Badaun, Apr 23 (IANS): Lodging a complaint with the Election Commission (EC) against the malfunctioning of EVMs, Samajwadi Party (SP) candidate from Badaun Dharmendra Yadav on Tuesday accused the district administration of conspiring for his defeat in the third phase of polling in Uttar Pradesh.

Yadav, who is seeking re-election from Badaun, also complained about Swami Prasad Maurya, a Minister in the state's Yogi Adityanath government, alleging that he was attempting to influence polling in favour of his daughter Sanghmitra Maurya, who is a BJP candidate from the constituency. A raid carried out by the district administration failed to find Maurya.

"Swami Prasad Maurya is sitting in Awas Vikas Colony's house no. 230. We complained to the EC and the district administration but no action was taken. The administration is not listening to us," said Yadav.

Emphasising that he had enough support to win the election, Yadav added, "If they think they can win elections by goondaism, they can try it with all their might. The people know it better."

The Congress has made the battle for Badaun a triangular fight by fielding five-time MP and former Union Minister Saleem Shervani.