A poll of exit polls for the 2026 assembly elections across key states indicates a mixed political landscape, with different parties gaining ground in different regions. While the Bharatiya Janata Party is projected to dominate Assam, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam is expected to retain power in Tam

Tamil Nadu witnessed a historic voter turnout of 84.6% in the Assembly elections held on April 24, 2026, marking the highest polling percentage in the state since 1952. The Election Commission reported that the turnout surpassed the previous high of 78.29% recorded in 2011, reflecting strong electoral participation across all 234 constituencies. From early morning, polling booths across the state saw long queues of voters, including elderly citizens, first-time voters, and families, highlight

After weeks of intense campaigning, voting has begun in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu, marking a crucial phase in the 2026 Assembly elections. In West Bengal, polling started at 7 am across 152 constituencies in the first phase, covering more than half of the state’s total 294 seats. The contest in Bengal is largely seen as a direct and high-stakes face-off between the ruling Trinamool Congress led by Mamata Banerjee and the Bharatiya Janata Party. Early hours witnessed long queues at polling

Voting is currently underway in two of India’s most politically significant states, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, as part of the 2026 Assembly elections. Polling began today at 7:00 am and is scheduled to continue until 6:00 pm, following early mock polling exercises conducted at select locations such as Chennai and Siliguri to ensure the readiness of voting systems. Officials have reported smooth initial operations, with voter turnout expected to build steadily throughout the day. The electoral process differs between the two states. Tamil Nadu is conducting voting in a single phase, meaning voters across the state will determine the next government simultaneously. In contrast, West Bengal is following a two-phase format, with the second phase scheduled for April 29. Results for both states, along with ongoing bypolls in other regions, will be declared on May 4. In Tamil Nadu, the contest is primarily between the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance and the NDA bloc led by AIADMK. The DMK alliance includes Congress, DMDK, and VCK, while AIADMK is aligned with BJP and PMK. However, this election cycle introduces a notable shift with the political entry of Vijay and his party TVK. His debut adds a third dimension to what has traditionally been a two-front contest, potentially altering voting patterns and outcomes. West Bengal presents an equally intense political environment. The ruling Trinamool Congress, led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, is seeking a fourth consecutive term in power. The BJP, which significantly expanded its presence in the previous election by securing 77 seats, is aiming to build on that momentum and challenge the incumbent leadership more aggressively. Beyond these two major states, bypolls are also being conducted in Gujarat’s Umreth and Maharashtra’s Baramati and Rahuri constituencies. These results will be announced alongside the main election outcomes, adding further political significance to the day’s voting activity.

Chennai: The intense campaign for the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections 2026 will come to an end today, marking the start of the mandatory silent period ahead of voting scheduled on April 23. Over the past few weeks, the state has witnessed a high-energy political battle, with top national and regional leaders holding rallies, roadshows, and public meetings across all 234 constituencies. Prominent leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Congress le

Chennai: Vijay, chief of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, made a strong final appeal to voters ahead of the Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections 2026, urging them to support his party’s “Whistle” symbol. Addres

N. Chandrababu Naidu marked his birthday with intense political activity, choosing to campaign in Tamil Nadu for the National Democratic Alliance instead of celebrating the occasion. The veteran leader arrived in Coimbatore, where he received a strong reception from supporters and members of the Telugu community, signaling the growing momentum of the NDA campaign ahead of the Assembly elections. Continuing his schedule, Naidu interacted with local leaders and key political figures, holding discussions on electoral strategy and regional issues. His visit reflects a broader push by the NDA to strengthen its presence in Tamil Nadu, with Naidu playing an active role in mobilizing support. His decision to campaign on his birthday highlights his commitment to political work and alliance responsibilities. During his address, Naidu criticized the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam for opposing the delimitation bill, stating that the move could negatively impact southern states in the future. He argued that the bill was intended to address concerns arising from population-based seat allocation and warned that resistance to it could harm the region’s political representation. Naidu’s remarks came as he took a firm stance in support of the delimitation proposal, even while speaking in a region where the issue remains politically sensitive. He emphasized that such reforms are necessary to ensure balanced representation and long-term benefits for states in South India. Following his engagements in Coimbatore, Naidu is expected to continue his campaign in Chennai, where he will participate in roadshows and public meetings. His active involvement underlines the NDA’s strategy to intensify outreach efforts in the state ahead of the polls. With his continued presence on the ground and focus on key political issues, Naidu’s campaign signals a determined push by the NDA to make inroads in Tamil Nadu. His efforts are likely to play a significant role in shaping the alliance’s performance in the upcoming elections.

AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami has called for respect for the late M G Ramachandran (MGR), rejecting comparisons between the actor-politician and current actor-politician Vijay. Speaking at a rally in Tamil Nadu, Palaniswami emphasized that MGR should not be compared with Vijay, who heads the newly formed Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). He stressed that MGR was regarded as a "god" by AIADMK supporters, not only for his political leadership but also for his humanitarian work. Pa

Actor-politician Khushbu Sundar has recently raised awareness about a fake social media account impersonating her husband, director Sundar C, who recently made his political debut. This came after BJP state president Nainar Nagendran tagged the unverified account of Sundar C in a post, prompting Khushbu to clarify the situation. She immediately warned her followers by sharing the photo on her own X handle, making it clear that Sundar C does not have an official social media presence as of now

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin has unveiled the DMK’s election manifesto ahead of the April 23 Assembly polls, doubling down on welfare schemes while trying to position the state as a growth engine. The announcement, made in Chennai, signals a clear strategy: retain voter loyalty through direct benefits while promising economic expansion. The headline move is obvious and targeted

Actor-turned-politician Vijay has officially announced candidates for the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, marking the debut of his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). Vijay himself will contest from two constituencies — Perambur and Trichy East — both currently held by the ruling DMK. Addressing supporters, Vijay urged voters to give his party a chance, highlighting the party’s election symbol and calling for equal support to all TVK candidates. He emphasized that h

In a major political development ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, Kamal Haasan's Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) has decided not to contest the polls, citing dissatisfaction over the seat-sharing arrangement with the DMK-led alliance. Despite the disagreement over the number of seats allocated to MNM and the proposal to contest under the DMK’s ‘Rising Sun’ symbol, Haasan’s party has pledged unconditional support to the alliance, leaving an open declaration that they would ba

The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has finalized its seat-sharing arrangement for the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. The AIADMK, a key player in the alliance, will contest 178 of the 234 constituencies, while the BJP will contest 27 seats. Other alliance partners include the PMK, which has been allocated 18 seats, and AMMK with 11 seats. AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) expressed confidence that the discussions within the alliance had gone smoothly, confirming the offic

Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam has made a bold political move by deciding to contest the upcoming Puducherry Assembly elections independently. The party, led by actor-turned-politician Vijay, has officially announced candidates for all 30 constituencies, signaling its intent to emerge as a strong alternative in the region’s political landscape. The elections are scheduled to take place on April 9, with counting of votes set for May 4. The current Assembly term will end on June 15, makin

TVK (Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam) general secretary Aadhav Arjuna has apologized to superstar Rajinikanth for his earlier remark regarding the actor's political entry, which led to significant backlash from the actor’s supporters. Arjuna stated that he never intended to belittle Rajinikanth and that his comments had been misunderstood. Speaking at a TVK meeting in Kolathur, Arjuna clarified that his remark, which suggested that the DMK had a hand in blocking Rajinikanth's political e

In an important development in Tamil Nadu’s political landscape, the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has allotted five seats to its ally, the Communist Party of India (CPI), for the upcoming 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. This seat allocation comes after several rounds of talks between the two parties, reflecting their continued collaboration and alliance ahead of the crucial polls. The decision was finalized following discussions held at the DMK headquarters, Anna Ari

AIADMK MP C Ve Shanmugam has sparked a major controversy with his misogynistic comment on popular actor Nayanthara while criticizing Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin’s “tell us your dream” initiative, which is part of the government's outreach campaign ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu elections. The initiative involves volunteers visiting homes to gather feedback and suggestions on governance. Shanmugam, a former minister, took a dig at the scheme during statewide protests orga

Vijay, the celebrated Tamil actor, is making his bold debut into the political

Vijay, the actor-turned-politician and leader of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), has unveiled his party's election manifesto ahead of the Tamil Nadu Assembly polls. In his speech delivered in Thanjavur on March 4, 2026, Vijay made bold promises, including free higher education for children of small and marginal farmers, with a focus on families owning less than two acres of land. The announcement is designed to alleviate the financial burden of rising education costs for economically vulnerable farming households. Vijay's party aims to ensure that no member of these families is employed in a government job to be eligible for the benefit, highlighting his focus on empowering rural populations. He also pledged to take strong actions against corruption, positioning TVK as a clean and transparent alternative in Tamil Nadu's political landscape. With these commitments, Vijay seeks to contrast TVK's vision with the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), which he has heavily criticized, calling it an "evil force" and accusing it of misleading the people on key issues like the NEET examination. The announcement came at a critical juncture, with Tamil Nadu's 2026 Assembly elections approaching. Thanjavur, historically significant and a stronghold for the DMK, saw Vijay passionately declare that the upcoming elections are a personal and emotional turning point. Drawing inspiration from regional pride, he linked TVK's election symbol, the "whistle," to the popular "whistle podu" slogan of the Chennai Super Kings IPL team, reinforcing his vision for Tamil Nadu's autonomy. As the election season heats up, Vijay urged voters to rally behind TVK, framing the political battle as a fight for Tamil pride and a brighter future.

In a significant political development ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, O Panneerselvam, the former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and a long-time leader of AIADMK, has joined the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). This move marks the culmination of a bitter rivalry within AIADMK and is set to reshape Tamil Nadu’s political landscape. Panneerselvam’s shift to the ruling DMK could weaken AIADMK’s influence, especially in the southern regions, by splitting the Thevar vote base