Elections to Uttar Pradesh, electorally India’s largest state with 403 assembly seats, is crucial given that both the regional parties—incumbent SP and main opposition Mayawati-led BSP—are eyeing this election. Photo: HTNew Delhi: Less than a year before Uttar Pradesh holds its elections, a survey by ABP News and Lokniti CSDS has forecast a hung Assembly, with the ruling Samajwadi Party (SP) likely to win most seats. Elections to Uttar Pradesh, electorally India’s largest state with 403 Assembly seats, is crucial given that both the regional parties—incumbent SP and main opposition Mayawati-led Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP)—are eyeing this election. The survey points out that chief minister Akhilesh Yadav and former chief minister, BSP chief Mayawati, continue to be equally popular as chief ministerial faces. In 2012 Assembly elections, the BSP won 80 out of the 403 seats it contested while SP won 224 seats and formed the government.

Source: Mint August 23, 2016 04:52 UTC