BJP swag returns in Uttar Pradesh; By-poll results to heal LS wounds

LUCKNOW: Counting for votes for the by-polls is continuing in nine assembly constituencies in Uttar Pradesh. BJP is leading in six of them. The elections were decisive for BJP as three ministers had earlier switched sides to the Samajwadi Party after falling out with Yogi. But the current lead of BJP in the by-poll gives a different picture and shows that Yogi’s popularity remains unaltered.

In Mainpuri constituency, Samajwadi Party (SP) candidate Tej Pratap Yadav is leading by 9,591 votes. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Anuj Yadav is a close second. BJP's Sanjeev Sharma has secured 22,444 votes and is leading by 18,177 votes in Ghaziabad after the fifth round of counting. BJP candidate Suresh Awasthi is leading by 535 votes after the third round of counting in Kanpur. After the second round of counting in Mirzapur, BJP candidate Suchismita Maurya is leading by 2,333 votes.

The by-elections were held for nine assembly seats in Katehari, Karhal, Mirapur, Ghaziabad, Majhawan, Sisamau, Khair, Phulpur and Kundarki. After the sitting MLAs including Akhilesh Yadav were elected to the Lok Sabha, the stage was set for by-elections in these constituencies.