Counting Day 2026: Congress leads in Kerala, BJP pushes ahead in Bengal as multi-state trends take shape

Counting begins at 8 am across five regions. Then, early trends redraw political equations. As a result, parties claim momentum while the final picture remains fluid.

Across West Bengal, counting centres buzz with activity. The Bharatiya Janata Party opens with strong leads in several constituencies. At the same time, the Trinamool Congress works to close the gap but struggles in early rounds. Outside centres in Kolkata and surrounding districts, party workers gather in clusters, track updates on mobile screens, and react to every shift. In tea stalls and local markets, voters debate whether these leads will hold through later rounds.

However, one key seat stays out of today’s count. The Election Commission schedules a repoll in Falta on May 21. As a result, results from all polling stations in that constituency will come later, which leaves a small gap in the final tally for now.

Meanwhile, Kerala tells a different story. The Congress-led United Democratic Front gains early dominance and crosses the halfway mark in trends. Supporters celebrate outside counting centres in Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode. They wave flags and raise slogans as each round strengthens their position. On the ground, many voters point to local issues such as price rise, employment, and governance fatigue. These concerns appear to shape the early swing.

In Tamil Nadu, the contest takes a dramatic turn. Actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam emerges as a strong force in its debut election. The party crosses the majority mark in early trends and challenges the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam in its strongholds. Supporters gather in large numbers, chant slogans, and celebrate what they see as a breakthrough moment. At the same time, DMK workers stay cautious and wait for later rounds to bring clarity.

Assam shows a more familiar pattern. The BJP maintains an edge in several seats and pushes toward a potential third straight term. Party offices witness early celebrations, while opposition workers remain watchful. In towns and rural belts, voters discuss development work, welfare delivery, and local leadership as key factors behind the trends.

In Puducherry, the National Democratic Alliance builds a steady lead. Early numbers suggest a comfortable path toward forming the government. Supporters gather outside party offices and mark each gain with loud cheers. Local conversations focus on governance stability and economic prospects.

Background factors add depth to today’s trends. West Bengal voted in two phases, while Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry held single-phase polls. Campaigns stretched over weeks and featured rallies, roadshows, and digital outreach. Allegations around voting processes in Bengal added to the high-stakes atmosphere. Exit polls predicted close contests in several states, yet early counting reveals sharper shifts in some regions.

Key constituencies draw special attention. Seats like Bhabanipur and Nandigram in Bengal, Kolathur in Tamil Nadu, Dharmadam in Kerala, and Jalukbari in Assam remain under close watch. Senior leaders contest from these seats, which raises both political stakes and public interest.

As counting progresses, margins in many constituencies remain narrow. Each round brings new leads and occasional reversals. Party leaders issue cautious statements, while analysts warn against reading too much into early trends. On the ground, voters stay glued to updates from morning to evening.

The day unfolds with clear signals but no final verdict. Congress gains ground in Kerala, BJP pushes hard in Bengal, and new players shake up Tamil Nadu. As numbers settle, the results will decide not just governments but also the direction of politics in the months ahead.