India: Vote Counting Begins for 13 Assembly Seats Across Seven States
New Delhi, 13th July 2024: Vote counting for 13 assembly seats across seven states began on Saturday morning. Following the Lok Sabha elections, where the INDIA bloc posed a significant challenge to the BJP-led NDA, this is anticipated to be another close contest between the alliances. The by-elections were required after the MLAs were elected as Lok Sabha MPs. Polling for these seats occurred on Wednesday. Here are the state-wise details:
Bihar
The by-election in Bihar’s Rupauli constituency was triggered by the resignation of JD(U)’s Bima Bharti, who ran for the by-poll on an RJD ticket after losing the Lok Sabha election. Bharti hopes to win with support from Independent MP Pappu Yadav, while the JD(U) has fielded Kaladhar Prasad Mandal.
West Bengal
In West Bengal, the stakes are high for both the Trinamool Congress, led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, and the BJP. The TMC aims to retain Maniktala, while the BJP is targeting Raiganj, Ranaghat Dakshin, and Bagda, seats previously won by former BJP MLAs who switched to the TMC.
Himachal Pradesh
Himachal Pradesh’s by-elections are crucial, featuring notable candidates such as Kamlesh Thakur, the wife of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, contesting from Dehra. Other seats include Hamirpur and Nalagarh.
Uttarakhand
In Uttarakhand’s Manglaur seat, which is dominated by Muslim and Dalit voters, a three-way contest has emerged following the death of BSP MLA Sarwat Karim Ansari. The BJP aims to capture this constituency, traditionally held by Congress and BSP. The other seats include Manglaur and Badrinath.
Punjab
In Punjab’s Jalandhar West, the by-poll is a significant test for AAP leader and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.
Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu’s Vikravandi constituency faces a triangular contest among DMK’s Anniyur Siva, PMK’s C. Anbumani, and Naam Tamilar Katchi’s K. Abinaya, following the death of DMK legislator N. Pughazhendhi.
Madhya Pradesh
In Madhya Pradesh’s Amarwara, the election follows Congress MLA Kamlesh Shah’s defection to the BJP. The main contenders are BJP’s Kamlesh Shah, Congress’s Dheeran Shah Invati, and GGP’s Devraman Bhalavi.
These by-elections span constituencies in West Bengal, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, and Madhya Pradesh, with governance divided between INDIA bloc constituents and the NDA.
