From New York to Islamabad, several international publications reported the results of India's assembly elections in four states and one Union Territory, focusing primarily on the landslide victory of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party in West Bengal, ending the 15-year stronghold of Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee in the state. In addition, publications also gave prominent space to Tamil superstar Joseph Vijay, who launched the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party only two years ago, and ousted the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) party led by MK Stalin.<h3>The Guardian</h3>British daily publication, The Guardian, gave focus on Bengal results, noting that the state had been a rare stronghold of opposition, unrivalled in the BJP's consolidation of power across the country. The article in the media outlet, titled "Narendra Modi's BJP wins election in West Bengal for the first time", noted that the West Bengal assembly election results "will have significant implications for India's political landscape and deal another demoralising blow to the already weakened opposition".<h3>BBC</h3>The other prominent British outlet, the BBC, focused its coverage on the control of the BJP against the opposition stronghold in West Bengal. In an article titled 'Modi's BJP conquers Bengal, one of India's toughest political frontiers', claimed that the landslide victory of the BJP in the eastern state "would rank among the most significant breakthroughs of Modi's 12-year reign." "It is not merely the defeat of a three-term incumbent but the completion of the party's long march into eastern India," the article said.<h3>The New York Times</h3>In a report titled "Modi's Hindu Nationalists Conquer a Bastion of India's Opposition," the New York Times described the BJP's success in West Bengal as "historic." The publication noted that Prime Minister Modi's party achieved a major milestone in its long-term efforts to reshape India by winning in a highly populous state where it previously had no chance of governing. The report also underscored the unexpected performance of actor Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar in Tamil Nadu, noting his new party outperformed the state's established political giants. "One of the biggest surprises of the day was in Tamil Nadu, where the party of a political novice, the actor Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar, did better than either of the established parties in the state," the report read.<h3>Pakistan</h3>In Pakistan, the Dawn carried the AFP report on the elections, which said PM Modi's "nationalist party" swept to victory in key elections in "opposition-held West Bengal state, conquering a bastion long held by its adversary". The report suggested that the results should put pm Modi on "a stronger footing while he battles a series of economic and foreign policy challenges, including high unemployment rates and a pending US trade deal, ahead of a general election in 2029."<h3>Bangladesh</h3>The Dhaka Tribune also utilised the AFP coverage, focusing on the electoral upset in Tamil Nadu. The report detailed the defeat of Chief Minister MK Stalin by a little-known opponent and noted that the ruling DMK finished far behind the debutant party led by actor-turned-politician C. Joseph Vijay.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/bjp-sweeps-west-bengal-wins-206-seats-to-breach-trinamool-s-15-year-dominance-1777926543565">BJP sweeps West Bengal, wins 206 seats to breach Trinamool’s citadel, end its 15-year dominance</a>&nbsp;

Global media highlights a historic shift as the BJP conquers Bengal, ending Mamata Banerjee’s 15-year rule. Simultaneously, actor Vijay’s TVK stunned the world by ousting the DMK in Tamil Nadu, disrupting decades of Dravidian dominance. Check what other publications said about the results.

From New York to Islamabad, several international publications reported the results of India's assembly elections in four states and one Union Territory, focusing primarily on the landslide victory of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party in West Bengal, ending the 15-year stronghold of Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee in the state. In addition, publications also gave prominent space to Tamil superstar Joseph Vijay, who launched the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party only two years ago, and ousted the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) party led by MK Stalin. The Guardian British daily publication, The Guardian, gave focus on Bengal results, noting that the state had been a rare stronghold of opposition, unrivalled in the BJP's consolidation of power across the country. The article in the media outlet, titled "Narendra Modi's BJP wins election in West Bengal for the first time", noted that the West Bengal assembly election results "will have significant implications for India's political landscape and deal another demoralising blow to the already weakened opposition". BBC The other prominent British outlet, the BBC, focused its coverage on the control of the BJP against the opposition stronghold in West Bengal. In an article titled 'Modi's BJP conquers Bengal, one of India's toughest political frontiers', claimed that the landslide victory of the BJP in the eastern state "would rank among the most significant breakthroughs of Modi's 12-year reign." "It is not merely the defeat of a three-term incumbent but the completion of the party's long march into eastern India," the article said. The New York Times In a report titled "Modi's Hindu Nationalists Conquer a Bastion of India's Opposition," the New York Times described the BJP's success in West Bengal as "historic." The publication noted that Prime Minister Modi's party achieved a major milestone in its long-term efforts to reshape India by winning in a highly populous state where it previously had no chance of governing. The report also underscored the unexpected performance of actor Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar in Tamil Nadu, noting his new party outperformed the state's established political giants. "One of the biggest surprises of the day was in Tamil Nadu, where the party of a political novice, the actor Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar, did better than either of the established parties in the state," the report read. Pakistan In Pakistan, the Dawn carried the AFP report on the elections, which said PM Modi's "nationalist party" swept to victory in key elections in "opposition-held West Bengal state, conquering a bastion long held by its adversary". The report suggested that the results should put pm Modi on "a stronger footing while he battles a series of economic and foreign policy challenges, including high unemployment rates and a pending US trade deal, ahead of a general election in 2029." Bangladesh The Dhaka Tribune also utilised the AFP coverage, focusing on the electoral upset in Tamil Nadu. The report detailed the defeat of Chief Minister MK Stalin by a little-known opponent and noted that the ruling DMK finished far behind the debutant party led by actor-turned-politician C. Joseph Vijay. Also read: BJP sweeps West Bengal, wins 206 seats to breach Trinamool’s citadel, end its 15-year dominance

Global media highlights a historic shift as the BJP conquers Bengal, ending Mamata Banerjee’s 15-year rule. Simultaneously, actor Vijay’s TVK stunned the world by ousting the DMK in Tamil Nadu, disrupting decades of Dravidian dominance. Check what other publications said about the results.

From New York to Islamabad: How global media reported PM Modi's victory in Bengal against Mamata Banerjee

A robot named Nila welcomed voters at VOC Government School with flowers as citizens arrived to cast their votes during the Puducherry Elections 2026. A video posted by news agency ANI on X shows Nila in Indian traditional attire with flowers bucket standing inside the school premises.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> | Puducherry Elections 2026 | A robot, Nila welcomes voters arriving at VOC Govt School to exercise their franchise. <a href="https://t.co/0nisPCPdhr">https://t.co/0nisPCPdhr</a> <a href="https://t.co/HMZoKuQJnf">pic.twitter.com/HMZoKuQJnf</a>&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/2042066939087090034?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 9, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Polling in the Union Territory began at 7 am, and till 9 am, Puducherry recorded a 17.43 per cent voter turnout. There are 294 candidates in the fray across 30 constituencies in the territory, casting their vote, which include 23 in Puducherry, five in Karaikal and one each in Mahe and Yanam.<h3>Puducherry CEO expects more than 90 per cent polling</h3>Meanwhile, Chief Electoral Officer P. Jawahar said on Wednesday that authorities expect voter turnout to exceed 90 per cent in the 2026 polls, compared to 82.2 per cent in 2021. He added that around 8 per cent of voters were removed from the rolls following the Special Intensive Revision (SIR).&nbsp;The territory has about 9.5 lakh voters, including 5.03 lakh women, 4.46 lakh men, and 140 from the third gender. Voting will take place across 1,099 booths, including 30 all-women stations, 15 managed by youth, two run by persons with disabilities, and two set up in heritage buildings.&nbsp;Jawahar also said authorities have seized items worth Rs 8.4 crore, including gold, liquor, cash, and freebies, meant to influence voters. Additionally, nine government employees were suspended for engaging in political activities, while disciplinary action has been initiated against nine others.&nbsp;He asked citizens to follow the mantra, "Think, verify and act." Meanwhile, 113 misleading social media posts have been already removed by the cybersecurity wing resolving 76 out of 84 complaints within the 100-minute deadline via the C-Vigil app, he further said.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/assam-cm-himanta-biswa-sarma-beef-consumption-kunki-choudhury-1775655063373">Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma says beef consumption should be private, not public</a>

Polling in the Union Territory began at 7 am, and till 9 am, Puducherry recorded a 17.43 per cent voter turnout. There are 294 candidates in the fray across 30 constituencies in the territory, casting their vote.

A robot named Nila welcomed voters at VOC Government School with flowers as citizens arrived to cast their votes during the Puducherry Elections 2026. A video posted by news agency ANI on X shows Nila in Indian traditional attire with flowers bucket standing inside the school premises.

Polling in the Union Territory began at 7 am, and till 9 am, Puducherry recorded a 17.43 per cent voter turnout. There are 294 candidates in the fray across 30 constituencies in the territory, casting their vote.

Meet 'Nila', the robot welcoming voters at Puducherry polling booth: WATCH

With polling for the 2026 Puducherry Assembly elections scheduled for Thursday (April 9), attention has sharply turned to a handful of constituencies that could decide the fate of the 30-member House, where the majority mark stands at just 16 seats. In a tightly contested race marked by high-profile candidates and a fragmented opposition, even marginal swings in select seats are expected to shape the next government.&nbsp;Among the most closely watched constituencies is Thattanchavady, where incumbent Chief Minister N Rangasamy of the All India NR Congress is locked in a direct contest with former Chief Minister and current Lok Sabha MP V Vaithilingam of the Congress. Political observers say a defeat here would deal a significant blow to whichever alliance loses the seat, given the stature of the candidates.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/two-government-employees-dismissed-over-alleged-terror-links-in-jammu-kashmir-1775635907182">Two government employees dismissed over alleged terror links in Jammu &amp; Kashmir</a>&nbsp;Raj Bhavan has also emerged as a key urban battleground. Puducherry BJP president VP Ramalingam is facing Vignesh Kannan of the DMK, son of veteran leader P Kannan. The contest is being viewed as a test of organisational strength and legacy appeal.&nbsp;In Lawspet, the spotlight is on V Saminathan, a former BJP state chief who is now contesting on behalf of actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam. He is up against AINRC leader and former Speaker V P Sivakolundhu in what is expected to be a closely fought race.&nbsp;The Thirubhuvanai constituency, reserved for Scheduled Castes, presents a unique triangular contest. AK Sai J Saravanan Kumar, who recently switched from the BJP to TVK, is taking on P Angalane of the DMK and B Kobiga of the AINRC, reflecting shifting political loyalties on the ground.&nbsp;Beyond the Puducherry district, the enclaves of Mahe and Yanam are seen as crucial for the Congress to retain its relevance. In Mahe, BJP’s A Dineshan faces Congress candidate Ramesh Parambath, while in Yanam, AINRC’s Malladi Krishna Rao is contesting against Gollapalli Srinivas Ashok of the Congress.<h2>Alliance dynamics shape contest</h2>The National Democratic Alliance, comprising AINRC, BJP, AIADMK and LJK, is contesting all 30 seats with a unified strategy, banking on governance and welfare delivery. On the other side, the Secular Progressive Alliance of Congress and DMK is grappling with internal friction. Seat-sharing disagreements have led to so-called friendly fights in several constituencies, with rebel candidates potentially splitting votes.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/india-issues-exit-advisory-for-its-nationals-in-iran-no-response-on-ceasefire-yet-1775629318625">India issues 'exit' advisory for its nationals in Iran, no response on ceasefire</a>&nbsp;Meanwhile, actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam has emerged as a third force. After initially planning to go solo, the party has allied with the Neyam Makkal Kazhagam led by G Nehru Kuppusamy, positioning itself as an alternative to both Dravidian and national parties.<h2>Why every seat matters</h2>Given the small size of the assembly, each constituency carries disproportionate weight. A setback for N Rangasamy in seats like Thattanchavady or Mangalam could weaken the NDA’s leadership structure and morale.&nbsp;TVK’s performance is being closely tracked, with analysts suggesting that even a modest tally of two or three seats could position it as a kingmaker, potentially denying both major alliances a clear majority.&nbsp;The Congress also faces a critical test in constituencies where it is locked in friendly contests with its ally DMK. Success in these seats despite divided votes could indicate strong anti-incumbency sentiment.&nbsp;Additionally, constituencies such as Orleampeth and Yanam, known for electing independents or smaller parties, could once again play a decisive role. A swing towards independents or outfits like the LJK, led by Jose Charles Martin, may provide the crucial seats needed to tilt the balance of power.

Puducherry’s 2026 Assembly elections hinge on key battles in Thattanchavady and Lawspet. With the NDA, SPA, and TVK competing, high-profile contests and potential “kingmaker” third parties will determine the 16-seat majority.

With polling for the 2026 Puducherry Assembly elections scheduled for Thursday (April 9), attention has sharply turned to a handful of constituencies that could decide the fate of the 30-member House, where the majority mark stands at just 16 seats. In a tightly contested race marked by high-profile candidates and a fragmented opposition, even marginal swings in select seats are expected to shape the next government. Among the most closely watched constituencies is Thattanchavady, where incumbent Chief Minister N Rangasamy of the All India NR Congress is locked in a direct contest with former Chief Minister and current Lok Sabha MP V Vaithilingam of the Congress. Political observers say a defeat here would deal a significant blow to whichever alliance loses the seat, given the stature of the candidates. Also read: Two government employees dismissed over alleged terror links in Jammu & Kashmir Raj Bhavan has also emerged as a key urban battleground. Puducherry BJP president VP Ramalingam is facing Vignesh Kannan of the DMK, son of veteran leader P Kannan. The contest is being viewed as a test of organisational strength and legacy appeal. In Lawspet, the spotlight is on V Saminathan, a former BJP state chief who is now contesting on behalf of actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam. He is up against AINRC leader and former Speaker V P Sivakolundhu in what is expected to be a closely fought race. The Thirubhuvanai constituency, reserved for Scheduled Castes, presents a unique triangular contest. AK Sai J Saravanan Kumar, who recently switched from the BJP to TVK, is taking on P Angalane of the DMK and B Kobiga of the AINRC, reflecting shifting political loyalties on the ground. Beyond the Puducherry district, the enclaves of Mahe and Yanam are seen as crucial for the Congress to retain its relevance. In Mahe, BJP’s A Dineshan faces Congress candidate Ramesh Parambath, while in Yanam, AINRC’s Malladi Krishna Rao is contesting against Gollapalli Srinivas Ashok of the Congress. Alliance dynamics shape contest The National Democratic Alliance, comprising AINRC, BJP, AIADMK and LJK, is contesting all 30 seats with a unified strategy, banking on governance and welfare delivery. On the other side, the Secular Progressive Alliance of Congress and DMK is grappling with internal friction. Seat-sharing disagreements have led to so-called friendly fights in several constituencies, with rebel candidates potentially splitting votes. Also read: India issues 'exit' advisory for its nationals in Iran, no response on ceasefire Meanwhile, actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam has emerged as a third force. After initially planning to go solo, the party has allied with the Neyam Makkal Kazhagam led by G Nehru Kuppusamy, positioning itself as an alternative to both Dravidian and national parties. Why every seat matters Given the small size of the assembly, each constituency carries disproportionate weight. A setback for N Rangasamy in seats like Thattanchavady or Mangalam could weaken the NDA’s leadership structure and morale. TVK’s performance is being closely tracked, with analysts suggesting that even a modest tally of two or three seats could position it as a kingmaker, potentially denying both major alliances a clear majority. The Congress also faces a critical test in constituencies where it is locked in friendly contests with its ally DMK. Success in these seats despite divided votes could indicate strong anti-incumbency sentiment. Additionally, constituencies such as Orleampeth and Yanam, known for electing independents or smaller parties, could once again play a decisive role. A swing towards independents or outfits like the LJK, led by Jose Charles Martin, may provide the crucial seats needed to tilt the balance of power.

Puducherry’s 2026 Assembly elections hinge on key battles in Thattanchavady and Lawspet. With the NDA, SPA, and TVK competing, high-profile contests and potential “kingmaker” third parties will determine the 16-seat majority.

2026 Puducherry Elections: Key constituencies that can change the poll game