<h1>Senior party leader disputes opposition's by-election victory claim, citing doubled vote share despite 11,000-vote loss</h1> A senior party leader challenged the opposition's claim of a decisive victory in a recent assembly by-election, arguing the results showed significant gains for the ruling alliance. The leader noted that while the opposition candidate won by approximately 11,000 votes, the ruling front more than doubled its vote share from 29,000 to over 66,000 votes compared to previous elections, while opposition votes decreased by nearly 18,000. The leader attributed the opposition's victory to unusual political alliances and alleged vote transfers from other parties, criticizing the opposition for aligning with communal forces. The constituency had been vacant after an independent legislator's resignation.