BJP Aims for Assama Hat-Trick as Kerala Faces Three-Way Contest
Election Cycle Initiated
Assam, Kerala, and Puducherry commenced the 2026 election cycle this morning, marking an important phase in Indian politics.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is seeking to achieve a hat-trick in Assam, while the Left Front in Kerala aims for its fifth consecutive term. In Puducherry, N Rangaswamy’s AINRC targets a fourth victory in five electoral contests.
High-Voltage Campaign in Assam
Assam’s election has been characterized by an intense campaign period that culminated on Tuesday. The BJP and Congress have engaged in a heated exchange of accusations and denials, accompanied by a multitude of electoral promises. The BJP has pledged to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), create two lakh jobs, expel illegal migrants, and allocate Rs 5 lakh crore for connectivity improvements. Additionally, they promised two LPG cylinders, responding to concerns over fuel shortages due to geopolitical tensions.
Central to the campaign discourse is the phrase “jati-mati-bheti,” which reflects the BJP’s commitment to safeguarding Assamese land and culture from perceived encroachments by “miyas,” a term used derogatorily to refer to Muslims of Bangladeshi descent. In response, the Congress party has accused the BJP of fostering a “politics of hate,” targeting Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma directly. They have raised allegations concerning Sarma’s family’s financial dealings, suggesting a need for investigation, particularly in light of accusations concerning multiple passports held by his wife.
The unexpected death of renowned singer Zubeen Garg in September 2025 may also influence voter sentiment. Although local authorities labeled his passing as an accident while scuba diving, the Assam Police suggested foul play. The BJP and Congress have exchanged accusations regarding this incident, with the Congress promising “justice” within 100 days if they win.
This election represents the first following the controversial delimitation exercise in the northeastern state undertaken in 2023, which has altered constituency boundaries, especially in regions with substantial Muslim voting populations, reducing their representation from 32 to 22 seats out of 126.
The BJP plans to contest 90 seats, the Asom Gana Parishad 26, and the Bodoland People’s Front 11. In contrast, the Congress led by Gaurav Gogoi will campaign for 99 seats, leaving 13 for the Raijor Dal, 10 for the Assam Jatiya Parishad, and six for smaller parties.
Kerala’s Three-Way Battle
The campaign in Kerala also concluded on Tuesday, featuring dramatic appeals from candidates across all parties. Local reports noted candidates utilizing cranes and staging street performances to engage undecided voters, showcasing the symbolic colors of their respective parties — red for the Left, the tricolor for the Congress, and saffron for the BJP.
The upcoming elections for the 140-member Assembly are shaping up to be a three-way contest. The BJP, which has historically struggled in Kerala, is expected to perform better than in previous elections, particularly following successes in the December local body polls, where they secured the mayoralty in Thiruvananthapuram.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s Left coalition is emphasizing continuity in governance, promoting its achievements over the past decade, including infrastructure development and welfare initiatives. Conversely, the Congress-led UDF coalition has criticized the Left Front for alleged corruption, buoyed by their victories in the December elections.
This moment is pivotal for the BJP-led coalition as they seek to expand their influence in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, both of which have historically been resistant to their advances. While the BJP has steadily increased its vote share in Kerala, it has yet to secure a seat in the Assembly.
Puducherry’s Competitive Landscape
In Puducherry, the electoral contest is primarily between Rangaswamy’s NR Congress, allied with the BJP and Tamil Nadu’s AIADMK, and the Congress-DMK alliance, all vying for a position in the 30-member Assembly. Additionally, actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) will make its electoral debut, although its primary focus remains on the Tamil Nadu elections.
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Contents
Election Cycle InitiatedAssam, Kerala, and Puducherry commenced the 2026 election cycle this morning, marking an important phase in Indian politics.The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is seeking to achieve a hat-trick in Assam, while the Left Front in Kerala aims for its fifth consecutive term. In Puducherry, N Rangaswamy’s AINRC targets a fourth victory in five electoral contests.High-Voltage Campaign in AssamAssam’s election has been characterized by an intense campaign period that culminated on Tuesday. The BJP and Congress have engaged in a heated exchange of accusations and denials, accompanied by a multitude of electoral promises. The BJP has pledged to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), create two lakh jobs, expel illegal migrants, and allocate Rs 5 lakh crore for connectivity improvements. Additionally, they promised two LPG cylinders, responding to concerns over fuel shortages due to geopolitical tensions.Central to the campaign discourse is the phrase “jati-mati-bheti,” which reflects the BJP’s commitment to safeguarding Assamese land and culture from perceived encroachments by “miyas,” a term used derogatorily to refer to Muslims of Bangladeshi descent. In response, the Congress party has accused the BJP of fostering a “politics of hate,” targeting Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma directly. They have raised allegations concerning Sarma’s family’s financial dealings, suggesting a need for investigation, particularly in light of accusations concerning multiple passports held by his wife.The unexpected death of renowned singer Zubeen Garg in September 2025 may also influence voter sentiment. Although local authorities labeled his passing as an accident while scuba diving, the Assam Police suggested foul play. The BJP and Congress have exchanged accusations regarding this incident, with the Congress promising “justice” within 100 days if they win.This election represents the first following the controversial delimitation exercise in the northeastern state undertaken in 2023, which has altered constituency boundaries, especially in regions with substantial Muslim voting populations, reducing their representation from 32 to 22 seats out of 126.The BJP plans to contest 90 seats, the Asom Gana Parishad 26, and the Bodoland People’s Front 11. In contrast, the Congress led by Gaurav Gogoi will campaign for 99 seats, leaving 13 for the Raijor Dal, 10 for the Assam Jatiya Parishad, and six for smaller parties.Kerala’s Three-Way BattleThe campaign in Kerala also concluded on Tuesday, featuring dramatic appeals from candidates across all parties. Local reports noted candidates utilizing cranes and staging street performances to engage undecided voters, showcasing the symbolic colors of their respective parties — red for the Left, the tricolor for the Congress, and saffron for the BJP.The upcoming elections for the 140-member Assembly are shaping up to be a three-way contest. The BJP, which has historically struggled in Kerala, is expected to perform better than in previous elections, particularly following successes in the December local body polls, where they secured the mayoralty in Thiruvananthapuram.Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s Left coalition is emphasizing continuity in governance, promoting its achievements over the past decade, including infrastructure development and welfare initiatives. Conversely, the Congress-led UDF coalition has criticized the Left Front for alleged corruption, buoyed by their victories in the December elections.This moment is pivotal for the BJP-led coalition as they seek to expand their influence in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, both of which have historically been resistant to their advances. While the BJP has steadily increased its vote share in Kerala, it has yet to secure a seat in the Assembly.Puducherry’s Competitive LandscapeIn Puducherry, the electoral contest is primarily between Rangaswamy’s NR Congress, allied with the BJP and Tamil Nadu’s AIADMK, and the Congress-DMK alliance, all vying for a position in the 30-member Assembly. Additionally, actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) will make its electoral debut, although its primary focus remains on the Tamil Nadu elections.
