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All eyes are on the ballot today as counting begins for the high-stakes by-elections held across five assembly seats in four Indian states—Gujarat, Punjab, Kerala, and West Bengal. Voting took place on June 19, and the counting of votes began at 8 am today, with early trends expected to emerge soon after.

These bypolls are more than just local contests—they're being closely watched as a litmus test ahead of upcoming state assembly elections. Both the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the opposition INDIA bloc have thrown their weight behind their respective candidates, hoping to make significant gains.

Gujarat Bypolls: BJP Eyes a Comeback in Visavadar, Retention in Kadi

In Gujarat, two key seats—Visavadar and Kadi—went to the polls. The Visavadar seat, located in Junagadh district, has been a challenging terrain for the BJP, which hasn’t won there since 2007. The seat became vacant in 2023 after AAP legislator Bhupendra Bhayani defected to the BJP, triggering a bypoll.

This time, the BJP has fielded Kirit Patel, hoping to reclaim lost ground. The Congress has nominated Nitin Ranpariya, while AAP is banking on Gopal Italia, the party’s former Gujarat president, to make an impact.

Over in Kadi, a Scheduled Caste-reserved seat in Mehsana district, the BJP is aiming to retain control following the death of sitting MLA Karsan Solanki in February. The BJP has named Rajendra Chavda as its candidate. Meanwhile, Congress and AAP have fielded Ramesh Chavda and Jagdish Chavda, respectively, setting the stage for a three-cornered fight.

Kerala Bypoll: Priyanka Gandhi Stakes Prestige on Nilambur

In Nilambur, Kerala, the battle carries symbolic weight for the Congress party. The constituency falls within Wayanad, represented in Parliament by Rahul Gandhi, and recently saw a high-voltage campaign with Priyanka Gandhi Vadra holding a roadshow in support of the party.

The seat was vacated after OV Anvar, a two-time MLA backed previously by the Left, switched sides to join the Congress. He is now contesting as an Independent.

For this tight contest, the Left Democratic Front (LDF) has fielded M Swaraj, while the Congress-backed United Democratic Front (UDF) is banking on Aryadan Shoukath. The BJP has nominated Advocate Mohan George, aiming to expand its footprint in the state.

Bengal Bypoll: Mamata’s TMC vs BJP in Kaliganj Showdown

In Kaliganj, located in Nadia district of West Bengal, the by-election was necessitated by the death of TMC MLA Nasiruddin Ahamed in February. His daughter, Alifa Ahamed, is now in the fray, looking to retain her father’s legacy and the party’s hold on the seat.

The BJP has fielded Ashis Ghosh, presenting a strong challenge, while Congress has nominated Kabil Uddin Shaikh, who is backed by the CPI(M).

This contest is being closely watched as a curtain-raiser for next year’s assembly elections in Bengal, where the BJP hopes to mount a serious challenge to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s leadership.

Punjab Bypoll: Four-Way Battle in Ludhiana West After AAP MLA’s Death

In Ludhiana West, the by-election follows the tragic death of AAP MLA Gurpreet Bassi Gogi, who died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in January. The incident left a vacuum in the constituency, and now, the ruling AAP is keen to retain the seat amid slipping momentum post its defeat in Delhi.

The party has fielded Sanjeev Arora, hoping to rally support. The BJP is contesting with Jeewan Gupta, while Congress has put forward veteran leader Bharat Bhushan Ashu. The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) is also in the fray, represented by Parupkar Singh Ghuman.

With four strong candidates, the Ludhiana West seat promises a tightly contested race that could signal shifts in Punjab’s political currents.

Why These Bypolls Matter

Though scattered across states, these bypolls have larger implications. For the BJP, they’re an opportunity to reinforce dominance and regain lost ground. For the INDIA alliance, the contests offer a chance to test their post-general election strategy and prove their resilience.