Over 55 per cent polling in Budhni

Budhni, MP, May 3 (UNI) More than 55 per cent polling was recorded today during the assembly byelection in Madhya Pradesh's Budhni constituency, from where Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan is pitted in a 16-cornered contest.

''Even as final reports are pouring in, polling in the sprawling rural constituency was peaceful in all 189 booths where elaborate security arrangements were in place,'' District Collector Raghavendra Singh said as polling drew to a close at 1700 hrs.

A 1,74,819-strong electorate, including 82,498 women, were listed to exercise their franchise through EVMs.

With the mercury hovering around 44 degrees Celsius, a moderate turnout was witnessed before noon. Technical snags in EVMs delayed voting at a few booths.

Tremendous enthusiasm was witnessed in interior areas as compared to town panchayat areas of Budhni, Rehti and Nasrullahganj.

Mr Chouhan, Mr Rajkumar Patel (Cong), Mr Gulzar Singh Markam (Gondwana Ganatantra Party) and Mr Narmada Prasad Yadav (Samajwadi Party), besides 12 independents, were in the fray.

Budhni fell vacant after Mr Rajendra Singh (BJP) resigned to pave way for Mr Chouhan's entry into the assembly after the latter became chief minister on November 29 last year. Mr Chouhan still represents Vidisha in Parliament.

About 75 per cent polling was recorded in Budhni constituency during the 2003 assembly poll.

UNI Team-SP AC MSJ BD1743