Okay, update - BJP has gained on SP by 2 - 36 vs 34. However, Congress has 6 seats, versus the RLD, which only has 2 seats, effectively putting the left coalition in lead.

The biggest reason is the migrant crisis during COVID, that was caused by the sudden declaration of lockdown.

Also, if you check the map, the northwestern part of UP is a Muslim area, so normally, it should lose - and yes, the BJP did lose some areas, but the results are still tipping in favour of the BJP. However, the anamoly over here is the eastern and central part of UP! Rahul Gandhi won Rae Bareli, and Kishori Lal won Amethi, defeating Dinesh Pratap Singh and Smriti Irani!

Usually, people in UP, especially in rural districts vote on the basis of caste. I'd assume that this has got to do with more Gen-Z folks voting, thereby tipping the scale in a weird, pseudo-random pattern?