Assembly Elections 2026 LIVE: BJP's 'downfall' has begun, says West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee

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Taking a swipe astatine the BJP implicit its propulsion for delimitation, the Trinamool Congress supremo alleged that the saffron enactment wanted to "divide" the country

Updated - April 18, 2026 03:47 p.m. IST

West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC main  Mamata Banerjee addresses a nationalist   rally successful  enactment    of the enactment      candidates up  of the State Assembly elections, astatine  Dinhata, successful  Cooch Behar district.

West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC main Mamata Banerjee addresses a nationalist rally successful enactment of the enactment candidates up of the State Assembly elections, astatine Dinhata, successful Cooch Behar district. | Photo Credit: PTI

Addressing a canvass rally successful Howrah’s Uluberia, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said the BJP’s “downfall” has begun. The Trinamool Congress supremo claimed that the BJP had been “defeated” and was surviving successful bureau lone with the enactment of its allies.

Taking a swipe astatine the BJP implicit its propulsion for delimitation, the Trinamool Congress supremo alleged that the saffron enactment wanted to “divide” the country.

Also work | With PM and HM away, Chief Ministers of BJP-ruled States measurement up run for enactment successful West Bengal

Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition and Congress person Rahul Gandhi addressed a canvass rally successful Tamil Nadu connected Saturday (April 18, 2026). He said the BJP wants spouse successful Tamil Nadu allowing them to regularisation the State from Delhi, and instrumentality orders from Amit Shah and PM Narendra Modi.

PM Modi volition be a nationalist gathering successful Coimbatore to run for the NDA candidates contesting successful the Assembly election. Mr. Gandhi, connected the different hand, is acceptable to circuit Ponneri, Sholinghur, and Thuraiyur. 

Follow unrecorded updates here:

  • April 18, 2026 15:43

    Tamil Nadu | TVK not relying simply connected roadworthy campaigns

    TVK not relying simply connected roadworthy campaigns; monolithic people’s question nether way: Vijay

    TVK president Vijay announces a grassroots movement, criticizing DMK's predetermination tactics and asserting the party's readiness for change.

  • April 18, 2026 15:41

    West Bengal | Voting for immoderate enactment different than TMC means ballot for BJP, says Abhishek Banerjee

    Murshidabad: “A ballot for immoderate enactment different than the TMC is simply a ballot for the BJP,” Trinamool Congress person Abhishek Banerjee told a canvass rally, successful a bid to consolidate votes successful this district, which historically has been a beardown basal of the Congress.

    Addressing a gathering aft a roadshow successful Farakka, helium claimed that portion the BJP was “breaking the Congress”, the TMC was “thwarting the BJP’s power connected the ground.” Targeting the Congress, the de facto fig 2 successful the TMC, claimed that nary MP oregon immoderate typical of the expansive aged enactment stood by them successful the past 2 years to code people’s demands.

    Mr. Banerjee claimed that the Congress, Aam Janata Unnayan Party laminitis Humayun Kabir and cardinal agencies were the “three agencies of the BJP” that were progressive successful the region.

    While attempts were being made to delete the names of the mediocre and number voters from the electoral rolls, the Opposition parties were “playing with the emotions of the community”, the TMC person said.

    “I impulse radical - Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Christians - not to beryllium misled. Those trying to disagreement you indispensable beryllium fixed a befitting reply connected polling day. If you privation to decision the BJP, the lone mode is to ballot for the TMC,” helium said. - PTI

  • April 18, 2026 15:18

    Kerala

    Kerala Assembly elections: Unions allege astir 750 polling officials successful Ernakulam ‘denied’ close to vote

    Unions assertion 750 polling officials successful Ernakulam were denied their voting rights owed to postal ballot issues successful Kerala elections.

  • April 18, 2026 15:08

    Tamil Nadu | When a prima made an interaction connected the canvass result successful Tamil Nadu

    When a prima madean interaction connected the canvass result in Tamil Nadu

    Explore however Rajinikanth's bold connection successful 1996 reshaped Tamil Nadu's governmental scenery and influenced predetermination outcome.

  • April 18, 2026 14:50

    Tamil Nadu | Poll tensions rise

    AIADMK workers propulsion eggs astatine partymen’s car for canvassing votes for BJP candidate

    AIADMK workers protestation against enactment members canvassing for BJP, throwing eggs astatine their car successful Tirunelveli.

  • April 18, 2026 14:48

    Tamil Nadu | Edappadi accuses Sengottaiyan of arrogance, disloyalty

    Tamil Nadu election: Palaniswami accuses Sengottaiyan of being a ‘DMK spy’

    Palaniswami accuses Sengottaiyan of disloyalty and arrogance, claiming helium acted against AIADMK interests successful Tamil Nadu elections.

  • April 18, 2026 14:46

    Tamil Nadu | Rahul Gandhi astatine a canvass rally successful Ponneri

    T.N. Assembly election: AIADMK is conscionable a disguise for BJP, says Rahul Gandhi astatine Ponneri

    Rahul Gandhi claims AIADMK is simply a facade for BJP control, urging Tamil Nadu to defy outer governmental influence.

  • April 18, 2026 14:45

    Tamil Nadu | Former Tamil Nadu CM Palaniswami seeks re-election for sixth clip from Edappadi

    Salem: A seasoned successful electoral fray, erstwhile Chief Minister K. Palaniswami, who registered resounding victories from Edappadi Assembly constituency successful the district, is seeking re-election for the sixth clip from his location constituency.

    This governmental heavyweight candidate, who does not look anti-incumbency, appears to person the dice formed successful his favour. His increasing popularity successful the portion and enlargement of enactment basal are apt to tilt the scales successful his favour.

    Mr. Palaniswami, the wide caput of AIADMK, has won the spot 5 times during the elections held successful 1989,1991, 2011, 2016 and 2021, and transformed the agrarian constituency, which besides thrives connected the handloom and powerfulness loom assemblage and granite quarries, into his fort.

    He is facing DMK’s C. Kasi, a textile merchant who is making his electoral debut, and Priyadarshini of erstwhile movie manager Seeman-led Naam Tamilar Katchi successful a triangular contest, though determination are a full of 15 candidates successful the fray. - PTI

  • April 18, 2026 14:34

    West Bengal | BJP's downfall has begun, says Mamata Banerjee

    Howrah: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said the BJP’s “downfall” has begun. Addressing a canvass rally successful Howrah’s Uluberia, Ms. Banerjee claimed that the BJP had been “defeated” and was surviving successful bureau lone with the enactment of its allies.

    Taking a swipe astatine the BJP implicit its propulsion for delimitation, the Trinamool Congress supremo alleged that the saffron enactment wanted to “divide” the country. - PTI

  • April 18, 2026 14:31

    West Bengal | Have to region Mamata arsenic Bengal CM

    Have to region Mamata arsenic Bengal CM, other Bangladeshi Muslims volition snatch State from us: Himanta

    Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma claims Mamata Banerjee's policies endanger Bengal, urging her removal to forestall "Bangladeshi Muslim" infiltration.

  • April 18, 2026 14:26

    West Bengal | Weapons seized successful cardinal Kolkata, 1 detained up of West Bengal polls

    Kolkata: “Days up of the two-phase polling successful West Bengal, the Kolkata Police’s Special Task Force seized a cache of arms and ammunition adjacent Rajabazar Science College successful Kolkata and detained a man,” officials said.

    “Acting connected suspicion, STF sleuths intercepted the man, carrying a bag, adjacent a autobus basal and recovered six single-shot firearms and 14 cartridges from him,” an authoritative said.

    Investigators are trying to ascertain wherever the arms were being taken and to whom they were meant to beryllium delivered. This improvement came amid intensified checking of vehicles by mounting up roadblocks by constabulary crossed the State. - PTI

  • April 18, 2026 14:09

    West Bengal | Azharuddin campaigns for Cong's Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury successful Baharampur

    Former cricketer Mohammad Azharuddin campaigned for Congress nominee Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury successful the Baharampur assembly constituency successful West Bengal’s Murshidabad district.

    Ahead of a roadshow successful the town, Azharuddin cited Mr. Chowdhury’s agelong governmental acquisition and transportation with the portion and appealed to voters to enactment the Congress candidate.

    People gathered connected some sides of the road, and those lasting connected balconies and rooftops waved astatine the erstwhile Indian cricket squad captain.

    - PTI

  • April 18, 2026 14:05

    Tamil Nadu | District Election Officer flagged disconnected walkathon successful Ramanathapuram to make consciousness connected 100% voting

    WhatsApp Image 2026-04-18 astatine 1.48.57 PM.jpeg

  • April 18, 2026 13:16

    Tamil Nadu | Rahul Gandhi connected what the BJP wants

  • April 18, 2026 13:15

    Tamil Nadu | Udhayanidhi accuses BJP of not releasing funds for the State

    PM Modi ‘denying funds to T.N.’ but making predominant canvass visits to State: Udhayanidhi

    Udhayanidhi Stalin criticizes PM Modi for denying funds to Tamil Nadu portion campaigning often up of the Assembly elections.

  • April 18, 2026 12:34

    Tamil Nadu | People’s Manifesto released successful Coimbatore

    Manickam Athappa Gounder, president of MAK and Managing Trustee of Manu Neethi Foundation, released successful Coimbatore connected Friday a ‘People’s Manifesto 2026’ for the elections.

    A property merchandise said the manifesto urged governmental parties to absorption connected improving productivity successful agriculture and guarantee a unchangeable income for farmers successful the State. Tamil Nadu should germinate into a pollution-free State and determination should beryllium sustainable earnings, and beardown enactment to halt sewage and discarded contamination astatine source. The authorities should absorption connected steadfast surviving done preventive attraction and not conscionable connected treatment.

    Mr. Athappa Gounder besides called for liable governance truthful that nationalist wealth is spent cautiously and indebtedness is reduced.

    “Citizens indispensable request accountability and transparency,” helium said. “Do not ballot for wealth oregon mendacious promises. Vote for honesty, responsibility, and vision. Good governance begins with us,” helium added. - The Hindu Bureau

  • April 18, 2026 12:30

    Tamil Nadu | CPI's D. Raja astatine Tiruvarur canvass meet

    Defeat BJP to sphere Tamil identity, rights: D. Raja

    D. Raja urges voters to decision BJP to support Tamil culture, identity, and rights successful the upcoming elections.

  • April 18, 2026 12:28

    Tamil Nadu constituency ticker | Ottapidaram

    DMK gambles connected caller look amidst long-standing section grievances successful Ottapidaram (reserved) constituency

    DMK gambles connected caller look amidst long-standing section grievances successful Ottapidaram (reserved) constituency

  • April 18, 2026 12:11

    Tamil Nadu | Campaign ends, litter follows

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  • April 18, 2026 12:07

    Tamil Nadu | Piyush Goyal lands successful Udhagamandalam for canvass meet

    a3032900-770c-473c-8e24-137260235719.jfif

  • April 18, 2026 11:59

    Tamil Nadu | Udhayanidhi Stalin campaigns successful Gobichettipalayam

    c3c2eea2-a2ad-4727-8979-f61b9b51a9c9.jfif

  • April 18, 2026 11:57

    Tamil Nadu constituency ticker | Melur

    Melur constituency voters expect extortion of earthy resources

    Melur constituency voters expect extortion of earthy resources

  • April 18, 2026 11:56

    Tamil Nadu constituency ticker | Sholavandan

    Voters of Sholavandan constituency hopeful of reopening of Alanganallur sweetener mill

    Voters of Sholavandan constituency hopeful of reopening of Alanganallur sweetener mill

  • April 18, 2026 11:50

    Tamil Nadu | Edappadi Palaniswami campaigns successful Gobichettipalayam

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  • April 18, 2026 11:46

    Tamil Nadu | Tirunelveli territory Collector hoists predetermination consciousness balloon

    f8042411-b0d6-4cf0-8fcb-a12640620d17.jfif

  • April 18, 2026 11:41

    Tamil Nadu | Campaigner for Tamil Brahmins

    From ultra near to campaigner for Tamil Brahmins

    Madurai lawyer K. S. Pandiarajan transitions from ultra-left activism to advocating for Tamil Brahmins wrong the Naam Tamilar Katchi

  • April 18, 2026 11:39

    Tamil Nadu | Sasikala criticises DMK, AIADMK for promising freebies

    Sasikala criticises DMK and AIADMK for ‘recklessly miring Tamil Nadu successful fiscal morass’

    Sasikala criticizes DMK and AIADMK for reckless fiscal policies, burdening Tamil Nadu with indebtedness and failing its citizens.

  • April 18, 2026 11:27

    Tamil Nadu | DMK indispensable instrumentality to power, says Kamal

    DMK indispensable instrumentality to powerfulness arsenic they consistently present connected promises, says Kamal

    Kamal Haasan urges voters to enactment DMK for honorable governance and accordant committedness transportation successful Tamil Nadu's upcoming elections.

  • April 18, 2026 11:26

    Tamil Nadu constituency ticker | Mannargudi

    Mannargudi acceptable for a choky contention arsenic Rajaa banks connected improvement pitch

    Mannargudi's upcoming predetermination features a adjacent contention betwixt Rajaa's improvement absorption and Kamaraj's grassroots entreaty amid ongoing infrastructure challenges.

  • April 18, 2026 10:56

    Home voting nether mode successful Chennai

    Voting for elder citizens supra 85 years and for voters with disabilities that person expressed penchant to ballot from location commenced successful each 16 Assembly constituencies successful Chennai connected April 16.

    A squad of six comprising a micro observer, 2 polling officials, a constabulary officer, a videographer and a operator landed astatine 74-year-old Visalakshi Jambunathan’s location astatine Kallukaran Street successful Mylapore astir 11 a.m. aft a connection from the Booth Level Officer.

    Click present to work much connected this...

  • April 18, 2026 10:28

    Watch: Preparations nether mode for Rahul Gandhi's rally successful Chennai

  • April 18, 2026 09:58

    Cash incentives for women steer Bengal canvass discourse

    With less than 7 days remaining earlier the archetypal signifier of polling successful West Bengal, not lone are governmental enactment leaders moving hard to seizure voters’ attention, but payment schemes offering currency incentives to women successful the State are besides playing a important role.

    As the West Bengal predetermination run reaches its peak, a contention betwixt the Lakshmir Bhandar of the Trinamool Congress and the Matri Shakti Vandan Yojana of the Bharatiya Janata Party has gained momentum connected the sidelines. 

    Click present to work much connected this...

  • April 18, 2026 09:33

    With PM and HM away, Chief Ministers of BJP-ruled States measurement up run for enactment successful West Bengal

    With Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah engaged with the peculiar league of the Parliament, the Chief Ministers of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-ruled States took up the mantle to run for their enactment successful poll-bound West Bengal.

    Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis held a property league successful Kolkata and targeted the Trinamool Congress authorities connected respective fronts including the peculiar intensive revision (SIR) and the industrialisation of the State.

    Click present to work much connected this...

  • April 18, 2026 09:14

    We cognize however to bring the indebtedness nether control, amended the finances of Tamil Nadu, and instrumentality each the payment schemes completely, says the AIADMK wide secretary

    AIADMK wide caput and the Leader of the Opposition Edappadi K. Palaniswami, spoke to The Hindu connected a big of issues. He was hopeful of his enactment forming a authorities of its ain and said the verdict would found it. 

    Click beneath to work edited excerpts:

    We cognize however to bring the indebtedness nether control, amended the finances of Tamil Nadu, and instrumentality each the payment schemes completely, says the AIADMK wide secretary

    AIADMK's Edappadi K. Palaniswami addresses Tamil Nadu's payment schemes, indebtedness control, and governmental strategy amid the upcoming elections.

  • April 18, 2026 08:48

    Stalin, Rahul Gandhi improbable to stock signifier for Tamil Nadu predetermination campaign: R.S. Bharathi

    DMK president and Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and Leader of the Opposition successful the Lok Sabha and Congress person Rahul Gandhi are improbable to stock the signifier during the run for the upcoming Assembly predetermination successful Tamil Nadu, DMK organisation caput R.S. Bharathi said connected Friday (April 17, 2026).

    Speaking to reporters astatine Anna Arivalayam, the DMK office successful Chennai, Mr. Bharathi, portion responding to a question connected Mr. Gandhi’s run docket successful Tamil Nadu, wherever helium is acceptable to circuit Ponneri, Sholinghur, and Thuraiyur connected Saturday (April 18), said Mr. Stalin’s circuit programme had already been fixed.

    Click present to work much connected this...

Published - April 18, 2026 08:47 americium IST

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