UP Assembly polls: Unnao rape victim’s mother among first list of 125 candidates released by Congress

Out of the 125 candidates, 50 of them are women

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on January 13 announced the first list of 125 names of the Congress party for the upcoming Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.

The list included Unnao rape victim’s mother, Poonam Pandey — the Asha worker who was beaten up by police and Sadaf Jafar, who was arrested during anti-CAA protests.

"The list sends a new signal that if you are someone who has faced injustice, then you have the power to fight it. The Congress will stand by you and support you," Ms. Vadra said at a virtual press conference.

"U.P. Govt is dictatorial. Our focus is to bring people's issues, women and development in centrestage in Uttar Pradesh," she said, adding "We will not run a negative campaign; We will run positive campaign for bright future of Uttar Pradesh."

"By fielding 40% women and 40% youth in U.P., we hope to start new kind of politics in the State," Ms. Vadra said.

“Our list sends a new message that if you have been a victim of harassment and torture, the Congress will support you,” Priyanka Gandhi said.

“In the first list of 125 candidates for UP polls, 50 candidates are women, including Asha Singh, mother of the Unnao rape victim. From Shahjahanpur, we have fielded Asha worker Poonam Pandey who led an agitation for a raise in honorarium,” she added.

Meanwhile, here are some of striking nominations that the Congress party has fielded. Noida to Pankhuri Pathak, Lucknow Central to Sadaf Zafar, Salman Khurshid's wife Louise Khurshid. Aradhana Mishra has been given a ticket from Rampur Khas who is also the present MLA from the constituency. 

The leader who raised her voice for the Sonbhadra massacre victims has been given a ticket from Umbha. Ticket to Asha worker Poonam Pandey from Shahjahanpur. Congress leader, Sadaf Jafar, who went to jail for anti-NRC agitation has been given ticket from Lucknow Central.

Elections for the 403 assembly constituencies in Uttar Pradesh will be held in seven phases starting February 10, the Election Commission said. The polling in Uttar Pradesh will be held on February 10, 14, 20, 23, 27 and March 3 and 7 in seven phases. The counting of votes will take place on March 10.