India is on the cusp of its biggest electoral exercise since the 2024 general elections. The Election Commission of India held a press conference at 4 PM on Sunday, March 15 to formally announce the polling schedule for assembly elections in four states — West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Assam — along with the Union Territory of Puducherry. The announcement sets in motion the Model Code of Conduct across all five regions, placing immediate restrictions on government announcements, freebies, transfers of officials, and political campaign spending.

Why These Elections Matter — Combined 824 Seats Across Five Regions

Together, these five elections cover 824 assembly seats — making this one of the largest simultaneous state election cycles in recent Indian history. West Bengal alone accounts for 294 seats, followed by Tamil Nadu with 234, Kerala with 140, Assam with 126, and Puducherry with 30. The outcome will shape political power across India's south, east, and northeast for the next five years and will be widely read as a national barometer of political sentiment ahead of the 2029 general elections.

Voting is expected to take place in April, with results likely to be declared in early May. Tamil Nadu elections are widely expected to be held in the second week of April. The assembly terms end on different dates — West Bengal on May 7, Tamil Nadu on May 10, Assam on May 20, Kerala on May 23, and Puducherry on June 15.

West Bengal — TMC's Fourth Term vs BJP's Charge

West Bengal is the most politically charged battleground of the five. The Trinamool Congress under Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is seeking a fourth consecutive term in power — a feat unprecedented in the state's modern political history. The BJP is mounting a serious challenge, hoping to convert its strong 2024 general election performance in the state into assembly seats. Past West Bengal elections have been marked by political violence, and the Election Commission has made tight security arrangements a centrepiece of its preparation for this round.

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar personally visited West Bengal to review poll readiness before returning to Delhi on March 10. The Municipal Commissioner has been appointed as the District Election Officer for North Kolkata — an unusual step reflecting the special administrative challenges the city presents.

Congress took a sharp dig at the poll body on Sunday, saying the Model Code of Conduct now stands for "Modi's Code of Campaigning," while Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut called the commission "an extended branch of the BJP."

Tamil Nadu — A Three-Way Contest With Actor Vijay in the Mix

Tamil Nadu's election has taken on an entirely new dimension with the entry of actor Vijay into electoral politics through his Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam party. What was previously a direct contest between the ruling DMK under Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and the opposition AIADMK — now allied with the BJP — has become a triangular battle that could significantly split the anti-incumbency vote and complicate seat projections for all three sides.

Kerala — CPI(M) Eyes Historic Third Term

In Kerala, the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front under Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is seeking what would be a historic third consecutive term — something no political front has achieved in Kerala's post-independence history. The Congress-led United Democratic Front is mounting a strong comeback campaign, citing anti-incumbency, the Sabarimala gold theft case, and a series of controversies surrounding the ruling government. The contest is expected to be one of the tightest in the state in decades.

Assam — Himanta Biswa Sarma Seeks Second Term

In Assam, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is seeking a second term at the helm of a BJP government. The opposition Congress is grappling with internal divisions and the exit of several prominent leaders in the months leading up to the election. The party has released a second list of 23 candidates while leaving 15 seats for alliance partners. Sarma's aggressive campaigning and high public profile make him a difficult target to dislodge, though opposition parties are banking on local issues including unemployment and flooding-related concerns.

Puducherry — Rangasamy Government Faces Anti-Incumbency Test

In Puducherry, Chief Minister N. Rangasamy's All India N.R. Congress is facing a strong anti-incumbency wave after its time in power. The Congress and DMK-led opposition is targeting the Union Territory's 30 seats aggressively. Elections in Puducherry traditionally take place in a single phase due to the territory's small size.

Model Code of Conduct Now in Force

With the announcement of the election schedule, the Model Code of Conduct came into force simultaneously across all five regions. State governments are now barred from announcing new schemes, making major appointments, or using government resources for political campaigns. All transfers of government officials in poll-bound states require prior Election Commission approval.

The Election Commission has confirmed that final electoral rolls have been published in all five regions as part of the Special Intensive Revision exercise conducted earlier this year. Full deployment of central security forces is expected well ahead of polling day, particularly in West Bengal and Assam.