UP panchayat polls: BJP jolted in Hindutva epicentres of Ayodhya, Kashi & Mathura

BJP faced an embarrassment in the Hindutva nerve-centres of Ayodhya, Kashi and Mathura, where Opposition-backed candidates surged ahead in the panchayat poll tally as counting picked up pace on Tuesday. The principal gainer was Samajwadi Party, which bagged 24 seats. BSP also managed to wrest four, while Independents registered victories on six seats.