Narendra Modi said the women’s reservation bill will not “discriminate” and will support democracy. Speaking in the Lok Sabha, he urged all parties to back the law. “This decision process will not be unfair to anyone,” he said. He added the bill will be a “collective success” and not a win for one party. Modi said women have been denied this right for years. He warned those opposing it may not be “forgiven” by women. The bill, also called Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, is being discussed in a special Parliament session. (PC: HT)

The Centre faces a tough test to pass the delimitation bill, as Opposition numbers can block it in the Lok Sabha. The bill needs about 360 votes if all members are present. The NDA has around 293 MPs, falling short by about 67. The Opposition has around 234 MPs, enough to stop the two-thirds mark. Leaders like Mallikarjun Kharge said the bill is “politically motivated”. Rahul Gandhi called it a “conspiracy”. The government says it will push women’s reservation. But without support from allies and rivals, passage remains uncertain.

Samrat Choudhary was sworn in as Bihar’s Chief Minister on April 15, 2026, in Patna, following the resignation of Nitish Kumar. The oath-taking ceremony marks a significant political transition, with the Bharatiya Janata Party assuming direct leadership of the state government. This development ends Nitish Kumar’s long tenure and signals a shift in Bihar’s power dynamics. Senior BJP leaders attended the ceremony, and a new cabinet formation is expected soon. The change is seen as a crucial moment in state politics ahead of upcoming electoral battles. (PC: X)

Samrat Choudhary is set to become the next Chief Minister of Bihar after being chosen as BJP legislative leader. His rise marks the first time the Bharatiya Janata Party will lead the state government. This ends the long leadership of Nitish Kumar. Choudhary has promised focus on development, jobs, and law and order. He also aims to reduce migration by boosting industry. The BJP now faces the challenge of meeting public expectations. Governance and delivery will be closely watched in the coming months. (PC: PTI)

The Indian National Congress has raised concerns over the proposed delimitation exercise linked to changes in the Women’s Reservation Act. Party chief Mallikarjun Kharge said it may have serious consequences and needs careful discussion. Rahul Gandhi warned that increasing seats could widen the gap between north and south India. Some leaders still support women’s reservation. The Centre plans to introduce related bills in Parliament on April 16. The Congress said it will consult opposition parties and decide a united strategy. (PC: INC India website)

Data from the Election Commission of India shows that in 44 West Bengal Assembly seats, deleted voters are more than the winning margins from the 2021 polls. These seats are spread across several districts. The Trinamool Congress won 24 of them, while the BJP secured 20.   In some constituencies, the gap is large. In Samserganj, over 74,000 voters were removed, while the victory margin was about 26,000. In Nandigram, more than 3,400 voters were deleted after a close contest.   Overall, 27.16 lakh voters were found “not eligible” after the Special Intensive Revision process monitored by the Supreme Court. (PC: The Indian Express)

All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen has snapped its alliance with Humayun Kabir’s Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP) following a major controversy over a viral video. The footage allegedly shows a man resembling Kabir discussing links with political rivals and strategies to influence elections, triggering a political storm in West Bengal. Kabir has denied the claims, calling the video fake and politically motivated. The split comes just ahead of the state assembly elections, potentially impacting minority vote dynamics and reshaping electoral strategies as parties reassess alliances. (PC: X)

Voting is underway in Assam, Kerala and Puducherry for the 2026 Assembly elections. Polling began at 7 am and will continue till 6 pm. By 1 pm, Assam recorded 59.63% turnout, the highest among the three. Puducherry followed with 56.83%, while Kerala saw 49.7% voting. Officials said polling has been smooth and peaceful so far. In Assam, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is seeking another term, facing a challenge led by Gaurav Gogoi. In Kerala, the contest is mainly between the Left government led by Pinarayi Vijayan and the Congress-led opposition. (PC: India Today)

The Election Commission has warned the Trinamool Congress to ensure peaceful elections in West Bengal. It said polls must be free from fear, violence and intimidation. The EC also warned against booth capturing and jamming. The message was shared as “straight-talk” on social media. TMC leaders criticised the warning and accused the EC of bias. The party also raised concerns over voter deletions and officer transfers. Past elections in the state have seen high levels of violence. Voting will take place in two phases on April 23 and April 29. Results are scheduled to be announced on May 4. (PC: PTI)

Political tensions rose in West Bengal ahead of elections. Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused the TMC of poor law and order. He called it “maha jungle raj” and cited a Malda incident. He said people are not safe under the state government. Modi also warned of action after May 4. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee hit back strongly. She urged voters to “take revenge” over alleged deletions during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls. She said names were removed unfairly. Banerjee questioned the SIR process and accused the BJP of spreading fear. Voting will be held in two phases. (PC: ANI/PTI)