Initial trends give BSP lead in five seats

Counting of votes in Uttar Pradesh began at 7 a.m. today with the first trends coming in favour of the main Opposition party the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), which has been predicted to emerge as the single largest party after the just concluded Assembly Elections.

Lucknow, May 11 : Counting of votes in Uttar Pradesh began at 7 a.m. today with the first trends coming in favour of the main Opposition party the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), which has been predicted to emerge as the single largest party after the just concluded Assembly Elections.

The first trend came from the Sigri (East) where BSP candidate Malik Masood was leading over his rivals. This seat is said to be the stronghold of the BSP.

The other seats where BSP candidates maintained initial leads are Rae Bereli (Awadh), Auraiya (Doab) and Bidhuna (Doab).

While the Rae Bareli (Awadh) seat was won by the Congress last time in 2002 polls, Auraiya (Doab) was won by the BSP.

In the last elections, the Samajwadi Party had emerged as the single largest party winning 143 seats, followed by the BSP with 98 seats and the BJP with 88 seats. It was a hung assembly, and the present day government was formed after one-and-a-half President's Rule.

The ruling party Samajwadi Party is seen to be getting a beating this time as none of the initial trends appeared to be going in its favour.

ANI