Kolkata: The Election Commission of India announced on Monday that the by-elections for three vacant Rajya Sabha seats from West Bengal will take place on July 24. The voting and the counting of ballots will both be completed on the same day, settling a key legislative gap following a turbulent period in state politics.
The three Upper House seats became vacant last month after Trinamool Congress members Sukhendu Sekhar Ray, Sushmita Dev, and Prakash Chik Baraik resigned from their positions. Sukhendu Sekhar Ray stepped down on June 8, followed by Sushmita Dev on June 10, and Prakash Chik Baraik on June 11. All three representatives had more than three years remaining in their parliamentary terms before their sudden exits.
These high-profile resignations were triggered by an internal rebellion within the party ranks. The political crisis escalated after 20 Lok Sabha members, under the leadership of veteran politician Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, broke away from the party leadership to merge with the Nationalist Citizens’ Party of India. This major realignment has significantly shifted the balance of power and prompted quick action from the country’s electoral body.
According to the official timeline released by the Election Commission, the formal notification for the upcoming bypolls will be issued on July 7. Aspiring candidates face a July 14 deadline to file their nominations, while the final date for the withdrawal of candidature has been set for July 17, just one week before the decisive vote.
