2026 Elections: 4 States, 1 UT Set for Crucial Assembly Polls

• Assembly elections are scheduled in 4 states (West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Kerala) and 1 UT (Puducherry) in 2026, following 2025's 'electoral semi-final'.
• West Bengal: Mamata Banerjee's TMC battles BJP, with Muslim voters being a decisive factor; Left and Congress face an uphill task.
• Tamil Nadu: AIADMK-BJP (NDA) alliance re-forms with EPS as CM candidate; Thalapathy Vijay's TVK enters, potentially impacting youth votes.
• Kerala: Pinarayi Vijayan's LDF aims for a third term against a resurgent UDF and BJP, which has made Thiruvananthapuram triangular.
• Assam: CM Himanta Biswa Sarma's BJP alliance targets 103 seats; Congress (Gaurav Gogoi) contests alone on 100, setting up a direct fight. These polls are crucial for national politics and the INDIA Block's strength for 2029 Lok Sabha elections.

Why It Matters: 2026 assembly elections in 4 states and 1 UT will shape national politics and 2029 Lok Sabha dynamics.