BSP to take lead in Uttar Pradesh: Opinion poll

NEW DELHI: An Opinion Poll conducted by NDTV channel in Uttar Pradesh says that BSP leader Mayawati is set to take the lead in the elections which may produce a hung assembly.

Results of NDTV's opinion poll show that BSP is set to emerge as the single largest party.

The poll which covered a sample size of nearly 16,000 voters in 133 constituencies across the state shows that BSP is expected to get 150-160 seats followed by Mulayam Singh Yadav-led Samajwati Party 140-150, BJP 55-65, Congress 30-40 and others 10-20.

The poll conducted for a month from March two, shows that 40 per cent of the voters feel Mayawati would make the best Chief Minister and 36 per cent voters favouring Yadav. BJP strongman Kalyan Singh is ranked third bagging 24 per cent of the votes, a press release issued by the news channel said.

Asked whether Congress MP Rahul Gandhi's road shows would make a difference, 54 per cent of the voters say yes. But there seems to be few takers for Rahul's comments on the Babri Masjid issue with 72 per cent saying that the comments were not in good taste, the release said.

While 65 per cent of the BJP voters say that Ayodhya was no longer an election issue, 49 per cent of the voters felt that Yadav was the preferred choice for espousing the cause of the Muslims.