The Election Commission of India has announced the schedule for legislative assembly elections in five states of the country. According to the commission, voting will be held on April 9 in Assam, Kerala, and the Union Territory of Puducherry. Meanwhile, polling in Tamil Nadu will take place on April 23, while West Bengal will go to the polls in two phases on April 23 and April 29.

The counting of votes for all states will be held on May 4, 2026, and the results will be announced the same day. With the announcement of the election schedule, the Model Code of Conduct has come into force in these states, and political parties have intensified their election campaigns.

West Bengal: Main contest between TMC and BJP

The tenure of the 294-member West Bengal Legislative Assembly is set to end on May 7, 2026. At present, the state is governed by the All India Trinamool Congress under the leadership of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

In the 2021 Assembly elections, the Trinamool Congress won 213 out of 294 seats, securing a clear majority, while the Bharatiya Janata Party won 77 seats. This time as well, the main contest in the state is expected to be between the Trinamool Congress and the BJP.

However, a Left alliance is also active in the electoral field. The alliance includes the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and other Left parties, which are trying to regain their lost political ground in the state. Political circles are also discussing the possibility of cooperation between this Left alliance and parties like the Social Democratic Party of India and the Azad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram), although no official confirmation has been made yet.

Meanwhile, the Indian National Congress has indicated that it may contest the elections independently this time instead of allying with the Left parties. This could make the electoral contest more multi-cornered.

In addition, parties such as the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen and several smaller parties are also expected to enter the electoral fray.

Kerala: Traditional contest between LDF and UDF

Politics in Kerala has long revolved around two major alliances. The state is currently governed by the Left Democratic Front (LDF), led by the Communist Party of India (Marxist).

Opposing it is the United Democratic Front (UDF), led by the Indian National Congress, which serves as the main opposition alliance in the state. Apart from these two major coalitions, the Bharatiya Janata Party is also trying to expand its political presence in Kerala.

The Social Democratic Party of India is also preparing to field candidates in some constituencies.

Tamil Nadu: DMK alliance vs AIADMK

Politics in Tamil Nadu largely revolves around two major Dravidian parties. The state is currently ruled by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam.

The alliance led by the DMK includes the Indian National Congress and several other partners, and discussions are also reportedly underway regarding possible seat-sharing with the Social Democratic Party of India.

On the other hand, in the opposition camp, there are discussions about an electoral understanding between the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the Bharatiya Janata Party, which may challenge the ruling alliance.

Tough contests in Assam and Puducherry

Voting in Assam will take place on April 9, where a tough contest is expected among national parties such as the Indian National Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party, along with regional parties like the All India United Democratic Front.

In Puducherry as well, elections are likely to be fought largely on the basis of alliances between local and national parties.

Results on May 4

The voting process in all five states will be completed in April, and vote counting will take place on May 4, 2026, when the final results will also be declared. On that day it will become clear which parties or alliances have received the public mandate and who will form the governments in these states.

Political analysts believe that the results of these elections could influence not only the politics of these states but also the broader political direction of the country.