Varanasi, May 11
A day before polling for the high stake contest here, Uttar Pradesh police and election commission officials today conducted search at BJP's regional office in the city and seized campaign material, prompting strong protest from the party.

A flying squad of the state police and EC swooped down on the party office amid a ban on all election campaign activities since last evening for the polls, where BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi is pitted against AAP's Arvind Kejriwal and Congress' Ajay Rai among others.

Officials said that the action was taken to seize election campaign material as it had got information about such items being sent in large quantity from the BJP office here in the Sigra locality, despite a ban on poll campaign in place.

BJP leaders, however, claimed that these were unused campaign material and the party was not indulging in any campaign activities. The seized items included T-shirts, pamphlets, badges, officials said, while adding that they found these products being transported from the BJP office.

The party leaders countered this with claims that the unused products were being returned to their respective manufacturers.

They alleged that the latest incident further proves the administration and election authorities' "partisan" approach against BJP and linked the raid to the local administration's denial of permission to Modi's rally here on May 8. — PTI

New Delhi, May 11
The Election Commission today issued notice to Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal for violation of the model of conduct while addressing an election meeting in Amethi on May 2. Kejriwal is reported to have stated that those who vote for the Congress or the BJP in Amethi would be committing treachery against God and the nation. Noting that prima facie he violated provisions of the Model Code of Conduct, the commission has given him time till May 13 evening to present his views on the matter failing which the poll body will take a decision without further reference to him.

Acting on a complaint by BJP’s Vijay Goel, the poll panel said addressing a public meeting on May 2 in Amethi, Kejriwal allegedly said, "If any person in Amethi votes for the Congress, then don't feel bad (for the remarks) he will commit treachery against the country....Have I said something wrong...., am I saying too much....I once again say even if a single vote is cast to the Congress or the BJP then you will commit treachery against God and country."

The poll body has also provided him with a copy of the CD carrying his reported remarks. "....The Commission is, prima facie, of the opinion that by making the....statements you have violated the provisions of the Model Code of Conduct," the notice said. The commission reminded him of the provisions of the Model Code that there shall be no appeal to caste or communal feelings for securing votes and all political parties and candidates shall avoid scrupulously all activities which are 'corrupt practices and offences under the election law. (With agency inputs) 

New Delhi, May 11
The BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi and his campaign team ensured that the prolonged exercise till its culmination revolved around the person, virtually turning the electoral battle into “NaMo versus the rest”.

For a person who began preparations several months before steamrolling the opposition within the party to anoint him as the PM candidate last September, Modi and his team worked ceaselessly to fashion the campaign on the US Presidential elections.

The Congress, spearheading the ruling coalition at the Centre, initially sought to steer clear of the individualistic style and turning it into a Modi versus Rahul campaign, the BJP PM candidate and his team forced the Congress top leadership attack the contender-in-chief, thus managing to keep himself in the vortex.

Modi posted a blog at the end of the nine-phase campaigning, characterising the experience as “extensive, innovative and satisfying”. He elaborating the three distinct features as kilometres logged, the number of rallies addressed and technology harnessed to connect with people across the country.

Modi said between September and May, he travelled around 3 lakh kilometre and addressed rallies at 5,800 locations, including 440 during campaign period.

As for innovation, the BJP campaigner-in-chief underscored the 4,000 “Chai per Charcha” (discussion over a cup of tea) interactions while reaching out to those in the hinterlands through the “Bharat Vijay 3D rallies”, covering 1,350 locations.

Adding to the electronic footprint was extensive use of social networking websites, including WhatsApp on mobile phones. While promoting “Selfies”, a fad among netizens, Modi landed himself in trouble after political opponents complained to the Election Commission about his flaunting the BJP party symbol on the day when polling was in progress.

According to people engaged in elaborate planning, Modi used to hit the campaign trail from Ahmedabad everyday and return home with real-time updates. Local issues at rallies were based on inputs received from the campaign team that would fill in details and respond to clarifications sought during the hops, sources associated with the team said.

Almost all political parties opposed to the BJP in general and Modi in particular were forced to target the principal contender for the PM’s chair. This shows that the strategy worked its way from start to the finish - with spotlight on Modi. 

Kolkata, May 11
Congress and CPM leaders were today attacked allegedly by Trinamool Congress workers in West Bengal ahead of the final phase of Lok Sabha elections on Monday. The Trinamool rubbished the allegations and said it was the opposition's “malicious propaganda”.

Kalyan Samajdar, CPM’s Cossipore zonal committee secretary, was hospitalised after he was attacked on Sunday, while Congress candidate for the Chakdaha Assembly seat byelections in Nadia district, Samarlal Singha Roy, alleged he and his bodyguard were also assaulted by Trinamool activists.

“A gang of Trinamool goons attacked me while I had gone out to buy medicines,” a grievously injured Samajdar said on his way to the hospital.

Singha Roy said “a gang of Trinamool activists carrying party flags” attacked him, injuring him and his bodyguard.

Earlier on Saturday, five CPM activists, including its youth wing DYFI state president Sayandip Mitra, were injured after being attacked allegedly by Trinamool workers in Belgharia in North 24 Parganas district.

The police arrested five people in this connection but they were later released on bail. There were also reports of an altercation between the Trinamool and CPI-M activists during a protest rally by the Marxists in Belgharia. The CPM also alleged that the Trinamool was terrorising and threatening voters across the city, especially in Beliaghata.

“Voters in at least 12 wards in Beliaghata have been threatened and terrorised by Trinamool which has created an environment of fear. It's not only Beliaghata but other parts of the city are also being targeted,” CPM leader Manab Mukherjee said.

Reacting to the reports of violence, veteran CPM leader and Left Front chairman Biman Bose said the Trinamool was running amok as it has lost faith in itself. — IANS

Kolkata, May 11
It is not just politicians who seem to be affected by long elections, wedding planners in Kolkata too are opposed to the idea as it puts a lots of restrictions while doing business, especially in faraway areas.

According to wedding planners operating in eastern India, restrictions imposed by EC and local administration, 48 hours before the day of polling, creates problems including in transportatin and purchase of goods. "If the marriage function is within the city, then there is no problem. But if the function is out of city limits, then we face lot of problems. Firstly, on movement of vehicles, then purchase of goods," said Subham, an official of Forever Wedding planners.

The country witnessed eight out of the nine-phase polls, longest in the history of India, West Bengal too saw four phases of elections for 25 seats since April 18. The final phase will be held on May 12 for 17 seats from the state.

The EC may be conducting the poll in so many phases in order to ensure smooth, free and fair polls, but wedding planners feel that due to restrictions, their business and marriage groups face lot of harassment, more so if the wedding is planned in the area where polls are to be held.

"Even the buses carrying the bridegroom party and his family members are stopped at every check-point and searched. The police also creates problem over women wearing ornaments and cash as there are restrictions on carrying excessive cash and gold," Subham said. — PTI