Assembly Elections 2026 Highlights: ‘Don’t tarnish dignity of institution,’ Kejriwal slams EC; Voter bribery claims rock Kerala polls

Thirumavalavan, Founder President of the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), campaigned in support of Senthilkumar, the DMK candidate contesting from the Dindigul Assembly constituency in Kamarajapuram.

He says, "The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam is carrying the Bharatiya Janata Party on its shoulders, and they cannot justify this alliance. But we can clearly justify why we are in alliance with the DMK. We can explain the reasons for continuing this political partnership. Can Edappadi K Palaniswami justify his alliance with the BJP? On what basis has the AIADMK formed this alliance with the BJP? Former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa once admitted publicly that aligning with the BJP was a major mistake in her political life. She even said that toppling that government was her way of correcting that mistake. She had clearly stated that as long as she was alive, the AIADMK would never ally with the BJP."

"Does Edappadi Palaniswami know this or not? Can the AIADMK justify this alliance? The answer is no. Every party in that alliance has, at some point, strongly criticised the others and even issued open challenges. Leaders who once said they would rather die than align with Edappadi are now part of the same alliance", he added.

TMC MP Mahua Moitra says, “This is a special message for the CEC, Gyanesh Kumar and for the Election Commission of India. Mr Kumar, you sit at the head of a constitutional body, the Election Commission, which is paid for by taxpayer money. It is not your business to issue open threats in the vilest language possible, the language of a street bully, to the second largest opposition party in India. It is not your job to disenfranchise crores of valid voters who make up the largest democracy in the world. You have done this at the behest of your masters, the BJP, and you believe that you are untouchable."

"But let me give you some straight talking, Mr. Kumar. We too want special polls this time. We want polls that are free from Delhi's control. We want polls where every valid voter in India is allowed to exercise their franchise for whosoever they wish. We wish for polls where you, the Election Commission, do not use your machinery and the resources, which are actually taxpayer resources, in your hands to misuse the CAPF and misuse all the forces through your specially appointed IPS officers. We wish that you and your CEO in West Bengal do not roam around Bengal with nominees of the BJP and elected representatives of the BJP. We do wish for a free and fair vote, and if you don't give it to us, we will find a way where our voters in Bengal will still show courage and they will go and elect us back. You will be able to do nothing... Mr. Kumar, come the 4th of May, hear some straight talking. We, the Trinamool Congress, will be back in the state. Mamata Banerjee will be back as Chief Minister. And you will go back exactly to where you were," she added.

Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkootathil says, "You may spread your ideology, but you cannot buy a single vote in Palakkad with money. Recently, a candidate and her close aide were accused of distributing cash for votes. One aide, accompanying the candidate, was caught by the public handing money to a voter. Such behaviour towards voters will not be accepted. Palakkad’s democratic and secular culture ensures that votes are cast only for ideology, never for money."

“We will move court again to resist voter deletions,” says West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee at a poll rally in Arambagh today.

The Central Election Committee of the Congress has selected two persons as party candidates for the 2nd phase of elections to the West Bengal Legislative Assembly.

A shocking video has surfaced alleging BJP voter inducement in Kerala's Palakkad constituency, with NDA candidate Shobha Surendran reportedly involved in a money handout just days before Thursday's assembly elections. Congress released the footage from Tharuvakurissi in Kannadi panchayat, claiming it shows a woman distributing Rs 5,000 to an elderly resident near a house in mourning.

The clip captures a woman approaching the aged woman's home, handing over cash, then joining Surendran's car. When Congress workers trailed the vehicle and questioned her, Surendran allegedly reacted furiously, attempting to grab their phone. Party activists claim the transaction followed Surendran's visit to a nearby bereaved household, accompanied by former Palakkad municipal chairperson Prameela Saseedharan and two other women. Confronted, the elderly woman reportedly displayed the money in her hand.

Congress plans to lodge a formal complaint with the Election Commission for model code violations. The EC has already demanded a report from the Palakkad district collector, intensifying scrutiny on last-minute campaign tactics in this high-stakes Kerala seat.

DMK Madurai central candidate and I-T Minister Palanivel Thiaga Rajan said, "TIDEL Park is nearing completion. The city drainage is to be overhauled soon."

West Bengal CM and TMC candidate from Bhabanipur, Mamata Banerjee, says, "I have lived here since my childhood- everything I have is here. I thank and salute the people of Bhabanipur. I have filed my nomination, and I wish victory to all Trinamool Congress candidates. We will form the government."

DMK candidate from Thiru Vi Ka Nagar assembly constituency, KS Ravinchandran, says, "The public support for the DMK is strong, people are welcoming the party with smiles and assuring their votes. Opposition parties such as the AIADMK and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam would lose their deposits in the constituency. Welfare schemes implemented under Chief Minister MK Stalin are clearly visible at the ground level. The TVK is a toddler party; while it is only two years old, the DMK has a legacy spanning over 75 years, and TVK is trying to compare itself with the DMK only to gain attention rather than votes."

Polling materials including ballot units, control units, VVPAT machines distribution begins at Malappuram's Nilambur and Vandoor constituencies in Kerala.

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee files nomination from Bhabanipur seat today. After filing nomination from Bhabanipur constituency, CM Mamata Banerjee says, “I extend my greetings, my thanks, my respects, my salaam, my Jai Jinendra and Sat Shri Akaal to everyone. Today, as I filed my nomination, I want to say that along with the Bhabanipur constituency, I will work for every center and every area. We will form the govt.”

Assam boasts 2.5 crore voters heading to polls, with a near-perfect gender balance: 1.25 crore males and 1.25 crore females. The mix also includes 318 transgender voters and 63,423 service voters. Youngsters and elders stand out- 6.42 lakh in the 18-19 age group bring fresh energy, while 2.5 lakh over-80s add wisdom. Accessibility matters too, with 2.05 lakh persons with disabilities. Already, 26,000+ seniors (85+) and 8,373 disabled voters cast ballots from home via postal options, ensuring no one misses out.

Central Armed Police Forces will secure all the sensitive sites, micro-observers watch closely and basic amenities like water, toilets, wheelchairs, benches and phone storage to ensure comfort.

EC stands fully prepared for Assam's single-phase vote on April 9, deploying 1,51,132 personnel, 41,320 ballot units, 43,975 control units and 43,997 VVPATs across 31,490 stations.