UP civic-polls: BJP heads towards major win, Congress loses Amethi
What's the story
Counting is on for the UP civic elections, being seen as a crucial test for CM Yogi Adityanath.
Voters chose their preferred candidates in 16 municipal corporations, 198 municipal councils and 438 nagar panchayats in three phases of polling.
In 2012, BJP won 10 of 12 municipal corporations. By 4pm today, BJP had won 12 seats of 16, News18 reported.
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4pm
Trends at 4pm: BJP wins 12 seats, BSP solidifies standing
As of 4pm, BJP has won 12 and is leading in another two of 16 mayoral seats, News18 reports. Adityanath credited the win to voters, cadres and PM Modi's 'transparent governance'.
However, BJP's Maya Tripathi lost Ward 68, where Gorakhnath Temple is located.
BSP, recovering from its assembly debacle, has won Aligarh and Meerut.
Congress, meanwhile, trailed far behind, losing even its stronghold Amethi.
Information
Allegations of rigging against the BJP
Polls were disrupted in several places over allegations of technical glitches in EVMs: many complained EVMS were voting for BJP irrespective of which button was pressed. The SP, which the BJP displaced in April, has accused it of "misusing government machinery to fix the elections".
BJP
These polls a crucial test for the Adityanath govt
These polls ahead of the 2019 elections are crucial for the BJP, which came to power in UP earlier in April.
Analysts say results of these will reveal the mood of the voters and indicate if they are happy with the Yogi Adityanath government; the priest-politician was unexpectedly picked as CM over other front-runners.
In 2012, the saffron party had swept these polls.