Union Home Minister Amit Shah. (Credit: X/@BJP4India)
Election 2026 Live Updates: During the BJP’s rally in West Bengal’s Kulti, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that once voted to power, the BJP “will ban four marriages in certain community by enforcing UCC in Bengal,” news agency PTI quoted him.
PIL filed in Calcutta HC: Ahead of the West Bengal Assembly election, a Public Interest Litigation has been filed before the Calcutta High Court, fearing “arrests” of Trinamool Congress party leaders and workers. The matter is likely to be heard on Wednesday.
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Rs 2.44 cr seized from DMK functionary: Election Flying Squad officials seized Rs 2.44 crore of unaccounted cash from a car’s trunk in Sengunam village near Perambalur, news agency ANI reported. According to Perambalur Tehsildar, Jayaraman, deputy organiser of the DMK District Farmers’ Wing from Keelapuliyur village, was among the occupants of the vehicle.
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Apr 21, 2026 02:50 PM IST
Assembly Election 2026 Live Updates: Palaniswami alleges DMK planned to split AIADMK
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)
Apr 21, 2026 02:46 PM IST
Assembly Election 2026 Live Updates: West Bengal CEO imposes restrictions on motorbike movement ahead of polls
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)
Apr 21, 2026 02:43 PM IST
Assembly Election 2026 Live Updates: Boyanayak community boycotts assembly elections in Tiruppur district
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)
Apr 21, 2026 02:30 PM IST
Assembly Election 2026 Live Updates: ‘4 May, Didi Gayi – that’s the atmosphere everywhere,’ says West Bengal BJP president
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…”
Apr 21, 2026 02:15 PM IST
Assembly Election 2026 Live Updates: BJP will end ‘syndicate raj’ in Bengal, says Amit Shah
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.
Apr 21, 2026 02:14 PM IST
Assembly Election 2026 Live Updates: BJP will ban four marriages in certain community by enforcing UCC, says Amit Shah
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.
Apr 21, 2026 02:12 PM IST
Assembly Election 2026 Live Updates: ‘Will return iron city its glory,’ says Amit Shah in Kulti rally
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.
Apr 21, 2026 02:08 PM IST
Assembly Election 2026 Live Updates: BJP promises merit-based employment to one lakh youths in Bengal every year, says Amit Shah
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)
Apr 21, 2026 02:03 PM IST
Assembly Election 2026 Live Updates: ‘Thankful HM said those who betrayed Gorkha cause will face justice,’ says BJP MLA
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)
Apr 21, 2026 01:53 PM IST
Assembly Election 2026 Live Updates: Abhishek Banerjee says BJP fails on promises; TMC welfare schemes to continue
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)
Apr 21, 2026 01:25 PM IST
Assembly Election 2026 Live Updates: Chandrababu Naidu expresses confidence in BJP-AIADMK alliance ahead of polls
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)
Apr 21, 2026 01:16 PM IST
Assembly Election 2026 Live Updates: ‘I will be danger to those who betray TN, hinder progress,’ says CM Stalin
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)
Apr 21, 2026 12:57 PM IST
Assembly Election 2026 Live Updates: ‘Elections will be Waterloo for corrupt DMK regime, fear of defeat on Stalin’s face’: BJP’s CR Kesavan
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)
Apr 21, 2026 12:45 PM IST
Assembly Election 2026 Live Updates: ‘Once BJP forms govt, all cases against Gorkhas will be withdrawn before 31 July,’ says Amit Shah
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.
Apr 21, 2026 12:24 PM IST
Assembly Election 2026 Live Updates: ‘People of Tamil Nadu hate BJP, divisive and vicious politics,’ says Arvind Kejriwal
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)
Apr 21, 2026 12:21 PM IST
Assembly Election 2026 Live Updates: ‘TMC govt’s budget for North Bengal, tribals Rs 2000 cr; for Muslims, it’s Rs 5800 crore,’ says Amit Shah
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…”
Apr 21, 2026 12:18 PM IST
Assembly Election 2026 Live Updates: ‘Under the rule of Mamata Banerjee, numerous women suffered atrocities’ says Amit Shah
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…”
Apr 21, 2026 12:16 PM IST
Assembly Election 2026 Live Updates: ‘Congress, TMC have done injustice with Darjeeling, my Gorkha brothers,’ says Amit Shah
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)
Apr 21, 2026 11:59 AM IST
Assembly Election 2026 Live Updates: DMK’s Anbil Mahesh appeals for early voting, highlights welfare achievements
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)
Apr 21, 2026 11:29 AM IST
Assembly Election 2026 Live Updates: Nine people arrested after BJP, TMC workers clash amid campaigning in Kolkata
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)
Apr 21, 2026 11:09 AM IST
Assembly Election 2026 Live Updates: West Bengal’s Junglemahal may see fierce contest between TMC and BJP
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.
In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the BJP won five parliamentary seats as against the TMC’s one seat.In the 2021 Assembly elections, the TMC made a comeback, winning 24 of the region’s 40 seats as compared to the BJP’s 16.In the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, the TMC secuered leads in 30 Assembly segments against the BJP’s 10.
With an estimated population of about 50 lakh in the state, Kudmis, classified as OBC, will play a key role in determining the outcome.
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Apr 21, 2026 11:01 AM IST
Assembly Election 2026 Live Updates: MK Stalin campaigns for DMK candidate Ma Subramanian in Saidapet
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)
Apr 21, 2026 10:57 AM IST
Assembly Election 2026 Live Updates: ‘Outsider’ poll pitch obfuscates ‘people’s issues’ in Kharagpur railway hub
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)
Apr 21, 2026 10:52 AM IST
Assembly Election 2026 Live Updates: Tension between TMC and BJP erupt outside Ekbalpur Police Station
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)
Apr 21, 2026 10:50 AM IST
Assembly Election 2026 Live Updates: BJP’s Dilip Ghosh confident of party’s win in West Bengal polls, says TMC ‘departure ensured’
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)
Apr 21, 2026 10:31 AM IST
Assembly Election 2026 Live Updates: ‘Will be implementing prohibition in phased manner,’ says PMK’s Anbumani
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)
Apr 21, 2026 10:24 AM IST
Assembly Election 2026 Live Updates: 23% candidates have criminal cases, 22% crorepatis in West Bengal polls second phase, says ADR report
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)
Apr 21, 2026 10:21 AM IST
Assembly Election 2026 Live Updates: Kanimozhi confident of DMK victory in Tamil Nadu polls
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)
Apr 21, 2026 10:20 AM IST
Assembly Election 2026 Live Updates: MK Stalin holds walk campaign in Chennai’s Kannagi Nagar ahead of Tamil Nadu polls
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)
Apr 21, 2026 10:17 AM IST
Assembly Election 2026 Live Updates: Election officials seize Rs 2.44 Cr cash from DMK functionary near Perambalur
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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