By: Aparna Nair
It was high drama in States such as Assam, West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry where Assembly elections were held to test the nerves of the titans who define political equations in the regions.
In Tamil Nadu, the DMK made sure its symbol of rising sun shone high up even as AIADMK-led NDA battled well to give tough competition. There was also good news for BJP, as it opened its account in the State bagging four seats.
In Kerala, the red wave swept the region in a first-of-its-kind instance, as it was the norm in the State to always follow anti-incumbency as far as elections were concerned. Left Democratic Front rode the high waves of victory, as it bagged 99 seats of the 140-strong Assembly, with United Democratic Front bagging just 41 seats. Surprisingly, the front that gave the Left tough competition in many strategic seats was BJP, which, however, came a cropper as the results were finalised.
In West Bengal, it was the ‘Didi’ factor that played the prominent role. Though BJP came just a poor second, its vote tally, when compared to the previous election, was a huge jump.
Assam kept its date with the BJP, which found the going easy and the party bagging a second term.
In Puducherry too, NDA made good profit and is on the road to making a government.
Graphics by: Ishaan Pareek