Polling underway in 2 UP assembly by-polls

Lucknow, May 16: Polling was underway at a brisk pace on Monday, (May 16) in the byelection for two seats of the Uttar Pradesh assembly, officials said.

Despite an inclement weather, a large turnout of voters was noticed in both constituencies -- Bilari in Moradabad and Jangipur in Ghazipur -- right from 7.00 a.m. when polling started.

There are 11 candidates in the fray in Bilari and voting is underway at 347 polling centres.

The seat was vacated when the incumbent Samajwadi Party (SP) legislator Haji Irfan died in an accident.

The ruling Samajwadi Party has fielded Haji's son Mohammad Faheem in the by-poll while the BJP's candidate is Suresh Saini and the Congress has fieldedd Shishupal.

Seven candidates are in the fray in the Jangipura assembly constituency which fell vacant due to the demise of state minister Kailash Singh Yadav.

His wife Kismati Devi is the SP candidate. The Congress has fielded Shailesh Singh and the BJP has named Kunwar Ramesh Singh for the contest.

More than three lakh voters will cast ballot to elect their new legislator from the Jangipura consgtituency.

IANS