Hisar Lok Sabha bypoll results today, all eyes on Anna factor

HISAR: The fate of political heavyweights locked in a keen fight for Hisar Lok Sabha seat will be known later today after counting of ballots cast in the by-election in which the Anna factor has raised the stakes for the ruling Congress. "We have made all arrangements for the counting of votes and the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) are being stored in strong rooms under tight security. The results should be out by 2pm," Haryana's chief electoral officer Sumita Misra said.

The bypoll held on October 13 had witnessed a turnout of nearly 69 per cent with the Anna factor raising the stakes for the Congress in a triangular fight.

The polling, which was necessitated due to the death of sitting MP Bhajan Lal of Haryana Janhit Congress in June will decide the fortune of Jai Prakash (Congress), Bhajan Lal's son Kuldeep Bishnoi (HJC-BJP) and Ajay Chautala (INLD). There were 40 candidates in the fray.

'Anna 'silent' to avoid Yeddy questions'

Senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh on Sunday said Anna has decided to observe 'maun vrat' (vow of silence) so that he does not have to give a reply to questions related to B S Yeddyurappa and team Anna member Prashant Bhushan.

"Why is it so that while there is campaign against Congress, nothing is said against BJP. Why does Anna praise Gujarat CM when Lokayukta has not been appointed in his state for nine years," he asked.

Kejriwal fears he may be attacked?

Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday said he has been informed of threats against him and that his office may be attacked. He said in the past two days, he received a number of calls from his "friends in the media", including a top journalist with a news channel, that he may be attacked. He said he has not received any threatening calls or messages.

This follows Prashant Bhushan's attacked last week for his advocacy of plebiscite in Jammu and Kashmir.