Much was said and written about the RLD factor in this year’s UP politics vis-à-vis farmers’ agitation. But ultimately, in democracy, people are the masters, and they have decided.

New Delhi: The so-called agrarian stress and farmers’ stir failed to impact electoral outcomes in the heart of Jatland in western Uttar Pradesh. BJP’s Yogesh Dhama has established a comfortable lead of 1336 votes against his nearest Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) nominee Mohd Ahmed Hameed in Baghpat.

Much was said and written about the RLD factor in this year’s UP politics vis-à-vis farmers’ agitation. But ultimately, in democracy, people are the masters, and they have decided. Baghpat is well known as the hub of former Prime Minister Chaudhary Charan Singh. First elected to the UP assembly from neighbouring Chhaprauli, Charan Singh represented the Baghpat Lok Sabha constituency for three terms. His son Ajit Singh won this seat seven times. RLD chief Jayant Chaudhary lost the seat in last Lok Sabha elections.

Trends from all 403 segments are available, and the BJP has made it rather comfortably leading in 246 seats as against 122 by Samajwadi Party and 10 by the RLD. Apna Dal (Sonelal) is likely to win 11 seats.

According to trends, Congress is leading only in one segment, and this exposes the hollowness of big claims made about the so-called ‘Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’ factor. Mayawati-led BSP’s tally could be only two.

“Public mood is set for development. This is the win of ‘Modi-Yogi’ double engine government. People have voted on the issues of security and infrastructure. After 30 years, the same party is forming a government in UP for the second time,” BJP leader Rita Bahuguna Joshi said.

In comparison, little known Nirbal Indian Shoshit Hamara Aam Dal established a lead in five segments while Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party is leading in four. The Congress vote share is 2.4 per cent while BSP’s vote share is around 12, but the former Chief Minister Mayawati-led outfit could not win many seats.