April 23, 2026

EVM NEW DELHI: Election Commission has instructed presiding officers of all polling stations in West Bengal to check electronic voting machines (EVMs) and ensure that all candidate buttons on them are clearly visible to the voter, with not a single button covered with tape, glue or any other material.“No colour, ink, perfume or any other chemical can be put on the candidate button of the ballot unit,” EC told presiding officers. While EVM buttons masked with tape, etc., prevent voters from making an informed choice, buttons laced with colour or perfume, when pressed, leave a trail on the voter’s finger, making it easy for party supporters and anti-social elements backed by the party to detect the candidate they may have voted for, thus violating the secrecy of the ballot.EC sources told TOI on Wednesday that in the event of such malpractices — commonly reported during the previous polls in West Bengal — coming to light, the commission shall treat them as tampering with or interfering with the EVM, which is an electoral offence.“The Election Commission will not hesitate in initiating criminal action in such cases, by ordering the registration of an FIR, and also order a repoll in the polling station concerned,” said an official.About the AuthorBharti JainBharti Jain is senior editor with The Times of India, New Delhi. She has been writing on security matters since 1996. Having covered the Union home ministry, security agencies, Election Commission and the ‘prime’ political beat, the Congress, for The Economic Times all these years, she moved to TOI in August 2012. Her repertoire of news stories delves into the whole gamut of issues related to terrorism and internal strife, besides probing strategic affairs in India’s neighbourhood.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosIndia Denies Crypto Scam Claims After Ship Fired Upon in Strait of Hormuz TensionsFormer J&K DGP SP Vaid on Pahalgam Attack, Terrain and Security Challenges In Jammu And KashmirIndia Marks Pahalgam Anniversary With a Strong Message To Terror Outfits & Pak | WatchEC Issues Notice To Kharge Over “Terrorist” Remark On PM Modi After BJP Complaint‘Democracy Cannot Be Jeopardised’: SC Slams Mamata Banerjee Over Alleged Interference In ED RaidIran Seizes Two Ships in Strait of Hormuz, India-Bound Vessel Sparks Global ConcernINS Dhruv: The ship behind India’s missile tracking and strategic strength‘Dot, Dot, Dot’: Rajnath Singh Warns Pakistan On Pahalgam Attack AnniversaryFrom US To Israel: Global Leaders Mark One Year Of Pahalgam Terror AttackPappu Yadav Defies NCW Notice, Doubles Down on Remarks Amid Massive Political Row123PhotostoriesWorld Book Day 2026: 10 quotes by famous people on the joy of reading10 cute baby girl pet names that begin with letter A5 of the most beautiful fish in the world that don’t look realCoachella 2026: 5 bizarre influencer outfits that ruined the festival fashionThe economy-class survival guide: How to be comfortable on a long-haul flightHow to deal with a child who answers back: 3 mindful parenting tips inspired by SadhguruAre you killing your Bougainvillea with kindness? Here are 4 things you really need to knowGenelia Deshmukh proves she believes in tradition in the sea of trends with her soft pink Nauvari saree momentANZAC Day 2026: What’s open and closed across AustraliaOTT Releases This Week (April 23–27): ‘If Wishes Could Kill’, ‘Marty Supreme’, ‘Band Melam’, ‘Apex’ lead the slate123Hot PicksBengal Election 2026Rahul gandhi rallyBengal election dos and don’tsTamil Nadu pollsSIR ProtestTN election dos and don’tsBank Holidays AprilTop TrendingWest Bengal electionTamil Nadu electionSupreme CourtMalegaon Blast CaseMeerut Blue Drum Murder CaseBareilly Suicide NewsTCS Nashik CaseDelhi Murder NewsMiddle East ConflictIPL Orange Cap

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EVM NEW DELHI: Election Commission has instructed presiding officers of all polling stations in West Bengal to check electronic voting machines (EVMs) and ensure that all candidate buttons on them are clearly visible to the voter, with not a single button covered with tape, glue or any other material.“No colour, ink, perfume or any other chemical can be put on the candidate button of the ballot unit,” EC told presiding officers. While EVM buttons masked with tape, etc., prevent voters from making an informed choice, buttons laced with colour or perfume, when pressed, leave a trail on the voter’s finger, making it easy for party supporters and anti-social elements backed by the party to detect the candidate they may have voted for, thus violating the secrecy of the ballot.EC sources told TOI on Wednesday that in the event of such malpractices — commonly reported during the previous polls in West Bengal — coming to light, the commission shall treat them as tampering with or interfering with the EVM, which is an electoral offence.“The Election Commission will not hesitate in initiating criminal action in such cases, by ordering the registration of an FIR, and also order a repoll in the polling station concerned,” said an official.About the AuthorBharti JainBharti Jain is senior editor with The Times of India, New Delhi. She has been writing on security matters since 1996. Having covered the Union home ministry, security agencies, Election Commission and the ‘prime’ political beat, the Congress, for The Economic Times all these years, she moved to TOI in August 2012. Her repertoire of news stories delves into the whole gamut of issues related to terrorism and internal strife, besides probing strategic affairs in India’s neighbourhood.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosIndia Denies Crypto Scam Claims After Ship Fired Upon in Strait of Hormuz TensionsFormer J&K DGP SP Vaid on Pahalgam Attack, Terrain and Security Challenges In Jammu And KashmirIndia Marks Pahalgam Anniversary With a Strong Message To Terror Outfits & Pak | WatchEC Issues Notice To Kharge Over “Terrorist” Remark On PM Modi After BJP Complaint‘Democracy Cannot Be Jeopardised’: SC Slams Mamata Banerjee Over Alleged Interference In ED RaidIran Seizes Two Ships in Strait of Hormuz, India-Bound Vessel Sparks Global ConcernINS Dhruv: The ship behind India’s missile tracking and strategic strength‘Dot, Dot, Dot’: Rajnath Singh Warns Pakistan On Pahalgam Attack AnniversaryFrom US To Israel: Global Leaders Mark One Year Of Pahalgam Terror AttackPappu Yadav Defies NCW Notice, Doubles Down on Remarks Amid Massive Political Row123PhotostoriesWorld Book Day 2026: 10 quotes by famous people on the joy of reading10 cute baby girl pet names that begin with letter A5 of the most beautiful fish in the world that don’t look realCoachella 2026: 5 bizarre influencer outfits that ruined the festival fashionThe economy-class survival guide: How to be comfortable on a long-haul flightHow to deal with a child who answers back: 3 mindful parenting tips inspired by SadhguruAre you killing your Bougainvillea with kindness? Here are 4 things you really need to knowGenelia Deshmukh proves she believes in tradition in the sea of trends with her soft pink Nauvari saree momentANZAC Day 2026: What’s open and closed across AustraliaOTT Releases This Week (April 23–27): ‘If Wishes Could Kill’, ‘Marty Supreme’, ‘Band Melam’, ‘Apex’ lead the slate123Hot PicksBengal Election 2026Rahul gandhi rallyBengal election dos and don’tsTamil Nadu pollsSIR ProtestTN election dos and don’tsBank Holidays AprilTop TrendingWest Bengal electionTamil Nadu electionSupreme CourtMalegaon Blast CaseMeerut Blue Drum Murder CaseBareilly Suicide NewsTCS Nashik CaseDelhi Murder NewsMiddle East ConflictIPL Orange Cap


EC urges to ensure no tape, colour, glue on EVMs

NEW DELHI: Election Commission has instructed presiding officers of all polling stations in West Bengal to check electronic voting machines (EVMs) and ensure that all candidate buttons on them are clearly visible to the voter, with not a single button covered with tape, glue or any other material.“No colour, ink, perfume or any other chemical can be put on the candidate button of the ballot unit,” EC told presiding officers. While EVM buttons masked with tape, etc., prevent voters from making an informed choice, buttons laced with colour or perfume, when pressed, leave a trail on the voter’s finger, making it easy for party supporters and anti-social elements backed by the party to detect the candidate they may have voted for, thus violating the secrecy of the ballot.EC sources told TOI on Wednesday that in the event of such malpractices — commonly reported during the previous polls in West Bengal — coming to light, the commission shall treat them as tampering with or interfering with the EVM, which is an electoral offence.“The Election Commission will not hesitate in initiating criminal action in such cases, by ordering the registration of an FIR, and also order a repoll in the polling station concerned,” said an official.



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. NEW DELHI: NIA on Wednesday pressed for enhancement of jailed Kashmiri separatist Yasin Malik’s life sentence to a death penalty in a terrorist funding case, contending before Delhi HC that naming senior politicians and bureaucrats did not absolve him or dilute his links with terrorists such as Lashkar-e-Taiba cofounder Hafiz Saeed and Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin, both based in Pakistan.In a rejoinder to Malik’s affidavit, NIA said the 60-year-old chief of J&K Liberation Front was “well connected with multiple terrorist organisations” and invoked names of politicians, media personnel, foreign delegates and bureaucrats to gain popularity and sympathy.NIA said the case rested on evidence, not hearsay or “emotional narration”, and cited material to claim Malik was in contact with Pakistani brass, including PM, president, senators and provincial CMs, to propagate anti-India narratives and further secessionist agenda in J&K. The agency argued that Malik could not “revisit” issues after his conviction, saying there had been ample opportunity to raise objections during trial.A bench of Justices Navin Chawla and Ravinder Dudeja took the rejoinder on record and listed the appeal for July 21. The court said a copy would be supplied to Malik, who appeared virtually from Tihar jail.Malik earlier claimed he spent nearly three decades in a state-backed “backchannel”, working with successive PMs, intelligence chiefs and business figures to promote peace in J&K. His 85-page affidavit details his journey from school to militant links and alleged meetings with politicians.“The convict himself has admitted he was commander-in-chief of JKLF,” NIA said. It cited Malik’s own admissions of connections with Salahuddin and other terrorists.A Delhi trial court had awarded Malik life imprisonment on May 24, 2022, after convicting him under UAPA and IPC provisions.About the AuthorAbhinav GargAs legal editor for Delhi, Abhinav Garg handles coverage of courts and connected legal challenges shaping the capital. From breaking down complex law related jargon to simplifying how a particular verdict or development in courts may impact the readers, Abhinav brings with him over two decades of experience in the field.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosMassive Poll Day: West Bengal Begins Voting, Tamil Nadu Sees Triangular Showdown“Trail Of Terror Revealed”: India EXPOSES Pak Over Terror Links At Washington EventArmy Chief’s Hawaii Visit Highlights Deepening India-US Military Strategy In Indo-PacificIndia Denies Crypto Scam Claims After Ship Fired Upon in Strait of Hormuz TensionsFormer J&K DGP SP Vaid on Pahalgam Attack, Terrain and Security Challenges In Jammu And KashmirIndia Marks Pahalgam Anniversary With a Strong Message To Terror Outfits & Pak | WatchEC Issues Notice To Kharge Over “Terrorist” Remark On PM Modi After BJP Complaint‘Democracy Cannot Be Jeopardised’: SC Slams Mamata Banerjee Over Alleged Interference In ED RaidIran Seizes Two Ships in Strait of Hormuz, India-Bound Vessel Sparks Global ConcernINS Dhruv: The ship behind India’s missile tracking and strategic strength123PhotostoriesHow to get rid of cockroaches naturally: 10 Proven home remedies that work fastDelhi IRS officer’s daughter’s rape-murder: How accused exploited knowledge of family routine to strikeStomach pain or acidity? Signs your “GERD” could be something more serious, and what to do nextWorld Book Day 2026: 10 quotes by famous people on the joy of reading10 cute baby girl pet names that begin with letter A5 of the most beautiful fish in the world that don’t look realCoachella 2026: 5 bizarre influencer outfits that ruined the festival fashionHow to make South Indian Curd Rice for lunch at homeThe economy-class survival guide: How to be comfortable on a long-haul flightHow to deal with a child who answers back: 3 mindful parenting tips inspired by Sadhguru123Hot PicksBengal Election 2026Rahul gandhi rallyBengal election dos and don’tsTamil Nadu pollsSIR ProtestTN election dos and don’tsBank Holidays AprilTop TrendingWest Bengal electionTamil Nadu electionSupreme CourtMalegaon Blast CaseMeerut Blue Drum Murder CaseBareilly Suicide NewsTCS Nashik CaseDelhi Murder NewsMiddle East ConflictIPL Orange Cap

. NEW DELHI: NIA on Wednesday pressed for enhancement of jailed Kashmiri separatist Yasin Malik’s life sentence to a death penalty in a terrorist funding case, contending before Delhi HC that naming senior politicians and bureaucrats did not absolve him or dilute his links with terrorists such as Lashkar-e-Taiba cofounder Hafiz Saeed and Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin, both based in Pakistan.In a rejoinder to Malik’s affidavit, NIA said the 60-year-old chief of J&K Liberation Front was “well connected with multiple terrorist organisations” and invoked names of politicians, media personnel, foreign delegates and bureaucrats to gain popularity and sympathy.NIA said the case rested on evidence, not hearsay or “emotional narration”, and cited material to claim Malik was in contact with Pakistani brass, including PM, president, senators and provincial CMs, to propagate anti-India narratives and further secessionist agenda in J&K. The agency argued that Malik could not “revisit” issues after his conviction, saying there had been ample opportunity to raise objections during trial.A bench of Justices Navin Chawla and Ravinder Dudeja took the rejoinder on record and listed the appeal for July 21. The court said a copy would be supplied to Malik, who appeared virtually from Tihar jail.Malik earlier claimed he spent nearly three decades in a state-backed “backchannel”, working with successive PMs, intelligence chiefs and business figures to promote peace in J&K. His 85-page affidavit details his journey from school to militant links and alleged meetings with politicians.“The convict himself has admitted he was commander-in-chief of JKLF,” NIA said. It cited Malik’s own admissions of connections with Salahuddin and other terrorists.A Delhi trial court had awarded Malik life imprisonment on May 24, 2022, after convicting him under UAPA and IPC provisions.About the AuthorAbhinav GargAs legal editor for Delhi, Abhinav Garg handles coverage of courts and connected legal challenges shaping the capital. From breaking down complex law related jargon to simplifying how a particular verdict or development in courts may impact the readers, Abhinav brings with him over two decades of experience in the field.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosMassive Poll Day: West Bengal Begins Voting, Tamil Nadu Sees Triangular Showdown“Trail Of Terror Revealed”: India EXPOSES Pak Over Terror Links At Washington EventArmy Chief’s Hawaii Visit Highlights Deepening India-US Military Strategy In Indo-PacificIndia Denies Crypto Scam Claims After Ship Fired Upon in Strait of Hormuz TensionsFormer J&K DGP SP Vaid on Pahalgam Attack, Terrain and Security Challenges In Jammu And KashmirIndia Marks Pahalgam Anniversary With a Strong Message To Terror Outfits & Pak | WatchEC Issues Notice To Kharge Over “Terrorist” Remark On PM Modi After BJP Complaint‘Democracy Cannot Be Jeopardised’: SC Slams Mamata Banerjee Over Alleged Interference In ED RaidIran Seizes Two Ships in Strait of Hormuz, India-Bound Vessel Sparks Global ConcernINS Dhruv: The ship behind India’s missile tracking and strategic strength123PhotostoriesHow to get rid of cockroaches naturally: 10 Proven home remedies that work fastDelhi IRS officer’s daughter’s rape-murder: How accused exploited knowledge of family routine to strikeStomach pain or acidity? Signs your “GERD” could be something more serious, and what to do nextWorld Book Day 2026: 10 quotes by famous people on the joy of reading10 cute baby girl pet names that begin with letter A5 of the most beautiful fish in the world that don’t look realCoachella 2026: 5 bizarre influencer outfits that ruined the festival fashionHow to make South Indian Curd Rice for lunch at homeThe economy-class survival guide: How to be comfortable on a long-haul flightHow to deal with a child who answers back: 3 mindful parenting tips inspired by Sadhguru123Hot PicksBengal Election 2026Rahul gandhi rallyBengal election dos and don’tsTamil Nadu pollsSIR ProtestTN election dos and don’tsBank Holidays AprilTop TrendingWest Bengal electionTamil Nadu electionSupreme CourtMalegaon Blast CaseMeerut Blue Drum Murder CaseBareilly Suicide NewsTCS Nashik CaseDelhi Murder NewsMiddle East ConflictIPL Orange Cap

Vamsikrishna 0
Increasing screen time and social media use significantly raise the risk of eating disorders among teens. Parents often blame junk food, sugary snacks, or poor eating habits when children develop unhealthy relationships with food. But new research suggests another powerful influence is hiding in plain sight: Social media.A study by Turkish researchers Gamze Yurtdas Depboylu, Gulsah Kaner, and Semiha Ozcakal found that heavy social media use among teenagers is strongly linked to unhealthy eating attitudes, poor body image, and orthorexia nervosa, an unhealthy obsession with eating “perfectly” or “clean”. The study surveyed more than 1,200 high school students and found that the more addicted teens were to social media, the more likely they were to struggle with body dissatisfaction and disordered eating patterns.Girls were especially affected. They reported higher levels of social media addiction than boys and were also more dissatisfied with their bodies. 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They also scored higher on emotional instability and social withdrawal.The warning is clear: Social media is shaping self-image far earlier than many adults realise. Even before adolescence, children may be absorbing harmful messages about beauty, weight, and worth.Experts say the answer is not simply banning screens, especially when digital platforms are now part of everyday life. Instead, children need guidance. 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Increasing screen time and social media use significantly raise the risk of eating disorders among teens. Parents often blame junk food, sugary snacks, or poor eating habits when children develop unhealthy relationships with food. But new research suggests another powerful influence is hiding in plain sight: Social media.A study by Turkish researchers Gamze Yurtdas Depboylu, Gulsah Kaner, and Semiha Ozcakal found that heavy social media use among teenagers is strongly linked to unhealthy eating attitudes, poor body image, and orthorexia nervosa, an unhealthy obsession with eating “perfectly” or “clean”. The study surveyed more than 1,200 high school students and found that the more addicted teens were to social media, the more likely they were to struggle with body dissatisfaction and disordered eating patterns.Girls were especially affected. They reported higher levels of social media addiction than boys and were also more dissatisfied with their bodies. Researchers say constant exposure to idealised images of beauty, fitness, and thinness encourages comparison. That comparison can slowly turn into shame, restriction, and obsessive food rules.One of the study’s most striking findings involved nutrition content. Teenagers who regularly followed food and diet posts from influencers, celebrities, or online “wellness experts” were six times more likely to show signs of eating problems. Many were also more likely to develop orthorexic tendencies, cutting out foods they believed were unhealthy in pursuit of an unrealistic ideal.A second study from Italy adds to the concern. Researchers Silvia Cimino, Carlos A Almenara, and Luca Cerniglia examined 232 girls aged 9 to 10 and found that those showing signs of Instagram addiction were more likely to feel unhappy with their bodies and more driven to become thinner. They also scored higher on emotional instability and social withdrawal.The warning is clear: Social media is shaping self-image far earlier than many adults realise. Even before adolescence, children may be absorbing harmful messages about beauty, weight, and worth.Experts say the answer is not simply banning screens, especially when digital platforms are now part of everyday life. Instead, children need guidance. 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I have been at The Economic Times for more than a decade and in June 2021 I joined ET Prime. I have written features across topics including technology, digital disruption, social media, telecom, startups, e-commerce, strategy, management and private equity. I have also moderated various panel discussions on business and technology matters. I was the first winner from India of the Citi Journalistic Excellence Award, Columbia University, 2015. I have also won the Shriram Award for Journalism in 2019, the Polestar award for business & tech journalism and the British Chevening Scholarship in 2002. Twitter: @shelley_singh1 | E-mail: shelley.singh1@timesinternet.inRead MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos“Trail Of Terror Revealed”: India EXPOSES Pak Over Terror Links At Washington EventArmy Chief’s Hawaii Visit Highlights Deepening India-US Military Strategy In Indo-PacificIndia Denies Crypto Scam Claims After Ship Fired Upon in Strait of Hormuz TensionsFormer J&K DGP SP Vaid on Pahalgam Attack, Terrain and Security Challenges In Jammu And KashmirIndia Marks Pahalgam Anniversary With a Strong Message To Terror Outfits & Pak | WatchEC Issues Notice To Kharge Over “Terrorist” Remark On PM Modi After BJP Complaint‘Democracy Cannot Be Jeopardised’: SC Slams Mamata Banerjee Over Alleged Interference In ED RaidIran Seizes Two Ships in Strait of Hormuz, India-Bound Vessel Sparks Global ConcernINS Dhruv: The ship behind India’s missile tracking and strategic strength‘Dot, Dot, Dot’: Rajnath Singh Warns Pakistan On Pahalgam Attack Anniversary123PhotostoriesDelhi IRS officer’s daughter’s rape-murder: How accused exploited knowledge of family routine to strikeStomach pain or acidity? 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Vamsikrishna 0
. After five weeks of intense campaigning by four contending sides in Tamil Nadu, one question remains: will the disruptor help the incumbent, the opposition or himself? Conventional analyses still give the M K Stalin-led Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA) an edge over Edappadi K Palaniswami’s National Democratic Alliance (NDA), but the vote share of Vijay’s TVK could tilt the balance.The campaign began as a contest over governance and welfare, and gradually sharpened into a larger political argument about identity, federalism and the state’s place in the Union. Thanks to Stalin’s efforts at making it a Centrevs-state battle, the campaign maintained a nationalised tone punctuated by Tamil Nadu’s distinct political idioms.DMK began the campaign with the advantage of a strong alliance, a governance track record and visible welfare delivery. Chief minister and DMK president Stalin, who launched his campaign symbolically from his father M Karunanidhi’s native Tiruvarur, foregrounded schemes for women and youth. As the days passed, his messaging shifted to a sustained attack on the BJP-led Union govt. Increasingly, Stalin reminded voters of the “injustice” the Centre had done to the state, and warned voters what it might do if its ally, ADMK, returned to power.Gradually, the monthly cash transfers and free bus rides for women and the free breakfast scheme for school students receded behind a sharper political pitch. At the peak of the campaign, Stalin donned a black shirt and dramatically set fire to a copy of the delimitation bill, framing the election as a defence of Tamil Nadu’s rights against Delhi. Yet, in his quieter, direct outreach — his morning walks and surprise visits to beneficiaries — he returned to the language of welfare and delivery.At the close of campaigning, Stalin attempted to strike that balance. “My first signature after getting re-elected would be on the order to distribute Rs 8,000 coupons to women,” he said.Deputy chief minister Udhayanidhi Stalin crisscrossed the state with van-top speeches. While Stalin spoke in chaste Tamil, Udhayanidhi opted for a more conversational, witty style, often targeting EPS. Congress netas Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, apast from AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal and RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav, campaigned for the alliance, but Rahul and Stalin not sharing a dais triggered rumours of a disconnect.NDA brought in its own national firepower, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah holding roadshows and rallies. While Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu campaigned briefly, the alliance’s most consistent campaigner was EPS.Positioning himself as a selfmade leader, EPS kept his messaging simple and direct, focusing on women’s safety, drugs and alleged governance failures of DMK. Beginning his post-model code campaign in Mylapore for BJP candidate Tamilisai Soundararajan, he travelled extensively, primarily attacking Stalin and Udhayanidhi. Repeatedly called by DMK a “BJP slave”, and after Udhayanidhi taunted him with an old image of his falling at V K Sasikala’s feet, EPS made personal attacks at the Karunanidhi family.The alliance arithmetic — bringing together BJP, PMK and AMMK — added heft to NDA. The exclusion of former BJP state chief K Annamalai from the candidate list led to reports of discontent, but he eventually joined the campaign. State BJP president Nainar Nagendran found his voice drowned in the high-decibel presence of national netas, while PMK’s Anbumani Ramadoss focused on consolidating vanniyar support in northern and western districts for NDA.And the wildcard Vijay continued to wreak havoc. Campaigning less but drawing large crowds, he attempted to frame the contest as one between DMK and TVK, targeting Stalin while avoiding direct attacks on EPS and BJP. Contesting in Perambur and Trichy East, and fielding candidates in 233 seats, his presence loomed larger than his limited campaign hours suggested.A TOI analysis of the final week of the campaign showed Stalin spoke for 356 minutes, EPS for 800 minutes, and Vijay just 35. Yet, Vijay’s appearances carried high recall value — an indication that visibility and impact are no longer directly proportional in the age of spectacle politics.Both Stalin and EPS chose largely to ignore Vijay. The nearest Stalin got to target him was when he urged voters in Perambur to choose between an “inaccessible newcomer who enacts a drama” and “a leader who would be accessible and responsive”. Naam Tamilar Katchi’s Seeman made up for the DMK and ADMK by targeting Vijay while waxing eloquent on Tamil identity and self-respect politics.All the contenders took to social media with a vengeance, churning out promos, influencer videos and memes. Despite its strong arguments against the perceived rise in crime and corruption, the ADMKled alliance couldn’t turn the antiincumbent sentiment into a wave. If TVK chips away from the antigovt votes — and fails to win big on its own — and if the average voter chooses continuity and welfare, DMK could be on a strong wicket.Hot seatsEdappadiThis seat in Salem district has long been the home turf of ADMK general secretary EPS. He has won five of the eight poll battles that he has fought here, including three in a row since 2011. Backed by his community, the gounders, Palaniswami would be feeling confident about his chances here despite the challenge from DMK and colleagues-turned-foes such as O Panneerselvam and V K Sasikala.Past Winners : 2011, 2016, 2021 (ADMK)LalgudiLeema Rose Martin, wife of lottery baron Santiago Martin and the richest candidate in these polls — she’s declared assets worth more than Rs 1,000 crore — is in the fray here. She joined ADMK only in Feb, but has the ADMK rank and file working overtime to ensure her victory. DMK, which has won this seat eight times since 1971, has fielded a low-profile candidate to replace sitting MLA Soundarapandian.Past Winners: 2011, 2016, 2021 (DMK)KolathurKolathur in Chennai has been represented by CM MK Stalin since it was formed in 2011. In 2021, he defeated his ADMK rival by a margin of more than 70,000 votes. DMK would be banking on Stalin’s accessibility, governance record, and the party’s organisational strength to maintain its winning run here. The opposition has highlighted local issues and governance shortcomings.Past Winners: 2011, 2016, 2021 (DMK )Madurai CentralIT minister Palanivel Thiagarajan is seeking a hat-trick of wins here. But he faces a fight, as ADMK’s backing ally Puthiya Neethi Katchi (PNK)’s Sundar C. The actor-director’s wife, Khushbu, herself an actor, has added a touch of glamour to his campaign. TVK’s VMS Mustafa and NTK’s K Abdul Hakkim could split the minority votes, which might hurt DMK.Past Winners: 2011 (DMDK); 2016, 2021 (DMK)PeramburThis seat in north Chennai is where actor Joseph Vijay is making his poll debut. With a large working-class population, it was a Left bastion before turning into a DMK stronghold in recent years. Incumbent Sekar won by a margin of more than 54,000 votes in 2021. Vijay chose the seat because 40,000 voters signed up on the TVP app and he hopes to win over Dalits and minorities.Past Winners: 2011 (CPM); 2016 (ADMK); 2021 (DMK)Chepauk– TriplicaneThis Chennai seat has been with DMK since 2011. Deputy CM and CM MK Stalin’s son, Udhayanidhi Stalin, won here by more than 69,000 votes in his first election in 2021. It has a sizeable number of Muslim voters who can shape the outcome. DMK’s focused on its welfare measures while the opposition spoke of local grievances such as parking issues, narrow roads, etc.Past Winners: 2011, 2016, 2021 (DMK)End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos“Trail Of Terror Revealed”: India EXPOSES Pak Over Terror Links At Washington EventArmy Chief’s Hawaii Visit Highlights Deepening India-US Military Strategy In Indo-PacificIndia Denies Crypto Scam Claims After Ship Fired Upon in Strait of Hormuz TensionsFormer J&K DGP SP Vaid on Pahalgam Attack, Terrain and Security Challenges In Jammu And KashmirIndia Marks Pahalgam Anniversary With a Strong Message To Terror Outfits & Pak | WatchEC Issues Notice To Kharge Over “Terrorist” Remark On PM Modi After BJP Complaint‘Democracy Cannot Be Jeopardised’: SC Slams Mamata Banerjee Over Alleged Interference In ED RaidIran Seizes Two Ships in Strait of Hormuz, India-Bound Vessel Sparks Global ConcernINS Dhruv: The ship behind India’s missile tracking and strategic strength‘Dot, Dot, Dot’: Rajnath Singh Warns Pakistan On Pahalgam Attack Anniversary123PhotostoriesDelhi IRS officer’s daughter’s rape-murder: How accused exploited knowledge of family routine to strikeStomach pain or acidity? Signs your “GERD” could be something more serious, and what to do nextWorld Book Day 2026: 10 quotes by famous people on the joy of reading10 cute baby girl pet names that begin with letter A5 of the most beautiful fish in the world that don’t look realCoachella 2026: 5 bizarre influencer outfits that ruined the festival fashionHow to make South Indian Curd Rice for lunch at homeThe economy-class survival guide: How to be comfortable on a long-haul flightHow to deal with a child who answers back: 3 mindful parenting tips inspired by SadhguruAre you killing your Bougainvillea with kindness? Here are 4 things you really need to know123Hot PicksBengal Election 2026Rahul gandhi rallyBengal election dos and don’tsTamil Nadu pollsSIR ProtestTN election dos and don’tsBank Holidays AprilTop TrendingWest Bengal electionTamil Nadu electionSupreme CourtMalegaon Blast CaseMeerut Blue Drum Murder CaseBareilly Suicide NewsTCS Nashik CaseDelhi Murder NewsMiddle East ConflictIPL Orange Cap

. After five weeks of intense campaigning by four contending sides in Tamil Nadu, one question remains: will the disruptor help the incumbent, the opposition or himself? Conventional analyses still give the M K Stalin-led Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA) an edge over Edappadi K Palaniswami’s National Democratic Alliance (NDA), but the vote share of Vijay’s TVK could tilt the balance.The campaign began as a contest over governance and welfare, and gradually sharpened into a larger political argument about identity, federalism and the state’s place in the Union. Thanks to Stalin’s efforts at making it a Centrevs-state battle, the campaign maintained a nationalised tone punctuated by Tamil Nadu’s distinct political idioms.DMK began the campaign with the advantage of a strong alliance, a governance track record and visible welfare delivery. Chief minister and DMK president Stalin, who launched his campaign symbolically from his father M Karunanidhi’s native Tiruvarur, foregrounded schemes for women and youth. As the days passed, his messaging shifted to a sustained attack on the BJP-led Union govt. Increasingly, Stalin reminded voters of the “injustice” the Centre had done to the state, and warned voters what it might do if its ally, ADMK, returned to power.Gradually, the monthly cash transfers and free bus rides for women and the free breakfast scheme for school students receded behind a sharper political pitch. At the peak of the campaign, Stalin donned a black shirt and dramatically set fire to a copy of the delimitation bill, framing the election as a defence of Tamil Nadu’s rights against Delhi. Yet, in his quieter, direct outreach — his morning walks and surprise visits to beneficiaries — he returned to the language of welfare and delivery.At the close of campaigning, Stalin attempted to strike that balance. “My first signature after getting re-elected would be on the order to distribute Rs 8,000 coupons to women,” he said.Deputy chief minister Udhayanidhi Stalin crisscrossed the state with van-top speeches. While Stalin spoke in chaste Tamil, Udhayanidhi opted for a more conversational, witty style, often targeting EPS. Congress netas Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, apast from AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal and RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav, campaigned for the alliance, but Rahul and Stalin not sharing a dais triggered rumours of a disconnect.NDA brought in its own national firepower, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah holding roadshows and rallies. While Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu campaigned briefly, the alliance’s most consistent campaigner was EPS.Positioning himself as a selfmade leader, EPS kept his messaging simple and direct, focusing on women’s safety, drugs and alleged governance failures of DMK. Beginning his post-model code campaign in Mylapore for BJP candidate Tamilisai Soundararajan, he travelled extensively, primarily attacking Stalin and Udhayanidhi. Repeatedly called by DMK a “BJP slave”, and after Udhayanidhi taunted him with an old image of his falling at V K Sasikala’s feet, EPS made personal attacks at the Karunanidhi family.The alliance arithmetic — bringing together BJP, PMK and AMMK — added heft to NDA. The exclusion of former BJP state chief K Annamalai from the candidate list led to reports of discontent, but he eventually joined the campaign. State BJP president Nainar Nagendran found his voice drowned in the high-decibel presence of national netas, while PMK’s Anbumani Ramadoss focused on consolidating vanniyar support in northern and western districts for NDA.And the wildcard Vijay continued to wreak havoc. Campaigning less but drawing large crowds, he attempted to frame the contest as one between DMK and TVK, targeting Stalin while avoiding direct attacks on EPS and BJP. Contesting in Perambur and Trichy East, and fielding candidates in 233 seats, his presence loomed larger than his limited campaign hours suggested.A TOI analysis of the final week of the campaign showed Stalin spoke for 356 minutes, EPS for 800 minutes, and Vijay just 35. Yet, Vijay’s appearances carried high recall value — an indication that visibility and impact are no longer directly proportional in the age of spectacle politics.Both Stalin and EPS chose largely to ignore Vijay. The nearest Stalin got to target him was when he urged voters in Perambur to choose between an “inaccessible newcomer who enacts a drama” and “a leader who would be accessible and responsive”. Naam Tamilar Katchi’s Seeman made up for the DMK and ADMK by targeting Vijay while waxing eloquent on Tamil identity and self-respect politics.All the contenders took to social media with a vengeance, churning out promos, influencer videos and memes. Despite its strong arguments against the perceived rise in crime and corruption, the ADMKled alliance couldn’t turn the antiincumbent sentiment into a wave. If TVK chips away from the antigovt votes — and fails to win big on its own — and if the average voter chooses continuity and welfare, DMK could be on a strong wicket.Hot seatsEdappadiThis seat in Salem district has long been the home turf of ADMK general secretary EPS. He has won five of the eight poll battles that he has fought here, including three in a row since 2011. Backed by his community, the gounders, Palaniswami would be feeling confident about his chances here despite the challenge from DMK and colleagues-turned-foes such as O Panneerselvam and V K Sasikala.Past Winners : 2011, 2016, 2021 (ADMK)LalgudiLeema Rose Martin, wife of lottery baron Santiago Martin and the richest candidate in these polls — she’s declared assets worth more than Rs 1,000 crore — is in the fray here. She joined ADMK only in Feb, but has the ADMK rank and file working overtime to ensure her victory. DMK, which has won this seat eight times since 1971, has fielded a low-profile candidate to replace sitting MLA Soundarapandian.Past Winners: 2011, 2016, 2021 (DMK)KolathurKolathur in Chennai has been represented by CM MK Stalin since it was formed in 2011. In 2021, he defeated his ADMK rival by a margin of more than 70,000 votes. DMK would be banking on Stalin’s accessibility, governance record, and the party’s organisational strength to maintain its winning run here. The opposition has highlighted local issues and governance shortcomings.Past Winners: 2011, 2016, 2021 (DMK )Madurai CentralIT minister Palanivel Thiagarajan is seeking a hat-trick of wins here. But he faces a fight, as ADMK’s backing ally Puthiya Neethi Katchi (PNK)’s Sundar C. The actor-director’s wife, Khushbu, herself an actor, has added a touch of glamour to his campaign. TVK’s VMS Mustafa and NTK’s K Abdul Hakkim could split the minority votes, which might hurt DMK.Past Winners: 2011 (DMDK); 2016, 2021 (DMK)PeramburThis seat in north Chennai is where actor Joseph Vijay is making his poll debut. With a large working-class population, it was a Left bastion before turning into a DMK stronghold in recent years. Incumbent Sekar won by a margin of more than 54,000 votes in 2021. Vijay chose the seat because 40,000 voters signed up on the TVP app and he hopes to win over Dalits and minorities.Past Winners: 2011 (CPM); 2016 (ADMK); 2021 (DMK)Chepauk– TriplicaneThis Chennai seat has been with DMK since 2011. Deputy CM and CM MK Stalin’s son, Udhayanidhi Stalin, won here by more than 69,000 votes in his first election in 2021. It has a sizeable number of Muslim voters who can shape the outcome. DMK’s focused on its welfare measures while the opposition spoke of local grievances such as parking issues, narrow roads, etc.Past Winners: 2011, 2016, 2021 (DMK)End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos“Trail Of Terror Revealed”: India EXPOSES Pak Over Terror Links At Washington EventArmy Chief’s Hawaii Visit Highlights Deepening India-US Military Strategy In Indo-PacificIndia Denies Crypto Scam Claims After Ship Fired Upon in Strait of Hormuz TensionsFormer J&K DGP SP Vaid on Pahalgam Attack, Terrain and Security Challenges In Jammu And KashmirIndia Marks Pahalgam Anniversary With a Strong Message To Terror Outfits & Pak | WatchEC Issues Notice To Kharge Over “Terrorist” Remark On PM Modi After BJP Complaint‘Democracy Cannot Be Jeopardised’: SC Slams Mamata Banerjee Over Alleged Interference In ED RaidIran Seizes Two Ships in Strait of Hormuz, India-Bound Vessel Sparks Global ConcernINS Dhruv: The ship behind India’s missile tracking and strategic strength‘Dot, Dot, Dot’: Rajnath Singh Warns Pakistan On Pahalgam Attack Anniversary123PhotostoriesDelhi IRS officer’s daughter’s rape-murder: How accused exploited knowledge of family routine to strikeStomach pain or acidity? Signs your “GERD” could be something more serious, and what to do nextWorld Book Day 2026: 10 quotes by famous people on the joy of reading10 cute baby girl pet names that begin with letter A5 of the most beautiful fish in the world that don’t look realCoachella 2026: 5 bizarre influencer outfits that ruined the festival fashionHow to make South Indian Curd Rice for lunch at homeThe economy-class survival guide: How to be comfortable on a long-haul flightHow to deal with a child who answers back: 3 mindful parenting tips inspired by SadhguruAre you killing your Bougainvillea with kindness? Here are 4 things you really need to know123Hot PicksBengal Election 2026Rahul gandhi rallyBengal election dos and don’tsTamil Nadu pollsSIR ProtestTN election dos and don’tsBank Holidays AprilTop TrendingWest Bengal electionTamil Nadu electionSupreme CourtMalegaon Blast CaseMeerut Blue Drum Murder CaseBareilly Suicide NewsTCS Nashik CaseDelhi Murder NewsMiddle East ConflictIPL Orange Cap

Vamsikrishna 0
. When the first vote is cast at 7 am today to decide who will be governing Bengal for the next five years, there will be an elephant in the polling booth: SIR, or the Special Intensive Revision of the voters’ roll.More than 3.6 crore voters across 152 constituencies will be exercising their franchise in the first phase of the 2026 state assembly poll; the rest of the 6.82 crore voters in the other 142 constituencies will follow them next Wednesday. But this election — more so in the seats going to vote today — will be as much about the disenfranchisement of 27 lakh voters who will not be able to vote despite having proof of voting rights.The Election Commission has found that these 27 lakh voters have some “logical discrepancy” or the other. This can mean anything, from misspelt names to surname mismatches (with parents) to monks serving in missions whose legal guardians are the heads of those missions. The 16 districts going to vote today have a voting strength that is 9.4% less than what it used to be before the SIR exercise (a significant portion, probably about half, are dead or “absent” or “shifted” voters).Nowhere is SIR’s shadow longer than in Murshidabad, which has lost 7.4 lakh voters, and Malda, which has lost 4.5 lakh. It is Murshidabad that encapsulates everything that has gone wrong with SIR, originally meant to weed out nonvoters, but which has disenfranchised people voting for years.More than 4.5 lakh of the 7.4 lakh total deletions in this district happened during the “judicial adjudication” phase (to determine “logical discrepancy”). The most drastic impact is in the Shamsherganj constituency, often described as ground zero of the crisis. Exactly 74,775 voters — representing a staggering 32% of the electorate — have been disenfranchised, sparking a legal and political battle that may rage even after the new assembly is formed.All this has taken some sheen off the electoral battles in bellwether constituencies and those involving political heavyweights. But the first phase does have these, too, in good measure: the political future of at least three such heavyweights — BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari and Dilip Ghosh and Congress’s Adhir Chowdhury — hinges on how voters vote today (though Adhikari has a second chance in the second phase, as he is contesting from Bhowanipore as well against CM Mamata Banerjee).Adhikari, who has spent the last few years shrugging off “defector” barbs, now faces a defector himself in his home seat, Nandigram. His challenger is Pabitra Kar, a former Adhikari acolyte with strong ties with Hindu organisations, who is credited with securing a 3,500-vote lead for Adhikari in the critical Boyal area in the 2021 election. CM Banerjee stationed herself there for several hours and alleged large-scale manipulation, photographs of which went viral (and still the subject of a court battle). Adhikari scraped through with a 1,956-vote margin. Kar, this time, may give his former mentor some sleepless nights till May 4, when votes will be counted.Over 280km away, Congress veteran Chowdhury is fighting his own battle for political survival in Behrampore. Chowdhury is a five-time MP but is now eyeing a path to political rehabilitation through the Bengal assembly after losing the last Lok Sabha poll. BJP won this seat in 2021, and the fight this time is likely to be intensely triangular, with Trinamool forming the third side (along with BJP and Congress).BJP veteran Ghosh faces a similar situation in his own home seat, Kharagpur Sadar, where he is returning after 10 years. It was his victory over former Congress cabinet minister Gyan Singh Sohanpal in 2016 that marked his ascendancy with the BJP’s state unit, but he was forced by his own party to forsake the region he knew so well in the 2024 Lok Sabha poll. Ghosh will be hoping that Kharagpur backs him a second time.Another political dynasty that is looking for succour is former Congress Union minister ABA Ghani Khan Choudhury’s family. The district is seeing Khan Choudhury’s niece, Mausam Benazir Noor, fighting to reclaim the family’s political legacy after switching back to Congress after a stint with Trinamool and a term in the Rajya Sabha. But this district, too, is likely to see a tripolar fight — and arithmetic can be slippery in such contests.Many of the 16 districts that go to the polls today — from Darjeeling in the Hills to East Midnapore on the Bay of Bengal’s shores — have been BJP strongholds, and the party would be betting on SIR deletions to keep it that way. Nine of these 16 districts — Cooch Behar, Alipurduar, Jalpaiguri, Darjeeling, Kalimpong, North Dinajpur, South Dinajpur, Malda and Bankura — gave BJP 38 (of a total 66), which ultimately helped it reach the 77-seat figure it had in the last assembly.But the voter anger and the consequent anti-BJP consolidation visible outside polling booths across districts may also have something to offer to Trinamool at the EVMs. How much that anger transforms into anti-BJP votes and the number of seats to which Trinamool can restrict BJP in these 16 districts can well shape the configuration of the next Bengal assembly.Hot seatsNandigramAdhikari, who has spent five years shrugging off defector barbs after switching from TMC, now faces a defector himself. Adhikari defeated CM Mamata Banerjee here in 2021 by 1,956 votes. His one-time confidant, Kar, is his TMC challenger. Identity politics continues to dominate the landscape, with demographics expected to play a critical role. The 2011 Census recorded Hindus at 65.8% and Muslims at 34% of the population here. But under SIR, 12,500 Muslim voters were removed. Sabar Institute says gross deletions in Nandigram stand at 14,462, with Muslim voters accounting for 95.5% of deletions. Key issues on the ground, say residents, is haphazard development symbolised by, among other things, a standing structure for a railway station but with no rail link to the area.Past Winners : 2011 (TMC), 2016 (TMC), 2021 (BJP)Kharagpur SadarGhosh returns to this assembly seat after 10 years even as he battles to reclaim his standing within BJP. A former state BJP president, he first gained prominence here in 2016 by defeating Congress MLA Gyan Singh Sohanpal. The challenge this time for contestants in this constituency with historically narrow victory margins is the massive voter roll purge — analysis by Sabar Institute shows gross deletions under the Special Intensive Revision at over 60,730 voters. Ghosh’s primary challenger this time around is Trinamool ,rather than Congress. BJP retained the seat in 2021 but its winning candidate in the last election, Hiran Chatterjee, has moved to another constituency. Ghosh now faces the Trinamool’s Pradip Sarkar, who is stressing on his local roots and has questioned why BJP has moved out past representatives from the seat.Past Winners: 2011 (Cong), 2016 (BJP), 2021 (BJP)MalatipurIt’s a three-way fight for this seat in the heart of Malda that pits the endurance of political dynasties against the might of state welfare. Once a Congress stronghold, the seat is now the focus of an emotional and mathematical battle as Mausam Benazir Noor — banking on the legacy of her uncle ABA Ghani Khan Chowdhury — returns to Congress after a seven-year stint with Trinamool. Her biggest challenger is Trinamool’s Abdur Rahim Boxi, who won here in 2021 by over 91,000 votes. Boxi is banking on TMC’s direct welfare delivery, arguing that CM Banerjee has inherited the developmental ethos once championed by the Khan Choudhury family. BJP’s Ashish Das would be looking to build on the party’s success in the 2024 Malda North Lok Sabha seat. The minority vote in this Muslim-majority seat (over 60% of voters) had consolidated behind TMC in 2021, but that vote bank now faces a potential split — which could favour BJP — with Mausam Noor’s return.Past Winners: 2011 (RSP), 2016 (Cong), 2021 (TMC)SiliguriThis North Bengal seat has transitioned from being a Left bastion for 30 years to a BJP stronghold now. In 2016, the Left reclaimed the seat from Trinamool, but a decisive shift occurred in 2021, when Shankar Ghosh, a former CPM leader, won it for the BJP with a margin of over 35,000 votes over Trinamool’s Om Prakash Mishra. The 2026 election centres on the demand for a separate Siliguri district. Currently, the city is split between Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri districts, forcing residents to travel up to 50-80km for administrative tasks. Deb, the Trinamool candidate and mayor, has proposed a 12-point roadmap for driving the separate district demand. Ghosh is offering a master plan for infrastructure and smart city development. According to Sabar Institute, gross SIR deletions in Siliguri is 42,979 voters.Past Winners: 2011 (TMC), 2016 (CPM), 2021 (BJP)DinhataThis border constituency about 700km north of Kolkata is a crucible of geography, migration, and contested control over land. Historically a stronghold of Forward Bloc patriarch Kamal Guha, the region has transitioned from the bloody intra-Left clashes to a fierce modern-day duel between Trinamool’s Udayan Guha and a rising BJP. The 2026 contest between state minister Guha and BJP’s Ajay Ray is framed by a legacy of structural violence. The Rajbanshi community and refugee groups hold the key to poll fortunes here. While BJP has successfully weaponised identity — citing infiltration and the persecution of minorities in nearby Rangpur — Trinamool is banking on organisational dominance and welfare schemes. Deletion of Rajbanshi names in SIR and the issue of NRC notices is bound to queer the pitch for BJP.Past Winners: 2011 (AIFB), 2016 (TMC), 2021 (BJP)BehramporeBehrampore, a Congress bastion of 70 years, is now the stage for a high-stakes triangular showdown featuring incumbent Subrata Maitra of BJP, Trinamool Congress’s Naru Gopal Mukherjee, and Congress heavyweight Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, who’s made a dramatic return to state politics after nearly 30 years. Maitra is banking on hyper-local campaigning and a hardline narrative against “infiltration” and corruption under the Mamata Banerjee govt, while Mukherjee, the local municipality chairperson, is counting on welfare schemes to woo voters. For five-time MP Adhir, it is a battle of survival, legacy and political resurrection, but he goes into it backed by a weakened party organisation. Communal polarisation is the main factor here — Behrampore has 70% Hindu voters — and campaigning has been defined by temple visits and raking up of issues surrounding identity politics.Past Winners: 2011, 2016 (Cong), 2021 (BJP)End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos“Trail Of Terror Revealed”: India EXPOSES Pak Over Terror Links At Washington EventArmy Chief’s Hawaii Visit Highlights Deepening India-US Military Strategy In Indo-PacificIndia Denies Crypto Scam Claims After Ship Fired Upon in Strait of Hormuz TensionsFormer J&K DGP SP Vaid on Pahalgam Attack, Terrain and Security Challenges In Jammu And KashmirIndia Marks Pahalgam Anniversary With a Strong Message To Terror Outfits & Pak | WatchEC Issues Notice To Kharge Over “Terrorist” Remark On PM Modi After BJP Complaint‘Democracy Cannot Be Jeopardised’: SC Slams Mamata Banerjee Over Alleged Interference In ED RaidIran Seizes Two Ships in Strait of Hormuz, India-Bound Vessel Sparks Global ConcernINS Dhruv: The ship behind India’s missile tracking and strategic strength‘Dot, Dot, Dot’: Rajnath Singh Warns Pakistan On Pahalgam Attack Anniversary123PhotostoriesDelhi IRS officer’s daughter’s rape-murder: How accused exploited knowledge of family routine to strikeStomach pain or acidity? Signs your “GERD” could be something more serious, and what to do nextWorld Book Day 2026: 10 quotes by famous people on the joy of reading10 cute baby girl pet names that begin with letter A5 of the most beautiful fish in the world that don’t look realCoachella 2026: 5 bizarre influencer outfits that ruined the festival fashionHow to make South Indian Curd Rice for lunch at homeThe economy-class survival guide: How to be comfortable on a long-haul flightHow to deal with a child who answers back: 3 mindful parenting tips inspired by SadhguruAre you killing your Bougainvillea with kindness? Here are 4 things you really need to know123Hot PicksBengal Election 2026Rahul gandhi rallyBengal election dos and don’tsTamil Nadu pollsSIR ProtestTN election dos and don’tsBank Holidays AprilTop TrendingWest Bengal electionTamil Nadu electionSupreme CourtMalegaon Blast CaseMeerut Blue Drum Murder CaseBareilly Suicide NewsTCS Nashik CaseDelhi Murder NewsMiddle East ConflictIPL Orange Cap

. When the first vote is cast at 7 am today to decide who will be governing Bengal for the next five years, there will be an elephant in the polling booth: SIR, or the Special Intensive Revision of the voters’ roll.More than 3.6 crore voters across 152 constituencies will be exercising their franchise in the first phase of the 2026 state assembly poll; the rest of the 6.82 crore voters in the other 142 constituencies will follow them next Wednesday. But this election — more so in the seats going to vote today — will be as much about the disenfranchisement of 27 lakh voters who will not be able to vote despite having proof of voting rights.The Election Commission has found that these 27 lakh voters have some “logical discrepancy” or the other. This can mean anything, from misspelt names to surname mismatches (with parents) to monks serving in missions whose legal guardians are the heads of those missions. The 16 districts going to vote today have a voting strength that is 9.4% less than what it used to be before the SIR exercise (a significant portion, probably about half, are dead or “absent” or “shifted” voters).Nowhere is SIR’s shadow longer than in Murshidabad, which has lost 7.4 lakh voters, and Malda, which has lost 4.5 lakh. It is Murshidabad that encapsulates everything that has gone wrong with SIR, originally meant to weed out nonvoters, but which has disenfranchised people voting for years.More than 4.5 lakh of the 7.4 lakh total deletions in this district happened during the “judicial adjudication” phase (to determine “logical discrepancy”). The most drastic impact is in the Shamsherganj constituency, often described as ground zero of the crisis. Exactly 74,775 voters — representing a staggering 32% of the electorate — have been disenfranchised, sparking a legal and political battle that may rage even after the new assembly is formed.All this has taken some sheen off the electoral battles in bellwether constituencies and those involving political heavyweights. But the first phase does have these, too, in good measure: the political future of at least three such heavyweights — BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari and Dilip Ghosh and Congress’s Adhir Chowdhury — hinges on how voters vote today (though Adhikari has a second chance in the second phase, as he is contesting from Bhowanipore as well against CM Mamata Banerjee).Adhikari, who has spent the last few years shrugging off “defector” barbs, now faces a defector himself in his home seat, Nandigram. His challenger is Pabitra Kar, a former Adhikari acolyte with strong ties with Hindu organisations, who is credited with securing a 3,500-vote lead for Adhikari in the critical Boyal area in the 2021 election. CM Banerjee stationed herself there for several hours and alleged large-scale manipulation, photographs of which went viral (and still the subject of a court battle). Adhikari scraped through with a 1,956-vote margin. Kar, this time, may give his former mentor some sleepless nights till May 4, when votes will be counted.Over 280km away, Congress veteran Chowdhury is fighting his own battle for political survival in Behrampore. Chowdhury is a five-time MP but is now eyeing a path to political rehabilitation through the Bengal assembly after losing the last Lok Sabha poll. BJP won this seat in 2021, and the fight this time is likely to be intensely triangular, with Trinamool forming the third side (along with BJP and Congress).BJP veteran Ghosh faces a similar situation in his own home seat, Kharagpur Sadar, where he is returning after 10 years. It was his victory over former Congress cabinet minister Gyan Singh Sohanpal in 2016 that marked his ascendancy with the BJP’s state unit, but he was forced by his own party to forsake the region he knew so well in the 2024 Lok Sabha poll. Ghosh will be hoping that Kharagpur backs him a second time.Another political dynasty that is looking for succour is former Congress Union minister ABA Ghani Khan Choudhury’s family. The district is seeing Khan Choudhury’s niece, Mausam Benazir Noor, fighting to reclaim the family’s political legacy after switching back to Congress after a stint with Trinamool and a term in the Rajya Sabha. But this district, too, is likely to see a tripolar fight — and arithmetic can be slippery in such contests.Many of the 16 districts that go to the polls today — from Darjeeling in the Hills to East Midnapore on the Bay of Bengal’s shores — have been BJP strongholds, and the party would be betting on SIR deletions to keep it that way. Nine of these 16 districts — Cooch Behar, Alipurduar, Jalpaiguri, Darjeeling, Kalimpong, North Dinajpur, South Dinajpur, Malda and Bankura — gave BJP 38 (of a total 66), which ultimately helped it reach the 77-seat figure it had in the last assembly.But the voter anger and the consequent anti-BJP consolidation visible outside polling booths across districts may also have something to offer to Trinamool at the EVMs. How much that anger transforms into anti-BJP votes and the number of seats to which Trinamool can restrict BJP in these 16 districts can well shape the configuration of the next Bengal assembly.Hot seatsNandigramAdhikari, who has spent five years shrugging off defector barbs after switching from TMC, now faces a defector himself. Adhikari defeated CM Mamata Banerjee here in 2021 by 1,956 votes. His one-time confidant, Kar, is his TMC challenger. Identity politics continues to dominate the landscape, with demographics expected to play a critical role. The 2011 Census recorded Hindus at 65.8% and Muslims at 34% of the population here. But under SIR, 12,500 Muslim voters were removed. Sabar Institute says gross deletions in Nandigram stand at 14,462, with Muslim voters accounting for 95.5% of deletions. Key issues on the ground, say residents, is haphazard development symbolised by, among other things, a standing structure for a railway station but with no rail link to the area.Past Winners : 2011 (TMC), 2016 (TMC), 2021 (BJP)Kharagpur SadarGhosh returns to this assembly seat after 10 years even as he battles to reclaim his standing within BJP. A former state BJP president, he first gained prominence here in 2016 by defeating Congress MLA Gyan Singh Sohanpal. The challenge this time for contestants in this constituency with historically narrow victory margins is the massive voter roll purge — analysis by Sabar Institute shows gross deletions under the Special Intensive Revision at over 60,730 voters. Ghosh’s primary challenger this time around is Trinamool ,rather than Congress. BJP retained the seat in 2021 but its winning candidate in the last election, Hiran Chatterjee, has moved to another constituency. Ghosh now faces the Trinamool’s Pradip Sarkar, who is stressing on his local roots and has questioned why BJP has moved out past representatives from the seat.Past Winners: 2011 (Cong), 2016 (BJP), 2021 (BJP)MalatipurIt’s a three-way fight for this seat in the heart of Malda that pits the endurance of political dynasties against the might of state welfare. Once a Congress stronghold, the seat is now the focus of an emotional and mathematical battle as Mausam Benazir Noor — banking on the legacy of her uncle ABA Ghani Khan Chowdhury — returns to Congress after a seven-year stint with Trinamool. Her biggest challenger is Trinamool’s Abdur Rahim Boxi, who won here in 2021 by over 91,000 votes. Boxi is banking on TMC’s direct welfare delivery, arguing that CM Banerjee has inherited the developmental ethos once championed by the Khan Choudhury family. BJP’s Ashish Das would be looking to build on the party’s success in the 2024 Malda North Lok Sabha seat. The minority vote in this Muslim-majority seat (over 60% of voters) had consolidated behind TMC in 2021, but that vote bank now faces a potential split — which could favour BJP — with Mausam Noor’s return.Past Winners: 2011 (RSP), 2016 (Cong), 2021 (TMC)SiliguriThis North Bengal seat has transitioned from being a Left bastion for 30 years to a BJP stronghold now. In 2016, the Left reclaimed the seat from Trinamool, but a decisive shift occurred in 2021, when Shankar Ghosh, a former CPM leader, won it for the BJP with a margin of over 35,000 votes over Trinamool’s Om Prakash Mishra. The 2026 election centres on the demand for a separate Siliguri district. Currently, the city is split between Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri districts, forcing residents to travel up to 50-80km for administrative tasks. Deb, the Trinamool candidate and mayor, has proposed a 12-point roadmap for driving the separate district demand. Ghosh is offering a master plan for infrastructure and smart city development. According to Sabar Institute, gross SIR deletions in Siliguri is 42,979 voters.Past Winners: 2011 (TMC), 2016 (CPM), 2021 (BJP)DinhataThis border constituency about 700km north of Kolkata is a crucible of geography, migration, and contested control over land. Historically a stronghold of Forward Bloc patriarch Kamal Guha, the region has transitioned from the bloody intra-Left clashes to a fierce modern-day duel between Trinamool’s Udayan Guha and a rising BJP. The 2026 contest between state minister Guha and BJP’s Ajay Ray is framed by a legacy of structural violence. The Rajbanshi community and refugee groups hold the key to poll fortunes here. While BJP has successfully weaponised identity — citing infiltration and the persecution of minorities in nearby Rangpur — Trinamool is banking on organisational dominance and welfare schemes. Deletion of Rajbanshi names in SIR and the issue of NRC notices is bound to queer the pitch for BJP.Past Winners: 2011 (AIFB), 2016 (TMC), 2021 (BJP)BehramporeBehrampore, a Congress bastion of 70 years, is now the stage for a high-stakes triangular showdown featuring incumbent Subrata Maitra of BJP, Trinamool Congress’s Naru Gopal Mukherjee, and Congress heavyweight Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, who’s made a dramatic return to state politics after nearly 30 years. Maitra is banking on hyper-local campaigning and a hardline narrative against “infiltration” and corruption under the Mamata Banerjee govt, while Mukherjee, the local municipality chairperson, is counting on welfare schemes to woo voters. For five-time MP Adhir, it is a battle of survival, legacy and political resurrection, but he goes into it backed by a weakened party organisation. Communal polarisation is the main factor here — Behrampore has 70% Hindu voters — and campaigning has been defined by temple visits and raking up of issues surrounding identity politics.Past Winners: 2011, 2016 (Cong), 2021 (BJP)End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos“Trail Of Terror Revealed”: India EXPOSES Pak Over Terror Links At Washington EventArmy Chief’s Hawaii Visit Highlights Deepening India-US Military Strategy In Indo-PacificIndia Denies Crypto Scam Claims After Ship Fired Upon in Strait of Hormuz TensionsFormer J&K DGP SP Vaid on Pahalgam Attack, Terrain and Security Challenges In Jammu And KashmirIndia Marks Pahalgam Anniversary With a Strong Message To Terror Outfits & Pak | WatchEC Issues Notice To Kharge Over “Terrorist” Remark On PM Modi After BJP Complaint‘Democracy Cannot Be Jeopardised’: SC Slams Mamata Banerjee Over Alleged Interference In ED RaidIran Seizes Two Ships in Strait of Hormuz, India-Bound Vessel Sparks Global ConcernINS Dhruv: The ship behind India’s missile tracking and strategic strength‘Dot, Dot, Dot’: Rajnath Singh Warns Pakistan On Pahalgam Attack Anniversary123PhotostoriesDelhi IRS officer’s daughter’s rape-murder: How accused exploited knowledge of family routine to strikeStomach pain or acidity? 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