Mulayam holds EC responsible for Samajwadi Party defeat in UP polls

LUCKNOW: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav on Friday squarely blamed the Election Commission (EC) for Samajwadi Party's failure in the Assembly polls as he conceded electoral defeat.

"The Election Commission made full efforts to ensure the defeat of the Samajwadi Party. And it succeeded. Moreover, it had the full backing of Congress and BJP," Yadav told reporters shortly after submitting his resignation to Governor T V Rajeshwar.

He accused the EC of "running a parallel government" and said it was not good for the democracy.

The outgoing Chief Minister also said he would call for an all-party meeting to debate the EC's role and powers.

Conceding defeat in the elections, he said he accepted the verdict of the people.

"People failed to understand our policies. But still we accept their verdict," Yadav said.