Stage set for the third phase of polling in 59 segments in Uttar Pradesh
New Delhi: After two phases of polling, the Uttar Pradesh elections will enter the vital third stage on Sunday, February 20.
The third phase covers five western Uttar Pradesh districts: Firozabad, Mainpuri, Etah, Kasganj and Hathras. Polling will also be held in Kanpur, Kanpur Dehat, Auraiya, Kannauj, Etawah, Farrukhabad and districts from the Bundelkhand region Lalitpur, Hamirpur, Jhansi, Jalaun and Mahoba.
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| Election and Hooka |
Out of 59 assembly constituencies spread across 16 districts, all eyes would be at Karhal in Mainpuri, where Samajwadi Party chief and former chief minister Akhilesh Yadav is pitted against BJP nominee S. P. Singh Baghel. The BJP won 49 in 2017 polls while the Samajwadi and Congress could win only nine and one, respectively.
Baghel, a Scheduled Caste leader, is a trusted BJP leader and Union minister of state and sitting Agra MP. Union Home Minister Amit Shah and UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath campaigned aggressively for Baghel. Another important BJP leader, Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya, said,
"The nervous Samajwadi Party was forced to bring in veteran Mulayam Singh Yadav to campaign. But he did not take Akhilesh's name. May be Mulayam Singh ji and also Shivpal Singh Yadav (Akhilesh's uncle) want that cycle (SP symbol) does not run long."
Crucial Punjab polls
On February 20, political analysts and activists will also be keen to follow the voting pattern and voters' turnout in Punjab.
The main parties in the fray are the Congress, AAP, SAD-BSP, BJP-Punjab Lok Congress-SAD (Sanyukt) and Sanyukt Samaj Morcha.
The elections will be held on the backdrop of the cancellation of the PM's rally on January 5 and a bomb explosion in Ludhiana on December 23.
Mamata plays 'dynast', reappoints Bhaipo: But Farid Hakim promoted
New Delhi
It's a mixed bag from Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee. Only the other day, she abolished all office bearers ostensibly to show her Bhaipo, nephew. Abhishek the place; but has again reappointed him.
Abhishek Baneree, Diamond Harbour MP, has been reappointed as party's general secretary butthe aunt-nephew discord seems more apparent now as Farid Hakim, a blue-eyed boy of Didi, has beenmade the 'working committee coordinator'.
Between Abhishek, one time powerful nephew and Hakim, also the Kolkata mayor; who has the greater sayremains to be seen.
However, most analysts feel Firhad Hakim has been virtually promoted and given a more important role and will be expected between the working committee and the 'party boss' Mamata.
But the Trinamool chairperson gave a broad message by making three national vice presidents -
all veterans in their own ways - Yashwant Sinha, Subrata Bakshi and Chandrima Bhattacharya.
It is presumed and being analysed how Mamata Banerjee is now visibly upset with the rise of Abhishek and his chosen friend and poll strategist Prashant Kishor.
The Chief Minister has sidelined them obviously and seems to have reposed faith in her team of select fewthat includes the likes of Chandrima Bhattacharya.
Abhishek Banerjee and Prashant Kishor in the last few months had developed strong differences
with the old guard - essentially comprising Farid Hakim, Partha Chatterjee and a few others.
Aroop Biswas and Ms Bhattacharya are generally seen as part of the party's 'old guard team'.
Biswas has been made the party treasurer while senior lawmaker Sukhendu Sekhar Ray was selected as the Rajya Sabha spokesperson and Kakoli Ghosh Dostidar will be party's Lok Sabha spokesperson.
The wings of quiz master-turned-neta Derek O' Brien have been apparently clipped as Sukhendu Sekhar Raywas made the spokesman for the party's Rajya Sabha wing. Derek was generally taking the charge of interactingwith the media lately.
Mamata Baneree always had a few colleagues in her inner circle and some of them did not survive in the samefashion for long.
While Mamata Banerjee rules her party often with her whims and fancies, she used to depend a lot
in the past on leaders such as Mukul Roy. Even Suvendu Adhikari, now in BJP and Leader of Opposition, was her trusted lieutenant in terms of managing organisational wings and youths in particular.
At one point leaders like Dinesh Trivedi and Sudip Bandyopadhyay were her trusted senior colleagues.She used to address both as elder-brothers. But Dinesh Trivedi was asked to step down as RailwayMinister in 2012 and he has now joined the BJP.
In her new scheme of things, party's Lok Sabha MP, Mahua Moitra will be now leading the media interactions in Delhi “nearly on a daily basis", a party source said.
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Landmark Indo-UAE Summit held, CEPA inked to push two-way investment
New Delhi
India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Friday decided to promote two-way investment in infra projects and also create investment opportunities for Indian investors in establishing specialised industrial advanced technology zones in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, integrating local value chains.
A Vision Statement issued at the end of virtual Summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, said that it was also agreed to set up an India – UAE Cultural Council to facilitate and promote cross- cultural exchanges, cultural projects, exhibitions and dialogue between thought leaders of the two countries.
A major highlight of the virtual summit was the signing and exchange of the India-UAE
Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement by Minister of Commerce Piyush Goyal and
Minister of Economy of UAE, Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri in the virtual presence of Modi and his
counterpart.
In his opening remarks, PM Modi strongly condemned the recent terrorist attacks in the UAE.
"India and the UAE will stand shoulder to shoulder against terrorism,” he said.
In view of the recent terror attacks against the UAE, the Vision Statement said, "Prime Minister Modi
reiterated India’s full solidarity with the leadership, government and people of the UAE and offered
condolences to the UAE over the victims of this cowardly terrorist act".
The Leaders reaffirmed their joint commitment to the fight against extremism and terrorism, including
cross-border terrorism, in all forms, at both regional and international levels.
"They agreed to deepen their bilateral cooperation in the fight against terrorism, terrorist financing and
extremism. In this context, they emphasized the importance of promoting the values of peace, moderation,
coexistence and tolerance among peoples," it said.
Both sides also stressed the need to renounce all forms of terrorism, extremism, violence, hatred, discrimination
and incitement.
"Discussing regional issues, the Leaders recalled the importance of maintaining and strengthening peace in the Middle East. They reiterated that dialogue and cooperation must be the cornerstone of a more integrated, stable and prosperous region, and India welcomed the outlook of the UAE in this respect," it said.
The Leaders also agreed to support international efforts to maintain peace and security in the region and
resolve regional conflicts.
Sources said there was also broad agreement to enhance maritime cooperation contributing to maintenance of peace and security in the region.
It was also agreed to support each other’s clean energy missions and establish a joint Hydrogen Task Force
to help scale up technologies.
The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) will result in an increase of bilateral
trade from US $ 60 billion to US $ 100 billion in five years.
Work on a dedicated investment zone for UAE companies and joint ventures with a focus on setting up a
food corridor and establishment of a dedicated India Mart in Jebel Ali Free Zone will be expedited.
They will also promote collaboration opportunities to support India’s energy requirements,
including new energies, and ensure the provision of affordable and secure energy supplies
to India’s growing economy.
Both sides also agreed to support each other’s clean energy missions and establish a joint Hydrogen Task Force
to help scale up technologies.
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