Assembly Election 2026 Highlights: BJP announces 5 more candidates for Bengal polls, replaces 3 with new faces

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The BJP on Saturday released its fifth list of nominees for West Bengal, naming five more candidates for the upcoming Assembly elections in the state. The party also replaced the candidates it had previously announced for three other constituencies – Basirhat Uttar, Bishnupur (SC) and Behala Purba.

Former Telangana Governor and BJP's candidate from Mylapore Assembly seat for the upcoming Tamil Nadu polls, Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan, lambasts Chief Minister and DMK chief, MK Stalin, as she seeks to dispel the 'Hindi imposition' narrative.

"There is no imposition. Our Prime Minister [Narendra Modi] wants everyone to learn the Tamil language. I want to ask MK Stalin if he is able to avoid the three-language policy in private schools. When rich people's children can learn three language, he is denying this right to poor children. This is discrimination. So Stalin should be charged," she said in a video byte shared by news agency ANI on X.

The Election Commission suspended Kolkata Police South Division DC-II Siddartha Dutta, Alipore OC Priyankar Chakraborty, Additional OC Chandi Charan Banerjee, and Sergeant Saurabh Chatterjee for “failure during a roadshow and nomination process” in the Bhabanipur constituency.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi holds a massive roadshow in Thiruvananthapuram. Visuals from the spot.

Congress National President and Rajya Sabha LoP Mallikarjun Kharge says, "The Congress and DMK alliance will win in Pondicherry and form an alliance government."

Addressing a public rally, Prime Minister Narendra Modi warned that Congress and its allies were putting Keralites and other Indians working in the Gulf at risk. He said the ongoing West Asia crisis has exposed their “designs,” adding that senior Congress leaders were deliberately making statements that could endanger Indians abroad and sow distrust.

PM Modi highlighted that it is only due to India’s strong relations with Gulf countries that the governments there treat Indians as family and ensure their safety. “This is not the time for such remarks. The safety of our people is the top priority. Please stop making senseless statements that cause trouble for them,” he urged.

“The Sabarimala plunder happened under the LDF, and the highest beneficiaries were from the UDF. Congress is now pretending to be the well-wishers of Hindus. When the NDA comes to power, they will have to return the plunder to the people. They will not escape the wrath of Swami Ayyappan’s devotees,” said PM Modi.

“Congress claims the Left are its B-team in Kerala, and the same is said of Congress by the Left. They are hand in hand, fighting together in Tamil Nadu. The world knows which party is which party’s B-team. Congress and the Left are two sides of the same coin,” said PM Modi.

Union Minister and BJP TN election in-charge Piyush Goyal said, “It is Congress and DMK who have created a family rule, where the Chief Minister’s post passes from Karunanidhi to MK Stalin, then Udhayanidhi Stalin, and if voters repeat the mistake of electing DMK, Inbanithi Stalin will be next.”

Speaking at the rally, PM Modi said the whole country is watching the unrest in Middle Eastern countries, where lakhs of Keralites are stuck. He warned that Congress and the Opposition, through irresponsible remarks, are putting the lives of millions at risk. “It is our good fortune that India has strong relations with the Gulf nations. I have repeatedly urged the Opposition to stop endangering Keralites through their statements,” he added.

PM Modi stressed that Kerala can develop only once the walls of corruption and communalism are broken, highlighting the urgent need to boost the state’s service sector and create jobs. He further said that lakhs of Kerala’s youth have already left the state and even the country in search of employment opportunities.

Addressing a public meeting in Tiruvalla, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "Our Keralam has been endowed by God with immense possibilities and resources; there are opportunities in the blue economy in the seas here, and so many possibilities in the field of tourism, yet Keralam is lagging behind other states in the race for development."

PM Modi said the Centre is fast-tracking highway and railway projects, citing the high-speed Vande Bharat train from Kotayam as an example.

At a rally in Tiruvalla, PM Modi predicted a historic shift, saying the BJP-NDA is set to end decades of LDF rule, with polls on April 9 and results on May 4.

“If basic infrastructure is so poor, it is easy to understand what the quality of life would be,” the Prime Minister said. PM Modi further said the Centre has released five times more funds to Kerala compared to the UPA period.

PM Modi said that Keralam has been blessed with abundant natural resources, including a strong blue economy along its coastline and a thriving tourism sector. However, despite these advantages, the state is lagging behind compared to others.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is being felicitated at an event in Kerala’s Pathanamthitta district.

In Lakhimpur, BJP National President Nitin Nabin said that a decade ago, both women and the region were unsafe under Congress rule. He asserted that the current government has ensured the safety and dignity of women while also promoting their self-reliance.

“Our government will turn all the 'kachcha' houses into 'pucca' homes in the coming days. But we are unable to complete them as 'Mota bhai' (Amit Shah) has sent all the officers outside bengal. We want revenge," she said at a rally in West Bengal. 

Taking to 'X', Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi slammed the LDF for betraying its own cadres. "The Left calls itself “Left.” But today, there is nothing "Left" about the Left Front. And after this election, there will be nothing left of the Left Front. CM Pinarayi Vijayan is in partnership with the very people spreading hatred across India, and a hidden hand is running his government. He has betrayed his own cadre, his party, and the people of Kerala," he posted on 'X'. 

During Vijay's rally, one woman fainted and was escorted for medical help. 

(Apoorva)

Union Minister and BJP state election in-charge Mansukh Mandaviya holds door-to-door campaign ahead of the Assembly elections. Assembly elections in Puducherry will be held in a single phase, on April 9.

(ANI)

A National Investigation Agency (NIA) team has arrived at the spot to probe the 'gherao' of 7 judicial officers at the BDO office in Kaliachowk, Malda on April 1.

(ANI)

Speaking at a rally in Nagarcoil, Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin said, "Christians are very angry because of a change in the law (FCRA Amendment Bill). Plans are being made to confiscate their property. Thousands of Christian colleges and schools across India will be affected by this. This is an attack on religious freedom."

(ANI)

Speaking in Kerala's Alappuzha, LoP Rahul Gandhi alleged that the Left Front, BJP and the RSS are in cahoots. ""Everyone can see there is a relationship today between the BJP, RSS and the Left Front," he said. 

TVK vision and agenda for Puducherry

- Will take 100% legal effort to attain statehood
- Rs 25,000 pregnancy support
- Diesel subsidy of Rs 20 for fishermen
- Rs 20 lakh insurance for families
- BPL families will get free electricity upto 200 units 
- Puducherry Applied Sciences and Arts will be created

(Pramod Madhav)

"The DMK-Congress is a namesake alliance while in certain constituencies they are contesting against each other," said TVK supremo Vijay at a rally in Puducherry, which goes to polls on April 9. 

(Pramod Madhav)

Assam Congress president and Jorhat candidate Gaurav Gogoi said voters in the state are seeking change after “ten years of oppression and corruption,” expressing confidence in the Congress-led alliance. He claimed there is a growing sentiment for political transformation across Assam.

Responding to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s remarks, Gogoi dismissed the allegations, saying the CM is “losing ground” and making baseless claims, adding it reflects growing pressure ahead of the elections.

Congress leader and Berhampore candidate Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury has alleged that he was attacked by TMC workers and supporters while campaigning in Murshidabad on Saturday. The incident, he claimed, took place during active outreach in the constituency.

Chowdhury accused the ruling party of attempting to intimidate opposition candidates amid the election campaign. There has been no immediate response from the TMC on the allegations.

   The names of Suprobuddha Sen, grandson of renowned artist Nandalal Bose, and his wife Deepa Sen have reportedly been deleted from the voter list in Bolpur constituency amid the ongoing SIR rollout. The elderly couple said they may be unable to vote in the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections despite submitting all required documents.

Expressing anger, Sen said election officials had even visited their home and verified details, yet their names were removed. Officials have advised them to approach a tribunal, while the reason for deletion remains unclear.

BJP leader Leander Paes, addressing a press conference in Kolkata, said the city is his “motherland” where his tennis journey and education began. Reflecting on the 1980s, he noted the lack of sports infrastructure then, contrasting it with improved facilities today.

Paes revealed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has entrusted him with a role linked to preparations for the 2036 Olympics. He expressed a desire to serve the nation and voiced concern over Bengal’s youth migrating for jobs.

The Congress on Friday alleged that the government has called a “special session” of parliament for passing bills related to amending the women’s quota law and delimitation to “grab political mileage” in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu polls, which, it claimed, is a “gross violation” of the model code of conduct. 

(PTI)

TVK president and actor Vijay has left from his residence in Chennai for Puducherry. He will campaign for TVK candidates ahead of the Assembly elections, scheduled on April 9.

(ANI)

The clarification came a day after the BJP released its list of 27 candidates for the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections under the AIADMK-led NDA, with Annamalai's absence emerging as the biggest talking point. Read more here.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor's convoy was allegedly stopped while a member of his security team was manhandled in Kerala's Malappuram district on Friday. The incident took place while Tharoor was on his way to Wandoor to campaign for UDF candidate AP Anilkumar. Read more here. 

Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, Congress candidate from the Berhampore Assembly constituency, has alleged that he was attacked by TMC workers during the election campaign today. 

(ANI)

Tennis legend and BJP leader Leander Paes is scheduled to hold a press conference at the party’s Kolkata headquarters around 10:30 am today.

The briefing comes amid heightened political activity in the state, with parties stepping up outreach efforts and public messaging ahead of polling.

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has raised concerns over the Centre’s decision to convene a special session of Parliament during peak election campaigning in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.

Ramesh shared correspondence suggesting the move was unilateral, questioning its timing and potential impact on ongoing election activities in key states.
 

TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee launched a sharp attack on the BJP, alleging misuse of institutions and manipulation of electoral rolls. He claimed that the BJP’s “double engine” strategy involves both institutional interference and local alliances to influence outcomes.

Banerjee also asserted strong public support for TMC candidates across several constituencies, expressing confidence in a decisive victory for his party.
 

Actor-turned-politician Vijay, president of TVK, departed from Chennai for Puducherry to begin his election campaign. Puducherry is set to vote in a single phase on April 9, while Tamil Nadu will go to polls later on April 23.

Vijay’s campaign is expected to draw significant attention, given his popularity and growing political presence in the region.
 

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor confirmed that his campaign remains unaffected after his security guard was attacked in an untoward incident. Tharoor said the guard is safe and he himself was unharmed.

Despite the disruption, Tharoor continued with scheduled events, underlining the campaign’s resilience as Kerala heads into a competitive electoral battle.

The Election Commission has sanctioned 4,660 auxiliary polling stations across West Bengal to manage voter load, particularly in areas where electors exceed 1,200 per booth. Additionally, 321 polling stations have been relocated to improve accessibility.

With these changes, the total number of polling stations in the state has risen to 85,379, aiming to ensure smoother and more convenient voting during the elections.

Senior BJP leader K Annamalai has clarified that he will not contest the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, stating that the decision was entirely his own. Speaking in Chennai, he said he had informed the party leadership in writing well in advance.

Annamalai questioned speculation over seat allocation, asserting that tickets cannot be forced upon unwilling candidates and confirmed he will instead campaign for NDA alliance nominees.
 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, amid an intense campaign schedule, met noted music composer Ramesh Vinayakam and his family in Chennai. Modi highlighted Vinayakam’s contribution to Indian music, especially the innovative “Gamaka Box Notation System” aimed at taking Indian classical traditions global.

The interaction comes as PM Modi continues back-to-back campaign engagements across southern states ahead of crucial polling dates.