In a significant political development, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has secured a notable victory in the Visavadar Assembly bypoll in Gujarat. This win marks the party’s first major electoral success since its defeat to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the Delhi Assembly elections earlier this year.
Visavadar had been a crucial seat for AAP, initially won in the 2022 state elections by Bhupendra Bhayani. However, Bhayani switched allegiance to the BJP shortly after his victory, leading to a bypoll after his resignation. The BJP fielded Kirit Patel, a candidate with ties to the 2015 Patidar agitation, hoping to capture a seat the party hadn’t held since 2007.
Despite BJP’s efforts, AAP’s Gopal Italia won decisively by a margin exceeding 17,500 votes. State party chief Isudan Gadhvi expressed confidence, predicting a strong showing for AAP in the 2027 elections, emphasizing that AAP is emerging as the main contender capable of challenging BJP’s dominance in Gujarat.
Kerala’s Nilambur Seat: Congress Regains a Vital Constituency
In Kerala, the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) has reclaimed the Nilambur Assembly seat. Aryadan Shoukath, son of veteran politician Aryadan Mohd, defeated the CPI(M) candidate M Swaraj by over 11,000 votes. This seat was previously held by independent legislator PV Anvar, who recently merged his party with the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and now leads TMC’s Kerala unit.
This victory serves as a morale booster for Congress ahead of Kerala’s full assembly elections next year. Notably, Nilambur is part of the Wayanad parliamentary constituency, represented by Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi, adding strategic value to the win.
Trinamool Congress Retains Kaliganj Seat in West Bengal
West Bengal’s ruling Trinamool Congress is poised to maintain its hold on the Kaliganj Assembly seat. Alifa Ahmed, daughter of the late two-time MLA Nasiruddin Ahmed, led comfortably over BJP’s Ashish Ghosh by more than 50,000 votes, virtually ensuring victory.
Kaliganj, which has a Muslim population of about 54%, holds significant importance for the upcoming state elections in 2026. The seat became vacant following the death of Nasiruddin Ahmed, and retaining it is crucial for Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s party in maintaining its regional strength.
Ludhiana West: AAP Strengthens Its Position in Punjab
In Punjab, the AAP successfully defended the Ludhiana West Assembly seat, with candidate Sanjay Arora beating Congress’s Bharat Ashu by over 10,000 votes. AAP leaders Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia actively campaigned, underscoring the party’s commitment to holding power in the state.
The seat was vacant after the passing of the previous AAP MLA, Gurpreet Gogi, in January. This win highlights the ongoing competition between AAP and Congress, despite both parties being part of the broader INDIA alliance on the national stage.
BJP Holds Strong in Gujarat’s Kadi Bypoll
The BJP retained its grip on the Kadi Assembly seat in Gujarat with Rajendra Chavda defeating Congress’s Ramesh Chavda by nearly 40,000 votes. The party has maintained control here since 2017, reinforcing its dominance in the region.
Looking Ahead
These bypoll results signal shifting dynamics in several key states. AAP’s resurgence in Gujarat and Punjab hints at a growing challenge to BJP’s hold, while Congress’s gains in Kerala provide hope for a stronger comeback. West Bengal’s Trinamool Congress also appears well-positioned for the next assembly contest. As political battles intensify ahead of major elections, parties will be closely watching these results for cues on voter sentiment and strategy.