The Hindu reports: Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Kerala head into government formation mode, as the electorates in these States have delivered a politically transformative mandate. Three incumbent Chief Ministers -- Mamata Banerjee (West Bengal), M.K. Stalin (Tamil Nadu) and Pinarayi Vijayan (Kerala) -- are on their way out, with Ms.
Banerjee also losing the poll battle against BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari in the Bhabanipur Assembly seat in Kolkata. Also read | The significant erasure of democracy in Bengal The BJP is set to form its first government in West Bengal with a landslide victory on Monday (May 4, 2026). The latest electoral cycle also saw a spectacular debut in Tamil Nadu by actor-politician Vijay’s TVK with 108 wins out of 234 seats to emerge as the single-largest party, along with a wipeout of the Left as it tasted defeat in its last bastion of a Kerala, and a solitary win there for the Congress, which has been battling diminishing electoral returns.
Background
Also read | Governance is the ultimate currency in Kerala The saffron party has retained Assam for a third term, while it will be part of incumbent NDA government in Puducherry that saw its re-election on Moday (May 4, 2026). A look at the key candidates in the Tamil Nadu elections who returned victorious and those who failed to win seats. Vijay's TVK disrupts AIADMK dominance in western Tamil Nadu, winning 27 of 57 seats in a historic electoral shift.
Key facts
- Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Kerala head into government formation mode, as the electorates in these States have delivered a politically transformative mandate.
- Three incumbent Chief Ministers -- Mamata Banerjee (West Bengal), M.K.
- Stalin (Tamil Nadu) and Pinarayi Vijayan (Kerala) -- are on their way out, with Ms.
- Banerjee also losing the poll battle against BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari in the Bhabanipur Assembly seat in Kolkata.
- Also read | The significant erasure of democracy in Bengal The BJP is set to form its first government in West Bengal with a landslide victory on Monday (May 4, 2026).
What this means
In a day of tectonic surprises, it may seem superfluous to talk of upsets. And yet, the defeat of Chief Minister M.K. Stalin in Kolathur, and the painting of Chennai in the recently familiar red-and-yellow colours of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) must be part of record.
Stalin lost to former DMK partyman V.S. Babu of the TVK, a party that Mr. Babu recently migrated to.
Originally reported by The Hindu. This story has been edited and re-presented by BRIC Team.
