Reports from Delhi suggest Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand and Goa could be held ahead of schedule. The BJP’s central leadership has reportedly asked state units to step up preparations.
India’s Census is being conducted in two phases. The first phase—household listing—is currently under way, while the second phase is slated for February 2027 and is expected to include a caste-wise count.
Against this backdrop, the BJP is said to be examining whether next year’s state polls should be advanced, citing a shortage of personnel. Officials deployed for Census work are also typically used for election duties, and the overlap could increase pressure on government staff.
The report adds that early polls are being considered for Goa, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Punjab, where elections are otherwise due around February next year. While the BJP is in power in all but Punjab, Punjab is governed by the Aam Aadmi Party under Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, who is also said to be discussing the possibility.
Separately, Manipur is due for Assembly elections in February next year, but the schedule may be pushed by a few months in view of the prevailing situation there, the report said.
