NEW DELHI: The spotlight is finally on the voters now across Assam, Kerala and Puducherry who are all set to cast their ballots on Thursday. More than 5.3 crore people will decide the fate of parties and candidates in two states and a union territory.From a bipolar contest in Assam to Kerala’s ideological tug-of-war and Puducherry’s multi-cornered fight, the day promises a verdict that could ripple beyond regional boundaries.
Polling will begin at 7 am across thousands of booths, backed by extensive security deployment, webcasting and logistical arrangements to ensure smooth conduct, as campaigning gave way to quiet last-mile mobilisation during the mandatory silence period.
Assam: Direct fight between familiar rivalsElections to the 126-member Assam assembly will see a largely straight contest between the BJP-led NDA and a Congress-led opposition front, with regional players adding layers in select constituencies.The ruling BJP, under chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, is seeking a third consecutive term, banking on governance, welfare delivery and a consolidated alliance structure. The Congress, led in the state by Gaurav Gogoi, is attempting to stage a comeback a decade after losing power in 2016.A total of 722 candidates are in the fray, reflecting a more streamlined contest compared to previous elections. Prominent names include Sarma, leader of opposition Debabrata Saikia, Badruddin Ajmal of the AIUDF, Akhil Gogoi, and AJP chief Lurinjyoti Gogoi.
Polling will be held from 7 am to 5 pm across 31,490 polling stations in 35 districts, covering a geographically diverse terrain that includes riverine islands and remote areas. Around 2.5 crore voters, including over 1.25 crore women, are eligible to vote, alongside first-time voters, senior citizens and persons with disabilities.The contest map features a mix of direct and triangular fights. High-profile constituencies include Jalukbari, where Sarma is seeking a sixth consecutive win, Jorhat, where Gaurav Gogoi is attempting his assembly debut and Sibsagar, where Akhil Gogoi faces a multi-cornered battle.While most seats are witnessing NDA vs Congress contests, parties like AIUDF, Raijor Dal and AJP could influence margins in minority-dominated and upper Assam constituencies.Kerala: Continuity or comeback?In Kerala, all 140 constituencies will vote in a single phase, with the election framed as a contest between continuity and comeback.The ruling Left Democratic Front, led by Pinarayi Vijayan, is seeking a rare third consecutive term — a feat that would break the state’s long-standing pattern of alternating governments.The Congress-led United Democratic Front sees an opportunity to return to power, banking on anti-incumbency, governance concerns and electoral setbacks suffered by the Left in recent contests.
Meanwhile, the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance is attempting to convert incremental gains in vote share into a breakthrough in assembly representation, positioning itself as an alternative to both fronts.A total of 883 candidates are in the fray, with polling scheduled from 7 am to 6 pm. The electorate of 2.71 crore includes 1.39 crore women, giving Kerala one of the rare female-majority voter rolls in the country.The campaign saw sharp exchanges, with the LDF foregrounding its governance record and welfare model, while the UDF targeted issues of corruption, administration and alleged political linkages.
National leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, actively campaigned, signalling the significance of this election.The verdict will determine whether Kerala continues with its recent departure from political alternation or reverts to its traditional cycle. It would also decide if India will finally be ‘Left-mukt’.Puducherry: The debutant Vijay In Puducherry, elections to the 30-member assembly will see a competitive, multi-cornered contest with regional and new entrants shaping the narrative.Around 9.5 lakh voters will decide the fate of 294 candidates, with polling scheduled from 7 am across 1,099 polling stations spread across Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam.
The NDA, comprising AINRC, BJP and allies, is aiming to retain power, while the Congress-DMK-led INDIA bloc is pushing for a return, focusing on governance and autonomy issues.Actor Vijay’s newly launched political outfit has added a fresh dimension to the contest, emerging as a potential disruptor in select constituencies.
Authorities have identified 209 vulnerable polling stations, with drone surveillance and enhanced monitoring deployed to ensure adherence to the Model Code of Conduct. Seizures of cash and liquor during the campaign period point to intensified enforcement measures.Special arrangements have also been made for senior citizens and persons with disabilities, including transport assistance and volunteers at polling booths.Across all three regions, polling authorities have ramped up security with deployment of Central Armed Police Forces, state police and real-time monitoring systems, including webcasting at polling stations.The conclusion of campaigning earlier this week marked the beginning of the 48-hour silence period, with political parties shifting to subdued, door-to-door outreach strategies to mobilise voters.The votes of the three states/UT will be counted on May 4, along with that of West Bengal and Tamil Nadu.