UP elections 2017: BJP may have bagged most backward caste votes

VARANASI: Polling trends in the seventh and final phase of UP assembly elections indicate three-cornered contest in most of the 40 constituencies spread across Ghazipur, Varanasi, Bhadohi, Mirzapur, Janupur and Sonbhadra.

In 2012 assembly polls, the SP had bagged 23 out of 40 seats in the region. But it’s 2017 and the situation on the ground has changed, with the BJP successfully bagging the most backward caste votes on most seats. Also, the upper caste candidates of the SP-Congress alliance and BSP appeared to be giving a tough fight to the BJP.

Voting trends from Mohammedabad in Ghazipur suggested that BJP’s Alka Rai was in with a chance against BSP nominee and controversial MLA Mukhtar Ansari’s brother Sibgat Ullah Ansari.

While BJP’s Ghazipur candidate Sangeeta Balwant is said to have put up a good show, SP’s Jamania nominee and former minister OP Singh appeared on a tough wicket.

In Jahurabad, upper caste voters seemed to have voted for BJP ally Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party nominee OP Rajbhar. In Janupur’s Malhani seat, MY combination appeared to be backing SP’s Parasnath Yadav. But in Sadar (Jaunpur), Muslims appeared divided between the SP-Congress alliance and BSP.