New Delhi: Political activities are gaining momentum across the country following the announcement of dates for the Lok Sabha elections. Various parties have become busy in giving a final shape to their poll strategies.

Here is a look at political activities in various states

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Uttar Pradesh

The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has reiterated that the party will not go for any electoral understanding or alliance with the Congress in any state for the upcoming general election. The party president Mayawati has said that alliance between the BSP and Samajwadi Party (SP) is based on sincere intentions and mutual respect in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Uttarakhand. It is the first and perfect alliance that will cater to the need for social change and is capable enough to defeat the BJP.

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The SP has declared two more candidates in Uttar Pradesh. The party has decided to field veteran Samajwadi leader and former Union minister Ramji Lal Suman from Hathras (reserved) seat. Another candidate is Rajendra S Bind who will contest from Mirzapur. Till now, the party has announced nine candidates for Lok Sabha elections in the state.

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Delhi

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has also ruled out any alliance with the Congress in Delhi for the polls. According to the AAP convenor and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, the party will go it alone in the elections. The AAP will fight the elections on the issue of full statehood for Delhi as “the national capital has been suffering because of it”. The AAP has already declared names of candidates in six of the seven Parliamentary constituencies in Delhi going to polls on May 12.

On the other hand, the BJP has formed various sub-committees to look into various socio-political and foreign policy matters and have sought inputs from the people to be incorporated in the party manifesto.

West Bengal

The state election department has urged all parties to strictly abide by the model code of conduct. Expelled TMC MP Anupam Hazra has joined the BJP. Sitting Congress MLA from West Bengal Dulal Chandra Bar and CPI(M) legislator Khagen Murmu have also joined the party. Sujay Vikhe Patil, the son of senior Congress leader from Maharashtra, Radhkrishna Vikhe Patil, also joined the BJP.

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The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has announced the list of party candidates for all the 42 Lok Sabha seats of the state. Ten sitting MPs have been dropped this time. They include the party’s state president Subrata Bakshi, actress Sandhya Roy and noted educationist Prof Sugata Basu. Seventeen new faces figure in the list.

Gujarat

Patidar quota leader Hardik Patel has joined the Congress. Speaking about his decision to enter active politics ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, he said he could now work for the people of Gujarat in a better way.

The Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting was held at Gandhi Nagar in Gujarat on Tuesday to discuss the forthcoming polls. Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi attended the meeting.

On the other hand, the BJP has geared up for the process of selection of candidates in the state for the elections. The party has announced names of three leaders for each Lok Sabha constituency to set up panels of possible candidates.

Karnataka

Both the BJP and Congress have lodged complaints with the chief electoral officer. The BJP has alleged that mass deletion of voters residing in Mantri Elegance apartment has happened in Bengaluru. The enrollment of new voters is alarmingly low in Karnataka. New voters are being sent away by officials in the municipal corporation.

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On the other hand, the Congress social media team has filed a complaint with the election commission against two Facebook accounts for using photographs of soldiers and Balakot airstrike to seek votes for the BJP.

Kerala

Ruling LDF has started campaigning after announcing its candidates for Lok Sabha polls. Talks to finalise candidates of the opposition UDF led by Congress are ongoing. It is expected that the UDF will declare candidates by the end of this week. The Congress president Rahul Gandhi will reach Kerala on Wednesday to launch election campaign in the state. Discussions are also on in the BJP with reports that names of candidates will be declared by Saturday.

The state chief electoral officer TR Meena has called a meeting of representatives from political parties regarding model code of conduct. The meeting will be held at Thiruvananthapuram on Friday.

Punjab

The Punjab Democratic Alliance comprising of six parties has announced the names of its seven candidates for the polls.

Tamil Nadu

The AIADMK has started its selection process for candidates with interview of ticket aspirants in 10 constituencies. The election officials are making all efforts in the state to ensure free and fair elections with most participation of all eligible voters.