Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is moving towards a bumper victory in the election results of West Bengal, Assam and Puducherry. Amidst the counting of votes in the election states, pictures of celebration have surfaced in the BJP office in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. The party’s performance is being celebrated in the Lucknow BJP office. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath celebrated by distributing sweets along with ministers.

Amidst the ongoing counting of votes in five states, pictures of the party’s better performance have also surfaced at the BJP office in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. The joy of victory is clearly visible on the faces of party officials in these pictures. In the pictures, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is seen holding a box of sweets in his hands. Many other ministers including Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya and Panchayati Raj Minister Om Prakash Rajbhar were present along with Yogi Adityanath.

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BJP ahead on 203 seats in West Bengal

Let us tell you that in the election results of West Bengal, Bharatiya Janata Party is leading in 203 seats. At the same time, Trinamool Congress is in bad shape. In the trends, Trinamool Congress is leading on 84 seats. Apart from these, she is leading in 6 other seats. These figures are till the time of writing the news.

BJP’s dominance in Assam and Puducherry

Similarly, in Assam, Bharatiya Janata Party is leading on 102 seats, while Congress is leading on 19 seats and 5 others. Similarly, in Puducherry also, according to the trends, BJP is leading on 17 seats, whereas here the condition of Congress is bad, Congress is leading on 6 seats and others are leading on 8 seats. It would be appropriate to clarify here that these are just trends, not results.

‘Today Bengal has become independent…will breathe freely’, MP Ravi Kishan said on BJP’s spectacular performance.

Puducherry Exit Poll 2026: Different exit polls that have emerged regarding the elections for the 30-member Puducherry Assembly are now pointing towards a common trend. In the integrated analysis of poll of polls, NDA now seems to be emerging with a clear lead. The majority figure in the 30-seat assembly is 16 and most of the surveys seem to be taking the NDA beyond this figure.

seen in three agencies NDA majority figure of

If we look at the data of three major agencies – Axis My India, Peoples Pulse and Praja Poll – then the position of Bharatiya Janata Party led NDA appears strong. According to Axis My India, the NDA may get 16 to 20 seats, which puts it at or above the majority line. Peoples Pulse also shows the NDA in the range of 16 to 20 seats, while Praja Poll, giving the most aggressive estimate, is taking the NDA to 19 to 25 seats. The average indication of these three surveys is that NDA is in a position to form the government in Puducherry.

Also read: Poll of Polls Exit Poll 2026: Mamata Banerjee’s government is wavering in Bengal, BJP is getting more seats than majority.

Congress led coalition’s boat stuck in midstream

On the other hand, the Congress-led alliance seems to be lagging behind in these projections. Axis My India gives it 6 to 8 seats, while according to Peoples Pulse it may get 10 to 12 seats, this is a relatively better scenario for it. At the same time, Praja Poll’s estimate is between 6 to 10 seats. Overall, the picture looks challenging for the Congress alliance, although some surveys even show the possibility of it reaching double digits.

in puducherry TVK Limited effect may also be seen

An interesting aspect in this election is also the presence of TVK (Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam). Axis My India estimates it to get 2 to 4 seats, but both Peoples Pulse and Praja Poll do not give it any seat. This means that TVK’s role may remain limited and its influence may be limited to a few selected seats only. Talking about other parties and independent candidates, they are expected to get 0 to 3 seats. Although this number is small, in case of a close contest these seats can affect the equation of government formation.

Congress will have to expect a change in seats on the day of results.

There is definitely a difference in the figures of seats in different surveys, but the direction is the same that NDA is close to or above majority. According to political analysts, local issues, personal image of the candidate and the mathematics of limited seats increasingly influence the results in smaller states and union territories. In such a situation, even a difference of 2-3 seats can change the balance of power. At present, these exit poll trends strengthen the chances of NDA forming the government, while the Congress alliance will have to hope for an upset on the day of results.

That is, if we see, the ‘poll of exit polls’ in Puducherry seems to be giving a clear lead to NDA. According to estimates, NDA is in majority with 18 seats, while Congress seems to be limited to 9 seats. TVK is expected to get 2 seats and others will get 1 seat, due to which NDA government seems to be formed.

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On 21 September 2023, Parliament passed the ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Act’ (Women’s Reservation Act). This means that 33 percent seats in the Lok Sabha and all state assemblies will be reserved for women. This law has been notified in the Gazette on 20 April 2026, but was not passed in the Lok Sabha because first nationwide census and delimitation is necessary. Its real benefit will be seen in the elections around 2029. Meanwhile, it is important to know how much the political parties have increased the share of women in ticket distribution in the last 3 years? Know in the explainer…

Question 1: After the law was made, how much did the parties increase in giving tickets to women?
answer: After the enactment of the Women’s Reservation Act, there was a very slow and slight increase in giving tickets to women. Most parties are still fielding very few women. In many states the number of tickets has become less than before. Overall, parties increased the proportion of women 38 times, but also decreased it 24 times. Only 10 times there was an increase of 5 percentage points or more. Barring a few small cases, no party has yet reached more than 30%.

Question 2: What is the situation in poll-bound states this year?
answer: In Assam, Kerala, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, most parties have increased only slightly or some have reduced it.

• West Bengal (2026 elections): Congress gave tickets to 35 women, which were only 7 in 2021. But in 2021, Congress was fighting only on 92 seats, now on 294. Therefore the percentage increased from 7.6% to 11.9%. TMC has fielded 52 women, which were 48 in 2021. TMC’s percentage increased from 16.55% to 17.86%. BJP reduced 5 tickets. That means reduction from 38 to 33.
• Tamil Nadu: DMK had given tickets to 14 women in 2021 and now 19 women are candidates. There were 17 women candidates from AIADMK in 2021 and now there are 19. The percentage of both is around 11%.
• Kerala: BJP and Congress gave less women in 2021. There was a slight increase in CPI(M). BJP’s percentage decreased from 13.9% to 14.3%, Congress from 10.8% to 9.9%, CPI(M) from 14.7% to 15.6%.
• Assam: Congress fielded 13 (9 in 2021) candidates, which is an increase of 13.3%, while BJP gave a chance to 6 (7 in 2021) women, which is only 6.7%.

Question 3: What is the record of the parties in major state elections?
answer: In the elections after the 2023 law, only 6 times did a party give tickets to more than 20% women:

• Sikkim Elections 2024: Congress gave tickets to 33.3% more women.
• Jharkhand Election 2024: AJSU had 30%.
• Odisha Elections 2024: BJD expressed confidence in 23.8% women.
• Jharkhand Election 2024: Congress gave opportunity to 23.3% women.
• Kerala Elections 2026: CPI has given opportunity to 20.8% women.
• Chhattisgarh Election 2023: Congress gave tickets to 20% women.

BJP’s best performance was in Jharkhand with 17.6% and Chhattisgarh with 16.7%. Earlier its highest was 15.6% (Chhattisgarh 2018) and 15.4% (Mizoram). BJP’s biggest increase was in Jharkhand by 8.8 percentage points, but there was a decline of 7.5 percentage points in Andhra Pradesh. In Puducherry, BJP did not field any women candidate in both 2024 and 2021. Congress’s record in Sikkim, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Arunachal has been good.

Question 4: What did the parties running schemes for women do?
answer: Where parties launched or promised cash transfer schemes for women, tickets increased slightly. Like in Madhya Pradesh (2023), Maharashtra (2024) and Bihar (2025). But in Bihar, Nitish Kumar’s JD(U) reduced the percentage of women in the ticket, even though his entire campaign was focused on women.

According to the report of Indian Express, the parties are still in the old thinking. They are giving tickets to women only on ‘safe’ or low-risk seats. No party is aiming for 33%. There is no compulsion as the law is not yet implemented. As a result, there was an increase 38 times, but a decrease 24 times.

Question 5: What effect is this on common people, women and politics?
answer: Political expert Rashid Kidwai says that the purpose of the law was to provide equal opportunities to women, but very little has happened voluntarily. Only 14% women became MPs in 2024 Lok Sabha. The average in state assemblies is not more than 9-10%. Due to this, women’s representation in politics remained low. Common people are seeing that despite big promises, parties are lagging behind in giving tickets to women. This is affecting women’s confidence and participation in politics.

Rashid Kidwai said, ‘Around 2029, when the law will be fully implemented after delimitation, then 33% reservation will become a compulsion. Then the parties will have to give tickets to women. The current modest increase is just an initial indication. If the parties make preparations from now, a big change can come, but at present the parties are very slow in giving tickets to women.

Assembly Election 2026 Live: West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Assam That means the whole country is ready for the elections to be held in four states and Puducherry i.e. one union territory. Voting is taking place in Kerala, Assam and Puducherry on 9th April, whereas in Tamil Nadu, voting will be held in a single phase on 23rd April. West Bengal assembly elections are the highest in the country. (West Bengal Assembly Election) is being discussed. Voting will be held in Bengal in two phases on 23rd and 29th. Voting will be held on 152 seats in the first phase and 142 seats in the second phase.

Main contest in Bengal between TMC and BJP

The main contest in West Bengal is between TMC and BJP. Everyone is waiting to know whether Mamata Banerjee’s government will once again return to the state or BJP will oust TMC from power and gain the throne. Congress and Left parties are also searching for their lost land.

TMC-BJP filed complaints against each other in the Election Commission

The round of allegations and counter-allegations continues in the West Bengal Assembly elections, under which Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) approached the Election Commission on Sunday, accusing each other of threats, hate speech and objectionable comments.

At the center of the controversy is BJP’s Panihati seat candidate and TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee. BJP candidate from Panihati seat is the mother of a rape victim doctor of RG Kar Hospital. The female doctor was murdered after being raped last year. BJP has also hit back at Banerjee for her comments against Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

In a complaint sent to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee alleged that the BJP candidate has made “extremely objectionable, threatening and derogatory” statements against Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

Banerjee, MP from Shrirampur, said that the BJP candidate used abusive language against the Chief Minister and also made statements threatening his life. The TMC leader termed these comments as “deeply worrying” and a threat to democratic values ​​and demanded immediate intervention of the Election Commission.

In his letter to the Election Commission, he said, “Use of abusive words and threats during the electoral process weakens the principles of free and fair elections and creates an atmosphere of fear and hostility among the public.” ”

Demanding strict action against the BJP candidate, Kalyan Banerjee has requested the Election Commission to take cognizance of the matter, order a speedy and impartial investigation and initiate strict legal and disciplinary action against the BJP candidate.

Calling it a part of BJP’s election strategy, TMC alleged that the party is trying to create an atmosphere of conflict and fear in Bengal politics.

Meanwhile, within hours of TMC’s complaint, BJP lodged a complaint with the Chief Electoral Officer of West Bengal, accusing Kalyan Banerjee of making “derogatory, inflammatory and hateful” comments against Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

The BJP also attached a video clip with its complaint and said this was not a one-time incident, but part of the continuing inflammatory rhetoric by ruling party leaders.

The letter submitted by BJP state unit leader Shishir Bajoria said Kalyan Banerjee’s comments were aimed at “humiliating, inciting and spreading enmity”, thereby increasing tension and polarization in the electoral environment. The BJP alleged that such rhetoric is being made with the tacit consent of the TMC leadership, which shows “systematic disregard” of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC).

The BJP has demanded the election authorities to hold Banerjee guilty of violating the code of conduct, immediately remove the video containing her statement from public platforms, stop her and other TMC leaders from making such statements and take criminal action under relevant laws.

The Panihati seat has assumed extraordinary political significance as the BJP has fielded a rape victim’s mother in a bid to turn the statewide outrage over the rape and murder of a female trainee doctor last year into an election issue. However, TMC has repeatedly accused the BJP of politicizing a personal tragedy and using the bereaved family as a political weapon against Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s government.

Assembly Election 2026 Live: There is very little time left for the elections to be held in four states and one union territory. Voting is taking place in Kerala, Assam and Puducherry on 9th April, whereas in Tamil Nadu, voting will be held in a single phase on 23rd April. West Bengal Assembly elections are being discussed the most across the country. Voting will be held in Bengal in two phases on 23rd and 29th. Voting will be held on 152 seats in the first phase and 142 seats in the second phase.

Main contest in Bengal between TMC and BJP

The main contest in West Bengal is between TMC and BJP. Everyone is waiting to know whether Mamata Banerjee’s government will once again return to the state or BJP will oust TMC from power and gain the throne. Congress and Left parties are also searching for their lost land.

Congress announced candidates for the remaining 10 assembly seats of West Bengal on Wednesday.

All India Congress Committee (AICC) on Wednesday announced candidates for the remaining 10 assembly seats of West Bengal. This announcement has been made before the two-phase assembly elections to be held later this month. Earlier, on March 29, the AICC had announced candidates for 284 of the total 294 assembly seats in the state.

With this latest list, the party has now finalized the names of candidates for all 294 seats. The names of the 10 seats announced on Wednesday are Alipurduar, Islampur, Gazole, Farakka, Sagardighi, Beldanga, Baduria, Ashoknagar, Shrirampur and Pataspur.

No big political name is included in this latest list of candidates. The Congress has decided to contest alone on all 294 assembly seats, breaking its previous electoral alliance with the CPI(M)-led Left Front in the state.

Congress and the Left Front had contested the elections together under the seat-sharing arrangement since the 2016 assembly elections, which continued till the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. In the 2021 assembly elections, neither the Congress nor the Left Front got any seats in the state. Assembly elections to be held in two phases in West Bengal are scheduled on April 23 and April 29. Voting will be held on 152 seats in the first phase and 142 seats in the second phase.

The electoral contest in the state is expected to be mainly a four-way affair, involving the Trinamool Congress, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the CPI(M)-led Left Front and the Congress. In some minority-dominated seats, the alliance between All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) and Humayun Kabir’s Aam Aadmi Unnayan Party (AAUP) may also impact the electoral contest.

Earlier on Wednesday, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused the Congress of not responding to her appeal, both in the state and across the country, to support the Trinamool Congress’s agitation against the ‘Special Intensive Revision’ (SIR) of electoral lists.

The meeting of the Central Election Committee of the Bharatiya Janata Party was held on 18 March 2026. This meeting was presided over by Nitin Nabin. Other big leaders of the party including PM Narendra Modi, Rajnath Singh and Amit Shah were also present in the meeting. In this meeting, names of 9 candidates have been decided for Puducherry Assembly elections.

A from Mannadipet seat of Puducherry. Namasivayam has been made the candidate. E. Theppanathan has been given ticket from Ossudu (SC) seat. PML from Kalapet seat. Kalyanasundaram has been made the candidate. VP from Raj Bhawan seat. Ramalingam has got a chance. Similarly, A. from Mudaliarpet seat. John Kumar has been declared the candidate. Emblem R from Manaveli seat. Selvam has been given the ticket. GNS from Thirunallar seat. Rajasekaran has been made the candidate.

BJP’s preparation for Puducherry assembly elections
Neeravi-TR TKSM Meenakshisundaram has been made the candidate from Pattinam seat, while A. Dinesh has got the ticket. In this way BJP has further strengthened its preparations for the Puducherry Assembly elections. After the names of the candidates are revealed, the activities related to the elections are likely to intensify further. The election campaign here is going to intensify in the coming days. Voting for the assembly elections in Puducherry will be held on April 9 and the votes will be counted on May 4. Apart from this, assembly elections are also going to be held in West Bengal, Assam, Kerala and Tamil Nadu, the date of which has been fixed. In this regard, different parties have released the names of candidates.

Puducherry Elections BJP released the list of 9 candidates for the upcoming elections in UT.

Puducherry Home Minister A. Namassivayam will contest from Mannadipet. pic.twitter.com/amOaUEXCaS

— ANI_HindiNews (@AHindinews) March 21, 2026

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The officers of Uttarakhand have been entrusted with a big responsibility for the assembly elections to be held in four important states of the country, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam and Kerala. A total of 14 officers of the state have been put on duty in these elections, which include 11 IAS and three IPS officers.

According to the information received from the government, IAS officers have been appointed as observers in different states. IAS Rajendra Kumar, Sridhar Babu Addanki and Ranjit Sinha have been given the responsibility in the Kerala Assembly elections. Whereas in Tamil Nadu, IAS Saurabh Gaharwar and couple Kishore Pant have been made observers.

IAS Meharban Singh Bisht, V. Shanmugam, Vineet Kumar and Vineet Tomar have been deployed for election duty in West Bengal. Apart from this, IAS Himanshu Khurana and Vandana have been given the role of observers in the Assam Assembly elections.

Rajesh Kumar and Abhishek Ruhela – kept in reserved category for now

Talking about IPS officers, Prahlad Narayan Meena and Anant Shankar Takwale have been sent as police supervisors to West Bengal, while Sunil Kumar Meena has been given this responsibility in Tamil Nadu.

Apart from this, two IAS officers-Dr. R. Rajesh Kumar and Abhishek Ruhela – are currently kept in the reserved category, who can be put on election duty if required.

In view of these elections to be held in four states, extensive preparations are being made at the administrative level. This responsibility given to the officials of Uttarakhand is being considered as a proof of their experience and efficiency. The role of these officers is going to be important in making the election process fair and transparent.

Puducherry Assembly Election 2026 Dates Schedule: The Election Commission has released the election schedule in the Union Territory of Puducherry along with 4 states today i.e. on March 15. Know when voting will take place in UT and when the results will be announced.

Election Commission’s press conference was held at Vigyan Bhawan in Delhi, in which Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, Election Commissioner Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi were present in this press conference. The Election Commission (ECI) has announced the complete schedule of elections for five states-union territories (West Bengal, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry).

When will voting take place in Puducherry?

Announcing the election schedule, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar said that voting will take place in Puducherry in one phase. Voting will be held here on 9th April. Apart from Puducherry, voting will also be held in Assam and Kerala on 9 April. Let us tell you that there are a total of 30 assembly seats in Puducherry. At present, NDA led by N Rangasamy is in power here. After the election bugle sounds, he will once again face the challenge of returning to power.

Who will compete in Puducherry?

In the Union Territory of Puducherry, the direct contest is being considered between two alliances. In which Bharatiya Janata Party and AIDMK are included in the NR Congress led NDA alliance. At the same time, DMK and Left Party are included in the Congress alliance. While Congress is dreaming of returning to power, the Rangasamy-led alliance is making efforts to form the government again.

Earlier, in the assembly elections held in the year 2021, the All India NR Congress alliance of BJP and N Rangasamy had got 16 seats in Puducherry and won the majority. Congress alliance got 8 seats while others got 6 seats. This time Congress will have to make full efforts to regain the lost power.

Election Dates 2026: Elections in Assam, Kerala and Puducherry on April 9, see full election schedule of all five states including Bengal.