Polling began on today across six constituencies in Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Assam and Puducherry, setting the stage for closely watched by-elections that could offer an early reading of changing political preferences.
The contests include five Assembly seats and one Lok Sabha constituency. Voting is taking place in Nandigram and Rejinagar in West Bengal, Madurantakam and Dharapuram in Tamil Nadu, Thattanchavady in Puducherry and Nagaon in Assam. Counting of votes is scheduled for October 9.
While the results will not significantly alter the balance of power in Parliament or the state Assemblies, the bypolls have gained political importance because several parties are treating them as tests of their recent electoral performance.
The BJP faces an important challenge in West Bengal, while Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) is looking to establish its electoral strength in Tamil Nadu. Congress is also seeking to protect its position in Assam and compete strongly in other constituencies.
Polling started at 7 am and proceeded amid security arrangements. Voters turned out in sizeable numbers during the initial hours in several constituencies. Nandigram recorded nearly 44% turnout by 11 am, while Rejinagar recorded around 39%. In Assam’s Nagaon Lok Sabha constituency, turnout crossed 38% by the same point.
Tamil Nadu saw a slower morning turnout, with around 16% of voters casting their ballots in Madurantakam and nearly 18% in Dharapuram. Thattanchavady in Puducherry recorded around 19% turnout in the early hours.
The Nandigram contest has attracted the strongest national attention in West Bengal. The constituency has a special place in the state’s political history and played a major role in the rise of the Trinamool Congress more than a decade ago.
The seat became vacant after West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, who won Nandigram in the 2026 Assembly election, decided to retain another constituency. The BJP is now attempting to hold on to the seat.
Nandigram is also politically significant because Adhikari defeated Trinamool Congress chief and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee from the constituency in the 2021 Assembly election. A BJP victory would strengthen the party’s position and give Adhikari an important political boost.
The contest has attracted candidates from multiple parties, including the BJP, Trinamool Congress factions and Congress. The presence of several candidates could make the final result difficult to predict.
Rejinagar is another important West Bengal contest. The constituency has a substantial minority population and is witnessing a multi-cornered contest involving the BJP, Trinamool Congress factions, Congress, CPI(M) and the Aam Janata Unnayan Party.
The BJP is looking to expand its support in the constituency, while opposition parties are attempting to prevent the ruling party from making further gains.
Tamil Nadu’s Madurantakam and Dharapuram bypolls carry a different significance. They represent the first major electoral test for Vijay’s TVK after the party’s rise in state politics.
Both seats became vacant after AIADMK legislators K Maragatham Kumaravel and P Satyabama resigned and joined the TVK. The two former MLAs are contesting the bypolls as TVK candidates.
The TVK is facing the DMK, AIADMK and other parties in both constituencies. The results will provide a clearer picture of whether Vijay’s growing political popularity can be converted into votes and a functioning local-level organisation.
Bypolls can be particularly revealing for new parties because they require more than statewide popularity. Candidates need strong booth-level networks, local workers and sustained voter engagement. A strong TVK performance would strengthen Vijay’s position as a serious political challenger. A poor showing could give established parties an opportunity to question the party’s organisational strength.
The Tamil Nadu contests are also taking place against the backdrop of a growing political confrontation between the DMK and TVK. The two sides have exchanged sharp allegations over the R Veeramani case, with the DMK moving to pursue a ₹1.01 crore defamation case against TVK leaders.
In Puducherry, the Thattanchavady Assembly bypoll is being closely watched as a test for Chief Minister N Rangasamy and the ruling NDA. The seat fell vacant after Rangasamy won from two constituencies and retained the other.
The NDA is facing opposition from Congress and the DMK, making the contest an important measure of the government’s support in the constituency.
Assam’s Nagaon Lok Sabha bypoll is another major contest. The seat became vacant after Congress MP Pradyut Bordoloi resigned and later contested the Dispur Assembly seat as a BJP candidate.
The BJP is seeking to capture Nagaon, while Congress is attempting to retain its hold. The AIUDF is also in the fray, adding another dimension to the contest.
The result could offer an indication of the BJP’s strength in Assam and Congress’s ability to retain support in a constituency where regional and community factors play an important role.
Across the six seats, the contests bring together national parties, established regional players and newer political forces. The BJP is defending its position in West Bengal and seeking gains in Assam, Congress is attempting to remain competitive, and Vijay’s TVK is facing its first significant electoral test in Tamil Nadu.
The October 9 results will therefore be watched beyond the six constituencies. They could provide early signals about voter sentiment, party organisation and the direction of political competition in states where established equations are already changing.
