Lucknow. Voting has started in 59 assembly constituencies of nine districts for the formation of the 18th Legislative Assembly in Uttar Pradesh. The polling parties first tested the EVMs with mock polling to start the voting process. In the fourth phase, 624 candidates, including four ministers, are in the fray. In 2017, 51 of the 59 seats in nine districts were with the BJP alliance. Four were won by Samajwadi Party and two each by BSP and Congress candidates.
BSP President Mayawati casts her vote in Lucknow: Bahujan Samaj Party’s national president Mayawati, former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, cast her vote in Lucknow at 7 am on Wednesday. In Mall Avenue, the BSP chief went to Lucknow Montessori School near his residence and cast his vote. In Lucknow Montessori School, there was a line since morning, in the meantime Mayawati also exercised her authority by standing in line. Polling is being held in four booths for the fourth phase in the polling station built at Lucknow Montessori School.
In the fourth phase, voters in Pilibhit, Lakhimpur Kheri, Sitapur, Hardoi, Unnao, Lucknow, Rae Bareli, Banda and Fatehpur are queuing up to cast their votes since morning. In the fourth phase, 2.13 crore voters will decide the fate of 624 candidates. Of these, 91 are women candidates. 16 seats are reserved in this phase. The Election Commission has completed all the preparations for fair and peaceful polling. In these seats, 62.55 per cent voter turnout was recorded in 2017.
Reputation of many veterans at stake: In the fourth phase, the reputation of four ministers of the Yogi Adityanath government is at stake. Urban Development Minister Ashutosh Tandon is contesting from Lucknow East and Law Minister Brajesh Pathak from Lucknow Cantt. Ranvendra Pratap Singh alias Dhunni Singh is trying his luck from Fatehpur’s Hussainganj and ally Apna Dal (Sonelal) quota from minister Jai Kumar Singh Jackie Bindki seat. Rajeshwar Singh, who quit his job from the Enforcement Directorate, is trying his luck as a BJP candidate from Lucknow’s Sarojininagar. From this seat, Abhishek Mishra, who was a minister in the SP government, is standing to give him a fight. The reputation of Ravidas Malhotra of SP from Lucknow Central is also at stake. Vidhan Sabha Deputy Speaker Nitin Agarwal is contesting from Hardoi in this phase. Aditi Singh, who left Congress and joined BJP in Rae Bareli, is in the fray. Former SP minister Manoj Pandey is contesting from Rae Bareli’s Unchahar seat.
Extensive security arrangements: 860 companies of central forces have been deployed for polling. Of these, 800 companies have been deployed at booths, six companies for strong room duty. About 53 company central forces will keep a close watch on law and order. Apart from this, 7,022 inspectors and sub-inspectors of police, 58,132 chief constables and constables have been deployed. Along with them 21 company PACs, 50,490 home guards, 1850 PRD jawans and 8,486 watchmen have also been deployed for election duty. There are elaborate security arrangements for peaceful and fair elections. In the fourth phase, voting will be held at 24,643 polling booths in 13,817 polling stations. The Commission has set up 874 Adarsh Polling Stations. 142 pink polling booths have also been built. All of these workers will be women. For the convenience of Divyangjan, arrangements have been made for wheel chairs and volunteers at all the polling stations.
BJP had 50 seats out of 59 in 2017: In the 2017 elections, 50 of these 59 seats were with the BJP. SP had four, Congress and BSP had two seats each. One seat came in the account of Apna Dal. At the same time, in the 2012 assembly elections, SP had 39 seats in its account. BSP had 12, BJP had four, Congress had three and Peace Party had one seat.
Step 4: At a Glance
-Total Voters: 2.13 Crore
Male Voters: 1.14 crore
Female Voters: 99.30 Lakh
Third gender voter: 966
Total Candidates: 624
Female Candidates: 91
Total Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) : 24,643
Micro Observer : 3110
General Observer : 57
Expenditure Observer : 18
Police Observer : 09
Polling personnel-1,15,725
Light vehicles engaged in polling: 5,595
Heavy vehicles engaged in polling: 5,773
Adarsh Polling Station-874
Pink Booth-142.
Strength and Weakness of BJP and SP
Strength of Bharatiya Janata Party: In the last election, BJP won 50 out of 59 seats. There is enthusiasm among the workers.
There are also seats in Awadh and Bundelkhand region, where the situation is considered strong.
BJP is also expected to strengthen further in Awadh with the start of construction of Ram temple.
Weakness of BJP: Lakhimpur Kheri and adjoining seats also come in these seats, where the son of Union Minister Ajay Mishra Teni is accused in the incident of trampling the farmers.
Some farmers of areas like Pilibhit, Palia, Nighasan etc. were active in the anti-agriculture movement. He will try to harm.
There was displeasure with the local MLAs in some seats and the BJP has cut tickets very rarely.
Strength of Samajwadi Party: SP is continuously raising the issue of destitute animal. It is expected to benefit in rural areas.
The issue of 300 units of electricity free can entice the rural population of this region.
In areas like Lakhimpur Kheri, Pilibhit etc., SP can redeem the issue of farmers against BJP.
Weakness of SP: Traditional Yadav and Muslim voters are comparatively less.
Awadh is the area of many strong BJP leaders, where their local influence will be a challenge for the SP.
– Big beneficiary vote bank of poor classThe BJP has it, while the SP’s is dependent on promises.
Leave a Reply