Assembly Election 2026 Highlights: Bengal hostage row handed to NIA, Supreme Court issues notices to officials

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Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, along with BJP candidates and leaders, was seen dancing to an election song during a campaign rally in Naharkatia.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday welcomed the passage of the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill 2026 in Parliament, calling it a major step toward improving both ease of living and ease of doing business.

In a post on X, Modi said the legislation strengthens a trust-based governance framework aimed at empowering citizens while removing outdated rules and regulations.

“A big boost to ‘Ease of Living’ and ‘Ease of Doing Business’,” he wrote, adding that the Bill marks the end of provisions that are no longer relevant in the current regulatory landscape.

The Prime Minister said the law would help ensure faster resolution of cases and reduce the burden of litigation through decriminalisation measures.

He also highlighted the consultative process behind the Bill’s drafting, noting that it incorporated inputs from multiple stakeholders.

“My compliments to all those who have given their insights towards the drafting of the Bill and supported it in Parliament,” Modi said.

The Jan Vishwas Bill is aimed at rationalising compliance requirements and promoting a more facilitative regulatory environment for individuals and businesses.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) will probe the Malda incident in which judicial officers were allegedly held hostage and faced an attempted attack. The Election Commission has handed over the investigation to the NIA, terming the matter serious. The Supreme Court, meanwhile, took note of the incident on Thursday, with a three-judge bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant issuing show-cause notices to senior state administration officials and calling the episode “unfortunate.”
 

The Congress Central Election Committee (CEC) meeting is underway in Delhi to finalise the party’s candidates for the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK chief M K Stalin on Thursday alleged that the BJP-led Centre rejected proposals for Metro Rail projects in Coimbatore and Madurai, while approving one for Agra despite its smaller population. Addressing a rally in Coimbatore, Stalin accused the BJP of remembering Tamil Nadu only during elections. Highlighting the DMK’s manifesto, he reiterated the promise of a Rs 8,000 coupon for women and urged voters to back the party, asserting that it delivers on its commitments and remains focused on the state’s welfare.

Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister and DMK candidate from Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni, Udhayanidhi Stalin, alleged that "Delhi is trying to take control over our state".

"They are not giving any funds or any schemes for Tamil Nadu, but they are trying to take control over the state through AIADMK. That is why we are continuously telling that this election is between Delhi versus Tamil Nadu and we are very sure that team Tamil Nadu will win," he added. 

Tension flared outside the SDO office in Cooch Behar after BJP and Trinamool workers clashed over the filing of nomination papers. Police and security personnel were deployed at the spot to bring the situation under control. Further details are awaited.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday told BJP booth workers that the party’s performance in the Thiruvananthapuram local body polls reflects a growing support base ahead of the April 9 Assembly election. In a virtual interaction, he said Kerala is not just choosing a new government this time, but “a new system”, asserting that the BJP-NDA is witnessing a strong wave in its favour.

PM said Thiruvananthapuram has “shattered” the long-standing perception of alternating power between the UDF and LDF, forcing both to target the BJP. Alleging that people are “fed up with loot” by the two fronts, he urged the cadre to step up efforts, invoking cricketer Sanju Samson as an example of delivering under pressure and asking workers to intensify outreach on polling day.

AIMIM leader Mofakkerul Islam, an advocate by profession and the party’s candidate from Itahar in the 2021 Assembly polls, led protests in Malda’s Sujapur on Wednesday, sources said.

In a video from the protest, Islam can be seen challenging officials on camera, calling out the district administration and police. “Oye DM, oye SP… who is the CID? Where is the IB? Where are you all? Come here,” he is heard saying.

The AIMIM has confirmed that Islam continues to be associated with the party. He is currently under the police scanner, with authorities probing his role in the SIR officials hostage incident.

(Indrajit Kundu)
 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Kerala needs a “double-engine” government that not only delivers on its responsibilities but also effectively implements central schemes, while addressing BJP booth workers. He asserted that Thiruvananthapuram has set a new precedent in the state’s politics, breaking the long-held pattern where the Left and the Congress alternated in power regardless of governance outcomes. According to him, this shift has pushed both the UDF and LDF to target the BJP instead of each other.

Actor-turned-politician Vijay was addressing an election rally after filing his nomination papers from the Tiruchirappalli East Assembly constituency when a woman fainted at the venue, likely due to heat. More information is awaited.

Addressing a rally in Murshidabad on Thursday, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee condemned the Election Commission, accusing it of “failing to protect” officials on duty. She alleged that the poll body, which deployed its own officers in the state’s civil and police administration following the announcement of Assembly elections, had “totally failed to control law and order”.

Banerjee also targeted the Centre, demanding the resignation of Union Home Minister Amit Shah over what she described as large-scale transfers of officers amid the ongoing election process.

Eighteen people have been arrested so far by West Bengal Police in connection with the Malda incident, where judicial officers engaged in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise were gheraoed by protesters over the deletion of names from electoral rolls. The arrests come a day after seven judicial officers were held for several hours on Wednesday before being rescued by security forces.

(Anupam Mishra)

Campaigning for the BJP in West Bengal, BJP leader Smriti Irani alleged, "Corruption and TMC, violence and TMC have become synonymous with each other".

"The people of West Bengal have resolved that to build a corruption-free West Bengal, to eliminate the atmosphere of fear, to preserve women's dignity, establishing a BJP government in West Bengal has become imperative," she said. 

Mamata Banerjee, addressing a rally, said the protesters in Malda incident were not from her party, calling for a thorough investigation.

“The protestors were not from our party. We fought against SIR. That is why 20 lakh names were involved. But who attacked the judges and held them hostage in Malda? I don’t know who they were,” she said.

Banerjee maintained that the incident was not planned by her party and demanded that the authorities identify those responsible, adding, “It was not our intention, we have no plans regarding this. I want an investigation into who they were.”

"Narendra Modi, Amit Shah and Himanta Biswa Sarma have made a land ATM in Assam. They snatch land from the people and give it to big industrialists," Rahul Gandhi alleged in Assam rally.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday launched a scathing attack on Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, calling him the “most corrupt CM” in India.

Addressing an election rally in Assam in support of party candidate Raton Engti for Bokajan constituency, Gandhi alleged, “India’s most corrupt CM is Himanta Biswa Sarma, and his family is also No. 1 in corruption. The Congress government will take action against him. Though he is boasting now, he will be completely silent after that.”

Gandhi further claimed that Sarma is running Assam through syndicates and accused him of being “fully controlled by Modi due to his corruption charges,” intensifying the political rhetoric ahead of the upcoming state elections.

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in UDF rally in Kerala’s Kollam, said, "Our PM has 'handed' our energy security over to US."

At a rally in Malda, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee sharply criticised central agencies, accusing them of targeting the state with raids. Addressing the crowd, she said, “You are linking agencies to Bengal. You are doing raids in Bengal. Don’t you have shame! Do these raids on the houses of your leaders.”

Warning her audience about potential retaliation, she added, “I will ask people to be careful. They will hurl brickbats at you. Then they will turn up the heat on you. Finally, they will unleash the ED and CBI against you. Be careful.” 

Her remarks come hours after the Supreme Court strongly criticised West Bengal officials over a gheraoed incident in Malda where seven judicial officers involved in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process in poll-bound West Bengal were allegedly gheraoed for around nine hours. READ MORE

The Leader of the Opposition (LoP), said that the Congress government would ensure justice for Zubeen Garg within 100 days of coming to power. 

He also made women-centric promises like free cash transfers and financial help to drive the growth of female entrepreneurship.

Tensions flared in West Bengal as workers from the BJP and TMC clashed outside the office where Suvendu Adhikari, BJP candidate and State Leader of the Opposition from Bhabanipur, was filing his papers. Eyewitnesses said the scuffle broke out amid heated exchanges between the two parties’ supporters, prompting a heavy police presence to control the situation. No serious injuries were reported, but the incident underscores the growing political volatility in the run-up to the polls.

In Assam, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi kicked off his address by promising swift action for singer Zubeen Garg, vowing justice within 100 days. Speaking at a public rally, he then launched a scathing critique of PM Modi, alleging that India’s critical decisions on oil, agriculture, and national data were effectively controlled by former US President Donald Trump. 

“Today, if we want to buy oil from Russia, Iran, or Iraq, we cannot do so without asking Donald Trump. Modi handed over India’s entire data to Trump, who can use it as he wishes. They took our oil, our agriculture, and even our data,” Gandhi claimed. 

He further asserted that the Prime Minister controls state Chief Ministers, suggesting both central and state leaders are complicit in exploiting the public. Highlighting Congress’s electoral promises, Gandhi also pledged unconditional monthly cash transfers for women and Rs 50,000 to help women start businesses.

TMC leader and MP Kirti Azad on Thursday slammed Asaduddin Owaisi over his "Modi-Mamata" siblings remark. 

Criticising Owaisi for such a statement, Azad said that Mamata Banerjee is the leader of all sections of people, while hardly anyone knows Owaisi outside Hyderabad. 

"Mamata didi is everyone’s leader. Who is Owaisi? No one knows about him outside Hyderabad… Is he contesting for seats in Assam? Why is he contesting in West Bengal? We should not pay attention to his words," Azad told ANI.

Assam Congress president and Jorhat Assembly candidate Gaurav Gogoi on Thursday accused Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma of fostering corruption and favouring mafia networks, as campaigning for the 2026 Assam elections intensified. 

"The entire Assam has united against the politics of corruption, fear, and intimidation. All Opposition parties have come together. People of Assam will no longer accept as leaders those involved in illegal activities and the mafia. Himanta Biswa Sarma only likes those who are connected to the stone, coal and areca nut mafia. Even in his party, those leaders who serve the people do not stay with Himanta Biswa Sarma, and he cancels their tickets," Gogoi said. 

BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari submitted his nomination papers on Thursday for the Bhabanipur Assembly seat in West Bengal, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in attendance. Adhikari, joined by Shah and other senior party leaders, reached the Survey Building office following a roadshow across Bhabanipur and nearby areas, where supporters raised slogans of "Jai Shri Ram" and "BJP zindabad".

Actor-turned-politician and TVK chief Vijay on Thursday launched a sharp attack on the ruling DMK and Chief Minister MK Stalin after filing his second nomination for the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. Addressing supporters, Vijay accused Stalin of prioritising personal matters over public issues. "If it pertains to his family, Stalin immediately flies to Delhi. But if it pertains to the LPG crisis, why can't he fly to Delhi?" he said.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday squarely blamed the BJP after the Supreme Court rebuked the state over judicial officers being gheraoed for hours in Malda district. Read here.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday campaigned for BJP candidate Suvendu Adhikari in the Bhabanipur Assembly constituency ahead of the West Bengal elections. Shah addressed party workers and supporters during his visit, backing Adhikari’s candidature in one of the key constituencies in the state.

Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Thursday raised concerns over India's agreement with the United States while campaigning for the 2026 Assam Assembly elections in Karbi Anglong.

Addressing a public gathering, Gandhi questioned the Centre's decision to open India's agricultural sector as part of the deal. "You might ask why is Rahul Gandhi speaking on US-India deal, in Assam election campaigning? You need to understand where the pressure on you is being mounted. Narendra Modi signed the US deal, and he handed over 4-5 things to the US. Narendra Modi opened India's agricultural system to the US. No PM had ever done this before," he said. 

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday addressed an election rally in Kolkata, asserting that West Bengal was headed for political change.

Calling on voters to back the BJP candidate, Shah specifically targeted the Bhabanipur constituency. "There will be a change in West Bengal. But do you want a change in Bhabanipur or not? I have come here to appeal for your votes for our candidate Suvendu Adhikari," he said.

Actor-turned-politician and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president Vijay on Thursday filed his nomination to contest from the Tiruchirappalli East Assembly constituency for the 2026 Tamil Nadu elections. Vijay submitted his papers in Tiruchirappalli, marking his second nomination in the poll season. He had earlier filed his nomination from the Perambur constituency on March 30.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said he would stay in West Bengal for the next 15 days to campaign for the upcoming Assembly elections, signalling an intensified push by the BJP in the state.

Shah made the remarks while visiting Bhabanipur, where he attended the nomination filing procession of BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari. "I have come here especially for Suvendu Adhikari's nomination. There will be a poriborton (change) soon. I have travelled across Bengal and there is only one voice that's resonating - to bid tata, bye-bye to Mamata Banerjee. The people of Bengal are fed up with the hooliganism of Trinamool Congress," Shah said. 

Union Home Minister Amit Shah holds a road show in Bhabanipur Assembly constituency ahead of West Bengal elections. BJP's Suvendu Adhikari is contesting from this constituency

Campaigning for Suvendu Adhikari in Kolkata, Home Minister Amit Shah stepped up the attack on Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee.

“I’ve travelled across Bengal, and there is only one voice that resonates: to bid goodbye to Mamata Banerjee,” he said.

He also alleged that people in the state were “fed up with the extortion and hooliganism of the TMC.”

Adhikari said Shah’s presence was a show of support. “Amit ji has come to give me his ashirvad,” he said, adding, “We shall bring Poriborton to Bhabanipur. Bhabanipur will go the Nandigram way.”

The ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) released its manifesto for the Kerala Assembly election today, with Chief Pinarayi Vijayan calling it a roadmap for the state’s future.

He said the manifesto reflects both the government’s work and its future commitments, adding that the LDF has a track record of delivering on its promises.

Vijayan said the coalition aims to transform Kerala into a developed state, with a focus on sectors such as agriculture, industry, education and health. “This manifesto is a blueprint for the comprehensive development of Keralam,” he said.

He also stressed the need for continued public support and flagged challenges, including what he described as neglect by the Centre. The LDF, he added, will prioritise job creation and improving living standards.

Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister and DMK scion Udhayanidhi Stalin filed his nomination from the Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni constituency in Chennai. Before heading to submit his papers, Udhayanidhi hit the streets with a roadshow, drawing a huge crowd of supporters.

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi said he is in Assam for two days to campaign for Badruddin Ajmal’s AIUDF. Sharpening his attack on the BJP ahead of the assembly polls, the Hyderabad MP accused Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma of running “politics of hatred” in the state.

He also alleged that the Congress had failed to counter the BJP’s rise. Owaisi also claimed that large-scale demolitions had left thousands of Muslims homeless.

“In such a situation, it is very important to support Badaruddin Ajmal so that the constitutional rights of those people can be protected,” he said.

Congress MP Manickam Tagore on Thursday dismissed reports that he had resigned as chairman of the party’s Tamil Nadu election management and coordination committee. Speculation about his resignation had surfaced earlier in the day, with sources claiming he was unhappy over the number of seats allocated to the Congress in the alliance’s seat-sharing arrangement.

Tagore, however, flatly denied the claims. “Who said that I resigned?” he snapped when asked about the rumours.

Senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari is set to file his nomination from Bhabanipur, the stronghold of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, today. Union Home Minister Amit Shah will join Adhikari for a roadshow beginning around noon. Bengal BJP chief Samik Bhattacharya is also expected to accompany them.

The roadshow will pass through several parts of Bhabanipur before concluding at the Survey Building, where Adhikari will file his nomination papers.

He has also filed nomination from Nandigram, the constituency where he trounced Mamata Banerjee in 2022.

Thousands came out onto the streets of Tiruchirappalli as actor-turned-politician Vijay took out a roadshow on Thursday. The TVK chief will file his nomination for the Trichy East seat shortly.