KOLKATA/CHENNAI, May 4: Early trends from the Election Commission of India indicated a strong showing for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in eastern India, with the party leading in 109 seats in West Bengal against the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC)’s 63. The BJP was also surging ahead in Assam. Meanwhile, in Tamil Nadu, actor-turned-politician Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) appeared set for a remarkable debut, leading in 103 seats and pushing the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) to third place.
As counting progressed across West Bengal, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Puducherry, the broader picture suggested significant gains for the BJP in the east. In Kerala, the Indian National Congress was leading in 61 seats, followed by the Communist Party of India (Marxist) with 29 and the Communist Party of India with nine.
West Bengal remained the focal point of the election, where Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee sought a fourth consecutive term against an aggressive BJP campaign. The contest was marked by intense campaigning and allegations over voter rolls, rigging, and polarisation. Security was tight, with over 2.5 lakh personnel from the Central Armed Police Forces deployed alongside state police.
BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, contesting from Nandigram and challenging Banerjee in Bhabanipur, expressed confidence in forming the government, asserting that both he and his party were headed for decisive victories. The TMC, however, remained cautious, choosing to wait for clearer trends.
If the current numbers hold, analysts suggest it could mark a major political shift in West Bengal and a significant win for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s BJP.
In Assam, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma was leading the BJP to another term, with the party ahead in 74 of the 126 seats, far surpassing the Congress tally.
Tamil Nadu emerged as another major highlight, with Vijay’s TVK defying expectations to lead in 103 of 234 seats. The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) followed with 67 seats, while the DMK lagged at 38. Vijay’s rapid political ascent drew comparisons with iconic actor-politicians M. G. Ramachandran and J. Jayalalithaa.
Kerala offered some relief to the Congress, with trends indicating a strong comeback for the Congress-led United Democratic Front. State party chief Sunny Joseph expressed confidence that the alliance would cross the 100-seat mark in the 140-member Assembly.
In Puducherry, early trends showed a close contest, with the Congress and BJP leading in two seats each, while the All India N.R. Congress was ahead in seven of the 30 constituencies counted so far.
