BJP to form govt in Uttar Pradesh with 202 seats: Times Now-VMR survey

NEW DELHI: The Bharatiya Janata Party is likely to form government with 202 seats and around 34 per cent vote share in the forthcoming Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls, according to a recent survey. The Times Now-VMR opinion poll found that despite the recent family feud, Akhilesh Yadav, with 39 per cent support, continues to be the most preferred face as the next Chief Minister followed by BSP chief Mayawati with 23 per cent and controversial BJP MP Yogi Adityanath who enjoys 16 per cent of backing. In major boost to for the BJP, Narendra Modi's demonetisation move was appreciated by as many as 63.4 per cent people in the Uttar Pradesh while 31.9 per cent feel the currency ban was not a good idea. According to the survey, the recently launched Samajwadi Party-Congress alliance is likely to win only 147 seats with 31 per cent of vote share. The third major player in the fray, Mayawati's Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), is placed at third position with mere 47 seats with 24 per cent vote share. Seven-phase polls for the 403 seats are taking place in UP on February 11, 15, 19, 23, 27, March 4 and 8.