BSP cheated in Hardoi bypoll: SP

Lucknow, Nov 18 (UNI) The Mulayam Singh Yadav-led Samajwadi Party (SP) this evening charged the ruling Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) with winning the Hardoi assembly bypoll in Uttar Pradesh through 'cheating' and ''unfair'' means.

''The BSP had threatened the voters to caste the franchise in its favour. In no way, it can be considered a fair poll,'' SP state spokesperson Rajendra Chaudhary said here.

The party had earlier too brought the matter into the attention of UP Chief Electoral Officer Anuj Kumar Vishnoi and informed the officer that Chief Minister Mayawati had directed the District Magistrate of Hardoi to ensure its win, but all went over heard.

All the shopkeepers, block heads, gram pradhans and corporators were influenced by the DM on the directions of the Chief Minister, Mr Chaudhary alleged.

This victory can only be attributed to unfair means of Ms Mayawati, the Hardoi DM and also Naresh Agarwal, a turncoat, whose son Nitin Agarwal today wrested the seat from the party, the SP leader alleged.

UNI JAS SKB RK2013