New Delhi, Dec 02: Ruling parties in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar today asserted their supremacy in assembly bye-elections with Samajwadi Party wresting two seats from its archrival BSP, including one vacated by party supremo and former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati and Rjd retaining its hold in as many seats. In Harora, SP candidate Vimal Rakesh polled 84,837 votes against 81,143 by Jagpal of BSP.
In Mahsi, SP nominee Dilip Kumar Verma polled 66,875 while BSP candidate Jamila Khatoon got 45,534 votes. The seat had fallen vacant following the death of BSP MLA Ali Bahadur. BSP had fielded the widow of Ali Bahadur.
This was the first test of popularity in Uttar Pradesh since SP-led coalition government headed by Mulayam Singh Yadav came to power following the collapse of Mayawati ministry.
In Bihar, RJD retained Fatuha and Barachhati (SC) seats defeating JD(U) and BJP retained its Sitamarhi seat.
In Fatuha (SC) seat, which falls in the parliamentary constituency of Railway Minister Nitish Kumar, RJD candidate Om Prakash Paswan emerged victorious defeating his nearest JD(U) rival Saryug Paswan by a margin of 2745 votes.
The battle for Fatuha had become a prestige issue for Kumar and RJD supremo Laloo Prasad Yadav and the JD(U) nominee was ahead after several rounds of counting before finally being trounced.
The by-polls in UP and Bihar were held on November 230.
Bureau Report