In Ayodhya, more than seven hours after counting started, BJP's candidate Lallu Singh is trailing behind Samajwadi Party candidate Awadhesh Prasad. The lead margin is around 48,1960 votes as at 5:10pm.
Ram Mandir is located in Faizabad district, which was renamed Ayodhya in 2018. Faizabad district renamed Ayodhya in 2018, Ram Mandir located here.
The BJP had looked to bask in the glory of the inauguration of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, held in January this year. The spectacular opening of the grand temple, part of the BJP's manifesto in previous election, was supposed to set the tone for BJP’s poll campaign in 2024.
Meanwhile, trends show the INDIA bloc making significant gains in Uttra Pradesh.
The INDIA bloc was leading in 43 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh, with the Samajwadi Party and Congress ahead on 34 and nine seats respectively at 1 pm. The BJP, which had secured 62 seats in 2019, was leading on 34 seats.