BJP set to sweep all 11 UP MLC seats, says Minister Anil Rajbhar
Synopsis
With counting underway for all 11 UP Legislative Council seats, Minister Anil Rajbhar has predicted a clean BJP sweep — a claim that carries weight given the party's existing six-seat lead. But with SP fielding three incumbents, Gorakhpur violence, and repolling in Agra, the result is more than a routine tally: it's a rehearsal for the far bigger UP Assembly election battle ahead.
Key Takeaways
Counting for 11 UP Legislative Council seats began on Tuesday, 27 October .
State Minister Anil Rajbhar predicted a BJP clean sweep of all 11 seats by a large margin.
Polling was held on 23 October with a voter turnout of 55.24 per cent .
BJP currently holds 6 of the 11 outgoing seats; SP holds 3 ; 2 are Independents.
Violence was reported in Gorakhpur ; repolling was recommended at 3 booths in Agra .
Results are seen as a political bellwether ahead of UP Assembly elections expected in early 2027.
As counting for the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council elections got underway on Tuesday, 27 October, state Minister Anil Rajbhar expressed strong confidence that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would win all 11 seats by a substantial margin. The results are being closely watched as a key political barometer ahead of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, expected in February or March next year.
Rajbhar's Confidence and What Trends Show
Speaking to reporters as initial trends emerged, Anil Rajbhar said the early numbers pointed decisively in the BJP's favour. “Counting has begun, and the initial trends are in favour of BJP candidates. There is no doubt that the BJP is set to win all seats by a huge margin,” he stated. He added that the party had maintained continuous presence across all constituencies and that voters had extended strong support to BJP candidates. “I can say with confidence that there is no uncertainty or doubt. The BJP is going to win all the seats,” Rajbhar said.
The 11 Seats: Graduates' and Teachers' Constituencies
Polling for the 11 seats was conducted on 23 October, recording a voter turnout of 55.24 per cent. Of the 11 contested seats, five are graduates' constituencies — in Lucknow, Agra, Meerut, Varanasi, and Allahabad-Jhansi. The remaining six are teachers' constituencies covering Lucknow, Agra, Meerut, Varanasi, Gorakhpur-Faizabad, and Bareilly-Moradabad. The elections are being held ahead of sitting members' terms expiring on 6 December.
Violence, Repolling, and Allegations of Irregularities
The polling day was not without incident. Workers of the BJP and the Samajwadi Party (SP) clashed in Gorakhpur, with each side accusing the other of attempting to influence the polling process. Additionally, repolling was recommended at three booths in Agra following allegations of irregularities — a detail that could draw scrutiny to final tallies in that constituency.
Current Council Composition and Stakes
The BJP currently holds six of the 11 outgoing seats, while the SP holds three. The remaining two members are Independents. The ruling party, citing the work of the Narendra Modi-led Central government and the Yogi Adityanath-led state government, is targeting a clean sweep of all 11. For the SP, which has fielded three incumbent members — Ashutosh Sinha, Dr Man Singh Yadav, and Lal Bihari Yadav — the elections represent an opportunity to consolidate their legislative council presence and build momentum ahead of the Assembly polls.
What the Results Signal for UP Politics
A BJP sweep would reinforce the party's dominance in Uttar Pradesh and strengthen its narrative ahead of what is expected to be a fiercely contested Assembly election. Conversely, any SP gains — even retaining its three seats — would be framed as a moral victory for the opposition. This comes amid broader national attention on UP as a critical swing state in Indian politics. All eyes will now be on the final seat-by-seat tallies as counting continues.
Point of View
And the Yogi Adityanath government has used localised outreach aggressively in graduates' and teachers' constituencies. But the violence in Gorakhpur and irregularities in Agra are red flags the party cannot afford to dismiss, particularly with Assembly elections on the horizon. The SP's decision to re-field all three incumbents signals it is not ceding ground quietly. What matters most here is not the MLC count but the turnout patterns across these 11 constituencies — they will be read as early signals of voter sentiment in a state that has historically decided national elections.
NationPress
27 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the UP Legislative Council elections and why do they matter?
The Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council elections involve voting for 11 seats — five graduates' constituencies and six teachers' constituencies — across the state. They matter because the results are being read as a political indicator ahead of the UP Assembly elections expected in early 2027.
Who is Anil Rajbhar and what did he say about the results?
Anil Rajbhar is a state minister in the BJP-led Uttar Pradesh government. He stated on 27 October that initial counting trends favoured BJP candidates and expressed full confidence that the party would win all 11 seats by a large margin.
What happened during the polling on 23 October?
Polling on 23 October recorded a voter turnout of 55.24 per cent . However, BJP and SP workers clashed in Gorakhpur , and repolling was recommended at three booths in Agra following allegations of irregularities.
What is the current seat distribution in the UP Legislative Council?
Of the 11 outgoing members , the BJP holds six seats , the SP holds three , and two are Independents. The BJP is contesting all 11 seats, while the SP has re-fielded its three incumbents — Ashutosh Sinha , Dr Man Singh Yadav , and Lal Bihari Yadav .
When do the sitting members' terms expire?
The terms of the current Legislative Council members expire on 6 December 2026 , which is why elections were held in October to ensure a seamless transition.
