The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Monday announced bypolls to three Rajya Sabha seats from West Bengal that fell vacant following the resignation of three Trinamool Congress (TMC) MPs amid an escalating political crisis within the party.
According to the Election Commission’s notification, polling for all three Rajya Sabha seats will be held on July 24, with counting scheduled for the same day.
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The vacancies arose after former TMC Rajya Sabha members Sukhendu Sekhar Roy, Sushmita Dev and Prakash Chik Baraik resigned from the Upper House in June after publicly questioning the party leadership following its defeat in the West Bengal Assembly elections.
Rajya Sabha numbers Set to change
In its notification, the Election Commission stated that it had decided to conduct separate by-elections to fill the three casual vacancies in the Rajya Sabha from West Bengal.
The resignations came despite the three MPs having more than three years remaining in their respective terms.
Election Commission announces bye-election to three Rajya Sabha seats in West Bengal.
— ANI (@ANI) July 6, 2026
Date of poll and counting of votes will be done on 24th July. pic.twitter.com/a9Q2PHjYyh
Political observers believe the outcome of the bypolls could alter the composition of the Rajya Sabha, particularly after the BJP’s sweeping performance in the recently concluded West Bengal Assembly elections.
Rajya Sabha members are elected indirectly by state legislators through a system of proportional representation. West Bengal has 16 Rajya Sabha seats, with the state’s 294 MLAs forming the electoral college.
TMC battle for party control intensifies
The announcement of the Rajya Sabha bypolls comes as rival factions within the Trinamool Congress prepare to stake their claim over the party’s name, symbol and organisational structure before the Election Commission.
Both factions had been expected to file their documents and claims of support before the poll panel by Monday evening as the fight for control of the party reached a crucial point.
The fight, which is unparalleled in the party’s 28-year history, comes in the wake of weeks of rebellion and resignations that followed the electoral defeat of the Trinamool Congress in the state Assembly election.
Ownership of the party’s emblematic grass and flowers logo and organizational assets, financial resources and office are central issues in the tussle.
According to reports, the rebel faction has indicated that it may support the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Parliament while positioning itself as a separate anti-BJP opposition force within the West Bengal Assembly.
Assembly bypolls in three states announced
Election Commission has also made an announcement for by-elections to the Assembly seats in Bihar, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh.
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The Bankipur Assembly seat in Bihar got vacant due to the resignation of the MLA Nitin Nabin, who joined the Rajya Sabha. The bypoll to the Manjalpur Assembly seat in Gujarat has become necessary due to the demise of MLA Yogeshbhai Narandas Patel. Whereas, the Datia seat in Madhya Pradesh became vacant due to the disqualification of Rajendra Bharti.
Following are the important dates notified by the Election Commission:
Scrutiny of nominations: July 14
Last date for withdrawal: July 16
Polling: July 30 (7 am to 6 pm)
FAQs
Why are Rajya Sabha bypolls held in West Bengal?
The bypolls became necessary due to the resignations of former TMC MPs Sukhendu Sekhar Roy, Sushmita Dev, and Prakash Chik Baraik from the Rajya Sabha.
When will the Rajya Sabha bypolls be held in West Bengal?ommission has scheduled polling for July 24, with counting to be held on the same day.
