UP assembly polls: Akhilesh Yadav resigns after defeat, backs Mayawati's EVM tampering allegation

Not ready to accept defeat in Uttar Pradesh assembly elections, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday echoed Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati's 'EVM tempering allegation' and made a statement over it.

Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday tendered his resignation to state Governor Ram Naik after Samjawadi Party faced massive defeat in assembly elections. 

The Governor accepted his resignation and asked him to continue till further arrangements, a Raj Bhawan spokesman said.

Surprisingly, the Samajwadi Party national president echoed Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati's 'EVM tampering allegation' and made a statement over it. 

"If question has been raised (by Mayawati) on EVMs, govt should probe it. I will also look at it on my level," Akhilesh Yadav said while addressing the media at his residence in Lucknow today.

"It is possible that people might not have liked Expressway and that they have votes possibly for Bullet Trains," Akhilesh said while hinting towards PM Narendra Modi.

Conceding the defeat, Akhilesh said that he accepts people’s mandate. "We happily accept the mandate of people of Uttar Pradesh. I hope the next government will work better than SP government," he said.

Earlier, speaking to media, BSP supremo Mayawati had alleged that EVMs used in the assembly elections may not have accepted any votes accept the ones in favour of Bharatiya Janata Party. 

Akhilesh said that his work will continue to speak till someone else performs better on ground.

While being asked if takes responsibility of defeat, Akhilesh said, "I will take responsibility about the defeat only after deliberating on it."

Addressing media, Mayawati questioned how votes in Muslim-dominated areas went in favour of BJP. 

"Most votes in Muslim majority constituencies have gone to BJP, makes it evident that voting machines were manipulated," she added. "Either the EVMs did not accept votes other than BJP, or the votes of other parties have gone to BJP in the EVMs," said BSP supremo.

Mayawati’s statement came just after her party suffered shocking defeat in state Assembly polls.