Having travelled extensively during the campaign, Shashi Tharoor said the momentum on the ground points clearly towards a change in government.

"We are confident that we will form the government on 4 May," says Puducherry Congress State President V Vaithilingam

A bride in Kerala's Wayanad district chose democracy before her wedding, arriving at a polling booth in full bridal attire to cast her vote on Thursday morning.

Akhila Antony, a native of Meppadi, reached Booth Number 191 at the Government Higher Secondary School at 9am, dressed for her big day, capturing the attention of voters and officials alike.

With her wedding scheduled at 10:30 am at the CSI Church in Koyileri near Mananthavady, Akhila made it clear that voting was a priority. Despite the rush, polling officials and locals ensured she could cast her vote without delay.

Speaking after voting, she said she had decided in advance to exercise her franchise before heading to the ceremony, as returning later would not have been possible.

Assam has recorded a voter turnout of 59.6 per cent till 1 pm, and Kerala saw 47.3 per cent. Puducherry has recorded 56.8 per cent voter turnout.

CPM General Secretary MA Baby casts his vote in Thiruvananthapuram.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor speaks to NDTV on the BJP factor in Kerala, anti-incumbency, and more.

Garima Garg, wife of renowned singer Zubeen Garg who died last year, cast her vote today at Dakhin Gaon High School polling station in Guwahati. Addressing the media, she expressed hope that the election process would ensure justice and reflect the will of the people.

Zubeen Garg's sister also appealed to voters to remain aware and responsible while exercising their democratic rights. "People should stay alert and be aware of what they are doing. If you want a good government of your choice, you must vote carefully," she said.

Assam Congress President and Congress candidate from Jorhat assembly constituency, Gaurav Gogoi, offers floral tributes to his father and former Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi.

Voting was underway for bypolls to two Assembly segments--Bagalkot and Davanagere South in Karnataka on Thursday.

The polls were necessitated by the deaths of senior Congress MLAs HY Meti and Shamanur Shivashankarappa. Counting of votes will be taken up on May 4.

Although the outcome of these by-elections is unlikely to have an immediate impact on state politics, the contest is seen as a matter of prestige for both the ruling Congress and the opposition BJP.

While the Congress faces the challenge of retaining both seats, the BJP is aiming to wrest them and deliver a setback to the ruling party, which is currently witnessing an "internal power struggle" over leadership.

Kerala Minister George Kurian, shortly after casting vote, said they are expecting a "great mandate" for the NDA in the state. 

"We are requesting people to vote in favour of NDA," he said.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has cast his vote at the Pinarayi RC Amala Basic Upper Primary School polling booth in Kannur.

The battle for 126 seats in Assam comes amid a bitter political row between the ruling BJP and the Opposition Congress over the corruption allegations against Chief Minister Himanta Sarma. The BJP is expecting a third straight term in the state.

Robot 'Nila', dressed in traditional attire, welcomes guests at Puducherry polling station.

Leaders arrive at polling booths to cast their votes, as voting begins in Assam, Kerala, and Puducherry.

Robot Nila welcomes voters at the VOC Government School polling booth as they arrive to cast their votes.

Voters form long queues to cast their vote at a polling station in Assam. Check NDTV's ground report:

Voters show their inked finger after exercising their franchise at a polling station in Jalukbari assembly constituency.

Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Kerala BJP President and candidate from Nemom, arrives to cast his vote. He is seen standing in a queue awaiting his turn at a polling station in Thiruvananthapuram.

The NDA is hoping for a second straight term in Puducherry, where 30 seats are up for election today. The pitch, though, has been queered by the entry of the fledgling TVK, which has set up multi-cornered contests in many seats.

The constituents of the ruling NDA in Puducherry are the AINRC (All India NR Congress), BJP, the AIADMK, and the LJK (Latchiya Jananayaka Katchi). The Opposition INDIA bloc includes the Congress, the DMK and the VCK.

The TVK, headed by actor-politician Vijay, has fielded two sitting MLAs. Sai J Saravanan Kumar was also a minister in the AINRC-BJP government. The party has also fielded former legislators in four other constituencies.

The statehood issue has gained traction in this election with the BJP rejecting Chief Minister N Rangasamy's demand for assurance on statehood and ejecting LJK from the NDA, citing that party chief Jose Charles Martin, son of lottery baron Santiago Martin, does not have roots in the former French colony.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a post on X, said: "As polling begins for the Assam Assembly elections 2026, I appeal to the people of Assam to exercise their franchise in large numbers. I hope that the state's youth and women voters participate enthusiastically and make this election a celebration of democracy and public duty."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged the people of Puducherry to vote today.

"As the Puducherry Assembly elections commence, I urge every voter to come out and participate in record numbers. I especially appeal to our youth and to women voters to strengthen the process of democracy. Every vote matters in shaping the future of Puducherry," he wrote in a post on X.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi called upon the people of Kerala to vote in large numbers in the Assembly Elections today. "Record participation will add vigour to Keralam's democratic spirit. I particularly request the youth and women of the state to step forward and vote in large numbers," he wrote on X.

Voting for the high-stakes polling in Assam, Kerala, and Puducherry has kick-started today. While the BJP is seeking another win in Assam, Kerala's Left Front is aiming for a fifth straight term. In Puducherry, N Rangaswamy's AINRC is plotting a fourth win.

Kerala minister Suresh Gopi arrived at a polling booth to cast his vote.

A mock polling is underway at a polling station in Assam's Kamrup.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, in a post on X, urged people to vote today. 

"Today, Assam votes and each voice matters, each vote matters in the path of building a better Assam. On the occasion of this festival of democracy, I urge everyone to come out and #Vote in large numbers to strengthen democracy and take Assam to new height," he said.

The stage is set for high-stakes polling in Assam, Kerala, and Puducherry today, with voting kicking off at 7 am. While the BJP is seeking another win in Assam, Kerala's Left Front is aiming for a fifth straight term. In Puducherry, N Rangaswamy's AINRC is plotting a fourth win.

The voting will be held for 126 seats in Assam, 140 in Kerala, and 30 in Puducherry in this phase of the election. The results will be declared on May 4.