Assembly Elections in These 5 States in 2026: A Golden Opportunity for the BJP

New Delhi: The year 2026 will be crucial for Indian politics. In the next few months, assembly elections will be held in five states: Assam, West Bengal, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala. Although these elections are for the state assemblies, they will significantly impact national politics.

On one hand, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is trying to establish its power in several new states, while on the other hand, the opposition, especially the Congress and regional parties, do not want to give the country’s largest party any opportunity. These assembly elections will largely determine how effective the Modi government’s policies are and how united the opposition is. Let’s take a look at the current government, political situation, and the importance of the elections in each of these states.

Big Challenge for Mamata in West Bengal
In West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress government is in power, having won 213 seats and secured a 48% vote share in the 2021 assembly elections. Mamata’s popularity and welfare schemes are her strengths, but economic challenges and governance controversies could weigh heavily on her government. The BJP won 77 seats in 2021 and is now quite aggressive after its big victory in Bihar. The Congress is weak here and struggling with a lack of leadership. If the BJP performs well in Bengal, it could prove to be a huge boost for its politics. On the other hand, a defeat for the TMC could place it on the list of regional parties that were once very powerful in a state but gradually weakened over time.

BJP has established a strong hold in Assam
Currently, the BJP government is in power in Assam under the leadership of Himanta Biswa Sarma. In the 2021 elections, the BJP alliance won 75 seats and is now preparing to come to power for the third consecutive time. In Assam, Sharma has, over the past few years, cultivated an image as a firebrand BJP leader and a leader who emphasizes development, security, and identity politics. Meanwhile, the opposition Congress, under the leadership of Gaurav Gogoi, is ready to fight its battle. Parties like the AIUDF, which derive their strength from Muslim votes, will also play a significant role in the upcoming assembly elections. These elections are an opportunity for the BJP to strengthen its hold in the Northeast, while a good performance by the Congress here would be a major boost for the opposition.

DMK faces new challenges in Tamil Nadu
In Tamil Nadu, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government, led by M.K. Stalin, won 133 out of 234 seats in 2021. Welfare schemes implemented in the state have benefited 1.86 crore people, and the party is aiming for approximately 2.5 crore votes. However, issues like unemployment could weigh heavily on the party, and the anti-incumbency factor is also present. On the other hand, the AIADMK-BJP alliance is also putting in its full effort, while Vijay’s TVK is attracting young voters as a new party. A victory in Tamil Nadu could be a major opportunity for organic growth for the BJP, where the limits of Hindutva are evident. For the opposition, a DMK defeat would weaken the INDIA bloc.

Congress’s hopes revived in Kerala
In Kerala, the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government, led by Pinarayi Vijayan, won 99 seats in 2021. This alliance wants to return to power, but the last few months have not been good for them. The Vijayan government emphasizes social welfare and development, but economic challenges and the Chief Minister’s autocratic style are major drawbacks. The Congress-UDF performed well in the 2025 local body elections, which is a cause for concern for the LDF. The BJP also performed well in these elections and is trying to improve upon its previous performance. Overall, a lot is at stake for the Left, Congress, and BJP in these elections.

Returning to power in Puducherry won’t be easy for the NDA
In Puducherry, the alliance of the All India N.R. Congress (AINRC) led by N. Rangasamy and the BJP is in power. In 2021, in the 30-seat assembly, the AINRC won 10 seats and the BJP won 6, but currently, all does not seem well within the alliance. Opposition parties like the DMK and Congress are strongly asserting their claim to power in this small but important Union Territory. Local governance and development issues are paramount, making these elections a test for the BJP to preserve its alliance in the South, where there is anti-incumbency sentiment. Meanwhile, another defeat for Congress and the DMK could make it difficult for them to maintain their organizational strength in Puducherry.

These assembly elections are a golden opportunity for the BJP
Overall, it can be said that the assembly elections in these five states present a golden opportunity for the BJP to expand its presence in the South and East, where it is banking on Hindutva and the Modi brand. Its victories in Delhi and Bihar in 2025 have boosted its morale. For the opposition, these elections are a test of their ability to bounce back, and a defeat for the Left could weaken the INDIA bloc, while a victory for Congress would give it renewed energy. In short, the results of 2026 could play a crucial role in shaping the direction of the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.