Editorial: The 2026 verdicts are a warning to every incumbent

This year's Assembly results carried a simple message: governments that stop listening will be replaced, however strong they once seemed. Long-ruling parties lost in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu, and Kerala switched sides again.

For the winners, celebrations should be short. The new governments inherit stretched finances, unemployed youth and high expectations raised during campaigns. Freebies may win elections, but jobs, schools and hospitals keep voters satisfied.

For the losers, the lesson is humility. Democracy works best when power changes hands peacefully and parties learn from defeat. On that count, India's voters have once again done their part.