Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, one of the most prominent faces of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), filed his nomination from the Jalukbari Assembly constituency on Friday as he seeks a second term in office. The nomination was submitted at the District Commissioner’s office of Kamrup (Metro) district in Guwahati ahead of the state assembly polls.

Before filing his nomination, Himanta led a huge rally from Veterinary College Field, Khanapara, to the District Commissioner’s office, drawing large crowds of BJP supporters along the route.

A five-time MLA from Jalukbari, Himanta was first elected in 2001 and served three terms with the Indian National Congress (INC) before joining the BJP to contest the 2016 elections.

The upcoming Assam assembly elections will see a direct contest between the incumbent BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government and the Congress party across 126 assembly seats. Voting is scheduled for April 9, with vote counting set for May 4.

Mission to bring every Hindu into BJP fold

The Assam CM today claimed that more Congress leaders are likely to join his party ahead of the elections, stating that it is his mission to bring every Hindu in “fold of the BJP”.

“I think more people will join. I am going to have every Hindu person in the fold of the BJP. That is my mission because Hindus should be united,” he said, highlighting the party’s strategy to expand its base in Assam.

Speaking about his agenda, he says, “I am going to bring each and every Hindu person into the fold of the BJP. That is my mission. Hindus should be united. One of my missions in life is to unite Hindu society. Why should people remain in the Congress party and do anti-Hindu activities? They should come, they should come to their natural home… We want to secure the identity of Assam. We want to have faster development for Assam…”

‘Protect Assam’s identity’: Himanta

Addressing the media, Himanta outlined his primary objectives for Assam: safeguarding the state’s identity and promoting faster development.

“This will be my seventh election. I’ll get full support from the people of Assam. We want to secure the identity of Assam. We want to have faster development. These two are our objectives,” he said.

Himanta also thanked Assam Congress President Gaurav Gogoi for seeing him as the only opponent in the upcoming elections. “I offer my deep thanks to him that, instead of fighting with a party, he said he is fighting with an individual. That means today I have become an institution even though I’m not, but if you get a compliment, then you should thank,” he remarked.

In the current scenario, when the physical ailments and diseases are exerting enormous pressure on individuals, with changing environment and the overall pace of life speeding up with advanced technology, the city life seems to have become detached from nature, experts stress the need to have an integrated approach towards healing which can incorporate modern diagnosis, treatment and ancient healing methods to provide the best cure to the individual suffering from a medical issue.

Moving forward with its vision of integrated medical treatment, Patanjali recently launched the state-of-the art emergency services hospital at Haridwar which was inaugurated by Home Minister Amit Shah.

The vision behind offering integrated treatment is very clear, which is to provide ultimate benefit to the patient or the ailing individual, offering a line of treatment which not only provides timely relief, but addresses the root cause and provides a cure. the integrated treatment style includes modern and traditional approaches, mainly making use of the practices that are the best of both worlds, which creates a win-win situation for the affected individual.

For example, when it is about diagnosis of a problem, modern technique, machines, and examinations have an important role to play, while the allopathic medicines also provide relief faster, while traditional medicine takes care of deep healing and treating the root cause. When combined, the integrated approach provides a holistic treatment to the affected individual, ensuring timely and complete recovery.

Meanwhile, the research team at Patanjali is also working on integrated medicine, maintaining records of patients who are receiving Ayurvedic and allopathic treatments, and based on the analysis, they are scientifically moving ahead, working out solutions. Dr. Shweta Jaiswal, who is a senior doctor at the emergency hospital stated that every patient is given utmost care and their case is studied properly and based on the situation, and they are provided a tailored treatment designed to ensure maximum benefits from the integrated treatment approach.

According to an official, the unique approach combines the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda with modern scientific research, which ultimately benefits the ailing person with a holistic healthcare solution which is effective, safe and scientifically validated.

The system not only focuses on a disease, but the entire individual, which includes his or her physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual side, and the treatment is designed according to what the patient requires, rather than a generic pattern and line of treatment.

For example, at times the initial requirement is to treat symptoms, which alleviates immediate discomfort, and then comes holistic treatment which involves both the things, that is to relieve the pain and also treat the underlying source of the illness simultaneously, this is where the integrated approach benefits in most of the cases.

It’s getting spicy in Bollywood again, and this time, it’s not just about box office numbers, but also about what counts as “propaganda.” Veteran actor Rakesh Bedi has stepped into the conversation with full confidence.

‘Dhurandhar: The Revenge’ is currently riding high on applause, with many viewers loving its scale and storytelling. But not everyone is clapping. A section of the audience has called the film “propaganda,” sparking heated debates online.

Amid this noise, Rakesh Bedi is standing firmly by his film. In a recent chat with NDTV, the actor made it clear that he doesn’t see cinema through a political lens.

“I believe in cinema, not politics”

Addressing the criticism head-on, Bedi shared a calm but sharp take. He said he doesn’t believe in labelling films as “pro” or “anti” establishment. According to him, every viewer has the right to like or dislike a film, but boxing it into political categories is unfair.

More importantly, he pointed to what really matters: audience response. And as per him, the verdict is loud and clear, people are enjoying the film.

Also Read: Dhurandhar 2 breaks all records: Day 1 box office over Rs 100 crore, leaves ‘Animal’, ‘Jawan’ in dust

Defending ‘Dhurandhar: The Revenge’ against the growing “propaganda” chatter, Rakesh Bedi said, “I don’t believe in politics. I believe in cinema. Everybody has the right to like or dislike a film, but I don’t think it’s right to put a film into some kind of category, whether it’s pro-establishment or anti-establishment.”

A subtle swipe at Kangana Ranaut?

Here’s where things got a little more dramatic.

Without directly naming anyone at first, Bedi compared ‘Dhurandhar’ to recent political biopics. He mentioned films made on figures like Indira Gandhi and Narendra Modi, hinting that they couldn’t sustain audience interest even for a couple of days.

That comment quickly drew attention because of Kangana Ranaut and her film Emergency.

For context, ‘Emergency’, a historical drama based on the 1975-77 Emergency period, featured Kangana as former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Despite the buzz, the film struggled at the box office and reportedly earned only ₹18.40 crore worldwide.

“People haven’t seen this scale before”

Bedi didn’t stop there. He credited the film’s strong writing and screenplay as the real reasons behind its success. According to him, audiences are witnessing something fresh, both in terms of storytelling and scale.

His confidence reflects in film’s performance too. Despite online criticism, ‘Dhurandhar: The Revenge’ continues to attract viewers and hold steady at box office.

While some critics are questioning film’s intent, many moviegoers seem to be enjoying it without overthinking the politics. And that gap between online outrage and theatre applause is exactly what Bedi is highlighting.

India’s aviation regulator has ordered airlines to stay out of nine West Asian airspaces with immediate effect, citing the rapidly deteriorating security environment following US and Israeli strikes on Iran and Tehran’s retaliatory response.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has also barred flights from operating below 32,000 feet over designated parts of Saudi Arabia and Oman.

The advisory, which remains valid until March 28 unless reviewed earlier, is the most direct acknowledgement yet by Indian aviation authorities that the Iran conflict poses a concrete risk to commercial flight operations. It covers some of the busiest air corridors in the world — routes that Indian carriers use extensively for flights to Europe, the Middle East, and beyond.

Airlines have been directed to avoid the airspaces of Iran, Iraq, Israel, Lebanon, Qatar, Jordan, Bahrain, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates entirely, at all flight levels and altitudes. Flights over Oman and Saudi Arabia may continue under specific conditions, but carriers must not operate below FL320 – or 32,000 feet – in designated sections of those airspaces.

What airlines must now do

The DGCA has asked all flight operations firms to conduct thorough safety risk assessments and put robust contingency plans in place to handle potential disruptions, including rerouting and diversions. “Operations to airports in the region, where international carriers continue to fly, must be backed by comprehensive contingency planning to address all possible scenarios,” the regulator said.

Flight crew must also be kept updated with the latest NOTAMs (Notices to Airmen), which carry real-time information on airspace restrictions and operational conditions.

The DGCA said recent US and Israeli military strikes on targets in Iran had created a high-risk environment for civil aviation, and that Iran’s retaliatory measures had added to the threat.

The United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) State Security Apparatus (SSA) today announced it had dismantled a terrorist network funded and operated by Lebanon’s Hezbollah and Iran, arresting its members who had been operating under a fictitious commercial cover within the country.

The action by the UAE SSA comes amid heightened regional tensions involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, including cross-border attacks, targeted strikes, and a broader conflict over influence in West Asia.

According to the SSA, the network sought to infiltrate the UAE’s economy and carry out schemes that could threaten national financial stability, echoing broader regional efforts by Iran and its proxies to extend their reach amid escalating hostilities.

“The UAE will respond with firmness and force to any attempt to exploit its economy or civil institutions for terrorist or subversive purposes,” the SSA said, stressing that no external interference threatening national security will be tolerated.

UAE responds to Iranian missile attacks

The UAE’s air defence systems are actively intercepting missile and drone attacks originating from Iran. The Ministry of Defense asserted that the sounds reported in scattered areas were caused by air defence systems intercepting ballistic missiles, alongside fighter jets targeting drones and loitering munitions.

Authorities emphasized that all necessary measures remain in place to protect civilians and critical infrastructure from external threats.

UAE, US Presidents discuss regional security

United Arab Emirates President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan spoke with US President Donald Trump via phone to review regional developments and their impact on global peace, according to WAM news agency.

The leaders discussed “blatant and continuous Iranian aggressions against the UAE and other countries in the region, targeting civilians, infrastructure, and violating sovereignty and international law.” President Trump condemned the attacks and reaffirmed US solidarity with the UAE and regional allies, pledging full support in defending their territories, stability, and security.

UAE welcomes IMO condemnation of Iran attacks

The UAE welcomed the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Council decision during its 36th extraordinary session, which strongly condemned Iranian threats and attacks on vessels and the reported closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The IMO noted these actions endanger seafarers, violate international law, and pose serious environmental risks.

The UAE-tabled declaration was co-sponsored by over 115 IMO Member States, the largest number in IMO history, demonstrating broad international condemnation of Iran’s actions and a shared commitment to ensuring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

India-UAE diplomatic engagement

Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation Reem Al Hashimy yesterday to discuss the latest developments in the West Asia conflict.

Jaishankar thanked the UAE for taking care of the Indian community and emphasised continued cooperation on regional security issues.

Donald Trump chose an unusual defence for keeping allies in the dark before the US strikes on Iran – Pearl Harbor. He made the comparison with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi seated beside him, prompting a visible and immediate reaction from her that briefly punctured the carefully managed warmth of their White House meeting.

The remark has since drawn sharp criticism. Former Indian foreign secretary Kanwal Sibal said on X that Trump had effectively admitted to unprovoked aggression, the same charge historically levelled at Japan for the 1941 Pearl Harbor attack.

“He is implicitly admitting the US committed unprovoked aggression against Iran just as Japan did by attacking the US at Pearl Harbor,” Sibal wrote, adding that doing so “with the Japanese PM by his side” showed “no finesse at all” and was “brutally insensitive.”

Trump was responding to a question about why European and Asian allies, including Japan, had not been notified before the strikes. His answer was direct. “Well, one thing, you don’t want to signal too much,” he said. “When we go in, we went in very hard, and we didn’t tell anybody about it because we wanted surprise.”

He then turned to history, and to his guest. “Who knows better about surprise than Japan, OK? Why didn’t you tell me about Pearl Harbor, OK?” Trump said. “You believe in surprise, I think much more so than us, and we had to surprise them, and we did.”

He argued the secrecy had paid off militarily. “Because of that surprise, we knocked out — the first two days we probably knocked out 50 per cent of what we — and much more than we anticipated doing. So, if I go and tell everybody about it, there’s no longer a surprise, right?”

The moment Takaichi’s smile disappeared

The Foreign Pool report noted that Takaichi reacted the instant Trump made the comparison — her “eyes widening and her smile disappearing” as she “leaned back, drawing her hands in, clearly taken aback by the sudden mention of Pearl Harbor.”

The contrast with the rest of the visit was stark. Trump had been lavish in his praise throughout the day, repeatedly calling Takaichi a “great woman” and saying they had “a very fine relationship.” At dinner that evening, he called her “a spectacular woman” and said it was “an honor” to have her at the White House.

Takaichi, for her part, had leaned into the personal warmth. “I am very confident that Donald and I are the best buddies to realise this shared goal,” she told him, adding that “Japan is back.”

The Pearl Harbor line was the one moment that cut through all of that.

Takaichi did not respond publicly to the Pearl Harbor remark during the meeting.

Pearl Harbor, the 1941 Japanese surprise attack on the US naval base in Hawaii that brought America into the Second World War, remains one of the most freighted historical references in US-Japan relations. The two countries have since built one of Washington’s closest post-war alliances.

Industrialist Anil Ambani on Friday reached the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) headquarters in Delhi for the second consecutive day of questioning in connection with the alleged Rs 2,929.05 crore bank fraud involving Reliance Communications Ltd (RCOM). The investigation follows an FIR lodged based on a complaint from the State Bank of India.

Ambani had appeared before the Investigating Officer on Thursday for an eight-hour interrogation.

Criminal Case Registered

A criminal case was registered against RCOM, Anil Ambani, and other unknown individuals, including unidentified public servants, following a complaint dated August 18, 2025, from SBI. The complaint is based on a forensic audit report alleging large-scale diversion and misuse of loan funds through complex inter-company transactions between 2013 and 2017.

The alleged misappropriation has reportedly caused a wrongful loss of Rs 2,929.05 crore to SBI out of a total exposure of Rs 19,694.33 crore, involving 17 public sector banks.

The State Bank of India is the lead bank in a consortium of 11 public sector banks. Other banks in the consortium include Bank of India, Central Bank of India, UCO Bank, Union Bank of India, Canara Bank, Indian Overseas Bank, IDBI Bank, and Oriental Bank of Commerce, among others.

Multiple Complaints and Expanding Probe

The CBI stated that after the initial complaint, separate complaints were received from several banks, including Punjab National Bank, Bank of India, Union Bank of India, UCO Bank, Central Bank of India, IDBI Bank, and Bank of Maharashtra.

Further, additional cases were registered against RCOM and its directors, including Anil Ambani:

• On February 25, 2026, based on a complaint from Bank of Baroda (including exposures from Dena Bank and Vijaya Bank).
• On March 5, 2026, following a complaint from Punjab National Bank (including exposure from United Bank of India).

Searches Conducted, Documents Seized

In a press release, the CBI confirmed that it obtained search warrants from the Special Judge for CBI, Mumbai, and conducted raids on August 23, 2025. The searches targeted two official premises of RCOM and the residential premises of Anil Ambani in Mumbai. Several incriminating documents were seized during the operation.

The investigation is ongoing, with the agency examining interlinked transactions and alleged financial irregularities across multiple banking institutions and RCOM group entities.

As bombs and missiles continue to strike Iran, multi-storey buildings are collapsing across several parts of the country, including the capital, Tehran. Innocent civilians are losing their lives.

Amid this suffering, a shadow of grief has fallen over Iranipara in Pandaveswar, West Burdwan (West Bengal), popularly known as ‘Little Iran’. The community here has decided to suspend this year’s Eid celebrations, even as Muslims across the world prepare to mark the festival.

“We are observing a 40-day mourning period and have suspended this year’s Eid celebrations,” said local resident Rustam Ali. The residents here are among several thousand Iranians whose ancestors fled political persecution over a century and a half ago and took refuge in India.

Bombs and missiles are repeatedly hitting Iran’s skyline. While buildings and schools are collapsing in different regions of Iran and ordinary citizens are losing their lives, the Iranian community in Pandaveswar remains glued to television screens, anxiously waiting for the war to end.

More than a hundred Iranian families have been living in Pandaveswar for decades. The area now has access to basic government facilities. This Ramadan, however, the mood is sombre. The community is observing a 40-day mourning period following the death of their supreme religious leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Black flags have been placed at street corners in the neighbourhood. The usual joy of Eid has faded, and anxiety is visible among people of all ages, from the elderly to the youth.

The state government has provided us with water, electricity, housing, and other facilities here. We have no problems living here. But we cannot accept the way our country is being attacked. Iran is facing these attacks because it refused to submit to the United States,” says Amjad Ali, a local resident.

Over the years, many Iranian families came to India – the world’s largest market – for trade, dealing in food and other goods. While some eventually returned, many chose to stay back, embracing Indian culture and building their lives here.

I have been living here since my birth. Ayatollah Khamenei was our supreme religious leader. He was unjustly killed. He became a martyr while trying to protect ordinary Iranians,” said elderly resident Gholam Hossein Ali.

“My grandfather, Syed Shiraz Alam Ali, settled here nearly a century ago, drawn by the prosperity of Bengal and the compassion of its people. We lived secluded in tents near train tracks and carried on with our trade,” added Ashiq Ali, regarded as a senior figure in the community.

Today, Iranian-origin families are spread across India, including in Agra, Delhi, and West Bengal’s Murshidabad. In Pandaveswar of the West Burdwan district, a population of nearly 350 Iranians currently works in businesses such as selling spectacles and gemstones.

Although they left Iran decades ago, their emotional attachment to their homeland remains strong. For this reason, they are closely following the ongoing war developments involving Iran, the United States, and Israel.

The death of Ayatollah Khamenei has deeply affected the community. Since the news broke, the locality has been in mourning, with residents strongly condemning the attacks on Iran.

Women in the area say the war has taken away any sense of joy. While many earn a living by selling handmade items door-to-door and appreciate the life they have built in West Bengal, they say their hearts remain heavy as they watch events unfold in their homeland.

Sophie Devine’s 55 not out after her brilliant bowling effort powered New Zealand to a six-wicket win over South Africa in the third T20I here at Eden Park on Friday and took a 2-1 series lead in the five-match series with two games to go.

After opting to bat first, the Proteas women were restricted to 149/7, with Sophie Devine and Suzie Bates picking up a couple of wickets each. In response, Devine’s half-century led the chase, with support from Amelia Kerr (30) and Maddy Green (34), as the hosts chased down the target in 18.4 overs to take a 2-1 lead in the series.

Batting first, South Africa got off to a disastrous start as they were reduced to 9/2 within three overs when Rosemary Mair removed opener Tazmin Brits in the second over, and Jess Kerr joined the party in the next over to dismiss Sune Luus.

Annerie Dercksen and skipper Laura Wolvaardt stitched together a crucial 51-run stand for the third wicket to steady the innings after early setbacks. The partnership, however, was broken by Sophie Devine, who dismissed Dercksen for 27.

Then Suzie Bates removed Chloe Tryon before Sophie Devine struck again, dismissing Nadine de Klerk, as the visitors slipped to 101/5 in 15 overs, leaving them in a spot of bother.

Kayla Reyneke (34 not out off 20) provided late momentum in the death overs, smashing two sixes and a four straight down the ground in the last over to lift South Africa to 149/7.

Chasing 150, New Zealand lost their openers Georgia Plimmer (4) and Isabella Gaze (17) in the powerplay. The Devine and Amelia stitched a 30-run stand for the third wicket. But South Africa tightened up, though, and the wickets of Amelia Kerr and Brooke Halliday in the 10th over left the chase in a tense situation. New Zealand needed 82 off 60 with six wickets in hand. Devine was 13 off 10.

But Sophie Devine and Maddy Green signalled the shift in momentum with an unbeaten 84-run stand for the fifth wicket. When the partnership brought up its fifty, Green had contributed just 12 off 15 balls, with Devine doing the bulk of the scoring from the other end. She carried that dominance through to the finish as New Zealand wrapped up the chase with six wickets in hand and eight balls to spare.

New Zealand 152/4 (Devine 59 not out, Dercksen 1-17) beat South Africa 149/ 7 (Wolvaardt 37, Reyneke 34 not out Devine 2-21, Bates 2-10) by six wickets

Continuous rainfall across Uttarakhand since Thursday night has led to a sharp drop in temperatures and triggered heavy snowfall in several high-altitude regions, including Gangotri, Badrinath, Kedarnath and Chakrata, on Friday.

According to the Meteorological Department, the current spell of rain and snowfall is expected to continue over the next 24 hours, while overall inclement weather conditions may persist till March 26.

Several high-altitude areas above 3,000 metres have been witnessing continuous snowfall since Friday morning due to ongoing rains, resulting in a significant dip in temperatures.

Regions such as Chakrata in Dehradun district, Gangotri and Harsil in Uttarkashi, Badrinath and Auli in Chamoli, and the Kedarnath valley in Rudraprayag district have reported persistent snowfall.

Snow accumulation exceeding three feet has been reported in many of these areas, including along key highways.

Traffic movement has been disrupted at Sukki Top due to heavy snowfall in the Harsil Valley and along the Gangotri Highway, leaving nearly seven villages in Harsil, Gangotri and border areas adjoining China temporarily cut off from the Uttarkashi district headquarters.

Officials from the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) stated that road-clearing operations can begin only after the snowfall subsides.

The Badrinath shrine area has also witnessed severe weather, with over two feet of snow accumulation. The state’s premier skiing destination, Auli, has been experiencing heavy snowfall since Friday morning.

In the Kedarnath temple area, snow accumulation between three and four metres has been reported.

The day-long snowfall in high-altitude regions has led to a noticeable drop in temperatures in lower areas, including Dehradun, where temperatures hovered around 14°C.

Meanwhile, the Dehradun-based regional office of the India Meteorological Department has issued an orange alert for several districts, warning of heavy rainfall and continued snowfall in hilly regions over the next 24 hours.

“Weather conditions over the past 24 hours have behaved as expected and are likely to continue for the next 24 hours,” said Vikram Singh Tomar, regional head of the Meteorological Department. He added that wind speeds are expected to range between 50 and 60 kmph.

An orange alert has been issued for districts including Dehradun, Uttarkashi, Chamoli, Rudraprayag, Bageshwar and Pithoragarh across the Kumaon and Garhwal regions, particularly in areas above 3,000 metres.

Apart from snowfall in the hills, heavy rain, thunderstorms and strong winds are expected across the plains of the state, which may experience intense weather conditions.

The current spell of rain and snowfall is likely to subside after March 21. However, another western disturbance is expected to affect the region around March 26, officials said.

Kirti Azad, MP from Bardhaman–Durgapur, on Thursday warned that he would have the half-built foot overbridge at Bardhaman railway station demolished, criticising Eastern Railway for the “extremely disappointing” pace of work.

Azad said the old British-era over bridge had been dismantled four years ago to make way for a new flyover, with assurances that a footbridge for commuters ~ particularly pedestrians ~ would be completed swiftly. However, the structure remains unfinished. He also referred to a parliamentary mention he made on 10 December and a letter from the Railway Minister, which he described as misleading.

“There is no point in leaving an incomplete bridge; we will have it demolished if the railway authorities do not act immediately,” Azad said at a Press conference.

He also accused the central government of pursuing anti-people policies and alleged that a large pond near Ward No. 4 had been filled in by railway authorities in the name of station development.

A day after the Election Commission of India removed 11 District Magistrates (DMs), the state government on Thursday reassigned nine of them to new positions.

The reshuffle, announced by Nabanna, also included fresh postings for two former District Election Officers (DEOs) of Kolkata.

According to the official notification, all officers have been asked to assume charge of their new roles with immediate effect.

Among the key changes, Arvind Kumar Meena, who was removed as the DM of South 24-Parganas, has been appointed Secretary of the minority affairs department.

Ayesha Rani, the former DM of East Burdwan, has been posted as Secretary of the urban development and municipal affairs department.

Surendra Kumar Meena, earlier the DM of Murshidabad, will now serve as Special Secretary in the agriculture department.

Nikhil Nirmal, removed as the DM of Nadia, has been made Special Secretary in the school education department.

Similarly, Priti Goyal, former DM of Malda, has been appointed Special Secretary in the health department, while Syed N, who served as DM of North 24-Parganas, has been given the role of Special Secretary in the panchayat and rural development department.

Abhijit Tukaram, the removed DM of Alipurduar, has been posted as Special Secretary in the animal resources development department.

Raju Mishra, former DM of Cooch Behar, will serve as Special Secretary in the transport department, and Ravi Prakash Meena, who was removed as DM of Jalpaiguri, has been made Special Secretary in the mass education extension department.

The reshuffle also covered two former Kolkata DEOs.

Unlike other districts, Kolkata does not have a District Magistrate, and the DEO role is assigned to senior IAS officers.

Sumit Gupta, who was serving as DEO of South Kolkata, has been appointed Secretary of the disaster management department.

Anshul Gupta, who was recently removed as DEO of north Kolkata by the commission, has been posted as Special Secretary in the urban development department.

The developments come amid a series of sweeping changes initiated by the Election Commission of India following the announcement of the Assembly election schedule in the state.

Several top bureaucrats, including the Chief Secretary and Home Secretary, were earlier removed.

This was followed by the transfer of senior police officials such as the Kolkata Police Commissioner, the Director General of Police, and the ADG (Law and Order), along with multiple DMs and DIGs.

While Nabanna has consistently reassigned removed officials to new posts, the ruling Trinamul Congress has strongly criticised the commission’s actions.

Eastern Railway celebrated the 70 Railway Week, hosting the prestigious Vishisht Rail Seva Puraskar (zonal level) for the year 2025 at BC Roy Auditorium, Sealdah. The event, held to recognise dedication in rail service, saw Milind Deouskar, General Manager of Eastern Railway, presenting awards to 100 distinguished officers and staff members. He congratulated all the individual award winners as well as different divisions, workshops and departments for the excellence in different areas which made them eligible for bagging different shields and cups on the occasion of Vishisht Rail Seva Puraskar 2025 of Eastern Railway.

The Howrah Division was crowned the winner for the General Manager’s Overall Efficiency and Overall Excellence Shield. The Malda Division followed closely, earning the General Manager’s Overall Efficiency Runners-up Shield.

Sealdah Division was given the Rolling Stock Shield and Car Shed Cup, while Asansol secured the Coaching Depot Cup.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday released its second list of candidates for the West Bengal Assembly elections, including the names of candidates contesting from seven Assembly constituencies in Hooghly district.

The candidates are: Bhaskar Bhattacharya from Serampore, Dilip Singh from Champdani, Sumana Sarkar from Balagarh, Tushar Kumar Majumdar from Pandua, Debashis Mukherjee from Chanditala, Prasanjit Bag from Jangipara, and Barnali Das from Dhaniakhali.

Bhaskar Bhattacharya, the BJP candidate for the Serampore Assembly constituency and a senior party leader from the district, said: “We stand for parivartan (change). Our fight against the Trinamul Congress is against corruption, lawlessness and anti-industrial policies, and to ensure and uphold the constitutional rights of the common people. I am confident of my victory, as the people of Bengal are eager for change. The BJP will provide clean and transparent governance.”

The Left Front on Thursday announced its second list of candidates for the upcoming Assembly election in West Bengal, taking its total tally of declared nominees to 234 out of 294 seats.

At a Press conference held at the Alimuddin Street headquarters, CPI-M state secretary Mohammed Salim unveiled the names of 32 candidates in the second phase. Earlier, the Left Front had announced candidates for 192 seats in its first list, followed by an additional 10 candidates declared by CPI-ML Liberation, taking the total to 202. The latest list, however, largely reflects continuity, with no major surprises. Notably, both Salim and prominent youth leader Satarup Ghosh are absent from the candidate list so far. In a significant seat-sharing adjustment, the CPI-M has ceded the high-profile Nandigram constituency to its ally, CPI.

Shanti Giri has been fielded from the seat, where he will take on senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari and Trinamul Congress candidate Pabitra Kar. Nandigram remains one of the most politically sensitive constituencies in the state. In Bhawanipur, the Left Front has nominated advocate Srijib Biswas against Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Biswas, a familiar face in Left politics, has contested multiple elections in the past but has yet to secure a victory. Among other key announcements, Afrin Begum, a research scholar from Jadavpur University, has been fielded from Ballygunge. Her candidature was widely speculated after she was recently seen accompanying senior CPI-M leaders to a meeting with the Election Commission of India. She will face Trinamul Congress candidate and minister Shovandeb Chattopadhyay, as well as the BJP nominee.

The Left has also announced candidates for several other constituencies, including Tollygunge, where Partha Pratim Biswas will contest, and Raninagar, from where Jamal Hossain has been nominated. With 234 candidates now announced, the Left Front is expected to announce its remaining nominees in the coming days as it seeks to consolidate its position in a fiercely contested electoral battle.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday announced its second list of candidates for 112 Assembly constituencies in West Bengal, while effecting a minor change in its first list, as the party steps up preparations for the upcoming two-phase state elections.

With this, the BJP has declared candidates for 256 out of the total 294 seats, leaving 38 constituencies yet to be announced. The party had earlier released its first list for 144 seats. In a key change, the BJP replaced its candidate for Bishnupur, fielding Biswajit Kha in place of Agnishwar Naskar. Among the prominent names in the second list, actor-turned-politician Hiran Chatterjee has been fielded from Shyampur in Howrah. In Sonarpur South, BJP’s Roopa Ganguly is set to face Trinamul Congress (TMC) candidate Lovely Maitra, setting the stage for a high-profile contest.

Former Barrackpore MP Arjun Singh has been nominated from Noapara, where he will take on Trinamul Chhatra Parishad president Trinankur Bhattacharya. In Barrackpore, lawyer Kaustav Bagchi has been fielded by the BJP against TMC’s star candidate Raj Chakraborty. The party, however, is yet to announce its candidate for Panihati, a constituency that remains conspicuously absent from the second list. Speculation had been rife that the BJP might field the mother of the doctor, who was killed in the RG Kar hospital rape-murder case, but no official confirmation has been made so far.

Former Union minister and ex-Cooch Behar MP Nisith Pramanik has been fielded from Mathabhanga. Other notable candidates include Papiya Adhikari from Tollygunge, Sharbori Mukherjee from Jadavpur, and Priyanka Tibrewal from Entally. In North 24-Parganas, the BJP has fielded former IPS officer Rajesh Kumar from Jagaddal and Debdas Mondal from Habra. Rekha Patra, a face of the Sandeshkhali movement, has been nominated from Hingalganj, while Sanat Sardar will contest from Sandeshkhali. In Kolkata, Indranil Khan, state president of the BJP Yuva Morcha, has been fielded from Behala West against TMC’s Ratna Chatterjee. Sunil Maharaj will contest from Behala East, while Ritesh Tiwari and Tapas Roy have been nominated from Kashipur-Belgachia and Maniktala, respectively.

The party has retained sitting MLAs in key Matua-dominated constituencies such as Bangaon North, Bangaon South and Gaighata. In East Midnapore’s Egra, Dibyendu Adhikari, brother of Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, has been fielded. The second list includes 20 women candidates. Polling for the 294-member Assembly will be held in two phases on 23 April and 29 April, with counting scheduled for 4 May.

The Trinamul Congress has already announced candidates for 291 seats, while the Left parties also released their second list earlier in the day.

The BJP on Thursday released its second list of candidates for the forthcoming Assembly elections, announcing 14 more nominees for constituencies in North Bengal. Significantly, the party has fielded former Union minister of state for home affairs Nisith Pramanik from Mathabhanga.

The party, however, is yet to finalise its candidate for the English Bazar Assembly constituency in Malda district.

In Cooch Behar, the BJP has nominated Dadhiram Roy to contest against Trinamul Congress candidate Paresh Adhikari. In Jalpaiguri district, the party has fielded Lakshman Limbu from Madarihat, Naresh Chandra Roy from Dhupguri, Kaushik Roy from Maynaguri, Anantapur Deb Adhikari from Jalpaiguri and Sukra Munda from Malbazar.

For the hill constituencies, the BJP has named Bharat Chhetri for Kalimpong, Norman Rai for Darjeeling and Sonam Lama for Kurseong. In North Dinajpur, Shankar Adhikari will contest from Chopra and Sabita Barman from Itahar. The party has also nominated Ratan Das from Harishchandrapur and Raju Karmakar from Baishnabnagar in Malda district.

Meanwhile, the BJP’s Siliguri organisational district unit held a meeting on Thursday with candidates Shikha Chatterjee, Dr Sankar Ghosh, Anandamay Barman and Durga Munda to strategise and intensify campaigning in Dabgram-Fulbari, Siliguri, Matigara-Naxalbari and Phansidewa Assembly segments.