Bypoll Results: Gains & Losses
Editor-in-Chief of indiacommentary.com. Current Affairs analyst and political commentator. Author of Cyber Scams in India, Digital Arrest, The Money Trap and The Human Hack
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By Sunil Garodia
First publised on 2025-06-24 07:35:16
About the Author
Editor-in-Chief of indiacommentary.com. Current Affairs analyst and political commentator. Author of Cyber Scams in India, Digital Arrest, The Money Trap and The Human Hack
View all posts by this Author
In India, by-elections are often dismissed as minor acts, especially if they are for a handful of seats which are not in electorally dominant states like UP, Bihar or Maharashtra. But the results of yesterday's assembly bypolls - spanning Gujarat, Punjab, Kerala, and West Bengal - carry a resonance far beyond the handful of seats contested. They serve as a revealing microcosm of political undercurrents, voter mood, and shifting alliances as we approach a new cycle of state elections. More so when these were the first elections held after the brief skirmish against Pakistan which was expected to shore up the prospects of the ruling BJP. But that did not happen.
The Aam Aadmi Party's victories in Visavadar (Gujarat) and Ludhiana West (Punjab) are perhaps the biggest headline. While its win in Punjab consolidates its ruling position, the result in Visavadar shows people will punish defectors. AAP had won the seat in 2022 but its candidate, Bhupendrabhai Bhayani, had crossed over to the BJP. By voting AAP to victory again, the people have shown that they have zero-tolerance for defectors. Although the loss in Delhi hurt immensely, AAP is quietly building a narrative of national relevance, and this result gives it further momentum.
In Nilambur, Kerala, the Congress won convincingly, wresting the seat from the ruling CPI(M). The victory - led by Aryadan Shoukath - offers a sliver of optimism to a party that has struggled to find electoral traction outside Karnataka and Himachal in recent times. However, for the Congress to turn this into a revival rather than a blip, it must address organizational drift and present a coherent vision to the voter.
The BJP retained Kadi (Gujarat) with a strong margin, reaffirming its core support. Yet, the loss in Visavadar reveals early signs of erosion in areas it once considered unshakeable. The bypolls suggest the party cannot take its dominance for granted, especially in the face of growing regional assertiveness and an electorate increasingly willing to test new waters. Also, its performance in Kerala and Bengal was below par.
In West Bengal's Kaliganj, the Trinamool Congress swept to victory with a massive margin. Yet, celebrations turned into mourning when a bomb blast during the victory procession killed a 13-year-old girl. The win reinforces Mamata Banerjee's grip over Bengal's political landscape. But the tragedy underscores the urgent need for all parties to prioritise safety and civility in public political engagement.
These results, while limited in number, mirror the broader churn in Indian politics. Voters are no longer bound by old loyalties; they are watching, judging, and shifting. Regional players are asserting themselves. National parties are being challenged to stay relevant. And for the voter, performance is outweighing pedigree.
