New Delhi: India witnessed a seismic political transformation on May 4, 2026, as results for the assembly elections in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam, and Puducherry were declared. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) achieved a historic triumph in West Bengal, securing a landslide victory and ending the 15-year rule of Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress (TMC).
BJP's West Bengal Reshaping
The saffron party crossed the crucial mark of 200 seats in the 294-member assembly, marking its first-ever government formation in the eastern state. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his joy, stating, "The Lotus blooms in West Bengal! The 2026 West Bengal Assembly Elections will be remembered forever. People's power has prevailed, and the BJP's politics of good governance has triumphed." The victory is attributed to a combination of factors, including the consolidation of Hindu voters, fragmentation of Muslim voters, and resentment against alleged high-handedness of TMC strongmen. Notably, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee lost her own seat in Bhabanipur to BJP's Suvendu Adhikari.
Actor Vijay's TVK Disrupts Tamil Nadu's Dravidian Politics
In Tamil Nadu, a dramatic electoral debut saw actor-politician Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) emerge as the single largest party, winning or leading in 103 seats out of 234. While TVK fell short of an absolute majority, its performance significantly disrupted the long-standing bipolar Dravidian political narrative, outperforming both the AIADMK and the ruling DMK. The party's manifesto, which included promises of monthly assistance for women and free cooking gas cylinders, resonated with a significant portion of the electorate. The complex verdict in Tamil Nadu suggests a potential phase of bargaining and negotiation for government formation.
Congress-Led UDF Makes a Comeback in Kerala
Kerala witnessed a decisive victory for the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF), which surged ahead to win 102 seats in the 140-member assembly. This marks a significant setback for the incumbent Left Democratic Front (LDF), which had been in power for the past decade, reducing its seats to 35. The Congress attributed its success to strong anti-incumbency sentiment against the ruling LDF. The BJP also made a marginal gain, winning three seats in the state.
BJP Retains Assam, NDA Secures Puducherry
The BJP secured a third consecutive term in Assam, winning 82 of the 126 seats, with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma leading the party to victory. The Congress managed to secure 19 seats in Assam. In Puducherry, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by Chief Minister N Rangasamy of the All India NR Congress, is set to retain power, marking a second consecutive term for the alliance. The NDA secured victory in more than 17 seats in the 30-member Assembly, defying the Union Territory's trend of alternating power.
Allegations of Election Irregularities Surface
Amidst the results, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi alleged that the assembly elections in Assam and West Bengal were "stolen" by the BJP with the support of the Election Commission of India (ECI). Gandhi stated his agreement with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's claims that "more than 100 seats were stolen" in West Bengal. He further claimed that similar patterns had been observed in previous elections.
The coming days will be crucial as new governments are formed across these states, with particular attention on the coalition dynamics in Tamil Nadu. The results signal a significant shift in India's political landscape, with the BJP consolidating its national presence and regional parties facing new challenges. The role of emerging forces like TVK and the implications for national politics leading up to 2029 will be closely watched.