Campaigning for the second phase of West Bengal Assembly elections has concluded as 142 constituencies, including Bhabanipur and Panihati, prepare for voting on April 29. Prime Minister Narendra Modi released an audio message and letter to voters, while the BJP shifted its strategy to focus on women's safety and regional cultural traditions. The party fielded the mother of the RG Kar hospital victim in Panihati to challenge the Trinamool Congress (TMC) on security issues. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee led a fourteen-kilometre march, emphasising state welfare schemes like Lakshmi Bhandar. Simultaneously, India is facing a severe heatwave, with 95 of the world's 100 hottest cities located in the country. Temperatures in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh have crossed 44 degrees Celsius, leading to school timing adjustments and health advisories. These environmental conditions coincide with the final polling phase, testing political strategies across urban and rural demographics before the May 4 results.
As West Bengal gears up for the second and final phase of assembly elections, India Today's Mausami Singh brings this ground report from Kolkata tracking the pulse of Muslim voters, their aspirations and more.
The phase two election campaigning in Bengal concludes with a massive fourteen-kilometer march led by the state Chief Minister. The roadshow covers four key constituencies in South Kolkata, including a highly contested seat where the Chief Minister is seeking a crucial victory. This election is described as a significant survival battle for the ruling party, facing tough competition from the primary opposition following recent controversies. The ruling party relies heavily on welfare schemes targeting women and youth to secure votes in diverse constituencies with mixed demographics. Meanwhile, the opposition claims they will secure a majority, making this one of the most fiercely contested elections in the state. The final results, which will determine if the current leadership secures a fourth term, are scheduled to be announced early next month. The intense campaigning highlights the critical importance of the upcoming polling phase for the political future of the state.
As the election campaign in West Bengal comes to a close, Union Home Minister Amit Shah expressed strong confidence in the BJP forming the government in the state with massive majority.
This week on Tech Today, we break down the massive news from Cupertino: Tim Cook is officially stepping down and transitioning to Executive Chairman. We introduce you to his successor, John Ternus, a 25-year Apple veteran and the engineering mind behind Apple Silicon. Will he be the one to bridge the gap between Apple’s legendary past and an AI-driven future? Plus, we have a mid-range battle for the ages! The OnePlus Nord 6 takes on the Nothing Phone 4a Pro in a 5-round shootout. From a massive 9000mAh battery to transparent designs and Glyph lights, we find out which smartphone under ₹40,000 actually deserves your money. Lost your phone? Don't panic. We show you the ultimate guide to Google Find Hub. Learn how to track your Android phone even if it’s offline, override silent settings to find it under couch cushions, and how to use the "nuclear option" to protect your data remotely. Have a suggestion for a phone comparison or a tech tip you want us to cover? Drop a comment below or email us! Don't forget to LIKE, SHARE, and SUBSCRIBE for your weekly tech fix!
