First Electoral Face-Off Between I.N.D.I.A And BJP As Voters Line Up For Bypolls In 6 States

Voting has begun for the bypolls on seven assembly seats in six states which is the first major test between the opposition's I.N.D.I.A alliance and the BJP-led NDA coalition.

Assembly Byelections: Voting has begun for the bypolls in seven assembly seats in six states which is the first direct fight between the BJP-led NDA and opposition's I.N.D.I.A bloc. The mega coalition is presenting a united front in the Ghosi constituency in Uttar Pradesh, while it's a different case in Dhupguri in West Bengal and Puthuppally in Kerala, where alliance constituents are contesting against each other. The counting of votes will take place on September 8. 

Bypolls In 10 Points

• A total of seven assembly seats from six states are undergoing bypolls on Tuesday (Sept 5). They are Ghosi in Uttar Pradesh, Dhupguri in West Bengal, Dhanpur and Boxanagar in Tripura, Dumri in Jharkhand, Puthuppally in Kerala and Bageshwar in Uttarakhand.

 

• In Uttar Pradesh, the Ghosi seat became vacant after the resignation of Samajwadi Party (SP) MLA and OBC leader Dara Singh Chauhan, who rejoined the BJP. The ruling BJP-led NDA has fielded Chauhan, while Samajwadi Party candidate Sudhakar Singh has garnered support from the Congress and Left parties.

 

• SP Chief Akhilesh Yadav has said tagged the Election Commission of India on X, formerly Twitter, and asked the poll body to see that 'not only BJP but entire government machinery is in fray against SP candidate for Ghosi bypolls'.

 

• The Dhupguri assembly constituency in North Bengal is witnessing a three-cornered contest among the TMC, BJP, and the Congress-supported CPI(M). The TMC won the seat in 2016 but lost it to the BJP in 2021. 

 

• In Dhanpur and Boxanagar assembly seats in Tripura's Sepahijala district, Chief Minister Manik Saha is leading the BJP's campaign. The Tipra Motha and Congress are not participating. Boxanagar constituency is considered the Left party's stronghold, and Dhanpur, once a stronghold of the communists, is heading for a direct fight between BJP and CPI(M) candidates.

 

• In Jharkhand’s Dumri, INDIA bloc candidate Bebi Devi is in a direct contest with NDA candidate Yashoda Devi. The by-election was called after the death of JMM MLA Jagarnath Mahto.

 

• Meanwhile, Jharkhand Minister and Dumri by-poll candidate Baby Devi said "I have full support from the people here. I have cast my vote. Anything can only be said after 8th September, when the results are announced..."

 

• In Kerala's Puthuppally bypoll, the Congress and the ruling Left will contest against each other, with the opposition party hoping to capitalize on anti-incumbency and the late Oommen Chandy's legacy. The Congress-led UDF opposition has fielded Chandy's son, Chandy Oommen, while the ruling Left has chosen DYFI leader Jaick C Thomas. The BJP has also fielded a candidate.

 

• In Uttarakhand, it's a straight contest between the BJP and Congress for the Bageshwar seat. The ruling BJP aims to retain the seat, which was won by Parvati Das' husband Chandan Das in four consecutive elections since 2007. His unfortunate demise necessitated the bypoll. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and other top BJP leaders have campaigned for Parvati Das. Congress heavyweights like Harish Rawat have been mobilizing support for party candidate Basant Kumar.

 

• Union minister and Apna Dal (Sonelal) president Anupriya Patel on Monday said that the opposition INDIA bloc has no existence in Uttar Pradesh and its candidates do not stand a chance in an electoral contest in the state against the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA). She also claimed that the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) will soon disintegrate like a "house of cards".