Congress ahead in MP's Datia, BJP's victory certain in Gujarat's Manjalpur; Prashant Kishor leads in Bihar's Bankipur
Vote counting is underway for the Datia Assembly by-election held on July 30, and the contest has taken an interesting turn. After leading in the initial rounds, the BJP has fallen behind, while Congress candidate Ghanshyam Singh has established a lead of over 9,500 votes.
After the ninth round of counting in the Datia Assembly by-election, Ghanshyam Singh is leading by 9,519 votes. So far, the Congress has secured 44,958 votes, while the BJP's Ashutosh Tiwari has received 35,439 votes. Nine out of the 15 rounds have been completed, with six rounds of counting still remaining.
The ninth round included polling booth number 121, associated with former Home Minister Narottam Mishra. Here, the Congress received 291 votes and the BJP 264, meaning the Congress secured a lead of 27 votes even at Narottam's booth. Leader of the Opposition Umang Singhar claimed that the Congress is benefiting from the BJP's internal dynamics.
This by-election has attracted significant political attention, as the BJP fielded Ashutosh Tiwari instead of three-time MLA Narottam Mishra. Although the BJP held an early lead during the counting process, the Congress gradually gained ground as the rounds progressed, eventually securing a strong position.
Meanwhile, trends in two other Assembly by-elections are also pointing towards decisive outcomes. In Bihar's Bankipur, Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor has maintained a lead of over 8,200 votes against BJP candidate Neeraj Kumar.
In Gujarat's Manjalpur, BJP candidate Satendrabhai Patel (Satish Patel) is heading towards a resounding victory, leading Congress candidate Bhikhabhai Rabari by more than 27,500 votes.
Final results for all three constituencies are expected once the remaining rounds of counting are completed.