The Bharat Bandh, called by various Dalit groups, demands restoration of the Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act in its original form.

In Uttar Pradesh, the saffron party clinched an extra ninth seat overcoming the newfound bonhomie between former arch rivals Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party.

Responding to concerns raised by members during a discussion in the state Assembly, Adityanath asserted the provisions related to reservations were not being done away with.

The Uttar Pradesh government led by firebrand BJP leader Yogi Adityanath has initiated the process of withdrawal of all 131 riot cases in both Muzaffarnagar and Shamli.

The Adityanath government was sworn in on March 19, 2017 in presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and senior BJP leaders after the party stormed to power in the state after over a decade and a half, securing a three-fourth majority.

Yogi added that the BJP had learnt a “lesson” (from the outcome) and said he was confident the party would perform better in future polls, especially the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

Reacting to the party's heavy loss in the Gorakhpur and Phulpur Lok Sabha by-elections, Shah said that UP government was one of the best among the BJP dispensations in the states.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also noted that party workers and voters become careless when they feel victory is assured.

Adityanath had urged the people of Karnataka to make it "Congress-free" as the party was "unable" to bring development to the state.

Buffeted by the surprise defeat, the chief minister said that bypoll results were a ‘lesson’ for the party. He even attributed it to "overconfidence" of the party and called for an in-depth analysis of the causes.

Gorakhpur was earlier held by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath while Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya had held the Phulpur seat.

The SP's electoral understanding with Mayawati's Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and tie-up with local satraps paid dividends, prompting the BJP to speak of re-drawing its electoral strategy ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

The chief minister cited over-confidence and the inability to understand the understanding between SP and BSP as prime reasons for the BJP's defeat.

Replying to questions from Rajat Sharma at the India TV Samvaad conclave here on Tuesday evening, Yogi Adityanath said: "Our party will score a one hundred percent win in 2019 elections, all 80 out of 80 Lok Sabha seats".

UP's industrial development minister Satish Mahana, another member on the panel, too condemned Agrawal’s remark.

Speaking at India TV’ Samvaad Conclave in Lucknow, organised to assess the performance of his 1-year old government, the CM said that Akhilesh and Congress president Rahul Gandhi have understood the power of Hindus.

Maurya said that under CM Yogi’s leadership, the state has moved forward on the path of development.

"Hema Malini likes meeting people in Mathura, she won her election from there, but Jaya Bachchan can never dream of winning a Lok Sabha election," Singh said.

"We have taken a number of important steps for the country with regard to education, employment generation, agriculture and other sectors as well," Sharma said.

"Why are people forgetting that there was BJP-BSP alliance in the past, and also SP-BSP alliance?" asked Akhilesh Yadav.