BJP headed for victory in West Bengal state, a day full of surprises

Ballots are being counted in four Indian state elections - West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Assam - and the federal territory of Puducherry.

Voting trends show PM Narendra Modi's BJP is well ahead in Assam and West Bengal and its alliance looks set to return to power in Puducherry, reports BBC.

West Bengal's incumbent Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is headed for a shock defeat after serving three terms.

A setback for Banerjee, as trends suggest, could weaken the opposition bloc in the run-up to the 2029 general election, analysts say.

Tamil Nadu too is seeing huge political disruption as a new party led by superstar Vijay races ahead, shocking older regional rivals.

In Kerala, the Congress looks set to defeat a Left party alliance, which had governed the state for two consecutive terms.

A day full of surprises

West Bengal is expected to deliver perhaps the biggest shock of all, with PM Modi’s BJP on course for what would be a historic breakthrough. If trends hold, the party is expected to decisively cross the majority mark in a state that has long resisted it, dealing a major blow to Mamata Banerjee’s TMC which ruled the state since 2011.

In Tamil Nadu, there's been another unexpected twist. Actor-turned-politician Vijay has emerged as the breakout figure, with his party’s surge dismantling the state’s entrenched two-party order and putting incumbent chief minister MK Stalin under pressure.

Even in Kerala, where politics is often more predictable, there are notable shifts. The Congress-led alliance is ahead of the Left, pointing to yet another swing in the state’s cyclical pattern. But what's also significant is that the BJP is on course to win two seats, marking a modest yet symbolic breakthrough.

In Assam, the BJP appears set to retain power, reinforcing its dominance in the northeast region. In Puducherry, the contest remains tight, but the alliance in which BJP is also a part seems poised for a win.

Taken together, these results suggest an interesting shift - the BJP is expanding into newer areas, while regional parties face unexpected challenges.