UP elections 2022: BJP-led Centre failed to evacuate Indians, named evacuation ops as ‘Operation Ganga’ because polls in Varanasi, says Akhilesh Yadav

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Monday said that the BJP-led government failed to evacuate Indian and named the evacuation operation as ‘Operation Ganga’ due to polls in Varanasi.

“Don’t know which international recognition they boast about. They (BJP-led Centre) failed to evacuate Indians; named evacuation operation as ‘Operation Ganga’ because polls in Varanasi too. Had they rescued our people from Ukraine, I would’ve appreciated it,” Akhilesh Yadav was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

With polling underway for the last phase of Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, an average voter turnout of 21.55 per cent was recorded till 11 am on Monday in the state.

As per the Election Commission of India's (ECI) data, Mau district continued to the top chart, with the highest voter turnout of 24.69 per cent till 11 am while the district was leading even at 9 am.

Besides, a voting percentage of 23. 51 per cent was recorded in Chandauli, followed by 23.46 per cent in Mirzapur and 22.26 per cent in Bhadohi.

Jaunpur reported a voter turnout of 21.83 per cent, while it was 21.19 per cent in Varanasi, which is also the Parliamentary constituency of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Azamgarh saw a voter turnout of 20.06 per cent, while it was 20.05 per cent in Ghazipur, and 19.45 per cent in Sonbhadra.

A total of 613 candidates are in the electoral fray for the 54 Assembly constituencies spread across nine districts of Mau, Azamgarh, Jaunpur, Ghazipur, Varanasi, Chandauli, Mirzapur, Sonbhadra, and Bhadohi (Sant Ravidas Nagar).

Voting for the last phase of the seven-phased Uttar Pradesh elections began at 7 am today and will continue till 6 pm.

A total of 2.06 crore voters are eligible to cast their votes while 613 candidates are in the electoral fray in the 54 Assembly seats. The counting of votes will take place on March 10.

(With inputs from Agencies)