Losses for BJP in U.P.

By J. P. Shukla

LUCKNOW, JUNE 28. The Bharatiya Janata Party appears to have suffered heavy reverses in the Uttar Pradesh panchayat elections, with its nominees having been rejected wholesale in several districts. The final picture is not clear. However, reports from districts suggest that the party received a drubbing in almost every part of the State.

The BJP suffered a humiliating defeat in Lucknow, Kanpur, Gorakhpur and Varanasi districts among others. Its performance in Lucknow had especially become a subject of discussion since the district was part of the parliamentary constituency of the Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee. The BJP has failed to win a single seat in Lucknow.

In Gorakhpur, the zila panchayat president, Ms. Shobha Sahani, lost. The party has so far been able to win only six of the 39 seats. In Varanasi, the home district of the BJP's Uttar Pradesh unit president, Mr. Om Prakash Singh, the party was able to win only nine of the 30 seats. Among the losers were the family members of Mr. Singh himself.

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