BATTERED FISCS TO WELCOME NEW CMS IN ELECTION STATES

Three elections in four major states have thrown out the ruling party. But change is not going to be easy.

- N. Madhavan

The theme in Monday's election results of three of the four major states that went to the latest hustings was the same anti-incumbency.

Incumbents were sent packing in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) holding ground in Assam and likely Puducherry.

When the euphoria peters out, the hard part will be in governing for all four major states. Te challenges are different for each. While West Bengal and Kerala face stressed fiscs, Assam faces a structural problem of low per capita income. Tamil Nadu, though relatively healthier on the public finance front, has a challenge of a creeping welfarist state.

On results day, Mint takes a close look at the state of the economies of Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Kerala, Assam, and tiny Puducherry—and what the winning party or chief minister will be faced with in delivering on promises in the next five years.

Vijay, a novice at Tamil Nadu's helm

As of counting trends at 7.30pm, Vijay, who formed Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) a little over two years ago, was in a clear lead but looked like he will need outside support or have to cobble together alliances to become Tamil Nadu's new chief minister.

Vijay's surge marks the end of nearly six decades of Dravidian dominance. The two Dravidian majors, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), were trailing behind, with the closest being the DMK-Congress combine at 71 wins and leads at 7.30pm.

The bigger question now is governance.

A political novice, Vijay will be judged on whether he can sustain momentum in a state that has consistently outperformed peers on growth and social indicators.