Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Kerala vote for change: How Vijay's TVK, BJP & Congress-led UDF turned the tide

NEW DELHI: The 2026 assembly election results point to a clear undercurrent of change across three key states, suggesting voters are moving beyond familiar power centres. From Tamil Nadu’s disruption of decades-old Dravidian dominance to Kerala’s anti-incumbency push and Bengal’s shifting equations, the verdict signals a break from continuity.In Tamil Nadu, Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam has surged ahead, overtaking both the DMK and AIADMK across several segments. In Kerala, the Congress-led United Democratic Front is set to return to power, firmly ahead of the ruling Left Democratic Front. Meanwhile, West Bengal appears headed for a historic shift, with the BJP cruising ahead of the TMC and on course to form its first government in the state.Tamil Nadu: TVK surge signals end of old orderTamil Nadu is witnessing a political upheaval unlike any in recent decades, with Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam rapidly emerging as the dominant force. The debutant party is not just competing but outpacing both DMK and AIADMK across regions.What began as a high-profile political entry has quickly turned into a full-blown electoral surge, with TVK gaining ground even in traditional strongholds of the Dravidian majors. This performance is particularly historic given that the party was founded just two years ago. This marks one of the rare instances in Tamil Nadu where voters have decisively moved away from the familiar DMK-AIADMK binary.West Bengal: Set for change? BJP's historic breakthroughWest Bengal is poised for a major political shift, with the Bharatiya Janata Party cruising ahead of the ruling All India Trinamool Congress with the significant margin. The momentum suggests the BJP could be on course for a historic breakthrough, potentially forming its first government in the state.While the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC continues to hold ground in select pockets, the broader trend points to a clear saffron surge across regions.In Bhabanipur, Mamata Banerjee has maintained a narrow lead, offering some relief to the ruling party. However, across the state, several high-profile TMC ministers, and even the assembly Speaker, are trailing their challengers.Kerala: Congress-led UDF set to return after a decadeThe "God’s own country" appears ready to return to its tradition of alternating power, as the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) has surged past the halfway majority mark. The results signal the end of the Pinarayi Vijayan-led LDF regime, which had made history by winning consecutive terms but now faces a significant retreat.Senior Congress leaders, including Shashi Tharoor and KC Venugopal, have characterized the results as a mandate for a "new kind of politics" after ten years of the current administration. Celebrations have already begun at the party’s state headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram, as the UDF holds a commanding lead across a majority of the state’s 140 segments. Voters appear to have prioritized a shift in political direction, favoring the UDF's promise of reform and fresh governance.