Political Parties Leverage Festivals in South India Ahead of 2026 Elections

As the 2026 Assembly elections approach, festivals across South India have become arenas for political messaging. In Assam, Congress faced backlash for sharing an AI-generated image of the BJP headquarters on fire during Magh Bihu, which the BJP condemned as cultural vandalism. In Tamil Nadu, DMK and AIADMK leaders engaged in extensive Pongal gifting campaigns to appeal to voters, while the DMK's portrayal of Pongal as 'Dravidian Pongal' sparked controversy. Political tensions also surfaced around cultural events and election strategies in the region.