Modi's party ahead in key India state elections

Votes for regional elections are being counted in four Indian states - West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Assam - and the federal territory of Puducherry.

Early trends suggest PM Narendra Modi's BJP is ahead in Assam and West Bengal, while contests in Tamil Nadu and Kerala remain close.

According to Indian medias, the BJP is leading in 169 seats in West Bengal, while the Trinamool has won 109 seats so far.

Out of 126 seats in Assam, BJP is leading in 97. Congress is leading in 24 seats. AIUDF is leading in the remaining one.

Vote counting for the high-profile Bhabanipur constituency is under way at Sakhawat Memorial School in Kolkata, West Bengal, with tight security arrangements in place.

Supporters of both the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress and the BJP have gathered outside the counting centre since early morning.

Access to the counting centre remains restricted as security forces maintain a cordon around the area.