VK News Today https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html Infosys slips out of top 10 valued companies in country ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 3: New trailer teases blood, war, dragons and major character deaths; series set for June 21 premiere Even after SIR, 23 of 142 seats have more woman voters Indian and Chinese national flags New Delhi: India and China remain in touch to strengthen cooperation under Brics mechanism, with Beijing endorsing India’s ongoing presidency of group and Indian govt appreciating China’s support for activities hosted by India under the mechanism. Chinese special envoy Zhai Jun, who was here last week for the West Asia meeting, also met with MEA secretary Neena Malhotra in New Delhi and stated that as major developing countries, China and India have always maintained communication over major international and regional issues. “China values the important role played by India as the rotating Brics presidency and hopes that this Brics consultation on the West Asia will send a strong voice on the regional situation and play a constructive role in achieving regional peace and stability,” Zhai said. According to a Chinese readout, Malhotra said that India values the important role played by China within the Brics mechanism. It also quoted Malhotra as saying that India is willing to work with Brics countries, including China, to jointly promote early de-escalation of regional tensions. Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi is expected in India for the Brics foreign ministers’ meeting. President Xi Jinping had offered China’s support for India’s Brics presidency in a meeting with PM Narendra Modi in Tianjin last year.Xi is expected to visit India later this year for the Brics summit. This will be his first visit to India since the deadly Galwan military clash in June 2020.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosNDA Nears 2/3 Majority As NDA Numbers Swell in Rajya Sabha After AAP Exodus’Party Of Billionaires’: Congress Attacks AAP After 7 Rajya Sabha MPs Join BJPIran Attacks Togo-Flagged Tanker With 17 Indian Seafarers Near Oman; All Safe’Once-in-a-Generation’ India Signs Free Trade Agreement With New Zealand After a Decade of Talks’Attack By BJP Goons’: TMC MP Mitali Bag’s Car Vandalised In Hooghly, BJP Denies TMC’s Charge’You Are Married Because AAP Made You Rajya Sabha Member’: Saurabh Bharadwaj Attacks Raghav ChadhaNDA Surges In Rajya Sabha After Chadha-Led AAP Exodus, BJP Nears Majority“Right Man, Wrong Party”: Raghav Chadha Defends Exit From AAP In New Video“Bound To Happen”: Congress MLA’s Take On Trump Event ShootingArvind Kejriwal Shocks Court With Refusal To Appear In Excise Case123PhotostoriesWhy tadka turns bitter: 5 expert tips for preparing perfect tadka at home10 delicious Indian sweets made with fresh cheesePM Narendra Modi praises 3 desi Indian cheese varieties and asks how many have you triedHow Brahma Muhurta Routines Can Improve Focus, Clarity, and Discipline8 historic landmarks in Mumbai that are more than 100 years old: Why you should visit themTop 5 residential areas of Nashik for quality living and investmentAC vs cooler: What works best for DelhiAamir Khan tears up at son Junaid Khan and Sai Pallavi’s ‘Ek Din Ki Mehfil’ event: 5 times the actor got emotional in publicGreen and red food combinations that boost nutrient absorption instantlySummer Special: How to make Kaache Aam ki Launji at home123Hot PicksWest Bengal PollsPM ModiMamata BanerjeeRahul GandhiBengal RallyWest Bengal ElectionsMatua CommunityTop TrendingRussini Mike Photo ControversyTamil Nadu electionNFL Trade RumorsPetrol Diesel PriceAssam HS 12th ResultJac Class 12 ResultPatrick MahomesBengal PollsJack GrealishIPL Orange Cap Sagittarius Horoscope Today, April 28, 2026: Be careful about your child’s health Mob lynches Varanasi businessman after his car hits woman Vikram Misri (File photo) New Delhi: Foreign secretary Vikram Misri is likely to travel to Nepal next month for what will be the first high-level bilateral visit since the new govt led by PM Balendra Shah assumed office. While Nepalese media reported that the visit could take place on May 11-12, official sources said the dates were still being worked out. Both sides see the visit as an opportunity to further expand collaboration in multiple sectors. According to sources, the visit was proposed when external affairs minister S Jaishankar met his counterpart Shishir Khanal on the margins of the Indian Ocean Conference in Mauritius earlier this month. This was the first high-level contact between the two countries since Shah took charge. Misri is also expected to officially extend an invitation on behalf of Modi to Shah for the visit. However, as diplomatic sources said, both sides need to first discuss the new govt’s focus and priorities before going ahead with any ministerial visit. Significantly, the new govt in Nepal has hosted high-ranking officials from the US and China.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosNDA Nears 2/3 Majority As NDA Numbers Swell in Rajya Sabha After AAP Exodus’Party Of Billionaires’: Congress Attacks AAP After 7 Rajya Sabha MPs Join BJPIran Attacks Togo-Flagged Tanker With 17 Indian Seafarers Near Oman; All Safe’Once-in-a-Generation’ India Signs Free Trade Agreement With New Zealand After a Decade of Talks’Attack By BJP Goons’: TMC MP Mitali Bag’s Car Vandalised In Hooghly, BJP Denies TMC’s Charge’You Are Married Because AAP Made You Rajya Sabha Member’: Saurabh Bharadwaj Attacks Raghav ChadhaNDA Surges In Rajya Sabha After Chadha-Led AAP Exodus, BJP Nears Majority“Right Man, Wrong Party”: Raghav Chadha Defends Exit From AAP In New Video“Bound To Happen”: Congress MLA’s Take On Trump Event ShootingArvind Kejriwal Shocks Court With Refusal To Appear In Excise Case123PhotostoriesWhy tadka turns bitter: 5 expert tips for preparing perfect tadka at home10 delicious Indian sweets made with fresh cheesePM Narendra Modi praises 3 desi Indian cheese varieties and asks how many have you triedHow Brahma Muhurta Routines Can Improve Focus, Clarity, and Discipline8 historic landmarks in Mumbai that are more than 100 years old: Why you should visit themTop 5 residential areas of Nashik for quality living and investmentAC vs cooler: What works best for DelhiAamir Khan tears up at son Junaid Khan and Sai Pallavi’s ‘Ek Din Ki Mehfil’ event: 5 times the actor got emotional in publicGreen and red food combinations that boost nutrient absorption instantlySummer Special: How to make Kaache Aam ki Launji at home123Hot PicksWest Bengal PollsPM ModiMamata BanerjeeRahul GandhiBengal RallyWest Bengal ElectionsMatua CommunityTop TrendingRussini Mike Photo ControversyTamil Nadu electionNFL Trade RumorsPetrol Diesel PriceAssam HS 12th ResultJac Class 12 ResultPatrick MahomesBengal PollsJack GrealishIPL Orange Cap Scorpio Horoscope Today, April 28, 2026: Keep financial discussions private, even with friends who ask too many questions Who is Fred Liu? Evelyn Ha’s ex boyfriend backs Ben Pasternak’s claims and alleges past abuse details Abhishek Banerjee (File photo) Kolkata: Trinamool national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee wound up his Bengal poll campaign at Nadia’s Haringhata on Saturday with a sharp attack on BJP, saying the saffron party had “humiliated and deprived” Matuas by promising them citizenship and jobs.Accusing BJP of shedding “crocodile tears” for the community in North 24 Parganas and Nadia, both Matua strongholds, Banerjee said: “BJP MLA Asim Sarkar said if names of Matuas are deleted, that won’t be his headache. MLA and Union minister Shantanu Thakur said it will not matter if one to five lakh Matua names are deleted. Now, compare how TMC has stood by you… from SIR form fill-up kiosks to the Supreme Court, we have been with you.”Despite having all valid documents, Matua names were forcibly removed from the list, he said. “It was said those (Hindus) who came to India by Dec 31, 2024, would be granted citizenship. However, even those who have been here for 100 years had their names removed by the govt of Asim Sarkar and Shantanu Thakur. The names cleared after ‘logical discrepancy’ wouldn’t have been possible if CM Mamata Banerjee hadn’t moved SC,” he said.Banerjee, however, said “no relationship is one-sided”. “In Harighanta-Kalyani or Bongaon, whether in 2019, 2021, or 2024, you have repeatedly given opportunities to BJP. This is the double engine you were promised. Have you gained anything? It is time to respond to those who betrayed you,” he said.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosNDA Nears 2/3 Majority As NDA Numbers Swell in Rajya Sabha After AAP Exodus’Party Of Billionaires’: Congress Attacks AAP After 7 Rajya Sabha MPs Join BJPIran Attacks Togo-Flagged Tanker With 17 Indian Seafarers Near Oman; All Safe’Once-in-a-Generation’ India Signs Free Trade Agreement With New Zealand After a Decade of Talks’Attack By BJP Goons’: TMC MP Mitali Bag’s Car Vandalised In Hooghly, BJP Denies TMC’s Charge’You Are Married Because AAP Made You Rajya Sabha Member’: Saurabh Bharadwaj Attacks Raghav ChadhaNDA Surges In Rajya Sabha After Chadha-Led AAP Exodus, BJP Nears Majority“Right Man, Wrong Party”: Raghav Chadha Defends Exit From AAP In New Video“Bound To Happen”: Congress MLA’s Take On Trump Event ShootingArvind Kejriwal Shocks Court With Refusal To Appear In Excise Case123PhotostoriesWhy tadka turns bitter: 5 expert tips for preparing perfect tadka at home10 delicious Indian sweets made with fresh cheesePM Narendra Modi praises 3 desi Indian cheese varieties and asks how many have you triedHow Brahma Muhurta Routines Can Improve Focus, Clarity, and Discipline8 historic landmarks in Mumbai that are more than 100 years old: Why you should visit themTop 5 residential areas of Nashik for quality living and investmentAC vs cooler: What works best for DelhiAamir Khan tears up at son Junaid Khan and Sai Pallavi’s ‘Ek Din Ki Mehfil’ event: 5 times the actor got emotional in publicGreen and red food combinations that boost nutrient absorption instantlySummer Special: How to make Kaache Aam ki Launji at home123Hot PicksWest Bengal PollsPM ModiMamata BanerjeeRahul GandhiBengal RallyWest Bengal ElectionsMatua CommunityTop TrendingRussini Mike Photo ControversyTamil Nadu electionNFL Trade RumorsPetrol Diesel PriceAssam HS 12th ResultJac Class 12 ResultPatrick MahomesBengal PollsJack GrealishIPL Orange Cap Chitrangda Singh calls Deepika Padukone’s 8-hour shift idea ‘very difficult’ in cinema: ‘Technicians need regulation more’ The deceased family Mumbai: A Saturday night feast turned tragic when four members of a family – two sisters and their parents – died within hours of eating a watermelon. While five other relatives had shared biryani-pulao with them at 10.30pm, and reported no symptoms, the fruit was consumed only by the four around 1am Sunday, said police. The deceased Bhendi Bazaar residents are Abdulla Dodakia (44), who owned a mobile phone accessories shop in Andheri, his wife Nasreen (35), and daughters Ayesha (16) and Zainab (12). Doctors at JJ Hospital, where three of the victims received treatment, are just as puzzled. They said it is “very unlikely” that a stale watermelon could cause four deaths at such close intervals and that all medical efforts would fail to save them. The spate of deaths began around 10.30am with Zainab, then Nasreen three hours later, Ayesha around 5.15pm and Abdulla about 10.15pm. Doctors puzzled A doctor involved in their care at JJ Hospital said the three had symptoms typical of food poisoning and their kidneys were severely impacted. JJ Marg police have registered four cases of accidental deaths, with investigation ongoing. They said Abullah’s brother and other relatives live close by and all had left for their houses soon after the feast. “The statements of Abdullah and Ayesha were recorded. They said they experienced vomiting and diarrhoea after eating the watermelon. No foul play is suspected as of now. Postmortem and forensic reports are awaited,” said a police officer. Samples of the watermelon have been sent for testing. Both sisters were waiting for their exam results; Ayesha was expected to clear Class X with flying colours, and Zainab was all set to join Class IX, police said. Between 5am and 5.30am Sunday, all four started reporting symptoms of vomiting with severe discomfort. The family lived on the second floor of Mughal Building in Ghati Gali. Chaos erupted on their floor between 9.30am to 10am Sunday, prompting neighbours to call in fourth-floor homeopath, Zaid Qureshi, who said Zainab had froth in her mouth and her pulse could not be detected, and the other three family members were semi-conscious. TOI attempted to reach him to no avail till press time. One after the other, neighbours took the family members to hospital. They were taken to Saboo Siddique Hospital where Zainab was declared dead. Abdulla and Nasreen were transferred to JJ Hospital, followed by Ayesha. Dr Sanjay Surase, medical superintendent at the hospital, said, “It’ is very unlikely a stale watermelon can be this fatal. There could be some additives or something else altogether. At this point, we are not ruling out any possibility.” Nasreen died two hours after admission. Ayesha was shifted to ICU followed by her father. They died about five hours apart. (With inputs from Rachael Varghese)About the AuthorMateen HafeezMateen Hafeez, special correspondent at The Times of India in Mumbai, reports on terrorism, underworld, cybercrime and organized crime syndicates. He also writes about the jails in Maharashtra and focuses on human interest stories. He has covered the Ghatkopar bomb blast, Vile Parle bomb blast, Mulund train blast, train serial blasts in 2006, 26/11 terror attacks and Pune’s German Bakery bomb blast. He has a special interest in Urdu fiction written by Ibn-e-Safi.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosNDA Nears 2/3 Majority As NDA Numbers Swell in Rajya Sabha After AAP Exodus’Party Of Billionaires’: Congress Attacks AAP After 7 Rajya Sabha MPs Join BJPIran Attacks Togo-Flagged Tanker With 17 Indian Seafarers Near Oman; All Safe’Once-in-a-Generation’ India Signs Free Trade Agreement With New Zealand After a Decade of Talks’Attack By BJP Goons’: TMC MP Mitali Bag’s Car Vandalised In Hooghly, BJP Denies TMC’s Charge’You Are Married Because AAP Made You Rajya Sabha Member’: Saurabh Bharadwaj Attacks Raghav ChadhaNDA Surges In Rajya Sabha After Chadha-Led AAP Exodus, BJP Nears Majority“Right Man, Wrong Party”: Raghav Chadha Defends Exit From AAP In New Video“Bound To Happen”: Congress MLA’s Take On Trump Event ShootingArvind Kejriwal Shocks Court With Refusal To Appear In Excise Case123PhotostoriesWhy tadka turns bitter: 5 expert tips for preparing perfect tadka at home10 delicious Indian sweets made with fresh cheesePM Narendra Modi praises 3 desi Indian cheese varieties and asks how many have you triedHow Brahma Muhurta Routines Can Improve Focus, Clarity, and Discipline8 historic landmarks in Mumbai that are more than 100 years old: Why you should visit themTop 5 residential areas of Nashik for quality living and investmentAC vs cooler: What works best for DelhiAamir Khan tears up at son Junaid Khan and Sai Pallavi’s ‘Ek Din Ki Mehfil’ event: 5 times the actor got emotional in publicGreen and red food combinations that boost nutrient absorption instantlySummer Special: How to make Kaache Aam ki Launji at home123Hot PicksWest Bengal PollsPM ModiMamata BanerjeeRahul GandhiBengal RallyWest Bengal ElectionsMatua CommunityTop TrendingRussini Mike Photo ControversyTamil Nadu electionNFL Trade RumorsPetrol Diesel PriceAssam HS 12th ResultJac Class 12 ResultPatrick MahomesBengal PollsJack GrealishIPL Orange Cap Zoe Kravitz shows off HUGE ring following engagement to Harry Styles – PICS Libra Horoscope Today, April 28, 2026: If you’re dating, avoid testing your partner today One businessman, two attorneys involved in multimillion-dollar Hawaii bribery scheme: ‘Calculated betrayal’ Representational image Bengaluru: A special NIA court Monday convicted Mohammed Shariq, the prime accused in 2022 Mangaluru pressure cooker blast case, under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and IPC, handing 10 years’ rigorous imprisonment and imposing a fine of Rs 94,000. Shariq, who pleaded guilty in Dec last year, is currently lodged at Bengaluru Central Prison. On Nov 19, 2022, an improvised explosive device kept in a pressure cooker exploded in an auto rickshaw in the Kankanady area of Mangaluru, injuring Shariq, the passenger, as well as driver Purushotham Poojary. NIA said Shariq intended to plant the bomb at Kadri Manjunatha temple to foment communal tension, but it exploded earlier because of a mix-up while scheduling the timer – instead of 90 minutes, he set 9 minutes as the timer for the bomb to go off. Special public prosecutor P Prasanna Kumar told TOI that besides collecting evidence against Shariq, they examined 45 witnesses. Realising that “a tight case” had been built against him. Shariq pleaded guilty as charged.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosNDA Nears 2/3 Majority As NDA Numbers Swell in Rajya Sabha After AAP Exodus’Party Of Billionaires’: Congress Attacks AAP After 7 Rajya Sabha MPs Join BJPIran Attacks Togo-Flagged Tanker With 17 Indian Seafarers Near Oman; All Safe’Once-in-a-Generation’ India Signs Free Trade Agreement With New Zealand After a Decade of Talks’Attack By BJP Goons’: TMC MP Mitali Bag’s Car Vandalised In Hooghly, BJP Denies TMC’s Charge’You Are Married Because AAP Made You Rajya Sabha Member’: Saurabh Bharadwaj Attacks Raghav ChadhaNDA Surges In Rajya Sabha After Chadha-Led AAP Exodus, BJP Nears Majority“Right Man, Wrong Party”: Raghav Chadha Defends Exit From AAP In New Video“Bound To Happen”: Congress MLA’s Take On Trump Event ShootingArvind Kejriwal Shocks Court With Refusal To Appear In Excise Case123PhotostoriesWhy tadka turns bitter: 5 expert tips for preparing perfect tadka at home10 delicious Indian sweets made with fresh cheesePM Narendra Modi praises 3 desi Indian cheese varieties and asks how many have you triedHow Brahma Muhurta Routines Can Improve Focus, Clarity, and Discipline8 historic landmarks in Mumbai that are more than 100 years old: Why you should visit themTop 5 residential areas of Nashik for quality living and investmentAC vs cooler: What works best for DelhiAamir Khan tears up at son Junaid Khan and Sai Pallavi’s ‘Ek Din Ki Mehfil’ event: 5 times the actor got emotional in publicGreen and red food combinations that boost nutrient absorption instantlySummer Special: How to make Kaache Aam ki Launji at home123Hot PicksWest Bengal PollsPM ModiMamata BanerjeeRahul GandhiBengal RallyWest Bengal ElectionsMatua CommunityTop TrendingRussini Mike Photo ControversyTamil Nadu electionNFL Trade RumorsPetrol Diesel PriceAssam HS 12th ResultJac Class 12 ResultPatrick MahomesBengal PollsJack GrealishIPL Orange Cap Ditch the fence; these 7 plants are doing it better anyway | Counter-Strike legend pashaBiceps donates $21K to Poland Cancer Fighters stream after knife skin sale Video showing officer’s threats to TMC pick’s kin sparks row | India News Why carpenter bees are targeting your deck and how to stop them | Virgo Horoscope Today, April 28, 2026: Saturn supports responsibility, and it will lighten your mind Lewandowski set to leave Barcelona after four years as contract offer falls short of his ambitions | International Sports News Thane: A man shows a sticker after the Maharashtra government plans to make Marathi language compulsory for autorickshaw and taxi drivers, in Thane. (PTI Photo) Mumbai: Maharashtra transport minister Pratap Sarnaik Monday put on hold the decision to cancel licences and permits of auto and taxi drivers from May 1 over non-compliance with the Marathi language requirement, opting instead for a phased campaign on awareness, verification and training. The Mumbai Autorickshawmen’s Union called off its May 4 protest after discussions.From May 1 to Aug 15, govt will conduct a survey across 59 RTOs to determine how many drivers are Marathi-speaking and how many are not. The exercise will also detect fake licences, bogus badges and permit-related irregularities.Non-Marathi-speaking drivers will be guided to training centres and offered tuition to acquire practical proficiency. “After giving them a reasonable chance, we will strictly enforce law,” Sarnaik said.The transport ministry has withdrawn its earlier decision of reading and writing tests in Marathi and will instead prepare a short curriculum focused on practical use.About the AuthorSomit SenSomit Sen, Senior Editor at The Times of India, Mumbai. He covers stories on Power beat in Maharashtra and on Oil & Gas. He also covers RTO, BEST (Mumbai’s public transport buses), transport ministry, Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation, interstate transport (trucks/tempos) and the fleetcabs.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosNDA Nears 2/3 Majority As NDA Numbers Swell in Rajya Sabha After AAP Exodus’Party Of Billionaires’: Congress Attacks AAP After 7 Rajya Sabha MPs Join BJPIran Attacks Togo-Flagged Tanker With 17 Indian Seafarers Near Oman; All Safe’Once-in-a-Generation’ India Signs Free Trade Agreement With New Zealand After a Decade of Talks’Attack By BJP Goons’: TMC MP Mitali Bag’s Car Vandalised In Hooghly, BJP Denies TMC’s Charge’You Are Married Because AAP Made You Rajya Sabha Member’: Saurabh Bharadwaj Attacks Raghav ChadhaNDA Surges In Rajya Sabha After Chadha-Led AAP Exodus, BJP Nears Majority“Right Man, Wrong Party”: Raghav Chadha Defends Exit From AAP In New Video“Bound To Happen”: Congress MLA’s Take On Trump Event ShootingArvind Kejriwal Shocks Court With Refusal To Appear In Excise Case123PhotostoriesWhy tadka turns bitter: 5 expert tips for preparing perfect tadka at home10 delicious Indian sweets made with fresh cheesePM Narendra Modi praises 3 desi Indian cheese varieties and asks how many have you triedHow Brahma Muhurta Routines Can Improve Focus, Clarity, and Discipline8 historic landmarks in Mumbai that are more than 100 years old: Why you should visit themTop 5 residential areas of Nashik for quality living and investmentAC vs cooler: What works best for DelhiAamir Khan tears up at son Junaid Khan and Sai Pallavi’s ‘Ek Din Ki Mehfil’ event: 5 times the actor got emotional in publicGreen and red food combinations that boost nutrient absorption instantlySummer Special: How to make Kaache Aam ki Launji at home123Hot PicksWest Bengal PollsPM ModiMamata BanerjeeRahul GandhiBengal RallyWest Bengal ElectionsMatua CommunityTop TrendingRussini Mike Photo ControversyTamil Nadu electionNFL Trade RumorsPetrol Diesel PriceAssam HS 12th ResultJac Class 12 ResultPatrick MahomesBengal PollsJack GrealishIPL Orange Cap Shakira Brazil concert: Man CRUSHED to death during stage assembly accident The secret to attracting cardinals is simpler than you think | Leo Horoscope Today, April 28, 2026: Your confidence will bring results, and people won’t ignore you today ‘Defending immigrants’: US states oppose Trump-backed rule that could delay asylum seekers’ work permits by 180 days Rajya Sabha chairman accepts merger of 7 AAP MPs with BJP | India News Aamir Khan opens up on teaming up with Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan: ‘Audience will enjoy watching the three of us together’ Bees at your door? Here’s what every homeowner actually needs to know | Delhi govt maps heat hotspots using satellite data; Safdarjung Ayanagar, Najafgarh in red Green Card update: US judge rules USCIS cannot pause applications indefinitely, calls policy ‘unlawful’ Mamata Banerjee, Suvendu Adhikari Kolkata: Battleground Bengal’s defining contest is playing out in south Kolkata’s Bhowanipore, where CM Mamata Banerjee faces one-time aide Suvendu Adhikari of BJP in what is an electoral rematch of far greater consequence than when she narrowly lost to him in Nandigram in 2021. For Trinamool Congress, retaining Bhowanipore isn’t just about securing Mamata’s fortress and preserving the aura of invincibility around her. In many ways, the constituency represents the party’s conflict with BJP over the larger issues of identity, ideology and governance. BJP breaching Mamata’s citadel would deal a psychological blow to Trinamool even if the saffron party fails to win Bengal. The constituency’s social mix makes it an unusually sensitive poll pocket. It includes the so-called Bengali bhadralok households, Marwari and Gujarati business families, Sikh and Jain residents, settlers from Bihar and Odisha and a sizeable Muslim electorate. “This diversity has turned the seat into a laboratory of competing political methods,” said Trinamool’s ward 70 councillor Ashim Bose, whose challenge is to convert last year’s Lok Sabha deficit in his ward into a lead for Mamata. Numbers explain why both sides are oozing confidence in Bhowanipore. CM Mamata won the 2021 byelection there by a record margin of 59,000 votes. But in the 2024 Lok Sabha election, Trinamool’s lead in the assembly segment shrank to a little over 8,000. BJP led in five of the eight wards, suggesting that while Trinamool retained emotional capital, the saffron party gained territorial depth.One seat, many challenges Mamata’s goal is to stop Bhowanipore from turning into a fragmented social contest. Her party’s strategy rests on familiarity and emotional ownership. Its “ghorer meye” (daughter of the house) pitch seeks to reduce the election from a verdict on governance to a neighbourhood show of loyalty. “Had there been any other contestant from the seat, it would have been extremely challenging for us,” Trinamool worker Subhankar Roychowdhury said. That approach suits a constituency where coexistence has often mattered as much as ideological mobilisation. In mixed wards where Bengali Hindus, non-Bengali traders and Muslims live in proximity, Trinamool’s emphasis on continuity and emotional belonging is designed to reassure rather than provoke. Mamata’s appeal in such areas has long rested on welfare delivery, symbolic accessibility and the perception that she protects a plural urban social order. BJP’s strategy is the opposite. Adhikari’s poll managers have tried to break the constituency into its constituent communities and convert each into a manageable electoral bloc. During the campaign, this was noticeable in wards 63, 70, 71, 72 and 74, where BJP’s recent gains suggest growing receptivity among non-Bengali traders and sections of the Hindu middle class. Muslim voters also remain central to the arithmetic. They account for a quarter of the electorate, and cohesive minority voting in a close urban seat can offset fragmentation among Hindu groups. That is why reported deletions and scrutiny in the electoral rolls matter. BJP worker Jayanta Ghosh said the 11,000-odd Muslim voters struck off the rolls in Ward 77 during SIR could loosen Trinamool’s grip. “Bhowanipore encapsulates the X factor in Bengal’s electoral calculus, going beyond a battle for prestige. Ours is a constituency where the mixed population in each ward forces both parties to test the limits of emotion, arithmetic and polarisation,” said Rajan Majumdar, an octogenarian Left Front supporter.About the AuthorSubhro NiyogiSubhro Niyogi is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Times of India, and his job responsibilities include reporting, editing and coordination of news and news features. His hobbies include photography, driving and reading.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosNDA Nears 2/3 Majority As NDA Numbers Swell in Rajya Sabha After AAP Exodus’Party Of Billionaires’: Congress Attacks AAP After 7 Rajya Sabha MPs Join BJPIran Attacks Togo-Flagged Tanker With 17 Indian Seafarers Near Oman; All Safe’Once-in-a-Generation’ India Signs Free Trade Agreement With New Zealand After a Decade of Talks’Attack By BJP Goons’: TMC MP Mitali Bag’s Car Vandalised In Hooghly, BJP Denies TMC’s Charge’You Are Married Because AAP Made You Rajya Sabha Member’: Saurabh Bharadwaj Attacks Raghav ChadhaNDA Surges In Rajya Sabha After Chadha-Led AAP Exodus, BJP Nears Majority“Right Man, Wrong Party”: Raghav Chadha Defends Exit From AAP In New Video“Bound To Happen”: Congress MLA’s Take On Trump Event ShootingArvind Kejriwal Shocks Court With Refusal To Appear In Excise Case123PhotostoriesWhy tadka turns bitter: 5 expert tips for preparing perfect tadka at home10 delicious Indian sweets made with fresh cheesePM Narendra Modi praises 3 desi Indian cheese varieties and asks how many have you triedHow Brahma Muhurta Routines Can Improve Focus, Clarity, and Discipline8 historic landmarks in Mumbai that are more than 100 years old: Why you should visit themTop 5 residential areas of Nashik for quality living and investmentAC vs cooler: What works best for DelhiAamir Khan tears up at son Junaid Khan and Sai Pallavi’s ‘Ek Din Ki Mehfil’ event: 5 times the actor got emotional in publicSummer Special: How to make Kaache Aam ki Launji at homeOTT releases this week (April 27-May 3, 2026): ‘Glory’, ‘The Kerala Story 2, ‘Wuthering Heights’, ‘Aadu 3’ and more123Hot PicksWest Bengal PollsPM ModiMamata BanerjeeRahul GandhiBengal RallyWest Bengal ElectionsMatua CommunityTop TrendingRussini Mike Photo ControversyTamil Nadu electionNFL Trade RumorsPetrol Diesel PriceAssam HS 12th ResultJac Class 12 ResultPatrick MahomesBengal PollsJack GrealishIPL Orange Cap Donald and Melania Trump call for Jimmy Kimmel to be FIRED over ‘expectant widow’ joke – WATCH Six low-maintenance flowers your garden needs right now | Gemini Horoscope Today, April 28, 2026: Jupiter blesses property matters, yet Saturn demands verification In 2020, researchers tracking a dry lakebed spotted shallow marks in the silt and found human footprints from 120,000 years ago Fact check: Is Clavicular really expecting his first child after 10 days relationship amid viral pregnancy contest rumor? Violence erupts in Jagaddal ahead of PM Modi’s visit: BJP-TMC clashes, bombing at MLA’s residence leave 3 injured Kolkata: Hours before PM Modi addressed a rally at Jagaddal in Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district on Monday, clashes broke out barely 400m from the venue between TMC and BJP workers, which escalated into gunfire, stone pelting and crude bomb attacks, leaving a CISF jawan wounded with bullet injuries.Six others were also injured. The jawan, Yogesh Sharma, has been taken to a private hospital.Police have arrested four people, including TMC councillor Gopal Routh. The EC has sought a report.BJP’s Noapara candidate, Rajesh Kumar, said the unrest began after he went to Jagaddal police station to file an FIR against CM Mamata Banerjee. He alleged police refused to register it and that a mob of around 200, linked to TMC, stormed the station and attacked him, forcing police to “flee the spot”.Trinamool candidate Amit Singh disputed his version. “We went to lodge a complaint against BJP for attacking our workers. We were attacked first. Arjun Singh (ex-BJP MP) arrived there, shoving and pushing everyone, as seen in CCTV footage, and sparked the violence,” he said.BJP workers alleged TMC-backed miscreants targeted Arjun’s son and Bhatpara candidate Pawan Singh’s residence with stones and gunfire. The CISF jawan, part of his security detail, was shot in the leg.Police said a mob of around 200 entered the station, and later attacked a candidate’s residence with explosives and firearms.Arjun said Trinamool’s Somnath Shyam, also a candidate, and Barrackpore MP Partha Bhowmick led miscreants in a planned attack to disrupt the PM’s rally. “Shots were fired and bombs were hurled at Pawan Singh’s house,” he said. In turn, Shyam blamed Arjun Singh for bringing “miscreants”.Meanwhile, Election Commission said a candidate’s visit triggered the mob.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosNDA Nears 2/3 Majority As NDA Numbers Swell in Rajya Sabha After AAP Exodus’Party Of Billionaires’: Congress Attacks AAP After 7 Rajya Sabha MPs Join BJPIran Attacks Togo-Flagged Tanker With 17 Indian Seafarers Near Oman; All Safe’Once-in-a-Generation’ India Signs Free Trade Agreement With New Zealand After a Decade of Talks’Attack By BJP Goons’: TMC MP Mitali Bag’s Car Vandalised In Hooghly, BJP Denies TMC’s Charge’You Are Married Because AAP Made You Rajya Sabha Member’: Saurabh Bharadwaj Attacks Raghav ChadhaNDA Surges In Rajya Sabha After Chadha-Led AAP Exodus, BJP Nears Majority“Right Man, Wrong Party”: Raghav Chadha Defends Exit From AAP In New Video“Bound To Happen”: Congress MLA’s Take On Trump Event ShootingArvind Kejriwal Shocks Court With Refusal To Appear In Excise Case123PhotostoriesWhy tadka turns bitter: 5 expert tips for preparing perfect tadka at home10 delicious Indian sweets made with fresh cheesePM Narendra Modi praises 3 desi Indian cheese varieties and asks how many have you triedHow Brahma Muhurta Routines Can Improve Focus, Clarity, and Discipline8 historic landmarks in Mumbai that are more than 100 years old: Why you should visit themTop 5 residential areas of Nashik for quality living and investmentAC vs cooler: What works best for DelhiAamir Khan tears up at son Junaid Khan and Sai Pallavi’s ‘Ek Din Ki Mehfil’ event: 5 times the actor got emotional in publicGreen and red food combinations that boost nutrient absorption instantlySummer Special: How to make Kaache Aam ki Launji at home123Hot PicksWest Bengal PollsPM ModiMamata BanerjeeRahul GandhiBengal RallyWest Bengal ElectionsMatua CommunityTop TrendingRussini Mike Photo ControversyTamil Nadu electionNFL Trade RumorsPetrol Diesel PriceAssam HS 12th ResultJac Class 12 ResultPatrick MahomesBengal PollsJack GrealishIPL Orange Cap The Japanese cleaning ritual your apartment desperately needs | In 2026, divers in Lake Issyk-Kul followed a trail of ancient brickwork to a submerged city hidden for seven centuries Rajnath lands in Kyrgyzstan to attend SCO def ministers meet, may discuss West Asia crisis | India News West Bengal polls: Shah urges people to vote fearlessly, says central forces will stay back for 60 days | India News Cancer Horoscope Today, April 28, 2026: Today isn’t for cramming at the last minute Will be back soon for oath ceremony of Bengal’s 1st BJP govt, asserts Modi Taurus Horoscope Today, April 28, 2026: Choose quality, not quantity 4 of a family die of suspected food poisoning after consuming watermelon in Mumbai Ben Pasternak breaks silence on Evelyn Ha abuse allegations: Full controversy explained 123456 Kolkata: As the city heads to the polls on Wednesday, campaigning drew to a close on Monday, with candidates making a frantic last-minute push to reach voters through eyeball-grabbing tactics. While one contender was seen carrying a mock EVM unit, another hauled a 25kg fish. Others, too, grabbed the attention of voters with inventive gestures and props. Still others braved the heat, criss-crossing lanes and neighbourhoods, taking their campaign to every corner of their constituencies in a final show of strength and visibility.Bratya Basu, the Trinamool Congress candidate from Dum Dum, campaigned with a 25kg katla to underscore that fish is an essential part of Bengali culture. On Monday, Basu began his final day of campaigning at Mathkal Sishu Udyan and moved through the bylanes of Sibtala and Surya Sen Palli. A giant fish, tied to a bamboo pole, was carried by two people throughout the campaign, with posters reading ‘Maache-Bhaate Bangali’.”Bengalis can’t live without fish, but if the BJP forms the govt, they will restrict people’s food habits. Some BJP candidates campaigned with fish as well, but they also know that things would change if the BJP comes to power. People must understand that they will be free to eat whatever they choose if Trinamool is voted to power. We have no problem with any food habits — some may be vegetarian, others non-vegetarian, and that is absolutely fine. We have no problem with that,” said Basu.From early-morning temple visits to late-afternoon rallies, the day unfolded with tightly packed schedules, colourful processions and door-to-door outreach. Veteran politician Kalyan Banerjee campaigned with his son Sirsanya on the final day of his campaign in Uttarpara. During a rally, Kalyan was seen in a light mood, dancing with party workers, while his son, dressed in a blue Panjabi, cheered him on.In Chowringhee, Trinamool Congress candidate Nayna Bandyopadhyay started her day with a visit to a Shiva temple in Ward 45, seeking blessings before beginning a door-to-door campaign in the area. By afternoon, she addressed a rally in Ward 62 alongside councillor Sana Ahmed, continuing her outreach amid a steady stream of supporters. In a social media post, she said she was “seeking blessings for strength and guidance while continuing meaningful interactions with people,” adding that “every conversation and connection adds deeper purpose to the journey ahead.”Her opponent, Santosh Pathak of the BJP, who recently joined the party from the Congress, led a roadshow from SN Banerjee Road to Collin Street later in the day. Flanked by party workers and supporters, Pathak sounded confident. “People of Chowringhee have been welcoming. They have assured me that they will opt for the lotus symbol on April 29,” said Pathak.In Entally, BJP candidate Priyanka Tibrewal took out a roadshow from Palmer Bazar to Vaishali Bus Stand in the afternoon, joined by actor-turned-politician Manoj Tiwary. “People have already made up their mind to vote for the development agenda of PM Narendra Modi. The Trinamool govt is on borrowed time,” said Tibrewal.Baranagar witnessed a similarly packed campaign schedule. While Trinamool candidate Sayantika Banerjee spent much of the day going door to door in Ward 8, later moving to Ward 18 with party workers, BJP contender Sajal Ghosh was seen carrying a prototype of an electronic voting machine to demonstrate the voting process to residents. “I have been showing voters where my name and symbol appear on the machine, and that by pressing the button beside my name they can cast their vote in favour of the BJP,” said Ghosh.In Jorasanko, Trinamool nominee Vijay Upadhyay began early, moving across Wards 22, 23 and 40 in a door-to-door campaign that stretched through the day. “Since it is the last day, we are trying to cover and connect with as many people as possible. I held a meeting at Baithakkhana in Ward 37, followed by a rally in Ward 39. There is no time for lunch. I ate a heavy breakfast at 8.30 am and managed the day on tea, biscuits and fruits.”His opponent, Vijay Ojha of the BJP, focused on wards 22 and 23, considered strongholds for the party, while also reaching out to other parts of the constituency. While Trinamool candidate Shrreya Pande held door-to-door campaigns in Ultadanga and Maniktala, BJP candidate Tapas Roy from the same assembly constituency spent most of the day at the election office planning for the final phase. He said: “My door-to-door campaign is over, and after the grand rally by the Prime Minister, no further campaigning is required.”Ballygunge CPM candidate Afreen Begum took part in a rally from Mallik Bazar to Modern High School in Ballygunge on Monday.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosNDA Nears 2/3 Majority As NDA Numbers Swell in Rajya Sabha After AAP Exodus’Party Of Billionaires’: Congress Attacks AAP After 7 Rajya Sabha MPs Join BJPIran Attacks Togo-Flagged Tanker With 17 Indian Seafarers Near Oman; All Safe’Once-in-a-Generation’ India Signs Free Trade Agreement With New Zealand After a Decade of Talks’Attack By BJP Goons’: TMC MP Mitali Bag’s Car Vandalised In Hooghly, BJP Denies TMC’s Charge’You Are Married Because AAP Made You Rajya Sabha Member’: Saurabh Bharadwaj Attacks Raghav ChadhaNDA Surges In Rajya Sabha After Chadha-Led AAP Exodus, BJP Nears Majority“Right Man, Wrong Party”: Raghav Chadha Defends Exit From AAP In New Video“Bound To Happen”: Congress MLA’s Take On Trump Event ShootingArvind Kejriwal Shocks Court With Refusal To Appear In Excise Case123Photostories10 delicious Indian sweets made with fresh cheesePM Narendra Modi praises 3 desi Indian cheese varieties and asks how many have you triedHow Brahma Muhurta Routines Can Improve Focus, Clarity, and Discipline8 historic landmarks in Mumbai that are more than 100 years old: Why you should visit themTop 5 residential areas of Nashik for quality living and investmentAC vs cooler: What works best for DelhiAamir Khan tears up at son Junaid Khan and Sai Pallavi’s ‘Ek Din Ki Mehfil’ event: 5 times the actor got emotional in publicGreen and red food combinations that boost nutrient absorption instantlySummer Special: How to make Kaache Aam ki Launji at homeOTT releases this week (April 27-May 3, 2026): ‘Glory’, ‘The Kerala Story 2, ‘Wuthering Heights’, ‘Aadu 3’ and more123Hot PicksWest Bengal PollsPM ModiMamata BanerjeeRahul GandhiBengal RallyWest Bengal ElectionsMatua CommunityTop TrendingRussini Mike Photo ControversyTamil Nadu electionNFL Trade RumorsPetrol Diesel PriceAssam HS 12th ResultJac Class 12 ResultPatrick MahomesBengal PollsJack GrealishIPL Orange Cap ‘Nothing can be taken for granted’: Farhan Akhtar breaks silence on Don 3 amid Ranveer Singh exit