The Economic Times
Elections 2026Top News / The Economic Times
Ratna Debnath, mother of the RG Kar rape-murder victim, is leading in the Panihati assembly constituency. She has secured a significant lead over her Trinamool Congress opponent. The tragic incident involving her daughter, a doctor, occurred in August 2024 at RG Medical College and Hospital. Election Commission data confirms her current advantage in the vote count.
Quote of the day by Queen Elizabeth II: Queen Elizabeth II served as a symbol of stability for over 70 years. She witnessed immense global transformations and adapted to a changing world. Her dedication to duty and service earned her worldwide respect. Her legacy highlights resilience and humility in leadership. She understood that change is a constant.
Cheers resonate throughout Tamil Nadu as the TVK party, led by actor-turned-politician Vijay, approaches a historic majority. Party loyalists gather to celebrate, heralding Vijay as the next Chief Minister. Heartwarming visuals capture his family's elation, while results show the party securing victory in 108 out of 234 assembly seats.
The Supreme Court has strongly criticized its own Registry. Judges accused Registry officials of acting like super Chief Justice of India. This happened during a bail plea hearing for Ayushi Mittal, accused in a massive fraud case. The court ordered an inquiry into why its previous instructions were not followed.
West Bengal Elections: The Supreme Court will hear a plea on May 11 regarding the deployment of Central forces in West Bengal. This comes as vote count trends show the Bharatiya Janata Party leading significantly. The BJP is projected to cross the halfway mark in the assembly. High voter turnout was recorded in recent phases of the elections.
West Bengal Election Results: Early trends in West Bengal show the BJP surging ahead of the TMC, potentially marking a historic shift in a state long resistant to the party. This development carries an irony, as the BJP's ideological roots trace back to Bengali founder Shyama Prasad Mookherjee, raising the question of whether his legacy can finally secure the state for the party.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee alleged that the Election Commission was playing games along with BJP and claimed that 7080 seats were being withheld as early trends showed a saffron surge in the state.
How Many Seats Needed to Form Government in TN? Tamil Nadu has 234 Assembly seats, and a party or alliance needs 118 seats to form the government. As counting continues in the 2026 Assembly elections, this majority mark has become the most important number. Crossing 118 will decide who gets to rule the state.
Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) has surged past the 100-seat mark in the Tamil Nadu election results 2026, challenging established parties DMK and AIADMK. This stunning rise for the debut party aligns with past predictions made by former poll strategist Prashant Kishor, who had anticipated TVK's success even if contesting alone.
As the Tamil Nadu elections unfold, key Bharatiya Janata Party leaders, such as state chief Nainar Nagenthran and Union Minister L Murugan, are facing tough challenges, trailing their DMK and TVK counterparts. Meanwhile, the former Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan and Vanathi Srinivasan also find themselves at a disadvantage.
As early trends for the 2026 Assembly elections showed the BJP leading in West Bengal and Assam, the party criticized Rahul Gandhi. The BJP shared a social media post highlighting 99 electoral defeats for the Congress under his leadership since the mid-2000s, framing it as a continuous losing streak.
As the election results streamed in favorably for the BJP, the party's headquarters transformed into a colorful fiesta. Celebrating the success, leader Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga personally distributed jhalmuri, mirroring Prime Minister Narendra Modi's taste for this quintessential street snack during his campaign in Jhargram.
Sunetra Pawar is set for a significant win in the Baramati bypoll. She has asked NCP workers and supporters to avoid victory processions. Pawar dedicated the voters' trust to her late husband, Ajit Pawar. She urged everyone to show restraint and uphold his ideals. The electorate has given her a mandate for a new phase in Baramati.
The Indian National Congress and its allies are performing strongly in the 2026 Assembly Elections. Early trends show significant leads in Kerala and Assam. The party is also securing select wins in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. Counting is ongoing across five states, indicating a robust showing for the INC and its partners.
Early election trends across West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam, and Puducherry point to major political shifts, with voters moving away from established patterns and reshaping the electoral map in several states.
The political winds seem to be shifting in West Bengal as the Bharatiya Janata Party has decisively forged ahead in the vote count. Festivities are igniting across the state, marking a moment of triumph for the BJP, with key leaders winning in their respective constituencies.
The Supreme Court has sought responses from the Centre on a plea to fill vacant posts in the Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT) within a time-bound manner. A bench, including the CJI, asked the Attorney General to assist, as the petitioner highlighted that only three of AFT's 11 benches would be functional by year-end without appointments.
TVK leads in TN: As Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) leads in over 100 seats in early trends of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, actor Vijays political journey is drawing strong parallels with his 2018 blockbuster Sarkar. In the film, his character rises from outsider to a powerful political force in a short span. Today, reality seems to be following fiction.
India has eased Foreign Direct Investment rules for companies with up to ten percent Chinese or Hong Kong shareholding. These firms can now invest in India through the automatic route starting May 1, 2026. This change aims to boost investment flows. Previously, stricter rules applied due to security concerns. The government has also expedited clearances for certain manufacturing sectors.
AIADMK Winners List Tamil Nadu, Puducherry: The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam has achieved a significant victory in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. The party secured numerous seats across the state and also won a constituency in Puducherry. Led by Edappadi K. Palaniswami, AIADMK remains a major political force. This performance sets the stage for future opposition strategies against the ruling DMK alliance.
West Bengal Election results analysis: Early election trends in West Bengal suggest a major political shift, with BJP emerging ahead of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), according to initial ECI data and exit poll projections. The ruling TMC, long dominant in the state, is now projected to trail the BJP as vote counts indicate a possible change in government.
Early trends show the BJP taking a significant lead in the West Bengal Assembly elections. Senior leader Suvendu Adhikari has sharply criticized Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The BJP appears poised for a major victory, potentially ending over a decade of Trinamool Congress rule. Security is heightened across the state as counting continues.
The Himachal Pradesh School Education Board (HPBOSE) has released the Class 12 board exam results for Science, Commerce, and Arts streams. Students can download their marksheets by visiting the official website and entering their roll number. These results are crucial for college admissions and future career planning.
Who would be West Bengal CM? As BJP leads in West Bengal elections, the search for a new Chief Minister intensifies. While Suvendu Adhikari is a prominent contender, other leaders like Dilip Ghosh, Agnimitra Paul, Papia Adhikari, and Swapan Dasgupta are also being considered. The BJP's history of surprising CM choices adds an element of unpredictability to the decision.
The Delhi High Court dealt a blow to SpiceJet and its founder Ajay Singh by rejecting their review petitions, accompanied by a cost penalty of Rs 50,000. This ruling stems from an ongoing legal clash with Kalanithi Maran and Kal Airways, where SpiceJet aimed to challenge a directive mandating a deposit of Rs 144 crore.
As early trends indicated the UDF crossing the halfway mark in Kerala, Shashi Tharoor welcomed the development, seeing it as a voter desire for change after a decade. He emphasized the need for a ew kind of politics following what he termed 10 years of poor governance.
On Monday, the Vikramshila Setu bridge in Bhagalpur, Bihar faced a significant structural failure, with a section near pillar 133 collapsing into the Ganga river. Fortunately, officials have confirmed that there were no casualties and no vehicles were involved in the incident. To manage the aftermath, traffic is being redirected through Munger.
Kerala BJP Winners List Election 2026: 2026 Kerala Assembly Election results mark a turning point for the BJP, as the party successfully breaks its dry spell in the state. While the UDF appears set to form the government, early leads on May 4 suggest that the saffron party is no longer a fringe player, with heavyweights like Shobha Surendran leading the charge in key battles.
Early trends from Kerala Assembly elections show the United Democratic Front (UDF) taking a strong lead. The Indian National Congress is performing well. Counting is underway for the 140-member Assembly. Key constituencies are being closely watched as results unfold. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) and other parties are also in contention.
West Bengal CEO Manoj Kumar Agarwal urged citizens to maintain peace and stay away from violence, highlighting the state's high polling percentage and violence-free elections. He announced that over 500 companies of central forces will remain in the state post-election to prevent any untoward incidents, with strict vigil and control rooms established to monitor the situation.
Tamil Nadu Election 2026 Analysis Takeaways: Tamil Nadus early election trends suggest a major political shift, with actor-turned-politician Vijays TVK emerging as the leading force ahead of the established Dravidian parties. AIADMK is currently in second place, while ruling DMK trails in third, marking a sharp break from the states traditional bipolar contest.
Puducherry Elections 2026 Live News: Early trends from the Election Commission show the All India N.R. Congress leading in the Puducherry Assembly elections 2026. Chief Minister N Rangasamy is set to retain his Thattanchavady seat. Counting is progressing across all constituencies. The AINRC appears to be in a strong position. Final outcomes will be determined by results from remaining constituencies.
Tamil Nadu Election 2026 Results, Full list of TVK winners constituency-wise: The political landscape of Tamil Nadu is witnessing a notable transformation ahead of the 2026 elections. Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam has emerged as a dominant force, outpacing traditional giants like DMK and AIADMK. With support radiating from various regions, this trend signals a compelling shift in voter sentiment, making key constituencies increasingly competitive for TVK.
West Bengal Election 2026 BJP Winners List : Counting is underway for the West Bengal Assembly elections 2026, with early trends giving the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) a strong show in several key regions. The party is leading or has won seats particularly in North Bengal and parts of Jangalmahal, indicating a significant fight against the ruling Trinamool Congress.
Wesy Elections 2026 Live News: Early trends from the West Bengal Assembly Election 2026 show the Bharatiya Janata Party leading significantly. The BJP has crossed the 100-seat mark, outpacing the All India Trinamool Congress. Counting is ongoing, with close contests reported in several constituencies. Final results will determine the next government. Key leaders are in contention across various regions.
Kolkata Police has banned victory processions and public celebrations on May 4, the day of the West Bengal Assembly elections 2026 counting. This restriction aims to ensure public order and a smooth counting process. Processions will only be allowed from May 5 onwards with prior permission. Violators will face legal action. The order will be widely publicized.
India's manufacturing growth saw a slight uptick in April, reaching 54.7, but remained near a four-year low due to weak domestic demand and rising input costs. Despite challenges, export orders surged, and companies expanded hiring and expressed optimism for future growth.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh hailed Operation Sindoor as a unique example of the Indian military's technological prowess in striking terror groups and their patrons. He highlighted the operation's decisive nature, achieved through advanced missile systems and latest equipment, serving as a global reminder of India's capabilities.
The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal has confirmed the National Company Law Tribunal's decision. This approves the Adani Group as the chosen buyer for Jaiprakash Associates Ltd. The appellate tribunal found no reason to alter the initial ruling. Lenders' choice was based on their commercial wisdom.
TVK chief actor Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar has emerged as a significant political force in Tamil Nadu, with his TVK party projected to win a majority. Initially met with skepticism, Vijay's transition from a celebrated film star to a political contender has stunned observers, signaling a major shift in the state's political landscape.
West Bengal: Election 2026 Analysis Takeaways: West Bengals early assembly election trends show a sharp political shift, with the BJP taking a clear lead over the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) in initial counting rounds. Early television trends indicate BJP has crossed the 150-seat mark in the 294-seat House, while TMC is leading in around 120 seats.
Tamil Nadu Elections 2026 Live News: The counting of votes is currently underway in all 234 Assembly constituencies of Tamil Nadu. Preliminary data indicates a tight competition between the DMK-led alliance and the AIADMK-led NDA. Meanwhile, Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam is emerging as a significant force, making its mark in various regions. The counting kicked off this morning and is unfolding step by step.
Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani is in hospital in critical but stable condition. Giuliani, 81, is known for his response to the September 11 attacks. He also worked for President Donald Trump. Giuliani faces criminal charges and a lawsuit related to election efforts. He was previously hospitalised last year.
Actor-politician Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) is making a significant debut in Tamil Nadu, leading in 68 seats against the ruling DMK's 29, according to early trends. Vijay himself is ahead in Trichy East. Exit polls had predicted a DMK win, but TVK's strong showing suggests a potential kingmaker role, disrupting Dravidian parties' long-held dominance. However, he has called DMK his political enemy and BJP as his ideological enemy.
Tamil Nadu Election Winner List 2026: Key trends as TVK leads Actor Vijay's new party, TVK, is creating a political earthquake in Tamil Nadu. Early trends show TVK as the largest party, challenging the long-standing rule of DMK and AIADMK. TVK candidates are leading in many key constituencies, including those held by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and Udhayanidhi Stalin. This indicates a significant shift in Tamil Nadu's political landscape.
Tamil Nadu Election 2026 BJP Winners List: As the counting of votes for the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections progresses, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is closely monitoring the results of the 27 seats it contested under the AIADMK-led alliance. With key figures like Nainar Nagenthran and Vanathi Srinivasan in the fray, the saffron party hopes to increase its footprint in the Dravidian heartland.
Kerala is witnessing a high-stakes electoral battle. Early trends indicate Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is trailing in Dharmadam. Chennithala is leading in Haripad. Several ministers are also trailing as vote counting progresses. The Congress-UDF appears to be ahead in many seats. The LDF is also showing strength. The BJP-led NDA is leading in a few constituencies. Final results are awaited.

27 C