News for 'west bengal assembly elections'

'Vote chori': Charges filed against former BJP MLA, son

'Vote chori': Charges filed against former BJP MLA, son

Rediff.com13 Dec 2025

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) which is probing the alleged 'vote chori' (theft)' in the Aland Assembly segment in 2023 Assembly elections in Karnataka, has filed a charge sheet naming seven persons, including a former Bharatiya Janata Party MLA, his son and his close aide.

Modi's 'Bankim da' remark sparks fierce clash with Trinamool

Modi's 'Bankim da' remark sparks fierce clash with Trinamool

Rediff.com8 Dec 2025

A political slugfest broke out between the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Trinamool Congress on Monday after the latter accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of insulting Bankim Chandra Chatterjee by calling him 'Bankim da', prompting a counter-attack from the saffron party, which accused West Bengal's ruling party of defiling the state's cultural legacy for a decade.

TMC plans door-to-door scrutiny after 45,000 voters deleted in Mamata's seat

TMC plans door-to-door scrutiny after 45,000 voters deleted in Mamata's seat

Rediff.com17 Dec 2025

According to Election Commission data, Bhabanipur had 2,06,295 voters as of January 2025. The draft rolls now carry 1,61,509 names, indicating that 44,787 voters, nearly 21.7 per cent of the electorate, have been deleted.

Govt releases FAQs on women's quota bill after LS defeat

Govt releases FAQs on women's quota bill after LS defeat

Rediff.com19 Apr 2026

The government has released a set of FAQs to address concerns and clarify the details surrounding the Women's Reservation Bill, which aims to provide 33 per cent quota for women in legislatures.

Rs 1.3 cr and counting: Donations pour in for Babri-style mosque

Rs 1.3 cr and counting: Donations pour in for Babri-style mosque

Rediff.com8 Dec 2025

Donation boxes kept for the proposed Babri masjid-style mosque by suspended Trinamool Congress MLA Humayun Kabir in West Bengal's Murshidabad district are nearly full, with cash-counting machines whirring through the night as donations continue to pour in both physically and online.

Will BJP's Khushbu gamble pay off in TN assembly elections?

Will BJP's Khushbu gamble pay off in TN assembly elections?

Rediff.com14 Oct 2020

For now, the BJP's strategy for Khushbu seems to be one of denial -- denying the rival Congress in the state and also at the national-level a Muslim voice acceptable to Hindu audiences and TV news-watchers. This is much less than the induction of DMK veterans like Duraiswamy and Selvam, who still have a greater chances of winning assembly seats,, says N Sathiya Moorthy.

2024 Polls: Will BJP Triumph In Bengal?

2024 Polls: Will BJP Triumph In Bengal?

Rediff.com17 Feb 2024

Sukanta Majumdar, the state BJP president, said, "Amit Shah has set a target of 35 seats. We will achieve that".

Modi flags off India's 1st Vande Bharat sleeper train

Modi flags off India's 1st Vande Bharat sleeper train

Rediff.com17 Jan 2026

Developed to meet the growing transportation needs of modern India, the fully AC Vande Bharat sleeper train would offer passengers an "airline-like travel experience at economical fares," a statement issued by the PMO stated.

Hold me in detention camps if you can: Mamata dares BJP

Hold me in detention camps if you can: Mamata dares BJP

Rediff.com16 Jul 2025

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee criticized the BJP-led central government for allegedly harassing Bengali-speaking people across India, warning of political consequences. She also accused the Centre of influencing the Election Commission and vowed to fight any persecution of Bengalis.

SC rejects plea challenging 8-phase election in Bengal

SC rejects plea challenging 8-phase election in Bengal

Rediff.com9 Mar 2021

The plea had also sought to bar the BJP and its leaders from using the "Jai Shri Ram" slogan during the poll campaign in the state.

Why Congress-DMK split threatens INDIA bloc's existence

Why Congress-DMK split threatens INDIA bloc's existence

Rediff.com9 May 2026

The INDIA bloc faces a significant challenge as the Congress and DMK part ways, raising questions about the alliance's future and unity.

Bypolls: BJP wins big in UP; Trinamool sweeps Bengal

Bypolls: BJP wins big in UP; Trinamool sweeps Bengal

Rediff.com24 Nov 2024

Ruling parties held sway in most of the 13 states in the assembly byelection results declared on Saturday, with the Bharatiya Janata Party and its allies wresting seats in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Rajasthan and the Trinamool Congress sweeping West Bengal.

Muslim names in LD lists exceed population share in 4 Kolkata seats: Study

Muslim names in LD lists exceed population share in 4 Kolkata seats: Study

Rediff.com12 Feb 2026

A new study alleges that Muslim voters are disproportionately represented in Logical Discrepancy (LD) lists during Kolkata's voter roll revision, raising concerns about potential bias in the electoral process.

'Didi' retains power in West Bengal, set to form government again

'Didi' retains power in West Bengal, set to form government again

Rediff.com19 May 2016

The 61-year-old feisty leader, who had single-handedly wrecked the red bastion in West Bengal in 2011, was unfazed by the Left-Congress alliance ahead of the assembly polls.

Sovan Chatterjee back in TMC after 7 years

Sovan Chatterjee back in TMC after 7 years

Rediff.com3 Nov 2025

Chatterjee had quit the TMC in November 2018, resigning as minister, mayor and district president, citing personal reasons.

Fear, anxiety and long journeys: SIR hearings in Bengal

Fear, anxiety and long journeys: SIR hearings in Bengal

Rediff.com5 Jan 2026

The second phase of the Systematic Integration of Rolls (SIR) in West Bengal is causing distress among elderly, disabled, and vulnerable voters, leading to political accusations ahead of the assembly polls.

Mamata storms I-PAC chief's house during ED raid, alleges bid to seize TMC data

Mamata storms I-PAC chief's house during ED raid, alleges bid to seize TMC data

Rediff.com9 Jan 2026

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday dramatically turned up at the residence of Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) chief Pratik Jain amid an ongoing Enforcement Directorate raid, alleging that the central agency was attempting to seize the Trinamool Congress's internal documents, hard disks and sensitive data linked to its election strategy.

Bengal's lone Congress MLA joins TMC

Bengal's lone Congress MLA joins TMC

Rediff.com29 May 2023

Biswas had won the Sagardighi seat on a Congress ticket in a by-poll held earlier this year.

Congress Will Split Soon: Modi

Congress Will Split Soon: Modi

Rediff.com15 Nov 2025

'The Congress has no positive vision for the country. The truth is that today the Congress has become the Muslimleegi Maowadi Congress -- MMC. The Congress' entire agenda revolves around this, so now a new faction is emerging within Congress itself, which is uncomfortable with this negative politics.'

TMC names Mamata's nephew Abhishek Banerjee as LS Parl party leader

TMC names Mamata's nephew Abhishek Banerjee as LS Parl party leader

Rediff.com4 Aug 2025

Trinamool Congress (TMC) has appointed Abhishek Banerjee as its new parliamentary leader in the Lok Sabha, replacing Sudip Bandopadhyay. The decision was made during a virtual meeting chaired by Mamata Banerjee. This move is seen as a generational shift and a preparation for the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections.

'Bihar Doesn't Predict Outcomes In Bengal, UP'

'Bihar Doesn't Predict Outcomes In Bengal, UP'

Rediff.com25 Nov 2025

'The question for the TMC is not whether it can hold its bastions, but whether it can expand effectively into regions where the BJP already possesses a good ecosystem.'

Congratulations to Gyanesh Kumar: Oppn on NDA's big Bihar win

Congratulations to Gyanesh Kumar: Oppn on NDA's big Bihar win

Rediff.com14 Nov 2025

The Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance appeared to register a landslide victory in Bihar, opening up impressive leads in more than 180 of the state's 243 assembly seats, with early trends also indicating that the saffron party was on track to post its biggest tally.

Leh body wants direct talks with Amit Shah during his Ladakh visit

Leh body wants direct talks with Amit Shah during his Ladakh visit

Rediff.com27 Apr 2026

The Leh Apex Body (LAB) has requested direct talks with Union Home Minister Amit Shah during his upcoming visit, deeming the scheduled sub-committee meeting insufficient for resolving Ladakh's long-standing issues.

BJP won't cross double digits in Bengal, says Prashant Kishor; BJP responds

BJP won't cross double digits in Bengal, says Prashant Kishor; BJP responds

Rediff.com21 Dec 2020

Hitting back at Prashant Kishor, Kailash Vijayvargiya remarked that the country will lose a poll strategist after his part forms the government in the state after the upcoming elections in the state.

Will Language Politics Help Didi Win 4th Term?

Will Language Politics Help Didi Win 4th Term?

Rediff.com14 Aug 2025

Will Mamata's bhasha andolan campaign sway Bengal's bhadralok before the 2026 election in the TMC's favour?

Eid celebrated in India with prayers, protests

Eid celebrated in India with prayers, protests

Rediff.com21 Mar 2026

Eid al-Fitr was celebrated across India with prayers for peace and brotherhood, alongside protests condemning US-Israel actions in West Asia.

Central forces reach Bengal as poll preparation begins

Central forces reach Bengal as poll preparation begins

Rediff.com20 Feb 2021

At least 12 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) reached West Bengal on Saturday morning as the state prepares to go to elections, officials said.

Will move court on Tuesday against inhuman conduct of SIR: Mamata

Will move court on Tuesday against inhuman conduct of SIR: Mamata

Rediff.com5 Jan 2026

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announces legal action against the Election Commission's electoral roll revision, alleging disenfranchisement and procedural flaws.

Day after announcing polls, EC removes Bengal ADG (law & order)

Day after announcing polls, EC removes Bengal ADG (law & order)

Rediff.com27 Feb 2021

A day after announcing the dates for assembly polls in West Bengal, the Election Commission on Saturday removed Additional Director General of Police (Law and order) Jawed Shamim and brought in Jag Mohan in his place, an official order said.

TMC, BJP spar over 'detention' of Bengali migrant workers in Odisha

TMC, BJP spar over 'detention' of Bengali migrant workers in Odisha

Rediff.com11 Jul 2025

The Trinamool Congress on Friday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of spreading lies and criminalising poverty over the detention of Bengali-speaking migrant workers in Odisha, while the saffron party charged the Mamata Banerjee dispensation with providing shelters to illegal immigrants.

'BJP Won't Be Able To Form Government In Bengal in 2026'

'BJP Won't Be Able To Form Government In Bengal in 2026'

Rediff.com21 Apr 2025

'The BJP lacks a credible mass leader who matches Mamata Banerjee's popularity.' 'Given the division of votes among Opposition parties, the West Bengal government's dole-giving strategy, and the consolidation of the poor, significant sections of scheduled caste groups and Muslim minorities behind the ruling party, it will be difficult to dislodge the Trinamool from power.'

Bhaichung Bhutia Hangs Up Political Boots

Bhaichung Bhutia Hangs Up Political Boots

Rediff.com25 Jun 2024

'After the 2024 election results, I have had the realisation that electoral politics is simply not for me. I am therefore quitting all forms of electoral politics with immediate effect.'

5 state polls to begin on March 27, Bengal to have 8 phases

5 state polls to begin on March 27, Bengal to have 8 phases

Rediff.com27 Feb 2021

Counting of votes in all elections will be held on May 2.

Feud erupts in Matua head family in Bengal; BJP uneasy

Feud erupts in Matua head family in Bengal; BJP uneasy

Rediff.com25 Aug 2025

A family feud within the politically influential Matua community has erupted between Union minister Shantanu Thakur and his brother, BJP MLA Subrata Thakur, creating ripples in West Bengal's political landscape and posing a challenge for the BJP ahead of upcoming elections.

It's official, Mamata to take Bhabanipur route to assembly

It's official, Mamata to take Bhabanipur route to assembly

Rediff.com5 Sep 2021

TMC's campaign in the seat in south Kolkata is already underway with the Election Commission announcing the by-poll on Saturday, following a request from the state government to avoid a constitutional crisis.

Sonia, Rahul among Bengal star campaigners, G-23 leaders left out

Sonia, Rahul among Bengal star campaigners, G-23 leaders left out

Rediff.com12 Mar 2021

Prominent G-23 members including Ghulam Nabi Azad, Anand Sharma, Kapil Sibal and Manish Tewari have not been included in the Congress list of star campaigners for West Bengal assembly elections.

Bengal BJP ex-chief Dilip Ghosh, 60, marries party colleague

Bengal BJP ex-chief Dilip Ghosh, 60, marries party colleague

Rediff.com18 Apr 2025

The couple met during morning walks, and the relationship grew over time.

West Bengal records 79.70 pc poll in 2nd phase

West Bengal records 79.70 pc poll in 2nd phase

Rediff.com17 Apr 2016

West Bengal on Sunday recorded 79.70 per cent voting in the second phase of assembly polls in 56 constituencies.

SIR to begin in 9 states, 3 UTs tomorrow

SIR to begin in 9 states, 3 UTs tomorrow

Rediff.com3 Nov 2025

Special Intensive Revision (SIR), the Election Commission's voters' list cleanup exercise, will commence in nine states and three Union territories from Tuesday.

Be ready for SIR rollout by Sep 30: EC tells state officers

Be ready for SIR rollout by Sep 30: EC tells state officers

Rediff.com21 Sep 2025

Assembly elections in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal are due in 2026.