Today marks a pivotal day in Indian politics as 13 constituencies across seven states are casting their votes in crucial Assembly by-polls. Among them, Himachal Pradesh stands out with three seats up for grabs, including the prestigious Dehra constituency, where Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu’s wife, Kamlesh Thakur, is contesting on a Congress ticket.
In Himachal Pradesh, the by-polls were triggered by the resignation of three independent MLAs who joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), necessitating elections in Dehra, Hamirpur, and Nalagarh. Dehra, situated in Kangra district, is witnessing a fierce electoral battle with five candidates in contention. Apart from Kamlesh Thakur, who has garnered significant attention, the BJP’s Hoshyar Singh and three independent candidates—Sanjay Sharma, Sulekha Devi, and Arun Ankesh Syal—are also in the fray.
The neighbouring constituency of Hamirpur, also a Lok Sabha seat held by BJP MP Anurag Thakur, is witnessing a four-cornered contest. The BJP has fielded Ashish Sharma, while the Congress has pinned its hopes on Dr. Pushpinder Verma. Two independent candidates are also in the race, adding complexity to the electoral dynamics.
In Nalagarh, six candidates are competing for the seat, with Hardeep Singh Bawa representing the Congress and KL Thakur standing for the BJP. Kishori Lal Sharma, from the Swabhiman Party, and three independents are also trying their luck in this fiercely contested poll.
Beyond Himachal Pradesh, several other states are actively participating in today’s by-polls. West Bengal sees contests in constituencies like Maniktala, Ranaghat Dakshin, Bandha, and Raiganj. In Uttarakhand, voters are focusing on constituencies such as Badrinath and Manglaur, while Tamil Nadu’s attention is on Vikravandi. Bihar’s Rupauli and Madhya Pradesh’s Amarwara are also witnessing their respective by-polls.
In Punjab, the spotlight is on Jalandhar West, where voters are deciding the fate of their representative in the state Assembly. Each constituency’s electoral landscape reflects unique local dynamics and political narratives, making today’s polling day a significant event in the democratic process of these states. Polling began early this morning and is scheduled to conclude by 6 PM, with results expected to be closely watched across political circles for potential shifts in power dynamics and electoral strategies. The outcomes of these by-polls are poised to shape the political future of these constituencies and influence broader state-level political scenarios in the coming days.
