Gorakhpur, Phulpur results a clear message against BJP: Akhilesh

Riding high on bypoll victories in UP, Samajwadi Party supremo Akhilesh Yadav today said the win was a "big one" as it has instilled confidence among party workers and sent out a message all over the country that the BJP can be defeated in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

The BJP lost the bypolls in Gorakhpur, the bastion of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Phulpur, which was earlier held by deputy chief minister Keshav Prasad Maurya.

"I term victories in bypolls as a big one because it is not only our victory but also defeat of the CM and the deputy CM. Yogiji, who was campaigning for the BJP, could not save his own seat. It has given a message all over the country and instilled confidence among people and workers that if the BJP can be defeated in its constituencies it can be replicated all over," Akhilesh Yadav told PTI in an interview.

On the RS poll debacle in which BSP candidate Bhim Rao Ambekdar, who was supported by his party lost, the former chief minister said, "The character of BJP, which misuse money and power against the poor stands exposed in the RS polls. Due to conspiracy being hatched by the BJP against the election of a Dalit, the SP-BSP unity has strengthened for next polls. I also thank Mayawatiji."
Asked about the BJP's plea that less vote percentage was the reason for its loss, Akhilesh said, "Had more voters come out, our victory margin would have been better. They (BJP) misled people and won elections and now they canot follow what they said."
Asked about his father Mulayam Singh Yadav's reaction to poll victories, Akhilesh said, "He was very happy that the youth were elected. He blessed us all."