UP local polls: Top leaders face big reverses UP

LUCKNOW: The Panchayat polls saw big reverses in constituencies represented by political biggies, including PM Narendra Modi’s Varanasi and SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav’s Azamgarh .

In a shocker, BJP lost the Zila Panchayat or District Panchayat ward under which his adopted village Jayapur falls. BJP supported Arun Singh ‘Rinku’ lost to Ramesh Tiwari ‘Guddu’ supported by BSP in the ward number 5 Arazi Lines seat. Jayapur falls under this ward. However, as a solace the BJP won ward 121 and ward 122 seats of the Block Panchayat where the party backed Madhuri Devi and KS Singh were declared victorious.

Though voting is not held on party lines, but candidates are locally well known for their affiliation. Home Minister Rajnath’s Singh adopted village of Benthi also saw BJP suffering a set back. The BJP supported candidate Pramod Tiwari lost the Block Panchayat members poll from here to SP’s Rameshwari Devi.

SP also suffered a setback in its chief Mulayam Singh’s Azamgarh. Yadav had adopted Tamauli village and the SP-backed candidate for the District Panchayat seat called Jafarpur under which Tamauli falls lost to BSP’s Shimla Devi.