Preparations are in full swing for the upcoming Assembly polls in Wayanad. Home voting arranged for senior citizens and differently abled persons, which concluded on Sunday (April 5, 2026), witnessed enthusiastic participation, with over 97% of eligible voters in the district exercising their franchise.

Out of 4,438 voters, 4,317 cast their votes from their residences.

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BJP national president Nitin Nabin on Sunday (April 5, 2026) held a roadshow at Thirunallar in the union territory and said a massive wave of support for the NDA was palpable among the people for the April 9 Assembly polls.

Mr. Nabin held a roadshow for nearly an hour in Thirunallar, about 140 away from Puducherry, and said in a post on X, “The electric energy and overwhelming response during today’s roadshow send a loud and clear message that Puducherry has firmly chosen the path of development. This incredible support fuels our resolve. We remain dedicated to taking this journey of progress to every doorstep and ensuring a brighter future for all.” 

He said, “a massive wave of support for the NDA on the streets of Thirunallar.” GNS Rajasekaran is the BJP candidate in the Thirunallar Assembly Constituency in the AINRC-BJP alliance.

- PTI

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday (April 5, 2026) reached out to the Christian community on the occasion of Easter, requesting them to stand with the BJP-led NDA and help it form a government in Kerala, where assembly elections will be held on April 9.

Mr. Shah, speaking at a public meeting in the Kunnathunadu constituency, also referred to the alleged misappropriation of gold from Sabarimala and said the culprits behind it would be jailed within two months if the NDA forms a government in Kerala.

He also said that Kerala will get its first AIIMS and it will be operational within two years of the NDA government coming into the State.

- PTI

BJP MLA Agnimitra Paul, who is seeking re-election from the Asansol Dakshin Assembly seat in West Bengal’s Paschim Bardhaman district, declared that the value of her movable assets has more than doubled to ₹2.56 crore in the last five years.

According to the poll affidavit filed along with nomination papers,Ms. Paul’s immovable assets remained unchanged at approximately ₹1.28 crore.

The BJP candidate’s total movable assets increased to ₹2.56 crore from ₹1.10 crore in 2021, when she had filed her nomination papers for the first time from the constituency.

- PTI

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday (April 5, 2026) urged people to cast their votes to “take revenge” for the deletion of people’s names from the electoral rolls.

The Trinamool Congress chief urged people whose names have been deleted from the voter list during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls to move appeals before the tribunal.

Addressing an election rally at Samserganj, which was the epicentre of violence during the protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act in Muslim-majority Murshidabad district in April 2025, she said, “Cast your votes to take revenge for the deletion of people’s names and against the SIR so that the results reflect that.” 

- PTI

Highlighting the incident of the gherao of judicial officers in West Bengal’s Malda district, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday (April 5, 2026) said the incident was a reflection of “Trinamool Congress-sponsored maha jungle raj”.

PM Modi said the Trinamool government does not consider any constitutional institution to be of any significance, and the incident at Malda was a reflection of that.

“The law-abiding citizens are shocked at how judicial officials were held hostage in Malda. What kind of a government is it that even judges are not safe? How can you expect safety of common people from such a government...? The situation is so bad that the highest court of the country had to intervene,” PM Modi said while addressing a public meeting in Cooch Behar.

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To raise awareness about 100% voting in tribal areas, Nilgiris district officials and election officers inspected polling booths and advised tribal people to vote.

The Gummidipoondi Assembly constituency in Tiruvallur, Tamil Nadu, has emerged as a key industrial hub, driven by the growth of the SIPCOT Industrial Complex. The residents seek civic development and industrial growth.

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Senior Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee on Sunday (April 5, 2026) accused the Narendra Modi government of blocking the state’s dues for the past five years to make the poor people of West Bengal starve for voting the TMC to power in successive Assembly polls.

Addressing an election rally at Raina in Purba Bardhaman district in support of the party’s candidate Mandira Dolui, the TMC national general secretary said that if he is not speaking the truth, let the BJP counter him with proof and send him to jail.

“The Centre has not released more than Rs 1 lakh crore dues for the state’s projects. It has done this to make the poor people of West Bengal starve, as they had voted the TMC to power in successive Assembly polls,” Mr. Banerjee said.

- PTI

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday (April 5, 2026) led a colourful march in Baharampur town, which is believed to be the stronghold of senior Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury.

The TMC supremo walked down the narrow streets of the district headquarters of the Murshidabad district as people stood by to have a glimpse of the CM.

Ms. Banerjee greeted people with folded hands and shook hands with some people as she led hundreds of participants in the rally.

- PTI

Manipur Chief Minister Y. Khemchand Singh on Sunday (April 5, 2026) said the NDA Government in Assam has ushered in significant strides in infrastructure development and governance, and the state is poised to emerge as a robust and dynamic region.

Mr. Singh was speaking to reporters after addressing a rally in Assam’s Cachar district in support of BJP candidate from Udharbond, Rajdeep Goala.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi is taking India forward, and Himanta Biswa Sarma has transformed Assam,” the CM said.

- PTI

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday (April 5, 2026) alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants to amend the FCRA to attack Christian institutions, NGOs and civil society working in the field of public and social welfare.

Mr. Kharge, at a UDF public meeting in Idukki assembly constituency, said the proposed amendments to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) shows the real intent of the BJP and Modi.

He alleged that “it was not a reform, but an attack on the Christian institutions, NGOs and civil society”.

“PM Modi is trying to strike fear in the Christian institutions,” he claimed.

The FCRA Amendment Bill, introduced in the Lok Sabha on March 25 by Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai, seeks to enhance transparency and ensure proper utilisation of foreign funds, while preventing their misuse against national security and interests.

Mr. Kharge also alleged that Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan was not ‘independent’ and following the path of PM Modi.

He also claimed that Mr. Vijayan was being controlled by Mr. Modi. -- PTI

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has said he will take action against the parents of AJP candidate Kunki Chowdhury for allegedly consuming beef and uploading a picture of it on social media.

Ms. Chowdhury (27), who is making her electoral debut from the Guwahati Central Assembly constituency, has repeatedly denied the allegations, terming it as fake news being spread by Sarma.

“After the election, I will take action against her parents as per the Cattle Prevention Act. I will accept everything, but not eating beef,” the Chief Minister told reporters when asked about the ongoing controversy.

Consumption of beef is not illegal in the State, but the Assam Cattle Preservation Act, 2021, bans cattle slaughter and sale of beef in areas where Hindus, Jains and Sikhs are in majority, and in places within a five-km radius of a temple or satra (Vaishnavite monastery).

On Thursday (April 2), Mr. Sarma had claimed that her mother, academician Sujata Gurung Chowdhury, had shared posts related to beef consumption, made remarks offensive to certain sections and supported Pakistan, thereby hurting the sentiments of ‘Sanatani’ people.

“Forget whether Kunki wins or loses... Let her say that her parents eat beef, she is a Sanatani Hindu and she has disowned them. If she says she is not with her parents, then I am with her,” Mr. Sarma said.

“Will you vote for people eating beef? Which ‘Satradhikar’ will vote for her?” he said. -- PTI

Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) general secretary Premalatha Vijayakant asserted on Sunday (April 5, 2026) that Leader of Opposition and AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami did not keep his promise of giving one Rajya Sabha seat to DMDK as agreed during the electoral pact between the two parties for 2024 Parliamentary elections.

She was responding to Mr. Palaniswami’s claim that he had not entered into any pact with DMDK on Rajya Sabha seat during Parliamentary polls in 2024 nor had he given any assurance to Ms. Premallatha during talks for Lok Sabha polls that year. 

The last date for filing nominations for all 234 constituencies in Tamil Nadu for the April 23 Assembly election, is scheduled to end on Monday (April 6, 2026).

As of 3 p.mc. on Sunday (April 5, 2026), details of a total of 3,430 nominations (many candidates have filed multiple nominations) have been uploaded by the Election Commission of India (ECI). The nominations filed will be taken up for scrutiny on April 7 and the last date for withdrawal of nominations, if any, is on April 9. Polling in all 234 Assembly constituencies is scheduled between 7 am and 6 pm on April 23. 

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Sunday (April 5, 2026) praised the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP), asserting that the party is committed to protecting the land, language and identity of Assam’s people.

Speaking to ANI, Mr. Sonowal emphasised that people have strong faith in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, noting that the BJP has been instrumental in bringing growth, development and safeguarding the interests of indigenous communities.

“This election is essential because we have to protect our land, our language, our identity. The BJP is committed to this. The steps taken against illegal immigrants in the last 10 years are exemplary, which is why people have so much trust in the BJP. People have trust in the leadership of Prime Minister Modi. BJP’s speciality is bringing development, peace, tranquillity, and protection of indigenous people,” he said.

- ANI

In poll-bound Assam, political parties are intensifying efforts to secure the support of the influential tea tribe, a voting bloc that could decide outcomes in dozens of constituencies.

With around 35 lakh voters, the community holds sway in over 35 seats, primarily in eastern Assam, and can influence results in at least 10 more in the 126-member Assembly.

Their longstanding demands, including Scheduled Tribe (ST) status, higher daily wages, and land rights, have once again taken centre stage in the political discourse.

The ruling BJP has highlighted its welfare measures over the past decade, claiming significant improvements in the living conditions of tea garden workers.

- PTI

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee on Sunday (April 5, 2026) renewed her criticism of the ongoing Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in West Bengal, alleging that the process is being used to intimidate voters by removing their names.

Speaking at a public rally in Murshidabad, she claimed that around 500 officers had been removed in a way that could disrupt administrative work in the state. She remarked that while such disruptions might slow down functioning temporarily, normal operations would resume after the elections.

Ms. Banerjee also warned that deleting names from voter lists amounts to pressuring and intimidating citizens. Additionally, she announced that a separate budget for farmers would be introduced in the future, positioning it as a key step to support the agricultural community.

“This time we will bring a separate budget for farmers... 500 officers have been removed from here so that Bengal’s work stops. You can halt it for 1 month, but after the elections, all work will resume. If you are striking off someone’s name, you are trying to intimidate someone,” said CM Mamata.

- ANI

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National Vice President Baijayant Jay Panda on Sunday (April 5, 2026) praised the development in Assam over the past few years, stating that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given special attention to the state and the broader Northeast region.

He highlighted industrial growth, employment opportunities and women empowerment as key achievements under the BJP-led government.

“Assam has a huge pro-incumbency in these elections, and the reason for this is that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has placed an extreme focus on Assam and the Northeast. Everyone can see the changes that have taken place. Look at new industries like semiconductor factories; there are many opportunities for youth, and much has been done for women,” Mr. Panda said.

- ANI

TVK leader Adhav Arjuna claimed on Sunday (April 5, 2026) that the DMK alliance is no longer “natural” but is instead maintained through “pressure and financial influence to clean out competition” and make way for Udhayanidhi Stalin to hold high office.

He also accused DMK chief M.K. Stalin of abandoning the principles of social justice in favour of “monarchy” and “money power”. The DMK has shifted from an ideological party to one dominated by authority and corruption, he alleged.

“Stalin wants to clean everyone and without any competition, he wants to make Udhayanidhi as chief minister after 2026,” Mr. Arjuna told reporters in Chennai.

- PTI

Samajwadi Party MP Ramgopal Yadav on Sunday (April 5, 2026) called for changes in election procedure, stressing that the entire opposition is raising demand for organising them through ballot paper.

Speaking to ANI, Mr. Yadav noted that in such advanced technology if theft can take place from bank accounts of people, and electoral data from Electronic Voting Machine can also be stolen.

“Not only Samajwadi Party, but the entire Opposition is demanding that elections should be conducted on ballot papers. The technology has grown so advanced that theft can happen in a bank account, with your data, then EVMs can also be stolen. BJP will be voted out of power in 2027 from Uttar Pradesh and in 2029 from Delhi [General Elections],” said Mr. Yadav.

- ANI

DMK president and Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Sunday (April 5, 2026) dismissed the suggestion that the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections would be a “close” multi-cornered contest.

In his first interview this election season, he told The Hindu, the four-way race would ultimately favour the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance.

Trinamool Congress candidate for Siliguri Assembly constituency, Goutam Deb, declared movable and immovable assets worth over ₹4.52 crore, and stated that there is no pending criminal case against him.

The Siliguri mayor, in his affidavit submitted with his nomination to the Election Commission, stated that he has movable assets worth ₹1.58 crore, and immovable assets, including a three-storey building, with a current market value of ₹2.94 crore.

The TMC leader stated that there is no pending criminal case against him and that he has never been convicted in any criminal case.

Deb’s annual income in the financial year 2024-25, according to his income tax returns, was ₹18.02 lakh, while in the 2023-24 fiscal, it stood at ₹15.32 lakh.

The TMC leader stated he has ₹1.03 lakh cash in hand, while his spouse has ₹30,000. -- PTI

Ahead of the Kerala Assembly election, 100% webcasting and camera surveillance are being deployed both inside and outside all polling booths in Kannur to ensure a flawless and transparent voting process in the district, authorities said. The cameras are being rapidly installed across the district’s 2,177 polling stations. This system allows for the accurate monitoring of voter queues through cameras placed outside each booth.

Real-time monitoring of the webcasting has been established at two levels, a district-level control room at the Kannur Collectorate and individual control rooms in each assembly constituency supervised by the respective Returning Officers. These constituency-level hubs will also be visited by election observers.

To support this initiative, special training has been provided to employees in the webcasting section. The entire footage of the voting process in Kannur will be recorded on hard disks and subsequently handed over to the State Chief Electoral Officer. -- ANI

Veteran BJP leader B.S. Yediyurappa on Sunday (April 5, 2026) alleged that Congress leaders came to campaign for bypolls two Karnataka constituencies with “suitcases full of money”, under the illusion that they can win with cash, liquor and muscle power.

But people will “teach them a lesson,” the former Chief Minister told reporters.

He also accused the Congress government in the state of indulging in corruption, “intoxicated by power”.

“There is no need to have any doubt. They (ruling Congress leaders) have come with suitcases full of money under the illusion that they can win the election with money, liquor and muscle power,” Mr. Yediyurappa said, taking a dig at CM Siddaramaiah and his cabinet for camping in poll bound constituencies for about a week now. -- PTI

Amid speculations on the BJP’s Chief Ministerial face in the West Bengal Assembly polls, State BJP president Samik Bhattacharya said the party had not taken any decision on the matter and would instead seek votes in the name of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his “development agenda”.

Addressing an election rally in Assam’s Biswanath Charialli on Sunday (April 5, 2026), Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi said that Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is India’s most corrupt Chief Minister and added “He spreads only hatred.”

Mr. Gandhi said “Won’t spare Himanta even if he asks for forgiveness, legal action will be taken when Congress comes to power.” -- PTI

Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) candidate from Tiruchirappalli West, Rajasekaran, slammed the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government, saying that it has taken unprecedented loans and has put the people of Tamil Nadu under debt.

Speaking to ANI, he underlined that Tamil Nadu Minister and DMK candidate, K.N. Nehru, has been accused of corruption-related complaints by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

“I am carrying out my campaign in this constituency by highlighting the alleged corruption of the DMK government and the irregularities committed by its Ministers. The contesting Minister, K. N. Nehru, has been accused of corruption-related complaints by the Enforcement Directorate,” he said. “The DMK government led by M. K. Stalin has taken loans on an unprecedented scale, but has not implemented any major projects for Tamil Nadu. Instead, it has burdened the people with debt.”

- ANI

Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday (April 5, 2026) held a huge roadshow in Beypore assembly constituency where thousands of people turned up to greet the BJP leader on the campaign trail for the NDA ahead of the April 9 elections in the State.

Mr. Shah, who arrived at the Calicut airport here on Saturday (April 4, 2026) evening, held the roadshow from Mathottam Bijith Junction to Naduvattom here as hundreds of BJP workers and supporters lined both sides of the route carrying party flags and wearing saffron coloured headgear.

The people, of all ages, were waiting for Shah’s roadshow since early morning, according to visuals on TV channels.

- PTI

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin launched a scathing attack on Opposition Leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Sunday (April 5, 2026), accusing him of building a campaign on slander and substandard rhetoric.

“If you say Palaniswami, it means lies and deception. He is hiding his own lies and telling lies repeatedly. The lies told by Palaniswami could be published as books; he is lying to that extent,” he said at a campaign rally here. “He has also made false remarks about former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi denying space for former Chief Minister Kamaraj, Janaki, M.G.R., and others...”

Leader of Opposition in the Bihar Assembly and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader, Tejashwi Yadav, on Saturday (April 4, 2026) expressed confidence that the Left Democratic Front (LDF) will retain power in Keralam for a third consecutive term, citing the enthusiastic public response to the campaign ahead of Keralam Assembly elections.

Speaking to the media, Mr. Yadav said, “In Kerala, there’s a very good atmosphere, and there’s always been a fight between the LDF and the United Democratic Front [UDF]. But for the last ten years, the LDF government has been in power.”

The RJD leader said that his party has been actively campaigning in multiple constituencies as part of its alliance with the ruling front.

- ANI

Police have registered a case and launched an investigation in connection with illegal distribution of household kits in parts of Thrissur city on April 4, the Election Commission said on Sunday (April 5, 2026).

The case was registered after an Election Flying Squad intercepted the unauthorised distribution of household kits near Olari Parthasarathy Temple and Karthika Super Market here, an EC statement said.

The enforcement team, operating under the supervision of Executive Magistrate Dr Bindu T N, discovered that 26 kits, each valued at approximately Rs 900 and containing various miscellaneous household items, were being distributed, it said.

- PTI

Senior West Bengal BJP leader and the party’s candidate from Kharagpur Sadar constituency, Dilip Ghosh, has declared total assets of around ₹2 crore, up from his net worth of ₹1.82 crore divulged during the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, which he had unsuccessfully contested from the Bardhaman-Durgapur seat.

According to his poll affidavit, his movable assets currently stand at ₹28.75 lakh, and cash in hand at around ₹3.5 lakh. His wife, Rinku Majumdar, owns movable assets worth ₹22.98 lakh, with cash in hand of of nearly ₹50 lakh.

- PTI

Asserting that the BJP is opposed to infiltrators and is not against Muslims, senior party leader and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Sunday exuded confidence in the party’s electoral prospects in Assam and West Bengal.

“I strongly believe that we will win in both Assam and West Bengal. It is the BJP’s policy to take everyone together, irrespective of one’s religion. We are opposed to infiltrators but are not against Muslims,” Mr. Gadkari said in an interview with PTI.

- PTI

Nearly ₹11 lakh in cash was seized from the residence of a Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) functionary in Tiruchirappalli, following information that the money was allegedly meant for distribution to voters in the Srirangam Assembly Constituency ahead of the upcoming elections.

Acting on a tip-off, authorities conducted a raid at the house of Gandhi, also known as Azhagappan, a DMK member and former Panchayat President of Ammappettai in Srirangam.

The operation was conducted by Income Tax officials led by Additional District Officer Kathiravan, along with the election flying squad headed by Thuraiyur Tahsildar Chandramouli.

- ANI

AIADMK chief Edappadi K. Palaniswami has asked Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin to direct his anger on his party leader A. Raja for purportedly making a remark saying his late father M Karunanidhi was kept in “house arrest” in his final days, and said that he would order a State-led probe into the viral audio when AIADMK formed the government post the April 23 polls.

Referring to his earlier comments on the subject, Mr. Palaniswami on Saturday (April 4, 2026) said he had quoted the viral audio in which DMK deputy general secretary A. Raja purportedly claimed that Mr. Stalin had kept his father “under house arrest” during his final days. Also, Mr. Stalin’s elder brother and former Union Minister M.K. Alagiri had gone on record saying that “my father is being held as a prisoner,” Mr. Palaniswami said at an election rally at Arani in the district.

- PTI

VCK founder Thol Thirumavalavan on Saturday (April 4, 2026) announced he will not contest the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, withdrawing from the race days after he nominated himself from Kattumannarkoil.

“I wanted to enter the Assembly, but I have now changed my mind to ensure the unity of the DMK alliance,” Mr. Thirumavalavan told reporters at a press briefing here.

Earlier, the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi foudner had announced his intention to fight from the Kattumannarkoil constituency, expressing an “inner calling” to serve in the Assembly. The Chidambaram MP confirmed on Saturday (April 4, 2026) that he has now opted not to file his nomination for the Kattumannarkoil seat to counter narratives that he was anticipating a “hung Assembly”.

- PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Cooch Behar district on Sunday (April 5, 2026) to launch the BJP’s campaign for the West Bengal Assembly elections, a senior party leader said.

Mr. Modi is scheduled to address the BJP’s ‘Bijoy Sankalpa Sabha’ at the historic Ras Mela grounds in the afternoon, marking the start of the party’s intensified outreach in north Bengal, with the aim of consolidating grassroots support in a region that has become a saffron stronghold over the years and a critical electoral battlefield.

During the rally, the PM is expected to outline the party’s vision for a “developed West Bengal”, highlight issues raised in the BJP’s recently released ‘People’s Chargesheet’ against the ruling TMC in the state, and focus on governance, law and order, and alleged corruption.

- PTI