Assembly election counting begins: Bengal, TN, Kerala, Assam, Puducherry on edge
Synopsis
Five states, one day, and the fate of some of India's most consequential political battles. From Mamata Banerjee's bid for a fourth Bengal term to Pinarayi Vijayan's unprecedented third-term attempt in Kerala, and actor Vijay's TVK threatening to upend Tamil Nadu's two-party order — 4 May 2025 is a counting day that could redraw India's political map.
Key Takeaways
Counting of votes began on 4 May 2025 for Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu , Kerala , West Bengal , Assam , and Puducherry .
West Bengal recorded a record 92.93% voter turnout; counting covers 293 of 294 seats, with Falta constituency re-polling on 21 May .
DMK -led alliance projected at 120–145 seats in Tamil Nadu; actor Vijay's TVK could capture 30% vote share in key urban areas.
In Kerala , the LDF seeks a historic third consecutive term; UDF projected near 72 seats in the 140-member House.
BJP-led NDA in Assam projected to win 85–100 seats in the 126-member Assembly, eyeing a hat-trick under Himanta Biswa Sarma .
Counting of votes for the 2025 Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal, Assam, and Puducherry commenced on Monday, 4 May, with final results expected by end of day as trends emerge through multiple rounds. Nearly 25 crore voters across these four major states and one Union Territory participated in what analysts have described as one of the most consequential state election cycles in recent memory.
West Bengal: Record Turnout, High-Stakes Battle
In West Bengal, counting is underway for 293 of 294 Assembly constituencies, with the Falta Assembly constituency in South 24 Parganas district excluded after the Election Commission of India (ECI) ordered re-polling there on 21 May; results for that seat will be declared on 24 May. Tight security has been deployed at Netaji Indoor Stadium in Kolkata, a designated counting venue. The state recorded a record-breaking voter turnout of 92.93%, underscoring the intensity of the contest. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) are fighting for a fourth consecutive term, facing a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) that has evolved from a marginal presence into a formidable electoral force in the state.
Tamil Nadu: Third Force Disrupts Bipolar Contest
Tamil Nadu recorded an 85.1% voter turnout, itself a record-setting figure. The traditionally bipolar contest between the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) has been complicated by the emergence of actor Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) as a potent third force. Security was tightened at the DMK headquarters, Anna Arivalayam, as counting began. Internal surveys and exit projections suggest Chief Minister MK Stalin's DMK-led alliance remains the frontrunner, with seat projections ranging between 120 and 145 in the 234-member Assembly. Notably, data indicates that TVK could capture around 30% of the vote share in select urban pockets including Chennai and Madurai, according to exit poll analysis.
Kerala: LDF Eyes Historic Third Term Against Resurgent UDF
In Kerala, the Left Democratic Front (LDF) under Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is attempting a third consecutive term — a feat never achieved in the state's modern political history. However, projections suggest a tight contest, with the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) projected to hover around 72 seats in the 140-member House. A UDF victory would carry national significance for the Indian National Congress (Congress / INC), demonstrating its capacity to anchor a major state alliance to power — a narrative the party badly needs ahead of future national contests.
Assam: BJP-Led NDA Eyes Hat-Trick in the Northeast
In Assam, the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), steered by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, appears positioned for a third consecutive victory. Exit polls have projected the NDA securing between 85 and 100 seats in the 126-member Assembly. The Congress-led six-party Opposition front has reportedly struggled to dismantle the BJP's organisational machinery in the state, according to political observers. This comes amid a broader BJP consolidation across the Northeast, where the party has steadily expanded its footprint since 2016.
What to Watch as Results Come In
The day's results will serve as a crucial mid-term barometer for both the ruling NDA at the Centre and the Opposition INDIA bloc. A TMC sweep in Bengal would reinforce Banerjee's national stature; a UDF win in Kerala could energise Congress nationally; while a BJP hat-trick in Assam would cement the party's Northeast dominance. All eyes will also be on how TVK performs in Tamil Nadu — a strong debut could reshape the state's political arithmetic for years to come.
Point of View
The Opposition INDIA bloc gets a credible proof-of-concept ahead of the next general election cycle. Conversely, a BJP hat-trick in Assam and a strong showing in Bengal would signal that the party's organisational machine remains unmatched outside the Hindi heartland. The wildcard is Tamil Nadu, where TVK's urban vote share — if it materialises at 30% — would mark one of the most disruptive debut performances in South Indian electoral history, potentially rendering the AIADMK structurally irrelevant. Mainstream coverage is focused on seat tallies; the more durable story is vote-share shifts.
NationPress
5 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the Assembly election results for West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Assam be declared?
Counting began on 4 May 2025, with final results expected by the end of the day as trends emerge through multiple counting rounds. The exception is the Falta constituency in West Bengal, where results will be declared on 24 May following re-polling on 21 May.
Why was re-polling ordered in Falta constituency in West Bengal?
The Election Commission of India ordered re-polling for the entire Falta Assembly constituency in South 24 Parganas district, with fresh polling scheduled for 21 May and results on 24 May. The ECI announced this on the Saturday before counting day; specific reasons were not detailed in the official announcement.
What are the exit poll projections for Tamil Nadu's 2025 Assembly election?
Exit projections suggest the DMK-led alliance, headed by Chief Minister MK Stalin, is the frontrunner with between 120 and 145 seats. Actor Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) is projected to capture around 30% vote share in key urban areas like Chennai and Madurai.
Is the LDF's bid for a third consecutive term in Kerala unprecedented?
Yes. A third consecutive term for the Left Democratic Front under Pinarayi Vijayan would be a historic first in Kerala's modern political history. The Congress-led UDF is projected to be close, hovering around 72 seats in the 140-member Assembly.
How significant is the Assam election result for the BJP nationally?
A BJP-led NDA victory in Assam would represent a hat-trick — three consecutive terms — consolidating the party's dominance across the Northeast. Exit polls project the NDA winning between 85 and 100 seats in the 126-member Assembly, despite a Congress-led six-party Opposition front.
