Assembly Elections 2026: West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam, Puducherry — All You Need to Know Before May 4 Counting
Full explainer on India's 2026 Assembly Elections across 5 states. Schedule, key players, controversies, vote counts, and what to expect on May 4 counting day.
By Srajan Agarwal | 2026-04-18T09:00:00+05:30
India is in the middle of one of its most politically consequential election cycles outside of a general election. Four states and one union territory — West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam, and Puducherry — are collectively deciding 824 assembly seats this April. Votes have been cast in the first three states. Tamil Nadu and West Bengal's second phase are still coming. Counting is set for May 4.
These elections are not just about who forms state governments. They will define the balance of power between the BJP-led NDA and the INDIA Opposition bloc heading into 2029. Every state here tells a different political story.
The Full Schedule
| State/UT | Seats | Polling Date(s) | Current Government |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assam | 126 | April 9 (single phase) | BJP (NDA) — Himanta Biswa Sarma |
| Kerala | 140 | April 9 (single phase) | LDF — Pinarayi Vijayan |
| Puducherry | 30 | April 9 (single phase) | NDA — AINRC-led |
| Tamil Nadu | 234 | April 23 (single phase) | DMK — M.K. Stalin |
| West Bengal | 294 | April 23 & April 29 (two phases) | TMC — Mamata Banerjee |
The announcement on March 15, 2026, of the election schedule also brought the Model Code of Conduct into immediate effect. From that day, governments in all poll-bound states were barred from announcing new schemes, transfers, or any policy that could influence voters.
The Voters Roll
Before a single vote was cast, these elections became controversial. The Election Commission conducted a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls across all five states. In West Bengal alone, more than 9 million voters were excluded from the revised electoral rolls. Opposition parties, particularly the TMC and Congress, called this a deliberate attempt to disenfranchise minorities. The ECI defended it as a standard cleanup process.
The SIR debate dominated pre-election narratives for weeks and added an extra layer of bitterness to what was already set to be a fiercely contested cycle.
Assam: Already Voted - Sarma Vs Congress
Polls in Assam were held in a single phase on April 9, with a record voter turnout of about 85%. The BJP under Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is seeking a third consecutive term. The opposition — a coalition called the Asom Sonmilito Morcha — is a fragile alliance between Congress, the Raijor Dal (Akhil Gogoi), and the AJP (Lurinjyoti Gogoi). Badruddin Ajmal's AIUDF is running separately.
- Sarma's BJP is banking on development narrative, and strong consolidation among Hindu voters
- Congress is trying to reclaim its traditional Muslim and tea garden worker base
- The death of popular singer Zubeen Garg in September 2025 became an unexpected political issue, with demands for a CBI probe angering BJP and energizing young voters
- BJP introduced several sub-40 candidates to counter the youth vote
Kerala: Pinarayi Vijayan's Third-Term
Polling in Kerala was held in a single phase on April 9 with a voter turnout of about 78%. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, now in his second consecutive term, is attempting something no Kerala leader has managed in the modern era — a third consecutive term for the LDF.
Kerala has a strict political pendulum. The state has alternated between the LDF (led by CPI-M) and the UDF (led by Congress) for decades. Vijayan's government delivered on infrastructure and social indices. But anti-incumbency is real. The UDF under Rahul Gandhi's active backing is fighting hard to restore its traditional base. The BJP-NDA, despite years of trying, remains a fringe force in most constituencies.
Puducherry: NDA's Hold Under Pressure
Polls in Puducherry were held in a single phase on April 9, with a voter turnout of about 90%. The NDA, led by the All India N.R. Congress (AINRC), currently governs the union territory. Congress and DMK are the main challengers. Puducherry's politics are complex because national and regional dynamics blur — being a UT, the Lieutenant Governor wields significant administrative power.
Tamil Nadu: DMK Vs AIADMK
Tamil Nadu votes on April 23 across all 234 seats. Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and the DMK-led alliance enter the election as the clear frontrunner. The incumbent government has delivered on several welfare promises, including cash transfers and free bus travel for women, which have burnished the party's credibility.
The AIADMK, now split between the E.K. Palaniswami faction (allied with BJP) and other splinter groups, is fighting a credibility battle. Vijay's TVK (Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam) is contesting its first state election — a wildcard that could split the anti-DMK vote or eat into urban youth support for the DMK itself.
West Bengal - Bharat has Eyes on.. TMC Vs BJP
West Bengal is the crown jewel of this election cycle. With 294 seats and two phases (April 23 and 29), this is the most hotly contested battle of 2026. Mamata Banerjee and the TMC are seeking a fourth consecutive term. The BJP, led by Suvendu Adhikari, is pushing hard to convert its 2021 gains into a full majority.
- Governor C.V. Ananda Bose resigned mid-term and was replaced by R.N. Ravi — a significant political development
- Enforcement Directorate raids on TMC-linked organizations in the run-up to polls became a major flashpoint
- Left Front (CPI-M) and Congress are contesting together under the INDIA Alliance, but their ground strength is a pale shadow of what it once was
- Mamata Banerjee remains the dominant political personality in the state despite near-daily attacks from BJP