West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC Supremo Mamata Banerjee speaks during an election campaign for West Bengal Assembly elections at Barrackpore, in North 24 Parganas on Tuesday. (@AITCofficial X/ANI Photo)
Election 2026 Live Updates: The Election Commission of India (ECI), on Wednesday (Apr 22), released a list of Tribunal-cleared electors eligible to vote in the first phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections scheduled for Thursday. While the ECI published a list of the first phase of such voters whose cases have been resolved through Tribunals, it did not release any details or the total number of electors who applied and out of which number of electors were allowed to be included.
Mamata claims TMC will return to power: On the last day of campaigning, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, addressing a poll rally at Haldia in Purba Medinipur district, claimed that TMC will return to power and ‘no one wants the BJP to form government.’
TN CM Stalin rejects anti-hindu tag: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Tuesday accused the Union Government of targeting progressive states through the proposed delimitation exercise in a video message on X. Stalin criticised the Centre’s push for delimitation, calling it a ‘punishment’ for well-performing states in industrial development aimed at gaining control over them. He also referred to comparisons made between him and former Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, saying he regards him as both a leader and a father figure and cannot match his stature. He said during the 2021 elections, he was described as more dangerous than ‘Kalaignar’.
First phase of voting on April 23: Tamil Nadu and West Bengal will go to the polls for the first phase of voting on April 23. Elections to all 234 Assembly constituencies in Tamil Nadu will take place on April 23, with the counting of votes scheduled for May 4. Assembly elections in West Bengal will be held in two phases on April 23 and April 29, with the counting of votes scheduled for May 4.
AIADMK leader I S Inbadurai urged the Election Commission of India to ensure adequate CCTV coverage at polling booths, raising concerns over a possible reduction in cameras.
He warned that any dilution in surveillance could lead to electoral malpractices such as booth capturing and bogus voting, and called for immediate intervention.
(With inputs from PTI)
TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee accused Amit Shah of showing disrespect to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, saying it reflects the BJP’s attitude towards women.
He alleged the BJP uses dismissive language against women leaders and said the party would respond politically after the poll results.
(With inputs from PTI)
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee Wednesday questioned the large deployment of central forces in Bengal, asking, “Are they trying to intimidate me?” and calling it unprecedented ahead of the Assembly polls.
She alleged that the BJP-led Centre is using multiple agencies to influence elections, warned of voter deletions leading to deportations, and urged supporters to resist intimidation and vote.
(With inputs from PTI)
Assembly Election 2026 Live Updates: Located in the eastern part of Bankura district, the block-level town of Onda has emerged as a political hotspot. At the heart of this Assembly constituency, where the BJP catapulted to the top five years ago after remaining for long in the fringe, the electoral mood is fraught with grievances over agrarian distress, lack of infrastructure, and limited local employment.
Assembly Election 2026 Live Updates: Since the Election Commission of India (ECI) announced this round of Assembly polls, it has been clear that West Bengal stands apart from the rest. That continues a day to go for polling in the first phase of the state elections on Thursday.
The ECI began with a slew of transfers hours after announcing the poll schedule on March 15, including West Bengal Chief Secretary and Director General of Police.
Assembly Election 2026 Live Updates: As the ruling DMK-led and Opposition AIADMK-led alliances face off in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, they are largely relying on sitting MLAs to see them through, though the AIADMK appears more reliant than the DMK on candidates who lost in the 2021 polls. An analysis of the two alliances’ candidates shows that around two-thirds of their sitting MLAs have been renominated and the remaining third have been dropped. However, while the DMK has opted for fresh faces in seats its alliance had lost in 2021, the AIADMK and its allies have dropped a far smaller share of candidates who lost five years ago.
A day after three relatives of former India cricketer and Trinamool Congress MP Yusuf Pathan were arrested for allegedly assaulting a 31-year-old man, his mother-in-law claimed it to be an attempt to “malign his reputation” ahead of the Assembly elections in Bengal.
“A scuffle broke out between the children, during which our children sustained injuries, and they were hurt as well. They have baselessly defamed my son-in-law. We have never used his name to take action or threaten anyone; you can ask any person, or household,” Pathan’s mother-in-law, Naseebjaan Mohd Khaliq, told news agency ANI. Khaliq also called it to be an attempt to “malign his reputation” ahead of the upcoming state Assembly Elections.
Assembly Election 2026 Live Updates: The Election Commission of India (ECI) early Wednesday published the list of electors cleared by the Tribunal and eligible to vote in the first phase of the West Bengal Assembly election Thursday. While the Commission released the first phase of the supplementary list of such voters whose cases have been resolved through Tribunals, it did not publish any details or the total number of electors who had applied and out of which number of electors were allowed to be included.
Assembly Election 2026 Live Updates: The controversy involving Yusuf Pathan has escalated after his mother-in-law alleged that accusations against him are baseless and politically motivated, calling for justice amid ongoing elections. "A scuffle broke out between the children, during which our children sustained injuries, and they were hurt as well. They have baselessly defamed my son-in-law... Since elections are currently underway, people are using this opportunity to malign his reputation... All we seek is justice," she said.
#watch | Mumbai: Yusuf Pathan's mother-in-law, Naseebjaan Mohd Khaliq, says, "A scuffle broke out between the children, during which our children sustained injuries, and they were hurt as well. They have baselessly defamed my son-in-law... Since elections are currently underway,… https://t.co/dgTcDOkOxd pic.twitter.com/cp23gSOjPt
— ANI (@ANI) April 22, 2026
Assembly Election 2026 Live Updates: As campaigning enters its final 24 hours before closing on Tuesday, the Assembly election in Tamil Nadu has settled into an unusual shape: the ruling DMK appears to hold a discernible edge, yet no major political camp is speaking with the certainty that once defined Dravidian contests.
Campaigning for the West Bengal Assembly elections, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma rejected the charge of trying to polarise voters, saying his objection was only to “Bangladeshi Muslims”. In West Bengal, he added, “both Hindus and Muslims” were looking for change.
Assembly Election 2026 Live Updates: As the ruling DMK-led and Opposition AIADMK-led alliances face off in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, they are largely relying on sitting MLAs to see them through, though the AIADMK appears more reliant than the DMK on candidates who lost in the 2021 polls. An analysis of the two alliances’ candidates shows that around two-thirds of their sitting MLAs have been renominated and the remaining third have been dropped. However, while the DMK has opted for fresh faces in seats its alliance had lost in 2021, the AIADMK and its allies have dropped a far smaller share of candidates who lost five years ago.
Campaigning for the West Bengal Legislative Assembly election ended at 6 pm on Tuesday.
In the first phase on April 23, voting will be held for 152 constituencies across North Bengal and several districts in the southern part of the state.
Campaigning for the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election has come to an end across all 234 constituencies.
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said that the large public gathering at a poll rally in Baranagar, West Bengal reflected a growing desire for change and increasing trust in the party's leadership.
Deeply humbled to witness the overwhelming public participation during the Shobha Yatra in Baranagar in support of Shri Sajal Ghosh Ji, BJP candidate from the Baranagar Assembly Constituency.
— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) April 21, 2026
The warmth and conviction visible on the streets reflect a growing desire for change… pic.twitter.com/QFNqWJAjQD
AIADMK on Tuesday announced 10 additional welfare measures for Tamil Nadu. The announcement was made by party general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami, taking the total number of promises to 307 from 297.
To bring down the crimes against women, the party proposed setting up a 24/7 'war room' for monitoring in all districts. It also promised a subsidy of Rs 10,000 for 10 lakh selected unemployed youth to help them purchase two-wheelers.
(PTI)
"You cannot assume division just because Rahul Gandhi has not attended a particular meeting. He has been campaigning wherever necessary," Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said.
VIDEO | PTI Exclusive: When asked why Rahul Gandhi and CM Stalin are not sharing the stage in this (Tamil Nadu) election, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge says, “It is not like that. Everyone is campaigning as planned. I am covering one area, Rahul Gandhi is covering… pic.twitter.com/kajM28Uats
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 21, 2026
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge accused PM Modi of intimidating political party and misusing central agencies to suppress the opposition.
Addressing a press conference in Chennai, Kharge said, "He is terrorising people and political parties. I never said he is a terrorist (in the literal sense). Terrorising this... he is misusing his power and government machinery and abusing, malingering opposition parties."
(PTI)
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Tuesday accused the Union Government of targeting progressive states through the proposed delimitation exercise in a video message on X.
Stalin criticised the Centre's push for delimitation calling it a 'punishment' for well-performing states in industrial development aimed at gaining control over them.
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsதமிழ்நாடு மீதும், தமிழ் மக்கள் மீதும் நான் கொண்ட பெரும் பாசத்தையும் நாம் எதிர்கொள்ளும் அபாயங்களையும் மனம்விட்டுப் பேசியுள்ளேன்.
— M.K.Stalin - தமிழ்நாட்டை தலைகுனிய விடமாட்டேன் (@mkstalin) April 21, 2026
காணுங்கள்…ெல்வோம்_ஒன்றாக ! pic.twitter.com/wu9Kek7jAD
Ahead of the Tamil Nadu Assembly polls, AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal warned people in Tamil Nadu about the NDA, alleging that it would undo the work done by Chief Minister M K Stalin.
He claimed that the NDA could impose a Chief Minister on the state as he alleged happened in Bihar.
Kejriwal also criticised the BJP's long rule in Gujarat, stating that the condition of roads, schools, and hospitals has not improved.
"There is so much corruption... wherever the BJP ruled, the state has been ruined," he claimed.
(PTI)
Union Home Minister Amit Shah addressing his second poll rally of the day in Kulti on the outskirts of Paschim Bardhaman's industrial hubs of Asansol and Barakar, said the BJP will restore the region's industrial glory.
"Kulti used to be a hub of iron ore production of the country, but the Mamata Banerjee government has brought it to its knees. We will take the iron city back to its glory, stop illegal mining, impose effective bans on the pollution-creating sponge iron production in the region and create job opportunities for local youths," Shah said.
He promised one lakh jobs annually on merit and said the BJP would "make the state free of infiltrators."
(PTI)
TVK chief Vijay held a roadshow in the Chennai South Assembly constituency on the final day of campaigning for the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.
VIDEO | Chennai, Tamil Nadu: TVK Chief Vijay holds roadshow in Chennai South assembly constituency.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 21, 2026
Today is the last day of election campaigning as Tamil Nadu goes to polls on April 23rd.#assemblypollswithpti#tamilnadupollswithpti
(Full video available on PTI Videos -… pic.twitter.com/aimM09c3fg
AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami on Tuesday claimed that the DMK hatched a plan to split his party but it was successfully negated.
Addressing a poll campaign in his native Salem district on the concluding day of campaigning for the Assembly polls scheduled on Thursday, he also questioned the ruling DMK on the investment scenario.
The AIADMK chief charged DMK president M K Stalin with trying to "break" the AIADMK earlier.
"When I was chief minister (2016-21), how many issues I had faced. Stalin hatched a plan to break our party, but we shattered that plan into pieces", he said. (PTI)
The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of West Bengal has issued a directive imposing strict restrictions on motorcycle movement and rallies ahead of polling days to ensure free, fair, and violence-free Assembly elections in the state.
The instructions have been sent to all District Election Officers and Commissioners of Police, and Superintendents of Police for immediate implementation.
According to the order, the restrictions will come into effect from "Polling day minus two" onward and remain in place through polling day, with the aim of preventing intimidation, unlawful mobilisation, and any disruption to the electoral process. (ANI)
The Boyanayak community has announced that it will boycott the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections in Tiruppur district, expressing dissatisfaction over the lack of political representation and engagement from political parties.
Tiruppur district has eight Assembly constituencies, where voting is set to take place on Thursday (April 23). The decision to boycott the polls was taken during a meeting of the Tiruppur District Boyanayak Coordination Welfare Association held on Tuesday morning at Kovilvazhi area on Tarapur Road.
The meeting was chaired by association president Alagaiyan, who addressed members of the community and discussed their concerns regarding political participation. (ANI)
State BJP president Samik Bhattacharya says, "'4 May, Didi Gayi'. That's the atmosphere everywhere... Now the public is saying that this election is between the people and Mamata Banerjee... Now police officers also want change..."
During the BJP’s rally in West Bengal’s Kulti, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said, that the BJP will end "syndicate raj" in the state, dig out mafias and put them behind bars.
During the BJP's rally in West Bengal’s Kulti, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said, once voted to power, the BJP "will ban four marriages in certain community by enforcing UCC in Bengal," news agency PTI quoted him as saying.
During the BJP's rally in West Bengal’s Kulti, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said, the place used to be country's iron ore production hub and the Mamata Banerjee-led government brought it to verge of closure. He assured that the BJP "will return iron city its glory, stop illegal mining, and create job opportunities for locals," news agency PTI reported.
During a rally in West Bengal's Kulti, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said, the BJP promises merit-based employment to one lakh youths in Bengal every year whereas Mamata govt sold teachers' jobs. (PTI)
On Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s speech in Darjeeling, BJP MLA Neeraj Tamang Zimba said, “Every time the Home Minister comes here, he always mentions Subhash Ghisingh because undoubtedly he is the father of Indian Gorkhas… I am thankful to the Home Minister that he said that those who betrayed the cause of the Gorkhas will get justice…” (ANI)
TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee on Tuesday hit out at the BJP for "failing" to deliver on its promises, and asserted that the ruling party's welfare schemes like 'Lakshmir Bhandar' would continue uninterrupted in West Bengal.
Addressing a poll rally at Barjora in Bankura district, Banerjee said women "will continue to receive benefits under the scheme for life".
Under the popular 'Lakshmir Bhandar' scheme, women from the general category receive Rs 1,000 per month, while those belonging to the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities get Rs 1,200 per month.
"No one can stop Lakshmir Bhandar," the TMC MP asserted. (ANI)
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday asserted that a "pro-NDA wave" is sweeping Tamil Nadu, expressing confidence that voters will back the BJP-AIADMK alliance in the upcoming Assembly elections.
Speaking to reporters on the final day of campaigning, Naidu credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership for the growing support. "There is a pro-NDA wave. I am totally confident. People are having confidence in the Prime Minister's leadership. That impact is seen everywhere," he said. (ANI)
Chief Minister M K Stalin on Tuesday said he will be a "danger" to those who betray Tamil Nadu and want to hinder its growth and said the Centre's aggressive push for delimitation was to "punish" best-performing states like Tamil Nadu.
With two days left for the state Assembly election, Stalin, who is the president of DMK, recalled the opposition's claim that he was "more dangerous than Kalaignar (late Chief Minister M Karunanidhi)" and said that he could never be compared with Karunanidhi, who, more than being a father, was an inspiring leader to him. (PTI)
With a few days left for the Tamil Nadu assembly polls, BJP National Spokesperson CR Kesavan on Tuesday alleged that the 2026 Assembly elections will be the "Waterloo" for the MK Stalin-led "corrupt DMK regime", which he termed is "crashing to a crushing defeat".
Kesavan said there was "enormous anger and resentment" against the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam government and claimed that even the party's allies were distancing themselves from Chief Minister Stalin. (ANI)
Union Home Minister Amit Shah said at a rally in Darjeeling that all cases against Gorkhas would be withdrawn before July 31 if the BJP forms the government in West Bengal.
"They have filed hundreds of false cases against our Gorkha brothers and sisters. Trust me, the results will come on May 4, a BJP government will be formed on the 5th, and before July 31, the BJP government in Bengal will withdraw all cases against all Gorkha brothers and sisters," Shah said.
"These fake cases have been used by TMC to suppress the Gorkha movement. BJP will end all these cases, and we will also bring a solution so that you won't have to carry on the movement," he added.
In a joint press conference with DMK, AAP National Convenor, Arvind Kejriwal says, "People of Tamil Nadu hate BJP and their divisive and vicious politics." (ANI)
Campaigning in Darjeeling, Union Minister Amit Shah says, "The TMC government has allocated Rs 2000 crore for North Bengal, tribals, mountains, collectively, but the budget for Muslims and Madrassas, it is Rs 5800 crore... This injustice will not last long..."
#watch | West Bengal Elections 2026 | Darjeeling | Union Minister Amit Shah says, "The TMC government has allocated Rs 2000 crore for North Bengal, tribals, mountains, collectively, but the budget for Muslims and Madrassas, it is Rs 5800 crore... This injustice will not last… pic.twitter.com/GKSYYXRsVY
— ANI (@ANI) April 21, 2026
Campaigning in Darjeeling, Union Minister Amit Shah said, "Under the rule of Mamata Banerjee, numerous women suffered atrocities, Sandeshkhali incidents have brought shame to Bengal... Each and every offender of the crimes in Bengal will be sent behind bars by the BJP..."
#watch | West Bengal Elections 2026 | Darjeeling | Union Minister Amit Shah says, "Under the rule of Mamata Banerjee, numerous women suffered atrocities, Sandeshkhali incidents have brought shame to Bengal... Each and every offender of the crimes in Bengal will be sent behind… pic.twitter.com/ZqZ3L0kh3R
— ANI (@ANI) April 21, 2026
During his rally in Darjeeling, Union Minister Amit Shah said, "Congress, TMC and all of them have done injustice with Darjeeling, and my Gorkha brothers... I promise that as soon as BJP forms government here, the long-standing problem of Gorkhas will be resolved within 6 months..." (ANI)
#watch | West Bengal Elections 2026 | Darjeeling | Union Minister Amit Shah says, "Congress, TMC and all of them have done injustice with Darjeeling, and my Gorkha brothers... I promise that as soon as BJP forms government here, the long-standing problem of Gorkhas will be… pic.twitter.com/e5QBhANt0N
— ANI (@ANI) April 21, 2026
As the Tamil Nadu Assembly election comes closer, DMK candidate from Thiruverumbur constituency and School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi on Tuesday urged voters to cast their votes early without delay and support the party's Rising Sun symbol.
In his appeal, he asked voters not to postpone visiting polling booths due to the heat and instead exercise their franchise as their first task in the morning. He also called on supporters to bring others along to ensure maximum voter turnout in the April 23 Assembly election. (ANI)
A total of nine people, including five BJP workers and four TMC workers, were arrested after tensions escalated into a clash outside Ekbalpur Police Station in Kolkata on Monday.
As per the Kolkata police, the incident unfolded on Hossain Shah Road during a campaigning programme, triggering a confrontation between supporters of the two rival parties.
According to Kolkata Police, the clash broke out when Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) supporters gathered for a meeting led by party candidate Rakesh Singh. During the programme, sloganeering by BJP workers was met with counter-slogans from supporters of the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC), leading to a heated exchange that soon turned violent. (ANI)
The tribal-dominated areas in West Bengal’s Junglemahal may witness a fierce contest between the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the principal Opposition BJP in the upcoming Assembly polls.
With an estimated population of about 50 lakh in the state, Kudmis, classified as OBC, will play a key role in determining the outcome.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) candidate from Kolathur, M.K. Stalin, on Tuesday campaigned in support of state Health Minister and party candidate from Saidapet Assembly Constituency, Ma. Subramanian, as the state heads towards polling on April 23.
During the campaign, Stalin interacted with voters and sought support for the DMK candidate in the Saidapet constituency. (ANI)
The railway town of Kharagpur, a semi-planned urban sprawl and industrious heart in West Bengal's Paschim Medinipur district, stands cloaked in a haze of contradictions.
Beneath the Kharagpur Sadar assembly constituency's cosmopolitan veneer lingers the acrid scent of pollution, the relentless press of an overflowing populace, and the persistent murmur of civic neglect.
Some pockets of this bustling settlement allegedly remain bereft of essentials, where even the most basic assurances of potable water and steady electricity flicker like distant promises after nearly eight decades of Independence. (PTI)
Yesterday, tension erupted outside Ekbalpur Police Station following a clash between supporters of the BJP and TMC. The incident took place on Hossain Shah Road, where a BJP meeting was being held under the leadership of candidate Rakesh Singh.
During the programme, sloganeering by BJP supporters was met with counter-slogans from TMC workers, leading to a heated confrontation. A total of 5 BJP workers and 4 TMC workers have been arrested in the incident. Three FIRs are lodged against different groups: Kolkata police (ANI)
BJP candidate from Kharagpur Sadar Assembly constituency Dilip Ghosh exuded confidence on party victory in the West Bengal polls, stating that the ruling Trinamool Congress's "departure is ensured".
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Dilip Ghosh said, "The time has come for TMC to go... Now Mamata Banerjee has nothing in her hands. Their departure is ensured".
Ghosh also said that the deployment of central forces at the booth has assured people to exercise their right to vote without intimidation from TMC goons. (ANI)
PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss on Tuesday claimed that AIADMK and his party have formulated constructive plans to implement prohibition in a phased manner and completely eradicate narcotics in Tamil Nadu, within three months, if the alliance voted to power in the April 23 Assembly elections.
"Specifically, it will be ensured that women and children can move about freely anywhere and at any time throughout Tamil Nadu", he said in a statement here. (PTI)
Around 23 per cent candidates in fray in the second phase of West Bengal assembly polls have declared criminal cases against themselves, while 22 per cent are crorepatis, according to a report by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR).
Out of 1,445 candidates analysed, 338 (23 per cent) have declared criminal cases against themselves and 295 (20 per cent) have declared serious criminal cases against themselves, the report showed.
While 16 candidates have declared cases of murder, 80 face attempt to murder charges, it said. (PTI)
MP Kanimozhi on Tuesday said that the party has successfully navigated through the Centre's attempts to "create confusion" through issues like Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and "intimidation" ahead of the Tamil Nadu Assembly polls.
She remained confident that DMK would secure a victory in the polls and Chief Minister MK Stalin would return to power.
"In Tamil Nadu, unnecessary intimidation, such as raids, is being carried out against many people. Beyond that, there have been efforts to create confusion in various matters, including issues like SIR. However, the DMK has acted proactively and has successfully countered these attempts," she said.
"Certainly, we will form the government. I firmly believe that the DMK alliance will secure victory," she added. (ANI)
As campaigning intensifies ahead of the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, Chief Minister and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) candidate from Kolathur, MK Stalin, on Tuesday carried out a morning walk campaign in Chennai's Kannagi Nagar, drawing large crowds of supporters and local residents.
During the outreach programme, people gathered in large numbers to meet, interact with the Chief Minister, and express their support. (ANI)
In a major development ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu elections, officials of the Election Flying Squad seized Rs 2.44 crore of unaccounted cash near Perambalur.
According to Perambalur Tehsildar, the incident took place at Sengunam village, where a flying squad led by Excise Supervisory Officer Palaniselvan was conducting routine vehicle checks.
Upon examination, officials found five carton boxes in the car's trunk containing bundles of Rs 500 currency notes. The total cash seized amounted to Rs 2,44,97,500.
As per the Tehsildar, during preliminary inquiry, the occupants of the vehicle were identified as Jayaraman, Deputy Organiser of the DMK District Farmers' Wing from Keelapuliyur village, and Rajesh Krishnan. (ANI)
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