Assembly elections 2026: LDF, BJP in ‘secret deal’, claims Priyanka Gandhi in Keralam

The blog has ended. Find Assembly Elections latest updates on 7th April 2026 here.

Addressing a public gathering in Siliguri, Banerjee said, "The self-proclaimed '56-inch' Prime Minister and his Home Minister are so busy with vote prachar that they have no time to respond to direct threats of external aggression against Bengal. Pakistan's Defence Minister has openly threatened to strike Kolkata, yet neither Narendra Modi nor Amit Shah could muster the courage to condemn this grave attack on a state of the Indian Union and India's sovereignty."

Vehicular movement has been restricted along the India-Bhutan border in Assam from Monday in view of the assembly elections in the northeastern state.

The restrictions will remain in place till the end of the polling process.

Tamulpur District Magistrate and District Election Officer Simi Karan, in an order, said restrictions have been imposed at entry and exit routes from 5 pm on Monday.

"On one hand, PM Modi is trying to protect himself from being in the Epstein files. On the other hand, the Chief Minister of Kerala is trying to protect himself from corruption. And he is making the deal with Modi for that," the Congress MP alleged.

The Supreme Court on Monday said around 60 lakh claims and objections of those removed from voters' lists in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in poll-bound West Bengal will be decided during the day.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi referred to the letter of Calcutta High Court Chief Justice and said that judicial officers decided over 59.15 lakh claims and objections out of approximately 60 lakh cases by noon on April 6.

The PM slammed the Congress for not keeping imroved connectivity on the top of their agenda during their decades-long rule in the northeastern state. "Be it the Bogibeel Bridge, Dr Bhupen Hazarika Setu, Jorhat-Majuli Setu, or such bridges being built on the Brahmaputra and other rivers, are taking the region's connectivity to new heights," Modi said from a rally in Dibrugarh.

"...The TMC government is involved in scams, threatens the people... Wherever the elections are being held, the NDA government is being formed...The public of West Bengal have made up their mind to oust the TMC government from power" Dhami said.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday hit out at Congress leader Pawan Khera over allegations concerning his family’s assets and financial dealings. His reaction came after Khera, during a press conference, raised several questions about Sarma’s wife, alleged foreign properties, and financial links, and demanded an investigation into the matter.

A Congress leader said, “Dismissing allegations is not an answer. When issues have been raised in the public domain, by the Congress party and our leaders, they are based on facts that have been examined before being presented before the public and the media. Now, those must be answered. Facts should be countered with facts; simply calling them false will not convince the public. If there is proof, it should be shown..."

After filing his nomination, Union MoS said that Avinashi is a stronghold of NDA and people are fed up with the ‘parivar’ politics of the DMK government.

He said, “Avinashi is a stronghold of our NDA, our AIADMK and BJP, and we are all working together to win this seat. Our respected Edappadi K. Palaniswami will become the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, that is already decided.”

“The DMK government will be voted out. People are very fed up with this government and are angry with the DMK and its ‘parivar’ politics. They are waiting for the right time, and that time has come in these elections. They will teach the DMK a lesson.”

Union Minister of State (MoS) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Dr L Murugan has filed for his nomination from the Avinashi assembly constituency for Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.

To inspire young voters and boost participation in Keralam, the Keralam CEO has launched a Gen Z-themed song. Chief Electoral Officer Dr Rathan U Kelkar and Thiruvananthapuram District Collector Anu Kumari joined to make the video.

Also joining them were Assistant Collector Dr. Sivasakthivel, Election Department Under Secretary Sarin SS, and a dedicated team including BLO Sathyabhama, Anagha Sajikumar, Manasa RB, Devika Anil, Deepa L, Aneesh MS, Abhijith, and Ashwin.

As Keralam prepares to vote for its 140-member Assembly on April 9, the Kalamassery constituency in Ernakulam district has emerged as one of the closely watched electoral battlegrounds in the state.

Union Home Minister and BJP leader Amit Shah on Monday held a roadshow in Alappuzha Assembly ahead of Keralam elections to be held in the state on April 9.

Earlier in the day, Shah attended the Bharatiya Janata Party's 47th foundation day event at the party office in Thiruvananthapuram, Keralam. (ANI)

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday alleged widespread corruption in Puducherry, claiming that a "30 per cent commission" is being taken on government contracts and accusing the administration of functioning like a "commission agent."

Addressing an election rally in Lawspet, Gandhi also raised concerns over governance and law and order in the Union Territory. (ANI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday reiterated his allegations against the Indian National Congress, accusing the party of supporting infiltrators in Assam and opposing action against illegal land encroachments.

The Congress on Monday hit out at the Shiv Sena (UBT) over the latter's accusation that the grand old party was using regional outfits as "crutches", and not treating them as "equal stakeholders" in the Opposition alliance.

Maharashtra Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant criticised the editorial in the Sena (UBT) mouthpiece 'Saamana', alleging that the newspaper's executive editor, MP Sanjay Raut, appears confused on several occasions between his roles as a politician and journalist.

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma tweets, "We have now successfully registered one LLP in Wyoing using similar toolkit that Congress used to create the fake company in my wife's name. Tech is not just available to Cong, it is available to us too. Say Hello to 'GauravElizabeth786'..."

PM Narendra Modi says, "Congress is openly supporting the infiltrators. You tell me, should the infiltrators be sent back or not? Congress is opposing action against illegal occupation. Congress is talking about enacting a law in Assam that would jail even those who utter the word "infiltrator." Tell me, do you approve of such a law? Congress will declare the infiltrators victims in the law itself. And the indigenous majority of the people here, the tribal people, will always face the threat of imprisonment. Your vote for the BJP will provide security to Assam."

On the Women’s Reservation Bill, PM Narendra Modi says, "The government has called a special session of Parliament starting April 16th. We have discussed this with all political parties in the country. We have urged everyone to unanimously advance this work related to the rights of the country's sisters and daughters. Some people are trying to spread confusion about this noble cause. All states in the country will benefit from this. No state will be harmed by it. Whether it's the Northeast or South India, where population control is prevalent, their representation will not be diminished at all. We are making arrangements to provide additional seats for women. The current number of seats should be further increased. Therefore, I especially urge the sisters of Assam to urge all the leaders of all political parties to pass this law together."

PM Narendra Modi says, "...Even during Operation Sindoor, our forces forced Pakistan to surrender within hours. But Congress sang the song written, composed and loved by Pakistan..."

The District Magistrate of West Bengal's Malda has issued a show-cause notice to the Additional District Magistrate (Law and Order) after seven judicial officers, including three women, were gheraoed on April 1, as reported by ANI.

The showcause notice dated April 4 was served to Shaikh Ansar Ahmad over "Serious lapse in duty and failure to report ground situation to higher authority on 1st April 2026, regarding the condition of Judicial Officers at Kaliachak." (ANI)

Congress MP from Alappuzha, KC Venugopal, criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for accusing the party of spreading lies over the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, and demanded that the Centre should not bring a similar statute in the future, ANI reported.

PM Narendra Modi says, "Congress is a party that never works for development with a long-term vision. Congress works in the short term so that it can indulge in corruption. On the other hand, the BJP is a party that works with a long-term vision. We are moving forward to develop India from a developed Assam, and that is why we have worked diligently over the past ten years. The past ten years were dedicated to establishing peace and harmony in Assam. The coming years will expand Assam's prosperity."

The residence of BJP worker Majisha Pathayakunnu was targeted with an explosive at Kadirur in Kannur district of Keralam, the police said on Monday.

According to the police, the incident took place at around 8:50 pm on Sunday, when two unidentified individuals approached the house of Pathayakunnu and hurled abuses at her. After verbally abusing her, they threw an explosive, which went off with a loud sound.

AITC National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee on Sunday launched a scathing attack on the BJP-led Central government, alleging it has neglected farmers, workers, women, and marginalised communities in the last 12 years.

"... This BJP government has been in power at the Centre for 12 years but has done nothing for farmers, workers, women, or Scheduled Castes and Tribes. The highest number of atrocities against Dalits have occurred in BJP-ruled states. They promised ₹15 lakh in every bank account--did anyone get it? They also promised 2 crore jobs each year--did anyone get it?" (ANI)

Bihar BJP chief Sanjay Saraogi on Monday backed PM Narendra Modi's "jungle raj" remarks on the West Bengal government, stating that the state's people will take revenge on CM Mamata Banerjee and Trinamool Congress in the upcoming elections.

He also expressed confidence in the BJP's win in the state polls, saying, "The voters of West Bengal will take revenge on TMC and Mamata Banerjee by bringing BJP to power in the state...The PM has said absolutely right that there is 'jungle raj' in West Bengal."

Former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA from Duliajan, Rameswar Teli, who has also served as Dibrugarh MP, has returned to contest his old Assembly constituency amid anti-incumbency concerns within the party.

Teli will face Congress candidate Dhruba Gogoi in the 2026 Assam Assembly elections.

Rameswar Teli has replaced two-time MLA Terash Gowalla as the BJP candidate, after the sitting legislator was nominated for the Rajya Sabha seat in Assam. Teli had won the 2001 and 2006 polls from the Duliajan seat and has also served as the Dibrugarh MP before entering the Rajya Sabha. The BJP leader has also served as the Union Minister of State (MoS) for Food Processing Industries and Labour. (ANI)

An FIR has been lodged against Trinamool Congress candidate for Behala Paschim assembly constituency, Ratna Chattopadhyay, in connection with alleged vandalism in Parnasree area of south Kolkata, police said on Monday. (PTI)

The Trinamool Congress and the BJP have moved the Election Commission against each other over alleged threats, hate speeches and abusive remarks just weeks ahead of the 2026 West Bengal assembly polls.

At the centre of the row is the BJP's Panihati candidate, the mother of the RG Kar hospital doctor who was raped and murdered last year, and TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee, whose provocative comments against Union Home Minister Amit Shah have triggered a counter-complaint by the saffron camp.

In a complaint to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on Sunday, the TMC MP accused the BJP candidate of making "highly objectionable, threatening and derogatory" remarks against Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. (PTI)

Police have launched a probe after an explosive was hurled at the residence of a BJP worker at Kathirur here, officials said on Monday.

According to police, the incident occurred at the house of Majisha Pathayakunnu at Konkachi near Kathirur on Sunday night. (PTI)

A case was registered against two suspected CPI(M) workers on Monday for allegedly blocking Congress candidate Aisha Potty's vehicle and verbally abusing her at Ezhukone here, police said.

The accused have been identified as Prasad of Kuzhimathikkadu and Satheesh of Choorapoyika, they said. (PTI)

Tamil Nadu Minister KN Nehru on Monday campaigned in the Ponmalai area of the Thiruverumbur constituency in Tiruchirappalli, in support of state Education Minister and DMK candidate Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi.

Speaking on the occasion, Nehru focused on Poyyamozhi's role in implementation of various welfare schemes in Tiruchirappalli and praised the developmental works in the education field. (ANI)

While the campaign for the Assembly polls has reached a feverish pitch, AINRC founder and Chief Minister N Rangasamy is a picture of poise.

Four-time chief minister, he is a bachelor, and law graduate and he is contesting from the two constituencies -- Thattanchavady and Mangalam for a fifth term in office. The campaign of the veteran leader, who cut his teeth in the Congress party before launching his own party the AINRC in 2011, offers interesting spectacles.

His admirers hail him "Vaazhum Kamarajar" (Living Kamaraj, the iconic former CM of Tamil Nadu, a freedom fighter) and "Makkalin Muthalvar" (People's Chief Minister). They proudly say that he always responds to invitations from people; be it a domestic function or wedding and he does not say no to requests from public. (PTI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address three election rallies in Assam on Monday, canvassing for BJP candidates for the April 9 state elections.

The first rally is at Bhabanipur-Sorbhog in Lower Assam's Barpeta district, where Modi will canvass for Minister Ranjeet Kumar Das.