The Times of India

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.

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Actor-turned-politician Vijay has urged his Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam party workers to intensify campaigning in the final ten days before the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. He called for a disciplined door-to-door outreach to connect with voters personally. Vijay framed the upcoming polls as a generational change and a fight for true people's rule, aiming for a victorious procession against established alliances.

Tamil Nadu CM M.K. Stalin downplayed national ambitions, stating he knows his limits, while confidently predicting a DMK-led alliance sweep of over 200 seats in the upcoming Assembly elections. He highlighted welfare schemes and attacked rivals AIADMK and BJP, accusing the former of lacking ideology and being controlled by Delhi.

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee accused the BJP of attempting to invalidate her candidature from Bhabanipur through false cases with the Election Commission's help. She also alleged the BJP manipulated electoral rolls, leading to the deletion of millions of voters, and claimed they planned to tamper with EVMs to influence poll results.

Trinamool Congress and BJP supporters clashed during an election campaign in West Bengal's Hooghly district, resulting in minor injuries to four BJP workers. The incident occurred as campaigning intensifies for the 2026 Assembly elections, with both parties trading sharp political attacks and releasing manifestos.

Former Allahabad High Court judge Justice Yashwant Varma resigned, avoiding parliamentary removal proceedings. This follows a history of judges facing removal motions, with some resigning and others escaping proceedings. The constitutional process for judge removal involves parliamentary address based on proved misbehaviour or incapacity.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi shared a brief, candid conversation at a Parliament tribute ceremony for Mahatma Jyotiba Phule. The interaction drew attention given their history of sharp political exchanges and public criticisms of each other. Both leaders separately paid homage to the social reformer's legacy.

New weight-loss injections are proving effective for Indian patients, with over 40% shedding at least 10% of their body weight in a recent Delhi hospital study. While results vary, especially for those with diabetes, the therapies offer significant health benefits. Experts emphasize these are not quick fixes but valuable tools when combined with lifestyle changes for sustained weight reduction.

EAM S Jaishankar arrived in the UAE for high-level meetings to strengthen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, following his visit to Mauritius. Discussions in Mauritius focused on energy cooperation, including oil and gas supply agreements and clean energy projects, reinforcing the need for dependable strategic partnerships amidst regional crises.

A fire at Justice Yashwant Varma's Delhi residence revealed partially burnt high-denomination currency notes, sparking a high-level judicial and governmental probe. A fireman's remark about Gandhi on the notes, captured on video, highlighted the incident's gravity. The discovery led to swift action, with the Delhi Police Commissioner briefing the Chief Justice and a report sent to the Union Home Ministry.

Justice Yashwant Varma resigned from the Allahabad High Court, alleging procedural unfairness by a judges' inquiry committee. He questioned the committee's handling of charges related to unaccounted burnt cash found at his residence, stating he was forced to withdraw as his participation would legitimize an unjust process. Videos of the fire incident at his home became crucial evidence.

Women voters demonstrated remarkable enthusiasm in Assam, Kerala, and Puducherry, achieving record-breaking turnout and outperforming male voters in all three regions. Kerala saw the widest gender gap, with women's participation significantly boosting overall polling. This surge highlights women's growing political engagement and their importance to electoral outcomes.

Political parties in Assam are vying for women's votes with competing cash-transfer promises, including increased monthly payouts and empowerment initiatives. This comes as women voters demonstrate consistently high participation, often surpassing male turnout in recent elections across Assam, Puducherry, and Kerala, influencing electoral dynamics.

Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal discussed supply chain issues, particularly food, with UAE, Kuwait, and Bahrain officials. He emphasized regional peace amid tensions and thanked Gulf nations for supporting the large Indian diaspora. Discussions also covered UAE's logistics solutions to counter disruptions caused by the Strait of Hormuz blockade, vital for India's global trade.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to visit India next month, following a productive meeting with Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri. The discussions focused on bilateral ties, including trade, critical minerals, defense, and the Quad. Efforts are also under way to schedule a Quad foreign ministers' meeting around Rubio's visit.