CM Mamata Banerjee claims a big victory in West Bengal as the left alliance retains power in Kerala. DMK bags massive win in Tamil Nadu as Puducherry, Assam voted for BJP's alliance.

Indian assembly elections 2021: Political battle in 5 Indian states ends

As the day progressed, the ruling Trinamool Congress seemed to have an advantage in the race as TMC is leading in 166 seats while the Bharatiya Janata Party is leading in 83 seats as per the initial trends.&nbsp;

The counting of votes on 292 seats in the state has begun on Sunday at 8 am following the COVID-19 protocol.&nbsp;

The early trends showed that West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee is trailing from the Nandigram seat. Bengal witnessed a fierce contest between the ruling Trinamool Congress and BJP across eight phases.&nbsp;

The Samyukta Morcha comprising the Congress, Left parties and ISF has also tried to put up a strong fight.&nbsp;

The BJP has made a concerted attempt to dislodge the TMC.&nbsp;

The Election Commission has made necessary arrangements for counting.&nbsp;

The counting is taking place amid an unprecedented surge in COVID-19 cases in the country. Several surveys gave an edge to the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC).&nbsp;

In West Bengal, all exit polls predicted that the BJP would make major inroads and a few also said that the party would emerge victoriously.&nbsp;

Times Now-C voter exit poll predicted 158 seats for TMC, 115 for BJP and 19 for others. ABP-C Voter predicted TMC to get 152-164 seats, BJP 109-121 seats and Left-Congress alliance 14-25 seats.&nbsp;

According to the Republic-CNX exit poll, BJP with 138-148 seats has an edge over TMC which is predicted to get 128-138 seats.&nbsp;

As per India TV- People`s Pulse, BJP is expected to get 173-192 seats while TMC will be reduced to 64-88 seats and the Left-Congress alliance will get 7-12 seats.&nbsp;

Axis My India predicted a hung assembly in Bengal with the ruling TMC expected to get 130-156 seats and BJP 134-160 seats.

As the day progressed, the ruling Trinamool Congress seemed to have an advantage in the race as TMC is leading in 166 seats while the Bharatiya Janata Party is leading in 83 seats as per the initial trends.

As the day progressed, the ruling Trinamool Congress seemed to have an advantage in the race as TMC is leading in 166 seats while the Bharatiya Janata Party is leading in 83 seats as per the initial trends. The counting of votes on 292 seats in the state has begun on Sunday at 8 am following the COVID-19 protocol. The early trends showed that West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee is trailing from the Nandigram seat. Bengal witnessed a fierce contest between the ruling Trinamool Congress and BJP across eight phases. The Samyukta Morcha comprising the Congress, Left parties and ISF has also tried to put up a strong fight. The BJP has made a concerted attempt to dislodge the TMC. The Election Commission has made necessary arrangements for counting. The counting is taking place amid an unprecedented surge in COVID-19 cases in the country. Several surveys gave an edge to the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC). In West Bengal, all exit polls predicted that the BJP would make major inroads and a few also said that the party would emerge victoriously. Times Now-C voter exit poll predicted 158 seats for TMC, 115 for BJP and 19 for others. ABP-C Voter predicted TMC to get 152-164 seats, BJP 109-121 seats and Left-Congress alliance 14-25 seats. According to the Republic-CNX exit poll, BJP with 138-148 seats has an edge over TMC which is predicted to get 128-138 seats. As per India TV- People`s Pulse, BJP is expected to get 173-192 seats while TMC will be reduced to 64-88 seats and the Left-Congress alliance will get 7-12 seats. Axis My India predicted a hung assembly in Bengal with the ruling TMC expected to get 130-156 seats and BJP 134-160 seats.

West Bengal Assembly poll results: TMC leads in 166 seats, BJP in 83

Assam recorded a voter turnout of 73.03 per cent on Thursday, while the figure stood at 80.53 per cent for West Bengal in the second phase of assembly polls in the two states.

The Election Commission said these figures were till 5 pm.

The second phase of polls in the two states were held peacefully across 21,212 polling stations spread over 69 assembly constituencies, it said.

"The voter turnout reported by 5 pm from the 39 assembly constituencies of phase 2 in Assam is 73.03 per cent. The poll percentage reported from the 30 assembly constituencies of phase 2 in West Bengal is 80.43 per cent as of 5 pm," the Commission said in a statement.

It said the "non-functioning rate" of electronic voting machines during the poll is lesser than experienced in last few polls.

During this phase, a total of 10,620 ballot units, and an equal number of control units and VVPATs were used in West Bengal.

In Assam, 10,819 ballot units, 10,592 control units and as many VVPATs were used.

One control unit, at least one ballot unit and one VVPAT form one EVM.

The poll panel later said 55 ballot units, 54 control units and 169 VVPATs were replaced in Assam during polling.

In West Bengal, 43 BUs and CUs each were replaced. A total of 192 VVPATs were replaced during polling on Thursday.

During the ongoing elections till the second phase, a record seizure of Rs. 366.09 crore have been made from both the states.

The seizure figure, which includes cash, liquor, narcotics and freebies, is more than six times the total combined seizure of Rs 60.91 crore in assembly elections of 2016, the statement said.

A total number of 1,306 cases of Model Code of Conduct violations were reported through the cVIGIL app from Assam out of which 927 were disposed as of 4.30 pm. Similarly, 14,499 cases were reported from West Bengal with 11,630 being disposed till 4.30 pm.&nbsp;

Assam recorded a voter turnout of 73.03 per cent on Thursday, while the figure stood at 80.53 per cent for West Bengal in the second phase of assembly polls in the two states.

Assam recorded a voter turnout of 73.03 per cent on Thursday, while the figure stood at 80.53 per cent for West Bengal in the second phase of assembly polls in the two states. The Election Commission said these figures were till 5 pm. The second phase of polls in the two states were held peacefully across 21,212 polling stations spread over 69 assembly constituencies, it said. "The voter turnout reported by 5 pm from the 39 assembly constituencies of phase 2 in Assam is 73.03 per cent. The poll percentage reported from the 30 assembly constituencies of phase 2 in West Bengal is 80.43 per cent as of 5 pm," the Commission said in a statement. It said the "non-functioning rate" of electronic voting machines during the poll is lesser than experienced in last few polls. During this phase, a total of 10,620 ballot units, and an equal number of control units and VVPATs were used in West Bengal. In Assam, 10,819 ballot units, 10,592 control units and as many VVPATs were used. One control unit, at least one ballot unit and one VVPAT form one EVM. The poll panel later said 55 ballot units, 54 control units and 169 VVPATs were replaced in Assam during polling. In West Bengal, 43 BUs and CUs each were replaced. A total of 192 VVPATs were replaced during polling on Thursday. During the ongoing elections till the second phase, a record seizure of Rs. 366.09 crore have been made from both the states. The seizure figure, which includes cash, liquor, narcotics and freebies, is more than six times the total combined seizure of Rs 60.91 crore in assembly elections of 2016, the statement said. A total number of 1,306 cases of Model Code of Conduct violations were reported through the cVIGIL app from Assam out of which 927 were disposed as of 4.30 pm. Similarly, 14,499 cases were reported from West Bengal with 11,630 being disposed till 4.30 pm.

Second phase polls: 80.53 per cent turnout in Bengal, 73.03 per cent in Assam till 5 pm

With hardly a week to go for polling day on April 6th&nbsp;in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, WION caught up with actor-turned-politician Khushbu Sundar, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)&nbsp;candidate for Thousand Lights constituency in Chennai. Her background in cinema has made her&nbsp;a household name, and after more than a decade in politics, she is now making her poll debut as a BJP candidate for the assembly. Later this week, Home Minister Amit Shah is expected to campaign for her.&nbsp;&nbsp;

WION: How is the response to BJP’s campaign in Thousand Lights constituency ?

Khushbu Sundar: There’s a very good response for our campaign, women want me to win and they’re confident that I’ll solve their issues as a woman. Their love towards me is evident from the way they have gathered in large numbers. They (opposition) said BJP would never make it, but now there’s a clear wave of change in people’s minds.&nbsp;

WION: Are minority votes in Tamil Nadu a major challenge?&nbsp;

Khushbu Sundar: The BJP won the largest mandate of 303 parliamentary seats in 2019, and this was not possible without minorities voting for us. As far as the women in minority communities are concerned, they say that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is akin to an elder brother and a source of strength for them. The opposition parties are indulging in fake propaganda.&nbsp;

WION: As a woman leader, how do you see the recent misogynistic comments by opposition leaders?

Khushbu Sundar: On the one hand, the opposition claims that they will help women and keep them safe, but now they themselves are saying deplorable things about women. How can such people enable a same environment for women?&nbsp;

WION: The DMK (whose candidate you are taking on) says this seat is their stronghold. Do you foresee a blockbuster on your electoral debut ?

Khushbu Sundar: We are sure of the people being with us. We must recall that DMK President MK Stalin who contested here, jumped to Kolathur constituency 10 years back. He had done so based on doubts of losing here. Our ally AIADMK has won here many times, DMK themselves are claiming that this seat is their stronghold. The finest example of this is MK Stalin, who left for another seat.&nbsp;

WION: There are allegations that actors will forget their constituencies and people after elections. How do you respond ?&nbsp;

Khushbu Sundar: I have seen that these comments have come from a dynast, who is looking at things through his perspective. They are the ones who promise development, safety, roads, employment, water supply and end up neglecting their constituencies. They better brush up their history lessons and recollect Tamil Nadu’s political history where all tall leaders Karunanidhi, MG Ramachandran and J Jayalalithaa have had a cinema industry background.&nbsp;

With hardly a week to go for polling day on April 6th in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, WION caught up with actor-turned-politician Khushbu Sundar, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate for Thousand Lights constituency in Chennai.

With hardly a week to go for polling day on April 6th in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, WION caught up with actor-turned-politician Khushbu Sundar, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate for Thousand Lights constituency in Chennai. Her background in cinema has made her a household name, and after more than a decade in politics, she is now making her poll debut as a BJP candidate for the assembly. Later this week, Home Minister Amit Shah is expected to campaign for her. WION: How is the response to BJP’s campaign in Thousand Lights constituency ? Khushbu Sundar: There’s a very good response for our campaign, women want me to win and they’re confident that I’ll solve their issues as a woman. Their love towards me is evident from the way they have gathered in large numbers. They (opposition) said BJP would never make it, but now there’s a clear wave of change in people’s minds. WION: Are minority votes in Tamil Nadu a major challenge? Khushbu Sundar: The BJP won the largest mandate of 303 parliamentary seats in 2019, and this was not possible without minorities voting for us. As far as the women in minority communities are concerned, they say that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is akin to an elder brother and a source of strength for them. The opposition parties are indulging in fake propaganda. WION: As a woman leader, how do you see the recent misogynistic comments by opposition leaders? Khushbu Sundar: On the one hand, the opposition claims that they will help women and keep them safe, but now they themselves are saying deplorable things about women. How can such people enable a same environment for women? WION: The DMK (whose candidate you are taking on) says this seat is their stronghold. Do you foresee a blockbuster on your electoral debut ? Khushbu Sundar: We are sure of the people being with us. We must recall that DMK President MK Stalin who contested here, jumped to Kolathur constituency 10 years back. He had done so based on doubts of losing here. Our ally AIADMK has won here many times, DMK themselves are claiming that this seat is their stronghold. The finest example of this is MK Stalin, who left for another seat. WION: There are allegations that actors will forget their constituencies and people after elections. How do you respond ? Khushbu Sundar: I have seen that these comments have come from a dynast, who is looking at things through his perspective. They are the ones who promise development, safety, roads, employment, water supply and end up neglecting their constituencies. They better brush up their history lessons and recollect Tamil Nadu’s political history where all tall leaders Karunanidhi, MG Ramachandran and J Jayalalithaa have had a cinema industry background.

Tamil Nadu polls: BJP’s Khushbu Sundar confident of victory, dismisses criticism of her cinema background