Cash remains dominant for many transactions despite continued expansion in digital payments across the country.
Counting of votes begins in Tamil Nadu, Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, and West Bengal, with significant implications for regional and national parties.
V D Satheesan, a 61-year-old lawyer-turned-politician, has emerged as a prominent figure in Kerala politics, known for his aggressive opposition to the Left government and his role in revitalising the Congress party. His journey from student politics to a key leadership position highlights his strategic acumen and dedication to addressing local issues.
Launched in 2024, the TVK has Vijay's shift into politics was not sudden as he had been doing groundwork since 2009, when he launched his fan club, the Vijay Makkal Iyakkam.
142 assembly seats will go to the polls on April 29 in phase 2.
Track the 2026 assembly election results for Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Assam, Puducherry, and Kerala with live vote counting updates, candidate leads, and interactive doughnut graphs. Stay informed with real?time numbers, trends, and comprehensive state?wise coverage.
The CBI has registered an FIR in the alleged murder of Chandranath Rath, an aide to West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, taking over the investigation from the state police following a request from the state government.
Kolkata Police Commissioner Ajay Kumar Nand has warned of strict action against anyone disturbing law and order following the West Bengal assembly elections. Eighty people have been arrested so far, and rallies involving bulldozers will not be permitted.
BJP MP Abhijit Ganguly has alleged lapses in the CBI probe into the rape and murder of a doctor at RG Kar hospital, demanding an investigation into the role of a senior agency officer. Ganguly claims crucial aspects were not examined, including a sealed room and a staircase allegedly used to move the body. He also referenced a video allegedly suppressed by the CBI officer.
Former Rajya Sabha MP and TMC leader Santanu Sen resigned as the party's national spokesperson, citing the R G Kar rape and murder case controversy and the recent election defeat as reasons for his decision. His resignation highlights the internal dissent and organisational challenges facing the TMC.
Out of the 294 West Bengal Assembly seats, 152 will go to the polls in the first phase on Thursday, April 23, 2026.
Actor Vijay's journey from a shy film star to a political leader is explored, highlighting his unconventional methods and the key moments that shaped his transformation.
A man from Maharashtra, aspiring to contest local body elections, allegedly killed his six-year-old daughter by throwing her into a canal in Telangana to circumvent rules regarding the number of children allowed for candidates.
Actor-politician Vijay's newly formed party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), has made a surprising and strong showing in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, leading in nearly 100 constituencies and leaving established Dravidian parties like DMK and AIADMK trailing.
The AIADMK is grappling with a deepening internal rift as factions vie for leadership, threatening the party's stability and future in Tamil Nadu politics.
Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee accuses the BJP of using central agencies to undermine Mamata Banerjee in the West Bengal elections, alleging a lack of public support for the saffron party.
Kerala BJP chief Rajeev Chandrasekhar expressed confidence that the party would eventually capture power in the state, drawing parallels to the party's growth in West Bengal.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay met with his predecessor, DMK President MK Stalin, at his residence in Alwarpet, Chennai, ahead of a crucial floor test for the government. The meeting, described as a courtesy call, occurred after Vijay's criticism of the previous DMK regime's debt burden.
VCK chief Thol Thirumavalan announced that his party has decided to join the TVK-led cabinet in Tamil Nadu, with Vanni Arasu nominated for induction. The decision follows an invitation from TVK and reflects VCK's long-standing philosophy of sharing power.
Police in Chhattisgarh have registered a case against BJP MLA Ramkumar Toppo for allegedly assaulting a revenue official. A counter-case has been filed against the official for allegedly misbehaving with Toppo's sister. The incident has sparked protests and demands for the MLA's arrest.
Addressing party legislators after being elected the leader of the BJP legislature party, Adhikari said the atmosphere of fear in Bengal had ended and asserted that the state would now move towards an era of "trust".
Senior Trinamool Congress leader Kalyan Banerjee has commented on the Supreme Court judgment regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, emphasising its specific application to the Bihar case and highlighting the Election Commission's limited authority in determining citizenship.
Trinamool Congress supporters protested against an Election Commission-appointed IPS officer in West Bengal, accusing him of intimidating party workers ahead of the second phase of polling.
Legal experts suggest West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee should resign following her party's defeat in the assembly elections, or face potential dismissal by the governor.
The Enforcement Directorate conducted fresh searches against Punjab industries minister Sanjeev Arora and others allegedly linked to him as part of a money laundering investigation.
Tension prevailed in parts of West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district after a BJP leader's close aide was shot dead, prompting increased security measures and protests.
The AINRC-led NDA has won the Puducherry Assembly elections and is set to form the government. Chief Minister N Rangasamy won both seats he contested.
Lalu Prasad's son, Tejashwi Yadav, has been appointed the working president of the RJD following the party's performance in recent elections. The decision was made at the party's national executive meeting.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has warned against any attempts to tamper with the counting process, following a visit to an EVM strong room in Bhabanipur where she alleged possible malpractice.
The Supreme Court of India has upheld the Election Commission's documentation framework for the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, affirming the commission's authority and stating that Aadhaar is not proof of citizenship.
With Uttar Pradesh assembly elections approaching, an analyst suggests the BJP is in a strong position. Meanwhile, Punjab's political landscape is described as fluid with mixed public satisfaction towards the ruling AAP.
Vijay termed the assembly polls due in April this year as a "surprising election" as all parties in the state are allegedly teamed up against him and reiterated that the contest was between the DMK and TVK only.
The BJP has taken an early lead in the Gujarat local body elections, winning a significant number of seats as counting progresses. The Congress trails behind, while Independents and other parties, including AAP and AIMIM, have also secured seats.
Former West Bengal minister and TMC leader Sujit Bose appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the alleged municipality recruitment scam. This is not the first time Bose has been summoned, with previous notices issued during the West Bengal Assembly election period.
The campaign for the current election cycle ended on Monday as canvassing for the final phase in West Bengal concluded with a bitter war of words between rival parties over cross-border infiltration, corruption, unemployment and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The TMC and BJP are clashing over Bengal's food culture, with allegations of potential dietary restrictions adding spice to the West Bengal election campaign.
The BJP has accused the Trinamool Congress of inciting post-poll violence in West Bengal by impersonating BJP supporters, warning that they will face legal consequences. The BJP asserts its members have never engaged in post-election violence and claims TMC cadres are using BJP symbols to create unrest.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee met with Trinamool Congress counting agents in Bhabanipur ahead of the vote count for the assembly election. The meeting aimed to ensure agents are well-prepared and updated on the counting process.
The CPI-M and Congress in Kerala have raised concerns over the delay in the release of detailed polling data from the recent assembly elections.
