Long queues of voters in Assam and Puducherry; 38.9% polling in 126 constituencies in Assam till 11 am; 37.1% polling in Puducherry

Polling is progressing well in Assam and Puducherry, where elections are being held today, along with Kerala. The polling recorded till 11 am in Assam is high. 38.9% polling was recorded till 11 am in Assam. 37.1% people also cast their votes in the Union Territory of Puducherry.

Voting is underway in 126 assembly constituencies in Assam. While the ruling BJP is aiming for a third consecutive term, the Congress is trying to regain power after its defeat in 2016. 722 candidates are seeking the mandate in the state of Assam. Long queues of voters are visible at most polling stations as the polling began at 7 am. About 2.5 crore voters, including 1.25 crore women, are exercising their franchise in 31,490 polling stations in Assam.

BJP Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi and AIUDF president Badruddin Ajmal are the leading candidates in Assam. The main contest in Assam is between the BJP and the Congress. This is the first election to be held in the northeastern state after the delimitation of constituencies in 2023. The delimitation of constituencies in areas with a strong Muslim vote was controversial.

In Puducherry, the contest is between Rangaswamy's NR Congress, an ally of the BJP and AIADMK, and the Congress-DMK alliance. Actor Vijay's Tamilaka Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) is making its debut in the Puducherry elections. In the 33-member Puducherry Assembly (30 elected seats), the AINRC-BJP alliance (NDA) led by Chief Minister N. Rangaswamy is facing a tough fight with the Congress-DMK alliance. Rangaswamy and former Chief Minister V. All eyes are on the Thattanchavadi constituency, where Vaithilingam is also contesting. The long-standing demand for statehood, rising unemployment and drinking water pollution in Puducherry district, which has 23 of the 30 seats, are the main election issues.

Actor Vijay's party, Tamilaka Vetri Kazhagam (TVK), is a crucial factor in this election. TVK's popularity could have an unexpected impact on the results.