Congress workers celebrate as party candidates lead in Madhya Pradesh bypolls (PTI)
The Congress has won the Mungaoli and Kolaras seat in Madhya Pradesh, where by-elections were held last week. In Kolaras constituency, Congress candidate Mahendra Singh Yadav defeated his nearest rival, BJP's Devendra Kumar Jain Pattewale, by over 8,000 votes. In Mungaoli, Congress' Brijendra Singh Yadav defeated BJP's Bai Sahab Rao Deshraj Singh Yadav by over 2,100 votes. The outcome of the two by-polls, held on February 24, are being seen as a possible pointer to the mood of people ahead of the Assembly elections due later this year in the BJP-ruled state. The by-polls were necessitated due to the death of Congress MLAs Mahendra Singh Kalukheda (Mungaoli in Ashoknagar district) and Ram Singh Yadav (Kolaras in Shivpuri district).
In Odisha, the ruling BJD marched ahead of BJP establishing a huge margin in the by-election for Bijepur Assembly seat. BJD nominee Rita Sahu won the seat with nearly 42,000 votes over her nearest BJP candidate Ashok Panigrahi.
Here are the live updates of by-poll results in Madhya Pradesh and Odisha:
Read: In Battle of Prestige, Congress Wins Madhya Pradesh BypollsThe Congress today won crucial by-elections in two assembly seats in Madhya Pradesh, seen as a semi-final before assembly elections later this year. The Congress held both seats - Mungaoli and Kolaras - which were vacated by the death of its sitting legislators. The ruling BJP haD gone flat out to try and wrest the seats away from the opposition party with Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan leading an aggressive campaign. In the Bijepur assembly by-election in Odisha, the ruling BJD won the seat that was held earlier by the Congress.
Congress wins Kolaras bypoll by over 8,000 votes
Congress candidate Mahendra Singh Yadav wins Kolaras bypoll by 8,083 votes. He has defeated BJP's Devendra Kumar Jain Pattewale. Congress bagged 82,515 votes, while BJP got 74,432 votes.
The Madhya Pradesh bypolls, seen as a prestige battle between Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Jyotiraditya Scindia of the Congress, saw campaigning on an unprecedented scale. While Mr Chouhan led the BJP campaign with a host of ministers, Congress lawmaker Jyotiraditya Scindia led the opposition attack.
Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan addressed more than 40 rallies and did over 10 road shows. As many as 18 cabinet ministers accompanied him during the campaign. The BJP also roped in Mr Scindia's aunt and minister Yashodhara Raje to campaign for the party.
After 21 rounds, Congress candidate in Kolaras increases lead. Mahendra Singh Yadav is now ahead with 7,654 votes. So far, he has bagged 78,374 votes. BJP's Devendra Kumar Jain Pattewale, who is in the second place, has got 70,720 votes. There will be total 23 rounds of counting and final results are expected to be declared by 11pm.
After 19 rounds of counting in Kolaras, Congress candidate Mahendra Singh Yadav is ahead with 6,857 votes. Mr Yadav has secured total 71,212 votes. His nearest rival, BJP's Devendra Kumar Jain Pattewale, has secured 64,355. A total of 23 rounds of counting will take place in Kolaras.
Congress candidate leads in Kolaras by over 6,000 votes after 18 rounds
After 18 rounds of counting, Congress candidate Mahendra Singh Yadav is leading in Madhya Pradesh's Kolaras by over 6,000 votes. A total of 23 rounds of counting will take place in Kolaras. The bypoll was held on February 24. The by-poll was necessitated due to the death of Congress MLA Ram Singh Yadav.
In Mungaoli, Congress' Brajendra Singh Yadav got 70,808 votes while the BJP candidate, Baisahab Yadav, bagged 68,684. Counting of votes began in the morning with the BJP leading in the first round. However, the Congress candidate surged ahead from second round onwards and maintained the lead till the seventh round. Baisahab Yadav again caught up and left his opponent behind between the 12 to 15th rounds.
In the last round, the Congress managed to gain a lead again, retaining the seat. Notably, the Congress had won the seat by a margin of 20,765 votes in the previous election.
Read: Congress Retains Mungaoli, Leads In KolarasThe Congress has won the Mungaoli assembly seat, and is leading in Kolaras in Madhya Pradesh, as votes are counted in crucial by-elections, seen as a semi-final before assembly elections later this year. The Congress held both seats, which were vacated by the death of its sitting legislators. The ruling BJP has gone flat out to try and wrest the seats away from the opposition party with Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan leading an aggressive campaign. In the Bijepur assembly by-election in Odisha, the ruling BJD won the seat that was held earlier by the Congress.
Will fight for Mungaoli: Congress candidate after winning bypoll
Congress' Brijendra Singh Yadav said that he will fight for the development of Mungaoli. He also said that he will make sure that the promises made by the state government reaches the area. He won the bypoll, seen as a prestige fight for Jyotiraditya Scindia, by 2,124 votes.
Congress candidate Brajendra Singh Yadav wins Mungaoli bypolls by 2,124 votes. He defeated nearest BJP rival Bai Sahab Rao Deshraj Singh Yadav. The Congress candidate bagged 49.7 per cent votes, while BJP got 44.3 per cent votes.
Madhya Pradesh's Mungaoli and Kolaras saw high-voltage campaigns from the ruling BJP and the Congress which is keen to retain both seats. While Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan led the BJP campaign with a host of ministers, Congress MP Jyotiraditya Scindia led the opposition attack. Both the seats fall under Mr Scindia's parliamentary constituency Guna and were earlier held by the Congress. The BJP that has been in power for 15 years in the state pitched for development in the Congress bastion. Having lost two assembly bypolls to the Congress last year, the BJP was keen on recovering lost ground.
The Bijepur result assumes significance, particularly for the BJD, BJP and the Congress as it is seen as a precursor to the 2019 general elections, reports news agency IANS. The results proved that the popularity of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik remains intact despite an aggressive campaign by the BJP, which failed to capitalise on its advantages from the panchayat polls. The BJP had swept the zilla parishad polls in Bargarh district in 2017, where Bijepur is located.
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik talking to media persons after bypoll results were declared for the Bijepur assembly segment. In the bypoll, BJD candidate won by nearly 42,000 votes. Talking to reporters, Mr Patnaik thanked party workers and the people of Bijepur for the victory.
We need to introspect: BJP on Bijepur bypoll loss
Commenting on the Bijepur by-election results, BJP legislature party leader K V Singdeo said, "We need to do our introspection over the defeat in the Bijepur bypoll and move forward."
A total of 13 candidates are in the fray in Mungaoli while 22 candidates are contesting in Kolaras. The by-polls were necessitated due to the death of Congress MLAs Mahendra Singh Kalukheda (Mungaoli in Ashoknagar district) and Ram Singh Yadav (Kolaras in Shivpuri district).
In Mungaoli, Congress' Brijendra Singh Yadav was leading over his rival BJP candidate by 5,244 votes after the completion of 11th round of counting. In Mungaoli, the fate of the contestants would be known after 19 rounds.
In Madhya Pradesh's Kolaras seat, Congress candidate Mahendra Singh Yadav has maintained his lead, established in the first round. He was ahead by 3,425 votes after the end of the tenth round of counting, an election official said. A total of 23 rounds of counting will take place in Kolaras.
In Odisha's Bijepur bypolls BJD's Rita Sahu got 1,02,871 votes while BJP candidate got 60,938 votes. Congress' Pranay Sahu bagged only 10,274. The seat was earlier held Congress.
In another tweet, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik also said, "I thank each and every BJD worker who has worked hard for this. We will continue our efforts to build a prosperous and empowered Odisha. Jai Jagannath."
BJD lives in the hearts of the people of Odisha: Naveen Patnaik
Reacting on the Bijepur bypoll result, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said, "Humbled by love and trust of the people of Bijepur for giving BJD a massive victory." He also said that BJD lives in the hearts of the people of Odisha and People of the state are peace loving and have rejected the politics of hatred and violence.
BJD wins Odisha's Bijepur bypoll by nearly 42,000 votes
In Odisha's Bijepur, BJD's Rita Sahu wins by a margin of 41,933 votes. She defeated her nearest BJP candidate Ashok Panigrahi. he by-poll for Bijepur Assembly seat was held on February 24. The by-poll was necessitated due to the death of Congress MLA Subal Sahu in August, 2017.
BJD candidate Rita Sahu is the widow of Congress MLA Subal Sahu who died in August 2017, necessitating by-polls in Bijepur
Suspended BJD MP Baijayant 'Jay' Panda congratulated Rita Sahu who has a massive lead over BJP candidate in Bijepur.
Madhya Pradesh: In Kolaras, after seventh round of counting, Congress leads over BJP by 2263 votes
Madhya Pradesh: Congress leading over BJP by 3,834 votes, after the seventh round of counting in Mungaoli
Odisha: BJD candidate Rita Sahu extends her lead by over 40, 000 votes against BJP's Ashok Panigrahi; Congress trailing at number three in Bijepur by-polls
Tight contest between Congress and BJP in Kolaras and Mungaoli, ahead of assembly polls due later in 2018
Madhya Pradesh: Close fight between Congress and BJP in Kolaras
Odisha: BJD establishes big margin in the by-election for Bijepur Assembly seat as per latest trends, say poll officials
Results of the Odisha and Madhya Pradesh by-polls are being keenly watched as possible indicators of people's mood ahead of parliamentary elections in 2019
Madhya Pradesh: By-polls in Kolaras was necessitated after sitting Congress MLA Ram Singh Yadav died
Madhya Pradesh: By-polls in Mungaoli was necessitated after the death of sitting Congress MLA Mahendra Singh Kalukheda
Odisha: By-polls in Bijepur was held on February 24; voter turnout was over 70 per cent
Odisha: Counting on for 11th out of 21 rounds in Bijepur by-poll
Odisha: BJD candidate Rita Sahu leads by 25,166 votes over BJP's Ashok Panigrahi in Bijepur Assembly by-poll
Madhya Pradesh: After second round of counting, Congress leading in both Mungaoli and Kolaras
Odisha: Bijepur by-poll - BJD leading over BJP by more than 25,000 votes