India, April 12 -- Following record voter turnout, current indications suggest that the Bharatiya Janata Party is poised to form the government in Assam, while the Congress appears set to return to power in Kerala. The outcome in both states has triggered intense speculation over who will assume the office of Chief Minister.

In Assam, it is widely considered almost certain that Himanta Biswa Sarma will once again take oath as Chief Minister, as the BJP fought the election projecting him as its central face. Throughout the campaign, visible anti-incumbency against the BJP government appeared limited, partly because the Congress faltered strategically in the early stages of the contest.

Questions persist over whether Rahul Gandhi miscalcu...