Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed confidence that the BJP would form the next government in West Bengal after the assembly polls, asserting that he would return to the state for the oath-taking ceremony after results are announced on May 4.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has expressed confidence that the BJP will form a government in West Bengal, praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership and citing high voter turnout as a sign of public trust.
The Haryana Congress has strongly criticised the BJP government's two-year tenure in the state, alleging widespread misgovernance, unfulfilled election promises, a surge in crime, and rampant corruption. Senior Congress leaders, including Bhupinder Singh Hooda and Kumari Selja, highlighted issues faced by farmers, traders, and youth, demanding accountability and a white paper on the government's performance.
Punjab BJP president Kewal Singh Dhillon has accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government of widespread corruption, claiming its downfall is imminent. His remarks follow a CBI case against an OSD to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and other officials, leading to protests by BJP workers. Former Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar also criticised the AAP, highlighting the high court's role in the investigation.
Former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda criticised the BJP government, alleging that the state has fallen from its top position in development to being number one in drugs, corruption, and crime. He claimed the BJP has not made any public interest decisions in 12 years and accused them of deteriorating Haryana's economic condition and allowing criminal gangs to flourish.
Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav has criticised the BJP government, posing 12 questions regarding the banking sector. He highlighted issues such as recurring bank charges, reduced interest rates, demonetisation's impact, missing locker valuables, and poor working conditions for bank employees, accusing the government of weakening banks and exploiting vulnerable communities.
AAP Delhi unit president Saurabh Bharadwaj has criticised the Delhi government's handling of women's safety after a 17-year-old girl was allegedly raped at Aastha Kunj Park, leading Lady Shri Ram College to shift classes online. Bharadwaj questioned the BJP government's achievements in ensuring safety and highlighted daily crimes against women, while also alleging harassment of opposition leaders.
The BJP must respect Bengal's pluralistic ethos and with this historic mandate give the state the constructive change it truly deserves, expects Kolkata native Payal Singh Mohanka.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav addressed an INDIA bloc rally at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan, likening the venue to the "Haldighati of democracy" due to the massive public turnout. He asserted that the BJP, which came to power through Uttar Pradesh, would also be ousted from there, criticising their claims of an unshakeable political stance. Yadav accused the BJP of manipulating electoral rolls and predicted their defeat in upcoming elections, starting from UP.
BJP chief Nitin Nabin criticised the Congress and the INDIA bloc's Delhi rally, accusing them of targeting constitutional institutions due to electoral frustration. He highlighted the irony of the protest coinciding with the 1984 anti-Sikh riots anniversary, urging Congress to apologise instead. Nabin also challenged Congress to establish internal democracy.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced on Friday that the BJP would implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in Uttar Pradesh if it returns to power in the upcoming assembly elections. Addressing a state working committee meeting, Shah expressed confidence in the BJP's victory, criticised opposition parties on issues like the Ram temple and alleged voter list irregularities, and highlighted the Adityanath government's achievements in law and order and development.
The BJP claimed a rift within the Congress party, claiming Rahul Gandhi is actively sidelining his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra at INDIA bloc protests.
Former Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh states the BJP government must regain public trust before early next year's assembly elections. He accuses some party colleagues of conspiring to remove him, questions the rationale behind his ouster given continued violence, and highlights public demand for his return, while also criticising the current government's inaction on key issues.
The BJP has launched a new song, "Modi Kahin Nahi Jaayega," as part of its social media campaign against Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge's controversial "baap" remark about Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The song asserts Modi's continued presence and criticises the opposition's language, while the Congress has also intensified its social media attacks, accusing the government of "vote chori" ahead of an INDIA bloc rally.
The BJP in Keralam has demanded a CBI probe into alleged irregularities in the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) during the previous LDF regime. Senior BJP leader P K Krishnadas accused the current UDF government of attempting to sabotage corruption cases and expressed a lack of faith in state-level investigations. The demand follows an expert panel report highlighting financial irregularities in KIIFB.
The Samajwadi Party secured five seats, including two crucial wins in Varanasi, in the Uttar Pradesh legislative council elections, while the BJP won six. SP chief Akhilesh Yadav termed the BJP's performance a "double defeat" and expressed confidence for the 2027 assembly polls.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah criticised Opposition parties, including Congress and AAP, stating that protests are futile and asserting that the NDA will form the next government in Punjab. He also spoke about Yamuna cleaning projects and accused previous Delhi governments of pollution.
Maharashtra's ruling Mahayuti bloc is embroiled in a blame game following its poor performance in the recent Legislative Council polls. The BJP has accused its ally Shiv Sena of non-cooperation, while Shiv Sena leaders defend their actions and one MLA even suggested reinstating Eknath Shinde as Chief Minister, drawing parallels with the Bihar political model.
A BJP government in Bengal inherits more problems than it might care to admit at its moment of triumph, points out Ramesh Menon
Kunwar Basit Ali, national president of BJP Minority Morcha, stated that the demolition of religious structures for development should not be viewed communally, citing examples from Uttar Pradesh and Muslim nations. He accused the Congress of misleading Muslims and instigating unrest. Ali also expressed confidence in the BJP forming the next government in Jammu and Kashmir and addressed concerns regarding the delay in statehood restoration, asserting that the central government would make the best decisions for Kashmir.
Bengali film actor Koyel Mallick, previously a TMC MP, has joined the BJP and is set to file her nomination for a Rajya Sabha seat, expressing her desire to contribute to West Bengal's development initiatives.
Maharashtra BJP MLC Parinay Fuke has criticised MNS chief Raj Thackeray, alleging that Thackeray's public statements and influence are solely due to the police security provided by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Fuke claimed Thackeray would not leave his home if the security was withdrawn. The MNS, through leader Sandeep Deshpande, retorted that security decisions are institutional, not personal, and challenged the BJP to withdraw it. This exchange follows Thackeray's recent criticisms of the state government.
If the new MDR regime is rolled out from the middle of this month, as scheduled, it should count as one of the boldest political actions by the Modi government on an economic-policy issue, and a signal that it is less worried about erosion of political capital it draws from one of its key constituencies, notes A K Bhattacharya.
The BJP has accused Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut of creating a fake audio clip using AI, alleging a Rs 500 crore payout to Maratha quota leader Manoj Jarange. The BJP claims Raut orchestrated the conspiracy to push Rahul Gandhi's agenda and create rifts among ruling allies. Raut, however, claims a BJP MLC leaked the clip due to internal party competition. Maharashtra CM Fadnavis has ordered a forensic probe into the audio clip.
Counting of votes has commenced for Legislative Council seats across Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Karnataka, with significant political implications ahead of upcoming electoral battles. The elections saw varied turnouts and intense contests between ruling alliances and opposition parties.
NCP (SP) leader Supriya Sule has alleged that the BJP is using pens fitted with spy cameras to record voters in the Maharashtra MLC polls for Pune Teachers' and Graduates' constituencies. She claimed voters were offered money to record their votes for BJP candidates. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis stated he was unaware of such devices. Sule has urged the Election Commission to investigate these serious complaints.
Hoardings depicting Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, US entrepreneur Elon Musk and others as the 10 heads of Ravana were put up at several locations in Lucknow on Sunday ahead of Dussehra.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, speaking at the INDIA bloc's Ramlila Maidan rally, accused the BJP of forming governments on "stolen" mandates and alleged that Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah were shielding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. He called for PM Modi's removal to protect democracy.
Senior BJP leader R Ashoka has accused the Karnataka Congress government of a Rs 14.95 crore fraud in the Dr B R Ambedkar Development Corporation, following a previous alleged scam in the Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation. Ashoka cited an ED press release detailing the siphoning of funds through fake accounts and forged documents, demanding accountability from the Congress leadership.
Punjab BJP chief Kewal Singh Dhillon met the family of slain anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota, demanding a CBI investigation into his murder. Dhillon appealed to Punjab residents to protest the AAP government by wearing black, alleging its failure to curb the drug menace and protect activists. Jhota was shot dead on October 13, and his family refuses cremation until justice is served.
A sharp political slugfest erupted on Thursday as Congress leaders and INDIA bloc allies rallied behind MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's son, Raihan Vadra, accusing the authorities and Centre of censoring artistic expression after Bikaner House requested the removal of several photographs from his exhibition.
The BJP has accused the Congress of spreading "fake news" regarding UPI transaction charges, asserting that the government has clarified that consumers will not be levied merchant discount rate (MDR) charges. This comes after the Congress criticised a government notification, alleging it paves the way for imposing fees on UPI transactions. The BJP has strongly refuted these claims, highlighting that most UPI transactions remain free and the government provides incentives to maintain a charge-free ecosystem for users.
The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has responded to Union Home Minister Amit Shah's 'chargesheet' against the West Bengal government, accusing the BJP of attempting to polarise voters and evade accountability on issues such as women's safety and infiltration.
Former Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai has strongly criticised the Delhi Police for its recent actions against members of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), calling it a "real disservice." Annamalai defended CJP's democratic right to raise critical questions, particularly regarding electoral roll revisions, and warned that heavy-handed police measures would only strengthen the critics. He emphasised that the government should address the substantive public queries instead of resorting to arrests.
Samajwadi Party leader and former Uttar Pradesh minister Azam Khan was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Saturday in a money laundering case. This arrest occurred shortly after he and his son were released on bail in a separate dual PAN cards case. Khan will be produced before a special PMLA court, as the ED investigates 58 FIRs against him, including allegations of diverting government funds for his private university.
Senior BJP leader Rana Gurmit Singh has criticised the AAP government in Punjab following the murder of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh alias Jhota in Mansa. Singh accused the government of failing to maintain law and order and questioned its commitment to fighting the drug menace, warning of protests.
Mamata Banerjee, former West Bengal chief minister and TMC supremo, alleged that her party leaders were kept under "house arrest" and prevented from attending a rally in Serampore. She accused BJP workers of blocking routes and the police of inaction, comparing the situation to "atrocities" seen in African countries.
Tamil Nadu's ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) won bypolls in Madurantakam and Dharapuram, strengthening its minority government. Concurrently, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured emphatic victories in West Bengal's Nandigram and Muslim-majority Rejinagar, consolidating its post-TMC rule position. The BJP also established a significant lead in Assam's Nagaon Lok Sabha bypoll, and its ally AINRC retained Thattanchavady in Puducherry.
TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee has questioned the lack of arrests of BJP leaders associated with the Chorbagan Durga Puja committee following a stampede that killed 19 people. He alleged that police are instead targeting citizens who question the government, while Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari warned against "fake narratives" and police made an arrest for spreading misinformation. Banerjee accused the police administration of being exploited for political gain and protecting BJP leaders.
BJP veteran Murli Manohar Joshi emphasized the importance of fair elections, transparent bureaucracy, and constitutional adherence for a functioning democracy. His comments come amidst opposition protests led by the INDIA bloc, alleging irregularities in electoral roll revisions and demanding the Chief Election Commissioner's resignation.
