UP bypolls: BJP pressuring administration to win 'through manipulation', alleges Akhilesh Yadav
Lucknow (PTI): Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday accused the ruling BJP of misusing the administrative machinery to win the Uttar Pradesh Assembly bypolls "through manipulation".
He said his party has complained to the Election Commission (EC) about "irregularities" in various constituencies.
Voting is underway for bypolls to nine assembly seats in the state.
Addressing reporters here, Yadav said, "We have lodged complaints about irregularities in various constituencies, including Karhal, Sisamau, Meerapur, Kundarki, Phulpur and Majhawan. Despite these complaints, it seems that the Election Commission is turning a blind eye to them. It appears that the EC's senses are no longer functioning."
"The BJP wants to win these bypolls not through votes but through manipulation," the former chief minister alleged.
Fearing defeat, the ruling party is pressuring the administration to act unfairly, he charged.
"I urge voters to go to polling booths... and stay there until they have cast their vote. This is a right granted to us and everyone must exercise it," he added.
Referring to the Election Commission's directives issued in response to the SP's earlier complaints, Yadav said, "The EC had clearly instructed that police cannot stop anyone, conduct searches, or check ID cards. Despite this, the BJP is resorting to dishonesty because they know they are losing public support."
Earlier in the day, the EC ordered suspension of police personnel found violating its guidelines on checking of voters and stopping them from casting votes in the Uttar Pradesh bypolls.
This came after Yadav, on the basis of video evidence, urged the poll body to suspend all police personnel checking voter cards and Aadhaar IDs of people.
Yadav further accused the BJP of preventing many people who want to vote for opposition parties from casting their ballots to make up for its supporters' disinterest.
"Many of their own people are opposing them. Their voters are slipping away and even voting against them. The BJP is using police to block our supporters from voting because their voters are not turning up," he claimed.
He said the BJP's desperation indicates a crumbling hold on power.
"Their throne is shaking and they are panicking because both the public and their internal factions are against them," he said.
According to Election Commission data, a voter turnout of 31.21 per cent was recorded in Uttar Pradesh till 1 pm. Polling will end at 5 pm.
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London, Nov 22: A bomb disposal squad deployed as a “precaution” to the South Terminal of Gatwick Airport concluded an investigation into a "security incident" on Friday after making a “suspect package” safe.
The South Terminal of Gatwick Airport, the UK's second busiest airport after Heathrow, which was briefly shut owing to the incident reopened following the incident.
The Gatwick is around 45 km south of London.
Two people detained during the enquiries have since been allowed to continue their journey as the airport was opened.
“Police have concluded their investigation into a report of a suspect package at Gatwick Airport. Officers from the EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) team made the package safe, and the airport has been handed back to its operator,” Sussex Police said in an updated statement.
“Two people detained while enquiries were ongoing have subsequently been allowed to continue their journeys. There will remain an increased police presence in the area to assist with passengers accessing the South Terminal for onward travel,” the statement added.
Earlier on Friday, the incident caused severe disruption at the busy airport’s South Terminal, while the North Terminal of Gatwick Airport remained unaffected.
“Police were called to the South Terminal at Gatwick Airport at 8.20 am on Friday (November 22) following the discovery of a suspected prohibited item in luggage,” a Sussex Police statement said.
“To ensure the safety of the public, staff and other airport users, a security cordon has been put in place whilst the matter is dealt with. As a precaution, an EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) team is being deployed to the airport. This is causing significant disruption and some roads around the South Terminal have been closed. We’d advise the public to avoid the area where possible,” it said.
Footage on social media taken outside the airport showed crowds of frustrated travellers being moved away from the terminal building.
Gatwick said it was working hard to resolve the issue.
“A large part of the South Terminal has been evacuated as a precaution while we continue to investigate a security incident," the airport said in a social media post.
“Passengers will not be able to enter the South Terminal while this is ongoing. The safety and security of our passengers and staff remain our top priority. We are working hard to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.”
Train and bus services that serve the airport were also impacted while the police carried out their inquiries.
In an unrelated incident in south London on Friday morning, the US Embassy area in Nine Elms by the River Thames was the scene of a controlled explosion by Scotland Yard dealing with what they believe may have been a “hoax device”.
“We can confirm the 'loud bang' reported in the area a short time ago was a controlled explosion carried out by officers,” the Metropolitan Police said in a post on X.
“Initial indications are that the item was a hoax device. An investigation will now follow. Some cordons will remain in place for the time being but the majority of the police response will now be stood down,” it added.
