bjp vs bsp-sp

In a first, Amethi, which has been the stronghold of the Congress was taken from under them by BJP which created a wave across the nation. 

In a press conference held by Rahul Gandhi on Thursday evening, the Congress President said that he hopes Irani would take care of his former constituency. 

Irani won the constituency with a 9000 vote difference. 

Uttar Pradesh is one of the most important states in this 2019 elections which could help shift the balance. In the 2014 elections, the NDA came out with flying colours with 73 out of 80 seats under its belt. 

The exit polls came out on Sunday evening immediately after the voting for the seventh phase of elections. The polls predicted that the NDA would come back again for a second term with a thumping victory. 

The exit polls show quite a few variations with many predicting NDA's win but with different number of seats. Republic CVoter, NDA Nielson and NewsX Neta have predicted NDA to lose to the Mahagathbandan while the others seem to predict its win. 

The BJP went up against Samajwadi party, lead by Mayawati, the Bahujan Samaj Party, with the leadership of UP's former chief minister Akhilesh Yadav and Rashtriya Lok Dal, lead by Ajit Singh. 

Modi thanks voters in Varanasi

The prime minister tweeted, "People of Kashi are remarkable! When I had gone to Kashi to file my nomination papers, they confidently said that they would manage the entire campaign without me having to come back even once...and manage they did! I bow to the citizens of Kashi. Looking forward to serving them (sic)."

Gandhi hopes Modi will look after the country

"Love never loses...A new prime minister has been elected. Hopefully, he will look after the interests of this country," Rahul Gandhi said. 

Rahul Gandhi accepts Amethi defeat
Rahul Gandhi
Twitter

In a press conference held Congress President Rahul conceded defeat in Amethi. He was accompanied by his sister, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, general secreatry, UP-east wing. In his speech, he said that the people fo India are the deciders and that he wants to congratulate PM Modi on his victory. 

When asked about his defeat in Amethi, which has been the Congress bastion for decades, Gandhi asked Irani to take care of Amethi with love and assures Congress supporters saying, "I want to tell those who believe in the Congress ideology, 'daro matt (don't be afraid)'."

Rahul Gandhi reduces vote difference to 9000

Vote difference between Irani and Gandhi has been reduced to 9000 

Hema Malinib praises Modi; says he is a 'leader who can make India excel in all spheres'

"What a clean sweep! The opposition & the Congress silenced totally! Modiji, after having suffered so many insults, many personal, stands totally vindicated as a true nationalist in whom the masses have reposed complete faith & view as a leader who can make India excel in all spheres (sic)," Hema Malini tweeted. 

Electoral trends in UP

Current trends 

BJP: 59

BSP: 11

SP: 06

Cong: 01

Apna Dal(S): 01

Apna Dal: 01

RLD: 01

Danish Ali leading in Amroha

BSP's Danish Ali is leading in Amroha. He was previously with JD(S). 

Yogi Adityanath congratulates PM Modi
Yogi Adityanath

Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath congratulates PM Modi on his victory. The chief minister said, "I want to congratulate Prime Minister Modi for this victory. BJP is touching 300 mark for the first time & NDA is touching 350. I also congratulate the party President Amit Shah

PM Modi with a 3 lakh lead in Varanasi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Mathurapur: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses a public rally in West Bengal's Mathurapur on May 16, 2019.IANS

Prime Minister Narendra Modi leading in Varanasi by a whopping 3,18,878 votes against Samajwadi Party's Ahalini Yadav. 

Smriti leading in Amethi; Wayanad only solace for Rahul Gandhi?

Smriti Irani leading over Rahul Gandhi by nearly 11,300 votes. While the stage is set for Smriti Irani to become the MP from Amethi, Rahul Gandhi still has a chance to be a Parliamentarian from Wayanad in Kerala. 

Smriti Irani giving Rahul Gandhi a run for his money

Smriti Irani is leading in Amethi by 9000 votes. Amethi was seen as a Congress Bastion where his grandmother, former prime minister Indira Gandhi, his father Rajiv Gandhi and his uncle Snjay Gandhi contested from. 

Rajnath Singh thanks Modi, Amit Shah for Lucknow win
rajnath singh BJP
Twitter/BJP

"Spoke to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP national president Amit Shah over the phone and congratulated them for BJP-led NDA's stupendous victory in these Lok Sabha Elections. This historic victory in the General Elections is the outcome of Modiji's visionary leadership, Amit Shahji's dynamism and the hard work of millions of BJP karyakartas on the ground. I thank the people of India for once again giving a decisive mandate to BJP-led NDA and reposing faith in Narendra Modi's astute leadership and his vision of New India. Modiji is now all set to build a New India," Home Minister Rajnath Singh said.

Smriti Irani leading in Amethi

Smriti Irani leading in Amethi with a margin of 7,600 votes. Rahul Gandhi is trailing. 

BJP leadind in Uttar Pradesh

Bharatiya Janata Party is leading in 52 seats in Uttar Pradesh, Congress in two seats, BSP in 14 seats and SP in 10. 

Uttar Pradesh election trends

Election trends in UP 

Mulayam Singh Yadav in Mainpuri - 53740 votes

Narendra Modi in Varanasi - 146334 votes

 Smriti Irani in Amethi - 24870 votes

SP Singh Baghel in Agra - 14962 votes

Ravi Kishan in Gorakhpur  - 179493 votes

Akhilesh Yadav leading in Azamgarh

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav leads in Azamgarh against Bhojpuri singer against Dinesh Lal Yadav, who is commonly known as  'Nirahua'. 

BJP leads in Prayagraj

Rita Bahuguna Joshi of the BJP is leading by 8,244 votes in Prayagraj. She is pitted against RS Patel of the Mahagathbandhan. 

PM Modi leading in Varanasi
Modi rally
Reuters

In Varanasi, PM Modi leading in his own constituency by 20,000 votes 

Why is Uttar Pradesh a key state in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections?

Most of the senior leaders in the Bharatiya Janata Party, Congress,  are contesting from constituencies in Uttar Pradesh. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi - Varanasi

Congress president Rahul Gandhi - Amethi

Sonia Gandhi - Rae Barreily

Home Minister Rajnath Singh - Lucknow

Textiles Minister Smriti Irani  - Amethi

Sonia Gandhi leading in Rae Bareilly

Sonai Gandhi is leading in Rae Bareilly constituency. Like Amethi, Rae Bareilly is considered to be a stronghold of the Congress and Gandhi represented the constituency since 2004. Gandhi is pitted against former Congress MLC Dinesh Pratap Singh who joined the BJP in early 2018. 

Samajwadi Party leading in six constituencies

Akhilesh Yadav's Samajwadi Party leading in 6 seats in Uttar Pradesh. His wife, Dimple Yadav, is trailing in Kannauj

Rahul Gandhi trailing in Amethi
rahul smriti
Congress chief Rahul Gandhi had defeated Union Minister Smriti Irani in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls.

Smriti Irani is leading with 4,900 votes with Rahul Gandhi trailing in Amethi, which is considered to be his stronghold. This is the first time he is trailing from the constituency from where he is a four-time MP. 

In 2014, Rahul Gandhi won against Smriti Irani but she managed to lower his margin by over one lakh. 

Early trends show BJP leading in Uttar Pradesh

Early trends show BJP leading in Uttar Pradesh with 14 out of 80 currently. The Mahagathbandhan shows 13, Congress and its allies 1. 

Counting of votes begins

Counting of votes begins across the country amid allegations of tampering of EVMs over the past few days.

Videos went viral on social media of EVMs being carried out in the backs of cars, which angered many people. The Opposition also met with the Election Commission on Wednesday. 

Will PM Modi come back to power in Varanasi?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi contested from his constituency in Varanasi for the 2019 election. While he won with a majority in 2014, questions arise if he will come back in his strongholdwith the same numbers. 

Home Minister Rajnath Singh is hoping to get re-elected in Lucknow and he is contedting against Samajwadi Party's Poonam Sinha, wife of Shatrughan Sinha. 

Will BJP come back to power in Uttar Pradesh?

Exit polls predicted BJP to come back with a thumping victory in Uttar Pradesh winning 73 out of 80 seats. However, the polls differ with Republic CVoter, NDA Nielson and NewsX Neta predicting that the NDA will lose to the Mahagathbandan. 

Counting to begin at 8 AM

The counting of votes in centres across the country will begin at 8 AM.

Ravi Kishan prays before election results come out

Actor Ravi Kishan, contesting for BJP from Gorakhpur prays before the counting begins.

No delay in announcing the results

Election Commission assures that there will be no delay in announcing the results because of VVPAT verification because the paper trail will be counted at the end.