The Times of India

BJP president Rajeev Chandrasekhar dismissed Congress allegations of asset non-disclosure as a desperate effort by a scared opposition. He predicted a political realignment in Kerala, stating the next elections will see the Congress and LDF unite as the INDIA bloc against the NDA. Kerala will vote in a single phase on April 9, with counting scheduled for May 4.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has apologized for his recent remarks targeting people of Gujarat, stating his comments were misinterpreted and he never intended to cause offense. The apology follows sharp criticism from the BJP, which deemed his statements insulting and unacceptable, highlighting Gujarat's literacy and contributions.

The Election Commission of India has assured that the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections will be conducted without fear, violence, or intimidation. This statement follows a meeting with the TMC, which accused the ECI of bias towards the BJP and alleged systematic disenfranchisement of voters through electoral roll revisions.

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh criticized PM Modi's foreign policy, questioning the timing of his Israel visit before military action against Iran and the perceived failure of Operation Sindoor's global outreach. Ramesh argued that Pakistan's role in a ceasefire undermined Modi's personalized diplomacy and his strategy to isolate Islamabad, contrasting it with Manmohan Singh's success after the 26/11 attacks.

For India, this development merits careful consideration within the country's broader public health context.

India's room air-conditioner market faces price hikes due to rising commodity costs and stricter energy-efficiency norms, with manufacturers indicating further increases. Despite a challenging year and volatile demand, companies are optimistic about long-term growth, projecting the market to nearly double by FY30.

Highway construction and new project awards in 2025-26 hit a seven-year low, with less than 10,000 km built and only 7,000 km awarded. This decline is attributed to stricter land availability pre-conditions and fewer state highways being converted to National Highways. Agencies are prioritizing economic corridors and expressways to avoid project delays and cost escalations.

Soaring LPG prices are forcing migrant workers back to Bihar. Families are disembarking at Patna Junction, their journeys driven by unaffordable cooking gas in cities. Construction workers and factory hands cite exorbitant costs, with some stating two days' wages barely cover a kilogram of LPG. This exodus highlights the severe economic strain impacting livelihoods.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made multiple visits to Tamil Nadu for campaigning, while Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's absence has fueled speculation about discord within the Congress-DMK alliance. Gandhi's recent campaign in Puducherry also saw him avoid mentioning DMK leader M.K. Stalin, suggesting underlying friction between the parties.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah strongly condemned Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge's illiterate jibe at BJP supporters and his venomous snake analogy for the RSS and BJP. Shah asserted that such remarks are undemocratic and urged voters to decisively defeat the Congress in upcoming elections, stating the party has become a threat to the democratic system under Rahul Gandhi's leadership.

An appellate tribunal ruled that Motab Shaikh and Motab Herul are the same person, accepting his Aadhaar card as proof of identity after the Election Commission failed to provide reasons for his exclusion. The tribunal noted discrepancies in voter lists and relied on supporting documents like Aadhaar, passport, and driving license to establish his identity.

The Supreme Court clarified that using the word astard alone, without sexual intent, doesn't constitute obscenity under IPC Section 294. Justices noted that such terms, common in heated arguments, don't inherently appeal to prurient interests.

Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan and Telangana CM Revanth Reddy engaged in a heated exchange of words during election campaigning. Vijayan responded to Reddy's earlier remarks with a jibe, which Reddy then likened to PM Modi's rhetoric, accusing Vijayan of 'devil's rule' and having BJP support. Vijayan later attempted to de-escalate by sending Reddy a letter detailing Kerala's development achievements.

The Jammu and Kashmir High Court has ruled two Kishtwar shrines and their properties as waqf, denying ownership rights to petitioners claiming hereditary custodianship. The court emphasized that property titles must be based on evidence, not public history, dismissing reliance on historical texts for ownership claims.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta lauded the central government for regularising Delhi's unauthorised colonies on an As Is, Where Is basis under the PM-UDAY scheme, noting that the new framework allows for the regularisation of 1,531 colonies without requiring layout plan approval. Furthermore, she mentioned that all plots and buildings within these colonies will be treated as residential.

Leema Rose Martin, AIADMK's Lalgudi candidate, is the wealthiest contender in the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. She declared assets totaling approximately Rs 1,049.56 crore. Her affidavit reveals significant movable and immovable properties. Martin's husband and son also have substantial declared assets. The candidate faces pending criminal cases, some related to tax and money laundering investigations.

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat urged public devotion to cows, suggesting it would end slaughter, drawing parallels to the Ram Temple movement. He advocated for supporting cow shelters and emphasized that public sentiment drives systemic change. Bhagwat also expressed confidence in India becoming a global leader, guided by spiritual values and compassion.

Rajya Sabha chairman CP Radhakrishnan has rejected the opposition's motion to remove Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. He stated that while the allegations are relevant for political discussion, they do not meet the constitutional threshold for removal proceedings. The Speaker of the Lok Sabha also dismissed a similar notice.

Assam Police searched Congress leader Pawan Khera's Delhi residence in connection with allegations against CM Himanta Biswa Sarma and his family. Electronic devices and incriminating material were seized. Khera was not found, with Sarma claiming he fled to Hyderabad. Congress accuses the CM of misusing state machinery.

Congress MP Manickam Tagore criticized West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee for her irresponsible allegations hinting at collusion between the BJP and INDIA bloc allies. Tagore stressed the need for opposition unity against the BJP, reminding the TMC of its past alliance with the BJP and highlighting Rahul Gandhi's fight against the saffron party.

Congress intensified its attack on Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma after police searched Pawan Khera's Delhi home. The action follows a defamation FIR by Sarma's wife over passport allegations. Congress leaders decried the move as a 'witch hunt' and misuse of state power, demanding a probe into Sarma's wife's alleged foreign assets and passports.

Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin criticises Puducherry's chief minister N Rangasamy as a puppet. He claims the LG holds excessive power, sidelining the elected government. Stalin argues that this power imbalance hinders governance and accountability. He advocates for full statehood to restore authority to the elected leadership. The upcoming polls are framed as a vote against this imbalance.

Nearly 91 lakh names were removed from West Bengal's electoral rolls after a special revision exercise. The Election Commission's data shows significant deletions, impacting the voter base. While some deletions were finalized, others remain under adjudication. Electoral rolls for the first phase of assembly elections have now been frozen.

The Supreme Court ruled that banks are not required to provide personal oral hearings before classifying accounts as fraudulent. However, banks must furnish customers with a forensic audit report prior to such classification. This decision acknowledges the infeasibility of individual hearings given the significant rise in bank fraud cases.

The Election Commission has announced the commencement of the silence period for Assam legislative assembly elections from 5:00 PM today, prohibiting all forms of campaigning, including public meetings and social media dissemination. This 48-hour period before polling on April 9 aims to ensure a free and fair electoral process, with strict compliance mandated for all stakeholders.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated new medical facilities at Army Hospital (Research & Referral) and Base Hospital, Delhi Cantonment. These state-of-the-art centers will enhance tertiary care for the Armed Forces Medical Services, focusing on ophthalmology, oncology, and joint replacements. Singh emphasized the critical role of health security in national defense and military operations.