)
File photo: PTI The ruling BJP on Friday raced ahead of its rivals, by registering a win in 14 out of 16 mayoral seats in Uttar Pradesh, where the civic bodies polls were held in three phases in November.
In a surprise development, the Bahujan Samaj Party won one seat and continues to lead in the remaining one seat, as per the latest trends. The Mayawati-led party made considerable leads in at least four seats in the first round of counting.
The counting of votes for all 652 urban local bodies began at 8:00 am today and the results are expected to be announced in evening today.
The civic polls are being seen as a referendum of Yogi Adityanath government's performance in the past seven months.
Uttar Pradesh urban bodies election 2017 results: Here are live updates
Newsletter
