From actor-turned-politician Vijay’s blockbuster debut in Tamil Nadu, BJP’s surge in West Bengal to Congress’ resurgence in Kerala, the results of the Assembly elections to four states have thrown up several surprises.For the BJP, West Bengal remains the real prize, with the result marking a cliffhanger in a decade-long tussle with TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee. From SIR to corruption, infiltration, cultural identity and food habits, the election issues formed a complex narrative.  Banerjee lost to BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari from Bhabanipur. The latter is seen as a chief ministerial contender.In a result carrying emotional and political weight, Ratna Debnath, BJP candidate from Panihati and mother of the RG Kar hospital victim, was leading in early rounds by over 2,700 votes. The second clear highlight of the day was Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). The party put up a strong performance across key constituencies, particularly in Chennai, where it led in areas such as Egmore, Anna Nagar, Villivakkam and Thousand Lights, signalling growing urban support.TVK’s VS Babu won from Kolathur, securing 68,419 votes and defeating Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK supremo MK Stalin by a margin of 7,731 votes. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi took to social media to congratulate Vijay on his performance.In Kerala, two-time Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who was trailing until the final stages of counting, won the Dharmadam seat by a margin of 19,000 votes.Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala registered a decisive victory in the Haripad Assembly constituency, defeating CPI candidate TT Jismon by 23,377 votes.Congress MLA Chandy Oommen retained his family stronghold of Puthuppally with a margin of 52,907 votes. Kerala Congress (M) chairman and LDF leader Jose K Mani lost the Pala seat to UDF-backed Independent candidate Mani C Kappen.In Nemom, BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar won the seat, defeating LDF’s V Sivankutty after a closely fought contest. Former Union Minister V Muraleedharan of the BJP won from Kazhakootam against CPI(M)’s Kadakampally Surendran, where the Congress had fielded advocate Sarathchandra Prasad.In Assam, Congress state unit chief Gaurav Gogoi lost the Jorhat seat to BJP’s Hitendra Nath Goswami, who retained it. The BJP was set to retain power in the state, leading in 78 seats in the 126-member Assembly. Gogoi, son of former Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and Lok Sabha MP from Jorhat, secured 46,257 votes, while Goswami polled 69,439 votes.After a close contest, BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma won from the Jalukbari seat with a margin of 89,434 votes, defeating Congress candidate Bidisha Neog.Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed what he called a “spectacular mandate” for the BJP. In a post on X, he said his party would “do everything possible to fulfil the dreams and aspirations of the people.”