Jamshedpur: Polling for the Kharswan
assembly bypoll from where Jharkhand Chief Minister Arjun Munda is contesting to enter the state assembly began this morning amidst tight security arrangements.
The Returning Officer-cum-Sub-Divisional Officer of
Saraikela, C K Singh said polling began at 7 am.
Apart from the existing district police force, six
companies of central para-military forces have been deputed to
maintain law and order during the polling, Singh said.
Munda had represented the seat thrice in a row since 1995
till he resigned after he was elected to Lok Sabha from
Jamshedpur parliamentary seat in the last general election,
was locked in a straight contest against Babulal Marandi-led
Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (Prajatantrik) (JVM) candidate, Dasrath
Gagrai, a consensus candidate of opposition parties including
Congress and National Jharkhandi Alliance.
Besides, Bahadur Oraon of CPI (ML) and four independent
candidates were also left in the fray.
Kharswan by-poll was necessitated after sitting BJP MLA
Mangal Singh Soy resigned two months ago to pave way for Munda
to enter the House.
PTI
