Assembly bypoll in Khairagrah, Malkharoda

Raipur, June 1 (UNI) Elaborate security arrangements have been made to ensure smooth polling tomorrow for the Assembly byelection in Khairagrah and Malkharoda(SC) constituencies in Chhattisgarh.

Security has been beefed up in 68 polling stations which have been classified as hyper-sensitive in Khairagrah constituency in view of Naxalite activities in the region, state election officials said.

They said more than 3000 personnel, being deployed for election duty in both constituencies, would be provided insurance cover.

By-election in Khairagrah was necessitated following the resignation by Congress leader Devavrat Singh after his election to the Lok Sabha from Rajnandgaon in a recent by-election.

His wife Padma Singh was fielded as Congress candidate to take on Mr Komal Jangel (BJP) in a nine corner contest. Bahujan Samaj Party has fielded Kumbhlal Sahu in Khairagarh constituency having 1,47,600 electorate, including 72,773 women.

Malkharoda seat fell vacant after the High Court declared sitting BSP legislator Lalsai Khute's election as null and void on an election petition.

While the BSP fielded Mr Khute again in an attempt to retain the reserved seat, ruling BJP nominated Mr Nirmal Sinha and Congress fielded Mohanmani Jatwar in an array of 18 candidates.

While the ruling BJP and opposition Congress consider these polls as prestigious, Bahujan Samaj Party is also in an upbeat mood after the party wrested power in Uttar Pradesh.

Counting of votes for both the constituencies is scheduled on June 5.

UNI