Electoral activity gained momentum as voting commenced across six key constituencies spread across four states and union territories. The current phase of by-elections covers one parliamentary constituency along with five legislative assembly seats. Voters began queuing up at designated polling stations at 7 AM to cast their ballots under organized administrative arrangements. A wide spectrum of influential political outfits, including the BJP, Congress, TMC, DMK, TVK, and CPI, are engaged in direct electoral battles. The counting of votes across all six constituencies will take place on October 9, when the final results will be officially declared.
High Stakes in West Bengal Across Nandigram and Rejinagar
In West Bengal, intense political focus remains fixed on the assembly constituencies of Nandigram and Rejinagar. The Nandigram seat became vacant following significant political shifts involving Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, who had registered a victory here. After defeating Mamata Banerjee in Bhabanipur, he secured wins from both Bhabanipur and Nandigram constituencies, subsequently resigning from the Nandigram seat, which necessitated this bypoll. In the current contest, the BJP has fielded Hasirani Rath, while the Congress has nominated Milan Pradhan as its candidate. Meanwhile, the Rejinagar assembly seat fell vacant after Humayun Kabir resigned. For this constituency, Humayun Kabir's party has fielded his son, Ghulam Nabi Azad, to contest the election. Ahead of the official balloting, polling booth number 250 in Murshidabad conducted standard mock polling exercises. Observers view the electoral outcomes in Nandigram and Rejinagar as an important test for Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari.
Political Ground in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry
Southern electoral battles are centered on Tamil Nadu and the union territory of Puducherry. In Tamil Nadu, voting is underway for the assembly seats of Madurantakam and Dharapuram. Simultaneously, the Thattanchavady assembly constituency in Puducherry is seeing active voter participation today. For Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Thalapathy Vijay, these bypolls carry immense political significance, marking his first major electoral challenge since assuming office. The contest across Madurantakam and Dharapuram has directly tied itself to his leadership credibility, while political parties in Puducherry have also mobilized substantial campaign efforts to secure Thattanchavady.
The Battle for Assam's Nagaon Parliamentary Constituency
In the northeastern state of Assam, the lone Lok Sabha contest is taking place in the Nagaon parliamentary seat. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has invested extensive efforts to secure an electoral breakthrough for the ruling BJP, which aims to expand its territorial representation in the state. Conversely, the Congress is mounting a determined defense to retain its established hold over the constituency. Early voting preparations were completed smoothly, including official mock polling sessions conducted at polling station numbers 122 and 123 at Jhargaon LP School within the Nagaon parliamentary constituency, paving the way for regular polling throughout the day.
