Counting for Kharswan Assembly by-poll begins

Jamshedpur, Feb 17 (PTI) Counting for the KharswanAssembly by-poll, which will decide the fate of JharkhandChief Minister Arjun Munda, began this morning amidst tightsecurity arrangement, official sources said.

Muda, who is seeking election to the state Assembly tocontinue as chief minister, is locked in a straight fightagainst opposition consensus Jharkhand Vikas Morcha(Prajatantrik) (JVM)''s candidate Dasrath Gagrai.

Besides, five others, including Bahadur Oraon of CPI(ML) and four independents, were also left in the fray.

The Kharswan by-election was necessitated after BJPsitting MLA Mangal Singh Soy resigned two months ago to paveway for Munda, who will have to be elected to the stateAssembly by March 11 to continue.

Earlier, Munda represented the Kharswan seat inSaraikela-Kharswan district thrice on the trot since 1995before he resigned after he was elected to the Lok Sabha fromJamshedpur constituency in the last general election.