Cong wrests Shivpuri from BJP

Shivpuri, MP, June 5 (UNI) The Opposition Congress today wrested the Shivpuri seat from the ruling BJP in the Assembly by-election in Madhya Pradesh with its candidate Virendra Raghuvanshi defeating his BJP rival Ganesh Ram Gautam by 7781 votes in a 15-corner contest.

Bhartiya Jan Shakti candidate Narendra Birthare emerged a poor third as Uma Bharti-led party's second attempt in the Assembly by-elections in the state, after Malehra, also failed.

Shivpuri seat fell vacant fp;;owing resignation of then state Tourism Minister Yashodhara Raje Scindia of the BJP after her election to the Lok Sabha from Gwalior. Polling for the constituency held on June 2.

BJP drew flak as Mr Gautam, who contested the last four Assembly elections on a Congress ticket, was fielded by the ruling party to take on Congress MP Jyotiraditya Scindia-loyalist businessman Virendra Raghuvanshi.

The Congress candidate led over his BJP rival from the initial round of counting at the Madhavrao Scindia Government P G College, where counting was held amid tight security.

UNI