Voting in 13 Assembly seats in 7 states, first bypolls after LS elections

Voting commenced on Wednesday for by-elections in 13 Assembly constituencies across seven states, marking the first major electoral event following the high-profile Lok Sabha elections held earlier this year. Polling started at 7 am and will continue until 6 pm.

Here are the constituencies where polling is underway: Rupauli (Bihar), Raiganj, Ranaghat Dakshin, Bagdah, and Maniktala (all in West Bengal), Vikravandi (Tamil Nadu), Amarwara (Madhya Pradesh), Badrinath and Manglaur (both in Uttarakhand), Jalandhar West (Punjab), and Dehra, Hamirpur, and Nalagarh (all in Himachal Pradesh).

As of 9 am, voter turnout figures were reported as follows: Rupauli 9.23%, Raiganj 10.01%, Ranaghat Dakshin 11.58%, Bagdah 10.61%, Maniktala 9.01%, Vikravandi 12.94%, Amarwara 16.90%, Badrinath 6.50%, Manglaur 8.58%, Jalandhar West 10.30%, Dehra 15.70%, Hamirpur 15.71%, and Nalagarh 16.48%.

These by-elections were triggered by vacancies due to the deaths of sitting MLAs and resignations from various political parties. Vote counting will take place on July 13.

In West Bengal, both the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the BJP face crucial tests. The TMC aims to build on its Lok Sabha performance, while the BJP seeks to maintain its momentum from winning four constituencies in the parliamentary elections.

The by-election in Maniktala follows the death of TMC MLA Sadhan Pandey, with the party fielding his wife Supti. Similarly, in other constituencies like Raiganj and Ranaghat Dakshin, the TMC and BJP are engaged in fierce contests.

In Himachal Pradesh, by-elections are underway for Dehra, Hamirpur, and Nalagarh after Independent MLAs who supported the BJP in Rajya Sabha polls resigned. The BJP has nominated these former Independents, while the Congress has put forward candidates like Kamlesh Thakur in Dehra.

In Uttarakhand, by-elections in Badrinath and Manglaur are notable. Badrinath’s vacancy arose when Congress MLA Rajendra Bhandari joined the BJP, contesting now against Congress’ Lakhpat Butola. Manglaur’s bypoll follows the death of BSP MLA Sarwat Karim Ansari, with BJP’s Kartar Singh Bhadana facing Congress’ Qazi Nizamuddin.

Tamil Nadu’s Vikravandi seat became vacant after DMK MLA N Pughazenthi’s passing, setting up a contest between DMK, PMK, and NTK candidates.

Bihar’s Rupauli by-election was necessitated by the resignation of JD(U)’s Bima Bharti, who switched to the RJD, challenging JD(U)’s Kaladhar Mandal.

Madhya Pradesh’s Amarwara by-election follows Congress leader Kamlesh Shah’s switch to the BJP, setting up a contest that impacts the Chhindwara Lok Sabha constituency’s dynamics.

Punjab’s Jalandhar West by-election is crucial for AAP and Congress, with AAP’s Bhagwant Mann leading the campaign against Congress’ Surinder Kaur and BJP’s Sheetal Angural.

The outcome of these by-elections will be closely watched for their implications on state politics and national trends.