BJP's Kamlesh Shah Leads in Amarwara Bypoll

BJP’s Kamlesh Shah is leading Congress' Dheeran Shah Invati by 713 votes after 18 rounds of counting in Madhya Pradesh's Amarwara assembly bypoll. With just two rounds left, Shah has polled 73,527 votes compared to Invati's 72,814. The outcome is crucial for both BJP and Congress.

Kamlesh Shah of the BJP has taken a 713-vote lead over his Congress opponent, Dheeran Shah Invati, after the 18th round of counting in the Amarwara assembly bypoll in Madhya Pradesh, an official disclosed on Saturday.

With just two rounds left to count, the fate of the Scheduled Tribes-reserved seat hangs in the balance. Shah has garnered 73,527 votes, while Invati trails with 72,814. Devraman Bhalavi from the Gondwana Gantantra Party (GGP) has secured 27,876 votes so far, the official added.

The bypoll was necessitated after three-time Congress MLA Kamlesh Shah switched allegiance to the BJP. The competition is significant for both parties, given that Chhindwara, the district where Amarwara is located, was a longtime stronghold of senior Congress leader Kamal Nath. Votes are being tallied at Government PG College Bhawan, Chhindwara, where the final result will be announced after 20 rounds of counting.