Top Elections News- IBNLive.com

Government not serious on Lokpal Bill: Anna Hazare

Mon, 21 May 2012 02:32:26 +0530

Whistleblower Anna Hazare has expressed doubt whether the Lokpal Bill would be passed this month, even as the government gets set to table the bill on Monday.

Yeddyurappa praises Sonia and Congress

Sun, 13 May 2012 04:02:33 +0530

In an embarrassment to BJP, sulking former Karnataka chief minister BS Yeddyurappa on Sunday praised Congress President Sonia Gandhi and her party for being supportive of leaders facing trouble "unlike" his own party.

TMC to support Lokpal sans the Lokayukta clause

Thu, 10 May 2012 03:40:59 +0530

Trinamool Congress on Thursday said it will support the Lokpal Bill in the Rajya Sabha if it is brought without the clause about appointing Lokayuktas in the states.

Independents to be kingmaker in South Delhi civic body

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 08:55:36 +0530

Four regional parties, RLD, NCP, JD(U) and Samajwadi Party, have made their mark in Delhi municipal polls by opening their accounts though BSP suffered a setback as its tally went down.

Accept MCD poll results with 'good grace': PM

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 08:36:02 +0530

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday said the Delhi civic poll results in which the Congress suffered defeat should be accepted with "good grace".

Use new EVMs in next Tripura assembly polls: Cong

Sat, 07 Apr 2012 06:09:18 +0530

Expressing concern over possible tampering of old Electronic Voting Machines, the opposition Congress in Tripura has requested the Election Commission to conduct the coming assembly elections with new foolproof Electronic Voting Machines (EVM).

SP workers brandish guns at a victory rally

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 11:42:00 +0530

Samajwadi Party workers were on Sunday seen brandishing guns at MLA Mehboob Ali's victory rally on the Lucknow-Delhi road.

Azam Khan to take oath again as UP minister

Sun, 18 Mar 2012 06:31:48 +0530

Samjawadi Party leader Azam Khan will be sworn-in again on Sunday as a Uttar Pradesh cabinet member. That is because he did not fully read out his oath during the March 15 ceremony.

'Rawat will be given his due, no change in U'khand CM'

Sun, 18 Mar 2012 01:39:35 +0530

With a solution to the crisis in Uttarkhand continuing to elude the party, Congress on Saturday said rebel leader and Union Minister Harish Rawat will be given "his due" but ruled out changing Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna.

UP: Akhilesh Yadav sets fresh rules for SP workers

Sat, 17 Mar 2012 03:13:22 +0530

Haunted by the spectre of a repeat of hooliganism that marred the the 2004-2007 tenure of the Samajwadi Party government, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Friday issued fresh guidelines with regard to putting up of hoardings and use of party flags on vehicles and asked them to remain within the 'Lakshman rekha'.

Will sort out differences with Rawat: Bahuguna

Sat, 17 Mar 2012 02:39:24 +0530

Beleaguered Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna on Friday said he would make efforts to resolve differences with senior Congress leader Harish Rawat and hoped that the party would be able to prove majority and form government in the state.

Akhilesh Yadav takes oath as UP Chief Minister

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 11:48:26 +0530

Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday took his oath to office in Lucknow to become the youngest Chief Minister of India's largest state, Uttar Pradesh. A total of 47 ministers have sworn in, including 19 Cabinet ministers and 28 MOS, along with Akhilesh Yadav.

Akhilesh to take charge as youngest UP CM today

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 06:16:45 +0530

Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav will take charge on Thursday as the youngest Chief Minister of India's largest state, Uttar Pradesh. Akhilesh will take his oath to office in Lucknow.

Uttarakhand: Rawat meets Cong MP Pradeep Tamta

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 12:06:08 +0530

Veteran Congress leader Harish Rawat on Wednesday was meeting Congress MP Pradeep Tamta along with his supporter MLAs. The meeting comes even as the Congress is battling rumours that Rawat is set on joining the BJP, after the Congress made Vijay Bahuguna the chief minister of Uttarakhand.

My fight is within the Congress: Harish Rawat

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 08:40:49 +0530

The newly elected Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Vijay Bahuguna slammed Congress 'rebels' on Tuesday for challenging party President Sonia Gandhi's authority. Harish Rawat, the Congress' other chief ministerial candidate and veteran leader, had boycotted the swearing-in ceremony on Tuesday. On the brink of a major split within the state unit, Rawat sent in his resignation to Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday morning and followed it up with a meeting with his arch-rival Harak Singh Rawat, and BJP President Nitin Gadkari.

Punjab polls: Badal's swearing-in ceremony today

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 06:16:34 +0530

A host of leaders across party lines are expected to descend in Chandigarh on Wednesday to attend Parkash Singh Badal's swearing-in ceremony. But Mamata Banerjee will not be among them. The Trinamool Chief had initially accepted Badal's invitation but changed her mind on Tuesday.

Vijay Bahuguna to be the new Uttarakhand CM

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 08:08:54 +0530

Putting an end to all the speculations, Uttarakhand general secretary in-charge Ghulam Nabi Azad has said that Vijay Bahuguna will be the new Chief Minister of the state. Bahuguna, son of former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister H N Bahuguna and brother of UP Congress chief Rita Bahuguna Joshi, is an MP from Tehri Garhwal.

U'khand polls: No decision on CM candidate yet

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 03:54:13 +0530

Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Monday met key party leaders to decide on who would lead the government in Uttarakhand. However, no announcement was made in this regard after the meeting.

UP polls: Cong pulls up Sultanpur MP Sanjay Singh

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 02:46:34 +0530

Sanjay Singh, Congress MP from Sultanpur in Uttar Pradesh, has been asked to explain his comments on the party's performance in the state's Assembly election.

Punjab: Cong helped Akalis engineer historic win

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 02:21:03 +0530

Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh turned 70 on Sunday, but the euphoria of celebration was missing. Having just led his party to a second consecutive loss in the assembly elections in just five years, his failure was, no doubt, uppermost on everyone's minds.

New Punjab assembly a 'crorepati' club

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 02:09:31 +0530

When the newly-elected Punjab assembly meets for the first time later this month, it will look more like a millionaires club than a legislature. The 117-member house has no less than 101 crorepatis, data analysed by NGO Punjab Election Watch (PEW) has revealed.

Goa: Manohar does a Maya in social engineering

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 01:43:49 +0530

If Mayawati stormed to power in Uttar Pradesh in 2007 riding on the electoral shoulders of Brahmins and Dalits, Manohar Parrikar has similarly rewritten the 'social engineering' primer for Goa.

Third Front good for India: Akhilesh Yadav

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 10:55:29 +0530

Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav on Monday backed the idea of a Third Front and said it was a good step for India. "Third Front is a good step for the country, but for SP Uttar Pradesh is the priority," Akhilesh Yadav said.

Decision on new Uttarakhand CM to be taken today

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 06:33:04 +0530

It's been nearly a week since the Assembly Elections results were declared, but Uttarakhand is still without a Chief Minister. The Congress staked a claim to form the government but fierce infighting has delayed the decision of who will head the government in the state.

RSS slams BJP, praises Modi's style of governance

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 06:17:09 +0530

The RSS has slammed the BJP leadership for its poor performance in the recently concluded Assembly Elections. In its mouthpiece the Organiser, the Sangh said lack of leadership was the cause of the BJP's defeat in Uttar Pradesh.

Honouring people's faith our priority: Akhilesh

Sun, 11 Mar 2012 10:40:26 +0530

Chief Minister-designate Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday said his priority will be to steer Uttar Pradesh on the path of development and fulfil the aspirations of people who have reposed faith in Samajwadi Party.

Polls 2012: 35 pc MLAs have criminal cases

Sun, 11 Mar 2012 08:10:45 +0530

More than one-third of candidates elected in the just concluded Assembly polls have criminal cases against them, with Uttar Pradesh topping the list.

BSP to support Congress in Uttarakhand

Sun, 11 Mar 2012 06:53:32 +0530

The BSP on Sunday said that the party will give its support to Congress in the formation of the government in Uttarakhand. Talking to CNN-IBN, BSP state president Surajbhan said that BSP will support Congress in Uttarakhand.

No talks yet of third front: Mulayam

Sun, 11 Mar 2012 05:20:13 +0530

Even as West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will not attend Akhilesh Yadav's swearing in ceremony, Samajwadi supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav is still keen on using the event as a possible show of strength. He has invited several other Chief Ministers and leaders who could possibly be involved in the formation of a third front, sources say. Mulayam Singh Yadav, however, has dismissed any talks of a third front and said law and order would be top priority for the new UP government.

Punjab: Amarinder invited to Badal's swearing-in

Sun, 11 Mar 2012 02:59:13 +0530

Notwithstanding the bitter political wrangling between them during the high-octane poll process in Punjab, SAD patron Parkash Singh Badal has decided to invite his political rival Congress' Amarinder Singh for his swearing-in as chief minister for the fifth term.

Mamata to skip Akhilesh, Badal's swearing-in

Sun, 11 Mar 2012 02:43:35 +0530

Trinamool Congress Chief Mamata Banerjee has decided to send her representatives for the swearing-in ceremonies of Parkash Singh Badal and Akhilesh Yadav in Punjab and Uttar Pradesh, giving a huge relief to the UPA.

U'khand: Cong races against time to pick CM

Sun, 11 Mar 2012 12:10:39 +0530

The Congress was racing against time on Sunday to pick its Uttarakhand chief ministerial candidate. Party MLAs have to decide their CM choice by Monday. State Congress chief Yashpal Arya will meet observer Ghulam Nabi Azad sometime later on Sunday.

Mamata may attend Badal, Akhilesh's swearing-in

Sun, 11 Mar 2012 12:33:51 +0530

Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee, whose party is an UPA ally but has made common cause with non-Congress Chief Ministers on some issues, is likely to attend the oath-taking ceremonies of Parkash Singh Badal and Akhilesh Yadav as chief ministers of Punjab and Uttar Pradesh.

Somnath happy with Akhilesh becoming UP CM

Sun, 11 Mar 2012 12:02:31 +0530

Former Lok Sabha speaker Somnath Chatterjee, who had first remarked on the potential he evinced in Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav's son Akhilesh Yadav, on Saturday expressed happiness at the young leader being all set to take over as Uttar Pradesh chief minister.

UP: Shivpal, Azam likely candidates for ministerial berths

Sat, 10 Mar 2012 09:36:08 +0530

The strength of the Akhilesh Yadav ministry will be small and initially 10 to 15 Samajwadi Party leaders are likely to be inducted as ministers, party sources said on Saturday.

Mayawati to quit as MLC, seek RS nomination

Sat, 10 Mar 2012 08:49:43 +0530

BSP Chief Mayawati is now planning to quit as MLC and would seek a Rajya Sabha nomination. Sources said that this was decided after she met party MLAs and MPs on Saturday in Lucknow. She has called a two-day meeting of party members.

Akhilesh to be sworn in as UP CM on March 15

Sat, 10 Mar 2012 07:20:54 +0530

The Samajwadi Party has formally named Akhilesh Yadav as its Chief Minister for Uttar Pradesh. Akhilesh met Uttar Pradesh Governor BL Joshi and formally staked claim to form the government.

Akhilesh to be youngest Uttar Pradesh CM

Sat, 10 Mar 2012 07:01:58 +0530

Akhilesh Yadav, son of Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Mulayam Singh, was on Saturday named the next chief minister of Uttar Pradesh by his party's lawmakers. Akhilesh, 38, was nominated to the top post by SP legislators at a meeting in Lucknow. He will be the youngest chief minister of the country's most populous state.

Cong's CM in Uttarakhand in a day or two: Azad

Sat, 10 Mar 2012 04:45:59 +0530

In Uttarakhand, a consensus is yet to emerge it seems on who the Chief Minister designate of the Congress will be. A group of Congress MLAs is headed towards Delhi to meet the Congress High Command. Congress is four short of majority and sources say that it will get the support of three Independents and one UKD MLA.

Badal invites Jayalalithaa to his swearing-in

Sat, 10 Mar 2012 02:46:37 +0530

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Saturday invited his Tamil Nadu counterpart J Jayalalithaa to participate in his swearing-in ceremony on March 14.

Akhilesh Yadav: the modern face of SP

Sat, 10 Mar 2012 01:54:55 +0530

Akhilesh Yadav, who scripted the Samajwadi Party's spectacular victory in the assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, is seen as its modern face who gave it an image makeover.

I will fulfill all my promises: Akhilesh Yadav

Sat, 10 Mar 2012 01:40:25 +0530

Akhilesh Yadav, after being chosen to be the new Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, thanked the people of the state for giving an opportunity to the Samajwadi Party in the Assembly Elections 2012.

Challenges for Akhilesh Yadav as the new UP CM

Sat, 10 Mar 2012 12:06:43 +0530

Samajwadi Party leader and Mulayam Singh Yadav's son Akhilesh Yadav has been declared the new Chief Minister of Uttar pradesh. At 38, Akhilesh will be the youngest Chief Minister of the state.

Akhilesh Yadav chosen to be UP CM, stakes claim

Sat, 10 Mar 2012 12:02:30 +0530

Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav, who led his party to win 224 seats in the 2012 Uttar Pradesh Assembly Elections, was on Saturday chosen to be the Chief Minister of the state.

U'khand: Azad in talks with newly-elected MLAs

Sat, 10 Mar 2012 11:58:19 +0530

Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad, who is here as a central observer, is holding talks with the 32 newly-elected MLAs of the party in Uttarakhand where factional feuds have created hurdles in CLP leader's election.

Punjab: 'Wrong candidates' led to Cong defeat

Sat, 10 Mar 2012 11:48:49 +0530

Former deputy Speaker of Punjab Assembly, Darbari Lal feels that the Congress has suffered a drubbing in the Assembly elections due to "wrong allocation" of tickets by the state party unit. Lal, who was denied the Congress ticket in this election, says, "The major reason for the party's defeat is that, most candidates in the fray did not deserve party tickets as they were not fit to contest elections."

UP polls: Mayawati calls two-day party meet

Sat, 10 Mar 2012 11:05:48 +0530

BSP chief Mayawati has called a two-day meeting at her party office on Saturday. Mayawati will be meeting party MLAs and MPs on Saturday, and on Sunday, the leader will be meeting all office bearers and zonal coordinators.

UP: SP, BSP workers clash; 1 dead, 8 arrested

Sat, 10 Mar 2012 10:43:28 +0530

In fresh clashes between Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party workers in Hardoi one person died and five were injured on Saturday. Several instances of violence have been reported till now in Uttar Pradesh after Mulayam Singh Yadav's party swept the Assembly polls last week.

Third Front in offing? SAD, SP woo Mamata

Sat, 10 Mar 2012 10:12:55 +0530

Amidst talks of mid-term elections, an attempt seems underway to regroup the Third Front. Both SAD chief Parkash Singh Badal and Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav have invited West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for the swearing-in ceremonies in Punjab and Uttar Pradesh, respectively.

UP: Mulayam to pass baton to son Akhilesh

Sat, 10 Mar 2012 09:17:20 +0530

If confirmed, Akhilesh Yadav, 38, will be the youngest chief minister of Uttar Pradesh.

Change of guard likely, Akhilesh may be UP CM

Sat, 10 Mar 2012 07:28:09 +0530

The Samajwadi Party legislature meeting on Saturday is likely to being in a change of guard for Uttar Pradesh and a new leader for the party. Akhilesh Yadav is most likely to be named as the new Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and the announcement is expected at the SP legislature party meeting at around 11 am.

New UP govt will stop political vendetta: Cong

Sat, 10 Mar 2012 07:14:34 +0530

Congress on Saturday condemned incidents of violence in Uttar Pradesh in the wake of Samajwadi Party's electoral victory and hoped that the new government would bring the "political vendetta to a halt".

New Govt in Goa to present first budget on March 21

Sat, 10 Mar 2012 03:43:24 +0530

The Manohar Parrikar-led Goa government will table its first budget on March 21, and is expected to implement several of the election promises through it.

Goa: Parrikar promises zero tolerance to corruption

Sat, 10 Mar 2012 01:50:58 +0530

Addressing his first public meeting after taking oath of the office, Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Friday said that zero tolerance towards corruption would be the main agenda of BJP-led government.

'Wrong to connect incidents of violence in UP with SP'

Sat, 10 Mar 2012 01:32:48 +0530

Scheduled Castes panel chairperson PL Punia on Friday said it was wrong to ink the recent incidents of violence with SP as the party has not formed the government yet.

CEC for ban on criminals, black money in polls

Sat, 10 Mar 2012 12:22:12 +0530

Barring criminals from contesting and checking use of black money in elections top his reform agenda, Chief Election Commissioner SY Quraishi said on Friday.

Badal invites Mamata to his swearing-in ceremony

Fri, 09 Mar 2012 10:32:30 +0530

At a time when non-Congress chief ministers have come together on some issues, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal has invited his West Bengal counterpart Mamata Banerjee to his swearing in ceremony on March 14.

Akhilesh Yadav to be Uttar Pradesh CM

Fri, 09 Mar 2012 08:03:19 +0530

The suspense over the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister seems to have ended. Sources say Akhilesh Yadav will be the Chief Minister of the state.

Manohar Parrikar sworn in as Goa CM

Fri, 09 Mar 2012 05:16:57 +0530

Manohar Parrikar of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) took oath as the Chief Minister of Goa on Friday. This is Parrikar's third stint as the chief minister of the state. Top BJP leaders were present at the ceremony.

No decision taken yet on UP CM: Mulayam Singh Yadav

Fri, 09 Mar 2012 03:44:30 +0530

Samajwadi Party Chief Mulayam Singh Yadav on Friday said that the parliamentary party board will meet on Saturday to decide their candidate.

U'khand: Congress stakes claim for govt formation

Fri, 09 Mar 2012 02:09:01 +0530

The Congress has staked claim to form a government in Uttarakhand. Congress leaders met Governor Margaret Alva on Friday and claimed to have the support of 4 independent MLAs, who accompanied them.

Post-poll violence: Akhilesh promises strict action

Fri, 09 Mar 2012 01:49:25 +0530

Samajwadi Party leader and touted to be the next chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, Akhilesh Yadav at a press conference on Friday condemned the post-poll violence in the state that led to death of two.

UP Cong chief meets Sonia, offers resignation

Fri, 09 Mar 2012 12:37:10 +0530

After facing a massive defeat in the 2012 Uttar Pradesh Assembly Elections, state Congress chief Rita Bahuguna Joshi on Friday met party president Sonia Gandhi and tendered her resignation, taking the responsibility for the poor show.

Uttarakhand polls: Cong may stake claim today

Fri, 09 Mar 2012 08:15:25 +0530

UP: Sonia likely to reshuffle party leadership

Fri, 09 Mar 2012 07:59:30 +0530

Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Rita Bahuguna Joshi is expected to meet Party President Sonia Gandhi on Friday.

'Policy paralysis' hits UPA, TMC to hold meet today

Fri, 09 Mar 2012 07:06:55 +0530

The possibility of mid-term polls looms large on the UPA Government at the Centre as allies like the Trinamool Congress speak openly about policy paralysis. TMC leader and Union Railways Minister Dinesh Trivedi on Thursday openly said that with the election results, "policy paralysis will be more acute". He added, "There is a fear that big ticket reforms will be difficult. The parties have political ambitions. Government has to make a tight-rope walk. Numbers are a reality, you cannot change the numbers. We need to be real."

Uttarakhand: In touch with Cong, BJP, says BSP

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 10:20:57 +0530

Giving a new twist to the race for power in Uttarakhand, the BSP, whose three MLAs can tilt the balance, on Thursday night said it was in touch with both Congress and BJP as the two rival contenders for power claimed they will form the next government.

Goa: Alemao blames Kamat for defeat

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 09:40:27 +0530

There is more trouble for the Congress in Goa. Outgoing Goa minister Churchill Alemao has reportedly blamed chief minister Digamber Kamat for his defeat.

More violence in UP; SP, BSP workers clash

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 07:54:15 +0530

There was more violence reported in Uttar Pradesh after the Samajwadi Party swept to power. SP and BSP workers clashed in Ambedkar Nagar on Thursday.

Parkash Singh Badal will continue as Punjab CM: SAD

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 07:40:44 +0530

Putting at rest all speculation, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Thursday declared that Parkash Singh Badal will remain the Chief Minister of Punjab, a post he would be holding for a record fifth time.

Cong leadership in UP is top heavy: Sanjay Singh

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 05:10:07 +0530

Sultanpur MP Sanjay Singh said that the Congress could have been an option in UP had tickets been given to right people.

Punjab polls: Badal to be sworn in as CM on Mar 14

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 04:45:44 +0530

Akali stalwart Parkash Singh Badal will be sworn in as Punjab Chief Minister on March 14 for a record fifth time with Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) electing him as its Legislature party leader unanimously on Thursday, ending all speculation over the leadership issue.

Infighting in Cong after poll debacle: PCC chief

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 02:31:54 +0530

Infighting in Congress in the wake of its electoral debacle in Uttar Pradesh came out in the open with PCC chief Rita Bahuguna Joshi on Thursday saying that there should no blame-game when the party is in crisis.

'No mid-term poll, UPA will complete its term'

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 02:19:06 +0530

Ruling out a mid-term poll in the wake of Congress' setback in the recent assembly polls, Union Minister Jayanthi Natarajan on Thursday said the Manmohan Singh-led government will complete its term and asked opposition parties not to nurture hopes of destabilising it.

'No mid-term poll, UPA will complete its term'

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 02:19:06 +0530

Don't want early polls, clarifies Trinamool

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 01:03:10 +0530

TMC leader and Union Railways Minister Dinesh Trivedi did a U-turn on Thursday, clarifying that his remarks regarding mid-term polls were just a "political analysis" and not a statement as a politician or the "view of my party".

UP polls: BJP chief Surya Pratap Sahi resigns

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 12:23:22 +0530

Surya Pratap Sahi, the Uttar Pradesh BJP president, has resigned. Sahi submitted his resignation to BJP President Nitin Gadkari on Thursday, accepting responsibility for the BJP's poor show in the state during the Assembly elections on Tuesday.

After BJP, TMC in favour of mid-term polls

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 10:52:21 +0530

While the Congress is yet to recover from the shock it received in the Assembly polls 2012, the clamour for mid-term polls is getting louder, this time by ally Trinamool Congress.

UP: SP workers in another act of violence

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 08:38:34 +0530

Violence broke out on Wednesday night outside an independent candidate's house in Sitapur area of Uttar Pradesh, after alleged Samajwadi Party workers tried to set his and 13 other houses on fire. Two people have been arrested in connection with the incident. They are allegedly supporters of SP MLA Jeena Babu.

UP Polls 2012: Should Akhilesh and not Mulayam be the CM?

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 11:12:57 +0530

Akhilesh Yadav made it clear the entire party wants his father and SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav to be the chief minister.

Battle for the States: Yogendra Yadav answers questions on polls

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 11:00:25 +0530

Yogendra Yadav of CSDS answers viewers' questions on post-poll survey and election results.

Editor's take: Should Akhilesh be UP CM?

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 10:44:45 +0530

Suspense prevails over who will be the next chief minister of Uttar Pradesh. Clamour within the Samajwadi Party has been growing for Mulayam Singh Yadav's son Akhilesh Yadav to take over, but Akhilesh claims that his father will be the chief minister.

Suspense prevails over who will be next UP CM

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 10:25:25 +0530

While the Congress and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) do their post mortems after teh Uttar Pradesh Assembly Poll results, the focus in Lucknow is on who will be the next chief minister - Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav or his son Akhilesh Yadav? The party is yet to decide on the chief minister in its forthcoming parliamentary board meeting after Holi.

Amidst Gandhi defeat, India greets Akhilesh

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 09:32:05 +0530

It was supposed to be the crowning moment for Rahul Gandhi, the heir-apparent in the ruling Congress, but he was thrashed in this week's state election results and another young man thrust into the spotlight.

The Last Word: Will Cong defeats enhance Govt's policy paralysis?

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 09:26:13 +0530

Will the policy paralysis get worse? Or is there a possibility that Dr Manmohan Singh could take radical initiatives?

Goa: BJP-MGP combine stakes claim to form govt

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 07:51:54 +0530

The BJP-MGP combine on Wednesday staked claim to form the government in Goa claiming support of 26 legislators as senior BJP leader Manohar Parrikar is all set to become the chief minister of the coastal state for the third time.

Goa Polls: Voters reject family raj

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 06:58:15 +0530

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) swept the Assembly elections in Goa and with that, the hardest fall came for the Alemao family. All four members of the family lost their seats including Goa ministers Churchill and Joaquim.

Mulayam, Akhilesh meet UP Guv for govt formation

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 06:33:59 +0530

Having won an unexpected landslide in Uttar Pradesh, Samajwadi Party leaders Mulayam Singh Yadav and Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday met Governor B L Joshi to discuss government formation.

U'khand: Khanduri resigns, BJP to stake claim

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 06:09:25 +0530

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader BC Khanduri resigned as the Uttarakhand Chief Minister on Wednesday. He submitted his resignation to the Uttarakhand Governor on Wednesday evening. Uttarakhand is still anybody's game. Even as the BJP is one short of the Congress' tally, it said it will stake claim to form the government.

Goa polls: It's raining 'crorepatis' in Assembly

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 05:55:22 +0530

All but three members of the new Goa assembly are millionaires. 37 out of 40 successful candidates in the coastal state have declared their assets worth more than Rs one crore, compared to 22 who were elected to the state Assembly in 2007.

Grateful to Maya for giving us credit: Digvijaya

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 05:35:58 +0530

Congress leader Digvijaya Singh on Wednesday took a dig at Mayawati for her contention that his party was responsible for the defeat of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls.

Uttarakhand: All options open for BJP, says Rajnath

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 05:12:05 +0530

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which got 31 seats, one short of the Congress, in Uttarakhand Assembly elections, on Wednesday began efforts to form the government with its senior leaders trying to establish contact with Independent MLAs and the Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (UKD).

Can Akhilesh Yadav be the Nitish Kumar of UP?

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 04:56:37 +0530

The Samajwadi Party has stormed back into power with a stunning win in Uttar Pradesh capturing 224 seats. All eyes are now on Mulayam Singh Yadav's son Akhilesh Yadav, the young leader who turned the party's fortunes around. It remains to be seen whether Mulayam's son will be the next Chief Minister.

Cong's dynasty politics fails in UP

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 04:21:33 +0530

Congress is in a self-analysis mode after its performance in the Assembly Polls in five states. The senior leadership says that the party has to introspect on the poll rout. Clearly, dynasty politics failed to work, with the children, spouses and siblings of senior leaders, all failing to make a successful debut.

Amar congratulates Mulayam for sweeping UP Polls

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 03:17:28 +0530

Congratulating Mulayam Singh Yadav for sweeping UP assembly polls, his former confidant Amar Singh on Wednesday said the electorate preferred SP's "immediate" relief like unemployment allowance than his long term plan to divide the state into smaller units for speedy development.

Mulayam will be UP Chief Minister: Akhilesh

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 03:08:20 +0530

Akhilesh Yadav, the man who led the Samajwadi Party to victory in Uttar Pradesh, on Wednesday said that his father Mulayam Singh Yadav would be the new Chief Minister of the state.

Uttarakhand: Cong to stake claim, Rawat may be CM

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 02:34:56 +0530

Congress leader and Union Minister of State, Parliamentary Affairs, Harish Rawat is a strong contender to become the next Chief Minister of Uttarakhand with sources saying that a MLA being made the Chief Minister is not necessary. Sources say the Congress legislature party will meet in Dehradun on Wednesday evening and request party president Sonia Gandhi to declare the chief ministerial candidate.

SP may take decision on UP CM after Holi

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 01:48:17 +0530

Uttar Pradesh may have to wait for a while as to know who will be the next chief minister of Uttar Pradesh - Mulayam Singh Yadav or Akhilesh - after the Samajwadi Party decided to take the all-important decision after Holi. Sources said that the Samajwadi Party's legislative will meet after Holi to decide on the post heir.

Sonia backs PM, says poll results won't hurt UPA

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 01:28:52 +0530

A day after the poor performance of Congress in the assembly elections in four out of the five states that went to polls this year, party president Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday conceded defeat saying that they got less support than expected.

SP govt will take UP backwards, says Mayawati

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 12:25:42 +0530

Stunned from a massive defeat, outgoing Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati on Wednesday alleged that the Samajwadi Party would take the state backwards by putting her welfare programmes in the cold storage. She blamed the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party of playing communal politics, helping the SP reap the benefits in the elections. She said that 70 per cent of Muslim votes went to the SP as the Congress appeared weak.

Badal vs Badal: who will be Punjab CM?

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 12:21:04 +0530

It was an election fought in the name of one Badal but led from the front by another, a two-pronged strategy that propelled the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) to a record consecutive term.

Uttarakhand: Congress, BJP in the race to form govt

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 12:00:27 +0530

In the battle for Uttarakhand, both the Congress and the BJP are attempting to form the government after a photo finish on Tuesday. It's a classic cliff hanger that Uttarakhand has thrown up in which the Congress has an edge of just one seat over BJP. The party still believes it can form the next government with support from the Uttarakhand Kranti Dal, the BSP and independent candidates.

Not projecting me as CM cost Cong in Goa: Kamat

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 11:16:45 +0530

Outgoing Goa Chief Minister Digambar Kamat has said the ruling Congress would have done better in the Assembly polls if he had been projected as the party's face for the top post.

Uttarakhand Congress leaders to meet Sonia today

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 10:07:51 +0530

Uttarakhand Congress leaders will meet Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday to discuss the future course of action in the keenly-contested state amid no party getting a clear mandate in the 70-member House. Reports said that the party's chief minister candidate in the state will also be decided in the meeting. PCC Chief Yashpal Arya, Vijay Bahuguna and other leaders are expected to meet the Congress president ar around 11:30 am.

2 dead in UP poll violence, police register FIR

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 10:06:57 +0530

The police on Wednesday filed an FIR against unknown people in the poll violence that led to death of seven-year-old Daan-e-alam. The FIR was registered by the police on the complaint made by mediapersons in Jhansi.

Sonia, Rahul to take stock of poll debacle

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 09:34:48 +0530

Congress will hold a meeting on Wednesday to discuss the poll debacle in the four state. Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi are expected to attend the meeting at around 11 am. Performance of Congress, which had banked on the charisma and aggressive campaigning by Rahul Gandhi, was dismal in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.

Goa: BJP to meet Governor to stake claim to form govt

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 09:12:17 +0530

The BJP managed to wrest Goa from the Congress with a decisive mandate.

Uttarakhand: Independents, smaller parties hold the key

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 09:01:02 +0530

Three independents, Mantri Prasad Netani, Dinesh Dhanai, and Harish Durgapal are the Congress rebels who the party will try and woo.

Goa polls: BJP to rule the beach state

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 07:44:23 +0530

The BJP managed to wrest Goa from the Congress with a decisive mandate. The party won a majority 21 of the 40 assembly seats as four in every five voters rejected the Congress. The party was decimated to the single digit of nine seats.

UP: Mulayam may nominate Akhilesh as CM

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 07:30:30 +0530

Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav is likely to nominate his son Akhilesh as the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh after the party stormed to power in the state with a stunning majority routing Mayawati-led BSP, making this the biggest win in the state in 27 years. Akhilesh though says he will focus only on the party and not accept any position in the government.

Punjab: SAD-BJP defies anti-incumbency, wins big

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 06:57:04 +0530

The BJP can breathe easy in Punjab. Its alliance with the Shiromani Akali Dal has created history by becoming the first coalition government to beat anti-incumbency and return to power. The Congress faced a clear defeat and Manpreet Badal's Punjab People's Party even failed to open their account.

Uttarakhand: Who will form the government?

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 06:36:19 +0530

One state that hasn't thrown up a decisive verdict in the Assembly Elections 2012 verdict is Uttarakhand - the Congress and the BJP are running neck to neck in the state. One of them needs to cross the halfway mark of 35 in order to form the government.

UP polls: SP celebrations turn violent

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 06:10:10 +0530

While the Samajwadi Party celebrated a landslide victory in the Uttar Pradesh polls on Tuesday, the family of 7-year-old Daan-e-alam, who died, is in a state of shock.

'Attempts to malign SP's image won't be tolerated'

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 03:21:13 +0530

Condemning incidents of violence after poll results, SP state president Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday said attempts to malign the party's image would not be tolerated.

Cong could not get results it expected: Chandy

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 01:52:13 +0530

Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on Tuesday said Congress could not get the results it expected in elections to five state assemblies, but had improved its position in those states.

Congress defeat due to corruption: Ramdev

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 01:36:20 +0530

Yoga guru Baba Ramdev on Tuesday said the Congress's defeat in assembly elections, mainly in Uttar Pradesh, was due to its failure to curb corruption and bring back Indian black money stashed in foreign tax havens.

Assembly results: No reaction from Narendra Modi

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 01:13:51 +0530

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, who did not campaign in assembly elections in the five states, was on Tuesday conspicuously silent even as the results were out.

UP Cabinet Secy takes premature retirement

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 12:49:58 +0530

Uttar Pradesh Cabinet Secretary Shashank Shekhar Singh, considered close to outgoing Chief Minister Mayawati, on Tuesday took premature retirement from service with effect from March 9, official sources said.

Battle for the states: Is the verdict a triumph of regional politics?

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 11:58:53 +0530

The ruling Shiromani Akal Dal-Bharatiya Janata Party created history in the Punjab Assembly by retaining power.

Battle for the states: Analysing the polls verdict 2012

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 11:46:20 +0530

In Uttarakhand neither the Congress nor the BJP has got a clear majority, while the verdicts were clear for the other four states.

Relatives of Cong leaders lose in UP, Punjab

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 10:57:59 +0530

Relatives of many a political stalwart, especially from Congress lost at the hustings in the five states results of which were announced on Tuesday.

Battle for the states: Assembly polls verdict

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 10:43:41 +0530

The SP gained absolute majority while the Congress finished fourth in UP polls. Rahul Gandhi, who was the face of the party in the poll campaign in UP, has acknowledged the defeat.

Poll verdict may affect Cong's future options

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 10:26:42 +0530

The outcome of the Assembly polls in five states, especially the dismal performance in Uttar Pradesh where Rahul Gandhi led a spirited campaign, could be a major factor in influencing the Congress actions in the run up to the 2014 Lok Sabha polls.

Amar Singh's Lok Manch faces rout in UP polls

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 10:22:35 +0530

Rashtriya Lok Manch, the party floated by Amar Singh, one time close confidante of Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, drew a blank in the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections as none of its 360 candidates was able to win any seat.

Uttarakhand: Cong edges out BJP in a photo finish

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 10:10:44 +0530

Uttarakhand proved to be a cliff-hanger of a contest with the Congress emerging as the single largest party winning 32 seats, securing a wafer-thin lead over ruling BJP's 31 in the 70-member Assembly. As the counting progressed during the day, the state witnessed a see-saw battle in which the leads shifted continuously. BSP won three seats and three independents emerged successful, thus positioning themselves as possible kingmakers. Uttarakhand Kranti Dal-Panwar (UKD-P) won one seat.

Goa: PM calls Parrikar to congratulate

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 10:04:23 +0530

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday called up BJP leader Manohar Parrikar and congratulated him on the success in the Goa polls. "Prime Minister called me on my number and he congratulated me," Parrikar told reporters this evening.

Punjab polls: 14 women candidates enter Assembly

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 09:58:41 +0530

Out of total 93 women candidates contesting the 117-seat Punjab Assembly polls, only 14 of them managed to win.

BJP to meet Goa Guv to stake claim to form Govt

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 09:46:03 +0530

The BJP-MGP combine will on Wednesday stake claim to form government in Goa, along with two Independent legislators.

SP workers attack journalists in Jhansi

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 09:40:36 +0530

Reminding of the breakdown in the law and order situation in Uttar Pradesh during the earlier regime of Samajwadi Party (SP), its workers on Tuesday attacked several video journalists in Jhansi. The violence started after SP candidate Chandra Pal Singh Yadav was found trailing by over 4000 votes to BSP candidate KP Rajput.

Could not give due time to constituency: Khanduri

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 09:36:34 +0530

Having lost to Congress in Kotdwar, Uttarakhand chief minister BC Khanduri on Tuesday tried to put up a brave face as he thanked the voters for giving BJP their "blessings" in the state and admitted that he could not devote "due time" to his constituency.

Opinion divided on Rahul's performance in UP

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 09:06:34 +0530

Opinion was divided on the success or otherwise of Rahul Gandhi's hard campaign in Uttar Pradesh during which he toured 207 constituencies.

America, Bhutto, Gabbar lose in UP polls

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 08:36:57 +0530

America, Gabbar and Zulfiquar Bhutto fought hard but were humbled by the voters of Uttar Pradesh in the Assembly polls.

Opposition to Lokpal cost Cong dearly: Team Anna

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 08:33:04 +0530

As Congress suffered a major blow in the elections to five states, Team Anna member Kiran Bedi on Tuesday claimed that the opposition to an effective Lokpal cost the party dearly and took a dig at its top leaders.

Ramdev sees poll results as verdict against graft

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 08:18:29 +0530

Yoga guru Ramdev on Tuesday sought to claim victory in Congress's poor show in the Assembly elections, and announced another round of anti-government protest on black money during the monsoon session of Parliament.

TMC happy with its performance in Manipur, UP

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 08:13:58 +0530

The Trinamool Congress on Tuesday expressed satisfaction with the results of its candidates for the Manipur Assembly elections and said that those in Uttar Pradesh have also done well.

BJP's conventional votes moved to SP to defeat BSP: Jaitley

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 07:59:11 +0530

BJP leader Arun Jaitley said that the party instead of projecting one individual in UP, tried to project the party as a unit.

Ex-Punjab police chief loses poll battle in Moga

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 07:52:57 +0530

Former Punjab DGP and Shiromani Akali Dal candidate PS Gill lost to his Congress rival by a margin of more than 4,500 votes in the Moga Assembly seat.

SAD-BJP lose vote share but retain Punjab

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 07:36:06 +0530

Despite attaining absolute majority in Punjab, the Shiromani Akali Dal and its ally BJP lost its vote share in comparison to Congress which failed to leave up to its expectations in the poll results of the 117 member Assembly.

UP: SP decimates BSP, Congress finishes fourth

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 07:09:14 +0530

The Samajwadi Party (SP) has crossed the half-way mark in Uttar Pradesh to rout the Mayawati government and come back to power in the state after five years. The win has ensured the fourth stint of Mulayam Singh Yadav as the Chief Minister of country's most populous state.

BJP's Khanduri loses in Uttarakhand

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 07:01:23 +0530

Uttarakhand Chief Minister BC Khanduri of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lost from the Kotdwar assembly constituency.

Manipur: Congress wins by thumping majority

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 06:58:05 +0530

In perhaps the only solace to the Congress government in the state Assembly elections 2012, the Manipur electorate gave a thumping majority to the party, helping it win 42 seats out of 60. The party scored a hat-trick and returned to power in the northeastern state, helped by a fragmented opposition.

Rahul Gandhi can't be confined to UP: Digvijaya

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 06:26:42 +0530

Congress general secretary Digvijaya Singh has said that the loss in the 2012 Uttar Pradesh Assembly Election needs introspection, adding that the party failed to convince the voter that they were in a position to defeat the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP).

Goa: Parrikar leads BJP to victory

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 06:25:24 +0530

The BJP-MGP combine has routed the Congress out of power in Goa, notching 24 seats out of 40. Manohar Parrikar, who spearheaded the BJP's charge on the illegal mining issue and is tipped to be the next chief minister, won from Panaji, defeating Congress' Yatin Parekh by over 5,000 votes. A jubilant Parrikar declared that he will most likely be the next chief minister of the state. "The Congress has been punished in Goa. I am proud of the fact that I got support from Hindus, Muslims and Christians alike. They have voted to save Goa," he said.

SAD calls meeting of newly-elected MLAs on Mar 8

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 06:21:30 +0530

With SAD-BJP alliance retaining power in Punjab, Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal has called a meeting of the party's newly-elected legislators on March 8.

Parrikar, an IITian with a clean image

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 06:08:49 +0530

Technocrat-turned-politician, Manohar Parrikar, set to become Goa Chief Minister for the third time, is known for his clean image, blunt talk and development initiatives.

UP: 'Dead man' Mulayam rises as Maya routed out

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 05:56:36 +0530

It was sweet revenge for Mulayam Singh Yadav on Tuesday five years after Mayawati famously said "why kill a dead man" after the Samajwadi supremo was ousted by her in a crushing defeat.

Congress wiped out of Amethi, Rae Bareli

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 05:55:31 +0530

Amethi and Rae Bareli, the pocket boroughs of Congress since the days of Indira Gandhi, gave a shocker to the party as it managed to win only two of the 10 Assembly seats in these twin Lok Sabha constituencies.

Punjab: Prominent winners and losers

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 05:50:50 +0530

The ruling Shiromani Akal Dal(SAD)-Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP) created history in the Punjab Assembly by retaining power in Punjab belying history which has not seen the incumbent returning to power in the last 46 years.

UP polls was a prestige issue for Congress: BJP

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 05:19:18 +0530

As the trends put the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at the third spot in the state, the party on Tuesday conceded that it did not perform as expected in the 2012 Uttar Assembly Election.

Punjab: Warhorse Badal beats anti-incumbency

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 04:58:17 +0530

Shiromani Akali Dal created history on Tuesday to become the first party ever to retain power in Punjab bucking the anti-incumbency factor with Parkash Singh Badal, the grand old man of the state politics, and his son Sukhbir Singh leading the charge.

Uttarakhand: BJP, Cong locked in a see-saw battle

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 04:57:25 +0530

The leads keeps on swinging between the two main political parties in Uttarakhand where the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress are locked in a nail-biting see-saw battle. The trends indicate that Uttarakhand is poised for a hung assembly.

SP will work to develop UP: Akhilesh Yadav

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 04:51:36 +0530

A beaming and elated Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav put law and order as the top priority for the new government to be formed by his party in Uttar Pradesh while thanking voters from all castes and communities for giving his party a resounding victory.

SP won't pull down Maya's statues: Akhilesh

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 04:19:30 +0530

The expensive giant statues of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati and party symbol elephant in Uttar Pradesh will remain safe with Samajwadi Party's star campaigner Akhilesh Yadav saying on Tuesday that they would not be pulled down after the change of guard in the state.

Punjab results decimate Manpreet Badal, PPP

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 04:15:19 +0530

Any hopes for a third front in Punjab's electoral politics were shattered as results to the 117 assembly seats were declared on Tuesday.

Goa: Congress stalwarts bite the dust

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 04:11:34 +0530

Many of the Congress stalwarts including four from Churchill Alemao family and state party chief Subhas Shirodkar bit the dust as the BJP-MGP alliance on Tuesday managed to bag majority of seats in Goa Assembly elections. Congress NCP ministers including Churchill Alemao, Joaquim Alemao, Manohar Asgaonkar, Filip Nery Rodrigues, Jose Philip Dsouza, Nilkant Halarnkar and others lost the polls to the new faces mostly fielded by BJP-MGP as election results were declared on Tuesday.

UP results a very good lesson for me: Rahul

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 04:07:55 +0530

Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi has conceded defeat in Uttar Pradesh and has taken the responsibility for the poor show of the party. He said, "I was leading and we lost. It is my responsibility."

Congress storms back to power in Manipur

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 04:06:21 +0530

Manipur Assembly elections came as the only solace for the Congress after the party fared vary badly in the other four state. The party has scored a hat-trick and returned to power in the Northeastern state.

Goa: BJP sweeps Congress out of power

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 03:52:18 +0530

The BJP has swept the Congress out of power in Goa, crossing the majority and notching 23 seats. Chief Minister Digamber Kamat has, meanwhile, submitted his resignation. Goa BJP leader Manohar Parrikar declared jubilantly that he will most likely be the next chief minister of the state. He added, "I have given a time schedule which I will follow. In the budget, we will make announcements like petrol VAT and inflation."

Our development work made us win: Punjab CM

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 03:50:14 +0530

The Shiromani Akali Dal-Bharatiya Janata Party alliance created history in Punjab by retaining power with a comfortable majority. Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal thanked the people of Punjab and appreciated his party's performance in the state.

Mayawati first CM to complete 5-year stint in UP

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 03:42:00 +0530

Bahujan Samaj Party supremo Mayawati may be on her way out of 'pancham tal' - Chief Minister's Office in the Secretariat building - but she has the distinction of being the first Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh to have completed a full five-year term in the post.

UP result deeply disappointing, says Khurshid

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 03:34:00 +0530

Union Law Minister Salman Khurshid on Tuesday said that the dismal showing by the Congress in Uttar Pradesh was "deeply disappointing".

Goa: BJP reaches half-way mark, set to form govt

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 03:15:50 +0530

The BJP crossed the half-way mark in Goa on Tuesday, winning 20 seats and leading in 3 others. Goa BJP leader Manohar Parrikar declared jubilantly that he will most likely be the next chief minister of the state. He added, "I have given a time schedule which I will follow. In the budget, we will make announcements like petrol VAT and inflation."

Party workers, supporters celebrate at Samajwadi Party HQ

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 03:14:57 +0530

Mulayam Singh Yadav's Samajwadi Party is set to come to power in Uttar Pradesh, the party workers and supporters celebrate their performance in the Assembly elections 2012.

I take responsibility for Punjab loss: Amarinder

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 03:10:15 +0530

Punjab Congress chief and former chief minister Amarinder Singh said that he was ready to step down taking full responsibility for the party's loss in Punjab assembly elections.

Goa: BJP romps to majority, set to form govt

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 02:54:07 +0530

The BJP seems set to form the government in Goa, winning 17 seats and leading in 3 others. Goa BJP leader Manohar Parrikar declared jubilantly that he would most likely be the next chief minister of the state. He added, "I have given a time schedule which I will follow. In the budget, we will make announcements like petrol VAT and inflation."

SAD-BJP retain Punjab, create history

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 02:40:04 +0530

SP nears majority, Mulayam heartland celebrates

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 02:35:21 +0530

The traditional Yadav bastions of Mainpuri, Etawah and Firozabad celebrated wildly on Tuesday as the Samajwadi Party (SP) seemed set to return to power in Uttar Pradesh.

'Congress Waterloo in Goa due to family raj'

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 02:23:56 +0530

Even before the final results are yet to be announced, Goa Congress spokesperson Ramakant Khalap has termed the party's poor showing as the Waterloo of the ruling Congress-Nationalist Congress Party combine.

Cong performance in assembly polls dismal: BJP

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 02:19:32 +0530

Terming the 'dismal performance' of Congress in the assembly polls as the "second consecutive defeat" of Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj on Tuesday said the Congress had made the elections a prestige issue.

People's happiness is most important for us: Mulayam Singh

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 02:12:57 +0530

Samajwadi Party Chief Mulayam Singh Yadav said that the party will form the government and said son Akhilesh led to the victory.

UP results not a setback: Congress ministers

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 02:05:38 +0530

Refusing to call the Uttar Pradesh result a debacle, the Congress on Tuesday said its anti-Mayawati campaign succeeded but it could not capitalise on the momentum built by party icon Rahul Gandhi due to lack of infrastructure.

I will be next Goa CM: Manohar Parrikar

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 01:52:34 +0530

Goa BJP leader Manohar Parrikar was ecstatic on Monday as poll trends showed his party winning by a huge margin in the state. At the latest count, BJP had won 12 seats and was leading in 8 others, while its arch rival Congress was leading in 5, having bagged 4 seats.

UP: SP routs BSP, Mulayam set to be CM

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 01:38:30 +0530

The Samajwadi Party appears to be surging ahead to the half-way mark in the 2012 Uttar Pradesh Assembly Elections and looks all set to form the next government in the state. While the party has already won 9 seats, it is leading in 186 other seats, taking the total number to 195 as per the tally at around 1.25 pm.

Goa: BJP all set to oust Congress from power

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 01:25:50 +0530

Disappointed with Punjab trends: Singhvi

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 01:24:36 +0530

The Congress that was confident of winning in Punjab Assembly polls was disappointed with the vote count trends in the state. The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD)-Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP) combine seemed to be headed for a majority according to trends.

We'll improve law and order in UP: Akhilesh

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 01:02:22 +0530

Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Akhilesh Yadav, who has also been the star campaigner for his party in the 2012 Uttar Pradesh Assembly Elections, has said that the "credit for the victory goes to our hard work by leaders and workers".

Will form government on our own: SP leader

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 12:54:57 +0530

Samajwadi Party leader Kamal Farooqui said that the party will form the government on its own in Uttar Pradesh as their numbers are increasing.

Congress faces setbacks in Goa

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 12:35:50 +0530

The Congress on Tuesday faced major setbacks in Goa as a number of its stalwarts, including state chief Subhas Shirodkar and minister Joaquim Aleamo, lost to new faces fielded by BJP in the Assembly elections. Congress candidate from Cuncolim constituency Joaquim Aleamo lost to BJP's candidate Subhash Naik while Dayanand Narvekar lost to BJP's Glen Ticlo in Aldona constituency.

BJP, Congress neck-and-neck in Uttarakhand

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 12:27:05 +0530

No clear mandate in Uttarakhand with both the Congress and BJP in a neck-and-neck race. If the projections are to be believed, it's the BSP and Independents who would hold the key in the formation of the government. Latest reports indicated that the state may be heading towards a hung Assembly with both BJP and the Congress leading in 30 seats and others in 10. BJP has won 3 seats.

Sonia will decide on support to SP: Cong leader

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 12:23:48 +0530

As the race to Lucknow heats up with the trends showing the Samajwadi Party as the single largest party, Congress leader P L Punia has suggested that the party may extend support to the former if needed.

Cong scores a hat-trick, retains power in Manipur

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 12:08:57 +0530

A clear lead for the Congress in Manipur. Congress is likely to return to power with Chief Minister Ibobi Singh on way to a hat-trick.

Goa: BJP makes big gains, routs Congress

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 12:07:42 +0530

The BJP seemed poised to get majority in Goa on Tuesday, with the party having already won 12 seats. It was leading in 7 others. The Congress was trailing a distant second, winning 4 seats and leading in 4 others. Meanwhile, the United Goan Democratic Party (UGDP) won 2 seats. The Independents won 2 seats and were leading in two.

BJP's good show in UP due to Gadkari: Nirmala Sitharaman

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 11:23:37 +0530

BJP spokesperson Nirmala Sitharaman said that the entire credit for BJP's good show goes to party President Nitin Gadkari.

Goa: BJP takes lead, Congress distant second

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 11:14:29 +0530

The BJP took early lead in Goa on Tuesday, winning 8 seats and leading in 4 others, while the Congress won 2 and was leading in 2 others. Meanwhile, the United Goan Democratic Party (UGDP) and the Independents won 1 seat each.

Punjab: SAD+ heading for slender majority

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 11:13:35 +0530

The ruling Shiromani Akal Dal(SAD)-Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP) maintained its lead and seemed to be headed for a comfortable majority in Punjab.

We'll form the govt in Goa and Punjab: Rajiv Pratap Rudy

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 11:10:24 +0530

BJP leader Rajiv Pratap Rudy said that the party will sit in Opposition in Uttar Pradesh and not support anyone.

Uttarakhand headed for hung Assembly

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 11:09:47 +0530

In Uttarakhand, a sea-saw battle was being witnessed between the ruling BJP and Congress. Latest trends showed that Congress was leading in 29 seats in the 70-member Assembly and BJP followed closely with 25. Others were leading in 14 seats. Clearing indicating a hung assembly in Uttarakhand, ETV projects 35 seats for the Congress, 25 for the BJP, 3 for BSP and 7 for others.

Goa: Congress wins 2 seats, BJP leads in 9

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 10:56:38 +0530

The Congress has notched two seats in Goa and is leading in another two, while BJP is leading in 9 seats. The United Goan Democratic Party (UGDP) combine and the independents are leading in 2 seats each.

UP results against our expectations, says Cong

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 10:40:33 +0530

With the party relegated to the fourth position in Uttar Pradesh, the Congress on Tuesday accepted the verdict of the people which was "against our expectations".

Will go sleep, says saddened Goa Cong candidate

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 10:35:03 +0530

Disappointed with the result of the first round of counting of votes cast in the Assembly elections in Goa, a Congress contestant said on Tuesday that he was "going home to sleep" and that he would return only if a miracle happens.

UP: BJP gives credit to Gadkari for good show

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 10:32:41 +0530

With early trends depicted a good show by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Uttar Pradesh, the party on Tuesday said it took up issues which were not "sensational" even as it gave credit to Nitin Gadkari for the performance.

Congress set to retain power in Manipur

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 10:31:54 +0530

Congress appeared to be retaining power in Manipur with the party leading in 19 seats and winning in one seat in the 60-member Assembly. The NPF was leading on 5 seats, PDF 2, TMC 1 and others 2.

Goa: BJP leads, Congress wins first seat

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 10:25:59 +0530

Early trends in Goa showed the BJP leading in 9 seats, with the Congress trailing behind. The Congress, however, bagged one seat and was leading in 2 others, while the United Goan Democratic Party (UGDP) and the independents were leading in 2 seats each.

Goa: BJP leads, Cong, UGDP trail behind

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 09:57:42 +0530

Early trends in Goa showed the BJP leading in 9 seats, with the Congress trailing behind. The Congress was leading in 3 seats, while the United Goan Democratic Party (UGDP) and the independents were leading in 2 seats each.

Punjab: SAD+ headed for comfortable majority

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 09:54:37 +0530

The Shiromani Akal Dal(SAD)-Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP) alliance took a comfortable majority in the 117-seat Punjab Assembly as counting was underway on Tuesday.

UP: Congress trails in all Rae Bareli seats

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 09:53:55 +0530

In a shocker for the Congress, the party was trailing in all five assembly seats in Rae Bareli in Uttar Pradesh which is represented in the Lok Sabha by party president Sonia Gandhi.

Congress takes lead as Manipur counts its ballot

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 09:17:24 +0530

Initial trends indicated the gap between Congress and others getiing wider with the ruling party ahead at 11 seats. NPF was leading on 3 seats and others 1.

UP: SP single largest, but short of majority

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 09:13:58 +0530

As the counting of the votes continue, Uttar Pradesh appears to be heading towards a hung assembly with the Samajwadi Party (SP) emerging as the single largest party in the state, falling short of a clear majority.

Punjab Polls: SAD+ headed for majority

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 09:07:50 +0530

The Shiromani Akal Dal(SAD)-Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP) alliance seemed to be heading for a majority in the Punjab Assembly. The counting for the 117-seat Punjab Assembly began at 8 am on Tuesday.

Uttarakhand headed for hung Assembly

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 09:00:53 +0530

Uttarakhand is headed for a hung Assembly after the initial trends indicated that both the Congress and the ruling BJP are neck-and-neck. ETV projects 29 seats each for the Congress and the BJP, 7 for BSP and 5 for others.

Will take responsibility for any debacle in UP: Joshi

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 08:42:32 +0530

Trying to insulate Rahul Gandhi from being targetted for any poll debacle in Uttar Pradesh, state party chief Rita Bahuguna Joshi on Tuesday said she will take responsibility for such eventuality if the party fails to convert Gandhi's presence into votes.

Will start another Andolan after August 16: Anna Hazare

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 08:32:49 +0530

The elections will change nothing for the aam aadmi declares Team Anna as they announced another agitation plan this year.

Lucknow turns into fortress as counting begins

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 08:24:35 +0530

All roads leading to the residence of Uttar Pradesh Governor B L Joshi, who may take the centrestage in the event of a hung assembly, were barricaded as vote count began on Tuesday.

Can't blame Rahul if we lose: UP Cong chief

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 08:13:59 +0530

UP Congress Chief Rita Bahuguna Joshi said that Rahul Gandhi was just a star campaigner and she will take responsibility if the Congress loses in the state.

Maya's dissolution recommendation yet to reach Guv

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 08:09:43 +0530

A day after the Mayawati Cabinet recommended dissolution of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly, the governor was yet to receive the recommendation late on Monday, Raj Bhavan officials said.

Punjab: Cong, SAD+ neck and neck in early trends

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 07:40:43 +0530

The Congress and the Shiromani Akal Dal(SAD)-Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP) alliance were neck and neck during the early trends of the vote count in Punjab. The counting for the 117-seat Punjab Assembly began at 8 am on Tuesday.

Congress takes lead in Manipur polls

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 07:38:01 +0530

Counting of votes in the 60-member Manipur Assembly began at 8 am on Tuesday in all the nine districts of the state. Initial trends at 8:40 AM show the Congress leading in six seats.

Early trends: SP leads, BJP close second in UP

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 07:23:50 +0530

Counting of votes in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections 2012 for 403 seats began at 8 am on Tuesday with the initial trend suggesting early gains for the Samajwadi Party and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) being a close second.

Goa: Congress leads, BJP a close second

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 07:12:59 +0530

Early trends on Tuesday showed the Congress leading in 5 seats in Goa with the BJP coming a close second, leading in 3 seats. The United Goan Democratic Party (UGDP), meanwhile, was leading in 1 seat. A total of 215 candidates, including nine women and 74 independents are in the fray in the state. They are contesting for 23 seats in north Goa and 17 in south Goa district.

Assembly polls 2012: counting to be held today

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 06:18:45 +0530

The massive exercise of counting votes polled in the five states of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Manipur and Goa will be held on Tuesday. It's fair to say that these state elections are being seen as a mini General Election and a referendum on the UPA government.

Battle for the states: Is there an anti-Mayawati wave?

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 11:58:14 +0530

Is Mulayam Singh Yadav heading for a decisive victory or is uttar Pradesh heading for a hung assembly?

Anna should take care of his health instead: Cong

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 10:12:33 +0530

Congress on Monday took a jibe at Anna Hazare and his team for asking the party to disclose expenses incurred over hiring choppers especially for Sonia Gandhi and Rahul during Assembly polls in five states and the source of their funding, saying the social activist should better take care of his health.

Elections 2012: Implications of the post-poll survey

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 10:05:42 +0530

Chief Election Commissioner SY Quraishi said that the high voter turnout has not surprised the Commission.

Polls 2012: Punjab tops in paid news cases

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 08:48:55 +0530

Punjab topped in the number of cases of paid news reported from five states that went to polls with candidates in 201 instances in the state admitting to the charge.

SP's UP surprise: 232 to 250 seats, says survey

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 08:00:30 +0530

In a battle that almost every poll pundit predicted to be a four-cornered contest ending with a hung assembly in Uttar Pradesh, Mulayam Singh Yadav's Samajwadi Party (SP) has pulled off a coup, according to the CNN-IBN-The Week post-poll survey conducted by the CSDS. The survey projects the SP to win 232-250 seats in the 403-member Assembly, thereby ensuring a clear majority for the party.

Polls: UP tops in cash seizures, Punjab in drugs

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 07:40:44 +0530

Uttar Pradesh saw the maximum amount of cash being seized during restrictions imposed in the run up to the assembly elections in five states, while Punjab topped the seizures for drugs and illicit liquor.

Will not support SP, BSP, sit in Oppn: BJP

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 07:09:54 +0530

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Nitin Gadkari on Monday said that the party would prefer to sit in the Opposition rather than supporting the SP or the BSP in government formation in Uttar Pradesh.

Confident of BJP win in Uttarakhand: Khanduri

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 06:31:35 +0530

Uttarakhand Chief Minister BC Khanduri said he would take responsibility if the BJP does not come to power in the state.

'Maya not acting against Siddiqui unacceptable'

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 06:21:24 +0530

Even as the Mayawati government seems set to lose power in Uttar Pradesh, the state Lokayukta has for the first time aired his unhappiness with the administration.

Cong won't fall short in Punjab: Amarinder Singh

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 05:25:36 +0530

Punjab Congress chief Captain Amarinder Singh is confident of the party's win in the Assembly elections. Singh said that the party will not fall short in the 117-seat Punjab Assembly. "We are not going to fall short. The non-governance and corruption of the ruling state government have favoured us," a confident Amarinder Singh said.

EVM causes decline in excitement for counting of votes

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 05:08:59 +0530

The emergence of electronic voting machines (EVM) has made counting of votes easy and quick but many feel that this has also caused a decline in the excitement levels which used to be there among people when it was a manual process.

High turnout to oust Congress in Goa: Manohar Parrikar

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 04:29:25 +0530

BJP leader and former Goa CM Manohar Parrikar alleged that the present government has done nothing for the development of the state.

UP Polls: Now, Khurshid shields Rahul Gandhi

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 04:16:23 +0530

With just one day left for the results to declared for Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, the Congress has all its leaders out in the field shielding General Secretary Rahul Gandhi, who campaigned extensively in the state. After Digvijaya Singh and Rita Bahuguna Joshi, Law Minister Salman Khurshid has also defended Rahul saying that he is not to be blamed if the Congress doesn't perform well in the state.

UP: 'Cong will play crucial role in govt formation'

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 03:51:46 +0530

The Congress on Monday claimed it will play a crucial role in formation of the next government in Uttar Pradesh and dismissed as personal views Union Minister Beni Prasad Verma's suggestions for a tie-up with BSP.

Cong will publish poll expense details: Digvijaya

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 12:58:55 +0530

Digvijaya Singh said that the Congress will share its expense details with the EC not with Team Anna.

Don't blame Rahul if party fails: UP Cong chief

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 12:32:51 +0530

Uttar Pradesh state Congress chief Rita Bahuguna on Monday tried to shield Rahul Gandhi, saying that she will take full responsibility if the party does not do well in the Assembly elections.

After record voting, Goa waits for Tuesday verdict

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 12:29:06 +0530

Over 1,600 electronic voting machines will on Tuesday reveal which party rules the 10.26 lakh Goans who voted in record numbers for a new government.

SP won't need support to form govt: Akhilesh

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 12:01:21 +0530

With the exit polls suggesting that the Samajwadi Party will get a simple majority in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, young leader Akhilesh Yadav has said that he was always confident of the party getting the maximum number of seats.

Disclose Rahul Gandhi's poll expenses: Team Anna

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 11:10:12 +0530

Team Anna Member Arvind Kejriwal on Monday dared Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi to disclose his election expenses. Kejriwal asked Congress leader Digvijaya Singh to make Rahul's helicopter and the party's other election expenses public.

Assembly polls: Counting of votes tomorrow

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 10:28:28 +0530

Counting of votes in the Assembly elections in the five states of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Manipur and Goa, considered "mini general elections", will be taken up on Tuesday.

UP: Akhilesh Yadav, the new face of the SP

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 10:01:04 +0530

All eyes are on Akhilesh Yadav in UP who has emerged as the new face of the Samajwadi Party.

Political leaders beat the blues ahead of D-day

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 09:09:34 +0530

After days of gruelling campaigning and with just 24 hours left for the vote counting to begin, political leaders are keeping themselves busy in myriad ways. While some are praying for divine intervention, others are simply relaxing and waiting for the D-day.

Congress-Trinamool alliance possible in Manipur?

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 08:55:12 +0530

The Trinamool Congress that has made an impressive debut in Manipur is not ruling out an alliance with the Congress.

Akhilesh Yadav: the making of a leader

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 08:08:58 +0530

Mulayam Singh Yadav's 39-year-old engineer son may just have marshalled SP to an electoral victory in UP.

Maya's move: What will the UP Guv do now?

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 07:26:19 +0530

In a seemingly well-calculated move, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati on Sunday recommended dissolving the State Assembly. The BSP chief presided over what could be the last Cabinet meeting on Sunday night and got the order passed by the Cabinet seeking the dissolution of the House, a decision coming just two days before counting. The recommendation will be sent to the Governor on March 6 once counting is over.

Will anti-incumbency prove costly for Akalis, BJP?

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 06:34:23 +0530

Anti-incumbency, it seems to be proving costly for the Shiromani Akakli Dal in Punjab and the BJP in Uttarakhand.

Beni Prasad stumps Cong by favouring tie-up with BSP

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 04:16:59 +0530

With exit polls predicting a hung assembly in Uttar Pradesh, Beni Prasad Verma, Union Minister and senior Congress leader from the state, on Sunday caused a flutter in the party by favouring a tie-up with Mayawati's BSP, a comment from which the party quickly distanced itself.

Quraishi wants severe fines for model code violation

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 01:23:11 +0530

Chief Election Commissioner SY Quraishi said on Sunday that the Representation of the People Act should be fine-tuned to make penalties for violating the model code of conduct (MCC) more stringent but disfavoured giving statutory backing to the code.

Battle for the states: reasons for possible results

Sun, 04 Mar 2012 11:54:40 +0530

CNN-IBN week post poll shows a poor showing for the Congress in UP and a close contest with the Akali Dal and Congress in Punjab.

Mayawati calls for dissolution of UP Assembly

Sun, 04 Mar 2012 11:36:21 +0530

The Mayawati government on Sunday recommended the dissolution of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly, marking a deviation of the normal practice as it comes just two days before the counting of votes.

Top leadership to decide on alliance: Khurshid

Sun, 04 Mar 2012 09:58:22 +0530

Congress leader Salman Khurshid on Sunday said the party's top leadership would decide on the issue of post-polls tie-ups in Uttar Pradesh.

Cong speaks in different voices on post-poll ties

Sun, 04 Mar 2012 07:40:09 +0530

A day after exit polls across channels a majority for the Samajwadi Party, the Congress on Sunday spoke in different voices on the possibility of post-poll alliance in Uttar Pradesh.

Exit polls best for entertainment channels: Quraishi

Sun, 04 Mar 2012 06:43:25 +0530

Amid a flurry of exit polls predicting the outcome of Assembly elections ahead of the March 6 results, Chief Election Commissioner SY Quraishi on Sunday said such surveys should at best be on entertainment channels.

Non-Congress parties form alliance in Manipur

Sun, 04 Mar 2012 06:29:38 +0530

Eleven non-Congress parties have formed People's Democratic Alliance in Manipur, sources in the parties said on Sunday.

BJP will not form coalition govt in UP: Rajnath Singh

Sun, 04 Mar 2012 04:56:13 +0530

Rajnath Singh said that if the BJP does not get a clear majority in the UP Assembly polls, it will not form a coalition government in the state.

UP polls: RLD still with Congress, says Ajit Singh

Sun, 04 Mar 2012 04:46:21 +0530

RLD chief Ajit Singh has said that the party will keep Congress in loop for any talks on coalition.

UP polls: Mulayam Singh is our CM candidate, says SP

Sun, 04 Mar 2012 04:27:25 +0530

Samajwadi Party leader Shivpal Singh has said that there is only one leader in the party and that is Mulayam Singh.

Mayawati is a better ally than SP, says Cong

Sun, 04 Mar 2012 03:20:47 +0530

In possibly the first hint at a post-poll alliance, the Congress on Sunday indicated that it considered BSP supremo Mayawati "a much better ally" than Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav. The CNN-IBN-The Week exit polls had revealed a clear victory for the SP in the state Assembly elections.

Cong would get at least 100 seats in UP: Digvijaya

Sun, 04 Mar 2012 03:01:26 +0530

Congress general secretary Digvijaya Singh on Sunday said that he did not believe the exit polls' prediction that his party would win less than 40 seats in the Uttar Pradesh assembly election.

UP govt begins uncovering of Maya's statues

Sun, 04 Mar 2012 10:01:47 +0530

The Uttar Pradesh government on Sunday started uncovering Chief Minister Mayawati's statues in Lucknow. The statues were covered on January 7 upon the Election Commission's orders, after several opposition parties raised a hue and cry about her statues being in the open in poll season.

Undercurrents are in BJP's favour in UP: Nitin Gadkari

Sun, 04 Mar 2012 09:21:23 +0530

BJP leader Nitin Gadkari said on Saturday that he was confident the party would sweep elections in Uttar Pradesh. Rejecting the survey by CNN-IBN-The Week that showed a clear victory for the SP in the state Assembly elections, Gadkari said, "A survey is just a survey, not a result."

Manipur: 2nd repolling in the state today

Sun, 04 Mar 2012 08:17:35 +0530

Manipur will hold its second re-poll on Sunday after the Election Commission ordered repolling in 67 stations of its nine Assembly constituencies amid reports of irregularities in the January 28 polls in the state.

SP silent on Akhilesh Yadav's future as UP CM

Sun, 04 Mar 2012 07:41:21 +0530

While the CNN-IBN-The Week exit polls have predicted a victory for the Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh, the party seems to be in no mood to let out its chief ministerial candidate's name. When asked whether SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav's son, Akhilesh Yadav will be made the chief minister, party leader Shahid Siddiqui said the question was "still open".

Blame me, not Rahul if we lose UP: Digvijaya

Sun, 04 Mar 2012 07:29:53 +0530

UPA General Secretary Rahul Gandhi may have attracted the crowds in Uttar Pradesh but not the votes with the Congress vote-share set to dip. Congress General secretary Digvijaya Singh put up a brave front and said that he and not Rahul will be responsible if the party does badly in Uttar Pradesh.

Maya, BSP statues to be back in view from today

Sun, 04 Mar 2012 06:12:41 +0530

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati's statues and those of her party's poll symbol the elephant will be back in public view from Sunday.

EC lets off Beni Prasad Verma with a warning

Sun, 04 Mar 2012 12:17:03 +0530

The Election Commission on Saturday night let off Union Minister Beni Prasad Verma with a warning for his remarks on Muslim sub-quota and closed the model code of conduct violation case against him accepting his "remorse and sincere regret" for the utterances.

UP, Goa, Punjab, U'khand break turnout records

Sat, 03 Mar 2012 10:44:25 +0530

A highest ever voter turnout marked the staggered Assembly elections in five states, which ended on Saturday with Uttar Pradesh and Goa joining Punjab and Uttarakhand in breaking all previous records.

Clear majority forecast for SP in Uttar Pradesh

Sat, 03 Mar 2012 09:24:26 +0530

In what is most likely to be one of the biggest electoral victories in UP in the last 20 years, Mulayam Singh Yadav's SP is bound to surprise by garnering an impressive 34 per cent of the votes in the Assembly elections 2012.

Okram Ibobi Singh most prefered as the Manipur CM

Sat, 03 Mar 2012 07:27:04 +0530

In a survey conducted by CNN-IBN, 25 per cent people want Okram Ibobi Singh as the Manipur CM followed by V Erabot Singh with 7 per cent.

Goa polls: 81 per cent voters cast their votes

Sat, 03 Mar 2012 07:21:50 +0530

As high as 81 per cent of voters cast their votes for the 40-member Goa Assembly on Saturday. Both the ruling Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) hailed the "ballot flood", interpreting it as a good sign for them.

Close race between SAD, Cong in Punjab

Sat, 03 Mar 2012 07:21:33 +0530

Punjab is locked in a close contest between the SAD-BJP alliance and the Congress, with the former ahead by a narrow margin, according to the latest post-poll survey by the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS) in association with The Week and CNN-IBN.

Badal most prefered as the Punjab CM

Sat, 03 Mar 2012 07:16:53 +0530

In a survey conducted by CNN-IBN, 38 per cent people want Parkash Singh Badal as the Punjab CM followed by Amarinder Singh with 33 per cent.

Elections 2012: Cong set to push BJP out in U'khand

Sat, 03 Mar 2012 07:14:09 +0530

In Uttarakhand, there is a positive inclination among the voters towards the opposition Congress, according to the post-election survey conducted by the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS) ) in association with The Week and CNN-IBN.

Elections 2012: Congress set to retain Manipur

Sat, 03 Mar 2012 07:08:26 +0530

Manipur looks set to return the Congress to power yet again, according to the post-election survey by the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS) in association with The Week and CNN-IBN. The ruling party may win 24-32 seats in the 60-member Assembly.

Uttarakhand: 33 pc people want Khanduri as CM

Sat, 03 Mar 2012 07:01:35 +0530

In a survey conducted by CNN-IBN, 33 per cent people want BC Khanduri as the Uttarakhand Chief Minister followed by Harish Rawat with 13 per cent.

Tight finish in Punjab; U'khand, Manipur to Cong

Sat, 03 Mar 2012 07:00:46 +0530

Punjab is locked in a close contest between the SAD-BJP alliance and the Congress, with the former ahead by a narrow margin, according to the post-poll survey by the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS) in association with The Week and CNN-IBN. The ruling BJP seems to be on its way out in Uttarakhand with the Congress improving its performance, while Manipur also looks set to return the Congress to power yet again.

Mulayam most prefered as the UP CM

Sat, 03 Mar 2012 06:57:52 +0530

In a survey conducted by CNN-IBN, 38 per cent people want Mulayam as the UP Chief Minister followed by Mayawati with 22 per cent.

Elections 2012: Voting over, UP waits for results

Sat, 03 Mar 2012 06:34:57 +0530

Around 62 per cent votes were polled amidst sporadic incidents of violence on Saturday for the seventh and final phase of Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, marking the end of the month-long exercise recording an all time high overall turnout of around 60 per cent.

Rahul is a national leader: Rashid Alvi

Sat, 03 Mar 2012 02:16:54 +0530

Congress leader Rashid Alvi said Rahul Gandhi is not to be blamed if Congress doesn't win in UP.

UP Polls: BJP confident of forming its own govt

Sat, 03 Mar 2012 11:19:06 +0530

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has ruled out any post-poll alliance with Mayawati's Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP). BJP MP Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said, "There is no question of a post-poll alliance with BSP."

Won't support Mulayam Singh Yadav: Jaya Prada

Sat, 03 Mar 2012 10:39:42 +0530

Rampur MP Jaya PRada said that to stop Mulayam Singh Yadav from coming to power she will support any party but him.

Goa polls: 75 per cent votes cast till 4 pm

Sat, 03 Mar 2012 06:29:11 +0530

Voting began on Saturday morning in Goa to elect a new 40-member Assembly amidst tight security. The polling started at 7 am and till 4 pm 75 per cent people cast their vote.

UP polls: 52 per cent votes cast 3 pm

Sat, 03 Mar 2012 06:14:14 +0530

Polling for the seventh and final phase of Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections covering 60 constituencies began on a slow note on Saturday with around 52 per cent of voters exercising their franchise till 3 pm.

Goa Cong apologises for audio glitch in PM's rally

Sat, 03 Mar 2012 04:52:15 +0530

Congress leaders in Goa on Friday apologised to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for a snag in the sound system that disrupted his speech at an election rally three days ago.

'Possibility of Prez rule in UP can't be ruled out'

Sat, 03 Mar 2012 12:57:43 +0530

After Sriprakash Jaiswal, another Congress leader Digvijay Singh on Friday suggested that the possibility of President's rule in Uttar Pradesh in face of a hung assembly cannot be ruled out altogether.

Blame me not Rahul if poll results not in favour: Digvijaya

Fri, 02 Mar 2012 10:00:08 +0530

Congress general secretary Digvijay Singh on Friday said he and not Rahul Gandhi should be held responsible if election results in Uttar Pradesh are not in favour of the party.

Goa polls: EC to probe Manmohan's rally

Fri, 02 Mar 2012 06:53:58 +0530

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's election meeting in Goa on Wednesday has got embroiled in a controversy with the Election Commission launching a probe into alleged distribution of 'communal material' at the venue.

Did not violate poll code: Beni Prasad to EC

Fri, 02 Mar 2012 02:38:29 +0530

Congress leader Beni Prasad Verma has written to the Election Commission saying he did not violate the poll code. The Election Commission had asked Verma to explain his minority sub-quota remarks during a rally in Uttar Pradesh.

Goa set to go to polls on Saturday

Fri, 02 Mar 2012 11:50:12 +0530

Elections to the 40-member Legislative Assembly in Goa will be held on Saturday, where 10.25 lakh voters will decide the fate of 215 candidates, including nine women and 74 independents in the fray.

Stage set for final phase of UP polls

Fri, 02 Mar 2012 10:44:36 +0530

Polling for the final and seventh phase of Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections covering 60 seats spread over 10 districts would be held on Saturday that would decide the fate of 962 candidates including Samajwadi Party's Muslim face Mohammad Azam Khan.

UP polls: Actor Jaya Prada's hotel raided

Fri, 02 Mar 2012 10:12:48 +0530

The Uttar Pradesh Police carried out a raid on actress-turned-politician Jayaprada when she was at a hotel in Rampur on Thursday. The police claimed it was a routine check to see whether she and others like her had illegally stocked up cash. The reasons, however, are still not clear.

Beni Prasad to explain his quota remark today

Fri, 02 Mar 2012 07:17:36 +0530

Senior Congress leader Beni Prasad Verma is expected to appear before the Election Commission on Friday. This is to response to its show cause notice.

Akhilesh vs Rahul: who has been the emerging star of poll campaign?

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 11:56:04 +0530

Akhilesh Yadav has had an organization to transmit his message, while Rahul Gandhi has been mostly a solo show in Uttar Pradesh.

Newsmaker of the day: Akhilesh Yadav

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 11:49:42 +0530

With the marathon UP campaign coming to an end, Samajwadi Party Leader Akhilesh Yadav has ruled out a post poll alliance with the Congress.

UP polls: Akhilesh Yadav vs Rahul Gandhi

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 10:05:33 +0530

Both the leaders, Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh yadav, campaigned on development plank seeking vote from the youth and minorities.

EC clean chit to Jaiswal on Prez rule comments

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 09:06:58 +0530

Giving a clean chit to Coal Minister Sriprakash Jaiswal on his President's Rule comments, the Election Commission on Thursday said his tone and tenor did not suggest any threat or intimidation to voters.

Assembly polls 2012: Campaigning ends in UP, Goa

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 06:18:29 +0530

Campaigning for the Assembly elections end on Thursday in Uttar Pradesh and Goa with just 48 hours to go before the final phase of polls in UP and the first and only phase of polls in Goa.

Goa expats want total change of political blood

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 01:07:18 +0530

Goan expats across the continents of Europe, Australia and America are calling for a "total change of blood" in Goa's political system ahead of assembly elections on Saturday.

Battle for the States: The bad boys of Goa

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 11:28:06 +0530

Watch the special show on the politics of Goa, which is set to go for vote on March 3.

UP, Goa polls: Last day of campaigning today

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 08:38:27 +0530

Thursday is the last day of campaigning in Uttar Pradesh and Goa with just 48 hours to go before both states go to polls.

UP Polls: Cong, SP battle for the Muslim vote

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 08:22:48 +0530

Uttar Pradesh is set to head for the final phase of polling on March 3. Boasting of an 18 per cent vote bank, the last two phases of polling in the state have the maximum concentration of the crucial Muslim vote.

Goa's development not at cost of its environment: PM

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 09:42:13 +0530

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday said the ruling Congress wants development of Goa but not at the cost of environment, which has emerged as a key issue in the coastal state going to the polls on March 3.

Goa polls: Technical snag disrupts PM's speech

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 06:05:37 +0530

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's public meeting at Sakhalim in poll-bound Goa was briefly interrupted after the sound system on the dais developed a snag. As Singh was almost midway through his speech, the sound system suddenly went off.

Goa polls: PM's rally hit by audio failure

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 05:48:54 +0530

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh suffered acute embarrassment after the failure of the public address system at an election rally at Sanquelim, 40 kms from Panaji.

Cong may tamper with EVMs in UP: Akhilesh

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 01:11:59 +0530

With just a day left for the marathon Uttar Pradesh campaign to end, Samajwadi Party leader and the man who is now being seen as the game changer, Akhilesh Yadav, has made a stunning allegation against the Congress. In an interview to IBN18 Editor-in-Chief Rajdeep Sardesai on the campaign trail in western UP, Akhilesh claimed that the Congress was trying to manipulate Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) to avoid finishing fourth in the elections.

Goa Polls: Of dinner table politics, elite clubs

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 09:41:48 +0530

More than one-third of the 40 seats in the Goa Assembly up for grabs have been cornered by half a dozen families. The Assembly Elections of 2012 could well see the creation of a feudal political elite in the state as the Congress battles charges of growing nepotism.

Goa: PM to address rally today after nod from EC

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 08:19:58 +0530

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will address a public meeting in north Goa on Wednesday as part of election campaign for the March 3 Assembly Polls following clearance from the Election Commission (EC).

UP polls: 60 pc turnout reported in 6th phase

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 07:46:45 +0530

The high stakes battle for power in Uttar Pradesh entered the last lap on Tuesday with 60 per cent peaceful voting in the sixth and penultimate round of the assembly elections that end next week.

UP polls: 57 pc votes cast in phase 6

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 06:34:48 +0530

An estimated 57 per cent votes were cast on Tuesday in the sixth and penultimate phase of Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls in 68 seats across 13 districts, popularly known as the Jat land, where voting was by and large peaceful. "Barring minor incidents, polling process was peacefully over at 5 PM and as per an estimate 57 per cent of 2.17 crore voters exercised their franchise," an Election Commission official said.

UP polls: Just predicted BSP meltdown, says Varun

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 04:51:48 +0530

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Varun Gandhi on Tuesday clarified that he had never stated that Samajwadi Party would form the next government in Uttar Pradesh.

UP polls: 50 pc voting till 3 pm

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 04:39:07 +0530

Polling continued at a brisk pace in the sixth phase of UP Assembly elections covering 68 seats with about 50 per cent of the over 2.17 crore voters exercising their franchise till 3 PM. "Polling started at 7 AM and 49.93 per cent votes were polled till 3 PM," Chief Electoral Officer Umesh Sinha said.

Land acquisition will be Maya's Waterloo: Jayant

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 12:57:42 +0530

As Uttar Pradesh readies for the penultimate round of its assembly elections on Tuesday, forcible acquisition of farmland and its transfer to private builders will weigh heavily on the voter's mind, says Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) MP Jayant Chaudhary.

Ignoring UP poll date was a mistake: Kejriwal

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 11:38:04 +0530

Team Anna member Arvind Kejriwal returned to Ghaziabad from the airport to cast his vote during the sixth phase of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly Elections on Tuesday after pressure from the media. However, Kejriwal could not cast his vote as he said that his name was not there in the list of voters.

Polling on in the crucial 6th phase in UP

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 09:23:05 +0530

The poll will decide the fate of RLD's youth face Jayant Chaudhary and state Energy Minister Ramveer Upadhyaya among others.

UP polls: 38 per cent voting till 1 pm

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 07:10:18 +0530

Polling continued at a brisk pace in the sixth phase of UP Assembly elections covering 68 seats with about 38 per cent of the over 2.17 crore voters exercising their franchise till 1 PM.

'BSP deep into corruption, BJP used Lord Rama'

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 02:03:58 +0530

Stepping up the attack on political opponents, Congress leader Digvijay Singh on Monday alleged while BSP was a party deep into corruption BJP used the name of Lord Rama for political gains.

EC says no to PM's election meeting in Goa

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 12:51:49 +0530

The Election Commission has declined permission for use of a government college ground near Panaji as the venue for a Congress rally to be addressed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Maya rules out CBI probe against trusted minister

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 10:07:47 +0530

Rejecting the state Lokayukta's recommendation for a CBI probe against her most trusted minister Naseemuddin Siddiqui, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati on Monday contended that the nature of the charges against the minister did not merit such a probe.

UP Polls: Policemen go on a rampage

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 09:55:38 +0530

Police personnel on election duty today went on a rampage damaging vehicles and blocking road traffic after one of their colleagues was allegedly manhandled by a senior officer. Agitated over the incident, the policemen pelted stones at vehicles, blocked Aligarh-Hathras road for several hours and damaged cameras of mediapersons, officials said here.

Non-Congress governments neglected UP: PM

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 08:12:24 +0530

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday came down heavily on non-Congress parties saying their successive governments in Uttar Pradesh in the past 22 years had failed to develop the state's infrastructure.

State polls to impact Cong-TMC ties: Cong leader

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 05:19:58 +0530

The outcome of ongoing assembly elections in five states will have an impact on the Congress-Trinamool Congress alliance in West Bengal, state Congress chief Pradip Bhattacharya has said.

Digvijaya says surprised at Akhilesh remarks on Muslim quota

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 02:38:40 +0530

Digvijaya Singh expressed surprise at SP state President Akhilesh Yadav's statement of extending support if the Centre gives 18 pc quota to Muslims.

Replace 'M' for Maya with 'D' for development: Digvijaya

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 01:25:11 +0530

Ahead of the crucial sixth phase of UP elections on Tuesday, Congress leader Digvijaya Singh advised voters to support Rahul Gandhi's mission in Uttar Pradesh.

Punjab village ends up voting for wrong seat

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 10:41:01 +0530

The revelation came in the enquiry made by the district administration following directions from the poll panel which got a complaint about the mistake.

Can Mamata's TMC open its account in UP?

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 10:40:36 +0530

Can Mamata Banerjee open her account in Uttar Pradesh? One of her candidates is up against the formidable Rashtriya Lok Dal President Ajit Singh's son Jayant Chaudhary in the Jat heartland of Mathura.

UP has become mascot of corruption: Sonia

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 04:31:09 +0530

Escalating attack on the ruling BSP in Uttar Pradesh, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Sunday alleged the state has become a "mascot of corruption" and funds worth crores given by the Centre has vanished under the nose of Chief Minister Mayawati.

Not wrong about MPs: Arvind Kejriwal

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 01:50:10 +0530

Upholding his claim about entry of criminals into parliament, India Against Corruption Activist and key Team Anna member Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday said he did not speak anything wrong.

Kulkarni supports Uma as BJP's CM candidate in UP

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 12:11:16 +0530

Sudheendra Kulkarni, former aide of LK Advani, on Sunday supported the BJP leader Uma Bharti as party's chief ministerial candidate, days after party chief Nitin Gadkari had reportedly projected her as the leading candidate of the party.

Happy with EC action against Khurshid: Advani

Sun, 26 Feb 2012 07:11:52 +0530

Senior BJP leader LK Advani on Sunday termed as "unprecedented" and "very serious" the remarks of Law Minister Salman Khurshid on minority sub-quota issue and said he welcomed the strong action taken by the Election Commission on it.

BJP has 55 CM candidates in UP: Varun Gandhi

Sun, 26 Feb 2012 06:05:16 +0530

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Varun Gandhi has predicted that Samajwadi Party will emerge as the single largest party in the Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh where two phases of voting are still left to be completed.

Kejriwal attacks MPs; Congress, BJP react

Sun, 26 Feb 2012 05:21:46 +0530

After lying low for several weeks, RTI activist and Team Anna member Arvind Kejriwal has launched a fresh offensive against parliamentarians, saying that "Parliament has become a problem" for the country.

UP Polls: Jats hold the key in western parts

Sun, 26 Feb 2012 03:48:52 +0530

The crucial Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh might be inching towards culmination but the excitement is far from over, especially in western parts of the state where parties are leaving no stone unturned to woo Jat voters, who still hold the key here.

UP Polls: EVMs damaged in govt strong house

Sun, 26 Feb 2012 11:39:34 +0530

An investigation has revealed that Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) of nine constituencies in Lucknow were damaged during their storage in a government strong house, where huge amount of water seeped through from an overhead tank.

'RLD a taxi which could be hired by any party'

Sun, 26 Feb 2012 09:46:03 +0530

Taking a jibe at the Congress-RLD alliance in Uttar Pradesh, BJP president Nitin Gadkari on Saturday said that the Ajit Singh-led Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) was a "taxi" which any one can hire.

UP polls: inquiry reveals around 14,000 fake IDs

Sun, 26 Feb 2012 07:34:10 +0530

Just days before the sixth phase of polling in Uttar Pradesh, an IBN7 inquiry reveals that as many as 14,000 voters have forged their addresses or names. Not just that, in one instance, over 600 voters have been registered on one Noida address.

Give 18 pc quota for Muslims: SP to Congress

Sun, 26 Feb 2012 06:31:52 +0530

A desperate Samajwadi Party is trying to shore up its Muslim support in Uttar Pradesh. Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav says he's ready to join hands with the Congress, if the latter agrees to give 18 per cent reservation to Muslims.

Ajit Singh hints at president's rule in UP

Sun, 26 Feb 2012 06:19:38 +0530

As Uttar Pradesh gears up for the sixth phase of the Assembly Elections, will the new Congress-RLD alliance make any significant dent to Mayawati's vote share? RLD Chief Ajit Singh is confident of it and says that in a likelihood of a hung assembly, there should be president's rule in the state.

UP corruption has no parallel: Samajwadi Party

Sun, 26 Feb 2012 03:02:19 +0530

Taking a dig at Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati, Opposition Samajwadi Party on Saturday said her tenure was marred with corruption and there was no parallel anywhere to the scams like NHRM and MNREGA.

RLD is taxi which could be hired by any party: BJP

Sun, 26 Feb 2012 12:34:20 +0530

Taking a jibe at Congress-RLD alliance in Uttar Pradesh, BJP president Nitin Gadkari on Saturday said that the Ajit Singh-led RLD was a "taxi" which any one can hire.

Rahul can be the PM anytime he wants: Jaiswal

Sat, 25 Feb 2012 08:46:12 +0530

After his controversial comments about imposition of President's rule in Uttar Pradesh, Union Minister Sriprakash Jaiswal on Saturday created a flutter when he said that Rahul Gandhi could become Prime Minister "even at midnight if he so desires".

Rahul has put Cong in a strong position in UP: Lalu

Sat, 25 Feb 2012 08:12:00 +0530

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) President Lalu Prasad on Saturday said that Congress was in a strong position in Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections mainly due to hard work done by Rahul Gandhi.

Notice to Cong candidate for getting clicked while voting

Sat, 25 Feb 2012 02:13:43 +0530

The Congress candidate from the Kidwainagar Assembly constituency here was issued a show cause notice by the district administration for getting himself photographed while voting on Thursday.

Parties adopted 'divide and rule' policy in UP: Sonia

Sat, 25 Feb 2012 01:28:58 +0530

Accusing the SP and BSP of betraying the people after coming to power in Uttar Pradesh, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Friday said there are some parties which rake up issues to spread ill-will among different sections.

Opposition 'minting money' from Noida: Rahul

Sat, 25 Feb 2012 01:11:00 +0530

Rahul Gandhi on Friday accused the non-Congress governments in Uttar Pradesh headed by BJP, SP and BSP of "minting money" from Noida, which he said was a brainchild of Congress.

Mayawati: The iron lady of Indian politics?

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 11:46:25 +0530

Authoritarian, dictatorial, media caricature - there are many such words that are used to describe Mayawati, the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh.

Projects incomplete due to lack of funds: Mayawati

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 06:41:53 +0530

Seeking to puncture Rahul Gandhi's claim that Central assistance was being misused by the Uttar Pradesh government, Chief Minister Mayawati on Friday hit back at the Congress leader saying various projects were lying incomplete due to absence of the funds.

EC sends notice to Jaiswal over Prez rule remark

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 05:30:58 +0530

The Election Commission on Friday sent a notice to Union minister Shri Prakash Jaiswal over his remark that if the Congress did not win elections in Uttar Pradesh this time, then President's rule must be imposed on the state.

UP polls: Cong to sit in opposition if loses

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 05:08:09 +0530

Congress would prefer to sit in the opposition in case it fell short of numbers in the election to the Uttar Pradesh assembly than supporting any other party, senior leader Digvijaya Singh has said.

UP polls: BJP moves EC against Jaiswal remarks

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 01:03:10 +0530

The BJP on Thursday moved the Election Commission over Union minister Sriprakash Jaiswal's comments on possibility of imposition of President's rule in Uttar Pradesh after which the poll body has sought a video of his remarks.

Battle for the states: Is Akhilesh Yadav emerging as UP game changer?

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 11:51:38 +0530

Uttar Pradesh voted on Thursday in the fifth phase of the marathon Assembly Elections of 2012.

Jaiswal says he was misquoted on President's rule

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 10:58:27 +0530

As the young guns are on the war path in Uttar Pradesh, so far both Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav have avoided taking each other on personally. Now as mixed reports come in on who holds the edge the gloves are coming off. The Congress going all out on Thursday to dispel any notion that it may prop up a Samajwadi Party led government in Uttar Pradesh.

Quota remark: ED hear Beni Prasad on Monday

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 08:50:25 +0530

The Election Commission has postponed to Monday the hearing in the case against Steel Minister Beni Prasad Verma for violation of model code of conduct over his minorities sub-quota remarks following a request from the complainant.

'BJP not to align with BSP, SP to form govt in UP'

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 08:37:17 +0530

The BJP will prefer to sit on the opposition benches rather than forming a government with the support of the BSP or the SP, senior party leader Sushma Swaraj said in Ghaziabad on Thursday.

UP polls: 59.4 pc turnout recorded in 5th phase

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 07:41:00 +0530

The fifth round of polling in Uttar Pradesh's seven-phased assembly elections in 49 constituencies on Thursday witnessed a 59.4 per cent turnout, an official said.

BJP front-runner in Assembly polls: Rajnath

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 06:06:59 +0530

BJP leader Rajnath Singh on Thursday claimed that his party was the front-runner in the Assembly elections in five states, including Goa. Singh said the common man was fed up with Congress, and BJP would do well in the polls in five states.

My 'UP president rule' remark distorted: Jaiswal

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 01:15:18 +0530

Sriprakash Jaiswal said his statement was distorted and that he was confident of the Cong winning in UP.

Jaiswal pulled up for 'UP president rule' remark

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 12:11:23 +0530

Congress leader Sriprakash Jaiswal has been pulled up by the party for his remarks that if his party fails to get a majority in the UP polls, it will seek imposition of President's rule in the state. Sources said on Thursday that the party thinks that Jaiswal should not have made these comments.

Phoolan's controversial legacy alive in UP polls

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 11:08:27 +0530

Phoolan's dacoit gang earned notoriety for shooting dead 22 men, mostly upper caste Thakurs, in Behmai village, about 60 km from Kanpur, in 1981.

SP has chosen clean candidates: Akhilesh Yadav

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 10:42:33 +0530

The entire family of Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav was out to vote in Saifai in Uttar Pradesh on Thursday as the state went to the fifth phase of polling. Saifai is Mulayam Singh Yadav's family bastion.

People of Uttar Pradesh feel proud to vote

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 10:22:23 +0530

An estimated 1.5 crore voters are expected to cast their vote on Thursday as UP goes into fifth phase of polling.

Will act if rules have been violated: Nitish Kumar

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 07:59:17 +0530

Administrative Officer Nitish Kumar said that the action will be taken on the basis of the video footage that will be sent to the state government.

UP: RSS workers 'manhandled', Uma protests

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 06:35:36 +0530

There was some high-voltage drama ahead of fifth phase of UP polls on Thursday. BJP leader Uma Bharti staged a dharna outside the Charkari Police station on Wednesday to protest the alleged manhandling of three RSS workers.

UP Polls: 50.16 pc voting recorded till 3 pm

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 06:16:51 +0530

Polling for the fifth phase of UP assembly elections covering 49 seats spread over 13 district, including Bundelkhand region, saw 50.16 per cent votes being cast till 3 pm.

Mulayam eager on tie up with Congress: Rahul

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 12:49:17 +0530

Star campaigner Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday said the Samajwadi Party was keen on forging an alliance with the Congress for the Uttar Pradesh Assembly poll but his party had rejected it.

Welcome to the Cong's family republic of Goa

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 04:29:41 +0530

There is something extremely simplistic and sinister about the Congress party's strategy for the March 3 Assembly polls in Goa.

UP: Phoolan Devi's controversial legacy alive

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 12:48:34 +0530

A huge coloured photograph of Phoolan Devi, the bandit queen turned MP who was shot dead 11 years ago in New Delhi, adorns the wall of the first floor office of a shoe showroom.

Ghaziabad: RLD candidate weighed against laddoos

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 10:51:11 +0530

Candidates find novel ways to attract voters and supporters of Congress-RLD combine candidate Sudesh Sharma on Tuesday weighed him against laddoos which were later distributed among people.

Anna Hazare, team to meet in Delhi today

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 08:11:53 +0530

Anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare will be in Delhi on Wednesday. Anna is likely to attend a core committee meeting to discuss the future strategy of his fight against corruption.

UP: Ajit Singh's son given a clear chit by EC

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 06:47:18 +0530

Rashtriya Lok Dal leader Jayant Chaudhary who was booked by the Election Commission for violating the model code of conduct, has been given a clear chit.

Digvijaya slams BJP, says Uma is 'imported' mascot

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 06:20:43 +0530

Congress general secretary Digvijaya Singh on Tuesday attacked the BJP saying he felt sorry that an 'outsider' from Madhya Pradesh had been projected as the party's Chief Ministerial candidate in UP.

UP: Rahul woos youths, promises jobs for them

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 02:02:07 +0530

Alleging youths had suffered a lot during BSP, SP and BJP regimes in Uttar Pradesh, Congress key campaigner Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday said his party, if voted to power, would generate adequate employment opportunities for them.

Model code row: GoM makes no recommendations

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 08:47:45 +0530

The Group of Ministers meeting on Wednesday to discuss the row with EC on the Model Code of Conduct, reportedly did not make any recommendations. There is reportedly no such move under contemplation by the government or the Group of Ministers, sources said.

EC grants personal hearing to Beni Prasad Verma

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 08:40:29 +0530

Steel Minister Beni Prasad Verma was on Tuesday granted personal hearing by the Election Commission to explain his minorities sub-quota remarks for which the poll body slapped a notice and he is likely to appear on Friday.

Communication gap led to cash seizure: Patil's son

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 08:24:10 +0530

An embarrassed Congress legislator and President Pratibha Patil's son Raosaheb Shekhawat Tuesday said a "communication gap" resulted in Rs 1 crore cash being seized by Maharashtra Police only days before the polls to major municipal corporations in the state.

Ask people why I am confident, says Mayawati

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 05:31:14 +0530

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati has claimed that her government has done more for the state than the Congress, the Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) put together.

Govt may take model code out of EC's purview

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 03:49:18 +0530

The war of words between the Congress and the Election Commission on model code of conduct is escalating with the latter saying that there will not be any compromise on the issue of poll code violation.

Cong was given permission for roadshow: Sibal

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 01:26:39 +0530

Union Minister Kapil Sibal on Tuesday defended Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi over the controversy surrounding his roadshow in Kanpur as part of the campaign for the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections.

Cong was given permission for roadshow: Sibal

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 01:26:39 +0530

FIR against Rahul: Congress to move HC

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 11:46:51 +0530

Congress leader Digvijaya Singh on Tuesday said that the party will go to High Court to contest the FIR filed against Rahul Gandhi.

UP: Rahul, Mayawati, Mulayam on campaign trail

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 09:04:09 +0530

In a run-up to the UP polls, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will campaign in Mainpuri, Bulandsahar, Etah and Meerut on Tuesday. An FIR was on Monday filed against Rahul Gandhi, on the campaign trail in Uttar Pradesh, for alleged violation of model code of conduct by district authorities which said his road show here had breached the time limit and the route map set by them.

Beni's subquota remark a 'criminal offence': BJP

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 04:48:24 +0530

The BJP on Monday alleged the statements made by union minister Beni Prasad Verma on sub-quota for minorities despite warnings from the Election Commission constitute a "criminal offence" and demanded appropriate criminal proceedings should be initiated against him.

Efforts on to destabilize UP: Mayawati

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 04:25:10 +0530

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati has alleged efforts were underway to destabilise the state once again for political motives.

Will be happy if Cong does well in UP: Pawar

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 12:22:43 +0530

After his party emerged as largest in local body polls in Maharashtra, NCP chief Sharad Pawar on Monday said he would be happy if Congress does well in Uttar Pradesh.

UP polls: Rahul invites EC's wrath for changing track

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 11:56:00 +0530

While Rahul Gandhi courted trouble as he toured Kanpur, being greeted with black flags from ulema supporters and inviting the EC's wrath for changing his roadshow route, BJP President Nitin Gadkiri said that if the BJP came to power in Uttar Pradesh, Uma Bharti will become the chief minister.

Rahul committed no illegality in Kanpur: Congress

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 10:03:40 +0530

Rahul Gandhi, who was booked for alleged violation of the model code of conduct by UP authorities in Kanpur, has not committed any illegality and legitimate campaign is a fundamental part of free democratic right, Congress said on Monday night.

FIR against Rahul for violating code of conduct

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 08:59:18 +0530

An FIR has been filed against Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi for alleged model code of conduct violation by not taking up the route it had prescribed to the leader for his road campaign in Kanpur.

Mulayam mocks Maya's claim of 'fearless society'

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 07:29:42 +0530

Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav on Monday ridiculed Chief Minister Mayawati for promising a fearless society, alleging that 1,900 incidents of rape had taken place in the state during BSP tenure.

Cong promises free water, power in Goa manifesto

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 05:24:56 +0530

Free water and electricity to poorer sections of society are two of the key promises made by the Congress in its poll manifesto, released on Monday, ahead of the March 3 assembly elections in Goa.

Kanpur: Rahul shown black flags during road show

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 05:13:48 +0530

Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi on Monday invited the Election Commission's wrath by not taking up the route it had prescribed to the leader for his road campaign in Kanpur. Kanpur District Magistrate Hari Om said that Rahul stuck to his route, despite having been assigned an alternative route by the EC.

Quota remark part of the manifesto: Beni Prasad

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 04:46:00 +0530

In his reply to Election Commission's showcause notice over the minorities' sub-quota remark, Union Steel Minister and Congress leader Beni Prasad Verma on Monday said that the quota remark was part of the party manifesto.

Ajit Singh's son caught on camera taking cash

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 01:11:59 +0530

Rashtriya Lok Dal leader Jayant Chaudhary has been booked by the Election Commission for violating the model code of conduct. The MP from Mathura and party chief and Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh's son was caught on camera taking Rs 70,000 from a local leader during an election rally in Mathura.

UP: Rahul, Gadkari to campaign in Kanpur today

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 07:53:42 +0530

After wooing the minority support base in Chamanganj on Sunday, Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi is slated to continue to campaign in Kanpur district for the fifth phase of Uttar Pradesh assembly elections on Monday.

Muslim quota row: Beni Prasad to reply to EC today

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 06:39:23 +0530

Union minister and Congress leader Beni Prasad Verma is expected to reply to Election Commission's notice for violating the model code of conduct.

Stones pelted at Salman Khurshid's wife

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 04:20:32 +0530

Some youths on Sunday allegedly pelted stones at Louis Khurshid, Congress nominee and wife of Union Law Minister Salman Khurshid, following a dispute over entry of voters at a polling booth.

Goa polls: Promises galore in BJP manifesto

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 03:26:26 +0530

Goa BJP on Sunday released its manifesto, making several promises, including reduction in price of petrol by Rs 11 a litre and unemployment allowance to youths, once the party is elected to power in the state.

Mulayam will bring back 'gunda raj': Mayawati

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 01:17:52 +0530

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and Bahujan Samaj Party supremo Mayawati on Saturday said that "gunda and mafia raj" would return to the state if the Mulayam Singh Yadav-led Samajwadi Party came to power in the assembly polls.

UP has moved backward under BSP rule: Advani

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 12:33:13 +0530

BJP leader LK Advani on Sunday claimed that while other "BIMARU" or 'sick' states had shown improvement, Uttar Pradesh has moved backward during the last five years of BSP rule.

Mulayam will bring back 'gunda raj' in UP: Maya

Sun, 19 Feb 2012 11:46:12 +0530

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and Bahujan Samaj Party supremo Mayawati on Saturday said in Firozabad that 'gunda and mafia raj' would return to the state if the Mulayam Singh Yadav-led Samajwadi Party came to power in the Assembly polls.

UP polls: Lucknow sees best ever voter turnout

Sun, 19 Feb 2012 08:03:51 +0530

Lucknow saw a record voter turnout of 56 per cent, a 20 per cent increase from the 2007 turnout. Chief Minister Mayawati and BJP leader Sushma Swaraj cast their ballots today.

UP 4th phase polling sees 57 pc turnout

Sun, 19 Feb 2012 07:15:16 +0530

An estimated 57 per cent votes were polled in the fourth phase of Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections which covered Rae Bareli and Amethi, bastions of Nehru-Gandhi family, and part of backward Bundelkhand region, for whose development Rahul Gandhi has made a strong case.

BSP will do better than last time: Mayawati

Sun, 19 Feb 2012 01:40:59 +0530

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati expressed confidence on Sunday that her party would win the 2012 elections and again form the government in Lucknow.

UP is ready for a change: Kalraj Mishra

Sun, 19 Feb 2012 11:51:19 +0530

BJP leader Kalraj Mishra the BJP will get more votes and you will see a revolutionary change in UP.

UP Polls: Rita Bahuguna casts her vote

Sun, 19 Feb 2012 09:16:04 +0530

Lucknow is voting in the 4th phase of the UP polls and fate of several key candidates including Kalraj Mishra and Loius Khurshid will be decided .

UP polls: 57 pc voting during 4th phase

Sun, 19 Feb 2012 07:24:09 +0530

Polling for the fourth phase of Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections covering 56 seats spread over 11 districts recorded a high 57 per cent turnout till 5 pm.

Battle for the States: The Mahila Vote

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 11:56:20 +0530

Why the women in Uttar Pradesh continues to be a political paradox.

UP polls: Shun Cycle, Elephant: Rahul to voters

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 11:23:59 +0530

Wooing voters in Mulayam Singh Yadav's home turf, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday targeted both the SP chief and BSP supremo Mayawati alleging they had done nothing for development of Uttar Pradesh.

'UP ministers had gala time while poor suffered'

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 10:53:56 +0530

The poor in Uttar Pradesh suffered while Mayawati's ministers earned thousands of crores by siphoning off Central funds meant for the state, Congress leader Salman Khurshid on Saturday alleged.

Sena a force to reckon with: Bal Thackeray

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 08:04:22 +0530

Bal Thackeray in an exclusive interview to CNN-IBN slammed Sharad Pawar and Prithviraj Chavan for saying the Shiv Sena was on the decline.

Amar Singh jumps out of chopper, injured

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 06:55:25 +0530

Former Samajwadi Party strongman and Rashtriya Lok Manch founder Amar Singh has reportedly been injured after he jumped out of a helicopter while it was making an emergency landing at Hamirpur in Uttar Pradesh.

BMC polls loss: Cong high command seeks report

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 05:17:16 +0530

The Congress high command has reportedly sought a report from the Maharashtra Congress after its Brihan Mumbai Corporation (BMC) poll debacle. The Shiv Sena-BJP combine won the polls, managing to retain power in the prestigious civic body, the country's richest. This was the first civic elections in Mumbai where the Congress was contesting in an alliance with the NCP.

Goa results will go the Mumbai civic poll way: BJP

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 02:15:34 +0530

Results of the Goa assembly elections will go the way of the Mumbai civic polls, a top BJP leader said on Saturday.

Goa polls: JGP releases list of 12 candidates

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 02:10:12 +0530

A musician, a priest and an actor are among the 12 candidates offered by the Jagrut Goemkarancho Fauz, a conglomeration of civil society groups, for the March 3 Goa Assembly polls.

Muslim quota row: EC notice to Beni Prasad

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 01:31:04 +0530

The Election Commission (EC) issued a notice to Union Minister Beni Prasad Verma over remarks on minority sub quota.

Rahul, Akhilesh, Jayant: Young faces of UP dynasties

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 11:11:17 +0530

For Rahul Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav and Jayant Chaudhary, out to prove they are worthy inheritors, this could well be a make-or-break election.

Punjab politicians holiday, play poll games

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 10:46:57 +0530

With the election to the 117 assembly seats having been held on Jan 30 and counting and results to take place only on March 6, Punjab's leaders have invented activities to stay occupied.

UP Polls: Vote and secure marks for your kids

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 07:42:59 +0530

Politics is every where in Uttar Pradesh this season - even in class rooms. At Lucknow's Christ Church College - a post-poll alliance has been struck between the principal and his 300 plus students.

Cong involved in friendly fight with SP, BSP: Jaitley

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 04:27:17 +0530

The Congress is involved in a "friendly fight" with Samajwadi Party and BSP in Uttar Pradesh elections as it requires either of them for running its government at the Centre, BJP leader Arun Jaitley said on Friday.

UP polls: Priyanka trying her best not to eclipse Rahul

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 12:10:05 +0530

Priyanka Gandhi made it clear that she's not entering active politics anytime soon.

Khurshid defends Verma on minority quota remark

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 10:28:02 +0530

Union Law Minister Salman Khurshid on Saturday defended his Cabinet colleague Beni Prasad Verma for his minority sub-quota remarks, saying he had made the comments as a Congress leader and not as a minister.

Maya rubbishes surveys showing BSP faring badly

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 09:45:35 +0530

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati on Friday rubbished media surveys that projected BSP to be in bad position in the Assembly polls and reminded voters that her party had got majority in 2007 despite similar predictions.

Goa: Will not depend on independents, says Cong

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 09:35:24 +0530

Goa Congress on Friday clarified that in case the party falls short of the majority in the upcoming Assembly polls, it will not depend on the independent candidates to form the government.

UP: Sibal demands CBI probe into NRHM deaths

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 08:22:57 +0530

Union Minister Kapil Sibal on Friday questioned Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati's silence on the mysterious death of yet another man connected with the NRHM scam and demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into all related cases to bring out the truth.

Maneka demands resignations of Beni, Khurshid

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 06:02:06 +0530

Alleging that Congress has made a mockery of the Election Commission, BJP leader Maneka Gandhi on Friday demanded resignations of union ministers Salman Khurshid and Beni Prasad Verma.

Cong clever in committing scams: Akhilesh

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 05:51:29 +0530

Samajwadi Party on Friday accused Congress of being "very clever and intelligent" in committing scams like 2G as it was difficult to explain the issue to the electorate.

Mayawati misused funds for rural health: PM

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 05:31:56 +0530

Attacking the Mayawati government ahead of the fourth phase of polling in Uttar Pradesh, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday charged it with misusing the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) funds as well as neglecting development.

Congress will win in UP: Manmohan Singh

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 03:16:44 +0530

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday kicked off the Congress campaign from Kanpur on Friday. Addressing the crowds, he said, "We have sent funds under various national schemes to Uttar Pradesh. Rs 24000 crore have been given to Uttar Pradesh government for roads alone. However, none of it has trickled down to the common man."

Priyanka tears into opposition in Raebareli

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 01:55:43 +0530

The Congress' star campaigner Priyanka Gandhi on Friday took addressed a volley of issues ranging from the NRHM deaths in Uttar Pradesh to alleged funds misuse in the state to Beni Prasad's quota remark. Priyanka was campaigning in Raebareli. While speaking on alleged funds misuse in the state, she said, "Money that is being sent to the UP state under health schmes is not reaching the people. The money is being kept by a few in the state."

Priyanka tears into opposition in Raebareli

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 01:55:43 +0530

Maha civic polls: Sena-BJP combine retains Thane

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 01:18:30 +0530

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Shiv Sena retained Thane in the Maharashtra civic polls. The Shiv Sena-BJP alliance took the top spot in the Thane Municipal Corporation polls on Friday.

Rebels threaten Goa parties ahead of polls

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 01:08:28 +0530

As the March 3 assembly polls inch closer, rebellion has surfaced in Goa's political ranks, with those who have been denied party tickets threatening to raise the banner of revolt.

UP: BJP complains to EC over Beni's quota remark

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 12:23:01 +0530

The BJP has registered a complaint with the Election Commission against Congress leader and Steel Minister Beni Prasad for allegedly promising 9 per cent quota for Muslims during an election rally. At a public rally in Farrukhabad, the Prasad said, "Muslims will be given more facilities, Muslims will be given reservation."

Mumbai: Congress MLA in EVM tampering row

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 08:58:09 +0530

In new trouble for the Congress, MLA Amin Patel on Thursday was accused of storming a polling station in Byculla, Mumbai and tampering the EVM machine at the booth. Amin Patel is the Congress candidate from the Mumbadevi constituency.

UP Polls: PM, Advani, Maya pitch tent in Kanpur

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 07:50:59 +0530

All eyes will be on Kanpur on Friday as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, BJP leader LK Advani and BSP chief and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati launch their campaigns there. Singh will be addressing a rally at the Moti Jheel grounds in the afternoon.

Cong only knows how to grab headlines: Swaraj

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 09:37:35 +0530

Taking potshots at Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi's act of tearing up a poll manifesto, BJP leader Sushma Swaraj on Thursday said the party just wants to 'grab headlines' through such acts.

EC seeks BJP comments on Ram temple construction

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 09:14:45 +0530

The Election Commission has sought BJP's comments on the promise in its manifesto for Uttar Pradesh poll of construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya following complaints that the party has "violated" the model code of conduct by making the promise.

Low voter turnout a reality for big Indian cities

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 07:10:16 +0530

It seems that words are not transforming into action for big Indian cities when it comes to participating in large numbers to vote their favourite candidates in polls. Despite a high urban base with more discerning and affluent electorate, witnessing a low turnout in elections, local or general, is adage for these cities.

TMC takes on Cong over Muslim quota promise

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 06:40:07 +0530

Trinamool Congress MP Sultan Ahmed on Thursday lodged a complain with the Election Commission on the Muslim quota row, saying that ministers should not be allowed to say things on the controversial issue, after Congress MP Beni Prasad Verma promised reservation for Muslims at a public rally in UP. He said that the EC should not allow Steel Minister Beni Prasad Verma to campaign for the UP polls.

Kanpur gears up for high profile poll rallies

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 03:56:38 +0530

The local administration is scurrying to put up the paraphernalia for two high profile election rallies by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati in Kanpur on Friday.

After Khurshid, Beni Prasad makes quota promise

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 11:34:59 +0530

After the Election Commission shut the Salman Khurshid Muslim quota promise chapter, Steel Minister Beni Prasad Verma has also made a similar promise.

Amethi: Cong's 'lucky mascot' was the 1st to vote

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 09:40:11 +0530

In Amethi that went to vote on Wednesday, a peculiar custom played out at a polling booth. It was democracy at work at a polling station.

Maya ignores common man, promotes corrupt: Rahul

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 05:32:26 +0530

As Uttar Pradesh voters voted in the third phase of Assembly elections on Wednesday, Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi kept up his attack on Chief Minister Mayawati and alleged that the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader did not mingle with the common man and her rule has been marked by corruption.

Battle for the states: Is UP heading for a fractured verdict?

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 11:59:37 +0530

The incident-free third phase of the seven-part elections in the state will decide the fate of three cabinet ministers.

Amethi: Royal tradition on voting day

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 11:32:22 +0530

In Amethi, that went to vote on Wednesday, a peculiar custom played out at a polling booth - the Raja, the Rani and the Dhobi.

Centre creating barriers in UP's development: Maya

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 08:53:30 +0530

Alleging the Centre was creating hindrances in development of Uttar Pradesh, BSP chief and Chief Minister Mayawati on Wednesday said the economic package sought by the state was not given to it.

UP polls: Rahul 'tears' into BSP, SP in Lucknow

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 06:57:59 +0530

Accusing the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and the Samajwadi Party (SP) of making "only promises", Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday tore a piece of paper at an election meeting to drive home the point that "mere lists" of assurances were of no use.

UP polls: 3rd phase records around 56 pc turnout

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 06:55:45 +0530

Around 56 per cent of the 1.75-strong electorate on Wednesday exercised its franchise for 56 seats in the third phase of the UP assembly polls in which Mayawati's ruling BSP is facing a strong challenge from Congress, SP and BJP.

Elect Cong govt for UP's development: Priyanka

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 05:38:58 +0530

Wooing voters in her family pocketborough, Congress' star campaigner Priyana Gandhi on Wednesday asked people to elect a Congress government in Uttar Pradesh for rapid development of the state.

Mulayam says will support Congress if needed

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 03:21:02 +0530

Samajwadi Party Supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav on Wednesday said he was open to supporting the Congress Party in Uttar Pradesh if needed even as he claimed that the SP will form the next government in the state.

UP polls: Over 47 per cent voting till 3 pm

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 10:39:53 +0530

Brisk polling continued in the third phase of UP Assembly elections for 56 seats in 10 districts with 47.05 per cent of the over 1.75 crore electorate exercising their franchise till the late afternoon.

UP goes for third phase of voting today

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 07:17:16 +0530

The stage is set for voting in all the 12 Assembly constituencies of this district where the fate of nearly 250 candidates will be sealed on Wednesday. 1.77 crore voters are expected to cast their ballots on Wednesday.

EC to act on Khurshid after hearing from PM

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 02:34:19 +0530

Even as Law Minister Salman Khurshid "bowed" to the "wisdom" of the Election Commission and regretted his remarks on sub-quota for backward sections of minorities in Uttar Pradesh, the case will be decided only after word from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, highly placed sources in the poll panel said.

Rahul put to test as Amethi goes to polls today

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 01:11:16 +0530

With at least three Assembly constituencies falling under the Amethi parliamentary seat going to polls on Wednesday, the third phase of polling in Uttar Pradesh will put to test the charisma of Rahul Gandhi, who represents the Lok Sabha seat.

Battle for Mumbai: who is best suited to govern the city?

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 11:57:04 +0530

Mumbai even the most optimistic amongst us would admit has been overtaken by several other Indian cities on indices of livability.

Rahul's charisma at stake, Amethi votes on Wed

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 11:35:56 +0530

With at least three Assembly constituencies falling under the Amethi parliamentary seat going to polls tomorrow, the third phase of polling in Uttar Pradesh will put to test the charisma of Rahul Gandhi, who represents the Lok Sabha seat.

EC uses Valentine to promote voting

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 09:21:36 +0530

Election Commission on Tuesday used the occasion of Valentine's Day to encourage young couples to exercise their right to vote and spread the message of voting being the strength of democracy.

EC: Ministers can tour Manipur, Punjab, Ukd

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 08:28:52 +0530

With polling for assembly elections in the states of Manipur, Punjab and Uttarakhand completed, the Election Commission on Tuesday decided to relax the conditions for model code of conduct, allowing ministers to undertake tours and review ongoing projects.

Sub-quota row a closed chapter now: Khurshid

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 06:32:27 +0530

In the eye of a storm over his Muslim sub-quota remarks and the subsequent face-off with the Election Commission, Union Law Minister Salman Khurshid on Tuesday said the matter was a closed chapter now.

EC yet to decide on Khurshid matter: Quraishi

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 05:25:40 +0530

The Election Commission on Tuesday said it has not yet taken a decision on the letter of Union Law Minister Salman Khurshid regretting his controversial remarks on the minorities sub-quota issue.

Top Uttarakhand BJP leaders to woo voters in UP

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 05:16:33 +0530

Uttarakhand Chief Minister B C Khanduri and other senior state Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders will campaign for party candidates in the remaining phases of the Uttar Pradesh assembly election.

UP being misgoverned, funds siphoned off: Sonia

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 02:29:48 +0530

Congress President Sonia Gandhi and her daughter Priyanka, addressed a rally in Raebareli on Tuesday. Addressing the crowds, Sonia said that the UP government was not doing enough for the state. "The funds released for development work in UP has not reached the people of UP," she said.

UP Polls: Sonia, Priyanka to campaign in Raebareli

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 01:17:01 +0530

Congress President Sonia Gandhi and her daughter, Priyanka, are expected to speak at a public meeting on Tuesday in Raebareli as the campaigning for UP Assembly polls reaches its final stages.

Furore over British MP's political outing in Goa

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 01:04:42 +0530

British MP of Indian origin Keith Vaz's electoral campaigning on Sunday for a controversial political family in Goa has triggered outrage in the Goan diasopra and on internet.

Sub-quota row: After EC relief, Salman faces FIR

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 12:29:04 +0530

While the Election Commission has decided to close the issue on Salman Khurshid, a new problem has cropped up for the Law Minister. A lawyer has filed an FIR against Khurshid in Farroukhabad for allegedly violating the Representation of People Act.

EC decides to close Khurshid chapter

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 11:40:26 +0530

The Election Commission has decided to close the matter on Salman Khurshid after the latter wrote to the EC saying he had the highest regard for the institution. The Union Law Minister has been facing the Election Commission heat over a Muslim sub-quota remark that he made at an election rally in Uttar Pradesh recently.

UP gears up for third phase of polling tomorrow

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 10:14:17 +0530

Polling for the third phase of UP Assembly elections for 56 seats in 10 districts would be held on Wednesday that will decide the fate of three cabinet minister, a minister of state, 29 sitting MLAs and 14 former ministers.

Salman writes to EC, says quota a manifesto issue

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 12:08:24 +0530

Union Law Minister Salman Khurshid, who has been facing the Election Commission heat over the issue of minority quota, on Monday wrote to the constitutional body. He told the election body that he respects the institution and also the Election Commission for the decision it takes.

Action against Salman Khurshid unlikely

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 08:19:46 +0530

Action against Union Minister Salman Khurshid as demanded by the Election Commission for his defiance on the subquota issue appears unlikely.

Trinamool in Goa like mushroom in monsoon: Cong

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 07:18:52 +0530

The Congress on Monday compared the newly-emerged Trinamool Congress in Goa to a mushroom growing in the monsoon, saying the party had just come up at the height of the electoral season and would not have much impact.

Priyanka commits faux pas, retracts quickly

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 06:37:44 +0530

Priyanka Gandhi on Monday committed a faux pas naming Madhya Pradesh, ruled by arch rival BJP, as one of the fast developing states, a 'slip of the tongue' she corrected immediately.

Only Cong can ensure development in UP: Rahul

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 05:53:09 +0530

Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi on Monday alleged hooliganism and casteism reared their ugly heads and development took a back seat during the successive non-Congress regimes in the state in the past 22 years.

Khurshid Law Minister or 'lawless' minister: BJP

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 05:39:43 +0530

Lashing out at Union Law Minister Salman Khurshid for his spat with the EC over the issue of quota for minorities, BJP President Nitin Gadkari on Monday termed him as a 'lawless' minister.

PM should sack Khurshid: BJP

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 05:15:53 +0530

Questioning the PMO's 'silence' on the controversy involving Law Minister Salman Kurshid, the BJP on Monday said the Prime Minister should sack the minister without delay as he is still unrepentant.

Congress is protecting Khurshid: Javadekar

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 02:16:14 +0530

BJP leader Prakash Javadekar said on Monday that the Congress was protecting its Law Minister, Salman Khurshid by not taking any action against him. "If the Law Minister does not respect the law, who will? No action has been taken against the minister despite the EC's complaint," he said.

Khurshid free to express his views: Priyanka

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 01:50:06 +0530

In what could be a potential embarrassment for the Congress, Priyanka Gandhi said on Monday that Salman Khurshid was "free" to express his opinions and so was the Election Commission. Referring to the ongoing row between the Union Law Minister and the Election Commission over a Muslim sub-quota remark that he made during a rally in the state, Priyanka said that people were free to express their feelings in a democratic country.

UP Polls: Cong MP Azharuddin issued notice

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 01:01:25 +0530

A notice has been issued to Congress MP and former cricketer Azharuddin for allegedly violating the model code of conduct by distributing shawls in an election meeting in Farukhabad, officials said on Monday.

Rebels galore in Congress for Goa Assembly polls

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 10:32:48 +0530

The Congress in Goa is in a bind as the aspirants who have failed to secure party tickets are vowing to queer the pitch for the official nominees for March 3 Assembly polls.

Maya responsible for plight of women in UP: Rahul

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 12:13:02 +0530

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday blamed Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati for the sorry plight of women in the state.

EC row: PM likely to call meeting tomorrow

Sun, 12 Feb 2012 09:33:54 +0530

24 hours after the Election Commission complained about Law Minister Salman Khursid to the President, he maintains, his sub-quota promise was part of the Congress manifesto.

I have not defied the EC: Salman Khurshid to PM

Sun, 12 Feb 2012 09:20:22 +0530

Union Law Minister Salman khurshid spoke to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Sunday, clarifying that he has not defied the Election Commission. He said that quota was part of the party poll manifesto.

Expel Khurshid from Cabinet: Gadkari

Sun, 12 Feb 2012 08:48:43 +0530

Terming Congress leader Salman Khurshid's remarks on minorities sub-quota as an 'election stunt', BJP president Nitin Gadkari on Sunday demanded his 'expulsion' from the Union Cabinet.

Uma blames Sonia for poverty in Rae Bareli

Sun, 12 Feb 2012 07:31:15 +0530

Taking on Sonia Gandhi in her constituency, BJP leader Uma Bharti on Sunday blamed the Congress for backwardness and poverty in Rae Bareli.

EC entitled to petition President: Khurshid

Sun, 12 Feb 2012 06:46:10 +0530

Breaking his silence on the Election Commission's directive against him, Law minister Salman Khurshid on Sunday said that the Constitutional institution is entitled to petition President. He also said that the quota promise is part of Congress party's manifesto.

BSP, SP's poll promises misleading: Rahul Gandhi

Sun, 12 Feb 2012 05:52:04 +0530

Training his guns on the BSP and the Samajwadi Party, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday said corruption and scams were rampant during their regimes.

'SP, BSP supported UPA to save leaders from probe'

Sun, 12 Feb 2012 04:39:55 +0530

Attacking both SP and BSP for supporting Congress-led UPA government at the Centre, senior BJP leader Rajnath Singh on Sunday charged both parties with supporting it for "saving" their leaders from CBI probe.

UP: Rahul, Priyanka hit the campaign trail together

Sun, 12 Feb 2012 02:41:20 +0530

Ahead of the third phase of Assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh, Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi and his sister Priyanka Gandhi have hit the campaign trail together. Both Rahul and Priyanka are in Sultanpur to woo the voters. The two are expected to address a joint rally on Sunday for the first time in these elections, in the family pocket-borough of Sultanpur.

Salman Khurshid mum on apology to EC

Sun, 12 Feb 2012 02:01:59 +0530

As Prime Minister Manmohan Singh gets set to ask Law Minister Salman Khurshid to explain his stand on his standoff with the Election Commission, CNN-IBN asks some hitherto unanswered questions. Did Union Law Minister Salman Khurshid make the Muslim sub-quota remark because the Congress desperation for Muslim vote has grown in UP? Was it because Khurshid's wife is facing a tough fight in Farroukhabad? Why has the Government stayed silent on his remarks till now?

Cong will weep after UP election results: BJP

Sun, 12 Feb 2012 01:47:23 +0530

Irrespective of the fact whether Congress leader Sonia Gandhi has shed tears on the Batla house issue or not, her party will weep after the declarations of UP poll results, the BJP on Sunday said.

Khurshid tightlipped on EC's move against him

Sun, 12 Feb 2012 01:32:06 +0530

In the thick of controversy over his remarks on minorities' sub-quota, Law Minister Salman Khurshid on Sunday refused to comment on Election Commission's move seeking "immediate and decisive" intervention of President Pratibha Patil.

Cong pulls up Khurshid, to issue clarification

Sun, 12 Feb 2012 12:30:06 +0530

The Congress has reportedly pulled up Law Minister Salman Khurshid for taking on the Election Commission saying it expected its leaders to respect and work within parameters of the Constitution and institutions. Sources told CNN-IBN that the government or the Law Minister are expected to issue a clarification saying that he never meant to show any disrespect to the EC, that he valued the Commission as an institution and that his promise of a sub-quota for Muslims was a policy decision that had nothing to do with the elections in Uttar Pradesh. Khurshid is even expected to tender an apology to the EC.

BJP raises pitch, wants government to sack Khurshid

Sun, 12 Feb 2012 10:01:06 +0530

The Election Commission on Saturday sought the 'immediate and decisive' intervention of President after it charged Congress minister Salman Khurshid with 'improper and unlawful' defiance of its orders under which he was censured for promising sub-quota for minorities.

Oppn raises pitch, wants PM to sack Khurshid

Sun, 12 Feb 2012 07:30:32 +0530

Hours after Election Commissioner wrote a letter to President Pratibha Patil against Union Law Minister Salman Khurshid, the BJP on Saturday said the minister had no right to continue in the government. The main Oppisition said an 'unprecedented situation had been created' with the poll body constrained to seek intervention of the highest constitutional authority over Khurshid's repeated violation of the model code of conduct.

'Cong can't seek votes in the name of development'

Sun, 12 Feb 2012 01:48:46 +0530

Accusing Congress of ruining Uttar Pradesh in over 40 years of its rule, BSP chief Mayawati on Saturday said the party should be ashamed of seeking votes in the name of development in the state. She also took potshots on the Congress' stand on Batla House encounter, saying the party was befooling Muslims by raking up the issue at the time of elections.

Cong will weep after UP assembly poll results: BJP

Sun, 12 Feb 2012 12:18:27 +0530

Irrespective of the fact whether Congress leader Sonia Gandhi has shed tears on the Batla house issue or not, her party will weep after the declarations of UP poll results, BJP on Saturday said.

Battle for the states: tracking the revolution

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 11:29:35 +0530

On this episode we show you the Dalit factor in the 2012 Uttar Pradesh Assembly Elections.

Quota row: BJP seeks Khurshid's immediate dismissal

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 10:55:51 +0530

With Election Commission seeking President Pratibha Patil's intervention on Law Minister Salman Khurshid's defiance of poll body's censure of his sub-quota remarks, BJP on Saturday sought his immediate dismissal from the cabinet.

Congress avoids commenting on EC's letter

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 10:27:16 +0530

Congress on Saturday night avoided commenting on the Election Commission's letter to President Pratibha Patil seeking "immediate decisive" action against a "defiant and aggressive" Law Minister Salman Khurshid for his remarks on job quotas for minorities.

Learnt my political lessons from farmers: Rahul

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 10:02:41 +0530

Striking a cord with the farmers and people of his constituency, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday gave them the credit for the political lessons that he has learnt.

Cong will weep after UP poll results: BJP

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 09:49:08 +0530

Irrespective of the fact whether Congress leader Sonia Gandhi has shed tears on the Batla house issue or not, her party will weep after the declarations of UP poll results, BJP said on Saturday.

Khurshid defiant, violating code: EC to President

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 09:18:48 +0530

In an unprecedented action, the Election Commission (EC) on Saturday wrote to President Pratibha Patil against Union Law Minister Khurshid's alleged defiance of model code of conduct.

'Will ensure rights of Muslims even if EC hangs me'

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 06:24:56 +0530

Sticking to his stand on minorities, Congress leader Salman Khurshid has said he would ensure the rights of backward Muslims even if the Election Commission "hangs" him.

UP: Voting generally peaceful, turnout 56 pc

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 06:06:55 +0530

Nearly 56 per cent of 1.92 crore voters on Saturday exercised their franchise for 59 seats spread over nine districts in the by-and-large peaceful second phase of the fiercely-fought Uttar Pradesh assembly election.

BSP MP, over 15 other block heads join SP

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 04:53:46 +0530

BSP Rajya Sabha MP Jai Prakash Rawat along with over 15 other supporters on Saturday joined Samajwadi Party in Hardoi.

UP Polls: BSP president involved in tiff

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 04:23:59 +0530

Uttar Pradesh BSP president Swami Prasad Maurya was on Saturday involved in a tiff with security personnel after they allegedly prevented him from entering a polling centre, officials said.

UP polls: Salman Khurshid dares EC, BJP reacts

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 03:21:24 +0530

Even as the polling for the second phase of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections were underway, Union Law Minister Salman Khurshid did not refrain from keeping up the campaign for the third phase.

UP polls: 46 per cent turnout till 3 pm

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 01:02:09 +0530

The polling in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections picked up after a dull start on Saturday with 46 per cent of nearly two crore electorate exercising their franchise till 3 pm.

UP: 7.4 pc voting registered in morning polling

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 11:23:39 +0530

Polling for the second phase of Uttar Pradesh assembly elections started on a slow note with only 7.4 per cent of the total 1.92 crore electorate exercising their franchise in the first two hours. "Polling started at 7 am and in the first two hours 7.4 per cent polling was registered in 59 seats spread over 9 districts amid tight security arrangements," Election Commission sources said in Lucknow.

UP: Dull start to phase 2 polling

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 09:27:59 +0530

The phase two of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections began on a dull note on Saturday, primarily owing to the chilly weather.

UP polls: Phase 2 today, Maya faces stiff challenge

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 07:37:09 +0530

The second phase of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections begins on Saturday, covering nearly two crore voters who will decide the fate of 1099 candidates, including 31 sitting MLAs and 24 former ministers.

Goa polls: Politicians conspiring with land sharks?

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 06:24:42 +0530

As Goa goes to the polls early next month, the issue of corruption and land are foremost. An income tax investigation has exposed how politicians are conspiring with real estate and land sharks to sell Goa for a song.

Uttar Pradesh to vote in second phase today

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 04:38:11 +0530

The second round of the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections, whose outcome is bound to affect national politics, will take place on Saturday, involving 1.97 crore voters in 59 constituencies.