Diving into the details: Barpeta’s Mandia seat goes to Sherman Ali Ahmed. Rosie Ahmed (Funu Das) takes on Hajo-Sualkuchi reserved for SC communities. Guwahati Central gets Avijit Mazumdar, Chabua-Lahowal in Dibrugarh has Inus Kumar Kandapan, Jorhat’s Mariani is for Paresh Bora, Karimganj North fields Parimal Ranjan Roy, and Karimganj South sees Aziz Ahmed Khan (Ranu Khan).

In a tactical shift, the party scrapped the earlier nomination for Chamaria seat (No. 27) from the initial announcement, refining its lineup for better prospects.

TMC expressed confidence in its candidates, encouraging them to prioritize public service and win hearts across the state.

Recall that the first list, released just days ago, named 17 hopefuls. Assam’s 126-member unicameral assembly reserves nine seats for SCs and 19 for STs. The state boasts 14 MPs in Lok Sabha and seven in Rajya Sabha.

Polling across all seats is set for a single day on April 9, with vote counting on May 4. This streamlined schedule heightens the stakes for parties like TMC eyeing a foothold in BJP-dominated Assam.

‘BJP and Modi will not take away your voting rights on my watch,’ she thundered. Banerjee mocked Modi’s foreign policy overtures, questioning why he sets aside communal rhetoric abroad only to return and target voter lists. ‘In Saudi Arabia, handshakes; in Dubai, hugs – where’s the infiltrator talk then?’ she quipped.

The CM detailed the havoc wrought by the revision: countless legitimate voters erased from rolls. Her legal salvo includes a petition to the Supreme Court, signaling an unrelenting campaign. ‘This fight against mindless deletions goes on,’ she promised.

The speech timed perfectly with ECI’s evening update: a supplementary list of disputed cases heads to judicial review on March 23. West Bengal CEO figures show 34% of reviewed names barred from voting, with appeals possible via 19 tribunals.

Banerjee’s rhetoric escalated against divisive forces: ‘Those trying to fracture Bengal’s unity and target its people belong in hell.’ She celebrated the region’s historic interfaith amity, vowing fierce resistance to religious polarization.

Nephew and TMC heavyweight Abhishek Banerjee reinforced the message, urging sustained communal peace.

As political battles intensify, Mamata’s rally crystallizes TMC’s narrative: defending democracy against central overreach.

The vacancy arose after the sad demise of Ravi Naik, the seasoned politician and ex-Chief Minister, who succumbed to a heart attack on October 14, 2025. Naik’s defection from Congress to BJP in 2022 flipped the seat, a historic win for the saffron brigade which had long eyed Ponda.

Election Commission has fixed April 9 for voting and May 4 for counting, prompting all parties to accelerate their strategies. Congress counters with Ketan Bhatikar, creating a triangular showdown.

BJP’s decision was finalized in a Delhi meeting under national president Nitin Nabin’s guidance, alongside candidates for by-elections in Koridang (Nagaland), Bagalkot and Davangere South (Karnataka), and Dharmnagar (Tripura).

AAP’s social media post hailed Gitesh Naik’s selection, aiming to capitalize on its anti-corruption and welfare planks. For CM Pramod Sawant, this by-poll is a litmus test, with Ponda’s outcome potentially signaling BJP’s grip in Goa.

As the dust settles on nominations, attention shifts to campaign trails where local concerns— from farmer welfare to urban growth—will sway undecided voters. The race underscores Goa’s shifting alliances and the enduring legacy of Ravi Naik.

Why this sweeping directive? Many employees, especially in industrial belts and service industries, skip voting due to work pressures. The Commission is putting an end to that, making it obligatory for bosses to release staff for polling. No exceptions, no excuses—it’s the law.

Violators face the music: labor authorities will oversee compliance, probe grievances, and slap penalties. Companies are advised to rearrange shifts smoothly, balancing business needs with civic duties. This policy levels the playing field for blue-collar workers who can’t afford a day’s pay cut.

Echoing across states like Kerala, Puducherry, and West Bengal, the initiative underscores the EC’s commitment to inclusive democracy. Beyond mandates, there’s a heartfelt call to action: turn out in droves, make your voice heard. Higher participation isn’t just a goal—it’s the bedrock of robust governance.

As Tamil Nadu gears up for a fiercely contested election, this employee-friendly reform could tip the scales toward record turnout, proving that democracy thrives when accessible to all.

Over 50 high-ranking bureaucrats—from chief secretary to district-level officers—were transferred in a sweeping action before polls were officially declared. Banerjee slammed this as arbitrary and politically motivated, not mere routine reshuffles.

She alleged that impartial institutions are being weaponized against Bengal, violating constitutional norms. Amid a controversial SIR drive linked to 200+ deaths and delays in supplementary voter lists defying SC orders, the ECI’s bias is evident, according to her.

Selective oustings from vital agencies like IB, STF, and CID are crippling governance, Banerjee claimed. Turning the spotlight on BJP, she demanded answers for their obsession with destabilizing Bengal. ‘Proving citizenship after 78 years of freedom is a national disgrace,’ she fumed.

Banerjee spotlighted ECI flip-flops: barred officials redeployed as observers hours later, and police commissioners from key urban hubs shunted without backups, causing temporary leadership vacuums in Siliguri and Bidhannagar—errors hastily corrected.

‘What we’re witnessing is anarchy, incompetence, and a blueprint to control Bengal through institutions,’ she charged. Likening it to emergency-era excesses, Banerjee said BJP’s poll strategy hinges on fear and pressure since electoral appeal eludes them.

Expressing solidarity with affected officers, the CM declared Bengal’s unyielding spirit: ‘We will battle every ploy to the end.’ This confrontation sets the stage for a contentious electoral showdown.

Breaking away from BRS after her suspension, Kavitha positioned her battle lines firmly against her father’s party, BJP, and Congress. Her words carried weight, hinting at personal and ideological rifts within the family and beyond.

Details of the agenda remain under wraps until the official unveiling, but Kavitha promised a strong footprint across all districts. Special emphasis will go to empowering the youth, women, and veterans of the Telangana agitation.

Rooted in Gandhian ideals, the party will champion ‘Sarvodaya Telangana’ – a mission for holistic social progress. Kavitha is immersing herself in Gandhi’s teachings to ensure the platform resonates with transformative values.

Looking ahead, she outlined a fresh political playbook: strategic coalitions and inclusive ‘rainbow alliances’ representing varied societal sections. Pre-launch moves include engaging national figures and securing a central party office.

Whispers suggest ‘Telangana Praja Jagruti’ as the name, symbolized by the ‘Dharmaghanta’ – a call for justice. Her application to the Election Commission has gained momentum, courtesy of a Delhi High Court order urging faster processing.

Marking Ugadi festivities, Kavitha rolled out a comprehensive Rs 2.15 lakh crore ‘People’s Budget,’ crowd-sourced from citizens’ inputs. Timed just before the government’s fiscal plan, it spotlights welfare and growth priorities.

This annual Ugadi tradition underscores her commitment to grassroots governance, potentially challenging established players and injecting new energy into Telangana’s politics.

During a media briefing, the DM detailed the roadmap: Polling for 15 seats on April 23, notification on March 30, nominations open till April 6, scrutiny on April 7, last date for nominations April 9, and results on May 4. This clarity is helping streamline preparations amid heightened anticipation.

With dates confirmed, administrative machinery is on overdrive. Political parties, too, are ramping up efforts. The BJP eyes a breakthrough in Bengal, challenging the incumbent TMC’s dominance led by the feisty Mamata Banerjee.

PM Modi’s recent visit, marked by project launches, served as a rallying cry against TMC rule. In response, Mamata protested at the EC’s doors, raising alarms over procedural fairness.

The BJP’s candidate list drop added fuel to the fire, nominating Suvendu Adhikari dually in Bhabanipur and Nandigram—his 2021 upset over Mamata still fresh in memory. Other biggies include Agnimitra Paul in Asansol South and reserved seat contenders like Sukumar Roy, Savitri Bormon, and Ajay Roy.

As rival camps mobilize, West Bengal braces for a polarized poll season where every vote could tip the scales.

Singh emphasized that selective scrutiny only targets INDIA alliance contests, while others escape action. “The process needs to at least look fair. In truly impartial elections, we’d win every state,” he said. He slammed BJP lawmakers for their unruly conduct and rule-breaking, yet being indulged in proceedings.

Rahul Gandhi’s call for Kanshi Ram’s Bharat Ratna was reiterated by Singh, pressing the government to act. Dismissing West Bengal’s staggered polling as intentional, he forecasted a voter shift towards INDIA. “People there are wide awake to BJP’s games; no repeat of past illusions.”

From Kerala, Congress MP JB Mather affirmed UDF’s readiness against the corrupt LDF regime marred by poor governance. “The public is poised to deliver a strong verdict; we’re organizationally solid.”

RJD’s Manoj Kumar Jha added that those declaring poll dates must project neutrality, not partisanship. This chorus of opposition voices signals intensifying scrutiny on electoral integrity as campaigns gear up across key regions.

Following the EC’s announcement of assembly polls in Kerala, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam, and Puducherry, Congress highlighted the long gap between voting on April 9 in some regions and May 4 results. But Kumar begged to differ.

In an IANS interview from Patna, he declared, ‘Election dates are the Commission’s prerogative. Political outfits have no business interfering or instructing them.’

Kumar attributed the opposition’s frustration to their Bihar debacle. ‘They’re nursing wounds from Bihar and preemptively poisoning the atmosphere for state elections,’ he observed.

Exuding confidence on Bihar’s Rajya Sabha polls, he stated, ‘Tejashwi’s efforts won’t matter; NDA victory on all five seats is certain.’

The leader also commented on the EC’s bold move in Bengal, ousting top bureaucrats. ‘Political meddling in bureaucracy is wrong. EC acted rightly, just like in Bihar post-incidents. Mamata skips development talk, dwells on distractions. Bengal’s public is weary of TMC’s ways.’

Party colleague Rajiv Ranjan supported, noting EC’s authority extends to NDA states too for impartiality. Regarding Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Ratna pitch for Kanshi Ram, Ranjan called it reasonable but a government call.