Did Trinamool and Congress Gain Vote Swings in Bengal By-Polls?
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Synopsis
The recent by-poll results for Kaliganj Assembly in West Bengal show a remarkable shift in voter sentiment. With Trinamool Congress and Congress candidates experiencing positive vote swings, while the BJP faced a decline, the political landscape is changing. Discover the implications of these results on the upcoming elections.
Key Takeaways
- Trinamool Congress candidate Alifa Ahmed won by over 50,000 votes.
- Positive vote swings for both Ahmed and Congress's Kabil Uddin Shaikh.
- BJP candidate Ashish Ghosh faced a negative swing.
- Kaliganj's electorate is 60 percent Muslim.
- Potential implications for future elections.
Kolkata, June 23 (NationPress) The recent by-election results for the Kaliganj Assembly constituency in Nadia district, West Bengal, revealed a significant victory for Trinamool Congress candidate Alifa Ahmed, who won by over 50,000 votes. The data indicates that both Ahmed and the Left Front-supported Congress candidate Kabil Uddin Shaikh experienced positive vote swings compared to the 2021 state assembly elections.
In contrast, BJP candidate Ashish Ghosh faced a negative vote swing despite finishing second.
Analysis of the Kaliganj results from 2021 to 2025 shows that Trinamool Congress achieved a 1.8 percentage point positive swing in the by-election. Alifa Ahmed garnered 55.15 percent of the total votes, an increase from 53.35 percent secured by her late father, former legislator Nasiruddin Ahmed, in 2021.
The Left Front-backed Congress, while finishing in a distant third, saw a positive swing of 3.23 percentage points, with Kabil Uddin Shaikh receiving 15.21 percent of the votes compared to 11.98 percent for the previous Congress candidate Abul Kashem.
Despite being in second place, BJP’s Ashish Ghosh experienced a 2.62 percentage point negative swing from 2021, securing 28.29 percent of the votes, down from 30.91 percent achieved by his predecessor Abhijit Ghosh.
The Kaliganj constituency is predominantly minority, with Muslim voters making up nearly 60 percent of the electorate.
Point of View
It's crucial to note that the recent by-poll results in West Bengal indicate a shifting political alignment. The positive vote swings for the Trinamool Congress and Congress signal a potential resurgence for these parties, while the BJP's decline raises questions about their strategy moving forward. Staying informed and understanding these dynamics is essential for comprehending the evolving political landscape.
NationPress
23/06/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What were the key results of the Kaliganj by-poll?
The Kaliganj by-poll resulted in a significant victory for Trinamool Congress candidate Alifa Ahmed, who won by over 50,000 votes. Both Ahmed and Congress candidate Kabil Uddin Shaikh experienced positive vote swings compared to the 2021 elections.
How did the BJP perform in the Kaliganj by-poll?
BJP candidate Ashish Ghosh finished in second place but experienced a negative vote swing of 2.62 percentage points compared to the previous election, receiving 28.29 percent of the votes.
What demographic factors influenced the Kaliganj election results?
Kaliganj is a minority-dominated constituency, with Muslim voters constituting nearly 60 percent of the total electorate, which may have influenced the voting patterns.
