Congress wins Manipur assembly by-election

IMPHAL: Congress candidate E Suraj won the by election to Yaiskul Assembly constituency in Manipur defeating his nearest rival H Jayadev (independent) by over 900 votes for which the counting was done on Wednesday.

Election office said Suraj secured 9799 votes as against 8856 obtained by Jayadev.

The by-election, held on December 19, was necessitated due to the untimely death of Congress MLA E Kunjeshore, father of Suraj.

With Suraj's victory, the strength of the Congress has gone up to 31 in the 60-member Manipur Assembly.

The Congress-led Secular Progressive Front ministry has also become stronger. Congress (31) and CPI (three) are the constituents of the ruling SPF.