Exit polls for the recently concluded bypolls in nine assembly constituencies of Uttar Pradesh suggest a strong performance by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), with predictions indicating victories in 5-7 seats.
Voting took place on Wednesday and saw a varied turnout across the constituencies. While the overall voting percentage remained subdued compared to the 2022 assembly elections, where the state recorded a 61.03% turnout, none of the nine constituencies crossed the 60% mark this time.
Ghaziabad registered the lowest turnout at just 33.3%, while Katehari led with 56.69%. The turnout in other constituencies was recorded as follows: Kundarki (57.32%), Meerapur (57.02%), Karhal (53.92%), Majhawan (50.41%), Sisamau (49.03%), Khair (46.43%), and Phulpur (43.43%), according to the Election Commission’s data as of 5 PM.
Despite the relatively low voter enthusiasm, polling stations witnessed the participation of elderly, young, and even physically challenged voters. Security arrangements were tight across all constituencies to ensure a peaceful voting process.
The bypolls mark the first electoral contest in the state following the Lok Sabha elections. In a strategic move, the Congress decided not to contest and instead extended support to the Samajwadi Party (SP), its INDIA bloc ally. Meanwhile, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) contested all nine seats independently.
Smaller parties also joined the fray, with Asaduddin Owaisi’s All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) fielding candidates in Ghaziabad, Kundarki, and Mirapur. Chandrashekhar Azad’s Azad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram) contested on eight seats, excluding Sisamau.
While the bypoll results will not significantly impact the composition of the 403-member Uttar Pradesh Assembly, where the BJP already holds a comfortable majority with 251 seats, they are seen as a litmus test for party strategies ahead of future electoral battles. The Samajwadi Party, currently the main opposition, has 105 seats.
The results of these crucial bypolls will be announced soon, providing insights into the political mood of the state.