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- Assembly Election 2026 Live Updates: 'TMC's time is up in Bengal' : PM Modi at poll rally in Cooch Behar
THE TIMES OF INDIA | Apr 05, 2026, 17:28:42 IST
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Assembly Election 2026 Live Updates: 'TMC's time is up in Bengal' : PM Modi at poll rally in Cooch Behar
West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Kerala, and the Union territory of Puducherry are preparing for upcoming elections, with the Election Commission having already announced the schedule in recent weeks.
In West Bengal, led by chief minister Mamata Banerjee, the campaign has intensified, with the BJP’s top leadership — including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah — launching strong attacks on the state government. They have accused the administration of multiple shortcomings, pointing to what they call failures during Banerjee’s more than decade-long rule.
In Assam, the BJP has struck a confident note. Addressing a rally in Dhemaji, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the party is poised to secure a third consecutive term in the state. He credited both former Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and current Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for ushering in what he described as a decade of improved governance and public service.
Taking an indirect swipe at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Modi suggested the upcoming polls would extend the party’s losing streak. He asserted that while the BJP-led NDA is heading for a hat-trick victory, the Congress is set for yet another defeat.
In Tamil Nadu, opposition parties are gearing up to challenge Chief Minister MK Stalin. Leaders including AIADMK’s Edappadi Palaniswamy, along with the BJP and AMMK, are preparing for a competitive contest. Meanwhile, the DMK has kicked off its campaign by releasing its official song, promoting its “Dravidian Model 2.0” governance agenda ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections.
Kerala is witnessing a tight three-way contest between the ruling LDF, the UDF, and the BJP. The state is set to vote in a single phase on April 9, with all sides intensifying their campaigns.
At a public meeting in Paravur, defence minister Rajnath Singh sharply criticised the political landscape in Kerala, alleging mismanagement and invoking the Sabarimala gold controversy. He accused both the LDF and UDF of betraying public trust, fostering divisions, weakening the economy, and failing to deliver on promises. He also remarked that the term “front” in both alliances effectively represents “a front of corruption.”
In West Bengal, led by chief minister Mamata Banerjee, the campaign has intensified, with the BJP’s top leadership — including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah — launching strong attacks on the state government. They have accused the administration of multiple shortcomings, pointing to what they call failures during Banerjee’s more than decade-long rule.
In Assam, the BJP has struck a confident note. Addressing a rally in Dhemaji, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the party is poised to secure a third consecutive term in the state. He credited both former Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and current Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for ushering in what he described as a decade of improved governance and public service.
Taking an indirect swipe at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Modi suggested the upcoming polls would extend the party’s losing streak. He asserted that while the BJP-led NDA is heading for a hat-trick victory, the Congress is set for yet another defeat.
In Tamil Nadu, opposition parties are gearing up to challenge Chief Minister MK Stalin. Leaders including AIADMK’s Edappadi Palaniswamy, along with the BJP and AMMK, are preparing for a competitive contest. Meanwhile, the DMK has kicked off its campaign by releasing its official song, promoting its “Dravidian Model 2.0” governance agenda ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections.
Kerala is witnessing a tight three-way contest between the ruling LDF, the UDF, and the BJP. The state is set to vote in a single phase on April 9, with all sides intensifying their campaigns.
At a public meeting in Paravur, defence minister Rajnath Singh sharply criticised the political landscape in Kerala, alleging mismanagement and invoking the Sabarimala gold controversy. He accused both the LDF and UDF of betraying public trust, fostering divisions, weakening the economy, and failing to deliver on promises. He also remarked that the term “front” in both alliances effectively represents “a front of corruption.”
09:05 (IST) Apr 04
Tamil Nadu Election 2026 Live: TVK leader Vijay to hold rally in Puducherry
08:26 (IST) Apr 04
Assam Election 2026 Live: 'People of Assam want change,' says Congress's Pawan Khera
“The people of Assam have made up their mind, they want change, and the election is rapidly moving in that direction,” he said.
08:18 (IST) Apr 04
West Bengal Election 2026 Live: Samajwadi Party MP Awadhesh Prasad blames Centre, questions Election Commission over Malda Violence
"The Malda violence is unfortunate and condemnable. This is the government's strategy to end democracy. In the last monsoon session, our leader Akhilesh Yadav, along with all the MPs of our party, was prepared to meet the Election Commission. But the Election Commission did not think it was right to meet. Our country's Election Commission is neither impartial nor free. The central government is entirely responsible for this incident," he said.
08:17 (IST) Apr 04
West Bengal Election 2026 Live: Mamata mocks Shah's 15-day Bengal plan, blames 'Hyderabad cuckoo AIMIM' for Malda unrest
“Bengal is not Delhi where everything can be managed through agencies and money power. You are saying you will stay here for 15 days. Even if you stay for 365 days, nothing will happen. People here do not like you,” Banerjee said, taking a swipe at Shah.
08:15 (IST) Apr 04
Government called 'special session' for political mileage in WB, TN polls; it is MCC violation, says Congress
The Congress accused the government of convening a “special session” to pass bills amending the women’s reservation law and undertaking delimitation, alleging the move is aimed at gaining political advantage in the upcoming polls in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu. The party termed the decision a “gross violation” of the model code of conduct.
Congress general secretary (communications) Jairam Ramesh warned that a hurried push for delimitation could have “dangerous consequences”, stressing that the party does not want any disruption to the existing balance and relative political strength.
He further alleged that the government had remained inactive for nearly 30 months after passing the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023, and is now attempting to claim “double credit” during the election season. Ramesh also noted that there has been no formal communication or proposal from the government regarding delimitation.
Congress general secretary (communications) Jairam Ramesh warned that a hurried push for delimitation could have “dangerous consequences”, stressing that the party does not want any disruption to the existing balance and relative political strength.
He further alleged that the government had remained inactive for nearly 30 months after passing the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023, and is now attempting to claim “double credit” during the election season. Ramesh also noted that there has been no formal communication or proposal from the government regarding delimitation.
08:11 (IST) Apr 04
Assembly Election 2026 Live: Election Commission declares paid holiday on polling days for upcoming elections
"As per Section 135B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, every person employed in any business, trade, industrial undertaking, or any other establishment, and entitled to vote at an election to the House of the People or to the Legislative Assembly of a States/UTs or Bye-election to a PC/AC shall be granted a paid holiday on the day of poll," EC said.
08:10 (IST) Apr 04
Assembly Election 2026 Live: 'Ensure free, fair and fearless polls in West Bengal,' ECI instructs officials
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, along with Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, has instructed top administrative and police officials — including the chief secretary, director general of Police, and Kolkata Police Commissioner — to ensure that the electoral process in West Bengal is conducted in a free, fair, transparent, and impartial manner.
The directive extends to officials at multiple levels, including Divisional Commissioners, ADGPs, IGs, district magistrates, Commissioners of Police, SSPs, and SPs. The Election Commission of India stressed that polling must remain entirely free from fear, violence, intimidation, inducements, booth capturing, booth jamming, or any form of disruption.
The move comes in the wake of a recent incident in Malda, where seven judicial officers — including three women — were allegedly held hostage by villagers on April 1. The incident was reportedly linked to concerns over large-scale deletions from electoral rolls during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.
The directive extends to officials at multiple levels, including Divisional Commissioners, ADGPs, IGs, district magistrates, Commissioners of Police, SSPs, and SPs. The Election Commission of India stressed that polling must remain entirely free from fear, violence, intimidation, inducements, booth capturing, booth jamming, or any form of disruption.
The move comes in the wake of a recent incident in Malda, where seven judicial officers — including three women — were allegedly held hostage by villagers on April 1. The incident was reportedly linked to concerns over large-scale deletions from electoral rolls during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.
Assembly elections are approaching in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Kerala, and Puducherry, with campaigning intensifying across regions after the poll schedule was announced. West Bengal has turned into a key battleground, as chief minister Mamata Banerjee faces a strong challenge from the BJP, whose top leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, have ramped up attacks over alleged governance failures.
In Assam, the BJP has projected confidence of securing a third straight term. Addressing a rally in Dhemaji, Prime Minister Modi highlighted what he described as a decade of progress under former Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and incumbent Himanta Biswa Sarma, while also taking a swipe at the Congress, suggesting it could face yet another defeat. Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu is gearing up for a competitive contest, with opposition parties aligning against Chief Minister MK Stalin, as the ruling DMK pushes its campaign narrative ahead of the 2026 elections.
Kerala is witnessing a close three-cornered fight between the LDF, UDF, and the BJP, with polling scheduled in a single phase on April 9. Campaigning has picked up pace, with senior BJP leader and defence minister Rajnath Singh accusing both the LDF and UDF of corruption, economic mismanagement, and failing to deliver on promises, while also invoking the Sabarimala controversy during a recent rally.
In Assam, the BJP has projected confidence of securing a third straight term. Addressing a rally in Dhemaji, Prime Minister Modi highlighted what he described as a decade of progress under former Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and incumbent Himanta Biswa Sarma, while also taking a swipe at the Congress, suggesting it could face yet another defeat. Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu is gearing up for a competitive contest, with opposition parties aligning against Chief Minister MK Stalin, as the ruling DMK pushes its campaign narrative ahead of the 2026 elections.
Kerala is witnessing a close three-cornered fight between the LDF, UDF, and the BJP, with polling scheduled in a single phase on April 9. Campaigning has picked up pace, with senior BJP leader and defence minister Rajnath Singh accusing both the LDF and UDF of corruption, economic mismanagement, and failing to deliver on promises, while also invoking the Sabarimala controversy during a recent rally.
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