Daijiworld Media Network - Bantwal (SP)

Bantwal, Feb 24: Counting of votes for Sangabettu zilla panchayat (ZP) constituency proved to be a roller coaster ride for both BJP and Congress candidates, which ended in nail-biting finish. At the end, the candidate who had walked away, duly accepting his imminent defeat, returned with a smile and celebrated his victory.

Since early stages of counting, there was tough tug-of-war between BJP candidate, Tungappa Bangera, and Congress candidate, Mayilappa Salian. After Salian continued his slight edge over the opponent since the counting began, his agents came out and declared that he had won the election. Congress leaders including Mayilappa, minister, Ramanath Rai, and other activists began victory celebrations in full spirit. Tungappa Bangera, accepting defeat, and went away from the centre in a dejected mood.

However, when all the votes were counted, it became clear that Tungappa had a five-vote lead over his Congress opponent. Congress leaders sought re-counting, but Bangera emerged victorious again. Thereafter, assistant commissioner, Dr Ashok, and election oberver N R Umesh,took up counting of postal ballots. Out of 60 postal ballots, 19 were treated as invalid, and in the remaining 41, Bangera secured lead of eight votes. With these, Bangera's lead further increased to 13.

Bangera thereafter came back to the counting centre with a bright smile on his face. BJP activists began celebrating this victory in a big way.