Goa, Aug. 3 -- Counting of votes is in progress for the Assembly by-elections in Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat, with the outcome expected to offer an early indication of the public mood following the nationwide student protests over the paper leak controversy.

Polling for the Bankipur Assembly constituency in Bihar, Datia in Madhya Pradesh and Manjalpur in Gujarat was held on Thursday. Political observers are closely watching the results, particularly to gauge the sentiments of young voters ahead of future electoral contests.

The Bankipur Assembly seat in Bihar has traditionally been a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) bastion, with the party remaining undefeated in the constituency. The seat fell vacant after former MLA and BJP presiden...