From Assam To Kerala: Who Will Win Big As Voting Begins Across 3 Regions

Polling for Assembly elections in Assam, Kerala and Puducherry began at 7 am on Thursday with security arrangements, webcasting and voter facilities in place. Voting will conclude at 6 pm.

Bypolls are also being held for five Assembly seats in Goa, Karnataka, Nagaland and Tripura following the deaths of sitting MLAs.

Assam sees direct NDA vs Congress fight

In Assam, the contest is largely between the BJP-led NDA and the Congress-led opposition alliance.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is seeking a third consecutive term for the BJP, while the Congress, led in the state by Gaurav Gogoi, is aiming to return to power.

A total of 722 candidates are contesting for 126 seats. Over 2.5 crore voters are eligible to vote across 31,490 polling stations.

Key issues in the campaign include identity politics, governance, revision of electoral rolls and illegal infiltration. The contest remains multi-cornered in several constituencies with parties like the AIUDF, Raijor Dal and Assam Jatiya Parishad in the fray.

Kerala witnesses bipolar contest

In Kerala, 883 candidates are contesting for 140 seats, with 2.71 crore voters eligible to vote.

The election is a direct contest between the ruling Left Democratic Front led by CPI(M) and the Congress-led United Democratic Front.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is seeking another term and is contesting from Dharmadam. Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan is contesting from Paravur.

Rajeev Chandrasekhar is contesting from Nemom, while K K Shailaja is contesting from Peravoor.

Polling is being held across 30,495 stations with over 1.46 lakh officials and 76,000 security personnel deployed. Authorities have also made arrangements for voters in view of summer conditions.

NDA, INDIA bloc face off in Puducherry

In Puducherry, around 9.5 lakh voters will decide the fate of 294 candidates across 30 seats.

The NDA, led by Chief Minister N Rangasamy, is seeking to retain power. He is contesting from Thattanchavady and Mangalam.

The INDIA bloc, comprising Congress, DMK and VCK, is seeking to return to power.

Actor Vijay’s party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam has entered the fray as a third force.

Authorities have identified over 200 polling stations as vulnerable and deployed drones for monitoring. Special arrangements have been made for women, elderly and differently-abled voters.

Over 3 crore voters to decide outcome

More than three crore voters are expected to cast their votes across the three regions. The elections are being closely watched for their political significance.

Counting of votes will take place on May 4.