Early trends in Kerala showed the Congress-led UDF ahead as counting began on Monday. The ruling LDF, led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, was close behind in initial rounds. Counting is underway for all 140 seats across the state. Postal ballots were counted first, followed by EVM votes. The LDF is seeking a third straight term, while the UDF is aiming for a return to power. The BJP remains in single digits in early trends. A majority mark of 71 seats is needed to form the government. Trends may change as more rounds of counting are completed. (PC: X)

Early trends in West Bengal showed the BJP with a slight lead as counting began on Monday. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was trailing in Bhabanipur in very early rounds. Counting is underway for 293 seats across 77 centres under tight security. Both the Trinamool Congress and BJP had raised concerns over possible vote manipulation before counting. The state recorded a high voter turnout of 92.47 percent. The TMC is aiming for a fourth straight term, while the BJP is mounting a strong challenge. Results may change as more rounds of counting are completed. (PC: X)

Early counting trends in Tamil Nadu showed the DMK taking the lead as votes were counted on Monday. Chief Minister M. K. Stalin’s party was ahead in several seats. Actor-politician Vijay was trailing in Perambur and Trichy East in early postal vote counts. Udhayanidhi Stalin was also behind in Chepauk in initial trends. Counting began at 8 am for 234 seats. These are very early leads and may change as more rounds are counted. Exit polls had given mixed predictions for the state. (PC: X)

The BJP-led NDA took an early lead as counting began for the Assam Assembly elections on Monday. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, contesting from Jalukbari, is aiming for a third term. Assam Congress chief Gaurav Gogoi is contesting from Jorhat in his first state election. AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal is in the fray from Binnakandi. Counting is underway across 40 centres. Exit polls by Axis My India predicted a strong NDA win with 88–100 seats. Assam saw 85.91 percent turnout, including record female participation. (PC: X)

Early counting trends in Kerala show the Congress-led United Democratic Front leading in several seats, while the Left Democratic Front and the Bharatiya Janata Party trail in initial numbers. Counting began at 8 am across all 140 seats, starting with postal ballots. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is seeking a third term, while Opposition leader V. D. Satheesan aims to return Congress to power after 10 years. LDF convenor T P Ramakrishnan said, “The LDF will win with a bigger mandate.” Early leads are expected to change as counting progresses. (PC: X)

Counting of votes began across 293 seats in West Bengal on Monday, with the Bharatiya Janata Party taking early leads. The Election Commission is not counting votes for Falta due to a repoll on May 21. The contest is mainly between the BJP and the Trinamool Congress led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who is seeking a fourth term. Officials said security has been increased at counting centres. Earlier, reports of EVM tampering and violence led to repolling in some areas. High voter turnout was recorded in both phases of polling. (PC: HT)

Actor-turned-politician Vijay is seeking a strong political entry in Tamil Nadu with his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). He launched the party in 2024 and said, “Politics is not my hobby, it is my quest.” His debut comes in a state with a history of film stars like M. G. Ramachandran and J. Jayalalithaa turning into leaders. Exit polls show mixed signals, with some predicting a strong showing for TVK. Vijay has ruled out alliances with BJP and DMK. His campaign focuses on youth, women and welfare. The results will test his political strength. (PC: X)

India is set for a crucial political verdict as counting begins across five regions including West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam and Puducherry covering 823 assembly seats. Polls held between April 9 and 29 saw intense contests, particularly in Bengal, marked by repolling and allegations of irregularities. Key leaders including Mamata Banerjee, M K Stalin, Himanta Biswa Sarma and Pinarayi Vijayan are battling to retain power. Exit polls suggest varied outcomes, with potential shifts in Bengal and Kerala, while Assam appears stable. Security has been tightened, and results on May 4 will determine the political trajectory of these regions. (PC: PTI)

Tensions escalated in Bhowanipore ahead of West Bengal’s vote counting after the All India Trinamool Congress alleged a security breach involving vehicles carrying Bharatiya Janata Party flags entering a counting centre. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, contesting against Suvendu Adhikari, raised concerns over unauthorised access to premises storing EVMs. TMC workers claimed a “suspicious” vehicle was allowed inside despite strict security by CAPF and alleged they were pushed back when protesting. Though officials reportedly assured action, the vehicle remained briefly before leaving. The incident adds to mounting allegations of irregularities and heightens political tensions ahead of the crucial May 4 results.

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has lodged a complaint with the Election Commission, alleging unauthorised sorting of postal ballot covers at a strongroom in Kolkata’s Khudiram Anushilan Kendra. Party workers claimed eight trunks of postal ballots were brought at 4 am and moved to a room lacking CCTV coverage, raising concerns over transparency. Protests erupted at the site, with BJP leaders arriving and countering that TMC was creating unrest anticipating defeat. Similar tensions surfaced at Barasat, where TMC alleged a 17-minute CCTV outage, though officials attributed it to monitor cable issues and promised footage access. The EC also dismissed a viral video from Purba Bardhaman as old, clarifying it showed authorised technical work. (PC: PTI)