Repolling has been recommended at 36 polling booths in six of the 24 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh that went to polls on Saturday, state chief electoral officer Noor Mohammad said on Sunday. He told reporters that September 28 has been suggested for repoll. Repolling has been recommended at 19 booths in Muzaffarnagar, five in Kairana, seven in Shahajehanpur, three in Baghpat and one each at Moradabad, Budaon.

AIMF candidate reported missing

The All India Muslim Forum (AIMF) candidate from Mohanlal Ganj Lok Sabha seat in Lucknow district Sukhlal Pasi has been reported missing since early morning on Sunday, the police said. Pasi reportedly left his residence at Mohanlal Ganj in the wee hours of the day and has not yet returned. Supporters of Pasi blocked traffic on the Lucknow-Raebareli road and resorted to stone throwing.

Bihar poll violence toll up

The toll in poll-related violence in the second phase of Lok Sabha elections in Bihar hasrisen to nine. Three deaths in mine explosions were reported from Dipkarharjungle under Munger parliamentary constituency on Saturday. Inspector general of police (operation) MK Sinha said in Patna on Sunday that the three were killed when mines exploded in the thick jungles. `Cong-BJP nexus becoming stronger' CPI(M)'s Kerala state committee on Sunday alleged that the "nexus between Congress and BJP" in the state had `become stronger'. No `responsible Congress leader' had come out with a denial of such a nexus even though the Left parties had made such allegations many years ago, CPI(M) state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan told reporters after a meeting of the party's state committee.

Fernandes refutes Cong claim on Kargil

Union defence minister George Fernandes on Sunday refuted Congress claim that Pakistani incursions in Kargil had taken place in September last year and asserted that it took place in April this year. "It has now been established beyond doubt that Kargil incursions took place in Aprilthis year," Fernandes told an election meeting at Sikandarpur. He urged Congress to stop spreading `lies' in this regard.