The Economic Times

Union minister George Kurian said some states are moving towards Uniform Civil Code. Uttarakhand enforced it in January 2025. Gujarat passed a UCC Bill last month. Chhattisgarh will form a committee for a draft. Madhya Pradesh is studying the code. The UCC aims for common laws on marriage, divorce, and inheritance, promoting equality.

The JD(U) has given the Chief Minister's post to the BJP in Bihar. This move reciprocates past support from the alliance partner. The new government, led by Samrat Choudhary, will seek a vote of confidence. The ruling NDA holds a strong majority. The new government will follow Nitish Kumar's path.

The Congress party has strongly criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi. They accuse him of moral cowardice for his silence on Israel's actions in Gaza and Lebanon. The party claims the Modi government has shown unprecedented solidarity with Israel. This stance, they allege, betrays human values and traditional Indian principles.

Rohit Pawar believes Baramati residents oppose a 'Pawar versus Pawar' election in 2029. He suggests some NCP members desire this to end the Pawar family's political legacy. Speculation surrounds a potential contest between Jay Pawar and Yugendra Pawar. Shrinivas Pawar called such discussions premature. The political future of Baramati remains a topic of discussion.

Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge stated the Modi government failed in fuel and fertilizer security. He mentioned production declines and import issues. Kharge also referenced Murli Manohar Joshi's comments on 'Vishwaguru' rhetoric. The government is accused of deflecting failures through delimitation discussions. India faces challenges in securing essential resources.

Voting is happening today for bypolls in Baramati and Rahuri. In Baramati, Sunetra Pawar is contesting. The Rahuri seat also has a bypoll. Voting began this morning and will continue until evening. Election officials have made arrangements for voters. The results will be announced later. This is a key electoral event in Maharashtra.

On the first anniversary of the Pahalgam attack, tributes were paid to the 26 victims. Tourists, locals, and politicians gathered at the Baisaran memorial. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and LG Manoj Sinha affirmed India's resolve against terrorism. The attack, which occurred on April 22, 2025, saw 25 tourists and a local ponywala killed. India remains united against terror.

Polling for 234-member Tamil Nadu assembly and first phase of West Bengal elections covering 152 seatswill be held on Thursday. A look at eligible voter counts, parties, their candidates, and key contest

Authorities have seized over 1,000 crore in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu before Assembly elections. Tamil Nadu saw seizures of 599 crore, while West Bengal recorded 472 crore. Freebies, cash, liquor, and drugs were among the seized items. The Election Commission has deployed teams to ensure fair elections and address public grievances.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah addressed rallies in West Bengal. He predicted a significant defeat for Congress in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Assam, and Bengal. Shah stated that by May 4, Mamata Banerjee will be out of power. He promised good governance, industrial revival, and an end to infiltration if BJP wins.

Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nadendla Bhaskar Rao passed away in Hyderabad at the age of 90. He was undergoing treatment for age-related ailments. Bhaskar Rao briefly served as Chief Minister in 1984 after a coup against N T Rama Rao. He later served as an MLA, minister, and MP. Many leaders offered condolences on his demise.

The Election Commission of India has issued a notice to Mallikarjun Kharge. This action follows his remarks on Prime Minister Modi. The Bharatiya Janata Party had lodged a complaint. They stated the language used was unacceptable. The Commission is taking a serious view of the campaign statements.

Karnataka government is moving forward with forming student unions. Consultations are underway with student groups from various political parties. The aim is to foster leadership and democratic values on campuses. Student leaders have welcomed the move and are pushing for elections this academic year. The government plans to follow recommendations from the Lyngdoh Committee report.

Men are fleeing villages in Malda fearing the National Investigation Agency. This exodus has created a 'ghost electorate' just before the Bengal assembly polls. Residents who fought to restore their names on voter rolls now prioritize safety over voting. The crackdown follows an assault on judicial officers. Political parties are trading accusations amid the unfolding crisis.

West Bengal Assembly polls see a 17% rise in ed alert constituencies, with 129 seats having three or more candidates with declared criminal cases. A significant portion of candidates, 23%, have declared criminal cases, and 20% have serious criminal charges. The BJP leads in candidates with criminal records, while crorepati candidates have also increased.

Nitish Kumar, JD(U) chief, approved new national office bearers. The list includes a vice president and 11 general secretaries. Kumar's son Nishant was not included. Sanjay Kumar Jha remains national working president. Chandreshwar Prasad Chandravanshi is the new vice president. Alok Kumar Suman continues as treasurer. Several prominent leaders were appointed general secretaries and national secretaries.

The Supreme Court censured West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at the hearing on the I-PAC raid case. The court said a Chief Minister cannot interfere with an ongoing probe. It warned against turning such raids into Centre versus state disputes. The Enforcement Directorate is investigating allegations of obstruction during raids on I-PAC offices.

Kapil Sibal criticizes the massive deployment of security personnel for the West Bengal assembly polls. He alleges a gross abuse of state machinery and a state of emergency. Sibal accuses the Chief Election Commissioner of being in cahoots with the BJP. He states the government is fighting the election, not parties.

Tej Pratap Yadav met with political strategist Prashant Kishor. The meeting focused on Bihar's politics and public expectations. Yadav expressed a strengthened resolve for public service. The discussion explored changing political equations. Leaders believe an alliance could form a third front. Kishor previously noted Yadav's transparency. The meeting occurred late Tuesday night.

A Delhi High Court judge has withdrawn from a Public Interest Litigation concerning the alleged recording of court proceedings. The PIL accuses Aam Aadmi Party leaders and others of circulating audio and video clips. These clips were reportedly shared after a recusal plea by Arvind Kejriwal in the excise policy case.

West Bengal polls: The Election Commission of India has issued a strong directive to the West Bengal Director General of Police, mandating preventive actions against 800 individuals identified for voter intimidation and electoral disruption. Over 500 individuals have already been arrested. The commission has emphasised accountability at all police levels.

A BJP delegation, including Union ministers Nirmala Sitharaman and Kiren Rijiju, approached the Election Commission demanding strict action against Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge for his errorist remark against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The BJP termed the statement outrageous and an insult to the people's mandate, urging the EC to act firmly and ensure such remarks are never repeated.

West Bengal polls: Polling for the 2026 West Bengal Legislative Assembly elections will be held in two phases on April 23 and 29, with counting of votes on May 4.

Congress attacked the Modi government on the first anniversary of the Pahalgam terror attack. The party stated Pakistan has gained global respectability. This reflects a failure in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's foreign policy. The attack, orchestrated by Pakistan, killed 26 people. India conducted a retaliatory military offensive. Congress believes Pakistan's current standing is a significant foreign policy lapse.

Congress MP K. C. Venugopal has moved a privilege notice against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging he cast aspersions on opposition MPs during his April 18 address by criticising their vote against the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026.

The Election Commission will review a complaint alleging Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent address violated election rules. Opposition parties claim the speech, broadcast on Doordarshan, created an uneven playing field. The commission stated the complaint would be examined. This comes as voting continues in several states, with the poll code in effect until May 4.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman slammed Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge's 'terrorist' remark against PM Modi as atrocious and a new low for the party. Kharge later clarified he meant Modi 'terrorizes' opponents using central agencies, not that he is a terrorist. Union Minister Piyush Goyal also condemned Kharge's comments, accusing the Gandhi family of throttling democracy.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah asserted that local Muslim leaders were involved in the Congress's decision to field Samarth Shamanur in Davanagere South, despite subsequent backlash. This comes amid disciplinary actions against two party leaders and concerns over Muslim community support for the upcoming bypolls.

Shrawon Kumar has been appointed the legislative party leader of the JD(U) in Bihar. The decision follows authorization from party legislators to national president Nitish Kumar. Kumar, a long-time associate of Nitish Kumar, is a seventh-term MLA from Nalanda. He belongs to the Kurmi community, a powerful OBC group.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has rejected Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent comment calling him a friend. Yadav stated he does not need such friends and questioned the nature of any assistance provided. He also cautioned the public to remain vigilant, alleging the BJP might resort to extreme actions as it faces defeat.

Congress MP K C Venugopal has filed a privilege notice against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The notice alleges the Prime Minister cast aspersions on Lok Sabha members during a recent national address. This followed the defeat of a Constitution amendment bill. The Congress party stated the Prime Minister's speech contained partisan attacks.

Latur mourns the passing of Dr Gopalrao Patil, a former Rajya Sabha member and respected paediatrician. He was 94. Dr Patil was also a dedicated educationist, founding the Shiv Chhatrapati Shikshan Sanstha. His free medical services in rural areas earned him the title 'Devmanus'. He served as a lecturer and medical officer before his parliamentary tenure.

Telangana BJP chief N Ramchander Rao defended Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent address. He stated the speech did not violate the Model Code of Conduct as it did not seek votes. This comes after CPI MP P Sandosh Kumar alleged a violation. Kumar claimed the Prime Minister's address was political and aimed at influencing voters during the ongoing elections.

Congress has called for an all-party meeting after April 29. The meeting will discuss amendments to the women's reservation law. The party wants the government to present these changes in writing. Discussions will follow, with the aim of taking up the law in the monsoon session. Congress supports implementing the reservation from 2029.

Kharagpur Sadar constituency is witnessing a significant electoral battle. BJP's Dilip Ghosh faces Trinamool's Pradip Sarkar in a contest reflecting the area's diverse population. Voters face a tough choice between experienced candidates. The election outcome will shape the political landscape of Bengal. Both candidates have worked for the people. The results are keenly awaited.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has labelled Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to a jhalmuri stall in Jhargram as a staged event. Banerjee claimed the Special Protection Group prepared the food and cameras were pre-installed. She questioned the believability of the scene, including Modi carrying a ten rupee note.

DMK leader Senthil Balaji expresses unwavering confidence in the party's victory, dismissing the 'Vijay factor' as a non-threat to their established vote bank. He highlights the DMK's strong grassroots connect and outreach to minority communities, particularly the church, for support. Balaji also counters opposition claims on law and order, pointing to past incidents under rival alliances.

Rahul Gandhi accused the AIADMK leadership of surrendering to the BJP due to corruption, calling the regional party a hollow shell and a gateway for the BJP's expansion in Tamil Nadu. He asserted that the DMK-Congress alliance is united to defend Tamil language, culture, and history against the BJP-RSS's perceived attempts to impose a singular tradition and language.

Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma rejected pleas for her recusal from the liquor-policy case. She stated a litigant cannot judge a judge without material. Kejriwal and others had sought her withdrawal. The judge asserted the institution's integrity. She will not recuse herself from the case.

Arvind Kejriwal met Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, commending his government's work. Kejriwal will address rallies supporting Stalin's DMK party. Stalin is campaigning across Tamil Nadu. The AIADMK-BJP alliance is also actively campaigning. Senior BJP leaders are participating in roadshows. The election is set for April 23, with results on May 4. A three-way contest is possible.

Nitish Kumar will continue to oversee development work in Bihar. He will spend most of his time in the state, touring it to ensure progress continues. This comes after he stepped down as Chief Minister last week. The JD(U) leader will focus on parliamentary sessions in Delhi. His son, Nishant, has been accepted as the party's future leader.

Rahul Gandhi criticizes the BJP government for the conflict in Manipur. He alleges the party is trying to control states from Delhi. Gandhi also states the BJP seeks to impose one tradition and language across India. He claims the AIADMK in Tamil Nadu has become an instrument of the BJP due to corruption.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of hypocrisy regarding women's reservation. He stated the Centre delayed implementation despite opportunities. Siddaramaiah highlighted the Congress party's historical support for women's reservation, citing past amendments. He questioned the timing and linkage with delimitation, suggesting it disadvantages southern states.

Pakistan is reportedly hosting US-Iran peace talks. Congress criticizes Prime Minister Modi's foreign policy, stating Pakistan Army chief Asim Munir's closeness to US President Donald Trump is a setback. The party claims India needs a diplomatic strategy overhaul, which Modi is incapable of achieving. This situation highlights a shift in regional engagement.