UP: Political drama intensifies ahead of fifth phase polling

Lucknow, May 15: As the political drama unfolds in Uttar Pradesh, the state braces itself for the fifth phase of polling scheduled for May 20. With this phase encompassing 14 Lok Sabha constituencies, including notable areas like Mohanlalganj, Lucknow, and Amethi, the stage is set for high-profile clashes that will shape the political landscape.

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In the previous 2019 elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) clinched victory in 13 out of the 14 seats in contention, with the Congress securing Raebareli.

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, eyeing a third consecutive term from Lucknow, stands firm on his ground amid contenders from Samajwadi Party (SP) and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), perceived as less formidable opponents.

Meanwhile, Union Minister Smriti Irani faces off against Congress's K L Sharma in Amethi, where she aims for a second term, unperturbed by Sharma's relatively minor challenge.

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In Raebareli, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi enters the fray, contesting against BJP's Dinesh Pratap Singh, marking his presence in the region, alongside his candidature in Wayanad, Kerala.

The electoral landscape in Kaiserganj undergoes a transformation as Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh yields his seat to son Karan Bhushan Singh, amidst competition from SP and BSP candidates.

In Mohanlalganj, Union Minister Kaushal Kishore faces a formidable opponent in former UP minister R K Chaudhary of SP, along with BSP's Rajesh Kumar.

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Jhansi witnesses a battle between former Union Minister Pradeep Jain Aditya of Congress and BJP's Anurag Sharma, with BSP's Ravi Prakash Maurya joining the fray.

Bhanu Pratap Singh Verma, seeking a sixth term in Jalaun, faces fresh challenges from SP and BSP candidates.

In Hamirpur, BJP's sitting MP Pushpendra Singh Chandel aims for a third term, contested by Samajwadi Party's Ajendra Singh Rajput.

Similar electoral tussles unfold in Banda, Fatehpur, Kaushambhi, Barabanki, Faizabad, and Gonda, highlighting the dynamic political landscape of Uttar Pradesh as the fifth phase of polling approaches.

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These contests not only reflect the aspirations and choices of the electorate but also hold significant implications for the state's political trajectory, as candidates vie for supremacy and the mandate of the people.