Patna, May 31: Counting of votes for the byelection to the Jokihat Assembly seat in Bihar was underway on Thursday with the ruling JD-U candidate Murshid Alam taking an early lead with over 33,500 ballots, according to Election Commission officials.

Opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) candidate Shahnawaz Alam is trailing behind Murshid Alam. 

The Jokikhat seat fell vacant following the resignation of JD-U MLA Sarfaraz Alam, who joined the RJD.

A third Independent candidate Mohammad Shabbir is also in the fray.

Voting for the seat took place on Monday.

The JD-U was backed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), while the RJD had the support of the Congress and Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) of former Chief Minister of Jitan Ram Manjhi.

Jokihat is a Muslim-dominated Assembly constituency, considered stronghold of former Union Minister and Shahnawaz Alam's father Mohammad Taslimuddin, who died last year leading to bypolls in Araria Lok Sabha seat. 

 

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Raichur (Karnataka) (PTI): Two children died on Saturday after a portion of an arch allegedly collapsed on them while they were watching an outdoor play in this district, police said.

The incident occurred in Bail Marchad village in Manvi taluk, they said.

According to police, seven people were sitting under the arch watching the play when the structure suddenly collapsed, killing two children on the spot.

The deceased have been identified as Vishwanath Ramalinga (8) and Sanvita (2).

Vishakshi (25), Lakshmi (18), Vishalakshi (25), Yallamma (3), and Bassamma (45) were injured in the incident and were shifted to Raichur Institute of Medical Sciences Hospital for further treatment, police said.

The bodies have been moved to the mortuary of Manvi Government Hospital, they added.

A case has been registered at Manvi Police Station, and further investigation is underway, police said.