As votes are counted on May 4, will the results follow familiar patterns? These four states show how voters shape power — through loyalty, rivalry, rotation, and realignment
Across India’s states, power follows very different rhythms. In West Bengal, it has stayed remarkably concentrated — just three chief ministers in 50 years, with long, uninterrupted runs defining politics. Tamil Nadu, meanwhile, turned governance into a prolonged battle between DMK and AIADMK (or ADMK), dominated by towering personalities – MG Ramachandran, M Karunanidhi and J Jayalalithaa.
Assam shows a shift from Congress dominance to a BJP phase with more stable tenures, while Kerala stands apart for its near-fixed alternation between two coalitions — broken only recently.
Assam shows a shift from Congress dominance to a BJP phase with more stable tenures, while Kerala stands apart for its near-fixed alternation between two coalitions — broken only recently.