BJP leadership including PM Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah BJP national President JP Nadda and other members of the Union Ministry and entire ministers of Yogi government are campaigning in the state. Sharpening his attack on main rival party, PM Modi blasts Samajwadi Party for being sympathetic to terrorists. He linked the symbol of Samajwadi Party to the terror attacks in Ahmedabad where bombs were planted on bicycles.

Realising the importance of stray cattles menace which had become main issue against Yogi government in rural parts of the state which could affect chances of BJP, PM Narendra Modi said during his election meeting in Hardoi that his government would resolve the issue with next BJP government. PM claimed that his party would get the benefit from labharties (beneficiaries) who were getting free ration and money in their accounts from various central and state schemes.

Replying to attack from PM, Akhilesh Yadav said that BJP was raising terror pitch to skip talk on jobs, fuel hike and other important issues concerning common man. Defending his party symbol, Akhilesh Yadav said it was a matter of pride for large number of population to use bicycle. Exuding confidence Akhilesh Yadav said that after fourth phase polling, his party would have enough number of seats required to form the government on its own.

The prestige of senior Central ministers Rajnath Singh (Lucknow), Smriti Irani (Rae Bareli), Ajay Singh Teni (Lakhimpuri Kheri) and Kaushal Kishore (Mohanlalganj) is at stake due to polling in assembly segments of their Lok Sabha constituencies. This region is also very important for BSP due to good presence of scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe population in Sitapur (32 per cent), Hardoi, Unnao and Rae Bareli 30 per cent and Lucknow with 21 per cent.

BSP national President Mayawati has also attached importance to this region and attacked BJP government for its failure in governance and law and order issue. She also raised the issue of farmer's agitation in Lakhimpur Kheri where farmers were killed and Asheesh Kaumar son of Central Minister Ajay Kumar was arrested and jailed. Only few days back he was released on bail.

Since polling is being held in Rae Bareli Lok Sabha seat of her mother and Congress President Sonia Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi has taken the campaign very seriously. Priyanka Gandhi is also keen to see BJP candidate Aditi Singh defeated as she got elected on Congress ticket and later joined BJP. Priyanka is so upset with this move that Aditi’s husband Angad was refused Congress ticket in Punjab Assembly poll.

Significantly the public meetings and road shows of Priyanka Gandhi in Rae Bareli, Lucknow and other districts were grand success and she got good response from public. Priyanka Gandhi attacked Modi government as well as Yogi government for their failure to resolve issues concerning people of the state.

The study of UP election watch and the Association of Democratic Reforms revealed that out of total 621 candidates contesting in fourth phase, 167 candidates declared criminal cases. Nine candidates have declared cases related to crime against women including two who have declared cases of rape. In addition five candidates have declared cases related to murder while few others have declared cases for attempt to murder. (IPA Service)