Elections 2016 Infographics

• Assembly Polls: The Others’ story
  That BJP has gradually replaced the Congress as the dominant party in Indian politics is an obvious trend. But the big picture shows another interesting trend -- regional parties can’t be ignored and enjoy significant political space in India.
• Left in the front
  Kerala maintained its reputation as a state that swings between the UDF and the LDF coalitions every 5 yrs —BJP winning its first seat in the state is an unmissable development.
• The Jaya blockbuster
  Though Jaya broke the revolving door of TN politics, it still remained a two-front race, with the big Dravida parties cornering the votes.
• Yo-yo effect continues in Kerala
  The verdict on Thursday ensured continuity of Kerala's patented bipolar politics by showing UDF the door and giving an impressive mandate to CPM-led LDF, but simultaneously signalled radical change by providing BJP a beachhead and ending decades of electoral untouchability.
• Didi hits a home run
  Trinamool is first single party to win so many seats in West Bengal. Here’s how Mamata’s party scored.
• The top campaigners in assembly elections
  West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee swept the campaign miles stakes, addressing over 150 rallies over a six-phase election process. At 93, VS Achuthanandan came a remarkable third, covering over 3,000 km behind Kerala chief minister Oommen Chandy.
• Advantage BJP on national scale
  BJP has made significant gains over in these elections over the last time Assam, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Kerala and Puducherry went to the ballot.
• BJP vs Congress in 2014 & 2016
  Here’s a look at how different India's political map was in 2014 when the BJP came into power vis-a-vis 2016, just after the assembly elections in Assam, West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.
• BJP breaks new ground
  With the win in Assam, BJP has further consolidated its rule and influence over India. For the Congress, the loss in Assam and Kerala has pushed it into ignominy -- tiny Puducherry is its only consolation.
• Women in power
  Here are few nuggets about women chief ministers in India.
• The rise of BJP and decline of Congress
  With the BJP spreading its wings, India's political map is changing and the grand old party is fast fading out. Have a look.
• Lotus blooms in more states
  The BJP has broken into bastions that have traditionally belonged to the Congress and Left.
• Who’s been in the hot seat in Kerala?
  Here’s a look at which party has ruled the state since 1996.
• Who’s been in the hot seat in Tamil Nadu?
  A look at which party has been in power in Tamil Nadu since 1996.
• Women voters make history in TN polls
  2016 has been a watershed year in Tamil Nadu elections with more women voting than men. Here’s a look at the numbers.
• Who’s been in the hot seat in West Bengal?
  The CPM ruled West Bengal for over three decades till AITC finally broke its grip. Wuestion is are the people impressed with ‘poriborton’?
• Who’s been in the hot seat in Assam?
  The Congress has ruled Assam for over a decade. Which way will the vote swing today?
• Who’s been in the hot seat in Puducherry?
  A look at the parties that have ruled Puducherry since 1996.
• And the winner is ... Election Commission!
  The silent work of the Election Commission has once again ensured a high turnout among voters across five states.
• What exit polls say about Jayalalithaa's fate
  Pollsters are split over the results of Tamil Nadu assembly elections. Two exit polls says Tamil Nadu CM Jayalalithaa is losing. CVoter indicates 'Amma' is winning.
• Mamata to win West Bengal for second term
  In the end it appears, Saradha and Narada couldn't dent the Trinamool Congress, as incumbent Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress looks set for a second consecutive term in West Bengal, the CVoter exit poll indicated on Monday.
• Congress-DMK may put up good show in Puducherry
  The Congress-DMK alliance is set to win and leading in 14 of the 30 seats in the assembly elections in Puducherry, according to an exit poll conducted by CVoter.
• CPM-led LDF set to topple UDF in Kerala
  Anti-incumbency and the opposition Left Democratic Front (LDF) look set to emerge the big winners in the Kerala Assembly polls, CVoter Exit Poll indicates. The LDF is leading in 82 seats, up from the last election's 66 seats.
• BJP set to topple formidable Tarun Gogoi in Assam
  The BJP is set to win Assam assembly eletions with its best-ever performance in the state, according to exit poll results released on Monday.
• Puducherry: A multi-cornered contest
  The AINRC, AIADMK, BJP and PMK are going alone this election, while the Congress has joined hands with the DMK to fight the newbie PWF.
• Battleground Tamil Nadu
  Freebies not issues are likely to decide the outcome of the polls today.
• Battleground Kerala
  Both the UDF and the LDF say the votes are on their side. Both assert the NDA does not stand a chance. But the mind of the Kerala voter remains inscrutable.
• Battleground Bengal - Phase 6
  The 32-day long election journey for West Bengal that ends today. Here’s a quick look at what Phase 6 of the polls in the state involves.
• Fewer people voting in Bengal elections
  Wary of intimidation and the hot weather conditions, the Bengal elections have seen a drop in voters. Here’s a look at turnout figures in the last two elections in seats that have voted so far.
• Battleground Bengal Phase 4
  The Trinamool Congress has a clear advantage in the two districts that go to the polls today. Reason: In the the previous assembly elections the TMC mopped up over 50 per cent of the votes. For the Left-Congress tie-up, it is a daunting task ahead — at least that is what the numbers say.
• FIRs galore in Tamil Nadu poll season
  Election Commission files over 2000 FIRs against political parties
• Bengal Phase 3 - Violence surges, turnout dips
  The third phase of voting in West Bengal was marred by violence. The EC received more than 1,500 complaints. These included bombing of booths, attacks on CPM supporters and the first death of this election. At least 60 people were arrested in Kolkata.
• Why Bengal's Cong-Left combo worries some Left Front parties
  The initial reluctance to the Congress-Left alliance came from Left Front partners from its founding days in 1977 - the Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) and the All India Forward Bloc (AIFB). Dwarfed by the CPM, the tie-up with Congress posed a tricky problem for these two parties. Here¹s more
• Decoding phase 3 of Bengal polls
  The high-octane West Bengal assembly election reaches an exciting leg on Thursday, with the poll caravan moving to the historic Murshidabad district that was once the capital of the Nawabs of Bengal, Bihar and Odisha, and reaches upto a part of Kolkata in the third phase of the staggered month-long exercise.
• Cash for votes: The formula goes innovative
  Beyond freebies, cash is big in poll season. Candidates distribute money to voters 2-3 days before elections in a myriad ways. Here are a few choice ones that have survived the test of time.
• The West Bengal balance sheet
  Five years back in 2011, Mamata Banerjee had promised ‘poriborton’. A look at the govt’s report card shows a faltering economy and a stark employment situation. Find out more…
• Seats that hold the CPM’s comeback in West Bengal
  In the last decade, the Left Front has steadily been losing its vote share in Bengal, which is why the 2016 assembly elections are crucial for its survival.
• The Gulf is newest pit stop for Kerala’s politicians
  Election excitement has peaked in the Gulf like never before, expat organisations are holding overseas voter registration camps, party conventions and spearheading online and SMS campaigns. Here’s a look a why the NRI vote and influence matters in the state assembly elections
• Tamil Nadu sliced & diced
  This assembly elections the battle lines are drawn between two big Dravidian fronts—AIADMK and DMK, the PMK that is going alone and the BJP.
• Battleground West Bengal
  It's Phase 1B of the assembly elections in West Bengal and 31 constituencies go to polls. Here's a snapshot of where the elections are being held, the key players and what's at stake.
• Battleground Assam
  It’s phase two of the Assam assembly elections and 61 constituencies go to polls. Here’a a snapshot of where the elections are being held, the key players and what’s at stake.