After weeks of high-octane campaigning, voting has commenced for the Assembly Elections in Assam, Kerala, and Puducherry. While polling continues across these three regions, by-elections are also underway in Karnataka, Nagaland, and Tripura. Notably, the by-poll in Goa’s Ponda was canceled following a Bombay High Court ruling.

Assam: Aiming for a Hat-trick In Assam’s 126 seats, the battle is primarily between the BJP and the Congress. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is seeking a record seventh consecutive win from Jalukbari. On the other side, Congress State President Gaurav Gogoi is leading the charge from Jorhat. With 2.5 crore voters, the result will determine if the BJP can secure a historic third term in this Northeast powerhouse.

Kerala: The Final Fortress In “God’s Own Country,” 140 seats are up for grabs. CM Pinarayi Vijayan is eyeing a milestone third term for the LDF, though surveys suggest a slight edge for the Congress-led UDF. With heavyweights like Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, and PM Narendra Modi leading the campaigns, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Meanwhile, Puducherry is also witnessing a triangular contest across 30 seats. Security has been ramped up significantly as voters decide the political future of these key states today.