UP Block Pramukh polls: 349 candidates declared unopposed

In Uttar Pradesh amid reports of violance from different districts 349 candidates have been declared unopposed for the post of Pramukh of Kshetra Panchayats. Results have been declared following conclusion of withdrawal of nomination papers on Friday afternoon. Nominations were made on July 8. A total of 1728 nomination papers were filed for 825 seats and of them 68 were rejected in scrutiny of papers. 187 candidates have withdrawn their nominations on Friday. 1710 candidates are left in fray for remaining 476 Kshetra Panchayats. Polling will be held on Saturday,July 10 and counting of votes will also be held on same day. Main contest is between BJP and Samajwadi Party as BSP is not in fray and Congress has fielded very few candidates. In western districts RLD has also fielded it's nominees.  Ruling BJP has claimed that it's above 200 nominees have been declared elected unopposed in different districts.

Reports have been recieved and several videos are viral about violence, intimidation of candidates and their supporters, snatching of nomination papers, firing and stone pelting during nomination of papers. As per reports  incidents of violence are reported from 52 districts. Five police men including a deputy superintendent of police and Inspector have been suspended in Lakhimpur Kheri district for their alleged inaction during an incident of attack on a woman at nomination centre. A report has also been recieved from Sant Kabir Nagar district where former speaker of State Assembly and Samajwadi Party leader Mata Prasad Pandey was mishandled at Etawa block when he reached there for filing of papers of his wife. Nomination papers were snatched from him and his vehicle was stoned. In Sitapur and Barabanki districts incidents of firing were reported. Opposition Samajwadi Party and Congress have accused the ruling BJP for misusing of government machinery and anti social elements to win the election. Samajwadi Party has announced state wide demonstration on July 11 against the violence during Kshetra Panchayat polls.