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**Headline: AAP Stuns BJP in Gujarat Bypoll Upset; Ruling Parties Hold Ground Elsewhere**

**New Delhi:** Results from assembly by-elections in five constituencies across four states – West Bengal, Gujarat, Kerala, and Punjab – were announced today, revealing a mixed bag of outcomes with significant implications for regional and national politics. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) scored a major victory in Gujarat, breaching what was considered a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) stronghold, while ruling parties largely maintained their dominance in other states.

The most significant upset occurred in Gujarat’s Visavadar constituency, where AAP’s Gopal Italia secured a decisive win with 17,554 votes, defeating BJP’s Kirit Patel. This victory is a major morale booster for AAP, particularly after their recent defeat in the Delhi assembly elections. Visavadar was previously considered a safe seat for the BJP.

However, the BJP retained the Kadi seat in Gujarat, with Rajendra Chawda defeating Congress’s Ramesh Chawda by a significant margin of 39,427 votes. The by-election was triggered by the death of the previous BJP MLA.

In Kerala, the Congress party held onto the Nilambur seat. Congress candidate Aryadan Shoukat won by 11,077 votes defeating CPI(M)’s M. Swaraj.

In Punjab, AAP continued its dominance as Sanjeev Arora won the Ludhiana West seat, defeating Congress candidate Bharat Bhushan Ashu by 10,637 votes.

West Bengal saw a predictable outcome, with the Trinamool Congress (TMC) retaining the Kaliaganj seat. TMC’s Alifa Ahmed won by a substantial margin of 49,755 votes, defeating BJP’s Ashish Ghosh. The seat was vacated due to the death of Alifa Ahmed’s father, the previous MLA.

These by-election results are being closely analyzed as a potential indicator of voter sentiment ahead of several state assembly elections due in the coming months and early 2026. The AAP’s Gujarat win signals its potential to expand beyond its traditional strongholds, while the BJP’s mixed performance underscores the need for the party to consolidate its support base in key states. The Congress party would be happy to have held a seat in Kerala, while AAP continue their winning streak in Punjab.

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