Prime Minister Narendra Modi ended his Bengal election campaign with an open letter in Bangla to voters. He thanked people for their support during rallies and roadshows. Modi said the youth, women, farmers and workers want a “Developed Bengal”. He added, “Now is the time for change.” Modi also said, “Serving Bengal is my duty,” and promised safety and progress for the state. He urged people to support the Bharatiya Janata Party. Voting for the final phase will be held on April 29, with counting on May 4.

Narendra Modi concluded his West Bengal campaign with an emotional letter in Bangla, thanking voters for their support and urging political change. He highlighted the aspirations of youth, women, farmers, and workers for a “Developed Bengal,” stressing the need for opportunity, security, and trust. Modi linked his campaign experience to spiritual devotion, referencing past religious observances, and described public affection as his greatest strength. He called for support for the Bharatiya Janata Party, asserting it represents change and progress. He pledged commitment to Bengal’s development, safety, and transformation, expressing confidence in forming a BJP-led government in the state.

Rajya Sabha Chairman C. P. Radhakrishnan has approved the merger of Raghav Chadha and six former AAP MPs into the BJP. The move raises the BJP’s strength in the House to 113. Union minister Kiren Rijiju confirmed the decision and said, “Welcome to nation building NDA under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.” The MPs who joined include Ashok Mittal, Sandeep Pathak, Vikramjit Singh Sahney, Harbhajan Singh, Swati Maliwal and Rajinder Gupta. Chadha said he left AAP due to a “toxic” work environment. (PC: HT)

Arvind Kejriwal has said he will not appear before Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma in the excise policy case. In a letter, he said his “hope of getting justice” has been “shattered”. He claimed there is a conflict of interest and raised concerns about the judge’s links and family roles. Kejriwal said he would follow Mahatma Gandhi’s idea of satyagraha and boycott the hearing. He said he is ready to face legal consequences. He also kept the option open to approach the Supreme Court. (PC: India Today)

Narendra Modi visited Thanthania Kalibari, a historic temple known for its non-vegetarian prasad tradition, before a roadshow in Kolkata amid West Bengal election campaigning and political debate over food culture. The temple, established in 1703, worships Maa Siddheshwari and is considered spiritually awakened. Mamata Banerjee and Trinamool Congress alleged BJP may restrict non-vegetarian food, citing practices in NDA-ruled states. Bharatiya Janata Party leaders denied this, asserting respect for food choices. The temple’s unique ritual, linked to Ramakrishna Paramahansa, includes offerings like ‘dab-chingri’, continuing a long-standing devotional tradition.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered prayers at Kolkata’s Thanthania Kalibari on Sunday before his roadshow. The 300-year-old temple is known for its rare tradition of offering non-vegetarian prasad to Maa Kali. The visit came during a political debate over food culture in West Bengal. Leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party and All India Trinamool Congress have exchanged views on claims about fish and meat restrictions. The temple is also linked to Ramakrishna Paramahansa, who is believed to have visited there often.

Rajya Sabha MP Vikramjit Sahney revealed that he had cautioned AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal about rising internal dissatisfaction before seven MPs defected to the BJP. He said “frustration was growing” within the party, particularly due to the sidelining of key leaders like Sandeep Pathak after electoral setbacks. Sahney warned that even a small number of exits could impact the party’s two-thirds strength in the Rajya Sabha. Despite the alert, tensions escalated, culminating in a major political shift as multiple MPs left AAP, dealing a significant blow to the party’s unity and parliamentary position. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday attacked the ruling All India Trinamool Congress during a rally in North 24 Parganas, West Bengal. He said the party had betrayed its slogan of “Maa, Mati, Manush”. Modi said, “The cruelty of TMC made maa cry, handed over mati to syndicates and infiltrators, and forced manush to flee.” He also claimed high turnout in the first phase of polling had hurt TMC’s confidence. Modi promised jobs for youth, support for content creators, and a stronger sports system if BJP wins Bengal. (PC: PTI)

Words like “gaddar” and “baahri” are shaping Punjab politics after Raghav Chadha and other MPs left the Aam Aadmi Party to join the BJP.   AAP workers used “gaddar” during protests outside homes of leaders like Harbhajan Singh. Chief minister Bhagwant Mann also called them “traitors of Punjab”.   Chadha rejected the charge. He said they left “not out of fear but… disgusted”.   The word “baahri” has returned from earlier debates over leaders seen as outsiders.   Union minister Ravneet Singh Bittu also drew attention with his “catwalk” remark on Chadha. (PC: HT)

Raghav Chadha lost nearly one million Instagram followers within 24 hours after leaving AAP and joining the Bharatiya Janata Party, reports said on Saturday. His follower count reportedly fell from 14.6 million to 13.5 million. Social media users linked the drop to anger among young voters and a growing “unfollow” campaign online. Chadha had built a strong youth image by raising issues like gig workers, airport prices and mobile data limits. He recently quit AAP with six Rajya Sabha MPs. The political move has sparked debate over his popularity among younger supporters.