Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has thanked party workers as counting is underway in the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections 2022. Early leads show the BJP is ahead in UP.
"The test is yet to be complete. The time has come now for decisions. My heartfelt thanks to every worker, supporter, leader, office bearer and well-wishers of the Samajwadi Party and alliance for being alert and active, day and night, at counting centers," Mr Yadav tweeted, referring to the controversy over allegations that some elements tried to take away electronic voting machines, or EVMs, from a strong room in UP.
"Sepoys of democracy return only with a certificate of victory," Mr Yadav tweeted.
Mr Yadav had alleged the BJP was attempting fraud. "Treat the counting centres as the pilgrimage of democracy. Go there and stand firm," Mr Yadav said. "The SP alliance is winning, that is why the BJP is trying to commit fraud," he added.
He had on Tuesday alleged the ruling BJP tried to steal votes. A truck allegedly carrying EVMs was "intercepted" in Varanasi, but the Election Commission later clarified that the machines were for training officials on counting duty and were not used in the elections.
In a statement on Tuesday night, the office of the chief electoral officer of Uttar Pradesh said "rumours were spread by people of some political party by stopping the vehicle and alleging that these EVMs were used in elections".
Akhilesh Yadav Posts A "Monsoon Offer", Party Leader Says Message To BJP Akhilesh Yadav's 'Game Of Thrones' Barb, BJP Minister KP Maurya's Counter Akhilesh Yadav's 'Shayari' On INDIA's Ayodhya Win, And A 'Yogi ji' Mention 'Entire NEET Paper Solved In 45 Minutes Before Exam?': Top Court To Centre On CCTV, Gym Trainer Picks Up Club, Hits Mumbai Man On Head During Workout "In Order To See...": Trump On Why He Tilted Head Before Assassin Fired Trump Shooter's Father Called Cops About Missing Gun Before Attack: Report Application Process For Chief Engineer, Project Manager Begins Hulk Hogan Tears Off Shirt In Support Of Donald Trump At Republican Event Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.