Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Kedarnath Singh has formally conceded defeat in the election for the Varanasi Graduates’ constituency of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council. The announcement came as the arduous process of counting second-preference votes extended into its third consecutive day on Thursday. According to the latest figures released by election officials, Samajwadi Party (SP) candidate Ashutosh Sinha has established a commanding lead of approximately 17,000 votes over his BJP rival.
In a public statement shared on social media platform Facebook, Mr. Singh addressed his supporters and the graduate voters of Varanasi. He expressed his gratitude to those who had placed their trust in his candidature and participated in the democratic exercise. “I accept the public mandate with complete humility and democratic decorum. Although we did not achieve the expected success in this election, the affection, cooperation, and trust I received from all of you will always remain invaluable to me,” he wrote.
Reflecting on the nature of political life, Mr. Singh asserted that his dedication to public service remains unaffected by the electoral outcome. He emphasized that electoral victory should not be the sole focus of political engagement, stressing that responsibilities toward society are paramount. He promised to maintain his presence among the constituents, noting that his commitment to addressing the concerns and aspirations of the graduate voters remains firm regardless of the specific result of this ballot.
Mr. Singh also took the opportunity to acknowledge the efforts of the BJP’s grassroots cadre and party leadership. He thanked the alliance representatives and campaign workers for their unwavering dedication, describing the local party workers as integral to the organizational machinery. Despite the setback, he characterized the experience as an essential part of the democratic process, maintaining a composed stance as the official declaration of the final tally neared.
Meanwhile, the Samajwadi Party has adopted a cautious approach to the ongoing counting process. Party president Akhilesh Yadav issued a directive to his workers stationed at the counting centre, urging them to remain vigilant and avoid any premature celebrations. In a message posted on the social media platform X, Mr. Yadav advised his cadre to stay on-site until the formal victory certificate is issued, highlighting the importance of seeing the procedural requirements through to the end.
Mr. Yadav further encouraged his party supporters to provide essential supplies, such as food, water, and umbrellas, to the colleagues monitoring the counting process. Drawing on a common road safety analogy, he cautioned his party members against complacency, stating, “Remember the warning often seen on the roads: ‘A moment’s distraction leads to an accident!’”
The electoral contest for the Varanasi Graduates’ constituency is part of a broader cycle of elections for the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council. Polling for the 11 seats, comprising both Teachers’ and Graduates’ constituencies, was conducted on Friday, with the counting process beginning on October 27. The Samajwadi Party has already secured the Varanasi Teachers’ constituency seat. Across the state, results for nine of the 11 seats have been declared, with the BJP winning six and the SP three, reflecting a closely watched political landscape as major parties prepare for the 2027 state elections.
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