THE HEADLINES:-
- Campaigning for assembly elections in Tamil Nadu and for first phase in West Bengal ends; Voting on Thursday.
- Defence Ministry signs 975 crore rupees contracts to procure TRAWL systems for T-72 and T-90 Tanks.
- Indian Army asserts its resolve to fight against terrorism on the eve of first anniversary of Pahalgam terror attack.
- Cloud of uncertainty settles over potential US-Iran negotiations as ceasefire expires tomorrow.
- IMD forecasts heatwave conditions over Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Punjab, East Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Vidarbha for next two days.
- In IPL Cricket, match underway between Sun Risers Hyderabad and Delhi Capitals in Hyderabad.
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Campaigning for assembly elections in Tamil Nadu and for first phase in West Bengal came to an end this evening. Single-phase polling in Tamil Nadu and first phase of voting in West Bengal is scheduled for the 23rd of April.
In West Bengal, on the final day of campaigning, Union Minister and senior BJP leader Amit Shah addressed rallies at Kulti in West Bardhaman and in Siliguri. BJP leader Rekha Gupta joined a road show in Asansol. On the other hand Trinamool Congress President and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee addressed a public meeting in Haldia. Congress, Left and other parties also campaigned in support of party candidates across the state. The Election Commission has instructed the District Election Officers and Superintendent of Police of all districts to strictly abide by the Representation of People Act and and implement the Silence period.
“Total 152 Assembly constituencies will go for poll on 23rd April under the first phase of Assembly election in West Bengal. Total number of candidates in the first phase are one thousand four hundred seventy eight. The Election Commission of India has made all arrangements to conduct a free, fair and peaceful election. Polling will be conducted in forty four thousand three hundred seventy six booths including nearly three thousand auxiliary booths. Five thousand four hundred forty four booths will be managed by women and two hundred seven model booths are there. Necessary arrangements have been made for the electors for ease of voting. Security arrangements have been tightened by the Commission. Kalyan Laha, Akashvani News, Kolkata.”
The second phase of polling in West Bengal will be conducted on the 29th of April.
In Tamil Nadu, Senior BJP leader and Union Minister Piyush Goyal campaigned in the state today. The General Secretary of AIADMK, Edappadi Palanisamy addressed public meeting at Salem. TVK founder, actor, and politician Vijay campaigned in Chennai. In Tamilnadu, Five Crore 73 lakh 43 thousand 291 voters will elect their representatives in a single phase poll on the 23rd of this month. More from our correspondent:
“The election related procedures like final randomisation, transportation of EVMs and the other necessary steps like setting up of polling booths are likely to take place in the next 24 hours. . Marking the 100 feet distance from the polling booth have already begun. The State surveillance team is present in all popular places and also on the wheels to check the movement of cash and prize articles. Two wheelers , four wheelers and heavy vehicles are also being checked for violations. publicising through whats app and social media, spreading of fake news and rumours will also be considered violation and the offenders will be taken to task. JOY AKASHVANI REPORTING FROM CHENNAI.”
Counting of votes for all polling States and Union Territories will take place on the 4th of May.
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The Election Commission today commenced the second phase of International Election Visitors’ Programme (IEVP), 2026 for the ongoing Assembly Elections in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar inaugurated the programme at the India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management in New Delhi. The Commission in a statement said that a total of 34 delegates from 17 countries including representatives from their Foreign Missions in Delhi will be participating in the programme.
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The Government today said that the domestic LPG supply across the country remains normal and no dry out has been reported at any LPG distributor across the country. Addressing the Inter-Ministerial briefing on Recent Developments in West Asia in New Delhi, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Sujata Sharma said that despite the increased prices of crude oil and LPG in the international market, the government strived to ensure uninterupted domestic supply of LPG.
Additional Secretary at the Ministry of Port, Shipping and Waterways, Mukesh Mangal said that all Indian seafarers are safe in the Persian Gulf region. Addressing the media, Spokesperson of Ministry of External Affairs Randhir Jaiswal said that the government is following the developments in the West Asia region very closely.
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Union Ministers and Senior BJP Leaders have criticised the alleged insulting remarks made by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge against Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Tamil Nadu today. In a social media post, Jyotiraditya Scindia said that low-level language toward a democratically elected Prime Minister is not only condemnable, but it also exposes the Congress’s mindset, culture, and political bankruptcy.
Demanding an apology from Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and DMK Chief M K Stalin, over Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge’s remarks Piyush Goyal said that the Congress and DMK have stooped to a new low by insulting the Prime Minister, who has been democratically elected by the people of India.
Meanwhile, BJP President Nitin Nabin also demanded an apology from Congress and its leader Rahul Gandhi to the country for such a statement.
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In Keralam, seven people were killed and several others injured in a blast at a fireworks manufacturing unit at Mundathikkode in central Thrissur district today. District Collector of Thrissur, Sikha Surendran, has confirmed the death toll. The exact cause of the blast is yet to be ascertained. An inquiry at the level of the Revenue Divisional Officer has been ordered to determine the cause of the incident and to examine any possible lapses.
President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President C P Radhakrishnan and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have expressed grief at the loss of lives in this incident.
Prime Minister Modi also announced an ex-gratia of 2 lakh rupees from Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund to the next of kin of deceased and 50 thousand rupees to the injured.
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The Ministry of Defence today signed contracts for the procurement of TRAWL Assembly for T-72 and T-90 Tanks at a cost of around 975 crore rupees. The contracts were signed with Bharat Earth Movers Limited and Electro Pneumatics and Hydraulics (India) Pvt Limited in presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh in New Delhi. Ministry of Defence in a statement said that the TRAWL Assembly for T-72 and T-90 Tanks is critical equipment which will enhance the minefield breaching capability of the Indian Army. It will generate additional capability of creating Vehicle Safe Lanes through minefields with anti-tank mines.
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The Indian Army today asserted its resolve to fight against terrorism on the eve of the first anniversary of the Pahalgam terror attack. On 22nd of April last year, terrorists killed 26 innocent people, mostly tourists in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir. The dastardly act shook the nation and drew condemnation from governments and leaders across the world. In response to the Pahalgam terror attack, Indian Armed forces launched Operation Sindoor on the intervening night of 6th and 7th of May last year.
The army in a social media post issued a stern warning to the perpetrators of terrorism asserting that when boundaries of humanity are crossed, the response is decisive. Indian Army sources said that within hours of the attack, Army troops reached the site and began piecing together the sequence of events. More from our correspondent:
”Operation Mahadev was launched to wipe out the terrorists involved in the Pahalgam attack. The operation evolved into one of the most extensive counter-terror operations in recent years. Eyewitness accounts, including that of an Army officer present at the location, confirmed the involvement of three Pakistani terrorists. Swift intelligence fusion, using human intelligence technical inputs and survivor-based identification, led to the confirmation of the perpetrators. Over the next several weeks, a relentless multi-agency effort unfolded. Intelligence agencies, the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and Central Armed Police Forces worked in seamless coordination. On 10 July 2025, based on fresh intelligence inputs, Operation Mahadev entered its decisive phase. Large-scale, coordinated operations were launched and troops were redeployed dynamically, and escape routes were systematically blocked, effectively isolating the terrorists within a confined zone. After a relentless pursuit spanning 93 days on 28 July 2025, In a swift and precise engagement, all three terrorists were neutralised, bringing the perpetrators of the Baisaran carnage to justice. Operation Mahadev stands as a testament to the Indian Army’s resolve, professionalism and unwavering commitment to safeguarding the nation. With Aman Yadav, Akshit Kumar Vedyan, Akashvani News, Delhi.”
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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh who is on a three-day visit to Germany has reached Berlin this afternoon. During the visit, he will hold bilateral talks with his German counterpart, Boris Pistorius and other senior leaders to further strengthen the strategic defence partnership between the two countries. A Defence Industrial Cooperation Roadmap and Implementing Arrangement for Cooperation in UN Peacekeeping Operations Training are likely to be signed in the presence of both the Defence Ministers.
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A cloud of uncertainty has settled over potential US-Iran negotiations in Islamabad, fueled by a combination of Iranian defiance and shifting signals from the White House.
It comes as Iran’s chief negotiator and parliament speaker Mohammed Bagher Ghalibaf in a social media post said, Tehran does not accept negotiations under the shadow of threats and the Islamic Republic has been preparing to reveal new cards on the battlefield.
Meanwhile, Iranian state television also issued an on-screen alert today saying that no delegation from Tehran has visited Islamabad in Pakistan so far. The alert likely reflects the internal debate ongoing within Iran’s theocracy as it weighs how to respond to the US Navy’s seizure of an Iranian container ship over the weekend.
On the other hand, US President Donald Trump offered mixed messages about the path ahead for the United States’ war against Iran, declaring that he was in no rush to end the conflict. President Trump has indicated that US Vice President JD Vance is expected to lead an American team to the talks. Mr Trump said he is highly unlikely to renew the ceasefire before it expires tomorrow. Talking to a TV News Channel, he said, if the cease-fire ends tomorrow without an agreement, he is prepared to resume attacking Iran.
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India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heatwave conditions over Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Punjab, East Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Vidarbha for next two days. Talking to Akashvani News, Senior IMD scientist, Akhil Srivastava said that eastern parts of the country including gangetic West Bengal and Bihar will also witness heat waves.
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Benchmark domestic equity indices ended nearly one per cent higher today. We have a report:
”The Sensex surged 753 points or 0.96 per cent, to close at 79 thousand and 273, while the Nifty advanced by 212 points or 0.87 per cent to settle at 24 thousand and 577. In the broader market on the National Stock Exchange, the Mid-cap 100 rose half a per cent, while the Small-cap 100 climbed almost 0.9 per cent. Earlier, the markets opened with marginal gains, and as the session progressed, the indices steadily moved higher. In the forex market today, the rupee depreciated by 37 paise to settle at 93 rupees and 49 paise against the US dollar. Arjun Chaudhuri for AKASHVANI News.”
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In IPL Cricket, Sun Risers Hyderabad were 222 for 2 in 19 overs against Delhi Capitals in Hyderabad when reports last came in.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:-
- Campaigning for assembly elections in Tamil Nadu and for first phase in West Bengal ends; Voting on Thursday.
- Defence Ministry signs 975 crore rupees contracts to procure TRAWL systems for T-72 and T-90 Tanks.
- Indian Army asserts its resolve to fight against terrorism on the eve of first anniversary of Pahalgam terror attack.
- Cloud of uncertainty settles over potential US-Iran negotiations as ceasefire expires tomorrow.
- IMD forecasts heatwave conditions over Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Punjab, East Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Vidarbha for next two days.
- In IPL Cricket, match underway between Sun Risers Hyderabad and Delhi Capitals in Hyderabad.
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