Election 2026 highlights: Amit Shah releases BJP's manifesto for Bengal ahead of elections starting April 23

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The Election Commission has rejected the nomination of Trinamool Congress candidate Abhinav Bhattacharya from West Bengal's Krishnanagar Uttar constituency, citing legal provisions under the Representation of the People Act, a senior official said on Friday.

The Returning Officer cancelled Bhattacharya's nomination under Section 9A of the Act, which disqualifies a candidate if the nominee has an existing business interest or contractual engagement with the government.

The official said it came to light that Bhattacharya was engaged with state government-related contractual work at the time of filing his nomination papers.

"As per the law, individuals directly involved in government contracts or supply arrangements are barred from contesting elections due to conflict of interest," he said.

Bhattacharya termed the development as "unfortunate", but asserted that he would abide by the party's decision.

The EC on Friday said that representatives of candidates who contested the Kerala Assembly polls can be deputed outside the security perimeter of strong rooms where EVMs are stored.

Kerala Chief Electoral Officer Rathan U Kelkar issued a press note stating that, after the polling, the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) units used in the election were stored in their respective strong rooms in the presence of contesting candidates or their representatives.

The polling machines were stored under the supervision of central observers appointed by the EC. The process was videographed, and a two-tier armed security arrangement, along with CCTV cameras, has been set up around the strong rooms, the press note said.

"All contesting candidates have been informed in writing to depute their representatives to monitor the security arrangements of the strong rooms and to allow them to stay outside the inner security perimeter.

"CCTV footage of the strong rooms has been made available for them," it said.

TVK chief Vijay's journey, as part of his Assembly election campaign plan, from Madurai, was considerably delayed, and he skipped the scheduled speech here on Friday, disappointing his fans and cadres who had waited for hours.

Party sources said the delay was due to massive crowds along the route from Madurai to Karaikudi, about 100 km.

It allegedly took more than four hours for Vijay's entourage to reach the venue in Karaikudi, way past the scheduled time.

Meanwhile, thousands of youngsters and cadres had occupied the area near the Devar statue, where Vijay was supposed to have addressed the gathering, since early morning, enduring the scorching heat for over five hours while relying on water and Glucose biscuit packets provided by volunteers.

By the time the convoy finally reached the venue, the official time permitted by the police for the event had expired, forcing the TVK chief to offer only a brief wave to the sea of people before departing.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday alleged that the Narendra Modi government's proposed move to amend the women's reservation law and increase the number of seats in Parliament would amount to a violation of the model code of conduct, with "grave consequences".

Kharge said the proposed amendment warrants thorough deliberation, asserting that his party would formulate a collective strategy with other opposition parties to move forward "unitedly" on this issue.

The Congress chief said the Modi government is convening Parliament's sittings from April 16 to 18 with the "sole intention of securing political advantage" and is keen to pass the Constitutional Amendment Bill in "utmost haste".

Addressing the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting to discuss and formulate the party's strategy on the government's move to amend the women's reservation law, Kharge said the proposed amendments could have a profound impact on the country's electoral system.

Assam Congress president Gaurav Gogoi on Friday asserted that Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has "totally panicked" after the opposition party accused the CM's wife of holding multiple passports and offshore properties.

Congress leader Pawan Khera had made the allegations on April 5 at a press conference in New Delhi, which were dismissed by the chief minister and his wife, Riniki Bhuyan Sharma, who also filed a police complaint.

Gogoi said that sending the police after someone cannot cover up the truth, referring to the Assam Police searching Khera's Delhi residence after Sarma's wife filed the case.

"I think Himanta Biswa Sarma has totally panicked after Pawan Khera's press conference. Since then, he has been literally tearing his hair apart," Gogoi told PTI Videos.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharhe has said that the party will move forward unitedly with opposition partners on the women's reservation issue.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge targeted the Narendra Modi government at the CWC meet on Friday.

“Undermining democracy, taking arbitrary decisions has become a habit of the Modi government, which Congress has consistently opposed,” Karge was quoted by PTI as saying.

Reacting to Congress leader Kanhaiya Kumar's remark, party leader Tariq Anwar says, "I haven't heard what he said, but if he has said it, then obviously there must be some reason behind it. I think it's not wrong..."

Kanhaiya, in a veiled reference to home minister Amit Shah, said in Assam that “When I came here, a journalist told me that the issue here is of infiltration. I told that the biggest infiltrator has come from Gujarat." ”He will be driven out along with Himanta Biswa Sarma," Kanhaiya said at a rally in Bongaigaon in Assam on Thursday.

Christian minority representatives extend their support to the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and its alliance ahead of Tamil Nadu assembly elections.

The Chairman of CSI Zion Church, Raja Freeman, expressed support for the DMK, saying the Christian and minority communities stand with the ruling party and expect its continued governance in Tamil Nadu.

Speaking to ANI, Freeman said, "Today we are gathered here to show our support to the DMK party... We are expecting the DMK government to re-establish our Chief Minister again to get his seat again for the seventh time... The Christian community and minority community will support the work of the DMK party."

The consolidation of religious leadership behind the DMK presents a significant challenge to actor-turned-politician Vijay and his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), who are actively seeking to disrupt this traditional vote bank.

TVK leader Vijay holds election rally in Madurai ahead of the assembly elections in the state.

In 2026 assembly polls, Assam recorded 85.33% male, 86.50% female, and 85.91% total voter turnout, while Kerala recorded 75.19% male, 81.19% female, and 78.27% total turnout.

Election flying squad officials on Friday conducted a search of a helicopter carrying BJP leader K Annamalai during his arrival in Ooty for an election campaign in the Nilgiris district.

Annamalai, a BJP Working Committee member and former Tamil Nadu BJP president, had travelled from Coimbatore to Ooty by helicopter to campaign in support of BJP candidate Bhojarajan, who is contesting from the Ooty Assembly constituency. Upon landing, the election flying squad officials inspected the helicopter as part of routine checks being carried out during the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct.

Officials examined the aircraft shortly after Annamalai's arrival, as authorities continue to intensify surveillance across poll-bound regions to ensure compliance with election norms and prevent any violations.

The development comes amid heightened political activity in Tamil Nadu ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections scheduled to be held in a single phase on April 23, with counting of votes set for May 4.

On the implementation of the UCC in West Bengal, Union home minister Amit Shah said in Kolkata, "People of all religions are citizens of India... Is it appeasement to have uniform laws for every Indian citizen, or is it appeasement when one citizen is permitted to marry 4 times while another can get married once?... Mamata ji may do as she pleases; across the entire country—wherever the BJP is in power—the UCC will undoubtedly be implemented."

West Bengal Election LIVE: Reacting to the Malda incident, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that the Supreme Court and the Election Commission have taken cognisance of the matter and ensured that the elections will be conducted without fear.

He added that BJP workers are also committed to ensuring a fear-free electoral process in the state.

West Bengal Election LIVE: Unveiling the party’s poll manifesto for West Bengal, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said a law would be brought to ensure that everyone can freely practice their religion.

West Bengal Election LIVE: Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that the Trinamool Congress secured its second term in 2016 on false promises and returned to power in 2021 through corruption, claiming the party operated in nexus with infiltrators.

Tamil Nadu Election LIVE: Christian minority representatives have extended their support to the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and its alliance ahead of the Tamil Nadu elections.

CSI Zion Church chairman Raja Freeman said, "Today we are gathered here to show our support to the DMK party... We are expecting the DMK government to re-establish our Chief Minister again to get his seat again for the seventh time... The Christian community and minority community will support the work of the DMK party."

West Bengal Election LIVE: Reacting to AIMIM withdrawing its alliance with Humayun Kabir’s Janata Unnayan Party, TMC candidate from Srirampur Tanmay Ghosh said the move reflects a larger pattern seen across states.

He alleged that Asaduddin Owaisi fielding candidates has often helped the BJP by splitting minority votes, and claimed a similar attempt was made in West Bengal but failed due to lack of trust between allies.

Ghosh further said the TMC had exposed an alleged understanding between Humayun Kabir and the BJP, adding that minorities in the state know that the Trinamool Congress, led by Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee, stands with them.