As counting for the 2026 Assembly elections begins on May 4, focus has shifted to a set of high-profile constituencies across West Bengal, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry that could determine the final outcome.
Polling, held between April 9 and April 29, has thrown up nearly 20 key battleground seats where close contests are expected to influence the broader political picture.
In West Bengal, Bhabanipur is among the most closely watched seats, with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee facing BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari in a high-stakes contest. Nandigram, another politically significant constituency, continues to draw attention, while Kharagpur Sadar and Asansol Dakshin are also witnessing intense fights between the TMC and BJP.
Assam’s Jalukbari seat remains crucial, with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma seeking re-election against Congress candidate Bidisha Neog. Guwahati Central has emerged as a generational contest, while Jorhat is witnessing a face-off between BJP veteran Hitendra Nath Goswami and Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi.
Also read: Bengal awaits verdict; TMC eyes return, BJP seeks breakthrough
Tamil Nadu is seeing a multi-cornered contest. Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni, represented by Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, remains a key seat, while actor Vijay’s entry into politics through Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam has added a new dimension, particularly in constituencies such as Perambur.
In Kerala, the traditional contest between the Left Democratic Front and the United Democratic Front continues. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is contesting from Dharmadom, while Thrissur is expected to witness a close three-way fight involving the CPI, Congress and BJP.
Puducherry, despite its smaller size, has several significant contests. Thattanchavady features Chief Minister N Rangasamy against Congress leader V Vaithilingam, making it one of the key seats in the Union Territory.
Across states, the BJP is aiming to retain its hold in Assam and expand in southern regions, while the TMC seeks to defend West Bengal. The DMK-led alliance, AIADMK-BJP combine, LDF and UDF are locked in competitive contests.
With mixed exit poll projections and closely fought battles, these key constituencies are expected to provide early trends and shape the final verdict as counting unfolds.
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