Politics

Nandigram Leads Bypoll Turnout at 71.79%, Assam’s Nagaon Nears 70.25% by 3 PM

By Ravik Bhattacharya

Polling in the Nandigram Assembly by‑election in West Bengal recorded the highest voter turnout among constituencies reporting figures by 3 PM, with 71.79 % of registered voters casting ballots, according to the Election Commission. In Puducherry, the Thattanchavady Assembly by‑poll registered a 68.91 % turnout, while the Nagaon Lok Sabha by‑poll in Assam saw nearly 70.25 % of voters exercise their franchise. Tamil Nadu’s Madurantakam and Dharapuram by‑polls reported turnouts of 70.31 % and 68.08 % respectively, both reserved for Scheduled Caste candidates. Polling in West Bengal will continue until 6 PM, and voting in Assam will end at 5 PM. Counting of votes in all constituencies is scheduled for October 9. In Tamil Nadu, the by‑polls in Madurantakam and Dharapuram were triggered by the resignations of former AIADMK MLAs K Maragatham Kumaravel and P Satyabama, who later joined the ruling TVK; both have been re‑nominated from their seats. The DMK and AIADMK are contesting both constituencies. In West Bengal, Nandigram is a closely watched contest, with BJP candidate Hasirani Rath facing Congress nominee Milan Pradhan, rival TMC faction candidate Mohammad Eteshamul Haque and CPI’s Santigopal Giri. Rath is the mother of Chandranath Rath, a former aide of Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari who was killed in May. In Rejinagar, candidates include Golam Nabi Azad of the Aam Janata Unnayan Party, BJP’s Sakharav Sarkar, TMC’s Rabiul Alam Chowdhury, rival TMC candidate Safiuzzaman Sheikh, Congress’ Mohammad Abdullahil Kafi and CPI(M)’s Syed Asad Ali. In Assam, the Nagaon Lok Sabha by‑poll is an important contest for the BJP, Congress and AIUDF. The BJP seeks to increase its support in the Muslim‑majority seat, while Congress aims to hold on to its minority voters. AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal is also trying to regain influence after its Assembly seat count fell from 16 to two in April. Fifteen candidates are contesting, with the main fight expected between BJP’s Devashish Sharma, former Congress MLA Sibamoni Bora and Ajmal. In Puducherry, the by‑poll is seen as a test of the four‑month‑old NDA government led by Chief Minister N Rangasamy, who resigned from the seat. Eleven candidates are contesting, with the main contest expected between the ruling AINRC‑led NDA, the Congress and former ally DMK. The article also reported incidents such as a heavily inebriated voter being turned away by police at a Dharapuram polling station, the arrest of AJUP chief Humayun Kabir after a heated exchange with police in Rejinagar, and various statements and allegations made by candidates and party leaders during the election period.