INDIA Bloc Surges: Opposition Scores Big in Bypolls with Victory in 10 of 13 Seats, BJP bags 2

The INDIA Bloc has asserted its dominance in the latest round of by-polls, securing victory in 10 out of 13 assembly seats across seven states. These results, announced by the Election Commission following voting on July 10, underscore a significant resurgence for the opposition coalition after a closely contested battle with the ruling BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the recent Lok Sabha elections.

Trinamool Congress dominated in West Bengal by winning all four seats. Meanwhile, in Himachal Pradesh, the Congress secured two out of three seats. The BJP managed to retain one seat in Hamirpur, while the AAP secured a victory in Punjab's Jalandhar West, while an independent candidate emerged victorious in Bihar's Rupauli.

Punjab

In Punjab's Jalandhar West constituency, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate Mohinder Bhagat emerged victorious, defeating BJP's Sheetal Angural by a substantial margin of 37,325 votes.

Himachal Pradesh

In Himachal Pradesh's Dehra constituency, Congress candidate Kamlesh Thakur secured a significant victory with a margin of 9,399 votes over BJP's Hoshyar Singh. Similarly, in the Hamirpur seat, BJP's Ashish Sharma prevailed over Congress's Dr. Pushpinder Verma by a narrow margin of 1,571 votes. In Nalagarh, Congress candidate Hardeep Singh Bawa won against BJP's KL Thakur by 8,990 votes.

Madhya Pradesh

In Madhya Pradesh's Amarwara constituency, BJP's Kamlesh Pratap Shah emerged victorious, defeating Congress's Dheeran Sah Sukharam Das by 3,027 votes.

West Bengal

West Bengal witnessed decisive victories for the Trinamool Congress (TMC) across multiple constituencies. In Ranaghat Dakshin, TMC's Mukut Mani Adhikari won by a commanding margin of 39,048 votes over BJP's Manoj Kumar Biswas. Similarly, in Maniktala, TMC's Supti Pandey defeated BJP's Kalyan Chaubey by a massive margin of 62,312 votes. TMC's Krishna Kalyani secured Raiganj with a lead of 50,077 votes over BJP's Manas Kumar Ghosh, while Madhuparna Thakur won Bagda with a margin of 33,455 votes against BJP's Binay Kumar Biswas.

Uttarakhand

In Uttarakhand's Badrinath constituency, Congress's Lakhapat Singh Butola emerged victorious over BJP's Rajendra Singh Bhandari with a margin of 5,224 votes. In Manglaur, Congress's Qazi Mohammad Nizamuddin won by a narrow margin of 422 votes against BJP's Kartar Singh Bhadana, showcasing a closely contested race in the hill state.

Bihar

In Bihar's Rupauli constituency, independent candidate Shankar Singh secured a notable victory by defeating Janata Dal (United)'s Kaladhar Prasad Mandal by 8,246 votes.

Tamil Nadu

In Tamil Nadu's Vikravandi constituency, DMK candidate Anniyur Siva clinched victory with an impressive margin of 67,757 votes over PMK candidate Anbumani C.

The INDIA bloc's electoral success in winning 10 out of 13 seats in the bypolls was hailed by various leaders within the Opposition Coalition.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed gratitude to voters for the Trinamool Congress's victory in all four seats contested in the state's by-polls. "Three out of four seats were of BJP which have now been won by TMC... This victory is the victory of the people and I thank the people, we will dedicate this victory on July 21st," said the Trinamool Congress Supremo.

Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi stated that the Opposition Bloc's victory in the by-polls signifies the unraveling of the BJP's strategy of fear and confusion. "The results of the by-elections in 7 states have made it clear that the web of 'fear and confusion' woven by the BJP has been broken. Every class including farmers, youth labourers, businessmen and employed people wants to completely destroy dictatorship and establish the rule of justice. The public is now completely standing with INDIA for the betterment of their lives and protection of the Constitution Hail India, Hail Constitution," said the Leaders of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha.

"We bow before the public for the positive result of the assembly by-election. My heartfelt thanks and gratitude to them for wherever they voted for the Congress Party candidates. We salute all Congress workers for their hard work and efforts in adverse circumstances. This victory shows that the people have how completely rejected the arrogance misgovernance and negative politics of the BJP. This is also a strong evidence of the falling political credibility of Modi and Shah. Jai Hind, Jai Constitution," said Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge thanking the electorate for the positive response to the party in the bypolls.

Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra took to social media to highlight the significance of the growing sentiment among the public that challenges the BJP-led government's policies and leadership. "So @AITCofficial wins 4/4 assembly by-polls in Bengal while INDIA wins 10/13 nationally. @BJP4India & its Agency Raj continues its losing streak. People are saying Tumse na ho payega @narendramodi," said the Krishnanagar MP.

The by-polls took place on July 10 across four constituencies in West Bengal, three in Himachal Pradesh, two in Uttarakhand, and one each in Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, and Tamil Nadu. These by-polls marked the first electoral test since the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, where the BJP secured 240 seats, falling 32 short of a majority.