Chaos in Kheri: BJP and SP Supporters Clash During MLC Polls
Tension erupted in Lakhimpur Kheri as BJP and SP supporters clashed at a polling booth during the MLC elections. Read the full details here.
The Legislative Council (MLC) elections in Uttar Pradesh took a volatile turn in Lakhimpur Kheri, where a heated confrontation erupted between supporters of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Samajwadi Party (SP). The incident, which occurred at a polling booth in Mitauli on October 23, 2026, transformed a democratic exercise into a scene of physical altercations and high tension.
The Spark of the Conflict
The clash was triggered when Jugal Kishore, a former Rajya Sabha member and BJP state spokesperson, arrived at the polling station. He was accompanied by BJP MLA Saurabh Sonu and a group of supporters. As the BJP delegation attempted to enter the booth, they were met with fierce resistance from Samajwadi Party members present at the site.
What began as a verbal disagreement quickly escalated into a physical brawl inside the polling booth, disrupting the electoral process and creating a state of panic among those present.
Police Intervention and Administrative Gaps
Local police forces were rushed to the scene to quell the violence. Officers intervened to separate the warring factions and eventually managed to restore order at the Mitauli booth. Following the disturbance, the Additional District Magistrate (ADM) of Kheri arrived at the location to assess the situation.
However, the incident has sparked criticism regarding administrative oversight. Questions are being raised over the absence of the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Mitauli, who was notably missing from the scene during the height of the clash.
The Broader Electoral Context
This confrontation took place amidst the wider polling for 11 MLC seats across Uttar Pradesh, which includes six teacher constituencies and five graduate constituencies. In Lakhimpur Kheri, the day saw varying levels of participation. By 12:00 PM, voter turnout was recorded at 18.71% in the graduate constituency and 33.93% in the teacher constituency.
Pre-Election Warnings
The violence in Mitauli follows a period of heightened tension. On October 16, 2026, the Samajwadi Party had already expressed concerns over the fairness of the polls. The party had submitted a formal petition to District Magistrate Anjani Kumar Singh, urging the administration to implement strict security measures.
The SP's request specifically called for:
- Mandatory videography at polling stations.
- The implementation of webcasting.
- CCTV surveillance at both sensitive and hyper-sensitive booths to prevent any irregularities.