Ahead of Assembly elections, PM Modi launched a scathing critique of Congress in Lok Sabha today, holding them -- along with the Aam Aadmi Party in Delhi -- responsible for the countrywide spread of Covid and the migrant crisis in early days of the pandemic. He also accused Congress of adopting the "Divide and rule" policy of the British in their approach to governing a multicultural, diverse country.
Earlier in the day, PM Modi also addressed the people of Uttar Pradesh virtually after his scheduled 'hybrid' rally ahead of assembly elections in the state was cancelled due to weather issues.
Soon after, Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) Chief Jayant Chaudhary hit out at the BJP and PM Modi. "The BJP had earlier promised better electricity and development in Bijnor. If the PM had visited them today people would have asked questions. So suddenly BJP's weather turned bad," he said.
Meanwhile, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh attended two public meetings in Uttar Pradesh's Shahjahanpur and Bulandshahr Assembly constituencies. The Defence Minister has continuously been addressing public gatherings in different UP constituencies as well as in other poll-bound states such as Punjab and Uttarakhand for nearly a month.
Trinamool supremo and Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also arrived today in Lucknow, where she will address an election rally and hold a joint press conference with Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav during her two-day visit ahead of UP Assembly polls.
Uttar Pradesh, Goa, Manipur, Punjab, and Uttarakhand will vote over seven phases starting February 10, with counting of votes scheduled for March 10.
Here are the Highlights on Assembly Elections 2022:
बंगाल में मिलकर हराया था अब यूपी में हराएंगे
- Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) February 7, 2022
दीदी से अपना वादा है हम फिर जीतकर आएंगे
यूपी में दीदी का हार्दिक स्वागत एवं अभिनंदन! pic.twitter.com/ItWn9g7B2W
#WATCH | "Now that you (Congress) have made up your mind not to come to power for the next 100 years, then, 'Maine bhi tyaari kar li hai': PM Modi in Lok Sabha pic.twitter.com/3W7fJI3744
- ANI (@ANI) February 7, 2022
Today poor people of the country are getting a gas & connection, house & toilets. They have their own bank account. But unfortunately, some people's (opposition) minds are still stuck in 2014: Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Lok Sabha pic.twitter.com/eS6lgoaCqZ
- ANI (@ANI) February 7, 2022
PM Modi on Congress:
I want Samajwadi Party to win in the upcoming Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. If people support him, then there is a chance of Akhilesh Ji winning in this election: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, in Kolkata pic.twitter.com/P0LwPaSyBs
- ANI (@ANI) February 7, 2022
Former Punjab Congress chief Sunil Jakhar, who was once being considered for the chief minister's post, has said he has quit electoral politics but would continue to remain with the party.
Nuvem, South Goa | This election is significant not just for political parties, but for the future of Goa. The State is rich in resources, natural beauty & skills, but today it has the 2nd highest unemployment in the country: Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi pic.twitter.com/HZC9wGaMqT
- ANI (@ANI) February 7, 2022
Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav today urged the Election Commission to take action against an official who allegedly forced them to change their vote. He also urged his party officials and workers to stay vigilant during polling.
Chandigarh | Bollywood and Punjabi actress Mahie Gill & Punjabi actor-singer Hobby Dhaliwal join BJP in the presence of Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar, Union Minister-Punjab BJP incharge Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Punjab BJP in-charge Dushyant Gautam. pic.twitter.com/6pkwSZhTQL
- ANI (@ANI) February 7, 2022
Akhilesh Yadav ally Jayant Chaudhary hit out at the BJP today as Prime Minister Narendra Modi cancelled his rally in Bijnor on account of bad weather.
During CM Yogi's tenure, criminals themselves ran to jails and demanded that they be locked up. They have been waiting for these elections for years. They have just one hope, that the elections come soon and there is a change of govt so that they can come out of jail: PM Modi pic.twitter.com/q7vvfxAcQo
- ANI (@ANI) February 7, 2022
Earlier, molestation of women was very common. Situation was so bad that after incidents of chain snatching, people were thankful that they were still alive. CM Yogi's govt freed women from that fear. We gave women their true honour: PM Narendra Modi#UttarPradeshElections2022 pic.twitter.com/cBFNeIMxnv
- ANI (@ANI) February 7, 2022
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his virtual address ahead of Uttar Pradesh assembly elections, says: "Our government has helped women live better and safer. Education and its coverage has been increased by our government. The poor were only a way for the predecessors to play petty politics but we have done works for the poor".
"Ask people who are trying to manipulate you, how much electricity was provided by them in Western Uttar Pradesh? Everyone talked about the lack of electricity and the adverse impact of it on the youth. They kept Uttar Pradesh in the dark so that crime increases," PM Modi said.
The water in the river of development in UP was stagnant. It was stagnating among the fake 'Samajwadis' & their close ones. These people never had anything to do with the thirst of the development of common man, the thirst of progress, the thirst of freedom from poverty: PM Modi pic.twitter.com/oAkpw7lEmp
- ANI (@ANI) February 7, 2022
Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a virtual address to a rally in Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh, says, "I apologise for not being able to come to Bijnor because of the weather. Hence, I am only able to address you virtually."
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in the 'Jan Choupal' program organised in Bijnor says: "I appeal to everyone that if 100 per cent of the people here are fully vaccinated, it's time to give a tight slap with your votes to those who spread rumours against the vaccine and called it a 'Modi'/'BJP' vaccine".
Punjab model is shared for entire state, I've no copyright on it. I intend to ensure people's welfare. Anyone can take up any good point from it, I've no objection. I've already handed it over to party but Charanjit Channi has power to implement it: NS Sidhu#PunjabElections2022 pic.twitter.com/hR2lJgdrXx
- ANI (@ANI) February 7, 2022
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath says PM Kissan Samiti Scheme has changed the lives of farmers in the state and "this is only possible because of the arduous efforts of our government."
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath says, "We have given everything in free: electricity, ration, medicines, vaccine. We made efforts to provide ration to all in need. This is the work of our double-engine government".
Due to weather issues, PM Narendra Modi won't be able to travel to Bijnor, UP to address the Jan Chaupal Rally. He will now address the people of UP virtually at 12:30 pm today. pic.twitter.com/wjlU9MgEZf
- ANI (@ANI) February 7, 2022
Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya on Monday said the Opposition leaders will begin chanting "Bharat Mata ki Jai, Vande Mataram and Jai Shri Ram" once the Yogi Adityanath led state government bags another landslide.
#WATCH | Punjab CM Charanjit Singh Channi offers prayers at Naina Devi temple in Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh. pic.twitter.com/JuuQTMiiGV
- ANI (@ANI) February 7, 2022
A team of the Election Commission of India will visit Manipur today to review the poll preparedness for the ensuing election to the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly. One of the key agendas of the team will be to do a ground zero review of the COVID-19 situation apart from law and order updates, official sources said. Read more.