New Delhi: People in three parliamentary seats And voting is going on in 30 assembly constituencies of 15 states and union territories. by-election on Saturday. Many big political parties are in the fray and these by-elections will also indicate the mood of the people.
Here’s a look at what’s at stake in these by-elections:
BJP vs TMC Redux in West Bengal
By-elections are being held in four seats Dinhata, Shantipur, Khardaha and Gosaba in West Bengal. Earlier this year, the state witnessed a tough fight, with the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC managing to overcome a tough challenge from the BJP. The rivalry between the two parties reappears, especially in Dinhata and Shantipur. BJP registered victory in both Dinhata and Shantipur. However, Nisith Pramanik and Jagannath Sarkar are Lok Sabha members who opted to remain in Parliament and vacated the seats. TMC, which is now in power, will try to snatch these seats from the saffron party. Khardah seat was won by TMC but candidate Kajal Sinha died due to Covid-19. The Gosaba seat also fell vacant after the death of the TMC MLA.
Reputation at stake in Assam
By-elections are being held in five assembly seats in Assam. The seats of Gosaigaon and Tamulpur fell vacant after the death of the sitting MLAs. Voting became necessary in Bhabnipur and Mariani, Thaura after the MLAs joined the BJP. While the opposition parties, Congress and AIUDF will be eager to win back these seats, the BJP has led a high-decibel campaign to win these seats. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has also received a notice from the Election Commission following a complaint by Congress leaders. The BJP has 59 seats in the 126-member Assam Assembly. Winning some of these seats will reduce the dependence of the BJP on allies.
Test for CM Bommai in Karnataka
In the competitive world of Karnataka politics, these by-elections are the first major election test for the Chief Minister. Basavaraj Bommai, who took over from the veteran Yeddyurappa. Hangal is particularly important because it is located in Bommai’s home district and he has created intense propaganda in the region. While the outcome of these elections does not affect the government in the state, the campaign has intensified, especially with many believing that these by-elections could set the tone for the 2023 state elections. Congress leader DK Shivakumar and former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah as well as JD(U) leaders Deve Gowda and HD Kumaraswamy have campaigned extensively.
JD(U) vs RJD in Bihar
The two seats in the state where the bypolls are being held are with the ruling JD(U) and fell vacant after the death of the sitting MLAs. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar would like his party JD(U) to repeat the performance of the previous victory and increase its seat tally. The victory of the opposition will not only embarrass the government but will also encourage its opponents. However, the by-polls have led to a rift in the opposition alliance of RJD and Congress contesting separately.
High-profile conflict in Telangana
The stage is set here for a high-profile clash in Telangana. The bypoll in Huzurabad was announced after sitting MLA and former health minister Eatala Rajendra resigned from the seat and TRS over differences with Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao. The 30 candidates in the fray include Eatala Rajender (BJP), Gelu Srinivas Yadav (TRS) and Venkat Balamuri of the Congress.
Struggle for family legacy in Haryana
The heirs of former Deputy Prime Minister Late Devi Lal find themselves on opposing sides in this election. Devilal’s son Om Prakash Chautala and his younger son Abhay Singh Chautala are with the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD). Om Prakash’s elder son Ajay Chautala, his son Dushyant Chautala are meanwhile campaigning for BJP-JJP candidate Govind Kanda. The farmers’ movement is likely to have an impact in this contest. The seat fell vacant after Abhay Chautala resigned in protest against the agricultural laws.
Can Chief Minister Jai Ram win in Himachal?
In Mandi parliamentary by-electionPratibha Singh, wife of former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, is the Congress candidate and is pitted against Kargil veteran Brigadier (Retd) Khushal Singh Thakur. Mandi is also the home district of Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, so his reputation is also at stake. In three assembly seats – Fatehpur, Arki and Jubbal – Kotkhai will also see an interesting contest between the BJP-Congress.
BJP vs Congress in Madhya Pradesh
In Madhya Pradesh, polling is to be held in three assembly seats- Prithvipur, Raigaon and Jobat along with Khandwa parliamentary seat. These elections were necessitated due to the death of two Congress MLAs and one BJP MLA. While the arithmetic is in favor of the BJP in the assembly, a victory will strengthen Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s position. For the Congress, which lost its government to the BJP, the bypoll is an opportunity to prove a political point.
The scale of Gehlot’s hold in Rajasthan
Chief Minister of Rajasthan Ashok GehlotSuccessfully facing a challenge from his own party leader Sachin Pilot, he would like to win the by-election to once again assert his dominance. The by-elections in Vallabhnagar and Dhariyawad due to the demise of the sitting MLAs are as much a test for them as it is for the candidates. Pilot campaigned for the Congress, presenting a united front, despite the inherent differences in these elections. For the BJP, which is a major challenge, a victory in the bypolls will give the party the much-needed impetus.
Battle of Deglur in Maharashtra
Due to the death of Congress MLA Raosaheb Antapurkar, elections in Nanded district had to be held. The Congress has fielded the deceased MLA’s son Jitesh Antapurkar, while the BJP has fielded former Shiv Sena MLA Subhash Sabne who recently joined the party. The Congress, which is the youngest party in the ruling coalition in the state, will be keen to win here to emphasize its importance.
Multi-cornered match in Mizoram
In Mizoram, there will be a multi-cornered contest in the by-polls to Tuiriyal seat. The contest is between the ruling Mizo National Front (MNF), the Congress and the Joram People’s Movement (ZPM). The MNF has fielded K Laldavangliana, Laltalanmawia is representing the ZPM, Congress candidate Chalarosanga Ralte while K Laldinthra is the BJP candidate.
Allies clash with each other in Meghalaya
Voting will be held in Mawringneng (ST), Mawphlang (ST) and Rajabala seats in the state. The constituents of the ruling party are fighting each other and the opposition Congress is hoping to achieve this process. In Mawphlang, Congress candidate Cornelius Khayrim is taking on National People’s Party’s Lamprang Blah and United Democratic Party footballer Eugenesson Lyngdoh, who is also in government. In the other two seats also the constituents of the ruling party are contesting separately. The ruling MDA constituent BJP has also fielded Kingston Marak from Rajabala.
Shiv Sena vs Congress vs BJP in Dadra and Nagar Haveli
Allies in Maharashtra, Congress and Shiv Sena have both fielded candidates in this Lok Sabha seat bypoll. BJP has also fielded its candidate.
Budwell in Andhra
The YSR Congress has fielded his wife Dasari Sudha after the death of MLA Gunthoti Venkat in the by-election to Andhra Pradesh’s Badwal seat. Rival TDP fielded a candidate who, however, chose not to contest. Even though other parties have fielded candidates, the absence of a TDP challenge will work to the advantage of the ruling YSRC.
no match in nagaland
There will be no contest in Nagaland as the unanimous candidate of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) of the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) S Keoshu Yimchungar was the only person to file nomination for the Shmator-Chesor (ST) assembly seat.
The counting of votes and the results of these by-elections will be announced on November 2.
Here’s a look at what’s at stake in these by-elections:
BJP vs TMC Redux in West Bengal
By-elections are being held in four seats Dinhata, Shantipur, Khardaha and Gosaba in West Bengal. Earlier this year, the state witnessed a tough fight, with the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC managing to overcome a tough challenge from the BJP. The rivalry between the two parties reappears, especially in Dinhata and Shantipur. BJP registered victory in both Dinhata and Shantipur. However, Nisith Pramanik and Jagannath Sarkar are Lok Sabha members who opted to remain in Parliament and vacated the seats. TMC, which is now in power, will try to snatch these seats from the saffron party. Khardah seat was won by TMC but candidate Kajal Sinha died due to Covid-19. The Gosaba seat also fell vacant after the death of the TMC MLA.
Reputation at stake in Assam
By-elections are being held in five assembly seats in Assam. The seats of Gosaigaon and Tamulpur fell vacant after the death of the sitting MLAs. Voting became necessary in Bhabnipur and Mariani, Thaura after the MLAs joined the BJP. While the opposition parties, Congress and AIUDF will be eager to win back these seats, the BJP has led a high-decibel campaign to win these seats. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has also received a notice from the Election Commission following a complaint by Congress leaders. The BJP has 59 seats in the 126-member Assam Assembly. Winning some of these seats will reduce the dependence of the BJP on allies.
Test for CM Bommai in Karnataka
In the competitive world of Karnataka politics, these by-elections are the first major election test for the Chief Minister. Basavaraj Bommai, who took over from the veteran Yeddyurappa. Hangal is particularly important because it is located in Bommai’s home district and he has created intense propaganda in the region. While the outcome of these elections does not affect the government in the state, the campaign has intensified, especially with many believing that these by-elections could set the tone for the 2023 state elections. Congress leader DK Shivakumar and former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah as well as JD(U) leaders Deve Gowda and HD Kumaraswamy have campaigned extensively.
JD(U) vs RJD in Bihar
The two seats in the state where the bypolls are being held are with the ruling JD(U) and fell vacant after the death of the sitting MLAs. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar would like his party JD(U) to repeat the performance of the previous victory and increase its seat tally. The victory of the opposition will not only embarrass the government but will also encourage its opponents. However, the by-polls have led to a rift in the opposition alliance of RJD and Congress contesting separately.
High-profile conflict in Telangana
The stage is set here for a high-profile clash in Telangana. The bypoll in Huzurabad was announced after sitting MLA and former health minister Eatala Rajendra resigned from the seat and TRS over differences with Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao. The 30 candidates in the fray include Eatala Rajender (BJP), Gelu Srinivas Yadav (TRS) and Venkat Balamuri of the Congress.
Struggle for family legacy in Haryana
The heirs of former Deputy Prime Minister Late Devi Lal find themselves on opposing sides in this election. Devilal’s son Om Prakash Chautala and his younger son Abhay Singh Chautala are with the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD). Om Prakash’s elder son Ajay Chautala, his son Dushyant Chautala are meanwhile campaigning for BJP-JJP candidate Govind Kanda. The farmers’ movement is likely to have an impact in this contest. The seat fell vacant after Abhay Chautala resigned in protest against the agricultural laws.
Can Chief Minister Jai Ram win in Himachal?
In Mandi parliamentary by-electionPratibha Singh, wife of former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, is the Congress candidate and is pitted against Kargil veteran Brigadier (Retd) Khushal Singh Thakur. Mandi is also the home district of Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, so his reputation is also at stake. In three assembly seats – Fatehpur, Arki and Jubbal – Kotkhai will also see an interesting contest between the BJP-Congress.
BJP vs Congress in Madhya Pradesh
In Madhya Pradesh, polling is to be held in three assembly seats- Prithvipur, Raigaon and Jobat along with Khandwa parliamentary seat. These elections were necessitated due to the death of two Congress MLAs and one BJP MLA. While the arithmetic is in favor of the BJP in the assembly, a victory will strengthen Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s position. For the Congress, which lost its government to the BJP, the bypoll is an opportunity to prove a political point.
The scale of Gehlot’s hold in Rajasthan
Chief Minister of Rajasthan Ashok GehlotSuccessfully facing a challenge from his own party leader Sachin Pilot, he would like to win the by-election to once again assert his dominance. The by-elections in Vallabhnagar and Dhariyawad due to the demise of the sitting MLAs are as much a test for them as it is for the candidates. Pilot campaigned for the Congress, presenting a united front, despite the inherent differences in these elections. For the BJP, which is a major challenge, a victory in the bypolls will give the party the much-needed impetus.
Battle of Deglur in Maharashtra
Due to the death of Congress MLA Raosaheb Antapurkar, elections in Nanded district had to be held. The Congress has fielded the deceased MLA’s son Jitesh Antapurkar, while the BJP has fielded former Shiv Sena MLA Subhash Sabne who recently joined the party. The Congress, which is the youngest party in the ruling coalition in the state, will be keen to win here to emphasize its importance.
Multi-cornered match in Mizoram
In Mizoram, there will be a multi-cornered contest in the by-polls to Tuiriyal seat. The contest is between the ruling Mizo National Front (MNF), the Congress and the Joram People’s Movement (ZPM). The MNF has fielded K Laldavangliana, Laltalanmawia is representing the ZPM, Congress candidate Chalarosanga Ralte while K Laldinthra is the BJP candidate.
Allies clash with each other in Meghalaya
Voting will be held in Mawringneng (ST), Mawphlang (ST) and Rajabala seats in the state. The constituents of the ruling party are fighting each other and the opposition Congress is hoping to achieve this process. In Mawphlang, Congress candidate Cornelius Khayrim is taking on National People’s Party’s Lamprang Blah and United Democratic Party footballer Eugenesson Lyngdoh, who is also in government. In the other two seats also the constituents of the ruling party are contesting separately. The ruling MDA constituent BJP has also fielded Kingston Marak from Rajabala.
Shiv Sena vs Congress vs BJP in Dadra and Nagar Haveli
Allies in Maharashtra, Congress and Shiv Sena have both fielded candidates in this Lok Sabha seat bypoll. BJP has also fielded its candidate.
Budwell in Andhra
The YSR Congress has fielded his wife Dasari Sudha after the death of MLA Gunthoti Venkat in the by-election to Andhra Pradesh’s Badwal seat. Rival TDP fielded a candidate who, however, chose not to contest. Even though other parties have fielded candidates, the absence of a TDP challenge will work to the advantage of the ruling YSRC.
no match in nagaland
There will be no contest in Nagaland as the unanimous candidate of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) of the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) S Keoshu Yimchungar was the only person to file nomination for the Shmator-Chesor (ST) assembly seat.
The counting of votes and the results of these by-elections will be announced on November 2.
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