Voting for the fourth phase of UP Assembly polls began this morning with Lakhimpur Kheri – where four farmers were run over by a convoy allegedly driven by a union minister’s son – one of several key seats. Also in the spotlight are five seats in the Raebareli constituency, which is the stronghold of the Congress and is represented in the Lok Sabha by Sonia Gandhi.
Voter turnout was 9.1 per cent till 9 am, according to data from the Election Commission.
A total of 59 constituencies across nine districts, including Lucknow, are voting in this phase. Apart from Lakhimpur Kheri and Raebareli, the others are Pilibhit, Sitapur, Hardoi, Unnao, Banda, and Fatehpur.
In 2017, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won 51 of these 59 seats. Akhilesh Yadav’s Samajwadi Party (SP) – widely seen as the biggest challenger to the BJP this time – won four. Mayawati’s Bahujan Samaj Party won three. The Apna Dal (Sonelal), an ally of the BJP, won one.
The Lakhimpur seat is seen as a potentially key indicator of the fate of the BJP and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s government. In October last year eight people – three party workers and a journalist – died in violence that followed four farmers being run over by a SUV. Union minister Ajay Mishra’s son, Ashish Mishra, is a murder accused in the case. Ashish Mishra is currently out on bail.
Angry farmers – whose votes Akhilesh Yadav’s Samajwadi Party and the Congress are counting on to oust the BJP – have approached the Supreme Court to cancel Ashish Mishra’s bail.
Lakhimpur Kheri has eight seats, all of which are held by the BJP. The party has fielded incumbent Yogesh Verma from Lakhimpur. The Samajwadi Party has fielded Utkarsh Verma Madhur and Mayawati’s BSP has offered Mohan Bajpai to voters. The Congress named Dr Ravishankar Trivedi. Also in the fray here are Asaduddin Owaisi’s AIMIM and the Lok Janshakti Party.
A prominent candidate in this phase is UP law minister Brijesh Pathak, who faces Samajwadi Party candidate and two-time corporator Surendra Singh Gandhi for the Lucknow Cantonment seat. Also contesting today is Ashutosh Tandon, the minister for urban development, who is defending his Lucknow East seat. He faces Manoj Tiwari from the Congress, Anurag Bhadauria from the Samajwadi Party, and Aashish Kumar Sinha from the BSP.
Voting is also being held in state capital Lucknow, where nine seats are up for grabs. A keenly-watched contest will be for the Sarojini Nagar Assembly segment, for which Rajeshwar Singh, a former top official from the Enforcement Directorate, has been fielded by the BJP. He faces Abhishek Mishra – a minister in the former Samajwadi Party government.
There is much drama in Raebareli Sadar – which falls under Sonia Gandhi’s parliamentary seat – after sitting MLA Aditi Singh quit the Congress joined the BJP. She faces Manish Chauhan from her former party. Ms Singh is the daughter of five-time Congress MLA Akhilesh Singh, who died in 2019. The Samajwadi Party has fielded RP Yadav.
Three phases of voting have already been completed in Uttar Pradesh, with voting also over in Punjab, Goa, and Uttarakhand. After today there are three more UP poll phases – on February 27, March 3, and March 7. Manipur votes on February 28. All results will be declared on March 10.
Archana Puran Singh, a Bollywood actor, was injured during a film shoot in Mumbai. She fractured her wrist during the shoot and was taken to Nanavati Max Super Speciality Hospital. Singh apologised to Rajkummar Rao for leaving the shoot midway and expressed her gratitude for the surgery.
She also shared the visible swelling around her lips and the lessons she learned from the incident. Singh was discharged after the surgery and is now back at work. She was last seen in Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video, which starred Rajkummar Rao, Triptii Dimri, Mallika Sherawat, and Vijay Raaz. The film failed to perform well at the box office, collecting only ₹58.03 crore worldwide.
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Veteran actress Archana Puran Singh recently suffered a wrist fracture while shooting for her upcoming film alongside actor Rajkummar Rao. The incident occurred around 5 a.m. on the film set, leading to immediate medical attention. She was promptly taken to Nanavati Max Super Specialty Hospital in Vile Parle, Mumbai, where she underwent surgery for the injury.
Rajkummar Rao, known for his versatility and dedication to his craft, has expressed his concern and support for Archana during this challenging time. The two actors share a professional camaraderie, having previously collaborated on various projects. Their mutual respect and understanding have been evident in their past interactions.
Archana Puran Singh, a seasoned actress and television personality, has been a prominent figure in the Indian entertainment industry for decades. She is widely recognized for her roles in films such as “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai,” “Maine Pyaar Kiya,” and “Baadshah.”
In addition to her film career, she is a beloved judge on the popular television show “The Kapil Sharma Show,” She was promptly taken to for the injury. where her infectious laughter and warm demeanor have won the hearts of audiences.
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Rajkummar Rao, on the other hand, has established himself as one of the most talented actors of his generation. His performances in films like “Newton,” “Stree,” and “Roohi” have garnered critical acclaim and numerous awards. Known for his commitment to diverse roles and his ability to bring depth to his characters, Rajkummar continues to be a significant presence in the Indian film industry.
The upcoming film featuring Archana Puran Singh and Rajkummar Rao has generated considerable excitement among fans and industry insiders. Details about the film’s plot and release date are currently under wraps, but the collaboration between these two esteemed actors has piqued interest.
In the meantime, Archana is focusing on her recovery, following medical advice and undergoing necessary physiotherapy sessions. She has expressed gratitude for the support and well-wishes from her fans and colleagues. Her resilience and positive attitude during this period are commendable, and she remains committed to returning to work once she has fully healed.
The incident serves as a reminder of the physical demands and risks associated with the entertainment industry. It highlights the importance of safety measures on set and the need for prompt medical attention in case of injuries. Both Archana and Rajkummar have demonstrated professionalism and dedication, ensuring that the production continues smoothly despite the unforeseen circumstances.
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Fans eagerly await updates on Archana’s recovery and the progress of the film. The collaboration between these two talented actors is anticipated to bring a compelling and engaging story to the screen, further enriching the Indian film landscape.
For more insights into Archana Puran Singh’s journey and her experiences in the entertainment industry, you can watch the following video
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