Updated

Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, May 4: The counting of votes for the 2026 assembly elections in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam, and Puducherry is underway, throwing up major political shifts and historic upsets. Early trends and declared results indicate a dominant performance by the BJP in West Bengal and Assam, a spectacular debut by actor Vijay’s TVK in Tamil Nadu, and a decisive comeback for the Congress-led UDF in Kerala.  

West Bengal: BJP breaches TMC fortress

In a monumental political shift, the BJP is poised to end the Trinamool Congress's (TMC) 15-year rule in West Bengal. According to early trends, the BJP is leading in over 200 seats, comfortably surpassing the majority mark of 148 in the 294-member Assembly, while the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC trails significantly with leads or wins in around 90 seats. While the BJP dethrones the TMC, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is maintaining a narrow lead in the Bhabanipur constituency against BJP's Suvendu Adhikari.

Tamil Nadu: TVK's dramatic debut

Tamil Nadu is witnessing a major upset as actor-politician Vijay's debutant party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), has emerged as the single largest force. TVK is leading or winning in nearly 110 of the 234 seats, pushing the ruling DMK to the second position. Vijay himself has registered victories in both the Perambur and Tiruchirappalli East constituencies. 

Kerala: UDF returns to power

The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) is making a decisive return to power in Kerala, crossing the halfway mark of 71 in the 140-member Assembly and halting the incumbent LDF's bid for a third term. The UDF is hovering near the 100-seat mark, registering its best-ever show. Meanwhile, the BJP has also notched its best performance in the state, remaining on course to win three seats. 

Assam: Third term for NDA

The ruling BJP-led NDA is on course for a historic third consecutive term in Assam. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, the NDA has crossed the 100-seat mark in the 126-member Assembly, leaving the Congress-led opposition trailing far behind. Assam Congress chief Gaurav Gogoi suffered a major defeat, losing the Jorhat seat to BJP's Hitendra Nath Goswami by over 23,000 votes. 

Puducherry: NDA retains control

In Puducherry, the NDA is in command and set to form the government. The All India N.R. Congress (AINRC), led by Chief Minister N Rangasamy, along with the BJP, has secured the necessary numbers in the 30-member House. Chief Minister N Rangasamy has been re-elected from the Thattanchavady constituency.

Live Updates

West Bengal: (Total seats 293, Target 147)
TMC+ - 81
BJP - 206
Cong - 2 
Left - 2 
Others - 2 

Tamil Nadu: (Total seats 234, Target 118)
DMK+ - 73 
AIDMK+ - 53 
TVK - 108 
 

Assam: (Total seats 126, Target 64)
BJP+ - 102 
Cong+ - 21 
Others - 3 

Kerala: (Total seats 140, Target 71)
LDF - 35
UDF - 99 
BJP+ - 3 
Others - 3 

Puducherry: (Total seats 30, Target 16)
BJP+ - 18 
Cong+ - 6 
Others - 6 

Earlier report

Counting for high-stakes elections in West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Assam & Puducherry assemblies on May 4

Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, May 4: The stage is set for the high-stakes counting of votes tomorrow for the assembly elections in West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Assam, and the Union Territory of Puducherry. According to the Election Commission of India, the counting process is scheduled to begin at 8 am across all designated centers.

In Assam, counting for all 126 seats will take place at 40 centers across 35 districts under a multi-layered security blanket. The political future of 722 candidates, who participated in a high-turnout election of 85.96%, will be decided. West Bengal officials have established 77 counting centers throughout the state with robust security measures to maintain transparency. In Tamil Nadu, a massive workforce of 10,545 counting personnel and 4,624 micro-observers has been deployed, while 234 counting observers will monitor the proceedings. Puducherry and Kerala have also finalized all logistical and security arrangements for a transparent process.

Exit polls released by major agencies suggest a diverse political landscape across the regions. In Tamil Nadu, a decisive sweep is predicted for the DMK-led alliance, while Kerala appears poised for a historic trend-breaker with most pollsters favouring the LDF to retain power. In Assam, the BJP-led NDA is expected to hold its ground and return to office. The most intense battle remains in West Bengal, where exit polls are divided; some predict a narrow edge for the TMC, while others suggest the BJP could emerge as the single largest party. In Puducherry, the AINRC-BJP alliance is largely expected to secure a majority.