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The upcoming by-elections in India, scheduled for November 13th, 2024, are set to be a significant event in the nation's political landscape. These elections, spanning across 31 assembly constituencies in 10 states and a Lok Sabha bypoll in Wayanad, Kerala, will see the electoral debut of Priyanka Gandhi, Congress scion and sister of Rahul Gandhi. The bypolls have been necessitated due to various factors, including sitting MLAs contesting and winning Lok Sabha elections, and the passing of incumbent MLAs. The results of these bypolls are widely anticipated to be a litmus test for major political parties, particularly the Congress and the INDIA bloc, as they grapple with the aftermath of recent electoral setbacks, like the Haryana Assembly polls.
In Kerala, the Wayanad Lok Sabha bypoll marks Priyanka Gandhi's foray into active electoral politics. She is contesting the seat previously held by her brother Rahul Gandhi, who relinquished it after his re-election to the Lok Sabha from Rae Bareli in Uttar Pradesh. The Congress is aiming for a resounding victory, with a target of over five lakh votes, and has been campaigning vigorously with Rahul and their mother, Sonia Gandhi, lending their support. The bypoll in Wayanad has also attracted attention due to the presence of a strong opposition candidate, CPI veteran Sathyan Mokeri, and the BJP's nominee, computer engineer-turned-politician Navya Haridas. Beyond Wayanad, the Chelakkara Assembly constituency in Kerala also sees intense competition, with the CPI-M, Congress, BJP, and an independent candidate all vying for victory.
In Rajasthan, seven assembly constituencies are facing bypolls, including Jhunjhunu, Dausa, Deoli-Uniara, Khinvsar, Chorasi, Salumber, and Ramgarh. These bypolls will witness a clash of political heavyweights, with the BJP, Congress, Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP), and Bharat Adivasi Party (BAP) all fielding candidates. The Jat-dominated seats of Khinvsar and Jhunjhunu are expected to witness close contests, with the BJP, Congress, and RLP all vying for the support of the dominant caste group. The Chorasi seat, dominated by tribal communities, is also witnessing a fierce contest between the BJP and BAP. Other seats, such as Deoli-Uniara and Dausa, are experiencing a multi-cornered contest involving the BJP, Congress, and independent candidates. These bypolls are being closely watched as they could offer insights into the electoral strength of the ruling BJP in Rajasthan.
West Bengal is also holding bypolls in six assembly seats, namely Naihati, Haroa, Medinipur, Taldangra, Sitai (SC), and Madarihat (ST). These elections are seen as an opportunity for the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) to consolidate its position after its impressive performance in the recent Lok Sabha elections. The bypolls are particularly significant in the context of the widespread protests following the RG Kar rape and murder case, which have cast a shadow over the TMC's governance. The contest in West Bengal will also feature the CPI(M)-led Left Front and the Congress contesting separately for the first time since 2021, following a recent change in the Bengal Congress leadership.
Assam is also gearing up for bypolls in five assembly seats, Dholai (SC), Sidli (ST), Bongaigaon, Behali, and Samaguri. These elections are being held following the resignations of MLAs who won the recent Lok Sabha elections. The bypolls are expected to be fiercely contested, with the BJP and Congress both hoping to make gains. The Samaguri constituency has become a hotbed of political tension, with reports of violence between BJP and Congress supporters during the campaign period. The bypolls in Assam will also provide insights into the electoral support for the BJP-led NDA government in the state.
In Bihar, bypolls are being held in four assembly seats, Tarari, Imamganj, Belaganj, and Ramgarh. These elections are seen as a precursor to the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections and are expected to provide valuable data about the strength of the ruling NDA and the opposition Mahagathbandhan. The entry of Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj, which is contesting all four seats, has added another layer of complexity to the electoral landscape. The bypolls in Bihar will also test the political strength of the RJD, which is hoping to retain its dominance in the region south of the Ganga.
Karnataka is witnessing bypolls in three assembly seats, Channapatna, Shiggaon, and Sandur. These elections are being watched closely as they could impact the political dynamics of the state, where the Congress is currently in power. The bypoll in Channapatna is particularly noteworthy, with a direct contest between Nikhil Kumaraswamy, son of Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy, and CP Yogeshwara of the Congress party. The BJP and JD (S) are also hoping to make gains in the state. The Sandur seat, traditionally a stronghold of the Congress, is facing a challenge from the BJP, which is seeking to make inroads into the constituency. The results of the bypolls in Karnataka are likely to have significant implications for the state's political future.
Madhya Pradesh is holding bypolls in two assembly seats, Budhni and Vijaypur. These elections are being seen as a test of the BJP's political strength in the state, which is currently governed by the BJP. The bypoll in Budhni is particularly significant, with the BJP fielding Ramakant Bhargava, a loyalist of Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, as the candidate. The Congress is hoping to capitalize on any discontent against the BJP government. The bypolls in Madhya Pradesh are expected to be keenly contested.
Chhattisgarh is witnessing a bypoll in the Raipur City South assembly constituency. The BJP is hoping to retain the seat, which was held by Brijmohan Agrawal before his election to the Lok Sabha. The Congress is hoping to capitalize on any dissatisfaction with the BJP government and is putting up a strong challenge. The bypoll in Chhattisgarh will provide insights into the political climate in the state, where the BJP is facing a strong opposition from the Congress.
Meghalaya is holding a bypoll in the Gambegre assembly constituency. The election is being closely watched, as it is a contest between the ruling National People's Party (NPP) and the opposition Congress. The NPP is fielding Mehtab Chandee Sangma, wife of Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, as its candidate. The Congress is hoping to win the seat, which is currently held by the NPP. The bypoll in Meghalaya will provide an indication of the political mood in the state, where the NPP is facing a challenge from the Congress.
Gujarat is holding a bypoll in the Vav assembly constituency. The bypoll is being closely watched, as it is a contest between the Congress, BJP, and an independent candidate. The Congress is hoping to retain the seat, which was held by Geniben before her election to the Lok Sabha. The BJP and the independent candidate are hoping to capitalize on any discontent with the Congress government. The bypoll in Gujarat will provide an indication of the political landscape in the state, which is currently governed by the BJP.
In addition to the bypolls in the states mentioned above, elections are also scheduled in Sikkim, where two assembly seats are up for grabs. However, in Sikkim, the SKM nominees Aditya Golay and Satish Chandra Rai have already been declared unopposed after their rivals withdrew from the race. The bypolls in Sikkim are expected to result in an uncontested victory for the SKM.
The upcoming bypolls in India are poised to offer valuable insights into the political landscape of the nation. The results of these elections will not only determine the fate of individual candidates but also have a significant impact on the national political discourse, shaping the contours of the upcoming general elections.
Source: Priyanka Gandhi's Debut, Bypolls In 31 Assembly Seats: All You Need To Know