Rajya Sabha Election: Counting of votes yet to begin in Uttar Pradesh after BSP, SP approach Election Commission

Election Commission has not given permission to begin the counting of votes for Rajya Sabha election in Uttar Pradesh due to some objections in ballot papers, reprots ANI. Counting will begin only after EC gives clearance. In a complaint to Election Commission, BSP and SP have expressed fear of rigging during the polling and also alleged that Ballot paper was torn by BJP leader. 

Voting for remaining 25 seats of Rajya Sabha took place on Friday in six states including Uttar Pradesh. Counting of ballots was scheduled to start at 5 pm, an hour after the end of voting

For the 58 Rajya Sabha seats to be filled, 33 candidates from 10 states were declared elected unopposed on March 15. Seven union ministers including Ravi Shankar Prasad and Prakash Javadekar were among them.

Besides UP, polling for the remaining 25 seats will take place in West Bengal, Karnataka, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Telangana. 

BSP MLA Anil Singh indicated that he had cross-voted in favour of the BJP in the Rajya Sabha polls, saying "I am with Maharaj-ji", referring to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

Deputy leader of the BSP Legislature Party Uma Shankar Singh said he cannot be sure that Anil Singh had voted for the BSP candidate Bhimrao Ambedkar.

The Unnao MLA's vote could be crucial as it gives BJP the edge in getting a ninth Rajya Sabha seat from Uttar Pradesh. It is already assured of eight seats on the basis of its strength in the Assembly.

Anil Singh said he had cast his vote and showed it to BSP agent Lalji Verma and the rest could be known from him.

"I have cast my vote after showing it to Lalji Verma and he will tell you the details...I am with Maharaj- ji  (Adityanath)," he said after voting at the Tilak Hall in the Assembly complex.

BJP is expected to better its numbers in the Rajya Sabha but will still fall short of the majority in the 245-strong House.