Sat Nov 23 15:28:20 UTC 2024: ## Priyanka Gandhi Vadra Wins Wayanad By-election by Landslide; BJP Makes Gains Elsewhere

**New Delhi, November 23, 2024** – Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra secured a resounding victory in the Wayanad Lok Sabha by-election in Kerala, defeating her nearest CPI rival by a massive margin of 410,931 votes. Her win, which follows her brother Rahul Gandhi’s resignation from the seat, marks her electoral debut. The by-election saw a significant drop in voter turnout, but this did not affect Gandhi Vadra’s substantial lead. She expressed gratitude to the people of Wayanad and her family, particularly her brother for his support.

Elsewhere, by-election results painted a mixed picture for major political parties across India. The BJP-led NDA swept eight assembly constituencies across three northeastern states (Assam, Meghalaya, and Sikkim), showcasing their strong regional presence. In Assam, the BJP’s victories included Samaguri, a constituency with a substantial minority population, held by Congress for 25 years. In Meghalaya, the NPP, a key NDA constituent, won Gambegre. In Bihar, the NDA also secured victories in all four contested assembly seats.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) celebrated a “semi-final” victory in Punjab, winning three out of four assembly by-elections, bolstering its position in the state after a disappointing Lok Sabha performance. The Congress won one seat.

In Uttar Pradesh, the BJP secured multiple assembly by-election wins. The BJP’s gains came despite strong showings by the Samajwadi Party in some constituencies. Similar trends of BJP wins alongside victories by other parties played out in several other states, including Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Karnataka.

The BJP also gained a Lok Sabha seat from the Congress in Maharashtra after winning the Nanded by-election. This victory increases the BJP’s Lok Sabha tally to 241, while the Congress’s tally is now down to 98.

Several other states saw by-elections, including West Bengal, where the Trinamool Congress secured a clean sweep in six assembly seats. These results show a continuing dominance for the party despite recent protests.

The by-election results offer various interpretations depending on political affiliation, with each major party highlighting their wins and downplaying their losses. The outcome will undoubtedly shape the political landscape in the coming months.

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