UP Assembly Election Results 2022 Explained: Yogi Adityanath prevails in bipolar contest

The 2022 polls were focused on Adityanath’s governance in the last five years. In all their rallies, Modi and Amit Shah spoke about how Adityanath’s government either sent criminals behind bars or got them eliminated, ensuring a state free of crime.

Supporters celebrate at the BJP HQ in New Delhi on Thursday. (Express Photo: Tashi Tobgyal)

Bipolar fight: It was clear from the beginning that the election would be between the BJP and the Samajwadi Party, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath targeting the SP and Akhilesh Yadav by referring to “mafiawaad”, “gundagardi by laal topiwalahs”, and “appeasement of one community” (Muslims). As the results show, voters too made their choice between the BJP and the SP (or their respective allies), largely ignoring the BSP and the Congress.

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Security & Hindutva: Many voters were convinced that it was necessary to bring the incumbent government back to power solely on the issue of law and order, their argument being that no government can remove problems like inflation and unemployment completely. Adityanath’s comments like “garmi thanda kar doonga” or “bulldozer chalega” were widely seen as references to operations on criminals.

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Yogi’s stature: If the 2017 elections were won solely on Modi’s image, the 2022 polls were focused on Adityanath’s governance in the last five years. In all their rallies, Modi and Amit Shah spoke about how Adityanath’s government either sent criminals behind bars or got them eliminated, ensuring a state free of crime.

Hit to SP resurgence hopes: Akhilesh Yadav and his party workers were hoping that returning to power would rejuvenate the organisation. Now, taking up issues against the government and at the same time keeping the party alive will be a challenge for Akhilesh and the SP.

BSP’s low: The BSP’s vote share has fallen to 12% from 22% in 2017, the worst performance for the party that had won with a majority in 2007. The BSP seems to have lost its hold on its key vote-bank of Jatavs, who have gone to BJP like many other Dalit castes.

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Why the BJP won Uttar Pradesh

Bhupendra Pandey

Bhupendra Pandey is the Resident Editor of the Lucknow edition of The Indian Express. With decades of experience in the heart of Uttar Pradesh’s journalistic landscape, he oversees the bureau’s coverage of India’s most politically significant state. His expertise lies in navigating the complex intersections of state governance, legislative policy, and grassroots social movements. From tracking high-stakes assembly elections to analyzing administrative shifts in the Hindi heartland, Bhupendra’s reportage provides a definitive lens on the region's evolution. Authoritativeness He leads a team of seasoned reporters and investigators, ensuring that The Indian Express’ signature "Journalism of Courage" is reflected in every regional story. His leadership is central to the Lucknow bureau’s reputation for breaking stories that hold the powerful to account, making him a trusted figure for policy analysts, political scholars, and the general public seeking to understand the nuances of UP’s complex landscape. Trustworthiness & Accountability Under his stewardship, the Lucknow edition adheres to the strictest standards of factual verification and non-partisan reporting. He serves as a bridge between the local populace and the national discourse, ensuring that regional issues are elevated with accuracy and context. By prioritizing primary-source reporting and on-the-ground verification, he upholds the trust that readers have placed in the Express brand for nearly a century. ... Read More