Patna, July 13 (UNI) In a major setback to mainstream political parties in Bihar, Independent candidate Shankar Singh on Saturday defeated Kaladhar Mandal of JD(U) by a margin of more than 8,000 votes in the byelection to Rupauli Assembly seat.
The polling for the bypoll was held on July 10 and the counting of votes was taken up today.
As per reports received here, Singh has got 67,782 votes while Mandal got only 59,578 votes. Beema Bharti of RJD, considered as strong contender, could get only 30,114 votes and she stood at distant 3rd position in the electoral battle.
Singh, a former MLA sprang surprise in political circle, by defeating JD(U) candidate. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, his cabinet colleagues and several Union Ministers had campaigned vigorously for JD(U) candidate Mandal while leader of the opposition Tejaswi Prasad Yadav and top RJD leaders had
campaigned for Bharti. Singh continued to campaign on his own seeking support from people in the by-election.
Singh, told mediapersons that he had honestly served people of Rupali for 25 long years, without taking into account whether he won elections or not. He thanked people of Rupauli for their support which enabled him to win the seat.
RJD spokesman Ejaj Ahmad alleged that district administration did not allow voters of weaker sections to exercise their franchise in election. He, however, said his party had accepted the verdict of the people.
"Those who ditched Chief Minister Kumar, have been rejected by the people", said Rural Development Minister and senior JD(U) leader Shrawan Kumar while making reference to Bharti. She had ditched Chief Minister Kumar by deserting JD(U) and joining RJD at crucial juncture, he pointed out.
Counting of votes had begun at 8 AM amid tight security arrangements.
The seat had fallen vacant after resignation of Bharti who was sitting MLA of JD(U) from Rupali. She had resigned from JD(U) and also from membership of assembly to contest on RJD ticket from Purnea seat in Lok Sabha election held recently but suffered defeat.
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