Few states in India recently went into election and results are expected by 19 may. The state elections are held by the election commission of India and monitored by a chief electoral officer. The elections in these states are vital as few of them contribute in a major way to the Indian economy. Before the elections, results are declared we bring some of the key points that you must know in order to improve your general knowledge.
1.
State: West Bengal
Total Seats : 294
Election type and date : 5 phase election / 11 April – 5 may ( in 5 phases)
Major parties in the fray : All India Trinamool congress, BJP, Congress, Communist party of India
Election turnout: 80 % ( Avg of 5 phases)
Expectation: The TMC is expected to hold the ground with some vote distribution which is going to be taken by the BJP and the CPI. The congress is expected to lose more of its percentage
Special mention: The congress unofficially declared an alliance with the CPI which never happened before in the history of Indian politics. This could mean that in the case of a tight situation to form govt and the CPI has a majority the congress could help the CPI by giving support to form the govt.
2.
State: ASSAM
Total Seats: 126
Election type and date: Two Phase , 4 & 11 April
Major parties in the fray: BJP, Congress, AIDUF
Election turnout: 84.5 %
Expectation : Exit polls suggest a BJP regime with the congress following in very closely.
Special mention: The BJP allied with the Bodoland people’s front which raises speculations as to if the BJP will favour to the wishes of Bodoland, the congress stood alone while the AIDUF had JD(u) & RJD on its side.
3.
State: TAMIL NADU
Total seats : 234
Election type and date: Single phase, 16th may
Major parties in the fray: Dravida munetra kazhagam ( DMK) , All India anna Dravida munetra kazhagam ( AIADMK), Patalai matkal katchi ( PMK) , naam tamialr katchi ( NTK) , BJP, Congress, desia murpoku Dravida kazhagam (DMDK)
Election turnout: 73%
Expectation: The ruling party is expected to hold its ground ie AIADMK, but the vote share is said to be less and the victory margin will be just. That is enough to set it regime once again for the second time.
Special mention: The formation of PWF ( DMDK+ CPI+ VCK+ MDMK) is the third major party an unlikely alliance to counter the 2 Dravidian giants. They are expected to split the votes of the 2 parties and are front runners fo the next election.
4.
State: KERALA
Total seats: 140
Election type and date : 16 may, Single phase
Major parties in the fray : LDF, UDF, BJP
Election turnout : 74%
Expectation : exit polls suggests that LDF is said to win the election and the UDF will be the opposition with the BJP to increase its vote share.
Special mention: Kerala has traditionally been the stronghold of two main rivals – the centrist UDF (United Democratic Front) and the leftist LDF (Left Democratic Front) – with power alternating between the two at regular intervals. The Congress-led UDF won in 2011 by a narrow margin of four seats. The LDF is determined to come back in power. Joining them in the race this time is a third contender, that is, the BJP.
There are some states that are expected to have a change in regime in the coming days which can impact the growth of india. This may be a positive or a negative based on the centre’s relation with the states goverment. Few more states are expected to go into election in the coming months like punjab and gujarat which is again another thing to look out for.
