West Bengal Election Results 2026: Exit Polls Show BJP in Lead
West Bengal Election Results 2026: After a challenging month-long election across four states and one union territory, exit polls predict a strong win for the BJP in Assam and show the party leading over Mamata Banerjee's TMC in West Bengal.
West Bengal Election Results 2026: DMK Likely To Gain Power in Tamil Nadu Again
In the south, exit polls indicate the DMK will return to power in Tamil Nadu, while the Congress-led UDF is expected to make a comeback in Kerala after a decade.
Axis My India is the only pollster predicting a surprise win for TVK's Vijay in Tamil Nadu, giving the party 98 to 120 seats in the 234-member assembly.
BENGAL EXIT POLL: The biggest suspense remains in West Bengal, which the BJP calls its most important contest.
Since 2014, the BJP has tried to enter Mamata's stronghold. Now, four exit polls predict the BJP could succeed this year, with estimates ranging from 146 to 175 seats.
Two pollsters have projected a big win for the TMC for the fourth time in a row. People's Pulse predicts 177 to 187 seats, while Janmat Polls forecasts 195 to 205 seats for the party, which has held power for 15 years.
Exit Polls 2026: BJP Rapid Rise in the State
West Bengal Election Results 2026: The BJP has grown rapidly in the state. In 2016, it held only three assembly seats, but within five years, it increased to 77 out of 294 seats. In the 2021 polls, the BJP received 38.1% of the votes and became the main opposition.
This time, the BJP made a major push to win Bengal. Prime Minister Narendra Modi traveled across the state, held over 20 rallies, visited temples, and tried Bengal's well-known snack, jhalmuri. Home Minister Amit Shah spent 15 days in the state.
The BJP hopes its campaign, which focuses on corruption, unemployment, women's safety, and welfare, will help it gain ground in TMC strongholds.
BJP leaders are also counting on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, which removed 91 lakh names from the voter list. The BJP believes this will hurt the TMC.
Assam Exit Polls: BJP Set for Third Term, Congress Stands at 27 Seats
In neighboring Assam, all pollsters agree that the BJP will keep power for a third term. Exit polls predicted 88 seats for Himanta Sarma's BJP in the 126-member assembly. The Congress, led by new state chief Gaurav Gogoi, is expected to win about 27 seats.
If these numbers are confirmed on May 4, Himanta Sarma, who campaigned on welfare and good governance, will return for a second term.
The BJP's main slogan has been 'Jati, mati, bheti' (community, land, home), while the Congress has focused on anti-incumbency to challenge the BJP.
In the south, Kerala is expected to see a change, while Tamil Nadu is likely to stay the same. In Tamil Nadu, MK Stalin’s DMK, has chances in winning 130 of the state’s 234 seats.
The AIADMK, which formed a broad coalition with the NDA and other groups, is likely to get 65 seats.
Dravidian Parties See Major Drop in Seats as Vijay's TVK Claims 31 in Polls
For both Dravidian parties, these projected numbers are much lower than in 2021. That year, the DMK-led front won 159 seats, with the DMK alone getting 133, while the AIADMK alliance finished with 75 seats.
The drop in numbers is because of actor Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), which has played a major role in the polls. The poll of polls suggests Vijay's party will win 31 seats, likely taking votes from both the DMK and AIADMK.
Axis My India was the only pollster that estimated that Vijay could secure between 98 and 120 seats. Its CEO Pradeep Gupta likened Vijay's ascent to the trajectories of MGR and NTR in Andhra Pradesh.
Ever since Vijay entered politics in 2024, the Tamil superstar has received strong support from young, urban voters.
He presents himself as an alternative with a strong anti-corruption message.
Kerala Exit Polls: Pinarayi Vijayan Faces Anti-Incumbency, UDF Set to Take Lead
In Kerala, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is facing strong anti-incumbency after ten years in power and is likely to be replaced by the Congress-led UDF, according to most exit polls. A poll of polls projected 77 seats for the UDF and 55 for the Left Front.
If these numbers are confirmed, it will be a major setback for Vijayan, whom critics often call "mundu udatha Modi" (Modi in a mundu), and for the Left. Kerala is the only state where the Left Front is in power, so a loss would mean a "red" wipeout from India's political map.
It will prove a big boost for the Congress, which faced multiple defeats in Haryana, Delhi, Maharashtra, and Bihar.
The UDF (United Democratic Front) not only came out victorious in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in the state but also excelled in the current local body polls.
Now all eyes are stuck on May 4.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about this topic
The results highlight significant trends, with the DMK leading in Tamil Nadu, Congress making a comeback in Kerala, and NDA staying strong in Assam, while Bengal's results remain uncertain.
The unclear results in Bengal are due to tight competition between the major parties, with conflicting exit poll predictions making it hard to determine a winner.
While the results are still unclear, major parties such as the ruling party and the opposition alliances are vying for dominance, with the final outcome still in suspense.
Vijay’s TVK has emerged as a key player, with the party expected to win a significant number of seats and draw votes away from both DMK and AIADMK in Tamil Nadu.
The exit polls reveal important shifts in the political scene, particularly in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Assam, while the outcome in Bengal remains a closely watched contest.
