BJP wins violence-marred block panchayat polls in UP

In Uttar Pradesh, amid reports of violence the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday registered a massive win in elections for the posts of block panchayat chief. The party claimed that it has won 626 out of 825 seats for which elections were held. The counting of votes was held on July 10.Chief minister Yogi Adityanath congratulated party workers for the victory. As per latest reports, the Samajwadi Party won 98 seats, while Congress could only manage to corner five. Others (including indepentent candidates) won 96 seats. 

In Pratapgarh, Congress leader Aradhana, alias Mona Misra, manged to win all three Kshetra Panchayat Pramukh election in her constituency. In Sant Kabir Nagar, ruling BJP has lost Etawa Kshetra Panchayat where former Speaker of State Assembly Mata Prasad Pandey was allegedly mishandled. In Prayagraj, opposition Samajwadi Party registered victory from Yamunapar area Kshetra Panchayat.There were many complaints of violence and mishandling of the electorate. In Unnao, a journalist lodged complaint against CDO of the district - an IAS officer - for beating him during coverage.

On July 9, 349 candidates were declared unopposed following completion of withdrawal of nomination papers. The nominations were made on July 8. A total of 1,728 nomination papers were filed for 825 seats and of them 68 were rejected. As many as 187 candidates withdrew their nominations. The polling was held from 11am to 3pm on Saturday. The main contest was between the BJP and the Samajwadi Party as Mayawati's Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) was not in fray and Congress had fielded very few candidates. In western districts, Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) also fielded its nominees.

There were reports, and some videos, of violence, intimidation of candidates and their supporters, snatching of nomination papers, firing and stone pelting on nomination day. Violence was reported from 52 districts. Five policemen, including a deputy superintendent of police and an inspector, was suspended in Lakhimpur Kheri district for their alleged inaction during an incident of attack on a woman at nomination centre. Opposition Samajwadi Party and Congress have accused the ruling BJP for misusing of government machinery and anti-social elements of winning the election. Samajwadi Party has announced state wide demonstration on July 15 against the violence during panchayat polls.