UP civic polls 2017: After poor show in assembly elections, BSP edges back with surprise wins

New Delhi: The results of the civic elections held in Uttar Pradesh have thrown a big surprise for the supporters of Dalit leader Mayawati whose party Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) was almost wiped out in the last assembly elections held in the state.

Early trends emerging from the counting centres indicated that Mayawati's party was leading in at least 5 of the 16 mayoral seats, elections for which were held recently.

BSP, which is largely a party of Dalits and the backwards, appeared to be giving a tough challenge to the BJP which has got a massive lead since the counting began on Friday.

Though the final figures could be different, there is surely an upswing in BSP's vote share.

Interestingly, this is also the first time that Mayawati's party has contested the urban civic polls.

The BSP has been on the sidelines of politics in the state ever since it lost power to the Samajwadi Party in 2012 and lost two successive elections - 2014 General Elections and the 2017 state assembly elections.

Today's encouraging trends are being viewed as a desperate attempt by BSP supremo Mayawati to stay relevant in the state, which she has ruled four times.

Despite a low key campaign, BSP appears to have managed to get in areas with a substantial Dalit population in western UP and Bundelkhand region.

The Dalit-Muslim combination, which has worked for the party in the past, seems to have favoured it again. 

Few hours after the counting of votes began, Mayawati's party was ahead in Aligarh, Agra, Meerut, Saharanpur and Jhansi.

The BJP led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, has done exceptionally well as it is said to be leading in as many 13 mayoral seats out of the total 16.

The ruling party has traditionally done well in urban body polls. Even when in opposition BJP bagged 10 out of 12 mayoral seats. 

One Mayor elected on SP symbol from Allahabad later switched over to SP.

Counting of ballots polled in three phases on November 22, 26 and 29 was on under tight security cover and CCTV surveillance at 334 centres at district and tehsil headquarters, the state election commission said. Central paramilitary forces have been deployed around the counting centres. Arrangements have also been made for webcasting of the counting process.

The final results are expected by this evening.

Results will be communicated to the candidates through SMS on their registered mobile numbers.

Official sources said no procession would be allowed during the counting process and following the announcement of the results.

Polling was held for 16 nagar nigams, 198 nagar palika parishads and 438 nagar panchayats with an average turnout of all the three phases estimated at 52.5 percent of the 3.32 crore voters.