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As counting for the 2026 Assembly Elections began at 8:00 AM on May 4, 2026, early trends indicate a high-stakes cliffhanger in West Bengal and a developing leads-gap in Tamil Nadu. With over a hundred million votes being tallied across five states and union territories, the political landscape of some of India’s most consequential regions is currently in flux.
West Bengal: A Battle for Every Seat
In West Bengal, the contest has turned into a dead heat between the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). As of 9:30 AM, both parties are locked in a neck-and-neck struggle, with early leads hovering around 112 seats each.
The morning has not been without controversy. Arjun Singh, the BJP candidate from Noapara, has alleged irregularities at his counting center, claiming he was barred from witnessing the opening of the strong room. This follows a tense Sunday where nearly 1,000 VVPAT slips were recovered from a roadside drain in Madhyamgram, which the Election Commission later clarified were from a pre-poll “mock drill.” Meanwhile, heavy security remains in place, with armored vehicles patrolling sensitive areas like Malda to prevent any post-poll unrest.
Tamil Nadu: DMK Takes an Early Lead
In Tamil Nadu, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), led by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, has established an early advantage. The DMK-led alliance is currently leading in approximately 62 seats, while the AIADMK-BJP combine trails with leads in about 39 seats.
A significant disruptor in this election appears to be actor-politician Vijay’s TVK, which is putting up a surprisingly strong fight in its debut performance, leading in 42 seats in early trends. Counting centers at Loyola College and Anna University in Chennai are under three-layer security as officials process nearly 4.8 crore votes.
Updates from Other States
- Assam: The BJP-led alliance has crossed the majority mark in early trends, leading in over 43 constituencies, suggesting a potential third term.
- Kerala: The Congress-led UDF has taken a surprising lead over the ruling LDF, with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan facing a tough challenge for a historic third term.
- Puducherry: The NDA is currently showing early leads in the Union Territory.