High-Stakes By-Elections: Vote Counting Commences in Five Key Constituencies

The eagerly anticipated vote counting for the high-stakes assembly by-elections in five constituencies is currently underway. Among these seats, Nilambur in Kerala, Ludhiana West in Punjab, Kaliganj in West Bengal, and Visavadar and Kadi in Gujarat are all focused on as political parties vie for control. Results are expected to be declared today.

In Ludhiana, security measures have been significantly bolstered outside the counting center at Khalsa College for Women. This election was prompted by the untimely death of AAP MLA Gurpreet Gogi. Rajya Sabha MP Sanjeev Arora represents AAP, while BJP's Jiwan Gupta and Congress's Bharat Bhushan Ashu join the fray. The local police force deployed around 450 officers to ensure a smooth counting process.

Similarly, Gujarat's Kadi constituency witnesses the initial counting of postal ballots, following the death of MLA Karsanbhai Punjabhai Solanki. The BJP, Congress, and AAP are represented by Rajendra Chavda, Ramesh Chavda, and Jagdish Chavda, respectively. The by-election in the Nilambur seat arose due to PV Anvar's departure from LDF, while in Kaliganj, the election followed TMC leader Nasiruddin Ahmed's passing. Visavadar's by-election follows Bhayani Bhupendrabhai Gandubhai's resignation.

(With inputs from agencies.)