Lakhimpur Kheri and Pilibhit recorded the highest turnout in the fourth phase of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly election on Wednesday.
Four farmers were run over in Lakhimpur Kheri last October by cars allegedly carrying BJP workers, including Ashish Mishra, son of Union Minister Ajay Mishra.
Election Commission data showed that Kheri recorded a 66.32% turnout and Pilibhit 67.16%. The number was higher than the average turnout of 61.52% in 59 constituencies spread over nine districts that voted in the fourth phase but almost similar to the 2017 figures when Pilibhit recorded 66.5% and Kheri 67.9%. At 57.33%, Unnao recorded the lowest percentage. Lucknow saw 60.05%.
‘71 complaints genuine’
An EC release said 362 complaints of violation of the Model Code of Conduct were received during the day, out of which 71 were found to be true. A total of 624 candidates, including 91 women, were in the fray.
At the end of the fourth phase, the BJP sharpened its attack on the Samajwadi Party (SP) and appeared soft on the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP). Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a rally in Kaushambi.
Mr. Modi said that during previous governments, ration used to go to the hands of the mafia.
Constantly addressing the Samajwadi Party as parivarvadi (nepotistic), he said, “We have put an end to the game of mafia and the middlemen of nepotistic rulers who used to loot your ration.”
Once again, Mr. Modi attacked the Samajwadi Party for turning a blind eye towards issues of national interest and terrorism. Referring to a video, he went on to add that the “parivarvadi” people insulted Dalits.
Meanwhile, acknowledging the menace of stray cattle, U.P. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said in Tiloi constituency of Amethi that while he was committed to protecting the “gaumata”, he would ensure that “cattle didn’t damage the crops of farmers”.
Addressing a rally in Bahraich, Mr. Yadav said that “a 440-volt current is running among people against the BJP” that would shock the ruling party.
