Assembly Elections 2026: BJP Sweeps Bengal, Assam; ‘Vijay’ Moment in Tamil Nadu; Congress Back in Kerala

The 2026 Assembly election results have delivered decisive outcomes across the country, with the BJP securing a majority in West Bengal, retaining power in Assam, the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) returning to power in Kerala, and actor-politician Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) emerging as the single-largest party in Tamil Nadu. In Puducherry, the NDA is set to retain control, according to Election Commission data as counting concluded across states.

In West Bengal, the BJP has crossed the halfway mark comfortably, leading in 207 of the 294 seats, including 184 already won and 23 where it is ahead. The Trinamool Congress has won 64 seats and is leading in 16, taking its total to 80, while the Congress has won 2 seats. The results mark a major shift in the state’s political landscape.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “The 2026 West Bengal Assembly Elections will be remembered forever. People’s power has prevailed and BJP’s politics of good governance has triumphed.” He added, “The Lotus blooms in West Bengal! The 2026 West Bengal Assembly Elections will be remembered forever. People’s power has prevailed and BJP’s politics of good governance has triumphed. I bow to each and every person of West Bengal.”

The result marks the BJP’s first electoral victory in West Bengal since Mamata Banerjee came to power in 2011. Banerjee said, “BJP looted more than 100 seats. The Election Commission is the BJP’s commission,” and added she would “bounce back”. She also lost the Bhabanipur seat to BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari.

In Assam, the BJP has secured a majority, winning 81 seats and leading in 1, taking its total to 82 in the 126-member Assembly. The Congress has won 18 seats and is leading in 1, taking its total to 19, while the Asom Gana Parishad and Bodoland People’s Front have won 10 seats each. The AIUDF and Raijor Dal have secured 2 seats each, and the AITC has won 1 seat.

Modi said, “Assam blesses BJP-NDA once again!” and added, “I thank my sisters and brothers of Assam for the resounding mandate. I also assure them that we will keep working for the state’s transformation.”

In Kerala, the Congress-led UDF has secured a clear majority, winning 92 seats in the 140-member Assembly. The Congress has won 63 seats, the IUML 22 and Kerala Congress (KEC) 7, taking the alliance well past the majority mark. The CPI(M) has won 26 seats, the CPI 8 and the RSP 3, while the BJP has won 3 seats.

Rahul Gandhi described the outcome as a “truly decisive mandate” and praised party workers for a “hard-fought, well-run campaign”.

In Tamil Nadu, TVK has emerged as the single-largest party, leading in 107 of the 234 seats, including 96 already won and 11 where it is ahead. The DMK has won 53 seats and is leading in 7, taking its total to 60, while the AIADMK has secured 43 seats and is ahead in 4, totalling 47. The Congress has won 5 seats.

Actor-turned-politician C. Joseph Vijay, who launched TVK in 2024, is leading his party in its first election. Political observers said the result reflects a shift in voter preference in the state.

In Puducherry, the NDA is set to retain power, with the AINRC emerging as the leading party, ahead in 9 seats. The BJP is ahead in 2 seats, while the Congress, DMK and AIADMK are leading in 1 seat each, and others remain in single digits.

AS IT HAPPENED ON MAY 4:

10:15 pm — UDF secures majority in Kerala

The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) has secured a clear majority in Kerala, winning 92 seats in the 140-member Assembly, according to Election Commission data. The Congress has won 63 seats, the IUML 22 and Kerala Congress (KEC) 7, taking the alliance well past the majority mark of 71. The CPI(M) has won 26 seats, while the CPI has secured 8 and the RSP 3. The BJP has won 3 seats, and others remain in single digits.

10:05 pm — BJP secures clear majority in Assam

The BJP has secured a clear majority in Assam, winning 81 seats and leading in 1, taking its total to 82 in the 126-member Assembly, according to Election Commission data.

The Congress has won 18 seats and is leading in 1, taking its total to 19. The Bodoland People’s Front (BOPF) and Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) have won 10 seats each, while the AIUDF and Raijor Dal have secured 2 seats each. The AITC has won 1 seat.

10:00 pm — TVK leads in 107 seats

Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) is leading in 107 of the 234 Assembly constituencies in Tamil Nadu, including 96 seats already won and 11 where it is ahead, according to Election Commission data.

The DMK has won 53 seats and is leading in 7, taking its total to 60, while the AIADMK has secured 43 seats and is ahead in 4, totalling 47. The Congress stands at 5 seats, and other parties remain in single digits as counting concludes across the state.

9:55 pm — BJP wins Bengal

The BJP is leading in 207 of the 294 Assembly constituencies in West Bengal, including 184 seats already won and 23 where it is ahead, according to Election Commission data.

The Trinamool Congress has won 64 seats and is leading in 16, taking its total to 80. The Congress has won 2 seats, while other parties remain in single digits, as counting concludes across the state.

9:30 pm — Mamata Banerjee loses Bhabanipur seat to Suvendu Adhikari

In a major development, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has lost the Bhabanipur Assembly seat to BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari.

The high-profile constituency, long considered Banerjee’s stronghold, has swung in favour of the BJP after a closely fought contest. The result marks a significant shift in the state’s political landscape and strengthens Adhikari’s position as a key challenger in West Bengal politics.

8:30 pm — Suvendu Adhikari leads Mamata Banerjee by just 500 votes

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is trailing by 563 votes in Bhabanipur after 16 rounds of counting, according to updates from the counting centre.

BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari is leading in the high-profile constituency as counting continues under tight security. Four more rounds are yet to be completed, and the margin is expected to shift as the final rounds are counted.

7:57 pm — PM Modi vows action on infiltration

Addressing party workers, Narendra Modi outlined a set of assurances for West Bengal, focusing on women’s safety, employment for youth and action against alleged infiltration. He said the BJP would work “day and night” for the state’s development and called on people to move forward together.

7:45 pm — PM Modi links Assam win to ‘blessings’ of Ganga, Brahmaputra and Kamakhya

Addressing party workers, Narendra Modi referred to his 2013 nomination from Varanasi and said, “I had said I have not come on my own, Maa Ganga has called me.” He added that along with the Ganga, the Brahmaputra and Maa Kamakhya have also blessed the party, saying the people of Assam have given the BJP-led NDA a third consecutive mandate.

7:35 pm — PM Modi addresses BJP workers at party HQ

Addressing BJP workers at the party headquarters, Narendra Modi said the results would bring satisfaction to Syama Prasad Mookerjee.

“A thought keeps coming to my mind again and again, and that is: how much peace the soul of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee must be feeling today. By founding the Jana Sangh in 1951, he had given every worker the message that one must live for the country and, if needed, die for the country,” he said.

6:35 pm — ‘Lotus blooms in Bengal,’ says PM Modi on BJP win

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday hailed the BJP’s performance in the West Bengal Assembly elections, describing the mandate as a victory of “people’s power” and governance.

In a post on X, Modi said, “The Lotus blooms in West Bengal”, adding that the 2026 Assembly elections would be remembered for the scale of the mandate.

पश्चिम बंगाल में कमल खिल उठा है!

वर्ष 2026 के पश्चिम बंगाल विधानसभा चुनाव अविस्मरणीय रहेंगे। जनशक्ति की जीत हुई है और भाजपा के सुशासन की राजनीति को यहां के लोगों का भरपूर आशीर्वाद मिला है। इस ऐतिहासिक विजय के लिए बंगाल के अपने भाई-बहनों का हृदय से आभारी हूं।

जनता-जनार्दन ने…

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 4, 2026

6:15 pm — Suvendu Adhikari retains Nandigram seat

BJP candidate Suvendu Adhikari has retained the Nandigram Assembly constituency, winning by a margin of 10,200 votes.

The high-profile seat, one of the most closely watched contests in the West Bengal elections, witnessed a keen fight, with Adhikari maintaining his lead as counting progressed and eventually securing victory after completion of all rounds.

5:45 pm — BJP wins three seats in Kerala

As Congress look all set to regain power in Kerala, the BJP has won three seats in Kerala for the first time, marking a big breakthrough for the party in the state. Former Union minister V Muraleedharan won from Kazhakoottam, defeating CPI(M)’s sitting MLA Kadakampally Surendran. The other two seats won by the BJP were previously held by the Left.

5:30 pm — Mamata Banerjee leads in Bhabanipur

Even as trends across West Bengal show the state slipping away from the ruling party, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is maintaining a lead in Bhabanipur. She is ahead by over 5,000 votes after the 13th round of counting against BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari. A total of 20 rounds are scheduled in the constituency, with counting still underway.

5:00 pm — RG Kar victim’s mother leads  in Panihati

BJP candidate Ratna Debnath is leading by more than 50,000 votes in the Panihati Assembly constituency, according to counting trends. Debnath, the mother of the RG Kar Medical College rape and murder victim, was seen at a counting centre as visuals showed her ahead in the constituency.

4:30 pm — Vijay supporter walks on knees to TVK office

A supporter of Vijay undertook a symbolic act as TVK emerged as the single-largest party in Tamil Nadu. Identified as Glory, the supporter walked on her knees from East Coast Road to the party headquarters in Panaiyur, Chennai, as celebrations gathered pace, reported ANI. TVK is leading in 108 of the 234 seats in the state.

#WATCH | Tamil Nadu | A supporter of TVK chief and actor Vijay, Glory walks on her knees from ECR Road to TVK HQ in Chennai Panaiyur as the party has emerged as the single-largest party in the state elections

TVK is leading on 108 seats of the total 234 in the state. pic.twitter.com/Hl4IfBNIow

— ANI (@ANI) May 4, 2026

4:00 pm — MK Stalin loses Kolathur in Tamil Nadu

In a major upset, DMK president and Chief Minister MK Stalin has lost the Kolathur Assembly seat to Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) candidate VS Babu. Babu won the seat by a margin of over 900 votes, according to Election Commission data.

3:09 pm — PM Modi to visit BJP headquarters as party leads in Bengal, Assam

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit the BJP headquarters in New Delhi at 6 pm as trends show the party leading in West Bengal and Assam.

“Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji will visit BJP HQ, New Delhi today at 6 PM,” BJP chief spokesperson Anil Baluni said in a post on X.

2:45 pm — BJP’s Hitendra Nath Goswami defeats Gaurav Gogoi in Jorhat

BJP candidate Hitendra Nath Goswami has won the Jorhat Assembly seat in Assam after all 14 rounds of counting, according to Election Commission data.

Goswami secured 69,439 votes, defeating Congress candidate Gaurav Gogoi, who polled 46,257 votes, by a margin of 23,182 votes.

2:30 pm — Arson reported at TMC offices in Asansol

Incidents of arson were reported from parts of Jamuria in Asansol, where TMC party offices were allegedly targeted amid ongoing counting. Local sources told India Today that a party office in Churulia was set on fire and another in Kenda was also damaged.

1:20 pm — BJP surges ahead in Bengal, widens lead over TMC

Latest trends from the Election Commission show the BJP leading in 188 seats in West Bengal, extending its lead well past the majority mark, while the TMC is ahead in 94 seats.

Other parties, including AJUP and AISF, are leading in two seats each, while CPI(M) is ahead in one as counting continues.

12:38 pm — BJP’s Pradyut Bordoloi leads in Dispur with big margin

BJP candidate Pradyut Bordoloi is leading in the key Dispur constituency, according to Election Commission data. After six of 20 rounds, Bordoloi is ahead by 26,836 votes, polling 39,040 votes against Congress’ Mira Borthakur Goswami, who has secured 12,204 votes.

12:20 pm — AINRC leads in Puducherry as early trends emerge

Early trends from the Election Commission show the AINRC leading in 9 seats in Puducherry, with the BJP ahead in 2 seats.

The Congress, AIADMK and DMK are leading in one seat each, while others and independents are ahead in 3 constituencies as counting continues.

12:10 pm — Vijay’s TVK leads in Tamil Nadu, ahead in over 100 seats

Early trends from the Election Commission show actor-politician Vijay’s TVK leading in 108 seats in Tamil Nadu, putting the party ahead of both the AIADMK and the ruling DMK.

The AIADMK is leading in 62 seats, while the DMK is ahead in 42 as counting continues across the state.

12:00 pm — UDF maintains lead in Kerala as Congress ahead in 57 seats

Latest trends from the Election Commission show the Congress leading in 57 seats in Kerala, with allies IUML ahead in 23, putting the UDF in a strong position.

The CPI(M) is leading in 29 seats and CPI in 11, while other parties are ahead in remaining constituencies as counting continues.

11:50 am — BJP-led NDA ahead in Assam, crosses majority mark

Latest Election Commission trends show the BJP leading in 79 seats in Assam, putting the NDA comfortably past the majority mark of 64.

Its allies AGP and BOPF are ahead in 9 and 10 seats respectively, while the Congress is leading in 25 seats as counting continues.

11:32 am — BJP crosses majority mark in Bengal, extends lead over TMC

Latest trends from the Election Commission show the BJP leading in 148 seats in West Bengal, crossing the majority mark of 147, while the TMC is ahead in 78 seats.

Other parties, including BGPM, AJUP, CPI(M) and AISF, are leading in one seat each as counting continues.

11:15 am — Mamata trails Suvendu in Bhabanipur after early rounds

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is trailing BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari in Bhabanipur after the second round of counting.

According to Election Commission data, Adhikari has polled 6,380 votes against Banerjee’s 4,822, a lead of 1,558 votes. Banerjee had been ahead in the first round before the trend reversed in the next round.

10:20 am — DMK slips to third as early trends shake Tamil Nadu

Early counting trends in Tamil Nadu show the ruling DMK-led alliance slipping to third place, with visuals showing celebration tents being dismantled at the party headquarters, Anna Arivalayam.

The contest has shifted towards a close fight between the AIADMK and actor-politician Vijay’s TVK, which is leading in 97 constituencies, according to Election Commission data. Security has been tightened around Vijay’s residence in Neelankarai and the TVK office in Panaiyur, where supporters have begun to gather.

10:00 am — UDF surges ahead in Kerala as early trends favour opposition

Early trends from Kerala show the Congress-led UDF taking a clear lead as counting gains pace, in line with exit poll projections.

After the initial rounds, the UDF is ahead in around 100 of the 140 seats, while the ruling CPI(M)-led LDF is leading in about 40 constituencies. The BJP-led NDA is ahead in one seat, according to television reports.

9:30 am — Himanta Biswa Sarma leads in Jalukbari

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has taken a lead of 7,748 votes in Jalukbari over his Congress rival Bidisha Neog, according to Election Commission data.

At the end of the second round of counting, Sarma has polled 11,821 votes, while Neog has secured 4,073. Sarma is seeking to retain the seat for a sixth consecutive term, having won it continuously since 2001.

9:00 am — Mamata Banerjee regains lead in Bhabanipur

In a see-saw contest, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has regained the lead over BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari in Bhabanipur after the third round of counting.

According to Election Commission data, Banerjee is ahead by 898 votes with 9,359 votes, while Adhikari has polled 8,461. Adhikari had led by 1,558 votes after the second round.

8:45 am — Major opposition leaders trail in early Assam trends

Early counting trends in Assam show several key opposition leaders trailing in their respective constituencies, according to Election Commission data.

Congress leader Debabrata Saikia is behind by 4,967 votes in Nazira after the second round, with BJP’s Mayur Borgohain polling 11,607 votes against Saikia’s 6,640. Raijor Dal chief Akhil Gogoi is also trailing in Sibsagar, polling 3,262 votes against BJP’s Kushal Dowari, who has secured 5,171 votes after the first round.

8:00 am — Counting of votes begins across five states

Counting of votes for the Assembly elections in West Bengal, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry has begun, with postal ballots being taken up first before the counting of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).

Security has been tightened at counting centres across all five regions as the results are set to decide key contests involving the BJP, TMC, DMK, Congress and the Left.

12:30 am — Tight security in place as Assam prepares for vote counting

Electronic Voting Machines containing the votes for 722 candidates across 126 Assembly constituencies in Assam will be opened at 40 counting centres spread across 35 districts on Monday.

Officials said tight security arrangements have been put in place for the counting process. Among the candidates in the fray, 59 are women. Counting in Nagaon district will take place at three centres, while Kokrajhar, Tinsukia and Jorhat will each have two counting centres.

12:25 am — BJP says AIADMK-led NDA heading for ‘beautiful win’ in Tamil Nadu

BJP spokesperson Narayanan Thirupathy has said the AIADMK-led NDA was heading for a “beautiful win” in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections and ruled out the possibility of a hung Assembly.

Tamil Nadu voted on April 23 and counting will take place on May 4 after a three-cornered contest involving the ruling DMK alliance, the AIADMK-led NDA and actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK).

12:20 am — Extra observers deployed in key Bengal districts ahead of counting

The Election Commission said 432 counting observers have been deployed across West Bengal for Monday’s Assembly election vote counting to ensure a smooth and transparent process.

The poll panel said additional observers have been assigned to sensitive districts, with North 24 Parganas getting 49 observers for 33 constituencies and South 24 Parganas receiving 45 observers for 31 seats.

12:01 am — Parties prepare for result day in Kerala
Ahead of the Kerala Assembly election results on Monday, political parties across the state have started making preparations for possible victory celebrations.In Pandikkad in Malappuram district, Congress and UDF workers are preparing biryani for nearly 5,000 people, with a large tent set up in the town for food distribution if the alliance wins.

What is at stake in these elections?

The BJP-led NDA is seeking to retain power in Assam and Puducherry, while regional parties face key electoral tests in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu.

In Kerala, the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) is trying to return to power after two consecutive terms of the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government.

In West Bengal, chief minister Mamata Banerjee and the TMC are aiming for another term amid a strong challenge from the BJP.

Majority mark in key states

*Polling in the Falta constituency in West Bengal was countermanded and fresh polling will be held on May 21.