VK News Today https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html That stick of chalk in your junk drawer might be saving your tools | . NEW DELHI: A nine-judge Supreme Court bench led by CJI Surya Kant on Wednesday said that it would be difficult for the judiciary to bring in social reforms, and added that governments were better equipped to enact laws in response to genuine demands from people.This remark came when senior advocate Gopal Subramanium told the bench of the CJI, Justices B V Nagarathna, M M Sundresh, Ahsanuddin Amanullah, Aravind Kumar, A G Masih, P B Varale, R Mahadevan, and J Bagchi that a devotee’s personal faith and belief were non-justiciable and that even the government, in the name of social reform, could not impinge on the religious rights of a denomination or community.“Social reforms and religious reforms come with people’s will and desire, to which the government responds (by bringing legislation). But it is very difficult for the court to act on such issues (social or religious reforms). Courts can adjudicate the validity of a social reform legislation by testing whether it intrudes into the faith or religious beliefs of devotees.”The significant observation acknowledging the court’s limitations in playing social reformer came on the seventh day of the hearing on the fundamental rights versus faith issue.The bench continued to express its reservations and doubts over the judicial oversight of religious issues. Justice Kumar asked, “Can the courts adjudicate a dispute over a religious practice between two groups within the same denomination or a temple? What could be the juridical basis for a constitutional court while entertaining a writ petition or a PIL to decide whether one type of religious practice is more desirable?” Justice Sundresh said it appeared that apart from three constitutionally specified grounds — public order, morality and health — there was no other ground, even the violation of fundamental rights, to restrict a person’s right to freedom of conscience and the right freely to profess, practise and propagate a religion.Appearing for the general secretary of Sabarimala Karma Samiti, senior advocate C A Sundaram said the constitutional or legal views of the court were immaterial to the devotees’ conscientiously and genuinely held religious beliefs and practices to worship God, which is protected as a fundamental right under Article 25.Faulting the 2018 judgment for wrongly applying the equality and non-discrimination test to the religious custom at Sabarimala Ayyappa temple, Sundaram said that the right to equality applied to government employment and could not be a tool to strike down a long-standing religious custom intrinsically connected to people’s belief and faith about the attributes of the deity.Senior advocate Rakesh Dwivedi said the judiciary should adopt a hands-off approach towards religious matters.End 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 Row123PhotostoriesStomach pain or acidity? 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NEW DELHI: India will never bow to any form of terror, and the heinous designs of terrorists will never succeed, PM Modi posted on X on the first anniversary of the Pahalgam terror attack on Wednesday. The United States and Israel, among several countries, also honoured the memory of the victims, expressing solidarity with India on the occasion.”Remembering the innocent lives lost in the gruesome Pahalgam terror attack on this day last year. They will never be forgotten. My thoughts are also with the bereaved families as they cope with this loss. As a nation, we stand united in grief and resolve,” Modi said.Home minister Amit Shah said the pain of the loss of Indian lives remains in the heart of every person. “Terrorism is the greatest enemy of humanity against which we must stand united to fight and defeat. India will continue its zero-tolerance policy against terrorism and those who harbour it,” he said.J&K CM Omar Abdullah posted on X, “One year on, we remain united against terror and against violence. We remain resolute in our desire to rid J&K of suffering & innocent deaths. We remain committed to doing everything to ensure it never happens again. We also remain in eternal solidarity with the families who lost their loved ones a year ago…”US: Stand with India in the fight against terrorThe Army issued a stern warning to perpetrators of terrorism on the occasion, asserting that when the “boundaries of humanity are crossed, the response is decisive”. In a post on X, it said, “For acts against India, the response is assured. Justice will be served. Always… India Stands United.”US ambassador to India Sergio Gor said in a post on X, “On the one-year anniversary of the horrific attack in Pahalgam, we remember the innocent victims and honour their memory as we mourn with their families. The US stands with the people of India in their fight against terrorism.”Israeli foreign minister Gideon Sa’ar said, “On behalf of the state of Israel, on one year of the Pahalgam terror attack, we honour the memory of the innocent lives lost and stand with their families in grief,” he said on X.“Together with India, we will continue to strengthen our cooperation to confront this threat with determination and to advance peace, security, and stability,” he added.The French embassy, in a statement, said France, together with the EU and its other member states, remembered the victims of the tragedy. “France reaffirms its steadfast commitment to our shared fight against terrorism.”Ambassador of Japan Ono Keiichi said, “Japan condemns terrorism in all its forms and stands in solidarity with India — in our shared resolve to combat terrorism and commitment to peace…”End 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 Row123PhotostoriesStomach 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 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 Australia123Hot 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 ‘Bhooth Bangla’ box office collection Day 6: Akshay Kumar’s film crosses Rs 127 crore globally; takes lead over ‘Dhurandhar 2’ ‘Vote in record numbers’: PM Modi reminds voters of their ‘sacred duty’ as TN, WB go to polls 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 ‘Dimaag me kuch nahi chalta’: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi reveals his pre-match routine | Watch Ajith Kumar arrives in style to cast his vote; Fans gather in large numbers to greet the ‘Good Bad Ugly’ actor Actor Nusrat Jahan (File Photo) KOLKATA: Actress and former Trinamool Congress LS MP Nusrat Jahan on Wednesday appeared before the Enforcement Directorate in connection with a case in which investors in a housing scheme were allegedly defrauded, and was questioned for about eight hours.Asked why she was called as she emerged out of the ED office along with her husband, Yash Dasgupta, she said, “You should find out.”The case pertains to an alleged fraud by a company, which had reportedly duped more than 400 senior citizens of Rs 24 crore in 2014-15. The company had reportedly promised 1,000 sq ft flats to them, but failed to deliver the flats or return their money.Nusrat had earlier claimed she had quit the company. In 2023, the Enforcement Directorate had questioned the former Lok Sabha MP in the case.Meanwhile, in the alleged civic recruitment scam, ED has asked state ministers Sujit Bose and Rathin Ghosh to appear before it on Friday. While Bose is contesting the assembly election from Bidhannagar, Ghosh is in the fray from Madhyamgram, both going to the polls on April 29. ED had sent a summons to them earlier, but they reportedly did not appear.About the AuthorRohit KhannaRohit Khanna covers sectors like government finance, economy, industry and issues related to financial crime.End 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 Blake Lively’s Hollywood career ‘ruined’ amid ongoing lawsuit with Justin Baldoni . CHENNAI: With campaigning prohibited during the silence period before polls, all parties went quiet on Wednesday. However, in the absence of an effective curbing mechanism by EC, canvassing on social media continued. Digital campaigns with candidates’ visuals kept popping up on netizens’ Instagram, WhatsApp and X feeds, seeking votes.Under Sections 126, 126A and 135C of Representation of People Act, 1951, all poll-related activities intended or likely to influence or affect the results of an election — such as holding public meetings, giving speeches, etc. — are banned during the silence period. Violations may lead to imprisonment up to six months, a fine, or both.If candidates or parties are found canvassing from their official handles, the candidate will receive a warning first. If the offence is serious, they will be barred from campaigning. This, however, failed to deter parties from using their IT cell or fan accounts to trend videos with Tamil songs and hashtags. In some cases, a few creators made independent reels, using candidates’ voices to seek votes.V Sridhar, additional chief electoral officer, ECI TN, said the agency was monitoring all official handles of candidates and parties. “It’s a task to monitor private and individual handles. In such cases, we take action if we get complaints. We have already written to the social media platform to take down content. We will release these details after polling, as officials are busy conducting polls,” he said.EC has an IT team that monitors the videos, but the mechanism of reporting them to the nodal officer of the web platform and taking them down takes at least one day, officials said, reducing impact of curbing content.About the AuthorOmjasvin M DOmjasvin M D is a Principal Correspondent with The Times of India, currently reporting from the Tamil Nadu Secretariat after starting his career as a civic reporter. He has broken impactful investigations from the toilet scam, parking scam to the expose on shadow councillors that pushed accountability and reform in the city. His work blends storytelling, data journalism, investigation and developmental reporting. He also does video stories, expanding his journalism into multimedia storytelling. At heart, he is driven by one goal: to uncover the truth and make governance more transparent for the people it serves.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 readingCoachella 2026: 5 bizarre influencer outfits that ruined the festival fashionThe economy-class survival guide: How to be comfortable on a long-haul flightAre 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 slate3 mantras to chant everyday that are believed to bring peace, prosperity and divine protectionExclusive: President Droupadi Murmu hosted South Korean President with royal Rajasthani feastMukul Chadda, Mallika Sarabhai, Smriti Kalra: Meet the IIM graduates who swapped corporate suits for movie scripts123Hot 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 Youngest and fastest! Vaibhav Sooryavanshi scripts history, breaks two major IPL records Michael Jackson biopic: Colman Domingo reacts to ‘whitewashing’ of child abuse claims; says ‘It’s an intimate portrait of who..’ Dhurandhar 2 Full Movie Collection: ‘Dhurandhar 2’ box office collection day 35: Ranveer Singh’s film marches slowly towards Rs 1770 cr, while ‘Bhooth Bangla’ soars | Hindi Movie News Kolkata: A day after police denied clearance for his planned April 23 appearances, Congress on Wednesday secured permission for Rahul Gandhi to hold three rallies in West Bengal on Saturday.The LoP in Lok Sabha will address rallies in Serampore, Metiaburuz and at Shaheed Minar in central Kolkata, in that order, said Congress member Amitabha Chakraborty. State Congress chief Subhankar Sarkar is contesting from Serampore. Rahul had earlier held three public meetings in Raiganj, Chanchal and Samsherganj on April 14, while his last Kolkata rally was in 2016.On Wednesday, Rahul also posted a video outlining Congress’s poll guarantees for Bengal: Rs 2,000 per month for women, health insurance up to Rs 10 lakh, free cancer treatment and dialysis at district hospitals, free education until graduation, filling of vacant govt posts within a year, and Rs 15,000 annually for farmers.About the AuthorRohit KhannaRohit Khanna covers sectors like government finance, economy, industry and issues related to financial crime.End 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 Row123PhotostoriesCoachella 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 slate3 mantras to chant everyday that are believed to bring peace, prosperity and divine protectionExclusive: President Droupadi Murmu hosted South Korean President with royal Rajasthani feastMukul Chadda, Mallika Sarabhai, Smriti Kalra: Meet the IIM graduates who swapped corporate suits for movie scripts123Hot 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 David Dhawan reveals why he NEVER directed Shah Rukh Khan despite rumored collaboration plans Pisces Horoscope Today, April 23, 2026: Your focus improves when you stop multitasking 27L under scrutiny, 139 cleared to vote in Bengal Phase 1 polls Jon Favreau admits he opposed Tony Stark’s death in ‘Avengers: Endgame’; had concerns about fan reactions The kitchen wrap hack that saves your half-finished paint cans from drying out | Ex-factor decoded: Bengaluru woman who set lover ablaze says boyfriend avoided her . NEW DELHI: Supreme Court’s rebuke of West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee for her interference in ED raids on I-PAC, which worked for her govt and Trinamool Congress, handed BJP a useful weapon on the eve of the state polls’ first phase as the party intensified its last-minute push in its bid to end her 15-year tenure in office.BJP seized on the top court’s sharp observations to allege that she symbolised “jungle raj” and anarchy, and had no right to continue as the CM. People will rid the state of her lawless govt on May 4 (day of counting), party spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia said on Wednesday.BJP functionaries, especially in West Bengal, amplified SC’s criticism of her as they worked up a multi-pronged campaign on the eve of the first phase of polling.Residents in parts of Kolkata woke up to “anonymous” posters sharing a QR code (pay2tmc) for availing different benefits, a pointed jibe at the alleged cut-money practice linked to TMC, in what many saw as part of BJP’s amplification of its outreach and ground game in its rival’s stronghold of south Bengal where polling is due in the second phase on April 29.Home minister Amit Shah presided over a marathon meeting that went well past midnight (Wednesday) in the state’s capital with key party functionaries, taking feedback and giving instructions aimed at booth management and mobilising maximum turnout of party supporters, especially in the second phase regions where BJP has trailed TMC badly in previous polls. Shah, BJP’s lead poll strategist, will be camping in the state till April 27, the last day of campaign as BJP makes an all-out effort.The view within BJP is that it has managed to build a potent narrative riding twin planks of anti-incumbency against Mamata, one of the most formidable opposition satraps, and its outreach buoyed by its Hindutva agenda, welfare promises targeting women and youths and action against infiltrators.BJP functionaries believe what makes this election distinct from 2021, when their party had run a strident campaign with an air of expectant victory but was humbled by Mamata as Trinamool Congress won a thumping 215 seats in the 288-member assembly, is that their cultural narrative has set deeper roots and their ground presence has more breadth.This coupled with SIR and a huge presence of central police forces has to a large extent neutralised certain advantages governing parties in the state have long enjoyed through poll irregularities, they claimed.End 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 Row123PhotostoriesCoachella 2026: 5 bizarre influencer outfits that ruined the festival fashionHow to make South Indian Curd Rice for dinner 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? 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CHENNAI: As political parties went silent on Wednesday after the month-long campaign, the Election Commission went into high gear, giving the final push to ensure smooth polling across Tamil Nadu on Thursday.Electronic voting machines were dispatched to polling stations under tight security, while flying squads stepped up vigil to prevent last-minute cash distribution. Chief electoral officer Archana Patnaik said 300 companies of paramilitary forces and more than 83,800 police personnel have been deployed to guard polling stations statewide.Ballot Units Sent To Polling Stations Amid Tight VigilEC officials undertook a 65km uphill journey from Theni to move ballot units to a remote polling booth at Vellimalai Estate in Varusanadu under the Andipatti assembly segment, catering to just five voters. For the Oothukadu polling station in Bodinayakanur, which has 307 voters but no motorable access, EVMs were carried on horseback through forests.Meanwhile, transport hubs saw heavy crowds as voters travelled back to their native places to cast votes. Several voters also arrived from abroad to participate in the election process. Delegates from multiple countries also visited Chennai under the international election visitors programme to study the polling process.End 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 Row123PhotostoriesHow to make South Indian Curd Rice for dinner 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? 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