With such high voter turnout, the Trinamul Congress stands a greater chance of forming the government for the fourth consecutive time, party spokesperson and candidate Kunal Ghosh said on Thursday.

Mr Ghosh along with Bratya Basu addressed the press at Trinamul Bhavan this afternoon.

The leaders congratulated people for giving overwhelming support to the party. “Hatred for BJP for forcing them to stand in long queues in the name of SIR and the subsequent deletion of names from the electoral roll and the all round development work by Mamata Banerjee government, are responsible for over 90 per cent votes till 6 p.m. in the first phase of election today.”

Mr Basu said: “I am confident that Trinamul Congress will bag at least 125 out of 152 seats in the first phase of polling.” He thanked the women for taking part in voting in huge numbers.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Thursday that such a high voter turnout indicates that the Trinamul Congress is already in a position to win the election. At an election rally in Kolkata, Chief Minister Banerjee said: “If my eyes are right, given the voting that took place today, I would say that we have already moved to a place where we can win.”

Voting across the three politically sensitive districts of West Bengal ~ West Midnapore, East Midnapore, and Jhargram ~ concluded on Thursday with a largely peaceful tenor, punctuated by sporadic allegations of violence and administrative friction even as voter enthusiasm pushed turnout figures close to record levels under tight security arrangements.

According to data released by the Election Commission of India, West Midnapore recorded a turnout of 90.70 per cent, East Midnapore 88.55 per cent, and Jhargram 90.53 per cent till 5 p.m, reflecting a high degree of electoral participation in the first phase of polling across 152 Assembly constituencies in the state.

Across the Junglemahal belt, where security deployment was extensive due to past histories of insurgency and electoral tensions, polling was conducted under the watch of Central forces and state police personnel. Officials described the overall situation as “under control,” though isolated incidents triggered political controversy.

The poll battle in West Bengal remained sharply polarised as Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing a rally at Krishnagar in Nadia, intensified the BJP’s campaign narrative against the ruling Trinamul Congress (TMC). Without naming Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee directly in every instance, he alleged that public sentiment in the state had turned against the TMC and suggested that the party could struggle to open its account in several urban pockets this time.

The political temperature further rose as BJP leader and Nandigram MLA Suvendu Adhikari, who also voted in his constituency, asserted that the ruling party would face electoral setbacks if what he termed “bogus and dead voters” were removed from the rolls. Speaking to reporters after casting his vote, Adhikari said, “We are Hindus, we are Sanatanis. I offered prayers and paid respect. I also spoke to polling agents. The election must remain peaceful.”

He further expressed confidence in a smooth electoral process while indirectly questioning the integrity of voter lists, a charge that has been consistently rejected by the TMC.

On the other hand, the Trinamul Congress raised a series of allegations regarding security forces and political intimidation in certain pockets. In Ghatal, TMC candidate Shyamali Sardar alleged that she was attacked by BJP-linked “hooligans” while visiting Booth No. 14 in Sultanpur. The allegations, however, are yet to be independently verified.

Similarly, Prativa Maity, TMC candidate from Narayangarh, alleged that her party office located approximately 250 metres from Booth No. 118 was vandalised by Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel. She further claimed that the incident disrupted local party activities and created panic among workers.

Additional allegations emerged from Garhbeta in Karanga area under Anchal 10, where TMC workers claimed that a party office situated nearly 300 metres from Booth No. 186 at Kankrasole was damaged during a CAPF deployment operation. Local party functionaries also alleged that some residents were “manhandled” during the course of security checks.

Election authorities, however, have not issued any formal confirmation regarding these allegations, maintaining that polling was conducted under strict adherence to the Election Commission’s guidelines and that any complaints would be examined through due process.

The second phase of polling is scheduled for 29 April, while counting of votes will take place on 4 May.

The Assembly election across North Bengal concluded under an apparently calm and peaceful atmosphere, but multiple incidents reported from different districts have raised serious questions about the credibility of a “free and fair” electoral process.

Despite elaborate arrangements by the Election Commission of India, including deployment of Central forces, CCTV surveillance, and strict monitoring, allegations of false voting, violence, voter exclusion, and technical failures painted a far more complex picture on the ground.

False Voting and Postal Ballot Irregularities

Serious concerns emerged over alleged instances of false voting across several constituencies.

In Siliguri, at a polling station under Booth No. 235, a first-time woman voter discovered after standing in a long queue that her vote had already been cast. A similar complaint was reported by another young voter in the same area. In total, three such incidents surfaced from Siliguri, where original voters found that someone else had voted in their names. The Trinamul Congress candidate Gautam Deb raised objections and arranged for tendered votes in these cases.

A similar complaint came from Phansidewa, where a voter alleged that his vote had already been recorded before he reached the booth.

In Malda district, multiple cases of alleged postal ballot misuse surfaced. At Booth No. 231 in Bulbulchandi under Habibpur Assembly constituency, an elderly voter, Prakash Prasad, was informed that a postal ballot had already been issued and used in his name, preventing him from voting. He raised serious questions about how the ballot was issued and who cast the vote.

In another case from Nayapara under Gazole (Booth No. 229), Rikta Mondal, who is neither a government employee nor a polling official, was shocked to learn that her vote had been cast through a postal ballot, denying her the right to vote at the polling station.

Violence and Law-and-Order Concerns

Incidents of violence and intimidation were reported from several areas, raising concerns about voter safety.

In Kumarganj (South Dinajpur), BJP candidate Shubhendu Sarkar was allegedly assaulted in the presence of police personnel by supporters of the ruling Trinamul Congress.

In Sitai, allegations of a BJP polling agent being stabbed triggered tension in the area.

Another attack was reported in Malda’s Chanchal Assembly constituency, where a BJP election agent was allegedly assaulted at Booth No. 221 in the Dhum Sadagi Panpara area. His vehicle was vandalised and he was physically assaulted. He is currently undergoing treatment at Chanchal Super Speciality Hospital. BJP leaders blamed Trinamul Congress supporters, though the ruling party denied the allegations.

In Mathabhanga, tension escalated near polling booths involving BJP candidate Nisith Pramanik. Allegations surfaced that money was being distributed among voters, which the BJP denied. Heated exchanges between supporters of both camps turned Ghoksadanga into a tense zone, with rival slogans like “Jai Bangla” and “Jai Shri Ram” echoing through the area.

Allegations of Electoral Manipulation

At Booth No. 261 in Mathabhanga, controversy erupted after voters alleged that the portion next to the name of BJP candidate Nisith Pramanik was deliberately covered with black tape. Voters noticed the issue during polling, leading to protests outside the booth.

BJP election agent Kaushik Bhadra alleged that despite informing polling officials early in the day, no action was taken. The party termed the incident a “planned conspiracy” and demanded repolling at the booth.

In Cooch Behar’s Tufanganj, allegations were raised that voters were prevented from reaching polling stations. Adding to the intrigue, a state minister initially lodged a complaint regarding electoral irregularities but later withdrew it, an unusual move that drew attention.

Voter Exclusion and Protests

Large-scale voter exclusion due to deletion of names during the Special Intensive Revision process triggered protests in several areas in Sujapur in Malda.

In Khanpur (Booth No. 117) under Malatipur Assembly constituency, voters who found their names missing staged demonstrations on village roads.

A similar situation unfolded in Sujapur, where several booths witnessed low turnout as many voters were unable to find their names on the electoral rolls. Disappointed voters stayed home or watched others vote with visible frustration. Trinamul Congress candidate Sabina Yasmin criticised the BJP and the Election Commission, alleging large-scale disenfranchisement.

EVM Malfunctions and Polling Disruptions

Technical glitches further disrupted the voting process. In Baharampur, Congress candidate Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury alleged that EVMs at a single booth malfunctioned multiple times, causing delays and voter frustration.

In Malda’s Mothabari, EVM failures led to unrest and protests among voters. Similar complaints were reported from multiple locations.

In Ratua, polling was delayed by nearly an hour at Booth No. 116 due to EVM malfunction. Long queues and slow voting added to voter dissatisfaction. At Booth No. 115, a woman fell ill after prolonged waiting, and delays in ambulance services worsened the situation.

In another incident, the BJP candidate from Gazole was unable to cast his vote at Booth No. 227 due to an EVM malfunction.

Health Emergencies and Tragic Incidents

Polling day also saw several health-related emergencies.

A polling officer, Jayashree Karmakar, fell ill due to extreme heat at Booth No. 137 in Akanda (Gazole) and was hospitalised.

In a tragic incident, a 50-year-old woman voter, Promila Bagdi, died after suffering a heart attack while attempting to vote at Booth No. 152 in Kshempur Panchayat under Malatipur Assembly constituency. The incident cast a shadow of grief over the area.

Other Incidents

In Sujapur, tension arose at Booth No. 102 after Congress candidate Abdul Hannan alleged that Central forces prevented him from entering his own booth, leading to a verbal altercation.

Meanwhile, a fire broke out in the treasury room of the Malda district administrative building due to a short circuit. Although no major damage was reported, the incident caused panic before being brought under control by fire services.

Union home minister Amit Shah on Wednesday addressed an election rally at Balagarh in support of BJP candidate Sumana Sarkar, promising to restore the region’s lost glory and tackle key issues affecting the area.

Recalling Balagarh’s historical significance, Mr Shah described it as the land of Sir Ashutosh Mukherjee, known as the “Bengal Tiger”, and his son, Syama Prasad Mukherjee. He highlighted Syama Prasad Mukherjee’s role as a nationalist leader, educationist and founder of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, the precursor to the BJP. Mr Shah also referred to Mukherjee’s involvement in shaping public opinion during the Partition of Bengal in 1947.

The home minister announced that if the BJP comes to power in Bengal, it would allocate Rs 15 crore to establish a grand memorial centre in honour of the two leaders.

While the rally focused on multiple policy promises and criticisms of the ruling party, some local residents expressed disappointment that concerns over rising riverbank erosion in Balagarh were not addressed in detail during the speech.

Targeting the Trinamul Congress (TMC), Mr Shah alleged that infiltration had increased under its rule, affecting employment opportunities and resources for local residents. He claimed that illegal entrants were posing a threat to national security and had been involved in unlawful activities. He asserted that the BJP’s priority would be to make Bengal free of such threats.

Mr Shah also criticised what he described as the “syndicate system” in the state, alleging that extortion and “cut money” practices had harmed small-scale and cottage industries in Balagarh, including its traditional boat-making sector. He said that ordinary people were unable to construct houses without paying additional money for essential materials such as sand, bricks and cement.

Warning against any attempts to disrupt the polling process, he said strict action would be taken against those trying to create unrest. He urged voters to cast their ballots freely and without fear, noting that Central forces had been deployed to ensure peaceful and fair elections.

Mr Shah further attacked the TMC leadership, accusing it of appeasement politics, and asserted that the BJP would form the next government in the state.

Outlining a series of promises, he said the BJP would support farmers by ensuring better markets for surplus produce in neighbouring states such as Bihar, Jharkhand and Odisha. He also announced financial assistance schemes, including Rs 3,000 for women and unemployed youth, an increase in benefits under the PM-Kisan scheme from Rs 6,000 to Rs 9,000, and Rs 21,000 support for pregnant women. He added that women would be allowed free travel on state-run transport.

He also claimed that a BJP government would curb extremist and Naxal activities and address issues related to infiltration.

Polling across Birbhum district on Wednesday was largely peaceful, with a few isolated incidents reported, even as voter turnout reached an unprecedented level of 91.55 per cent in the district. However, an elderly voter died of a heart attack in Siuri while on his way to cast his vote.

Birbhum, which has witnessed disturbances during previous elections, saw comparatively fewer incidents this time across its 11 Assembly constituencies.

The deceased, Ashim Roy (64) of Dangalpara, collapsed while proceeding to cast his vote at Ward 10 in Siuri Municipality. He was declared dead after suffering a heart attack.

In another incident, an election agent of BJP candidate Debashish Ojha, Biswajit Mondal, sustained a serious head injury at booth number 288 in Bhramarkol Gram Panchayat under the Labhpur Assembly seat. He alleged that TMC supporters attacked him with rods and lathis and also vandalised his car. Police later rescued him and he was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. A report on the incident was sought by the Election Commission of India.

Tension flared in Khoyrasole block under the Dubrajpur Assembly constituency at booth number 65 in Budhpur village, where locals alleged that the EVM malfunctioned for a prolonged period. Agitated TMC supporters reportedly clashed with police and central forces, hurling stones and bricks. Several state police personnel and CAPF jawans were injured. In response, police reportedly warned the mob that they would open fire if the situation escalated further. Polling at the booth was briefly suspended before additional central forces were deployed and voting resumed.

Police maintained a close watch on several TMC leaders across the district during the day. Anubrata Mondal cast his vote along with his daughter Sukanya Mondal in Bolpur and remained at the local party office thereafter.

In Veramari village under Illambazar, a man allegedly attempted to enter a polling booth and snatch the EVM machine but was overpowered by central forces and handed over to the police.

TMC leader Hafizul Sheikh alleged that Central forces had intimidated voters and imposed excessive restrictions at polling booths. Meanwhile, reports of minor clashes between TMC and BJP supporters also emerged from parts of Labhpur.

Barring a few stray incidents, polling across the nine Assembly constituencies of West Burdwan district passed off largely peacefully on Wednesday. However, reports of clashes and tension between Trinamul Congress (TMC) and BJP supporters emerged after 2 p.m. in parts of the Asansol Sadar and Durgapur sub-divisions. Voter turnout was reported to be high, though final figures are yet to be released by the district election officer.

In a major incident, the vehicle of BJP leader and Asansol South candidate Agnimitra Paul was allegedly vandalised at Rahamat Nagar under Hirapur police station limits. Window panes of her vehicle were damaged after stones and bricks were reportedly hurled when she entered the minority-dominated locality, considered a stronghold of former TMC MLA Sohrab Ali. The incident occurred despite the presence of Central forces, leading to heightened tension in the area.

Ms Paul later lodged an FIR at Hirapur police station. Earlier in the day, she was also involved in an altercation with sub-inspector Nasrin Sultana. Police at Nimcha reportedly stopped her convoy, alleging that she was travelling with too many vehicles. Ms Paul denied the allegation, stating that she had only two vehicles, while the others belonged to media personnel accompanying her.

She further alleged that voters in areas such as Damra, Nakrasota, Rahamat Nagar, Hussein Nagar and Dharampur were threatened by TMC supporters. According to her, known troublemakers had entered these areas the previous night to disrupt polling.

On the other hand, TMC’s Durgapur West candidate Kabi Dutta alleged that Central forces were not allowing elderly voters to enter polling booths and were forcing them to stand in long queues under the sun.

Several prominent leaders, including Asansol MP Shatrughan Sinha, Durgapur MP Kirti Jha Azad, labour minister Moloy Ghatak, panchayat minister Pradip Mazumdar, BJP leaders Agnimitra Paul and Lakhsman Ghorui, TMC district president Narendranath Chakraborty and senior leader Tapas Banerjee, cast their votes during the day and expressed satisfaction with the polling process. Kabi Dutta also cast his vote along with family members.

Earlier, TMC candidate Pradip Mazumdar and BJP candidate Chandrasekhar Banerjee offered prayers at the Bhiringi Kali temple before polling began.

Clashes were reported at booth number 104 in Vambey Colony, Durgapur East, where TMC and BJP supporters allegedly hurled stones and glass bottles at each other. BJP candidate Chandrasekhar Banerjee accused TMC supporters of attempting to capture the booth, alleging fear of defeat. He later staged a sit-in protest along with his supporters.

In another incident in Benachity, an elderly woman alleged that her vote had already been cast when she reached the polling booth, triggering political controversy in the Durgapur West constituency.

Despite these incidents, polling across the district remained largely peaceful.

A Calcutta High Court judge while hearing a petition filed at her Bench against the restrictions imposed on two-wheelers by the Election Commission of India (ECI) questioned whether the body had such powers to issue such restrictions.

Justice Krishna Rao observed on Thursday that the restrictions placed by the ECI on the usage of two-wheelers “curbed the rights of the common normal people who use two-wheelers.”

“In which other state have you passed such an order? Tell me. What is the rationale behind stopping the use of two-wheelers during elections,” Justice Rao said in the court.

She also wondered whether ECI had the power to issue such a “restrictive order.”

A petition challenging the restrictions imposed by the Election Commission of India on the use of two-wheelers in the run up to and the days of the West Bengal elections has been filed at the Calcutta High Court on Wednesday.

The petition was filed in the court of Calcutta High Court Justice Krishna Rao. The petitioner, advocate Ratnankar Das, has filed the petition challenging the ECO directive that imposed blanket restrictions on the usage of two-wheelers.

Two-wheelers are one of the most preferred modes of transport among a section of office goers and forms the backbone of the app-based gig economy including food, deliveries, bike taxis and are also used to deliver parcels across the state.

The ECI had released a set of strict limitations on the usage of two-wheelers both during the run up as well as during the days of election.

The restrictions bar motorcycle rallies of any sort 48 hours before the election date.

Apart from this, the guidelines state that two-wheelers can only be used between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. and there are restrictions in carrying pillion riders.

On the poll dates of 23 and 29 April, two-wheelers are to be used in the same time period barring cases of medical emergencies or to cast one’s vote.

There are relaxations for dropping children to school as well.

According to the notification two-wheeler riders need prior approval from their local police station to use them for needs beyond the reasons specified in the guidelines.

A major revelation has come to light in the digitization of Waqf properties in Uttar Pradesh.

An audit of records of nearly 1,00,000 Waqf properties uploaded on the “Umeed” portal has revealed that over 12,000 registrations have been rejected. According to officials, this action was primarily due to data entry errors and incomplete documents.

Sources indicate that the highest number of registrations rejected in Lucknow (1,114), followed by Bijnor (1,003) and Saharanpur (990), according to the “rejected list.”

Other districts include Barabanki (577) and Amroha (85), while Baghpat (60) and Bareilly (17) have reported relatively fewer cases.

A board member stated that the affected properties range from small mosque lands to large graveyards, covering over 300 acres in some districts.

Sources indicate that the audit report indicates that graveyards have the highest number of rejections, followed by mosques. Madrasas, Idgahs, Imambaras, Dargahs, and some residential and income-generating properties have also been affected.

In this regard, Waqf Board sources stated that the registration process for Waqf institutions is ongoing on the Umeed portal, with the deadline set for June 6, 2026. They stated that rejected registrations must now be re-uploaded with correct information and sufficient documentation by June 5, 2026.

In Uttar Pradesh, there are over 1.26 lakh Waqf institutions under the Uttar Pradesh Sunni Waqf Board. This entire process is being carried out through the Central Government’s Umeed portal, which was launched in June 2025 with the aim of creating digital records of Waqf properties and bringing transparency in their management.

Registration on this portal has been made mandatory under the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, which came into effect on April 5.

Initially, uploading speed was slow due to technical difficulties, but after improvements, a large number of applications were uploaded at the last minute.

It is noteworthy that the initial deadline was December 6, 2025, which was later extended by six months to June, 2026, on the instructions of the Waqf Tribunal.
@⁨Mitali Gautam⁩ pls publish and rank in india section

Voting in the first phase of West Bengal’s Assembly elections has set a new benchmark, with the Election Commission of India’s provisional tabulation showing a turnout of 92.88 per cent across 152 constituencies.

The figure, compiled till midnight on April 23, signals the highest voter participation recorded in the state so far. Officials, however, indicated that the final percentage is yet to be declared and could edge higher once the complete tabulation is finished.

An insider from the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), West Bengal, confirmed that the current figure is not final. The updated turnout will be announced after the counting of all late reports is completed.

Record broken even before polling closed

The milestone was effectively crossed before the close of polling. By 5 pm on Thursday, an hour before voting officially ended, turnout had already reached 89.93 per cent, surpassing the previous high.

The earlier record dated back to the 2011 Assembly elections, which saw an average turnout of 84.33 per cent across six phases. That election marked the end of the 34-year Left Front rule and the rise of the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress government.

Queues at booths pushed turnout higher

According to West Bengal CEO Manoj Kumar Agarwal, long queues persisted at thousands of polling stations even after the official closing time.

“At least 5,000 polling booths in these 152 Assembly constituencies had voters still waiting in queues at 6 pm,” he said. Voting at these locations continued into the evening, contributing to the surge in turnout.

Arrests made amid largely peaceful polling

The polling day was largely peaceful, though authorities acted against attempts to disrupt the process. A total of 41 people were arrested on Thursday, while 571 preventive arrests had been made in the run-up to polling.

Agarwal also pointed to a cleaner electoral roll as a key factor behind the high participation. The removal of absent, missing, shifted, and duplicate voters from the list helped streamline the process and possibly boosted turnout.

High turnout draws political reactions

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday congratulated voters for the record turnout and praised the polling process.

In a post on X, Shah thanked the Election Commission of India and security personnel for ensuring what he described as a “peaceful and secure” election.

“I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the esteemed voters of West Bengal for shattering all records of participation in this grand festival of democracy through a historic turnout in the first phase of polling,” he wrote.

“I express my deep gratitude and congratulations to the Honourable Election Commission, the brave personnel of all Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), and our West Bengal Police for ensuring one of the most peaceful and secure polling processes in the history of Bengal. This serves as a clear harbinger of the dawn of a new era of good governance in Bengal,” the post further read.

Women voters outpace men in participation

The turnout figures also reflected strong participation across voter groups. Women voters recorded a turnout of 92.69 per cent, higher than 90.92 per cent among men.

The Election Commission also noted participation from transgender voters, with a turnout of 56.79 per cent.

Meanwhile, polling for Phase I concluded at 6 pm on Thursday under tight security arrangements across all 152 constituencies.

The second phase of polling is scheduled for April 29, while counting of votes will take place on May 4.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi began his Friday in Kolkata with a boat ride on the Hooghly River, meeting local boatmen and spending time along the ghats, while underlining his government’s commitment to West Bengal’s development in the middle of an intense election season.

The visit comes a day after the first phase of polling in West Bengal, which recorded over 90 per cent turnout in several districts, setting the tone for a high-stakes contest between the ruling Trinamool Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party, with the next phase scheduled on April 29 and results on May 4.

Sharing his experience on X, the Prime Minister reflected on the cultural and spiritual significance of the Ganga for Bengalis and posted photographs from the river.

“For every Bengali, the Ganga occupies a very special place. One can say that the Ganga flows through the soul of Bengal. Her divine waters carry the timeless spirit of an entire civilisation. This morning in Kolkata, I spent some time on the banks of the Hooghly River, an opportunity to express gratitude to Maa Ganga. Also had the opportunity to meet boatmen, whose hard-working nature is admirable, and morning walkers. On the Hooghly, reiterated our commitment to work towards the development of West Bengal and the prosperity of the great Bengali people,” he wrote.

প্রত্যেক বাঙালির কাছে গঙ্গা একটি অত্যন্ত বিশেষ স্থান অধিকার করে আছে। বলা যায়, গঙ্গা যেন বাংলার আত্মার মধ্য দিয়ে প্রবাহিত হয়। পবিত্র গঙ্গা জল সমগ্র সভ্যতার চিরন্তন চেতনা বহন করে চলেছে।

আজ সকালে কলকাতায় আমি হুগলি নদীর তীরে কিছু সময় কাটিয়েছি—মা গঙ্গার প্রতি কৃতজ্ঞতা প্রকাশের… pic.twitter.com/P3oZOywjKf

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 24, 2026

In another post, he shared additional images, including views of the Vidyasagar Setu and Howrah Bridge, saying, “Some more glimpses from the banks of the Hooghly. Tried my hand at photographing this great river. Also caught a close glimpse of the Vidyasagar Setu and Howrah Bridge.”

গতকাল সন্ধ্যায়, হাওড়া থেকে কলকাতা পর্যন্ত দীর্ঘ রোড-শো’র সময় হাওড়া ব্রিজের ওপর ছিলাম। আর আজ সকালে, হুগলি নদী থেকে এই ব্রিজকে দেখলাম! pic.twitter.com/UQgblRsetj

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 24, 2026

কলকাতা থেকে আরও কিছু মুহূর্ত। হুগলি নদীতে সত্যিই এক অনবদ্য সকাল। pic.twitter.com/ATKK0Ko47R

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 24, 2026

হুগলী তীরের আরো কিছু ছবি।

এই পুণ্যতোয়া গঙ্গার ছবি তোলার একটু চেষ্টা করলাম। খুব কাছ থেকে বিদ্যাসাগর সেতু আর হাওড়া ব্রীজও দেখলাম। pic.twitter.com/sfDcbiMIkl

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 24, 2026

Campaign pitch sharpens after first phase

The Prime Minister’s outreach in Kolkata followed his campaign rallies on Thursday, where he struck a combative note against the Trinamool Congress.

Addressing a gathering in Krishnanagar, PM Modi said a wave of change was visible across the state. “Everyone is saying, ‘Paltano Dorkar’ (change is necessary)… A storm of change is sweeping through Bengal… Exactly ten days later, when the votes are counted, I am confident that the lotus will bloom everywhere,” he said.

He also targeted the ruling party over women’s rights and legislative decisions.

“TMC voted against it. The TMC usurped the rights of the women of Bengal. Bengal is the land where Durga is worshipped, and the insults to women’s honour that TMC has inflicted here, the atrocities that have been committed against them–your one vote will hold them accountable. Now, we will not tolerate injustice anymore. Enough is enough; they’ve been oppressing for these 15 years. This won’t continue now,” he said.

High turnout marks first phase

The first phase of polling saw a significant voter turnout, with some districts crossing the 90 per cent mark. The elections have turned into a closely watched contest, with both sides intensifying their campaigns ahead of the remaining phases.

The next round of voting will take place on April 29, while counting is scheduled for May 4.

Telangana police have arrested Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader Manne Krishank under charges of trespassing into TPCC leader Gundamalla Rajendra Kumar’s residence and attacking him over a social media post.

On Thursday, BRS Party Social Media Co-Ordinator Krishank was arrested after a First Information Report (FIR) was registered against him by Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) Social Media Co-Ordinator Gundamalla Rajendra Kumar for attacking him.

Earlier on March 26, BRS leader and former Chairman of the Telangana State Mineral Development Corporation (TSMDC) Manne Krishank had sustained severe leg injuries while burning an effigy during a dharna held against the Congress government at Picket.

Party working President KT Rama Rao (KTR) did a courtesy visit and met Krishank, who received treatment at his residence in Picket, and inquired about his health condition. During the visit, KTR interacted with Krishank’s family members and wished him a speedy recovery. He specially congratulated Krishank on the success of the ‘One Lakh Signatures Collection’ campaign, which was undertaken to demand the merger of the Cantonment into the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC).

Appreciating the initiative Krishank has shown toward public issues, KTR advised him to take complete rest for a few more days to let his injury heal. Former Minister Malla Reddy, former Deputy Speaker Padma Rao Goud, and other prominent leaders were accompanied by KTR during this visit.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday congratulated voters for the record-high turnout in Phase I of the West Bengal Assembly Elections and praised the Election Commission of India (ECI) and security forces for ensuring a peaceful polling process.

In an X post, the Union Minister also expressed gratitude towards the ECI and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) personnel for a “peaceful and secure” polling process on Thursday, while hinting towards the BJP’s victory, Amit Shah said that the voter turnout and peaceful polls indicate the “dawn of a new era of good governance in West Bengal.”

The Union Minister and BJP leader, Shah wrote, “I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the esteemed voters of West Bengal for shattering all records of participation in this grand festival of democracy through a historic turnout in the first phase of polling.”
“I express my deep gratitude and congratulations to the Honourable Election Commission, the brave personnel of all Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), and our West Bengal Police for ensuring one of the most peaceful and secure polling processes in the history of Bengal. This serves as a clear harbinger of the dawn of a new era of good governance in Bengal,” the post further read.

Meanwhile, the polling for Phase I of the Assembly elections concluded at 6 pm on Thursday, with West Bengal recording a significantly higher voter turnout of 91.83 per cent, according to the Election Commission of India.

The high turnout figures underline an active electoral exercise as polling drew to a close amid tight security arrangements across 152 constituencies.
A key highlight was the leadership shown by women voters, who outpaced men. In West Bengal, women’s turnout reached an unprecedented 92.69 per cent compared to 90.92 per cent for men. The Commission also noted significant participation from transgender persons, with 56.79 per cent turnout.

The polling for the second phase will be held on April 29, with counting of votes scheduled for May 4.

Even before the counting begins, Kerala’s familiar electoral suspense has given way to a more predictable drama, one within the Indian National Congress.

Polling concluded on April 9, with results due only on May 4. The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF), buoyed by expectations of returning to power after a decade, finds itself grappling with a resurfacing ailment: leadership jockeying.

The unusual break in Kerala’s long-standing pattern of alternating governments, when the CPI(M)-led Left Front retained power in 2021, had already raised the stakes.

Now, the prospect of a comeback appears to have intensified internal fault lines.

Supporters of senior leaders Ramesh Chennithala, V.D. Satheesan, and K.C. Venugopal have begun projecting their respective choices for the Chief Minister’s post in the public domain.

The premature contest has not only embarrassed the party but also drawn sharp criticism from within and outside.

Veteran media critic M.N. Karassery was unsparing, calling the public posturing “shameless” and warning that such open displays of ambition risk eroding voter patience.

The unease is now spilling into alliance ranks. P. Abdul Hameed, Malappuram district general secretary of the Indian Union Muslim League and an MLA, has come down heavily on the Congress party, cautioning that such discussions should never have been allowed to surface.

He said the ongoing debate over the Chief Minister’s post is disappointing to those who voted for the UDF and risks demoralising grassroots workers who have endured a difficult decade in the opposition.

Abdul Hameed pointedly observed that those who ought to have curbed the chatter are themselves making public statements, aggravating the situation.

“Leaders at the national level are engaging in such discussions, and when they arise, it is the responsibility of senior leaders to contain them, not amplify them,” he said, adding that the League would abide by whatever decision the high command takes, with Rahul Gandhi fully aware of Kerala’s political realities.

The contrast with the CPI(M) is stark.

The Left has maintained a studied silence on leadership questions, projecting cohesion.

In Congress, however, factional currents long a defining feature of its Kerala unit have resurfaced with renewed vigour, unsettling cadres and allies alike.

With days to go before counting, the UDF faces a paradox: the closer it appears to power, the more its internal discord threatens to cloud the moment.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah found himself trending online after a quick response to a supporter waiting in the heat for his roadshow in West Bengal’s Madhyamgram, with his “reaching in 10 mins” reply drawing wide attention on social media.

The exchange came in the middle of a high-pitched Assembly election campaign in West Bengal, where both the BJP and the Trinamool Congress are pushing hard across closely fought constituencies, including Madhyamgram in North 24 Parganas.

Social media exchange during campaign gains traction

According to ANI, the moment unfolded after Shah shared a sunset video on Thursday with the caption, “The sun of the TMC’s corruption and hooliganism has set.”

A user replied to his post, urging him to arrive quickly for the roadshow, saying, “Jaldi aa jaiye, Amit ji…khade hai hum log road show k liye garmi me bohot der se (Please come quickly, Amit ji… We have been standing here in the heat for a very long time, waiting for the roadshow).”

Shah responded directly, writing, “Sorry for the delay. Reaching there in 10 mins.”

Madhyamgram contest and political stakes

The roadshow was held to campaign for BJP candidate Anindya Raju Banerjee, who is contesting against Trinamool Congress leader Rathin Ghosh, a three-time MLA from the constituency.

Madhyamgram, carved out after delimitation in 2011, has remained with the TMC since its creation. However, BJP leaders see an opening as Rathin Ghosh’s winning margin has narrowed to about 1.2 per cent of the total votes in the last two elections.

Sharing visuals from the roadshow on X, Shah wrote, “The people of Madhyamgram Assembly Constituency have not forgotten the atrocities committed against women in Sandeshkhali. This surge of people spilling over during the roadshow is a symbol of the end of the grassroots regime.”

High voter turnout marks Phase I polling

Meanwhile, Phase I polling in West Bengal concluded at 6 pm on Thursday, recording a turnout of 91.83 per cent, according to the Election Commission of India.

Officials said the high turnout reflected strong voter participation, with polling held under tight security arrangements across constituencies.

The second phase of polling is scheduled for April 29, while the counting of votes will take place on May 4.

Kritika Kamra-Gaurav Kapur: For years, fans kept guessing about love life of Kritika Kamra, but the actor stayed silent like a locked diary. While rumours floated around, she was quietly building a real relationship with cricket commentator Gaurav Kapur. Now, after a surprise reveal, a private romance has turned into a full-on public love story, ending in a wedding that no one saw coming until it happened.

“Not for the world yet”: Why Kritika kept love life hidden

Kritika Kamra has finally opened up about why she chose silence over spotlight when it came to her relationship with Gaurav Kapur. She revealed that it was a fully conscious decision to keep things private, not something forced by fear or pressure.

The actor explained that she has been in the public eye since she was just 18, and over the years, she learned how permanent everything on the internet becomes. According to her, once something is shared online, it never really goes away. That realisation made her more careful about what she lets out into the world.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Kritika Kamra (@kkamra)

She also said that early in her career, she didn’t fully understand the consequences of public exposure. People constantly asked her about her relationship status and marriage plans, which made her more guarded over time.

Kritika admitted that she felt the need to protect certain parts of her life and not turn everything into public conversation.

From secret dating to surprise Instagram reveal

Kritika and Gaurav’s relationship stayed under wraps for years before she finally decided to “hard launch” it on Instagram in December 2025. The post came like a surprise drop for fans who had no idea what was going on behind the scenes.

The announcement instantly became a talking point because there had been no official confirmation before that. After keeping things private for so long, Kritika felt that the timing had finally aligned.

Also Read: DDLJ in 2026: Kajol says Simran’s world wouldn’t last a minute in Gen Z reality

She explained that she always knew she would share her relationship publicly only when it felt right. That moment arrived when she became fully comfortable with introducing Gaurav into her public life. By then, the relationship had reached a stage where marriage was clearly on the horizon.

She also added a practical truth that once marriage was being seriously discussed, hiding the relationship anymore didn’t make sense. In her words, they were not planning to “run away,” so keeping things secret forever was no longer realistic.

A quiet Mumbai wedding and a big life decision

After the Instagram reveal, things moved quickly but quietly. Kritika and Gaurav eventually got married on March 11 in Mumbai in a very intimate ceremony. The wedding was simple, attended only by close family and a few friends.

The couple also hosted an after-party later.

Kritika shared that the decision to get married wasn’t impulsive or made in a hurry. It was the result of multiple conversations between her and Gaurav over time.

She described it as a decision guided equally by the heart and the mind.

Interestingly, the final legal step was also kept personal. The couple formalised their union with a signing ceremony at Gaurav Kapur’s home in Mumbai, attended only by immediate family members and close friends.

If Simran from ‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge’ walked into a Gen Z household today, would she still wait at the door with folded hands asking for permission or would she already be halfway to the airport with her phone in one hand and boarding pass in the other? That’s exactly the kind of thought Kajol recently sparked while talking about how much life has changed since the 1990s.

The actor, who famously played Simran in the iconic romance, opened up in a chat on ‘Shame Less with Lilly Singh’, where she reflected on love, parenting, and how young people behave today compared to the era when DDLJ ruled cinema screens.

Also Read: ‘If people didn’t like it, I’m sorry’: Akshay Kumar defends controversial fake moustache in ‘Samrat Prithviraj’

Simran vs Gen Z

Kajol didn’t hold back while describing how today’s teenagers function very differently. She pointed out that the idea of an 18- or 19-year-old asking parents for permission in the old-fashioned way barely exists anymore.

With a laugh, she explained the modern version of the conversation: “I don’t think anybody at the age of 18 or 19 is going up and telling their dad, ‘Can I please go on this trip?’ It’s more like, ‘Dad, I really have to go on this school trip, and you really have to pay for it.’”

Parenting then and now

Kajol also spoke about how relationships between parents and children have evolved over time. In the DDLJ era, emotional distance and strict expectations often shaped decisions. Today, she says, the dynamic feels more like open discussion than silent acceptance.

Parents are no longer just authority figures but also participants in conversations. Decisions are often debated, justified, and negotiated rather than simply accepted or rejected.

According to Kajol, this change reflects how society itself has moved where young people feel more confident expressing what they want without hesitation.

What Gen Z should really take from DDLJ

When asked what she hopes today’s generation learns from the film, Kajol shifted from humour to a softer note. She said the emotional core of DDLJ still matters even if everything else has changed.

“I think what I would love for them to take away is that relationships and family matter at the end of the day,” she shared. She added that no matter how independent life becomes, family love remains constant and grounding. “Your family is your family, and they love you… that’s what it’s all about.”

But Kajol didn’t miss a chance to joke about her own iconic look from the film either. When asked what Gen Z should ‘not’ copy, she laughed and said, “My dressing sense, at least, for sure.”

Rihanna in India: Mumbai turned into a flashing camera storm the moment global pop sensation Rihanna quietly slipped back into India. No announcements, no build-up. Just a sudden landing at Kalina Airport, and within minutes, the city’s paparazzi and fans were already on overdrive.

Reports say she arrived on a private jet, and what followed looked less like an airport exit and more like a celebrity festival breaking out in real time.

Rihanna in India tonight. pic.twitter.com/WmFz3fIMEg

— (@gabgonebad) April 23, 2026

Dressed in an all-black outfit that mixed comfort with quiet luxury, Rihanna kept things relaxed but unmistakably star-powered. Her look was completed with a neat ponytail, oversized dark sunglasses, chunky gold jewellery. She caught every camera flash in sight.

And despite the chaos waiting outside, she appeared calm and cheerful as she stepped out walking towards her car with security escorting her closely.

Paparazzi chants and smiles

As soon as she appeared, the crowd outside Kalina Airport erupted. Photographers began chanting “RiRi… RiRi,” turning the arrival into a loud, joyful frenzy.

Instead of rushing in, Rihanna paused just enough to acknowledge the moment. She smiled widely, waved at the crowd, and even blew kisses toward the paparazzi who were calling out her name.

Rihanna chegando na Índia. O que essa querida foi fazer lá, gente ?? pic.twitter.com/bTV9fikkNw

— FEИTY (@guxfenty) April 23, 2026

Cameras followed every step as she moved toward her vehicle, still smiling while trying to take in the attention.

In a surprising twist, she was also seen briefly filming the enthusiastic crowd herself from inside or near her car.

Mumbai visit linked to beauty brand event, possible public appearance

While the visit appeared sudden to fans, reports suggest Rihanna’s trip is tied to an event connected with her beauty brand in Mumbai.

Though details remain under wraps, industry chatter hints at a promotional appearance or a pop-up activation.

Also Read: Vishal Dadlani gets emotional remembering Zubeen Garg on Indian Idol: ‘Never seen stardom like him’