Date:12/01/2003 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2003/01/12/stories/2003011204540101.htm

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BJP wins Surat bypoll

By Our Special Correspondent

GANDHINAGAR JAN. 11. The ruling BJP in Gujarat claimed the Surat West seat, increasing its tally to 127 in the 183-member Assembly.

The party candidate, Bhavnaben Chapatwala, wife of the former Minister, Hemmant Chapatwala, whose death had led to countermanding of the elections for the seat last month, won by an impressive margin of over 29,000 votes over her Congress rival, Naishadh Desai, a labour leader.

The polling for the seat was held on Thursday. — PTI