2026 Elections: West Bengal to Tamil Nadu Set for Intense State Battles

• 2026 will be a busy election year with polls in West Bengal, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Puducherry.
• Three key states—West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala—are currently governed by BJP's arch-rivals.
• In West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee's TMC faces a strong BJP challenge, while Congress and Left aim to regain ground.
• Tamil Nadu sees DMK challenged by AIADMK, now backed by BJP, with their combined 2024 Lok Sabha vote share suggesting a formidable opposition.
• Kerala's CPM-led LDF seeks a third term amidst UDF's comeback and BJP's local election gains, signaling a shift in state politics.

Why It Matters: 2026 brings high-stakes state elections across India, testing incumbent parties and alliances.