The Times of India

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday attacked Mamata Banerjee and Congress at a rally in West Bengal, accusing them of feeding biryani to Pakistani terrorists instead of acting against them. He said the BJP would crack down on corruption, illegal immigration and violence if voted to power, and claimed people in the state had decided to remove the TMC government.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah intensified his attack on the TMC in West Bengal, urging voters to respond to violence with ballots and promising to bring the BJP to power. He alleged corruption and a mafia raj, vowing strict action against syndicate and cut-money promoters and illegal immigrants, while also highlighting welfare promises.

The Assam government has approached the Supreme Court challenging a Telangana High Court order granting transit anticipatory bail to Congress leader Pawan Khera. Khera had sought protection from arrest in a case stemming from his allegations against Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma's wife. The Supreme Court's intervention will now shape the legal proceedings.

The Supreme Court expressed serious concerns regarding West Bengal's electoral roll revision, emphasizing the need for a strong appeals system to correct wrongful deletions. Judicial officers are overwhelmed, leading to potential errors. Despite these worries, the court directed voters to appellate tribunals for resolution, highlighting the importance of voter inclusion.

The Delhi Legislative Assembly experienced a bomb threat via email, triggering a multi-agency response including police, bomb disposal units, and dog squads. A thorough search yielded no suspicious findings, and the situation is under control. This incident follows a recent security breach where an SUV rammed the assembly gate, leading to the detention of three suspects.

Akshay Kumar has leased out his duplex apartment in Andheri, Mumbai, for Rs 1.44 lakh per month to aviation professional Anny Divya. Meanwhile, Kumar is actively promoting his upcoming horror-comedy film 'Bhooth Bangla', directed by Priyadarshan, which explores the psychological aspects of fear.

The Supreme Court is reviewing a proposal to implement fingerprint and iris scans at polling stations to combat voter fraud and impersonation. Notices have been issued to the central government, Election Commission, and states. While acknowledging the need to examine this for future elections, the court clarified it won't be introduced for current state polls.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed confidence in the BJP's growing support in West Bengal, citing feedback from party workers in Siliguri. He highlighted public connection with the BJP's development agenda and criticized the TMC government for corruption, appeasement, and neglecting North Bengal.

Ladakh activist Sonam Wangchuk warns of deepening divisions due to stalled talks with the Centre, over two months since the last dialogue. He highlights growing disillusionment and the risk of social discord, urging timely action from the Prime Minister and Home Minister. Wangchuk's release had raised hopes for constructive dialogue on demands for statehood and Sixth Schedule status.

BJP MP Manoj Tiwari will attend five election campaign programs in West Bengal today ahead of the Assembly elections 2026.

Haircuts do not make hair grow faster, but they are essential for healthy, thick-looking hair. Regular trims prevent split ends and breakage, helping you retain length. For most people, a trim every 8 to 12 weeks is ideal. Focusing on scalp health, nutrition, and gentle handling also promotes growth. Wise trims save hair from damage.

Asha Bhosle's voice transcended mere singing, embodying a profound presence that immortalized moments. For 'Umrao Jaan,' she didn't just perform; she underwent a reckoning, channeling the essence of a bygone era of restraint and unspoken longing.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is engaging with prominent women achievers to garner support for the women's quota bill, slated for parliamentary discussion on April 16. The legislation, aiming for implementation from the 2029 elections, reserves one-third of seats for women in Lok Sabha and assemblies. This direct outreach seeks to build public backing amidst opposition concerns regarding the delimitation process.

Asha Bhosle transcended eras, absorbing global music trends and blending them with Indian classical training. She fearlessly explored genres like jazz, rock, and pop, collaborating with international artists and becoming a cultural icon. Her innovative spirit led to groundbreaking projects, earning her a Grammy nomination and cementing her legacy as a truly versatile vocalist.

Subhas Chandra Bose's grandnephew, Chandra Bose, has joined the TMC after quitting the BJP, criticizing the latter's latantly communal and anti-Constitution policies. He accused the BJP of using the religion card for electoral gains, a tactic he likened to British colonial rule. Bose declared it's time to drive out the BJP, just as India did the British.

Kolkata's 19 appellate tribunals will commence hearing elector inclusion/exclusion appeals on Monday, following the freezing of the electoral roll for Bengal's second-phase assembly polls. These tribunals, established after a Supreme Court order, will address grievances for over 27 lakh names excluded from supplementary lists.

Suspended Trinamool MLA Humayun Kabir admitted a controversial video showing him seeking Rs 1,000 crore from BJP and making remarks about Muslims is authentic, though selectively edited. He claims the full 51-minute recording will prove his innocence.

The NIA has detained Congress candidate Sayem Choudhury and gram panchayat member Golam Rabbani for questioning. The detention is linked to the April 1 violence in Mothabari. Seven judicial officers were confined for eight hours at the Kaliachak-II block office. Choudhury and Rabbani were reportedly present at the scene. The NIA is investigating the incident after a Supreme Court order.

West Bengal, despite facing significant opposition to voter list revisions, ranked fifth in net deletions and third in absolute numbers of absent, shifted, and dead electors removed. The state was second only to Uttar Pradesh in dropping deceased voters. While additions were lowest among major states, West Bengal led in deletions through adjudication.

The annual Amarnath Yatra will commence on July 3 and conclude on August 28, spanning 57 days. Pilgrims aged 13 to 70 can register from April 15, with enhanced accident insurance of Rs 10 lakh. Registrations will be available at 554 bank branches nationwide.

Three universities in Kashmir have terminated academic agreements with the US-based Kashmir Care Foundation (KCF). The University of Kashmir, IUST, and SKUAST-K cited internal reviews and adverse reports as reasons for cancellation. Officials indicated growing caution over foreign collaborations, particularly in sensitive fields, though no money was exchanged.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused the BJP of threatening TMC candidates and ministers to secure support if they fall short of a majority. She also alleged a BJP plan to trifurcate West Bengal by merging parts with Bihar or Odisha, causing hardship for Bengali residents.

Prime Minister Modi alleged a 'tukde-tukde gang' threatened to sever the Siliguri Corridor, accusing the TMC of supporting them. He criticized the TMC's appeasement politics, claiming it caused suffering and stalled development, including vital infrastructure projects. Modi promised a special package for North Bengal and urged voters to support the BJP for security and jobs.

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee accused the Centre of a plot to trifurcate the state through delimitation, potentially merging parts with Bihar and Odisha. She also alleged a Rs 1,000-crore BJP deal to unseat her government and criticized central forces' conduct during searches. Banerjee further claimed the BJP plans to bribe voters and manipulate polls, urging vigilance.

Bihar's political landscape is heating up as Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is set to resign for a Rajya Sabha seat, with the BJP expected to nominate the new CM. JD(U) workers are advocating for Nitish's son, Nishant, to take over, while the RJD alleges a conspiracy driven by BJP pressure.

BJP has issued a strict three-line whip for a mandatory three-day Parliament session starting April 16, requiring all MPs and Union ministers to attend. The special session is expected to focus on the Women's Reservation Amendment Bill, with the government proposing to use 2011 census data for implementation timelines.

Seattle has made history by becoming the first U.S. city government to host a life-size statue of Swami Vivekananda. Unveiled at Westlake Square, the bronze monument, a gift from India, signifies Seattle's inclusive spirit and strengthens cultural ties. Dignitaries and community leaders attended the ceremony, celebrating this unique Indo-American cultural exchange.

A magnitude 4.3 earthquake jolted Assam on Sunday morning at 09:21:58 IST. The tremor, originating at a depth of 5 km in Cachar district, had its epicentre at latitude 24.659N and longitude 92.763E. No immediate damage or casualties have been reported.

Indian fishermen, stranded in Iran due to escalating Middle East conflict, expressed profound gratitude for their safe return facilitated by coordinated diplomatic efforts. Union Minister Piyush Goyal received the first batch of 345 fishermen at Chennai Airport, highlighting Prime Minister Modi's directive for their evacuation from Iran via Armenia.

Over 3.6 crore electors across 16 districts are set to vote in the first phase of the West Bengal assembly elections on April 23. The electoral rolls include 1.84 crore men, 1.75 crore women, and 465 third gender voters. Murshidabad leads with the highest voter count, while Kalimpong has the lowest.

Despite significant annual allocations for India's National Immunisation Programme, a substantial portion of funds remains unspent, raising concerns about implementation efficiency. While vaccine coverage has improved, RTI data reveals consistent spending shortfalls, highlighting a need for better fund utilization and accountability in this crucial public health initiative.

Assam witnessed a record-breaking voter turnout of nearly 86% in the 2026 assembly polls, the highest in the state's history. The Muslim belt saw the most significant increase in participation. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed confidence in an NDA victory, citing strong support from the Sanatani community.