Govil in Meerut; As the countdown to the Meerut polls ticks away, BJP candidate Arun Govil received a nostalgic boost as he campaigned alongside his onscreen counterpart from the iconic TV series #39;Ramayan#39;.

Money Control 23 Apr 2024 7:27 pm

Lok Sabha Polls 2024: Ramayans Dipika Chikhlia aka Mata Sita campaigns for BJP#39;s Arun Govil in Meerut along with Laxman Sunil Lahri

Dipik Chikhlia campaigns for Arun Govil in Meerut; As the countdown to the Meerut polls ticks away, BJP candidate Arun Govil received a nostalgic boost as he campaigned alongside his onscreen counterpart from the iconic TV series #39;Ramayan#39;.

Money Control 23 Apr 2024 7:27 pm

Lok Sabha Polls 2024: Ramayans Dipika Chikhlia aka Mata Sita campaigns for BJP#39;s Arun Govil in Meerut along with Laxman Sunil Lahri

Dipik Chikhlia campaigns for Arun Govil in Meerut; As the countdown to the Meerut polls ticks away, BJP candidate Arun Govil received a nostalgic boost as he campaigned alongside his onscreen counterpart from the iconic TV series #39;Ramayan#39;.

Money Control 23 Apr 2024 7:27 pm

Mayawati Promises To Work For A New State Comprising West UP Districts

BSP chief Mayawati today promised to work for a separate state comprising districts of western Uttar Pradesh and fulfil the longstanding demand of setting up a bench of the Allahabad High Court in Meerut, if voted to power at the Centre.

NDTV 23 Apr 2024 6:52 pm

Will Make West UP A Separate State If Voted To Power - BSP's Mayawati

BSP Chief Mayawati today revived the demand for separate statehood for western UP. Addressing an election rally in Meerut in western UP, she assured the public that if BSP wins the ongoing Lok Sabha elections then it will work for making West UP a separate state and establishing High Court bench in Meerut. Mayawati did her first election rally in Meerut today in support of the party candidates. Addressing the rally at the Hapur Road, she took potshots at both Congress and BJP led alliances accusing them of meting out injustice to the people belonging to poorer and backward sections of the society. She alleged that BJP government while providing free rations to the poor people is depriving them of their right to work.

Deccan Chronicle 23 Apr 2024 6:12 pm

Mayawati promises to work for separate state comprising districts of western UP

Addressing an election rally in support of her party nominee from the Meerut Lok Sabha seat, the BSP chief attacked the Congress and BJP and also targeted the Samajwadi Party (SP) on the issue of reservation, alleging the SP does not want the people belonging to SC/ST communities to get quota benefits.

The Economic Times 23 Apr 2024 3:51 pm

Lot of work has to be done in next five years...: BJP candidate Hema Malini

Lot of work has to be done in next five years...: BJP candidate Hema Malini Bhartiya Janta Party Lok Sabha Candidate and two-term Member of Parliament from Mathura, Hema Malini, said on Tuesday that many developmental works have been completed and a lot of work has to be done in the next five years in Mathura with the support of the party. Hema Malini told ANI, I feel proud that I have done a lot of work and I have to do a lot of work in the next five years with the support of Prime Minister Modi Ji, Amit Shah Ji, Nadda ji and Yogi Ji. A lot of good development work has been done here, including the 84 Kos Parikrama, the purification of Yamuna, centres for girls education, and theatres as centres for cultural activities. Along with the darshan of the temple, you will get to see various cultural activities here. Responding to the question of how many seats the BJP will win this time, Hema Malini said that they will win 80 out of 80 seats in Uttar Pradesh. Our party is saying that we will win from Mathura by a margin of more than 5 lakh votes. We will win by more votes than before. I appeal to all the people to vote when voting takes place on April 26th. Everyone should participate in it. I also appeal to the people of India that everyone should go and vote; each of your votes is very important, she said. Further, speaking on the Srikrishna Janambhoomi dispute, the BJP candidate from Mathura said that the issue is in the court and the court will decide but we are planning to make corridor for Banke Bihari Ji very beautiful, which is very congested and very soon work will start. Challenge is a challenge. You should not take it lightly. So, we will work hard, we have the capability to win. We have our work to show. Who will vote for someone who has not done anything? What has the INDIA bloc done till date? We will definitely cross 400, she added. The seats which will go to polls in the second phase on April 26 included-- Amroha, Meerut, Mathura, Baghpat, Aligarh, Ghaziabad, Gautam Buddh Nagar and Bulandshahar. (ANI)

devdiscourse 23 Apr 2024 1:25 pm

Lok Sabha Elections 2024: BJP's incumbent MP Mahesh Sharma to face SP, BSP candidates in Gautam Buddha Nagar in Phase 2

The Gautam Buddha Nagar constituency will go to polls in the second phase on April 26 along with Amroha, Meerut, Baghpat, Ghaziabad, Aligarh, Mathura and Bulandshahr seats in Uttar Pradesh.

DNA India 23 Apr 2024 6:16 am

Wallets, Mobiles Stolen During BJP Candidate's Ramayan Roadshow

A Meerut businessman raised both his hands and chanted the Jai Shri Ram slogan as a BJP roadshow featuring Ramayan stars crossed his shop. The downside: he lost Rs 36,000 as someone from the crowd picked his pocket.

NDTV 22 Apr 2024 10:18 pm

BJP only party that talks about nationalism: Arun Govil

MEERUT: Bharatiya Janata Party candidate from Uttar Pradeshs Meerut seat, Arun Govil, said on Monday that the special thing about PM Modi is that he has fulfilled what he promised. Govil told ANI that BJP is the only party in the country that talks about nationalism. BJPs track record is so good. It is the []

indiapost 22 Apr 2024 10:12 am

Student outreach initiative drives school students onto Namo Bharat trains, says NCR transport body

Student outreach initiative drives school students onto Namo Bharat trains, says NCR transport body The National Capital Region Transport Corporation's (NCRTC) student outreach programme drives school students onto Namo Bharat trains in order to enhance their awareness about the regional rapid transit system (RRTS), a statement said on Sunday. As part of this initiative, school students were invited to participate in rides aboard the state-of-the-art Namo Bharat trains. This immersive experience not only acquainted the students with the cutting-edge technology and comfort of the Namo Bharat, but also underscored the importance of sustainable and efficient transportation solutions for the National Capital Region (NCR), it said. This initiative has been a resounding success, with students from across the NCR actively participating in various educational activities aimed at familiarising them with the RRTS corridor. The outreach programme encompasses school visits, knowledge sessions, painting competitions, nukkad nataks (street plays), and most notably, exhilarating train rides on the Namo Bharat, the statement stated. Recognising the pivotal role children play as ambassadors for societal initiatives, the NCRTC has made concerted efforts to engage with these school children to make the awareness program engaging and interactive. It includes a painting competition with a specific theme related to the project, it said. They have been shown interactive videos to enhance their understandings. The children were encouraged to actively participate by sharing their understanding of the project. The session concluded with a street play that delivered key messages related to the project, it stated. These outreach programmes served as platforms for the students to not only learn about the RRTS project but also expressed their creativity and understanding through various mediums. By fostering an environment of curiosity and participation, NCRTC aimed to instil a sense of ownership and enthusiasm among the younger generation towards embracing the Namo Bharat trains as a preferred mode of transport in the future, the statement said. Presently, a 34-km section between Sahibabad and Modi Nagar North of the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS corridor, which includes eight stations, is operational for passengers. The construction is advancing swiftly on the remaining stretches and the entire 82-km corridor is anticipated to be operational by 2025, it added.

devdiscourse 21 Apr 2024 10:57 pm

Samajwadi Party struggling to save its Mainpuri, Kannauj bastions: UP minister

Samajwadi Party struggling to save its Mainpuri, Kannauj bastions: UP minister The Samajwadi Party is struggling to save its bastions of Mainpuri and Kannauj in the Lok Sabha elections, Uttar Pradesh Minister Laxmi Narayan Chaudhary said on Sunday and claimed that there is no impact of its alliance with the Congress. The Congress virtually has no public support in the state. As a result, there is no impact of its alliance with the Samajwadi Party, he claimed. Chaudhary, the minister for sugarcane development, said, ''The Samajwadi Party is struggling to save its Mainpuri and Kannauj seats and it will be extremely difficult for the party to save those.'' In Mainpuri, the BJP has fielded UP Minister Jaiveer Singh against Dimple Yadav, the incumbent MP and the wife of Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav. Mainpuri goes to the polls in the third phase on May 7. In Kannauj, which goes to the polls in the fourth phase on May 13, the BJP has fielded sitting MP Subrat Pathak. The Samajwadi Party is yet to announce its candidate from the seat. Chaudhary further claimed that the BJP's alliance with the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) will prevent the division of about 20 per cent Jat votes as more than 70 per cent people from the community have so far been voting for the saffron party. The minister also asserted that the BJP will sweep western Uttar Pradesh, like it did in previous elections. ''In Mathura, Hema Malini will set a record for victory margin in the state,'' he said. The BJP's Hema Malini is eyeing a third term in the Lok Sabha from Mathura. Owing to the welfare programmes of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the administration of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the BJP will register convincing victories in all 80 Lok Sabha seats in the state. Chaudhary admitted that while the poll battle will not be a cakewalk for the party in a few areas due to the caste factor, the BJP will ultimately win the elections on the back of the government's welfare programmes. The minister also lashed out at Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati, saying, ''Her latest trick to give tickets to Muslims is not going to work. I have visited three constituencies of western Uttar Pradesh but did not find any support for the BSP.'' Chaudhary claimed the BJP will also get votes from Muslims after the Centre introduced a law criminalising triple talaq and other welfare programmes. Mathura will vote in the second phase of polling on April 26, alongside Amroha, Meerut, Baghpat, Ghaziabad, Gautam Buddh Nagar, Bulandshahr and Aligarh.

devdiscourse 21 Apr 2024 8:05 pm

Patanjali Yogpeeth to Pay Service Tax for Yoga Camps, Supreme Court Upholds CESTAT Decision

New Delhi: Yoga guru Swami Ramdev has faced another setback from the Supreme Court as his yoga camps are now subjected to service tax. The Supreme Court bench comprising Justice Abhay M Oak and Justice Ujjwal Bhuiyan has upheld the decision of the Service Tax Appellate Tribunal in this matter. According to the tribunal's decision, 'Patanjali Yogpeeth Trust', the organization organizing yoga camps of Swami Ramdev, will now have to pay service tax for both residential and non-residential yoga camps. Patanjali Yogpeeth Trust charges an entry fee for Swami Ramdev's yoga camps. The bench of Justice Oak and Justice Bhuiyan stated in their decision, 'The Service Tax Appellate Tribunal has made the correct decision. After charging the entry fee, yoga provided at the camps constitutes a service. We see no reason to interfere with the Tribunal's order. Therefore, Patanjali Yogpeeth Trust's appeal is dismissed.' Additionally, the court declined to interfere with the order dated October 5, 2023, of the Allahabad bench of the Customs, Excise, and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT). CESTAT had acknowledged that Patanjali Yogpeeth Trust charges fees from participants for the yoga camps. Therefore, the trust's yoga camps fall under the purview of service tax. The tribunal stated that the trust provides yoga training in various residential and non-residential camps and collects money from participants in the form of donations, which essentially function as entry fees for the provided services. The Commissioner of Customs and Central Excise, Meerut Range, had demanded that Patanjali Yogpeeth Trust pay approximately Rs 4.5 crore, including penalty and interest, for camps organized between October 2006 and March 2011. The trust argued that it provides services for the treatment of diseases, which should not be taxable under the 'Health and Fitness Services' category. However, the tribunal stated that the trust's claim of providing treatment for specific diseases lacked positive evidence. CESTAT stated, 'In these camps, yoga and meditation are taught to the entire group, not to any individual. No prescriptions are written to diagnose or treat any specific disease/complaint of an individual. The Trust collects the camp entry fee as a donation and issues entry tickets of different price ranges, providing different privileges depending on the value of the ticket. Yoga camps organized by Patanjali Yogpeeth Trust, which charge fees, fall under the category of health and fitness services and are liable to service tax.' Fatal Collision Claims Nine Lives in Rajasthan's Jhalawar District TISS Suspends PhD Student for Alleged Anti-National Activities Congress to Announce Candidates for Haryana Lok Sabha Elections; Deepender Hooda Likely from Rohtak

News Track 21 Apr 2024 12:11 pm

Meerut youth win 100-metre race

The Times of India 21 Apr 2024 5:17 am

Female YouTuber Dies After Jumping from Second Floor of PG Accommodation in Delhi

A 29-year-old YouTuber named Swati died by suicide after jumping from the second floor of her paying guest (PG) accommodation in Mukherjee Nagar, northwest Delhi. Swati had been living in the area for the past 10 years. The police are investigating the incident, questioning witnesses and friends to determine the reasons behind her death. Swati hailed from Barla village in Alamgirpur, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh. At the time of the incident, Swati's friend Priyam was with her in the PG room. The police are questioning Priyam and other acquaintances to gather more information. Initial investigations revealed that Swati had moved into the PG room four months ago. She informed the PG owner that she had finished her studies and was now a YouTuber. Police officials mentioned that the deceased's family did not suspect any foul play. Swati initially moved to Mukherjee Nagar to prepare for the UPSC exams but did not succeed. She also spent several years preparing for the SSC exams without success. Later, she turned to content creation on Instagram and YouTube, where she had around 28,000 followers on her Instagram account. PM Modi Commends Civil Services Achievers, Encourages Resilience in Unsuccessful Candidates 5 Weirdest Things in the World That Will Blow Your Mind From Fried Stones to Fish Eyes: Unveiling the 7 Weirdest Breakfasts Around the World

News Track 20 Apr 2024 4:28 pm

'Remark on statute was twisted; it can't be changed, only amended'

Arun Govil, known for portraying Lord Ram, faced backlash over a Constitution statement during Meerut's election season. He clarified the misunderstanding, shared his political journey, and emphasized inclusivity in his campaign.

The Times of India 19 Apr 2024 2:00 pm

Yogi Adityanath takes jibe at Pakistan, cites new India

LUCKNOW: On a whirlwind tour of three western UP Lok Sabha constituenciesMeerut, Ghaziabad, and Bulandshahrset to vote in Phase II on April 26, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday drew a parallel between the economic situation of India and neighbouring Pakistan, which is grappling with a bankruptcy-like scenario. He stated that while India had provided free ration to 80 crore people for the past four years and would continue to do so for the next five years, in Pakistan, on the contrary, people were dying of hunger. Seeking support for Dr Mahesh Sharma, BJP candidate from Gautam Buddha Nagar Lok Sabha seat, Arun Govil from Meerut and Atul Garg from Ghaziabad, the CM made a high point of Surya Abhishek of Lord Ram idol on the first Ram Navami after his consecration in Ayodhya. Addressing the public rallies organised for Gautam Buddha Nagar Lok Sabha seat in Bulandshahr, he said: The BJP stands for faith, security, and prosperity. Under SP, BSP, and Congress rules, the state frequently saw curfews lasting for months. Now there are no curfews. These parties were known for inciting unrest through riots. They adopted a riot policy, while we prioritized a development policy. Highlighting the transformation in India, Yogi Adityanath said: We are now in a New India. Those who remember 2014 elections should make the new generation and first-time voters aware of the prevailing discontent and mistrust during that period. Terrorism, Naxalism, and separatism were on the rise across the nation. Corruption was rampant in all sectors. The youth were disheartened, and farmers were driven to suicide, he added. Addressing a public meeting in Kithore, Meerut, seeking votes for BJP candidate from the Meerut-Hapur Lok Sabha seat, Arun Govil, Adityanath said that when Govil played Lord Ram in the Ramayana serial, he didnt even know that one day, Lord Ram would celebrate his birthday in his abode. He added that Govils candidacy coincides with Lord Rams return to his birthplace. Leading the campaign in Pilkhua, Hapur, in support of Ghaziabad candidate Atul Garg, he reiterated the chant Phir ek bar Modi Sarkar, Abki bar 400 paar. He stated that the slogan was not merely echoing for no reason; it signified the transformation India had witnessed over the last decade. He appreciated skilled craftsmanship of Pilkhua artisans and their handloom expertise. He counted infrastructure developments in the area, includa 12-lane highway between Delhi and Meerut and rapid rail project and metro.

The New Indian Express 19 Apr 2024 9:13 am

More rallies, roadshows planned for PM Modi in UP

Lucknow: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to hold a campaign blitzkrieg comprising several rallies and roadshows in western Uttar Pradesh in the coming days. The Prime Minister has already addressed three rallies in Meerut, Saharanpur and Pilibhit. He is set to address at least four more rallies and a roadshow beginning April 19 from 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 .

The Siasat Daily 18 Apr 2024 9:31 am

Delhi: Woman kills self by jumping from second floor

NEW DELHI: A 29-year-old woman allegedly committed suicide by jumping from the second floor of a paying guest accommodation in northwest Delhi, police said on Wednesday. The woman was a native of Meerut in Uttar Pradesh and had been preparing for competitive exams for the last 10 years in Delhi. The police received a PCR call regarding a woman jumping from the second floor of a paying guest accommodation in the Mukherjee Nagar area at around 3:20 pm. A team was immediately rushed to the spot, the officials said. The police team took the woman to a nearby hospital where the doctors declared her dead on arrival, they said. During the initial probe, the woman had been staying in PG for the last few months, they said. She was also a YouTuber.

The New Indian Express 18 Apr 2024 8:58 am

Muslim silence speaks amid poll noise in UP

Men waving BJP flags in Meeruts Ghanta Ghar as UP readies for LS polls. Md Kamran notes the diminishing Muslim influence. Imran Masood, Iqra Hasan, and Mohibullah Nadvi are contesting, with Muslims urged to vote by Mufti Arshad Farooqui.

The Times of India 18 Apr 2024 6:38 am

NDTV Election Carnival: NDA or INDIA in Patna? Whom Will The Voters Support?

Preparations are going on across the country for the Lok Sabha Elections 2024. To know the mood of the country in the election season, NDTV Election Carnival is reaching many cities. After Delhi, Haridwar, Meerut, Bharatpur, Lucknow, Mainpuri Ayodhya and Varanasi, it has now entered Bihar.

NDTV 17 Apr 2024 11:54 pm

Uttar Pradesh: BJP faces Rajput ire in 3-corner battle

SAHARANPUR: On Tuesday, all roads leading to Saharanpur city are lined up with lotus flags and huge cutouts of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and PM Modi. As Yogi Adityanath along with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Raghav Lakhanpal took out a massive roadshow in an open, flower-decked vehicle in the evening, the waiting crowd on both sides of the pavement cheered with Jai Shri Ram chants. Significantly, this is the third visit of the Chief Minister to Saharanpur in an apparent effort to contain the ire of the Rajput community, which has openly issued boycott calls against the BJP in Western Uttar Pradesh. Saharanpur goes to poll on Friday (April 19), in the first phase of Lok Sabha elections. Though the Rajputs, who traditionally vote for the BJP, organized maha panchayats in Saharanpur, Muzaffarnagar, and Meerut last week extending support for BJPs rivals, the BJP leaders say that the effective intervention of Yogi Adityanath, Union minister Rajnath Singh and Haryana Chief Minister has helped to quell the dissent. Sanjay Chauhan, a BJP worker from Behat, admits that there was discontent over only one Lok Sabha ticket for the community. The issues have been settled now. We held a meeting yesterday and declared our support for the BJP after the top leaders assured us that our concerns will be addressed next time, says Chauhan, who runs a hardware shop. This election is between Hindus and Muslims. Only the BJP government at the Centre and state can rein in the majority Muslim community in this area, says another BJP loyalist Mohit Goel. Behat, one of the assembly seats in Saharanpur boasts of a large Muslim population. Saharanpur comprises the five assembly seats Saharanpur, Saharanpur Rural, Deoband, Rampur, Maniharan, and Behat. Though the fault lines are wide open, the Muslim community brushes off any confrontation between Hindus and Muslims in the locality. In this election, livelihood issues are more important. The wave is in favor of the Congress-SP candidate, says Mohammed Aslam, another shopkeeper from the locality. With a triangular contest between the BJP, the Samajwadi Party (SP) Congress alliance, and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Saharanpur, a Muslim-dominated constituency, has become one of the most keenly watched elections in western Uttar Pradesh. The BJP has fielded Raghav Lakhanpal, for the third consecutive term, hoping to repeat its stunning 2014 performance. While Congress fielded Imran Masood, the BSP candidate Majid Ali is in the fray. Congress candidate Imran Masood, who hit headlines during the 2014 elections, with his controversial statement that will chop off Modi into pieces, is trying his luck for the third time. Though Masood switched parties after the 2019 election, the Congress workers are confident that he will get a comfortable majority this time with the support of the SP alliance. Muslims account for 40% of the electorate Saharanpur has Muslims making over 40 per cent of the electorate. After winning the seat in 2014 under sweeping Modi wave by drubbling Imran Masood of Congress by 65,000 votes, BJP candidate Raghav Lakhanpal Sharma had lost the seat to BSPs Fazlur Rehman in 2019 when SP, BSP and RLD were contesting in alliance. Saharanpur, the seat of Asias biggest Islamic seminary Darul Uloom in Deoband, comprises five assembly seats: Saharanpur, Saharanpur Rural, Deoband, Rampur Maniharan, and Behat. Kairana, a communal raga Earlier known for Kirana Gharana of Hindustani classical music, Kairana is now known for its communal raga. In a three-cornered fight, BJP has reposed faith in MP Pradeep Chaudhury, SP has fielded Munawwars daughter Ikra Hasan.Mayawatis BSP has fielded a retired BSF jawan Sripal Singh Rana. Rampur Rampur with over 51 % Muslim population, is set to witness an intriguing battle between BJP MP Ghanshyam Lodhi and SPs Maulana Mohibullah Nadvi, a Delhi-based cleric. However, BSP has made SPs job difficult by fielding Zeeshan Khan, who would dent SP core vote base. Bijnor Bijnor is in the kitty of NDA partner RLD, which has fielded Chandan Chauhan, its MLA from Meerapur. From Bijnor, Mayawati had contested her first election. However, this time it is being seen as a contest between RLD and BSP. Muzaffarnagar A Jat-dominated seat, Muzaffarnagar is witnessing a tough three-corner fight where Union minister and BJP candidate Sanjeev Baliyan is seeking a third term. He is, however, facing a tough challenge from SPs Harendra Mallik, also a Jat. Meanwhile, making the contest interesting, BSPs Dara Singh Prajapati is marking his presence by reaching out to potential voters. Nagina The reserved seat is witnessing a multi-cornered fight with BJP, SP, BSP and Chandrashekhar Azad of him Army in fray. In the 2022 Assembly polls, out of the five segments, SP won Najibabad, Nagina and Noorpur Assembly segments, but BJP got Dhampur and Nehtaur. If Chandrashekhar cuts into the votes of the BSP, the BJP candidates path would become easier. Pilibhit Though the slogans backing Maneka Gandhi are missing from political landscape of Pilibhit, as BJP has snubbed MP Varun Gandhi replacing him with Congress turncoat Jitin Prasada, yet the stage is all set for a fiercefight on the ground with SP having fielded Bhagwat Charan Gangwar. BSP has added colour to fight by fielding Anis Ahmad Khan alias Gulab Babu.

The New Indian Express 17 Apr 2024 7:52 am

Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Its the people who see me as Ram, says Arun Govil

BJP hits a six in Meerut with candidate Arun Govil, who says he has never been able to live down his role of Lord Ram in iconic television series

Mid Day 17 Apr 2024 6:58 am

Oppn leaders read 'fatiha' for dead criminals but don't condole death of Hindus: UP CM Adityanath

Oppn leaders read 'fatiha' for dead criminals but don't condole death of Hindus: UP CM Adityanath Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday claimed that opposition leaders read the 'fatiha' for dead criminals but don't condole the death of Hindus. Addressing a rally at Nahtaur in Bijnor, Yogi Adityanath said that after 500 years, it would be for the first time that Ramlalla will celebrate Ram Navami -- the birthday of Maryada Purushottam Shri Ram -- in his temple. Attacking the opposition parties, Adityanath said the Congress, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and Samajwadi Party are immersed in quagmire and hate goodness. ''They glorify mafias and criminals and go to their homes and read the fatiha,'' Adityanath said, referring to prayers offered by Muslims for the dead. ''But if an innocent Hindu becomes a victim of an accident, not a single word of condolence comes out of their mouth,'' he said. The chief minister said, ''We greet Ram-Ram to the common citizens and Ram Naam Satya to the mafia-criminals.'' He said that India is the only country where 'Aaradhya' (God) had to give proof for his birthplace. ''This situation was caused by the Congress and Samajwadi Party. They tried to jeopardize our faith, but Sanatan Samaj did not agree, it was determined to build a grand temple on the birthplace of Lord Ram,'' Adityanath said. ''We achieved success because of Prime Minister Prime Minister Modi,'' he said, according to a release issued in Lucknow. The chief minister said our generations are blessed that we will witness the birth anniversary programme in the grand temple. He said the credit goes to people also as they formed the BJP government. Adityanath appealed all to vote for Nagina Lok Sabha candidate Om Kumar. ''One right vote cast changes the fate. One vote cast in the wrong place creates an identity crisis,'' he said. The chief minister also extended greetings on Ram Navami along with the Ashtami Tithi of Basantik Navratri. Addressing an election rally in Shamli, Adityanath said that those responsible for the forced migration of people from Kairana have faced consequences. ''No one will be forced to migrate from here anymore. We won't let anyone tamper with our identity,'' he said. ''A good government makes wise decisions. In contrast, the Congress has disrespected Baba Saheb Bhimrao Ambedkar and the messiah of farmers, Chaudhary Charan Singh. The Samajwadi Party has gone even further, they go to read 'fatiha' on the deaths of mafias and criminals,'' Adityanath said. ''Show your disapproval through your vote, directing them to their rightful place,'' he added. Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav had visited the family of mafia-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari at his home in Ghazipur, and said he hoped the truth of his death will come out and the family will get justice. Ansari, a five-time MLA from Mau, died due to cardiac arrest, on March 28. Yadav's visit and comments triggered a sharp attack by the BJP. Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya then said that wherever the Samajwadi Party chief goes, the BJP or its allies will win elections. Stating there is a noticeable change in the country's atmosphere, Adityanath asserted, ''Lord Ram Lalla has been consecrated in his majestic temple, yet the Congress and SP seek evidence of his birth in Ayodhya. Our continuous chants of 'Ram-Ram' from dawn to dusk stand as our evidence.'' During the meeting, the chief minister appealed to people to vote for Pradeep Chaudhary, the joint Lok Sabha candidate of BJP, and Rashtriya Lok Dal from the Kairana Lok Sabha constituency. Adityanath also said that curfews will no longer be imposed in the state, and the Kanwar Yatras will be celebrated with great enthusiasm every year. ''Earlier, daughters in Shamli and Kairana were forced to go away from their parents to study, but today they top the Uttar Pradesh Board of Secondary Education and Central Board of Secondary Education from here,'' Adityanath said. He said the construction of malls, business complexes, wide roads, new buildings, and police stations at various locations, signify a new era of development in western Uttar Pradesh. Highlighting the infrastructure development, the chief minister said, ''Previously, the journey from Meerut to Delhi took four to five hours, but now it is completed in just 45 minutes. Rapid rail track construction is progressing rapidly in Meerut.'' ''We are also establishing the first sports university. Today, our daughters are winning Olympic medals and bringing glory to the nation. This is all due to the farsighted thinking of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as his welfare schemes are benefiting everyone without discrimination,'' he added. Adityanath said the country is progressing positively under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. ''Earlier, there were curfews, and both daughters and businessmen felt unsafe. Now, the situation has completely reversed,'' he said. Adityanath also said, ''The farmers of western Uttar Pradesh, now confidently chant 'Ram-Ram' and even say 'Ram nam satya hai' to criminals because they are getting security and prosperity.'' ''So far, sugarcane farmers have received payments worth Rs 2.5 lakh crore for their produce. There are issues with two or three sugar mills in Shamli. We have informed them that if they fail to pay the sugarcane farmers in full, we will ensure that the farmers become the owners of those sugar mills,'' he added. Adityanath also held a roadshow in Saharanpur on Tuesday.

devdiscourse 16 Apr 2024 9:12 pm

Controversy erupts over Arun Govil's statement on Constitution: Here is what he said

Controversy has erupted over Arun Govil, BJP's candidate from Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, after a viral video shows him discussing potential changes to the Constitution. Meanwhile, PM Modi rebukes Congress allegations of BJP tampering with the Constitution, asserting its sanctity. The exchange underscores ongoing debates over constitutional integrity amidst political rhetoric.

The Economic Times 15 Apr 2024 3:35 pm

BJP promises three more bullet train corridors

NEW DELHI: The BJP manifesto released on Sunday promised three more bullet train corridors in the country apart from expanding coverage of new-age trains. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while releasing the BJPs Lok Sabha manifesto, said the work on the first corridor, which will connect Ahmedabad to Mumbai, is almost complete and the survey work for three more corridors will begin soon. We are constructing the first Bullet Train corridor in the country. Using the experience gained so far, we will initiate feasibility studies for Bullet Train Corridors in North, South, and East India, the BJPs manifesto states. The saffron party, seeking a third consecutive term for PM Modi, says that its government has developed and manufactured world-class Vande Bharat, Amrit Bharat, and Namo Bharat trains. The BJP manifesto has accorded top priority to a slew of railway projects if it is voted to power for a third term at the Centre. Released as Modi Ki Guarantee, the manifesto pledged for constructing new tracks to expand capacity as well cargo transportation. It mentions that 31,000 km railway tracks were built in the last 10 years and now it would add 5000 km of new railway tracks every year for next five years after coming in the third term of power. In the backdrop of heavy waitlists in trains, the BJP has pledged to increase ticket availability significantly increasing passenger carrying capacity by 2030. The BJP also promised to carry on expansion of Kavach train protection system in a mission mode in next five years. The PM quoting from the manifesto said 1300 railway stations will be re-developed to world class standards in major and medium-sized cities. The manifesto promised to expand services of high frequency trains for regional connectivity and metro network in major urban centres ensuring last mile connectivity. We will launch Vande Sleeper trains for a comfortable overnight journey, Modi said, adding that his government will also launch Vande Bharat Metro. We have commissioned sections of RRTS between Delhi and Meerut. We will further expand these services and launch other regional connectivity programmes to other major cities to ensure robust connectivity and integrate the regional economies. It has been promised in the manifesto to launch a Super App to provide all train-related services to users. Vow to increase train ticket availability In the backdrop of heavy wait lists in trains, the BJP has pledged to increase ticket availability significantly increasing passenger carrying capacity by 2030. It promised to carry on expansion of Kavach train protection system in a mission mode in next five years. The PM quoting from the manifesto said 1300 railway stations will be re-developed to world class standards in major and medium-sized cities.

The New Indian Express 15 Apr 2024 8:46 am

2 kids among 7 burnt alive as car rams into truck in Sikar

Seven, including 3 women & 2 children from UP's Meerut, died in car-truck collision on Churu-Salasar highway. Car on LPG cylinder caught fire, spreading flames to truck with cotton. Eyewitness saw victims shouting for help.

The Times of India 15 Apr 2024 3:34 am

NDTV Election Carnival In Ayodhya: Ram, Ramrajya, Rajniti

NDTV Election Carnival, which started in Delhi, is now in Ayodhya after travelling through several cities in UP, including Meerut and Lucknow. This is the first Lok Sabha election after the consecration of the Ram Mandir and the political atmosphere has heated up in the city. Ayodhya is associated with faith, devotion, culture, and 'Ram Rajya'. BJP leader Awadhesh Pandey, Congress leader Sharad Shukla, and Samajwadi Party leader Dan Bahadur take part in NDTV's special programme in Ayodhya as poets Tarachand Tanha and Shailendra Pandey Masoom enthralled people with their poems and local artists Kirti Mishra and Ajneesh Gupta sang bhajans.

NDTV 14 Apr 2024 10:47 pm

Leopard Enters House In UP's Meerut, Caught After 8-Hour Operation

A forest department team tranquilised and caught a leopard from a house here on Saturday following an eight-hour operation, officials said.

NDTV 13 Apr 2024 11:09 pm

Commotion Erupts as Eid Namazis Pray on Meerut Streets, Prompting Police Intervention

Lucknow: I n Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, worshippers gathered on the streets to observe Eid prayers, prompting the UP Police to take action by filing a case against 200 individuals, as confirmed by a senior police official. SSP Rohit Singh Sajwan stated that further steps will be taken once the identities of the accused are determined based on viral video evidence. The incident occurred on Eid day, with a large crowd assembling at the Eidgah in Meerut, leading some to sit on the road for prayers. Tensions escalated when worshippers clashed with the police after being prevented from praying on the road at Shahi Eidgah. The following day, a case was lodged against 100-200 unidentified persons, following a complaint by Police Sub Inspector Ramautar Singh of the Railway Road police station. The complaint cited disruptions to traffic caused by individuals praying on the road despite police instructions. Efforts were made to redirect worshippers to Faiz-e-Aam College, but confrontations broke out between the crowd and law enforcement. Individuals in the crowd chanted religious slogans, pushed past police barricades, and removed barriers. Several videos of the incident circulated on social media. The detainees were placed under custody at the Railway Road police station. SP Ayush Vikram Singh explained that measures were taken to manage the large crowd at the Idgah, redirecting them to Faiz-e-Aam College. He noted that while some individuals engaged in verbal altercations with the police, appropriate legal actions were taken at the Railway Road police station. Mumbai Police's Innovative Reunion: QR Code Helps Locate Missing Child CBI Accuses BRS Leader K Kavitha of Coercing Aurobindo Pharma Promoter in AAP Payment Scandal Rameshwaram Cafe Blasts mastermind hiding in Bengal with 'Sanjay Agarwal & Uday Das' names

News Track 13 Apr 2024 6:11 pm

Stir Erupts Over Insects Found in Noodles at Restaurant in Sehore, Madhya Pradesh

Bhopal: I n Sehore, Madhya Pradesh, a stir ensued when patrons discovered insects infesting the noodles served at a local restaurant in the Mandi area. The unsettling incident gained traction after a family dining at the establishment recorded a video showcasing the contaminated noodles, which quickly circulated on social media platforms. Responding promptly to the complaint and the viral video, authorities from the Food Department swiftly intervened to investigate the matter. Upon receiving the complaint, a team from the Food Department was dispatched to the restaurant to conduct an inspection and evaluate the situation in line with food safety regulations. The officials meticulously assessed the restaurant's cleanliness and food handling practices to ascertain any lapses that may have led to the contamination. Additionally, a sample of the tainted noodles was collected and sent to a laboratory in Bhopal for thorough testing to determine the nature and extent of the contamination. During the inspection, the Food Department officials expressed dissatisfaction with the restaurant's overall hygiene standards and operational protocols. Sarika Gupta, an officer representing the Food Department, acknowledged the complaint regarding the presence of insects in the noodles and affirmed that appropriate action would be taken against the restaurant operator if any violations of food safety regulations were uncovered as a result of the investigation. Commotion Erupts as Eid Namazis Pray on Meerut Streets, Prompting Police Intervention Mumbai Police's Innovative Reunion: QR Code Helps Locate Missing Child CBI Accuses BRS Leader K Kavitha of Coercing Aurobindo Pharma Promoter in AAP Payment Scandal

News Track 13 Apr 2024 6:11 pm

Viral Video Emerges: Brutal Assault Near Amity University Gate in Noida Sparks Outrage

Noida: T he streets of Noida, Uttar Pradesh, witnessed another incident of violence as a viral video surfaced on social media. In the video, a group of youths is seen pulling a student out of a Fortuner car near Amity University Gate No. 5 in the Police Station Sector 126 area and assaulting him. The disturbing footage shows the young man being dragged from the car and subjected to kicks and punches before the assailants flee the scene. A girl can be seen inside the car during the altercation, and she later helps the victim to his feet after the attackers leave. Amity University, Noida, a group of rowdy youths pulled a student out of a car and beat him. Gundo ke chale jaane ke baad car se mahila utri aur unhone pehle jooto ki jaan bachayi aur baad me yuvak ki. pic.twitter.com/uP8x078Fry THE SKIN DOCTOR (@theskindoctor13) April 13, 2024 The incident gained attention after the video circulated widely on social media platforms. Police authorities became aware of the situation through these online channels and have since identified the vehicle involved by tracing its number. Efforts are underway to contact the victim, although it remains unclear when the incident occurred. Investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the dispute and to locate and apprehend the perpetrators. Law enforcement officials have formed a dedicated team to identify and apprehend the individuals responsible for the assault. Once the victim is identified, further details about the incident are expected to emerge, shedding light on the circumstances surrounding the violence. Authorities are committed to resolving the matter swiftly and bringing those responsible to justice. Commotion Erupts as Eid Namazis Pray on Meerut Streets, Prompting Police Intervention Mumbai Police's Innovative Reunion: QR Code Helps Locate Missing Child CBI Accuses BRS Leader K Kavitha of Coercing Aurobindo Pharma Promoter in AAP Payment Scandal

News Track 13 Apr 2024 6:11 pm

Uttar Pradesh: Shehzadi pretends to be Naina Verma to entrap Hindu man in Meerut, forces him to convert to Islam and circumcises minor step-son

Shehzadi forged documents and assumed the identity of 'Naina Verma' before getting married to Vipin.

OpIndia 13 Apr 2024 1:48 pm

Who Will Be Crowned Winner In UP's Mainpuri, Stronghold Of The Yadavs

The 'NDTV Election Carnival' reached Mainpuri on Thursday after travelling hundreds of kilometres via Delhi, Haridwar, Meerut, and Bharatpur. Mainpuri is a seat considered the stronghold of the Samajwadi Party. It has been winning from the Mainpuri seat continuously since 1996. Mulayam Singh Yadav or his family members had been continuously winning elections from this seat. Dimple Yadav has once again been made a candidate in the Lok Sabha elections. This time, the BJP has fielded Jaiveer Singh Thakur as its candidate, who is also a minister in the state government.

NDTV 11 Apr 2024 11:25 pm

Mastermind in UP police recruitment paper leak case arrested from Jewar

LUCKNOW: In a major breakthrough, the Special Task Force (STF) of UP Police nabbed Ravi Atri, 38, the mastermind of the police constable recruitment paper leak, on Wednesday. He was arrested from Jewar in Gautam Budhh Nagar. A native of Gautam Budh Nagar and based in Delhi before going underground following a probe into the police recruitment paper leak, Atri happens to be the 401st accused arrested so far in connection with the paper leak racket. UP Police Recruitment Board had held an examination to recruit 60,000 constables on February 17 and 18 where over 48 lakh candidates had appeared. Later, the government cancelled the tests and ordered re-examination following the paper leak. While the re-examination will be done in next 6 months, a manhunt was launched for those behind the fiasco. Atri was on the run ever since. An intensive investigation unfolded across various states including Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana and districts of UP including Varanasi, Jhansi, Agra, Kanpur, Bareilly, Ghaziabad, Prayagraj, Meerut, Gorakhpur, Hathras, Noida, and Ballia. A total of 12 cases have been registered in connection with the scandal. Additional DG, law and order, Amitabh Yash, said that efforts of STF Field Unit Meerut tracked Atri and arrested him. During interrogation, Atri said that after passing the Intermediate examination from Shriram Inter College, Thora, Gautam Budh Nagar, in 2006, the accused went to Allen Coaching Centre, Kota, Rajasthan for medical preparation where he came in contact with the examination mafia in 2007. He then started appearing as a solver in various competitive examinations. After passing the HPMT examination in the year 2012, he got admission in PGIMS, Rohtak, Haryana and passed the third year in 2018 but did not appear in the fourth-year examination. Prior to it, he was nabbed by Daryaganj Crime Branch, Delhi in the paper leak case of NEET PG exam in the year 2012 and went to jail. He was also incarcerated the same year after Shahbad Dairy police station, Delhi arrested him for getting the paper of SBI exam out. In 2015, the AIPMT paper was out. The STF said that now Delhi police constable Vikram Pahal, Goldy, Guniya, Dawood, Neetu, Monu Dhakla, Anurag and Ankit Mishra were wanted in connection with the case. Held for getting paper of SBI exam out Prior to it, he was nabbed by Daryaganj Crime Branch, Delhi in the paper leak case of NEET PG exam in the year 2012 and went to jail. He was also incarcerated the same year after Shahbad Dairy police station, Delhi arrested him for getting the paper of SBI exam out.

The New Indian Express 11 Apr 2024 10:23 am

Anti-social elements will not get land even for last rites, says Adityanath

LUCKNOW: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday said those involved in intimidating and torturing innocents would be deprived of even a piece of land for last rites. Attacking the opposition at a poll rally in Sardhana segment to seek votes for Muzaffarnagar candidate Sanjeev Balyan, Yogi alleged that those attempting to mislead people today had put the BJP leaders like Sangeet Som and Sanjeev Baliyan behind the bars and had imposed curfews to add to peoples woes in 2013. The Sardhana assembly segment in Meerut district falls under Muzaffarnagar Lok Sabha constituency. He cautioned the people against those political forces which were entrenched in deceptive tactics of caste-based politics undermining nations integrity and religious values. At the rally, CM Yogi asserted that no individual could evade strict action if found indulging in wrongdoing regardless of their status. Without naming anyone, he referred to the downfall of prominent mafia empires allegedly patronised by previous regimes. The CM said the during the SP regime even top officials hesitated to confront mafias. However, under the present administration, those, operating with impunity, were dealt with iron fist under the law of the land, he claimed. He also drew a sharp contrast between Indias progress and Pakistans struggles, attributing the neighbouring countrys plight to poor governance. Rallied support for the BJP condidate, the CM highlighted the infrastructure push which the region has received during the last six years. Meerut will go to polls on April 26.

The New Indian Express 11 Apr 2024 10:21 am

Biryani Reigns Supreme this Ramzan with close to 6 Million Orders: Swiggy Order Analysis

Swiggy, India's leading on-demand convenience platform, has unveiled its Ramzan order analysis, revealing the nation's continued love affair with Biryani during the holy month. Close to 6 million plates of Biryani were ordered during this period, marking a 15% increase compared to regular months. Hyderabad stood out by ordering over a million plates of Biryani and 5.3 lakh plates of Haleem. Traditional favorites like Biryani, Haleem, and Samosa continued to dominate the Iftar table, showcasing their enduring popularity during Ramzan. During Ramzan, Swiggy witnessed a 34% increase in Iftar orders between 5:30 to 7 pm. The top items ordered nationally for Iftar were Chicken Biryani, Mutton Haleem, Samosa, Falooda and Kheer. During Ramzan, there was a significant increase in orders for popular dishes across the nation compared to normal days. Haleem saw a huge increase of 1454.88%, followed by Phirni with an 80.97% increase. Malpua orders went up by 79.09%, while Falooda and Dates saw increases of 57.93% and 48.40% respectively. Ramzans Sweet Spot Mumbai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Lucknow, Bhopal and Meerut saw a drastic increase in orders placed for Iftar sweet dishes including Malpua, Dates and Phirni. The above findings are based on an analysis of orders placed on Swiggy from March 12 th to 8 th April 2024.

Deccan Chronicle 11 Apr 2024 12:43 am

NDTV Election Carnival: Rajasthan's Bharatpur Ready For BJP vs Congress Fight

NDTV Network's special program 'NDTV Election Carnival' entered Rajasthan on Wednesday via Delhi, Haridwar, and Meerut. Bharatpur in Rajasthan is seeing a contest between the BJP and Congress. Voting will be held in Bharatpur on April 19, the first of the seven phases. Sanjana Jatav is the Congress candidate, while Ramswaroop Koli has been fielded by the BJP.

NDTV 10 Apr 2024 11:08 pm

The importance of being Akhilesh Yadav in this Lok Sabha election

Any discussion around the Lok Sabha election has to begin with Uttar Pradesh. The 80 seats in the state that has given India nine Prime Ministers till date are where any serious electoral calculation begins. More so, since the BJP reestablished the primacy of the state in India's electoral map by winning 71 seats there in 2014 and 62 seats in 2019. Five years on, standing between the BJP and another big tally is Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav. The 50-year-old ex-CM is allying with the Congress this time around. While the Congress has little say in driving the campaign in the state, confined as it is to the speculation over possible faces in Amethi and Rae Bareli, Akhilesh has the opportunity of making it work for himself and his party. This is especially so because of his appeal as the CM behind the first expressway in UP, the launch of the Lucknow Metro and the distribution of free laptops to meritorious students. Will he, wont he? Amethi awaits their Rahul answer even as Smriti Irani gets going But the confusion unleashed in finalising his candidates for many seats, coupled with his frantic efforts to emerge as a well-wisher of the Muslims, have made his supporters wonder if Akhilesh has a firm strategy in place ahead of the first phase of polling on April 19. His recent visit to Ghazipur to offer condolence at the death of Mukhtar Ansari -- a bid to seek the sympathy and support of the Muslim community -- has caused confusion among his supporters who had seen him taking a stand against organised crime and criminals during his chief ministership from 2012 to 2017. It is also pointed out that Akhilesh preferred to stay away from the Ram Mandir temple consecration ceremony but went to comfort Ansaris family. The no-truck-with-criminals CM and a lost election Akhilesh's chief ministership had come after the Samajwadi Party had won 224 seats in the 403-member House in the 2012 Assembly election in Uttar Pradesh, since the SP patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav was not keeping well. The young sons appeal, aided by a state-wide cycle yatra, had been instrumental in ensuring the partys win then. He took over as Chief Minister on March 15 - nine days after the result was announced -- and after reported disgruntlement from many party seniors, and his oath-taking was marked by thousands of people storming the stage constructed for the ceremony. The fiasco damaged tables, chairs, microphones, public address system, flower pots, garlands and the backdrop etc, and made the entire structure come crashing down. The embarrassment made Akhilesh take an independent stand on maintenance of law and order and he started portraying himself as one dedicated to development. He went to the extent of putting his foot down when veteran leaders of SP wanted to induct another criminal-turned politician DP Yadav into the party fold. He carried this further in 2016 by refusing to endorse the merger of Quami Ekta Dal (QED), an outfit headed by the then already jailed gangster Mukhtar Ansari, with the Samajwadi Party. The SP leadership had mooted this move prior to the 2017 Assembly election, but Akhilesh chose to sacrifice these votes calculating that aligning with tainted leaders may outweigh the electoral gains. However, the SP lost the ensuing election in a big way and failed to stage a comeback even in 2022. Candidate one day, not so the next day! The coming Lok Sabha election, thus, is a crucial test for Akhilesh where he is under pressure to post good results. But the frequent change of the candidates in many seats by the SP has led to bewilderment among the workers especially when the responsibility of selecting the candidates has been widely believed to be his. The chaos which was witnessed by changing the candidates in Moradabad, Rampur last week was followed by the Gautam Budh Nagar and Meerut candidates too being changed. To rub salt into the wounds, the embarrassment was used as an excuse by Jayant Chaudhary, leader of SPs erstwhile ally Rashtriya Lok Dal, to mock Akhilesh -- since RLD is now an ally of the BJP. Muslim vote and Owaisi, BSP threat The latest move by Akhilesh then of cosying up to Ansari can be understood in the context of the Muslim vote, which is crucial in the state elections. The Muslim community is believed to be confused due to the BJP's dominance, the incarceration of Azam Khan, and demise of criminal-turned politicians Atiq Ahmad, his brother Ashraf and Mukhtar Ansari. In this scenario, Asaduddin Owaisi's AIMIM has also jumped into the fray as a potential threat to the SP by targeting the Muslim vote. Akhilesh not only visited Mukhtar Ansari's family but also supported the demand for a probe into Ansari's death, while saying that Ansari was a benefactor for the poor. By doing so, Akhilesh aims to consolidate the Muslim vote and counter the influence of AIMIM in the state. However, the Bahujan Samaj Party has added to Akhilesh's headaches by putting up 10 Muslim candidates so far followed by 10 Dalits and 11 Brahmins. The SP owed its earlier dominance of state politics to effectively using the Muslim-Yadav (popularly known as M-Y) combination in previous elections, but it later started adding leaders from smaller but influential castes. The trick UP Mayawati's electoral sleeve The INDIA bloc platform Joining the INDIA bloc did not mean much as the Congress is struggling for survival in the state, but it gave SP the clout to raise issues such as advocating for a caste census, fighting against injustices faced by STs, OBCs, and Muslims. Even as Akhilesh Yadav failed to retain his allies especially the Apna Dal (K), RLD and SBSP, he has remained the most visible and vocal opposition leader since BSP's Mayawati and Rahul Gandhi and others of the Congress preferred to stay away from an on-ground presence. For most non-BJP supporters, his appeal lies in a youthful countenance and in his performance as Chief Minister during 2012-2017. The tale the numbers tell It is also noteworthy that the SP has maintained a steady vote share in major elections in last ten years and managed to improve its vote share by 10% in the last assembly elections (in comparison to the previous one). In the 2014 Lok Sabha election, the vote share stood as follows: BJP 42.6% (71 seats), SP 22.3% and BSP 19.8 - while the SP tally stood at 5 seats, the BSP did not win a single seat. Interestingly, in the 2019 Lok Sabha election, SP and BSP contested in am alliance. While the SP got a 18.1% vote share (5 seats), the BSP got 19.4% (10 seats) in contrast to BJP's 50% (62 seats.) As far as Assembly elections are concerned, the figures of vote percentage and seats won are: 2017- BJP 40% (312 seats), SP 22% (47 seats), BSP 22.4% (19 seats.) 2022- BJP 41.6% (255 seats), SP 32.3% (111 seats), BSP 13% (1 seat.) Going by the maths, the SP has momentum in its favour. Will it stay that way is the big question. 'Is Bar PDA Sarkar': Samajwadi Party finally gets into poll mode, releases vision document

The New Indian Express 10 Apr 2024 9:45 pm

Abhi muddon ke baarein mein sochna shuru nahi kiya hai: BJPs Arun Govil

Two days have passed since the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Lok Sabha candidate for Meerut constituency Arun Govil drew flak for his campaigning style seeking votes in the name of Lord Rama. The actor-turned-politician ignited another controversy suggesting that discussions about Meeruts issues will take place after he wins the elections. A video of the 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 .

The Siasat Daily 10 Apr 2024 4:35 pm

Mumbai: Police bust gang that sold and mortgaged fake gold

The fake gold that was procured from Meerut appeared so genuine that even jewelers would not tell the difference

Mid Day 10 Apr 2024 8:02 am

NDTV Election Carnival: Arun Govil, BJP's Meerut Candidate, On Janseva, Rajneeti, And More

'NDTV Election Carnival' reached Meerut in western Uttar Pradesh on Monday via Delhi and Haridwar. Arun Govil, of the Ramayan fame, is BJP's Meerut candidate. I wanted to do janseva, may be Ram ji heard me, said Mr Govil on being chosen by the BJP. He spoke at length about reel vs real life, the Ram Temple and his Ramayan days.

NDTV 8 Apr 2024 11:18 pm