up assembly elections

Many believe that this is a make or break election for Mayawati. That if she loses Uttar Pradesh, she loses political relevance. We travel to the ground to examine whether the Bahujan Samaj Party is right in claiming that the media has once again not read a hidden current of support for Mayawati. Will she spring a surprise or is this the BSP supremo's last stand?

Even before the BJP released its final list of candidates this week, it had taken its campaign for elections in Uttar Pradesh to the level of polling booths, bearing all hallmarks of the Amit Shah school of election management. The message sent out through a flotilla of bikes and video vans and by a massive social media campaign is of a promise of 'development' and much needed change in the state. We set out to examine the party's claims: Is the election machine staying on message, or has it embraced the political realities of Uttar Pradesh?

After Samajwadi Party's disputes being fought in public for months, Akhilesh Yadav has won the party symbol. But his protracted negotiations with his father, and with his alliance partner has delayed his official campaign. This week on Truth vs Hype, we report how the campaign to promote 'Brand Akhilesh' kicked started more than six months ago - some of it visible, and some of it driven by his hidden persuaders.