Voting began on April 9 in Assam, Kerala and Puducherry, marking the start of India’s 2026 election cycle, with high-stakes contests set to test both the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and opposition alliances.
In Assam, the BJP is seeking a third consecutive term under Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. The campaign was marked by sharp rhetoric, with the BJP promising jobs, infrastructure investment, a Uniform Civil Code, and measures against illegal migration. Much of the discourse revolved around identity politics and the protection of Assamese culture.
The Congress, led by Mr Gaurav Gogoi, countered by accusing the BJP of divisive politics and raising corruption allegations against the chief minister’s family. The polls are also the first since the controversial 2023 delimitation exercise, which redrew constituencies and altered the electoral landscape.
Adding an emotional dimension to the campaign was the death of popular singer Zubeen Garg, which both sides referenced in their outreach to voters. The 52-year-old died scuba diving off the coast of Singapore in September 2025. Singapore authorities confirmed it was an accident, but Assam Police said he had been “murdered” and carried out investigations.
Kerala presents a contrasting political battle. The ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF), led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, is seeking a rare third consecutive term, banking on its governance record, welfare schemes and infrastructure push.
The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) has mounted a strong challenge, citing corruption allegations, and riding on the momentum from recent electoral gains. Meanwhile, the BJP is aiming to expand its footprint in the southern state, where it has historically struggled but recently showed improvement in local body polls.
The Kerala contest remains largely bipolar, but a three-cornered fight has emerged, with the BJP hoping to convert its growing vote share into a breakthrough assembly presence.
In Puducherry, the battle centres on Chief Minister N. Rangaswamy’s All India NR Congress (AINRC), allied with the BJP and AIADMK, which is seeking to retain power.
The Congress-DMK alliance is mounting a strong challenge in the 30-member assembly. Actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) is also making its electoral debut, adding a new dimension to the contest.
Across all three regions, voter turnout is expected to be significant, with millions casting ballots in a single-phase election. The results, to be declared on May 4, are likely to shape political momentum ahead of upcoming contests in key states such as Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.
The elections are being closely watched as a broader test of the BJP’s expansion strategy and the opposition’s ability to mount a cohesive challenge in diverse political landscapes.
RELATED STORIES
10 May 2024 5:30
