Campaigning over, Uttar Pradesh politicians unwind

Lucknow: A day after campaigning ended in Uttar Pradesh, politicians relaxed in their own ways. Mulayam Singh Yadav hit the treadmill, Kalraj Mishra slept till late while Vinay Katiyar visited the Ram temple at Ayodhya.

And by his own admission, Mr Mishra, who was at the forefront of the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) campaign and travelled all over the sprawling state, spent a relaxed day.

"I am an early riser; I generally get up at 6.30. But today was an exception," he told IANS.

"I slept till 9, had a late bath and then managed to do pooja, something which had been largely given a go by during the canvassing," he added.

Surya Pratap Shahi, the state Bhartiya Janata Party Chief, was not so lucky.

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He managed only a cat nap during the day that too in the car, as he shuttled between one TV studio to another, answering questions posed to him in studios.

Samajwadi Party leader and former Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav, who till Thursday was addressing rallies, spent a quiet day at his spacious bungalow at Vikramaditya Marg.

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Mr Yadav told IANS that he was back to his morning walk and a "small session on the treadmill".

And seemingly relaxed, he admitted that while the battle was over, the poll outcome was weighing on his mind.

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"I am sure the results will be in our favour" he added, before leaving for Delhi in the evening.

The final and seventh phase of staggered balloting in Uttar Pradesh will take place on Saturday to pick a new 403-member legislature.

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Most pundits expect a split verdict although political parties are claiming otherwise.

Mr Yadav's son and state Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav preferred Delhi over Lucknow. His mobile phone was switched off. Close aides said he was unwinding.

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Congress state President Rita Bahuguna Joshi seemed the happiest. Content with the response during the election campaign, Joshi said she was glad the gruelling campaigning had finally ended.

Mrs Joshi told IANS: "After three months I had breakfast with my husband."

For firebrand Bhartiya Janata Party leaders Uma Bharti and Vinay Katiyar, it was time for a spiritual sojourn.

Uma Bharti is relaxing at an ashram on the banks of Ganges, her aides said. Mr Katiyar was camping at Ayodhya, the temple town on the banks of the river Saryu.

"I am at Ayodhya, at the feet of Ram Lala, thanking him for the
bright prospects the Bhartiya Janata Party seems to be set for," Mr Katiyar told IANS over phone.