UP Elections 2017: 62% turnout in phase 3 as UP votes in Samajwadi strongholds

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Lucknow, Feb 19, 2017: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav’s "Kaam Bolta Hai (work tells)" slogan was put to test today as 69 of the state’s 403 constituencies voted in the third of its seven-phase assembly elections. Till 5 pm, provisional data showed 62 per cent voting - a 2 per cent rise over 2012.

In 2012, the ruling party had won 54 of the 69 seats - the test is to see how many it can retain this time. Among the seats - spread across 12 districts -- that went to polls included the ones where various members of the state’s ruling first family have been fielded: the Lucknow Cantt where the family’s chhoti bahu Aparna Yadav is taking on Rita Bhaguna Joshi, the Congress veteran who switched sides and is now fighting on a BJP ticket; Akhilesh Yadav’s uncle Shivpal Yadav’s Jaswantnagar and cousin Anurag Yadav from Lucknow’s Sarojini Nagar seat.

The BJP -- which is hoping for a big win in Uttar Pradesh -- is banking on what they have said is the people’s support for the central government’s move to ban high denomination notes in November.

Polling was going on mostly peacefully in these areas, he said.Besides BSP supremo Mayawati, Home Minister Rajnath Singh with his family cast their votes in Lucknow while Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav voted in Saifai (Etawah). Most of the leaders claimed their parties will form the next government.

Mayawati, who cast her vote in Mall Avenue area here, told reporters that her party would win over 300 of the 403 seats in the state and she would form the next government.

"Like Congress and BJP, I’m not saying this without any basis. The way in which people are attending my rallies, I can say I’m going to form the next government. The people of the state want change as are fed up with misrule and ’goondaraj’ of SP," Mayawati said.

In a similar refrain, the Home Minister after casting his vote here, claimed that BJP was getting the majority. "I’m sure BJP is going to get absolute majority," he said.

In Saifai, Akhilesh aired similar views, saying, "People of the state have made up their mind in favour of SP-Congress alliance."

On uncle Shivpal Yadav, he said, "I just want all SP candidates to win."
Polling began slowly but gathered pace later. At some polling booths there were reports of minor skirmishes between supporters of the candidates.

Shivpal complained that his supporters were attacked by political opponents in his Jaswantnagar constituency.

In the 2012 Assembly polls, SP had won 55 of these 69 seats, while BSP, BJP and Congress secured just six, five and two respectively. One seat went to an Independent.

The fate of 826 candidates in this phase will be decided by 2.41 crore voters, including 1.10 crore women and 1,026 persons belonging to third gender category.