The sixth phase of Uttar Pradesh Elections held on March 3 witnessed a modest turnout from voters, with the election commission recording around 55 percent polling.
Today’s polling was held in 57 constituencies across ten districts, including Gorakhpur Urban, where Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is battling Chandra Shekhar Aazad of Azad Samaj Party.
Yogi Adityanath, who won the Gorakhpur’s parliament constituency for five consecutive elections beginning from 1998, became a member of the state’s legislative council in 2017 after taking the office of the Chief Minister.
The next and final phase of the state election will see polling in 9 districts, including Varanasi, which is currently witnessing high-profile campaigning from parties.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath offered prayers at temples in Varanasi today.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is holding a joint rally with Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav in Varanasi today, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who represents the holy city in Parliament, will campaign from March 4 onwards.
Ms. Banerjee was shown black flags by members of ‘Hindu Yuva Vahini’ yesterday, as she was on her way to witness the ‘Ganga Aarti.’ She protested in return by refusing a chair and sitting on the stairs of the Dashashwamedh Ghat to witness the prayers.
The state’s elections, being held in seven phases, began on February 10 and are set to end on March 7. A total of 403 assembly seats are up for election. Results will be out on March 10.
BJP, Apna Dal (S), and Nishad Party are contesting as National Democratic Alliance, and the Samajwadi party has partnered with Rashtriya Lok Dal. Mayawati-led Bahujan Samaj Party is contesting all the seats on its own.