Vote counting LIVE: Vijay shocks Dravidian giants; BJP crosses 200 in Bengal; UDF wave in Kerala
The 2026 election story: The fall of bastions, the rise of a superstar, and a saffron breakthrough in the East.
Extending its saffron spread in eastern India, the BJP is set for a decisive win over the TMC in long elusive West Bengal and headed for another term in Assam while actor-politician Vijay’s TVK made a stunning debut in Tamil Nadu as the largest single party in terms of seats won or led. As votes were counted for Assembly elections in West Bengal, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry, Election Commission trends showed a wipeout of the Left and a solitary win for the Congress that has been battling diminishing electoral returns.
Also Read: Understanding the Vijay phenomenon in Tamil Nadu politics
Also Read: What explains Bengal’s saffron shift? 6 reasons why Mamata was decimated
Also Read: UDF landslide in Kerala: The multiple factors that toppled Left
That silver lining for the opposition party came from Kerala where the Congress-led UDF won or was leading in 101 of the 140 Assembly seats while the CPM-led ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) was ahead in just under 40 constituencies.
The cynosure of Election 2026, however, was West Bengal, the eastern state where the Trinamool Congress was eyeing a fourth straight term in its only bastion. As counting progressed, power for the TMC seemed to be pulling away, further and further. The state’s political landscape was changing with the BJP, its campaign spearheaded by Amit Shah with Modi as its lodestar, pushing ahead in border, tribal and industrial regions, while the TMC held ground in parts of Kolkata and select rural strongholds.
According to the Election Commission, the BJP won or was ahead in 195 of the 294 seats, well ahead of the magic number of 147, power in the state finally within its grasp. The Trinamool Congress tally was 90.
In Assam, where the election was a hot-headed affair too, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma led the BJP to another straight victory with leads in 81 of the 126 seats, leaving the Congress far behind at 19. Congress state unit president Gaurav Gogoi faced his first electoral defeat in Jorhat.
West Bengal was one headline of Election 2026, the other was superstar Vijay, who defied the odds and the taint of a stampede during his rally in September 2025 in which 41 people were killed. That was clearly in the past as his party broke bipolar Dravidian politics and was poised to become the largest single party in Tamil Nadu with wins and leads in 109 of the state’s 234 seats. The ruling DMK that had started the morning at number three position was at 61 and the AIADMK at 44.
Chief Minister M K Stalin lost in Kolathur. According to Election Commission data, 15 other ministers were also lagging behind.
The choice, it appeared, was clear. Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar could well join the pantheon of MGR and Jayalalithaa as the stars who made it big in the political firmament.
In Kerala, Congress broke Left's grip, winning over 100 seats. In Puducherry, the All India NR Congress had won or was ahead in 11 of the 30 seats. The DMK stood at five and the BJP at four. The TVK made its presence felt with three.
In Assam, the BJP-led NDA is set to create history surging towards a landslide victory. Under the leadership of Himanta Biswa Sarma, the party is on track to secure a record third consecutive term, with leads comfortably crossing the majority mark.
As the counting is underway, follow our live updates below:
Live Updates
- 4 May 2026 8:16 AM IST
Early leads
TN
DMK+ 3
AIADMK+ 1
TVK 1
Bengal
TMC+ 5
BJP+ 3
Kerala
UDF 8
LDF 2
BJP+ 1
Assam
BJP+ 2
AIUDF+ 1
Puducherry
NRC+ 1
- 4 May 2026 8:13 AM IST
LDF leads in Kerala
Kerala postal ballots: LDF leads with 45 seats. UDF 32. NDA 2
- 4 May 2026 8:03 AM IST
Counting of votes begins
The counting of votes for the elections to the Assemblies of Assam, Keralam, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Puducherry begins. Counting of votes for by-polls in seven Assembly constituencies of five states also being done today.
- 4 May 2026 8:02 AM IST
Bengal: Counting of votes begins
The counting of votes for 293 seats of West Bengal Assembly begins as TMC eyes fourth straight term in power.
- 4 May 2026 8:01 AM IST
Tamil Nadu: Three-tier security in place for counting of votes
As votes for the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly Elections 2026 will be counted on May 4 across the state, the EC said a three-tier security system will be in place at counting centres.
Chief Electoral Officer Archana Patnaik, in a statement, said that the first tier—a security perimeter extending 100 metres around each counting centre—has been established.
Entry within this zone will be strictly restricted to authorised personnel, she added.
Patnaik said the second tier, comprising the entry gates of the counting premises, will be secured by the State Armed Police.
“They will regulate access and prevent unauthorised movement or loitering within the premises,” she said, adding that the use of mobile phones and other communication devices will be permitted only in designated areas.
According to the CEO, the third tier—the innermost security layer, located at the entrance to the counting halls and the EVM strong rooms—will be managed by the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF).
“Strict frisking protocols will be enforced to ensure that mobile phones and other prohibited items are not taken inside the counting halls,” she said.
She further said that, as a first-time initiative, the Election Commission of India has introduced a QR code-based Photo Identity Card system to prevent unauthorised entry into counting centres.
Patnaik said the counting of votes recorded at all 75,064 polling stations, along with postal ballots received, will be conducted at 62 designated counting centres.
The CEO said counting will begin at 8.00 am with postal ballots, followed by EVM counting at 8.30 am.
- 4 May 2026 8:00 AM IST
Assam polls: Security tightened as counting for 126 assembly seats to begin
Security has been tightened across Assam, including areas bordering Bangladesh, as the counting of votes for 126 assembly seats is set to begin on Monday morning, officials said.
Twenty-five companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) have been deployed to guard the counting centres and the strongrooms, housing the electronic voting machines (EVMs).
The authorities have deployed 800 more unarmed police personnel to move the EVMs from strongrooms to the counting centres.
DGP Harmeet Singh said that the state police were not apprehending any trouble in the counting process, but the forces were prepared to tackle any untoward incident.
Chief Electoral Officer Anurag Goel had said that two additional CAPF companies would be kept on static duty. On the other hand, 93 companies of state armed police have already been deployed in the districts, he said.
The support of 85 Assault Groups has also been sought on the counting day to deal with any untoward incident.
Polling in the state was held on April 9, with 85.96 per cent of the over 2.50 crore electorate exercising their franchise.
Among the 722 candidates, Congress has the highest 99, followed by BJP with 90, AIUDF with 30, NDA allies Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) with 26 and Bodo Peoples' Front (BPF) with 11 nominees.
- 4 May 2026 7:34 AM IST
Officials open strong room in Kerala
Poll officials open a strong room in Kerala. Counting of votes to start at 8 am.
- 4 May 2026 6:58 AM IST
Argument between counting agents of TMC, BJP
An argument broke out between the counting agents of TMC and BJP outside the counter centre at Sakhawat Memorial School in Bhabanipur assembly constituency.
