RB News World Latest News
Related Articles
2026 Assembly Elections : The year 2026 is going to be extremely important for Indian politics. In the next few months, assembly elections are scheduled in five states: Assam, West Bengal, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala. Although these elections are for the state assemblies, they will significantly impact national politics. On one hand, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is trying to establish its power in several new states, while on the other hand, the opposition, especially the Congress and regional parties, do not want to give the country’s largest party any opportunity. These assembly elections will largely determine how effective the Modi government’s policies are and how united the opposition is. Let’s take a look at the current government, political situation, and the importance of the elections in each of these states.
1: A Big Challenge for Mamata in West Bengal
West Bengal is currently governed by Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress (TMC), which won 213 seats and secured a 48% vote share in the 2021 assembly elections. Mamata’s popularity and welfare schemes are her strengths, but economic challenges and governance controversies could weigh heavily on her government. The BJP won 77 seats in 2021 and is now quite aggressive after its significant victory in Bihar. The Congress is weak here and struggling with a lack of leadership. If the BJP performs well in Bengal, it could prove to be a huge boost for its politics. On the other hand, a defeat for the TMC could place it on the list of regional parties that were once very powerful in a state but gradually weakened over time.
2: BJP Has Established a Strong Foothold in Assam
Assam is currently governed by the BJP under the leadership of Himanta Biswa Sarma. In the 2021 elections, the BJP alliance won 75 seats and is now preparing to come to power for the third consecutive time. In the last few years, Sarma has built an image of himself as a firebrand BJP leader as well as a leader who emphasizes development, security, and identity politics. Meanwhile, the opposition Congress is ready to fight its battle under the leadership of Gaurav Gogoi. Parties like the AIUDF, which demonstrate their strength based on Muslim votes, will also play a significant role in the upcoming assembly elections. These elections are an opportunity for the BJP to strengthen its hold in the Northeast, while a good performance by the Congress here would be a major boost for the opposition.
3: DMK faces a challenge from new faces in Tamil Nadu
In Tamil Nadu, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government is led by M.K. Stalin, which won 133 out of 234 seats in 2021. Welfare schemes implemented in the state have benefited 1.86 crore people, and the party is aiming for approximately 2.5 crore votes. However, issues like unemployment could weigh heavily on the party, and the anti-incumbency factor is also present. On the other hand, the AIADMK-BJP alliance is also putting in its full effort, while Vijay’s TVK is attracting young voters as a new party. A victory in Tamil Nadu could be a major opportunity for organic growth for the BJP, where the limits of Hindutva are evident. For the opposition, a DMK defeat would weaken the INDIA bloc.
4: Congress’s hopes have been rekindled in Kerala
In Kerala, the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government is led by Pinarayi Vijayan, which won 99 seats in 2021. This alliance wants to return to power once again, but the last few months have not been good for them. The Vijayan government focuses on social welfare and development, but economic challenges and the Chief Minister’s autocratic style are major drawbacks. The Congress-UDF performed well in the 2025 local body elections, which is a cause for concern for the LDF. The BJP also performed well in these elections and is trying to improve upon its previous performance. Overall, a lot is at stake for the Left, Congress, and BJP in these elections.
5: A return to power will not be easy for the NDA in Puducherry
In Puducherry, the All India N.R. Congress government is led by N. Rangasamy. The Congress (AINRC) and BJP alliance is in power. In 2021, the AINRC won 10 seats and the BJP won 6 in the 30-seat assembly, but currently, all does not seem well within the alliance. Opposition parties like the DMK and Congress are strongly asserting their claim to power in this small but important Union Territory. With local governance and development issues being paramount, these elections are a test for the BJP to preserve its alliance in the South, where there is anti-incumbency sentiment. Conversely, another defeat for the Congress and DMK could make it difficult for them to maintain their organizational strength in Puducherry.
A Golden Opportunity for the BJP
Overall, it can be said that the assembly elections in these five states present a golden opportunity for the BJP to expand its influence in the South and East, where it is banking on Hindutva and the Modi brand. Its victories in Delhi and Bihar in 2025 have boosted its morale. For the opposition, these elections are a test of their ability to bounce back, and a defeat for the Left could weaken the INDIA bloc, while a victory for the Congress would give it renewed energy. In short, the results of 2026 could play a crucial role in shaping the direction of the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.
