BJP candidate from Korba lok Sabha constituency Dr Banshilal Mahto has defeated the Congress candidate and Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Processing, Dr Charandas Mahant. By doing so, he has avenged his defeat at the hands of the latter in Janjgir-Champa lok Sabha constituency 15 years ago.
In a neck and neck contest, Dr Mahto registered victory over Dr Mahant by a margin of 4,265 votes in the final round of counting. The Congress led in Rampur, Pali-Tanakhar and Marwahi while the BJP maintained its lead in Bharatpur-Sonhat, Manendragarh, Baikunthpur, Korba and Katghora areas.
The counting of votes in Korba district was held at Government Polytechnic College, Rumgara and the counting for three assembly constituencies of Koriya district was held at Ramanuj Higher Secondary School, Baikunthpur while counting for Marwahi assembnly constituency was held at Engineering College, Koni.
District Election Officer Reena Babasaheb Kangale monitored the counting which started with postal ballots. Out of total 770 postal ballots, Dr Mahto received 353 and Dr Mahant received 221. The trend started coming after two hours and both the candidates remained neck to neck in few rounds.
At times, Dr Mahto gained lead and later Dr Mahant passed him. This continued till the last round, at about 4 pm when Dr Mahto was declared elected. Dr Mahto received 43,9002 votes while Dr Mahant received 43,4737 votes.
Supporters of Dr Mahto turned jubilant when the results were announced and celebration started in his camp. A victory procession was taken out from ITI Chowk via Kosabdi, Niharika, Ghantaghar, CSEB Chowki, TP Nagar, Power House Road and culminated at his residence in Sitamarhi.