Lucknow: In a major show of strength, the BJP was on Thursday set to retain its government in the politically crucial state of Uttar Pradesh as it sprinted towards victory in keenly fought assembly elections, trouncing its principal rival Samajwadi Party.
According to the Election Commission, the BJP, powered by an aggressive campaigning by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was leading on 244 constituencies in a state of 403 seats where a ruling party needs 202 to take power.
The Samajwadi Party, which had been confident of tripping the BJP, was leading on 108 seats.
Hindu monk-turned-politician Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the face of the BJP in the sprawling state, was ahead by 5,500 votes in Gorakhpur Sadar constituency over his nearest rival.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav is leading against Union Minister S P S Baghel of the BJP by 13,877 votes on Karhal seat.
"People are winning, hooliganism is losing," gloated Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya on Twitter as counting of the millions of votes polled in the state put the BJP on the victory lap.
"The hard work of BJP workers is bringing good results, the BJP is forming the government with a thumping majority," added another Deputy Chief Minister, Dinesh Sharma.
Former Minister Swami Prasad Maurya, who had joined the SP just ahead of the elections, was trailing by 5,178 votes in Fazilnagar.
The BJP secured a whopping 324 seats in 2017. It was the biggest majority for any party in the state since 1980. (UNI)