Polling is already in progress in 6 by-elections in Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Puducherry and Assam and their results are receiving much attention, especially in terms of their significance for regional politics. Initial results have put Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) ahead in two constituencies in Tamil Nadu and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead in two constituencies in West Bengal and the Nagaon Lok Sabha seat in Assam.
In Tamil Nadu, TVK with C Joseph Vijay as chief minister, was in lead in Madurantakam and Dharapuram. The bypolls are being watched as a frist test of support of Vijay and his party on the day the government was formed.
The contests were important because TVK became an important political party in the state. The outcome of the battle is also being keenly awaited by AIADMK and DMK as they gauge their fortunes against the ruling party.
In West Bengal the BJP was on the winning side in the first counting trends in Nandigram and Rejinagar. The results are being watched in the backdrop of evolving political dynamic and the rivalry with regional parties with BJP.
The reports state that the BJP candidate was leading in the Nagaon Lok Sabha by-election where the BJP, Congress and All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) of the Nagas are participating.
The first came from All India N.R. Congress candidate Ashok Anand who retained the Thattanchavady Assembly seat in Puducherry by defeating Congress candidate E Vinayagam. His victory was reported as being 8,500 votes or so.
The victor in the remaining matches will decide results of all the events and provide greater clarity about political popularity within the four regions.