Munda wins Kharsawan by over 17,000 votes

A-72, JAMSHEDPUR - 090401 - APRIL 09, 2009 - Jamshedpur: BJP candidate and former Jharkhand Chief minister Arjun Munda adjusts hi turban during an election rally in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand on Thursday. PTI Photo

Jharkhand Chief Minister and BJP candidate Arjun Munda on Thursday won the Kharsawan Assembly bypoll defeating his nearest Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (Prajatantric) opponent Dasrath Gagrai by over 17,000 votes.

The bypoll was necessitated as Mr. Munda has to enter the State Assembly within the mandatory six months period after becoming the chief minister on September 11 last year.

BJP sitting MLA Mangal Singh Soy had resigned two months ago to pave way for Mr. Munda.

Mr. Munda defeated Mr. Gagrai by over 17,000 votes, Returning Officer C.K. Singh said.

Besides Mr. Gagrai, five others, including Bahadur Oraon of CPI (ML) and four independents, were also in the fray. The polling took place on February 10.

Mr. Munda, a third time chief minister since 2003, will have to vacate his Jamshedpur Lok Sabha constituency, which he had won in the 2009 general elections on a BJP ticket.