Tamil Nadu, West Bengal set for landmark elections

The stage is set for voting in all 234 Assembly seats in Tamil Nadu and 152 constituencies in the first phase of West Bengal on Thursday, in elections that will test the fate of top leaders and their parties in both states.

The polls will decide the future of two dominant regional forces — the DMK and the TMC — and their leaders, M.K. Stalin in Tamil Nadu and Mamata Banerjee in West Bengal.

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They will also test the BJP’s potential as the principal challenger in West Bengal and whether it can finally gain a foothold in southern state Tamil Nadu with the support of ally AIADMK.

These elections are also a key test for a new entrant — the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), led by actor-turned-politician Vijay — in a state historically defined by bipolar Dravidian politics. Emerging as a potential disruptor, TVK has fielded candidates in all 234 seats, positioning itself as a “clean” alternative to the established players.

While Tamil Nadu will complete polling in a single phase, voting for the remaining 142 constituencies in West Bengal is scheduled for April 29.

Both states have witnessed fiercely intense campaigning.

In West Bengal, the political temperature has remained high as the BJP has stepped up its push to unseat the TMC, which has been in power since 2011. One of the most contentious issues this election season has been the Special Intensive Revision of voter lists—an exercise the ruling TMC alleges is politically motivated, a charge denied by both the BJP and the Election Commission.

The phase going to polls on Thursday covers several key constituencies, including Nandigram—the most closely watched seat due to its role in the TMC’s rise to power. The spotlight is again on BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari. Once a close aide of Mamata Banerjee and now one of her fiercest rivals, Adhikari is contesting again from Nandigram, a seat he won in 2021 by defeating Banerjee. Other key constituencies include Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Cooch Behar, and Siliguri

In Tamil Nadu, the elections are being seen as a major turning point, with a multi-cornered contest. The ruling DMK, led by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, is seeking a second consecutive term but faces a resurgent AIADMK, backed by the BJP, along with the growing influence of Vijay’s TVK.

Thursday will test the political fortunes of Stalin as well as AIADMK leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami, who must secure a strong mandate to emerge from the shadow of late J. Jayalalithaa, consolidate his leadership, and reaffirm the party’s position as the principal challenger.

Key candidates include Stalin in Kolathur, Palaniswami in Edappadi, Vijay in Perambur and Trichy East, and NTK leader Seeman in Karaikudi. Other prominent contenders include Udhayanidhi Stalin in Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni, O. Panneerselvam in Bodinayakanur, Premalatha Vijayakant in Vriddhachalam, and K.A. Sengottaiyan in Gobichettipalayam, contesting this time on a TVK ticket.

A key question remains whether Vijay’s TVK can shift the narrative away from the traditional binary, and if cinematic charisma can disrupt decades-old political structures. And in Chepauk–Thiruvallikeni,can Udhayanidhi Stalin consolidate his position and legacy as the DMK’s future leader.