Election campaign in UP paused because of rising Covid cases

The Congress, the BJP and the Samajwadi Party have cancelled their election programmes in Uttar Pradesh given the Covid situation in the state. The Congress initially cancelled its Pink Marathons and rallies, followed by the BJP which informed that PM Modi's proposed rally in Lucknow on January 9 is likely to be cancelled.

"We have been informed of the cancellation through an official communication in this regard is awaited," said a party functionary.

The Samajwadi Party has also cancelled its Vijay Rath Yatra scheduled for January 7, 8 and 9. Party chief Akhilesh Yadav was to lead the Yatra and then address public meetings in Gonda, Basti and Ayodhya. The decision on meetings scheduled after January 9 will be taken after assessing Covid spread in the upcoming days, SP leaders informed.

The party chief's Ayodhya visit, his first visit to the temple town, was much anticipated and had generated a lot of curiosity. Union Home Minister Amit Shah had said that Akhilesh was planning to stop the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya if voted to power in the upcoming assembly polls. Shah was addressing the public in Ayodhya in his visit on December 26.

Responding to the allegation, Akhilesh said, "Ram temple in Ayodhya is being constructed in Ayodhya on the orders of the Supreme Court. No individual, party or authority in India has the guts to stop the construction. The BJP knows it will be voted out and are desperately targeting SP every day."