Latest Updates on Assembly Elections 2026: BJP Eyes 89 Seats in Assam, TMC Drops 74 MLAs

Political parties are accelerating preparations for the assembly elections 2026 across five states, with major announcements reshaping the battleground. From BJP's seat-sharing in Assam to TMC's bold reshuffle in West Bengal, these moves signal intense competition ahead of polling in April.theprint+2

BJP's Assam Strategy Takes Shape

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) plans to contest 89 of Assam's 126 seats in the assembly elections 2026, leaving 26 for ally Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and 11 for Bodoland People's Front (BPF). Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma confirmed the first candidate list will drop late tonight or tomorrow after a parliamentary board meeting.

This comes amid high-profile shifts: Congress MP Pradyut Bordoloi resigned and joined BJP, bolstering the ruling camp. AIUDF vice-president Aminul Islam also quit after 20 years, citing personal reasons, as he gauges voter mood in Mankachar.

Polling in Assam is set for April 9, with results on May 4, making these developments crucial for NDA's bid to retain power.

TMC's Major Overhaul in West Bengal

In West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress (TMC) announced candidates for 291 of 294 seats, dropping 74 sitting MLAs—nearly a third of incumbents—to counter anti-incumbency. Veterans like Paresh Pal and Tajmul Hossein lost tickets, with 15 others shifted.

TMC workers protested some denials, while the party questioned voter list irregularities in a meeting with the Chief Electoral Officer. Mamata aims for over 226 seats in the two-phase polls on April 23 and 29.

AAP Enters Kerala Fray Aggressively

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) released its second list of 21 candidates for Kerala assembly elections 2026, including Samin Satyadas (Thiruvananthapuram) and Moses Henry Motha (Ernakulam). This follows an initial 22 names, as Congress and BJP also unveiled theirs.

Kerala's single-phase voting on April 9 puts Christian-dominated seats in spotlight, with BJP fielding PC George and son Shon in Poonjar and Pala.timesofindia.

Tamil Nadu Sees Tight Enforcement

Tamil Nadu reported seizures of ₹23.28 crore in cash and goods within two days of model code enforcement on March 15, far below 2021's ₹428 crore but signaling vigilant monitoring. Polling is April 23.

Broader Impacts and PM's Push

West Asia conflicts worry 9 million Gulf migrants from Kerala and Tamil Nadu, prompting strategy tweaks and EAM S. Jaishankar's interventions. PM Modi inaugurated ₹16,000 crore projects, eyeing 40 Kerala and 50 Tamil Nadu seats.

These assembly elections 2026 updates highlight dynamic shifts, with parties balancing alliances, defections, and voter concerns for May 4 results. Stay tuned as lists finalize.