UP: BJP leaders predict over 74 UP seats, SP-BSP goes into huddle

A day after exit polls forecast a return of the NDA at the Centre, enthused state BJP leaders predicted Uttar Pradesh would give them more than 74 of its 80 seats, a claim dismissed by the SP-BSP camp whose top leaders met to discuss post-poll scenarios.

At the UP BJP office here, pointing to electoral maps of the state, detailing parliamentary and assembly constituencies, party leaders and functionaries from various districts indicated places from where SP-BSP alliance candidates would lose and claimed the SP-BSP alliance would break up after the results are announced.

As for SP-BSP, they do not agree with the projections that the NDA would get over 300 seats.

Bahujan Samaj Party president Mayawati appeared to be opting for a wait-and-watch policy till results are announced on May 23.

"The future course of action will be decided only after the final results are announced. Till then, she (Mayawati) will be in the state capital," a party source said, requesting anonymity.

Multiple exit polls have suggested that the SP-BSP-RLD alliance is likely to dent the Bharatiya Janata Party's 2014 tally in Uttar Pradesh, though it might not be