That is it folks for today. Good night

Apr 15, 2021 8:48 PM

61 percent votes cast in UP panchayat polls till 5 pm

Over 60 per cent votes were cast in the first of the four-phased Uttar Pradesh panchayat elections on Thursday till 5 pm, with an hour of polling still remaining, the State Election Commission said. The voting started in the morning with ballet papers. Four people suffered minor injuries in a clash between two groups at a polling booth in Agra, but there were no reports of any violence from elsewhere in the state, officials said. (PTI)

Apr 15, 2021 8:24 PM

Two ballot boxes stolen during UP panchayat polls; 8 arrested

Two ballot boxes were stolen in Rihawali village of Agra Rural constituency during the Uttar Pradesh panchayat elections on Thursday, police said. SP (East) Ashok Venkat said a clash broke out between supporters of candidates fighting for the gram pradhan post following which the two ballot boxes were stolen. Four people were injured in the incident and they were taken to SN Medical College and Hospital here for treatment, he said. SSP (Agra) Muniraj told reporters that eight people have been arrested so far and further probe is on. Meanwhile, District Magistrate Prabhu Narayan Singh said that he will request for repolling at the affected booth. (PTI)

Apr 15, 2021 8:20 PM

Chaos, scuffles reported Prayagraj, Jhansi

Voting process was disturbed in Jhansi after people created chaos alleging fraudulent voting. In Prayagraj villagers locked a booth alleging malpractice.. Reports have also emerged about looting of ballot box in Fatehabad.

Apr 15, 2021 4:51 PM

Bundelkhand: 'Jal Saheli' s to enter politics with aim to solve the issue of water scarcity

A large number of women, working under the banner of 'Jal Saheli,' have decided to enter the political arena with an aim to solve the raging water crisis in the region.

Apr 15, 2021 12:29 PM

Panchayat poll candidate shot at by rival

A candidate for the village head panchayat polls was shot at by a rival in Mahuadabar village under Khajni police circle. The victim, a former village head, was contesting the elections and his rival was the outgoing village head, who is again contesting the elections. The victim Gilgil Dubey has been admitted to a hospital in critical condition while the accused Shambhu Yadav has been detained for questioning.(IANS)

Apr 15, 2021 11:36 AM

Apr 15, 2021 11:09 AM

Gagaha: Villagers protest over missing names in the voter's list

Villagers are protesting in some booths after their names were missing from the voters list. The people of Bhatora village of Sakri alleged that the names of at least 135 people have been cut off from the voters list. The entire village has declared to boycott the elections.

Apr 15, 2021 10:49 AM

BKU asks farmers to choose candidates 'other than BJP'

The Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) has issued a statement asking people to choose any candidate, other than those from the BJP in the Panchayat elections that begin on Thursday. A statement issued by the BKU general secretary read, "Samyukt Kisan Morcha (united farmers front) is fighting against the anti-farmer policies of the Central government. We are going to the states where Assembly polls are being held and asking people not to vote for the BJP. Regarding the Panchayat elections in UP, we would like to state that BKU is a non-political organisation. We do not indulge in politics and do not appeal to people to vote for any party. We want people to vote for anyone except BJP-supported candidates." (IANS)

Apr 15, 2021 10:17 AM

BKU asks farmers to choose candidates 'other than BJP'

The Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) has issued a statement asking people to choose any candidate, other than those from the BJP in the Panchayat elections that begin on Thursday. A statement issued by the BKU general secretary read, "Samyukt Kisan Morcha (united farmers front) is fighting against the anti-farmer policies of the Central government. We are going to the states where Assembly polls are being held and asking people not to vote for the BJP. Regarding the Panchayat elections in UP, we would like to state that BKU is a non-political organisation. We do not indulge in politics and do not appeal to people to vote for any party. We want people to vote for anyone except BJP-supported candidates." (IANS)

Apr 15, 2021 10:17 AM

Congress, BJP upbeat about their chances

BJP state media co-convenor Navin Srivastava said that the work done by the state and central governments will help the party to win the election. The saffron party leader said that the government’s success in arranging ration and employment for lakhs of people who migrated back to UP during the corona pandemic will be a key factor in people voting for the party. The congress state spokesperson Ashok Singh on the other hand said the panchayat elections would spring a surprise in the state as the party would perform "brilliantly."

Apr 15, 2021 10:05 AM

In addition to BJP, BSP, Samajwadi Party and the Congress parties such as the AIMIM, Aam Aadmi Party and Bhim Army chief Chandra Shekhar Aazad's Azad Samaj Party, are also in the race.

Apr 15, 2021 10:00 AM

Apr 15, 2021 9:51 AM

Huge crowds assemble in front of polling booths

Large number of voters have come in front of polling booths sending COVID-19 protocols for a toss. The violation of the protocols are a concern as the second wave of the pandemic is currently hitting the country hard. The polling for the first that commenced at 7 am will end at 6 pm. Earlier several politicians had requested to the election commission to postpone the elections that will see candidates from several political parties including BJP, BSP and Samajwadi Party contest for public support in addition to independent candidates.

Apr 15, 2021 9:50 AM