Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath took the poll fight to Karhal seat, the constituency of Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav in Mainpuri.

Yogi Adityanath said,  "Akhilesh Yadav will lose his deposits in Karhal, Mainpuri, in this election. BJP has already won this fight since the commander of Samajwadi Party himself is going out of the contest."  

In a bid to strike religious sentiment amongst the voters, the chief minister touched upon the issue of Ram Mandir.

"A grand temple of Lord Ram will be ready in Ayodhya by 2023. This Ram Temple will be 'Rashtra Mandir' of India". 

Also, he brought in his speech an alleged political rift between Akhilesh Yadav and his uncle Shivpal Yadav. 

"I saw a photo in today's newspapers, which made me laugh and feel sorry (for Shivpal Singh Yadav, Akhilesh Yadav's uncle). Poor Shivpal, who was a leader of the state, was not given a chair to sit. He was sulking. I felt bad on his misfortune". 

Taking a dig at the SP, he added,"I have come here to assure you that I have sent the bulldozer for repair. 10 March ke baad jab ye fir se chalna prarambh hoga to jin logo me abhi jyada garmi nikal rahi hai, ye garmi 10 March ke baad apne aap shant ho jayegi".  (Ihave come here to assure you that I have sent the bulldozer for repair. After March 10 we will begin running the bulldozer again. People will end the 'garmi' of politicians feeling too enthusiastic after 10 March.")

Third phase of the elections will be held on February 20. 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.