New Delhi, Nov 14 (UNI) Counting of votes is also underway for the bypolls held across seven states, covering two seats in Jammu & Kashmir and one each in Punjab, Telangana, Odisha, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, and Mizoram. Jammu & Kashmir.
In Budgam, the bypoll was necessitated after Chief Minister Omar Abdullah vacated the seat, choosing to retain Ganderbal, which he also won in the 2024 Assembly elections. The main contest is between Aga Syed Mehmood of the ruling National Conference (NC) and Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), led by Mehbooba Mufti.
In Nagrota, the seat fell vacant following the death of BJP MLA Devender Singh Rana, who passed away just weeks after taking oath. The contest here is between Devyani Rana of the BJP, Shamim Begum of the National Conference, and Harsh Dev Singh of the J&K National Panthers Party. The Congress candidate withdrew in favour of Shamim Begum.
A triangular contest unfolded in Punjab’s Tarn Taran, where AAP is aiming to retain the seat held by its late MLA Kashmir Singh Sohal. AAP has fielded Harmeet Singh Sandhu, a three-time MLA who joined the party in July. He faces Karanbir Singh Burj of the Congress, the district unit committee chief, and Sukhwinder Kaur Randhawa of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), a retired school principal and wife of a “Dharmi Fauji.”
In Rajasthan’s Anta constituency (Baran district), the bypoll was held after BJP MLA Kanwar Lal Meena was disqualified following his conviction in a 2005 case. Over 80 pc of the 2.28 lakh voters cast their ballots in the Anta Assembly by-election in Rajasthan’s Baran district on November 11.
Fifteen candidates contested the election, with the race turning triangular after Congress rebel Naresh Meena entered as an Independent.
Congress candidate and former Minister Pramod Jain faced a stiff challenge from BJP’s Morpal Suman, Pradhan of the Baran panchayat samiti, fielded as the party’s local face. Jain, an influential leader in south-eastern Rajasthan’s Hadoti region, has been Congress’s candidate in every election since the seat was created in 2008.
The Ghatshila constituency in Jharkhand saw a high-profile contest between Babulal Soren, son of former BJP Chief Minister Champai Soren, and Somesh Chandra Soren of the Mahagathbandhan.
In Odisha’s Nuapada, the seat fell vacant after the death of senior BJD MLA Rajendra Dholakia. The BJP has fielded his son Jay Dholakia, who is up against Snehangini Chhuria, the women’s wing chief of the BJD, and veteran tribal Congress leader Ghasiram Majhi. Telangana
The Jubilee Hills seat witnessed an intense contest between Naveen Yadav of the Congress, a prominent Backward Classes leader, and Sunitha of the BRS, widow of former MLA Gopinath. The BJP is represented by Lankala Deepak Reddy.
The counting of votes for the Jubilee Hills Assembly by-election is underway at the Kotla Vijaya Bhaskar Reddy Indoor Stadium in Yousufguda. District Election Officer and GHMC Commissioner R.V. Karnan said that all arrangements are in place and that only authorised personnel will be permitted inside the counting centre.
Karnan said the process will begin with postal ballots, followed by votes recorded in Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). Votes from 407 polling stations will be counted in 10 rounds.
A total of 58 candidates, excluding NOTA, were in the fray. To speed up the process, the Election Commission has approved 42 counting tables, compared to the usual 14. A total of 1,94,631 votes were cast, reflecting a 48.49% voter turnout.
For smooth conduct of counting, 186 officials, including supervisors, assistants, and micro-observers—have been deployed, with the Returning Officer supervising the entire process.
In Mizoram’s Dampa, a four-cornered contest drew significant attention. The candidates are Lalhmingthanga Sailo (BJP), John Rotluangliana (Congress), former state minister R Lalthangliana (MNF), and Vanlalsailova (Zoram People’s Movement). The bypoll was held following the death of MNF MLA Lalrintluanga Sailo in July.
