| 08 September 2023
In a significant turn of events ahead of India's upcoming general election next year, members of the Opposition bloc have secured notable victories in bypolls to seven seats across six states. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the ruling party, managed to retain three of these seats. This outcome is being closely watched as a litmus test for the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc against the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
BJP's Morning Triumphs
The day began with the BJP securing convincing wins in Tripura's Boxanagar and Dhanpur seats. Tafajjal Hossain and Bindu Debnath, representing the BJP, clinched victory by substantial margins of 30,237 and 18,871 votes, respectively. These wins marked a strong start for the BJP, demonstrating their continued dominance in certain regions.
Congress Retains Kerala Stronghold
In Kerala, the Congress party celebrated a crucial victory as Chandy Oommen retained the Puthuppally seat, a stronghold his father and former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy held for over 50 years. The 37-year-old Congress leader defeated the ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist) candidate, Jaick C. Thomas, by a substantial margin of over 36,000 votes. This victory not only solidifies the Congress's position in the state but also improves upon the legacy left by Oommen Chandy.
BJP's Uphill Battle in Uttarakhand
The BJP managed to retain the Bageshwar seat in Uttarakhand, albeit with a narrower margin. Candidate Parwati Dass defeated Congress's Basant Kumar by over 2,400 votes, showcasing that even in previously strongholds, the ruling party is facing formidable opposition.
JMM Victory in Jharkhand
According to the Election Commission of India, Bebi Devi of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), a member of the INDIA alliance, secured a significant win in the Dumri bypolls. She triumphed by a margin of over 17,000 votes, defeating her nearest rival, AJSU's Yashoda Devi. This victory in Jharkhand is a noteworthy addition to the Opposition's tally.
Triangular Contest in West Bengal
In West Bengal, the INDIA bloc faced a unique situation, similar to the one seen in Kerala and Uttarakhand. Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress wrested the Dhupguri seat from the BJP, defeating it by over 4,300 votes. Interestingly, the Congress, an ally of the INDIA bloc, backed a candidate from their bitter rival, the Communist Party of India (Marxist), in this contest.
Samajwadi Party's Triumph in Uttar Pradesh
In the crucial seat of Uttar Pradesh’s Ghosi, Akhilesh Yadav’s Samajwadi Party, backed by INDIA partners, secured a resounding victory by defeating the BJP by over 42,000 votes. This win holds significance in the context of Uttar Pradesh's political landscape.
The Bypoll Results: A Test for INDIA Bloc
These bypoll results serve as a crucial test for the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led NDA. They foreshadow the dynamics of the upcoming five state assembly elections later this year and the pivotal Lok Sabha polls in 2024.
The seven seats contested included Bageshwar in Uttarakhand, Ghosi in Uttar Pradesh, Puthuppally in Kerala, Dhupguri in West Bengal, Dumri in Jharkhand, and Boxanagar and Dhanpur in Tripura.
Voter Turnout Across States
While voter turnout varied across the states, it painted an interesting picture of public engagement in these bypolls. Uttar Pradesh's Ghosi recorded a modest turnout of 49.42 percent, whereas Jharkhand's Dumri recorded a relatively higher turnout at 64.84 percent. Bageshwar in Uttarakhand registered a 55.35 percent voting rate. In Tripura, Boxanagar and Dhanpur saw robust voter turnout at 86.34 percent and 81.88 percent, respectively. Bengal's Dhupguri had a turnout of 74.35 percent.
Candidates Fielded and Constituency Background
The bypolls saw a diverse range of candidates vying for the seats. In Uttar Pradesh's Ghosi, the BJP fielded Dara Singh Chauhan, who had won the seat in the 2022 Assembly polls but returned to the BJP after resigning from the Samajwadi Party.
In Tripura's Dhanpur, the bye-election was prompted by the resignation of the BJP's Pratima Bhoumik, who retained her Lok Sabha seat. This left the assembly vacant, and Bhoumik's brother Bindu Debnath contested for the BJP.
In Tripura's Boxanagar, the BJP and Communist Party of India (Marxist) were in direct competition, following the death of CPI(M) MLA Samsul Haque.
In Uttarakhand's Bageshwar seat, the battle was between the Samajwadi Party, Congress, and the BJP, after the demise of BJP MLA Chandan Ram Dass.
The bypolls in Kerala's Puthupally were necessitated by the passing of Congress veteran Oomen Chandy, leading to his son, Chandy Oomen, contesting for Congress against the ruling party CPI (M)'s candidate, Jaick C. Thomas.
Finally, in Jharkhand's Dumri, the election was held following the death of JMM MLA Jagarnath Mahto, leading to JMM fielding Mahto's wife, Bebi Devi, in the INDIA bloc.
West Bengal's Dhupguri witnessed a bye-election after the death of the BJP's Bishnu Pada Ray. The BJP candidate, Tapas Ray, contested against Nirma Chandra Roy and CPI (M) candidate Ishwar Chandra Roy.
These bypolls have not only provided a glimpse into the evolving political landscape but also set the stage for intense political battles in the upcoming elections. As the nation inches closer to the general election in 2024, these results serve as a significant indicator of the public's sentiment and the potential power shifts in the Indian political arena.
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