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ers have done extensive campaigning in • Caste equation The caste-ridden communities
the area but political analysts feel that dominate elections results in Uttar Pradesh
the combination of SP-BSP headed for
an edge over voters in first phase. impact of Balakot strike on February
The election commission of India has 26, in retaliation against the Pulwama
taken cognizance of Yogi jibe of “Mod- attack. He also cornered Mayawati for
iji ki Sena” and Mayawati’s communal selling out state-owned sugar mills at
remarks to woo Muslim support as viola- thrw away prices and non-payment of
tion of model code of conduct but spare cane growers dues left behind Akhilesh
them with just a warning. Yadav to the tune of Rs35,000 crores that
Political temperature in Uttar Pradesh BJP government cleared after coming to
is gradually running high with all the power in the state. Touching the senti-
major stakeholders in national polity ments of cane grower belt, he highlight-
are busy in securing their future from ed how his government has sent pension
this most crucial heartland state that ac- to around two crores farmers in their
counted for largest numbers of seats in respect.
Lok Sabha in the 2014 elections. Prime Despite such pitching narratives,
Minister Narendra Modi swept to power the hot battle for 2019 elections in Uttar
in 2014 by securing 71 seats out of 80 and Pradesh is not looking just a cakewalk for
crushed prospects of all his rivals, even Modi this time, as he has to answer more
his fellow aspirant colleagues, who were questions than he fired salvos in last elec-
optimistic of their chance in event of a tions and thereafter. This time he has to
hung parliament. face completely changed caste chemistry
BJP continuing with its campaign and political scenario in wake of alliance
thrust around avenging surgical air of Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj
strikes in Balakot in wake of Pulwama Party (SP-BSP) and resurgent Congress
attack killing 40 soldiers and successful Party proactive with new face of Pri-
launch of an anti-satellite weapon sys- yanka Gandhi questioning him from
tem (ASAT) by DRDO- “Mission Shakti”- the ground for his ambitious electoral
achieving the ability to cripple enemy promises, policies and achievements. The its first phase. The NDA government has
communications and reconnoiter sys- situation is heading for largely triangular reduced its budget allocations resulting
tems severely during war, and blind the contest baring a few tactically left seats in huge unemployment. Similar ideas
entire military of an enemy force. “The for post electoral alliances. have been gaining popularity world over
entire gamut behind it appears to be Congress party has rearmed it with a to eradicate poverty known as a univer-
dodging the burning issues by trickery- game changer sort of step on the lines of sal basic income (UBI) scheme.
tactics,” feels political analyst Sharat its successful previous loan waiver policy The caste-ridden communities domi-
Pradhan who foresees gigantic gains for brought just ahead of 2009 general elec- nate elections results in most populated
brand Modi behind such moves. tions. The party chief Rahul Gandhi has state of Uttar Pradesh. It harsh real-
Launching blistering attack on Con- come up with a new plank of populist ity that alignment of caste leaders with
gress and SP-BSP-RLD alliance Prime measure of minimum income guarantee political party brighten their winning
Minister Narendra Modi in Meerut scheme. The scheme envisaged to cover chances on the strength of support from
termed it as “Mahamilawat” and cor- nearly 25 crore poor people in the coun- their communities. But despite caste
nered them for questioning “Mission try who will get financial assistance of and communal fragmentation the
Shakti,” an anti-satellite weapon sys- 72,000 per annum if the party is voted people having extreme political con-
tem that brought India among the elite to power. The new ambitious minimum sciousness as it displayed lead role in
space club of the world’s super powers. income guarantee scheme has been the freedom movement of the nation
Attacking dynastic politics and corrup- named as “Nyay.” sacrificing many lives for the cause
tion among regional parties Modi said Rahul Gandhi termed it as “a final as- and they are democratically alive citi-
their popularity graph as hero is running sault on poverty.” “Minimum income zen. Even congress stalwart Indira
high in Pakistan then here by asking line” is 12,000 per annum and the Gandhi lost 1977 Lok Sabha polls after she
evidence of air strikes. scheme will benefit individuals earning proclaimed emergency and snatched
“Does this country need heroes of less than that,” he explained. He further fundamental rights of the citizens.
India or heroes of Pakistan? Do we need claimed MNREGA the rural employ- Right from rise of the forces of “Hindu-
saboot (proof) or sapoot (good sons)? My ment guarantee scheme introduced by tava” to the downfall of Congress rule
country’s sapoot are my biggest saboot,” the UPA government, and said that it had in the state in 1989, since then the state
Modi said, referring to the row over the taken 14 crore people out of poverty in has witnessed various models of con-

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