Voting for by-elections across 13 assembly constituencies in seven states commenced at 7 am on Wednesday. These bypolls mark the first electoral activity following the Lok Sabha elections, crucially impacting seasoned politicians and newcomers, such as Kamlesh Thakur, wife of Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu.

The constituencies involved span Raiganj, Ranaghat Dakshin, Bagda, and Maniktala in West Bengal; Badrinath and Manglaur in Uttarakhand; Jalandhar West in Punjab; Dehra, Hamirpur, and Nalagarh in Himachal Pradesh; Rupauli in Bihar; Vikravandi in Tamil Nadu; and Amarwara in Madhya Pradesh. These bypolls are necessitated by vacancies due to incumbent deaths or resignations.

Key Highlights of the By-elections:

Himachal Pradesh: The Congress has nominated Kamlesh Thakur, spouse of CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu.

Punjab (Jalandhar West): Chief Minister Bhagwat Mann is actively supporting AAP candidate Mohinder Bhagat.

West Bengal: Following defections from BJP to Trinamool Congress, TMC's Krishna Kalyani and Mukut Mani Adhikhari will contest from Raiganj and Ranaghat Dakshin.

Uttarakhand: Rajendra Bhandari, a former Congress MLA now with BJP, contests against Congress' Lakhpat Butola in Badrinath. In Manglaur, Congress fields Qazi Nizamuddin against BJP's Kartar Singh Bhadana.

Tamil Nadu: AIADMK has decided to boycott Vikravandi polls, citing electoral fairness concerns.

Bihar: RJD and JD(U) are competing in Rupauli, with candidates from the Gangota community.

Madhya Pradesh: BJP's Kamlesh Shah challenges Congress veteran Kamal Nath's stronghold, while Congress nominates Dheeran Shah Invati in tribal-dominated Amarwara.

These by-elections are pivotal across West Bengal, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, and Madhya Pradesh, showcasing diverse electoral dynamics and political strategies.