Hindu

TVK takes 14 of 16 Chennai constituencies; CM Stalin loses

The BJP’s strategy of conflating Hindu and Assamese identities, along with promoting welfare and development schemes, has led to its decisive victory in the State

The Trinamool government, through its anti-democratic practices and failure to focus on economic development, has lost its connect with the people

C. Joseph Vijay, once known as ‘Illaya Thalapathy’ or young commander among his fans, transitioned a decade ago to Thalapathy (commander), a moniker prescient enough, for he has led his people through one of the most historic debut political appearances in the history of elections in India

TVK’s campaign was conducted almost fully on social media, spearheaded by young people, who though form only one-fifth of the electorate, says Author R. Kannan; it was almost as if Mr. Vijay got a free pass as other parties were dismissive of him

The LDF’s campaign, like its government, was strikingly at odds with Left tradition and revolved around Pinarayi’s personality; the UDF must now resist the temptation to imitate this model

The split of Muslim votes came to the advantage of the BJP and the party’s candidates were seen either winning or leading in six of the 12 seats in Malda, where the electorate is 50% Muslims. 

NDA bags record 101 of 126 Assembly seats, routing Congress-led Opposition alliance and establishing Himanta Biswa Sarma as one of its most bankable leaders

BJP retains strongholds in north and southwest Bengal and makes inroads in Trinamool bastions of Kolkata and adjoining districts; party’s vote share touches 45.8%, the Trinamool’s drops to 40.8%

Senior leaders V.D. Satheesan, Ramesh Chennithala, and K.C. Venugopal attribute the massive win to cohesive teamwork within the alliance, the guarantees and assurances given to the people, methodical electioneering, and the ‘misgovernance and nepotism’ of the outgoing LDF government. The scale of the Left’s defeat has been amplified by the loss of face in some of its strongholds such as Taliparamba, Payyannur, and Ambalapuzha, where CPI(M) rebels backed by the UDF posted decisive victories