In a stunning electoral performance that decimated the ruling Bahujan Samaj Party in Uttar Pradesh, Mulayam Singh's Samajwadi Party won 224 Assembly seats, shattering the ‘national' conceits of both the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party along the way.
Click here for a .pdf of the poll results graphic
Even though the gap in seats between the SP and the BSP was over 140, the vote share difference was only about 2.5 per cent, indicating that the outgoing Chief Minister, Mayawati, had retained her core vote.
In the other four States whose results were also declared on Tuesday, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD)-led government in Punjab defied the pollsters and made history, becoming the first since the State was created in 1966 to win two consecutive elections. In Goa, the BJP ousted the Congress from power; winning 21 to the latter's 9. The Congress returned the compliment in Uttarakhand, narrowly defeating the BJP, while comfortably retaining the north eastern State of Manipur.
If the people's verdict in the five States brought little cheer to the two national parties, for the ruling Congress, it was particularly grim: by coming in fourth in U.P., adding less than a half a dozen seats to its 2007 score of 22, questions about the Congress' ability to spearhead a revival in the Hindi heartland began to be asked again, with its heir apparent Rahul Gandhi in the dock. The party's victory in Uttarakhand, by a whisker, was cold comfort, even though it ensured that the BJP's Chief Minister, B.K. Khanduri, lost his own seat. Only Okram Ibobi Singh, who was virtually written off after last year's crippling economic blockade in Manipur, scripted a splendid hat-trick for the Congress in the strife-torn State.
For the BJP, its joy in snatching Goa from the Congress and returning to power in Punjab as the junior partner, was more than offset by its dismal showing in U.P., where it could not even maintain its 2007 score of 51. The BJP, like the Congress, had staked a great deal in U.P., hoping that an improvement in its fortunes would pave the way for the big national showdown in 2014. If the Congress's poor strategy and lack of organisation failed it in the State, the BJP was not just a divided house — its admitting the tainted Baburam Kushwaha erased the gains it had made by its skilful riding on the coattails of the Anna Hazare anti-corruption movement.
The big story was, of course, the father-son duo of Mulayam Singh and Akhilesh Yadav who powered the SP to a brilliantly strategised electoral triumph. If Mr. Mulayam Singh, who will be the next Chief Minister of U.P. — for a fourth time — was the inspiration for his clan of Yadavs, desperate to be back in power after a five year drought, it was his 39-year-old son who was the star of the show.
Akhilesh Yadav covered 10,000 km on his “cycle of hope,” addressed 800 rallies in six months and transformed the image of the party. In doing so, he added a whole new constituency to his party — if his infectious smile and easy manner acted like a magnet for the youth, his tech savviness, combined with the party's manifesto promise of laptops and tablets for students, gave the party a contemporary look. Finally, his shunning of strongman D.P. Yadav sent out the message that the SP wanted to shed its image of a party of muscled lawbreakers.
In Punjab, another father-son duo, Parkash Singh Badal and Sukhbir Singh, rode back to power battling accusations of nepotism and corruption, winning 56 seats in the 117-member Assembly, against the Congress' 46, dashing Captain Amarinder Singh's hopes of becoming the Chief Minister. The SAD's partner, the BJP, lost seven seats, winning only 12 against 19 in 2007. Two local parties, the People's Party of Punjab, led by Manpreet Singh Badal, a rebel cousin of the Badals, and the Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) headed by the maverick ex-cop, Simranjit Singh Mann, together secured 10 per cent of the vote, evidently damaging the Congress rather than the SAD's prospects. As in the case of the SP in U.P., Sukhbir Badal told journalists that his octogenarian father would be the Chief Minister again.
In Goa, the IIT-educated Manohar Parrikar, whose campaign against the Congress-led government on the issue of illegal mining became a rallying point for anti-Congress sentiment in the State, will be the Chief Minister for a third time.
Keywords: UP poll results, Samajwadi Party, Assembly Elections, election results
truth is truth.....no one can deny it. now every one either muslims or obcs want to have a booming rise in our society. means they have become more developed than their governments and wanna see the government at the same level too. by the way a good decision was made by UP people because...."Man's goodness can be hidden but can't be extinguished"
Now Muslims are also aware of the fact that some leaders like "sulman khurshid and so on...."only talk to do , but do nothing for muslims
Nothing has really changed, with the vanquished. The losers have the same excuses, nothing new. It is a tragedy that there is no courage among the losers to introspect, to accept responsibility.The fact is plain and simple - The Congress party and the BSP are equally guilty of corruption and a personality cult. Neither parties have policies that will improve the lot of the common man. All that matters to the politicians in these parties is power, and wealth, and they remained totally disconnected from the daily issues that plague people - be it power shortages, inflation, unemployment or the massive corruption that they face on a day to day level. People voted for Samajwadi party, not because it is better than the other two , but because it was the only other choice. This party has known criminals in the party, and also hankers after power. It was a choice between the devil and the deep blue sea. I feel sorry for the people in UP.
At last Mayawati has realized the ultimate truth. This is a failure of UP high caste members in her party too who have failed to advice her properly in rendering justice to the poor & needy. Now, as an opposition leader, Mayawati should agree to the good initiatives of Mulayam's party and opposing the proposals where there is utter disagreement, in the interest of UP and in national interest.
It is important for congress to ponder why it is not able to attract Muslims to its fold. The reasons are not difficult to find. There are ministers in union cabinet like Salman Khurshid, Kapil Sibal who only talk and talk but do nothing for the welfare of Muslims.
It's a great pity that we attribute the defeat to politics of caste. It would have been much more respectable of her, had Mayawati said that possibly poor governance and corruption might have had a role and they would take these issues as a positive feedback for their role as opposition for the next 5 years. If our leaders don't have this kind of mindset, they'll always blame the people and their caste for victories/defeats. The language reflects the thoughts and feelings.
This is very bed luck to mayavati. She evaluate the voter on cast base. She should understood that the modern voter know. Who is the good leader. all sc , st, obc and all know about you. The verdict given by all JANATA not some Caste.
We have many so called bright and intelligent politicians in Congress. But unfortunately none has been able to explain the election results in UP correctly. Ms. Mayavati has explained it plainly and accurately. Mayavati just lost 2% votes from her 2007 tally of 28%. Mulayam has got just 4% more from his 2007 figure of 25%. This clearly shows that Mayavati's vote base is still intact. Further, one need to understand the Muslim population is steadily increasing where the OC and BC population growth are standstill. The SC/ST population growth is very minimal. This un-even population growth of some section of society will definitely have impact on the political scenario of India.
She can't even be bothered to wish the newly elected govt all the best.
This is the true face of the so-called "Iron Lady". Such malevolence
isn't a characteristic of a good leader.
If the Congress wants to regain its former days of glory the only way is for the party to cleanse its ranks of the narrow minded non-Hindus who have crept into power and bring into power strongly secular Hindus or even Hindus turned aetheists, the likes of Jawaharlal Nehru, Mahatma Gandhi, Shastri et al. These Hindus will be trusted by all communities alike with no need for the party to play communal politics again to win elections.
sure! power always choose minors. matter is now concern with term
inclusive development and sustainability. Neta ji must look forward
but with clear picture of smooth and peace admin. History neither leave
nor forget over proudy and dictator either in terms of physical or
virtual. lets! wait and watch, what is destiny of this state?
Our country needs strong leaders who can lead the nation. Today we have inactive and weak people A k Antony, Mr PM, Pranab these people should site back and make new people should comes, and this is time to make a full stop to family ruling drama ...
This is what happens when you give opportunity to people like Maya. Usually such people claim that they are so backward of the backward lot and manage to get reservation and/or special privileges for them. Once you give the opportunity to them, they misuse their positions to whatever extent possible, eat public money as much as possible and take the administration, law and order, growth to stone age days. Karuna of TN is another typical example. You need to deliver growth and development of the state as a whole and improve welfare of the people who live in it.
It seems this time people who have seen the statue (of Mayavati) only have voted. So next time make statues (of Mayavati) and erect in front of every house, (people should not cross the gate with out seeing the statue every now and then) and make prototypes preferably in gold, which could be used as key chain, certainly you can come back to power.
No matter whether it's before the elections or afterwards, politicians
will never stop playing the religious/caste politics. Even though the
results may not have actually be an effect of this said religious/caste
politics, but for their[politicians] own benefits, they will never stop
portraying the same picture over and over gain, so even though the
people of the state/country want to look above all this, they[people]
are forced to see it as a religious/caste thing. Outrageous!!!!
The verdict is finally out. The dust has settled, people will drive on cycle (SP). with the results out for the assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, the signs are worrying for both the national parties, the BJP and the CONGRESS. the left should have contested more tactfully
Once again, the one and only Mulayam Singh Yadav has proved himself to be the Truest of All Indians. There is no stopping UP's march forward to become the most developed and inclusive of all Indian states.
As for Mayawati, goodbye, you will not be missed. The people have spoken; you ARE nothing, and you will ALWAYS be nothing.
caste and creed dominate UTTAR PRADESH in the 21st century too. the results are again revival of goonda raj in this state. the memory of people are short. big blow for BJP and congress as their ambitions failed. the left should have contested the elections more tactfully
I am not sure how much extent it is true.
But one thing is clear that Muslims vote for security.
The way the position of the CM has been tossing for the past 60 years in Uttar Pradesh, it was a significant achievement for Ms. Mayawati to finally been able to complete the term of 5 years. This span, though, fell too long for the rest of the lot and colluding the facts, it will be interesting to see if "NETAJI" will be able to undo what has been running in this state before Ms. Mayawati. Easier said than done, isn't it? But, the way Ms. Mayawati erected all her statues in Noida and in Lucknow, it was a pity for those who had seen their hard earned money getting splurged on the useless parks of the state. The most important thing to know here is that the state is just being played by two major leaders, none looks to be a prominent figure in politics though. The facts show that people have eradicated the reigns of each of the leaders and this is why they have been in majority alternatively. There is no winner today. Let us not hope that Ms. Mayawati comes back again in 2017.
She was going for development thoroughly...but her ego came in the picture and all went wrong...unfortunately she lost becuase of all those statues of her and also those corruption issues...but again she will come back after 5 years and at that time she will rise like phoenix as done by JAYALALITHA in TN...both of them are similar in many ways.
Sir, this is related to an error committed by your editor of this news.
I am sad, that we " THE VOTERS" have been disregarded for the credit,
rather you have projected Mr. Mulayam as the person who delivered the
hard blow.
Mr Mulayam has been given an opportunity to develop the state, if he
fails same will be delivered to him too.
So please focus on actual heroes, not undermine us..
Will this set a trend for revival of the third front? Too early to say. But if trends suggest, the multipolarity might be back and the amorphous political situations of the 90s might play out again.SP might carry its momentum back to LS. Gains by Left in West Bengal, Kerala and TDP in Andhra cannot be ruled out. Add to that Deve Gowda and his party might again be in reckoning in Karnataka. Naveen Patnaik does not seem to have any rivals. There is no compulsion for NCP and JDU to stick with the NDA.
Akhilesh Yadav has DONE it!He alone can DO it!In the thrilling T20
like UP elections Rahul was projected as if he is the certain future
PM by the Congress the leading party in UPA!
The elections became a virtual duel between Rahul and Akhilesh yadav son of Mulayam.Rahul tried all his efforts to see COngress gets a majority to rule the home state.Rahul and Sonia drew a large crowds along with Priyanka in the fray.The family feud also was there in the participation of Varun representing BJP.But Akhilesh played well like Rahul Dravid on his day and was able to turn all his crowds into votes and defeated his rivals in style.MAYA bazar has been SHUT and thrown out of UP!Akhilesh learnt the trick rather quickly and what all Rahul
tried to sell inn the Election Market Akhilesh grabbed and convinced the masses and today emerged as a NEW star in the political horizon
of UP!Maya has contributed to Mulayams win since all her hasty and
ruthless actions like an uncontrollable elephant resulted
"Even though the gap in seats between the SP and the BSP was over 140, the vote share difference was only about 2.5 per cent, indicating that the outgoing Chief Minister, Mayawati, had retained her core vote." - This comment is NOT expected from senior journalist or from the Hindu either. If the "vote share difference is ONLY as little as as 2.5%, BSP has retained
its NON-core vote as well. Couple of things to note: A multi-phase (seven phases!) election helps the party/alliance , which has the perception (among public) of "most likely to win", to garner few additional % vote as consolidation at the cost of 3rd or 4th place parties.
This is called SECOND PREFERENCE Vote!
Second: In state like UP, %vote of Both SP and BSP are more or less at same level in last 3 state elections. It is additional swing of 2%-3% that do SKEW the % of SEAT-share heavily one way or other!
One thing is clear. Election commission executed very well. The
results instill faith in execution of EC. For this we all should be
very happy and grateful.
Improvements remain though regarding - Right to reject, upper age
limit (60) for candidates, no-vote options, number of maximum parties
at any place (5 or lesser), etc.
Because even after excellent and timely execution, results are leaving
a major population "unrepresented".
Sarve bhavantu sukhinah
Mayawati would have learnt her lesson well today. You cannot take for granted, people, who brought you to power. SP is going to continue looting UP and we can see next 5 years of retrograde rule (sample of that - what happened in Jhansi yesterday).
U.P. results are a blow in the face of Congress and Rahul. What revival
is expected from this outcome. Hijackers of the term "gandhi" should
realize that people of this country is not fools. Sleeping at dalit
basthi and travelling at local trains at Mumbai will not give birth to a
netha.
based on past record of SP & MSYadav, I have little doubt anything
better is going to be changed for future. Wish, UP and other northern
states could get CM like Nitish Kumar, who could drive the state to the
new generation.
This is what the perception of voters nowdays.They are more aware,more
responsive & more retaliating.Ms.Mayawati over the years has exploited
the people of UP to the core.Wind of change has just strucked the
state of UP.And it will be the responsibility of samajwadi party to pay
back through their work ,for what the people of UP have appointed them
to do ,which was nowhere in their early regime.Hope for the good!!!!!
Akhilesh is an honest and a modern age leader. He is cool. There is
not a single young leader in India who is equivalent to Akhilesh.
He'll always be a winner.
This is a great example of helplessness of people of UP not to find a good aternative. SP victory in UP is a victory of 'no choice' for the UP people. It is a right time Govt start considering 'Right to Reject' proposol.
Hoping this five years regime of SP to be more successful than the BSP regime. Uttar Pradesh is the constituency of SP. I strongly hope the "Cycle" would bring the wave of transformation in Uttar Pradesh.
It is good that the BSP 'money mongrel' and Congress 'dynasty' has been
booted on their back side. But will SP deliver? If India has to make
progress we need UP, Bihar, WB, Rajasthan and MP to do well. I wish that
our country becomes better for its people.
whenever parties like this come in power only lack of development and regionalism and separatism are encouraged .We should bring national parties in power to stay under one development policy hence bigger parties defeat only capable to attract complications.Only it creates constraint to national development policies by politicizing every small issue.
BJP has to introspect on this and take corrective steps by distancing itself from corrupt, criminal politicians for ever. It must include Narendra Modi in all future election campaign and avoid distancing him. Good lessons if BJP learn from this, esp Gadkari, better for them in the next General Elections 2014.
the clear verdict in the UP shows how desperate we are to see the changed picture of our UP. JANTA has given a chance to SP again to prove their claim of bonding with state's soil not to some Gandhi scion.we can assure them the way to PM's chair passes through boulevards of UP...just govern well don't defy people's trust like predecessors.
It is time now for Rahulji and Mayawatiji to come to a table and think about future.
Lack of a viable candidate for as CM was the reason why cong and BJP had poor shows. Rahul should have projected himself to become CM. Only then people would believe that he would actually live in UP an work for them.
Its time to remove the statue!!!
The people of UP has affirmed their faith in Netas and Jr netas and in caste, clan loyalties. Please stay still as time goes by you.
Atleast the princeji is gracious to accept defeat and has ways to grow and understand the mindsets of his subjects. Don't give up, time is on your side and your day will come.
From BSP to SP..whats the big difference. People are telling that Mayawati and congress has been taught a lesson. But the lesson has come after a wasteful 5 years, endless corruption (Which will continue in this regime as well!!) drain on tax payers money. The battle for the common man has been lost at the end of the results.And the people of UP are solely responsible. Be prepared to teach Mulayam and Co another lesson after 5 years. The irresponsible electorate deserve this nonsense time after time.
The INC and BJP both were saying we won't support BSP or SP. Now they don't have to. They were thinking like they know the pulse of UP people better than the local parties.
Congress might break Utter Pradesh and carve atleast one state where Congress got some power base to cash-in in future.
It is good to see a change in the government.
let SP works for the benefit of the people,and
make Uttar-pradesh a progressive state.
Due to the growth of local parties national parties had attaining the decline stage. so, in future the national parties cannot be able to form the union government without the help of State or local parties.
It is good that the Congress has failed to get a majority despite playing vote bank politics. However, one wonders if UP will ever get out the rut it is stuck in. Mulayam Singh is a politician with a narrow vision. It remains to be seen if his son is any better.
SP should not and dare not squander this new found political capital- if they misrule, I am 100% sure in next election they will bite dust.
Let us wait and watch - how much of change can Akhilesh bring in. One thing for sure, Rahul Gandhi is totally incompetent person and being the PM in waiting, I am guessing he will never become PM of this large country which has just begun to see away from Dynastic Rule.
Good change. Hope the politicians, especially Congress will introspect and try to initiate something for the people to get a new foothold. Also let us hope SP will raise to the expectation of the people and to surprise the goondaraj mongers
we still belive in "Change is the constanant permanant thing in this world "..and applied by people in India as they want to elect only deserved people....however our Anna Hazare all requests to public worked here..
Good luck India !!
-Venu
Hyderabad
Goonda raaj will start for another 5 year duration in UP. UP will languish at the bottom of economic and social indicators among Indian states.
It is time India disbands congress as its brand has been misused by goons and corrupt politicians. This was the brand used by people of India for freedom and it is not to be used by any individual or group for the purpose of gaining office. This is a gross misrepresentation. As well as Gandhi name needs to be protected until otherwise a person has historical family connection to it. Not by dubious manner. Very sad situation for India. Eventhough congress has very able administrators like Mr Manmohan Singh & P. Chidambaram. Unfortunatley they are dependant upon dubious Gandhis to help them get elected. What a pity for a country which maintained its identity under 1500 years of forign suppression. This is where our education system has failed our country. It is time that we adopt an education system where people can make a difference. Unless we decentralise drastically where local people make decision on their lives and their way of living, I don't think our system can cope any further
Educated and nationalist Indians are at the mercy of illiterate masses who will keep bringing unfit people to rule over us. BMW or MSY, the image of UP remains the same. A no-nonsense leader like Narendra Modi is desperately needed in UP.
what ever it may be uttarpradesh peoples select good leader for themselves. i congratulate to mulayam
The congress should remove manmohan, AK Antony, pranab, sm krishna, P.Chidambaram, Narayanaswamy, vasan. They can talk but cannot act. The PM and the ministers should be a politicians who knows the sufferings of poor and middle class. A bureacrat, who does not know the ABCD of sufferings of common man is the PM. His friend Ahluwalia famous for Rs.32/- is the chairman of Planning commission. The congress should remove all these gentlemen
wonderful days before 5 years because i hope that mulayam singh yadav was good leader for u.p.
Mrs.Gandhi should think twice on acccepting the advice of menons. Due to their advice they lost in T.N. Let her learn to respect the sentiments of people of India. The congress now cannot revive in karnataka, tamilnadu, uttarpradesh, andhra pradesh, madhya pradesh. Let her to some thing for Srilankan tamils, then the tamils will help congress in next general elections.
As a person from Lucknow who was here during the last polling phase and also when the results were declared, I must say that very few Indian newspapers gave such a vivid description of villages and its people, truly reflecting the atmosphere in the state. If the results and statistics are anything to go by, then it is evident that caste-based politics is at least beginning to wane and people have now started to vote for development and for the person who fulfils their wishes-which are certainly more than just caste or class based reservation. The electorate has shown that it wants the parties' promises to materialize. It is perhaps for the first time that the sentiments have translated into votes, for UPites were known to 'say one thing and do something else' at the polling booth. In fact, not long ago, people in North India were known to vote for the candidate with good looks!
People are no longer amazed by the statues and parks eulogizing one
party/its leader (read BSP and Mayawati).
Now the people's power has dethroned the BSP and enthroned SP. The problem in India's politics is the real power (people) is only just for a moment. We took pride in our power to elect but the elected took pride in exploiting the real power. Let's see how far this new government will live up to the expectation of the people who put them to power.
So now on no chief minister will be dared to spend the hard earned money of Indian taxpayers for making their own statues. Why can't the centre government think of making a simple legislation that living leaders can't make their statues and get erected in public places that too by spending from the exchequer? Let death be the minimum criteria for erecting a statue, which will give a full stop for this type of misuse.
Poor Congress! What happened to Digvijay Singh's chronic optimistic predictions. Poor Rahul Gandhi aspiring for PM position is delayed further may be for seven more years, with the current political situation there seems to be no hope in the coming Lok Sabha Elections. There is a chance I perceive for Rahul to become PM any time from now. With the elections over, again the drama will start, opposition attacking the congress for all the mess in the country, Anna will start for corruption etc etc. Internal fights within to find fault who is responsible for this debacle. A situation will be created wherein our honest PM will feel like retiring from active politics due to health conditions.Finally, there will be an unanimous choice with all these so called jokers appointing Rahul to the gadi for the rest of the current term. God bless India.
Through this victory in Indian politics one more young leader got born and shown other scion to how to catch hold biggest state in the country adopting local level campaign strategies from past one year before poll dates declared.If he would have not been taken it serious this election SP and Mulayam identity erased form Indian politics and no one is ready to lead and infuse confidence among party workers across the state. During Amar Sing period hold huge responsibility and build the party image across nation using his contacts and networks with celebrities to media crews. After his exit create big hole and there is no replacement and dearth from second generation leaders apart form lone face of Mulayam. But he took it has a challenge and adopted his strategy very well is responsible of present party performance and hope will occupy the CM gadi to realize the electorates dreams which party has sowed during rallies, marches, campaigns and door to door approach in the hope of covert
The mechinations of the dynasty and communal schemes played by some powers from the congress party proved to be a damp squib. Mayawati's disconnect with the real issues plaguing the people and her misgovernance causing corruption to assume gigantic proportions enabled her downfall. The BJP which made some early gains failed to live up to the momentum.
The people of UP did not fall victim to the communal schemes of the congress party, even the machinations of Rahul Gandhi and his coteries proved to be a damp squib. Mayawathi's disconnect with the real issues plaguing the people of the state, her mis-governance made corruption reach gigantic proportions affecting development thereby causing her rout. At the start BJP made some early gains but has not made enough to change its 07 status.
It is still not late for the oldest party of India to think of putting charismatic youngsters to lead.Please Stop thinking of only one family to lead India.Men/women have still not lost their faith in you.
It is still not late for the oldest party of India to think of putting charismatic youngsters to lead.
It is victory of social engineering of co ordinating Yadavs & Muslims by Samajvadi party and initiatives of mass campaigning of Akhilesh Yadav. Providing laptops to students also benefited the SP. UP voters have shown mirror to Rahul Gandhi,Beni Prasad Verma,Salman Khurshid and Shri Prakash Jayaswal. Irresponsible statements of BJP leaders and not declaring Uma Bharati as Chief Ministerial candidate damaged the BJP. Unliking of BSP by UP public was very clear from begining and peoples were in search of option.
Congress trailing in Amethi and Rai bareli...Amazing.It looks like congress will be no where this time...
This marks the bedinning of the end of dynastic rule at the centre. Good days are ahead for India. India will really start shining from now onwards, under any other dispensation than one led by Nehru dynasty.
May be monkey or Donkey who cares,.. UP going to be an undeveloped Indian state for the next five years. No one,.. even God can't help us (UP People) :-) ...
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