SP won where it shouldn't have: Keshav Maurya after BJP loses Varanasi MLC seat

Reacting to the results, Akhilesh Yadav congratulated the SP winners and appealed to party workers to avoid victory processions, communicate through social media and remain vigilant against alleged attempts at provocation.Keshav Prasad Maurya and Akhilesh Yadav (File Photos: PTI)Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya on Tuesday said the Samajwadi Party (SP) had won in places where it should not have, as he reacted to the results of the biennial Legislative Council elections in the state. Maurya said the BJP had repeated its previous performance but had expected to win more seats, adding that the party would review the outcome and work to improve its performance in forthcoming elections.“We were expecting to win even more seats but we did not win those many. We will look into this. SP won where it should not have. We will introspect. We will make efforts to ensure that the BJP wins once again in the forthcoming elections,” Maurya said in Lucknow.#WATCH | Lucknow: On MLC election results, UP Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya says, "...BJP has repeated its previous performance. We were expecting to win even more seats but we did not win those many. We will look into this. SP won where it should not have. We will introspect. We will make efforts to ensure that the BJP wins once again in the forthcoming elections..."— ANI (@ANI) October 28, 2026The results triggered a war of words between the BJP and the SP, with SP chief Akhilesh Yadav alleging electoral malpractice and administrative manipulation, while BJP leaders said the party would review its shortcomings.AKHILESH YADAV ALLEGES MANIPULATION IN GORAKHPURResponding to Maurya's remarks, Akhilesh Yadav said the BJP leaders were also secretly pleased with the SP's victory, adding that leaving one's home did not make someone a stranger. The comment appeared to be a swipe at Maurya's remark that the SP had won where it should not have. In a post on X, the SP chief alleged that the BJP had resorted to manipulative tactics in Gorakhpur to prevent a result similar to the party's victory in Varanasi.Yadav claimed the BJP had suffered a moral defeat in Gorakhpur as well, despite what he described as electoral dishonesty and administrative manipulation. He also urged SP workers to remain alert until the final results from Varanasi were declared, saying they should not rest until they had received official confirmation of victory.Yadav further warned that officials who allegedly favoured the BJP would be held accountable if the PDA (Pichhda, Dalit, Alpsankhyak) alliance formed the government in Uttar Pradesh.SP ACCUSES BJP OF IGNORING TEACHERS, JOB-SEEKERSSP spokesperson Juhi Singh also criticised Maurya, saying the results reflected public dissatisfaction with the BJP government.She cited unemployment, recurring examination paper leaks, alleged mistreatment of teachers, the deployment of teachers for duties outside their regular responsibilities and the non-implementation of the Old Pension Scheme as issues contributing to discontent.Calling the MLC results a warning for the ruling party, Singh said the SP would form the government under Akhilesh Yadav's leadership after the 2027 Assembly elections.BJP SAYS IT WILL REVIEW RESULTSBJP spokesperson Navin Srivastava said the party had expected to win more seats on the strength of the work done by the governments led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Centre and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in Uttar Pradesh, along with its organisational strength.He said the party would review the results and correct any shortcomings. Srivastava also questioned the SP over its allegations concerning the fairness of the Election Commission and the use of electronic voting machines and ballot papers in elections.The BJP won six of the 11 seats, while the SP won two. Before the polls, the BJP held six seats, the SP held three and Independents held two.- Ends