Sharing the findings on X, Lok Poll wrote: "The most wanted Tamil Nadu Survey is Out. Here's the vote share & seat projection from our mega ground survey: DMK+ --- 181-189 | 40.1%, ADMK+ -- 38-42 | 29%, TVK -- 8-10 | 23.9%, NTK -- 00 | 4.9%, Others -- 00 | 2.1%." https://x.com/LokPoll/status/2039294742899618241

The survey indicates a strong lead for DMK and its allies, while the AIADMK and its coalition are projected to win between 38 and 42 seats, capturing 29% of the vote share. Other regional players, including TVK, are estimated to secure 8-10 seats with 23.9% support. NTK and other parties are unlikely to make a significant impact, with projected vote shares of 4.9% and 2.1%, respectively.

CM Stalin Hits Campaign Trail in Tiruchirappalli

This survey comes ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, reflecting voter sentiment across key constituencies in the state. Meanwhile, on Wednesdayy, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) president MK Stalin, who is contesting the upcoming Assembly elections from the Kolathur constituency, held a major election campaign in Tiruchirappalli district on Wednesday, addressing a large public gathering and introducing party candidates for the nine Assembly segments in the district.

Addressing the party rally in Tiruchirappalli, Stalin drew contrasts with other states, asserting, "There are no caste clashes in Tamil Nadu, no communal riots like in BJP-ruled states, no mob violence like in Uttar Pradesh, and no continuous unrest like in Manipur. We have also thwarted the conspiracies of the BJP to create such situations here. It is because of the peaceful environment and effective governance under our rule that investments are steadily flowing into Tamil Nadu. We have released a detailed action plan and election manifesto to support this. All the announcements I have made will be fulfilled in the coming days."

Stalin also claimed, "Tamil Nadu has no caste or communal violence like other states. We ensured peace, which is why investments are coming. We have released our plans, and all promises will be fulfilled soon."

2026 Election Schedule

The Tamil Nadu Assembly elections are scheduled to be held on April 23, 2026, to elect all 234 members, with counting of votes set for May 4.

In his maiden electoral battle, Vijay will also contest from Tiruchirappalli (East) in central Tamil Nadu. "It will be C Joseph Vijay from these two seats," the actor-turned-politician announced emphatically amid loud cheers at a meeting of party functionaries held at a five-star hotel in the city. On the occasion, he also named and introduced nominees for the remaining 232 seats, including members of his core team. Reiterating that the electoral contest was between his "people's alliance TVK" and the "Stalin-led alliance", he described the ruling DMK-led bloc as a "patch-up". "I have selected candidates who will stand with the people," he said. "They are not mere 'vetpalargal' (candidates), but 'makkal kappalargal' (people's protectors)," Vijay said, urging voters to extend wholehearted support to them. He particularly exhorted Gen Z voters to turn out in large numbers for the party's 'whistle' symbol and encourage their families to back TVK candidates. "This is a generational electoral battle," he said, claiming the contest was primarily between the DMK and TVK.

In Bhabanipur, Pradip Prasad will be the Congress candidate against BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, making it a three-way contest.

The other prominent names in the Congress list include former MP Mausam Noor from Malatipur, Madhav Rai from Darjeeling, Abdul Hannan from Sujapur, Susmita Biswas from Dum Dum, Gautam Bhattacharya from Diamond Harbour, Souvik Mukherjee from Asansol Dakshin and Prasenjit Puitandi from Asansol Uttar.

The Congress list of candidates for Bengal Assembly polls came a day after top party leaders held a meeting to finalise the candidates and discuss the campaign strategy.

The BJP and the TMC have already announced their candidates.

Full list of Congress candidates for West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026

https://twitter.com/INCIndia/status/2038247409881698552

The Congress is contesting the Bengal Assembly elections on its own. While the main contest is between the TMC and the BJP, the grand old party is making yet another attempt at regaining the lost ground.

Assembly elections in Bengal will be held in two phases on April 23 and 29. The counting of votes will take place on May 4, with results also likely to be announced the same day.

In Bhabanipur, Pradip Prasad will be the Congress candidate against BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, making it a three-way contest.

The other prominent names in the Congress list include former MP Mausam Noor from Malatipur, Madhav Rai from Darjeeling, Abdul Hannan from Sujapur, Susmita Biswas from Dum Dum, Gautam Bhattacharya from Diamond Harbour, Souvik Mukherjee from Asansol Dakshin and Prasenjit Puitandi from Asansol Uttar.

The Congress list of candidates for Bengal Assembly polls came a day after top party leaders held a meeting to finalise the candidates and discuss the campaign strategy.

The BJP and the TMC have already announced their candidates.

Full list of Congress candidates for West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026

https://twitter.com/INCIndia/status/2038247409881698552

The Congress is contesting the Bengal Assembly elections on its own. While the main contest is between the TMC and the BJP, the grand old party is making yet another attempt at regaining the lost ground.

Assembly elections in Bengal will be held in two phases on April 23 and 29. The counting of votes will take place on May 4, with results also likely to be announced the same day.

In Bhabanipur, Pradip Prasad will be the Congress candidate against BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, making it a three-way contest.

The other prominent names in the Congress list include former MP Mausam Noor from Malatipur, Madhav Rai from Darjeeling, Abdul Hannan from Sujapur, Susmita Biswas from Dum Dum, Gautam Bhattacharya from Diamond Harbour, Souvik Mukherjee from Asansol Dakshin and Prasenjit Puitandi from Asansol Uttar.

The Congress list of candidates for Bengal Assembly polls came a day after top party leaders held a meeting to finalise the candidates and discuss the campaign strategy.

The BJP and the TMC have already announced their candidates.

Full list of Congress candidates for West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026

https://twitter.com/INCIndia/status/2038247409881698552

The Congress is contesting the Bengal Assembly elections on its own. While the main contest is between the TMC and the BJP, the grand old party is making yet another attempt at regaining the lost ground.

Assembly elections in Bengal will be held in two phases on April 23 and 29. The counting of votes will take place on May 4, with results also likely to be announced the same day.

In Bhabanipur, Pradip Prasad will be the Congress candidate against BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, making it a three-way contest.

The other prominent names in the Congress list include former MP Mausam Noor from Malatipur, Madhav Rai from Darjeeling, Abdul Hannan from Sujapur, Susmita Biswas from Dum Dum, Gautam Bhattacharya from Diamond Harbour, Souvik Mukherjee from Asansol Dakshin and Prasenjit Puitandi from Asansol Uttar.

The Congress list of candidates for Bengal Assembly polls came a day after top party leaders held a meeting to finalise the candidates and discuss the campaign strategy.

The BJP and the TMC have already announced their candidates.

Full list of Congress candidates for West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026

https://twitter.com/INCIndia/status/2038247409881698552

The Congress is contesting the Bengal Assembly elections on its own. While the main contest is between the TMC and the BJP, the grand old party is making yet another attempt at regaining the lost ground.

Assembly elections in Bengal will be held in two phases on April 23 and 29. The counting of votes will take place on May 4, with results also likely to be announced the same day.

While CPM will contest 86 seats, ally CPI has announced candidates for 25 seats. Rest of the seats have been reserved for allies. The Left Front is also supporting some independent candidates.

LDF, which flipped the Kerala’s revolving door politics in 2021 polls by retaining the power, will again hope to win the state. The counting of votes will take place on May 4.

Kerala LDF Candidate List (All 140 Seats)

The 2026 elections mark the first time in three decades Congress will be fighting an assembly poll in Bengal alone.

The party’s central election committee — comprising president Mallikarjun Kharge, leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and party secretary K C Venugopal — met key state functionaries, including Bengal in-charge Ghulam Ahmed Mir and Pradesh Congress president Subhankar Sarkar, before the list was announced.

Congress sources said more than 2,500 applications were submitted for the 294 seats. “We will announce the nominees for the remaining 10 seats soon,” said a functionary, while hinting that a few prominent faces would join the party in the next few days.

The Congress high command declared last month that the party would contest all 294 seats in Bengal alone. In the 2021 assembly elections, the party bagged merely 3% votes, while its alliance partner CPM got 4.7% votes. In the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, Congress got 4.7% votes and won one seat — Malda South.

While CPM’s vote share was higher than Congress in the 2024 polls, the party decided to fight it alone in 2026 hoping to rise from zero. Congress, which is focused on Murshidabad, Malda and North Dinajpur, has reposed faith in Chowdhury, who last contested an assembly poll in 1996.

Mausam Benazir Noor, niece of former railway minister ABA Ghani Khan Chowdhury, joined TMC in 2019 after her proposal to form an alliance with CM Mamata Banerjee’s party was turned down by Congress leadership. Noor rejoined Congress in Jan and will be contesting from Malatipur.

Nepal Mahato will contest from Baghmundi, while Mohit Sengupta has been fielded from Raiganj. Ali Imran Ramz (Victor) has been nominated from Chakulia. Pradip Prasad has been pitted against CM Banerjee and BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari in Bhowanipore. Former Pradesh Congress president Somen Mitra’s son Rohan Mitra will contest from Ballygunge. Former TMC MLA Amal Acharya will contest from Itahar.

a coupon scheme worth Rs 8,000 for women to buy/replace household electronic goods, insurance cover, hiking pension for elderly, widows and spinsters above 50 years among other assurances.

Stalin also promised to implement a number of welfare measures in different sectors including education, industry and farming should the DMK return to power and described his party's set of poll promises as a "superstar.".

He said the coupon for women could be used to buy household appliances like TV, refrigerator, washing machine, mixie, microwave oven, induction stove or replace them.

What is 'Illatharasi' Scheme?

"This new Illatharasi scheme will be implemented. Under this scheme, the women of families who don't come under the income tax bracket would be provided a one-time coupon worth Rs 8,000 to purchase these electronic goods from the shops in their places of residence," Stalin said.

'Illatharasi' in Tamil literally translates to the "queen of the house," and in effect refers to a women head of the family.

DMK's Welfare Promises

Announcing a slew of welfare measures targeting women, girl students, farmers and fishermen, he said "I have mentioned a few as a highlight."

"Usually in Tamil Nadu elections the DMK election manifesto is the hero, but now Dravidian model 2.O's poll manifesto is the superstar," Stalin, who is confident of winning over 200 seats out of 234 in the April 23 election, said.

Expanding the coverage for treatment under the CM Health Insurance scheme to Rs 10 lakh by increasing the annual income ceiling, hiking pension for elderly, widows and spinsters above 50 years to Rs 2,000 per month, doubling the monthly grant under the Kalaignar Magalir Urumai Thogai (monthly assistance) to Rs 2,000 and adding new eligible women under this scheme were some of the other promises the ruling party made.

DMK Promises To Expand Breakfast Scheme Till Class 8

Expanding the Chief Minister's Breakfast Scheme till Class 8, and providing free modern electric pump sets without any meters to more than 20 lakh farmers receiving free electricity were among the numerous announcements.

The DMK chief assured to enhance the procurement price of paddy to Rs 3,500 per quintal and the procurement price of sugarcane to Rs 4,500 per tonne.

About 10 lakh new concrete houses will be built under Kalaignarin Kanavu Illam housing scheme and various other housing schemes towards a hut-free Tamil Nadu by 2030.

Skill training will be imparted for five lakh youth who have completed higher education and they will also receive Rs 1,500 per month upon enrolment and completion of 6-month training under the Naan Mudhalvan scheme, he said.

The state will ensure foreign investment of Rs 18 lakh crore aiming to create 50 lakh jobs in five years. The monthly higher education grant of Rs 1,000 to students under Pudhumai Penn and Tamil Pudhalvan schemes will be increased to Rs 1,500. About 35 lakh free laptops will be provided to all college students.

Establishing four future-ready global cities around Coimbatore, Salem, Madurai, and Tiruchirappalli apart, about 50 Semmozhi Poonga's will be constructed across Tamil Nadu, he said.

In his address, Stalin exuded confidence that the DMK is " going to form government for seventh time."

"This confidence is not just of the party workers but all of TN people, because no state government has made so many achievements. So many record schemes have been delivered. We have achieved double digit growth," he said

The DMK started its tenure in 2021 with a 10-year vision plan.

Today, 1.31 crore women were receiving Rs 1000 monthly assistance, he said. The BJP tried to stop it citing election but we realised the conspiracy and gave it in advance in February," the DMK chief added.

The manifesto was prepared by a team headed by party deputy general secretary and Lok Sabha MP Kaniozhi and the team members included two state ministers. Stalin felicitated them on the occasion.

The decision was taken under the leadership of Assam Congress president Gaurav Gogoi at a crucial stage in the electoral cycle.

In an official statement, the party did not specify the individual charges but released a list of expelled members along with their constituencies. Those expelled include Bhaskar Jyoti Baruah (Titabor), Abul Miah (Gauripur), Aftadur Ali Khan (Chenga), Tapan Das (Udharbond), Sandip Das (Katigorah), and Jahurul Islam Barbhuiya (Borkhola).

The list also includes Aziz Ahmed Khan (Karimganj South), Anup Kumar Das (Ram Krishna Nagar), Labaniya Boro (Boko-Chaygaon), Nitul Das (Dimoria), Girindra Kumar Bhuyan (Rangapara), Pallabi Saikia (Tezpur), Mukut Das (Raha), Biju Dowarah (Khowang), and Aynul Hoque (Dalgaon).

According to the party order, the expulsions take immediate effect and will remain in force for a period of six years.

The development comes days before polling in Assam, which is scheduled to be held in a single phase on April 9, with counting slated for May 4.The disciplinary action follows the party’s announcement of its ‘5 Pratishruti’, a set of key electoral commitments unveiled earlier in the day. Among the promises, the Congress stated that it would ensure justice for late Assamese music icon Zubeen Garg within 100 days if voted to power.