Overconfidence & SP-BSP Alliance Behind UP Bypoll Loss: Yogi

Local issues led to BJP’s poor performance in by-elections, not policies of Centre, said Adityanath.

Uttar Pradesh CM said that the result was unpredictable and the party will certainly assess its shortcomings.

(Photo: IANS)

Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath broke his silence on 14 March after the BJP faced crushing defeat in Phulpur, and his home turf of Gorakhpur – both seats previously represented by his deputy Keshav Prasad Maurya and Yogi him respectively.

Talking to ANI, a visibly shocked Yogi Adityanath pointed out the reasons for the loss while conceding defeat in the Lok Sabha seats. Citing the result as “unpredictable”, the minister said, "We accept the verdict of the people, and we will review the shortcomings. I congratulate the winning candidates.”

The erstwhile Gorakhpur leader admitted that there was a “failure in understanding the significance of the SP-BSP alliance.”

He went on to say that the that the coming together of the two factions is a political bargain that will disrupt India’s route to development. 

Adityanath said the party paid a price for its overconfidence, and it certainly reflected in its low voter turnout in both bypolls.

Local issues led to BJP's poor performance in by-elections, not the policies of the Centre, the minister added.

Touting the alliance as a “winning combination”, Adityanath said BJP will chalk out a strategy to thwart the march of the people who are out to block the development ushered in by the state and Central party factions.