LIVE: Exit polls predict UDF in Kerala; Stalin, Himanta look set to stay; TMC shaky
As curtain falls on final phase of polling, all eyes are on predictions for Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Bengal, and Puducherry ahead of the May 4 results
The marathon election season across four states and one Union Territory reached its crescendo today as the final ballots were cast in West Bengal. In the second phase, Bengal saw a record 90 per cent voter turnout.
The focus shifts instantly to the exit poll predictions, which will begin trickling in after 6:30 PM. These surveys will offer the first data-driven glimpse into whether incumbent governments in Kerala and Assam have held their ground, if the high-decibel campaigns in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal have swayed the electorate, and who holds the edge in the crucial battle for Puducherry.
While the official counting of votes is scheduled for May 4, the exit polls are set to trigger a night of intense political debate and anticipation across the country.
Get live updates here.
Live Updates
- 29 April 2026 11:28 AM IST
Mamata, Suvendu trade barbs at Bhabanipur booth
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari arrived in the same polling area in Bhabanipur’s Chakraberia on Wednesday morning, trading sharp accusations without crossing paths.
Banerjee had reached ward 70 early, responding to complaints that local TMC leaders were being intimidated. Soon after, Adhikari visited the area, but the two did not meet. The chief minister alleged that the BJP was attempting to “rig” the election with the help of central forces and election officials, claiming democratic norms were under strain.
She said, “The BJP wants to rig this election. Elections in West Bengal are usually peaceful. Is there goonda raj here?” and accused observers of acting under political direction. “Atrocities took place across West Bengal last night. We were awake the entire night. Our workers are ready to die, but we will not allow democracy to be murdered.”
Adhikari rejected the claims, calling them “frustration.” He said, “Mamata Banerjee is scared. Her police has been replaced by central forces, which is why she is scared.”
- 29 April 2026 11:26 AM IST
NIA deployed at Bengal booths amid bomb threat concerns
Officials from the National Investigation Agency have been stationed across at least seven Assembly constituencies in West Bengal during the second phase of polling on Wednesday, following instructions from the Election Commission to prevent the use of explosives during voting.
According to an official, NIA teams are present in seats including Kasba, Bhangar, Baruipur and Bishnupur. “Yes, the NIA has been assigned to booths in these places. The decision was taken based on specific inputs,” he said, noting that Bhangar was included given its record of poll-related violence.
The move follows recent recoveries of crude bombs and reports of a minor explosion. On April 26, police seized explosives from the residence of an individual allegedly linked to the Trinamool Congress in Bhangar, South 24 Parganas.
Acting on directions from the Union Home Ministry, the agency registered a case to investigate the recovery of 79 crude bombs and has since taken over the probe.
- 29 April 2026 11:24 AM IST
Nitin Nabin predicts BJP win with “massive majority”
BJP president Nitin Nabin on Wednesday expressed confidence that his party is set to take power in West Bengal, asserting it will do so with a “thumping majority.”
Voting is currently underway across 142 constituencies in the second and final phase of the assembly elections, spanning key districts such as Kolkata, Howrah, and North and South 24 Parganas. The outcome is being closely watched, with the ruling Trinamool Congress aiming to secure a fourth straight term, while the BJP seeks its first government in the state. The opening phase on April 23 saw turnout exceed 93 per cent.
Addressing reporters in Mirzapur, Nabin said, “The BJP will form the government in Bengal. We are winning the elections with a massive majority.” Earlier, he visited the Vindhyavasini temple, where rituals were conducted by Acharya Agastya Kumar Dwivedi.
During his visit, Nabin met party leaders and stressed organisational strength and public service.
- 29 April 2026 11:19 AM IST
Tension in Bengal's Bhangar as Nawsad Siddique faces protests
Tension spread in the Sainhati area of the Bhangar assembly constituency in South 24 Paraganas district, West Bengal, amid the election atmosphere, following allegations of a confrontation involving rival party workers.
According to the complaint, as soon as the ISF chairman and outgoing Bhangar MLA, as well as candidate Nawsad Siddique, reached the area, Trinamool Congress workers surrounded him and began protesting. They raised slogans on seeing the outgoing MLA, and the situation soon turned heated, reported Anandbazar Patrika.
Siddique reacted angrily, claiming that despite an otherwise peaceful situation, TMC workers were deliberately trying to create unrest.
No reports of any major clash have been received so far. Forces have been deployed in the area to keep the situation under control.
- 29 April 2026 11:15 AM IST
BJP candidate Bikash Sardar alleges attack on car in Basanti
Bikash Sardar, the BJP candidate contesting from the Basanti assembly constituency, has alleged that his vehicle was targeted in an attack he attributes to Trinamool Congress workers, adding to a tense campaign atmosphere in the area.
“Gundagiri by TMC is happening everywhere in the constituency,” Sardar said, describing what he called a pattern rather than an isolated incident. According to him, the confrontation escalated quickly. “200-250 TMC goons attacked my car with rods and bamboo sticks. They also attacked my driver.”
Sardar did not indicate whether a formal complaint had been filed, but his account points to rising friction on the ground as campaigning continues. There was no immediate response from local TMC representatives regarding the allegation.
- 29 April 2026 10:48 AM IST
North 24 Parganas: Voters complain EVM not working in one booth at Baranagar
During the second phase of polling in the West Bengal elections on Wednesday (April 29), voters in Baranagar, North 24 Parganas complained that the electronic voting machine (EVM) at Booth No 72 was not working.
- 29 April 2026 10:40 AM IST
BJP trying to ‘rig’ Bengal polls, central forces acting at its behest: Mamata
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday (April 29) accused the BJP of trying to "rig" the West Bengal assembly elections, alleging that central forces and election observers were acting at the behest of the saffron party. The BJP, however, dismissed her allegations, accusing her of "trying to create confusion sensing public anger against the TMC".
Visiting several polling booths in her Bhabanipur assembly constituency where voting is underway, Mamata alleged that democratic norms have been severely compromised by the authorities this assembly election. The Bhabanipur assembly segment is Mamata’s political bastion, where she is locked in a prestige battle against Leader of the Opposition, Suvendu Adhikari, in what is being seen as a symbolic rematch of Nandigram, where he had defeated her in the 2021 assembly polls.
"BJP wants to rig this election," she told reporters.
Stating that elections are held in West Bengal in a peaceful manner, Mamata asked, "Is there goonda raj here?"
West Bengal has had a tradition of poll-related violence with the Calcutta High Court having ordered CBI investigations into post-poll violence after the 2021 assembly elections.
Alleging that TMC workers and leaders were facing atrocities at the hands of police and CAPF personnel, Mamata said her party cadres "were ready to die".
The TMC supremo, who usually steps out of her Kalighat residence in the afternoon on polling day to cast her vote at Mitra Institution School, went out before 8 am and visited several polling stations in the constituency, including those in the Chetla area of south Kolkata. She later sat outside a polling station at Chakraberia in Bhabanipur and spoke to reporters, alleging irregularities and accusing the BJP of trying to influence the polling process through central forces and observers.
"Several observers have come from outside and are acting as per the BJP's directions. People are supposed to cast their votes - can voting take place like this?" Mamata said.
She also alleged that all TMC party flags had been removed beforehand and claimed that outsiders were interfering with the polling process.
"They are not allowing the councillor of ward number 70 to step out. They are picking up all our boys. Abhishek and I stayed awake the entire night," she said.
Mamata further claimed that some people from outside the state were trying to create disturbances in the constituency and sought immediate intervention from the Election Commission.
The BJP, however, dismissed her allegations, claiming that the ruling party was trying to create confusion after sensing public anger against it. Adhikari said the CM will lose the election.
The LoP offered prayers at two temples in the constituency's Khidirpur area. Adhikari said people are coming out in large numbers to vote, with the Election Commission making proper arrangements for ensuring free and fair election.
"Does not matter, she will lose," Adhikari told reporters about the TMC chief venturing out on polling day early in the morning in a departure from her practice of going out only in the afternoon to cast her vote.
TMC’s de facto second-in-command Abhishek Banerjee, on the other hand, asserted that the TMC will win with a higher number of seats than in 2021. The Diamond Harbour MP, after casting his vote at Mitra Institution, accused the poll observers of highhandedness in different places.
"But these things will not matter, we will win by a higher number of seats this election," he told reporters.
Voting is underway in 142 constituencies in the second and final phase of the West Bengal assembly elections amid unprecedented security arrangements. Polling began at 7 am with voters lining up outside booths across Kolkata, Howrah, North and South 24 Parganas, Nadia, Hooghly, and Purba Bardhaman - districts that together form the political and electoral core of the state.
The outcome of this phase is expected to be crucial as it covers south Bengal, considered the TMC's traditional stronghold, where the BJP is seeking major inroads.
Polling will continue till 6 pm. The first phase of the assembly elections on April 23 had recorded a turnout of 93.19 per cent - the highest ever in the state.
Counting of votes will take place on May 4.
- 29 April 2026 10:24 AM IST
Kharge tells Bengal it’s ‘time to stand up against forces that seek to undermine rights’
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday (April 29) urged the people of West Bengal to step out in large numbers to exercise their democratic right, saying this is the time to stand up against forces that seek to undermine their rights and give them a befitting reply.
"Today marks the second phase of polling in the West Bengal Assembly elections. I urge every voter to step out in large numbers and exercise your democratic right without fear or hesitation," Kharge said on X.
Do not be influenced or intimidated by anyone, he told the people.
"Vote for progressive values. Vote for development. Vote for harmony. Vote for amity," Kharge said.
West Bengal has always led the way in driving meaningful change, and today is another such moment, the Congress chief said.
"This is the time to stand up against forces that seek to undermine your rights and give them a befitting reply. I especially appeal to young and first-time voters, your voice matters. Ensure that the spirit of true Democracy persists in West Bengal," said Kharge.
- 29 April 2026 9:55 AM IST
Second phase of Bengal elections:18.39 pc voter turnout till 9 am
The voter turnout recorded till 9 am on Wednesday (April 29) in the second and final phase of West Bengal elections 2026 was about 18.39 per cent.
- 29 April 2026 9:49 AM IST
BJP polling agent in Nadia attacked by group of miscreants
A group of miscreants allegedly attacked BJP polling agent Mosharraf Mir of booth number 52 of Hatra Panchayat, Chapra Assembly constituency in Nadia with iron rod and guns at about 5.30 am on Wednesday (April 29).
Chapra police rescued him and admitted him to Chapra Rural Hospital, where he is undergoing treatment. He has received six stitches on his head.
