Rajesh Kumar Singh is Assistant Editor, Hindustan Times at the political bureau in Lucknow. Along with covering politics, he covers government departments. He also travels to write human interest and investigative stories.
Articles by Rajesh Kumar Singh
BJP aims for knockout punch in SP stronghold; Rampur undergoes saffron makeover
Buildings and monuments erected during the tenure of nine-term SP MLA Azam Khan have lost sheen - some edifices have been razed while others dubbed as “illegal encroachment by Jauhar Trust” are being removed, paving way for saffron structures
Updated on Apr 18, 2024 05:48 AM IST
CAA fuels poll season hopes in Pilibhit’s mini-Bengal
In 10 gram panchayats with a population of 70,000 Bangladeshi Hindus in Pilibhit, most are making a beeline to register as Indian citizens as their cause finds poll-time resonance
Updated on Apr 16, 2024 05:22 AM IST
Rajesh Kumar Singh, Pilibhit
In Bansuri Nagari, tigers’ roar, flute tunes lead poll sound track
BJP says flute manufacturers were in trouble due to neglect by both SP and BSP regimes but ODOP scheme has given them renewed hope, Opposition counters this view. Even as poll rivals claim credit for forest conservation, tigers on the prowl cause fear in villages in the constituency
Updated on Apr 15, 2024 06:30 AM IST
Rajesh Kumar Singh, Pilibhit
Jitin is ‘Modi emissary’ on Varun’s turf - Pilibhit
Supporters of BSP candidate Anis Ahmed Khan are raising the “local versus outsider” issue terming the BJP and SP candidates as outsiders who will leave the constituency once the election is over
Updated on Apr 13, 2024 07:22 AM IST
Lok Sabha polls mission to build ‘new India’: PM Modi
PM Modi further alleged that the Congress and the SP were opposing the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) due to their politics of “appeasement”.
Updated on Apr 10, 2024 07:17 AM IST
People won’t forget 1984 riots, CAA benefits Sikhs: Modi slams Cong in Pilibhit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the Congress is working to finish Shakti and the faithful will not forgive the party for their deeds
Updated on Apr 09, 2024 04:16 PM IST
2024 Lok Sabha polls: It’s BJP’s ‘son of the soil’ vs SP’s ‘outsider’ in Budaun
Following wins in 1991 and 2019, the BJP is looking to retain Budaun after changing its candidate while the SP, the winner on six occasions, wants to wrest the seat
Updated on Apr 09, 2024 05:12 AM IST
Rajesh Kumar Singh, Lucknow
Akhilesh visit to Ansari house may unleash tough fight for Muslim support
Before the 2017 assembly elections, Akhilesh Yadav had opposed a move to merge the Quami Ekta Dal (QED) launched by Mukhtar Ansari in the Samajwadi Party.
Updated on Apr 07, 2024 12:49 AM IST
Second phase nominations end: Parties feel caste pulse, vie to win hearts in Jatland
BJP aims for dominance in 8 Lok Sabha seats in west UP, allying with RLD. SP alters strategy, fielding new candidates. Polling on April 26.
Updated on Apr 05, 2024 06:04 AM IST
Rajesh Kumar Singh, Lucknow
What Bijnor was for Mayawati, will Nagina be for Akash Anand?
As Maya’s nephew kickstarts the west Uttar Pradesh campaign from Nagina, the BSP’s top priority seems to check the ascent of ASP chief Chandrashekhar Azad
Updated on Apr 04, 2024 06:00 AM IST
Rajesh Kumar Singh, Lucknow
Why non-BJP parties vied to get Mukhtar Ansari onboard
The leaders of various non-BJP parties took to social media platforms raising doubt over his death and demanded a high-level probe.
Updated on Mar 30, 2024 06:55 AM IST
Rajesh Kumar Singh, Lucknow
Impact of mafia -politician Mukhtar Ansari who dominated Mau-Ghazipur likely to continue after death
Though he remained behind bars for the last 18 years, many parties vied for Mukhtar Ansari’s electoral support due to his influence on the Muslim community in the region.
Updated on Mar 29, 2024 06:18 PM IST
Uttar Pradesh: First phase nominations for 8 Lok Sabha seats conclude, stage set for 3-way fight
Union minister Sanjeev Balyan, U.P. minister Jitin Prasad, Azad Samaj Party chief Chandra Shekhar Azad among prominent Lok Sabha candidates in the fray
Updated on Mar 28, 2024 05:16 AM IST
Rajesh Kumar Singh, Lucknow
What is BSP’s game plan for the 2024 Lok Sabha election?
Mayawati's choice of candidates reflects two things: one, careful caste calculus; two, the message that her support is wide-based and across castes
Published on Mar 27, 2024 12:04 AM IST
Lok Sabha polls: BSP releases first list of 16 candidates for 80 seats in UP
Among the 16 candidates, Muslims have been given the largest share with seven seats, while the Dalits, the Other Backward Class (OBC) and upper castes have been given an equal share of the three seats
Updated on Mar 24, 2024 04:40 PM IST
Split in Dalit votes likely, Muslim factor to be at play in UP’s Nagina
Azad Samaj Party chief Chandra Shekhar Azad eyeing the BSP’s Jatav support base after filing his nomination papers from the constituency
Updated on Mar 23, 2024 05:34 AM IST
Apna Dal (K) stakes claim to three seats, SP makes counter-move
Samajwadi Party leaders consider the announcement by Apna Dal (Kamerawadi) a move to mount pressure on the INDIA bloc partner for a Lok Sabha poll ticket
Updated on Mar 21, 2024 06:22 AM IST
Rajesh Kumar Singh, Lucknow
Suspense over BJP’s ticket to Varun, even as SP sends feelers
The announcement by Varun Gandhi’s supporters that he will contest the Lok Sabha election from Pilibhit seat as an independent candidate if the BJP denies him ticket has caused unease in the BJP camp. However, a close aide of Varun Gandhi working in Pilibhit constituency said the seat would remain within the family and the BJP would give ticket to Varun or his mother Maneka Gandhi.
Updated on Mar 21, 2024 06:10 AM IST
Crucial for BSP, LS polls will decide future of Dalit politics in U.P.
BSP goes solo in 2024 UP election, aiming to consolidate Dalit support despite declining votes. Mayawati faces challenge from rivals in three-cornered contest.
Updated on Mar 17, 2024 05:36 AM IST
Rajesh Kumar Singh, Lucknow
BSP names four Muslims as Lok Sabha probables, likely to hit INDIA bloc strategy in Rohilkhand region
BSP names Muslim candidates for key Lok Sabha seats in West Uttar Pradesh, likely impacting INDIA bloc strategy. Mayawati to release candidates' list in Lucknow.
Updated on Mar 12, 2024 07:38 AM IST
Rajesh Kumar Singh, Lucknow
Lok Sabha elections-2024:Cong relying on party-hoppers to challenge BJP in east U.P.
With Amanmani Tripathi and Sadal Prasad on board, the Congress has given a clear message that winnability will be the top priority in the selection of candidates. It will give ticket to the defectors who can break the decade-long jinx to win the seats in the area that was once the stronghold of the grand old party.
Updated on Mar 11, 2024 07:02 AM IST
Six of remaining 29 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh may go to BJP allies
The BJP had fielded candidates on 27 of these 29 seats in 2019 and won 20 of them. Opposition candidates won seven seats.
Published on Mar 03, 2024 10:43 PM IST
Rajesh Kumar Singh, Lucknow
BJP, SP candidate lists show contrasting strategies
Among these 51 seats, the Samajwadi Party had earlier named candidates on 22 seats and 10 seats had been allotted to the Congress under a seat-sharing formula. The Congress is yet to name its candidates though.
Updated on Mar 03, 2024 08:02 AM IST
Rajesh Kumar Singh, Lucknow
BSP, AIMIM looking to make dent in INDIA bloc’s Muslim votes in Uttar Pradesh
Mayawati had recently said at a party meeting that the BSP will work on the Dalit-Muslim- OBC formula in the 2024 Lok Sabha election.
Updated on Mar 02, 2024 06:08 AM IST
Rajesh Kumar Singh, Lucknow
Gayatri Prajapati was Samajwadi Party’s man for all seasons in Uttar Pradesh
A petty contractor who got residential and commercial complexes in Amethi whitewashed, Gayatri Prajapati came into prominence in the 2012 Uttar Pradesh assembly election
Updated on Feb 29, 2024 07:10 AM IST
Rajesh Kumar Singh, Lucknow
BSP leader Shah Alam joins SP
The SP suffered a major jolt when the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) emerged victorious in the Azamgarh Lok Sabha bypoll in 2022.
Published on Feb 28, 2024 10:25 PM IST
NDA gets a boost, INDIA suffers setback ahead of Lok Sabha battle
Only two days ahead of the Rajya Sabha poll, INDIA bloc allies SP and Congress appeared in a buoyant mood at a joint rally in Agra during the Rahul Gandhi led Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra on February 25.
Updated on Feb 28, 2024 06:44 AM IST
Rajesh Kumar Singh, Lucknow
BJP’s backroom play: From Monday’s surprise to Tuesday’s surgical strike
A few hours after the 9am start to the voting, the seven SP rebels emerged on the Uttar Pradesh assembly balcony, flanked by deputy chief minister Brajesh Pathak and transport minister Daya Shankar Singh.
Updated on Feb 28, 2024 06:40 AM IST
BSP MPs eyeing greener pastures, Mayawati fumes
The attack comes amid reports of rebellion by five MPs leading to churning in the BSP as more MPs are expected to defect to the NDA or INDIA bloc.
Updated on Feb 26, 2024 06:16 AM IST
Rajesh Kumar Singh, Lucknow
Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council poll on March 21, another NDA vs INDIA bloc contest in the offing
Among the 13 lawmakers, whose term is expiring on May 5, there are 10 BJP MLCs, one each from the Samajwadi Party, Apna Dal (Sonelal) and the Bahujan Samaj Party. The Uttar Pradesh assembly members will elect the 13 MLCs.
Updated on Feb 24, 2024 06:32 AM IST
Rajesh Kumar Singh, Lucknow