The Election Commission on Sunday announced the schedule for assembly elections in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam and the Union Territory of Puducherry.   Assam, Kerala and Puducherry will vote in a single phase on April 9. Tamil Nadu will hold polling on April 23. West Bengal will vote in two phases on April 23 and April 29.   The commission said counting of votes for all states and the Union Territory will take place on May 4.   Nomination filing for Assam, Kerala and Puducherry will begin with a gazette notification on March 16. For Tamil Nadu and West Bengal Phase-1, the notification will be issued on March 30.

The Election Commission will announce the schedule for Assembly elections in five states and one Union Territory at 4 pm on Sunday. Polls are due in West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Assam and Puducherry. The terms of these assemblies end between May and June. Under election rules, voting must take place before the terms expire. The poll panel held a key meeting in New Delhi earlier this week to finalise the election timetable and polling phases. Officials also reviewed security deployment and preparedness in the poll-bound regions. Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi led the review process ahead of the announcement. (PC: HT)

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has reportedly offered actor-politician Vijay’s party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), around 80 assembly seats and the post of Deputy Chief Minister as part of a potential alliance for the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. According to sources, talks between the BJP and TVK have entered the final stage, with the offer aimed at strengthening the NDA’s prospects in the state. However, negotiations are not yet concluded, as Vijay is reportedly seeking the Chief Minister’s post, which remains a key sticking point. If the alliance materialises, it could significantly reshape Tamil Nadu’s electoral landscape, where small vote shifts often decide closely contested constituencies. (PC: India Today)

Union Energy Minister Hardeep Puri said there is no shortage of fuel in India despite disruption in the Strait of Hormuz due to the West Asia conflict. Speaking in the Lok Sabha, he said, “There is no shortage of petrol, diesel, kerosene, ATF or fuel oil. The availability is fully assured.” Puri said India must deal with the effects of the conflict even though it has no role in it. He added that the country’s crude oil and LPG supplies remain protected. The minister said India has diversified LPG imports. Cargoes are coming from the United States, Norway, Canada, Algeria and Russia. Domestic LPG production has also increased by 28%. (PC: HT)

Lok Sabha on Tuesday took up an Opposition resolution seeking the removal of Speaker Om Birla, leading to sharp exchanges in the House. Congress MP Mohammad Jawed moved the motion, saying the Speaker must remain impartial and command the trust of all members. Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi said the Speaker should act independently. “The Speaker is not the voice of the government but the custodian of the rights of the entire House,” he said. Birla stepped aside from the Chair during the debate on “moral grounds”. BJP MP Jagdambika Pal presided over the discussion. Opposition members questioned how Pal was chosen to chair the debate. The House was later adjourned for lunch. (PC: The Indian Express)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a meeting with Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar to review LPG supply concerns after the Iran conflict disrupted energy routes. The crisis followed the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, through which most LPG shipments to India pass. Officials said households will get priority as domestic use makes up about 87% of total LPG demand. Commercial users such as hotels and restaurants are facing shortages. The government has also extended the LPG refill booking cycle to 25 days. Authorities said the steps aim to control hoarding and manage limited supplies. (PC: NDTV)

Opposition parties on Tuesday criticised the Centre after reports of LPG shortages in parts of India during the West Asia conflict. The government has invoked the Essential Commodities Act to ensure domestic cooking gas supply and asked refineries to increase LPG production. Congress MP Pramod Tiwari said the Petroleum Ministry was “entirely responsible” for the shortage and pointed to rules requiring a 25-day gap before booking another cylinder in cities. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi said the government earlier claimed it was ready for disruptions but now says “sorry we can’t help.” Hotel bodies in Bengaluru and Chennai warned restaurants may shut if commercial LPG supplies are not restored soon. (PC: HT)

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee denied claims that President Droupadi Murmu was insulted during her recent visit to the state. Banerjee said there was no breach of protocol at the President’s event near Siliguri. She blamed private organisers and the Airports Authority of India for the mismanagement. The controversy began after President Murmu expressed displeasure over a venue change for a Santal community conference. She also noted that the Chief Minister and ministers were absent. Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticised the Trinamool Congress government and called the incident shameful. Banerjee responded that Bengal was being unfairly targeted ahead of the upcoming assembly elections. (PC: Hindustan Times)

A political row has intensified between the Centre and the West Bengal government after Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused the Trinamool Congress of insulting President Droupadi Murmu. Responding to the charge, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee displayed a 2024 photograph showing the President standing while the Prime Minister was seated during a Bharat Ratna ceremony for LK Advani. “This is for you, specially for the Prime Minister. President is standing and PM is sitting,” Banerjee said at her protest site in Kolkata. She added, “We have full respect for the chair of the President and the Constitution of India.” The controversy began after Murmu flagged protocol lapses during her visit to a tribal event in north Bengal. (PC: India Today)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticised the Trinamool Congress government in West Bengal for allegedly insulting President Droupadi Murmu. Speaking at a Women’s Day event, Modi said the country and “Nari Shakti” will not forgive the insult to the President. The controversy began after the venue of the 9th International Santhali Conclave was shifted to a smaller location near Bagdogra Airport. President Murmu said she was saddened that many people could not attend the event because of the change. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was also absent from the programme. Banerjee later accused the BJP of using the President to attack the state government for political reasons. (PC: @NarendraModi)