Post-Election Turmoil in Bengal, Political Realignments in Tamil Nadu as Congress Backs TVK

TMC offices attacked across West Bengal as security personnel injured in firing; Congress extends support to Vijay-led TVK for government formation in Tamil Nadu

Violence Erupts in Bengal After Election Results

Post-election violence has gripped several parts of West Bengal, with attacks on Trinamool Congress offices and security personnel reported from multiple districts.

In the Bamangheri area of Sandeshkhali, North 24 Parganas district, miscreants opened fire on a patrol team comprising police and central forces late Wednesday night. Five security personnel were injured in the attack, including the officer-in-charge of Nazat police station, a constable, a woman police officer, and two CRPF personnel. All injured were initially taken to Minakhan Rural Hospital before being referred to Kolkata for advanced treatment.

Security agencies recovered a bag filled with bombs from the spot during subsequent investigation.

TMC Office Bulldozed in Kolkata

In Kolkata’s New Market area, a mob used a bulldozer to demolish a TMC party office, also damaging nearby shops. The TMC shared video footage of the incident on X, claiming that BJP’s “parivartan” has arrived and brought bulldozers with it.

Similar attacks were reported from Jagatballavpur, Howrah, Siliguri, and Berhampore, where TMC offices were set on fire or vandalised. In South 24 Parganas, stones were thrown at the office of TMC general secretary Abhishek Banerjee.

Security has been withdrawn from Abhishek Banerjee’s Kolkata residence ‘Shantiniketan’, with visuals showing an empty security post outside the premises.

A BJP worker, Madhu Mandal, died after being beaten in New Town area, police confirmed. Meanwhile, TMC leader Abir Sheikh was found with his throat slit in Birbhum district.

The Election Commission has directed strict action against those involved in violence and ordered enhanced patrolling across affected areas.

Congress Backs TVK for Government Formation in Tamil Nadu

In a significant political development, the Congress party has decided to support TVK chief Vijay in his bid to form the government in Tamil Nadu.

A late-night emergency meeting of the Tamil Nadu Congress Political Affairs Committee was held online Tuesday, with senior leaders from Delhi participating. The decision to support Vijay was taken unanimously.

Congress stated that the mandate in Tamil Nadu favours a secular government, and the party will not allow the BJP or its allies to come to power under any circumstances.

TVK Lodges 108 MLAs at Hotel, Needs 10 More

TVK has lodged its 108 MLAs-elect at a hotel in Chengalpattu, Mahabalipuram, as it seeks support from other parties to reach the majority mark of 118 in the 234-member assembly.

Congress has 5 MLAs, while PMK has 4. CPI and CPI(M) have won 2 seats each. DMK has secured 59 seats and AIADMK 47 seats. Vijay had earlier sought Congress support, and the party’s backing gives him 113 MLAs, still five short of majority.

DMK Criticises Congress, AIADMK Keeps Options Open

DMK spokesperson T K S Elangovan criticised Congress for backing TVK, calling it “backstabbing” and warning that such political moves could further weaken the party nationally.

“Congress is making similar alliances in many states but is losing ground everywhere,” Elangovan said.

AIADMK national spokesperson Kovai Sathyan said the decision now rests with TVK chief Vijay. AIADMK leader CV Shanmugam indicated the party would take a decision on supporting TVK after internal discussions.

Kerala CM Race Heats Up

In Kerala, where the Congress-led UDF alliance has emerged victorious, a tussle has begun over the chief minister selection. Three names are under discussion: Opposition leader VD Satheesan, Congress general secretary KC Venugopal, and senior leader Ramesh Chennithala.

CPI-M leader and outgoing chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan has reached the party office for a meeting to review election results.

Modi Holds Final Assam Rallies as Election Fever Grips Northeast India

Prime Minister addresses three constituencies in last campaign push before April 9 Assam Assembly polls; Gandhi targets CM Sarma

Campaign Enters Final Stretch

With Assam set to vote on April 9, the last week of campaigning has seen the country's top political heavyweights descend on the northeastern state in force. Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed three back-to-back election rallies on Monday — at Bhowanipur-Sarbhog in Barpeta district, Hojai in central Assam, and Dibrugarh in Upper Assam — as the Bharatiya Janata Party makes a concerted push for a third consecutive term in power.

Monday's visit marks Modi's final campaign blitz in the state ahead of single-phase polling on April 9, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah scheduled to hold his own rallies a day later on April 7.

BJP Eyes Historic Hat-Trick

Modi has repeatedly framed this election as a quest for a "hat-trick," declaring at earlier rallies that a third consecutive BJP government in Assam is a certainty. The party currently governs the state under Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and is seeking to consolidate gains made since 2016.

At a rally in Gogamukh earlier this month, Modi announced that a Uniform Civil Code would be introduced in Assam to safeguard the rights of indigenous communities and protect cultural heritage in Sixth Schedule areas. The promise has since become a centrepiece of the BJP's campaign pitch.

Modi Attacks TMC in Bengal

The Prime Minister spent Sunday on the campaign trail in West Bengal, which goes to polls between April 23 and 29. Modi took sharp aim at the ruling Trinamool Congress government, declaring that it would be held accountable after the BJP's expected victory in that state. According to PTI, Modi assured supporters that a full reckoning of what he described as the TMC's "sins" would follow the election results.

Gandhi Targets Sarma

Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi held a campaign event on Sunday in the Biswanath district of Assam, using the platform to sharpen his attack on the state's sitting Chief Minister. Gandhi called Himanta Biswa Sarma the "most corrupt and hate-spreading Chief Minister" in the country, according to reports from the event. The remarks signal Congress's strategy of making Sarma's leadership a central electoral issue rather than targeting the BJP's national narrative alone.

Sarma himself is contesting the Jalukbari seat, where he faces Congress candidate Bidisha Neog along with an independent challenger.

South India: TVK Rally Called Off

Campaigning is also underway in Tamil Nadu, where elections are scheduled for April 23. However, Monday saw a setback for the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), the party floated by actor-turned-politician Vijay. The party called off planned rallies in the Chennai constituencies of Villivakkam and T Nagar, citing insufficient time granted by police to move between the two venues.

According to news agency ANI, TVK sources confirmed the party intends to file a complaint with the Election Commission of India over the matter. The cancellation is unlikely to derail TVK's broader campaign, but it hands rivals a talking point heading into the final weeks before polling day in the southern state.

Markets Rattle on Global Cues

Indian equity markets opened in the red on Monday morning, as global investor sentiment took a hit following US President Donald Trump's remarks threatening fresh pressure on Iran. The development added to existing jitters around trade tariffs and energy prices, rattling domestic indices at the start of the week's trading session.

What Comes Next

With Assam's polling day just three days away and campaigning set to conclude on Tuesday evening, the final hours of electioneering will be closely watched. Assam CM Sarma had earlier promised voters two free LPG cylinders annually during Bihu and Durga Puja, a pledge likely to feature prominently in the BJP's closing arguments to voters. All eyes now turn to April 9, when 126 assembly constituencies across Assam will decide whether the saffron camp achieves the hat-trick its top leader has been promising.