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Tuesday, April 28, 2026
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Politics

BJP gains in Bengal rural polls, but losses in strongholds call for relook at strategy ahead of 2024

Though it came a distant second to TMC, the party improved on its 2018 performance, but has lost support in its strongholds of north Bengal and tribal seats in Jangal Mahal area.

BJP’s picks for RS polls: A dynast, an ex-MLA & a ‘Maharaj’ who wants separate state of Cooch Behar

Six Rajya Sabha seats from West Bengal will go to polls on 24 July, along with 3 in Gujarat and 1 in Goa. Bypoll to be held in one more RS seat in Bengal.

‘Trinamool reigns in the heart of Bengal,’ says Mamata after emphatic win in panchayat polls

Elections to the violence-hit 3-tier rural councils – the gram panchayats, panchayat samitis and zila parishads – were held on 8 July and counting began on the 11th.

TMC sweeps Bengal rural polls with 18k+ gram panchayat seats. BJP, CPIM-Congress compete for 2nd place

Counting was underway at 339 counting centres for 63,229 gram panchayat seats following which counting will begin for 9,730 panchayat samiti seats and 928 zilla parishad seats.

UCC adds to BJP’s cup of woes in Kerala amid infighting in state unit & church anger over Manipur

Minorities form chunk of Kerala population, with Muslims & Christians comprising 26% & 18% respectively. State goes to polls next year, has no representative in Lok Sabha at present.

Violence & corruption are Bengal’s enemies, says Guv as Trinamool headed for big panchayat win

Governor C.V. Anand Bose has often been in the cross hairs of the Trinamool for allegedly trying to influence voters.

AAP in spot in Gujarat over support to UCC. Tribal leader resigns, state head says ‘firmly against it’

Party's Gujarat & Punjab units have raised objections over leadership’s 'in-principle support' to Uniform Civil Code, which they say is against interests of Sikhs, tribals etc.

After replicating Delhi model in Punjab, AAP sets sights on 2024 Haryana polls. ‘Free power, jobs’

AAP Haryana chief says party has set up organisational structure at macro level, adds '7 services & facilities' given free to Delhi residents will be given in Haryana too if they win.

Maharashtra cabinet expansion ‘stuck over portfolio allocation’, Ajit ‘wants key home, finance’ ministries

Shiv Sena & BJP leaders say there are more hopefuls than cabinet posts, but exercise expected to be done before 17 July, when monsoon session of assembly is to begin. 

Nitish loses his cool at meeting with allies, says some from Mahagathbandhan ‘in touch with BJP’

Bihar CM lashed out at RJD’s Sunil Kumar Singh as well as JD(U) MLA Maheshwar Hazari & Congress MLA Ajit Sharma, it is learnt. BJP has claimed that a rebellion is brewing in JD(U).

On Camera

Bengal once had arenas for identity battles—stadiums, football, jerseys. Now it’s polling booths

From Mohun Bagan and East Bengal to Mohammedan Sporting, footbclubs once shaped identity, pride and belonging across Bengal’s social fabric. Now, the political field has taken over.

As govt weighs mandatory silver hallmarking, new report flags economic & operational bottlenecks

Koan Advisory report warns that infra gaps could hurt small businesses and artisans, recommends transition period of 3-5 yrs for industry to adapt.

What theaterisation could look like: Rotational CDS, three-star theatre commanders in initial years

The proposed structure envisions the post of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) rotating between the Army, Navy and Air Force, it is learnt.

Trump, Netanyahu’s Iran gamble: The regime change rebound

American objectives are unmet. They neither have muscle nor motivation to resume the war. As for Iran, the regime didn’t just survive, it’s now led by more radical individuals.