As vote counting progressed on Monday for assembly bypolls held across five states, NCP leader and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar surged ahead in the high-profile Baramati constituency, securing a commanding margin of over 36,000 votes.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) began counting votes from 8 am for seven assembly seats in Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Nagaland, and Tripura. These bypolls were necessitated by vacancies arising from the deaths of sitting legislators. Alongside these results, the ECI was also set to declare outcomes for full assembly elections in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam, and Puducherry.
In Baramati, Sunetra Pawar stepped in following the passing of her husband, Ajit Pawar. Her lead strengthened significantly as counting advanced, with expectations of a decisive victory after the Congress withdrew its candidate as a mark of respect. Voter turnout in Baramati stood at 58.17 per cent.
Trends indicated strong performance by the BJP in five seats. As per the latest ECI updates, the party led in Umreth (Gujarat), Davanagere South (Karnataka), Rahuri (Maharashtra), Koridang (ST) in Nagaland, and Dharmanagar in Tripura. Congress candidate Umesh Hullappa Meti maintained a lead in Karnataka’s Bagalkot.
The seven constituencies included: Umreth in Gujarat (vacated by the death of Govindbhai Raijibhai Parmar); Bagalkot and Davanagere South in Karnataka (following the deaths of HY Meti and Shamanur Shivashankarappa); Rahuri and Baramati in Maharashtra (after Shivaji Bhanudas Kardile and Ajit Pawar passed away); Koridang (ST) in Nagaland (vacated by Imkong L Imchen); and Dharmanagar in Tripura (following Biswa Bandhu Sen’s death).
ALSO READ : BJP Leads Early in West Bengal and Assam Election results
Voter turnout varied across seats: Tripura’s Dharmanagar recorded the highest at 80.04 per cent, followed by Nagaland’s Koridang at 82.21 per cent. Lower participation was noted in Maharashtra’s Rahuri (55.89 per cent) and Gujarat’s Umreth (59.04 per cent).
A planned bypoll in Goa’s Ponda seat was cancelled by the Bombay High Court a day before polling, citing violations of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
Results for the bypolls were expected to be finalized by evening as counting continued. For comprehensive updates on both bypoll and state assembly election outcomes, readers can follow ongoing coverage on hindustantimes.com.