Raipur, Oct 4 (IANS) Chhattisgarh's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has taken a decisive lead in the crucial Bhatgaon assembly seat by-poll as counting of votes was under way Monday.

The BJP candidate Rajni Tripathi has established a lead of over 22,500 votes over the nearest rival, Congress candidate U.S. Singhdeo, at the end of 10th round of counting of votes. The by-election was held Oct 1.

Counting of votes began amid tight security at the Polytechnic Ground at Ambikapur, headquarters of Surguja district.

The Bhatgaon constituency, some 400 km north of state capital Raipur in Surguja district had recorded over 75 percent votes in peaceful polling.

The seat fell vacant following the death of its sitting legislator Ravi Shankar Tripathi, 55, in a car crash in April and the BJP fielded the late leader's widow while the Congress picked the member of the erstwhile royal family as its candidate. There are a total of 12 candidates in the fray.