HJC-BJP candidate Kuldeep Bishnoi leading in Hisar LS bye-election

Haryana Janhit Congress (HJC) supremo Kuldeep Bishnoi was leading by more than 21,500 votes against his nearest rival Ajay Chautala of the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) as counting of votes cast in the October 13 bye-election to the Hisar Lok Sabha seat progressed today.

Bishnoi is the candidate of the HJC-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) combine and son of former Haryana Chief Minister Bhajan Lal , whose death in June necessitated the bye-election.

The Congress candidate Jai Parkash, a former Union Minister who has represented the constituency thrice in the past, was trailing way behind in third place, according to counting trends available around noon.

Counting of votes began at 0800 hours amidst tight security arrangements and the result is expected to be declared later this afternoon. The district administration had imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC in the radius of 100 metres around the mini-Secretariat where the counting of votes is being conducted.

Mr Chautala is the son of former Haryana Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala. In all, there are 40 candidates in the fray.

The Anna Hazare factor had become a significant feature in the run-up to the bye-election as Team Anna, led by Mr Arvind Kejriwal, appealed to the electorate not to vote for the Congress as it had so far failed to deliver on the Jan Lokpal Bill. Former IPS officer Kiran Bedi also addressed public meetings in the constituency.

Interestingly, Team Anna urged the electorate to vote for any candidate except the Congress nominee.

NNN