By-election Showdown: From Jammu Kashmir to Odisha 7 States, 8 Seats—Voting on Tuesday

New Delhi: By-elections are going to be held for 8 assembly seats across the country on November 11—in 7 states and union territories. Budgam-Nagrota of Jammu and Kashmir, Ghatsila of Jharkhand, Tarn Taran of Punjab, Anta of Rajasthan, Jubilee Hills of Telangana, Dampa of Mizoram and Nuapada of Odisha. Results will be declared on November 14 along with the Bihar Assembly elections. 

Test of JK's politics in Budgam and Nagrota?

Two seats are hot in Jammu and Kashmir. In Budgam, NC's Agha Mehmood (close to Omar Abdullah) will face PDP's Agha Syed Muntazir Mehdi. Omar won two seats in the recent elections and left Budgam—hence the by-election. The claim of BJP's Ravinder Raina (Jammu State President) on Nagrota is strong, but the Congress-NC alliance is challenging. These seats will be the mirror of JK's new politics—the first review on the Centre's policies.

Jharkhand : Who will take revenge for Lohra?

JMM's Ramchandra Singh (Maneka Sarna's husband) vs BJP's Rameshwar Mahato in Ghatshila seat of East Singhbhum district of Jharkhand. The seat became vacant due to the death of JMM MLA Lohara Saratha. Tribal dominated area – JMM's traditional stronghold, but BJP has made a strong show in 2024. Voting is expected to be 64%.

Tarntaran Seat: Contest between AAP and SAD 

AAP's Balveer Singh vs SAD's Veera Singh in Tarn Taran in Punjab. Vacant due to the death of AAP MLA Kashmir Singh Sohal in June 2025. AAP's focus is on farmer issues, SAD is wooing Sikh voters. This seat will become a test case of Sikh politics of Punjab.

Rajasthan: Who will fight after Kanwar Lal Meena?

Pradeep Kumar of BJP vs. Himmat Singh Rathore of Congress at the end of Baran district of Rajasthan. BJP MLA Kanwar Lal Meena disqualified in a 2005 case– so by-election. BJP's stronghold, but Congress has fought a close fight in 2023.

Telangana: BJP vs Congress on KV Ramesh Naidu's seat?

Deepak Reddy of BJP vs Naveen Yadav of Congress on posh Jubilee Hills of Hyderabad. Vacant due to resignation of BRS MLA KV Ramesh Naidu. IT Hub area: BJP's focus is on young voters, Congress is playing the development card.

MNF vs ZPM in Dampa, Mizoram?

MNF's Kelchung vs ZPM's Lal Thalawata (no, different candidates) in Mizoram's Dampa. Vacant due to the death of MLA Lal Thalavata. ZPM is in control, but MNF is challenging. Tribal issues will dominate.

BJD vs BJP in Nuapada– who will take the tribal seat?

BJD's Vinod Thakur vs BJP's Ramesh Chandra Nayak at Nuapada in Odisha. Vacant due to death of BJD MLA. Tribal dominated—BJD's stronghold, but BJP strong in 2024.

Results on November 14

Voting on November 11, results on the 14—along with Bihar elections. Total voters are more than 13 lakh, 64% turnout is expected. These seats are the test of parties like BJP-NC alliance, JMM-AAP.