BJP wins Bhatgaon assembly by-poll

Ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) recorded a comfortable victory in the Bhatgaon assembly elections in what once appeared to be a keenly-fought contest.

The BJP candidate, Rajni Tripathi, defeated her nearest rival and Congress candidate U S Singhdeo by a huge margin of about 35,500 votes. The Congress candidate belongs to the Sarguja royal family and enjoys considerable clout among the electorate.

The by-poll in the Bhatgaon assembly poll was necessitated after the demise of BJP legislator Ravishankar Tripathi. The ruling party fielded his wife Rajni as its official candidate. In all, 12 candidates were in the fray.

The BJP candidate took the lead right from the first round when the counting of votes began this morning. She, however, continued to maintain the lead and defeated the Congress candidate by a huge margin of 35,000 votes.

The by-election was crucial for the BJP in general and Chief Minister Raman Singh in particular as the ruling party had been defeated in the Vaishali Nagar by-poll about a year ago.

People have reiterated faith in the BJP and has given a thumbs-up to the party to carry on the development policy and welfare schemes for poor and downtrodden people with more commitment, jubilant Raman Singh said.

With the Bhatgaon assembly seat, BJP's strength in the 90-member state assembly has gone up to 48. The Congress has 39 while Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has two members.

One seat is vacant after the demise of BJP's sitting member from Balod assembly constituency Madanlal Sahu in August.