Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates: Udhayanidhi Stalin urges voters to ‘give back’ to BJP over fund crunch in Tamil Nadu

The 2026 Assembly Elections are being conducted in multiple phases across five key regions, with the first phase completed on April 9 and the next rounds scheduled for April 23 and April 29. Vote counting for all states will be held on May 4.The elections cover Assam (126 seats), Kerala (140 seats), Puducherry (30 seats), West Bengal (294 seats) and Tamil Nadu. The BJP-led NDA is defending its government in Assam while seeking gains in Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Puducherry. The Congress-led INDIA bloc, along with regional parties, is attempting to challenge the ruling alliance through state-specific strategies.In West Bengal, the BJP has centred its campaign on corruption, women’s safety and governance. The Trinamool Congress under Mamata Banerjee is seeking a fourth consecutive term. In Tamil Nadu, the AIADMK-led NDA is projecting a strong challenge to the ruling DMK alliance, with BJP leader K. Annamalai backing Edappadi K. Palaniswami as chief ministerial contender.Kerala remains a closely watched bipolar contest between the ruling LDF and the Congress-led UDF. Opposition leader V. D. Satheesan has sought detailed polling and postal ballot data from the Election Commission after the first phase.Nationally, political attention has also turned to the Delimitation Bill after Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut alleged the government could move the legislation while MPs from poll-bound states are focused on campaigning.Major campaign themes include inflation, unemployment, welfare schemes, law and order, infrastructure and regional identity. The Election Commission has increased vigilance by deploying central security forces, transferring officials in sensitive areas and enforcing the Model Code of Conduct to ensure free and fair polling.