Voting is underway in five assembly constituencies across Gujarat, Kerala, Punjab, and West Bengal (photo-X-CEOWestBengal)
By-Polls – Five Seats, Four States: Where the Votes Are Being Cast
On June 19, 2025, polling began at 7 a.m. across five assembly constituencies in four Indian states, Kadi and Visavadar in Gujarat, Nilambur in Kerala, Kaliganj in West Bengal, and Ludhiana West in Punjab. These by-elections, though limited in number, carry outsized political weight as they serve as a barometer for public sentiment ahead of the 2026 state elections in Kerala and West Bengal.
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In Gujarat, the Visavadar seat became vacant after AAP MLA Bhupendra Bhayani defected to the BJP. The BJP has fielded Kirit Patel, Congress has nominated Nitin Ranpariya, and AAP is represented by Gopal Italia. In Kadi, a Scheduled Caste-reserved seat, the BJP’s Rajendra Chavda faces off against Congress’s Ramesh Chavda and AAP’s Jagdish Chavda.
Kerala’s Nilambur seat saw a political shake-up after PV Anvar resigned amid controversy. The LDF has fielded M Swaraj, UDF has nominated Aryadan Shoukath, and BJP is backing Adv. Mohan George.
In West Bengal’s Kaliganj, the by-election follows the death of TMC MLA Nasiruddin Ahamed. His daughter Alifa Ahmed is contesting on a TMC ticket, facing Ashish Ghosh from BJP and Kabil Uddin Shaikh from the Congress-CPI(M) alliance.
Punjab’s Ludhiana West seat, vacated after the death of AAP MLA Gurpreet Bassi Gogi, features a four-way contest: Sanjeev Arora (AAP), Bharat Bhushan Ashu (Congress), Jiwan Gupta (BJP), and Parupkar Singh Ghuman (SAD).
Political Pulse: Why These By-Polls Matter
Though these are mid-term elections, the stakes are high. For the BJP, victories in Gujarat and Punjab would reinforce its dominance and validate recent defections. For the Congress, a strong showing could signal a revival in states where it has lost ground. The AAP, meanwhile, is fighting to retain its urban stronghold in Ludhiana and prove its mettle in Gujarat.
In Kerala, the Nilambur contest is being dubbed a “semi-final” ahead of the 2026 assembly elections. Congress leaders have framed it as a referendum on the Pinarayi Vijayan-led LDF government’s nine-year rule.
West Bengal’s Kaliganj seat is equally symbolic. With the TMC facing criticism over governance and education sector controversies, the by-poll outcome could influence the party’s strategy heading into 2026.
What’s Next: Counting Day and Political Implications
Voting will continue until evening, with polling hours varying slightly by state. Results will be declared on June 23, and political analysts are watching closely for voter turnout trends and margin swings.
These by-polls may not change the balance of power in any state assembly, but they will shape narratives, influence alliances, and test the ground game of India’s major political players. In a year already brimming with geopolitical tension and economic uncertainty, the message from these five constituencies could echo far beyond their borders.
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