'BJP workers entering Assam in hordes to cast votes,' alleges Cong's Gaurav Gogoi
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THE TIMES OF INDIA | Apr 08, 2026, 12:46:08 IST
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'BJP workers entering Assam in hordes to cast votes,' alleges Cong's Gaurav Gogoi

Election 2026: Tuesday marks the last day of campaigning in Assam, Kerala, and the Union territory of Puducherry ahead of assembly elections on Thursday.

In two other poll-bound states, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, polling will be held on April 23. West Bengal will have a second phase too, scheduled on April 29.

The counting of votes in the four states and Puducherry UT will be held on May 4.

West Bengal and Tamil Nadu have 294 and 234 constituencies respectively. Assam has 140 seats, Kerala 126, and Puducherry 30.

The elections are expected to see intense contests across states, with major parties gearing up for closely fought battles.

Earlier this month, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, along with Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, toured the poll-bound states to assess preparedness.

To ensure smooth conduct, the Commission has appointed Central Observers using its powers under Article 324 of the Constitution and Section 20B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, aimed at strengthening oversight and ground-level management.

Key highlights:
  • West Bengal Election: Names of around 91 lakh voters have been removed from the state's post-SIR rolls, with chief minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee announcing she would support those whose names have been removed.
  • Assam Election: Campaigning will end for Assam's 126 assembly constituencies on Tuesday.
  • Tamil Nadu Election: Polling on April 23 in a three-cornered contest involving the DMK-led alliance, the AIADMK-BJP combine, and TVK.
  • Kerala & Puducherry Election: Tuesday marks the last day of campaigning in both Kerala and Puducherry, which have 140 and 30 assembly seats, respectively
19:37 (IST) Apr 06
Tamil Nadu Assembly elections live: DMK candidate from Avinashi constituency Dr V Gokilamani confident on win
“I am confident about facing this election due to the good governance provided by our Chief Minister MK Stalin over the last five years. People of Tamil Nadu want the DMK government to continue. I believe the people will elect me as their representative," she told PTI.
18:48 (IST) Apr 06
Assam Assembly Elections live: Amit Shah takes jibe at Rahul Gandhi's rising prices remarks
"The DMK and the Congress are also contesting against each other on 5 seats. Two days ago, Rahul Gandhi came here and said that petrol prices in India have risen due to the Gulf War. He is right. Petrol prices have risen to Rs 458 and diesel prices have risen to Rs 520, but those prices have increased not in India but in Pakistan", Shah said while addressing a public meeting in the Mannadipet assembly constituency.
17:44 (IST) Apr 06
'Will demoralise Congress': PM Modi hails Assam rally crowd's 'unprecedented energy'
“I have had the opportunity to visit Dibrugarh many times, but this level of enthusiasm and energy is unprecedented. I can see that those on the highway may not be able to hear or see it clearly, but people are standing in large numbers...The Congress is already troubled and distressed. Such scenes will further demoralise the party just before the elections. This enthusiasm gives only one guarantee, once again, a BJP government, once again an NDA government. Assam has a rich heritage that reflects the spirit of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat," said the Prime Minister.
17:39 (IST) Apr 06
Assam Election 2026 Live: 'UPA deported over 88,000 infiltrators; only 2,566 sent back since 2014,' says Kharge
Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge said the UPA government deported 88,792 infiltrators in eight years, while only 2,566 were sent back in five years since 2014 under Narendra Modi’s rule.
17:13 (IST) Apr 06
Kerala Election: Rahul Gandhi calls PM Modi, Vijayan 'arrogant' in Kerala rally
Addressing an election rally at Mala , the LoP said the Assembly polls in Kerala were a fight between the Congress-led UDF and the ruling LDF, which he alleged was being indirectly supported by the BJP.

"There is a hidden hand helping the LDF against the UDF," he said, adding that even CPI(M) workers would admit that the government was not functioning as a true Left administration.
17:10 (IST) Apr 06
Bengal Election: SC asks Calcutta HC to set up 3-judge panel on Bengal SIR appeals
The Supreme Court has asked the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court to constitute a three-judge panel to frame procedures for tribunals to decide appeals against deletions under the Bengal SIR.
16:35 (IST) Apr 06
Assam Election: 'Congress sings to Pakistan's tune': PM Modi slams opposition at Assam rallies; cites national security, development

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday launched a sharp attack on the Congress during election rallies in Assam, accusing the opposition party of aligning with Pakistan’s narrative, indulging in corruption, and failing to deliver on development promises.



Addressing a rally in Barpeta district, PM Modi said that while his government carried out “Operation Sindoor” on terror camps in Pakistan, the Congress continued to “sing to the tune of” the neighbouring country.



Also addressing in Hojai, the Prime Minister focused on the impact of global developments and fuel prices, cautioning voters against the Congress. “Despite such a big global crisis, petrol and diesel prices have not been allowed to rise in the country. But the Congress government in Himachal increased the prices of petrol and diesel. This means that before elections this royal family talks about relief to the people, but after elections they put the people into difficulty. That is why every family in Assam must remain very careful of them,” said the Prime Minister.

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15:28 (IST) Apr 06
'Posters, festoons, banners, and party flags were stolen by BJP supporters': TMC Leader and Siliguri Mayor, Goutam Deb
"An unfortunate and unbecoming incident took place in Siliguri over the past couple of days. Our posters, festoons, banners, and party flags were stolen by BJP supporters, thrown into the drains. Posters of our Chief Minister were defaced, and the stickers of my face was replaced by those of PM Modi. This is deeply unfortunate, and the hooligans from the BJP are responsible for these actions... About 50% of our election materials have either been stolen or discarded in drains," he said.

"It is happening throughout the state, but in Siliguri, it is particularly aggravated and done in a very desperate manner. I have lodged a complaint with the District Returning Officer, and various other authorities, but no action has been taken so far. Today, I instructed my legal cell to officially raise my concerns and protest with all relevant officers. We will observe what action the Election Authority takes. If there is no action, we will mobilise the people and take to the streets to fight for our rights," he added further.
15:26 (IST) Apr 06
Kerala Election 2026 Live: 'Embracing in Delhi, strangling each other in Kerala,' says Naqvi in dig at Congress, Left
Addressing a BJP Foundation Day programme here, Naqvi expressed confidence that the BJP would emerge victorious in the West Bengal Assembly polls and said that the state has put up a 'No Entry' board on the "re-entry" of the TMC "misrule".

The TMC’s "Jungle Raj" (lawlessness) will end, and the BJP's "Mangal Raj" (era of good governance) will be established in West Bengal, Naqvi said.

He alleged that the TMC failed to ensure the safety of "Maa" (mother), the dignity of "Mati (soil), and the empowerment of "Manush" (people); therefore, it is now attempting to misuse "Maans, Machhi, and Musalman" as a shield to cover up its misrule.

"Maa-Mati-Manush" is a political slogan coined by TMC supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
14:39 (IST) Apr 06
Assam Election 2026 Live: 'Swear on Bhagavad Gita,' Gogoi dares Himanta to deny wife's passports, assets claim

"I told this yesterday, and I am again repeating it now -- I can say under an oath on the Bhagavad Gita that I don't have any property in London as alleged by Sarma. Can he do that? I challenge him to come to a common place and to do the same under an oath on the Bhagavad Gita," Gogoi said.

14:20 (IST) Apr 06
Assam Election 2026 Live: 'West Asia has caused widespread outrage across globe, BJP govt continuously working for welfare of our countrymen,' says PM Modi
"The ongoing war in West Asia has caused widespread outrage across the globe...Even during this time of crisis, the BJP government is continuously working for the welfare of our countrymen. The BJP-NDA government has ensured that the burden of the global crisis does not fall on the poor, the middle class, and our farmers," he said.
14:06 (IST) Apr 06
Assam Election 2026 Live: Remarkable work done in Assam regarding solar power, says PM Modi
"Remarkable work has been done in Assam regarding solar power. In the coming years, numerous power plants are going to be established here. The efforts of the Assam government have also received support from the central government... Now people's electricity bills are zero... In areas and states where there is electricity, industries start to grow," he said.
13:49 (IST) Apr 06
Kerala Election 2026 Live: Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi addresses a corner meeting in Peravoor
“I am now the MP of Wayanad for the last one year, a little more than one year, and I see very closely the problems and struggles that you face. I can see that all of you have struggled and worked extremely hard to educate your children. The people I come across are well educated. When I meet young people in Kerala who are well educated, very often they do not have jobs, and if they do, those jobs are outside the state,” she said.
13:46 (IST) Apr 06
Assembly Elections 2026 Live: 30% commission on all contracts, govt has become 'commission agent,' says Rahul Gandhi in Puducherry
"Everybody knows that there is a 30 per cent commission taken on all contracts. Govt has become a commission agent. There is a liquor license raj, no matter how much the public complains, nothing happens. They steal from the people, but they also steal from the god; law and order are declining," he said.
12:29 (IST) Apr 06
Watch: PM Narendra Modi holds a roadshow in Assam's Barpeta
12:24 (IST) Apr 06
Assembly Elections 2026 Live: BJP wants Puducherry to belong to Mr Adani, says Rahul Gandhi at Puducherry rally
"BJP wants Puducherry to belong to Mr Adani. Karaikal port has been sold to him; the state is leading in manufacturing fake medicines, the government is not taking action, which amounts to 'corruption with murder'," he said.
12:02 (IST) Apr 06
Assam Election 2026 Live: Under Congress governments, even money meant for farmers was siphoned off by middlemen, says PM Modi
“Under Congress governments, even money meant for farmers was siphoned off by middlemen. Our government transfers money directly into farmers’ bank accounts. Under PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi, farmers in Assam have received more than Rs 7,500 crore so far. Despite major global crises and rising fertiliser prices worldwide, we did not let that burden fall on Indian farmers. While a bag of urea costs around Rs 3,000 globally, the BJP-NDA government provides it to farmers at about Rs 300. It is because of such farmer-centric decisions that BJP-NDA remains the first choice of farmers in Assam. A large number of women are also present here today. It is my privilege to have had the opportunity to serve the country’s women, and wherever BJP-NDA’s double-engine government is in power, we receive their strong support,” he said.
11:52 (IST) Apr 06
Assembly Elections 2026 Live: Rahul Gandhi addresses rally in Puducherry
"What is the Congress alliance govt going to do for Puducherry? We are going to give Rs 2000 monthly support to unemployed youngsters, create 30,000 new jobs in public and private sectors, and the women will travel for free in Puducherry buses. We are going to relax the entry into govt jobs till the age of 40. Every single family in Puducherry will have healthcare insurance of Rs 20 lakh available to them," he said.
11:47 (IST) Apr 06
Assam Election 2026 Live: Congress works in the short term so that it can indulge in corruption, says PM Modi at Bhowanipur rally
"Congress is a party that never works for development with a long-term vision. Congress works in the short term so that it can indulge in corruption. On the other hand, the BJP is a party that works with a long-term vision. We are moving forward to develop India from a developed Assam, and that is why we have worked diligently over the past ten years. The past ten years were dedicated to establishing peace and harmony in Assam. The coming years will expand Assam's prosperity," he said.
11:39 (IST) Apr 06
Assam Election 2026 Live: ‘Royal family will hit century of defeats after Assam polls': PM Modi at Bhowanipur rally
“The people of Assam have decided on two things this time. One, there will be a hat-trick of the BJP-NDA government in Assam. And second, do you know what that is? I will tell you. After the Assam election results, the ‘royal family’ leaders sitting in Delhi will see their tally of defeats reach a century, and the people of Assam will be the ones to make that happen," he said.
11:35 (IST) Apr 06
Assam Election 2026 Live: PM Modi addresses rally in Bhowanipur
“The month of April marks the festive occasion of Bohag Bihu. You are all preparing for the celebrations, but this time, along with Bohag Bihu, it is also the festival of democracy, with just two days left for voting. The enthusiasm and energy I am witnessing here and across Assam are extraordinary and unprecedented. The crowd gathered here reflects that spirit, there is hardly any space left, even on the roads. I have worked in Gujarat for many years, and even for a meeting at 10-11 am, I could not gather such a large crowd. You have truly broken records. I bow to you for your enthusiasm, your spirit, and for coming here to bless us,” said PM Modi.
11:19 (IST) Apr 06
Watch: Rahul Gandhi arrives in poll-bound Puducherry
11:05 (IST) Apr 06
Bengal Election 2026 Live: 'Political wave moving forward with power of tsunami, driven by trust placed in PM Modi,' says BJP candidate Sankar Guchhait
"The people here are saying that this time, the BJP candidate will not just be the BJP's candidate; he will be the candidate of the entire population... A political wave is building, moving forward with the power of a tsunami, driven by the promise of development and the trust placed in PM Modi," he said.
10:19 (IST) Apr 06
Assam Election 2026 Live: 'He can tell thousands of lies,' Gogoi reacts to Himanta's charges
"He can tell thousands of lies. He has been lying for so long. The Congress Party is going to expose all these lies regarding his family's property and his family's businesses abroad... The question is clear: Does your family have a Gold Card in Dubai? Does your family own property in Dubai? Third, did you declare this in your election affidavit? He should clearly be disqualified, an ED case should be filed, and if our government comes to power, all his illegal properties, illegal businesses, and his connections to everything from cow smuggling to the coal mafia, legal action will be taken against them," he said.
10:18 (IST) Apr 06
Kerala Election 2026 Live: Explosive hurled at BJP worker's house in Kerala's Kannur, probe on
Police launched a probe after an explosive was hurled at the residence of a BJP worker at Kathirur here, officials said on Monday.

09:46 (IST) Apr 06
Assembly Elections 2026 Live: 'How Pakistan is trying to influence Assam election,' Himanta charges at Gogoi
"Anyone can register a company by paying USD 199. After yesterday's press conference, they created another company in the name of Riniki...Congress used images of passports and documents procured from a Pakistani Social Media Group. Gaurav Gogoi was helped by a Pakistani social media group...How Pakistan is trying to influence Assam election, this is very important," he said.
09:31 (IST) Apr 06
TN polls: TVK chief Vijay cancels election campaign in Chennai citing time constraints
Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay has called off his election campaign in Chennai that was scheduled for Monday.

Party sources said Vijay was set to campaign in the Villivakkam and T Nagar constituencies. While permission had been granted, the party claimed the time provided by police to travel between the two venues was too limited.

Due to these constraints, Vijay chose to cancel the day’s campaign, sources added. The TVK is also expected to file a complaint with the Election Commission over the matter, though an official statement is yet to be released.

Tamil Nadu will vote in a single phase on April 23, with counting of votes to take place on May 4.
09:11 (IST) Apr 06
Assembly Elections 2026 Live: PM Modi to address three election rallies in Assam
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address three election rallies in Assam on Monday, canvassing for BJP candidates for the April 9 state elections.

08:53 (IST) Apr 06
Tamil Nadu Election 2026 Live: TVK chief Vijay's rally in Villivakkam and T Nagar has cancelled
08:52 (IST) Apr 06
Bengal Election 2026 Live: Jhargram's Katawari village battles for basic needs as state poll fever heats up
As West Bengal heads into elections, leaders from all major political parties are campaigning actively across the state, unveiling manifestos filled with welfare promises aimed at benefiting citizens directly.

Yet, in a state known for its intense political engagement, Katawari village in Jhargram district—home to the Lodha tribal community—continues to struggle with basic development issues.

A local resident, Raja, spoke about the daily hardships faced by villagers, pointing to the lack of adequate healthcare facilities. He also flagged persistent water shortages, adding that most residents rely on collecting and selling firewood to earn a living.
08:50 (IST) Apr 06
Tamil Nadu Election 2026 Live: DMK's Udhayanidhi Stalin campaigns in Viralimalai of Pudukkottai district, seeking votes for candidate KK Chellapandian
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) Youth Wing Secretary and Tamil Nadu deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin campaigned on Sunday in the Viralimalai Assembly constituency of Pudukkottai district, seeking support for party candidate KK Chellapandian.

Speaking to a large crowd, Udhayanidhi thanked residents for their enthusiastic welcome and expressed confidence that the DMK would return to power in the Assembly elections scheduled for April 23. He added that his recent statewide tour had revealed strong backing for the party across constituencies.

Referring to past results, he pointed out that the DMK had secured victory in five of the six seats in Pudukkottai district in the previous election. He urged voters to deliver a “100 per cent victory” this time by winning Viralimalai as well, and appealed to them to elect Chellapandian by a wide margin under the Rising Sun symbol.
08:47 (IST) Apr 06
Bengal Election 2026 Live: BJP's Indranil Khan files complaint over alleged vandalism of Behala Paschim office by TMC workers
Ahead of the West Bengal Assembly elections, tensions escalated in the Behala Paschim constituency after BJP candidate Indranil Khan accused Trinamool Congress (TMC) workers of vandalising the party’s election office.

Khan, along with other BJP leaders, went to the Parnasree Police Station to lodge a complaint against those allegedly involved in the attack.

He also made serious allegations against the Kolkata Police and security personnel, claiming they were present at the scene but did not step in to stop the incident.

"They are afraid of the impending defeat in Behala Paschim Assembly. The TMC candidate of Behala Paschim Assembly, Ratna Chattopadhyay, a sitting MLA herself, and her goons of TMC vandalised the BJP office... It all happened in front of Kolkata police officers... They protected and ensured the vandalism of the BJP office. It has been three hours, and still the central forces are not visible here..." Khan alleged.
08:45 (IST) Apr 06
Bengal Election 2026 Live: BJP releases star campaigners list for first phase of West Bengal polls; PM Modi, Amit Shah among others included
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has submitted its roster of star campaigners for the upcoming West Bengal assembly Elections 2026 (Schedule-1) to the Election Commission of India (ECI).

The list was handed over to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar as part of the party’s preparations for the crucial electoral contest in the state.

It features several prominent national and state-level BJP leaders who are expected to campaign widely across West Bengal ahead of the polls.

Among those named are Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP national president Nitin Nabin, defence minister Rajnath Singh, Union home minister Amit Shah, Nitin Gadkari, JP Nadda, Dharmendra Pradhan, Himanta Biswa Sarma, and Yogi Adityanath, among others.

West Bengal is scheduled to vote in two phases on April 23 and 29, with counting of votes set for May 4.
The 2026 Assembly elections in India are shaping up to be a high-stakes political battle, with five regions, West Bengal, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and the Union Territory of Puducherry, going to the polls. The Election Commission has issued a detailed schedule outlining voting dates, phases, and guidelines for voters, candidates, and parties.

West Bengal will vote in two phases starting April 23, featuring a direct contest between Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress and the BJP. The polls are under close watch due to nearly 60 lakh “doubtful” voters, with the process being monitored under judicial supervision.

Assam will hold single-phase voting on April 9 across all 126 constituencies, where the BJP faces challenges from the Congress and regional parties. Authorities have planned extensive deployment of Central Armed Police Forces to ensure smooth polling.

Tamil Nadu is headed for a three-way contest, with the DMK-led alliance competing against the AIADMK-BJP alliance and Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam. The state will vote in a single phase on April 23.

Kerala will also go to the polls on April 9 for its 140 seats, with the main contest between the LDF and UDF, while the BJP looks to expand its presence. Puducherry, voting the same day, is expected to witness a close fight between the Congress-DMK-CPI alliance and rivals such as the All India NR Congress and the BJP.

Political tensions have already begun to surface ahead of voting. In Kerala, CPM rebel G Sudhakaran announced he would campaign against Agriculture Minister P Prasad in Cherthala over remarks he found objectionable, highlighting internal divisions within parties.

Security has been significantly tightened, with over 1.4 lakh Central Armed Police Forces personnel and state police deployed across the five regions. Central observers, judicial officials, and returning officers have been tasked with overseeing the process, maintaining order, and ensuring free and fair elections.