Lucknow, Apr 4 : The Election Commission has directed the Uttar Pradesh Government to launch a special drive against illegal arms and ammunition.

"It has been brought to the notice of the EC that some persons have displayed arms during a procession in support of a candidate at Sultanpur last month. The Commission has taken a serious view in the matter," EC's Principal Secretary Shangara Ram said.

Lucknow, Apr 4 : Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati on Saturday slammed Independent MP Maneka Gandhi for her remarks after she was not allowed to meet her son Varun Gandhi at the Etah District Jail.

Addressing a press conference here, Mayawati said, "Maneka had said that Mayawati cannot understand the pain of a mother. I just want to tell her that she is the mother of just one son, but I take care of hundreds of people."

Lucknow, Apr 3 : Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad, Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh and the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) chief Ram Vilas Paswan on Friday vowed to fight communal forces and work for the poor.

"LJP, SP and the RJD have come together to fight against communal forces, and not against Congress," Paswan said.

Mulayam Singh said the `Front' would fight against corruption together.

"We are determined to fight for the poor. We will fight against corruption together," Singh announced.

Varanasi, Apr 2 : Sex workers from far and near converged at a cremation ground here and danced through the twilight hours of Wednesday to "attain salvation or a better re-birth".

Wearing `ghungroos' (anklets with tiny bells) on their unshod feet and with garish make-up, they danced to the tune of folk songs.

The three-day festival, which commenced on March 31, saw several hundred sex workers entering a temple and dancing through the night.

Ayodhya, Apr 3 : Devotees visited temples and took holy dip on Friday on the occasion of ''Ram Navami''.

In Ayodhya, thousands of devotees started visiting temples since early hours to pay their respects.

Devotees also thronged the banks of river Saryu to take a dip on the auspicious occasion.

"We are feeling very good after coming here," said Rajendra Das, a devotee.

Meanwhile, security has also been tightened to ensure peace.

Lucknow, Apr 3 : Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi will address election rallies at Maharajganj, Kushinagar and Robertsganj in Uttar Pradesh today.

According to sources, Congress party president Sonia Gandhi will campaign for party candidates in Basgaon, Salempur and Varanasi on April 5.

Both Rahul and Sonia are likely to file their nomination papers from Amethi and Rae Bareilly constituencies on April 4 and April 6 respectively, sources said.