By-elections to five legislative assembly constituencies in Gujarat, Kerala, West Bengal, and Punjab commenced on Thursday, June 19, with polling underway from 7 a.m. under tight security and logistical arrangements. Though limited in number, these contests are being closely watched for their implications on the broader power balance between the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the opposition INDIA bloc. The seats—Visavadar and Kadi in Gujarat, Nilambur in Kerala, Kaliganj in West Bengal, and Ludhiana West in Punjab—represent diverse electoral battlegrounds with local dynamics that could echo at the national level. Vote counting is scheduled for June 23.
Gujarat: Visavadar and Kadi Witness Contests Under NDA Scrutiny
In Gujarat, by-elections are being conducted in Visavadar (Junagadh district) and Kadi (Mehsana district), with polling scheduled to run until 8 p.m. The state government has declared a public holiday in both constituencies to encourage voter turnout.
Each seat has 294 polling stations equipped with Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). The contests hold strategic relevance for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which seeks to maintain its dominance in the state amid evolving local rivalries and increased visibility of opposition alliances under the INDIA bloc.
While national leaders have largely stayed on the sidelines, regional party workers and alliances are engaging in vigorous ground campaigns, recognizing the symbolic weight these seats carry.
Kerala: Nilambur Contest Draws Statewide Attention
The Nilambur Assembly seat in Kerala’s Malappuram district has become a flashpoint in the state’s shifting political terrain. The by-election, taking place less than a year before the 2026 state elections, was triggered by the resignation of two-time MLA PV Anvar. Initially supported by the Left Democratic Front (LDF), Anvar switched to the Congress before declaring himself an Independent, injecting unpredictability into the race.
The Congress has fielded Aryadan Shoukath, son of former MLA Aryadan Mohammed, while the LDF is backing M Swaraj, a seasoned party functionary. Anvar, once rumored to be contesting under the Trinamool Congress (TMC) banner, has attracted attention as a wildcard.
Nilambur, part of the Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency currently held by Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, is now a politically charged arena where both fronts are looking to consolidate influence ahead of broader electoral battles.
West Bengal: Kaliganj Emerges as a Three-Way Contest
In West Bengal’s Kaliganj constituency, located in Nadia district, polling began at 7 a.m. and will end at 5 p.m. The seat fell vacant after the death of Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA Nasiruddin Ahamed in February. His daughter, Alifa Ahamed, is contesting on the TMC ticket.
The BJP has nominated Ashis Ghosh, while Congress candidate Kabil Uddin Shaikh is contesting with support from the Communist Party of India (Marxist), reflecting a Congress-Left alliance resurgence in certain pockets of the state.
With 14 companies of central security forces deployed, the Election Commission is ensuring peaceful and fair polling. The triangular contest here encapsulates the fragmented but fiercely competitive political narrative in Bengal, where loyalty swings and alliance reshuffles remain common.
Punjab: AAP Defends Ludhiana West Stronghold
In Punjab, voters in Ludhiana West are casting ballots in a by-election necessitated by the January 2025 death of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Gurpreet Bassi Gogi. Polling will conclude at 6 p.m.
The AAP, which currently governs the state, is expected to defend the seat aggressively to reinforce its base in urban Punjab. However, opposition parties, including the Congress and BJP, are also seeking to use this contest as a gauge of public sentiment following recent controversies around governance, law and order, and employment in the state.
Though a single constituency, Ludhiana West serves as a litmus test for AAP’s resilience as it faces increased scrutiny after three years in power.
National Implications and What Lies Ahead
Though these five by-elections will not immediately alter state-level majorities, they are rich with symbolic significance and offer a preview of voter attitudes ahead of larger electoral confrontations in 2026 and beyond.
The outcomes could influence coalition negotiations, candidate selections, and campaign strategies across the political spectrum. The INDIA bloc and the NDA are both leveraging local narratives while attempting to project unity at the national level.
As political watchers await the vote count on June 23, the results from these seats may provide key insights into how rural, urban, and semi-urban voters are responding to shifting party dynamics, governance records, and leadership transitions.
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