NO MATTER that the process for all elections is the same, the legislative elections to four States and one Union Territory have assumed an entirely different colouration. The counting of votes taking place today -- that is May 4, 2026 -- will decide not just the winners but also the future direction of India’s democracy. In a way, the outcome may prove to be critical turning points for the national political trajectory for the next some time. This is the importance of these elections -- and their outcome. The elections to the West Bengal legislature have assumed the importance of a national event -- thanks to the element of high-strung uncertainty about the winner-party. Minus that, the elections to the legislatures in Assam, Tamil Nadu, Keralam and Puducherry appear to be headed to a predictable outcome. In Assam, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) appears set to win the elections once again. In Tamil Nadu, too, the Dravida Munetra Kazagham (DMK) appears to win again. In Keralam, there is a likelihood of reversal of fortunes for the Left Democratic Front (LDF) which may get dislodged by the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF). In Puducherry, the alliance in which the BJP is a partner is expected to return to power.

 

The nation, however, is very anxious about the outcome of the elections in West Bengal. For the past 5-6 days since the second phase of West Bengal elections was over, the nation has heard claims and counter claims from both the parties -- the BJP and the Trinamool Congress (TMC). It also saw the cantankerousness of the TMC -- which was actually so disgusting, to say the least. But the edginess of the TMC also points to a strong possibility of change in West Bengal. This is the change the nation has been waiting for. The common people of the country are absolutely sick of what has been happening in West Bengal in the name of democracy.

 

The goons of the TMC had unleashed a reign of terror to intimidate the common voters for years on end. Now also, after the polling in unprecedented percentage, the TMC goons are using those same dirty tactics -- for god-knows-for-what end! That may have made knowing the news about West Bengal interesting, all right. But the whole scenario has assumed a disgusting tone and tenor. The common people of India, therefore, are looking for a change in West Bengal. Whether that change is taking place or not will be known in the next few hours of this very day of May 4, 2026. But this national anxiety has its own importance in the overall democratic process. There is no doubt that despite her negativism, Ms. Mamata Banerjee has proved to be a tough rival for the BJP for three consecutive terms. The BJP also has proved its merit by gradually enhancing its own prospects over time to come very close to winning the State. How the electorate in these four States and one Union Territory behaves will get known by the end of this day. It is obvious that after the outcome of these five elections is known, Indian politics will never be the same again. No matter their cumulative small size, these elections have brought Indian polity to a major turning point in its political journey.