The Election Commission of India will examine a complaint by Opposition parties against Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his April 18 address. Leaders from Left parties and others wrote to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, alleging the speech violated the Model Code of Conduct. Sources said the matter will be reviewed by the Commission’s code division. The poll code has been in force since March 15. CPI(M) leader M A Baby said using a public broadcaster during elections “creates an uneven playing field”. Around 700 citizens also filed similar complaints. (PC: X)

Mallikarjun Kharge called Narendra Modi a “terrorist” during a press meet, sparking sharp reactions. He later clarified, saying, “I never said he is a terrorist. He is terrorising people and political parties.” Kharge said institutions like ED, CBI, and I-T are being misused. The Bharatiya Janata Party strongly criticised the remark and demanded an apology. Union Minister Piyush Goyal called it an insult to the Prime Minister and the people of India. The issue has triggered a fresh political row ahead of upcoming elections in Tamil Nadu.

The Election Commission of India has set strict rules on two-wheelers in West Bengal before the Assembly polls. Bike rallies are banned. Riding bikes at night, from 6 pm to 6 am, is not allowed. During the day, pillion riding is also restricted. Only essential travel is allowed, like medical needs or school trips. On voting day, family members can ride together for voting. People must take police permission for any exemption. The rules aim to stop fear and ensure fair voting. Polling for the first phase will take place on April 23 across 152 constituencies.

The Trinamool Congress has criticised a large meeting of central armed police forces in Kolkata ahead of the Bengal Assembly election. Chiefs of CRPF, BSF, CISF, ITBP and SSB attended the gathering at Science City. TMC leaders said the scale of the meeting looked like plans for a “military-style takeover”. MP Mahua Moitra alleged forces were being moved from other sensitive areas to Bengal. Around 2.4 lakh central personnel have been deployed for the polls. Officials said the meeting was held to build a strong and technology-driven security plan for voting. (PC: India Today)

Mallikarjun Kharge sparked a political row after calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi a “terrorist” while attacking the AIADMK-BJP alliance ahead of the Tamil Nadu election. Speaking in Chennai, Kharge questioned why AIADMK had joined hands with Modi and the BJP. Later, he said he meant Modi “threatens” and “terrorises” opponents through central agencies. The Bharatiya Janata Party strongly criticised the remark. Union Minister Piyush Goyal asked Kharge to apologise. The controversy came days before Tamil Nadu votes on April 23. (PC: India Today)

Congress leader KC Venugopal has submitted a privilege notice to Lok Sabha Speaker against Prime Minister Narendra Modi over remarks made during his address to the nation. The party said Modi made comments that cast aspersions on Members of Parliament. Congress MP Jairam Ramesh said the Prime Minister spoke after facing “absolute Opposition unity and solidarity” in the Lok Sabha. He also said a Prime Minister’s national address should be used for unity and confidence. Ramesh alleged that Modi made 59 attacks on the Congress party during the speech. The Prime Minister addressed the nation on Saturday. (PC: HT)

Several voters in West Bengal were removed from electoral rolls after the Election Commission marked their cases as "logical discrepancy", The Indian Express reported. Many of them said they had links to the 2002 voter list, which the poll body had asked for during the revision process. Some also submitted passports, birth certificates, school records and Aadhaar cards. Cases included age gaps with parents, name mismatches and one parent linked to many children. Former election officials told the paper such criteria were unusual. The Supreme Court has allowed affected voters another chance before polling dates later this month. (PC: The Indian Express)

Days before West Bengal votes, Trinamool Congress appears ahead of the BJP in street campaign visibility across Kolkata. Posters of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and party candidates cover major roads, lanes and public spaces. By contrast, BJP posters are fewer in many areas and often use lighter colours instead of strong saffron shades. In Bhowanipore, where Mamata Banerjee faces Suvendu Adhikari, BJP visibility is stronger near party offices. BJP workers said the party is focusing more on door-to-door outreach than large poster displays. West Bengal votes on April 23 and April 29. (PC: HT)

Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma of the Delhi High Court is hearing a case linked to the Delhi excise policy matter involving Arvind Kejriwal. Kejriwal asked that she step aside and another judge hear the case. He said there was a fear of unfairness, which the court recorded as an “apprehension of bias”. Kejriwal argued his own plea in court. Justice Sharma became a Delhi High Court judge in 2022 after many years in lower courts. She handled family, women-related and CBI cases earlier. The CBI opposed the request and said it sets a “dangerous precedent”. Her order is expected Monday. (PC: HT)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a surprise stop for jhalmuri during his election campaign in West Bengal on Sunday. During a visit to Jhargram, Modi was seen asking a street vendor, "Bhai, hame apna Jhalmuri khilao." He then asked the price and paid for the snack after the seller first refused to take money. Modi later shared photos and a video on X, calling it a "Jhalmuri Break in Jhargram". He said he enjoyed the spicy puffed rice snack between four public meetings held across West Bengal during a busy campaign day. (PC: X)