
BJP goes full steam for J&K DDC polls; Smriti Irani among star campaigners
Even as the Opposition parties cry foul, the BJP is going full throttle in the ongoing district development council (DDC) elections across Jammu and Kashmir by roping its ‘star’ campaigners to bolster chances of electoral success.
The party on Wednesday released another list of its ‘star’ campaigners for the third and fourth phases of the ongoing DDC polls.
They include Union textile minister Smriti Irani, MP and Punjabi singer Hansraj Hans, former MP Surendra Nagar, MP Ramesh Bidhuri and party national secretary Vijay Rahatkar.
Union minister Dr Jitendra Singh and Anurag Thakur, who is also the election in-charge for J&K, Seh Prahbhari or party co-in charge J&K, Ashish Sood and J&K BJP president Ravinder Raina, have already been touring and canvassing for party candidates.
Polling for the 280 DDC constituencies are being held in eight phases-- Nov 28, December 1, 4, 7, 10, 13, 16 and December 19. The polling hours are from 7 am to 2 pm.
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the National Conference (NC), besides other Kashmir centric parties, have been accusing the administration of not providing a level playing field in the DDC polls and handing out an initial advantage to the BJP.
However, the J&K administration including lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha and state election commissioner KK Sharma have rejected the allegations.
Two days ahead of DDC polls in November, LG had told HT that there was complete freedom in Jammu & Kashmir for political activities, but not for anti-national activities.
Election commissioner Sharma had also refuted reports of PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti’s detention and stated that no candidate was being stopped from canvassing.
Also Read: Gautam Gambhir to campaign for BJP in Jammu & Kashmir for DDC polls
“She wanted to travel to Pulwama and due to security reasons she was advised not to go there. She is not under detention. Police have also clarified,” he had said on Friday.
In the first phase, the UT had recorded 51.76% polling followed by 48.62% in the second phase across Jammu and Kashmir.
Office bearers in the BJP said that cricketer turned BJP MP Gautam Gambhir will also campaign for the party for the ongoing DDC polls.

LIVE: Global Covid-19 tally crosses 100 million, death toll at 2.15 million

Farmers' protest Live Updates: Heavy security deployment near Delhi's Red Fort
- The Delhi Police have registered seven FIRs in connection with the protesting farmers' tractor parade, officials said.

Actor Deep Sidhu blamed for violence
- Farm leaders alleged Sidhu — who earlier publicly aired his differences with the Samyukt Kisan Morcha — tried to defame the farmers’ stir.

Law student writes to CJI to take cognisance of Red Fort violence
- Rai stated that the incident has hurt the “country’s devotional spirit” and an inquiry is essential to determine how anti-social elements managed to enter the tractor rally.

Home minister takes stock of situation in urgent meet
- Shah directed that additional central paramilitary forces be deployed in Delhi with immediate effect and individuals and groups behind the Red Fort seize be brought to justice.

Smaller crowd, masks mark Republic Day celebrations
- While more than 100,000 people attended the parade during the previous years, with Covid-19 norms in place on Tuesday, the crowd was limited to 25,000.

Leaders condemn violence, Opposition seeks repeal of laws
- The Opposition, including the Congress, alleges that the government rushed the farm laws without proper discussion in Parliament. The Centre, however, says the reforms will lead to new opportunities in agriculture trade.

House canteen dishes out new menu, hikes prices
- The parliament canteen, now run by ITDC will offer as many as 58 items, both vegetarian and non-vegetarian, from January 27.

Discussing a possible route for Amarnath via Kargil: Prahlad Patel
- Union minister for culture and tourism Prahlad Patel said government is addressing the lack of adventure sports equipment in Kargil.

Rally to langar: Peaceful stir held across 20 states
- In contrast to the violence seen in the Capital, farmers held peaceful rallies across the country to protest against the farm laws.

At Rajpath, many firsts in the shadow of a pandemic
- India put on display its war machines at a time when the country is locked in a tense border stand-off with China.

Farmers' tractor rally violence: Dark day for the Republic

Union leaders make appeal, divert blame after anarchy reigns
- The chaos and violence have raised questions about the future of the two-month-long agitation of farm unions.

Macron, Johnson and Morrison send video messages on Republic Day
- Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in a letter sent to her Indian counterpart, conveyed her greetings.

Western Railway to start all suburban services in Mumbai from Jan 29
- Tuesday's decision to operate all trains comes a day after a meeting to resume local train services for all passengers was chaired by Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray.