The results of the bypolls, considered the mini polls before the main Lok Sabha elections, have given hope and confidence to the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) front that they can take on the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in 2024.
The results are: INDIA 4, NDA 3.
In West Bengal, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) won a seat, which was with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). TMC chief and WB CM Mamata Banerjee and party general secretary Abhishek both termed it “a defeat of the divisive forces".
The TMC posted on X, previously Twitter: “Victory of development over divisive politics! Dhupguri, thank you for showcasing unwavering support. Our victory in the by-elections is a testament to people’s continued faith in our progressive vision. Onwards and upwards."
In Uttar Pradesh, the Samajwadi Party retained its Ghosi seat in Purvanchal with an impressive margin. So did the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) in Jharkhand’s Dumri, and the Congress in Kerala.
The BJP retained two seats in Tripura, and one in Uttarakhand.
These results have given a lease of life to the INDIA front at a time when it’s riddled with differences.
THE TIMING IS RIGHT
The Congress’s tussle with the TMC and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) had given an impression that all is not well in the INDIA front. It had led many to believe that seat-sharing may throw up more differences and the alliance may not last till 2024. The BJP has always taken pot shots at the alliance saying it is a “khichdi" and won’t have the “ability to provide a politically stable government".
Naysayers who may have dismissed the alliance will now be countered by these results, even though the win has largely been in those seats which are anyway considered “safe".
For Banerjee, however, it’s a clear win as the seat was earlier held by the BJP. Given the BJP versus TMC and the governor, this is a win the TMC can flaunt.
As the INDIA front gets ready to meet in the backdrop of the differences within and begin discussion on seat-sharing, it hopes to overcome the fissures of Mumbai meet.
The win in these bypolls can be used to iron out or cover the differences. The BJP has, however, dismissed this as a small shot, telling the INDIA front: “Dilli dur hai."