Thursday, February 3 2005 16:17 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Chandigarh: Haryana along with Bihar and Jharkhand went to polls today (Feb 03, 2005). Haryana reported an estimated 30 to 35 per cent turnout in seven hours of polling in its 90-member Assembly constituency.

An election department spokesman said in Chandigarh that polling was progressing peacefully in Haryana. Casting of votes was brisk in the rural areas as compared to the urban areas.

Congress chief Bhajan Lal was among the first to cast their franchise at his home turf of Adampur though some of his detractors objected to him casting his ballot in the media glare.

Nearly 983 candidates, including Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala and former Chief Minister Bhajan Lal, are in the fray.

The BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) has, meanwhile, sought cancellation of polling in Kalka constituency from where Bhajan Lal's son is contesting, accusing the election staff of disallowing entry of its agents into the polling booths.

Karamgarh area of Narwana Assembly constituency witnessed a minor clash between supporters of the Congress and INLD (Indian National Lok Dal) but officials said the situation was under control and no one was injured.