Lucknow, November 20: Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav has leveled serious allegations against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), claiming that the ruling party is pressuring the administration to resort to unfair practices in the ongoing Uttar Pradesh by-elections. Yadav alleged that the BJP is attempting to manipulate the electoral process out of fear of defeat, compromising the integrity of the democratic process.
"Since the voting began, we have been receiving complaints from various Assembly constituencies. The Election Commission seems oblivious to these issues. BJP wants to win not by votes but by foul play," Yadav said during a press conference.
The SP has lodged multiple complaints with the Chief Election Commissioner, accusing plainclothes police officers in unmarked vehicles of intimidating voters in the Majhawan constituency. In a post on social media platform X, the party also alleged that similar incidents occurred in other constituencies, including Kundarki, where police personnel were reportedly harassing voters at polling booths.
In response, the Election Commission has taken action, suspending one sub-inspector and two constables for violating election guidelines. Moradabad SSP Satpal Antil confirmed the suspensions and assured that gazetted officers have been deployed to investigate the allegations.
The by-elections are being held across nine constituencies—Meerapur, Kundarki, Ghaziabad, Khair, Karhal, Sishamau, Phulpur, Katehari, and Majhawan. With a voter turnout of 20.5% recorded by 11 am, all eyes are now on the counting of votes scheduled for November 23.
The allegations and subsequent actions have added tension to an already heated political atmosphere in Uttar Pradesh, with both sides claiming to advocate for free and fair elections.
