BJP clinches six seats as SP takes five in Uttar Pradesh council poll

The Bharatiya Janata Party secured six of the 11 Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council seats contested on October 23, while the Samajwadi Party won the remaining five, the final count showed on Thursday.

What Happened

The results were announced Thursday afternoon. BJP’s tally stood at six seats and SP’s at five, raising its count by two from the previous council election. The poll covered 11 constituencies across the state.

Reaction

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav blamed Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for favouring the Gorakhpur‑Faizabad teachers’ constituency at the expense of two Varanasi seats, saying, “Let Kashi drown, but our Gorakhpur business must not stop.” Yadav added that women teachers voted heavily against the BJP, citing the closure of 26,000 primary schools and the leakage of more than 20 exam papers under the BJP‑led state government. He argued the outcome shows public support for SP’s promise of free education from primary to postgraduate levels and for its agenda of social justice for backward classes, Dalits and minorities. Yogi Adityanath, a five‑term MP from Gorakhpur now representing Gorakhpur (Urban) in the Assembly, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a third‑term MP from Varanasi, were referenced in Yadav’s remarks.

Context

Legislative Council elections in Uttar Pradesh are indirect polls that often signal the strength of regional parties and can influence future assembly contests. The state’s politics are frequently shaped by strong local leaders in Gorakhpur and Varanasi, making seat distribution a key indicator of party footholds.