Assam, Kerala and the Union Territory of Puducherry are all set to vote on Thursday for a total of 299 seats, with the BJP, which rules at the Centre, trying to gain a foothold in the southern state and pull off a hat-trick of wins in the north-eastern state.The Congress, which leads the United Democratic Front (UDF), will hope to break the 10-year stranglehold of the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) in Kerala by winning the upcoming Assembly poll.Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan-led LDF is banking on its welfare schemes as it seeks a third consecutive term, while the UDF is hopeful of winning the Assembly poll riding on its promises and a “yearning for change”.The BJP is hopeful of emerging as the third front in a state where it has yet to gain a foothold.There are 140 Assembly seats in Kerala, and the LDF has been in power there since 2016.The Assam Assembly poll is a direct battle between the BJP and the Congress. While Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is seeking a third term for the BJP, the Congress, led by Gaurav Gogoi, is contesting to remain relevant in a state that was once its stronghold.The BJP is aiming to secure a majority on its own in the 126-seat Assembly, consolidating gains through governance and welfare outreach.The Congress is attempting a reset by projecting a new leadership and forming alliances to leverage anti-incumbency and social coalitions.Just like Assam, the Puducherry poll is a direct contest between the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), including the All India NR Congress (AINRC), and the Congress-DMK combine.The NDA, led by Chief Minister and AINRC founder president N Rangasamy, is seeking a second consecutive term.The Congress and the DMK, which finalised their seat-sharing arrangement at the last moment, are fighting to reclaim power in the union territory.The NDA is banking on Rangasamy’s pro-people image, but it faces the risk of anti-incumbency. Both alliances, especially the Congress’, benefit from a widespread organisational presence across Puducherry.There are 33 Assembly seats in Puducherry — 30 elected seats and three nominated by the Centre.The results of the Assembly poll will be declared on May 4.