• Source:JND
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Voting for by-elections in five Assembly constituencies across four states, Punjab, West Bengal, Gujarat, and Kerala, began at 7 AM today, June 19. While the number of seats is small, the stakes are high for both the ruling NDA and the opposition INDIA bloc. These elections carry significant weight due to local prestige battles and growing alliance tensions.

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The results, expected on June 23, will mark the first electoral test following the recent Pahalgam terror attack and India’s military response, Operation Sindoor, which involved coordinated air and ground strikes on terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

Punjab

The Ludhiana West by-election has become a crucial political battle with implications that stretch far beyond a single seat. For the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), it’s a key opportunity to cement its urban presence in Punjab following the death of its MLA, Gurpreet Bassi Gogi. A win would reinforce AAP’s governance credentials, while the Congress sees it as a chance to regain lost ground in a seat it once dominated, signaling possible revival in urban Punjab.

Beyond AAP and Congress, the BJP is eyeing the contest as a test of its urban appeal post its breakup with the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD). For SAD, the bypoll serves as a critical gauge of leader Sukhbir Singh Badal’s standing, with hopes that a strong showing could revive its shrinking base and offer a path back into political relevance.

West Bengal 

The Kaliganj bypoll in West Bengal, triggered by the death of TMC MLA Nasiruddin Ahamed, carries symbolic significance for the ruling Trinamool Congress. Fielding Ahamed’s daughter, Alifa Ahmed, the TMC aims to consolidate support among women and minority voters. With the 2026 assembly election approaching and controversies like the teacher recruitment scam looming, the outcome will be closely watched.

Opposing her is BJP’s Ashish Ghosh, a grassroots worker, and Congress-Left’s Kabil Uddin Sheikh. While the TMC is confident of retaining the seat it took from Congress in 2021, the Congress-Left alliance views this bypoll as a chance to revive its fading influence in rural Bengal.

Gujarat

By-elections in Gujarat’s Visavadar and Kadi constituencies, set for Thursday, have shaped up into intense three-way contests involving the BJP, Congress, and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). In Visavadar, where the seat fell vacant after former AAP MLA Bhupendra Bhayani joined the BJP, the ruling party has fielded Kirit Patel. Congress is backing Nitin Ranpariya, while AAP has placed Gopal Italia, its former state president, in the spotlight.

In Kadi, a Scheduled Caste-reserved seat left vacant by the death of BJP MLA Karsan Solanki, the BJP has nominated Rajendra Chavda. Congress is hoping for a comeback with former MLA Ramesh Chavda, and AAP is fielding Jagdish Chavda. Voting will be conducted via EVMs at 294 stations in each seat, with the Gujarat government declaring a public holiday in both areas to boost turnout. Results will be announced on June 23.

Kerala

The Nilambur by-election in Kerala has taken on outsized importance for the Congress, which sees it as a “semi-final” ahead of the 2026 assembly polls. Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan has framed the contest as the starting point for the United Democratic Front’s (UDF) return to power, with a high-profile boost from Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra joining the campaign to rally support.

"This is a political contest, a direct fight between the UDF and the LDF. It is the semi-final leading up to the 2026 Assembly elections, and we are confident of winning by a significant margin. We see this as an opportunity to hold the Pinarayi government accountable, a government that has been in power for the past nine years," Satheesan said.

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Having lost two straight elections to the Left Democratic Front (LDF), Congress is eager to reassert itself. However, internal friction, particularly with MP Shashi Tharoor, and the BJP’s growing push in the state present real challenges. Despite the stakes and star power, reclaiming political ground in Kerala won’t be easy for the Congress.