KKN Gurugram Desk | The counting of votes for the much-anticipated 2025 Assembly Bypolls is underway across five seats in four states. Voting took place on June 19, and the outcomes of these contests hold significant political weight, especially for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which is eyeing a broader national footprint.

The five assembly seats in question are:

• Ludhiana West (Punjab)

• Kaliaganj (West Bengal)

• Nilambur (Kerala)

• Visavadar and Kadi (Gujarat)

As of now, early trends show BJP leading in Gujarat, AAP maintaining a strong lead in Punjab, and Congress performing well in Kerala.

Why These Bypolls Matter

These bypolls were necessitated due to a combination of sitting MLAs’ deaths and resignations. With political equations shifting ahead of the 2026 General Elections, these five seats offer insight into regional momentum, public sentiment, and party-level performance.

 LIVE Bypoll Result Updates – June 23, 2025

 Gujarat: BJP Shows Early Lead on Both Seats

 Kadi Assembly Seat

BJP’s Rajendra Chhabra is currently leading on the Kadi seat. The party appears to be holding its traditional ground here, with Congress’ Ramesh Chhabra trailing and AAP’s Jagdish Chhabra in third place.

 Visavadar Assembly Seat

In a surprising turn during early rounds, AAP candidate Italia Goyal led the count by over 7,000 votes. However, the BJP is closing the gap with candidate Kirti Patel now gaining traction. A tight finish is expected.

Punjab: AAP Dominates in Ludhiana West

Ludhiana West is being closely watched as a political litmus test for AAP in Punjab. The party fielded Rajya Sabha MP Sanjeev Arora, a high-profile candidate.

• Arora is currently leading by more than 8,000 votes.

• Congress candidate Bharat Bhushan Ashu has slipped to third position.

• BJP’s Jeevan Gupta is now in second place.

This seat saw a four-way battle involving AAP, Congress, BJP, and Shiromani Akali Dal, which fielded Parupkar Singh Ghumman.

Security in Ludhiana has been tightened, with counting taking place at Khalsa College under a three-tier police cordon and 450 personnel deployed.

 Kerala: Congress Leads in Nilambur

The Nilambur Assembly seat in Kerala is witnessing a close contest, with Congress candidate taking the lead. The Communist Party of India (Marxist), CPI(M), is holding second place.

Given Kerala’s nuanced political atmosphere, the outcome here will reflect ongoing shifts in Left vs Congress dynamics.

 West Bengal: Tight Security During Kaliaganj Count

At Kaliaganj in West Bengal, vote counting is happening under heavy security due to the state’s volatile poll history. Though official numbers haven’t been released yet, early indications suggest a close contest.

All eyes are on whether TMC retains its influence or faces pressure from BJP and Congress in a region known for swing votes.

 How Did These Seats Fall Vacant?

• Ludhiana West (Punjab): Vacancy due to the demise of the sitting MLA.

• Visavadar & Kadi (Gujarat): One due to resignation, the other due to the MLA’s death.

• Nilambur (Kerala): Seat vacated after the MLA stepped down citing personal reasons.

• Kaliaganj (West Bengal): Left vacant following the death of the previous legislator.

 Spotlight: Ludhiana West Becomes AAP’s Prestige Battle

Among all five constituencies, Ludhiana West is the most politically high-stakes for AAP. By fielding a sitting MP (Sanjeev Arora) in a state where it already governs, AAP hopes to send a national message about its popularity and electability.

 Candidates React: BJP’s Jeevan Gupta Seeks Divine Blessings

BJP’s Ludhiana candidate Jeevan Gupta expressed confidence early in the day:

“I begin every important day with Lord Shiva’s blessings. I pray for the development and golden future of Punjab.”

Gupta’s performance, even if not leading, reflects BJP’s growing presence in urban Punjab, traditionally a Congress-Akali stronghold.

Election Commission Process and Security

Counting began at 8:00 AM IST across all constituencies. Each counting center is being closely monitored with CCTV surveillance, observer presence, and tight security arrangements, particularly in politically sensitive areas like Ludhiana and Kaliaganj.

As counting continues, the early trends indicate a mixed bag for all major national parties:

• BJP is showing strong resilience in Gujarat, its traditional stronghold.

• AAP continues to assert dominance in Punjab, reaffirming its state-level popularity.

• Congress seems to have retained a foothold in Kerala, a crucial front in its revival plan.

• The situation in West Bengal remains tense but undecided, likely influencing how parties position themselves before 2026.

These five bypolls, though small in number, offer a strategic glimpse into India’s evolving regional voter behavior, and may well influence alliance-making, campaign narratives, and 2026 Lok Sabha preparations.