UP council polls: BJP stumbles in Varanasi, Lucknow; SP wins five

In elections to 11 Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council graduate and teachers' seats, the BJP won six, matching its 2020 tally, but suffered setbacks in its strongholds of Varanasi and Lucknow. The Samajwadi Party won five seats, up from three last time, months before the 2027 assembly polls. Gorakhpur saw a close contest.