Assembly Election 2026 Highlights: BJP will end land jihad, love jihad if it wins Bengal polls, says Amit Shah

TMC MLA from Gopiballavpur, Khagendra Nath Mahata, who was denied a ticket to contest the upcoming West Bengal Assembly polls, has joined the BJP. His joining comes a day ahead of the first phase of polling in 152 constituencies.

Gopiballavpur is in Jhargram district, a region dominated by the TMC.

(with inputs from Tapas Sengupta)

Women will be able to ride scooters safely even at midnight after May 5 if the BJP forms the government in West Bengal, Home Minister Amit Shah said, pitching women's safety as a key election issue, while targeting the ruling TMC over law and order. READ MORE HERE

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday expressed surprise over the deployment of CRPF armoured vehicles for maintaining law and order during the Assembly polls, alleging that the BJP-led Centre has engaged all wings of the government to work in its favour.

Addressing a TMC rally in North 24 Parganas district, she claimed that central forces such as the CRPF, ITBP, CISF and BSF, along with other central entities including the railways, have been deployed for the elections.

"Elections are a festival of democracy, not for killing anyone," the TMC chief said, urging supporters to lodge FIRs if they face any atrocities.

"Around two lakh central force personnel have been brought into Bengal for the elections. This is unprecedented. Are they trying to intimidate me by deploying so many forces?" she asked.

(with inputs from PTI)

Congress leader and Rajasthan's former Chief Minister, Ashok Gehlot, on Wednesday stood by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge over the 'terrorist' remark. 

"Kharge ji clarified that he didn't say anything like that, no one can say such things against PM," Gehlot said. 

The Calcutta High Court paused an Election Commission move to identify nearly 800 Trinamool Congress workers and leaders ahead of the April 23 and 29 West Bengal Assembly polls, ruling that no preventive arrests can be made against them until June 30. READ MORE HERE

Home Minister Amit Shah said the BJP would end “love jihad” and “land jihad” in West Bengal if the party comes to power in the state. He said a BJP government would take strong measures against what he described as organised land grabbing and forced religious conversion through marriage.

Speaking to India Today TV, Shah also announced welfare measures aimed at government employees, farmers and vulnerable groups. He said state government employees would receive the benefits of the Seventh Pay Commission along with pending dearness allowance if the BJP forms the next government.

He further promised enhanced financial assistance for farmers, saying the annual payout under the PM-Kisan scheme would be increased from Rs 6,000 to Rs 9,000 in West Bengal under BJP rule.

He also pledged higher pensions for widows, senior citizens and persons with disabilities, stating that beneficiaries would receive Rs 2,000 per month.

Targeting the ruling Trinamool Congress government, Shah said the BJP would work to eliminate the alleged “syndicate culture” in West Bengal, claiming that such networks had affected governance and economic activity in the state.

The Election Commission issued notice to Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge after he called Prime Minister Narendra Modi a "terrorist" during a press conference in Chennai. The poll body took serious note of Kharge's statement and took action.

(with inputs from Sanjay Sharma)

Poll-related seizures, including cash, drugs and liquor meant to allure voters, have crossed the Rs-1000 crore mark in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu, the Election Commission said on Wednesday.

It said since the Election Seizure Management System (ESMS) was activated on February 26, enforcement authorities have recovered freebies and allurements worth Rs 1072.13 crore in the two states.

Tamil Nadu will go to polls on Thursday in a single phase along with phase one in West Bengal where the second phase of voting is slated for April 29.

The seizures include Rs 127.67 crore in cash, nearly 41,000 litres of liquor worth Rs 106.3 crore, drugs worth nearly Rs 184 crore and precious metals such as gold and silver worth Rs 215 crore.

(with inputs from PTI)

The Supreme Court came down heavily on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for entering the premises of an ED raid at the residence of I-PAC co-founder Pratik Jain in January, saying such conduct puts "democracy in peril". READ MORE HERE

The Trinamool Congress alleged a police observer assigned to West Bengal's Diamond Harbour held a private meeting with a BJP candidate in a hotel room, terming it a breach of protocol. The charge surfaced a day before the first phase of Assembly polling. READ MORE HERE

Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday asserted that the Congress would not win even a single seat in the West Bengal assembly polls, and that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's association with the grand old party will weaken her further politically.

Addressing an election rally at Dum Dum near New Barrackpore, Shah also said that the Congress was headed for a crushing defeat in several states.

"I want to tell Rahul Gandhi that in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, the Congress will not even cross double digits. In West Bengal, you may not even be able to open your account, and in Assam, the Congress will face its biggest defeat ever," he said.

(with inputs from PTI)

In preparation for the upcoming elections, the Chepauk–Triplicane Assembly constituency has begun the distribution of electronic voting machines (EVMs) and polling materials. Speaking from the dispatch center, Additional District Election Magistrate Ravi Teja confirmed that the process is being conducted under strict supervision, with the presence of observers, political party representatives, and a video recording team to ensure full transparency.

Adding an international dimension, around 20 delegates from various countries are visiting the center to observe the electoral process firsthand, gaining insights into the procedures and regulations to apply in their home countries.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday said the state has witnessed significant progress under the “double engine” government, claiming that law and order and industrial growth have improved substantially. Speaking at an event in Bengal, he said over 17,000 industries have been established in Uttar Pradesh in the past nine years, while alleging that more than 7,000 industries have shut down in West Bengal.

Adityanath also referred to the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, saying the “long-pending task of 500 years” was completed under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. He credited the “double engine” government at the Centre and in Uttar Pradesh for the state’s development and expressed confidence that a similar government would be formed in West Bengal in the future.

AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday, while campaigning for the DMK in Tamil Nadu, extended support to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee ahead of the Assembly elections, saying Prime Minister Narendra Modi would “lose” despite the alleged misuse of institutions. 

Kejriwal said he spoke to Mamata Banerjee over the phone and expressed “complete solidarity and support,” describing her fight as “one of the most difficult” and “important battles for Indian democracy.” 

EVMs are being dispatched from strong rooms to polling booths under police escort ahead of the Baramati bypolls scheduled for April 23, PTI reported. Returning Officer Uttam Dighe said distribution of polling materials is underway through sector officers. Presiding officers and polling staff have reached their stations, and sealed EVMs along with other equipment are being delivered securely to each booth for the smooth conduct of voting.

In Berhampore, polling officials expressed confidence ahead of Phase 1 voting. First polling officer Begum Meri said she feels safer this time, citing stricter arrangements and heavy CRPF presence. Presiding officer Roshni Roy confirmed all materials have been received, adding the process is more stringent but smooth, with her booth remaining peaceful. Meanwhile, final preparations are underway at the YMA ground distribution centre, where officials have begun dispatching EVMs and polling materials to booths.

-ANI

In Dindigul, police personnel are monitoring the transportation of EVMs and polling materials to various booths, ensuring security and smooth arrangements ahead of the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections tomorrow.

-ANI

DMK president and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has called on party cadres to remain alert during voting. He instructed booth committee members to reach polling stations 90 minutes early and ensure every vote intended for the DMK is secured without lapses.

-Pramod Madhav input

In Kolkata, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath criticised the Trinamool Congress government, accusing it of undermining Bengal’s cultural identity. Referring to remarks by the city’s mayor Firhad Hakim recently, he said Bengal’s identity is rooted in Maa Kali, not external influences. He also alleged rampant cow slaughter and restrictions during Durga Puja, while claiming discomfort within the state leadership over Lord Ram’s name. Drawing comparisons with pre-2017 Uttar Pradesh, Adityanath described Bengal as lawless, contrasting it with what he called "Ram Rajya" in UP under BJP rule and governance.

-ANI