Bypoll results: Congress-led UDF wins in Kerala, TMC wins in Bengal, AAP and BJP secure one seat each in Gujarat
By-elections to assembly seats in Gujarat, Punjab, West Bengal, and Kerala on Monday delivered mixed results, with AAP gaining ground, TMC set to retain its seat in Bengal, and the Congress-led UDF scoring a key victory in Kerala.
Kerala: UDF snatches Nilambur seat
In a severe blow to the Pinarayi Vijayan-led LDF government in Kerala, the opposition UDF on Monday surged ahead in the Nilambur Assembly by-election and was on the verge of victory as counting neared completion.
UDF candidate Aryadan Shoukath, son of Congress veteran Aryadan Muhammed, secured a lead of 11,077 votes over CPI(M)'s M Swaraj.
The bypoll was widely seen as a mid-term referendum on the LDF government. Independent candidate P V Anvar, the former legislator whose resignation triggered the bypoll, surprised many with his strong performance, securing over 18,000 votes. The BJP candidate, Mohan George, lagged far behind.
Celebrations erupted in Nilambur and across the UDF camp, with Congress leaders hailing the result as a sign of growing public support ahead of the 2026 assembly elections.
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Hindustan Times
27 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Jagan slams CM Naidu over 'restrictions' during Rentapalla visit
Amaravati, YSRCP supremo YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Monday questioned Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on why the TDP-led NDA government allegedly imposed restrictions on his recent visit to Rentapalla to ensure that "people would not turn up." Jagan slams CM Naidu over 'restrictions' during Rentapalla visit On June 18, Reddy visited Rentapalla village in Palnadu district to call on the family members of a party leader who had died by suicide a year ago due to alleged "harassment by TDP leaders and police." Though police gave permission for a limited number of vehicles and only about 100 people for this visit, many vehicles joined Reddy's convoy, and thousands of people swarmed all along the way from Tadepalli to Rentapalla. Further, a YSRCP supporter, C Singayya, allegedly fell under a vehicle and died in that melee at Etuku Cross. Guntur district superintendent of police S Satish initially said that Singayya fell under a private vehicle, but not under Reddy's convoy. However, on Sunday night, he said that Singayya was actually "run over" by the vehicle being used by Reddy, leading to the registration of a police case against Reddy and others. Amidst this backdrop, the former CM questioned if the erstwhile YSRCP government had imposed such restrictions during the visits of Naidu and Janasena chief Pawan Kalyan between 2019 and 2024. 'Chandrababu, why did you impose restrictions on my tour to ensure that nobody would turn up? Did we impose these kinds of restrictions when you and Pawan Kalyan were touring?' Reddy asked in a post on 'X'. Reddy questioned why opposition leaders like him are allegedly being stopped from visiting their party workers and expressing solidarity with farmers and citizens. Though he "followed all the rules" and gave prior information about his visit to the authorities, Reddy alleged that the state failed to provide the necessary security arrangements. Reddy emphasised that Z security for a former chief minister is not a favour but a protocol-based right, adding that just as it applied to Naidu in the past, it should apply to anyone in the future. "Why were there no pilot vehicles or rope parties deployed during my visit, which are part of the standard Z security protocol?" asked the YSRCP chief. If the security arrangements were in place, Reddy questioned, "How could anyone have come under his vehicle," and demanded clarity. "Did the government fail to provide security, or is the claim that someone was run over false?" he asked. Alleging that the government did not provide a bulletproof vehicle, which is mandatory under protocol, Reddy said he arranged one for himself at his own expense. Further, the opposition leader referred to Guntur SP's initial statement on Singayya's incident and demanded to know "why the narrative was later changed and politicised." He accused the ruling coalition of using this tragic incident as a distraction from their governance failures. Observing that he had only held a press conference to expose the alleged "unfulfilled promises, corruption, and financial damage done by the current regime," Reddy alleged that the NDA alliance government has launched diversionary tactics instead of responding with accountability. On learning about Singayya's death, Reddy said he immediately instructed his party leaders to provide help, along with ₹ 10 lakh compensation to the victim's family. He reminded that another supporter had also died due to a heart attack during the same tour, and similar support was extended to that family as well. Reddy asserted that these actions show the value he places on his supporters and questioned Naidu's response in similar situations. He criticised the TDP for allegedly spreading lies and questioned their moral authority to speak about humanity and ethics. Moreover, Reddy called on Naidu to mend his ways, act with responsibility, and "stop using political power to suppress the opposition." Meanwhile, Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha accused Reddy of continuing his tour even after two people had lost their lives. The police had informed YSRCP leaders that the road was only 10 feet wide and that security could be provided for only 100 people, including his convoy and three vehicles, she said. Despite intelligence reports suggesting that the YSRCP was mobilising cadres, police extended maximum security, keeping in mind Reddy's Z status, said the Home Minister. "No one who commits a crime in the state will escape the law under any circumstances," she added. She further alleged that Reddy's supporter in Rentapalla village had died a year ago due to gambling, questioning the need for his visit. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
The Hindu
29 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Kerala film conclave to be held in Thiruvananthapuram in August
The Kerala Film Policy Conclave, organised by the State government as part of the framing of a policy for the Malayalam film industry, will be held in Thiruvananthapuram on August 2 and 3 this year. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate the conclave at a function to be held at the Sankaranarayanan Thampi Hall inside the Legislative Assembly complex here. Minister for Cultural Affairs Saji Cherian will preside over the function. The conclave, which will comprehensively discuss various aspects of cinema, will be attended by representatives of the seventeen states that have formulated the film policy, representatives of the National Film Development Corporation, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the Union Ministry of Culture and Tourism, personalities from the Indian film industry as well as international experts, various film organisations and experts in the fields of labour and law. Comprehensive discussions will be held on various issues related to the film sector. Following the conclave, the government aims to publish the draft of the film policy within a month. The film policy committee has till now held a total of 75 meetings with various stakeholders in the industry as part of efforts at formulating the policy. One of the major issues raised by various stakeholders in the meetings was the lack of formal recognition as an industry, due to which regulations are not in place to govern most of the activities in the Malayalam film industry. Following the discussions, the film policy panel outlined thematic areas regarding issues to be taken care of by the different government departments. The key thematic area will be the one related to gender and working conditions in the industry regarding issues to be handled by the Labour and Women and Child Development departments as well as the Human Rights Commission. These include issues related to casting couch, lack of proper implementation of Internal Committees in film sets, disparity in remuneration, threats against dissenting voices, long working hours, lack of women in technical departments, exploitation by agents and substance abuse.
NDTV
30 minutes ago
- NDTV
From Congress To AAP: A Political Shift In Gujarat's Visavadar
Ahmedabad: Visavadar, a seat long held or closely contested by the Congress, delivered a verdict in the 2025 bypoll by electing Aam Aadmi Party's Gopal Italia, a result which encapsulates the crumbling of old allegiances and the emergence of new political aspirations. With 75,942 votes to his name, Mr Italia defeated BJP's Kirit Patel (58,388 votes) by a decisive margin of 17,554. Congress, which once wielded commanding influence in this agrarian belt of Junagadh district, plummeted to a dismal third with a mere 5,501 votes. It is a reversal of political fortunes few would have predicted a decade ago. Visavadar has historically been a 'Congress country'. From the days of Madhavsinh Solanki's dominance in Gujarat politics to the post-liberalisation electoral churn, Congress maintained a strong presence in Saurashtra through its grassroots workers, its caste alliances, particularly with the Patidar and Koli communities and its image as the party of farmers. In the 2017 and 2022 elections, Visavadar was one of the few seats where Congress remained competitive even as its presence diminished elsewhere in Gujarat. The bypoll was triggered by the defection of AAP MLA Bhupendra Bhayani to the BJP, an act seen by many locals as political betrayal. This left the seat vacant and opened the field for a high-stakes contest. The Congress, weakened by internal strife and a crumbling cadre, fielded a low-key candidate, hoping nostalgia and legacy would carry them through. But the ground had shifted. Instead of flowing back to Congress, the anti-BJP sentiment in the constituency rallied behind Gopal Italia, a leader with credibility, conviction, and connection. Mr Italia's entry into the contest changed the entire dynamic. His political identity, shaped by activism, anti-corruption movements, and his prominent role in the Patidar agitation, gave AAP the kind of leadership Gujarat had been lacking. His appeal extended beyond caste lines, drawing in first-time voters, disenchanted Congress supporters, and farmers fed up with both state and central neglect. For Congress, the defeat is more than electoral; it is existential. The party's vote share in Visavadar has collapsed from nearly 30 per cent in 2022 to under 8 per cent now. This isn't just about one seat. It's about a broader rejection of a party that has failed to offer fresh leadership, build new narratives, or even sustain old ones. The resignation of Gujarat Congress chief Shaktisinh Gohil in the aftermath only highlights the turmoil. AAP, by contrast, ran a meticulously localised campaign. While Delhi's governance model was highlighted, the focus remained on Visavadar's specific issues: dwindling water resources, poor healthcare infrastructure, agricultural distress, and the feeling of political abandonment. Mr Italia's team worked booth-to-booth, speaking in the idiom of the voter, not the Delhi headquarters. The BJP's second-place finish is significant but also telling. Despite their deep pockets and statewide cadre network, they could not capitalise on Congress's collapse. Their bet on Bhayani's defection misfired badly, and the selection of Kirit Patel failed to energise voters. The electorate's message was clear: it will not reward opportunism or take kindly to backroom deals. What Visavadar demonstrates is a changing pulse in Gujarat's rural politics. A constituency once loyal to Congress has not only turned away but has not defaulted to the BJP, a scenario Gujarat has rarely seen in recent years. Instead, it has consciously chosen a third path. For the Aam Aadmi Party, this is more than a symbolic win. It is a confirmation that their brand of issue-driven, personality-backed politics has potential in Gujarat beyond urban fringes. With Gopal Italia now firmly established as the face of this new push, AAP has its first real grassroots icon in the state. It remains to be seen whether they can build on this momentum, but for now, they have what Congress once had in Visavadar, a toehold in the voters' trust. Visavadar's verdict is a turning point. It tells the story of a constituency that once stood with the Congress, turned restless, and now has chosen to invest its faith in a new experiment. Whether that experiment flourishes or flounders will shape not just the future of 'Saurashtra' but potentially of Gujarat's politics itself.
