Few state polls have been as dramatic as this round. TOI explains the verdicts through 10 decisive factors, from freebies becoming entitlements to women’s safety, and from Hindu vote to Gen Z angst
1. RETURN OF ANTI-INCUMBENCY
For a while, anti-incumbency seemed like a fading ghost. Repeated successes of several incumbents, most notably Narendra Modi, had cast doubt on the old belief that time in power naturally breeds defeat. This set of verdicts, however, serves as a reminder: anti-incumbency lies dormant, unless neutralised by effective governance and sharp political instinct.