What began like a defeat accepted with utmost humility, outgoing Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav's speech quickly turned sour, laced with sarcasm. "Maybe the people didn't like the expressway we built, maybe they voted in hope of a bullet train in UP," Mr Yadav said at the customary post-election press conference.
"The next government will do better than us," he said, subtly adding, "maybe if the PM has said, debts of farmers all over the country will be forgiven".
Ruling Samajwadi Party's gamble, under Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav to partner with the Congress, spearheaded by its vice president Rahul Gandhi, fell flat today. Both parties had to face a drubbing at the hands of PM Modi-led BJP.