Overview
- The Election Commission is expected to announce the timetable soon for elections in Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry, with voting widely anticipated in April across more than 800 seats.
- In Assam, the BJP projects a return to power under Himanta Biswa Sarma, highlighting development gains, youth empowerment schemes and engagement of nearly two lakh new voters.
- BJP leaders defend the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls as an essential exercise under the ECI’s authority, countering opposition criticism over enrolment changes.
- In West Bengal, the Enforcement Directorate’s raid on I-PAC and seizure of documents triggered a political row, with Mamata Banerjee alleging the targeting of TMC’s poll strategy papers.
- Congress confronts alliance calculations ahead of 2026, pressing for leverage with the DMK in Tamil Nadu and weighing options in Bengal, as Mumbai’s BMC vote on January 15 offers a near-term political barometer with results due January 16.