Full Breakdown
Upcoming By-Polls Across Four Regions Test New Governments
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Core Election Details
Voting is scheduled for October 6, 2026 for six vacant seats: Nandigram and Rejinagar (West Bengal), Madurantakam and Dharapuram (Tamil Nadu), Thattanchavady (Puducherry), and Nagaon (Assam). The Election Commission will count votes on October 9. All vacancies arose after legislators resigned following the April 2026 elections to retain a different seat or switch parties.
Background of Vacancies
- West Bengal: CM Suvendu Adhikari (BJP) kept Bhabanipur, vacating Nandigram. Humayun Kabir (AJUP) kept Nowda, vacating Rejinagar.
- Tamil Nadu: Former AIADMK MLAs Maragatham Kumaravel (Madurantakam) and P. Sathyabama (Dharapuram) joined TVK and were nominated by CM C. Joseph Vijay.
- Puducherry: CM N. Rangasamy retained Mangalam, leaving Thattanchavady vacant.
- Assam: Congress MP Pradyut Bordoloi resigned, joined BJP and won Dispur, creating a vacancy in Nagaon.
Key Candidates
| Constituency | Major Candidates (party) |
|---|---|
| Nandigram (WB) | Hasirani Rath (BJP) – mother of slain aide; Milan Pradhan (Congress) – TMC backing |
| Rejinagar (WB) | Golam Nabi Azad (AJUP); Sakharav Sarkar (BJP) |
| Madurantakam (TN) | Maragatham Kumaravel (TVK); I. Paranthamen (DMK) |
| Dharapuram (TN) | P. Sathyabama (TVK); S. Suganya (DMK) |
| Thattanchavady (PY) | Ashok Anand (AINRC, NDA); K. Sethu Selvam (DMK) |
| Nagaon (Assam) | Devasish Sharma (BJP); Badruddin Ajmal (AIUDF) |
Timeline
- Sept 16 – Nomination deadline.
- Sept 29 – Calcutta High Court granted interim bail to Milan Pradhan until Oct 21.
- Oct 6 – Voting across all six seats.
- Oct 9 – Counting of votes.
Data & Statistics
- Candidate totals: 27 in Madurantakam, 30 in Dharapuram, 11 in Thattanchavady, 15 in Nagaon.
- Electorate size: Madurantakam – 2,12,639 voters (268 stations); Dharapuram – 2,22,406 voters (282 stations).
- Demographics: ~70 % of Rejinagar voters and >55 % of Nagaon voters belong to minority communities.
- Previous margins: Humayun Kabir won Rejinagar by nearly 59,000 votes in April 2026.
Official Statements & Responses
- Kunal Ghosh, TMC MLA, questioned the timing of Adhikari’s CID allegation.
- C. Joseph Vijay condemned “crude rhetoric” and “body-shaming” remarks he said the DMK made against women.
- Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed confidence of a large victory margin in Nagaon.
Verbatim Quote
- “We did not form an alliance with the Congress and CPI(M). The opposition votes might get divided but the responsibility to protect the polling booths and the right of voters lies with all,” — Kunal Ghosh, TMC MLA
Why It Matters
The by-polls are a mid-term test for the BJP in West Bengal, TVK in Tamil Nadu, and the NDA in Puducherry. For the opposition, retaining seats in Nandigram, Rejinagar and Nagaon is crucial to halt BJP gains.
What’s Next
Vote counting will occur on Oct 9, with results expected by Oct 11. The outcomes will shape the political calculus for the BJP, TVK, NDA and opposition parties ahead of the next general election cycle.