India
‘Felt Like A Terrorist’: SP Candidate Breaks Down, Alleges Harassment During UP MLC Polls
By: News18 India
Published: 24 October 2026
Photo / Illustration: Haldwani Times News Desk
<p>Samajwadi Party (SP) candidate from the Agra teachers’ constituency, Akash Agarwal, broke down while alleging polling irregularities and harassment of his supporters during the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council elections.</p>
<p>He also threatened to convert his religion, claiming that he did not wish to continue living within a version of Sanatan Dharma where he was being harassed by those who claimed to be its protectors.</p>
<p>Agarwal alleged that his campaign managers across all 12 districts were being picked up and mistreated by authorities at their convenience.</p>
<p>“Honestly, I have begun to feel as though I am a terrorist who has arrived from Pakistan," Agarwal said, expressing his anguish over the alleged treatment of his campaign team.</p>
<p>He added that the election outcome no longer mattered to him and said he would not have contested the polls had he known his campaign managers would face such alleged mistreatment.</p>
<p>“Had the government informed me that my campaign managers would be subjected to such mistreatment, I would never have contested this election," he said.</p>
<p>Agarwal further said he did not wish to live in a version of Sanatan Dharma where he felt harassed by those who claimed to be its guardians and protectors.</p>
<p>“Next month, I will go to Lucknow and convert my religion at the Shahi Idgah, winning or losing is of no consequence to me," he said.</p>
<p>Tension erupted in Fatehabad after an SP polling agent accused BJP workers of assault. Police reached the spot and used force to disperse the workers. Agra Police Commissioner Deepak Kumar said he had visited the location after receiving a complaint and found the situation peaceful.</p>
<p>“I assured senior SP leaders that all eligible voters would be allowed to vote freely and fairly," he said.</p>
<p>According to figures released at 2 pm, voter turnout in the Agra teachers’ constituency stood at 48.20%, while the graduate constituency recorded 32%. In Agra district, turnout stood at 37.20% in the teachers’ constituency and 28.40% in the graduate constituency.</p>
<p>Polling was held for 11 Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council seats, comprising five graduate and six teachers’ constituencies. The elections determine representation in the state legislature’s upper house, with graduate constituencies representing registered graduate voters and teachers’ constituencies representing eligible teachers.</p>
<p>These constituencies provide representation to specific groups in the state’s legislative process.</p>
<p>Akash Agarwal broke down while alleging severe polling irregularities and claiming that authorities were arbitrarily picking up and mistreating his campaign managers across all 12 districts.</p>
<p>He threatened to convert his religion next month at the Shahi Idgah in Lucknow, stating he no longer wished to live within a version of Sanatan Dharma where he faced harassment.</p>
<p>According to figures released at 2 pm, the voter turnout in the Agra teachers’ constituency stood at 48.20%, while the graduate constituency recorded 32%.</p>
