Indian cricket captain MS Dhoni casts vote in Jharkhand by-poll

Ranchi: Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni Tuesday cast his vote here for the by-poll in Jharkhand's Hatia assembly constituency.

Dhoni, who arrived in his hometown three days ago, cast his vote at a polling booth situated at the DAV school, Shyamali. According to his family, this was the first time he cast his vote after joining the national team eight years ago.

Dhoni's brother Narendra Singh campaigned in favour of the All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU). AJSU President and Deputy Chief Minister Sudesh Mahto is also a friend of Dhoni.

An electorate of 4,02,181 will decide the fate of 29 candidates in the fray. The key contest is among the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Congress, the Jharkhand Vikas Morcha-Prajatantrik (JVM-P) and the AJSU.

The BJP and the AJSU are partners in the ruling alliance in the state.

The Hatia seat fell vacant after Congress legislator Gopal Nath Sahdeo passed away in 2010. An election petition had held up the election so far. (IANS)