Campaigning in the final phase of assembly elections in UP and Manipur

In Uttar Pradesh and Manipur intensive campaigning for the final phase of assembly election is seen as today is the last day for the canvassing. Leaders and star campaigners of the major political parties are engaged in canvassing for their party and the alliance candidates.

Helicopters carrying star campaigners and senior leaders of all major political parties kept landing and taking off yesterday in most of the poll bound District in Uttar Pradesh. The most heated campaign is seen in the ancient city of Varanasi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be addressing a rally today at the outskirts of the city and will participate in public contact programme in northern parts of the town. He conducted a roadshow in Varanasi yesterday. Almost every nook and corner of the city was covered with posters and banners welcoming the senior bjp leader on his second consecutive raod show in the city Varanasi. In his rally Mr. Modi said that many governments came and went but none of them was concerned about development of Kashi. He said he would never forget the love he got from people of Varanasi.

Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav addressed several public meetings at Sonebhadra, Mirzapur and Chandauli districts yesterday. He said that people have lost their hope in BJP.



Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also addressed three public meetings at Sonebhadra, Mirzapur and Jaunpur and accused BJP for trying to misguide people in the name of waving off farmers' loan and making big promises.

A total of 40 constituencies spread over 7 districts of Eastern region of the state will go for poll on wednesday under this phase. Districts covered in this phase are Ghazipur, Varanasi, Chandauli, Mirzapur, Sant Ravidas Nagar Bhadohi, Sonebhadra and Mirzapur. Total of 535 candidates including 51 women are in contest.

In Manipur, 22 assembly constituencies, spread over ten districts, will go to polls in the second and last phase on Wednesday. 98 candidates, including four women, are in the fray. Nearly 8 lakh voters, including about 4 lakh women, will exercise their franchise.

Meanwhile, Election Commission has sought a report from the District Election Officer, DEO of Varanasi whether prior permission was granted for organizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's road show on Saturday. The road-show was scheduled on a day when 49 constituencies went to the polls in the sixth phase of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly election. The Congress had approached the Commission alleging that BJP had not sought requisite permission for the road show.