The battle for the states: the contenders

New Delhi: The Election Commission on Tuesday announced the assembly election dates for four states - Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Union Territory of Puducherry.

Assam will have election in two phases on April 4 and 11 while Kerala will vote in a single phase on April 13.

Tamil Nadu and Puducherry will also go to polls in a single phase on April 13.

However, West Bengal will vote in six phases. The first phase voting is on April 18, second phase on April 23, third phase on April 27, fourth phase on May 3, fifth phase on May 7 and sixth phase is on May 10.

Tamil Nadu:

The ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu is facing an uphill task with the Jayalalithaa-led AIADMK is in the process of stitching a formidable alliance with Vijayakanth-led DMDK. The Left parties and the Vaiko-led MDMK are already in the AIADMK front.

The talks are still on between Congress and the DMK which has already brought the PMK on board. The DMK is facing the elections in the midst of controversy over the 2G spectrum scam which forced its party nominee A Raja to quit as Telecom Minister.

West Bengal:

In West Bengal, the ruling Left front is expected to face its toughest political battle after remaining in power for over three decades with an upbeat Mamata Banerjee is likely to give a tough fight.

Mamata-led Trinamool Congress has announced plans to tie up with the Congress with which it shares power at the Centre.

Assam:

In Assam, the Congress is in power for the last two terms and is unlikely to have any alliance with other parties while opposition AGP as also BJP are getting ready for the polls.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who represents the state in the Rajya Sabha, has already made a visit to the poll-bound state last month and announced several developmental projects in an effort to improve the party's poll prospects.

The proposed peace talks with ULFA are also expected to give a boost to Congress.

Kerala:

In Kerala, the Congress-led UDF is expected to give a tough fight to the ruling LDF-led CPI(M) in view of the fact that the Congress and its allies' good show in the last Lok Sabha polls.

The Prime Minister had also made a visit to the state in January when he inaugurated several projects in the state.

Puducherry:

In Puducherry, the Congress is in power and would be making every effort to retain it defeating the Opposition parties - AIADMK, CPI and MDMK.