Assembly Election 2026 Highlights: Trinamool launches new campaign song amid turmoil with ED

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Blazing his guns at the DMK government, BJP leader ANS Prasad told ANI, "DMK uses police force to act against non-DMK and the opposition. CBFC (Central Board of Film Certification) is an independent organisation that acts according to law. There is no political intervention in CBFC. Jana Nayagan's issue has been politicised by DMK's Stalin and the Congress party."

The Leader of the Opposition in West Bengal, Suvendu Adhikari, was allegedly attacked by Trinamool Congress workers while returning from a political event. 

"Tonight, approximately around 8:20 PM, while I was returning from Purulia, at Chandrakona Road, Paschim Medinipur district, I was viciously attacked by TMC goons. These cowards, emboldened by the Mamata Banerjee regime's culture of violence and impunity, attacked me right in the presence of the Mamata Police. The very guardians of law stood by like mute spectators. This is not just an attack on me; it's an assault on every voice of opposition in West Bengal. The TMC's desperation is showing, resorting to thuggery because they can't face the heat of the people's rising anger," Adhikari wrote on X.

He also sat on a sit-in protest demanding swift action from the police over the incident.

"I am now sitting on a Dharna inside the Chandrakona Police Station, demanding immediate action & arrests. The people of Bengal deserve better than this lawless dictatorship. I will not budge until accountability is enforced," he added.

After landing in Tamil Nadu, BJP's Working President Nitin Nabin launched a scathing attack on the ruling DMK government. 

"While the Narendra Modi government is making every effort to continuously advance development in the nation, it is unfortunate that in Tamil Nadu, the DMK government is setting records in corruption. Today, corruption has become synonymous with the DMK government. It is also following the path of corruption of the Congress."

A delegation of five Trinamool Congress MLAs met the Chief Electoral Officer and expressed their concerns over voter troubles due to SIR.

The Indian National Congress-led UDF eyes 100 seats in the upcoming assembly elections. 

Talking about the target, UDF Convenor and Congress MP Adoor Prakash told ANI, "In the coming assembly elections, we will win more than 100 seats, and we know it very well. It is only because of the many problems that the government has created in Kerala. That problem will be sorted out by the people of Kerala, and they will stand with the UDF... Kadakampally Surendran is being questioned by the SIT. We don't know what questions he has been asked. People of Kerala have the right to know those questions."

From West Bengal's Saltora, Abhishek Banerjee took a sharp jibe at the Bharatiya Janata Party and asked for the developmental report cards of the Narendra Modi-led central government. 

"Our workers and supporters have already reached every household with the report card of our 15 years of governance. In 2019, the BJP won two MP seats from Bankura. In Bishnupur, the MP is still from the BJP. The BJP came to power in 2014 and has been in power for 12 years. Where is the BJP’s report card?" 

Banerjee is holding Sankalp Yatra across the state ahead of the upcoming assembly elections.

Following the filing of FIRs for theft, criminal trespass, and IT Act violations, Kolkata Police have begun identifying the ED and CRPF personnel involved in the raids at Pratik Jain’s residence and the I-PAC office.

Investigators visited the Loudon Street premises on Saturday to seize CCTV footage and DVR recordings while recording statements from security and household staff. This evidence is being used to verify the identities of the officials before formal notices are issued, particularly concerning allegations that documents were stolen, and local police were obstructed during the unauthorised five-hour period before notification.

(Inputs from Tapas Sengupta)

In a formal letter to the Chief Election Commissioner, Mamata Banerjee expressed deep concern over the ongoing Special Internal Revision (SIR) in Bengal, characterising it as a coercive exercise that has shifted from inclusion to intimidation. The communication highlights a devastating human toll, including 77 reported deaths and numerous hospitalisations caused by a mechanical and insensitive hearing process that has sparked widespread panic.

BJP Working President Nitin Nabin has landed in Coimbatore. He was welcomed by a large crowd.

Amid fresh turmoil with the Enforcement Directorate (ED), the Trinamool Congress launches its new campaign song, "Jotoi Koro Hamla, Abar Jitbe Bangla (No matter how much you attack, Bengal will win), framing it as a message of resistance, defiance and political pushback.

(With inputs from Sreya Chatterjee)

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has approached the Supreme Court as it has filed an Article 32 petition, alleging that its investigation into the I-PAC coal scam case was obstructed by the West Bengal government and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

Concluding his remarks, Giriraj Singh said that removing fear from Bengal and restoring constitutional governance would require a change in leadership. His comments come amid escalating political rhetoric between the BJP and TMC as the 2026 Assembly elections approach.

The Union Minister further alleged that Mamata Banerjee’s policies encourage infiltration and claimed she wants to change Bengal’s demographic character. He said such actions have created fear among sections of the population, particularly Hindus, an allegation the Trinamool Congress has repeatedly denied.

Singh questioned what he described as the removal of documents during an ED raid, asking what sensitive information those papers might have contained. He alleged that such actions undermine the independence of investigative agencies and erode public trust in governance.

Targeting West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Giriraj Singh alleged that there is widespread perception in Bengal that her actions are anti-constitutional. He claimed he had never seen a Chief Minister allegedly removing documents during an Enforcement Directorate operation, raising questions about executive overreach.

Union Minister Giriraj Singh questioned the relevance of the opposition Mahagathbandhan, saying alliances surface only during election season. Speaking in Begusarai, he claimed that beyond polls, opposition unity collapses, suggesting the bloc lacks ideological coherence and exists purely for electoral convenience.

Nitin Nabin, the national working president of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), begins his two-day visit to Tamil Nadu from today. During the tour, Nabin will review the party’s election preparedness in the state and hold multiple organisational meetings with BJP leaders and workers. He is also scheduled to interact with BJP professionals to discuss outreach and campaign strategies. As part of his visit, Nabin will participate in the “Namma Ooru Modi Pongal” festival, a key party event aimed at strengthening grassroots connect ahead of upcoming polls. 

Chandrasekhar emphasised that pre-election political strategies relying on divisive narratives no longer work. He urged parties to answer citizens’ questions clearly and precisely, asserting that voters are now more discerning and will not be swayed by manipulative tactics surrounding language or identity politics.

Speaking from Thiruvananthapuram, Chandrasekhar drew parallels between the CPM and Congress, saying the CPM historically used class-based divisions, while now it employs religion and appeasement tactics. He said the Congress in Karnataka resorts to language-based politics when on the defensive, aiming to sway public opinion with superficial narratives.