Up: In Uttar Pradesh, canvassing for fifth phase of assembly elections is in full swing. Star campaigners from all major political parties have very hectic schedule today in most of the poll bound districts. A total of 52 constituencies spread over 11 districts of Tarai and eastern regions of the state will go to poll on February 27.

 

Districts covered in this phase are Amethi, Sultanpur, Faizabad, Ambedkarnagar, Baharaich, Shravasti, Balrampur, Gonda, Basti, Siddharthnagar and Sant Kabir. A total of 618 candidates including 45 women are in the fray.

 

Our correspondent reports that with only two days are left for campaigning, all major political parties have put their maximum strengths to woo the voters. Rallies and public meetings are being addressed today by the leaders of different political parties.

 

The BJP has accused Samajwadi Party for weakening Lokayukta and other institutions meant to check corruption. Samajwadi Party President and Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav said in Faizabad that BJP was trying to ignore the issue of development in the campaigning. BJP leader and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be addressing his party’s Parivartan rally today at Gonda district. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will be addressing rallies at Baharaich, Basti and Balrampur districts.

 

BJP president Amit Shah will address public meetings at Azamgarh, Mau and Gorakhpur districts.

BJP has expelled its 18 leaders and workers from Allahabad, Kaushambi, Ballia, Azamgarh Mau Basti and Deoria districts for their anti party activities.

 

The Election Commission has replaced district magistrates of three districts of Rampur, Jaunpur and Hamirpur. The Commission had received complaints against present incumbents about biased and partial working.