Local equations, organisational strength and vote division may shape the direction of the contests
New Delhi, September 22. (SDNA) Political activity has intensified ahead of the by-elections to various Assembly and Lok Sabha constituencies across the country. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), along with the Congress, Trinamool Congress, Left parties and other political organisations, has stepped up preparations for the polls. The by-elections are being viewed not merely as a process to fill vacant seats, but also as a test of the organisational strength, local support base and electoral strategies of political parties in the respective constituencies.
The Election Commission has announced by-elections to five Assembly constituencies, including Nandigram and Rejinagar in West Bengal, as well as the Nagaon Lok Sabha constituency in Assam. Polling in these constituencies will be held on October 6, while counting of votes will take place on October 9.
Political Equations Shift in Nandigram
The Nandigram Assembly constituency in West Bengal has emerged as one of the most closely watched contests in the bypolls. The seat fell vacant after Suvendu Adhikari, who had won from two Assembly constituencies, resigned from Nandigram. In the 2026 Assembly elections, Adhikari had won from both Nandigram and Bhabanipur before relinquishing the Nandigram seat.
The BJP has fielded Hasirani Rath from Nandigram, while the Congress has nominated Milan Pradhan. The Trinamool Congress faction led by Mamata Banerjee has withdrawn its candidate and announced support for the Congress nominee. However, another Trinamool faction has retained its candidate. The Left parties have also fielded a candidate, making the contest multi-cornered.
The Nandigram bypoll came under further discussion after Congress candidate Milan Pradhan was arrested in connection with old cases related to the 2007 Nandigram movement. Following his remand in judicial custody, the Congress raised questions over the timing of the action. The police and other parties associated with the legal process have presented their respective positions. The matter is currently under judicial consideration.
Multi-Cornered Contest in Rejinagar
The Rejinagar Assembly constituency is also witnessing a contest involving several political parties and groups. The seat fell vacant after Humayun Kabir, the chief of the Aam Janata Unnayan Party, won from two constituencies and subsequently relinquished one of the seats.
The BJP has fielded Shashwar Sarkar from Rejinagar. Candidates from the Congress, Left parties, different Trinamool factions and the Aam Janata Unnayan Party are also in the fray.
Trinamool Congress candidate Rabiul Alam Chowdhury, from the Mamata Banerjee faction, had at one point announced his decision to withdraw from the contest. However, within a few hours, he decided to continue the electoral battle. The development has added another layer to the political equations in the constituency.
Trinamool’s Internal Dispute Also in Focus
An important feature of the two West Bengal bypolls is the organisational dispute within the Trinamool Congress. Amid competing claims by the two factions over the party’s name and traditional election symbol, the Election Commission has intervened and allotted separate names and election symbols to the factions. This has made the issue of electoral identity and organisational claims significant for voters.
The decision by one Trinamool faction to support the Congress candidate in Nandigram has altered the opposition’s electoral calculations. However, with candidates from different parties and factions still in the fray, the extent to which votes will actually transfer between them will become clear only after the election results.
BJP Faces Test of Organisation and Local Equations
By fielding candidates in both Nandigram and Rejinagar, the BJP has sought to consolidate its organisational base in the constituencies. In Nandigram, Suvendu Adhikari’s political presence and the BJP’s support base in the region are being closely watched. In Rejinagar, the party faces the challenge of strengthening its organisational position in a multi-cornered contest.
However, in a by-election, state- or national-level popularity alone does not determine the outcome. Booth-level organisation, local leadership, acceptability of candidates and direct engagement with voters can also play an important role.
Local Issues Versus Broader Political Messaging
In by-elections, local issues often assume greater importance alongside national political questions. Roads, employment, education, healthcare, law and order, development works and implementation of government schemes could feature prominently in discussions among voters.
The personal image and political background of candidates may also influence the electoral environment. In a multi-cornered contest, division of votes among different parties can become an important factor affecting the result. However, the actual voter trend and its electoral impact will become clear only after polling and counting.
Bypolls to Offer Signals of Local Public Opinion
The results of these by-elections should not be treated as a direct representation of political public opinion across the country. Social equations, local issues, candidates and political circumstances differ from one constituency to another. Therefore, the results would be better assessed in the context of the respective constituencies.
Nevertheless, by-elections in constituencies such as Nandigram and Rejinagar are significant for political parties at several levels. For the BJP, they represent a test of organisational reach and local political support. For the Congress, Left parties and different Trinamool factions, the challenge lies in strengthening their respective support bases and organisational structures.
In the next phase of campaigning, candidates and political parties are likely to focus on local issues, organisational strength and outreach to voters. Only after polling on October 6 and counting on October 9 will it become clear how voters responded to the local issues, candidates and political equations in these constituencies.
(SDNA)