Tuesday, May 12, 2026
Nora Reacts After Fans Compare Body Roll To Love, Death + Robots Episode
Nora Fatehi and Yo Yo Honey Singh's latest track, Body Roll, has found itself at the centre of an online controversy shortly after its release. While the music video has been praised for its grand visuals and Nora's performance, several viewers have accused the makers of heavily borrowing from Jibaro, the critically acclaimed episode from Netflix's animated anthology series Love, Death + Robots.
Social Media Points Out Similarities
The Body Roll video opens with a man dressed in medieval-style clothing running through a forest before arriving at a lake. As he drinks water, the camera highlights his rugged look, complete with elaborate jewellery and tattoos.
Moments later, Nora Fatehi makes a dramatic entrance from the lake, adorned in golden attire, intricate headgear, and heavy jewellery, before the visuals shift into a stylised dance sequence featuring the actor and backup dancers.
Viewers quickly began comparing these visuals to Jibaro, which premiered in 2022. Directed by Alberto Mielgo, the episode follows a conquistador wandering through the jungle who encounters a mysterious, siren-like entity covered in gold jewellery emerging from a lake.
Many online users argued that the visual aesthetic, costume design, and overall setup in Body Roll felt too similar to be coincidental.
The online conversation intensified after content creator Filmy Sonia shared side-by-side visuals from Body Roll and Jibaro on Instagram, prompting even more discussion among fans and critics.
While some users accused the music video of copying the animated short, others defended the makers, calling it a case of visual inspiration rather than imitation.
Nora Fatehi reacted to the comparison video shared online. Commenting on the post, the actress wrote, "Inspired and obsessed! Now we have a real life version."
Created by Tim Miller, Love, Death + Robots is known for its standalone stories exploring fantasy, science fiction, horror, and technology. Among its episodes, Jibaro became one of the most talked-about chapters of the third season and received widespread critical acclaim for its unique storytelling and visuals.
ALSO READ: Nora Fatehi Says Sorry For Sarke Chunar Vulgar Lyrics: 'No Intention To Offend Anybody'
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Monday, May 11, 2026
India plans ‘Made in India’ brand scheme
New Delhi: The government is working with industry to identify around 100 products that are either not manufactured or produced sufficiently in India, as part of efforts to strengthen domestic manufacturing, said Amardeep Singh Bhatia, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) secretary, on Monday. A list of "unique and interesting" products has already been identified, including auto sector items such as axles and motorcycle components, he said.The aim is to scale up manufacturing for both domestic and international markets."We are working closely with the industry (on that)....lot of things not getting manufactured in India and we have the capability," said Bhatia.Speaking at the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Annual Business Summit 2026, he said that the department plans to launch 'Made in India Brand Scheme'."We have had a pilot run with the steel sector, and it has been quite encouraging," he said. The secretary noted that the scheme will provide a brand with a logo and use the scheme to not only indicate the value addition but also assure quality. He added that the industry will be consulted before finalising the sectors.The secretary also urged the companies to invest in India on a long-term basis. "I encourage all of you to take advantage of opportunities being created to do more investments," he said.He noted that the free trade agreements (FTAs) finalised by India would provide huge demand for Indian businesses.Bhatia said that artificial intelligence is advancing fast and is affecting manufacturing through higher productivity and innovation."We should be ready for that...world over, this change has been felt," Bhatia said.
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Sunday, May 10, 2026
Saturday, May 9, 2026
India Successfully Tests Advanced Agni Missile With Multiple Payloads
The Advanced Agni missile with Multiple Independently Targeted Re-Entry Vehicle (MIRV) system, capable of hitting different targets spread over a large area, was successfully flight-tested over the Indian Ocean Region, a DRDO official said on Saturday.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh complimented the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the Indian Army, and industry on the successful flight test conducted on Friday.
"This will add an incredible capability to the country's defence preparedness against the growing threat perceptions," he said.
The successful flight trial of the Advanced Agni missile with MIRV was conducted from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island, Odisha, said an official statement.
The missile was flight-tested with multiple payloads, targeting different targets spatially distributed across the Indian Ocean Region, it said.
Telemetry and tracking were carried out by multiple ground- and ship-based stations. These systems tracked the entire missile trajectory from lift-off to the impact of all payloads. Flight data confirmed that all mission objectives were met during the trial, the statement said.
"With this successful trial, India once again demonstrated the capability to target multiple strategic targets using a single missile system. This missile is developed by DRDO laboratories with the support of industries across the country," it said.
The trial was witnessed by senior scientists of the DRDO and Indian Army personnel.
On Thursday, the DRDO and the Indian Air Force (IAF) successfully conducted the maiden flight-trial of Tactical Advanced Range Augmentation (TARA) weapon off the coast of Odisha, said a statement.
TARA, the modular range-extension kit, is India's first indigenous glide weapon system that converts unguided warheads into precision-guided weapons.
TARA has been designed and developed by the Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad, along with other DRDO laboratories, to enhance the accuracy of a low-cost weapon for neutralising ground-based targets.
It is the first glide weapon to utilise state-of-the-art low-cost systems. The development of the kit has been undertaken with Development cum Production Partners (DcPP) and other Indian industries, which have already commenced production, said the statement.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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Friday, May 8, 2026
IPL 2026 Live: Allen And Rs 25.20 Crore Star Solid, KKR Cruise In Chase vs DC
Delhi Capitals vs Kolkata Knight Riders Live Score, IPL 2026: Finn Allen and Cameron Green have kept two-down Kolkata Knight Riders in command in the chase of 143 against Delhi Capitals in their IPL 2026 game at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi. Earlier, Pathum Nissanka smashed a fifty while Ashutosh Sharma scored 39 as DC posted 142 for 8 after getting an invitation to bat first. KL Rahul and Nissanka stitched a fiery 49-run opening stand. Rahul fell for 23, while Nissanka went on to slam his fifty (50 off 29 balls). Once the Sri Lankan batter fell, DC lost the plot. Ashutosh Sharma's fiery cameo (39 off 28) gave Delhi something to fight for. (Live Scorecard)
Here are the Live Scores and Updates of Delhi Capitals vs Kolkata Knight Riders IPL 2026 game:
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Thursday, May 7, 2026
All 107 TVK MLAs To Resign If DMK, AIADMK Try To Form Government: Sources
Actor Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam or TVK warned this evening that every MLA of the party will resign if either of the two Dravida parties -- MK Stalin's DMK or E Palaniswami's AIADMK -- try to stake claim to form government in Tamil Nadu, sources have said. The decision came on the heels of two crucial meetings in the DMK and AIADMK camps. The TVK now suspects that the two parties are colluding to form government in the state, cutting out the party that has got the popular vote.
The TVK, which won 108 seats -- two of them by Vijay -- has 107 MLAs and argues that as the single-largest party, it should be invited by the Governor to form government.
But earlier today, Governor RV Arlekar refused to allow Vijay to stake claim, saying he does not have the numbers. He also did not accept the plan Vijay had presented to reach the majority mark. Sources said the meet - the second in two days - ended with the Governor insisting that the actor-politician provide letters of support from 118 legislators.
A communique from Raj Bhavan said the Governor "explained that the requisite majority support in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, essential for forming the Government, has not been established".
The TVK needs 10 more seats to hit the majority mark and already has the support of Congress, which has five MLAs. Talks are on with the Left and a few smaller parties for the balance of seats.
Is DMK Planning An Alternate Government
The DMK held a meeting earlier today, where it passed four resolutions, one of them authorising party chief MK Stalin to take "emergency decisions". Regarding the resolution, the DMK said, "Our primary aim is to avert another election, to have a stable government and not give room to communal forces".
Calling the lack of majority a "complicated crisis", the DMK has asked all its MLAs to remain in Chennai.
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Congress Leader Slammed Over Video Of Him Trying To Hug Kerala Woman MLA
Congress leader Cherian Philip has come under severe criticism on social media after people pointed out what they called the Kerala leader's inappropriate behaviour while greeting Bindu Krishna, the newly elected MLA from Kerala's Kollam.
A video of Philip welcoming Krishna at the Congress headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram is being shared widely by social media users and political leaders cutting across party lines, many of whom pointed out what Philip did even after seeing what they called Krishna's apparent reluctance and discomfort.
The criticism against Philip centred around respecting boundaries, showing respect to women and maintaining decency in public. Many demanded action against Philip.
"What this guy is doing, is he really sick? The lady is Keralam's Congress leader Smt. Bindhu Krishna, who won the Assembly election in Kollam. Other Congress leaders are also visible in the situation," Akhil B Nair, an X user, said.
Sameer, a medical professional, slammed the Congress over "its anti-women culture."
"Congerss anti-women culture on full display here as senior Congress leader Cherian Philip tried to forcibly hug Kollam MLA Bindu Krishna. Will Priyanka Gandhi take action? Now you see why Congress opposes Naari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam. Kuch bologe (will you say something), Supriya Shrinate?" Sameer said in a post on X.
Delhi BJP spokesperson Ajay Sehrawat, in a swipe at Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate, asked whether she would like to say something on the matter.
"Senior Congress leader Cherian Philip tried to forcibly hug Kollam MLA Bindu Krishna. Want to say something about this shameless behaviour?" Sehrawat said.
Sr CONg leader Cherian Philip tried to forcibly hug Kollam MLA Bindu Krishna
— Ajay Sehrawat (@IamAjaySehrawat) May 7, 2026
कुछ कहना है इस बेशर्मी पर @SupriyaShrinate ? pic.twitter.com/5WWWa5GyUQ
Philip or Krishna has not given any statement on the matter.
Krishna won from Kollam by 16,830 votes. The new Kerala assembly will have 11 women MLAs, one less than the previous house. The CPI(M) will have only one woman MLA, OS Ambika, who won from Attingal. CPI, an LDF ally, will have one woman MLA compared to two in the previous assembly, with Geetha Gopi winning from Nattika by 7,093 votes.
The Congress, which swept the election, accounts for the highest number of women MLAs in the new assembly.
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Wednesday, May 6, 2026
After 30 Years In Delhi, Man Says Hyderabad Gave Him Peace: "No Anxiety Now"
A man named Parv Sharma Yodha, who was born and raised in New Delhi, has gone viral for an emotional video describing his move to Hyderabad. After living in the national capital for 30 years, he relocated to Hyderabad with his wife for work about two and a half years ago and claims the city has significantly improved his mental well-being. In the video, Parv said that his observations are not meant to compare cities on lifestyle or food but to highlight what he describes as a fundamental factor people seek in urban life: a sense of security and mental ease.
Reflecting on his time in Delhi, he said that a constant state of vigilance had become almost second nature. Everyday activities, like walking on the street with a phone or wearing jewellery, often involved heightened caution, with people frequently looking over their shoulders due to concerns around theft or harassment. He also pointed to the stress families experience when women travel alone at night, where tracking locations and staying on calls becomes routine.
He noted that this mindset only shifted after relocating to Hyderabad. According to him, he and his wife now feel at ease walking outdoors late at night. He added that when his wife steps out alone for work or errands, he no longer experiences the same level of worry, as he perceives the city to be significantly safer.
He also praised the Telangana Police, noting that in his two years there, he was only stopped once for a routine check and found the officers to be "respectful and helpful". Beyond safety, he also credited the city with helping him discover spirituality, find close friends, and advance his career.
Watch the video here:
Many residents echoed his sentiments, with some claiming that "Hyderabad adopts you" and becomes an emotional home regardless of where you are from.
One user wrote, "I am in Hyderabad for the last 17 years and there's no other place I'd rather be. Hyd hai hi aisi jagah.
Aap kahin aur reh hi nahi sakte. Hyd aapko apna leti hai."
Another commented, "I am from the north (Delhi) but married in Hyderabad. I can say people are very laid back and very down to earth in the South. No show-offs in South India. I don't know Telugu and was never forced to speak Telugu by anyone. I found a peaceful life as compared to Delhi's chaotic life. People in Delhi are very rude, always angry and irritated. Love Hyderabad and don't want people to change my city."
A third said, "I totally agree with this. I have also been living in Hyderabad since last 4 years and is very safe, and i really love living here. But just on that phone thing, my phone has been stolen twice here. Once from my husband's pocket even at a very posh area. Accept this i have had a great experience living here."
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Mamata Banerjee "Didn't Even Give Me 20 Seconds": Ex-India Star Cricketer
Manoj Tiwary, former India cricketer and outgoing Trinamool Congress MLA, on Tuesday made some explosive allegations against the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress. In an interview with news agency PTI, Tiwary said the "TMC chapter is over" for him, alleging that the party denied him a ticket from Howrah's Shibpur constituency for refusing to pay Rs 5 crore. On Wednesday, Tiwary uploaded another video on his social media accounts detailing what he went through during his time as Minister of State for Sports and Youth Affairs in West Bengal.
"In this video, I want to explain how my work has been hindered over the past five years. I want to share this. Aroop Biswas (TMC leader and former minister) prevented me from working. I come from the sports world and wanted to do a lot for sports. In the sports department, I had nothing to do except have tea and biscuits. They made sure I could not work," Tiwary said.
"I wanted to work for many talented youngsters in athletics, football, and other sports. I wanted to build good infrastructure. They just wanted to use me and ensure I could not work. Through my connections, I had made plans and facilitated world-famous athlete Yohan Blake to build a Centre of Excellence in West Bengal. But Aroop Biswas rejected the proposal. Only Rs 5 crore was needed to bring him. In fact, a Rs 700 crore sports budget was thrown away. I was dejected."
#WATCH | Former West Bengal Sports Minister Manoj Tiwary says, "In this video, I want to explain how my work has been hindered over the past five years. I want to share this. Arup Biswas (TMC leader and former minister) prevented me from working. I come from the sports world and… pic.twitter.com/isM4CMyRe1
— ANI (@ANI) May 6, 2026
Tiwary added that Aroop Biswas, who resigned as West Bengal sports minister after the Lionel Messi fiasco - wherein the football great had to leave Yuva Bharati Krirangan early following a security threat - was insecure of him.
"I wasn't invited to any events. I was even on the field during the Durand Cup, but I wasn't invited because Aroop Biswas couldn't tolerate my image. I wasn't present at Messi's event because of the repeated insults. I felt something serious was about to happen. You must have seen that all the sports lovers in the state were embarrassed by Aroop Biswas. Everybody remembers the Messi event. Messi left the event within 5-10 minutes just because of Aroop Biswas," Manoj Tiwary said.
"You can imagine what I've faced in the Sports Department over the past five years. I want to say that whatever God does, He does for good. This narrow-minded government was removed. They worked for themselves, not for the public. There was a lot to be done for Shibpur, which I tried to explain repeatedly, even raising my voice in cabinet meetings. One day, when I raised this issue with the Chief Minister after a cabinet meeting, she said to my face, 'Don't I have anything else to do?' She didn't even give me 20 seconds to explain what I wanted to say. This government was based on false promises. I realised that very day that this government wouldn't last long," he added.
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Held Hostage By Ex-Lover And Husband, Noida Man Jumps Off 3rd Floor, Dies
A late-night visit meant to resolve personal disputes ended in tragedy in Noida, where a man died after allegedly jumping from the third floor of a house along with his female friend.
The incident took place in Chaura Raghunathpur village of Noida Sector-24.
Police have arrested the man's former girlfriend, Chanchal Rana, and her husband, Hitesh Rana, following allegations that the two assaulted and locked up the couple before they jumped.
Why Did The Couple Visit The House
According to police, the man had gone to the house along with a female friend to apologise to Hitesh Rana.
Police said the man had remained in contact with Chanchal Rana even after her marriage, which led to tension within the household.
During the meeting, an argument broke out, and Hitesh Rana, allegedly acting along with his wife, assaulted both visitors.
Police said the pair were allegedly beaten with a hockey stick and later locked inside a third-floor room.
During questioning, Hitesh Rana allegedly admitted that he attacked them after learning about the continued contact between the man and his wife.
Officials said the man and the woman jumped from the third floor at around 3 am.
Police suspect they attempted to escape after being confined inside the room and fearing further violence.
The man suffered critical injuries and later died. The woman sustained serious injuries and is currently undergoing treatment at a hospital in Delhi.
Police said inconsistencies in the initial accounts raised suspicion, following which both Chanchal Rana and Hitesh Rana were questioned in detail.
The two have now been arrested, and further legal proceedings are underway.
(With inputs from Harsh Pandey)
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PBKS Star Sets Unwanted Record After Dropping Sitter vs SRH. Ponting Reacts
Punjab Kings had a forgettable day in the outfield, dropping as many as three catches during their top-of-the-table clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Wednesday. In addition, Prabhsimran Singh missed a routine stumping chance off Yuzvendra Chahal's bowling. While Chahal could have had a four-wicket haul inside the first three overs of his spell, the PBKS players seemed to have an off night in the field. It all started with Cooper Connolly dropping Ishan Kishan at deep backward square leg off Lockie Ferguson.
Shashank Singh and Ferguson then dropped a catch each off Chahal's bowling, leaving the veteran spinner in complete disbelief.
"Chahal is having a rotten night in terms of fortune," the commentator remarked after Prabhsimran missed Kishan's stumping in the 11th over.
Meanwhile, Shashank has fumbled four catches in IPL 2026 - the most by any player for PBKS this season.
PBKS head coach Ricky Ponting cut a helpless figure but sympathized with his player: "Poor Shashank Singh, it seems the ball is following him everywhere," Ponting said on-air.
Shashank is making his comeback in the playing XI after missing the last game against the Gujarat Titans, which they lost by four wickets.
After winning the toss, PBKS skipper Iyer said, "We will bowl first. So far, we have learned amazing things in the last few matches we have lost. We have no complaints so far because of travelling. Everyone is holding up well as professionals. Last match SRH chased, so I thought we would bowl. Shashank comes in."
For SRH, ace all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy made his comeback in the playing XI after missing the last game.
SRH skipper Pat Cummins said, "I also would have bowled first. Hopefully, we come up great tonight. The crowds have supported us very well this season. I can't really judge the pitch; hopefully, we will put some runs on the board. Nitish is back for us tonight."
(With PTI Inputs)
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Tuesday, May 5, 2026
Vedanta demerger sets stage for value unlocking, global scale: Chairman Anil Agarwal
Vedanta Limited is entering a pivotal new phase where strong operating performance converges with a transformational restructuring, setting the stage for its next wave of growth and value creation, the company's Chairman Anil Agarwal said Tuesday in a letter to the shareholders. The billionaire businessman called company's demerger a key milestoneThe much-anticipated demerger aimed at unlocking value by carving out focused, world-class businesses, has been is effective May 1, 2026. Each entity will benefit from sharper strategic direction, disciplined capital allocation, and clearly defined growth paths, enabling them to operate as independently scalable, globally competitive companies benchmarked against the best in the industry, Agarwal said."The most awaited milestone for Vedanta this year is our demerger, effective 1st May 2026. This transformation marks a pivotal step in unlocking value by creating focused, world-class companies, each with sharper strategic clarity, disciplined capital allocation, and distinct growth pathways. Through this demerger, each of our businesses is emerging as a “Vedanta” in its own right – globally competitive, independently scalable, and benchmarked to the best in the world," the letter read.Commenting on Vedanta's earnings performance, the Chairman said FY26 marked a record year for metal major, with the company reporting its highest-ever profit and revenue, alongside strong shareholder returns.The company reported a 92% year-on-year (YoY) surge in consolidated net profit to Rs 6,698 crore for the March-ended quarter, compared with Rs 3,483 crore in the year-ago period. Its total revenues from operations in Q4FY26 stood at Rs 24,609 crore, rising 47% YoY versus Rs 16,686 crore in the corresponding quarter of the last financial year.Read more: Vedanta Q4 Results: Cons profit zooms 92% YoY to Rs 6,698 crore, revenue jumps 47%He highlighted that the spotlight is now on the structural transformation through the demerger, which will split the conglomerate into multiple independent, globally competitive entities.Each vertical — from aluminium and oil & gas to power and iron & steel — is being positioned as a standalone growth engine with distinct expansion plans, Agarwal said.Vedanta Aluminium plans to double capacity to 60 lakh tonnes, targeting global cost leadership, while its oil & gas arm is eyeing a sharp ramp-up in production backed by a $5 billion investment. The power business is targeting aggressive expansion to 12 GW, alongside diversification into clean energy, including hydropower and nuclear, he added.On the iron & steel segment, he said the vertical is scaling up green and specialty steel capacity, supported by strong raw material linkages, while the flagship entity will continue to house key assets like Hindustan Zinc, copper, and critical minerals.Agarwal emphasised that the demerger, coupled with ongoing investments of Rs 15,000 crore in growth capex, will create a structurally stronger and more resilient group. With improved leverage metrics and a focus on cost leadership, cash generation, and technology adoption, Vedanta is positioning itself to capitalise on long-term demand trends across infrastructure, energy transition, and manufacturing.The next phase, he noted, will be driven by scale, efficiency, and innovation, with the ultimate goal of delivering sustained value for shareholders while contributing to India’s industrial growth story.Vedanta shares today ended at Rs 303.90 on the NSE, gaining 3.14% over the Monday closing price.(Disclaimer: The recommendations, suggestions, views, and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times.)
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"Kick Her Out": Mahesh Jethmalani On Mamata Banerjee's "Won't Resign" Move
The call for dismissal of Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee went up by a notch as senior advocate Mahesh Jethmalani said her behaviour is "unpardonable" and a "challenge to the whole democratic system". Once an election is certified by the Election Commission, the Chief Minister ceases to be a Chief Minister, he said in an exclusive interview to NDTV's Padmaja Joshi.
"It is an insult and she deserves to be taught a lesson... I'm glad she did this. I'm glad that this is her attitude so that the Governor can dismiss her instead of her gracefully resigning... the Governor must formally dismiss her because she holds office at his pleasure," Jethmalani said. "If she insists on sticking like a lemming to her chair, then the Governor must unceremoniously dismiss her. I would like to say, given this conduct, kick her out," he added.
In case Banerjee continues to occupy her office, the Governor could send in the police and "evict her," Jethmalani said.
"She is a trespasser in the Chief Minister's office from now on. The moment the election is certified - election results are certified - she is a trespasser," he added.
Banerjee, who lost the state to BJP yesterday after three consecutive terms in power, has refused to resign from her post.
"I have not lost, so I will not go to Raj Bhavan. I will not tender resignation," she told reporters at a press conference this evening. She has claimed that 100 seats have been "stolen" from her party.
Her unprecedented move can technically get her dismissed. In any state, the Chief Minister and her cabinet work at the "pleasure of the Governor". The term of the Bengal assembly ends on May 7.
Asked about her allegation that 100 seats in the state have been "looted". Jethmalani suggested that the 71-year-old go to court if she has any grievance on that score.
"File individual election petitions for all of them if you have so much evidence. You can waste the time of the court; the court will probably unceremoniously throw you out as well. You have already been given short shrift in the Supreme Court twice before. If you want to keep making yourself a laughingstock, go ahead and do it. You have a constitutional right to move court," Jethmalani added.
Banerjee, following her defeat in the Bhabanipur constituency, alleged that the government and the Election Commission has colluded to bring about this "victory".
Earlier today, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who won a third straight term in this round of election, also told NDTV that Banerjee should be dismissed.
"If she doesn't resign, she will be dismissed. The country doesn't run according to her whims. The Governor will wait for a certain period, and after that, she will be dismissed - it is as simple as that," Sarma told NDTV.
"You don't allow fencing on the border, and then you claim seats were snatched from you? This result should have come to you a long time ago. The people of West Bengal gave you a lot. Today, they have given a mandate to the BJP," he added.
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Monday, May 4, 2026
Vijay Wins Tamil Nadu Elections, Rajinikanth And Rashmika Send Best Wishes
Following the impressive debut of Vijay and his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, congratulatory messages poured in from across the South Indian film industry.
Veteran actor Rajinikanth shared a heartfelt note on X, writing, "My congratulations to Thiru Vijay, President of the victorious Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, and to the members of his party, on their resounding victory in the recently concluded Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly elections. @TVKVijayHQ."
நடந்து முடிந்த தமிழக சட்டமன்றத் தேர்தலில் பெரும் வெற்றி பெற்ற தமிழக வெற்றிக் கழகத் தலைவர் திரு விஜய் அவர்களுக்கும், அவர் கட்சியினருக்கும் என்னுடைய வாழ்த்துகள். @TVKVijayHQ
— Rajinikanth (@rajinikanth) May 4, 2026
Actor Dhanush also extended his wishes, stating, "My heartfelt congratulations to Mr. Vijay sir and the Tamil Nadu Victory Kazhagam, who, having come to the field and contested in their very first election, have earned the immense support and love of the people of Tamil Nadu and are set to form the government."
களத்துக்கு வந்து போட்டியிட்ட முதல் தேர்தலிலேயே தமிழ்நாட்டு மக்களின் பெரும் ஆதரவையும் அன்பையும் பெற்று ஆட்சியமைக்கவிருக்கும் திரு. விஜய் சார் அவர்களுக்கும் தமிழக வெற்றிக் கழகத்துக்கும் என் மனமார்ந்த வாழ்த்துகள்.
— Dhanush (@dhanushkraja) May 4, 2026
From the Telugu film industry, Ram Charan wrote, "Hearty congratulations to @actorvijay Garu on a remarkable victory in the TN elections. Your vision and connect with the people have truly resonated. Wishing you great success in leading Tamil Nadu towards continued progress."
Hearty congratulations to @actorvijay Garu on a remarkable victory in the TN elections. Your vision and connect with the people have truly resonated.
— Ram Charan (@AlwaysRamCharan) May 4, 2026
Wishing you great success in leading Tamil Nadu towards continued progress.@TVKVijayHQ
Actor Rashmika Mandanna expressed her excitement, posting, "Congratulationssssss @actorvijay sirrrr!! Extremely happy for you and excited to see you in this new era! All the very bestest to you sir!"
Congratulationssssss @actorvijay sirrrr!!
— Rashmika Mandanna (@iamRashmika) May 4, 2026
💃🏻💃🏻
Extremely happy for you and excited to see you in this new era!❤️
All the very bestest to you sir! ❤️😁
Meanwhile, veteran actor and politician Kamal Haasan wrote, "My congratulations to the leader of the victorious Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, Thiru. Vijay @TVKVijayHQ, and the members of his party, who have earned the people's trust and achieved a great victory in their very first election. My best wishes for their public service to flourish."
தங்களுடைய முதல் தேர்தலிலேயே மக்களுடைய நம்பிக்கையைப் பெற்று பெருவெற்றி பெற்றிருக்கும் தமிழக வெற்றிக் கழகத்தின் தலைவர் திரு. விஜய் @TVKVijayHQ அவர்களுக்கும், அவரது கட்சியினருக்கும் என்னுடைய பாராட்டுகள். மக்கள் பணி சிறக்க என்னுடைய வாழ்த்துகள்.
— Kamal Haasan (@ikamalhaasan) May 4, 2026
Apart from them, several prominent names including AR Rahman, Venkatesh Daggubati, Chiranjeevi, Kajal Aggarwal, Anirudh Ravichander, Silambarasan TR, Karthi, Mahesh Babu, and many others also congratulated Vijay, reflecting the widespread support he has garnered across the South film fraternity.
Adding to the milestone moment, Vijay also received his official certificate after winning from the Perambur Assembly constituency in Tamil Nadu.
#WATCH | Chennai | TVK chief Vijay receives certificate after winning election from Perambur Assembly constituency in Tamil Nadu pic.twitter.com/QZ6vEtixT4
— ANI (@ANI) May 4, 2026
In a remarkable political debut, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam has emerged as the single largest party in the state, leading in 107 out of 234 seats. While the party has fallen short of the majority mark of 118, the strong performance marks a significant entry into Tamil Nadu politics and signals a new chapter for Vijay as he transitions from cinema to public service.
ALSO READ: Trisha Gives Thumbs Up As She Leaves Vijay's Home Amid TVK's Lead In Tamil Nadu Polls, Watch
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Sunday, May 3, 2026
Why Nepal Is Objecting To India-China Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Plan
Nepal's Foreign Ministry has formally objected to India and China's plans to conduct the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra through the Lipulekh Pass, asserting that the high-altitude Himalayan crossing sits on Nepali soil and that neither neighbour has the right to use it without Kathmandu's consent. The statement, issued on Sunday in Kathmandu, is the latest chapter in one of South Asia's most stubborn and emotionally charged territorial disputes.
What Prompted The Statement
India's Ministry of External Affairs recently announced that the 2026 Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, a sacred pilgrimage to Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar in Tibet, will be conducted between June and August in coordination with Beijing. A total of 1,000 pilgrims, travelling in batches of 50, will use two routes: one through the Nathu La Pass in Sikkim, and another through Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand. Online registrations have already opened, with a deadline of May 19.
Nepal said it was not consulted or informed. And it is not pleased.
Nepal Foreign Ministry's statement said the government has drawn the attention of both India and China to its concerns through diplomatic channels, reiterated that the Lipulekh region is integral Nepali territory, and urged both countries to refrain from conducting any activities there, whether road construction, border trade, or religious pilgrimage. It also confirmed that even China, described as a "friendly country," has been officially told that Lipulekh belongs to Nepal.
A Border Drawn In 1816, And Disputed Ever Since
To understand why Nepal reacts so sharply to Lipulekh, one must go back more than two centuries.
The 1816 Treaty of Sugauli ended the Anglo-Nepalese War and redrew the map of the region. Under the treaty, the Kali River, also known as the Mahakali, was established as Nepal's western boundary. Nepal's position, held consistently since the 1990s, is that the river originates at Limpiyadhura, and that all land lying east of that source, including Kalapani and Lipulekh, therefore belongs to Nepal. The three territories together cover a strategically vital stretch of the western Himalayas at the trijunction of Nepal, India, and Tibet.
New Delhi argues that the river's true source lies further east, near the Lipukhola tributary, which would exclude Kalapani and Lipulekh from Nepali territory. Following the 1962 Sino-Indian War, Indian troops established posts in the Kalapani valley to monitor the Chinese border, and they never left. Over the decades, the area passed from contested to simply administered, with India treating it as its own and Nepal largely holding its tongue.
The Crisis That Brought It All to a Head: Oli In 2020
For years, the dispute simmered. Then, in May 2020, it boiled over.
The trigger was the inauguration of an 80-kilometre road built by India's Border Roads Organisation, connecting Dharchula in Uttarakhand all the way to the Lipulekh Pass. The road was framed by New Delhi as a major infrastructure achievement, one that would ease access for Kailash Mansarovar pilgrims and strengthen strategic connectivity to the Chinese border. For Kathmandu, it was a provocation of the highest order.
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli's government erupted. Nepal issued formal diplomatic protests, called in the Indian Ambassador, and within days released a new official political map of Nepal, one that explicitly incorporated Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh, and Kalapani within its borders. The map was not merely an administrative update. Nepal's Parliament passed it with unanimous support in June 2020, embedding the new boundaries into the nation's legal framework and effectively making the territorial claim a constitutional matter.
The Indian response was swift and dismissive. New Delhi called the map a "unilateral act," rejected Nepal's position as historically unjustified, and insisted its activities were entirely within Indian territory. The diplomatic temperature between the two traditionally close neighbours, often described as sharing a relationship of roti-beti, bread and daughters, plunged to one of its lowest points in decades.
At home, however, Oli rode a wave of nationalist sentiment. The map became a symbol of Nepali pride and sovereignty, and the prime minister, often criticised for his political manoeuvring, was suddenly celebrated as a defender of the nation. It was a rare moment of cross-party unity in Nepal's fractious political landscape.
China's Role: Present But Evasive
What makes this dispute even more complicated is that it involves not two but three countries, and China, despite being the quieter party, has consistently acted in ways that inflame Nepali sensitivities.
In 2015, India and China agreed bilaterally to open Lipulekh as a trade corridor and as the route for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. Nepal was not at the table for that conversation. The agreement drew immediate protests from Kathmandu, which argued that no bilateral arrangement between India and China could legitimise the use of Nepali territory without Nepal's knowledge or agreement.
In August 2025, during Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's visit to India, the two countries agreed once again to reopen the Lipulekh Pass for border trade. Nepal's reaction was swift. Former Prime Minister KP Oli, attending the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Tianjin shortly after, raised the issue directly with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Xi's response, by most accounts, was polite but noncommittal. He did not challenge Nepal's claim, but he did not endorse it either, reiterating that the matter was fundamentally between Nepal and India.
Critics at home noted the limits of Oli's approach. Raising the issue with Xi was symbolically important, but it changed nothing on the ground.
The Same Story, A New Year
Now, with the 2026 Yatra announcement, the cycle has repeated itself once more.
The Kathmandu's statement is careful in its language, diplomatic, measured, and committed to peaceful resolution through negotiation. It references historical treaties, maps, and evidence as the proper basis for settling the boundary question. It expresses Nepal's enduring commitment to dialogue rather than confrontation.
But behind the measured words lies a fundamental frustration: that Nepal has been making the same argument, to the same neighbours, for the better part of three decades and very little has changed.
Nepal has no troops at Lipulekh. It has no road to the pass. It has no physical presence in Kalapani. What it has is a constitutional claim, a historical argument rooted in the Sugauli Treaty, a new map that its parliament unanimously endorsed, and a Foreign Ministry that keeps sending notes that largely go unanswered.
What Comes Next
Nepal's government has made clear it will continue pursuing the matter through diplomatic channels. Whether that diplomatic persistence will eventually yield results is another matter entirely. For now, as the summer pilgrimage season approaches and Indian devotees prepare to cross through Lipulekh on their journey to one of Hinduism's most sacred sites, Nepal's objection stands, firm in principle, unresolved in practice, and as complicated as the Himalayas themselves.
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SIR To Fish: What Bengal Assembly Elections 2026 Hinge On
The battle for Bengal - a do-or-die contest between the ruling Trinamool Congress and the challenger BJP - has turned out to the most riveting one this this round of elections in four states and the Union Territory of Puducherry. Bengal has long eluded the BJP - not only will it complete the party's penetration in eastern India - Bihar and lately Odisha already being under the party's belt -- it would also deliver a crushing blow to the Opposition bloc, where Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is a key pillar.
A victory in Bengal will also open the BJP's path to a crucial chunk of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha votes -- a factor the BJP can no longer ignore after the crushing defeat of the Woman's Reservation Bill.
Even in 2021, the showdown in Bengal -- with the entire electoral might of the BJP ranged on one side and the emotive power of the Trinamool that went down to the grassroot level on the other, had every eyeball glued on television sets on the result day.
But this time, the unpredictability of the outcome has been ratcheted up manyfold by the deletion of 91 lakh voters from the rolls by the Election Commission. While some of them eventually made it back, the final figure of the deletions - 11.8 per cent of the electorate -- is too close to the Trinamool's 10 per cent victory margin of 2011.
SIR Voter List Deletions
The SIR data, though not available for every constituency, it certainly reflects in terms of districts and the list make sit clear that the Trinamool-majority areas, especially those where the winning margin is slim, have suffered the most. But that said, even at this point, no one has any clear idea how it might affect the outcome.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, a quintessential streetfighter, has issued a masterstroke at the eleventh-hour, flipping her 2011 slogan "Badla Noy Badal Chai" (Change not Revenge).
This time it is "Badal noy Badla chai (Revenge not Change)" - a clarion call to the families of voters whose relatives' names got deleted. The message is crystal clear, with the BJP going with her 2011 call of "Parivartan (change)".
The outcome was reflected in the historic turnout figure - 92-plus percentage.
While much of this was panic voting, with migrants from every corner of the country coming home to vote and register their presence as residents of the state - the revenge factor has also loomed large with thousands of families saying their relatives were deleted from the list though they were born and brought up in the state.
State Freebies And Anti-Incumbency
Much of Trinamool's support come from its welfare measures, locally dubbed "Sree-s" - Kanya Sree, Rupasree, Yogya Sree, Yuva Sree, Sabujsree and many more. There are schemes to cover practically every aspect of life from birth to death and cremation.
There are schemes to give saplings to every baby, assistance for girl students - money and bicycles - funds and credit card for higher education, purchase of tablets and smartphones for students, short-term skill training, free training centers for SC/ST students for competitive exams, financial assistance for wedding of daughters, flagship family health insurance scheme Swasthya Sathi, pension schemes for senior citizens of Scheduled Caste and Tribes, social security for workers in unorganised sectors and even financial assistance for the poor to meet cremation or burial expenses.
The most popular of these is Lakshmir Bhandar - a monthly financial assistance of Rs 1,500 to women of limited means -- which, while it often goes to bolster household expenditure, have given women a taste of independence and a new-found confidence.
But 15 years of these schemes have also stirred up a backlash of sorts, especially among the young people, who say they would rather have jobs than handouts from the state.
What has especially gone against the state government is its failure to industrialise - which ironically had catapulted Banerjee at the helm in 2011. It was her agitation against forcible land acquisition in Singur and Nandigram that had put a stop to the Left Front's fledgling move to reinvent itself through industrialisation and led to the Nano's flight to Gujarat.
The other big failure is massive corruption in teaching jobs that pushed the courts to cancel the appointments of over 25,000 teaching and non-teaching staff due to a fraudulent recruitment process.
Corruption
Starting with the Sarada ponzi scam that allegedly ran with political patronage and Narada sting operation that caught high-ranking Trinamool leaders accepting bribe on camera, corruption has remained a perennial issue in Bengal.
In this election, the big issue is allegations that corruption at every level has sparked and consolidated a "cut-money" culture - a situation that the BJP has promised to remedy. The allegation is that money is skimmed off at every stage not just from development funds but also from welfare funds.
Trinamool leaders at the municipal and panchayat levels have faced public anger in the districts of Birbhum, Cooch Behar, Jalpaiguri, Burdwan, Malda, Purulia, Nadia, Kolkata, West Midnapore and Bankura.
There were allegations of bribery against Trinamool Rajya Sabha lawmaker Santanu Sen, who denied the accusation as "baseless".
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has warned leaders that those involved in taking "cut money" from government schemes and other corrupt practices will be put behind bars but little action has been seen on the ground.
Infiltration
One of the big BJP narratives is infiltration from Bangladesh through the state's porous borders - especially in the Chicken's neck Siliguri Corridor -- and the alleged subsequent absorption of these infiltrators into the voters' list by the state government.
A recent White Paper by the BJP has accused the Trinamool of running syndicates to facilitate the issuance of fake identity cards to infiltrators in order to build "vote banks", compromising national security and demographic balance in the process. Locals in north Bengal have complained about infiltration stretching thin resources.
This issue is also deeply intertwined with the voter list revision, with critics saying the Election Commission exercise was needed to weed out these fake voters.
Mamata Banerjee has claimed that handling infiltration is the duty of the Centre since it is the Central forces who are in charge of security in border areas.
Women's Safety
The issue of women's safety had loomed large when the Left Front government was on its way out. Mamata Banerjee had ensured that it stayed in the headlines and now the BJP is pulling a page out of her book to ensure that the rape murder at Kolkata's RG Kar hospital, Sandeshkhali sexual abuse, the Kamduni rape case and others like it, are not forgotten.
While every leader from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Amit Shah and Ami Malviya make frequent mentions if it while slamming the state government over law and order issues, the BJP has also fielded the mother of the RG Kar victim from Panihati and keeping her in the forefront of women's security issue.
Fish
For the first time in Bengal polls, food habits have become an issue, with special focus on fish. The influence of north Indian politics has brought an emphasis on vegetarianism versus non-vegetarianism - food choices that were never an issue in Bengal. Candidates were seen canvassing holding fish in an attempt to dispel the Trinamool narrative that the BJP, if they win, won't allow Bengalis to eat fish.
The Trinamool also points to the instances of people being beaten to death in other states by cow protectors and the move of several BJP-led state governments to ban or restrict the sale of meat.
"They (BJP) won't let you eat fish. You can't have meat, you can't have eggs, you can't speak in Bengali. If you do, you will be tagged as a Bangladeshi," Mamata Banerjee has claimed in an extension of the outsiders-versus-insiders debate, with her Trinanool Congress highlighting the Bengali identity and the BJP asserting it is not against the state's inherent culture.
After losing the cultural debate back in 2021, this time, the BJP campaign is being managed more strategically, with the party fielding sons of the soil - a charge that's being led by Suvendu Adhikari - while Central leaders Bhupender Yadav (Election In-charge for West Bengal), former Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb, Sunil Bansal, and Mangal Pandey manage the campaign from the backroom.
BJP Bengal President and Rajya Sabha MP Samik Bhattacharya has said there is no possibility of the sale or consumption of fish being banned. "Swami Vivekananda said that Maa Kali will eat mutton. All Bengalis and Biharis will eat mutton. If anyone comes to stop me, I will crush them," he has declared.
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In Numbers: With Zero Deaths, Bengal Election Most Peaceful In 2 Decades
For decades, elections in West Bengal have carried a grim footnote - political violence, often resulting in deaths and serious injuries. From the turbulent years of the late 1960s to the fiercely contested multi-party battles of the present, control over territory and the exclusion of rivals have shaped the state's electoral culture. But the 2026 Assembly elections have delivered an unprecedented shift: zero reported murders and no serious injuries, marking a significant break from this violent past.
The Numbers That Defined Bengal's Poll Violence
Over the past two decades, every major election cycle has seen deaths.
-2006 Assembly polls: 5 deaths
-2008 Panchayat polls: 45
-2009 Lok Sabha polls: 15
-2011 Assembly polls: 17
-2013 Panchayat polls: 20
-2014 Lok Sabha polls: 7
-2016 Assembly polls: 8
-2018 Panchayat polls: 75 (one of the deadliest elections)
-2019 Lok Sabha polls: 12
-2021 Assembly polls: 17
-2023 Panchayat polls: 57
-2024 Lok Sabha polls: 6
The trend is unmistakable: fatalities were routine, not exceptional, with local body polls often turning the most violent.
Also read: Analysis: Government Planning Underlines BJP's Confidence Ahead Of Bengal Results
NCRB and MHA Data: Evidence of a Systemic Problem
Beyond election-specific counts, broader datasets underline the structural nature of political violence:
According to National Crime Records Bureau data, West Bengal averaged around 20 political killings annually between 1999 and 2016. NCRB figures under "motive of murder-political" show continued incidents.
-2011: 38
-2012: 22
-2013: 26
-2014: 10
-2015: 1
-2016: 1
-2017: 1
-2018: 12
-2019: 12
-2020: 3
-2021: 7
Also read: "Subversion Of Democratic Process": Bengal's Falta To See Repolling On May 21
However, the Ministry of Home Affairs disagree with the Bengal government data and wrote a letter to the state government. MHA says multiple sources suggest higher spikes in certain years.
-2016: 36
-2017: 25
-2018: 96
-2019: 26
These differences underline a key point: political violence in Bengal is persistent and, at times, underreported or contested in measurement.
Scale of Violence: NHRC Findings
The scale extends far beyond killings. A probe by the National Human Rights Commission into post-election violence of 2021 documented 1,900 incidents, including:
-29 murders
-12 sexual assault cases
-391 cases of grievous hurt
-940 instances of arson and vandalism
-562 cases of intimidation
Out of more than 9,300 accused, only about 1,345 were arrested - highlighting gaps in enforcement alongside political rivalry.
Historical Roots: Politics of Territorial Control
Politics in West Bengal exhibits a culture of protest. Between 1967 and 1971, the state witnessed widespread armed clashes, with guns and bombs becoming common in both rural and urban politics. Kolkata was marked by frequent bloody street battles, as rival political groups carved out exclusive zones of control, often denying even a nominal presence to opponents.
The 1972 elections under the Indian National Congress were widely associated with coercion, displacement of opposition workers, and large-scale rigging. The rise of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) in 1977 brought relative stability, but largely through the consolidation of political dominance across the state.
The emergence of the All India Trinamool Congress in 1998 disrupted that dominance, triggering violent rural contests for territory. Later, land movements in Singur and Nandigram reshaped political alignments, with mass mobilisation and confrontation becoming central to electoral politics. In the past decade, the rise of the Bharatiya Janata Party as a major challenger further intensified competition.
Across eras and parties, a consistent pattern emerges: electoral success has often been linked to territorial control, enforced through coercion and violence.
2026 Assembly Election: A Clean Break
Against this backdrop, the 2026 Assembly election stands as a complete statistical outlier with zero deaths.
From a historical range of 5 to 75 deaths per election, the number dropped to zero for the first time in at least two decades. Equally significant is the absence of serious injuries, which had previously run into hundreds.
This is not an incremental improvement; it is a structural break in the data trend.
What Changed: Central Forces and Enforcement
A key factor behind this shift was the scale of security deployment overseen by the Election Commission of India. Large contingents of central armed police forces, including the Central Reserve Police Force, were stationed across sensitive areas.
At the start of the election process, the Chief Election Commissioner assured citizens that the polls would be violence-free, intimidation-free, inducement-free, "chappa"-free (where a voter finds their vote already cast), booth-jamming-free, and source-jamming-free. Following two phases of polling, the state also recorded one of its highest voter turnouts since its inception, indicating both participation and confidence in the process.
This reduced the scope for local coercion and ensured a more neutral enforcement environment. For years, data from NCRB, MHA, and independent probes pointed to one conclusion: violence was embedded in Bengal's electoral process. The 2026 election challenges that assumption. Whether this becomes a sustained trend or remains a one-time exception will depend on future elections. But for now, the numbers tell a clear story.
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Saturday, May 2, 2026
"Subversion Of Democratic Process": Bengal's Falta To See Repolling On May 21
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced repolling in all polling booths of West Bengal's Falta Assembly constituency, citing "severe electoral offences and subversion of the democratic process".
The poll body said fresh voting will take place in all 285 polling stations of the constituency, including auxiliary polling stations, on May 21. The timings of the polling will be from 7 am to 6 pm, and votes will be counted on May 24.
"On consideration of severe electoral offences and subversion of the democratic process during the polling in a large number of polling stations on 29th April 2026 in 144-Falta Assembly Constituency, West Bengal, the ECI directs that a fresh poll shall be conducted in all the 285 polling stations, including auxiliary polling stations," the poll body said in its order.
This means on May 4, the counting of votes will be conducted for 293 seats in West Bengal.
Also read: Trinamool Holds Sit-In, Alleges Ballot Boxes Opened. "Pure Rumours," Says BJP
BJP vs Trinamool Over 'EVM Tampering'
The poll body's action came days after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alleged voting machines had been tampered with in the Falta seat.
During voting for the second phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections on April 29, the BJP alleged its button on the electronic voting machines (EVM) had been taped in several polling booths in Falta in South 24 Paraganas' Diamond Harbour area.
Also read: Repolling At 15 Booths In 2 West Bengal Constituencies Today
Diamond Harbour in South 24 Paraganas district is the stronghold of Lok Sabha MP Abhishek Banerjee, the nephew of Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
The Trinamool Congress denied the allegation, claiming the BJP had raised a false alarm because it was losing in the state. It also slammed the Election Commission and police observer Ajay Pal Sharma, the IPS officer known as "Singham", who the party had earlier accused of threatening their candidate Jehangir Khan.
On Friday, the Election Commission announced repolling in 15 booths in West Bengal's Diamond Harbour and Magrahat Paschim constituencies following complaints of irregularities.
Repolling in the two constituencies took place today, with the combined voter turnout exceeding 90 per cent. However, the supporters of the BJP and the Trinamool clashed in Falta, alleging threats and intimidation by TMC workers.
Three Trinamool Congress workers were arrested on Saturday evening in Falta following the Election Commission's complaint alleging voter intimidation and assault.
Earlier this week, senior Trinamool Congress leaders staged a protest at Kolkata's Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Indoor Stadium, alleging ballot boxes were opened despite the absence of the party's designated representative. The BJP denied the allegation.
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"Bloodbath": Dutch Princesses Targeted In Chilling 'Nazi' Murder Plot
A 33-year-old man suspected of being a far-right extremist is in custody in the Netherlands after a foiled plot to kill two Dutch princesses, Princess Catharina-Amalia and her younger sister Princess Alexia.
The suspect, who faces a preliminary court hearing on Monday morning, was found with two axes engraved with "Alexia", "Mossad" and Sieg Heil, which is a verbal salute used by Nazis.
Authorities also revealed that he had a handwritten note with the words "Amalia", "Alexia" and "bloodbath" when he was arrested in The Hague in February.
However, a motive for the plan has still not been revealed by the authorities.
Despite the security concerns, the Dutch royal family pressed ahead with their Koningsdag or King's Day celebrations on Monday, joining street festivities, greeting well-wishers, and taking to the ice. The national holiday marks the 59th birthday of King Willem-Alexander.
Princesses Ariane, Catharina-Amalia and Alexia
This is not the first time Princess Catharina-Amalia's safety has been called into question. Back in 2020, she was forced to go into hiding after a man directed a series of messages threatening her with rape and violence.
Two years later, she was compelled to vacate her student accommodation in Amsterdam over safety concerns, retreating to the heavily fortified royal palace in The Hague.
Queen Maxima captured the toll this took on her daughter at the time and said, "She can't live in Amsterdam and she can't really go outside [the palace]. It has enormous consequences on her life."
The threats didn't end there. Fearing she had been marked as a kidnapping target by drug cartels, Princess Catharina-Amalia, who is fluent in Spanish, eventually fled the Netherlands altogether, spending a year living in Madrid.
Intercepted communications between gang members had placed both her and Mark Rutte, who was serving as Dutch prime minister at the time, in the crosshairs as potential targets.
About Europe's Formidable Drug Lord - Ridouan Taghi
Ridouan Taghi, once regarded as the most formidable drug lord in Europe, dismissed any suggestion of a plot against the princess before ultimately receiving a life sentence for five murders at the conclusion of the Marengo Trial in 2024.
Yet the shadow of violence loomed large even before his sentencing. Taghi is believed to have orchestrated three killings tied to the trial proceedings. Among the victims were a lawyer, a television journalist, and the brother of a key prosecution witness.
The succession of contract killings fuelled growing alarm that Taghi continued to orchestrate his criminal network from behind bars and that the Netherlands had descended into narco-state territory, held hostage by the brutal power struggles of organised crime.
Princess Catharina-Amalia, who bears the title Princess of Orange, eventually came home in 2024 after authorities put stronger protective measures in place. Reflecting on her years of disrupted freedom, she spoke candidly about what she had lost, "I miss normal life, the life of a student. Walking the streets, going to a store."
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MI Script Huge World Record, Become First T20 Team To Achieve This Feat
Afghanistan left-arm spinner Noor Ahmad led a disciplined bowling effort as Chennai Super Kings restricted a lacklustre Mumbai Indians to 159 for seven in a critical Indian Super League match on Saturday. Noor returned excellent figures of 2/26 in four overs while Anshul Kamboj grabbed 3/32, even as Naman Dhir top-scored for MI with 57 off 37 balls in an insipid display by the visitors after winning the toss. Captain Hardik Pandya consumed 23 balls for his 18, reflecting MI's struggles.
Despite managing a below-par total, MI managed to break a major record. Playing their 286th game, they became the first team to cross 50,000 runs in T20 cricket.
They are followed by English county side Somerset (48,244 runs in 303 T20 matches) and fellow IPL franchise Royal Challengers Bengaluru (47,304 runs in 295 T20s).
Mukesh Choudhary started the proceedings for CSK on an excellent note, conceding just one run in the opening over and then IPL debutant Ramakrishna made immediate impact with a stunning catch to send back Will Jacks in the second over bowled by Anshul Kamboz.
Off a length ball outside off, Jacks stepped out and tried to hoick but failed to connect as Ramakrishna ran in from deep backward point and dived to complete the catch, leaving the crowd at MA Chidambaram Stadium delighted.
With their campaigns hanging by a thread following a string of disappointing outings, there's a lot riding on this contest for both MI and CSK.
MI's first boundary was unconvincing as the ball flew off Naman Dhir's bat down to deep fine leg after the batter tried to flick it.
However, the in-form Rickelton smoked Mukesh for two successive sixes -- one over extra cover and and another over deep midwicket to set the ball rolling for MI.
Naman got into the act as he hit Kamboj for a maximum.
CSK skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad introduced Prashant Veer into the attack, and Rickelton welcomed him with three sixes in a productive over for MI, fetching them 18 runs.
Naman smashed Mukesh for his second six as MI ended the powerplay with 57 runs for the loss of one wicket.
Naman was dropped by Shivam Dube on 19, and it was a sitter, but CSK hit back almost immediately with the big wicket of Rickelton, dismissed by left-arm spinner Noor Ahmad as the opener got down on one knee to target the deep midwicket region but found Urvil Patel instead.
Ghosh gave away just seven runs in his first over in IPL , including a six by Suryakumar Yadav (21 off 12), who also struck Noor for a maximum and a four.
Suryakumar, however, again failed to convert his quick start into a significant contribution as Ghosh had him caught in the deep for his maiden wicket after the batter tried to get on top of the ball and guide it over cover.
MI, who were playing quite a few dot balls in the middle overs, lost another big wicket when Tilak Varma got a top-edge while trying to sweep a turning delivery for Ruturaj Gaikwad to complete a neat catch.
MI struggled to get any momentum thereafter, with Hardik and company failing to get the big hits going.
(With Added Inputs)
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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Suspense On Dhoni, Rohit Ends As MI Captain Hardik Opts To Bat vs CSK
Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya won the toss and opted to bat first against Chennai Super Kings in their IPL 2026 game at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, on Saturday. MI handed a debut cap to leg-spinner Raghu Sharma. Rohit Sharma, who is currently recovering after suffering a hamstring injury earlier in the tournament, continues to stay on the sidelines. On the other hand, CSK's MS Dhoni, who is progressing in his recovery from a persistent calf injury, also misses out on the game.
"We're gonna bat first," said Mumbai Indians captain Hardik as the coin landed in his favour during the toss.
"Looks like a good track. The way we batted in the last game, we want to give another opportunity to our batters to score runs. We have to play our best cricket and see what happens. The mood has been good, it's been challenging. We have to fight. It's about playing for pride as well. Play good cricket overall. In 40 overs, we've lost game in 2-3 overs which were big moments. We have one debut - the leggie (Raghu Sharma) plays his first game and Krish comes back in for Ashwani," he added.
TOSS @mipaltan have won the toss and will bat first against @ChennaiIPL
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CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad said that the team also wanted to bat first on the Chepauk track.
"We were looking to bat first. The wicket looks good, little bit on the direr side, won't change much. A tough track to bat on, last game. Confidence-wise everyone is right up there. Stick to the process, do the process right and result will come. (Ramakrishna) Ghosh comes in for Gurjapneet Singh and Prashant Veer comes in for Akeal Hosein," said Gaikwad.
Both MI and CSK, the two most successful teams in IPL history, are struggling in the ongoing season.
MI and CSK have played eight matches each, winning two and three, respectively.
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