Evening news wrap: EC announces poll schedule for 4 states, 1 UT; Rahul Gandhi demands Bharat Ratna for Kanshi Ram; & more

• EC announced assembly poll dates for West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Kerala and Puducherry, with results due on May 4.
• Iran said the war will end only when it is sure future US-Israel attacks cannot be repeated, as fighting intensified.
• Rahul Gandhi urged PM Modi to confer the Bharat Ratna posthumously on BSP founder Kanshi Ram.
• Mamata Banerjee raised honorariums for priests and muezzins and announced DA arrears just before the poll code kicked in.
• Middle East tensions, crude oil prices, FII flows and the US Fed decision are likely to drive Indian markets this week.

Here are the top news of the day:

EC announces poll schedule for West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Kerala and Puducherry

The Election Commission announced assembly election dates for West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Kerala and Puducherry, with polling scheduled between April 9 and April 29 and results on May 4. West Bengal will vote in two phases on April 23 and 29, while Tamil Nadu votes on April 23. Assam, Kerala and Puducherry will go to polls in a single phase on April 9. Read full story

Iran says war will end only when future US-Israel strikes are ruled out

Iran’s foreign minister said the conflict with the US and Israel will end only when Tehran is certain such attacks “cannot be repeated”, while claiming Iran has evidence US bases in the Middle East were used in strikes. As fighting entered a third week, Israel approved $827 million in emergency military funding for munitions and urgent combat needs. Follow live updates

Rahul Gandhi urges PM Modi to confer Bharat Ratna on Kanshi Ram

Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding a posthumous Bharat Ratna for BSP founder Kanshi Ram, calling him a “warrior of social justice” and a symbol of Bahujan empowerment. Rahul said the honour would recognise Kanshi Ram’s lasting contribution to Indian politics and the aspirations of millions. Read full story

Mamata raises honorarium for priests, muezzins ahead of poll dates

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee announced a Rs 500 hike in the monthly honorarium for priests and muezzins, taking it to Rs 2,000, just hours before the Election Commission was set to announce assembly poll dates. She also approved all fresh applications under the scheme and said pending DA arrears under ROPA 2009 would start being paid from March 2026. Read full story

Middle East war, crude prices to drive Dalal Street this week

Developments in the Middle East conflict and crude oil prices are expected to be the biggest drivers for Indian markets this week, after a bruising selloff on Dalal Street. Analysts said investors will closely track the Strait of Hormuz situation, Brent crude near $100 a barrel, FII outflows, the rupee and the US Federal Reserve’s rate decision. Read full story
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