Lucknow, February 24
The BJP was today voted out of power in Uttar Pradesh in a hung verdict that saw Samajwadi Party emerging as the single largest party after the BSP put up an impressive show as the race for power narrowed down to the two regional parties.

As the SP looks to the Congress and other anti-BJP groups to stake its claim for government formation, the BSP may look to its estranged ally BJP for support in their common desire to push Mulayam Singh Yadav-led party out of power.

Significantly, Governor Vishnu Kant Shastri told reporters that his main concern would be to see which party or group could provide a stable government before he takes a decision on government formation.

With the BJP and BSP projected to secure 207 seats in the 403-member House, five more than the magic mark, BSP leader Mayawati flew to New Delhi and sought an appointment with Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee setting off speculation of possible understanding between the two parties.

But senior BJP leaders, including Pramod Mahajan and Sushma Swaraj, ruled out BJP staking claim to form government but indicated that if approached for support by some other party, it could be considered.

The SP and its allies are projected to secure 143 seats and if supported by the Congress, which is likely end up with about 30, the alliance will still be way behind the majority mark.

In results for 401 seats declared till late tonight, the SP has secured 143, BSP 98 and BJP 88.

The Congress has won in 25 seats and Independents and others have emerged victorious in 18 seats. UNI, PTI