Congress leading in Rajnandgaon LS by-poll

Rajnandgaon, Apr 1 (UNI) Congress candidate Devavrat Singh is leading his nearest BJP rival Leelaram Bhojwani by over 15,000 votes after the first round of counting in the bypoll to Rajnandgaon Lok Sabha constituency in Chhattisgarh.

Counting of votes, which began at 0800 hrs here, is progressing peacefully and the result could be expected by afternoon, district collector and returning officer R S Vishwakarma said.

By the end of first round of counting, Mr Devavrat Singh has established a lead of more than 15,000 votes over his nearest BJP rival Mr Leelaram Bhojwani in a 15-cornered contest, he added.

By-election for the Rajnandgaon Lok Sabha seat was necessitated following expulsion of BJP MP Pradeep Gandhi for his involvement in the cash-for-query scandal.

Polling was held in the constituency on March 29.

UNI