The Times of India

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.

Union Minister Amit Shah urged Bengal's tribal communities to vote against TMC, alleging Mamata Banerjee insulted President Droupadi Murmu. Speaking in tribal-dominated districts, Shah promised a son of soil CM and inclusion of Kurmali and Rajbanshi in the Eighth Schedule, while also criticizing TMC for corruption and alleged land grabs by infiltrators.

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee alleged attempts to cancel her Bhowanipore nomination through false affidavits filed by raitors. Two objections, including a name mismatch and allegations of old criminal cases, were rejected. A third issue regarding ballot logistics was also resolved, ensuring her name remained on the first EVM.

International delegates from 22 countries lauded India's recent elections in Kerala, Assam, and Puducherry, highlighting impressive voter turnout and meticulous planning. Witnessing firsthand the seamless execution, including EVM usage and webcasting, they described the process as a rue festival of democracy. Delegates also noted the well-organized polling stations with facilities and praised the transparency measures in place.

Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal A P Singh met with US Air Force leadership, including Gen Ken Wilsbach, to bolster defense ties and discuss shared strategic goals. Key topics included the procurement of MQ-9B Sky Guardian drones and enhancing Indo-Pacific cooperation.

US Vice President JD Vance and an Iranian delegation arrived at Pakistan's Nur Khan airbase for peace talks. This base, a key Pakistani military hub, was reportedly targeted by Indian missile strikes last May. The US delegation's choice of the airbase highlights its strategic importance and proximity to Islamabad, despite past damage.

The Indian-flagged LPG tanker Jag Vikram successfully navigated the Strait of Hormuz, marking the first Indian vessel to pass through the conflict zone since a temporary ceasefire. This vessel, carrying 20,400 tonnes of cooking gas, is expected to reach Mumbai on April 15.

India is poised to permit wheat exports to Egypt, Indonesia, and Myanmar due to surplus stocks. Rice shipments, including to war-torn Iran on humanitarian grounds, are also being considered. This move aims to free up storage space for upcoming winter crops and capitalize on increased demand amid global supply chain disruptions.

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Saturday launched a 100-day campaign to combat the drug menace, targeting supply from Pakistan and traffickers. The initiative involves revoking licenses, freezing assets, and issuing lookout circulars against drug peddlers. The campaign will proceed through awareness, community engagement, enforcement, rehabilitation, and evaluation phases.

An eight-year-old girl was tragically mauled to death by dogs in Sopore's Seloo village, marking the second such fatality in the area within a year. The child suffered severe injuries in an apple orchard attack. Local residents are shaken, with some alleging dog relocation is exacerbating the problem.

Tejashwi Yadav alleged Nitish Kumar is stepping down as Bihar CM under pressure from within JD(U), with some colleagues allegedly intimidated or allured by ally BJP. Yadav claimed a deal was struck long ago, not made public due to assembly polls. He cited visuals of Kumar being prevented from speaking to media as proof of pressure.

Enforcement Directorate officials conducted a five-hour raid at former West Bengal education minister Partha Chatterjee's residence in connection with the school jobs scam. The action follows Chatterjee's alleged failure to respond to summons after his release on bail. The investigation, linked to a multi-crore recruitment scam, previously saw significant cash seizures.

A devastating road accident in Bihar's Katihar district claimed the lives of at least 10 people and left 25 injured. The collision, involving a bus and a pickup van on NH-31 near Gerabari, prompted immediate medical attention for the wounded. Authorities are working to provide care and investigate the tragic incident.

International observers from 22 countries lauded India's electoral process during the recent Assembly polls in Kerala, Puducherry, and Assam. Witnessing firsthand the scale, precision, and vibrant participation, delegates described the experience as a rue festival of democracy. They were impressed by the meticulous planning, seamless execution, and inclusive features at polling stations, highlighting India's commitment to transparent and accessible elections.

Maharashtra minister Chhagan Bhujbal's helicopter mistakenly landed in a Pune parking lot instead of the designated helipad. The pilot reportedly confused an open parking space for the landing site. While no accident occurred and all were safe, an inquiry is underway to determine if it was a technical or human error.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has initiated a 'Copilot code red' to enhance AI performance and user experience, aiming to boost investor confidence amidst intense competition. The company is allocating significant cloud capacity to Copilot development, with analysts suggesting Azure can still exceed expectations due to growing demand and pricing.