Voters wait for their turn for Ramgarh Assembly by-poll in Alwar district of Rajasthan. | Photo Credit: PTI

Ramgarh assembly by-poll: Polling in the Ramgarh Assembly by-poll ended in Rajasthan's Alwar district on Monday, with a voter turnout of 78.45 per cent. The crucial seat witnessed a triangular contest between the ruling Congress party, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and the opposition BJP. The election for the Ramgarh seat in Alwar could not be held during Rajasthan Assembly polls due to the death of BSP candidate Laxman Singh just days ahead of the Assembly election.

A total of 20 candidates were in the fray. The prominent names include BSP's Jagat Singh - son of former union minister Natwar Singh, Shafia Zubair Khan, former Alwar Zila Pramukh, who is contesting on a Congress ticket and BJP's Sukhwant Singh.

The Congress is hopeful of a win from the Ramgarh Assembly seat. "Feedback from Ramgarh is very positive we are going to win the seat. People gave a mandate to Congress in December 7 elections and the party will win this seat also," deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot was quoted as saying by news agency PTI. "I am seeking a vote in the name of development. Since Congress has formed the government, people are hopeful that their works will be done if they elect the Congress candidate and therefore I will certainly get the edge," said Shafia Zubair Khan, the Congress candidate for the Ramgarh seat.

Meanwhile, the Congress, BSP and BJP held massive rallies in the city following intense campaigning. On Friday, CM Ashok Gehlot and Deputy CM Sachin Pilot addressed rallies in the town. Sitaram Meghwal, BSP state president said that the caste equations in the constituency were in favour of the BSP. The Congress party came to power following December 7 Rajasthan Assembly polls by winning 99 of the 199 seats. The BJP won 73 seats.