50 per cent polling in MP byelection

Bhopal, Mar 8 (UNI) About 50 per cent polling was recorded today for the byelection in Gwalior and Sidhi (ST) Lok Sabha and Udaypura Assembly constituencies in Madhya Pradesh.

Amidst tight security, polling was by and large peaceful barring a stray incident on Teekat road, near Sidhi district's Churhat, where a suspected naxal was killed by a bomb that he was apparently carrying this afternoon. Batteries were found in the vicinity of the body, the police said.

State Tourism and Sports Minister Yashodhara Raje Scindia (BJP), seeking election from Gwalior, was among 45 candidates in the fray in the three constituencies having a combined electorate exceeding 26 lakh.

A total 29 companies of CRPF, besides Special Armed Force, Home Guard and district police personnel were deployed to ensure smooth polling in 2,749 booths, official sources said.

Gwalior and Sidhi fell vacant due to disqualification of incumbents Mr Ramsevak (Cong) and Mr Chandra Pratap Singh (BJP) respectively who were caught in the cash-for-query scam.

Udaypura fell vacant due to resignation by Mr Rampal Singh on his election to the Lok Sabha in a bypoll from Vidisha. Mr Singh's wife Shashi Prabha is trying her electoral fortune from Udaypura, once represented by Ms Vimla Sharma, wife of late President Shankar Dayal Sharma.

UNI