Lucknow: Voting has begun for 59 assembly seats across 16 districts in the third phase of Uttar Pradesh Elections on Sunday.  Voting was 57.44 per cent till 5 PM. Fates of SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, contesting from Karhal and his challenger and BJP candidate Union minister SP Singh Baghel are  sealed.

SP chief and party's candidate from Karhal, Akhilesh Yadav cast his vote at a polling booth in Jaswantnagar.

After the polling, he said, "BJP going to be eliminated. Farmers of UP won't forgive them. We've hit a century in first two phases and even in this phase SP and alliance would be ahead of everyone else". 

UP BJP chief Swatantra Dev Singh, said, "Today there is rule of law in the state. So, women are going to do bumper voting. In first two phases bumper voting was done, same will be done in the 3rd phase too. We will form the govt with an overwhelming majority". 

Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party (Lohiya) chief Shivpal Singh Yadav, an ally of Samajwadi Party (SP), said, " Third phase of polling has made it clear that Akhilesh Yadav will become CM in 2022, nobody can stop it. Govt will be formed with an overwhelming majority, with over 300 seats".  

After casting his vote, Akhilesh Yadav said, "BJP going to be eliminated. Farmers of UP won't forgive them. We've hit a century in the first two phases and even in this phase SP and alliance would be ahead of everyone else". 

On Saturday, political parties leaders have conducted door to door campaign in both states. Last-minute campaign by the candidates held in both Punjab and Uttar Pradesh.

 At least eight districts in the region were Yadav strongholds until 2017 elections. The BJP secured a clinching victory by bagging 312 of the 403 assembly seats in Uttar Pradesh. As many as 59 Assembly constituencies are spread across 16 districts ­– from Bundelkhand to the Avadh region.

Voting for two phases is over.  The votes will be counted and the results will be declared on 10 March 2022.