CPI(M) candidate Archana Bhattacharya defeated Congress nominee Bangshibadan Karmakar by 8,817 votes in Durgapur (1) assembly by-election at the end of counting on Thursday. Returning Officer Omkar Singh Meena said while Bhattacharya polled 53,513 votes, Karmakar had 44,696 votes.
Although CPI(M) retained the seat, its winning margin was reduced from nearly 40,000 votes in 2006 to 16,000 votes in 2009 Lok Sabha election. This time the margin was further halved. Karmakar was also supported by the Trinamool Congress in the four-corner contest.
