New Delhi: India’s high-stakes Assembly election results painted a sharply divided political map on counting day, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) surging ahead in the east and northeast, while actor-turned-politician Vijay made a striking electoral debut in Tamil Nadu.
In Kerala, the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) staged a strong comeback, and the All India NR Congress (AINRC) alliance retained control in Puducherry.
BJP Gains Ground in Bengal and Assam
In West Bengal, the BJP emerged as the dominant force, winning 91 seats and leading in over 100 more, putting it within reach of forming the government in the 294-member Assembly.
The ruling All India Trinamool Congress (TMC), led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, lagged far behind with under 40 seats won and leads in a similar range.
Banerjee, however, managed to hold onto her Bhabanipur seat, maintaining her personal political footing despite her party’s broader setback.
In Assam, the BJP-led alliance delivered a commanding performance, comfortably crossing the majority mark. The party itself secured around 80 seats, reinforcing its grip on the northeastern state, while the Congress-led bloc struggled to keep pace.
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 people have given a spectacular mandate to…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 4, 2026
Vijay’s TVK Disrupts Tamil Nadu Politics
The biggest surprise came from Tamil Nadu, where Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) made a dramatic entry. The party not only won dozens of seats but also led in many others, placing it in a strong position to form the government.
The ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) alliance, led by Chief Minister M. K. Stalin, fell well short of expectations. In a major upset, Stalin lost his Kolathur seat, traditionally considered a stronghold, to TVK’s V.S. Babu.
The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), aligned with the BJP, put up a moderate showing but remained a distant third in the overall tally.
Counting progressing smoothly ✨#ECI
Stay updated with results on the ECINET or the official ECI website :https://t.co/ggvUvXTTBe pic.twitter.com/f9AXaVAJbw
— Election Commission of India (@ECISVEEP) May 4, 2026
UDF Returns in Kerala
In Kerala, voters swung decisively in favor of the UDF, which crossed the majority mark with ease, ending the tenure of the Left Democratic Front (LDF). The result marks a return to power for the Congress-led coalition after nearly a decade.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan managed to retain his Dharmadam seat after an initially tight contest, eventually winning by a comfortable margin.
I’m very proud of our NDA Karyakartas of Puducherry for their exceptional efforts on the ground. They have constantly been among the people and elaborated on our vision and track record. This has ensured people blessed us again.@BJP4Puducherry
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 4, 2026
AINRC Holds Puducherry
In Puducherry, the AINRC-led alliance crossed the halfway mark in the 30-member Assembly, securing a clear mandate. The Congress-led alliance trailed significantly, managing only a handful of seats.
The results broadly align with pre-poll projections, which had indicated BJP gains in Assam and Bengal, a UDF resurgence in Kerala, and a close contest in Tamil Nadu. However, the scale of TVK’s rise has reshaped the political narrative in the South.
