After the Supreme Court refused to interfere with a Calcutta High Court decision on the deployment of Central employees for vote counting in West Bengal, the BJP claimed that the Trinamool Congress’ attempt to seize power by “unfair means” has completely crumbled now.

BJP national spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi alleged that the Trinamool approached the top court challenging the Calcutta High Court order out of frustration and desperation after sensing its imminent defeat in the State polls, the results of which will be declared on May 4, 2026.

The remarks followed after the Supreme Court said that no further order was necessary on the Trinamool’s plea challenging the high court’s dismissal of its petition against an Election Commission circular on the deployment of Central government personnel for vote counting in West Bengal.

A special Bench of Justices P S Narasimha and Joymalya Bagchi said the EC can choose the counting staff, and its April 13 circular, which provides for deployment of state government employees as well, cannot be said to be incorrect. - PTI

Patna: Bihar Minister Ramkripal Yadav slammed West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee ahead of vote counting in State Assembly polls, asserting that people of Bengal had already rejected Mamata Didi’s Trinamool Congress.

The BJP leader added that the frustration of Mamata Banerjee was evident because she would be losing badly. Mr. Yadav said, “The people of Bengal have rejected Mamata Didi’s TMC. All processes have been completed under the supervision of the Election Commission... The Election Commission has made arrangements to ensure that the counting of votes is conducted properly. Mamata Banerjee’s frustration is evident because she is losing badly... Wherever there were irregularities, the Election Commission has rectified them with strictness. A fair election has taken place, and there will also be a fair counting of votes...”

Meanwhile, repolling begins early morning in 11 booths of the Magrahat Paschim Assembly constituency and four booths of the Diamond Harbour Assembly constituency in South 24 Parganas. The repolling is being done after reports of tampering with EVMs at some polling booths emerged during the second phase of polling held on April 29. - ANI

Guwahati: Congress Assam election in-charge Bhanwar Jitendra Singh expressed confidence that the party would win in State Assembly elections, claiming that the people’s trust was shifting towards Congress due to issues such as “corruption” and “mafia raj.”

He also dismissed exit poll projections, alleging they have consistently been inaccurate. “There is a very positive sign that we will win this election on the basis of the people’s trust on us. They have various issues like corruption, ‘mafia raj’ that is running... Exit polls are all wrong, they predicted 400+ seats for BJP in Lok Sabha while in reality, they could not even reach 250 seats,” Mr. Singh said.

On the issue of repolling in West Bengal, Mr. Singh launched a sharp attack on the Election Commission, alleging a lack of confidence in the poll body and accusing it of favouring the ruling BJP. - ANI

South 24 Parganas: Local residents staged a protest in the Falta area of South 24 Parganas district, alleging threats and intimidation by the TMC cadre ahead of the counting of votes for the West Bengal Assembly elections scheduled on May 4.

Heavy security deployment was witnessed in the area, with personnel from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Rapid Action Force (RAF) stationed at key locations. An armoured CRPF vehicle was also deployed as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order amid rising tensions.

Protesting residents, including several women, raised concerns about their safety and demanded action against those allegedly responsible. A local woman claimed, “TMC’s Israfil Chowkidar has threatened us that if these people win, they will burn our houses and carry out bloodshed.” Another woman alleged that despite voting for the ruling party, they were targeted. “We had voted for TMC, yet they attacked us... We want him to be arrested. We need safety for women,” she said.

The protest comes as repolling is under way in 15 booths across Magrahat Paschim and Diamond Harbour constituencies following directions from the Election Commission of India over reported irregularities during the second phase of polling. - ANI

Kolkata: Trinamool Congress Saugata Roy said repolling in select booths is a routine electoral exercise, even as the Supreme Court declined to issue fresh directions on a plea related to the deployment of counting supervisors in West Bengal Assembly elections.

“From the time that I have been following elections, repolling is done in some seats. This is not new,” Mr. Roy said, downplaying concerns around the ongoing repoll in parts of the State.

The remarks came after the Supreme Court of India disposed of a plea filed by the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC), which had challenged a Calcutta High Court order regarding the deployment of only Central government and PSU employees as counting supervisors. 

Mr. Roy also responded to allegations of post-poll violence made by Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, asserting that unrest was not one-sided. “BJP people are also causing a lot of unrest. They are even attacking Trinamool. The government, the Election Commission, and the Central forces should look into this,” he said. - ANI

Kolkata: Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar said the number of booths selected for repolling in the State was “very low”, while alleging there had been “no verdict on Falta” despite complaints of irregularities.

Reacting to the repolling across 15 booths, Mr. Majumdar alleged that several Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) had been tampered with by the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC).

“I think this number (15 booths) is very low and there has been no verdict on Falta. A lot of EVM buttons were tampered with there by TMC... Anyway, let the voting conclude quickly and let the people’s verdict come on May 4; that is the most important thing,” Mr. Majumdar said.

He also responded to TMC leader Shashi Panja’s letter to the State Chief Electoral Officer, in which she raised concerns over the conduct of the election process.

Claiming that the ruling party was worried about the outcome, Mr. Majumdar said, “Fear of defeat has settled in the heart of TMC, due to which they are repeatedly raising all such issues. Under the leadership of Mamata Banerjee, the TMC has started playing the role of the Opposition party from yesterday itself. The TMC has realised that the upcoming results will disappoint them and a BJP government will be formed.” - ANI

Guwahati: With the stage set for counting of votes for Assam Assembly elections on May 4, Congress ally and Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) chief Lirunjyoti Gogoi rejected exit poll predictions for Assam, claiming that the “bogus” exit polls are just a way to put some “psychological pressure” on political parties and administrative officials. 

“We are forming the government, it is clear and confirmed. Already, I am set to address a press meet that exit polls was totally bogus. It was totally seen that they have an agenda and they are trying to give some psychological pressure to the party and administrative officials also,” the AJP chief told reporters here. 

“We are going to form the government, we will win with a clear majority and the opposition alliance will win with a clear majority,” he added. - ANI

Erode: Chief Coordinator of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK)’s executive committee, K.A. Sengottaiyan, claimed that the party will win at least 180 of 234 seats in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.

Addressing a press conference in Gobichettipalayam, Sengottaiyan took a swipe at Tamil Nadu BJP chief Nainar Nagenthran, saying the 2026 election was the last electoral contest for him.

When asked about a post-poll alliance with the AIADMK, the TVK leader said, “There is no situation where there is no majority. We will win 180 to 200 seats. That is the target. When I went to the mall yesterday, and when I was on the plane, many people took photos with me. All this was amazing. I saw a scene I had never seen before.”

“Leader Vijay will rule Tamil Nadu tomorrow with a visionary mind. The 2026 election victory will be historical. The leader of the TVK has overcome various trials and overcome so many oppositions day and night. Time will tell on May 4,” he added.

On Nainar Nagenthran, he said, “As for Nainar Nagenthran, this is the last election for him. The higher-ups will tell him whether he will have a party post after this or not.” - ANI

Kolkata: The Trinamool Congress said the Supreme Court directions vindicated its stand. “The issue raised before the Supreme Court pertained to the implementation of the said communication in a manner whereby only Central Government/Central PSU employees were being appointed as Counting Supervisors and Counting Assistants for counting of votes,” the party said in a statement.

The TMC said it was highlighted that such an interpretation and implementation of the communication would be contrary to the framework of a fair and balanced counting process.

The TMC said that in view of the directions, it is expected that the counting of votes shall be conducted in a fair, transparent, and balanced manner. - PTI

Kannur: CPI(M) rebel candidate V. Kunhikrishnan, who contested as a UDF-backed Independent from Payyanur, said he was hoping to win the Assembly election by a margin of 5,000 votes.

Mr. Kunhikrishnan was expelled from the CPI(M) earlier this year after raising allegations of corruption in the party’s martyrs’ fund against sitting MLA T.I. Madhusoodanan.

Speaking to a TV channel, Mr. Kunhikrishnan said he had announced his candidature as a mark of protest and not with expectations of victory. However, he said the situation had changed drastically, with a strong undercurrent within CPI(M) votes favouring him.

“The undercurrent in CPI(M) votes cannot be measured. Now people are giving a response indicating victory with a margin of at least 5,000 votes,” he said.

On political violence in Payyanur, Mr. Kunhikrishnan said he had been facing it since filing his nomination. - PTI

Repolling was underway in 15 booths for two Assembly constituencies i.e. Magrahat Paschim and Diamond Harbour. As of 1 p.m. Magrahat Paschim recorded 56.33% voting while Diamond Harbour 54.9%. 

A total of 55.57% voting recorded in all the 15 booths where repolling was underway. -- The Hindu Bureau

Kerala’s State Police Chief Ravada Chandrasekhar on Saturday said tight security arrangements have been made across Kerala for the Assembly election vote counting on May 4.

Kozhikode: Kerala Minister P.A. Mohamed Riyas said an election is not a boxing match between candidates but a battle between ideologies.

He was responding to reporters about the challenge put forward by UDF candidate and his rival P.V. Anvar to shave his head, wear earrings and walk through the streets of Kozhikode if defeated in the Assembly election from the Beypore constituency.

“An election is not a personal boxing competition between candidates but a fight between different ideologies. The LDF and the people see it in that way,” he said.

He said voters often cast their ballots not because of personal attachment to a candidate, but based on the ideology the candidate represents.

“A candidate might have a floating vote. People vote to resolve their issues, considering political matters and development. People have a clear vision of whom to select as their representative,” he said. Mr. Riyas said there were people in the UDF who had worked hard during the election campaign in Beypore. - PTI

Thrissur: State Police chief Ravada V. Chandrasekhar said tight security arrangements have been made across Kerala for the Assembly election vote counting on May 4.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the passing-out parade of police sub-inspectors, Mr. Chandrasekhar said forces have been deployed across the State to prevent any untoward incidents on counting day.

“We are taking more preventive measures. As part of it, CCTV and drone surveillance activities have been enhanced. The entire police force has been mobilised for security purposes,” he said. He said counting centres would be guarded by Central forces.

“We have deployed 25 companies of Central forces to guard counting centres. Outer cordon and perimeter security will be handled by the Kerala Police. Apart from the counting centres, arrangements have been made for the security of other places as well,” he said.

Regarding politically sensitive areas where violence is often reported after election results, Mr. Chandrasekhar said arrangements had been made to prevent such incidents.

“We have readied police officers for the purpose. Strict action will be taken if anyone is found causing law and order issues. We have given instructions in this regard,” he said. He added that patrolling and surveillance activities had been intensified in border areas. - PTI

Senior BJP leader Amit Malviya said the Supreme Court’s refusal to intervene into the EC’s order on deployment of Central government personnel for vote counting in West Bengal is a “clear message” against attempts to cast doubt on the electoral process.

The apex court said no further order was necessary on the TMC’s plea challenging the Calcutta High Court’s dismissal of its petition against an Election Commission circular on the deployment of Central government personnel for vote counting in West Bengal.

The BJP leader, in a social media post, said, “In yet another legal setback, the Supreme Court has refused to intervene. The Trinamool Congress had approached the court challenging the exclusion of State government employees from vote-counting supervisor duties, and had sought an urgent hearing.” “The refusal to entertain this plea underscores a clear message - attempts to influence or cast doubt over the integrity of the counting process will not find easy validation. Another day, another judicial rebuff for Mamata Banerjee,” he added. There was no immediate response from the TMC on Malviya’s remarks. - PTI

The Supreme Court on Saturday (May 2, 2026) said no further order was necessary on the TMC’s plea challenging the Calcutta High Court’s dismissal of its petition against an Election Commission of India (ECI) circular on the deployment of Central Government personnel for vote counting in West Bengal.

BJP leader Amit Malviya on Saturday (May 2) welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision not to pass any directions on a plea filed by the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) challenging the Calcutta High Court order, which had rejected its petition against the alleged deployment of only Central government employees as voter counting supervisors in the West Bengal Assembly election.

Mr. Malviya said that the decision to “not intervene” sends a clear message that any “attempts to influence or cast doubt over the integrity of the counting process will not find easy validation.”

-ANI

The TMC on Saturday (May 2) said it has filed a complaint with the Election Commission, alleging unauthorised sorting of postal ballot covers at an EVM strongroom in Kolkata.

TMC workers, who have been camping outside the Khudiram Anushilan Kendra, alleged that eight trunks of postal ballots were brought in at 4 a.m. and were taken to a room, which has no CCTV coverage.

“We have been demanding that every single millimetre of space where EVMs and postal ballots be under CCTV surveillance. But as these trunks were taken inside, it was clear that they were taken to a room not under CCTV cover. Why should this happen?” a TMC member asked.

- PTI

Thousands of fans were disappointed as TVK leader Vijay cancelled his scheduled visit to Velankanni Church at Nagapattinam district on Saturday (May 2).

Soon after the April 23 TN Assembly election, the actor-turned politician was on a series of religious trips. He visited the Lord Murugan temple at Tiruchendur and the Shirdi Sai Baba temple to offer prayers.

- PTI

Repolling in one of the polling booths in West Bengal’s South 24 Parganas district was halted for over an hour on Saturday morning after an Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) malfunctioned.

Various electors had to wait in the queue for over an hour amid the malfunction as repolling started early morning at 7 a.m. across 15 polling booths in the Diamond Harbour and Magrahat Paschim Assembly constituencies.

Expressing frustration over the incident, one voter asked the officials to clarify the situation or, instead, just shut the booth. “If it is not happening [voting], close the booth, tell us, and we will go home. Why are we standing here? Why are we here? It has been more than half an hour; they should close it, so that we can go home,” said the elector.

- ANI

A day after organising a sit-in over alleged irregularities in EVM strongrooms in West Bengal, All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) filed an official complaint against the Returning Officer at Khudiram Anushilan Kendra on Saturday (April 2).

The AITC claims that “unauthorised sorting of postal ballot covers” occurred. The centre is being used as a strongroom to store several EVMs, with counting set to take place on May 4.

However, both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the AITC have claimed irregularities in the security of the strong room, alleging that it was opened without authorisation.

- ANI

The Supreme Court on Saturday (April 2) said no further order was necessary on the TMC’s plea challenging the Calcutta High Court’s dismissal of its petition against an Election Commission circular on the deployment of Central Government personnel for vote counting in West Bengal.

A special bench of Justices P.S. Narasimha and Joymalya Bagchi said the Election Commission (EC) can choose counting personnel and its April 13 circular cannot be said to be incorrect.

The poll body said the circular is very clear that there will be a mix of central and state government employees, and the apprehension of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) of any wrongdoing is misplaced.

- PTI

With just a day left before the counting of votes in the Kerala Assembly elections, the role of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) has come into sharp focus within the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF).

Should the coalition secure a mandate on May 4, the Muslim League, as a key constituent, is expected to play a decisive role not only in government formation but also in shaping leadership choices, particularly the Chief Ministerial pick, at a time when multiple Congress leaders are vying for the post.

- A. Sam Paul

Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya on Saturday (April 2) welcomed the Election Commission’s decision to conduct repolling in parts of West Bengal, asserting that the process is proceeding peacefully and expressing confidence in a decisive outcome against the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC).

Speaking to reporters in Lucknow, Mr. Maurya said, “The Election Commission is conducting a re-poll. We welcome it. We’re getting reports that voting is going on peacefully. On May 4th, Didi (WB CM Mamata Banerjee) will be gone. The more disturbed she looks and the more baseless accusations she’s trying to make, the more it proves that the TMC is going to face a crushing defeat.”

- ANI

The Supreme Court on Saturday said no further order was necessary on the TMC’s plea challenging the Calcutta High Court’s dismissal of its petition against an Election Commission circular on the deployment of Central Government personnel for vote counting in West Bengal.

A special bench of Justices P.S. Narasimha and Joymalya Bagchi said the Election Commission (EC) can choose counting personnel and its April 13 circular cannot be said to be incorrect.

The poll body said the circular is very clear that there will be a mix of central and State Government employees, and the apprehension of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) of any wrongdoing is misplaced.

- PTI

Supreme Court takes on record the Election Commission of India’s statement in court that counting officers are drawn from both Central Government and State Government services in the West Bengal Assembly elections 2026, as per the April 13 circular issued by the Additional Chief Electoral Officer, West Bengal. 

A Special Bench of Justices P.S. Narasimha and Joymalya Bagchi asks EC to follow the April 13 circular in letter and spirit. The vote counting is scheduled on May 4.

-The Hindu bureau

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her nephew and TMC’s national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee will hold a virtual meeting with all counting agents of the party on Saturday (May 2) afternoon, two days ahead of the counting of votes polled in the assembly elections, a senior party leader said.

The meeting, scheduled for 4 p.m., will be attended by the counting agents from the 291 Assembly constituencies, where the ruling party fielded its candidates.

The Anit Thapa-led Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (BGPM) contested the remaining three seats in the Darjeeling hills.

- PTI

As the re-polling on 15 booths is underway in West Bengal, the Magrahat Paschim Assembly constituency witnessed a healthy voter turnout of 16.68%, and Diamond Harbour recorded 15.83% until 9 am on Saturday (May 2).

People are joining long queues to cast their votes once again as the Election Commission ordered re-polling following irregularities on April 29.

The second phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections witnessed a record high voter turnout of 92.67% in 142 constituencies.

Repolling underway at booth no 243 in Diamond Harbour constituency under tight security. 

Repolling is underway at booth numbers 126 and 127 in Magrahat Paschim constituency.

- PTI

Repolling underway at booth no. 128 in Magrahat Paschim Assembly Constituency.

-PTI

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her nephew and TMC’s national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee will hold a virtual meeting with all counting agents of the party on Saturday afternoon, two days ahead of the counting of votes polled in the assembly elections, a senior party leader said. The meeting, scheduled for 4 p.m., will be attended by the counting agents from the 291 Assembly constituencies, where the ruling party fielded its candidates.

At the virtual meeting, the leaders are expected to brief the counting agents about their duties to ensure there are no lapses during the counting process on May 4. “The most important instruction to the agents would be to not leave the counting centres till the calculations are officially over and winning certificates handed over to the victors,” the senior TMC leader, not wishing to be named, said.

“All unusual activities inside counting centres, like the sudden power cut at the Nandigram counting centre in 2021, must be immediately reported to the party’s top brass,” he said.

- PTI

BJP candidate from Siliguri Assembly constituency Shankar Ghosh accused the Trinamool Congress of levelling false allegations against the Election Commission amid the plea challenging the deployment of only Central government and Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) employees as supervisors for vote counting in the West Bengal Assembly elections.

Speaking to ANI on Saturday (April 2), Shankar Ghosh attributed the TMC’s allegations against the ECI to the party’s ‘fear of election defeat’.

The BJP leader said, “I think the CM is trying to make some kind of narrative. The allegations from TMC show that they are scared of the election defeat. So, they are only trying to mislead the people. I think this kind of statement from the state’s ruling party is quite natural, as everybody knows that TMC is going to be removed from power by the people. I think this kind of false allegation will not be able to save their faces, and the Election Commission is doing its best to protect everything.”

- ANI

Leader of Opposition in West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, has welcomed repolls across 15 polling stations in the State, but stressed that he also hoped for the whole of the Falta Assembly segment to be called for repolls too.

“Whatever happened at Magrahat West is welcomed. The re-polling should have happened in more booths in Diamond Harbour and in the whole of the Falta segment; it should have happened in at least 60 booths,” Mr. Adhikari, who is also the BJP candidate from Bhabanipur and Nandigram, told reporters on Saturday (May 2).

-ANI

A day after West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee spent hours at an EVM strongroom in the Bhabanipur constituency alleging malpractices, West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Agarwal on Friday said there is no scope for wrongdoing at the counting centres.

“Such is the arrangement in place that there is no scope for any wrongdoing. There is CCTV surveillance round the clock and people can monitor the counting centres from outside,” Mr. Agarwal said.

Voting began on Saturday at 15 booths in two Assembly constituencies in West Bengal’s South 24 Parganas district, where the Election Commission ordered repolls a day ago, following reports of electoral malpractices, an official said.

The repolls were ordered in 11 polling stations of Magrahat Paschim Assembly constituency and four in Diamond Harbour.

Voting began at 7 a.m. and will continue till 6 p.m., the official said. Polling in these two Assembly constituencies was held in the second phase of the state elections on April 29.

- PTI

A Special Bench of the Supreme Court is scheduled on May 2 to urgently hear a petition filed by the Trinamool Congress (TMC) party against a Calcutta High Court decision of April 30 dismissing a challenge to an April 13 Election Commission order that at least one counting supervisor and assistant at each counting table would be a Central government or Central Public Sector Unit employee at the West Bengal Assembly elections.

Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Shashi Panja on Friday (May 1) alleged that the BJP had tried to “provoke” other parties on polling day to trigger large-scale repolling and “defame Bengal,” after the Election Commission ordered repolling in 15 booths in South 24 Parganas on Saturday (May 2).

Addressing the media after meeting the Additional Chief Electoral Officer, Panja said, “We are meeting with the Additional Chief Electoral Officer. Strong room CCTVs are not working properly in some places. So, we demand that the EC take proper care of this. Why is the process not fully transparent?”

- ANI

The Election Commission on Friday (May 1, 2026) ordered a repoll in 15 polling booths in two Assembly constituencies in the South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal. The repolling will be held on Saturday (May 2, 2026).

The order applies to 11 booths in Magrahat Paschim and four booths in Diamond Harbour, both Assembly constituencies which went to polls in the second phase of the State election on April 29. It will be held between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m., the ECI order said.