New Delhi, May 4: The counting of votes for the assembly elections in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal, Assam, and Puducherry is set to begin today. Trends will emerge in phases, with final results expected by the end of the day.
Approximately 250 million people recently cast their votes in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal, and Assam. These elections are considered among the most significant in recent times, as they will determine whether the public favors state welfare schemes or the policies of the central government.
In West Bengal, there was tremendous enthusiasm for voting, with a record turnout of 92.93%. However, only 293 out of 294 seats will be counted today, as the Election Commission has decided to hold re-elections for the Falta seat in South 24 Parganas on May 21, with results to be announced on May 24.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her party, the Trinamool Congress, are vying for a fourth consecutive term, facing a stronger challenge from the BJP, which was previously considered weak. A heavy deployment of security forces has been made for the elections, especially following concerns regarding women’s safety and law and order after the RG Kar Medical College incident.
The Trinamool Congress is relying on its grassroots support and schemes like Lakshmi Bhandar, while the BJP is focusing on public discontent with the government and administrative shortcomings. Exit polls indicate a very close contest, with a narrow margin potentially deciding whether Mamata Banerjee retains her position or the BJP forms the government for the first time in the state.
In Tamil Nadu, a record 85.1% voter turnout has been reported. Typically, the elections see a direct contest between the DMK and AIADMK, but this time, actor Vijay’s party, Tamilga Vetrikazhagam (TVK), is also in the fray. Estimates suggest that the coalition led by Chief Minister MK Stalin may secure between 120 to 145 seats, while Vijay’s party could emerge as a third force, potentially garnering around 30% of the votes in cities like Chennai and Madurai, which could alter the state’s traditional political landscape.
Meanwhile, the contest in Kerala is also intriguing, as the Left Front, led by Pinarayi Vijayan, aims for a third consecutive victory, a feat never achieved before. However, the competition is tough, with the Congress-led UDF projected to win around 72 seats. A strong performance by the UDF would provide significant relief for Congress at the national level and demonstrate its capability to lead a larger coalition.
In Assam, the BJP-led alliance appears to be in a strong position, with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s NDA looking to secure a third consecutive term. Exit polls suggest the NDA could win between 85 to 100 seats out of 126. Despite the Congress and its allies forming a united front, they face the challenge of the BJP’s robust organizational strength.
Overall, the nation awaits the election results, with a clear indication that voters prefer a well-functioning government while becoming increasingly aware of issues such as safety, migration, and employment.
Deependra Singh Chundawat is a Senior Sub-Editor at Udaipur Kiran, specializing in a wide range of technology topics including mobile phones, applications, gaming, PCs, and wearables. Along with covering the latest tech news, he also creates engaging web stories. Passionate about emerging technologies, he stays up to date with the newest trends and enjoys reading and writing about the latest mobile launches and digital innovations.
