A voter turnout of over 61 per cent was recorded till 5 PM today in the 69 constituencies, considered ruling Samajwadi Party stronghold, figuring in the third phase of Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.
“61.16 per cent turnout in phase 3 of UP Assembly polls. Voting by and large peaceful,”said UP CEO T Venkatesh.
oters show their voter IDs as they queue up to cast their votes during the third phase of the UP assembly elections in Lucknow on Sunday
Photo-PTI
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.
BSP supremo Mayawati shows her inked finger after casting her vote in the third phase of the UP assembly elections in Lucknow on Sunday.
Photo-PTI
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.”
Moderate queues were seen outside polling booths in Lucknow as voting began at 7 am. Rita Bhaguna Joshi was among the early voters. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and BSP Supremo Mayawati have casted their vote, members of the Yadav family are also expected to cast their votes in their home village Saifai. CM Akhilesh Yadav and his uncle Ram Gopal have also voted.
Once again Samajwadi Party will be forming the Govt,in alliance with Congress: CM Akhilesh Yadav in Saifai pic.twitter.com/v4ooWRZNoI
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) February 19, 2017
Not only clear majority, BJP is winning by absolute majority in Uttar Pradesh: HM Rajnath Singh after casting vote in Lucknow pic.twitter.com/NS9fHOTKLO — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) February 19, 2017
Like in the first two phases, in the third phase also BSP will be no.1 and will form the Govt with a majority: Mayawati after casting vote pic.twitter.com/OqaICqwCHn
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) February 19, 2017
Polling began slowly but gathered pace later. At some polling booths there were reports of minor skirmishes between supporters of the candidates.
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.
