UP Trends: BJP Surges Past Gathbandhan; Ravi Kishan Leading In Gorakhpur

As per the current trends, the NDA led by BJP is ahead in 49 seats in the politically crucial state of Uttar Pradesh while the Mahagathbandhan is ahead in 18 seats. The UPA is leading in only two seats.

In Gorakhpur, chief minister Yogi Adityanath’s home turf, Ravindra Shyamnarayan Shukla alias Ravi Kishan of BJP is leading, while Rambhual Nishad of Samajwadi Party is trailing.

In 2014, Yogi Adityanath of the BJP defeated his rival by a margin of 30.1 per cent votes in Gorakhpur. After he vacated the seat, Samajwadi Party's Pravin Kumar Nishad won the 2018 bypolls. The seat, a traditional stronghold of BJP, had become a prestige issue after their defeat in the by-polls.

As of now, the Bhojpuri actor charm of Ravi Kishan seems to be working to mitigate outsider’ charge against him.