Assembly election 2026 highlights: Amit Shah targets Mamata over ‘Babri Masjid-modelled’ mosque, ‘infiltrators’

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Election 2026 news live updates: The state-level friction between the Congress and CM Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress took a dramatic turn on Tuesday after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's scheduled visit to Kolkata for April 23 had to be cancelled.

His party alleged that at the behest of the TMC, the local administration, specifically the police, has not granted permission for the visit.

According to the Congress, the party waited until 6pm on Tuesday, April 21; but as permission was not granted, it was no longer possible to make preparations for the event.

Rahul Gandhi remains keen to undertake a visit to Bengal; therefore, a fresh request for administrative permission will be submitted for either April 25 or 26, news agency ANI reported citing Congress sources.

Election 2026 news live updates: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday accused West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of protecting “infiltrators”, encouraging dynastic politics, and supporting efforts to build a “Babri Masjid-modelled mosque” in the state - something he said the BJP would oppose.

Speaking at a rally in Salboni, Paschim Medinipur, ahead of the first phase of the Assembly elections, Shah positioned the contest as an ideological fight between the BJP and the ruling Trinamool Congress.

He said the election was not just about forming a government but about “freeing Bengal from infiltrators, corruption and fear”.

“Mamata Didi wants to protect infiltrators. Press the button next to the lotus symbol on April 23, and a BJP government will drive out every infiltrator from Bengal,” Shah said.

Election 2026 news live updates: Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday courted controversy after referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a “terrorist” while criticising the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam for aligning with him.

Addressing reporters in Chennai, Kharge questioned the AIADMK’s decision to join hands with the Prime Minister. “How these AIADMK people, who themselves put the photo of Annadurai, how can they join Modi? He is a terrorist. His party won't believe in equality and justice. These people are joining with them; it means they are weakening democracy."

"You need leaders who will not bow before the BJP and will stand up and fight, that is MK Stalin. Today, AIADMK has lost its identity. It has become a silent-slave partner of the BJP. It cannot protect Tamil Nadu's interest, because it has become a slave of PM Modi," he added.

He then clarified his statement saying he did not mean to call the prime minister a “terrorist” but meant that he “always terrorises" people and political parties. Read more

Election 2026 news live updates: Union Minister Piyush Goyal and BJP leaders hold a press conference on the last day of the Tamil Nadu Assembly election campaign.

He said,“The message of the Bharatiya Janata Party and the NDA to the people of Tamil Nadu over the past several months during this election campaign has been clear. The media plays a very important role, as it conveys the sentiments of voters and helps people understand what is happening in the state. I must say that this entire Tamil Nadu election has shown that, despite the pressure put on the media, even reporting news about the opposition can lead to consequences".

"I am told that since channels are uplinked through a state government-controlled entity, their connections can be cut off. Despite such immense pressure and control, you have upheld democratic principles. I compliment all of you for working in these very difficult conditions under the DMK government and still being the voice of the people of Tamil Nadu.”

Election 2026 news live updates: Four key announcements made by Amit Shah in Bengal:

1. BJP will end syndicate raj in Bengal, dig out mafias and put them behind bars

2. BJP promises merit-based employment to one lakh youths in Bengal every year whereas Mamata govt sold teachers' jobs

3. BJP will end syndicate raj in Bengal, dig out mafias and put them behind bars: Amit Shah at poll rally in Kulti.

4. Once voted to power, BJP will ban four marriages in certain community by enforcing UCC in Bengal

Election 2026 news live updates: Abhishek Banerjee, national general secretary of the TMC, on Tuesday slammed BJP for 'failing' to fulfil its promises, while asserting that the state government’s welfare schemes—particularly Lakshmir Bhandar—will continue without interruption in West Bengal. Speaking at a poll rally in Barjora, Bankura district, he assured that women beneficiaries “will continue to receive benefits under the scheme for life.” (ANI)

Assembly Elections 2026 Live: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday hailed the defeat of the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill in the Lok Sabha, accusing the BJP of a "dangerous game" by linking women's reservation to delimitation.

Addressing an election rally in Velachery, Tamil Nadu, Mallikarjun Kharge alleged that the Centre refused to hold an all-party meeting to discuss the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026.

He said, "The BJP government tried to play a dangerous game by linking women's reservation with delimitation based on the 2011 census. It means punishing states like Tamil Nadu, which successfully controlled the population. The Opposition stood united, and Congress in Delhi led from the front, and DMK, TMC, SP all stood shoulder to shoulder to defeat the Bill."

"Tamil Nadu CM was the first man to raise a voice against the Bill. He said it was anti-people and anti-South, so he tore and burnt the Bill. This is a victory for every citizen of the country. This is a victory for federalism and justice. We gave 33 per cent reservation to women in the Panchayat and local bodies. This is the achievement of Congress, not PM Modi," he added. (ANI)

Election 2026 news live updates: Amit Shah on Tuesday vowed to end the "injustice" of Trinamool Congress against the Gorkha community, promising to withdraw the cases against the people involved in the Gorkhaland movement.

Amit Shah also assured that the BJP will bring a "solution" to ensure that resolve the long-pending demands of Gorkhas.

Addressing a rally in Darjeeling, Amit Shah said, "Mamata Didi has tried to suppress the history of Gorkha. Now it is time to end the injustice against Gorkha. Darjeeling has to make Congress, Communists and Mamata pay. They have painted our hills with blood but I say this under Narendra Modi ji's leadership, we will put an end to this injustice," he said. (ANI)

Election 2026 news live updates: “People of Tamil Nadu hate BJP and its divisive and vicious politics. That is the reason BJP has not been able to make a mark in Tamil Nadu for so many years,” said Kejriwal while doing a press conference with DMK leaders on Tuesday.

“NDA in TN is BJP and not BJP + AIADMK. Even if BJP wins 1 seat, they will ensure the chief minister if from their party. TN people should know this……in Delhi, people are fed up of just one year of BJP government,” he added.

Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates: Actor-turned-politician and TVK chief Vijay on Tuesday made a final appeal to voters ahead of the April 23 Assembly elections, urging them to support his party's "Whistle" symbol and promising to resist political pressure from established parties.

In a message shared on X, Vijay addressed the voters as his "own kin" and thanking them for their continued support since his entry into politics. Positioning himself as a people-centric leader, he alleged that his party has faced sustained pressure from political opponents.

"Who else but those who, from the day I entered politics to express gratitude to the people of Tamil Nadu--my own kin who have given me everything--have inflicted unspeakable pressures, constraints, and heartaches upon us until now? Our people know well our political adversary, the anti-people evil force DMK, and the BJP, a resolute power that battles in the field against policy adversaries and many others," Vijay said.

Assembly Elections 2026 Live: The high-intensity campaign for the April 23 Tamil Nadu Assembly election 2026 will conclude on Tuesday evening, ushering in the mandatory silence period.

West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates: A total of nine people, including five BJP workers and four TMC workers, were arrested after tensions escalated into a clash outside Ekbalpur Police Station in Kolkata on Monday, according to a ANI report.

As per the Kolkata police, the incident unfolded on Hossain Shah Road during a campaigning programme, triggering a confrontation between supporters of the two rival parties.

According to Kolkata Police, the clash broke out when Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) supporters gathered for a meeting led by party candidate Rakesh Singh. During the programme, sloganeering by BJP workers was met with counter-slogans from supporters of the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC), leading to a heated exchange that soon turned violent.

Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates: In a major development ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu elections, officials of the Election Flying Squad seized ₹2.44 crore of unaccounted cash near Perambalur.

According to Perambalur Tehsildar, the incident took place at Sengunam village, where a flying squad led by Excise Supervisory Officer Palaniselvan was conducting routine vehicle checks.

Upon examination, officials found five carton boxes in the car's trunk containing bundles of ₹500 currency notes. The total cash seized amounted to ₹2,44,97,500. (ANI)

Election news LIVE: “The BJP is trying to install a puppet Chief Minister and run a remote-controlled government in Tamil Nadu. The INDIA alliance will not let this happen. The people of Tamil Nadu will vote to safeguard their identity and dignity," Rahul said at an election rally in Tamil Nadu yesterday.

Election news LIVE: Interacting with media persons on Tuesday in poll-bound West Bengal's Kolkata, Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta said, "As the voting date approaches, our belief grows stronger that every single resident of Bengal who was living in fear and oppression has decided to form a BJP government and when the results come on May 4th, it will bring respectable and fearless governance, with trustworthy and development-oriented politics."

“Hooliganism is rampant in the state, and every woman is afraid to step out of her home. And even if she does, the CM questions her, whether it's the RG Kar case or any other incident,” Gupta said, attacking Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee.

"Even under a woman CM, women in the state are not safe at all. Corruption is rampant in the state... The mafia is involved in every sector here... The big question is: why should we vote for the TMC again?" she said.

Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates: Dilip Ghosh, BJP candidate from Kharagpur Sadar, said the “time has come” for the TMC to exit power, asserting that Mamata Banerjee no longer has control and that her party’s departure is inevitable.

He further claimed that if polling booths are secured by central forces, voters will be able to cast their ballots without fear, alleging that the local police, in collusion with “goons”, intimidate people. (ANI Video)

Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates: DMK MP Kanimozhi on Tuesday said that the party has successfully navigated through the Centre's attempts to "create confusion" through issues like Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and "intimidation" ahead of the Tamil Nadu Assembly polls.

She remained confident that DMK would secure a victory in the polls and Chief Minister MK Stalin would return to power.

"In Tamil Nadu, unnecessary intimidation, such as raids, is being carried out against many people. Beyond that, there have been efforts to create confusion in various matters, including issues like SIR. However, the DMK has acted proactively and has successfully countered these attempts," she said. (ANI)

Tamil Nadu and West Bengal Elections 2026 Live Updates: Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar said the poll panel will “leave no stone unturned” to ensure free and fair elections in West Bengal, outlining a detailed plan to curb malpractices and boost voter confidence.

In a message to officials overseeing the polls, he stressed that the Election Commission is committed to conducting elections “free of fear, violence, intimidation and inducements,” underscoring a zero-tolerance stance on electoral violations.

Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates: In a fresh attack on BJP, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee alleged that the BJP planted “cherry-picked” officials at the airport to deliberately delay her flight, according to a ANI report.

The Bengal CM said her aircraft was held on the runway for 30 minutes, adding that a similar delay occurred with Hemant Soren’s chopper as well.