Hyderabad, May 4 -- Four states and a Union Territory are on the edge of their seats as counting day arrives for one of India's most consequential regional election cycles. West Bengal, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry all headed into Monday, May 4, as counting began at 8 am across thousands of centres, each under tight multi-tier security.

The results will reshape political fortunes across the country, with ripple effects that stretch well beyond state boundaries.

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12:25 pm: India Today reports violence outside a counting centre in Asansol in West Bengal.

12:27 pm: West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee consolidated her lead over BJP challenger Suvendu Adhikari by 16,706 votes in t...