Lucknow, Nov 7 (UNI) BJP today alleged large-scale rigging during the counting of votes for the Moradabad mayor election leading to the defeat of party candidate by a slender margin.

State party president Keshri Nath Tripathi told mediapersons here about 12,000 votes were put in invalid list during the counting, whereas the defeat margin was only 1,800.

''The district authorities have committed irregularities only to pave way for the win of ruling Samajwadi Party candidate,'' he alleged.

Defeated BJP candidate Beena Agarwal has also lodged a written complaint with the State Election Commssion (SEC) about the lapses.

''We have asked the observers to check the allegations and report it to the commission,'' a SEC official said.

As the result of the Moradabad mayoral poll has been announced after clearance by the SEC, now recounting of votes seems impossible and only court can order that.

In another instance of rigging, a candidate in the Sahanjawa panchayat parishad in Gorakhpur district lost his membership, when during recounting of votes it was found he had added 100 votes of another candidate in his account.

The SEC has also ordered recounting of votes for the Jais (Rae Bareli) and Barsana (Mathura) nagar panchayat chairman election.

UNI MB VS RL DB1849