The bypoll results for five constituencies across Gujarat, Kerala, Punjab, and West Bengal are pouring in, with major national parties testing their popularity ahead of crucial state elections next year. According to early trends:
- BJP is leading in Visavadar and Kadi (Gujarat).
- UDF has surged ahead in Nilambur (Kerala).
- AAP is ahead in Ludhiana West (Punjab).
- Trinamool Congress holds a strong lead in Kaliganj (West Bengal).
Kerala’s Nilambur: Priyanka’s Prestige Battle
In Kerala, the Congress-led UDF is leading in Nilambur. The seat, falling Under priyanka Gandhi’s Wayanad constituency, saw intense campaigning. The LDF’s M Swaraj and BJP’s Mohan George are trailing behind Aryadan Shoukath, who contested for UDF. The result is a crucial indicator of Congress’s hold in the state, especially after PV Anvar, who previously held the seat, defected to TMC.
Punjab’s Ludhiana West: AAP Looks to Regain Ground
AAP candidate Sanjeev Arora is leading in Ludhiana West, reaffirming the party’s foothold in Punjab despite a dip in Delhi. The seat, vacated after MLA Gurpreet Bassi Gogi’s tragic death, is witnessing a close contest with Congress’s Bharat Bhushan Ashu in second position. BJP’s Jiwan Gupta remains third. AAP’s win would reenergize the party’s cadre after its recent electoral setbacks.
Gujarat’s Twin Contests: BJP Eyes Old Ground
In Gujarat, the BJP leads in both Visavadar and Kadi. Visavadar had been out of the BJP’s reach since 2007. Former AAP face Gopal Italia, who played a major role in the Patidar movement, is trailing. Congress’s Nitin Ranpariya is further behind. In Kadi, BJP’s Rajendra Chavda leads over Congress’s Ramesh Chavda and AAP’s Jagdish Chavda in this SC-reserved seat.
West Bengal’s Kaliganj: TMC Consolidates
Trinamool’s Alifa Ahmed is leading comfortably in Kaliganj, a Muslim-majority rural seat. The contest was triggered after her father, sitting MLA Nasiruddin Ahmed, passed away. Congress’s Kabil Uddin Shaaikh and BJP’s Ashish Ghosh lag behind. With assembly elections around the corner in 2026, this win could boost TMC morale and Mamata Banerjee’s electoral strategies.
Conclusion: High Stakes for 2026
These bypolls are more than just mid-term tests. They signal political momentum ahead of the 2026 state elections. With the BJP defending its bastions, the Congress reviving presence in Kerala, and the TMC holding strong in Bengal, the political winds are slowly shifting. AAP’s Punjab performance will be critical for its national ambitions.
