New Delhi, March 15 -- The stage is set for one of the most closely watched political contests in India this year as the Election Commission of India prepares to announce the schedule today for assembly elections in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam and the union Territory of Puducherry.
With the terms of all five State Assemblies expiring in May, the declaration will mark the formal beginning of a high-stakes political season expected to test the strength of incumbents, the ambitions of challengers and the evolving mood of voters across regions that together represent some of India's most politically dynamic landscapes.
Across party offices, television studios and village tea stalls, anticipation has been building for days. Campaign...