The seven-phased Assembly elections are underway in the politically crucial Uttar Pradesh and the ruling BJP is facing a stiff challenge from the Samajwadi Party which has joined hands with Jayant Chaudhary-led Rashtriya Lok Dal.



Along with the anti-incumbency factor, the party faces Opposition’s charges over the Lakhimpur Kheri incident in which four farmers were mowed down, the Hathras gangrape-murder incident and the year-long farmers’ protests against the now-repealed agri laws.



In an exclusive interview to FinancialExpress.com, Rajya Sabha MP and BJP national spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi launched a no-holds barred attack on the Opposition, accusing them of dynastic politics and taking Uttar Pradesh away from development. He also exuded confidence that the BJP government in the state will retain power with more seats than it won in the 2017 Assembly polls.