Prime Minister Narendra Modi has achieved a historic milestone in Indian politics by becoming the longest-serving head of an elected government in the country. PM Modi has completed 8,931 days as head of government, combining his tenure as Chief Minister of Gujarat and as Prime Minister, thereby entering his 25th year in a leadership role.

With this, he has overtaken Pawan Kumar Chamling, who previously held the record with 8,930 days as Chief Minister of Sikkim.

The record is being seen as a rare and significant achievement, reflecting decades of uninterrupted public service and political leadership at the highest level.

From Gujarat to Delhi: A long political journey

He later became the first non-Congress Prime Minister to complete two full terms in office and return for a third consecutive term.

Modi began his tenure as Gujarat Chief Minister on October 7, 2001, and remained in office until May 21, 2014, making him the state’s longest-serving CM.

He took oath as Prime Minister on May 26, 2014, and went on to secure consecutive electoral victories in 2014, 2019 and 2024, leading the Union government for three straight terms.

Key milestones and records

• Longest-serving Chief Minister of Gujarat
• First Indian Prime Minister born after Independence
• Only non-Congress PM to complete two full terms and return for a third
• Three consecutive Lok Sabha election wins (2014, 2019, 2024)
• PM with the longest prior experience as a Chief Minister

Strong digital footprint among global leaders

Alongside political milestones, Modi has also expanded his presence across digital platforms. His social media reach places him among the most-followed political leaders globally, reflecting a sustained focus on direct public engagement.

• Crossed 30 million subscribers on YouTube, among the highest for world leaders
• Became the first serving world leader to cross 100 million followers on Instagram
• Currently has over 106 million followers on X (formerly Twitter)

With the Indian Premier League 2026 season fast approaching, teams will be eager to hit the ground running, while several players will be under the spotlight to deliver. Among them, Rishabh Pant stands out as one of the most closely watched figures.

Former South Africa captain Faf du Plessis believes the Lucknow Super Giants skipper will be under the most pressure heading into the new season.

Pant became the most expensive player in IPL history when LSG secured him for ₹27 crore last year. However, his performances failed to fully justify the hefty price tag. While he did score a century, it came when LSG were already out of playoff contention, and his overall returns remained underwhelming.

Du Plessis pointed to both Pant’s price tag and last season’s struggles as key reasons behind the mounting pressure.

“For me, Rishabh Pant is probably the player in the IPL who is under the most pressure this season. Some guys flourish under the price tag pressure, while some don’t. I think last season was a really tough one for him. The team struggled, and he also struggled with runs,” du Plessis told Jio Hotstar.

He further highlighted the dual responsibility Pant carries as captain and a key batter.

“With a batting-heavy team, how are they going to maximise their bowling? There is pressure on your captain—scoring runs is your first job. If he is scoring runs, it takes pressure off. But then there is also the team’s overall performance, and last year both had big red crosses against them,” he added.

Pant scored 269 runs in 13 matches last season at an average of 24.45, numbers that will keep him under scrutiny.

LSG will begin their IPL 2026 campaign against Delhi Capitals on April 1 at the Ekana Stadium, with Pant’s form set to be a major talking point.

Punjab Police on Sunday registered a case against former Transport Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar hours after a senior government official allegedly died by suicide in Amritsar.

The deceased, Gagandeep Singh Randhawa, was serving as District Manager with the Punjab State Warehousing Corporation. Police said he reportedly consumed Celphos at his residence on Saturday.

Randhawa had accused the minister of harassment and coercion. Before his death, Randhawa recorded a brief video message on his mobile phone, claiming he took the extreme step out of fear of the former minister. The 12-second video message said, “Kha layi Celphos thuade yaar ne minister Laljit Bhullar de dar ton, hun ni bachda (Your friend has consumed poison due to fear of minister Laljit Bhullar; I won’t survive now).”

Randhawa is survived by his wife, a government school teacher, and three children.

Wife names Bhullar, two others in complaint

In her complaint, Randhawa’s wife, Upinder Kaur, accused Bhullar, his father Sukhdev Bhullar, and his personal assistant Dilbagh Singh of harassment and assault. She held them responsible for abetment to suicide.

Based on the complaint, police have booked the accused under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including Section 108 (abetment to suicide), Section 351 (criminal intimidation), and Section 3(5) (common intention).

#WATCH | Punjab Warehousing Corporation (PWC) official suicide case in Amritsar | Wife of deceased Gagandeep Singh Randhawa, Upinder Kaur says, “…Transport Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar tortured my husband a lot. My husband was made so helpless that he took his own life…He… pic.twitter.com/EmYRUONUXK

— ANI (@ANI) March 22, 2026

BJP announces protest, seeks arrest

Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar said party leaders would stage a protest outside Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s residence in Chandigarh, demanding Bhullar’s immediate arrest.

Jakhar, who met the bereaved family in Amritsar, called the incident “equivalent to the broad daylight murder of a government officer” and questioned the state government’s handling of the case.

Jakhar said Chief Minister Mann no longer has any moral basis to remain in power. He noted that earlier, people in Punjab were losing their lives due to their inability to pay extortion and were facing gangster rule, but now even government officials are being forced to take their own lives due to their inability to meet the alleged demands of Ministers.

Questions raised over probe mechanism

The BJP leader also criticised the decision to have Chief Secretary K.A.P. Sinha look into the matter, asking whether such cases should be handled at the administrative level.

The Chief Secretary was asked to look into the allegations of harassment and tender dispute involving Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Bhullar, who represents the Patti Assembly constituency.

He alleged that the incident reflects deeper issues within the state government and accused it of failing to protect even its own officials.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed that its latest round of attacks had caused significant casualties and damage across Israeli territory and US-linked military sites in the region.

In a statement carried by Iranian state media Press TV, the IRGC said the newest phase of its ongoing  Operation True Promise 4 has “tilted the balance” in its favour. It described the escalation as part of a broader shift in how the conflict is unfolding.

Initial assessments cited by the IRGC suggested that more than 200 people were either killed or wounded during the latest phase of the offensive.

Military hubs and air defence systems hit across Israel

According to the IRGC, the “73rd wave” of strikes hit several locations in both southern and northern Israel. Cities named in the statement include Arad, Dimona, Eilat, Be’er Sheva, and Kiryat Gat.

The group said the attacks were carried out using a mix of missiles and drones operated by its Aerospace Force, and framed the operation as a tribute to members of Iran’s air defence units killed in earlier confrontations.

The IRGC further claimed that several Israeli military and security facilities were successfully struck.

US military bases in Gulf region also targeted

The statement stated that the attack on the US military installations in the Gulf were part of the operation. Bases cited included Ali al-Salem in Kuwait and al-Dhafra and al-Minhad in the United Arab Emirates.

The IRGC said a range of missile systems, including Fattah, Qadr, and Emad, along with attack drones were used in the strikes.

Hezbollah role lauded

The IRGC pointed to coordination with Hezbollah in Lebanon, praising the group for opening a “high-pressure front” against Israeli positions in central and northern areas.

The development underscores the expanding regional dimensions of the conflict, with multiple actors now engaged across different fronts.

The situation continues to evolve, with tensions across West Asia showing no signs of easing.

A composed half-century from Connor Esterhuizen, followed by a disciplined bowling effort, powered South Africa to a 19-run win over New Zealand in the fourth T20I at Sky Stadium on Sunday, levelling the five-match series 2-2.

Batting first, South Africa posted a competitive 164/5 in 20 overs, with Esterhuizen anchoring the innings with a fluent 57. In response, New Zealand were bowled out for 145 in 18.5 overs, falling short despite a promising start.

The result sets up a series decider, scheduled for March 25 at Hagley Oval.

South Africa endured an early setback after losing Wiaan Mulder off just the second ball. However, Esterhuizen and Tony de Zorzi steadied the innings with a crucial 81-run partnership, laying a strong foundation. Esterhuizen brought up his half-century in 33 balls, maintaining the scoring momentum through the middle overs.

New Zealand, led by James Neesham, fought back with timely breakthroughs. Esterhuizen departed for 57, while de Zorzi chipped in with 23. Late contributions from Rubin Hermann (28*) and cameos from Jason Smith and Dian Forrester (19 each) helped the visitors push to a competitive total.

For New Zealand, Kyle Jamieson was the pick of the bowlers with two wickets, while Zakary Foulkes, Ben Sears, and Cole McConchie chipped in with one apiece.

Chasing 165, New Zealand struggled to build momentum. Tim Robinson top-scored with 32, while Dane Cleaver made 26. At 76/2 in 8.2 overs, the hosts were well in the contest, but Cleaver’s dismissal triggered a collapse.

New Zealand lost eight wickets for just 69 runs thereafter and were eventually bowled out for 145 in 18.5 overs.

Gerald Coetzee starred with the ball, picking up three wickets, while Ottneil Baartman, Prenelan Subrayen, and Keshav Maharaj claimed two wickets each to seal the win.

New Zealand vs South Africa 4th T20I: Playing XIs

New Zealand:

Jimmy Neesham (c), Katene Clarke, Dane Cleaver (wk), Tim Robinson, Nick Kelly, Bevon Jacobs, Josh Clarkson, Cole McConchie, Zakary Foulkes, Kyle Jamieson, Ben Sears

South Africa:

Keshav Maharaj (c), Wiaan Mulder, Tony de Zorzi, Connor Esterhuizen (wk), Rubin Hermann, Jason Smith, Dian Forrester, George Linde, Gerald Coetzee, Prenelan Subrayen, Ottneil Baartman

Alana King delivered another strong performance to underline her return to Australia’s T20I setup, claiming 2-25 as the visitors secured a 17-run victory over the West Indies in the second match to clinch the three-match series with a game to left.

After electing to bat, Australia were off to a brisk start courtesy of Georgia Voll, who set the tone with an attacking 39 off 23. Her innings, studded with six boundaries and a maximum, ensured momentum in the powerplay before she departed on the final delivery of the sixth over.

The innings continued to gather pace even after field restrictions eased, with Phoebe Litchfield and Ellyse Perry putting together a 58-run stand for the third wicket. While Litchfield contributed 35 off 29 balls, Perry’s fluent 42 off 28 deliveries kept the scoreboard ticking despite a relatively measured partnership.

Australia found another gear late in the innings, as Perry, Georgia Wareham and Nicola Carey played effectively to add 32 runs in the final four overs, pushing the total to a competitive 164/5.

In reply, West Indies endured an early setback when Qiana Joseph was run out in the fourth over following sharp fielding from Litchfield. Though they avoided further losses in the powerplay, the scoring rate remained subdued, with only 26 runs coming in the first six overs.

Australia’s bowlers maintained tight control, with Kim Garth leading the effort through an economical spell, well supported by Carey, Darcie Brown and King.

Captain Hayley Matthews struggled to find rhythm early, managing just one run off her first 12 deliveries, but later staged a remarkable turnaround. She launched a counterattack, scoring 56 off 41 balls, including seven fours and three sixes, and stitched together a crucial 77-run partnership with Stafanie Taylor to revive the chase.

However, King turned the tide in Australia’s favour during the middle overs. After an expensive start, she bounced back to dismiss Matthews with a catch at mid-off before removing Taylor in her following over, effectively derailing West Indies’ hopes.

A late effort from Deandra Dottin, who remained unbeaten on 39, along with a quick cameo partnership with Jahzara Claxton, narrowed the gap but proved insufficient. West Indies ended on 147/4, falling short as Australia sealed the series with a convincing all-round performance.

Brief Scores: Australia 164/5 in 20 overs (Ellyse Perry 42, Georgia Voll 39; Deandra Dottin 1-30, Afy Fletcher 1-32) beat West Indies 147/4 in 20 overs (Hayley Matthews 56, Deandra Dottin 39; Alana King 2-25, Georgia Wareham 1-16) by 17 runs.

Jess Kerr’s bowling brilliance, Sophie Devine’s match-winning knock, and skipper Amelia Kerr’s all-round efforts helped New Zealand chase down a competitive total to defeat South Africa by six wickets in the fourth T20I of the five-match series at the Sky Stadium on Sunday.

With the win, the hosts sealed the five-match series 3-1 with with a game to spare.

Opting to bat first, South Africa posted 159/6 in their 20 overs, riding on a late flourish from Annerie Dercksen, who struck a brisk unbeaten 55 off 32 deliveries. The innings began with Chloe Tryon playing a quick cameo, but her early dismissal triggered a phase of consolidation.

Opener Sune Luus held the innings together with a steady 30, adding stability through the middle overs alongside Laura Wolvaardt. However, New Zealand kept striking at regular intervals, with Jess Kerr emerging as the standout performer with the ball, picking up three key wickets to dent the visitors’ progress.

The momentum shifted decisively in the latter half of the innings as Dercksen accelerated, finding boundaries with ease and forging crucial partnerships with Nadine de Klerk (20 off 14) and later Kayla Reyneke (13 off 8). A productive final few overs ensured South Africa finished strongly, at 159/6.

In reply, New Zealand had an early hiccup with the loss of Isabella Gaze, but Georgia Plimmer counterattacked with a fluent 29, setting the tone for the chase. The skipper Amelia Kerr then took charge, striking boundaries regularly to keep the scoring rate in check.

The defining phase came through a commanding partnership between Kerr (31) and Devine, as the duo stitched a valuable 46-run stand to bring the hosts firmly into contention. Even after the former’s dismissal, Devine continued to dictate terms, unleashing a series of boundaries and sixes en route to a match-winning 64 off just 34 balls.

Though Chloe Tryon managed to pick up a couple of wickets to briefly stall the chase, New Zealand remained in control. Devine’s departure in the closing stages did little to alter the outcome, as Maddy Green and Brooke Halliday calmly completed the chase with nine balls to spare.

For South Africa, Tryon was the pick of the bowlers, while Dercksen impressed with both bat and ball.

Brief Scores: South Africa 159-6 in 20 overs (Annerie Dercksen 55*, Sune Luus 30; Jess Kerr 3-16, Amelia Kerr 1-32) lost to New Zealand 160-4 in 18.3 overs (Sophie Devine 64, Amelia Kerr 31; Chloe Tryon 2-13, Annerie Dercksen 1-20) by six wickets.

With the assembly election drawing closer, the BJP is intensifying its campaign strategy where Prime Minister Narendra Modi and union Home Minister Amit Shah will play central roles in the party’s outreach.

However, sources in the party have also indicated that BJP national president Nitin Nabin, instead of relying on the observers will directly see the organisation of the party.
Unlike the 2021 elections, which were disrupted midway due to the COVID-19 surge, the party is hopeful of executing a full-fledged campaign plan featuring multiple rallies and roadshows by top central leaders this time.

Sources in the party indicate that Modi and Shah are expected to address a series of public meetings and roadshows across the state.
During the last Assembly polls, both leaders had curtailed their campaign after the third phase due to rising infections.

However, with no such constraints this time and a shorter polling schedule, the BJP leaders are optimistic that their campaign blueprint will be implemented in full.
Sources in the party indicate that plans are underway for a major roadshow in Kolkata between April 24 and 27, aligning with the gap between the first and second phases of polling.

Apart from Kolkata, cities such as Siliguri, Durgapur, and Asansol are also being considered for roadshows, subject to security clearance by the Special Protection Group (SPG).

BJP sources suggest that Modi could address around ten rallies across the state in the coming weeks, with each organisational zone likely to host at least one major event as the party gears up for an aggressive electoral push.
Before the high-voltage campaign begins, BJP’s national president Nitin Nabin is likely to visit West Bengal between March 24 and 26.

His visit is expected to prioritise organisational meetings over public rallies, although he may address a gathering if time permits.
Nabin is keen to directly assess the party’s preparedness on the ground rather than relying solely on reports from central observers.
During his visit, Nabin is expected to hold meetings with leaders from all five key organisational zones—North Bengal, Rarh Bengal, Nabadwip, Kolkata, and the Howrah–Hooghly–Medinipur belt.

Traditionally, such interactions have been handled by central observers like Sunil Bansal or Bhupender Yadav.
However, Nabin appears determined to take a more hands-on approach, engaging directly with grassroots leadership to fine-tune the party’s strategy.
Following Nabin’s visit, Modi’s campaign tour is expected to commence, possibly after Ram Navami or beyond March 30, though the final schedule is yet to be confirmed by the Prime Minister’s Office.

In a significant development, the Election Commission of India has decided to deploy as many as 2,400 companies of central armed police forces across the state in the upcoming assembly election to ensure free, fair, and peaceful polling.

The move is being seen as one of the most extensive security arrangements in the state’s electoral history, aimed at preventing violence during and after the two-phase polls scheduled on April 23 and April 29.
According to sources in the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) office, the deployment has already begun, with 480 companies of central forces having reached the state earlier this month.

The remaining 1,920 companies will be sent in a phased manner over the coming weeks to bolster security across sensitive and non-sensitive areas alike.
As per the deployment schedule, the next batch of 300 companies is expected to arrive by March 31.

This will be followed by further inductions on April 7, 10, 13, and 17.
Sources indicated that 300 companies each will arrive on April 7 and April 10, followed by 277 companies on April 13 and a substantial 743 companies on April 17, completing the total deployment before polling begins.

Sources in the CEO office also said that around 500 companies of central forces will remain stationed in the state even after the elections are over.
As the state has a history of post-poll violence, this step is aimed at preventing any kind of violence after the election results are declared.
The Election Commission has also introduced several unprecedented measures to tighten security.

Central forces will not be restricted to polling booths alone but will have the authority to intervene anywhere within the booth area in case of disturbances.
Officials said that complaints of voter intimidation or threats outside polling stations could even lead to repolling in affected booths.
The Commission has made it clear that electoral malpractices such as booth capturing, rigging, and violence will not be tolerated under any circumstances.
Meanwhile, security agencies have identified sensitive pockets and so-called “trouble-monger” zones across the state.

In Kolkata, around 30 companies have already arrived, and route marches have begun in various parts of the city to instill confidence among voters.
Police have prepared detailed route maps, focusing particularly on vulnerable areas.
Similar route marches and security drills are expected to be conducted across other districts in the coming days as authorities step up efforts to ensure a smooth and violence-free electoral process.

Paapa Essiedu, the actor set to step into one of the most iconic roles in the wizarding world, has revealed a chilling truth behind the excitement; he has been flooded with race-fuelled death threats over his casting as Professor Snape in the upcoming ‘Harry Potter’ series.

And yes, it’s as ugly as it sounds.

In a candid chat with The Sunday Times of London, Essiedu did not sugarcoat his experience.

“I’ve been told, ‘Quit or I’ll murder you,’” he said, recalling the kind of messages landing in his inbox.

The actor explained that it’s not just empty noise on the internet. It’s relentless and deeply unsettling. Social media, especially Instagram, has become a place where threats feel alarmingly real.

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He shared that people have gone as far as saying they would come to his house and kill him. While he tries to brush it off with some uneasy humour, the emotional impact is very real.

“Nobody should have to encounter this for doing their job,” he said plainly.

And that’s the uncomfortable truth. Essiedu isn’t playing a controversial political figure or taking on a risky mission. He’s playing a fictional wizard.

Taking over from a legend

Essiedu is stepping into the shoes of Alan Rickman, whose portrayal of the brooding potions master Severus Snape remains deeply loved by fans.

It’s a role with history, emotion, and intense fan loyalty. But his casting has triggered backlash from a section of toxic fans, particularly those unhappy with a Black actor taking on the character.

The new ‘Harry Potter’ adaptation, set to stream on HBO Max in 2027, promises a fresh take with an almost entirely new cast.

The young trio will be played by Dominic McLaughlin (Harry), Arabella Stanton (Hermione), and Alastair Stout (Ron).

Still, it is Essiedu’s Snape that has become the lightning rod for controversy.

World No. 2 Jannik Sinner made a commanding start to his title charge at the Miami Open, cruising past Damir Džumhur in straight sets.

Fresh off his triumph at the Indian Wells Open, the Italian continued his red-hot form on Saturday night, sealing a clinical 6-3, 6-3 victory.

The win also saw Sinner equal Novak Djokovic’s record for the most consecutive sets won at the ATP Masters 1000 level, stretching his streak to 24. He is now riding a 12-match winning run in the category, having lifted titles in the Paris Masters last November and in California earlier this month.

Sinner will next face 30th seed Corentin Moutet, who battled past Tomáš Macháč 6-0, 1-6, 6-4.

“I feel like the scoreboard matters at times,” Sinner said when asked about his streak. “For me, it’s about improving as a player and putting myself in a position to play as many matches as possible. I try to approach every opponent the same way — with the right attitude and intent.”

The Italian is eyeing his second title in Miami, having first lifted the trophy in 2024. His dominant serving proved key against Džumhur, winning 14 of 17 points at the net.

“For me, the transition game is very important. It’s something we’ve worked hard on,” he added. “It also depends day by day. Today, I started aggressively, and it paid off, even if there were a few unforced errors.”

Adjusting quickly to conditions different from Indian Wells, Sinner was satisfied with his opening performance.

“First-round matches are never easy, so I’m happy,” he said.

The much expected supplementary list of names under adjudication in the SIR would be published on Monday but not before 7 p.m. in the evening, the sources at the CEO office claimed.

The following Friday might see the publishing of the second supplementary list.

In another important decision, the Calcutta High Court, in a notification issued on Friday, said that 19 appellate tribunals would be set up for 24 districts to be headed by the same set of judges.

The sources at the CEO office also claimed that the former judges, who would officiate the tribunals, would get security guards. Besides, the tribunals would resume work after all logistics and infrastructure would be put in place, which would take some time.

Though the first supplementary list was supposed to be released on Friday, but was deferred till Monday.

According to Election Commission of India sources, supplementary lists for approximately 40,000 booths have been prepared. The total 27.23 lakh cases have been adjudicated by the judicial officers appointed by the Calcutta High Court.

Though both the Trinamul Congress (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) fielding a number of celebrity candidates ~ from the field of film and sports ~ in the upcoming Assembly election, the much-anticipated element of surprise appears to be largely absent this time.

Interestingly enough both the parties have relied on the tried and tested candidates rather than new faces from the world of sports and celluloid.

Within the ruling TMC, although a handful of known figures from the entertainment and sports world have found a place, the party has largely relied on candidates who have previously tested electoral waters.

Among the prominent names, actor Soham Chakraborty has been fielded from Karimpur, while filmmaker Raj Chakraborty will contest from Barrackpore.

The party has nominated actor Sayantika Banerjee once again from Baranagar, indicating the party’s continued faith in familiar faces.

The TMC has also rested its faith on two existing MLAs from the world of entertainment ~ folk singer Aditi Munshi from Rajarhat Gopalpur and actor Lovely Maitra from Sonarpur South.

Singer Indranil Sen, who has been the party’s MLA from 2016, has been re-nominated from Chandannagar, reinforcing the party’s inclination toward experienced candidates.

However, in a surprising move the party fielded Asian Games gold medallist Swapna Barman from Rajganj shortly after joining the party, marking her electoral debut.

Similarly, footballer Bidesh Bose will contest from Saptagram, while cricketer-turned-coach Shib Shankar Paul has been nominated from Tufanganj, adding to the sports representation in the fray.

Another notable entrant is Shreya Pandey, daughter of late TMC MLA Sadhan Pandey, who will contest from Maniktala, marking her first major political battle.

The political observers believe that the overall number of celebrity candidates remains limited, suggesting that the TMC has opted for experience and organisational strength over experimentation with new faces.

On the other hand, the BJP’s candidate list has generated more buzz compared to the ruling party, with several high-profile entries across phases.

Though the saffron brigade nominated old guards like Ridranil Ghosh and Hiran Chatterjee, it has also given preferences to new faces like Papiya Adhikari and Shraboni Mukherjee.

In the two lists released so far Ghosh has been fielded from Shibpur while Chatterjee will be contesting from Shyampur.

According to party insiders, Chatterjee’s nomination from Shyampur is a bit surprising because he was removed from the winning seat – Kharagpur Sadar – in the first and it was anticipated that the party might ignore him following his marriage controversy.

As far as new entrants are concerned, in Tollygunge, actor Papia Adhikari has been nominated, while Sharbori Mukherjee will contest from Jadavpur.

A high-voltage contest is also expected in Sonarpur South, where BJP has fielded actor Rupa Ganguly against TMC’s Lovely Maitra, setting the stage for a star-studded face-off.

The BJP has released candidates for 256 seats across two phases, leaving 38 seats yet to be announced. Polling for the 294-member Assembly will be held in two phases on 23 April and 29 April, with results scheduled to be declared on 4 May.

Notably, this marks the first time in three decades that the state will witness a two-phase Assembly election.

As the campaign gathers pace, the presence of celebrities is expected to add glamour and crowd-pulling appeal.

Yet, the larger political narrative suggests a shift away from dramatic new inclusions toward a more measured reliance on familiar and electorally seasoned faces.

With barely a month left before voters head to the booths for the first phase of the West Bengal Assembly Election, on 23 April, the ruling Trinamul Congress is gearing up for an aggressive campaign across the state, led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and party’s national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee.

According to party sources, Mamata Banerjee is expected to kick off her north Bengal campaign on 24 March, with rallies scheduled in Matigara, Moynaguri and Alipurduar.

The tentative campaign launch will include a major public meeting at Alipurduar Parade Ground, along with two additional rallies on the same day.

Sources said the Trinamul chairperson will begin her campaign from her constituency, Bhawanipore, with a workers’ meeting on Sunday before heading straight to north Bengal, where all constituencies will vote in the first phase on 23 April.

With about a month in hand, the leadership is focusing on intensifying outreach in the region, which has traditionally been a stronghold of the Bharatiya Janata Party, despite gains made by the ruling party after the 2024 Lok Sabha election.

Political observers believe Mamata herself stepping into the fray signals the party’s intent to reclaim lost ground and consolidate support.

Meanwhile, Abhishek Banerjee will simultaneously spearhead the campaign in south Bengal, beginning 24 March with a public meeting in Patharpratima in South 24-Parganas.

The following day, he is scheduled to campaign across East and West Midnapore, addressing rallies in Daspur, Keshiary and Narayangarh, followed by a workers’ meeting in Nandigram.

Nandigram is expected to witness a high-voltage contest this election, with Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari facing Trinamul candidate Pabitra Kar, a former close aide of Adhikari who recently joined the party under Abhishek Banerjee’s leadership.

The constituency had been a focal point in the 2021 Assembly elections and is set to remain a key battleground.

In addition, Abhishek Banerjee has lined up an extensive campaign schedule in north Bengal, with rallies and road shows planned across nine constituencies on 26, 28 and 31 March.

He is also expected to carry out sustained outreach programmes in multiple districts throughout the month, signalling a coordinated two-front campaign by the party leadership to counter the BJP across regions.

A day after the death of Dum Dum resident Arup Banerjee, five people, including three lift operators and two security guards, were arrested. The five today were remanded to police custody till 27 March by Sealdah court. They were taken into custody for questioning yesterday.

The homicide wing of the city police today took over the investigation from Tala police and forensic experts visited the spot and collected samples to gather clues as to why the elevator at the Trauma Care Centre went out of control and what exactly caused the mechanical failure.

The post-mortem report of the deceased revealed that Mr Banerjee had suffered poly-trauma, which in medical parlance means he had sustained multiple injuries to various body parts and organs and had his lever, lungs, ribs crushed, leading to his death.

The five arrested were identified as Milon Kumar Das, Biswanath Das, and Manas Guha, who are the lift operators and two security guards, Asraful Rahaman and Subhodip Das. They had been booked under various sections of BNS and culpable homicide not amounting to murder charges.

The father of the deceased had alleged on Friday that his sin had been murdered by the RG Kar authorities through their sheer apathy and gross negligence as the police, security guards, officials did not pay any heed to unlock the key, which was allegedly kept elsewhere, with the PWD officials, who could not be contacted.

On Saturday, forensic officials collected samples from the elevator in question. Investigators are examining which floor Arup and his family boarded the lift from, which buttons were pressed, and where the elevator ultimately took them. Another question being raised is whether the elevator had pre-existing mechanical faults and, if so, why it was not taken out of service.

Trinamul Congress (TMC) leader Anubrata Mondal has asserted that just as the CPI-M and Congress were eliminated from Birbhum, the BJP will meet a similar fate in the forthcoming Assembly elections.

Mr Mondal expressed confidence that the party would secure all 11 Assembly seats in the district.

He claimed that he and his daughter had been jailed for refusing to join the BJP, but maintained that public support for the Trinamul Congress remains strong. “The people’s mandate has always been reflected in the ballot box, and it will be the same this time,” he said during his campaign.

The district core committee convener said he remained committed to delivering a clean sweep for the party. “I drove out the CPI-M and erased the Congress from the district. The BJP will face the same outcome,” he asserted.

Blaming the BJP for his imprisonment in Asansol and Tihar for nearly two-and-a-half years, Mr Mondal alleged that the party had attempted to weaken the TMC’s organisational base. He, however, claimed that the party structure remained intact, pointing to victories in the last Lok Sabha and panchayat elections as evidence.

Addressing internal issues, Mr Mondal admitted that the party lost the Dubrajpur Assembly seat in 2021 due to its own mistakes. “This time, Trinamul will win all 11 constituencies,” he said, adding that he would actively campaign across the district, including for candidate Kajal Sheikh in Hansan.

In a strongly worded remark, he said voters would not “bring back darkness” to West Bengal, referring to the previous Left Front rule, and expressed confidence that the electorate would support the Trinamul Congress in all constituencies.

The election battle in north Bengal’s Rajganj Assembly constituency has taken a poignant turn as Trinamul Congress candidate Swapna Barman faces both political challenges and personal bereavement ahead of the polls.

In a tragic development, Panchanan Barman (64), father of the Asian Games gold medallist, died early Saturday morning at a private hospital in Siliguri after battling critical illness for several days. The loss dealt a severe blow to Miss Barman, who had already been unable to begin full-fledged campaigning due to her father’s deteriorating condition.

A native of the remote Dhingpara area of Ghoshpara under Patkata Gram Panchayat in Jalpaiguri district, Miss Barman shot to international fame after winning gold in the heptathlon at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta. She has also secured multiple medals at national and international events. Having recently stepped away from competitive athletics and her job with the railways, she joined the Trinamul Congress and was fielded from Rajganj for the forthcoming Assembly elections.

Significantly, she was at her father’s bedside when her candidature was announced and could not join campaign activities. On Thursday, she offered prayers at the Bhramari Devi Temple, seeking both her father’s recovery and electoral success, hoping to begin campaigning once his condition improved.

Her nomination itself followed internal deliberations within the party. Initially, sections of the district leadership were reportedly reluctant to field her. However, senior leaders including Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee backed her candidature. She was first considered for the Dabgram-Fulbari seat before being nominated from Rajganj, replacing sitting MLA Khageshwar Roy. Mr Roy had expressed dissatisfaction over the decision, though party sources said the leadership intervened to contain the fallout.

Despite these efforts, a section of Mr Roy’s supporters is believed to be unhappy, posing organisational challenges for Miss Barman. Party insiders, however, say the athlete-turned-candidate is determined to overcome the setbacks with the same resilience that defined her sporting career.