Congress wins in Jharkhand by-poll

Ranchi, Dec 17   The Congress on Thursday won Jharkhand's Lohardaga assembly by-election.

Congress candidate Sukhdeo Bhagat won the seat, defeating BJP-backed All Jharkhand Students Union's (AJSU) candidate Niru Bhagat. 

The three main candidates were convicted legislator Kamla Kishore Bhagat's wife Niru Bhagat, Sukhdeo Bhagat and Bandhu Tirkey of Jharkhand Vikas Morcha-Prajatantrik (JVM-P).

Sixtyseven percent of 2.20 lakh electorate voted on December 14 in the Lohardaga assembly by-election to fill up a seat that fell vacant after AJSU legislator Kamla Kishore Bhagat was convicted and handed over a seven-year jail term in July in an extortion case.

There were nine candidates.

The seat is reserved for tribals.