Lucknow (PTI): Calling the Bihar Assembly election results "surprising", Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Rai on Friday alleged that the "collusion" between the BJP and the Election Commission deprived lakhs of their right to vote, and that malpractice in the name of SIR must be exposed.

Rai made the statement as he addressed a seminar marking the birth anniversary of former prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru at the state Congress headquarters.

He claimed that the "collusion" between the BJP and the EC led to the removal of the names of lakhs of voters from the electoral rolls under the pretext of SIR, depriving them of their right to vote. He described it as a "direct attack" on democracy.

He cautioned that Assembly elections are due in Uttar Pradesh and claimed that similar issues could arise.

"We must remain vigilant and expose malpractice in the name of SIR. It is our responsibility to ensure voters' names remain on the rolls, and if needed, we will take to the streets. I will stand with you in this struggle," he told party workers.

Earlier, Rai, former ministers Raj Bahadur and Naseemuddin Siddiqui, and Indian Overseas Congress UP chairman Capt Banshidhar Mishra paid floral tributes to Nehru.

Rai said the country needs the vision and ideals of Nehru "now more than ever before."

According to a party statement, speakers at the event discussed Nehru's life and contributions. Rai said Nehru laid the foundations of modern India by promoting scientific thinking, democratic values, socialism, education and technological advancement.

"India's diversity, harmony and progress are possible only when we uphold equality, the Constitution and democratic principles," he said.

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Pilibhit (PTI): A 19-day-old elephant calf, brought from Bijnor, was placed under care at the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve (PTR) on Sunday, an official said and added that the calf got separated from its mother in the forest area of Bijnor.

The calf was born on December 2 in the Bijnor forest area and got separated from its mother shortly after birth, the official said.

The forest department made several attempts to reunite it with its mother, but without any success. To ensure the calf's safety and better care, it was decided to transfer it to the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve on the instructions of senior officials.

On Saturday, Deputy Director Manish Singh received the calf. Special arrangements have been made in the reserve for its care. It has been kept in a safe and clean environment to provide it with a natural setting and protect it from external noise and disturbances.

Singh told reporters that raising an 19-day-old calf is challenging.

It requires a special diet as a substitute for mother's milk and constant monitoring.

He said a special team has been formed to provide 24-hour care. Since the calf is very young, it is being cared for like a newborn baby.

According to Singh, the primary responsibility for monitoring the calf's health has been entrusted to PTR's veterinarian, Dr Daksh Gangwar. Under his supervision, a complete record of the calf's health checkups, diet, and body temperature is being maintained. The team is ensuring that the calf does not contract any infection.