Elections 2026 highlights: BJP, EC tried to invalidate my candidature in Bhabanipur, says Mamata at poll rally

Elections 2026 highlights: Updates to this live blog have ended.

Elections 2026 LIVE updates: Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin intensified the DMK’s 2026 election offensive with a high-decibel campaign in the Lalgudi Assembly constituency.

The campaign in Lalgudi is strategically significant as the DMK seeks to solidify its stronghold against a multi-cornered challenge from the AIADMK-led alliance and actor Vijay’s TVK.

(ANI)

Elections 2026 LIVE updates: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday sharpened the BJP’s pitch in poll-bound West Bengal, promising to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC). Addressing a rally in Murshidabad district, he said, “The nation's security is of paramount importance to us. The BJP's resolve is to implement UCC in West Bengal to end the politics of appeasement forever.”

Targeting the ruling Trinamool Congress, Modi said, “The TMC came to power by raising the slogan of 'Maa-Mati-Manush'. But now, it wants to form a government for infiltrators with their votes... We will not allow Bengalis to become a minority in the state.”

(PTI)

Elections 2026 LIVE updates: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched a sharp attack on the ruling Trinamool Congress while addressing a public meeting in Dakshin Dinajpur, framing the 2026 Assembly elections as a battle between “fear” and “trust”.

Addressing the gathering, Modi said, “This time the Bengal election is between TMC's fear on one side and the BJP's trust on the other. This is a fight to defeat fear. This is a fight to move Bengal forward on the basis of trust. Today, I have come to assure you that TMC's rule of fear is about to end... Now, TMC's shop of lies and loot is going to shut down.”

(PTI)

Elections 2026 LIVE updates: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Saturday said its International Election Visitors’ Programme (IEVP) 2026 has received a significant boost following Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar taking over as Chair of the member states of International IDEA a few months ago.

In a press note, the ECI said that as many as 70 democratic countries had expressed keen interest in witnessing India’s electoral process during the International Conference hosted by the Commission in Delhi in January, highlighting growing global attention on what it described as one of the most transparent election systems in the world.

Elections 2026 LIVE updates: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Saturday said that the ongoing Legislative Assembly elections in Kerala, Puducherry, and Assam have attracted global attention, with international observers witnessing the process firsthand.

In a press note, the ECI said that 38 delegates from 22 countries are part of its International Election Visitors’ Programme (IEVP) 2026, where they are observing the scale, precision, and vibrancy of India’s electoral process across poll-bound states.

Elections 2026 LIVE updates: Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Saturday launched a sharp attack on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, alleging that her government has failed the people of the state over the past decade and a half.

Addressing a gathering, Gupta said, “Mamata Banerjee has shown her ruthless face to the people of Bengal over the past 15 years... This election is not about grabbing power; this election is about restoring respect to Bengal's sisters, about securing their rights...”

(ANI)

Elections 2026 LIVE updates: AIADMK leader Inbadurai has filed a complaint with the Chief Election Officer against Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, alleging misuse of government machinery for election campaigning ahead of the Assembly polls.

In his complaint, Inbadurai said, “CM Stalin's candidature in TN assembly election should not be allowed like Indira Gandhi's in 1975 as he is utilising government officials to shoot his campaign videos,” calling for appropriate action by the Election Commission.

(PTI)

Elections 2026 LIVE updates: Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Saturday launched a sharp attack on the ruling Trinamool Congress while campaigning in Raniganj, framing the upcoming elections as a decisive fight for dignity and the future of the state’s youth.

Addressing a public gathering, Gupta alleged lawlessness and criminal influence in the region, saying, “These elections are about fighting for your honour. This is a battle for the future of our youth. Today, in Raniganj, the mafia rules over the coal mines... The TMC candidate contesting the election here has FIRs registered against him in every police station in the area.”

(ANI)

Elections 2026 LIVE updates: West Bengal Assembly Leader of Opposition and BJP candidate from Bhabanipur and Nandigram constituencies, Suvendu Adhikari, held an election campaign in Nandigram on Saturday, stepping up outreach efforts ahead of the polls.

Addressing supporters, Adhikari highlighted the BJP’s governance record across states, saying, “...There are 21 BJP-ruled states. The BJP has always implemented its manifesto. You can see this in Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Haryana, or Maharashtra; the BJP fulfils its promises...”

(ANI)

Elections 2026 LIVE updates: In the run-up to the West Bengal Assembly elections, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Wednesday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Election Commission of India (ECI) of turning "Indian democracy into a cruel joke" over the SIR exercise in the state.

In a post on X, the party alleged that "genuine voters" are being selectively targeted and removed from the rolls in an attempt to "rig" the election outcome, calling it a "shameless bid".

"Even Suprabuddha Sen, grandson of legendary artist Nandalal Bose, the man who illustrated the Indian Constitution, along with his wife, have had their names arbitrarily deleted from the electoral rolls. Shockingly, names of voters at whose homes @AmitShah himself had lunch have also been wiped out," the post said.

The ruling party in Bengal also issued a warning to the BJP, saying it would face a "rude awakening" if it believes that "disenfranchising" honest citizens will ensure victory.

Elections 2026 LIVE updates: Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay on Saturday officially launched the "final sprint" toward the upcoming assembly elections in Tamil Nadu, urging his party workers to transform their momentum into a "victorious procession."

In an X post, describing his supporters as "comrades who reside in my heart," the actor-turned-politician said that the next ten days are critical for the party's success. He called for a massive, disciplined door-to-door outreach program to solidify the TVK's presence across Tamil Nadu.

Elections 2026 LIVE updates: Union home minister Amit Shah addressed a public rally in West Bengal's Bankura and vowed to “completely dismantle Mamata's syndicate across the entirety of Bengal”.

He added, “This syndicate has become an instrument of governance for Mamata and her nephew—one that serves only to suck the very lifeblood out of the people of Bengal. Once you oust Mamata and establish a BJP government, we will take it upon ourselves to set this syndicate straight."

Elections 2026 LIVE: West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday alleged that the BJP, with support from the Election Commission, tried to cancel her candidature from the Bhabanipur seat in south Kolkata by attempting to file false cases against her, but the move was stopped by Trinamool Congress workers and the public.

Banerjee, speaking at an election rally in Keshiyari in Paschim Medinipur district, alleged that the BJP had "forcefully" removed the names of 90 lakh voters from the electoral rolls during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR).

"The BJP, with the EC's help, tried to invalidate my candidature from Bhabanipur by trying to file false cases against me, but we foiled their game plan," Banerjee was quoted as saying by news agency PTI. She is contesting against Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari to retain her seat. She did not give further details.

She claimed that the BJP was "plotting to forcefully capture votes through fraudulent means as they don't have the guts to fight and win the elections democratically".

"This is why they are deleting voters' names. They are also planning to tinker with EVMs to turn the results in their favour," she said.

The chief minister said justice would be delivered sooner or later after the BJP’s defeat in the assembly polls, followed by their removal from power in Delhi.

"More than 250 people have died due to the SIR exercise. Of the 90 lakh deleted voters, 60 lakh are Hindus while 30 lakh are Muslims... Since we speak in Bengali, are we not Indians? Do we need to constantly prove our citizenship?" she said.

Elections 2026 LIVE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday sharpened the BJP's pitch on infiltration and welfare in poll-bound West Bengal and promised that the process of granting citizenship to Matua and Namasudra refugee families will speed up once the party comes to power.

Addressing a rally at Katwa in Purba Bardhaman district, Modi said the BJP had brought in the Citizenship (Amendment) Act to grant citizenship to refugees and accused the ruling Trinamool Congress of trying to spread fear among them.

Elections 2026 LIVE: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday took a jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi while accusing the latter of "institutional takeover and cutting millions of votes".

In a post shared on X, Kejriwal wrote, "Even after taking over all the institutions and getting millions of votes cut, what if Modi still loses the West Bengal election?"

Elections 2026 LIVE: At a poll rally, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee slammed the BJP and asked, "Since we speak in Bengali, are we not Indians? Do we need to constantly prove citizenship?"

Elections 2026 LIVE: Speaking to ANI, BJP spokesperson NV Subhash, speaking from Hyderabad, dismissed recent allegations of polarisation made by the Congress and asserted that the upcoming electoral battle is strictly a two-way contest between the BJP and the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC).

Subhash ridiculed the Congress's attempt to remain relevant in Bengal, highlighting their long absence from power and dwindling seat count. While dismissing the Congress as a "media hype" creation, Subhash made it clear that the BJP's sights are set squarely on unseating Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

Elections 2026 LIVE: At an election rally in Tentulia, North 24 Parganas, West Bengal, TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee said on Friday: “Even a snake can be trusted, but not BJP.”

Elections 2026 LIVE: Addressing an election rally in Bengal's Purba Bardhaman, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “In such a great legacy, the TMC has sinned, branding this land with backwardness. Now the BJP has taken a resolution that Bengal will be taken to new heights of development.”

Elections 2026 LIVE: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Friday ordered a repoll for Assam's Karimganj North following a detailed post-poll scrutiny of Form 17A and other poll-day records.

Sribhumi District Commissioner Pradeep Kumar Dwivedi told news agency ANI that the Election Commission of India (ECI) observed the need for fresh polls after disruptions occurred on April 9 during the polling process. There are 599 voters at the 239-Babyland High English School polling station for the re-voting.

"The matter is under investigation, but the poll process was disrupted, and the Election Commission believed that there is a need for fresh polls. There are 599 voters here. I cannot enter into the voting room very frequently, but the last time I went there, around 20 votes had been cast," he added.

Elections 2026 LIVE: BJP's candidate from Madurai South constituency Rama Srinivasan, on Saturday, said that neither the people of Tamil Nadu nor the Madurai South constituency are in support of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) party in the upcoming Assembly elections.

Speaking to ANI, Srinivasan exuded confidence in the victory of the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP), citing the party's performance in previous elections will pose as an advantage this time.

"The campaign is going on very well. Our cadres are very enthusiastic. They have been working night and day. All our leaders are very keen to see that the South constituency is won by the BJP. Now, Tamil Nadu BJP is a Pan-Tamil Nadu party; we are contesting in almost all regions of Tamil Nadu we are contesting. In the last Parliamentary elections, we contested here and secured second position. So, this time we have an advantage. The same candidate is coming to this constituency, and my face is familiar to the people of this constituency. So, we are sure that we will win this constituency," he said.

Elections 2026 LIVE: West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday said fish production in West Bengal increased significantly during her tenure, as she sought to rebut Prime Minister Narendra Modi's assertion that the state lagged in pisciculture.

Banerjee was addressing an election rally in this North 24 Parganas district town in support of TMC candidates.

"Modi Babu said more fish is produced in Bihar than in Bengal and that these are sold to other states; it has to be so because the people in Bihar are not allowed to eat fish," the TMC chief said.

Banerjee said fish production in the state increased by 1.72 lakh metric tonnes to 23.74 lakh metric tonnes during the TMC regime, asserting that the state leads in fishling production.

"Fish production in salty water stands at 1.98 lakh metric tonnes," she said, claiming that earnings of the fisherfolk have also increased.

"Fish imports from other states have decreased from 1.12 lakh metric tonnes to 1.02 lakh metric tonnes during our government's tenure," the CM said.

Elections 2026 LIVE: Senior Congress leader V D Satheesan on Friday expressed confidence in a huge win by the UDF, claiming it will make a clean sweep in five districts, and brushed aside speculations that the NDA will open its account in Kerala.

Satheesan, speaking to reporters here a day after the conclusion of the Assembly polls, praised the performance of the UDF leaders and workers during the election, saying it was the best ever he has seen in the last 30 years.

Elections 2026 LIVE: A close associate of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Ashok Dinda was detained during a naka checking operation in West Bengal, with authorities recovering a significant amount of cash and gold from his possession, news agency ANI reported.

Trinamool Congress (TMC) alleged that Sandip Manna, owner of Bijli Jewellers and a close associate of BJP MLA Ashok Dinda, was caught during a check near Anantapur Girls High School.

During the checking, officials reportedly recovered approximately ₹17 lakh in cash along with 105 grams of gold from Manna. The circumstances under which the cash and valuables were being transported are currently under scrutiny.