A Samajwadi spokesperson claimed that BJP supporters had lost interest in elections because of the central and state governments' indifference to public issues. But chief minister Yogi Adityanath, who cast his vote on his home turf of Gorakhpur, claimed voters had expressed their confidence "in the policies of Narendra Modi's government and mine". Till 5pm, Gorakhpur had witnessed a 47.45 per cent turnout and Phulpur 39 per cent, district officials said. "The youths, farmers, traders and the middle classes have realised that Modi and Adityanath have cheated them with their promises. Mahant Avaidyanath had won in 1989 as a Hindu Mahasabha nominee before winning on BJP tickets in 1991 and 1996.

Source: The Telegraph March 11, 2018 20:58 UTC