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, 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
Rajya Sabha polls: Smaller parties bask in attention from big players in Uttar Pradesh
A candidate requires 37 first preference votes to secure a seat in the Rajya Sabha from Uttar Pradesh. The NDA has a tally of 286 MLAs.
Updated on Feb 23, 2024 06:26 AM IST
Rajesh Kumar Singh, Lucknow
Lok Sabha polls: As SP-Congress forge alliance, Muslim factor to watch out for on 24 seats in Uttar Pradesh
Muslims account for 19% of Uttar Pradesh’s population and their voting behaviour is likely to define the outcome on around 24 Lok Sabha seats with a 20-50% Muslim population.
Updated on Feb 22, 2024 06:18 AM IST
Rajesh Kumar Singh, Lucknow
PM Modi lauds Yogi’s governance, says others can learn from Uttar Pradesh
Modi attends Ground Breaking Ceremony in Lucknow, says he has full faith in the power of Uttar Pradesh and the hard work of the double engine government
Updated on Feb 20, 2024 05:23 AM IST
Rajesh Kumar Singh, Lucknow
300 temples @ ₹150 cr: Ayodhya flagship kindles Mission Renovation
With over ₹150 crore earmarked in just two years of the Yogi 2.0 government, this temple drive continues to gather steam.
Published on Feb 10, 2024 09:45 PM IST
Rajesh Kumar Singh, Lucknow
Wanted 3 temples: After Ayodhya, Yogi backs Mathura, Kashi push
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath endorses Hindu groups' claims over shrines in Varanasi and Mathura, while hailing the opening of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. He accuses previous governments of neglecting temple towns and calls for rights over medieval-era Islamic structures. Adityanath also criticizes opposition parties for hindering the construction of the Ram temple and accuses them of glorifying invaders for political gain. He emphasizes the need for development in Ayodhya and calls for unity around Lord Ram.
Updated on Feb 08, 2024 05:50 AM IST
Rajesh Kumar Singh, Lucknow
New Uttar Pradesh’s infrastructure, welfare push powering new India’s development breakthrough: Yogi Adityanath
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced the development of infrastructure projects and public welfare schemes, making Uttar Pradesh a breakthrough for the development of new India. The state aims to have 21 airports soon and has seen an increase in power generation capacity, solar energy projects, and tourism. The government is also focused on improving law and order and creating a secure environment for the common people. The Mahakumbh 2025 in Prayagraj is expected to be grander than in 2019.
Updated on Feb 08, 2024 05:02 AM IST
Rajesh Kumar Singh, Lucknow
Yogi Adityanath invokes Ram, describes state budget as a step toward making a new Uttar Pradesh full of industry and hope
A document for overall balanced development of state with pink and green focus, says Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath, describes it as biggest budget in the history of state
Published on Feb 05, 2024 06:54 PM IST
Rajesh Kumar Singh, Lucknow
Rajya Sabha polls in UP to set stage for NDA vs INDIA contest before LS faceoff
Among the 10 Rajya Sabha members from Uttar Pradesh retiring in April, nine belong to the Bharatiya Janata Party and one to the Samajwadi Party.
Updated on Jan 30, 2024 05:58 AM IST
Rajesh Kumar Singh, Lucknow
PM Modi to launch ₹19,000 cr projects, Lok Sabha poll campaign in Bulandshahr
The prime minister is expected to rely on a combination of aastha (faith) and vikas (development) while making the party’s pitch for the Lok Sabha election.
Updated on Jan 25, 2024 07:57 AM IST
Rajesh Kumar Singh, Lucknow
Ram temple inauguration: BJP unleashes momentum for battle ahead
The BJP has planned a series of rallies of PM Modi in Uttar Pradesh commencing from Bulandshahr on January 25 to take Ram temple campaign among the masses.
Updated on Jan 22, 2024 09:56 PM IST
Rajesh Kumar Singh, Lucknow
Feel at home, in Ayodhya’s homestays
Paying guest facilities and homestays are transforming the travel experience in the temple city, offering affordable hospitality with all local flavours
Updated on Jan 22, 2024 05:12 AM IST
From vow to wow: Gorakhnath mutt celebrates its long-standing ties to Ram temple movement
The mutt is abuzz with activities on Sunday morning with priests and volunteers preparing for special prayers that will continue till the consecration ceremony of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya is over on Monday
Published on Jan 21, 2024 08:31 PM IST
Rajesh Kumar Singh, Lucknow
Ram’s return will also mark end of Sita’s vanvas, say sanyasinis
For these sanyasinis residing in the temple town, the event will also mark the end of Sita’s vanvas (exile) and her return to Ayodhya along with Lord Ram, besides Ram Rajya “that also marks empowerment of women.”
Published on Jan 20, 2024 10:46 PM IST
Rajesh Kumar Singh, Ayodhya
Lucknow-Ayodhya highway’s tale: From shadow of frenzy to sheen of pilgrims’ progress
Ahead of the January 22 Ram Lalla consecration ceremony, enthusiastic pilgrims of various hues could be seen moving on the highway and shouting ‘Jai Shri Ram’ slogans.
Updated on Jan 20, 2024 07:52 AM IST
Legacy of Service: Nihang Sikhs arrive in Ayodhya for two-month ‘langar sewa’
Harjit Singh said that ‘Langar sewa’ is a tribute to the struggle launched by his ancestor, Baba Fakir Singh Khalsa, for the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya.
Updated on Jan 20, 2024 05:54 AM IST
Rajesh Kumar Singh, Ayodhya
Temple entry marks a new era in politics
With the Ram Temple, the BJP has a clear agenda and PM Modi’s charisma to pull together a rainbow Hindu coalition. The Opposition’s response is still forming.
Updated on Jan 20, 2024 07:18 AM IST
Consecration fervour grips Ayodhya: 3 days to go, bhajan, kirtan and religious chants rend the air
Despite the unrelenting cold wave, devotees throng temples since as early as 6am while hundreds also assemble at Ram ki Paidi to take a holy dip in Saryu, before joining morning ‘aarti’ in nearby temples
Updated on Jan 20, 2024 06:08 AM IST
Quiet flows the Saryu as ‘Sabke Ram’ towers over Ayodhya
Over centuries, the Ganga-Jamuna culture of Awadh has stood the test of time and the present is no different in Ayodhya where Muslims say they respect the faith of the Hindus and believe that a new beginning of growth, development and better civic amenities for residents of the temple town is all set to commence
Published on Jan 18, 2024 05:03 PM IST
Rajesh Kumar Singh, Ayodhya
Mayawati welcomes Ayodhya event, says BSP will go it alone in Lok Sabha polls
On her 68th birthday, BSP chief Mayawati keeps door open for alliance after elections, says alliances have never been beneficial
Updated on Jan 16, 2024 05:02 AM IST
Rajesh Kumar Singh, Lucknow
Congress likely to stake claim to 30 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh
The preliminary talks on seat-sharing between the Congress and the Samajwadi Party leaders were held in New Delhi on Tuesday.
Updated on Jan 11, 2024 08:36 AM IST
Rajesh Kumar Singh, Lucknow
Ram Lalla’s consecration to be unprecedented: U.P. CM
Ram temple in Ayodhya will be a ‘Rashtra Mandir’ symbolising country’s cultural, spiritual & social unity, says Yogi Adityanath
Updated on Jan 03, 2024 05:26 AM IST
Rajesh Kumar Singh, Lucknow
Congress connecting with Muslims during ongoing ‘UP Jodo Yatra’
Ahead of 2024 LS polls, party leaders are holding dialogues with clerics and religious leaders in Muslim-dominated areas of Rohilkhand region
Updated on Dec 29, 2023 05:26 AM IST
Rajesh Kumar Singh, Lucknow