UP Lok Sabha Election Results 2024 Highlights: INDIA bloc wins 43 seats, Akhilesh Yadav's SP emerges as single largest party; BJP slips to 33

She mentioned that she had requested the Election Commission to shorten the election period, which lasted almost two and a half months. She expressed her gratitude to the Jatavs, noting that people from her caste predominantly voted for her and fulfilled their missionary responsibility. She added that the party will evaluate its performance and continue to adhere to the principles of Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar.

Samajwadi Party’s jump from five Lok Sabha seats in 2019 to pole position five years later marks a stunning comeback against all expectations, with the bonus of an all-round performance spanning all four regions of this vast and diverse state. Akhilesh Yadav’s party won 37 seats out of a total of 80 Lok Sabha seats.

INDIA bloc won 12 of the 17 UP seats — a strike rate of 70% — where women voter turnout was more than men in absolute numbers.

Congress’s Rahul Gandhi and Kishori Lal Sharma won with more than 3.9 lakh and 1.6 lakh votes in Rae Bareli and Amethi, where 5,23,822 and 4,92,861 women voted, respectively. The other 10 seats were won by SP in Sultanpur, Pratapgarh, Ambedkar Nagar, Basti, Sant Kabir Nagar, Azamgarh, Jaunpur, Salempur, Lalganj and Machhlishahr.

The remaining five seats where more women voted than men were Domariyaganj, Bansgaon, Maharajganj, Kushinagar and Deoria. BJP was winning or leading in them.

Narendra Modi won Varanasi Lok Sabha seat by defeating INDIA bloc candidate and UP Congress chief Ajay Rai, but the 1.5-lakh-vote victory margin on Tuesday marked the closest contest he has faced since 2014, and a steep fall from 2019 when he won by 4.8 lakh votes.

Hema Malini, the renowned actor who ventured into politics, has secured victory in the Mathura constituency for the third consecutive time. She defeated her Congress rival, Mukesh Dhangar, by an impressive margin of 2,93,407 votes.

Malini, aged 75, amassed a total of 5,10,064 votes, while Dhangar and BSP's Suresh Singh secured 2,16,657 and 1,88,417 votes, respectively. Expressing her joy after the win, Hema Malini told media, "I am very happy that I am getting a chance to serve people for the third time, I thank people. I am getting an opportunity to complete all the work that was left incomplete. I also thank the workers of our alliance."

As the counting of votes for the Lok Sabha elections nears its conclusion, the Bharatiya Janata Party is leading in 240 seats, with the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) ahead in approximately 300 seats. The BJP is aiming for a third consecutive term in power, while the Opposition, united under the INDIA bloc, is striving to unseat the incumbent party.

In Uttar Pradesh, the BJP is leading in 33 seats, with its allies Rashtriya Lok Dal and Apna Dal ahead in two and one seat, respectively. The Samajwadi Party and Congress, part of the INDIA bloc, have won 37 and six seats, respectively.

Hema Malini, a recipient of the Padma Shri award, is a skilled Bharatanatyam dancer. She is widely recognized for her performances in numerous Bollywood films, including 'Dream Girl', 'Sholay', 'Sapno Ka Saudagar', 'Seeta Aur Geeta', and 'Satte Pe Satta', among others.

Akhilesh Yadav, the president of the Samajwadi Party, has emerged victorious in the Kannauj Lok Sabha constituency, as per the declaration made by the Election Commission. The margin of victory for Yadav was a substantial 1,70,922 votes, showcasing the strong support he enjoys in the region.

The Kannauj seat, located in the state of Uttar Pradesh, has been a stronghold for the Samajwadi Party in recent years. Yadav's win further solidifies his position as a prominent leader within the party and highlights the trust placed in him by the constituents of Kannauj.

The Election Commission's official announcement confirms the results, putting an end to speculation and affirming Akhilesh Yadav's success in securing the Lok Sabha seat. The significant margin of victory not only reflects Yadav's popularity but also indicates the effectiveness of his campaign strategies and the resonance of his message with the voters.

In the recently held byelections for four Uttar Pradesh Assembly seats, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Samajwadi Party (SP) secured two seats each. The BJP successfully retained its hold on the Dadraul and Lucknow East constituencies, while the SP reclaimed its Gainsari seat and captured the Duddhi seat from the BJP.

The byelections for these four Assembly seats were conducted concurrently with the fourth phase of the Lok Sabha elections on May 13. The Lucknow East Assembly seat fell vacant due to the passing of Ashutosh Tandon, a three-time MLA and Cabinet minister in the first Yogi Adityanath government, on November 9, 2023. Similarly, the Dadraul seat became unoccupied following the demise of BJP member Manvendra Singh on January 5, after a prolonged illness.

The Gainsari Assembly constituency also required a byelection after the death of Shiv Pratap Yadav, a four-time SP MLA, on January 26. Lastly, the Duddhi Assembly seat, reserved for Scheduled Tribes, necessitated a byelection due to the disqualification of BJP's Ramdular Gond, who was convicted in a rape case and sentenced to 25 years of rigorous imprisonment.

According to the latest Election Commission data, the BJP's vote share experienced a slight decline in the recent polls, while the Congress and the Samajwadi Party managed to secure a higher percentage of votes compared to their performance in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. The BJP, despite contesting more seats this time, is expected to fall short of the majority mark of 272, with a vote share of 36.58 percent, a decrease of approximately 0.72 percentage points.

In contrast, the Congress witnessed an increase of 1.76 percentage points in its vote share, reaching 21.22 percent, which translated into an improved seat tally. The party's vote share in 2019 stood at 19.46 percent. The INDIA bloc put up a strong fight, with the Congress poised to win 99 seats, nearly doubling its 2019 tally. The party's electoral performance improved in Rajasthan, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, where its ally, the Samajwadi Party, almost doubled its vote share from 2.55 percent in 2019 to 4.59 percent.

Other regional parties experienced mixed results. The Janata Dal (United) saw a slight decrease in its vote share, securing 1.25 percent compared to 1.45 percent in 2019. The Trinamool Congress in West Bengal increased its vote share from 4.06 percent to 4.38 percent. However, the Bahujan Samajwadi Party (BSP) led by Mayawati saw a significant reduction of 1.58 percentage points, settling at 2.04 percent. The AAP's vote share rose from 0.44 percent in 2019 to 1.11 percent this time.

Among the southern state parties, the DMK's vote share dropped from 2.34 percent to 1.82 percent, while the BJP's Andhra Pradesh ally, TDP, experienced a marginal decrease from 2.04 percent to 1.97 percent. The YSR Congress Party in Andhra Pradesh also saw a reduction in its vote share, from 2.53 percent in 2019 to 2.05 percent in the current polls.

BJP candidate and defence minister Rajnath Singh, emerged victorious in the Lucknow Lok Sabha constituency, securing a margin of 1,35,159 votes on Tuesday. Singh garnered 6,12,709 votes, while his closest rival, Ravidas Mehrotra from the Samajwadi Party, received 4,77,550 votes.

This marks Singh's third consecutive win from the Lucknow seat. In the previous election held in 2019, he had defeated Poonam Sinha by a substantial margin of over 3.4 Lakh votes. Singh also achieved a resounding victory against the Congress candidate. The Lucknow parliamentary constituency holds significant prestige, having been represented by the late former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee for five consecutive terms from 1991 to 2004.

Throughout the two-month-long Lok Sabha election, which was divided into seven phases, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath sought the people's support by showcasing development and frequently invoking the name of god, a clear appeal given the recent consecration of the renowned Ram Temple in Ayodhya. Despite his efforts, the BJP experienced a significant setback, losing approximately half of the seats it had secured in the previous general election.

During the election campaign, Adityanath addressed around 200 political rallies and road shows, covering 5-6 constituencies daily across the state. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah often accompanied him to ensure that the BJP reasserted its dominance in the crucial Hindi heartland state. However, few could have predicted the dramatic turnaround that propelled the INDIA bloc to a position where it can exert significant influence even as the opposition.

According to the latest data from the Election Commission, the Samajwadi Party secured two seats and was leading in 35 constituencies. The BJP won five seats and was leading in 28, while the Congress emerged victorious in one seat and was leading in five others.

In addition to covering nearly all the districts and Parliamentary constituencies in UP, Adityanath sought support for party candidates in Bihar, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, and even in the South. Two years into his second consecutive term as the UP CM, he made headlines for his bulldozer policy and tough stance against the alleged Mafia-raj fostered by the SP during its regime. He played a prominent role in the lead-up to the Ram Mandir consecration ceremony in January this year and praised Modi, urging voters: "Jo Ram ko Laye, Hain hum unko Leyenge."

As a star campaigner for the party, Adityanath drew crowds wherever he went to address poll rallies, particularly in religion-charged constituencies like Mathura, where he campaigned for Hema Malini. He also took on Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal while campaigning in Delhi and Punjab.

As the Lok Sabha election results continue to pour in, Brajesh Pathak, the Deputy Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and a prominent BJP leader, voiced his unwavering belief that the BJP-led NDA will emerge victorious in 80 seats across the state. He stated, "Since the counting has begun, our all polling agents have reached the polling centres. After witnessing the enthusiasm in the elections, I am sure that the NDA alliance will definitely win elections on 80 seats."

Pathak also took aim at the opposition's statements, dismissing them as baseless and irrelevant. He asserted that the public has rejected the opposition due to their lack of a specific agenda and policies focused on societal development and welfare. "The opposition has derailed from their track. They are baseless. They just speak irrelevant facts. The public has rejected them as they have no any specific agenda and policies driven towards the development and welfare of the society," he said.

To ensure the seamless and secure counting of votes for more than 8,000 candidates participating in this general election, stringent security measures have been implemented at all counting centers.

BJP candidate Maneka Gandhi, was defeated in the Sultanpur constituency by Rambhual Nishad of the Samajwadi Party. The margin of victory for Nishad was 43,174 votes, as per the data provided by the Election Commission.

The Election Commission website shows that Nishad received 4,44,330 votes, while Gandhi managed to secure 4,01,156 votes.

Samajwadi Party's first-time candidate, Iqra Hasan, emerged victorious in the Kairana Lok Sabha constituency in western Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday. She secured a convincing win over her closest competitor, BJP's Pradeep Chaudhary, by a margin exceeding 69,000 votes. According to the Election Commission's data at 8 pm, Hasan garnered 5,28,013 votes, accounting for 48.9 per cent of the total votes cast, while Chaudhary received 4,58,897 votes, which translated to 42.5 per cent of the vote share.

The Bahujan Samaj Party's candidate, Sripal, managed to secure 76,200 votes, constituting 7.06 per cent of the total votes polled. Among the remaining 11 candidates, including Independents, none could surpass the 3,320-vote mark.

Arun Govil, the BJP candidate who portrayed Lord Ram in the widely watched television series Ramayana, emerged victorious in the Meerut Lok Sabha constituency of Uttar Pradesh. He triumphed over his closest competitor, Sunita Verma from the Samajwadi Party, by securing a margin of 10,585 votes.

Rajnath Singh, a stalwart in Indian politics known for his grassroots connect and moderate demeanor, has been a formidable figure in the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) expansion across Uttar Pradesh.

Hailing from Chandauli district in Uttar Pradesh, Singh's journey from a student activist with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) to the helm of the BJP as its national president showcases his commitment and leadership prowess.

His resounding performance in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections indicates his continued influence, with Singh poised to retain the prestigious Lucknow Lok Sabha seat by a significant margin.

Born on July 10, 1951, in a farmer's family in Babhora village, Singh received his education in Uttar Pradesh, completing his MSc in Physics from Gorakhpur University. He initially worked as a lecturer before delving into politics.

Singh's political career took off in 1974, and his ascent was swift. He served in various capacities, from MLA to MLC, and held ministerial positions in both state and central governments. Notably, he became the Union Surface Transport Minister in the Vajpayee government and later served as the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh.

As the Union Home Minister in Prime Minister Modi's first tenure, Singh earned acclaim for his strategic initiatives and commitment to national security. His subsequent role as Defence Minister saw him spearheading critical measures to bolster India's defence capabilities along the border with China and enhance domestic defence manufacturing.

Throughout his career, Singh has been revered for his inclusive leadership style and ability to forge alliances across party lines. His journey from a humble background to the apex of Indian politics exemplifies dedication, vision, and resilience.

As Rajnath Singh continues to shape the political landscape, his influence and leadership remain indispensable, solidifying his legacy as a statesman and strategist in Indian politics.

In a resounding victory, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi secured the Rae Bareli Lok Sabha seat in Uttar Pradesh with a commanding margin of 3,90,030 votes, surpassing his mother Sonia Gandhi's victory margin in 2019.

According to the Election Commission (EC), Rahul Gandhi garnered a total of 6,87,649 votes, while his closest rival, Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Dinesh Pratap Singh, received 2,97,619 votes. Thakur Prasad Yadav of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) secured 21,624 votes.

Notably, Sonia Gandhi had won the seat in 2019 with a margin of 1,67,178 votes against Dinesh Pratap Singh.

Sonia Gandhi, who had been representing Rae Bareli in the Lok Sabha since 2004, vacated the seat earlier this year to be elected to the Rajya Sabha.

Rae Bareli stands as the sole Lok Sabha seat in Uttar Pradesh clinched by the Congress in the 2019 elections.

Previously representing the Amethi seat from 2004 to 2019, Rahul Gandhi faced defeat in 2019 against BJP's Smriti Irani. However, he secured victory from Kerala's Wayanad constituency in the same election.

Rahul Gandhi, scion of India's political dynasty, once poised as the nation's future leader, has weathered the highs and lows of two decades in politics, culminating in the recent Lok Sabha elections where his Congress party faced a resounding defeat at the hands of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's BJP.

Initially hailed as the torchbearer of a new era for the Congress party, Gandhi's journey has been marked by setbacks and challenges. Despite being seen as the natural successor to his family's political legacy, Gandhi struggled to galvanize support and articulate a compelling vision for the party.

The electoral defeats suffered by Congress under his leadership only served to underscore the party's dwindling influence and the uphill battle faced by Gandhi himself. His attempts to counter the BJP's Hindu-first agenda often fell short, overshadowed by Modi's populist appeal and the BJP's formidable electoral machinery.

Yet, in the face of adversity, Gandhi embarked on a transformative journey in 2022, shedding his image of entitlement and privilege by engaging with ordinary citizens across the country. His efforts to connect with voters on a personal level were seen as a genuine attempt to bridge the gap between the political elite and the masses.

Born into a family steeped in political legacy, Gandhi's entry into politics was marked by tragedy, with the assassinations of his grandmother Indira Gandhi and father Rajiv Gandhi. Despite his privileged upbringing, Gandhi chose to immerse himself in grassroots politics, eventually ascending to the helm of the Congress party in 2017.

However, Gandhi's leadership was marred by criticism and ridicule, with his detractors dubbing him "pappu" for his perceived lack of political acumen. His struggles with Hindi oratory and the BJP's relentless attacks further eroded his credibility as a leader.

Amidst legal battles and electoral setbacks, Gandhi's resolve remained unshaken. Despite relinquishing his official position as Congress party president, he continues to be a prominent voice within the party, advocating for democratic values and accountability in government.

While the recent electoral defeat may have dealt a blow to Gandhi's political ambitions, it also underscores his resilience in the face of adversity. As India grapples with the challenges of a changing political landscape, Rahul Gandhi's journey remains a testament to the enduring spirit of democracy and the pursuit of a more inclusive and equitable future.

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra expressed her happiness over the results of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, particularly highlighting the role of Uttar Pradesh (UP) in the electoral outcome.

"I am very happy... I want to tell the people of UP that they have shown a lot of discretion. I am most proud of UP..." said Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.

In Uttar Pradesh, the BJP is leading on 31 seats, with its allies Rashtriya Lok Dal and Apna Dal ahead on two and one seat respectively. This represents a significant decrease from BJP's 2019 victory, where they secured 62 out of 80 seats.

The INDIA bloc, comprising the Samajwadi Party and Congress, has shown a strong performance, leading on 38 and 7 seats respectively.

Meanwhile, Congress' KL Sharma emerged victorious against BJP leader Smriti Irani from the Amethi seat. Irani, acknowledging the efforts of her party workers and supporters, thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for completing pending works in the region.

"I express my gratitude to all the BJP party workers and supporters, those who have worked in the service of the constituency and the party with dedication and loyalty. Today, I am grateful to PM Narendra Modi and CM Yogi Adityanath that their governments have completed the pending works of 30 years in just 5 years. I congratulate those who win. I will continue to be in the service of the people of Amethi," said Irani at a press conference.

"We will strengthen the organization. We are the ones who have served the area with devotion. I went to every village in the area and worked. I gave 10 years of my life to this area," she added.

In the ongoing tally of votes for the Lok Sabha 2024 elections, Bhojpuri superstars Ravi Kishan, Dinesh Lal Yadav 'Nirahua', and Pawan Singh experienced a mixed bag of results.

Ravi Kishan, known for his roles in films like "Laapataa Ladies", secured victory in the Gorakhpur constituency under the BJP banner. He clinched the win against fellow Bhojpuri actress Kajal Nishad, who contested as the joint candidate of the INDIA bloc.

In a poignant reflection on her journey, Smriti Irani, Member of Parliament and Union Cabinet Minister, shared sentiments of gratitude and determination encapsulating her decade-long commitment to public service. Irani, known for her tireless efforts in constituency development, expressed her appreciation for the unwavering support received during both challenging times and triumphant moments.

Addressing her followers and constituents, Irani acknowledged the profound impact of her work, spanning across villages and communities. Over the years, she dedicated herself to uplifting lives, nurturing hope, and fostering aspirations, while spearheading initiatives ranging from infrastructure development to educational endeavors.

Irani's heartfelt message resonated with those who have witnessed her unwavering dedication firsthand. As she expressed gratitude to her steadfast supporters, she also extended congratulations to those celebrating victories. Her unwavering spirit and resilience were evident as she affirmed that her enthusiasm and determination remain undiminished.

Amidst the ebbs and flows of life, Irani's unwavering resolve remains unshakeable. With characteristic optimism, she affirmed that her zeal for serving the nation and empowering communities remains as high as ever. As she continues her journey, Irani's steadfast commitment to public welfare serves as an inspiration to many, embodying the spirit of service and resilience.

Dimple Yadav, wife of Akhilesh Yadav, has emerged victorious from the Mainpuri Lok Sabha seat, while Akhilesh and three other members of the Yadav family are leading comfortably, according to the Election Commission's latest data.

The Samajwadi Party (SP) had fielded five members of the Yadav clan in the Lok Sabha elections.

Akhilesh Yadav holds a substantial lead of 1,70,076 votes over BJP's Subrat Pathak in Kannauj, as per the figures available on the EC's website at 7 pm.

Dimple secured victory from the Mainpuri Lok Sabha seat with a convincing margin of 2,21,639 votes, defeating her nearest rival, BJP's Jaiveer Singh. She garnered 5,98,526 votes, while Singh received 3,76,887 votes. BSP candidate Shiv Prasad Yadav secured 66,814 votes.

In Azamgarh, SP's Dharmendra Yadav maintains a lead of 1,61,035 votes over BJP's Dinesh Lal Yadav 'Nirahua', while in Firozabad, party leader Ram Gopal Yadav's son Akshay Yadav leads by 89,312 votes against BJP's Vishwadeep Singh.

In Badaun, SP leader Shivpal Yadav's son Aditya Yadav leads BJP's Durvijay Singh Shakya by 35,252 votes, as of 7 pm. Initially, the party had nominated Shivpal for this seat, but later replaced him with his son Aditya.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) faced a significant setback in Uttar Pradesh, particularly in the constituency of Ayodhya, where the inauguration of a grand Hindu temple by Prime Minister Narendra Modi just months ago was viewed as a pivotal event for the party's electoral prospects.

Despite the high-profile inauguration of the temple dedicated to Lord Ram, the BJP appears to be facing heavy losses in the bellwether state. The opposition Samajwadi Party and Congress are leading in more than half of Uttar Pradesh's 80 seats, including in Ayodhya city within the Faizabad constituency.

The temple inauguration fulfilled a longstanding promise by the BJP, which had made it a centerpiece of its campaign rhetoric during the extensive election period in the Hindu-majority nation. However, despite the symbolic significance of the temple, voters appear to have prioritized concerns such as unemployment and high inflation over religious issues.

The incumbent BJP lawmaker from Faizabad, Lallu Singh, expressed regret to party workers, acknowledging the party's failure to secure victory in the Ayodhya parliamentary region. Singh had been elected to parliament twice before, in 2014 and 2019, during BJP's previous electoral triumphs in Uttar Pradesh.

However, latest trends from the Election Commission indicate a reduction in the BJP's seat count in the state, raising questions about the effectiveness of religious appeals in the face of pressing economic concerns. Some analysts suggest that voters were dissatisfied with the BJP's performance on developmental issues, despite the significance of the temple inauguration.

Local sentiments in Ayodhya also reflect a mix of satisfaction with the temple's construction and frustration over issues like inadequate compensation for businesses affected by the redevelopment of the area. This suggests that voters are not solely swayed by religious or caste-based politics, but also prioritize tangible development and economic progress.

The construction of the Ram temple followed a decades-long dispute over the site, culminating in a Supreme Court order for its construction after the demolition of a historic mosque in 1992. While the temple's completion was a significant event, its electoral impact underscores the complexity of voter priorities in contemporary India.

The Congress party sees a glimmer of hope in the Allahabad constituency after a hiatus of 60 years, with its candidate Ujjwal Raman Singh leading by over 58,000 votes, as per the Election Commission's latest update.

The last instance of the Sangam city electing a Congress MP dates back to the 1984 general elections when the iconic Amitabh Bachchan secured the seat.

In the ongoing electoral battle, Ujjwal Raman Singh, representing the INDIA bloc, holds a commanding lead of 58,435 votes over his closest competitor Neeraj Tripathi from the BJP, according to figures released by the EC at 6:30 PM.

An intriguing aspect of the Allahabad Lok Sabha contest lies in the clash between two scions of prominent political families in Uttar Pradesh, both vying to carry forward their fathers' legacies.

Ujjwal Raman Singh's father, Rewati Raman Singh, previously served as the representative for Allahabad in the Lok Sabha, having secured victories in the 2004 and 2009 elections.

Similarly, Neeraj Tripathi hails from a political lineage, with his father Kesari Nath Tripathi, a stalwart in Uttar Pradesh politics. Kesari Nath Tripathi served as a five-time MLA from Allahabad South and held the esteemed position of Speaker of the state Legislative Assembly. Additionally, he served as the Governor of several states including West Bengal, Bihar, Mizoram, and Meghalaya.

The ongoing Lok Sabha elections hold immense significance for the Congress, particularly in Uttar Pradesh, where the party has been striving to regain its political footing over the past three decades. With a notable performance in several key constituencies, the Congress has garnered a decisive lead in seven out of the 17 seats it contested in the state.

In Rae Bareli, former Congress president Rahul Gandhi has secured a commanding lead of over three lakh votes, reaffirming the party's stronghold in the region. Similarly, in Amethi, another bastion of the Nehru-Gandhi family, Congress candidate Kishori Lal Sharma leads by more than one lakh votes over BJP's Smriti Irani.

Encouraging trends also emerge from other constituencies, with the Congress leading by significant margins in Barabanki, Saharanpur, Sitapur, Allahabad, and Amroha. These developments mark a notable turnaround for the Congress, considering its previous electoral performance where it secured victory only in Rae Bareli, and suffered setbacks, notably in Amethi.

The Congress-SP alliance, which faced defeat in previous elections, appears to be faring better this time around. The SP, contesting 62 seats in the state, is leading in 35 constituencies, signaling a potential resurgence for the alliance.

To strengthen its electoral prospects, the Congress has strategically fielded candidates like Imran Masood and Danish Ali in Saharanpur and Amroha respectively, capitalizing on their appeal within specific demographic segments. Additionally, the party's nomination of candidates across various constituencies reflects a concerted effort to broaden its support base and address diverse voter interests.

As the election dynamics continue to unfold, these developments suggest a notable resurgence for the Congress in Uttar Pradesh, potentially altering the state's political landscape after decades of marginalization.

Chandrashekhar of the Aazad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram) clinched victory in the Nagina Lok Sabha seat in Uttar Pradesh, as confirmed by the Election Commission on Tuesday.

According to the Election Commission's official data, Chandrashekhar secured a significant win over his closest competitor, Om Kumar of the BJP, with a substantial margin of 1,51,473 votes.

Notably, Chandrashekhar holds the dual roles of founder and chief of the Bhim Army, an organization dedicated to advocating for Dalit rights.

The Nagina constituency, reserved for a Scheduled Caste candidate, witnessed the participation of six candidates in the electoral contest.

Samajwadi Party's Manoj Kumar was among the contenders vying for victory in the Nagina (SC) constituency, which went to polls during the initial phase of the Lok Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh on April 19.

Congress leaders held a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar and other election commissioners on Tuesday, raising concerns about the alleged slow counting of votes, particularly in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

The delegation, which included Abhishek Singhvi and Salman Khurshid, urged the Election Commission to provide real-time updates on its website after each round of counting in all constituencies.

"We are simply requesting the updating of results on the election website after different rounds of counting. However, we have observed a slowdown in the counting process, especially in Uttar Pradesh, after 2:30 PM," Singhvi informed PTI.

He highlighted that the Congress delegation brought this issue to the attention of the Election Commission, seeking resolution and transparency in the counting process.

As the Lok Sabha election vote count progresses, several BJP leaders, including Smriti Irani, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Ajay Mishra Teni, and Arjun Munda, find themselves trailing their opponents, leading to disappointing results for the BJP-led NDA.

Former Amethi MP Smriti Irani, who famously defeated Rahul Gandhi in 2019, is currently trailing Congress candidate Kishori Lal Sharma by over 1.39 lakh votes. Sharma, a trusted aide of the Gandhi family, has garnered significant support in the constituency.

Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Ajay Mishra Teni, whose son's involvement in the Lakhimpur Kheri violence stirred controversy, is also trailing behind Samajwadi Party's Utkarsh Sharma by more than 33,000 votes. The SP, in alliance with the Congress, has posed a formidable challenge in Uttar Pradesh.

In Jharkhand's Khunti Lok Sabha constituency, Union Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda is facing a setback as he trails Congress candidate Kalicharan Munda by over 1.28 lakh votes, according to the latest updates from the Election Commission.

In Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha seat, Union Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology Rajeev Chandrasekhar is lagging behind three-time MP Shashi Tharoor of the Congress by over 15,000 votes. Despite leading initially, Chandrasekhar's position has weakened as the counting progresses.

The BJP's stronghold states like Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Rajasthan are witnessing significant losses, though the party is expected to secure around 290 seats nationally.

However, the BJP's individual performance appears to be falling short of the majority mark, with leads in only 242 seats, despite making gains in states like Odisha, Telangana, and Kerala. Meanwhile, the INDIA bloc, formed in opposition to the BJP, is leading in approximately 230 seats.

The actual results are starkly different from the optimistic predictions of a "400-paar" victory by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and "370-paar" for the BJP. The exit poll forecasts, which anticipated a decisive victory for the NDA, have been contradicted by the unfolding election results.

After nearly four decades, the Congress party is on the brink of reclaiming the Allahabad Lok Sabha seat, a significant victory that harks back to its last representation in 1984. Ujjwal Raman Singh, the Congress candidate, maintains a solid lead over his closest competitor, BJP's Neeraj Tripathi. With a comfortable margin of 42,212 votes, Ujjwal is poised to secure the seat.

Interestingly, the historical significance of this electoral contest is amplified by the fact that in the elections held four decades ago, none of the subsequent representatives of the seat garnered as many votes as the then Congress candidate, the iconic Hindi cinema megastar, Amitabh Bachchan.

The Lok Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh have unfolded as one of the most captivating political dramas of the day, with Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav, the 'UP ke ladke', posing a formidable challenge to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and significantly impacting the seat share of the INDIA bloc. However, amidst this political turbulence, one leader has emerged as the true victor of Uttar Pradesh, as her relentless efforts have finally borne fruit.

The Twin Power Seats:

The Congress is on the verge of securing victory in Amethi and Rae Bareli. Rahul Gandhi, contesting from Rae Bareli in addition to Wayanad this time, is leading by a substantial margin and is poised to surpass his mother's electoral record.

Amethi, a bastion lost by the Congress in 2019 to BJP's Smriti Irani's surprising victory over Rahul Gandhi, is now set to return to the party fold. Congress candidate Kishori Lal Sharma is poised to reclaim the Gandhi family stronghold, defeating BJP's formidable opponent. Congratulating Sharma, Priyanka wrote, "Kishori bhaiya, I never had any doubts, I was sure from the beginning that you would win. Hearty congratulations to you and my dear brothers and sisters of Amethi!"

These favorable results are the outcome of a spirited campaign led by star campaigner Priyanka Gandhi, who chose not to contest the elections but spared no effort in rallying votes for the alliance.

The Star Campaigner:

In her addresses to party workers during the campaign, Priyanka emphasized the need for unity and resilience. She urged party members to stand united and fight vigorously for victory in the polls, leading by example.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's campaign in Amethi and Rae Bareli showcased her personal approach, courage, and spontaneity. Her interactions with the public were characterized by empathy and connection. "I am your sister, your daughter. I have come to understand your issues and find solutions," she assured a group of women in Amethi.

Priyanka's campaign strategy focused on direct engagement with voters, particularly women, addressing their concerns. She visited villages, conducted small meetings, and participated in door-to-door canvassing. Her spontaneity was evident when she joined young girls in a folk dance in Rae Bareli, exhibiting her unscripted enthusiasm.

Priyanka's campaign style departed from the traditional, choreographed rallies often seen in Indian politics. Her approach was more intimate, direct, and spontaneous, resonating deeply with the local populace and now translating into Lok Sabha victories.

The Lok Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh have resulted in a major upset for the BJP, with six Union Ministers facing the possibility of defeat.

Smriti Irani: In Amethi, she is trailing against Kishori Lal Sharma of the Congress by over 1.45 lakh votes. Despite considering Sharma as a lesser opponent, Irani finds herself at risk of losing in a shocking turn of events.

Ajay Mishra Teni: The Union Minister of State for Home faces a tough challenge in Kheri, where Utkarsh Varma of the Samajwadi Party has surged ahead with a lead of over 33,000 votes. Mishra Teni made headlines due to his involvement in a controversial incident in October 2021, adding to the challenges in his electoral battle.

Kaushal Kishore: In Mohanlalganj, he is trailing behind R.K. Chaudhary of the Samajwadi Party by over 84,000 votes, indicating a significant setback for the BJP in this constituency.

Mahendra Nath Pandey: The Union Minister from Chandauli is facing tough competition from Virendra Singh of the Samajwadi Party, with a deficit of over 22,000 votes.

Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti: In Fatehpur, she is trailing against Samajwadi Party's Naresh Uttam Patel by a considerable margin of over 26,000 votes, signaling a possible defeat for the Union Minister.

Atul Garg, the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) candidate for the Ghaziabad Lok Sabha seat, has surged ahead with a commanding lead of over 2.66 lakh votes, as per the latest poll trends available on the Election Commission's website on Tuesday.

As of 4 pm, Garg has secured a substantial mandate, amassing over 6.80 lakh votes, while his closest rival, Congress' Dolly Sharma, has garnered 4.13 lakh votes. Meanwhile, Bahujan Samaj Party's Nand Kishor Pundir trails behind with 66,226 votes.

Despite the presence of 11 other candidates in the fray from the western Uttar Pradesh constituency, none have managed to gather even 2,000 votes by 4 pm.

Interestingly, the NOTA (none of the above) option has secured the fourth-highest number of votes, totaling 6,644, underscoring the electorate's diverse preferences.

The seat, previously held by former Army chief V K Singh, witnessed Singh's landslide victories with a margin of over 5 lakh votes in both the Lok Sabha polls of 2014 and 2019.

Garg, a sitting Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Uttar Pradesh's Ghaziabad constituency, was named the BJP's Lok Sabha candidate on March 24, following Singh's announcement that he would not contest the parliamentary elections.

Atul Garg, who replaced former Union minister V K Singh as BJP's Ghaziabad Lok Sabha candidate, is leading by a margin of over 2.66 lakh votes, according to poll trends on the Election Commission's website on Tuesday. Until 4 pm, Garg has polled over 6.80 lakh votes as compared to Congress' Dolly Sharma who has bagged 4.13 lakh votes and Bahujan Samaj Party's Nand Kishor Pundir who got 66,226 votes.

Besides them, a total of 11 other candidates are in the fray from the western Uttar Pradesh constituency but none could garner even 2,000 votes till 4 pm.

The NOTA (none of the above) option bagged the fourth highest number of votes -- 6,644 even as the counting continued.

As the counting of votes is underway for the 18th Lok Sabha elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is contesting from Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi is leading with 152355 votes.

On the other hand, Congress' Ajay Rai has garnered 403382 votes.

Uttar Pradesh Congress chief and candidate from Varanasi, Ajay Rai asserted that the exit polls released after the conclusion of the seventh and last phase of Lok Sabha elections were fabricated.

He said, "I had said yesterday too that the exit poll was concocted, to mislead people and create mental pressure. We are connected to the ground reality, I had said that the INDIA alliance will give results and the outcome is before everyone."

Expressing confidence in the victory, Rai said, "INDIA alliance is going to form the government in the country and the alliance is winning with a huge majority. We will also win Varanasi."

The landscape of Dalit politics in Uttar Pradesh witnessed a seismic shift during the recent Lok Sabha elections, with the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) facing a setback while a new Dalit leader emerged triumphant.

The most significant outcome of these elections from the state is the decline of the BSP, which failed to secure a single seat in Uttar Pradesh. Meanwhile, Chandrashekhar of the Aazad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram), and the founder of the Bhim Party, surged ahead with a massive lead in the Nagina seat, despite lacking support from any political party or leader.

Chandrashekhar's resounding victory, with a margin exceeding one lakh votes in the reserved Nagina constituency, signifies a notable shift in Dalit voting patterns. Despite facing opposition from various parties, Chandrashekhar remained steadfast in his confidence of victory, relying on the unwavering support of the people.

Reflecting on his grassroots approach, Chandrashekhar emphasized his connection with the voters, asserting that their trust and support were paramount. His dedication to addressing the concerns of Dalit communities, coupled with his tangible actions such as establishing schools and providing legal aid to affected families, resonated strongly with voters, especially the youth.

While Chandrashekhar refrained from directly criticizing Mayawati, his approach highlighted the distinctions between their strategies and engagements with the community. Advocates of the Bhim Army pointed to Chandrashekhar's consistent efforts in supporting Dalit families and communities, contrasting it with perceived inaction from traditional political leaders.

Buoyed by Chandrashekhar's victory, the Bhim Army now aims to expand its presence and strengthen its organizational structure across the state in preparation for future elections, including the upcoming Assembly polls.

According to Election Commission data, Chandrashekhar led with a substantial margin of 1,45,053 votes over his closest rival, BJP's Om Kumar. With 4,91,045 votes polled in his favor, Chandrashekhar's victory marks a significant milestone in the evolving landscape of Dalit politics in Uttar Pradesh.


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As the tallying of votes continued on Tuesday, BJP's Mahesh Sharma maintained a significant lead in Uttar Pradesh's Gautam Buddh Nagar Lok Sabha seat, surpassing his previous performances in both the 2014 and 2019 elections.

Sharma, who previously secured victory in the Lok Sabha polls from Gautam Buddh Nagar by margins of 2.80 lakh votes in 2014 and 3.37 lakh votes in 2019, was now leading by an impressive margin of over 5 lakh votes, as per the latest figures from the Election Commission website at 3:30 pm.

With Sharma securing more than 7.80 lakh votes, his closest competitor, Samajwadi Party's Mahendra Singh Nagar, had garnered 2.83 lakh votes by the same time. Following closely was Bahujan Samaj Party's Rajendra Singh Solanki with 2.40 lakh votes.

Remarkably, the "None of the Above" (NOTA) option on the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) garnered the fourth-highest number of votes, with 9,467 individuals opting for it.

Comparatively, the NOTA votes in Gautam Buddh Nagar were recorded at 8,371 in the 2019 elections and 3,836 in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls.

Despite the presence of 12 other candidates, including Independent nominees, none of them managed to accumulate even 4,000 votes by 3:30 pm, according to the Election Commission's figures.

In the ongoing bypolls for four assembly constituencies in Uttar Pradesh, both the ruling BJP and the principal opposition party SP are in a neck-and-neck contest, with each leading in two seats, as per the Election Commission trends available at 3 pm.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidates are currently ahead in Lucknow East and Dadraul, whereas the Samajwadi Party (SP) candidates have taken the lead in the Gainsari and Duddhi (SC) assembly constituencies.

In the Lucknow East assembly seat, BJP's OP Srivastava is leading over his closest rival, Mukesh Kumar of the Congress, by a margin of 75,581 votes.

Similarly, in the Dadarul assembly constituency in Shahjahanpur district, BJP's Arvind Kumar Singh is ahead of SP's Avadhesh Kumar Verma by 52,477 votes.

However, in the Gainsari assembly constituency in Balrampur district, SP's Rakesh Kumar Yadav leads BJP's Shailesh Kumar Singh 'Shailu' by 5,096 votes.

In the Duddhi (SC) assembly seat in Sonbhadra district, Vijay Singh of the SP is ahead of BJP's Saravan Kumar by 27,882 votes.

These bypolls were conducted simultaneously with the Lok Sabha elections in the fourth phase on May 13, adding to the political dynamics of the state.

Uttar Pradesh comprises 403 assembly constituencies, making it a significant battleground for political parties.

The bypoll in Lucknow East was necessitated following the demise of sitting MLA Ashutosh Tandon on November 9, 2023, who was a prominent figure in the state's political landscape.

Similarly, the Dadraul assembly seat fell vacant after the passing of BJP MLA Manvendra Singh, who was associated with Congress before joining BJP in 2017.

The Gainsari constituency witnessed a vacancy due to the demise of sitting SP MLA Shiv Pratap Yadav, while the Duddhi seat became available following the disqualification of BJP's Ramdular Gond.

According to the Representation of the People Act, a lawmaker convicted and sentenced to imprisonment for two years or more is disqualified from holding office from the date of conviction and remains disqualified for an additional six years after serving the sentence.

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi has established a commanding lead of over 3.5 lakh votes from the Raebareli Lok Sabha constituency in Uttar Pradesh, while Kishori Lal Sharma is currently leading in Amethi.

In Raebareli, Rahul Gandhi faces BJP's Dinesh Pratap Singh as his opponent. Notably, in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Rahul Gandhi contested from the Wayanad Lok Sabha seat after BJP's Smriti Irani emerged victorious in Amethi.

Rahul's decision to contest from Raebareli came after his mother, Sonia Gandhi, retired from active electoral politics due to health concerns and transitioned to the Rajya Sabha.

During a rally in Raebareli, Sonia Gandhi entrusted her son's responsibility to the voters, emphasizing his commitment to serving the people.

Meanwhile, in Amethi, Congress' Kishori Lal Sharma is leading with a significant margin of 1,18,471 votes against Smriti Irani.

If these trends persist and Kishori Lal Sharma secures victory over Smriti Irani, it would mark a substantial setback for the BJP in Uttar Pradesh.

Akhilesh Yadav's political stature soared on Tuesday as his Samajwadi Party made significant gains in Uttar Pradesh, denting the ruling BJP's dominance in the state.

As the electoral trends emerged, the SP was leading on 37 seats compared to the BJP's 33 seats, marking a setback for the BJP, which had anticipated a sweeping victory, particularly in the constituency represented by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

In a remarkable turnaround from the last election, where the SP won only five seats in alliance with the BSP, Akhilesh's leadership has dealt a significant blow to the BJP, which secured 62 seats independently in 2019.

Born on July 1, 1973, Akhilesh spearheaded the opposition's campaign in Uttar Pradesh, collaborating effectively with Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress and Arvind Kejriwal's party.

This election marked the first general election since the demise of SP patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav, and Akhilesh has delivered commendably, surpassing the party's previous achievements, even exceeding the number of seats won in the 2004 election.

Despite facing jibes from Modi, who often referred to him and Rahul Gandhi as "Do ladko ki jodi" (the duo of two boys), Akhilesh's strategic acronym PDA (Pichchde, Dalits, and Alpsankhyak) appears to have resonated with voters.

Even on the Faizabad Lok Sabha seat, where the Ram temple issue dominated the BJP's campaign, the SP is leading, underscoring its broad appeal.

Akhilesh criticized the BJP's alleged authoritarianism by highlighting the incarceration of Arvind Kejriwal and JMM leader Hemant Soren, while also praising Lalu Prasad and his son Tejaswi Yadav for their role in Bihar.

In Kannauj, Akhilesh actively campaigned for his wife Dimple Yadav and three cousins who were contesting, consolidating support for the SP.

During the campaign, Akhilesh compelled the BJP to alter its narrative, particularly regarding nepotism, asserting that those without familial ties had no authority to criticize others, prompting BJP members to include "Modi ka Parivaar" (Modi's family) in their social media bios.

The SP's performance indicates substantial support from Uttar Pradesh's Muslim population, a crucial segment of the electorate.

Prior to the election, Akhilesh reconciled with his uncle Shivpal Singh Yadav, strengthening ties with traditional Yadav voters, primarily in the eastern and central regions of the state.

Parting ways with the BSP, whom they labeled as the "B-team" of the BJP, did not adversely affect the SP, which allocated 18 seats to Congress, one to TMC, while fielding its candidates in the remaining 80 constituencies.

Born in Saifai, Etawah district, Akhilesh Yadav pursued his education at Dholpur Military School in Rajasthan before obtaining a Bachelor's degree in environmental engineering from Mysore University, followed by a Master's degree from Sydney.

In 2000, he entered the Lok Sabha through a bye-election from Kannauj, subsequently winning in 2004 and 2009.

During his tenure as Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Akhilesh initiated several development projects, including the distribution of laptops to students, the construction of the Agra-Lucknow expressway, metro projects, and the establishment of an international stadium and cancer hospital in Lucknow.

Akhilesh Yadav and his wife Dimple Yadav are parents to three children.

With the latest trends indicating the BJP falling short of the majority mark, the Congress asserted on Tuesday that it signifies a significant political setback and a morally decisive defeat for Narendra Modi, suggesting that he should resign and retreat to the Himalayas.

Vote counting for the Lok Sabha elections is currently underway, revealing the BJP as the largest individual party but failing to secure a majority on its own.

"He used to project himself as extraordinary. Now, it's evident that the outgoing prime minister is on the verge of becoming a former one. It's time to accept moral responsibility and step down. This is the essence of this election," remarked Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh in a post on X in Hindi.

Recalling a statement made by Modi on December 3, 2016, in Moradabad, Ramesh said, "Do you remember this statement of yours, outgoing prime minister? The time has come. Take your bag and head towards the Himalayas," taking a jab at Modi.

The exit polls on Saturday had predicted a third consecutive term for Prime Minister Modi, with the BJP-led NDA expected to secure a significant majority in the Lok Sabha polls.

Ramesh criticized the exit polls, stating that they have been fully exposed as a farce. "With trends now available for all 543 seats, it is evident that it will be a significant political and morally definitive defeat for Mr. Narendra Modi," Ramesh emphasized.

He further added that the exit polls orchestrated by Modi have been completely discredited.

Early trends from the vote counting on Tuesday revealed disappointing outcomes for the BJP-led NDA in the Lok Sabha elections, particularly in its strongholds of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Rajasthan. Despite this setback, the NDA is expected to form the government with around 290 seats.

However, the BJP itself seems to be falling short of the majority mark, leading in 240 seats only, despite making significant gains in Odisha, Telangana, and Kerala, providing some consolation to the party after facing unexpected losses in the Hindi belt.

As the vote counting unfolds in Uttar Pradesh, the state with the highest representation in the Lok Sabha, a fierce competition ensues between the Bharatiya Janata Party-led NDA and the INDIA bloc, consisting of the Samajwadi Party and Congress.

Currently, the Samajwadi Party holds the lead on 36 seats. Notably, Dimple Yadav commands a significant advantage with a margin of 1,40,966 votes over BJP candidate Jayveer Singh, while her husband and party chief, Akhilesh Yadav, maintains a lead of 84,463 votes against BJP's Subrat Pathak.

The Samajwadi Party is making strides in Faizabad, which includes the Ayodhya Assembly seat, where SP's Awadesh Prasad leads by 9,991 votes against BJP's Lallu Singh.

In Ghazipur, Samajwadi Party's Afzal Ansari maintains a substantial lead of 33,484 votes over BJP's Paras Nath Rai. Ansari, the brother of the late Mukhtar Ansari, a former gangster-turned-politician who passed away earlier in the year.

On the BJP front, leading in 33 seats, Prime Minister Narendra Modi commands a sizable lead of 1,32,205 votes against Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Ajai Rai in Varanasi.

In Kaiserganj, Karan Bhushan Singh, son of Brij Bhusan Singh, enjoys a comfortable lead of 83,326 votes. However, his father, former Wrestling Federation of India chief, was not fielded in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections due to allegations of sexual harassment by six women wrestlers.

In Lucknow, Rajnath Singh leads by a margin of 42,048 votes against Samajwadi Party leader Ravidas Mehrotra.

Jitin Prasada, who replaced sitting MP and BJP leader Varun Gandhi in Pilhibit, holds a significant lead of 1,27,040 votes against Samajwadi Party leader Bhagwat Saran Gangwar. Meanwhile, Varun Gandhi's mother, Maneka Gandhi, trails behind with a margin of 24,624 votes against Samajwadi Party candidate Rambhual Nishad in Sultanpur.

In Ghaziabad, BJP's Atul Garg leads by 86,011 votes, while Mahesh Sharma leads by 2,66,339 votes in Gautam Buddha Nagar.

The latest Election Commission of India trends show BJP's Smriti Irani trailing behind Congress leader Kishori Lal Sharma by a margin of 88,908 votes. Similarly, Maneka Gandhi is trailing behind Rambhual Nishad in Sultanpur with a margin of 24,624 votes.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi maintains a significant lead in Raebareli with a margin of 2,71,752 votes against BJP's Dinesh Pratap Singh.

The Congress, in alliance with various parties forming the INDIA bloc, conducted two significant yatras—Bharat Jodo Yatra and Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra—led by Rahul Gandhi, covering over 10,000 kilometers across the country, contributing to their unity and the NDA's destabilization.

In Amroha, Danish Ali, who recently joined the Congress after leaving Bahujan Samaj Party, leads with 13,494 votes against BJP's Kanwar Singh Tanwar.

Uttar Pradesh, with a maximum of 80 seats in the Lok Sabha, witnessed polling across all seven phases.

Exit polls initially projected BJP's dominance in Uttar Pradesh, predicting 65 out of 80 seats. According to poll predictions, NDA allies in the state, Apna Dal (Sonelal) and Rashtriya Lok Dal, are expected to win 2 seats each, bringing the NDA tally to 69 seats.

In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh, the Bharatiya Janata Party emerged victorious, securing 62 out of 80 seats, followed by the Bahujan Samaj Party with 10 seats, the Samajwadi Party with 5 seats, and the Apna Dal with 2 seats.

"The numbers clearly show that the people of the country have exposed the lies of BJP. Especially in UP, we can see how the youth were disturbed due to unemployment and the entire country was stressed over the inflation. The people have shown their support to INDIA alliance," says UP Congress MLA and in-charge of Amethi Lok Sabha seat Aradhana Mishra on poll trends.

As the tallying of votes progresses in the 18th Lok Sabha elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, contesting from Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, leads with 139,139 votes. In contrast, Congress' Ajay Rai has garnered 403,382 votes.

Uttar Pradesh Congress chief and Varanasi candidate, Ajay Rai, denounced the exit polls released after the final phase of elections, branding them as fabricated. Rai emphasized that these polls aimed to mislead the public and exert undue pressure. He reiterated confidence in the INDIA alliance, stating that they would secure a resounding victory, both nationally and in Varanasi.

In a dig at the BJP, Rai suggested that the party's premature celebrations indicated a disconnect from the electorate, showcasing overconfidence. He expressed determination to provide effective governance once elected.

The Lok Sabha elections witnessed the participation of approximately 642 million voters across seven phases spanning six weeks. The counting process commenced with postal ballots amid stringent security measures. Additionally, the results for State Legislative Assemblies, including Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, along with by-polls in 25 constituencies, are also being tabulated simultaneously.

Stringent security protocols have been implemented to ensure the smooth conduct of the counting process, involving over 8,000 candidates. This election, marked by significant voter engagement, will determine the political futures of numerous leaders.

Exit polls indicated a potential increase in BJP's seat count from the 303 seats it secured in 2019. Most projections favored a consecutive term for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with several anticipating a strong majority for the ruling NDA coalition. However, the Congress and its allies dismissed these forecasts as contrived, affirming their confidence in the INDIA bloc's prospects of forming the next government.

In the 2019 elections, the NDA secured 353 seats, with the BJP alone clinching 303. In contrast, the UPA coalition secured only 93 seats, with the Congress accounting for 52 of them.

According to trends on the Election Commission website, the INDIA bloc is leading in 44 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh, while the BJP-led NDA is ahead in 35 seats. Among the INDIA bloc parties, the Samajwadi Party (SP) and Congress are leading in 37 and 7 seats, respectively.

Chandrashekhar of Azad Samaj Party (Kanshiram) holds a lead of 1,09,799 votes over BJP's Om Kumar.

Several prominent leaders have secured comfortable leads over their rivals, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Varanasi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in Lucknow, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and his wife Dimple Yadav in Kannauj and Mainpuri, and Congress candidates Rahul Gandhi and Kishori Lal Sharma in Rae Bareli and Amethi, respectively.

However, there are also notable instances where leaders are trailing. BJP's Hema Malini is leading in Mathura, while Arun Govil is trailing in Meerut.

In Kaiserganj, former Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh's son Karan Bhushan Singh is leading by 82,236 votes over SP's Bhagat Ram.

Senior BJP leaders Smriti Irani, Ajay Mishra Teni, and Maneka Gandhi are trailing in Amethi, Kheri, and Sultanpur, respectively. Meanwhile, Anupriya Patel of the Apna Dal(S) is leading in the Mirzapur constituency.

In Faizabad, BJP's Lallu Singh is trailing by 85,12 votes against SP's Awadhesh Prasad. The construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya was highlighted as an achievement by BJP leaders during the campaign.

In Ghazipur, slain mafia Mukhtar Ansari's brother Afzal Ansari, an SP candidate, is leading by 56,326 votes against BJP's Paras Nath Rai.

NDA ally Nishad Party chief Sanjay Nishad's son Praveen Nishad (BJP candidate) is trailing in Sant Kabir Nagar by 78,427 votes against SP's Laximkant Pappu Nishad.

Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party Chief Om Prakash Rajbhar's son Arvind Rajbhar is also trailing in the Ghosi seat by 62,973 votes against SP's Rajeev Rai.

As the counting of votes is underway in Uttar Pradesh, the state which sends the highest number of MPs in Lok Sabha is witnessing a close contest between the Bharatiya Janata Party-led NDA and INDIA bloc comprising Samajwadi Party and Congress.

Samajwadi Party is currently ahead on 36 seats. Dimple Yadav is massively leading with a margin of 1,40,966 votes against BJP candidate Jayveer Singh. Her Husband and party chief Akhilesh Yadav is leading with a margin of 84,463 votes against BJP candidate Subrat Pathak.

Samajwadi Party is surging ahead in Faizabad which comprises the Ayodhya Assembly seat. SP's Awadesh Prasad is leading against BJP candidate Lallu Singh.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is poised to retain the Rae Bareli Lok Sabha seat in Uttar Pradesh, leading with a significant margin of 283,615 votes. The constituency, which went to the polls in the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha elections on May 20, witnessed a contest between Gandhi, BJP's Dinesh Pratap Singh, and BSP's Thakur Prasad Yadav.

Rae Bareli, a stronghold of the Gandhi family, was hotly contested, with Rahul Gandhi shifting his focus from Amethi, which he represented from 2004 to 2019. Considered a bastion of the Gandhi family, Rae Bareli has been previously represented by Sonia Gandhi, the former Congress chief.

As the counting of votes unfolds, a close contest is underway in Uttar Pradesh, with the Samajwadi Party leading on 36 seats, BJP on 33 seats, and Congress on seven seats.

Rahul Gandhi is also leading from Kerala's Wayanad Lok Sabha seat with a comfortable margin of 334,535 votes, facing competition from BJP's K Surendran and CPI's Annie Raja.

Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party-led NDA has surpassed the majority mark in early leads, while the INDIA bloc, comprising the Samajwadi Party and Congress, has secured over 200 seats, defying exit poll predictions.

The Lok Sabha elections, held over seven phases in a mammoth six-week period, saw the participation of around 642 million people. The counting of votes commenced with postal ballot papers under tight security.

The 2019 elections saw the NDA securing 353 seats, with the BJP winning 303 alone. The Opposition's UPA obtained only 93 seats, with the Congress securing 52.

The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), led by Mayawati, is facing one of its most challenging electoral setbacks in Uttar Pradesh, trailing behind in all 80 Lok Sabha seats in the state.

According to Election Commission data, the BSP has garnered approximately 1.92% of the votes nationwide and 9.16% in Uttar Pradesh.

As of 2:00 pm, Samajwadi Party candidates were leading on 37 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh, with their ally Congress leading on seven seats within the INDIA bloc.

The BJP is leading on 33 seats in the state, while its allies Rashtriya Lok Dal and Apna Dal (Sonelal) are leading on one Lok Sabha seat each.

Chandrashekhar of the Aazad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram) is leading from the Nagina (SC) seat over his BJP rival by a significant margin of over 1.09 lakh votes.

In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, during the Narendra Modi wave that swept the state, the BSP also failed to secure any seats in Uttar Pradesh.

In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the BSP contested in alliance with the SP and RRLD, winning in 10 parliamentary constituencies.

Despite its national party status, the BSP had previously performed strongly in Uttar Pradesh, winning 21 seats in 2009 and improving its tally from 19 seats in 2004.

However, its electoral performance witnessed a decline, winning only six seats in UP in the 1996 Lok Sabha polls, four seats in the 1998 parliamentary elections, and 14 seats in the 1999 Lok Sabha elections.

Similarly, the BSP's performance in the 2022 UP assembly elections was dismal, with only one BSP candidate emerging victorious.

Counting trends showed BJP trailing in the Faizabad constituency. The city Ayodhya is located in what was formerly known as Faizabad district.

Faizabad district was officially renamed Ayodhya in 2018. However, the Lok Sabha seat is still called Faizabad.

More than five hours after counting started, BJP's candidate Lallu Singh is trailing behind Samajwadi Party candidate Awadhesh Prasad. The lead margin was around 12,778 votes as of 2:30pm.

In the latest update from Uttar Pradesh's Nagina Lok Sabha constituency, Chandrashekhar Azad, the candidate from Azad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram), is leading by a significant margin. He holds a lead of 93,431 votes over his closest rival, Om Kumar from the BJP, as per the latest trend released by the Election Commission.

The four-year-old ASP, not affiliated with the Opposition INDIA bloc, marks its debut election contest, sporting a teapot as its election symbol.

Other candidates in the fray from Nagina include Manoj Kumar from the Samajwadi Party (SP) and Surendra Pal Singh from the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP).

In the 2019 Lok Sabha election, Nagina, a reserved constituency with over 3.5 lakh Dalit voters, was won by BSP's Girish Chandra.

According to the Election Commission's latest trend, the SP is leading in 37 of the 80 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh, while the BJP is ahead in 32 seats, and Congress in 8. Additionally, one seat each is being led by ASPKR, RLD, and ADAL in the state.

Amidst the ongoing trends, as the BJP still trails behind the majority mark in the Lok Sabha polls, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Tuesday called for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's resignation.