India (Commonwealth Union)_ Two big Indian states, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu, are voting today, with the entire country keenly watching this crucial election process. Both elections are significant, but West Bengal is receiving the most attention right now since the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are engaged in a fierce struggle, exacerbated by recent conflicts over voter list modifications. Accordingly, West Bengal is voting in two phases, with the first phase covering 152 of its 294 assembly seats today and the remaining on April 29. Tamil Nadu, on the other hand, is voting for all 234 constituencies in a single phase. To form a government, a party or alliance must secure at least 148 seats in West Bengal and 118 in Tamil Nadu.
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Voting begins
Polling started at 7 am on April 23, 2026, for both the West Bengal Assembly election (Phase 1) and the Tamil Nadu Assembly election. In West Bengal, the first phase covers 152 seats in 16 districts, including Siliguri, Darjeeling, Cooch Behar, Malda, Murshidabad, and Asansol. The second phase of voting in the state is set for April 29. In Tamil Nadu, voting is taking place in all 234 seats on a single day. Authorities in both states have made great preparations to ensure that voting runs smoothly and peacefully. Additionally, tight security arrangements have been deployed in both states to avoid any disturbances to the voting process.
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The Bengal battle
West Bengal’s election is widely seen as a direct contest between Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress and the BJP. The TMC is campaigning on its record of welfare schemes and emphasizing regional identity, while the BJP is focusing on promises customized to the state. These include financial assistance of ₹3,000 per month for women heads of households and unemployed youth, along with job creation initiatives. Additionally, security has been tightened across polling areas due to concerns about possible violence.
Mamata Banerjee, who has been in power since 2011 after ending the Left Front’s 35-year rule, is contesting what many believe could be her toughest election yet. However, similar predictions were made in 2021, when the TMC won a decisive victory with 215 seats, compared to the BJP’s 77. Furthermore, several prominent TMC leaders are in the fray during this phase, including Goutam Deb in Siliguri, Udayan Guha in Dinhata, Firhad Hakim in the Kolkata Port area, and Pabitra Kar in Nandigram.
The Tamil Nadu throne
In Tamil Nadu, the ruling DMK government led by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin faces a divided opposition. The main challengers include the AIADMK-led alliance, actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), and Naam Tamilar Katchi. The state has around 5.67 crore registered voters. To ensure transparency and fairness, authorities have adopted stringent security measures, such as the installation of cameras at polling locations. The state’s election campaigns centered mostly on social programs, development objectives, and regional problems.
The Election Commission enforced strict measures to follow the Model Code of Conduct following the reports of cash seizures and allegations that it was used to sway voters in both West Bengal and Tamil Nadu during this election process. Additionally, the EC announced that the counting of votes will take place on May 4th alongside the previous state assembly elections and the bypolls which were held earlier this month.
