Assembly Election 2026 Highlights: TMC alleges mass 'illegal' Form 6 filings, files police complaint

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Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Tuesday alleged that the BJP and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam spread false information about Tamil Nadu. He claimed their allegations had been disproved, forcing them to "bow their heads in shame". Stalin asserted that the state continues to excel across sectors, accusing rivals of attempting to create unrest through slander.

-Anagha

BJP candidate from Guwahati’s new Assembly constituency, Diplu Ranjan Sarma, hailed the party’s Assam manifesto as a roadmap for the state’s future. He said, "The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has released its manifesto for Assam. This manifesto is a vision for Assam's future… development-development, development all around." He added it focusses on industrialisation, infrastructure, and agriculture, calling it "a very big achievement" and asserting, "Here, 100 per cent votes will go to the BJP."

-ANI

The Trinamool Congress on Tuesday said it has filed a police complaint seeking an investigation into the alleged illegal mass submission of Form 6 applications by the BJP at the office of the Chief Electoral Officer in West Bengal. The party claimed the bulk filings were aimed at adding voters in violation of rules.

The TMC also released a video from a press conference in Delhi, alleging it shows large-scale submission of Form 6 inside the CEO’s office. The visuals purportedly capture stacks of forms being submitted in bulk, which the party said raises serious concerns over the integrity of the voter enrolment process.

The NDA manifesto promises direct cash support, free LPG cylinders and pensions, alongside major infrastructure and governance reforms, as it seeks to position itself as an alternative to LDF and UDF in Kerala. Read full story here

West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Agarwal addressed allegations by the All India Trinamool Congress regarding Form 6 submissions, stating the process strictly follows rules and cannot be manipulated. He clarified that Form 6 is meant for new voters aged 18 and above and can be submitted year-round, though entries made within 10 days of nominations will not be reflected in current rolls. Agarwal said no individual voter changes can be made at the CEO level, with complaints sent for enquiry. He added tribunals are being set up, with judges notified, to handle appeals and ensure voter rights.

-Anirban Sinha Roy input

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Tuesday campaigned for this party in Kottayam ahead of the Kerala Assembly elections.

In Kollam, BJP national president Nitin Nabin said the party has consistently fulfilled its “Modi guarantee” promises, unlike the Indian National Congress in states like Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh. He accused the Left Democratic Front and United Democratic Front of stalling Kerala’s development, alleging "match-fixing" between them. Nabin said growing support among youth and women reflects rising trust in the BJP, asserting the party will emerge as a strong alternative in the state.

-ANI

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin began his election campaign in Thiruvarur, highlighting the release of the DMK’s 2026 manifesto at Anna Arivalayam. Calling Thiruvarur the stronghold of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, he invoked the legacy of M Karunanidhi. Stalin urged voters to support key candidates including Poondi Kalaivanan, TRB Rajaa from Mannargudi, and CPI leader K Marimuthu from Tiruthuraipoondi. Emphasising alliance strength, he appealed to voters to ensure their victory and send them to the Tamil Nadu Assembly.

-Parmod Madhav input

At a BJP press conference in Tamil Nadu, led by Piyush Goyal and Nainar Nagendran, the party strongly criticised the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government. They alleged that under Chief Minister MK Stalin, the state has witnessed rising crime, including drug-related issues and violence against women and children. The BJP also released a 'chargesheet' accusing the government of failing to fulfil election promises and promoting family-led governance involving Udhayanidhi Stalin and Kanimozhi. Goyal described the upcoming election as a decisive moment to expose the DMK-led alliance, while affirming pride in Tamil Nadu’s culture and growth potential.

-Apoorva Jayachandran input

Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin on Tuesday asserted that the DMK and Chief Minister M K Stalin would emerge as the “real champions” in the April 23 Assembly elections, regardless of the opposition lineup. Addressing a rally in Pappireddipatti, he framed the contest as one between “Tamil Nadu, the soil of self-respect, and the Delhi team,” while accusing the AIADMK of trying to help the BJP gain a foothold in the state.

“Regardless of the teams arrayed against us in the polls, we will prove that the DMK and our Chief Minister M K Stalin are the real champions,” he said. Urging the crowd to back the party, he asked, “Will you prove that Tamil Nadu… is always out of Delhi’s control and that there’s no room for subservient groups?”—to which supporters responded with a loud “yes.”

Actor-politician Vijay and members of his Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) have been booked under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, for alleged violations of the Model Code of Conduct during campaigning in Chennai ahead of the April 23 Assembly polls, police sources said on Tuesday. The Peravallur police registered cases citing provisions related to obstruction and unlawful conduct, following complaints linked to his roadshow.

According to police, party cadres gathered ahead of the permitted time, causing inconvenience to the public, while the use of around 30 sound systems during the campaign allegedly disrupted traffic and normal movement. TVK, making its electoral debut in the 2026 polls, has fielded Vijay from Perambur and Tiruchirappalli East, with the actor launching his campaign from Perambur.

(PTI)

The BJP on Tuesday alleged that its candidate Rathindra Nath Bose’s convoy was attacked in West Bengal’s Cooch Behar district, claiming Trinamool Congress workers intercepted the cavalcade in the Sutkabari area and hurled “sticks, bamboo poles, bricks and stones,” damaging vehicles and injuring a party worker. “The ruling party is unable to accept the growing support for the BJP… This was a planned attack,” Bose said, terming it an attempt to intimidate party workers ahead of the polls. Police said they were looking into the allegations after rushing to the spot as tensions escalated.

The Trinamool Congress denied any role, attributing the incident to “resentment among local people” over alleged deletions from voter lists during the Special Intensive Revision. “The BJP candidate had to face that anger. Trinamool Congress had no role,” a local TMC leader said. The clash comes amid heightened political tensions in the state, with the BJP alleging repeated resistance to its campaign efforts in recent days.

(PTI)

Aam Janata Unnayan Party chief Humayun Kabir on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, a day after resigning from the Trinamool Congress. Speaking in Baharampur, Murshidabad, Kabir said, “I was an MLA of the TMC; yesterday I submitted my resignation. Tomorrow, Asaduddin Owaisi and I will hold a rally addressing 50,000 people. We won’t let Mamata Banerjee come back to power.” He also promised higher financial assistance for women, adding, “She is distributing Rs 1,500 under the ‘Lakshmir Bhandar’ scheme; I promise to give women Rs 3,500.”

Taking aim at both the BJP and the TMC, Kabir said, “Suvendu Adhikari does nothing but ‘Hindu-Hindu’. On the other hand, Mamata Banerjee takes Muslim votes and builds temples after becoming Chief Minister three times.” He alleged that projects like Jagannath Dham and a Durga temple in Rajarhat were politically motivated, and added, “When she does things for Hindus, won’t I work for Muslims?” He said he would present his full election agenda at the rally.

A scuffle broke out between Trinamool Congress and BJP workers outside the Chief Electoral Officer’s office in Kolkata on Tuesday, with tensions flaring during a face-off between supporters of the two parties. Visuals from the spot showed workers carrying party flags as the confrontation escalated into a brief clash before the situation was brought under control.

Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday launched a blistering attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging he avoids scrutiny in Parliament. Addressing a rally in Perambra, Kerala, Gandhi said, “When I give a speech in Parliament and threaten to raise questions about Epstein and Adani, the Prime Minister leaves the Lok Sabha,” adding that the Congress would continue to hold him accountable. “He can run as far as he wants, but in the end, the Congress party will catch him,” he said.

Gandhi also cited remarks attributed to Donald Trump, claiming, “Trump tweeted that Narendra Modi called him ‘Sir’… He abuses the Prime Minister whenever he wants.” He alleged that “Trump has full control over Narendra Modi” due to unreleased “Epstein files,” and said the BJP “divides India and spreads hatred” through religion-based politics. He further criticised the Prime Minister’s silence on alleged issues concerning the Sabarimala temple, saying such matters were ignored despite their seriousness.

(ANI)

West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal on Tuesday said he would review CCTV footage at his office following allegations by the Trinamool Congress that a BJP leader’s representative submitted a large number of Form 6s to register out-of-state voters.

Form 6 is used for first-time voter enrolment or transferring a voter from one constituency to another. TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee claimed around 30,000 forms were submitted in just a few hours, violating Supreme Court directives. After meeting Agarwal on Monday, Banerjee said the CEO’s office could not provide satisfactory answers and warned that the party “would not take it lying down.”

Responding to the allegations, Agarwal said the Election Commission was treating the matter seriously. “I will see where the agency has installed CCTV, check the footage, and then consider the matter further,” he told a local TV channel. He added that only new voters could apply through Form 6 and that all requests had been sent to Electoral Registration Officers for verification. Agarwal also cautioned that anyone attempting to include names on the voter list under false pretences would face legal action.

(PTI)

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday accused the BJP of attempting to manipulate the state’s electoral rolls by including illegal voters from Bihar, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh to tilt the election in its favour.

Speaking at a rally in Chandrakona, Paschim Medinipur, Banerjee urged voters to focus on her leadership rather than individual TMC candidates, asking them to “consider me the candidate in all 294 seats.” She claimed that TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee had rushed to the Election Commission in Kolkata after learning that nearly 30,000 voter forms had been submitted in a single day.

“The BJP plans to transport out-of-state voters via railways, as they did in Bihar, to influence polling in constituencies like Asansol and Kharagpur,” she alleged.

"the BJP hates Bengal; it is jealous of Bengali youths' intellect, their professional success, and their cultural superiority," alleged Mamata Banerjee in Bankura. 

(PTI)

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has written to Chief Election Commisioner Gyanesh Kumar over irregularities in the state's updated electoral rolls. 

(ANI)

"Senior citizens are going to get a pension of Rs 3000 and a dedicated Ministry for them. We are starting a new scheme called the 'Oommen Chandy Health Insurance Scheme', which will guarantee every family a health insurance cover of Rs 25 lakh," says Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in Kozhikode. 

(ANI)

"We are going to protect the women of Kerala and their future... The day the UDF government comes to power, bus travel in Kerala, bus travel for women is going to be free..." He also says, "Every single woman going to college or university is going to get Rs 1000 a month for herself," says LoP Rahul Gandhi in Kozhikode. 

(ANI)

"The BJP will grow lotus in Keralam this time. The way we are getting the people's support here. The public of Keralam will end the game fixing politics of LDF-UDF, which has been going on for 70 years... The public has understood the game of allegations between the LDF and the UDF," says BJP chief Nitin Nabin in Thiruvananthapuram."

(Shibimol)

BJP chief Nitin Nabin is currently holding a roadshow in Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram. 

(Shibimol)

In a major political development in West Bengal, tennis icon Leander Paes has joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of the 2026 assembly polls. His induction into the party was marked by the presence of Union Minister Kiren Rijiju and Minister of State Education, Sukanta Majumdar. Read more here. 

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has alleged that the BJP has submitted Form 6 in large numbers to include outsiders in the Bengal electoral roll. In a letter to CEC Gyanesh Kumar, Banerjee wrote, “We are now witnessing what appears to be another coordinated attempt by the BJP, in conjunction with the ECI, to interfere with the democratic rights of the people."

(Anupam Mishra)

Tennis legend Leander Paes on Tuesday joined the BJP at the party headquarters in New Delhi, in the presence of Union Minister Kiren Rijiju. 

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister ML Stalin will begin his poll campaign in Thiruvarur at 5 pm. 

(Pramod Madhav)

The BJP is all set to release its manifesto for the Kerala Assembly elections at around 2 pm today in Thiruvananthapuram.

(Shibimol)

'Madurai has more mosquitoes than people’–This was the first thought I had when I touched down in Madurai a couple of days ago. 

I’ve been to Madurai more times than I can count. And every time I go back, there’s something comforting about it — the rhythm of the streets, the familiarity of the chaos, the way the city seems to hold on to its past while quietly stepping into the future.

The traffic is still very Madurai coded (read endless one-ways) and yet feels a little more organised in parts thanks to new flyovers. There’s more activity, more movement —whether it’s small businesses, new shops, or just a general sense that the city is trying to grow beyond being seen purely as a temple town.

But Madurai also has a way of reminding you, very quickly, that not everything has kept pace.

Because come evening, it’s the mosquitoes that take over. Everywhere there are swarms of them, and you just cannot get away!

The source, perhaps, is terrible civic mismanagement. Driving past what is supposed to be the Vaigai river, all you see is stagnant water, visible waste, and patches where garbage seems to have quietly accumulated over time. It’s not just the river. In parts of the city, you come across overflowing bins, roadside dumping, and corners where waste management clearly hasn’t kept up with the pace of growth.

Madurai to me, is a beautiful city that needs to get its act together and tackle the civic mess – and what better time than an election to demand change and accountability? Madurai has something that’s hard to quantify. A certain energy, a certain warmth. You feel it in the streets, in the people, in the way the city carries itself without trying too hard.

(Akshita Nandgopal) 

Speaking at a public event in Kannur, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi slammed PM Narendra Modi for staying silent on the issue of gold being stolen from the Sabarimala Temple. "The so-called defender of Hinduism is silent on the issue," he said. 

Sources tell India Today that the Congress's list of candidates for Kerala has not yet been released, as LoP Rahul Gandhi is still in the southern state. However, approval has been granted to the election manifesto, say sources. 

(Pramod Madhav)
 

Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman says, "The Prime Minister visited Northeast* 77 times, while a PM, who was a Congress MP from Assam, visited the entire Northeast* not more than 10 times."

(ANI)

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin's vehicle was inspected by the election flying squad, in Thanjavur. 

(ANI)

- Will take firm measures to tackle the menace of Land Jihad

- Will invest Rs 5 lakh crore to position Assam as India's eastern gateway

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday released the BJP's manifesto for Assam, ahead of the Assembly polls on April 9. 

Renowned tennis player Leander Paes will join the BJP today. Leander Paes's induction will take place at 12:00 noon in the presence of senior BJP leaders. Paes will also campaign for the BJP in the West Bengal Assembly elections.