UP, Bihar bypoll results 2018 LIVE: SP wins Gorakhpur, Phulpur; Akhilesh says results herald bad days for BJP

The BJP lost four out of five bypolls held in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar — Samajwadi Party won both Lok Sabha by-elections in Gorakhpur and Phulpur, while Lalu Prasad’s RJD won Araria and Jehanabad. BJP won the Bhabua seat. Here are the live updates:

india Updated: Mar 14, 2018 20:43 IST
Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party workers celebrate in Gorakhpur as their party candidate leads in UP bypolls on Wednesday.
Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party workers celebrate in Gorakhpur as their party candidate leads in UP bypolls on Wednesday.(ANI Twitter Photo)

The Samajwadi Party registered stunning victories in the Gorakhpur and Phulpur Lok Sabha bypolls, which were held by Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath and deputy chief minister Keshav Prasad Maurya. In both seats, Mayawati’s Bahujan Samaj Party supported the SP candidates.

In Bihar, the RJD won the Lok Sabha bypoll in Araria and the assembly by-election in Jehanabad, while the BJP won Bhabua.

The results are being keenly watched for pointers to a possible bigger opposition alliance before the next Lok Sabha polls.

Here are the live updates:

8:35pm: Opposition leaders pitched for, with renewed vigour, a grand alliance to defeat the BJP in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections after it was crushed in the bypolls to three Lok Sabha seats, news agency IANS reported.

8.02pm:

6.30pm: This is a mandate against both the Centre and state governments, people have come together to bring “bad days” for BJP, says Akhilesh Yadav.

6.26pm: This government has created fear and spread poison among the people: Akhilesh

6.25pm: If this is the anger of people in areas of and CM (Yogi Adityanath) deputy CM (Keshav Parasad Maurya), you can imagine the anger of the people of the rest of the country: Akhilesh Yadav

6.20pm: BJP has called us a lot of names — from a rat and snake combine to Aurangzeb’s rule. This is a reply to that. This win is a victory of social justice: Akhilesh Yadav

6.18pm: People have replied to the BJP misgovernance, says Akhilesh Yadav.

6.16pm: Akhilesh Yadav thanks BSP chief Mayawati, along with Congress and Communist parties.

6.15pm: Akhilesh Yadav speaks to the media in Lucknow, thanks all party workers and the people of Gorakhpur and Phulpur for the victory.

6.13pm: Samajwadi Party’s Praveen Kumar Nishad wins Gorakhpur Lok Sabha bypoll seat by 21,961 votes.

6.07pm:Araria Lok Sabha bypoll: RJD wins by 61,988 votes. RJD got 5,09,334 votes and BJP got 4,47,346 votes.

6pm: UP CM Adityanath says local issues led to BJP’s poor performance in by-elections, not policies of the Centre.

5.45pm: RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav calls for a Grand Alliance at the national level to defeat the BJP, says it’s time for opposition leaders to shed their ego.

5.44pm: “Great victory. Congratulations to Mayawati Ji and @yadavakhilesh Ji for #UPByPolls. The beginning of the end has started (sic),” tweets Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee.

5.40pm: This political deal between the SP and BSP is meant to obstruct development in the country. We will formulate a strategy to combat this, says UP CM Yogi Adityanath.

5.32pm: UP CM Yogi Adityanath says BJP underestimated the BSP-SP combine, loss due to over-confidence.

5.30pm: “We accept the verdict of the people, this result is unexpected, we will review the shortcomings. I congratulate the winning candidates,” says UP CM Yogi Adityanath.

5.23pm: Congress candidates from Phulpur and Gorakhpur Lok Sabha seats have lost their deposits, reports ANI.

5pm: The Samajwadi Party acknowledged the significant role played by the BSP in the Phulpur and Gorakhpur Lok Sabha seats. Senior party leader Ramgopal Yadav said: “BSP workers have backed us, they worked hard. They have contributed well. We express our thanks to the leaders and workers of BSP.”

4.56pm: After 27 rounds of counting in the Gorakhpur bypoll, SP’s Praveen Kumar Nishad leads by 21,117.

4.56pm: Sidharth Nath Singh, a senior minister in the Yogi Adityanath government, said: “We had not seen the Samajwadi Party and BSP coming together but since we have come to know of this now...and though there is still a long time (ahead of the polls)...we will redraw our strategy keeping this factor in mind.”

4.55pm: In Gorakhpur, after 26 rounds of counting, SP’s Praveen Kumar Nishad leads by 21,042 votes over BJP’s Upendra Dutt Shukla.

4.51pm: Samajwadi Party’s Nagendra Pratap Singh Patel wins Phulpur bypoll by 59,613 votes, beats BJP’s Kaushlendra Singh Patel.

4.50pm: “BJP should stop working for its face value and instead put in efforts to work for the people. That’s the only way in which they can improve or else they will face the same result in the 2019 elections as they have in this bypoll,” says Jitan Ram Manjhi.

4.44pm: In Phulpur bypoll, after the 29th round of counting, Samajwadi Party’s Nagendra Pratap Singh Patel leads by 51,166 votes over BJP’s Kaushlendra Singh Patel.

4.35pm: “It is clear from the bypoll results that voters are angry with the BJP and they will vote for the non-BJP candidate who has strongest chance of winning. As far as the Congress is concerned, we are committed towards re-building the party in UP, and it does not happen overnight,” says Congress president Rahul Gandhi.

4.12pm: In Phulpur bypoll, Samajwadi Party’s Nagendra Pratap Singh Patel leads by 47,351 votes over BJP’s Kaushlendra Singh Patel after 28th round of counting.

4.05pm: RJD’s Sarfaraz Alam leads by over 86,000 votes against nearest rival Pradeep Singh of the BJP.

4pm: After 25 rounds of counting in Gorakhpur, the Samajwadi Party is leading the BJP by 22,954 votes.

3.45pm: BJP’s Rinki Rani Pandey wins Bhabua assembly seat, beats Congress’ Shambhu Singh Patel by a margin of over 15,000 votes.

3.37pm: Samajwadi Party’s Nagendra Pratap Singh Patel leading by 38,498 votes with 2,71,752 votes in Phulpur; BJP’s Kaushlendra Singh Patel second with 2,33,254 votes after 25th round of counting.

3.36pm: SP’s Praveen Kumar Nishad leads by 25,870 votes with 3,34,463 votes in Gorakhpur after the 22nd round of counting. BJP’s Upendra Dutt Shukla second with 3,08,593 votes.

3.24pm: RJD’s Kumar Krishna Mohan wins Jehanabad assembly seat by 35,036 votes. Official announcement awaited.

3.18pm: An SP member meets BSP chief Mayawati.

3.09pm: After 20th round in Gorakhpur, SP leading by 28,358 votes, crosses 3 lakh votes.

3pm: SP’s Praveen Kumar Nishad leads by 28,737 votes with 2,93,153 votes in Gorakhpur after 19th round. BJP’s Upendra Dutt Shukla second with 2,64,416 votes.

2.58pm: “We didn’t expect that BSP’s vote will be transferred to SP in such a manner. We will analyse after seeing the final results and prepare for a situation in future when the BSP, SP and Congress can come together and also make our strategy for winning 2019 elections,” Uttar Pradesh deputy chief minister KP Maurya.

2.53pm: After 20th round of counting in Phulpur, Samajwadi Party’s Nagendra Pratap Singh Patel leading by 29,474 with 2,18,963 votes. BJP’s Kaushlendra Singh Patel second with 1,89,489 votes.

2.34pm: RJD’s Sarfaraz Alam leads by 21,323 votes in Araria LS bypolls.

2.25pm: SP’s Praveen Kumar Nishad leads by 26,960 votes in Gorakhpur after 17th round of counting. BJP’s Upendra Dutt Shukla comes second with 2,35,836 votes.

2.23pm: “Great victory. Congratulations to Mayawati Ji and Akhilesh Yadav Ji for UP bypolls. The beginning of the end has started,” tweets CM Mamata Banerjee.

2.04pm: BJP’s Rinki Rani Pandey ahead by 9,800 votes in Bhabua Assembly seat after 14th round.

2.03pm: Samajwadi Party workers celebrate in Lucknow.

2.01pm: SP’s Praveen Kumar Nishad leading with 2,12,061 votes, BJP’s Upendra Dutt Shukla second with 1,92,860 votes after 14th round of counting in Gorakhpur bypoll.

1.54pm: RJD’s Sarfaraz Alam ahead of BJP candidate Pradeep Singh by 21,297 votes in Araria.

1.51pm: BJP leading in Bhabua assembly seat with 40,501 votes, RJD leading in Jehanabad with 52,609 votes.

1.50pm: Araria Lok Sabha by-poll: RJD leading by 23,187 with 3,33,050 votes, BJP trailing with 3,09,863 votes.

1.45pm: SP candidate leads by 19,201 votes after 14th round in Gorakhpur.

1.43pm: Samajwadi Party’s Nagendra Pratap Singh Patel leading by 22,842 votes with 1,67,008 votes in Phulpur bypoll. BJP’s Kaushlendra Singh Patel second with 1,44,166 votes after 15th round of counting.

1.25pm: After 12th round of voting, SP maintains lead by 14,668 votes in Gorakhpur.

1.24pm: RJD’s Sarfaraz Alam ahead of BJP’s Pradeep Singh by 14,581 votes after ninth round of counting in Araria LS seat.

1.22pm: RJD’s Krishna Mohan Yadav leads by 19,000 votes over JD(U)’s Abhiram Sharma in Jehanabad Assembly.

1.20pm: Gorakhpur by-polls: SP’s Praveen Kumar Nishad leading with 1,63,941 votes, BJP’s Upendra Dutt Shukla second with 1,50,062 votes after 11th round of counting.

1.18pm: Phulpur by-polls: Samajwadi Party’s Nagendra Pratap Singh leading with 1,55,314 votes, BJP’s Kaushlendra Singh Patel second with 1,34,819 votes after 14th round of counting.

1.13pm: SP’s Praveen Kumar Nishad leading with 1,33,565 votes, BJP’s Upendra Dutt Shukla second with 1,20,917 votes after ninth round of counting in Gorakhpur.

1.12pm: RJD’s Sarfaraz Alam inches ahead of BJP’s Pradeep Singh in Araria by 3,000 votes.

1.07pm: Rashtriya Janata Dal leads by 17,000 votes in Jehanabad assembly.

1.05pm: Araria LS seat:BJP’s Pradeep Singh leads by 6,605 votes.

12.56pm: SP’s Praveen Kumar Nishad leading by 10,598 with 1,19,427 votes in Gorakhpur. BJP’s Upendra Dutt Shukla second with 1,08,829 votes after eighth round of counting.

12.43pm: Samajwadi Party’s Nagendra Pratap Singh Patel leading by 15,713 votes with 1,22,247 votes, BJP’s Kaushlendra Singh Patel second with 1,06,534 votes after 11th round of counting in Phulpur.

12.38pm: SP leading by 7,139 votes after sixth round of counting in Gorakhpur. BJP secures 82,811 votes, SP at 89,950 votes and Congress at 3,746 votes.

12.34pm: RJD leading by 455 votes with 1,95,527 votes in Araria LS bypolls. BJP stands second with 1,95,072 votes.

12.29pm: After the fifth round in Gorakhpur bypolls, SP’s Praveen Kumar Nishad maintains lead by 3,760 votes with 74,077 votes; BJP has 70,317 votes. Total votes are 1,51,524.

12.27pm: Samajwadi Party MP Ramgopal Yadav says, “I think our margin of victory will be bigger in Gorakhpur than Phulpur. Will win both comfortably.”

12.19pm: According to the Election Commission on Gorakhpur bypolls, media persons cannot be allowed near EVMs and have been personally briefed by the DM on each round.

12.17pm: SP’s Praveen Kumar Nishad leading with 59,907 votes, BJP’s Upendra Dutt Shukla stands second with 56,945 votes in Gorakhpur.

12.13pm: Samajwadi Party’s Nagendra Pratap Singh Patel leading by 14,239 with 1,11,668 votes, BJP’s Kaushlendra Singh Patel second with 97,369 votes after 10 rounds of counting in Phulpur.

12.05pm: BJP leading in Bhabua in Bihar after eighth round of counting with 19,738 votes. RJD leading in Jehanabad after the 10th round with 29,551 votes.

12.01pm: Araria Lok Sabha:BJP leading by 1,749 votes, RJD second after second round.

11.51am: Lucknow Assembly adjourned till 12.20 pm following ruckus over the issue of media being kept out of counting centre in Gorakhpur, the issue was raised by SP’s Ram Govind Chaudhary.

11.47am: Samajwadi Party’s Nagendra Pratap Singh leading by 12,231 votes with 99,557 votes, BJP’s Kaushlendra Singh Patel second with 87,326 votes after eight round of counting in Phulpur.

11.44am: Gorakhpur bypolls: Samajwadi Party’s Praveen Kumar Nishad leading by 1,523 with 44,979 votes, BJP’s Upendra Dutt Shukla second with 43,456 votes.

11.40am: SP’s Praveen Kumar Nishad leading with 29,218 votes, BJP’s Upendra Dutt Shukla at a close second with 29,194 votes in Gorakhpur.

11.35am: Gorakhpur district magistrate Rajeev Rautela said voting figures for the second and third rounds will be announced soon.

11.34am: In Bhahua, BJP leading by 2,528 votes, RJD ahead in Jehanabad by 8,899 votes.

11.30am: Araria bypoll: BJP leading by 8,979 with 1,13,169 votes, RJD second with 1,04,190 votes.

11.20am: Phulpur bypoll: Samajwadi Party’s Nagendra Pratap Singh leading by 6,931 votes with 54,562 votes, BJP’s Kaushlendra Singh second with 47,631 votes.

11.06am: Deputy chief minister and former Phulpur MP, Keshav Prasad Maurya, admits BJP trailing in the LS constituency, cites low turnout as reason. “Eventually, BJP will win but with lesser margin than in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls.”

10.50am: BJP leading by 2,714 votes in Bhabua. RJD leading in Jehanabad.

10.45am: After fourth round of counting in Phulpur, SP lead by 3,607 votes.

10.43am: BJP leading with 58,225 votes, RJD second with 55,334 votes in Araria LS bypoll.

10.38am: After first round of counting in Gorakhpur, BJP’s Upendra Shukla leading by 1,666 votes with 15,577 votes, SP’s Praveen Nishad bags 13,911 votes and Congress’ Surheeta Kareem has 547 votes.

10.26am: Phulpur’s vote tally after third round of counting: Samajwadi Party at 33,227 votes; BJP at 30,786.

10.21am: Bihar assembly by-polls: After third round of counting BJP is leading in Bhabua and RJD ahead in Jehanabad after second round of counting.

10.20am: BJP leading after the second round of counting in Araria.

10.11am: After second round of counting in Phulpur: SP’s Nagendra Singh still leading with 22,460 votes, BJP’s Kaushlendra Singh trailing with 21,402 votes. Independent Atiq Ahmad stands third with 4,695 votes.

9.53am: BJP leading in Gorakhpur urban and rural.

9.40am: Keshav Prasad Maurya won Phulpur Lok Sabha constituency in 2014.

9.35am: Samajwadi Party’s Nagendra Pratap Singh leading by 1,437 votes with 7,600 votes, BJP’s Kaushlendra Singh secures 6,163 votes in Phulpur.

9.30am: After the first round of counting BJP is leading in Kaimur in Bhabua and RJD is leading in Jehanabad assembly seats.

9.25am: BJP leading in Araria in Bihar after first round of counting.

9.13am: SP candidate Praveen Kumar Nishad from Gorakhpur.

9.12am: First round of counting in Phulpur: Samajwadi Party’s Nagendra Pratap Singh leading with 3,472 votes. BJP’s Kaushalendra Singh Patel secured 2,073 votes.

8.47am: SP takes lead in Gorakhpur rural assembly.

8.30am: Heavy security deployed at Gorakhpur university.

8.15am: Phulpur was once represented by first prime minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. Phulpur witnessed a saffron surge in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections and Keshav Prasad Maurya won there.

8.10am: In Araria, the contest is locked between RJD’s Sarfaraj Alam, son of deceased MP Taslimuddin, and BJP’s Pradip Singh while in Jehanabad the fight is between RJD’s Suday Yadav, son of deceased MLA Mundrika Singh Yadav, and JD(U)’s Abhiram Sharma.

8.05am: The BJP has fielded Kaushalendra Singh Patel from Phulpur and Upendra Dutt Shukla from Gorakhpur against the SP’s Pravin Nishad and Nagendra Pratap Singh Patel. The Congress has nominated Sureetha Kareem for Gorakhpur and Manish Mishra for Phulpur Lok Sabha seat.

8am: Officers at the counting centre in Phulpur in Uttar Pradesh. The counting has begun.

7.45am: Counting for Araria Lok Sabha by-poll to begin at 8 am, visuals of preparation from a counting centre.