After weeks of intense campaigning, voting has begun in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu, marking a crucial phase in the 2026 Assembly elections. In West Bengal, polling started at 7 am across 152 constituencies in the first phase, covering more than half of the state’s total 294 seats. The contest in Bengal is largely seen as a direct and high-stakes face-off between the ruling Trinamool Congress led by Mamata Banerjee and the Bharatiya Janata Party. Early hours witnessed long queues at polling

The Election Commission of India has completed extensive preparations for the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections scheduled for April 23, ensuring strict monitoring and security across the state. Surveillance teams have been deployed in all constituencies and are working round the clock to maintain law and order. Authorities have seized cash, liquor, narcotics and gift items worth Rs 1212.74 crore during the enforcement drive, although a portion of the seized cash was later returned after verification. The final electoral rolls show over 5.73 crore voters, including more than 2.93 crore women, who are expected to cast their votes at over 75,000 polling stations across the state. A public holiday has been declared on polling day to encourage voter participation. Employers have been directed to grant leave even to shift-based and casual workers, including those working outside their constituencies, so they can exercise their franchise. Liquor outlets across the state and bordering regions will remain closed from April 21 to April 23, and again on the counting day, May 4, as part of measures to ensure free and fair elections. To strengthen election integrity, over 7,000 micro observers have been deployed at sensitive polling stations. These teams will function under the supervision of general, police and expenditure observers appointed for all 234 constituencies. Additionally, nearly 84,000 police personnel and more than 40,000 non-police staff have been assigned election duties. The Union Home Ministry has also provided 300 companies of CAPF personnel to enhance security coverage across districts. Officials have emphasized that these arrangements are aimed at ensuring a transparent and peaceful voting process. With strict enforcement, widespread monitoring and administrative readiness, authorities expect a smooth polling day with strong voter participation across Tamil Nadu.

N. Chandrababu Naidu marked his birthday with intense political activity, choosing to campaign in Tamil Nadu for the National Democratic Alliance instead of celebrating the occasion. The veteran leader arrived in Coimbatore, where he received a strong reception from supporters and members of the Telugu community, signaling the growing momentum of the NDA campaign ahead of the Assembly elections. Continuing his schedule, Naidu interacted with local leaders and key political figures, holding discussions on electoral strategy and regional issues. His visit reflects a broader push by the NDA to strengthen its presence in Tamil Nadu, with Naidu playing an active role in mobilizing support. His decision to campaign on his birthday highlights his commitment to political work and alliance responsibilities. During his address, Naidu criticized the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam for opposing the delimitation bill, stating that the move could negatively impact southern states in the future. He argued that the bill was intended to address concerns arising from population-based seat allocation and warned that resistance to it could harm the region’s political representation. Naidu’s remarks came as he took a firm stance in support of the delimitation proposal, even while speaking in a region where the issue remains politically sensitive. He emphasized that such reforms are necessary to ensure balanced representation and long-term benefits for states in South India. Following his engagements in Coimbatore, Naidu is expected to continue his campaign in Chennai, where he will participate in roadshows and public meetings. His active involvement underlines the NDA’s strategy to intensify outreach efforts in the state ahead of the polls. With his continued presence on the ground and focus on key political issues, Naidu’s campaign signals a determined push by the NDA to make inroads in Tamil Nadu. His efforts are likely to play a significant role in shaping the alliance’s performance in the upcoming elections.

Political tensions have intensified ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections as Himanta Biswa Sarma launched a sharp attack on Mamata Banerjee during a campaign rally in

The 2026 assembly elections in Assam, Kerala, and Puducherry witnessed a remarkable surge in voter participation despite facing serious challenges such as incidents of violence and allegations of fraudulent voting. The voter turnout statistics for these regions shattered previous records, signaling a keen interest from the electorate in determining the future of their states. However, the elections were marred by political clashes, protests, and complaints of irregularities in some areas, mak

A major security breach occurred at the Delhi Legislative Assembly when an unidentified car, a Tata Sierra with a Uttar Pradesh registration number, rammed through an iron barricade and gained access to the highly secured premises. The incident took place on Monday, April 6, 2026, at around 2 pm and sent shockwaves through the assembly complex. The vehicle entered the Delhi Assembly through Gate No. 2, an access point typically guarded by CRPF personnel, and remained inside the prem

In a major political development ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, Kamal Haasan's Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) has decided not to contest the polls, citing dissatisfaction over the seat-sharing arrangement with the DMK-led alliance. Despite the disagreement over the number of seats allocated to MNM and the proposal to contest under the DMK’s ‘Rising Sun’ symbol, Haasan’s party has pledged unconditional support to the alliance, leaving an open declaration that they would ba

Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam has made a bold political move by deciding to contest the upcoming Puducherry Assembly elections independently. The party, led by actor-turned-politician Vijay, has officially announced candidates for all 30 constituencies, signaling its intent to emerge as a strong alternative in the region’s political landscape. The elections are scheduled to take place on April 9, with counting of votes set for May 4. The current Assembly term will end on June 15, makin

Iran’s Assembly of Experts has elected Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as the new Supreme Leader of Iran. This transition, which occurred under significant pressure from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), marks a controversial father-to-son succession that goes against the Islamic Republic’s long-standing criticism of hereditary monarchy. Mojtaba, the second-eldest son of Ali Khamenei, has been long speculated as a potential successo

In a significant political development ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, O Panneerselvam, the former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and a long-time leader of AIADMK, has joined the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). This move marks the culmination of a bitter rivalry within AIADMK and is set to reshape Tamil Nadu’s political landscape. Panneerselvam’s shift to the ruling DMK could weaken AIADMK’s influence, especially in the southern regions, by splitting the Thevar vote base

In a heated discussion in the Andhra Pradesh Assembly today, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan addressed the ongoing controversy surrounding the alleged ghee adulteration in Tirumala Laddus. Kalyan emphasized that while he did not directly blame the previous Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy for the adulteration, the responsibility lies with the TTD governing body and its allocated board. Kalyan clarified that he never accused Jagan personally of being behind the adulteration. Howev

The winter session of the Telangana Legislative Assembly has begun on a dramatic and politically charged note, drawing statewide attention as Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy and former Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao come face to face on the Assembly floor. This moment is being closely watched as it mark

As the NDA prepares to form the next government in Bihar after securing a sweeping mandate, intense negotiations have begun between the BJP and JD(U) over control of the crucial Assembly Speaker’s post. Senior leaders from both parties are meeting in New Delhi to finalise the structure of the new administration, including the allocation of major cabinet portfolios. According to sources, both parties are making a strong case for the Speaker’s position, with the BJP reportedly determined to

Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched a scathing attack on the INDIA bloc during his rallies in Darbhanga, Begusarai, and Samastipur, mocking Lalu Prasad Yadav and Sonia Gandhi for allegedly promoting dynastic politics. Shah claimed that both leaders wanted to make their sons Tejashwi Yadav as Bihar Chief Minister and Rahul Gandhi as Prime Minister but “both posts were not vacant.” His remark sparked strong reactions as the BJP intensified its campaign ahead of the Bihar Assembly electio

In the recent Andhra Pradesh Assembly session, actor and MLA Nandamuri Balakrishna raised concerns about the treatment of the Telugu film industry under the previous government. He questioned narratives suggesting that Chiranjeevi alone represented Tollywood in meetings with former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy. His remarks sparked strong reactions both within the Assembly and among fans. Responding to the comm

The counting of votes for the 2025 assembly bypolls in five key constituencies across four Indian states began on Monday, June 23. The bypolls were conducted on June 19 in Gujarat’s Visavadar and Kadi seats, Punjab’s Ludhiana West, Kerala’s Nilambur, and West Bengal’s Kaliganj. Early trends show the BJP leading in both Gujarat seats, while the AAP is ahead in Punjab’s Ludhiana West and the Congress leads in Kerala’s Nilambur

Voting for by-elections to five assembly seats across Punjab, West Bengal, Gujarat, and Kerala began on June 19, setting the stage for high-stakes political showdowns. Though the number of seats is limited, the contests are expected to reflect broader voter sentiment and alliance cohesion ahead of several key state elections in 2026. In Punjab, the Ludhiana West seat vacated after the death of AAP ML

A delegation of BJP leaders in Karnataka met Legislative Assembly Speaker U.T. Khader at his office in Vidhana Soudha, Bengaluru on Monday, formally requesting the revocation of the suspension of 18 BJP MLAs. The legislators were suspended last month for alleged misconduct and disruption of Assembly proceedings. The suspension, which drew widespread attention, was enforced on March 21, when the 18 MLAs were penalized with six months suspension from the Karnataka Legislative Assembly

The Telangana Legislative Assembly witnessed a heated session during its budget discussions, with Chief Minister Revanth Reddy delivering a strong response to criticisms from the opposition, particularly the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS). Speaking during the motion of thanks to the Governor's address, Revanth Reddy launched a scathing attack on the previous BRS government while also addressing concerns about his frequent visits to Delhi. During his speech, Revanth Reddy openly challenged B

The Indian National Congress is facing mounting internal tension and political challenges as it prepares for the Bihar Assembly elections scheduled for later this year. Following poor performances in the Delhi, Maharashtra, and Haryana elections, Congress finds itself in a crucial battle for both political survival and revival in Bihar. For years, the Congress party has largely depended on its alliance partner, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), while playing a secondary role in Bihar politics.