Elections

The Election Commission of India has enforced strict measures for West Bengal’s April 23 polls, including 100-metre security perimeters, multi-level voter verification, and door-to-door slip distribution to ensure free, fair, and disturbance-free voting across 152 constituencies

Rahul Gandhi accused Narendra Modi and Amit Shah of using the women’s reservation bill to push delimitation, alleging a bid to weaken states, while attacking BJP and AIADMK during Tamil Nadu poll campaign rallies

Ahead of Assembly polls, the Election Commission of India said media entry inside polling stations will be strictly regulated by presiding officers, prohibiting photography inside voting compartments and enforcing verification processes to ensure secrecy, security and integrity of the electoral process

Edappadi K Palaniswami attacked the ruling DMK at a Coimbatore rally, framing the 2026 Assembly polls as a fight against dynasty politics, asserting the AIADMK-led NDA will oust the “anti-people” government, while praising Narendra Modi’s leadership

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee sharply criticised Narendra Modi ahead of his national address, calling his speeches misleading and ineffective for the poor, while attacking the BJP over governance, communal politics, and the failed women’s reservation bill

Kanimozhi Karunanidhi criticised AIADMK for supporting a delimitation-linked bill, alleging it harms Tamil Nadu’s interests. She backed immediate women’s reservation without delimitation, while claiming Opposition unity blocked the Centre’s proposal in Parliament

Rahul Gandhi alleged Prime Minister Narendra Modi is controlled by Donald Trump through US deal and financial links, accusing him of selling national interests. He also claimed Modi seeks AIADMK power in Tamil Nadu to influence the state government system

Mamata Banerjee alleged that the Election Commission is planning “slow polling” and “slow counting” to mislead voters and weaken TMC agents. She also accused the Centre of misuse of agencies and raised concerns over EVM manipulation ahead of elections

Rahul Gandhi accused the AIADMK of functioning under BJP influence, alleging proxy rule attempts in Tamil Nadu. He defended the Congress-DMK alliance, criticised the Centre’s political approach, and highlighted Opposition unity against a contested reservation-linked bill

Udhayanidhi Stalin accused the BJP-led Centre of withholding funds and curbing state rights, while promising expanded welfare schemes ahead of polls, including increased aid for women, student benefits, and new subsidies for households

Former TMC MLA Humayun Kabir moved the Calcutta High Court seeking a probe into an alleged AI-generated video claiming a BJP deal, calling it a conspiracy ahead of polls, while parties denied links

Bhagwant Mann accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of using agencies like ED and CBI to target AAP leaders ahead of Punjab polls, alleging intimidation tactics while asserting his party will not be cowed down

The Ministry of External Affairs rejected Pakistan’s remarks on India’s delimitation process, with spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal asserting it as an internal matter, amid Lok Sabha debates on key bills related to women’s reservation and constituency delimitation

Devendra Fadnavis said authorities will bust a module behind alleged sexual harassment and forced conversion at Tata Consultancy Services Nashik unit, with arrests made and central agencies assisting the ongoing multi-case investigation

Narendra Modi urged Lok Sabha MPs to support the women’s reservation bill, appealing to protect ‘nari shakti’ sentiments and create history by granting 33% quota, alongside voting on delimitation and related bills to expand parliamentary representation.

Vijay unveiled TVK’s manifesto promising cash transfers, loan waivers, free services and welfare schemes ahead of Tamil Nadu polls, despite criticising “freebie politics”, positioning the party competitively against Dravidian rivals with extensive voter-focused benefits.

The Haryana Congress suspended five MLAs for alleged cross-voting during the Rajya Sabha elections, citing serious indiscipline. Acting on disciplinary committee recommendations, the party stressed strict action against anti-party activity to reinforce organisational discipline and unity within its ranks.

Sanjay Raut accused the BJP-led Centre of pushing a “disguised” delimitation bill, asserting the Opposition will unite to block it. He said leaders like Uddhav Thackeray are coordinating to ensure MPs’ presence and defeat the legislation.

The Election Commission of India appointed IPS officer Sarvana Vivek M as police observer for West Bengal Assembly polls, tasking him to oversee security arrangements during two-phase elections scheduled on April 23 and 29

The Supreme Court of India agreed to examine a plea seeking biometric voter identification at polling stations, directing responses from the Election Commission of India and Centre, while clarifying it won’t apply to ongoing state Assembly elections

Narendra Modi congratulated Peter Magyar after his Tisza Party won Hungary’s elections, ending Viktor Orbán’s long rule and signalling a new phase in India-Hungary relations

The 2026 West Bengal Assembly election battle is intensifying in about 65–70 closely contested seats where voter list revisions have removed over 90 lakh names, potentially reshaping outcomes in key constituencies like Nandigram, Bhabanipur, and districts such as Murshidabad and North 24 Parganas

Kerala's 140 assemblies witnessed with 50 per cent of the voters casting their votes by 1 pm, the EC said. This election will decide whether the LDF will get a straight third term, or if the UDF makes a comeback, or if BJP springs a surprise in an otherwise bipolar battle.

As Kerala votes in Assembly elections, citizens emphasise development and stability but highlight unemployment as a key concern. High voter turnout, strong security, and emotional participation mark polling across constituencies in one of the state’s most closely watched contests