The political map of India was redrawn on May 4, 2026, as Assembly election results across five regions delivered a series of historic upsets. In West Bengal, the BJP scripted a monumental victory, securing 207 seats to unseat Mamata Banerjee, who lost her own seat in Bhabanipur. Tamil Nadu witnessed a “cinema-to-citizens” earthquake as actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) emerged as the single-largest party with 108 seats, defeating incumbent CM M.K. Stalin in his stronghold of Kolathur. Meanwhile, Kerala stayed true to its “pendulum” tradition as the Congress-led UDF swept to power with 102 seats, ending a decade of Left rule. In Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma secured a record third term for the NDA with a three-fourths majority, winning 102 of 126 seats.

In a political shift of seismic proportions, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is poised to form its first-ever government in West Bengal on May 9, 2026. Strategically scheduled for Rabindra Jayanti, the swearing-in follows a decisive mandate where the BJP secured 207 seats, ending the 15-year reign of Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress (TMC). The election—defined by an unprecedented 92.93% voter turnout—saw the symbolic fall of the TMC’s South Kolkata fortress, as the outgoing Chief Minister lost her Bhabanipur seat to Suvendu Adhikari by over 15,000 votes. With Prime Minister Narendra Modi expected to attend the Kolkata ceremony, the “Saffron Era” begins with promises of Asol Poriborton and a new ideological guard in the East.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has officially commenced the counting of votes today, May 4, 2026, for the Assembly Elections in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam, and Puducherry. Following a record-breaking voter turnout—including an unprecedented 92.49% in West Bengal—the political fate of 824 constituencies hangs in the balance. In Kolkata, the battle for Bhabanipur remains the symbolic epicenter of a fierce BJP-TMC face-off, while in Chennai, the DMK looks to defend its mandate against a resurgent AIADMK and actor Vijay’s TVK debut. With postal ballots being processed first, early trends are expected by 10 AM, potentially redefining India’s political map by this evening.

High-voltage drama unfolded in Kolkata on the night of April 30 and early May 1, 2026, as West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee personally inspected the EVM strong room at Sakhawat Memorial School in Bhabanipur. Citing “suspicious activity” seen on CCTV, the TMC supremo warned of a “life-and-death battle” if any attempt is made to tamper with the machines before the May 4 counting date. While the Election Commission dismissed the allegations as “baseless,” clarifying that officials were merely segregating postal ballots in the presence of observers, the visit has intensified the prestige battle in Bhabanipur, where Banerjee faces a fierce challenge from BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari.

As polling concludes across four states and one Union Territory, exit polls present a shifting political landscape for 2026. While the BJP is projected to dominate in Assam and maintains a slight edge in West Bengal, the battle for Kolkata remains tight with some pollsters backing a TMC victory. In Tamil Nadu, while the DMK remains a favorite, actor Vijay’s TVK has emerged as a major disruptor, with some polls even suggesting a hung assembly. Meanwhile, Kerala appears set for its traditional power shift with the UDF leading the race, and Puducherry looks likely to retain its NDA government.

The 2026 Bengal elections are being defined by two contrasting stories: a historic 93% voter turnout and the shocking deletion of 91 lakh voters. As critical districts see massive numbers of citizens struck off the rolls, the controversy over “Special Intensive Revision” has become a central battleground. With the Election Commission defending its “purification” drive and the opposition crying foul, the integrity of the voter list has become as much a part of the story as the voting itself.