Even as the process of organisational elections in UP Congress draws to a close, hectic lobbying begins for the post of UPCC president.
While a section of the UP Congress wants Rita Bahuguna Joshi to be given a second term in the post, another section of the party favours a change.

The rickshaw-puller, involved in a gay relationship with AMU professor S.R. Siras, allegedly tried to commit suicide by setting himself on fire on Saturday. Rickshaw-puller Irfan tried to commit suicide by immolating himself on Saturday morning, said city SP Man Singh Chauhan. He was rushed to a hospital where his condition is now stable. The SP said that Irfan was under “severe financial pressure” which probably forced him to take this drastic step.

UP chief minister Mayawati, on Saturday, put the Opposition parties in the dock when she blamed them for spreading canards about the law and order situation in the state.

The apology to Muslims from Samajwadi Party president Mulayam Singh Yadav seems to have unnerved the Congress that was all set to take advantage of Muslim alienation from the Samajwadi Party.

Samajwadi Party president Mulayam Singh Yadav on Thursday apologised to Muslims in the country for associating with Mr Kalyan Singh, a key accused in the demolition of the Babri mosque.

Since Lord Ram has apparently “turned away” from the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) on the Ayodhya issue, the VHP is now trying to woo Lord Hanuman and seek his “help” in getting the Ram temple built.

Rumblings have begun and quiet efforts are on to bring former BJP leader Kalyan Singh back into the party fold. Mr Kalyan Singh, who left the party last year on the eve of the Lok Sabha elections, alleging humiliation by party leaders on the issue of ticket distribution, is said to be “not very keen but open to the idea of returning to the BJP though.”

Uttar Pradesh minister Nand Gopal Nandi was seriously injured in a massive explosion at his residence in Allahabad’s Mutthiganj area on Monday. A guard died in the attack, while his personal assistant and three other staff members were seriously injured. A local journalist who had gone to meet him was also injured.
The minister has been admitted to the Jeevan Jyoti Hospital, where his condition is critical.

The Lucknow administration has blamed three members of the Queen’s baton relay team for the controversy that erupted on Saturday when a replica of the baton was taken to Sahara Shaher without requisite permission.

The war over brahmin votes in Uttar Pradesh is intensifying.