New Delhi: Union Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate from Karhal assembly constituency in Uttar Pradesh, SP Singh Baghel on Thursday said that the Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav is afraid of losing the state elections.
He pointed out Akhilesh's effort in reaching out to people in Karhal constituency due to stiff competition he faces from BJP and his candidature.
"Yadav had earlier said that he will come to Karhal constituency only after winning the elections. Now, he is asking for people's votes there. It shows they (the SP) have the fear of losing (the elections)," said Baghel to news agency ANI.
A Member of the Parliament (MP) from the Agra Lok Sabha seat Baghel filed his nomination to fight the Uttar Pradesh election from the Karhal assembly seat on January 31.
Notably, Karhal in the Mainpuri district of Uttar Pradesh is a stronghold of the Samajwadi Party represented by founder Mulayam Singh Yadav for a long period.
SP chief Akhilesh Yadav would be contesting from the Karhal constituency for the first time. Election for the assembly seat will be held on February 20, which is the third phase of Uttar Pradesh elections.
Voting for the first phase of elections on 58 Assembly seats, covering 11 districts in West Uttar Pradesh, began on Thursday at 7 am.
The remaining six phases of election in the state will be held on February 14, February 20, February 23, February 27, March 3, and March 7. The counting of the votes will take place on March 10.