Tiruppur, Oct. 9 -- Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) candidate P Sathyabama is leading in the Dharapuram Assembly constituency by-election by 724 votes after the fifth round of counting on Friday.

According to the Election Commission of India, Sathyabama secured 13,213 votes, while All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) candidate K Banumathi received 12,489 votes. Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) candidate S Suganya was in third place with 11,554 votes.

In the Madurantakam Assembly, TVK candidate K Maragatham Kumaravel was leading by 1,607 votes after the second round of counting.

According to the ECI, Maragatham Kumaravel secured 7,615 votes, while Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) candidate I Paranthamen received 6,008 votes. A...