Ruling Parties Lead Early Trends in Multi-State Indian Bypolls
The BJP and TVK lead early vote counts in by-elections across West Bengal and Tamil Nadu amid allegations of voter intimidation and irregularities.
Vote counting began on October 9, 2026, for six by-elections across West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Assam. Early trends indicate advantages for the ruling parties in most contests, including the Bharatiya Janata Party in West Bengal's Nandigram and Rejinagar seats, and the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam in Tamil Nadu's Madurantakam and Dharapuram constituencies. In Puducherry, the All India NR Congress leads the Thattanchavady contest, while the Nagaon Lok Sabha seat in Assam remains a triangular fight between the BJP, Congress, and AIUDF.
In West Bengal, the by-elections serve as the first electoral test for the BJP since it replaced the Trinamool Congress as the governing power four months ago. The process was marked by tension, including the arrest of Aam Janata Unnayan Party chief Humayun Kabir in Rejinagar. The Indian National Congress has demanded repolling in both West Bengal seats, citing voter intimidation and booth-level irregularities.
In Tamil Nadu, the contests follow defections of AIADMK legislators to the government of Chief Minister Joseph Vijay. Voter turnout was high across the assembly seats, peaking at 86.26% in Madurantakam. Minister K. A. Sengottaiyan predicted a massive victory for the TVK, stating the results would prove the good governance delivered by the Chief Minister.
