By Dr Tamanna Khosla
New Delhi | February 2026 :: The forthcoming 2026 elections across five Indian states—Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal—and the Union Territory of Puducherry, along with key local body elections in Gujarat, Punjab, and West Bengal, are poised to significantly influence the trajectory of contemporary Indian politics. With approximately 824 assembly seats at stake, these elections are more than routine democratic exercises; they represent a crucial political barometer ahead of the next general election cycle.
High-Stakes Assembly Contests
In Assam (126 seats), the BJP-led NDA under Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma seeks a third consecutive term, banking on development and indigenous alliances, while opposition parties question governance practices and raise concerns over the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
In Kerala (140 seats), the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) attempts to secure a historic third term against the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF), which is positioning anti-incumbency, fiscal strain, and governance concerns as central campaign themes. Recent by-election results suggest potential momentum shifts.
Tamil Nadu (234 seats) presents a complex, multi-cornered contest. The ruling DMK-led alliance under Chief Minister M.K. Stalin emphasizes economic growth and welfare achievements, while the AIADMK-BJP combine, PMK, and emerging regional players such as TVK aim to capitalize on anti-incumbency and identity-based mobilization.
In West Bengal (294 seats), Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s TMC seeks a third consecutive mandate amid aggressive BJP efforts to expand its footprint. Campaign discourse centers on unemployment, governance, law and order, and regional identity politics.
In Puducherry (30 seats), the NDA government faces a Congress-led opposition challenge, reflecting broader national political undercurrents within a smaller but symbolically significant arena.
Local Body Elections: Testing Grassroots Strength
Local body elections in Gujarat will test the BJP’s entrenched dominance in municipal and panchayat institutions, while Punjab’s rural and urban local polls will gauge the Aam Aadmi Party’s consolidation amid agrarian and governance challenges. The anticipated Kolkata Municipal Corporation elections will serve as an urban referendum influencing the broader West Bengal political narrative.
Key National Themes Shaping the 2026 Mandate
Across states, unemployment—particularly youth unemployment—remains a central electoral issue. Inflation moderation at the national level contrasts with state-level fiscal stress debates. Welfare delivery versus sustainable economic growth, regional identity versus central authority, and governance credibility versus political polarization are shaping voter discourse.
The Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls has emerged as a contentious flashpoint, with opposition parties alleging potential disenfranchisement, while authorities maintain the process enhances electoral integrity.
Are These Elections Game Changers?
The 2026 elections represent a pivotal test of incumbent performance, opposition coherence, and evolving voter priorities. They will not only determine state-level power equations but also recalibrate national political strategies, alliance formations, and ideological narratives. The outcomes may redefine the contours of coalition politics, regional assertion, and federal dynamics in India’s democratic framework.
As India approaches these crucial polls, the electorate’s verdict will signal whether governance performance, identity politics, or economic aspirations ultimately shape the next phase of contemporary Indian politics.
(The views expressed are solely those of the author.)
