The counting of votes for the 2025 assembly bypolls in five key constituencies across four Indian states began on Monday, June 23. The bypolls were conducted on June 19 in Gujarat’s Visavadar and Kadi seats, Punjab’s Ludhiana West, Kerala’s Nilambur, and West Bengal’s Kaliganj. Early trends show the BJP leading in both Gujarat seats, while the AAP is ahead in Punjab’s Ludhiana West and the Congress leads in Kerala’s Nilambur. In West Bengal, the Trinamool Congress has taken a clear lead in Kaliganj.
This round of by-elections is being closely watched as it sets the tone for the 2026 assembly elections. Each seat holds strategic importance, not just locally, but also for national parties looking to strengthen their standing in the lead-up to larger political battles.
Gujarat, Punjab, Kerala See Tight Contests
In Gujarat’s Visavadar seat, BJP candidate Kirit Patel is leading, hoping to break a losing streak that dates back to 2007. AAP’s Gopal Italia and Congress’s Nitin Ranpariya are trailing. In Kadi, BJP’s Rajendra Chavda is ahead of his rivals from Congress and AAP. The seat was vacated after the death of BJP MLA Karsan Solanki.
Punjab’s Ludhiana West is witnessing a close contest where AAP’s Sanjeev Arora, supported by high-profile party campaigning, leads over Congress’s Bharat Bhushan Ashu and BJP’s Jiwan Gupta. The seat was left vacant after AAP MLA Gurpreet Bassi Gogi's death.
High Stakes in Kerala and Bengal
In Kerala’s Nilambur, the Congress-led UDF candidate Aryadan Shoukath has gained an early lead. The contest is significant for Priyanka Gandhi, as the seat falls within her Wayanad constituency. The LDF has fielded M Swaraj, while BJP is represented by Advocate Mohan George.
In Kaliganj, West Bengal, TMC’s Alifa Ahmed, daughter of the late MLA Nasiruddin Ahmed, leads with a strong margin. Congress’s Kabil Uddin Shaikh and BJP’s Ashish Ghosh trail in what is considered a crucial battle for Mamata Banerjee ahead of next year’s state elections. As counting continues, political observers are closely watching whether these trends hold and how they will impact party strategies ahead of 2026.
