RJD leads in Maharajganj Lok Sabha by-poll

Bihar's ruling Janata Dal-United's (JD-U) P.K. Shahi was Wednesday trailing behind opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) candidate Prabhunath Singh as votes were counted for the by-election to the Maharajganj Lok Sabha seat, officials said.

Prabhunath Singh was leading by 9,400 votes, an official said. There was jubilation in the RJD camp as this was the first time in seven and half years that it had stolen a march over the JD-U in a by-election.

Voting took place Sunday with 47 per cent polling. The seat had fallen vacant after the the death of RJD MP Umashankar Singh.

The JD-U was backed by the Bharatiya Janata Party while the Lalu Prasad-led RJD had the support of the Lok Janshakti Party. The Congress had fielded Jitendra Swami.