In Kerala, the by-elections in Wayanad, Palakkad and Chelakkara saw the incumbent parties retain their strongholds. Priyanka Gandhi’s historic win in Wayanad, with a record-breaking majority of 4,10,931 votes, underscored Congress's continued dominance in the constituency once held by Rahul Gandhi. Priyanka’s majority exceeded Rahul’s 2019 margin by 46,509 votes, reinforcing her strong public appeal and the constituency’s loyalty to the Gandhi family. The BJP and LDF were virtually powerless in the face of this wave, further highlighting Congress's supremacy in the region.

In Palakkad, the UDF celebrated a landslide victory. State Youth Congress President Rahul Mamkoottathil secured a majority of 18,840 votes, quadrupling the previous Congress margin. This win, achieved despite internal party opposition and campaign controversies, reflects the Congress’s ability to mobilize support and adapt to challenges. For the BJP, which initially led in the first two rounds of counting, this defeat marked a setback, indicating diminishing influence even in urban areas.

Meanwhile, in Chelakkara, the LDF's U R Pradeep retained the seat with a majority of 12,201 votes. Though this was a significant reduction from the 39,400-vote margin achieved by former MLA Radhakrishnan in 2021, it highlights the coalition’s resilience in the face of changing political dynamics. The UDF’s Ramya Haridas, relegated to second place for the second consecutive election, reflected the opposition's inability to capitalize on any anti-incumbency sentiment.

The by-elections also pointed to a broader trend: declining voter turnout. This signals waning enthusiasm among the electorate and serves as a reminder that intensifying campaign rhetoric alone will not suffice. Political parties must focus on grassroots engagement and tangible promises to regain the trust of voters, especially as they prepare for local body polls and the 2026 assembly elections.

At the national level, Maharashtra’s assembly elections marked a resounding victory for the NDA alliance. The BJP, Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction), and NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) defied predictions of a fractured mandate, securing a three-fourth majority in the 288-member assembly. This landslide win shattered expert forecasts, many of which predicted a hung assembly. The BJP-led alliance’s strategic welfare promises, including financial aid of ₹1,500 to 2.5 crore women, played a pivotal role in mobilizing support across the state. This policy approach, seen as a lesson learned from the BJP’s Lok Sabha setbacks, proved to be a game-changer.

However, the question of leadership looms large in Maharashtra. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who led the split from the Shiv Sena, and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, a senior BJP leader, are both vying for the top post. Shinde has indicated that the alliance partners will deliberate in the presence of central leaders before deciding the leadership issue. The results, however, firmly establish the NDA’s dominance in one of India’s richest states, marking a major political achievement for the BJP and its allies.

In contrast, Jharkhand presented a different picture. The ruling JMM-Congress alliance retained power, defying earlier forecasts favoring the BJP. Hemant Soren’s leadership, bolstered by tribal welfare policies and grassroots mobilization, proved pivotal in securing this victory. BJP’s inability to connect with the state’s tribal communities and its focus on national issues rather than local priorities further contributed to its defeat. JMM’s success highlights the importance of understanding and addressing hyper-local issues, especially in tribal-dominated regions.

These elections reveal key trends in India’s political landscape. First, predictions often fail to capture the nuances of voter sentiment, which is increasingly shaped by hyper-local issues and welfare promises. Second, the results highlight the critical role of strategic alliances and grassroots engagement in determining electoral outcomes.

For the BJP, the Maharashtra victory marks a significant milestone, but setbacks in Jharkhand and Kerala remind the party of the challenges in expanding its base in diverse regions. For the Congress, victories in Kerala and Jharkhand offer glimmers of hope amid challenges elsewhere.

As political parties prepare for upcoming local body polls and the 2026 assembly elections, the message is clear: adaptation, unity and meaningful promises, rather than mere rhetoric, are the keys to winning the hearts of voters.