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Congress set for a South boost, but its struggle continues in Assam, irrelevance in Bengal: Exit polls
Exit polls released April 28 show regional variance: Congress poised for strong gains in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, while Assam and West Bengal indicate a weak showing for the party. Puducherry leans NDA; Bengal projections vary widely, and the Congress remains largely sidelined across the north and east.
Why It Matters
The projections suggest a fractured national battleground with southern gains potentially reshaping the INDIA bloc and influencing party strategies ahead of elections; Bengal and Assam outcomes highlight challenges for Congress outside its traditional strongholds.
Timeline
3 Events
Article published: Congress set for a South boost, but its struggle continues in Assam, irrelevance in Bengal: Exit polls
April 29, 2026
The article reports regional exits polls showing a strong Southern boost for Congress, particularly in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, but a weak showing in Assam and West Bengal. It notes a DMK-led alliance solidifying power in Tamil Nadu, a likely UDF victory in Kerala, and a near-irrelevant Congress in Assam and Bengal. Puducherry presents a mixed picture with NDA leading, while Bengal projections remain sharply split between agencies, all underscoring a divided national contest and the strategic importance of southern gains for the INDIA bloc.
Exit polls released for four states and one UT (Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Assam, West Bengal)
April 28, 2026
Kerala: UDF projected to win about 70–90 seats (Axis My India: 78–90; People's Pulse: 75–85; Matrize: 70–75); LDF 55–65; NDA 0–5. Tamil Nadu: DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance projected to return to power; DMK+ seats projected around 122–132 (Matrize) or 125–145 (People's Pulse); majority mark is 118; Congress tally within the alliance not broken out, with the party contesting around two dozen seats. Puducherry: NDA projected to win 15–19 seats (People's Pulse) or 16–20 (Axis My India); Congress-DMK alliance projected at 6–11 seats; 16 seats needed for a majority in the 30-seat assembly. Assam: Congress projected 22–36 seats (Axis My India) or 25–32 (Matrize) or 22–26 (People's Pulse); NDA tally projected at 68–100; total 126 with a majority at 64. West Bengal: Congress projected 0–5 seats (Matrize, P-Marq) or 1–3 (People's Pulse) or 3–5 (Poll Diary); overall, Congress near-irrelevant as the contest narrows to a TMC-BJP fight, with the Left largely sidelined. Bengal projections diverge: People’s Pulse projects a TMC landslide of 177–187 seats, while Matrize, P-Marq and Poll Diary project a BJP majority; the Congress is not projected to win significant seats in any scenario.
Kerala turnout and early impact: turnout highest since 1987
April 9, 2026
Kerala recorded a voter turnout of 78.23% on April 9, 2026, the highest in the state since 1987. Exit polls subsequently projected a strong performance for the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) in Kerala, indicating a potential consequential electoral revival for the party in the state.