Shiv Sena's Prakash Jadhav leading in Ramtek by-poll

Nagpur, Apr 12 (UNI) Shiv Sena candidate Prakash Jadhav was leading by a margin of 3,006 votes against his nearest rival Subodh Mohite of Congress in the Ramtek Lok Sabha constituency.

The counting for the April 9 by-election began here this morning at 0800 hrs amid tight security at Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Market Yard in Kalamna here, Additional District Collector and Returning Officer C S Dahalkar said.

Mr Jadhav has polled 29,197 votes, Mr Mohite 26,191 votes and Congress rebel Ranjit Deshmukh, constesting as an independent, has polled 10,399 votes at the end of the second round.

Although there are 12 candidates in fray in Ramtek, the real contest is expected to be between Mr Mohite, Mr Jadhav and Mr Deshmukh.

The by-election was necessitated as Mohite, who was elected in 2004 on a Shiv Sena ticket, resigned from the party and the House to join the Congress.

The constituency recorded a voting of 46.97 per cent in the by-election.

UNI