The recent bypoll elections for 13 assembly seats across seven states concluded with a significant victory for the INDIA bloc, which secured the majority of the seats.
The voting took place on July 10 in states such as Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, and Himachal Pradesh.
The INDIA bloc, which includes the Congress, Trinamool Congress (TMC), Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), fielded candidates in the bypolls and collectively won 10 seats. The Congress and TMC each secured four seats, while the DMK and AAP won one seat each.
On the other hand, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) managed to win only two seats. In a notable result from Bihar, an independent candidate, Shankar Singh, achieved an unexpected victory over JD(U)'s Kaladhar Prasad Mandal.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said, "The results of the by-elections in 7 states have made it clear that the web of 'fear and confusion' woven by the BJP has been broken. Every class including farmers, youth, laborers, businessmen and employed people want to completely destroy dictatorship and establish the rule of justice. The public is now completely standing with INDIA for the betterment of their lives and protection of the Constitution. Hail India, Hail Constitution,” in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also shared a post on X after the result. She posted, "The people of the country have given their support to the INDIA alliance in the by-elections held on 13 seats in seven states. The people of Devbhumi Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand have expressed their trust in Congress. Many congratulations to all the winning candidates of Congress and India. The people of the country have understood that politics that misleads people 100 years back and 100 years ahead will not do any good to the country. The people want positive politics that improves the present and prepares a clear blueprint for a bright future. We are committed to the needs and aspirations of young India."
In an interview with ANI, P Chidambaram said that the by-elections indicate that the 'mood' of the people is against the BJP.
"The by-elections show that the mood of the people is against the BJP. But where the structure of the Congress party is weak, I'm afraid that the 'mood' alone would not help. We have to work in states where the structure of the party is weak," he said.
"But by and large, the wind is behind the sails of the INDIA bloc," he added.
The results highlight the INDIA Bloc's strong performance in these bypolls, showcasing their ability to rally support across multiple states.
The BJP, despite being a major national party, had a less favorable outcome, securing only a couple of the contested seats.
