India News : With the Bihar Assembly elections concluding, India is set to enter a new electoral phase. The year 2026 will witness Assembly elections in five major states and one Union Territory — Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Puducherry. Political activity across these regions has already begun to intensify, with national and regional parties preparing their electoral strategies.
In Assam, which has a 126-member Assembly, elections are usually fought around regional issues, ethnic balance, and development agendas. Kerala, with its 140-seat Assembly, is known for its intense political contest between the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF), giving the state a distinct political identity.
Tamil Nadu, the largest southern state with 234 Assembly seats, remains a stronghold of Dravidian politics, primarily witnessing contests between the DMK and AIADMK. Meanwhile, West Bengal, with a 294-seat Assembly, holds major political significance in eastern India. Past elections in the state have seen sharp political rivalries, and the 2026 polls are expected to be equally competitive.
The Union Territory of Puducherry, despite having only 30 Assembly seats, plays a key role in southern political dynamics and often witnesses multi-cornered contests.
By-elections Expected in Several States
Alongside the upcoming Assembly elections, by-elections are also being planned for several Assembly constituencies that have fallen vacant due to the death of sitting legislators.
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Ponda (Goa) seat fell vacant after the death of BJP MLA Ravi Naik on October 15.
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Bagalkot (Karnataka) became vacant following the death of Congress MLA H.Y. Meti on November 4.
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Rahuri (Maharashtra) seat was vacated after BJP MLA Shivaji Kardile passed away on October 17.
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Tadubi (Manipur) constituency has been vacant since January following the death of NPP MLA N. Kayisii.
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Koridang (Nagaland) seat also fell vacant on November 11 after the demise of BJP MLA Imkong L. Imchen.
The Election Commission of India is expected to announce the by-election schedule soon.
With multiple state elections and by-polls lined up, the country is heading into a period of heightened political engagement, where both party strategies and voter participation will play a crucial role in shaping the political landscape.
