Bypoll Results 2025: BJP Leads In Gujarat, Congress Ahead In Nilambur, AAP In Ludhiana West

Counting is underway for the by-elections held in five assembly constituencies across four states-Gujarat, Punjab, Kerala, and West Bengal. The results, expected today, are being closely monitored as a barometer for the political climate ahead of the 2026 state elections in Bengal and Kerala. Voting took place on June 19 in two Gujarat seats-Visavadar and Kadi-and one each in Punjab's Ludhiana West, Kerala's Nilambur, and Bengal's Kaliganj.

These bypolls are also being seen as a critical test for both the BJP and the INDIA bloc, especially in politically significant states like Kerala and West Bengal. For AAP, which has been relatively subdued following its defeat in the Delhi Assembly elections, these contests could indicate whether the party retains momentum in Gujarat and Punjab.

Kerala: Congress Leads in Nilambur

In Kerala's Nilambur constituency, the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) is leading with its 2016 candidate Aryadan Shoukath. The contest holds high political stakes for the Congress, particularly for Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, as the constituency falls under the Wayanad Lok Sabha seat she represents. Priyanka had conducted a roadshow in Nilambur ahead of the polls.

The seat was vacated by PV Anvar, a Left-backed independent MLA who resigned after a fallout with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. Anvar, who had secured the seat in 2021 by a slim margin of 2,700 votes, later joined the Trinamool Congress. The ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) has fielded M Swaraj, while the BJP has nominated Advocate Mohan George.

Punjab: AAP Leads in Ludhiana West

In Punjab, Aam Aadmi Party's candidate Sanjeev Arora, a former Rajya Sabha MP and industrialist, is leading in the Ludhiana West constituency. The result is expected to signal whether the AAP government still enjoys public confidence. Congress candidate Bharat Bhushan Ashu is currently trailing in second place, while BJP's Jiwan Gupta is in third.

The seat became vacant after sitting AAP MLA Gurpreet Bassi Gogi died by suicide in January. Keen to hold on to the seat, AAP mobilized its top leadership-Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, and Atishi-who campaigned intensively in the region.

Historically, the Congress has dominated the Ludhiana West seat, winning it six times since 1977. The Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) has held the seat on two occasions.

Gujarat: BJP Leads in Visavadar and Kadi

The BJP has taken the lead in both Visavadar and Kadi assembly seats in Gujarat. In Visavadar, BJP candidate and former district president Kirit Patel is ahead, looking to win a seat the party last held in 2007. Close behind is AAP's Gopal Italia, who gained prominence during the 2015 Patidar agitation. Congress candidate Nitin Ranpariya is trailing in a distant third.

The Visavadar seat was vacated in 2023 after sitting AAP MLA Bhupendra Bhayani resigned and joined the BJP, setting up a triangular contest.

In Kadi, a constituency reserved for Scheduled Caste candidates and located in Mehsana district, the BJP is also in the lead with candidate Rajendra Chavda. The seat had fallen vacant following the death of BJP MLA Karsan Solanki in February. Congress has fielded Ramesh Chavda, a former MLA who won the seat in 2012, while the AAP has nominated Jagdish Chavda.

West Bengal: TMC Leads in Kaliganj

In the Kaliganj constituency of Bengal's Nadia district, Trinamool Congress (TMC) candidate Alifa Ahmed is leading, ahead of Congress's Kabil Uddin Shaaikh. The BJP's Ashish Ghosh is trailing in third place.

The bypoll was held following the death of Alifa's father, Nasiruddin Ahmed, a sitting TMC MLA, in February. Kaliganj is a rural constituency with a 54% Muslim voter population and is seen as a crucial battleground between the Trinamool Congress and the BJP in the run-up to the 2026 Assembly elections.

As the results unfold, all eyes are on how each party performs, particularly in states where political momentum will be critical heading into next year's larger electoral contests.