Milkipur Bypoll: ZEENIA AI Exit Poll predicts close fight between SP, BJP

Exit polls have predicted a close battle between the Samajwadi Party and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the Milkipur assembly bypoll, with Zee's ZEENIA AI Exit Poll giving a slight edge to the saffron party.

Mikipur Exit Poll: Bypolls were held for the Milkipur Assembly constituency of Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday with a total of 3.70 lakh voters exercising their franchise. As per official data, over 65 percent voter turnout was witnessed in the constituency with voting commencing at 7 am and continuing till 5 pm, adding that those who queued up outside poll booths before that will be allowed to vote.

Meanwhile, exit polls have predicted a close battle between the Samajwadi Party and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the Milkipur assembly by-election, with Zee’s ZEENIA AI Exit Poll giving a slight edge to the saffron party. ZEENIA Exit poll has predicted a 52-48 advantage for the BJP over the SP.

According to the Election Commission (EC), 65.25 per cent votes were cast till 5 pm, and the final poll percentage can go up with people still queued up outside booths after 5 pm.

Akhilesh alleges ‘fake voting’, voter suppression by cops

Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav alleged “fake voting” and rigging by officials, but senior police officers rejected the charge and said voting is going on peacefully at all polling stations.

“This is a sting operation of the truth of presiding officers who are fulfilling the target of fake voting for the ruling party.” Yadav wrote on X while sharing an audio clip from a purported sting, while alleging that that police are checking identity cards of voters to “create fear” in them.

The SP chief further alleged that presiding officers are “fulfilling the target of fake voting” in the constituency asked the Election Commission and the Supreme Court to take cognisance of the “enemies of democracy”.

“The Election Commission should immediately take cognisance of pictures related to the news that Ayodhya Police — senior police officers included — is checking the ID cards of voters in Milkipur,” he wrote in another X post.

The Milkipur bypoll has turned into a prestige battle between the Samajwadi Party and the Bharatiya Janata Party as the seat is part of the politically significant Ayodhya district.

(With PTI inputs)