Kolkata, June 23 (UNI) The Trinamool Congress (TMC) was leading by over 47,000 votes in the by-election to the Kaliganj Assembly seat in West Bengal's Nadia district after 18 rounds of counting on Monday.

TMC candidate Alifa Ahamed, daughter of the late MLA Nasiruddin Ahamed, secured 85,043 votes, while her nearest rival, the BJP candidate, garnered 37,177 votes. Congress candidate Kabil Uddin Shaikh, backed by the CPI(M), was trailing in third place with 13,125 votes. Counting began at 8 am with postal ballots, and the process remained peaceful, according to election officials.

The by-election was necessitated following the sudden demise of sitting TMC MLA Nasiruddin Ahamed in February this year. To retain the seat, the party nominated his daughter, Alifa Ahamed.

Voting was held on Thursday, with a voter turnout of 69.85 per cent recorded till 5 pm. Barring a few isolated incidents, polling was largely peaceful.

Trinamool leader and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed her gratitude and respect to the general public and party workers for the party’s success in the by-election.

She wrote on X handle, "In the Kaliganj Assembly constituency by-election, people from all religions, all communities, all castes, and all walks of life exercised their right to vote and have overwhelmingly blessed us. I bow my head in gratitude to them. The true architects of this victory are the people — Ma, Mati, Manush (Mother, Motherland, and People)."

"My colleagues in Kaliganj have worked tirelessly for this. I sincerely congratulate them as well. My respects and salutations to everyone. Remembering the late MLA Nasiruddin Ahmed, I dedicate this victory to the Ma, Mati, Manush of Bengal," she added.

UNI XC ARN RN