Trends show that the BJP is comfortably ahead in Assam, which means barring a major surprise later in the day, Himanta Biswa Sarma is set to return as chief minister.

A former Congress leader who switched to the BJP in 2015, Sarma has since emerged as the party’s most influential figure in the northeast region - helping it win Assam in 2016 and retain it in 2021, when he took over as chief minister.

Image source, BJP Assam Pradesh

Known for his assertive style and strong organisational abilities, Sarma has consolidated the BJP’s position in a region where it once had limited presence.

But Sarma's tenure has also drawn criticism, particularly over his controversial remarks on religion and policies targeting undocumented migrants - many of them Bengali-speaking Muslims. These issues continue to shape Assam’s political landscape.

Analysis: Congress-led coalition exceeds expectations in Keralapublished at 08:35 BST 4 May

08:35 BST 4 May

Anbarasan Ethirajan
Global Affairs Reporter

Many exit polls had predicted a victory for the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) in Kerala, but the alliance is performing even better than expected.

Trends show that UDF candidates have made significant inroads into several strongholds of the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF), which has governed the state for the past decade. A strong anti-incumbency mood appears to have worked in the UDF’s favour.

Meanwhile, after trailing in the early stages of the count, incumbent Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has taken the lead in Dharmadam constituency.

However, several ministers in his cabinet - including Veena George, VN Vasavan and R Bindu - are trailing in their respective seats as of now.

The BJP’s state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar is leading in the Nemom constituency.

Image source, NurPhoto via Getty Images

We're reporting on regional elections seen as an early test for PM Modi ahead of the 2029 general election. Here's a recap of what's happened so far:

• Votes are being counted in four Indian states - West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Assam - as well as the federal territory of Puducherry
• In West Bengal, trends suggest a major breakthrough for Modi’s BJP, which is leading comfortably and has crossed the halfway mark - putting pressure on Mamata Banerjee’s TMC party as it seeks a fourth term
• There are surprises in Tamil Nadu too, where actor-turned-politician Vijay has emerged as a major disruptor, with his party surging ahead of the state’s long-dominant parties and, in some trends, approaching a possible majority
• In Kerala, early results point to a clear lead for the Congress-led UDF, raising the prospect of a change in power in a state known for alternating between alliances
• Votes are also being counted in Assam, where the BJP is ahead in early trends and aiming for a third consecutive term, although margins remain fluid
• In Puducherry, the contest is closely fought, with early indications giving a slight edge to the BJP-led NDA, but no clear outcome yet
• Taken together, the results point to a potentially shift in the political landscape - with the BJP making gains beyond its traditional strongholds and new regional challengers reshaping contests in the south

P Sivashankar
Reporting from Tamil Nadu

There is heavy security outside the TVK office in Chennai after trends show the party, led by superstar Vijay, is leading the state election.

Police have put strict checks in place on the main road leading to the building, with even party officials and volunteers being screened before they are allowed in. Only a handful of party members are inside the office premises, outnumbered by police personnel and journalists.

Party members and supporters have been sharing their joy at the possibility of the superstar's party forming the next government - a note that any party needs 118 out of 234 assembly seats to form a government on its own here. Currently, Vijay's party is leading in around 106 seats according to the Election Commission.

People have also flown in from outside the country to show their support for the actor.

Image source, P Sivashankar

Chandrasekhar Athikesav, 73, who came from Malaysia, shared his excitement for what he hopes will be a historic victory.

“My parents were originally from Tamil Nadu, but I was born in Malaysia and I am a Malaysian citizen,” he told BBC Tamil. “I have no voting rights here [in India], nor do I seek any government welfare benefits. However, I believe that for the welfare of the people in this era, Vijay must become chief minister.”

As the counting continues, police are increasing their rounds and checks around the office and are reinforcing security arrangements.

Soutik Biswas
India Correspondent

Image source, NurPhoto via Getty Images

This Bengal election felt strikingly different from the violent, high-pitched contests the state has become known for.

Voter turnout hit a record high (92.47%), suggesting intense public engagement despite a bitterly polarised campaign and controversy over voter-roll revisions.

Yet, compared with previous elections, there were noticeably fewer reports of large-scale clashes, booth capturing or post-poll intimidation in many districts.

A major reason was the unprecedented deployment of more than 200,000 central security forces and tighter Election Commission monitoring across sensitive constituencies.

Security personnel were stationed deep inside rural booths and conflict-prone border districts, creating a stronger sense of deterrence than in past polls.

Analysis: Why a defeat for Mamata Banerjee could alter West Bengal politicspublished at 07:37 BST 4 May

07:37 BST 4 May

Zoya Mateen
Reporting from Delhi

Image source, Getty Images

Trends suggest Mamata Banerjee could be heading for a shock defeat - that would be a huge setback for one of India’s most formidable regional leaders.

The 71-year-old, often referred to as “didi” (elder sister), is facing what many are calling her toughest battle yet. Known for her combative style and strong grassroots connect, she has dominated politics in West Bengal since 2011, when her TMC party ended decades of Left rule.

But this time, she was up against a far more aggressive and organised campaign from the BJP, turning the contest into a high-stakes face-off.

Several exit polls had already pointed to a close race. The TMC has also been battling corruption and violence allegations, alongside signs of anti-incumbency after more than a decade in power.

Trends show Banerjee is also trailing in her own constituency, Bhabanipur, where she is pitted against BJP's Suvendu Adhikari.

A loss for Banerjee would mark a historic political shift in Bengal - and potentially the end of an era. But as we have been reporting, these are early indications and the final outcome could be different. Stay tuned for more.

Imran Qureshi
Reporting from Kerala

Supporters of the Congress have gathered at the party’s headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram as early trends showed the party-led United Democratic Front (UDF) ahead in a majority of Kerala’s 140 assembly seats.

Cheers erupted with each update showing leaders from the governing Left Democratic Front (LDF) slipping behind. The loudest reaction came when TV screens indicated the outgoing Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is trailing behind his Congress challenger by a thin margin.

Kerala is currently the only Indian state governed by Left parties, after their defeats in Tripura in 2018 and West Bengal in 2011.

Image source, Kenz Ul Muneer

Ishadrita Lahiri
Reporting from West Bengal

Celebrations have begun at the BJP headquarters in Kolkata as early trends show Modi's party is headed for a win in the state.

Boxes of sweets are being brought in and distributed among party workers. Chants of “Jai Shri Ram”, which means “victory to Lord Ram” and is the BJP’s signature slogan, can also be heard.

At the same time, party leaders are urging caution. They say it’s still early to celebrate, but are confident of unseating the TMC and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

Image source, Uttarayan

For decades, West Bengal has been a tough state for the BJP to crack. The party emerged as a serious challenger in the 2021 assembly elections but lost to the TMC, which went on to win a two-thirds majority.

This time, however, the BJP’s campaign has focused on development, law and order and identity politics. Party leaders have pitched that for West Bengal to truly develop, the same party needs to be in power both in the state and at the centre.

Early trends show actor-turned-politician C Joesph Vijay’s party TVK leading in Tamil Nadu state.

Though analysts did predict that TVK would cut into the votes of its rival parties, the DMK and the AIADMK, its performance so far has exceeded expectations.

The BBC's Zoya Mateen explains how the superstar's entry into politics has shaken up a system long dominated by the two regional parties.

Early trends from the Election Commission (EC) are now mirroring what Indian media have been reporting since morning.

Though results and trends from the EC are slower than the media, they clearly show Modi's BJP is ahead in West Bengal and Assam, while Vijay's TVK is leading in Tamil Nadu.

Here is a quick breakdown for you:

• West Bengal: The BJP is leading in over 140 seats, followed by the TMC in 73 constituencies. The state has 294 seats - any coalition or party needs to win 148 seats to come to power.

• Tamil Nadu: Actor-turned-politician Vijay’s political party TVK is leading in around 109 seats, followed by AIADMK in almost 63 seats. The ruling DMK is leading in around 39 constituencies. Tamil Nadu has 234 assembly constituencies - the magic number here is 118.
• Assam: The BJP is leading with a huge margin with more than 79 seats while the Congress is leading in around 24 seats. Assam has 126 assembly seats and a party or coalition needs 64 seats to win.
• Kerala: The coalition led by the Congress party is leading in over 80 seats, followed by the incumbent CPI(M)-led coalition in almost 46 constituencies. Kerala has 140 assembly constituencies - the winning number is 71.
• Puducherry: The coalition led by BJP is leading in 11 seats, while the alliance led by the Congress party is leading in seven. The assembly in this federally-administered region has 33 seats, including three nominated members. Any coalition or party needs to win 17 seats to govern this region.

A note of caution: these are early trends and can change.

Here's a quick recap of what's happening:

• Trends suggest PM Modi's BJP is ahead in Assam and West Bengal, while contests in Tamil Nadu and Kerala remain close, with new player Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) making a strong showing in Tamil Nadu
• Votes are being counted across four states - West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Assam - as well as the federal territory of Puducherry
• In Assam, early leads indicate a strong outcome for the BJP, which is aiming to retain power in the state
• West Bengal is a key battleground, where early trends show the BJP leading - a win for the party would be historic and a huge setback for Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee
• In Tamil Nadu, actor-turned-politician Vijay’s TVK has emerged as a significant challenger, disrupting the state’s traditional two-party contest. His party is currently leading in many seats
• In Kerala, an alliance led by India's main opposition party Congress is leading
• The results are being closely watched as a key test of support for Modi and his BJP ahead of the 2029 general election
• Counting is continuing through the day, with clearer trends and results expected as more rounds are completed

Under the watch of heavily armed federal forces, election officials are counting votes at Kolkata’s Netaji Indoor Stadium as West Bengal awaits the verdict in one of India’s most closely watched state elections.

Tight security has blanketed counting centres across the state amid high political stakes and fears of clashes. Early trends have pointed to a fiercely contested race.

Image source, AFP via Getty Images

Image source, AFP via Getty Images

What happens in the West Bengal election will resonate far beyond just this eastern Indian state. Early trends indicate that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her TMC party are trailing behind Modi's BJP.If the BJP unseats her, the future of the region could change drastically.

The BBC's Anahita Sachdev explains the political significance of the state and its impact on federal politics.

Soutik Biswas
India Correspondent

Image source, Getty Images

The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls became one of the most contentious issues in the West Bengal election. The Election Commission said the exercise was meant to clean up voters' lists, remove duplicates or ineligible entries and improve the accuracy of the rolls.

But the fate of nearly three million voters remained unresolved before the election, with all awaiting tribunal decisions. Many believe Bengal went to the polls after a “mass disenfranchisement exercise”.

The state government and opposition parties, activists and civil society groups alleged that the process disproportionately affected poor and minority voters, especially Muslims and migrant communities in border districts.

The controversy quickly turned political. Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress accused the BJP of trying to reshape Bengal’s electorate through administrative means after failing to decisively win the state politically. The BJP, in turn, argued that illegal migration and fake voter identities had distorted Bengal’s electoral system for years.

The SIR debate deepened mistrust and heightened polarisation during the campaign.

Raghvendra Rao
Reporting from West Bengal

Image source, Sandeep Yadav

Counting is under way in Panihati in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district - one of the most closely watched constituencies.

The road to the counting centre has been barricaded, with armed security deployed here. The centre is about 200m beyond the cordon and access is restricted, with no entry for civilians or media.

The constituency has seen a direct contest between the TMC’s Tirthankar Ghosh and the BJP’s Ratna Debnath.

Debnath is the mother of a postgraduate trainee doctor who was raped and murdered in Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College in 2024 - a case that triggered nationwide protests and drew international attention.

Doctors across India went on strike, while demonstrations were held in several cities demanding justice and stronger safeguards for women and medical staff.

Debnath has centred her campaign on women’s safety, judicial accountability and what she describes as a breakdown in law and order in the state.

Image source, Sandeep Yadav

Here is a quick breakdown of the early trends as reported by the Indian media:

• West Bengal: The BJP is leading in over 137 seats, followed by the TMC in more than 125 constituencies. The state has 294 seats - any coalition or party needs to win 148 seats to come to power.
• Tamil Nadu: Actor-turned-politician Vijay’s political party TVK is leading in around 100 seats, followed by AIADMK in almost 75 seats. The ruling DMK is leading in around 50 constituencies. Tamil Nadu has 234 assembly constituencies - the magic number here is 118.
• Assam: The BJP is leading with a huge margin with more than 90 seats while the Congress is leading in around 30 seats. Assam has 126 assembly seats - any party or coalition needs to win 64 constituencies to come to power.
• Kerala: The coalition led by the Congress party is leading in over 90 seats, followed by the incumbent CPI(M)-led coalition in almost 45 constituencies. Kerala has 140 assembly constituencies - the winning number is 71.
• Puducherry: The coalition led by BJP is leading in 13 seats, while the alliance led by the Congress party is leading in seven. The assembly in this federally-administered region has 33 seats, including three nominated members. Any coalition or party needs to win 17 seats to govern this region.

A note of caution: these are very early trends and can change.

Anbarasan Ethirajan
Global Affairs Reporter

Early trends in Tamil Nadu suggest actor-turned-politician Joseph Vijay is leading, in what is shaping up to be an unusually disruptive election.

Having reported on elections here for decades, I haven’t seen a contest quite like this. His entry has jolted a system long dominated by the regional DMK and AIADMK parties. Initially dismissed, Vijay has drawn large organic crowds - forcing a rethink.

In conversations ahead of polling, many younger voters spoke of frustration with corruption, dynastic politics and limited opportunities. Some said they were backing Vijay’s party for change - even when they didn’t know local candidates, but recognised its “Whistle” symbol.

These are still only trends and the final result could be entirely different - but his arrival appears to have shaken the state’s political status quo and energised younger voters.

Zoya Mateen
Reporting from Delhi

As results come in from Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Kerala and Puducherry, the vote is being closely watched as a key test of whether Modi’s BJP can break through in regions where it has never formed a government.

In all four regions, politics has historically been dominated by strong regional or local parties, with power shaped more by state-level rivalries than national contests.

Tamil Nadu has long seen the regional DMK and AIADMK alternate in office, Bengal has been dominated in recent years by the Trinamool after a long period of Communist rule, Kerala has swung between Left and Congress-led alliances, and Puducherry has experienced coalition politics and frequent changes in government.

Image source, NurPhoto via Getty Images

The BJP has, however, been steadily expanding its presence. Its vote share has risen in parts of the south and east in recent parliamentary elections - most notably in West Bengal and to a lesser extent in Kerala. In Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, it remains a smaller but growing force, often relying on alliances with regional parties.

The party has focused on building its organisation, expanding its vote base and turning fragmented multi-party contests into more direct rivalries with regional incumbents.

Today, it will find out whether that approach is leading to real breakthroughs.

Soutik Biswas
India Correspondent

Postal ballots are often the first votes counted in Indian elections and can shape the early narrative on counting day.

Though they usually make up less than 1% of votes, postal ballots can prove decisive in close contests with razor-thin margins.

They are cast by members of the armed forces, election staff, police personnel on duty, diplomats and, increasingly, by senior citizens above 85 and persons with disabilities through home voting.

Image source, Getty Images

Because these groups differ from the broader electorate, these ballots sometimes reveal distinct political preferences.

Counting begins with postal ballots before electronic voting machines are opened, meaning they often produce the first leads and psychological momentum on election day.

Anbarasan Ethirajan
Global Affairs Reporter

Image source, The India Today Group via Getty Images

Kerala is the only state in India governed by a Communist Party of India (Marxist)-led alliance.

Known for its high literacy rate and social indicators comparable to parts of eastern Europe, the state is witnessing several high-stake electoral battles with many potential chief ministerial aspirants from across the three major alliances.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is seeking a third term from the Dharmadam assembly constituency. His principal rival VD Satheesan, a senior leader from the opposition Congress, is aiming for a sixth consecutive term in a multi-cornered contest in his stronghold of Paravur.

The BJP, which had no legislators in the outgoing assembly, is also trying to gain inroads by fielding some high-profile candidates - including former federal minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar from Nemom, a suburb of the capital Thiruvananthapuram.

Vattiyoorkavu, a prominent gateway to the capital, is another key battleground with K Muraleedharan of the Congress-led UDF trying to dislodge a sitting legislator from the Left alliance.