Assembly Elections 2026 Highlights: BJP president Nitin Nabin to visit West Bengal on January 27-28

Trinamool leader Abhishek Banerjee on Saturday accused the Election Commission of India (ECI) of failing to comply with a Supreme Court order and its own formal communication by not publishing the list of “logical discrepancies” in electoral rolls within the stipulated deadline. In a post on X, Banerjee said the office of the Chief Electoral Officer had been mandated to release and publish the list of logical discrepancies by January 24 in all gram panchayats and municipal wards, but had failed to do so. “Despite a clear order from the SC and its own formal communication, the @ECISVEEP has failed to release and publish the list of LOGICAL DISCREPANCIES,” he wrote.

Questioning the credibility of the process, Banerjee pointed out that the same software which allegedly assessed and analysed over seven crore enumeration forms and detected “logical discrepancies” within one hour of the publication of draft rolls on December 16 now appeared unable to disclose those discrepancies. “The software now seems to have lost its logic, speed, credibility and confidence,” he said. Raising a series of pointed questions, Banerjee asked what the Election Commission was trying to hide, why it was taking days to disclose discrepancies that were identified within an hour, and whether the exercise was aimed at finding logic or concealing discrepancies.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in West Bengal on Tuesday announced the constitution of its State Sankalp Patra Committee for the 2026 Legislative Assembly elections, with immediate effect.

The Assam BJP will launch an outreach initiative on Sunday to collect people’s feedback for formulating its manifesto for the upcoming assembly polls, a party leader said. Specially equipped video vans, christened ‘Suggestion Vehicles’, will be flagged off by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, in the presence of state party president Dilip Saikia, from Guwahati, BJP spokesperson Pranjal Kalita said on Saturday. The vehicles will travel across all 126 assembly constituencies to collect inputs, feedback and suggestions from people of different sections of the society for the ‘Sankalp Patra’, he said.

TMC national general secretary leader Abhishek Banerjee on Saturday directed party MPs and MLAs to activate the election war room in their respective constituencies immediately and send regular updates to the party leadership from January 27, a senior leader said. Addressing a closed-door virtual meeting with party leaders, Banerjee also called for the immediate constitution of a "booth raksha committee" in every booth to thwart BJP’s alleged attempts to delete genuine voters through the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and "logical discrepancies".

All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) chief Badruddin Ajmal on Tuesday strongly criticised the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, calling it “hitlerism” and demanding that it should not be carried out in Assam ahead of elections. Speaking to reporters, Ajmal said the SIR exercise should not be conducted in India and specifically opposed its implementation in Assam before the polls. He urged the Election Commission to ensure that no voters from outside the state were allowed to participate in the Assam elections. “There should not be cheating in Assam as it happened in Bihar and Maharashtra,” Ajmal alleged, without providing details.

On the question of alliances for the upcoming state elections, the AIUDF chief said his party would contest the polls on its own. “We will be contesting the elections alone. If Congress has to come to power, it should come to us,” he said. Ajmal also took a swipe at the Congress, alleging that the party was acting as the “B team of the BJP”.

Nobel laureate Amartya Sen has voiced deep unease over the SIR process in West Bengal, warning that the exercise is being conducted with “undue haste” and may jeopardise democratic participation, particularly with the assembly elections approaching in a few months. Read full story here

BJP President Nitin Nabin will be on a two-day visit to West Bengal on January 27 and 28, during which he is scheduled to hold a series of organisational meetings. On January 27, Nabin will chair a meeting of the BJP’s state core team in Durgapur. The following day, January 28, he will attend the Burdwan division workers’ conference at the Chitralaya Mela Ground in Durgapur East. Later in the afternoon, he is slated to participate in the Asansol district workers’ meeting in Raniganj.

(Inputs from Aishwarya Paliwal)

Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech at the meeting, Tamil Nadu Congress chief K Selvaperunthagai said the Prime Minister spent a major portion of his address attacking the DMK-Congress alliance. “He cannot tolerate the fact that Tamil Nadu is one of the states in India that strongly opposes the BJP,” he said. Selvaperunthagai said there were several valid reasons behind Tamil Nadu’s continued opposition to the BJP, including what he described as the Centre’s persistent anti–Tamil Nadu bias. Citing electoral outcomes, Selvaperunthagai said the people of Tamil Nadu had already delivered their verdict by defeating the BJP in both the 2019 and 2024 Lok Sabha elections, denying the party even a single seat in the state. “This is how the people have repeatedly taught the BJP and Narendra Modi a lesson,” he added.

Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president K Selvaperunthagai on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on the BJP–AIADMK alliance, describing it as a “coercive and opportunistic” tie-up aimed at forcing the BJP’s entry into the state’s political space. In a statement, Selvaperunthagai said the first public appearance of the alliance took place in Madhuranthakam a day earlier and alleged that the AIADMK had been “compelled” into the arrangement to help the BJP establish a foothold in Tamil Nadu “by employing all means possible”. He also questioned the identity of the alliance, asking whether it should be called the AIADMK alliance or the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), and said the lack of clarity itself reflected the contradictions within it. “This has turned out to be an opportunistic alliance of conflicting forces,” he said.

(Inputs from Apoorva Jayachandran)

The Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) will convene its election committee meeting on January 27 to chart out strategy for the upcoming Kerala Assembly elections, KPCC president Sunny Joseph said on Thursday.

Speaking in Kannur, Joseph said the meeting would focus on organisational preparedness, campaign planning and candidate-related discussions as the party gears up for the high-stakes electoral contest in the state. "The Congress election committee will be convened on January 27 to discuss the upcoming Kerala Assembly election," Joseph said.

The BJP's manifesto preparation committee on Saturday began its deliberations in Chennai under the leadership of senior party leader Tamilisai Soundararajan, marking the start of discussions on the party's policy and campaign roadmap for Tamil Nadu.

The meeting brought together members of the committee to outline key priorities, gather inputs, and shape the manifesto ahead of upcoming electoral contests in the state.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Saturday said internal issues should be communicated directly to the party leadership rather than debated in public, amid speculation over his recent political moves and absence from a party programme.

"It is better to convey concerns directly to the party leadership. Several things have appeared in the media, some of which may be true while others may not be, and that such matters should not be discussed on public platforms. I had informed the party in advance that I would not be attending the programme and whatever I have to say will be said within the party," he said while speaking to reporters. 

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Thursday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi views the Constitution as sacrosanct, while noting that even groups like the RSS, which once rejected it, have now embraced it. "PM Modi sees the Constitution as sacrosanct; those who rejected the Constitution, such as the RSS, have now embraced it. The Constitution has stood the test of time," Tharoor said.

CPI leader D Raja on Saturday criticised PM Modi for his recent remarks targeting opposition parties, saying the Prime Minister should maintain dignity and focus on issues of public concern.

"Mr. Modi is the Prime Minister of the country now. He must speak in a reasonable way, dignified way. The way he stoops down to such a low level to abuse opposition parties. People of Tamil Nadu and Kerala are taking note of all these things. Mr. Modi has not touched upon the issues of livelihood of the people, issues which are of importance for the development of state or for the nation. It just stooped to such a low level to abuse the non-BJP state governments," he said.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Saturday addressed questions from the audience at the Kerala Literature Festival, defending his parliamentary record and clarifying his stance on Operation Sindoor.

"I have at no stage violated any of the Congress’ positions in Parliament; the only issue on which there has been public disagreement on principle is about Operation Sindoor where I did take a very strong stand, and I remain unapologetic about that because after Pahalgam happened, I myself, as an observer and commentator, I had written a column in the Indian Express, which I think I gave the title 'After Pahalgam', they gave it a title 'Hit Hard, Hit Smart'. I said in that article - this can not go unpunished; there has to be a kinetic response," Tharoor said. 

The controversy over Jamaat-e-Islami’s stance in Kerala politics intensified on Thursday, with Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan stating that the Congress cannot rely on support from the organisation if it continues to advocate for an Islamic republic.

Satheesan said the Jamaat-e-Islami’s current position does not call for an Islamic state, but warned that any deviation from this stance would make their support unacceptable in the Assembly elections. His remarks come amid criticism from the CPI(M), which has attacked Congress for accepting backing from the organisation, calling it communal.

(With inputs from Shibimol KG.)

Veteran actor Kamal Haasana-led Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) party on Saturday held its Administrative Committee and Executive Committee meeting at its Chennai office on Thursday, with party founder and Rajya Sabha MP Kamal Haasan presiding over the session. The meeting brought together all members of the party's Administrative Committee and Executive Committee to discuss key organisational matters and strategise ahead of upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. Kamal Haasan, who continues to steer the party's policies and campaign directions, is leading the discussions. 

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on the final day of the Assembly session on Saturday strongly condemned Governor R N Ravi for refusing to read the customary Governor’s Address in the House, accusing him of undermining constitutional convention and insulting the office he holds.

"A Governor who is supposed to work for Tamil Nadu is working continuously against Tamil Nadu and us. It is laughable that Governor didn't read the speech that he was supposed to read. He is insulting his own post. He holds a responsible position in the country and yet he insults that post," the Chief Minister said.  

Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) General Secretary Premalatha Vijayakanth on Saturday responded to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remarks in Tamil Nadu about a change in government, saying the state needed an administration that would deliver good governance after the next Assembly elections.

"Whatever it is, after the election, a new government will be formed, which should give good governance for people in 2026. That is our appeal. Good things will happen," Vijayakanth said. 

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin highlighted the performance of his government in the state Assembly, asserting that the "Dravidian Model" of governance had propelled Tamil Nadu ahead of other states on multiple fronts.

"Because of the achievements of the Dravidian Model government, Tamil Nadu has held its head high. Tamil Nadu has developed more than other states. The reason for this is our schemes...As far as this government is concerned, once an achievement is made, an even greater one follows. Creating achievement upon achievement is the hallmark of the Dravidian Model government," he said. 

Congress leader K Suresh on Thursday exuded confidence in the party’s prospects in Kerala, citing recent local body election victories as a boost ahead of the Assembly polls. On Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, Suresh clarified that the senior leader remains actively involved in party affairs despite missing a recent meeting.

"We will definitely form the government in Kerala, we secured a huge victory in the local body elections. Last month, he attended the 2-day training campaign in Wayanad and then the Ernakulam Mahapanchayat meeting as well as the PCC leadership meeting in Thiruvananthapuram. He was unable to come today due to the literature event in Calicut, and he informed that he will be unable to attend the meeting," he said. 

Congress leader P C Vishnunadh on Saturday sought to dispel speculation around Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, saying the senior leader remains aligned with the party and is set to play a key role in the Kerala campaign.

"He is attending a program on book release in Calicut, and conveyed all his feedback to the national leadership... He is very happy and will be the star campaigner for Kerala elections," Vishnunadh said. 

Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala on Thursday dismissed speculation of differences between the party and MP Shashi Tharoor, saying the senior leader was not upset with the leadership and had skipped a party programme only because of a prior engagement.

"He is not annoyed with the party. He said he could not come due to his prior commitment in Kerala Literary Forum in Calicut. He is not angry with the party leadership," Chennithala said. 

Congress MP Hibi Eden on Saturday launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi following his speech in Kerala, accusing the BJP of misleading voters and lacking moral authority to speak on corruption.

"The Prime Minister is trying to fool the people of Kerala. Fortunately, they haven't fallen for his promises... or the BJP, despite the BJP having the corporation in Trivandrum... I don't think the BJP is the right organisation to talk about corruption," he said.