Exit polls at the end of the first phase of Uttar Pradesh Asembly elections show the ruling Samajwadi Party getting the maximum number of seats, closely followed by the Bahujan Samaj Party.

An exit poll conducted by NDTV and Indian Market Research Bureau for the 62 seats that went to polls on Saturday shows SP leading with 20-24 seats, nearly at par with its performance in 2002, when it had secured 24 seats in the assembly constituencies that went to poll on Saturday.

SP's arch rival BSP was close behind with a projected win of 16-20, better than its 2002 performance when it had won in 14 assembly constituencies.

The BJP remained in the third slot with projected wins of 12-16 seats, down from 18 seats it won last time.

Congress appeared to better its performance with 6-10 estimated wins when compared with victory in four seats in the previous polls.

According to the exit poll 'others' have failed to open their account in the first phase.

If this voting pattern is used as a benchmark for the entire state the SP could win 120-130 seats (145 seats in 2002), followed by BSP 125-135 (98), BJP 80-90 (107) and Congress 40-50 (25) and others 10-20 (28), the exit poll said.

Except Congress and BSP, the exit poll shows all other parties getting less number of seats than in the previous elections.