‘Congress win or Prez Rule, no other option in UP’

Even before the Congress could steer away from the storm created by the statements by its leaders on the issue of Muslim quota, another senior party leader has created a fresh controversy.

Union Coal Minister and Member of Parliament from Kanpur, Sriprakash Jaiswal said on Today that if the Congress fails to secure a majority then the only other option appears to be the imposition of President’s Rule in the state.

“"Those who lack confidence are looking for alliance ....Congress will not forge any alliance,” Jaiswal told reporters.

"If Congress gets majority then it will form the government...if some seats are short then there is no option other than President's rule," he said.

Jaiswal said that results of UP polls would be "shocking" and Congress would get majority.

The fifth phase of voting for the Assembly elections in the state is currently underway; counting of votes is scheduled to be held on March 6.

The opposition has latched on to his comments. Both the Samajwadi Party and the Bhartiya Janata Party have decided to take the matter to the Election Commission, while the Bahujan Samaj Party termed the Jaiswal’s comment as sign of Congress’ desperation.

“Congress is restless that is why they are making statements like this. On the threat that they would impose President's rule, I appeal to the electorate not to poll in favour of Congress as the party is not understanding the importance of their votes,” BJP leader Uma Bharti said.

Her party colleague Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said that the ‘people of the state are not voting to elect a Governor’.

Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav said that Congress will not win given their poor track record on corruption and price rise. “People are looking at Samajwadi Party, I am confident that our party will come to power,” he said.

UP polls: First phase of campaigning ends today

The politically crucial state of Uttar Pradesh is expected to witness intense electioneering on today as the campaigning for the first phase of assembly elections ends this evening.

In a bid to woo voters before the first phase of voting, top leaders of all major political parties will tour the length and breadth of the state and address election rallies.

According to reports, Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi will address meetings and rallies across different districts including Varanasi and Ghazipur. Meanwhile his sister, Priyanka Gandhi will tour Raebareli and Amethi.

Priyanka, while addressing a huge gathering of Congress supporters yesterday defended the government and also her brother saying that Rahul was not in politics to get the Prime Minister's job.

She also backed Home Minister P Chidambaram on the 2G scam case by saying, “As a Home Minister he has huge responsibility and I feel sad when he has to respond to the rants of the people who are not concerned with the issue that he has to deal with."

Separately, BSP chief and Chief Minister Mayawati is scheduled to address rallies in Kushinagar and Gorakhpur.

In the recent past, both Congress and BSP have locked themselves in a tough duel in the run up to the assembly polls, which is by and large being seen as a four-cornered contest with Samajwadi Party and the BJP as the other two key players.

The assembly elections in UP are being seen as a litmus test for Congress leader and youth icon Rahul Gandhi, who has launched an aggressive campaign against the Mayawati government.

The 40-year-old Gandhi scion has toured the entire state in the past one year, assiduously working towards reviving the party's lost fortunes. The Congress had won eight Lok Sabha seats out of the 22 in 2009 in same constituencies that go to polls on Wednesday. With Congress emerging as the main challenger to the ruling BSP, many have linked the poll results - win or loss - to Rahul Gandhi's electoral credibility.

Besides Congress and BSP, the BJP too is not sparing any effort to woo voters in order to seize power in Uttar Pradesh. BJP senior leader LK Advani will address a rally in Lucknow today.

BJP President Nitin Gadkari will be addressing rallies in Balia and Ghazipur and BJP star campaigner Uma Bharti will woo voters in Gonda, Siddharth Nagar and Faizabad.

On February 8, 55 assembly seats across 10 districts in UP will witness voting in the first phase.