Uma Bharti hopeful of BJP win in UP

Mahoba, Feb 23 (ANI): Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Uma Bharti has said she is hopeful that her party would emerge victorious and would form the next government in poll-bound Uttar Pradesh.

Bharti, who was addressing mediapersons on Thursday in Mahoba District, said: "Whatever indication I am getting are through you and the indications are that BJP is far ahead and another thing, which is very good for the democracy is that people are voting with great enthusiasm and I will appeal to the people to vote 100 percent or 99 percent because in a democracy, this right is the main right of the citizens of the country."

Bharti, who had earlier clashed with state authorities over a demand for the release of three workers of the Hindu radical outfit, Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS), said the state authorities were hand in glove with the police and were intentionally targeting her.

"Definitely, The administration and the police were working on the orders of the BSP and Congress was the reason. They kept on complaining since morning, because they were revengeful towards me. They want an FIR against me, because there is an FIR against Rahul Gandhi. So, now they want an FIR against me, whether I make a mistake or not. They try to provoke me to make the mistake or they try to find some mistake or they try to force me to make some mistake," said Bharti.

She criticised the ruling Congress party for using tactics to maintain a grip on Uttar Pradesh, including the decision to impose President's rule, in case no party secures majority to form the government.

"I criticise Congress for this hope and expectation and for this kind of prediction. This is wrong because people of this state are suffering and by imposing President's rule Congress wants to keep its grip and it shows how desperate they are and I will appeal to the people to vote for BJP," she said.

The state polls in Uttar Pradesh are being viewed as an opportunity for India's major parties to re-establish or strengthen their foothold in the country's fifth largest and most populous state.

Elections to 403 constituencies in Uttar Pradesh are being held in seven-phases.

Polling in Uttar Pradesh began on February 8 and it would conclude on March 3.

Results would be announced on March 6. (ANI)