JD(U) retains Laukaha assembly seat in Bihar

The ruling JD(U) today retained Laukaha assembly seat as its candidate Sanjay Kumar Sah was declared elected defeating his nearest RJD rival Mokhtar Ahmed by 22,763 votes.

Sah, son of the former Panchayati Raj, BC and MBC Welfare Minister Hari Prasad Sah whose death in October had forced the bypoll in the assembly seat, polled 64,425 votes as against Ahmed's 41,662 votes, Madhubani district magistrate and returning officer Sanjeev Kumar Hans said.

Samajwadi Janata Dal (Democratic) candidate Talmul Hussain polled 6425 votes, while Congress's Ram Sunder Tarait received 4664 votes to stand in third and fourth position respectively.

As many as 13 candidates were in fray for the bypoll in Laukaha assembly seat.

JD(U) had nominated Sah's son to contest from his father's seat.

With the latest victory, the ruling JD(U)'s strength in the state assembly has increased to 117 MLAs in the 243-member house.

The JD(U) ally BJP has 92 MLAs in the state assembly followed by the RJD (22), LJP (1), Congress (4) and others (7).