Trinamul Congress chairperson Mamata Banerjee is set to launch her North Bengal election campaign from Wednesday with a high-stakes tour of key constituencies, even as she mounted a blistering attack on the Election Commission of India (ECI), alleging bias and attempts to undermine voters’ rights.

The Trinamul Congress chief arrived at Chalsa in the Dooars on Tuesday and held a closed-door meeting with leaders of the Christian community, signalling an aggressive outreach to minority and tea-garden populations ahead of the Assembly elections. She was received by local residents and members of the clergy, including church fathers from across the tea belt.

During the interaction, Banerjee engaged with representatives of multiple churches from the plantation region, home to large tribal communities and thousands of women tea workers. Political observers view the meeting as a calculated move to consolidate support in a region that has traditionally witnessed intense multi-cornered contests.

From Wednesday, the Chief Minister will address rallies in the Maynaguri and Dabgram-Fulbari Assembly segments in Jalpaiguri district before moving to the politically sensitive Matigara-Naxalbari constituency in the Siliguri subdivision ~ effectively kicking off the Trinamul Congress’s North Bengal campaign from Maynaguri.

Hours before flying to Bagdogra from Kolkata, Banerjee launched a scathing attack on the ECI, alleging that an official notification carried the BJP’s election symbol and questioning the constitutional body’s neutrality. She also claimed that sweeping transfers of officials and the late-night release of supplementary voter lists pointed to a “partisan agenda.”

Banerjee contended that additions to the voter rolls occurred only after intervention by the Supreme Court and demanded full transparency, warning that citizens across states and Union Territories were allegedly being deprived of their voting rights. Calling for a united stand, she urged all political parties to set aside differences to defend democracy and ensure free and fair elections.

She further appealed to the media to scrutinise the developments and alert the public, asserting that safeguarding constitutional rights was a collective responsibility at a critical juncture in the electoral process.

Launching the election campaign from Patharpratima in South 24-Parganas on Tuesday, Trinamool Congress national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee not only doubled the victory target this time but made five promises that the party will ensure once they come to power for the fourth time.

Addressing a large gathering despite intense heat, Banerjee buoyed by the massive turnout unveiled a “five-point pledge” for the region and set an ambitious electoral target for party workers.

He announced that if the government led by Mamata Banerjee returns to power for a fourth term, five key initiatives will be prioritised in the first phase.

These include continuation of the Lakshmir Bhandar scheme, ensuring permanent housing for all, doorstep healthcare services at block and town levels, access to piped drinking water, and old-age pensions for senior citizens.

“Even if the Centre does not provide funds, the state government will ensure piped drinking water reaches every household,” he said, adding that the party has consistently stood by the people.

Promising a huge relief to the farmers, Banerjee said that an agricultural budget of Rs 30,000 crore would be announced from the same venue at Raidighi.

Referring to past performance, Banerjee noted that TMC had won the Patharpratima seat by a margin of 22,134 votes in the previous Assembly election.

He urged party workers to nearly double that margin this time, setting a target of at least 40,000 votes.

“You will have to ensure that the BJP does not cross the 50-seat mark across the state,” Banerjee told the supporters present on the ground.

Without naming the party directly, Banerjee also criticised the BJP, invoking the “outsider versus son-of-the-soil” narrative. He alleged that forces from Delhi were attempting to undermine the rights of the people of Bengal.

With the entry of TMC heavyweight Abhsihek Banerjee, the rally in Patharpratima sets the tone for an intense electoral battle, with TMC leadership aiming to energise its cadre ahead of the upcoming polls.

The West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education (WBCHSE) is conducting a Competitive Guidance Program for the science students of Class XII. There are around 300 competitive level questions on physics, chemistry, maths and biology, which will be discussed in these sessions. All these sessions will be videographed and will be uploaded on the Council YouTube channel. All aspirants of WBJEE 2026 and NEET 2026 can download the question booklet and start solving the questions and check the solutions to these questions from the videos, which will be uploaded on council YouTube channel, a notification at the HS council website mentions.

The council is trying to make students confident when they appear for competitive exams like NEET and JEE.

Prof. Dr Partha Karmakar, who took over as the president of West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education in the initial days of March, says the council serves as the gateway to higher education after Madhyamik. “We organised a webinar on what subjects to choose after Madhyamik. Our notices are put out regularly on the website so that all students in the state can see this and get benefitted. It served as a guide by the council to students what to choose based on their choices. We also told them about career prospects of the subjects they chose and the advice is coming to them from experienced teachers and councillors,” said Dr Karmakar.

The council has a CGP (competitive guidance programme) also for students.

The HS council is also organising a session on Math Olympiad on what to expect and how to prepare for it. The new president of the council, who was Deputy Secretary at West Bengal Board of Primary Education (WBBPE) is ensuring that the council has programmes for students who plan to sit for Indian Statistical Institute, IISC Bangalore and many other institutions. All this, he says, will be available on YouTube and students can anytime access it.

Dr Karmakar says he has no problem switching on to his new responsibility as he is from higher education, who has served as associate professor of mathematics in government colleges like Bethune College, Bidhannagar College, Jalpaiguri Engineering College and many more. “My experience has been of a different kind. I have served in the Madhyamik board, Primary board, school service commission and also in the higher education department. Now, I want to utilise my experience here in the HS council to make it more accessible to the students. Higher secondary education is my own turf and I know its requirements well,” he said, adding, “This is a challenging job but I will be up to it as I love challenges.”

The new president is also making sure at the council that students are ready to face the MCQ (multiple choice questions) papers, so that they do not feel uncomfortable appearing for competitions which follow the MCQ pattern. “The HS council wants the students to become exam-ready when they sit for competitive exams. Many students get nervous filling OMR sheets at the examination hall. With the new exam system, the students are getting practice filing OMR sheets. There is a lot of confusion over the MCQ format but they must understand that to answer them one has to study the entire book. The concept has to be clear to give the right answer as all options appear correct,” said Dr Karmakar.

Though the core focus of the WBCHSE are students and their welfare, the council also plans orientation programmes for teachers, guiding them on how they should pace the course so that they finish the curriculum within the time allotted to them on the newly introduced subjects. The orientation programme will guide teachers how to progress with the MCQ and descriptive questions.

The HS council has introduced many new subjects like basic mathematics for social science (BMSC) for arts students, and business mathematics and business statistics (BMBS) in keeping with the times.

Since the new subjects are project based, the council is in the process of doing online sessions. “It is difficult to reach such a huge student base physically. The sessions will be for students as well as teachers. All the chapters will be on YouTube. If any teacher is absent from class for some reason, students can access study material through smart classrooms.

The council and its new president are now focussed on publishing the HS results. The new president is trying to iron out some of the issues after the introduction of new subjects and the semester system. “We are also trying to solve the issue highlighted by some of the guardians on shortage of study material on certain newly-introduced subjects. We have Book Mart, from where students can also source books,” added Dr Karmakar.

Most jute mills in Hooghly district have shut down, citing a shortage of raw jute and a lack of adequate work orders.

The ruling party, however, has alleged that the closures are orchestrated by the Central government and the BJP, timed deliberately ahead of the state elections.

Thousands of workers are employed in jute mills and have been residing in Bengal with their families for decades. Their votes are considered crucial in determining the electoral fortunes of candidates across constituencies, often favouring the ruling party.

A senior Trinamul Congress leader, Annay Chatterjee, who is also the vice-president of the party’s Hooghly-Serampore district unit, said that workers from mills such as India Jute Mill, Rishra Wellington Jute Mill, Dalhousie Jute Mill, Angus Jute Mill and North Brook Jute Mill, many of them originally from Bihar, Jharkhand and Odisha, have long settled in the district. Their families are now integrated into Bengal’s social and cultural fabric.

He claimed that most of these workers and their families benefit from welfare schemes introduced by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. According to him, the BJP is aware that their votes largely support the ruling party.

Mr Chatterjee alleged that, in a calculated move, the Centre creates an artificial shortage of raw jute and withholds work orders during election periods, prompting mill owners to shut operations temporarily. He said this pattern has been observed in previous elections as well.

With mills closed, thousands of workers are forced to return to their native villages to take up traditional agricultural work. Their absence during elections, he claimed, affects voter turnout and impacts the ruling party’s vote share.

He further alleged that the Central government is prioritising synthetic alternatives over biodegradable jute products, despite West Bengal producing high-quality raw jute. Mills, he added, often reopen only after election results are declared.

Condemning what he termed “dirty politics”, Mr Chatterjee said such actions deprive workers and their families of their constitutional right to vote.

With the election bugle sounding across Bengal, a murder in South 24-Parganas has triggered sharp political reactions, even as police point to a possible personal motive behind the crime.

A 39-year-old BJP worker, Kishore Maji, was found grievously injured near a pond close to his residence in the Mena area under Dighirpar–Bakul Tala gram panchayat in Raidighi Assembly constituency late on Monday night. Maji, who served as vice-president of booth number 216 of the BJP, was rushed to Raidighi Rural Hospital by local residents but succumbed to his injuries, doctors said.

The incident sparked tension in the area soon after the news spread. BJP leaders alleged that Maji had been receiving threats since the announcement of the Assembly elections and squarely blamed “Trinamul-backed miscreants” for the killing. Police, however, indicated a different line of investigation. According to initial findings, the murder may have stemmed from strained personal relationships. Acting on a complaint lodged by the victim’s father, police detained three persons for questioning and later arrested Maji’s wife, Anima Das, along with her alleged partner, Gobinda Haldar. Both are currently being interrogated, officials said.

Superintendent of Police of Sundarban Police District, Bishwajit Thakur, confirmed the arrests and said further investigation is underway to ascertain the exact sequence of events. The body has been sent for post-mortem. The killing has quickly snowballed into a political controversy. BJP’s Raidighi candidate Palash Rana visited the victim’s family on Tuesday morning and alleged that attempts were being made to “cover up a political murder” by projecting it as a case of illicit relationship. “The police and the ruling party are trying to pass it off as a personal issue. This is a cold-blooded murder. If justice is denied, the BJP will launch a movement,” Rana said. Family members, however, offered a differing account.

A relative of the deceased claimed that the accused neighbour, Gobinda Haldar, had an alleged relationship with Maji’s wife, which had led to frequent domestic discord. “We believe this is not linked to politics,” the relative said. Trinamul Congress leaders dismissed the BJP’s allegations. Party MP from Mathurapur, Bapi Haldar, termed the charges “baseless” and accused the BJP of trying to “fish in troubled waters” during the elections. “This appears to be a case of a love triangle. Dragging politics into it is unfortunate,” he said. Police said all angles are being examined.

Trinamul Congress national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee on Tuesday raised concerns over what he described as a “troubling decline” in India’s institutional framework, linking recent changes to the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) selection process with broader fears about judicial independence.

In a message posted on his WhatsApp channel, Banerjee criticised the removal of the Chief Justice of India from the panel responsible for appointing the CEC.

“This is precisely why judicial authority was diluted and the Chief Justice of India was removed from the CEC selection panel. If this trajectory continues, it won’t be long before Supreme Court judgments appear politically stamped,” he said.

His remarks come amid an ongoing political debate over the composition of the CEC selection committee, which was revised through legislation passed by Parliament.

The change replaced the Chief Justice of India with a Union Cabinet minister on the panel, a move that has drawn criticism from opposition parties, who argue it weakens institutional checks and balances.

Banerjee accused those in power of undermining constitutional safeguards for political gain.

“Those sworn to protect the Constitution are now chipping away at its very foundations to serve narrow political ends ~ a betrayal of both duty and democracy,” he said, underscoring his concerns in strong terms.

The Trinamul leader’s comments reflect a broader opposition narrative that key democratic institutions are facing increasing pressure.

The government, however, has defended the changes, maintaining that the revised selection mechanism remains within constitutional provisions and ensures executive accountability.

Warning about the state of democratic institutions, Banerjee added, “What a troubling decline for our institutions.”

Meanwhile, Abhishek will hold a meeting with the party workers in Nandigram tomorrow. He will also hold public meetings at Daspur and Keshiyari & Narayangarh tomorrow.

Trinamul Congress has fielded Pabitra Kar against the sitting MLA Suvendu Adhikari. Kar was the in-charge of the election machinery of BJP in Nandigram in 2021.

He will kickstart his political campaign today with a public meeting at Patharpratima in South 24-Parganas today. The sitting Trinamul Congress MLA is Samir Jana.

Mr Banerjee will address three rallies in Natabari, Dhupguri and Kalchini on 26 March. In north Bengal Trinamul is trying to consolidate its base in 2026 Assembly election.

On 27 March, Mr Banerjee will address Binpur, Panskura and Kulpi. A day later, on 28 March, he will address three meetings at Labhpur and Bhagwangola, while on 29 March he will address two meetings at Nawda in Murshidabad and Sandeshkhali in North 24-Parganas.

On 30 March, his schedule marked public meetings at Baghmundi in Purulia and a closed-door meeting with party workers and leaders at Contai.

On 31 March he addressed public meetings at Bagdogra, Balurghat and Tapan followed by Karandighi.

Mr Banerjee had assured that he would visit all the constituencies at the meeting held at Esplanade to protest against the highhandedness of ECI.

Humayun Kabir, founder of the Janata Unnayan Party (JUP), on Wednesday underlined the strength of his tie-up with All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi, saying the alliance will fight the West Bengal Assembly elections together with a common plan.

The announcement comes as political activity gathers pace ahead of the two-phase polls in April, with both leaders signalling a long-term partnership that goes beyond just one election cycle.

Speaking at a press conference in Kolkata, Kabir repeatedly referred to Owaisi as his “elder brother” and said he would follow his guidance through the campaign. “I have entered this alliance considering him as my elder brother and following his suggestions in these elections,” he said, according to ANI.

Kabir said key decisions on candidates and seat-sharing were finalised after discussions with Owaisi. “Who my candidates are, which seats we are contesting, and which seats they are contesting—I made that decision last night. The decision reached in consultation with my elder brother will be our final resolution on the battlefield. We will fight together,” he added.

Alliance eyes joint push with rallies and seat-sharing plan

The alliance has drawn up an aggressive campaign plan, including around 20 rallies across the state. The first is scheduled for April 1 in Behrampur, where both leaders are expected to address a large gathering.

Kabir said he has requested Owaisi to join him for all the rallies. “I have appealed to my elder brother that since the elections are approaching in two phases, he should participate in at least 20 rallies with me,” he said.

The campaign trail will cover several districts, including Birbhum, Asansol, Uttar Dinajpur, Murshidabad, Malda, North Bengal and Kolkata.

Kabir also made it clear that he sees the partnership as a lasting one. “Through this alliance, whatever decision my brother takes and whatever direction he gives, I will follow that. This alliance will never break,” he said, adding that the political journey begun in 2026 would continue as long as he remains active in politics.

On seat distribution, Kabir said his party will contest 182 seats and leave around eight for AIMIM.

Owaisi pitches alliance as push for independent Muslim leadership

AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi, speaking separately, said the alliance aims to strengthen independent political leadership for the Muslim minority in West Bengal.

“Our attempt is that a leadership from the Muslim minority emerges and strengthens in this election in West Bengal. We have decided the number of seats we will contest. This alliance is not limited to just this election, but it will be taken forward to achieve our political objective,” he said, as per ANI.

He noted that talks on a few remaining seats were still underway but said it was not a major concern. “There are only two or three seats left for final discussion,” he said.

Owaisi also linked political representation with development outcomes, pointing to official data. He said figures from state and central agencies, including NSSO, show that areas lacking independent leadership among Muslim communities lag behind in social and economic indicators. “There is an organic connection between development and independent leadership,” he said.

He confirmed that he would visit Behrampur on April 1 for Kabir’s nomination filing and a public meeting, where party candidates will also receive B-forms.

The AIMIM chief thanked Kabir for joining hands with his party and said the alliance would work towards its stated political goals over the long term.

The West Bengal Assembly elections will be held in two phases on April 23 and April 29, with counting scheduled for May 4.

The Estate Department has issued a notice to the Congress, asking it to vacate its long-time headquarters at 24 Akbar Road by March 28, party sources said on Wednesday.

The development comes months after the party shifted to its new headquarters, Indira Bhavan at Kotla Marg. Despite the relocation last year, the Akbar Road premises has continued to remain in use.

The notice pertains to the bungalow that has served as the Congress’ central office for nearly five decades.

Reacting sharply, Congress leaders accused the government of trying to pressure the party.

Reacting to the notice, Congress MP Pramod Tiwari criticised the Centre, saying the party would respond after internal discussions. “The BJP government is not a democratic govt. It is unfortunate. Let the notice reach us. We will act on it after holding discussions,” he said. Party MP Imran Masood also hit out at the government, accusing it of trying to pressure the Congress. “The government thinks it can silence Congress by creating pressure on us. They should not try to scare us,” he said, questioning the allotment of BJP offices. “Have they got the BJP office at 11, Ashok Road or at Pant Marg?” he added. Masood further alleged that the move was aimed at diverting attention from international developments. “Because they have not been able to do anything regarding the Iran war, they are trying to deflect attention from this issue,” he said.

A political address with deep history

The bungalow at 24 Akbar Road has been synonymous with the Congress for nearly 48 years, serving as its political nerve centre through key phases, including the tenures of Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, PV Narasimha Rao and Manmohan Singh.

The property has an older legacy as well. During the British era, it housed Sir Reginald Maxwell, a member of the Viceroy’s Executive Council. In the 1960s, it served as the residence of Myanmar’s Ambassador Daw Khin Kyi, where her daughter Aung San Suu Kyi spent several years.

Its association with the Congress dates back to the late 1970s, when Indira Gandhi, following the party split after the 1977 defeat, shifted operations to the bungalow offered by her close aide G Venkatswamy.

Over the decades, the premises were expanded to accommodate the party’s growing organisational needs before the eventual move to the new headquarters at Kotla Marg.

In a major and far-reaching legal reform, the Gujarat Assembly on Tuesday passed the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill, marking a significant step towards a common civil framework and making the state the second in the country after Uttarakhand to adopt such a law.

The legislation seeks to standardise civil laws across communities by mandating registration of marriages and live-in relationships, ensuring equal inheritance rights, and introducing penalties for violations.

What is the Uniform Civil Code?

The concept of a Uniform Civil Code finds mention in Article 44 of the Constitution under the Directive Principles of State Policy. It calls upon the state to work towards a common set of civil laws for all citizens, replacing religion-based personal laws in matters like marriage, divorce, and succession to promote equality and legal uniformity.

The Bill is based on recommendations submitted by a high-level committee headed by retired Supreme Court judge Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai. The panel conducted consultations across districts, gathered public feedback, and examined various social and legal aspects before drafting the proposed law.

Key provisions of the Gujarat UCC Bill

• Mandatory marriage registration: Couples must register their marriage within 60 days; failure may invite a penalty of up to ₹10,000.

• Action against illegal marriages: Forced, fraudulent, or coerced marriages, as well as multiple marriages, may attract punishment of up to seven years.

• Uniform divorce procedure: Divorce must be registered after court approval; unregistered divorces will be treated as invalid and may lead to imprisonment of up to three years.

• Right to remarry: Women are granted the right to remarry without conditions after a legally valid divorce.

• Live-in relationship regulation: Registration of live-in relationships is mandatory. Non-compliance may result in up to three months’ imprisonment or a fine of ₹10,000.

• Safeguards for young adults: In cases where individuals are aged between 18 and 21, parents will be informed. Strict penalties apply in cases of coercion or fraud.

• Protection for minors: Provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act will apply in cases involving minors.

• Restrictions on married individuals: A married person entering a live-in relationship may face stringent penalties.

• Women’s rights and child protection: The Bill ensures financial maintenance for women and legal recognition and rights for all children, including inheritance.

CM calls it ‘historic step’

Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel called the passage of the Bill as a “historic moment” for both Gujarat and the country. He congratulated the representatives and citizens of the state.

In a post on X, he said the law would establish a common legal framework across religions and communities, ensuring equality in matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, and adoption.

Patel emphasised that the legislation is rooted in principles of equality and justice, and aims to strengthen the rights, dignity, and security of women across communities. He noted that the Bill takes into account Supreme Court rulings and draws from legal practices in other democratic countries.

The Chief Minister said mandatory registration provisions would enhance transparency, prevent fraudulent practices, and provide legal protection to women and children. He added that regulating live-in relationships would help safeguard women from abandonment and secure children’s rights to identity, maintenance, and inheritance.

Patel also said the law has been framed keeping in mind the state’s cultural and social diversity to ensure fairness to all communities.

Focus on uniformity and social cohesion

The state government maintains that the UCC will help streamline legal processes, reduce disputes arising from varied personal laws, and promote social cohesion. Officials say the legislation is designed to balance uniformity with sensitivity to local diversity while strengthening the legal framework governing family matters.

Indian equity markets opened firmly higher on Wednesday, extending gains for a second straight session as hopes of easing tensions in West Asia lifted sentiment. Fresh chatter about a possible US–Iran ceasefire, along with hints of quiet backchannel talks, gave investors a reason to step in early and buy.

The positive start comes even as markets globally remain on edge, with traders keeping a close watch on every signal that suggests the conflict could ease. Expectations of reduced conflict also pulled down crude oil prices sharply, adding to the positive mood on Dalal Street.

The BSE Sensex began the session with gains of nearly 600 points, while the NSE Nifty opened above the 23,000 mark. Buying momentum strengthened in early trade, pushing the Sensex up by over 770 points to touch an intraday high of 74,840. The Nifty also climbed around 1 per cent to cross 23,170 levels.

Auto, realty stocks lead rally; IT lags

Most sectoral indices traded in positive territory, led by realty, auto, and media stocks. The Nifty Auto index rose about 1.47 per cent, while realty and media stocks also saw strong buying interest. Metal stocks, PSU banks and financial services shares registered gains of over 1 per cent.

However, the IT sector remained under pressure, emerging as one of the few laggards in an otherwise positive market. Broader markets mirrored the trend, with mid-cap and small-cap indices also rising around 1 per cent each.

Market experts cautioned that while global cues are supportive for now, uncertainty has not fully eased. Ajay Bagga, a banking and market expert, told news agency ANI that markets are reacting to “slender threads of optimism” around potential peace moves, even as the situation on the ground remains fluid. He noted that continued tensions and troop movements could keep volatility high in the near term.

Analysts said stock-specific action may dominate going ahead and advised investors to remain selective. They added that a sustained rally would depend on key resistance levels being crossed, warning that a sell-on-rise strategy could still prevail if momentum fades.

Oil slides, Asian markets rally; US markets end lower

Global cues remained mixed. Crude oil prices dropped sharply on hopes of a ceasefire, with Brent crude falling to near $97 per barrel and US WTI also declining significantly. Lower oil prices offered some relief to global markets.

Asian markets traded strongly in the green, with Japan’s Nikkei, South Korea’s KOSPI and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng posting notable gains. US markets, however, had a weak close in the last session, with both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq ending in the red.

Even with today’s gains, investors are not letting their guard down, as the situation around the conflict continues to shift.

Around 150 to 200 tourists have been stranded in Chungthang following multiple landslides triggered by heavy rainfall in North Sikkim, according to District Collector Anant Jain.
Jain said the landslides occurred along key routes connecting Gangtok to Lachen and Chungthang to Lachen, leaving tourists en route to Lachen stuck at Chungthang. Tourists have been kept at the ITBP Camp and the Gurudwara.

The District Collector informed that movement towards Lachen remains disrupted due to road blockages at multiple points. However, if weather conditions improve, authorities will assess the situation and may allow travel once routes are deemed safe.
Meanwhile, the road to Lachung has been cleared, and tourists from that side have been safely sent back to Gangtok.

Authorities are closely monitoring the situation as intermittent rainfall continues to affect the region.
Further information is still awaited.
Earlier this month, a severe thunderstorm accompanied by a hailstorm occurred across several parts of Pakyong, Gangtok, and Mangan districts, leading to the tripping of several 66 kV transmission lines, resulting in power supply disruptions in certain areas.
According to the state Power Department, in Pakyong District, one conductor of the 66 kV Rorathang-Rongli Transmission Line snapped near the Amba area, affecting power supply to Rongli and Rhenock areas.

In Gangtok District, sparking accompanied by a loud noise was reported near the Namli area on the 66 kV Marchak-Macleods Transmission Line, affecting supply to Nimtar, Topakhani and Singtam, a release said.
Additionally, the 66 kV LLHP-Sichey Transmission Line could not be sustained during trial charging.

India’s High Commissioner to the UK, Vikram Doraiswami, on Tuesday (local time) said that India is emerging as a major force in artificial intelligence and has significant potential to collaborate with the United Kingdom in advancing the technology.

Speaking at an AI-focused event hosted by the High Commission of India here, he highlighted India’s growing role in the global AI ecosystem. Doraiswami said recent developments demonstrate the scale of capabilities India is building in the sector.
“Some of the work that was showcased in the UK to start with–now nearly three years ago–and some of the work that was showcased a few weeks ago in India suggests to us that there is considerable opportunity for us to be able to bring together the enormous capabilities that the UK has already deployed on AI and the enormous capabilities that India is bringing to display in AI,” he said.

The High Commissioner noted that discussions around artificial intelligence have evolved significantly since the AI Summit series was initiated under the former British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at Bletchley Park in 2023.
“We have moved forward since then, beyond the idea of looking at AI as a concern and just worrying about what the security aspects of the AI piece might be, to figuring out how do you actually get and leverage AI as a mechanism for generating growth and inclusion, and ensuring that societies are both horizontally and vertically able to use AI,” Doraiswami said.

He stressed that artificial intelligence should generate benefits across societies, adding that the technology must deliver “a growth dividend for all of our countries; that AI delivers a people’s dividend; and that AI delivers a–sort of–an inclusion dividend across nations and across geographies”.
Doraiswami also highlighted the untapped potential for India-UK cooperation in the technology sector, noting that the two countries have often pursued parallel efforts rather than working together.

“For the longest time, however, in a lot of tech sectors, we have tended to run in parallel. We do stuff in India, you do stuff in the UK, and we all look at one or two other markets with whom we can align and offer our services. Just as we are looking for AI and technology to be a driver of growth horizontally across our countries, and inclusion horizontally across our countries, why not also try to link our countries together horizontally? There is an enormous opportunity for this,” he said.
Welcoming the presence of former British Prime Minister Sunak at the event, Doraiswami said discussions could help shape practical cooperation between the two countries in the AI sector.

He said, “I’m particularly pleased that we have with us the former Prime Minister of the UK, Rishi Sunak, and this extraordinary panel to be able to talk to us about what they saw coming out of the AI summit and to have a conversation with us about what we might do together leveraging the opportunities that have arisen between our two sectors.”
Looking ahead, he pointed to London Tech Week in June as an important milestone for advancing collaboration.

He said, “The Tech Week coming up in London in June is a good benchmark for what we might actually do, and I really want us to be able to look at today’s event as a scene setter for actual practical cooperation to come out by the time of the London Tech Week. In other words, building forward, we must actually have tangible takeaways from these events.”

Reports from Israeli media suggest that US President Donald Trump’s administration has drawn up a list of conditions for Iran as part of efforts to bring the ongoing conflict to an end. Israel’s Channel 12, citing an unnamed US official, said Washington has also kept Jerusalem informed about the talks.

The development comes at a time when the United States has indicated that negotiations with Iran are underway, even as fighting continues. However, there are concerns within Israel that the US may settle for a broader “framework agreement” instead of pushing Iran to fully accept the proposed terms before any ceasefire.

According to the Channel 12 report, a mechanism for de-escalation has been designed by White House special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner. The proposal includes a one-month ceasefire window, during which both sides would negotiate a 15-point understanding.

What the US is asking from Iran

The report, quoting multiple sources, outlined most of the conditions Washington has conveyed to Tehran. These include dismantling Iran’s nuclear capabilities, committing to never developing nuclear weapons, and halting uranium enrichment within its territory.

US proposal to Iran: Key points

• Iran to dismantle its current nuclear capabilities
• Tehran must pledge not to pursue nuclear weapons in the future
• Uranium enrichment to be stopped within Iranian territory
• Around 450 kg of uranium enriched to 60% to be handed over to the IAEA under a set timeline
• Nuclear sites at Natanz, Isfahan and Fordo to be dismantled
• Full access and oversight to be granted to the IAEA inside Iran
• Iran to step away from its regional proxy strategy
• Funding, arming and directing proxy groups must stop
• The Strait of Hormuz to remain open as a free maritime route
• Missile programme to face limits on range and quantity (details to be decided later)
• Missiles to be used only for self-defence going forward

In return, Iran would receive:

• Complete removal of international sanctions
• US support for civilian nuclear development, including power generation at Bushehr
• End of the “snapback” sanctions mechanism

Separately, Israeli publication Haaretz reported that the proposal has already been sent to Iran through an intermediary, along with a deadline for response. Tehran has indicated it will review the offer but has also signalled that certain demands may not be acceptable. The report added that a peace summit could be convened soon to discuss the proposal further.

Earlier, Trump confirmed that talks with Iran were ongoing and expressed confidence about ending the conflict.

“We’re in negotiations right now. I can tell you, they’d like to make a deal and who wouldn’t if you were there? Look, their navy’s gone, their air force is gone, their communications are gone. pretty much everything they have is gone. I think we are going to end it. I cannot tell you for sure. We have won this… We literally have planes flying over Tehran and other parts of their country. They can’t do a thing about it. For instance, if I want to take down that power plant, they can’t do a thing about it… They are totally defeated… Militarily, they are dead,” he said.

There has been no official response from Iran to the latest proposal. On Tuesday, Iranian officials denied reports of ongoing negotiations, saying peace would only be possible if the US and Israel halted their military actions.

US lawmakers warned of mounting pressure on American weapons stockpiles and a rapidly deteriorating global nuclear landscape, as a Senate hearing exposed sharp concerns over the Trump administration’s war with Iran and the future of arms control.

At a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing, Ranking Member Senator Jeanne Shaheen said the pace of weapons consumption has exposed serious gaps in planning and strategy.

“Last Thursday, almost three weeks into this war against Iran, the Administration pushed through more than 16 billion dollars in arms sales to the Middle East… using emergency authority to bypass normal Congressional review,” she said.

Shaheen described the situation as a “munitions and weapons” emergency, warning that US reserves are being depleted rapidly. “In some cases, we have only about a quarter of the interceptors we need,” she said, adding that it remains “not clear what the end goal of the war in Iran is.”

The strain is already affecting other conflicts. “US support has become less predictable, and allies are increasingly stepping in to purchase or backfill American-made arms,” she said, referring to Ukraine.

Shaheen said that “over 80 per cent of their strikes are now carried out by drones,” highlighting a shift toward “autonomous systems and drone swarms.” However, she cautioned, “the support that we have in the US is not keeping pace.”

Recent reports have also flagged concerns that US stockpiles of advanced missile defence systems are being rapidly depleted, raising questions about America’s ability to sustain multiple conflicts simultaneously.

Committee Chairman Senator Jim Risch defended the administration’s approach, framing the Iran conflict within a broader strategic challenge.

“The military action in the Middle East has highlighted what the United States must do to protect the American people from the imminent threat of an adversary,” he said.

Risch warned that the world has entered a “multipolar nuclear landscape,” where the US faces “two nuclear near peer competitors in Russia and China” alongside “rogue states with nuclear ambitions.”

He argued that older arms control frameworks are no longer sufficient. “Nuclear agreements of days gone by no longer meet the needs of our nation,” he said, adding that “if our adversaries are building nuclear stockpiles, we unfortunately must do so as well.”

Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Thomas DiNanno told lawmakers the administration is pursuing “verifiable and enforceable arms control agreements that enhance American national security.”

He defended the shift away from legacy agreements, calling the New START treaty “a vestige of a security environment totally disconnected from the realities of today,” particularly for failing to address China’s nuclear expansion.

Lawmakers from both parties expressed concern over the collapse of arms control mechanisms. Shaheen warned that “talks on future arms control arrangements have stalled,” adding that China’s refusal to participate effectively blocks progress.

She also pointed to rising risks from Russia, including deployment of tactical nuclear weapons closer to NATO and testing of new systems that are harder to track.

At the same time, China is “constructing more than 300 new missile silos” and expanding its arsenal “with little transparency,” she said.

The hearing comes amid intensifying global tensions following US military operations against Iran, which have significantly increased demand for high-end munitions and missile defence systems.

As Tamil Nadu heads into the Assembly election season, authorities have rolled out stringent controls on liquor sales following the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC), with Tasmac outlets now operating under tighter scrutiny to prevent misuse.

The restrictions come in line with Election Commission of India (ECI) norms aimed at ensuring a level playing field during elections by curbing the use of alcohol as an inducement to voters — a practice that has historically triggered heightened surveillance during poll periods.

Under the revised norms, individuals are permitted to buy liquor only within fixed limits beyond which its possession will be deemed unlawful unless supported by a valid justification, officials said.

The capped limits include 4.5 litres of Indian Made Foreign Spirits (IMFS) or imported liquor, 7.8 litres of beer, and up to nine litres of wine, with enforcement teams tasked with monitoring compliance across the state.

“We have issued clear instructions to all retail outlets to enforce the limits without exception.

The quantities allowed are strictly for personal consumption, and any violation will be dealt with as per law,” a senior Tasmac official said.

To strengthen oversight, all transactions at the state’s 4,787 Tasmac outlets will be digitally tracked through a centralised system operated from Chennai, with mandatory billing and real-time data uploads forming the backbone of monitoring efforts.

The crackdown is expected to significantly curb bulk buying trends typically seen during election periods, especially for private events and gatherings.

Officials have made it clear that such purchases will not be permitted under any circumstances. Authorities have also warned that strict punitive measures will be taken against violators, including legal action and cancellation of licences for outlets found breaching the prescribed norms, as part of efforts to uphold the integrity of the electoral process.

Ranveer Singh found himself in the spotlight for something other than his dance moves or quirky fashion. On Tuesday, the actor tendered an unconditional apology before the Karnataka High Court over his controversial remarks about the deity Chamundi Devi in the blockbuster film Kantara.

Also Read: R Madhavan clears the smoke over cigarette scene in Dhurandhar: ‘Intent was never to hurt anyone’

The apology came amid a wave of social media outrage that began after Singh’s speech at the 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa. While praising actor Rishab Shetty for his gripping performance in ‘Kantara: Chapter 1’, Singh referred to the Chamundi deity as a “female ghost” while mimicking Shetty’s performance. The comment did not sit well with devotees and triggered heated online debates, leading to legal action.

Court response: “It was not right”

At the Karnataka High Court, Justice M Nagaprasanna made it clear that Singh’s comments were “not correct” and “not supported”. Represented by Senior Advocate Sajan Poovayya, Singh agreed to file a formal affidavit of apology and even promised to visit the Chamundi temple on Mysore’s iconic Chamundi Hills to show respect.

The judge posted the case for further consideration on April 10.

FIR filed: Legal details

The controversy escalated quickly after the speech. The Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate in Bengaluru ordered an investigation under Section 175(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023. Following this, the High Grounds Police Station registered an FIR against Ranveer under Sections 196 (religious enmity), 299 (religious insult), and 302 (public mischief) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

Ranveer’s camp argued that the actor’s comments were taken out of context and there was no intention to hurt anyone’s religious sentiments. He pointed out that he had already issued an apology on social media.

However, the complainant, represented by advocate Siji Malayil, was not satisfied with the social media apology. They argued that since it was tweeted by Singh’s managers, it did not appear genuine.

At least two people lost their lives, and several others sustained injuries after a bus carrying around 25 passengers overturned in central Delhi’s Karol Bagh area in the early hours of Wednesday, officials said.

The Delhi Fire Services confirmed the fatalities, while multiple rescue teams were rushed to the spot to assist those trapped in the bus.

The incident occurred at around 1 a.m. near Jhandewalan Metro Station when the bus, which was travelling from Jaipur in Rajasthan towards Delhi, reportedly lost control and overturned under the metro line.

Eyewitnesses recounted that two children and a woman were trapped beneath the overturned vehicle immediately after the crash. They were later rescued by emergency responders and shifted to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Several other passengers who sustained injuries in the accident were also admitted to hospitals, where they are currently undergoing treatment, officials said.

Visuals from the scene showed extensive damage to the bus, with shattered glass, broken seats and detached wheels scattered around the overturned vehicle. Fire officials said that at least two fire tenders were deployed to carry out rescue operations, which began soon after the incident was reported.

Soon after receiving information, teams from the police and fire brigade reached the site and launched a coordinated rescue operation.

A crane was later used to lift the overturned bus, allowing rescuers to check for any remaining trapped passengers.

Authorities said that the injured were immediately transported to hospitals, and the families of both the deceased and the injured have been informed about the incident.

Preliminary findings suggest that overspeeding may have led to the accident. Officials said the driver appears to have lost control of the vehicle while passing under the metro corridor in Karol Bagh, causing the bus to overturn.

Police further said that the bodies of the deceased have been sent to the mortuary for post-mortem examination, after which they will be handed over to their respective families.