The Kaliganj Assembly by-election concluded with a resounding victory for Trinamool Congress (TMC) candidate Alifa Ahmed, who secured a decisive 49,755-vote margin over her Bharatiya Janata Party rival, surpassing even the mandate achieved by her late father, Nasiruddin Ahmed, in 2021. Although the official announcement is pending, Election Commission sources have confirmed the outcome. Alifa Ahmed garnered 1,02,179 votes, while the BJP managed 52,424 and the Left-backed Congress candidate, Kabiluddin Ahmed, stood third with 28,262 votes. Over 2,500 votes were cast under NOTA.
The by-election was necessitated by the death of sitting MLA Nasiruddin Ahmed. In a symbolic gesture of continuity and emotional resonance, the people of Kaliganj handed his daughter an even stronger mandate. Nasiruddin had won in 2021 with a margin of 46,987 votes — a feat Alifa has now eclipsed.
Speaking moments after her win, Alifa Ahmed expressed gratitude to the electorate, saying, "Thank you to the people. They voted for development, not division. Communal politics has no place in Kaliganj— or Bengal." She noted her support base spanned across all religions, castes and communities, highlighting the inclusive appeal of her campaign.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee took to social media to express heartfelt gratitude, dedicating the win to the “Ma-Mati-Manush” of Bengal. She praised party workers, stating, “My colleagues in Kaliganj worked tirelessly. This victory belongs to them and the people who chose peace, unity and progress.”
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Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari responded tersely, saying, “This election was not in our plans.” The muted reaction from the BJP underscores its underwhelming performance, especially as it finds itself relegated to second place with a significant vote gap.
Congress-Left candidate Kabiluddin Ahmed criticised both the BJP and TMC for “polarising the electorate,” claiming he received support from secular voters cutting across religious lines. Despite that, the alliance failed to make significant gains, increasing its tally only marginally compared to 2021.
While opposition parties downplayed the result, political observers suggest the Kaliganj by-election is far more than a local contest. Seen as a prelude to the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, the outcome is being viewed as a litmus test for both the TMC’s popularity and the BJP’s current organizational strength in the state.
The 69 percent voter turnout, coupled with increased security measures — including webcasting inside and outside polling booths, 14 companies of Central forces and the deployment of NCC and NSS volunteers — ensured the by-election was peaceful and closely monitored.
In an unprecedented move, cameras were also fitted on all Quick Response Team and Rapid Action Force vehicles for real-time surveillance, reflecting the Election Commission’s commitment to transparency and credibility.
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For the Trinamool Congress, this emphatic win will serve as a confidence booster, particularly for party workers across districts. The ruling camp is already projecting the by-election as a people’s endorsement of its development agenda and a firm rejection of communal and divisive politics.
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