Counting of votes for the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections is underway and initial trends show that the ruling BJP is leading on 248 out of 399 seats that have been counted at 12:00 pm. If the party wins this election, it will be for the first time in 37 years that a ruling party will return to power in the state. More details here.

Wooed for their votes with free ration, gas cylinders, smartphones, and scooters, here is what Uttar Pradesh's 44 per cent electorate – its women – expect from the new government that is set to be formed.