6-Apr-2026, 11:44 AM, Political campaigning intensified across Assam, Kerala and Puducherry on Monday as senior leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and opposition parties made a final push to reach voters before campaigning ends.
With polling scheduled for April 9 in all three regions, political parties used rallies, roadshows and public meetings to present their campaign messages and seek support. Campaigning was also continuing in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, where voting is scheduled later in April.
Final Push Before April 9 Polling
April 6 marked one of the final major campaign days for Assam, Kerala and Puducherry.
News On AIR reported that political leaders were making a final effort to woo voters as campaigning approached its conclusion. Prime Minister Narendra Modi held three public meetings in Assam, at Barpeta, Hojai and Dibrugarh. During his Hojai rally, he reiterated that development across Assam remained a priority for the BJP and the National Democratic Alliance.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also campaigned in Puducherry. At a public meeting in Lawspet, he reaffirmed the Congress commitment to granting full statehood to Puducherry and announced proposed measures relating to jobs and financial assistance for unemployed youth.
The final campaign period is particularly important because Assam, Kerala and Puducherry will vote on April 9.
PM Modi Campaigns in Assam
Prime Minister Narendra Modi continued his election campaign in Assam on April 6.
According to News On AIR, Modi addressed three public meetings in Barpeta, Hojai and Dibrugarh. At Hojai, he said the development of every district and region of Assam remained a priority for the BJP and NDA. He also expressed confidence that the BJP would form the government in Assam for a third consecutive term.
The BJP-led alliance is seeking to retain control of the state, while opposition parties are campaigning to challenge the ruling alliance.
With voting approaching, the final campaign days have become important for both sides as they attempt to consolidate support among voters.
Rahul Gandhi Campaigns in Puducherry
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also participated in campaign activity in Puducherry on April 6.
During a public meeting at Lawspet, Gandhi reaffirmed the Congress party’s commitment to full statehood for Puducherry. He also announced proposed measures including monthly financial assistance of ₹2,000 for unemployed youth and the creation of 30,000 jobs in the public and private sectors if the Congress alliance comes to power.
Gandhi also promised that long-pending local body elections in the Union Territory would be conducted within six months if the alliance formed the government.
Puducherry will vote on April 9 along with Assam and Kerala.
Kerala Campaign Reaches Final Stage
Kerala also witnessed intense campaigning on April 6 as political parties entered the final phase before polling.
The BJP, Congress-led United Democratic Front and Left Democratic Front were among the major political forces conducting campaign activities before the April 7 deadline.
News On AIR reported that political leaders across the three poll-bound regions were making a final push to connect with voters before campaigning ended.
The Election Commission has scheduled Kerala’s polling for April 9. The official rules also provide for a 48-hour silence period before the conclusion of polling. In Kerala and Puducherry, that period begins at 6 PM on April 7 and ends at 6 PM on April 9.
The final campaign phase has therefore focused heavily on public meetings, rallies and direct appeals to voters.
West Bengal and Tamil Nadu Campaigns Continue
While Assam, Kerala and Puducherry were approaching polling day, campaigning and election preparations were continuing in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.
The Election Commission has scheduled Tamil Nadu polling for April 23. West Bengal is scheduled to hold polling across two phases on April 23 and April 29.
The Election Commission also reported that April 6 was the last date for nominations for the first phase of West Bengal and the single-phase Tamil Nadu Assembly election.
This meant April 6 was significant not only because of campaign activity but also because the electoral process was moving into another important stage in these two states.
Election Commission Sets Campaign Rules
The Election Commission has outlined specific rules governing election-related communication during the 48-hour silence period.
Under the official guidelines, the silence period for Assam begins at 5 PM on April 7 and continues until 5 PM on April 9. For Kerala and Puducherry, it begins at 6 PM on April 7 and continues until 6 PM on April 9.
The Commission has stated that television, radio and cable networks should not display election-related material during the silence period that could promote or prejudice the prospects of a particular party or candidate.
The Commission has also issued separate instructions concerning exit polls. Dissemination of exit-poll results is prohibited from the beginning of polling on April 9 until 6:30 PM on April 29.
These restrictions are intended to protect the integrity of the voting process and provide voters with a period free from active election campaigning immediately before polling.
Political Campaigning Enters a Crucial Phase
The final days before polling are important for political parties because they provide the last opportunity for large-scale public campaigning.
Rallies, roadshows and public meetings allow candidates and senior leaders to communicate directly with voters. Parties also use this period to highlight their campaign priorities and respond to criticism from political opponents.
However, the political focus differs from state to state. Assam’s contest includes the BJP-led alliance and opposition parties, while Kerala has a competitive contest involving the LDF, UDF and BJP. Puducherry has its own combination of national and regional political forces.
The final campaign period therefore involves both state-specific issues and broader political arguments.
Polling Begins on April 9
Assam, Kerala and Puducherry will vote on April 9 in single-phase polling.
The Election Commission’s official schedule confirms polling for 126 Assembly constituencies in Assam, 140 in Kerala and 30 in Puducherry. The votes from these elections will be counted on May 4.
Tamil Nadu is set to hold polling on April 23, while West Bengal will conduct voting in two phases on April 23 and April 29.
As campaigning ends in the first group of states, attention will shift toward polling arrangements, security measures, voter turnout and compliance with election rules.
Voter Outreach Remains a Major Focus
The final stage of campaigning also places greater emphasis on direct voter outreach.
Political parties use their last rallies and public meetings to reinforce their main promises and encourage supporters to participate in polling. Senior leaders can also play an important role in attracting attention to particular constituencies and campaign issues.
In Assam, Modi’s multiple public meetings demonstrated the BJP’s focus on the final campaign push. In Puducherry, Rahul Gandhi’s Lawspet meeting focused on statehood and proposed employment and welfare measures.
These state-specific messages reflect the different political priorities being presented to voters as polling approaches.
What Happens Next
The immediate focus will now move toward the final campaign hours and preparations for polling.
For Assam, Kerala and Puducherry, campaigning will conclude before the silence period begins on April 7. Voters will then cast their ballots on April 9.
Meanwhile, political activity will continue in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, where the polling dates are later in April.
The Election Commission and local authorities will also continue preparations covering polling stations, security arrangements and other administrative requirements.
Conclusion
The April 6 campaign reflected the final stage of electioneering in Assam, Kerala and Puducherry.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi held three public meetings in Assam and expressed confidence in the BJP’s prospects, while Congress leader Rahul Gandhi campaigned in Puducherry and reiterated his party’s commitment to full statehood.
Political parties in Kerala also made their final appeals before the campaign deadline, while Tamil Nadu and West Bengal moved forward with their own election preparations.
With polling scheduled for April 9 in Assam, Kerala and Puducherry, the focus will now move from campaign rallies and political statements to voting arrangements and voter participation.
Meanwhile, campaigning and other election activities will continue in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal ahead of their later polling dates.
Sources: News On AIR, Election Commission, PIB.
