BJP Triumphs In Crucial Tripura Polls, INDIA Bloc Takes Lead In UP’s Ghosi

New Delhi: The results of the bypolls for seven assembly seats across six states are set to be announced on Friday, marking a crucial test for the opposition alliance, INDIA, as it takes on the BJP-led NDA. This election is seen as significant in the lead-up to polls in five states later this year and the looming Lok Sabha elections in 2024.

Here are the latest updates

The seven constituencies that recently went to the polls include Bageshwar in Uttarakhand, Ghosi in Uttar Pradesh, Puthuppally in Kerala, Dhupguri in West Bengal, Dumri in Jharkhand, and Boxanagar and Dhanpur in Tripura. Vote counting commenced at 8 am.

Bageshwar assembly bypoll

In the early rounds of counting in the Bageshwar assembly bypoll, the Congress candidate, Basant Kumar, has taken the lead over the BJP’s Parvati Das by 195 votes.

Puthuppally assembly bypoll

In the Puthuppally assembly bypoll in Kerala’s Kottayam, Chandy Oommen, the opposition UDF candidate and son of the late Congress stalwart Oommen Chandy, is leading comfortably in the initial rounds of counting.

Dhanpur and Boxanagar assembly

The BJP has secured victories in the Dhanpur and Boxanagar assembly by-elections in Tripura’s Sepahijala district, as confirmed by the Election Commission.

Boxanagar

In Boxanagar, BJP’s Tafajjal Hossain emerged victorious with a lead of 30,237 votes. Hossain secured 34,146 votes, while his closest rival, Mizan Hossain of the CPI(M), received 3,909 votes. In Dhanpur, Bindu Debnath secured victory with a lead of 18,871 votes, garnering 30,017 votes, while Kaushik Chanda of the CPI(M) received 11,146 votes.

UP and Jharkhand

Among the seven constituencies, Dhanpur, Bageshwar, and Dhupguri were previously held by the BJP. The seats in UP and Jharkhand were held by the Samajwadi Party and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, respectively. The Boxanagar seat in Tripura and Puthupally in Kerala were held by the CPM and the Congress, respectively.

Ghosi

The Ghosi seat became vacant when sitting legislator and OBC leader Dara Singh Chauhan rejoined the BJP. The Akhilesh Yadav-led party is making efforts to retain control over Ghosi.

Uttarakhand Bageshwar

In Uttarakhand’s Bageshwar, the bypolls were necessitated by the passing of four-time MLA and cabinet minister Chandan Ram Das in April. Kerala’s Puthupally seat was vacated due to the demise of former Chief Minister and Congress veteran Oommen Chandy.

Tripura

In Tripura, the CPM has announced its boycott of the counting, alleging significant malpractices during the voting process in the two constituencies.

West Bengal Dhupguri

In West Bengal’s Dhupguri, the CPM and Congress have formed an alliance to challenge the ruling Trinamool. Remarkably, all three parties are part of the INDIA bloc.

This bypoll outcome holds immense political significance, shedding light on the evolving dynamics of various political alliances and parties across the nation.