2026 assembly polls

Former TMC MLA Khokan Das was arrested by a joint police team in Prayagraj in connection with the 2021 West Bengal post-poll violence. Accused of inciting violence against BJP leaders, Das was apprehended near Handia toll plaza while en route to Bardhaman. He faces charges of criminal intimidation, extortion, and abetment of political violence.

At the UNGA, India took a bold stand against Pakistan, critiquing its manipulation of UN discussions for political leverage. The Indian envoy reaffirmed that Jammu and Kashmir is a core component of India, calling out Pakistan's attempts to distort facts as flimsy and ineffective.

Senior BJP leader Capt Amarinder Singh met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and party chief JP Nadda amid speculation about his future. Singh had publicly criticized the appointment of Kewal Singh Dhillon as Punjab BJP chief, questioning his capability and expressing a lack of consultation. Rumors of a potential return to Congress persist, though BJP leaders dismiss them.

The arrest comes weeks after Calcutta high court's vacation bench refused to extend the interim protection in five FIRs granted to the TMC strongman. Justice Partha Sarathi Chatterjee referred the matter to a regular bench. Earlier, Khan was granted interim protection by Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya till May 26, considering the repolls there on May 21.

Throughout his tenure, Annamalai distinguished himself through relentless attacks on Dravidian politics and the leaders who shaped it. His criticism was not restricted to political opponents. Even while the BJP was aligned with the AIADMK, he repeatedly targeted figures from the ally's camp, creating friction within the alliance and widening differences between the two parties.

In a significant breakthrough, former Trinamool Congress MLA Saokat Molla has been pinpointed as a pivotal conspirator in the Bhangar bomb explosion case, according to the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

Senior Rajya Sabha MP Sukhendu Sekhar Roy has resigned from TMC, intensifying fears of a parliamentary revolt following a major split in the West Bengal Assembly. The party is scrambling to prevent further defections, with leaders engaged in frantic efforts to contain the damage and counter alleged BJP machinations. This exodus fuels speculation of more leaders following suit.

BJP secured a massive victory in Falta, winning by over a lakh votes, marking its highest margin in the 2026 assembly elections. The Trinamool Congress suffered a significant defeat, coming in fourth, while the CPM emerged as a distant second. This outcome suggests a notable shift in minority votes towards the CPM and Congress.

Barely a month after a crushing assembly defeat, Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress faces its biggest test as a rebellion threatens to split the party. Fifty-eight of its 80 MLAs have rallied behind expelled leader Ritabrata Banerjee, who has been recognized as leader of the opposition, challenging the party's direction and Mamata's leadership.

BLOs To Visit Each House Thrice, Draft Rolls On July 21, Objections Open Till Sept 18

Disbelief and anger grip Trinamool workers after a major electoral defeat, leading to internal turmoil and the dissolution of party committees. Loyalists express frustration over perceived organizational drift and the sidelining of old guards, while some blame external consultants and the induction of rival party leaders. Despite the shock, many remain committed to Mamata Banerjee, hoping for a party revival.

Punjab's Cabinet has approved a plan to end contractual employment, paving the way for over 65,000 workers across 51 departments to be regularized. This historic decision aims to provide job security and dignity, transitioning outsourced staff to contractual roles and eventually to permanent positions. The move ensures direct employer-employee relationships and benefits for thousands serving the state.

TMC leader Jahangir Khan, who famously declared 'I will not bow down,' was arrested near the India-Nepal border. His dramatic fall follows a controversial withdrawal from the Falta repoll, leaving his name on EVMs and leading to a historic BJP victory. Multiple criminal cases now overshadow his political career.