Assembly Elections 2022 Updates: Election Commission issues notice to Samajwadi Party over violation of Covid norms

BJP to finalise candidates for Uttarakhand polls tomorrow, 20 MLAs could be denied fresh run

The brainstorming for the finalisation of candidates for the upcoming Assembly polls in Uttarakhand will take place tomorrow in New Delhi at the Bharatiya Janata Party headquarters. As many as 20 sitting MLAs are expected to be denied fresh run in the polls, according to sources. (ANI)

The EC has issued notice to the SP over "violation" of Covid norms.

The Election Commission of India has asked General Secretary, Samajwadi Party (SP), to give an explanation over the alleged violation of Model Code of Conduct, Section 144, Covid protocols by the party on January 14 by "organising a public gathering" at the SP's Lucknow office.

After Model Code of Conduct came into force in Punjab for assembly elections, enforcement teams seized valuables, including cash, psychotropic substances & 2.72 lakh litres of liquor, worth Rs 40.31cr in violation of code till Jan 14: State chief electoral officer Dr S Karuna Raju

Earlier on January 8, the EC had decided that no physical rallies, roadshow, pad-yatra, cycle/bike/vehicle rally and procession shall be allowed till January 15.

ECI directs state or district administration to ensure compliance of all instructions related to MCC and Covid protocols.

The EC has directed political parties to adhere to the provisions of MCC and broad guidelines of Covid.

The poll panel, however, granted a relaxation for the political parties to the extent that indoor meetings of maximum 300 persons or 50 per cent of the capacity of the hall, or the prescribed limit set by state disaster management authorities, an official statement said.

Election Commission has further banned poll rallies and roadshows in poll-bound states till January 22.

SP chief Akhilesh Yadav appeals to his party workers to follow Covid-19 norms. FIR was lodged against 2,500 SP activists for flouting Covid norms after massive crowd gathered at the party office yesterday for joining-in function of two rebel ministers and some MLAs. (PTI)

Amid mass defections, Mayawati calls SP 'anti-Dalit' party

As several leaders from the BJP shifted allegiance to the Samajwadi Party (SP) saying it worked for the Dalits and backward classes, BSP supremo Mayawati on Saturday pooh-poohed the claim saying the party's past record shows its "anti-Dalit" approach. Mayawati also clarified that she would not contest the Assembly elections, but take the legislative council route, if her party is voted to power. (PTI)

AAP national convenor and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal said that during a door-to-door campaign at St. Andre, he has realised that a lot of unemployed youth are sitting at home in Goa and are looking for employment opportunities. "If AAP forms the government, people will get jobs, people will get free electricity and women will get financial support," said Kejriwal.

BJP has already sent Adityanath home, says Akhilesh

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday took a jibe at the BJP's decision to field Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath from the Gorakhpur constituency, saying the saffron party has already sent him home. Gorakhpur is the hometown of Adityanath. He had been the MP from Gorakhpur Lok Sabha seat since 1998 until he became the chief minister in 2017. (PTI)

Punjab: Among sitting Punjab ministers, Manpreet Singh Badal will contest from Bathinda Urban, Vijay Inder Singla from Sangrur, Razia Sultana from Malerkotla, Gurkirat Singh Kotli from Khanna, Rana Gurjit Singh from Kapurthala, Tript Rajinder Bajwa from Fatehgarh Churian, Randeep Singh Nabha from Amloh, Amarinder Singh Raja Warring from Gidderbaha, Pargat Singh from Jalandhar Cantt.

Arvind Kejriwal during the campaign.

People are excited to give chance to a new party and are looking for an honest alternative. AAP will bring an honest govt: AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal at Goa

Goa: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convener & Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal launches door-to-door election campaign in St. Andre assembly, North Goa