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UP civic body polls: 1st phase underway amid reports of faulty EVMs, political clashes

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8 years ago

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UP civic body polls: 1st phase underway amid reports of faulty EVMs, political clashes

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath declares BJP will win all 230 civic bodies that will go to polls in three phases, Samajwadi Party alleges EVM tampering

Amid rumours of large scale EVM tampering, reports of faulty voting machines and political clashes largely between supporters of the BJP and Samajwadi Party, the first phase of Uttar Pradesh’s 230 civic bodies began on Wednesday.

While polling for civic bodies in 24 districts of the country’s most populous state took place on Wednesday, votes will be cast for local bodies in 25 districts on November 26 and for the remaining 26 districts on November 29. Results for the civic body elections will be declared on December 1.

The civic polls across Uttar Pradesh are being viewed as the first pan-state popularity test of the Yogi Adityanath-led BJP since it stormed to power in the state with an absolute majority earlier this year. That the stakes are high for Adityanath and the saffron combine can be gauged from the fact that the chief minister has been personally campaigning for his party’s local body candidates across the state even though the result of the election will have no bearing on the stability of his government.

On Wednesday, districts that went to polls were Shamli, Meerut, Hapur, Bijnore, Badaun, Hathras, Kasganj, Agra, Kanpur, Jalaun, Hamirpur, Chitrakoot, Kaushambi, Pratapgarh, Unnao, Hardoi, Amethi, Faizabad, Gonda, Basti, Azamgarh, Ghazipur, Sonebhadra and Adityanath’s home district and political bastion of Gorakhpur.

After casting his vote in Gorakhpur soon after polling commenced, Adityanath declared: “BJP will get massive victory in these elections… The BJP candidates will win on all seats.”[/vc_column_text][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][vc_column_text]While Adityanath then left for Varanasi and Allahabad to campaign for the remaining phases of the elections, reports soon began to emerge from across the districts that witnessed polling on Wednesdayof faulty electronic voting machines being used in the poll-process. At polling booths in districts like Agra, Kanpur, Unnao. Shahjahanpur, etc. several voters complained that the votes being cast by them were being polled in favour of the BJP irrespective of whichever party’s candidate they were voting for.

Large scale incidents of the voting process being delayed on account of EVMs not functioning were also reported from across Uttar Pradesh.[/vc_column_text][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][vc_column_text]Interestingly, controversial BJP MP Sakshi Maharaj – known best for his hate-speeches against Muslims – was left fuming in Unnao after he found that his name was missing from the voter list at the polling booth in Gadankheda block of the district, forcing him to return without exercising his franchise.

Alleging that the absence of his name from the voter list was a “conspiracy”, Sakshi Maharaj told reporters in Unnao: “The district magistrate (DM) is new but the additional district magistrate (ADM), who is also looking after the election process, was posted under the previous (Akhilesh Yadav-led Samajwadi Party) government…  it is not a mere lapse that the name of the sitting member of parliament is missing from the list… it indicates some conspiracy.”

But Sakshi Maharaj wasn’t the only high-profile politician who found his name missing from the voter rolls. His predecessor, former Unnao MP Annu Tandon too faced the same fate and was forced to lodge a complaint with the district administration.

Meanwhile, in Meerut district three people were detained for trying to forcibly enter a polling booth. There was also a ruckus at ward number 89 in Meerut after voters alleged that EVMs were registering votes only in favour of the BJP. However, additional State Election Commissioner Ved Prakash Verma refuted these allegations.

Police had to resort to lathicharge as result of chaos in Meerut’s Summer Garden ward that was caused by a spat between BJP and Bahujan Samaj Party leaders.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday evening, as Adityanath reached the state’s Balia district to address an election rally, controversy erupted as a woman seated in the audience was asked to unveil her burqa by security personnel present at the rally. Despite video footage clearly showing the incident, local police authorities denied the occurrence of the such incident and claimed that while there were no orders to the police to ask Muslim women to remove their burqa during Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s rally, directives had indeed been given to ensure that no ‘black cloth’ is waved at the chief minister by the public.[/vc_column_text][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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Rahul Gandhi attacks Centre ahead of Vladimir Putin’s India visit

Rahul Gandhi alleged that the government discourages visiting foreign dignitaries from meeting Opposition leaders, calling it a sign of “insecurity,” hours before Russian President Vladimir Putin arrives in Delhi.

Published

1 day ago

on

December 4, 2025

By

Rahul Gandhi

As Russian President Vladimir Putin arrives in Delhi today for the India-Russia Annual Summit, Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi has renewed his charge that the Centre discourages visiting foreign leaders from meeting Opposition representatives. He called it a sign of “insecurity” within the government.

Rahul Gandhi alleges break in long-followed tradition

Speaking outside Parliament, Rahul Gandhi said that it has traditionally been the norm for visiting foreign leaders to meet the Leader of the Opposition, a practice he claims continued during the tenures of Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Manmohan Singh.

He alleged that the present government advises foreign dignitaries against such meetings. “When foreign leaders come, the government suggests they should not meet the Leader of the Opposition. This is their policy,” Gandhi said. He added that a meeting with the Opposition offers visiting leaders a broader perspective, as “we too represent India.”

Gandhi further stated that this approach reflects the government’s reluctance to allow engagement between the Opposition and foreign guests.

Former Foreign Secretary counters Gandhi’s remarks

Responding to Gandhi’s allegations, former Foreign Secretary and Rajya Sabha MP Harsh Vardhan Shringla said visiting leaders operate on very tight schedules and there is no protocol mandating a meeting with the Leader of the Opposition. He stressed that such interactions depend entirely on the guest’s time and preference, noting that the required meetings are those with the President and the Prime Minister.

Putin’s schedule packed with bilateral engagements

Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to land in Delhi this evening on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s invitation. His itinerary includes:

  • A private dinner with PM Modi
  • Visit to Mahatma Gandhi’s memorial at Raj Ghat
  • Engagements at Bharat Mandapam and Hyderabad House
  • A banquet hosted by President Droupadi Murmu

The visit forms part of the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit.

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TMC MLA Humayun Kabir suspended after Babri Mosque replica proposal sparks row

TMC suspended MLA Humayun Kabir after he proposed building a Babri mosque replica in Murshidabad, a move that drew criticism from the party and sparked political tension.

Published

1 day ago

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December 4, 2025

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Trinamool Congress on Thursday suspended MLA Humayun Kabir after he publicly announced plans to construct a replica of the Babri Masjid in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district. Party leaders said Kabir had earlier been cautioned for making such statements but continued to push ahead with the controversial proposal.

Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim said the MLA’s remarks were unacceptable, stressing that the party stood firmly by its secular stance. “We noticed that one of our MLAs suddenly declared he would build the Babri masjid. We had warned him before. As per the party’s decision, we are suspending him,” he said.

Kabir vows to continue project, may form new party

Kabir had planned to lay the foundation stone for the mosque replica in Beldanga on December 6. Sources indicated he is likely to resign from Trinamool on Friday and float a new party while continuing with the project.

The choice of date and nature of the project drew sharp criticism from the Trinamool leadership. Hakim alleged the move reflected a “divisional politics” strategy aligned with the BJP. “Why December 6? He could build a school or college. This is divisional politics,” he said.

Sources also said Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was “hugely annoyed” by Kabir’s remarks and informed him that the party would not support or associate with such activities.

Governor raises concerns, administration on alert

West Bengal Governor Ananda Bose questioned why action was not being taken if the MLA’s statements risked creating a law-and-order issue. He said intelligence inputs suggested attempts to turn Murshidabad into a “hub of scandal,” adding that authorities would not remain silent if communal tensions were provoked.

Officials confirmed that while Kabir has permission to hold the December 6 event, the administration is maintaining a high-level alert in Murshidabad.

Minutes after his suspension, Kabir withdrew from Mamata Banerjee’s rally in the India–Bangladesh border district, where she was protesting against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists.

BJP attacks Kabir over remarks

BJP spokesperson Pratul Shah Deo condemned Kabir’s comments, claiming they were intended to “create communal tensions.” He said any attempt to raise structures linked to historical rulers would trigger disputes similar to the Babri Masjid conflict.

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Karnataka Power Shift: What Siddaramaiah–DK Shivakumar compromise formula means

A closer look at the emerging ‘compromise formula’ between Karnataka’s top leaders Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar, and how it may shape the state’s political future.

Published

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A possible settlement between Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has emerged, signalling a calmer phase in the leadership tussle within the state Congress. While the final decision rests with the party leadership in Delhi, details of the so-called “compromise formula” are gradually becoming clearer.

Breakfast diplomacy calms tensions

After weeks of speculation over friction between the two top leaders, Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar met over breakfast today. The meeting, aimed at projecting unity, served as a symbolic reset after their strained ties over the chief ministership question.

Analysts believe the optics were crucial — the Congress successfully avoided a public showdown by diffusing tensions before they escalated further.

A transition of power likely, say analysts

According to political observers, the compromise indicates a strong possibility of Shivakumar taking over as Chief Minister in a smooth transition, potentially as early as March–April 2026.
For now, sources say the arrangement requires Shivakumar to continue as Deputy Chief Minister without pushing for immediate change.

In return, the formula reportedly includes more cabinet positions for leaders loyal to Shivakumar and continuation of his role as the state Congress chief. Siddaramaiah is also expected to back Shivakumar as the party’s face for the 2028 Assembly election.

Why the Congress prefers this route

Replacing Siddaramaiah abruptly would not only upset internal balance but could also weaken the party, given his stature and mass appeal. Shivakumar, despite his influence, does not have the numbers within the legislature to force a takeover, making compromise the most viable path.

Siddaramaiah has already stated that this will be his final term as Chief Minister. With his legacy secure and his position as one of Karnataka’s tallest leaders intact, he appears willing to enable a dignified transition when the time comes.

Variables that could shape the final outcome

The success of the formula depends on three key factors:

1. Trust between the two leaders

Whether Shivakumar believes Siddaramaiah will keep his word remains uncertain. Karnataka’s political history is full of last-minute shifts, giving rise to the phrase “natak in Karnataka”.

2. Decision-making by the Congress high command

Delhi’s leadership must ensure the transition happens on time and without internal resistance, especially in the run-up to the 2028 Assembly polls.

3. Caste equations and political alignment

Siddaramaiah is the strongest face of the AHINDA bloc, while Shivakumar represents the OBC Vokkaliga community. The Congress cannot afford to alienate either group, making the timing and execution of any transition extremely delicate.

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