MP bypolls: Kolaras, Mungaoli electorate hold Congress' hand'

Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh's Kolaras and Mungaoli assembly constituency's electorate favoured the 'hand' even as the 'lotus' failed to bloom with the principal-opposition Congress retaining the seats in toughly-contested by-elections.The by-polls were watched closely as a bellwether for assembly elections next year. 

Congress candidate Mahendra Singh Yadav defeated his nearest BJP rival Devendra Jain by a margin of over 8000 votes in Kolaras as counting concluded this evening. Mr Mahendra Singh garnered over 82000 votes as against over 74000 votes fetched by Mr Jain. The bypoll became inevitable following the death of Mr Ram Singh Yadav (Cong). 

A total 70.46 per cent of a 2,44,457-strong electorate peacefully exercised their franchise in Kolaras where 22 candidates are in the fray. In Mungaoli, Congress nominee Brajendra Singh Yadav defeated his nearest BJP rival Baisaab Yadav by a margin of approximately 2,123 votes. Mr Brajendra Singh received 70,808 votes as against 68,685 votes obtained by Ms Baisaab Yadav. The by-election was necessitated following the demise of Mr Mahendra Singh Kalukheda (Cong).

A total 77.05 per cent of a 1,91,009-strong electorate peacefully exercised their franchise in Mungaoli where 13 candidates are in the fray.The two seats are considered as former Union minister and Congress MP Jyotiraditya Scindia's home turfs. The saffron party strove its best to wrest at least one seat from the Congress.

Instead of candidates, the by-election assumed more significance for Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Mr Scindia as the leader duo made it into a prestige issue.In fact, the by-elections were crucial in the sense that it could determine whether Mr Scindia would be projected as Congress' chief ministerial candidate in Madhya Pradesh. (UNI)