Ludhiana, June 23 -- As the counting of votes for the assembly bypolls began, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate from Ludhiana West, Jiwan Gupta, offered prayers at Durga Mata Mandir in Ludhiana on Monday.

"I begin all my work with the blessings of God. This is counting day. I am a follower of Lord Shiv, and He has always blessed me in abundance, so I paid obeisance here. I prayed to him for the advancement of Punjab and a golden future for the state. I will accept whatever he decides," BJP candidate Jiwan Gupta told ANI.

Counting for the assembly by-elections held in five constituencies in four states - Gujarat, Kerala, West Bengal, and Punjab - began on Monday at 8 am.

Two assembly bypolls were held in Gujarat, one each in Kerala...