India is heading into a crucial electoral phase with Assembly elections scheduled across five key regions—West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam, and the Union Territory of Puducherry—making 2026 a politically significant year. The elections will take place largely in April, with vote counting scheduled for May 4. The contests are particularly high-stakes as several incumbent governments seek re-election, while opposition parties attempt to regain lost ground. In West Bengal, polling will be held in multiple phases on April 23 and 29, while Tamil Nadu votes on April 23; Assam, Kerala, and Puducherry will vote on April 9. Politically, the elections are shaping up as intense multi-cornered contests, with national parties like the BJP and Congress battling strong regional forces such as the TMC in West Bengal and the DMK in Tamil Nadu. Campaigns are already gaining momentum, with alliances forming, candidates being announced, and high-profile leaders stepping in to influence voter sentiment.
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March 23, 2026· 12:57 IST
Owaisi's outfit actually helping BJP: TMC MP Saugata Roy on AIMIM’s alliance with former TMC leader Humayun Kabir
TMC MP Saugata Roy said that AIMIM's alliance with suspended TMC leader Humayun Kabir for the West Bengal Assembly elections is a bad development. "It will isolate Muslim masses. Owaisi’s outfit is actually helping the BJP," said Roy.
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March 23, 2026· 12:52 IST
BJP will win with huge majority: Entally candidate from West Bengal Priyanka Tibrewal
Entally BJP candidate Priyanka Tibrewal campaigns in her constituency in West Bengal.
VIDEO | West Bengal assembly election: Entally BJP candidate Priyanka Tibrewal campaigns in her constituency and says, "BJP will form a government with a huge majority."
(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/acceHgaSPh
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) March 23, 2026
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March 23, 2026· 12:50 IST
Election Commission allots digital vouchers to parties for broadcast, telecast on Doordarshan, All India Radio
The Election Commission of India has alloted digital vouchers to national and state parties for free broadcast and telecast time on Doordarshan and All India Radio.
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March 23, 2026· 12:47 IST
BJP candidate for Chengannur assembly constituency MV Gopakumar files nomination
MV Gopakumar, the BJP candidate for the Chengannur Assembly constituency, submitted his nomination for the 2026 Kerala Legislative Assembly elections.
#WATCH | Kottayam, Kerala: MV Gopakumar, the BJP candidate for the Chengannur Assembly constituency, submitted his nomination for the 2026 Kerala Legislative Assembly elections. He was accompanied by Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai. pic.twitter.com/aGDTbO6T4C
— ANI (@ANI) March 23, 2026
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March 23, 2026· 12:42 IST
Kerala Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan files nomination
Leader of Opposition in the Kerala Legislative Assembly and Congress leader VD Satheesan filed ing his nomination for the upcoming Assembly elections.
#WATCH | Ernakulam, Kerala: LoP in the Legislative Assembly and Congress leader VD Satheesan files his nomination for the upcoming Assembly elections.
(Source: VD Satheesan's Social Media) pic.twitter.com/gyda7A2N1y
— ANI (@ANI) March 23, 2026
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March 23, 2026· 12:02 IST
PM Modi to speak on West Asia conflict in Lok Sabha today
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will speak in the Lok Sabha on key aspects of the ongoing West Asia conflict.
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March 23, 2026· 11:07 IST
NDA candidates hold roadshow in Guwahati ahead of filing nomination
NDA candidates hold roadshow in Guwahati ahead of filing nomination.
VIDEO | Assam assembly polls: NDA candidates hold roadshow in Guwahati ahead of filing nomination.
(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/mPiIAwxE1U
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) March 23, 2026
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March 23, 2026· 11:05 IST
Speaker Om Birla pays tribute to Ram Manohar Lohia on his birth anniversary
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla pays floral tribute to Ram Manohar Lohia on his birth anniversary.
VIDEO | Delhi: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla pays floral tribute to Ram Manohar Lohia on his birth anniversary.
(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/OGW3dsMTbP
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) March 23, 2026
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March 23, 2026· 10:32 IST
No difference if Owaisi joins Humayun Kabir: Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim
Kolkata Mayor and TMC leader Firhad Hakim holds an election campaign ahead of the West Bengal Assembly elections. On Asaduddin Owaisi allying with former TMC leader Humayun Kabir's party, Hakim said it will make no difference since both Humayun Kabir's party and the BJP are communal parties
#WATCH | Kolkata, West Bengal: Kolkata Mayor and TMC leader Firhad Hakim holds an election campaign for the West Bengal Assembly elections.
He says, "Let the opposition campaign as hard as they can. We will meet the public and seek their blessings. Mamata Banerjee is like the… pic.twitter.com/IaAVVDomiX
— ANI (@ANI) March 23, 2026
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March 23, 2026· 10:27 IST
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to introduce Corporate Laws (Amendment) Bill in Lok Sabha today
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will introduce Corporate Laws (Amendment) Bill in Lok Sabha today.
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March 23, 2026· 08:42 IST
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to move Finance Bill, 2026
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will move the Finance Bill, 2026, in Parliament today.
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March 23, 2026· 08:41 IST
TMC to contest elections on 23 seats in Assam
TMC leader Sushmita Dev said the party will contest elections on 23 constituencies in Assam.
#WATCH | Sribhumi, Assam: TMC leader Sushmita Dev says, "TMC is contesting elections on 23 seats in Assam. We have given tickets to people from every community. We cannot form a government alone in Assam, but we will have one agenda. Our legislators will focus on those issues. We… pic.twitter.com/kM4zVBCpfZ
— ANI (@ANI) March 23, 2026
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March 23, 2026· 08:39 IST
Don't think Asaduddin Owaisi will have any impact in West Bengal polls, says BJP leader
On AIMIM alliance with Humayun Kabir's Aam Janata Unnayan Party in West Bengal, BJP leader Prakash Reddy said Asaduddin Owaisi will have any impact in the West Bengal elections.
"This isn't new... The party they're allying with is, like AIMIM, the most communal party. In the last election, it failed to win a single seat and received less than 1% of the total vote. The role of the AIMIM in the West Bengal elections is very insignificant. The main contest is between the BJP and the Trinamool Congress...I don't think Asaduddin Owaisi will have any impact in the West Bengal elections," said Reddy.
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March 23, 2026· 08:34 IST
Action initiated against BJP's Kerala vice president for violation of model code of conduct
Action has been initiated against B Gopalakrishnan, BJP state vice president and candidate from Guruvayur constituency, over alleged violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). According to Chief Electoral Officer Rathan U Kelkar, the Thrissur District Collector took action based on a complaint regarding controversial remarks made by the leader.
Authorities found that a video shared by the leader allegedly violated MCC norms, which prohibit seeking votes on the basis of caste or communal sentiments and the use of religious places such as temples, mosques, or churches for election campaigning. The video has been removed from social media platforms, and an FIR has been registered against the leader at the Guruvayur Temple police station.
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March 23, 2026· 08:28 IST
Owaisi’s AIMIM enters West Bengal poll fray, stitches alliance with Humayun Kabir’s party
AIMIM President Asaduddin Owaisi on Sunday announced his party will contest the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections in alliance with Humayun Kabir’s Aam Janata Unnayan Party. Read for more here.
"AIMIM ने फैसला लिया है कि पश्चिम बंगाल में हुमायूं कबीर की पार्टी के साथ करेंगे"
◆ ईद के मौके पर आयोजित एक कार्यक्रम में ओवैसी ने किया ऐलान
◆ असदुद्दीन ओवैसी ने ममता बनर्जी पर भी साधा निशाना
◆ टीएमसी से सस्पेंड होने के बाद हुमायूं कबीर ने बनाई थी जनता उन्नयन पार्टी (JUP)… pic.twitter.com/NyYj9Z3CFV
— News24 (@news24tvchannel) March 22, 2026
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March 23, 2026· 08:16 IST
Assam minister Nandiya Garlosa resigns from BJP, joins Congress
Former Assam Minister Nandiya Garlosa resigned from the BJP and joined the Congress.