New Delhi: In a closely-watched electoral face-off, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) concluded their first battle. The Opposition secured victories in four seats, while the NDA emerged triumphant in the remaining three.

The bypolls were conducted across seven constituencies, encompassing Bageshwar (Uttarakhand), Ghosi (Uttar Pradesh), Puthuppally (Kerala), Dhupguri (West Bengal), Dumri (Jharkhand), and Boxanagar and Dhanpur (Tripura).

Reports confirm BJP candidates clinching victories in Dhanpur and Boxanagar (Tripura), and Bageshwar (Uttarakhand). Meanwhile, the Opposition emerged victorious in Ghosi (Uttar Pradesh), Dumri (Jharkhand), Puthuppally (Kerala), and Dhupguri (West Bengal).

Dara Singh Chauhan, a prominent OBC leader and incumbent MLA from Ghosi (Uttar Pradesh), returned to the BJP after resigning from the Samajwadi Party earlier in July. His resignation triggered a by-election in the seat, ultimately won by the Samajwadi Party's Sudhakar Singh, with a significant margin of 42,759 votes.

In Puthuppally (Kerala), Chandy Oommen, son of former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and a Congress candidate, secured an impressive victory in the bypoll.

Over in Dhupguri (West Bengal), the Trinamool Congress outperformed the BJP in a closely contested race.

In Dumri (Jharkhand), Bebi Devi, a candidate from the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), secured a substantial lead and emerged victorious.

In a strategic move, the Congress and the CPI(M) joined forces in Dhugpuri (West Bengal) to challenge their ally, the Trinamool Congress (TMC), under BJP rule. However, the TMC's Nirmal Chandra Roy prevailed, reaffirming the Mamata Banerjee-led party's control over the seat.

In Tripura, BJP's Tafajjal Hossain secured victory in Boxanagar, while Bindu Debnath claimed the tribal-dominated Dhanpur constituency.

These results mark a significant development in the political landscape, setting the stage for future electoral contests.