Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates: Modi calls TMC ‘ruthless’, flags corruption, infiltration at Bengal rally

Nemom, considered the BJP’s gateway to the Kerala Assembly, is set to witness a three-cornered contest in the 2026 polls, with CPI(M)’s V Sivankutty seeking to retain the seat against BJP’s Rajeev Chandrasekhar and UDF’s K S Sabarinadhan.

The constituency has seen fluctuating results in recent elections, with the BJP putting up strong performances despite losing narrowly in 2021. With all three fronts intensifying their campaigns, Nemom is emerging as a key battleground to watch. (ANI)

LJK founder and Kamaraj Nagar candidate Jose Charles Martin on Saturday said the NDA is targeting around 25 seats in the Puducherry elections, expressing confidence in the alliance’s prospects.

Campaigning in the constituency, he said his personal goal is to secure the highest vote share in Puducherry, while urging supporters to remain grounded and continue campaigning till the end.

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday rejected Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin’s claims on the National Education Policy, saying it does not mandate Hindi or impose any language.

Speaking in Jhargram, he said students will study their state’s mother tongue and can choose an additional Indian language, accusing opponents of creating “fear” over the policy.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Sunday described the DMK’s election manifesto as the “superstar” of the 2026 polls, asserting that people trust his party’s promises over others.

Addressing a rally in Virudhunagar, Stalin highlighted key proposals including raising the ‘Maghalir Urimai Thogai’ to ₹2,000 and the ‘Illatharasi’ scheme offering ₹8,000 appliance coupons for homemakers. He also attacked AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami, accusing him of relying on “slander” in his campaign. (PTI)

Union Minister J P Nadda on Saturday said the country’s political culture has changed from manifesto-driven rhetoric to performance-based accountability, with parties now being judged on their report cards. Speaking in Thiruvananthapuram, he said governments are expected to be responsive, responsible and proactive, and claimed voters now assess parties on delivery rather than promises alone.

Thrissur, long considered a Left stronghold in Kerala, is emerging as a key battleground in the Assembly elections, with the BJP fielding Padmaja Venugopal in a bid to make inroads. The daughter of former Congress leader K Karunakaran, she faces UDF’s Rajan Pallan and LDF’s Alancode Leelakrishnan in a closely contested seat.

The BJP’s push comes after Suresh Gopi’s Lok Sabha win from Thrissur in 2024, the party’s first in the state. With recent elections witnessing narrow margins, the constituency is now shaping up as a three-cornered contest despite its Left-leaning history.

(With Input from ANI)

Nagaon SSP Partha Protim on Saturday said central forces have been deployed in sensitive areas ahead of the Assam Assembly polls, with area domination exercises and interactions with voters underway to ensure security.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Saturday said the people of West Bengal are determined to “uproot” the TMC government, expressing confidence that the BJP will come to power in the state.

Addressing a gathering in Kharagpur, she said the issue of “infiltration” is central to the campaign, alleging it poses a threat to both Bengal and national security, and asserted that it would be curbed if the BJP forms the government.

The Election Commission has approved the creation of 4,660 auxiliary polling stations in West Bengal to ease voter turnout in booths with more than 1,200 electors, a senior official said on Saturday.

With this, the total number of polling stations in the state has risen to 85,379. The poll panel has also cleared the relocation of 321 polling stations, asking authorities to ensure that voters are individually informed about the changes.

The EC said the measures are aimed at improving voter convenience ahead of the Assembly elections, scheduled to be held in two phases on April 23 and 29, with counting on May 4. (PTI)

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Saturday accused the BJP-led Centre of neglecting Tamil Nadu fishermen, alleging that this has led to repeated attacks by Sri Lanka. He also questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, asking whether he would accept being a “weak PM”.

Addressing a rally in Nagercoil, Stalin further alleged that the FCRA Amendment Bill 2026 targets minorities, particularly Christian organisations, and said he had written to the Prime Minister urging its withdrawal.

Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin on Saturday campaigned in Sivagangai for the Assembly elections, with party cadres turning out in large numbers in support.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Kerala on Saturday as part of the NDA’s campaign, with a public meeting scheduled in Thiruvalla and a roadshow in Thiruvananthapuram. He is expected to arrive in the state around 2.30 pm before heading to Kottayam district for the rally.

A person has been taken into custody after Congress MP Shashi Tharoor’s gunman and driver were allegedly attacked by a five-member group in Kerala’s Malappuram district, police said on Saturday.

According to police, the incident occurred around 7.30 pm on Friday at Chellithode near Thiruvali in Wandoor, when Tharoor was on his way to attend a campaign event of Congress leader A P Anilkumar. The accused, travelling in two vehicles, allegedly blocked the MP’s convoy and attacked the gunman and driver when they tried to clear the way. A case has been registered, and efforts are on to apprehend the remaining accused. (PTI)