BJP MLA Yogesh Verma slapped by advocate in Lakhimpur Kheri
Lakhimpur Kheri: A dramatic incident unfolded in Lakhimpur Kheri, Uttar Pradesh, on Wednesday when BJP MLA Yogesh Verma was slapped by advocate Awadhesh Singh, the president of the local Bar Association. A video capturing the altercation has since gone viral.
Following the slap, Verma's supporters retaliated, resulting in a physical confrontation that necessitated police intervention to restore order.
The incident has heightened tensions ahead of the Urban Cooperative Bank management committee elections scheduled for October 14.
Controversy surrounds the elections, with a letter from BJP district president Sunil Singh and MLA Verma requesting a postponement. However, Additional District Magistrate (ADM) Sanjay Singh confirmed that the elections will proceed as planned.
Allegations have also emerged regarding tampering with the voter list, with some members claiming that individuals have been tearing it.
The election process, which is expected to involve approximately 12,000 shareholders, is set to commence with nominations starting Wednesday and concluding with the withdrawal of nominations on October 10.
The final voter list will be released on October 11, along with the allocation of election symbols. Despite the unrest, ADM Sanjay Singh has assured that the elections will be conducted fairly and on schedule, while MLA Verma has raised concerns about the integrity of the election process.
Uttar Pradesh: In Lakhimpur, tensions flared during the Urban Cooperative Bank election as Sadar MLA Yogesh Verma and Bar Association President Avadhesh Singh clashed pic.twitter.com/qF9mFi5Mps
— IANS (@ians_india) October 9, 2024
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SP has ended contract with I-PAC due to fund constraints: Akhilesh Yadav
Lucknow (PTI): Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday said his party has severed its association with the Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) due to a lack of funds.
He dismissed speculations that the termination of contract was because of recent election results.
Addressing a press conference here, Yadav said the party had engaged I-PAC for a brief period ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections but could not continue the arrangement.
"Yes, we had an association. They worked with us for a few months, but we are not able to continue because we do not have that kind of funding," he said.
The I-PAC is a political consultancy firm known for managing major election campaigns across the country.
Election strategist-turned-politician Prashant Kishor has also been associated with the organisation in the past and has worked with multiple parties, including the BJP and the Congress.
In a lighter vein, Yadav took a swipe at the ecosystem of political consultancies. "We thought that if we have to work with a 'winning agency', then there are several big companies."
He said that some people suggested conducting surveys, hiring another firm, keeping a social media company, and even engaging agencies for negative campaigning against other parties.
"There are one or two more companies whose names are not yet known. I can get those for you as well," Yadav said.
Yadav rejected the suggestion that the decision to end the deal was influenced by recent election outcomes in states such as West Bengal.
"There is no such thing. Do not ask questions based on baseless reports. That is not true," he said.
"This is not the reason for ending the agreement. We simply do not have enough funds. If you (the media) give us funds, we can hire another company," the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister said.
