NEW DELHI: India’s political map saw a major reshuffle today, May 4, 2026, as the results for five Assembly elections, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam, and Puducherry, finally came to light. In a day defined by historic breakthroughs and high-stakes drama, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) finally breached the long-held “Bengal Fortress.” Meanwhile, in the south, actor-turned-politician Vijay turned Tamil Nadu’s political order on its head, proving that a fresh face can indeed dismantle decades of tradition.
The day’s counting revealed a nation moving in multiple directions at once, with voters rewarding some for stability while showing the exit to others after years of incumbency.
West Bengal: The End of an Era
The most watched contest in the country ended in a landslide that few predicted would be quite this decisive. After 15 years of Trinamool Congress rule, the BJP secured a historic majority in West Bengal, surging well past the 147-seat requirement to land at 195 seats.
While the race was tight for much of the morning, the collapse of the TMC’s traditional support bases across both rural and urban Bengal became clear by mid-afternoon. The shift appears to be the result of a “perfect storm” of public frustration over local governance issues and a consolidation of opposition votes that previously had been split.
Celebrating the milestone, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to social media to thank the state: “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.” On the other side, a defiant Mamata Banerjee urged her team to stay focused until the very last ballot was counted, telling her candidates, “I request party candidates and counting agents to not leave the counting centers. We will win after sunset.”
Tamil Nadu: Vijay’s Screen-to-Street Success
Tamil Nadu provided the day’s biggest “blockbuster” as actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) shattered the 50-year-old duopoly of the DMK and AIADMK. Making perhaps the most successful electoral debut in Indian history, TVK emerged as the single largest party with 103 seats.
The shockwaves were felt most in Kolathur, where sitting Chief Minister M.K. Stalin lost his seat to TVK’s V.S. Babu. This result, along with Vijay’s own victories in Perambur and Tiruchirappalli East, signals a hunger for a “Third Way” among younger voters.
Before the polls, Vijay had challenged the status quo, telling his massive following, “Voting alternately between the two parties is not real change. People should reject both the corrupt forces and vote for the TVK.” After the results, a somber Stalin acknowledged the democratic shift, stating simply that the “South stood united, made its voice heard and democracy prevailed.”
Kerala: The Tradition of Change Returns
Kerala stayed true to its “swing state” reputation, ending the Left Democratic Front’s (LDF) decade-long run. The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) swept back into power with 102 seats, leaving the LDF with just 35.
The defeat was deeply personal for the ruling cabinet, as 13 out of 21 ministers lost their individual contests. While Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan managed to keep his seat in Dharmadam, the broader result suggests a public desire to return to the state’s tradition of changing governments every two terms. The BJP also reached a new milestone here, winning 3 historic seats, including a win for Rajeev Chandrasekhar in Nemom.
Assam and Puducherry: Stability Wins Out
In the North-East, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma proved his staying power. The BJP-led NDA secured a record third consecutive term in Assam, winning 101 out of 126 seats. Sarma, who won his own seat in Jalukbari for the sixth time, described the win as a “democratic fight for the survival, identity, and future of the Assamese people.”
In Puducherry, the AINRC-BJP alliance held its ground. The NDA secured 18 seats, ensuring that Chief Minister N. Rangasamy, who won both seats he contested, will continue to lead the Union Territory.
2026 Assembly Election Results: Latest Numbers (Source: ECI)
| State / UT | Total Seats | Majority | Winning Alliance/Party | Final Seats |
| West Bengal | 294 | 148 | BJP | 195 |
| Tamil Nadu | 234 | 118 | TVK (Vijay) | 103 |
| Kerala | 140 | 71 | UDF (Congress) | 102 |
| Assam | 126 | 64 | NDA (BJP-led) | 101 |
| Puducherry | 30 | 16 | NDA (AINRC-led) | 18 |
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