Four states, including the southern state of Tamil Nadu state, one of India’s biggest investment hubs, will vote on April 23, the Election Commission of India announced on Sunday. Polling in West Bengal, where Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been trying to make gains for years, will take place in two phases ending April 29. In Assam and West Bengal, the BJP is largely campaigning on illegal immigration from Bangladesh. Analysts anticipate a tough fight ahead for the BJP in West Bengal, where Banerjee has been in power for 15 years. “This state election will be a photo finish this time, undoubtedly.”Opposition parties across the country have accused the BJP-led government of using the Election Commission to disenfranchise voters, mostly Muslims, who have traditionally not backed Modi.

Source: The Edge Markets March 16, 2026 06:54 UTC