Counting under way for by-elections in Nandigram and five other seats across four states

Counting is under way for six by-election seats spanning four states, with West Bengal's Nandigram constituency drawing the most attention among the contests being decided on Tuesday. Votes across the six seats — five assembly and one Lok Sabha — were cast on 6 October.

In West Bengal, the BJP has widened its lead in Rejinagar as tallies continue to come in. Nandigram, a seat carrying considerable political symbolism in the state, remains closely watched as results develop. In Assam, counting is proceeding for the Nagaon seat.

Across the border in Tamil Nadu, AIADMK holds an early lead in Dharapuram, while Vijay's party TVK is ahead in Madurantakam. Both contests represent significant tests for the respective parties in the state. In the union territory of Puducherry, the ruling AINRC is marching ahead of its rivals from Congress and the DMK in the Thattanchavady seat.

The by-elections are being watched as a gauge of public sentiment toward the ruling and opposition parties in each of the four states and the union territory. Results are expected to become clearer as counting progresses through the day.