New Delhi: Leader of Uttar Pradesh's Samajwadi Party, Akhilesh Yadav, claims video proof of the theft of voting machines from a counting centre two days before the election results.
He said EVMs had been moved without any security and in violation of the rules despite exit polls pointing to a BJP victory in UP.
The former Chief Minister asked, "Who's paying for exit polls?"
According to several exit polls conducted after voting concluded in Uttar Pradesh yesterday, Yogi Adityanath's BJP was expected to win by a landslide. The BJP and its allies are projected to win 241 of the state's 403 seats, easily exceeding the majority.
"I have often said the UP election is the final battle of democracy. After this, we can only fight for our freedom. If we have to go to court we will do it but I appeal to all of you and to all like-minded people who want to save democracy to come out and help," the Samajwadi Party leader added.
"To save our votes we have to go all out. It's just a matter of three days or these people in the administration will get all votes stolen."
His alliance is predicted to win 300 seats, according to Akhilesh Yadav.
In addition, he said, the exit polls contributed to the perception that the BJP won, thereby preventing any theft from taking place.