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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Low castes lead in Uttar Pradesh | Low castes lead in Uttar Pradesh |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| The low-caste Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) is heading for victory in assembly elections in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, early trends suggest. | The low-caste Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) is heading for victory in assembly elections in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, early trends suggest. |
| Outgoing chief minister Mulayam Singh Yadav has admitted defeat to his rival, BSP leader Mayawati, and has said he will resign when results are confirmed. | Outgoing chief minister Mulayam Singh Yadav has admitted defeat to his rival, BSP leader Mayawati, and has said he will resign when results are confirmed. |
| Trends show his party trailing with a possible clear majority for the BSP. | Trends show his party trailing with a possible clear majority for the BSP. |
| Uttar Pradesh is India's most populous state and has long been its most politically influential. | Uttar Pradesh is India's most populous state and has long been its most politically influential. |
| But with caste and religion becoming the dominant factors in state politics in the past two decades, Uttar Pradesh has been in a state of decline. | But with caste and religion becoming the dominant factors in state politics in the past two decades, Uttar Pradesh has been in a state of decline. |
| Celebrations | Celebrations |
| Jubilant, flag-waving BSP supporters have gathered outside the residence of the party leader Mayawati - a woman who belongs to the poor, deprived Dalit (formerly untouchable) caste - in Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh. | Jubilant, flag-waving BSP supporters have gathered outside the residence of the party leader Mayawati - a woman who belongs to the poor, deprived Dalit (formerly untouchable) caste - in Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh. |
| Mayawati is a Dalit, at the bottom of the caste system | |
| Dancing party supporters set off fire crackers and celebrated with sweets. | Dancing party supporters set off fire crackers and celebrated with sweets. |
| Ms Mayawati has been the state chief minister three times in the past and this is expected to be her fourth term in office. | Ms Mayawati has been the state chief minister three times in the past and this is expected to be her fourth term in office. |
| Her support base is mostly with the lower caste and poor communities who form a significant percentage of the Uttar Pradesh electorate. | Her support base is mostly with the lower caste and poor communities who form a significant percentage of the Uttar Pradesh electorate. |
| India's two main political parties - Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) - have been on the decline in Uttar Pradesh in recent years. | India's two main political parties - Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) - have been on the decline in Uttar Pradesh in recent years. |
| If Ms Mayawati fails to win an outright majority, reports say the Congress party would seek to form a coalition government with her party. | If Ms Mayawati fails to win an outright majority, reports say the Congress party would seek to form a coalition government with her party. |
| The election of 403 state legislature members was held in seven phases over a month for logistical reasons. | The election of 403 state legislature members was held in seven phases over a month for logistical reasons. |
| The month-long vote failed to bring people out in high numbers, polling officials said. None of the phases had a turnout higher than 50%. | The month-long vote failed to bring people out in high numbers, polling officials said. None of the phases had a turnout higher than 50%. |
| But it will also be remembered for having seen no significant violence, unlike in the past. | But it will also be remembered for having seen no significant violence, unlike in the past. |
| Major problems | Major problems |
| As well as caste, crime was another major issue, many voters said. | As well as caste, crime was another major issue, many voters said. |
| Uttar Pradesh is plagued by corruption and lags behind other parts of India in areas like development and health. | Uttar Pradesh is plagued by corruption and lags behind other parts of India in areas like development and health. |
| Former Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav has admitted defeat | |
| Because of its sheer size and numbers, Uttar Pradesh, commonly called UP, holds an important place in the Indian political system. | Because of its sheer size and numbers, Uttar Pradesh, commonly called UP, holds an important place in the Indian political system. |
| The state has more than 175 million inhabitants. It sends 80 MPs - the highest number in India - to the federal parliament, more than any other state. | The state has more than 175 million inhabitants. It sends 80 MPs - the highest number in India - to the federal parliament, more than any other state. |
| It has produced most of India's prime ministers, including the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty. | It has produced most of India's prime ministers, including the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty. |
| Observers say the Congress party, which leads the federal government, and the main opposition BJP both recognise the results could have a bearing on the national balance of power. | Observers say the Congress party, which leads the federal government, and the main opposition BJP both recognise the results could have a bearing on the national balance of power. |
| More than 49 million people were eligible to vote at nearly 50,000 polling stations in Uttar Pradesh, watched over by thousands of police and paramilitary troops. | More than 49 million people were eligible to vote at nearly 50,000 polling stations in Uttar Pradesh, watched over by thousands of police and paramilitary troops. |
| The polling dates were 7 April, 13 April, 18 April, 23 April, 28 April, 3 May and 8 May. | The polling dates were 7 April, 13 April, 18 April, 23 April, 28 April, 3 May and 8 May. |