Counting of votes is underway for four Lok Sabha and five Assembly by-elections in West Bengal, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

In Uttar Pradesh, ruling Samajwadi Party is leading in Handia Assembly by-election. Party's nominee Prashant Kumar Singh is leading by more than 8000 votes over his nearest BSP nominee Dr. Pankaj Tripathy when reports last came in.

In West Bengal, Trinamool Congress nominee Prasun Banerjee is leading by over 16000 votes over his nearest CPI(M) rival Sridip Bhattarjee after seven rounds of counting of votes in Howrah Lok Sabha by-election.

In Bihar, Prabhunath Singh, of RJD is leading by over 24,102 votes in Maharajganj Lok Sabha election over his nearest Janata Dal (United) nominee P.K.Shahi.

In Gujarat, ruling BJP has snatched all six seats including 2 Lok Sabha and 4 Assembly constituencies from Congress in by-election results declared today.

Quoting sources, our Ahmedabad Correspondent reports that BJP has snatched both the Lok Sabha seats from Congress with sound margin. BJP candidate Mr. Vithal Radadia has defeated his nearest rival of Congress Mr. Vinubhai Amipara by more than one lakh votes.

Similarly, BJP candidate, Mr. Haribhai Chaudhari has won Banaskantha Lok Sabha seat by defeating his nearest rival of Congress, Mrs. Krishnaben Mukesh Kumar Gadhavi by more than 70 thousand votes.

Our Correspondent adds that BJP has also snatched 4 Assembly seats from Congress. BJP candidate Mr. Jayesh Radadia from Jetpur, former Minister of State, Mr. Kiritsinh Rana from Limdi, Mr. Pravin Makadia from Dhoraji and Mrs. Nimishaben Suthar from Morva Hadafa have defeated their nearest Congress rivals.

Outcome of the by-elections is a big setback for opposition Congress in the state, which was holding all six seats before the by- elections.