CPM retains Islampur assembly seat

Kolkata, Dec 07 (UNI) In a major blow to the oppopsition, ruling CPI(M) candidate Sayeed Farhat Afroze today won the Islampur assembly by-election in North Dinajpur district defeating Abdul Karim Chowdhury of the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) by 7511 votes in a three cornered contest.

The result is also considered a loss of face by the Congress and the AITC since top leaders from both parties, including Information and Broadcasting Minister Priyaranjan Dasmunshi and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee, campaigned for respective nominees.

Declaring the result Election Commission sources here said while Mr Afroze polled 47,927 votes, his nearest rival Mr Karim Chowdhury secured 40,416 votes. Congress's Hamidul Rahman managed only 22,037 votes.

The by-election was necessitated following the death of CPI-M member Farooq Azam earlier this year.

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