UP Polls: High-decibel campaign for third phase ends

The high-decibel campaign in 69 assembly constituencies of Uttar Pradesh going to polls on Sunday came to an end this evening with leaders going the extra mile to woo voters.

 The 12 districts figuring in the third phase of polling are Farrukhabad, Hardoi, Kannauj, Mainpuri, Etawah, Auraiya, Kanpur Dehat, Kanpur, Unnao, Lucknow, Barabanki and Sitapur.

 While Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah led the saffron brigade, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and BSP supremo Mayawati criss-crossed the constituencies where the stakes of their party are high.

 Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was in the vanguard, slamming Modi for his note ban decision and accusing him of betraying people with his 'achchey din' promise. Modi and Shah on the other hand lashed out at the ruling Samajwadi Party on issues of law and order and corruption inthe state.

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The Prime Minister repeatedly sought to puncture Akhilesh's "kaam bolta hai" slogan by stating it was the SP leader's "karnama" (misdeed) which spoke. However, ducking all brick bats hurled at him, Akhilesh went ahead tom-tomming his development schemes and welfare measures. He said after the turnout trend of first two phases, the blood pressure of Opposition has shot up. In a bid to woo minority voters, he also tried to attack Mayawati stating, "She cannot be trusted. She can even join hands with BJP again to form next government."

The BSP supremo, however, clarified in her speeches that"she will prefer to sit in the Opposition instead of joining hands with anyone" while urging minority voters to back herparty. Her refrain was deterioration in law and order and plight of women who felt insecure.   

In the 2012 Assembly polls, SP had won 55 of these 69seats, while BSP, BJP and Congress secured just 6, 5 and 2respectively. One seat went to an Independent.