Bypoll: BJP wins Chhattisgarh assembly

Raipur, BJP candidate Bhojraj Nag on Saturday won the Antagarh assembly by-poll in Chhattisgarh. He won by over 51,000 votes in the by-election that was held Sep 13.

As per reports, Naag gained an impressive lead as soon as counting started from 8 AM at Bhanupratap Dev PG college of Kanker district headquarter, which was expected in the absence of the Congress candidate who surprisingly pulled out from the contest at the last moment. After counting of votes in 15 rounds, Naag won by a margin of around 52,000 votes, an election official here told said.

Voter turnout of 58.73 per cent was recorded in the Antagarh assembly seat bypoll which was held on September 13. 14 candidates had filed their nominations and after scrutiny and withdrawal of nominations only two candidates Bhojraj Naag from BJP and Rupdhar Pudo of Ambedkarite Party of India - were left in the fray.

Congress, which has been struggling after facing a humiliating defeat in both Assembly and Lok Sabha elections in Chhattisgarh, had declared Manturam Pawar as its candidate from the seat anticipating a good show. Pawar surprisingly withdrew his nomination before the last day for withdrawal on August 29 following which he was expelled from the party.