Panchayat Chunav

Sticks, stones, guns and bombs tarred local polls in Uttar Pradesh, where political developments have assumed heightened significance ahead of the all-important state elections early next year, as the ruling BJP claimed a "historic victory".

Counting of votes for Uttar Pradesh's panchayat elections, questioned by many for taking place in the middle of an unprecedented coronavirus crisis, began on Sunday morning alongside that for the closely watched polls in West Bengal and other states.

Sticks, stones, guns and bombs tarred local polls in Uttar Pradesh, where political developments have assumed heightened significance ahead of the all-important state elections early next year, as the ruling BJP claimed a "historic victory".

Counting of votes for Uttar Pradesh's panchayat elections, questioned by many for taking place in the middle of an unprecedented coronavirus crisis, began on Sunday morning alongside that for the closely watched polls in West Bengal and other states.