The Assembly elections in five elections have brought about a dramatic change in three states — Keralam, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. Assam and Puducherry have voted for the status quo.

It is not possible to write a single narrative on the elections. Each state has produced a distinct narrative. Keralam is a straightforward story. The UDF and the LDF have alternated in ruling the state for several decades. The sequence was broken in 2021 when the LDF, under Mr Pinarayi Vijayan, was re-elected for a second term. The Congress put in place a new leadership (PCC and CLP) and the party has functioned in the last 5 years as a true Opposition with renewed vigour. The payoff is visible. The UDF has an obligation to govern and deliver results that will keep the UDF partners together, and advance secularism, economic progress and prosperity, and federalism.

The Tamil Nadu story is complex. The DMK, supported by the Congress and other secular parties, was elected in 2021 with a solid majority. It undoubtedly delivered on two fronts — economic growth and welfare measures. Apparently, there were other factors that weighed with the electorate. The unknown factor was the entry of Mr Joseph Vijay, a film hero who has a legion of fans, especially among the youth and women. Since the announcement of the calendar of the elections, a wind started blowing; it gathered speed and turned into a storm in the last 10 days before the polling date;........

© Indian Express