Manipur, Punjab, Uttaranchal go to polls in Feb: UP delinked

New Delhi, Dec 29 (UNI) Congress-ruled Punjab and Uttaranchal will go to the polls on February 13 and 21 and Manipur on February 8, 15 and 23, the Election Commission announced today apparently delinking Uttar Pradesh from the democratic exercise in the three states.

(A UNI report from Lucknow said that with the announcement of assembly poll dates, it is evident that the crucial Uttar Pradesh assembly poll will be held between April and May, according to political observers.) Counting of votes in the three states is set for February 27, Chief Election Commissioner N Gopalaswami told reporters.

The model code of conduct will come into immediate effect in the three poll-bound states.

He evaded questions on why the date of poll for Uttar Pradesh, whose assembly also completes five years early next year, is not being announced.

''Now I am announcing the schedule of only three states ...

that's all,'' said Mr Gopalaswamy while deliberately not entertaining any further questions on UP election dates.

The EC decision for not holding the UP poll along with other three states has, however, politically jolted the ruling Samajwadi Party as the Mulayam Singh Yadav government had urged the EC to hold the election in February.

The terms of the present legislative assemblies of Manipur, Uttaranchal and Punjab are due to expire on March 11, 17 and 20 respectively.

UP election office sources said the commission is busy in the publication of electoral rolls in UP slated for January 3.

''The dates of the UP poll are certain to be decided after the publication of the electoral rolls and the election will be held before the tenure of the present assembly expires on May 14 as repeatedly mentioned by Mr Gopalaswami,'' sources added.

Eds: here pick up suitably from earlier series.

UNI Team RP HS2007