BJP gains early lead in UP civic polls

The BJP is leading in 14 of 16 municipal corporations in Uttar Pradesh. Counting of votes began at 8 am and results are expected by evening.

The civic body elections are being seen as a test for the Yogi Adityanath-led BJP government in Uttar Pradesh after the party's big win in the state assembly elections earlier this year.

The BJP's candidates for mayor are leading in Lucknow, Kanpur, Ayodhya, Ghaziabad, Moradabad, Gorakhpur, Saharanpur and Pilhibit. The BJP candidate won the lucky draw in Mathura which was held after the BJP and the Congress candidates obtained the same number of votes. Former chief minister Mayawati's BSP is leading in two constituencies.

Add WION as a Preferred Source

Lucknow will get its first woman mayor after 100 years. The seat has been reserved for women.

"I don't consider anyone my competitor. I will be number one, no matter who is second or third," Sanyukta Bhatia, BJP Lucknow Mayor candidate told ANI this morning.

The BJP had won 10 of 12 municipal corporations in 2012. The corporations have been expanded to 16 this time.

Polling was held in three phases on November 22, 26 and 29.

A total of 79,113 candidates are in fray today.

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) left no stone unturned to ensure victory in all 652 urban local bodies across the state.