Assistant coach Sitanshu Kotak explained the recall of veteran pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar to India's T20I squad for the New Zealand series, citing his experience and strong IPL performances. Kotak also addressed questions regarding Mohammed Shami's absence and the reported involvement of VVS Laxman in selection meetings, while discussing India's ongoing winning streak and bench strength development.
BJP workers celebrated in West Bengal as the party took an early lead in the state assembly elections, raising slogans and exchanging sweets.
Ankur Bhattacharjee and Diya Chitale have won the men's and women's singles titles, respectively, at the second National Ranking Table Tennis Championships in Panchkula. Bhattacharjee defeated Raegan Albuquerque in a hard-fought final, while Chitale overcame Syndrela Das. Priyanuj Bhattacharyya and Divyanshi Bhowmick also secured U-19 titles.
West Bengal and Tamil Nadu on Thursday saw a massive voter participation during the ongoing assembly elections, with turnout reaching 89.93 per cent and 82.24 per cent respectively by 5 pm, according to the Election Commission of India.
The Supreme Court has directed the Election Commission to resolve the contentious dispute between the rival factions of the All India Trinamool Congress over its party name and crucial 'flowers and grass' election symbol within three months of the completion of pleadings.
The West Bengal government plans to introduce two new bills in the Assembly to address public disorder, vandalism, and attacks on police and public servants. One bill will amend the existing Public Order Act, 1972, while the other, titled the Public Safety Control and Anti-Social Activity Bill, will comprehensively strengthen public safety measures. These legislative changes aim to curb incidents of violence and allow for compensation recovery from offenders.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a rally in Jangipur, West Bengal, promising to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and addressing concerns about infiltration and demographic changes in the state.
India captain Shreyas Iyer called back Arshdeep Singh after the pacer was struck on the shoulder by a Shamar Joseph bouncer in the final over of the fourth T20I against the West Indies in Hyderabad on Wednesday.
The newly elected BJP-led government in West Bengal will take oath on May 9, coinciding with Rabindranath Tagore's birth anniversary, according to West Bengal BJP President Samik Bhattacharya. He also addressed post-election incidents and urged party workers to celebrate responsibly.
India is deeply concerned by the growing consolidation of Pakistan-backed jihadi and radical Islamist groups in Bangladesh, particularly in the strategically vital Chittagong Hill Tracts, which experts warn is transforming the country into a new safe haven for these networks and posing a direct threat to India's security.
Exiled Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasreen has returned to Kolkata after nearly 19 years, describing the visit as an emotional homecoming to a city she still considers her own, ahead of a literary event that has acquired political resonance under West Bengal's new BJP government.
A long-standing Janmashtami celebration in Kolkata's Mominpore, known for its syncretic culture with significant Muslim participation, is undergoing a major change. BJP leader Rakesh Singh has taken charge, forming an exclusively Hindu organising committee, sparking a debate about religious harmony, political influence, and the nature of shared festivals in the city.
The family of the driver injured in the shooting that killed a BJP leader's aide in West Bengal has demanded justice and urged the government to prevent future incidents.
The Centre has established a committee to draft an agreement and finalise modalities for a 'permanent political solution' to the Gorkha identity issue in the Darjeeling hills and adjoining areas, following a tripartite meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Gorkha leaders, and the West Bengal government.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah addressed poll rallies in West Bengal, promising jobs for youths and an 'infiltrator-free' state if the BJP wins the assembly elections. He also pledged to restore industrial glory, end syndicate raj, and ensure women's safety.
TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee has accused armed BJP men of vandalising the party's Camac Street office in Kolkata, damaging property and stealing items. The BJP has denied the allegations, calling them staged. The incident further intensifies the political confrontation between the two parties in West Bengal, following a recent dispute over a billboard at the same premises.
Mamata Banerjee, who founded the Trinamool Congress through an act of rebellion against the Congress, now faces a similar internal revolt that threatens the very identity of her party. The Election Commission's interim decision to withhold the TMC name and symbol for the upcoming bypolls highlights a deeper struggle for political inheritance. This situation, unprecedented for the party, forces both Mamata's loyalists and rebels to seek electoral recognition without their established identity, marking a significant challenge to her long-standing dominance.
Mohammed Shami claimed a four-wicket haul and Ravindra Jadeja scored an unbeaten half-century, while Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul were dismissed cheaply for a duck and four runs respectively on the opening day of the Ranji Trophy 2026-27 season.
India is set to host five-time world champions Brazil in a historic invitational football friendly in Kolkata. The match, while offering invaluable exposure for the Indian team, has also drawn criticism over its cost and the decision to withdraw from the FIFA ASEAN Cup. The event carries political significance and marks a key step in Brazil's rebuilding process.
The West Bengal police rejected claims that a Bankura man died following a "brutal physical assault" on the father of a CJP activist, saying he had sustained only a minor injury during an alleged attack at his residence and later died after being admitted to hospital following severe blood pressure fluctuations.
The high-pitched campaign for the first phase of West Bengal assembly elections concluded with the BJP and TMC focusing on electoral rolls and dietary habits, while making promises to voters. Voting is scheduled in 152 constituencies across north Bengal and southern districts, with over 3.60 crore electors eligible to vote. A record number of Central paramilitary forces have been deployed, and several districts have been identified as highly sensitive.
Five-time world champions Brazil are set to play India in an invitational friendly at Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium, marking their first-ever international meeting. The match, while a spectacle for Indian fans, has drawn criticism regarding its cost and impact on Indian football development, with former captain Bhaichung Bhutia questioning its value over long-term investment. For Brazil, it's part of a rebuilding process, while India aims to gain invaluable experience against a top-tier team.
In West Bengal's assembly elections, fish has become a potent symbol of Bengali identity, with the Trinamool Congress and BJP clashing over food habits and cultural representation.
A woman in Gurugram was arrested for allegedly blackmailing a man she met on a dating app, extorting approximately Rs 90 lakh by threatening to file a false rape case. Police set a trap and apprehended her while she was accepting an additional Rs 50,000.
The West Bengal government has suspended two senior officials at Presidency Correctional Home following allegations that inmates were using mobile phones within the facility. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari stated that a network of organised crime was being operated from within the state's prisons.
The West Bengal government has directed all state-run and aided schools to mandatorily include the singing of Vande Mataram during morning assemblies with immediate effect.
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) is organising a protest in New Delhi, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged electoral irregularities and the deletion of names from voter rolls. CJP leaders claim activists have been detained and faced restrictions while travelling to the capital for the demonstration.
Special police observer Ajay Pal Sharma toured West Bengal's South 24 Parganas district during the second phase of Assembly elections, facing political controversy and allegations of intimidation from TMC leaders.
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) led a large protest in Mumbai, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. CJP leader Abhijeet Dipke announced a further protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar on October 10 if Kumar does not step down, citing alleged voter deletions and irregularities in recent elections. The protest, which saw participation from various activists and public figures, also called for freezing voter lists and abolishing the 2023 law on Election Commissioner appointments.
Appellate tribunals in West Bengal have only disposed of a small fraction of the appeals filed against decisions made during the electoral roll revision, raising concerns about the efficiency of the process.
The first phase of the West Bengal assembly elections saw a record voter turnout of 91.78 per cent, the highest since Independence, according to the Chief Election Commissioner. Polling took place in 16 districts with women voters outnumbering men. The Election Commission attributed the high turnout to voter-friendly measures.
The Supreme Court has waived the remaining life sentence of 105-year-old murder convict Rasik Chandra Mondal, allowing him to live as a free man. The decision was made considering his advanced age and health issues, making his interim bail absolute.
A new report indicates a rise in 'red alert' constituencies in the West Bengal Assembly elections, with a significant number of candidates facing criminal charges.
Modi's greater weakness is his inability since July when he directed the exit of Dharmendra Pradhan, to come up with a political counter strategy. Security measures and executive orders as seen in recent days will only likely further weaken him and make him as lame duck a premier as many prior to him, Indira Gandhi and Manmohan Singh included, observes Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has accused the Mamata Banerjee government of favouring infiltrators over the native population, asserting that the upcoming assembly election in West Bengal is a battle to save the state's identity.
A report by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) reveals a significant increase in West Bengal MLAs with declared criminal cases, rising from 49% in 2021 to 65% in the latest assembly. The report also highlights a rise in the number of 'crorepati' MLAs.
Suvendu Adhikari has been elected as the leader of the BJP legislature party in West Bengal, paving the way for him to become the state's first BJP chief minister.
The West Bengal cabinet has approved the formation of two panels headed by retired judges to investigate alleged institutional corruption and atrocities against women and children during the previous TMC regime.
Rabiul Alam Chowdhury, Mamata Banerjee's party's candidate for the Rejinagar by-election, initially announced his withdrawal from the contest due to harassment of workers and symbol unfamiliarity, but retracted his statement within hours after intervention from the party's top leadership and Mamata Banerjee herself, confirming he will now contest the October 6 poll.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has accused central forces of working in favour of the BJP during the ongoing assembly elections, alleging intimidation and unfair practices.
