Braj region offers a mixed bag of election results for parties

THE RASHTRIYA LOK DAL MADE ITS MARK IN THE JATLAND OF MATHURA AND ALIGARH DISTRICT BUT THE CONGRESS WAS AT A TOTAL LOSS, WINNING A LONE WARD IN MAINPURI.

AGRA: The Samajwadi Party and Bharatiya Janata Party emerged close runners in most districts of Braj, while the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) made its presence felt in Mathura and Agra in the recently concluded panchayat elections. Among the eight districts of Braj area, SP led the tally in Firozabad, Mainpuri and Etah.

As expected, the Rashtriya Lok Dal made its mark in the Jatland of Mathura and Aligarh district but the Congress was at a total loss, winning a lone ward in Mainpuri. The marathon counting process extended to 60 hours.

The results were a mixed bag for political parties who supported candidates but did not allow party symbol to be used.

In the 33 wards of Firozabad, 14 SP supported candidates were elected Zila Panchayat members. Nine seats went to independents, BJP and BSP supported candidates won four each and two members were those supported by the Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party of Shivpal Yadav.

In 30 wards of Mainpuri, SP-backed candidates swept almost half of Zila Panchayat member seats. The BJP supported candidates won from eight wards but the BSP could not open its account. Only one Congress-backed candidate made it to the ZP.

In Agra, 19 BJP supported candidates won, followed closely by 18 BSP supported candidates. Nine independents, five SP-backed candidates and one supported by Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) also won but the Congress drew a blank. In Mathura, the Bahujan Samaj Party continued its hold and out of 33 wards, 13 candidates supported by it won. Eight BJP supported and eight RLD supported candidates also won.

In Aligarh, out of 47 wards, BJP and SP supported candidates won in 9 each while BSP backed candidates won in five. Seven RLD-backed candidates, 16 independents and one candidate supported by Bhim Army also won. In Hathras, it was again neck to neck fight between the BJP (5) and Samajwadi Party (4).

RLD had success in three wards while BSP supported candidates won in two but the major share went to independents who won in 10 wards.

In Etah, Samajwadi Party backed candidates won in 18 wards but BJP leaders sought a recount. In 23 wards of Kasganj, the BJP and SP supported candidates were engaged in a close fight. Former MP Devendra Singh lost the election. While SP won in 11 wards, BJP backed candidates won in five wards and BSP supported candidates in four.