UP bypolls: Cops preventing voting, says SP

December 05, 2022 12:34

Polling gained momentum after starting on a dull note in the bypolls to three seats in Uttar Pradesh with about 19 per cent of the voters exercising their franchise till 11 am in Mainpuri Lok Sabha seat, while Rampur Sadar and Khatauli assembly seats saw 11.3 and 20.7 per cent polling on Monday, EC officials said.

As the voting progressed, both the SP and BJP hurled allegations against each other.

The SP, through its official Twitter handle, alleged use of police force and also charged that officials on election duty were preventing people from casting their votes. It also posted a video alleging distribution of money by BJP agents at Bhogaon area of Mainpuri.

The BJP also alleged on Twitter that in some booth in Mainpuri, "unscrupulous elements of SP" were preventing people from casting their votes and sought the EC's intervention.

A party delegation also met the UP CEO and handed him over a memorandum.

When asked about the SP's allegation, BJP state president Bhupinder Singh Chaudhary said the SP will taste defeat on all the three seats.

"The SP is making baseless allegations as it is going to taste defeat in all the three seats," Chaudhary told reporters.

The EC said in a statement that "Till 11 am, Mainpuri witnessed 18.72 per cent while Rampur and Khatauli had 11.3 and 20.7 per cent polling." Polling started at 7 am and will continue till 6 pm.

The bypolls are witnessing a direct contest between the ruling BJP and the opposition Samajwadi Party-Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) alliance.

The BSP and the Congress are not contesting the seats.

In a tweet, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath appealed to people "to vote for security, development and good governance. Every vote is precious."

Among those who cast their votes in Mainpuri included SP President Akhilesh Yadav, his wife Dimple Yadav, who cast their votes at Abhinav school in Saifai (in Mainpuri constituency). Pragatisheel Samajwadi party (Lohia) Shivpal Singh Yadav and SP general secretary Ram Gopal Yadav also cast their votes.

In these three seats, 24.43 lakh people -- 13.14 lakh men, 11.29 lakh women and 132 third gender voters -- are eligible to exercise their franchise.

Voting is take place at 3,062 polling booths located in 1,945 polling centres.

The by-election to the Mainpuri Lok Sabha seat is taking place due to the demise of Samajwadi Party founder Mulayam Singh Yadav, while the bypolls in Rampur Sadar and Khatauli were necessitated after SP MLA Azam Khan and BJP MLA Vikram Singh Saini were disqualified following their conviction in separate cases.

« Back to LIVE

TOP STORIES

In Pictures - Narine-Salt launch KKR to massive total vs Punjab Kings

IMAGES from the Indian Premier League match played between Kolkata Knight Riders and Punjab Kings in Kolkata on Friday.

Maruti Suzuki Q4 net rises 48% to Rs 3,877.8 cr

The country's largest car maker Maruti Suzuki India on Friday reported a 47.8 per cent rise in net profit for the March quarter of FY24 to Rs 3,877.8 crore, on account of higher sales volume and favourable commodity prices.

Swiggy gets one step closer to $1.25 bn IPO

Food delivery major Swiggy has received approval from its shareholders for a $1.25 billion initial public offering (IPO), according to filings made with the Registrar of Companies sourced by Tofler. The Bengaluru-based firm plans to...

SC rejects pleas on 100% EVM-VVPAT verification, paper ballot voting

Pronouncing the judgement, Justice Khanna said the court has rejected all the petitions, including those seeking resorting back to ballot papers in elections.

Upbeat Delhi Capitals take on struggling Mumbai Indians

An upbeat Delhi Capitals will look to keep the winning momentum going against an inconsistent Mumbai Indians when the two sides square off in the IPL in New Delhi on Saturday.