Malda Judges Gherao: ISF Candidate Arrested After Judicial Officers Held for Hours in Kaliachak

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April 2, 2026

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Reference Photo:West Bengal Voter Roll Protest: 7 Judicial Officers Held in Malda as Highway Blockade Sparks National Outrage

West Bengal voter roll protest turns explosive in Malda

A major political and administrative controversy has erupted in West Bengal after seven judicial officers were held for hours in Malda district during protests linked to voter list deletions under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process. The episode quickly escalated from a local grievance into a nationally watched law-and-order issue, especially after the Supreme Court sharply criticised the handling of the incident.

According to multiple reports, the officers were on duty to deal with objections and claims related to the revised electoral rolls when an angry crowd surrounded them in Kaliachak, Malda. The protest was triggered by allegations that several residents had found their names missing from the voter list. The officers remained trapped for roughly nine to ten hours, before police and security personnel moved them to safety late at night or around 1 am.

Why were people protesting?

At the heart of the unrest is the SIR exercise, a large-scale revision of voter rolls ordered by the Election Commission. Opposition parties and many affected residents have alleged that genuine voters are being removed unfairly. NDTV reported that the agitation in Malda was linked directly to names being struck off the electoral roll, with protesters accusing authorities of selective exclusion.

As tempers rose, the protest did not remain confined to a single office compound. Reports said roads and highways were blocked, including National Highway 12 in Malda, as the anger spilled into public spaces and disrupted movement. That widened the incident from a local confrontation into a broader public-order crisis.

Supreme Court’s sharp reaction

The Supreme Court’s response gave the incident national significance. The court called the episode a serious challenge to judicial authority, sought explanations from senior state officials, and said the matter warranted an independent investigation. Reports say the bench asked top officials, including the chief secretary, DGP and district-level officers, to explain why adequate steps were not taken after warnings had already been communicated.

One of the strongest observations came from the court’s remarks that the inaction of the administration was “highly deplorable.” The court also directed the Election Commission to consider handing the probe to an independent agency such as the CBI or NIA, signalling how seriously it viewed the threat faced by the judicial officers.

Mamata Banerjee’s response

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said she had not been informed in time about the hostage-like situation and argued that the Election Commission, which has made administrative changes ahead of the election, was effectively controlling the law-and-order machinery. She also said she understood why people were angry over the voter roll issue, even as the incident itself drew intense criticism.

That response has added a political layer to an already sensitive matter. What began as a dispute over electoral inclusion is now feeding into a much larger debate over governance, institutional accountability, and election management in West Bengal.

What is true, and what should be treated carefully?

There is little doubt now that seven judicial officers were held for hours in Malda and that protests over deleted voter names led to a wider disturbance, including highway blockades. Those points are well supported across reports.

However, some regional versions of the story describe the blockade as lasting 15 hours. Based on the national coverage available so far, that exact duration is not yet clearly confirmed. The safer wording is that the officers were held for around nine to ten hours, while protest-related road blockades continued and spread.

Why this story matters

This is not just a local protest story. It touches three issues that matter nationally: voter roll accuracy, safety of judicial officers, and confidence in election administration. When officials assigned to adjudicate voter disputes are themselves trapped by public anger, the message is worrying for democracy and the rule of law.

The incident also shows how quickly administrative disputes can become flashpoints during election season. If people believe they are being unfairly excluded from the voter list, distrust can spread fast, and the consequences can move from paperwork to public unrest within hours. That is exactly why the Malda episode is likely to remain in the spotlight in the days ahead.

Unlock Your Happiest Life: The Ultimate Guide to Cultivating Joy (Even on Mondays!)

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April 2, 2026

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Two people jumping at sunset silhouette — Pure joy captured at sunset! These two celebrate life with an energetic jump.

Hey there! Let’s be honest, adulting can be a drag sometimes, right? Between work, bills, and that ever-growing to-do list, it’s easy to feel like genuine happiness is just out of reach. But what if I told you that cultivating joy isn’t some mystical, unattainable quest? It’s actually a skill, and like any skill, it can be learned and strengthened. I’m here to share some of my personal go-to strategies that have seriously upped my happiness game. Think of this as your friendly, no-fluff guide to finding more joy, starting right now.

Why We All Need More Joy (It’s Not Just a “Nice-to-Have”)

Most people think happiness is something that *happens* to you – like winning the lottery or getting that promotion. But honestly, true, sustainable joy comes from within. It’s about how you choose to perceive and interact with your world. And when you’re living with more joy, everything else just seems to fall into place. Your relationships get better, your work feels more meaningful, and even those mundane tasks become a little more bearable. It’s less about chasing fleeting moments and more about building a foundation of contentment.

Hacking Your Morning Routine for Maximum Cheer

The way you start your day sets the tone for everything that follows. So, let’s ditch the frantic snooze-button marathon. Here’s what works for me:

1. The “No Phone First Thing” Rule

I know, I know, it’s tough! But trust me, scrolling through emails or social media the second you wake up is a recipe for anxiety. Give your brain at least 15-30 minutes of quiet before diving into the digital world. Use this time for something that nourishes you.

2. Hydrate and Move (Even Just a Little!)

Grab a glass of water. It’s simple, but it kickstarts your system. Then, do some light stretching, a few yoga poses, or even just a quick walk around the block. Getting your blood flowing wakes up your body and mind.

3. Set a Positive Intention

Before you even get out of bed, think of one thing you’re grateful for or one positive thing you want to achieve today. It could be as simple as “Today, I will be patient” or “Today, I will find something to smile about.”

Small Wins, Big Impact: Daily Habits That Spark Joy

It’s the little things, right? You don’t need grand gestures to feel good. Integrate these into your day:

Mindful Moments

Take 5 minutes to just *be*. Focus on your breath, the sounds around you, or the taste of your coffee. This is your mini-reset button.

Acts of Kindness

Whether it’s a genuine compliment to a colleague, holding the door for someone, or sending a thoughtful text to a friend, kindness is a two-way street for happiness.

Nourish Your Body and Soul

Eat food that makes you feel good, both physically and mentally. And make time for things you genuinely enjoy, even if it’s just 20 minutes of reading or listening to music.

Overcoming the “Blahs”: When Joy Feels Far Away

Even with the best intentions, some days are just… tough. Here’s how I push through:

Acknowledge, Don’t Resist

It’s okay to not be okay all the time. Allow yourself to feel your emotions without judgment. Fighting them only makes them stronger.

Shift Your Focus

When you’re stuck in a negative loop, consciously try to think of three things that are going *right*. It takes practice, but it works.

Connect with Your People

Call a friend, chat with a family member, or even just spend time with a pet. Social connection is a powerful antidote to low moods.

Honestly, building a happier life is an ongoing practice. There will be ups and downs, but by consistently applying these strategies, you’re equipping yourself with the tools to navigate them with more grace and, yes, more joy. It’s about progress, not perfection. So, go ahead, sprinkle some extra joy into your day – you totally deserve it!

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q1: I feel like I don’t have enough time for “joyful activities.” What can I do?
A1: Start small! Even 5-10 minutes dedicated to something you love can make a difference. Think of it as essential self-care, not a luxury.
Q2: What if I’m naturally a pessimistic person?
A2: It’s definitely possible to shift your mindset. Focus on small, achievable steps and celebrate your successes. Gratitude journaling can be incredibly powerful.
Q3: How do I stop comparing myself to others, especially on social media?
A3: Limit your social media exposure, curate your feed to be more positive, and remind yourself that what you see online is often a highlight reel, not real life. Focus on your own journey.

Modi Government Plans to Amend Women’s Reservation Law on Monday — But It Can’t Do It Without the Opposition

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March 18, 2026

Ai image- Women’s Reservation Bill Amendment Likely on Monday

New Delhi, March 17, 2026 | Political Desk

The Short Version

The Modi government is preparing to introduce an amendment to the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam — the Women’s Reservation Act — in Parliament as early as Monday. The goal is to strip out the condition that has kept the law frozen on paper for over two years: the requirement that women’s reservation can only take effect after a census and a fresh delimitation of constituencies. If the amendment succeeds, 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies could become a reality in the 2029 general elections — and possibly even in upcoming state assembly polls.

There is just one major problem. The BJP does not have the numbers to pass a constitutional amendment on its own, and it knows it.

Why the Original Law Is Stuck

To understand why this amendment is being proposed now, it helps to go back to September 2023, when the Modi government passed the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam during a special session of Parliament held in the new Parliament building. The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Eighth Amendment) Bill, 2023 was approved by the Rajya Sabha with 214 members voting in favour and none against — a day after the Lok Sabha passed it with 454 votes for and only two against. News on Air

It was a historic moment — the culmination of a legislative battle that had been going on since 1996. But the celebration came with a catch buried in the fine print.

In the present form of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, the Act provides for 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, but its implementation is linked to the completion of the next census and subsequent delimitation, making 2031 the likely timeline. The Tribune

That is not a minor delay. It means a law that was passed with near-unanimous fanfare in 2023 may not actually change a single election until 2031 — eight years after it was enacted.

What the Government Now Wants to Change

Sources indicate there is a proposal to advance the implementation by two years to 2029. “For this to happen, the Act would need to be amended. This is possible only by revisiting the provisions related to the completion of the census and the delimitation exercise,” a source said. The Tribune

In practical terms, this means removing or modifying the clause in the law that ties women’s reservation to the post-census delimitation process. If that condition is removed, the government could push for reservation to apply from the next round of assembly elections — a move that carries obvious political weight with West Bengal elections approaching — and then in the 2029 Lok Sabha polls.

But making that change is not a simple matter of drafting new legislation. It requires amending the Constitution itself.

The Numbers Problem: BJP Doesn’t Have the Votes

This is where the government’s plan runs into a hard wall. Amending the Constitution under Article 368(2) requires a bill to be passed by a majority of the total membership of each house and by not less than two-thirds of the members present and voting. The BJP and its NDA allies do not currently hold that two-thirds threshold in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.

That means the government needs the opposition — and specifically, it needs the Congress to come on board.

Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju has reportedly been reaching out to opposition leaders in recent days to build support for the amendment. But the response from Congress has been more procedural than enthusiastic.

Kharge’s Letter: Support the Bill — But Do It Properly

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge responded to Rijiju’s outreach by noting that the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam was passed unanimously by Parliament in September 2023, and that “thirty months later, the government is, in your own words, ‘seeking an opportunity to interact with me and the senior members of my party to deliberate upon the modalities and roadmap for the implementation of this landmark constitutional amendment.'” Outlook India

The tone of Kharge’s letter was pointed. He did not say no — but he did question why the government is suddenly in a hurry on a law it passed 30 months ago and has not moved on since.

Kharge has written to Rijiju urging him to convene an all-party meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying the proposed discussion should involve all opposition parties rather than limited consultations with individual leaders. The Tribune

Sources within the government say that in response, the possibility of holding such an all-party meeting under PM Modi’s leadership is being seriously considered. That meeting, if it happens, could be the first step toward building the cross-party coalition needed to push the amendment through Parliament.

The Political Calculation: Women Voters and West Bengal

None of this is happening in a political vacuum. With West Bengal state elections approaching, a fresh push on women’s reservation carries a clear electoral message — particularly to women voters in a state where political competition between the BJP and the Trinamool Congress is intense.

Activating the women’s reservation issue now, and framing the BJP as the party that is fighting to make it real, is a political narrative the ruling party is unlikely to be shy about. Analysts have noted that even if the amendment faces hurdles, being seen as the party pushing for early implementation strengthens the BJP’s hand with women voters in several key states.

At the same time, opposing the amendment would put the opposition in an uncomfortable position — it is politically difficult to argue against reserving seats for women, even if the procedural objections are legitimate.

Nearly Three Decades in the Making

It is worth remembering just how long India has been trying to do this. The initial bill addressing women’s reservation was first presented as the 81st Constitutional Amendment Bill in 1996 during the Janata Dal-led United Front government under HD Deve Gowda. It was introduced multiple times during the tenure of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, yet failed to amass the necessary numerical support. Wikipedia

The Congress-led UPA government passed the bill in the Rajya Sabha in 2010, but it was never taken up in the Lok Sabha and lapsed. It took until 2023 — 27 years after it was first tabled — for both houses of Parliament to finally pass a women’s reservation law. And now, just two and a half years after that, the Modi government is acknowledging that the law as written may not actually deliver reservation in any election before 2031.

The proposed amendment is, in effect, an admission that the 2023 law needed a better implementation mechanism — and a race against time to fix it before the 2029 elections make the issue moot.

What Happens Next

The amendment is expected to be introduced in Parliament on Monday. Whether it moves quickly or gets bogged down in negotiations depends almost entirely on whether the government can bring together enough opposition parties to meet the two-thirds constitutional threshold.

For now, Congress has not said no — but it has said: not without everyone at the table. If PM Modi chairs that all-party meeting, the political signal it sends would itself be significant: that on this particular issue, the government is willing to treat the amendment as a national effort rather than a ruling party achievement.

Whether that goodwill extends to the voting booth in Parliament will be the real test.

This is a developing political story. Updates will follow as Parliament proceedings unfold.

8 Dead in Indore House Fire: EV Charging Point Blast Sets Off Chain of LPG Cylinder Explosions, Traps Family Behind Jammed Electronic Locks

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March 18, 2026

Vibrant fruit platter with watermelon, grapes, and berries. — 8 Dead in Indore House Fire: EV Charging Point Blast Sets Off Chain of LPG Cylinder Explosions, Traps Family Behind Jammed Electronic Locks

The Tragedy at a Glance

Eight people are dead and four others are battling severe burn injuries after a catastrophic fire tore through a three-storey residential building in Indore’s Brijeshwari Annexe Colony in the early hours of Wednesday morning. What started as an electric car charging overnight outside a family home turned into one of the deadliest residential fires Indore has seen in recent years — triggered by a short circuit at the EV charging point, fuelled by stored LPG cylinders and flammable chemicals, and made deadlier by electronic door locks that jammed when the power cut out, leaving people trapped with nowhere to run.

How the Fire Started: A Charging Car, a Short Circuit, and a Chain Reaction

Around 4 AM, a massive fire broke out in a three-storey house near Bengali Square when a short circuit in an electric car being charged outside the house led to a blast. News on Air

The fire reached LPG cylinders stored inside, causing one explosion after another. A sudden power cut jammed the electronic door locks, leaving people trapped with no escape route. Dainikjagranmpcg

The fire intensified as over ten gas cylinders stored inside detonated, fuelling the catastrophe. India TV News Neighbours and a passer-by on an early morning walk raised the alarm, but by then it was too late for eight of the people inside.

The explosions were powerful enough to be heard across the neighbourhood, and parts of the building’s structure collapsed, burying and trapping those who had not yet escaped.

Who Died: Victims Were Relatives Who Had Arrived Just the Day Before

The loss of life is particularly heartbreaking because most of the victims had only just arrived.

The dead include homeowner Manoj Pugalia’s daughter-in-law Simran, 30, and seven relatives who had arrived from Kishanganj, Bihar, just a day earlier. Among them were Vijay Sethia, 65, who had come to Indore for jaw cancer treatment, his wife Suman, 60, son Chhotu, 22, daughter-in-law Rashi, 12, and others — Manoj Jain, 60, Tinu, 35, and Tanay, just 8 years old. Dainikjagranmpcg

The family had gathered under one roof for what was meant to be a visit for medical care. They never made it back home.

Four survivors — Saurabh Pugalia, 30, Sunita, Ashish, 30, and Harshit Pugalia, 25 — suffered serious burns and are under treatment at MGM Medical College. Dainikjagranmpcg

What Made the Fire So Deadly: Chemicals, Cylinders, and Locked Doors

Three factors combined to turn what might have been a manageable fire into a mass casualty event.

Stored flammable materials: Police Commissioner Santosh Kumar Singh said the house belonged to polymer businessman Manoj Pugalia and contained flammable chemicals that acted as fuel. Nine gas cylinders were inside. Dainikjagranmpcg The presence of these materials transformed a car fire into a multi-explosion inferno within minutes.

Building collapse: The repeated blasts from the cylinders were not just fire hazards — they physically destroyed parts of the structure, blocking escape routes and making rescue operations dangerous for firefighters.

Jammed electronic locks: Rescue efforts were delayed because electronic door locks failed during a power cut, making it tough for people to escape. NewsBytes This detail raises serious questions about the safety of smart lock systems in homes where power outages can occur during emergencies.

Government Response: PM Modi Announces Compensation, Expert Panel to Be Formed

The tragedy drew swift responses from the highest levels of government.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was deeply pained by the loss of lives and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from PMNRF for the next of kin of each deceased, and Rs 50,000 for the injured. India TV News

State Cabinet Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya, who visited the spot, expressed deep grief and announced that an expert committee will be formed to investigate the incident. He also stated that a new SOP for EV charging will be issued soon to prevent such tragedies. News on Air

The Bigger Question: Is India’s EV Charging Infrastructure Safe?

The Indore fire has reignited a debate that has been building quietly for months — are India’s homes equipped to safely handle the demands of overnight EV charging?

India’s electric vehicle adoption is growing rapidly, but the infrastructure to support it safely — including certified home charging installations, standardised equipment, and consumer safety education — has not kept pace. Millions of EV owners across the country charge their vehicles overnight using setups that have never been inspected or certified by any safety authority. Dainikjagranmpcg

Investigators are now looking at whether the vehicle was using a substandard charger, whether there was a wiring fault in the external setup, or whether an extended overnight charge led to overheating. Each of these possibilities points to a gap in regulation that could affect any household in India that owns an electric vehicle.

Experts point out several common mistakes EV owners make at home — using extension boards not rated for continuous high-wattage loads, sharing circuits with other heavy appliances, poor earthing, and using uncertified wall chargers. Any one of these can create the conditions for a fire. Combined with stored flammable materials, the results can be fatal.

A City in Grief, A Country That Must Act

The eight people who died in Brijeshwari Colony on Wednesday morning — a grandfather travelling for cancer treatment, his wife, their young son and daughter-in-law, a child of eight, and others — represent exactly the kind of loss that exposes the gap between how fast technology is being adopted in India and how slowly safety systems are catching up.

The Indore fire of March 18 is not just a tragedy. It is a warning. Dainikjagranmpcg Authorities investigating the incident must look not only at what went wrong inside one house, but at what systemic changes are needed across the country to ensure that charging an electric car at home does not carry the risk of a disaster.

The families of the victims deserve answers. And every EV owner in India deserves a clear, enforced standard that keeps their home safe.

This story is developing. Details may be updated as the investigation continues.

Iran-Israel War Enters Deadliest Phase Yet: Senior Officials Assassinated, Cluster Missiles Kill Civilians Near Tel Aviv

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March 18, 2026

Close-up of a fluffy, sleepy orange tabby cat. — Tehran Mourns Ali Larijani as Iran-Israel War Enters Dangerous New Phase

Wednesday, March 18, 2026 | World Desk

What Happened Today

The Iran-Israel war took one of its most alarming turns yet on Wednesday as Israel confirmed the killing of two of Iran’s most powerful figures, and Iran responded by firing cluster-warhead missiles toward Israeli civilian areas, killing two people near Tel Aviv.

The situation, which has been escalating since fighting began on February 28, now extends well beyond a two-country military clash. Gulf energy infrastructure is under threat, global oil prices have surged to their highest levels in years, and outside powers including Russia are stepping into the diplomatic arena — raising fears that this conflict is becoming nearly impossible to contain.

Israel Kills Ali Larijani — One of Iran’s Most Influential Leaders

At the heart of Wednesday’s escalation is the death of Ali Larijani, 67, one of Iran’s most senior and respected political figures. Iranian authorities confirmed that Larijani was killed in an Israeli airstrike, dealing a significant blow to the country’s leadership at an already fragile moment.

Larijani had long been one of the key figures shaping Iran’s direction at the highest levels of government. He had recently been involved in sensitive diplomatic work, including discussions tied to nuclear negotiations. His death is not just a military event — it is a direct strike at the brain of Iran’s decision-making structure.

Iranian leadership reacted with fury, vowing swift and severe retaliation. Tehran’s streets filled with mourners as state officials framed the killing as a brazen political assassination.

Intelligence Chief Esmail Khatib Also Confirmed Dead

Adding to the shock, Israel announced it had also killed Iran’s intelligence minister, Esmail Khatib, in a separate overnight airstrike. The deaths of both Larijani and Khatib within 48 hours mark an extraordinarily aggressive Israeli strategy — one focused not merely on military targets, but on systematically dismantling Iran’s security and intelligence leadership.

Iranian officials described the back-to-back killings as the assassination of three senior security figures in two days. The psychological and strategic impact inside Tehran cannot be overstated.

Iran Fires Cluster Missiles — Two Killed Near Tel Aviv

Iran’s retaliation came quickly. Missile fire resumed toward Israel, and one missile carrying cluster submunitions broke apart in the air over civilian areas near Tel Aviv, killing two people and damaging infrastructure including a major train station.

Cluster warheads are among the most feared weapons in modern conflict because they are extremely difficult to intercept once they split apart mid-air, scattering dozens of smaller bomblets over a wide area. The danger does not end with the initial strike — unexploded bomblets can remain active on streets and in public spaces for days or weeks, posing an ongoing threat to civilians.

According to Israeli officials, roughly half of all missiles fired by Iran since the war began on February 28 have been cluster warheads. That detail alone explains why each new Iranian barrage generates deep alarm well beyond the immediate death toll.

Gulf Energy Infrastructure Threatened — Oil Prices Spike Above $108

Perhaps the most globally consequential development on Wednesday came from Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, which issued direct threats against energy facilities in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. Iran has also been targeting Gulf energy infrastructure more broadly, and the Strait of Hormuz — through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply normally passes — has become nearly impassable.

The result has been a sharp and sustained rise in global oil prices. Brent crude climbed above $108 a barrel, a level reflecting serious market anxiety about supply disruptions. Since the war began, benchmark oil prices have risen by close to 50%. Gulf producers and the United States are reportedly working to find alternative supply routes and workarounds to prevent a full-blown energy crisis.

The ripple effects of a prolonged Hormuz shutdown would be felt in transport costs, manufacturing, and household fuel bills across much of the world — not just in the Middle East.

Russia Condemns the Killings, Calls for Ceasefire

Russia weighed in on Wednesday, with the Kremlin formally condemning what it described as the “murder” of Iranian leaders in what it called U.S.-Israeli airstrikes. Moscow renewed its calls for an immediate ceasefire and a return to negotiations.

Russia’s close ties to Tehran make its position no surprise, but the public statement underscores how rapidly this conflict is drawing in outside powers — politically if not yet militarily. What began as a bilateral confrontation is increasingly being watched, and commented on, by major global players with their own stakes in the outcome.

The Bigger Picture: A War That Is Widening Fast

Every aspect of this conflict is expanding. The targets are getting more senior. The weapons are getting more dangerous. The geography is spreading beyond Iran and Israel into the Gulf. The economic consequences are reaching global markets. And the diplomatic space for a resolution appears to be shrinking with every new airstrike and every fresh barrage of missiles.

For ordinary people — in Tehran mourning their leaders, in Israeli neighborhoods picking through debris, and in Gulf cities watching energy prices climb — the war is not an abstraction. It is an immediate and worsening reality.

Independent verification of all claims made by the warring sides remains difficult in real time. But the direction of this conflict is clear: it is deepening, and the window to stop it from spreading further is closing.

Pakistan Air Strike on Kabul Hospital Kills at Least 400, Families Desperately Search for Survivors

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March 18, 2026

Pakistan Afghanistan conflict, Kabul hospital strike, Omar Addiction Treatment Hospital

Kabul, March 17 — Hundreds of grieving families crowded outside a major hospital in Afghanistan’s capital on Monday night after a devastating air strike reduced much of the facility to rubble, killing at least 400 people and wounding around 250 others in one of the deadliest attacks Kabul has witnessed in recent years.

Afghan authorities have directly blamed Pakistan’s air force for the strike, which hit the Omar Addiction Treatment Hospital — a 2,000-bed facility primarily serving patients battling drug dependency. The attack, which occurred at approximately 9pm local time, destroyed a significant portion of the building and left survivors scrambling through the debris.

“Many Were Killed Instantly”

Among those who made it out alive was Omid Stanikzai, a 31-year-old security guard who had been staying in a dormitory inside the hospital when the strike hit. He described scenes of immediate chaos and destruction, saying many of his colleagues were killed on the spot. He survived, but barely.

As news spread through the city, relatives of patients rushed to the site in desperation — some hoping to find survivors, others fearing the worst.

Kabul Calls It a “Crime Against Humanity”

Afghanistan’s government was swift and unambiguous in its condemnation. Government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid described the strike as a direct violation of Afghan airspace and called it a “crime against humanity”, warning that such actions would not go without serious consequences.

Afghan officials also alleged that beyond the hospital, the strikes damaged key information technology infrastructure and ammunition storage centres across Kabul and Nangarhar province — suggesting a broader military operation was underway.

Pakistan Denies Targeting Civilians

Islamabad has pushed back firmly against the accusations. Pakistan’s Information Minister Ataullah Tarar stated that the country’s military targeted specific locations linked to terrorist activity, not civilian infrastructure. He claimed that 73 militants and associated facilities were successfully hit, and insisted that harming ordinary citizens was never the intention.

However, Afghan health ministry officials rejected that narrative, stating that no military infrastructure existed in the vicinity of the hospital and that the strike appeared aimed squarely at a civilian medical facility.

International Community Raises Alarm

The incident has sharply escalated an already volatile relationship between the two neighbouring countries. International observers and humanitarian organisations have raised urgent concerns over the growing cycle of cross-border strikes and the mounting civilian toll.

China has called for an immediate ceasefire, urging both sides to return to dialogue. India also issued a strong condemnation of the attack.

Afghan cricketers, including star spinner Rashid Khan, took to social media to denounce the strike, with Khan labelling it a “war crime” and calling on world leaders to intervene.

As rescue operations continue at the site, the death toll is feared to rise. Families are still waiting outside the ruins — searching, hoping, and mourning.

Bengal 2026: Trinamool Congress Declares Its Candidates

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March 17, 2026

West Bengal’s ruling party announces 291 candidates, leaves three Darjeeling seats for ally BGPM

Here’s your SEO-friendly, human-style rewrite:

TMC Releases Full Candidate List for Bengal Assembly Election 2026: Mamata Banerjee to Contest from Bhawanipore, Big Names Confirmed

West Bengal’s ruling party announces 291 candidates, leaves three Darjeeling seats for ally BGPM

Trinamool Congress made its much-awaited move on Tuesday, releasing the full candidate list for the upcoming West Bengal Assembly Election 2026 — and there are quite a few surprises tucked in.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced the list at a press conference in Kolkata, flanked by the party’s national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee and state president Subrata Bakshi. MillenniumPost She confirmed that TMC will field candidates in 291 of the 294 assembly seats across the state. The remaining three seats in the Darjeeling hills will be left for ally Anit Thapa-led Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (BGPM). MillenniumPost

The Numbers Tell a Story

Abhishek Banerjee revealed a notable breakdown of the 291 TMC candidates — 52 women, 95 SC/ST candidates, and 47 minority representatives. That’s a deliberate and visible push for inclusivity in an election that could define Bengal’s political direction for the next five years.

Mamata was bullish about the party’s prospects, declaring that TMC will win more than 226 seats in the 2026 polls. MillenniumPost She also sought to reassure party workers who didn’t find a spot on the list, saying all those left out will be absorbed into the party organisation.

Who’s Fighting From Where?

The candidate list reads like a who’s who of Bengal politics. Here are the key names to watch:

Mamata Banerjee — Bhawanipore. She faces a direct contest against BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari, making Bhawanipore the most closely watched seat in the state. India.com
Firhad Hakim — Kolkata Port
Madan Mitra — Kamarhati (gets the ticket again)
Jyotipriya Mallick — Habra
Kunal Ghosh — Beleghata (his first-ever assembly election contest)
Bratya Basu — Dum Dum
Sujit Bose — Bidhannagar
Chandrima Bhattacharya — Dum Dum North
Raj Chakraborty — Barrackpore
Shashi Panja — Shyampukur
Narayan Goswami — Ashoknagar
Soham Chakraborty — Karimpur, Nadia

Fresh Faces and Notable Debuts

One of the more interesting picks is Devadeep Purohit, a former journalist, who has been fielded from the Khardah constituency — a signal that TMC isn’t shying away from non-traditional candidates.

Kalyan Banerjee’s son, Prabhat Banerjee, gets a ticket from Uttarpara, while Pavitra Kar will contest from the high-profile Nandigram seat.

Meanwhile, Kanai Mandal missed out on a ticket — one of the visible omissions from this list.

Why This Election Matters

West Bengal polls are scheduled in two phases — April 23 and April 29 — with vote counting on May 4, 2026. Wikipedia With over 70 million voters eligible to cast ballots, the stakes couldn’t be higher.

Mamata also took sharp aim at the BJP, saying their tally will shrink this time and that they will face a “befitting reply” for their anti-people policies. MillenniumPost

Whether TMC can match the bravado with votes on the ground remains to be seen — but for now, the party has clearly gone into this election with a structured, socially balanced, and experience-heavy list.

TMC Full Candidate List for Bengal Assembly Election 2026 — All 291 Names Revealed

TMC Candidate List 2026: West Bengal Assembly Election

Constituency-wise candidate list for the TMC-led alliance in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly election.

AC No.	Constituency	District	Candidate	Party
1	Mekliganj (SC)	Coochbehar	Paresh Chandra Adhikary	TMC
2	Mathabhanga (SC)	Coochbehar	Sablu Barman	TMC
3	Coochbehar Uttar (SC)	Coochbehar	Partha Pratim Roy	TMC
4	Coochbehar Dakshin	Coochbehar	Avijit De Bhowmick (Hippy)	TMC
5	Sitalkuchi (SC)	Coochbehar	Harihar Das	TMC
6	Sitai (SC)	Coochbehar	Sangita Roy Basunia	TMC
7	Dinhata	Coochbehar	Udayan Guha	TMC
8	Natabari	Coochbehar	Sailen Barma	TMC
9	Tufanganj	Coochbehar	Shib Sankar Paul	TMC
10	Kumargram (ST)	Alipurduar	Rajeev Tirkey	TMC
11	Kalchini (ST)	Alipurduar	Birendra Bara	TMC
12	Alipurduar	Alipurduar	Suman Kanjilal	TMC
13	Falakata (SC)	Alipurduar	Subhash Chandra Roy	TMC
14	Madarihat (ST)	Alipurduar	Jayprakash Toppo	TMC
15	Dhupguri (SC)	Jalpaiguri	Dr Nirmal Chandra Roy	TMC
16	Maynaguri (SC)	Jalpaiguri	Ram Mohan Roy	TMC
17	Jalpaiguri (SC)	Jalpaiguri	Krishna Das	TMC
18	Rajganj (SC)	Jalpaiguri	Swapna Barman	TMC
19	Dabgram-Phulbari	Jalpaiguri	Ranjan Shil Sharma	TMC
20	Mal (ST)	Jalpaiguri	Bulu Chik Baraik	TMC
21	Nagrakata (ST)	Jalpaiguri	Sanjay Kujur	TMC
22	Kalimpong	Kalimpong	Ruden Sada Lepcha	BGPM (AITC ally)
23	Darjeeling	Darjeeling	Bijoy Kumar Rai	BGPM (AITC ally)
24	Kurseong	Darjeeling	Amar Lama	BGPM (AITC ally)
25	Matigara-Naxalbari (SC)	Darjeeling	Sankar Malakar	TMC
26	Siliguri	Darjeeling	Goutam Deb	TMC
27	Phansidewa (ST)	Darjeeling	Reena Toppo Ekka	TMC
28	Chopra	Uttar Dinajpur	Hamidul Rahaman	TMC
29	Islampur	Uttar Dinajpur	Kanaia Lal Aggarwal	TMC
30	Goalpokhar	Uttar Dinajpur	Md. Ghulam Rabbani	TMC
31	Chakulia	Uttar Dinajpur	Minhajul Arfin Azad	TMC
32	Karandighi	Uttar Dinajpur	Gautam Paul	TMC
33	Hemtabad (SC)	Uttar Dinajpur	Satyajit Barman	TMC
34	Kaliaganj (SC)	Uttar Dinajpur	Nitai Baishya	TMC
35	Raiganj	Uttar Dinajpur	Krishna Kalyani	TMC
36	Itahar	Uttar Dinajpur	Mosaraf Hussain	TMC
37	Kushmandi (SC)	Dakshin Dinajpur	Rekha Roy	TMC
38	Kumarganj	Dakshin Dinajpur	Toraf Hossain Mondal	TMC
39	Balurghat	Dakshin Dinajpur	Arpita Ghosh	TMC
40	Tapan (ST)	Dakshin Dinajpur	Chintamoni Biha	TMC
41	Gangarampur (SC)	Dakshin Dinajpur	Goutam Das	TMC
42	Harirampur	Dakshin Dinajpur	Biplab Mitra	TMC
43	Habibpur (ST)	Malda	Amal Kisku	TMC
44	Gazole (SC)	Malda	Prosenjit Das	TMC
45	Chanchal	Malda	Prasun Banerjee	TMC
46	Harischandrapur	Malda	Md. Matebur Rahman	TMC
47	Malatipur	Malda	Abdur Rahim Boxi	TMC
48	Ratua	Malda	Samar Mukherjee	TMC
49	Manikchak	Malda	Kabita Mandal	TMC
50	Malda (SC)	Malda	Lipika Barman Ghosh	TMC
51	English Bazar	Malda	Asis Kundu	TMC
52	Mothabari	Malda	Md. Najrul Islam	TMC
53	Sujapur	Malda	Sabina Yeasmin	TMC
54	Baisnabnagar	Malda	Chandana Sarkar	TMC
55	Farakka	Murshidabad	Amirul Islam	TMC
56	Samsherganj	Murshidabad	Nur Alam	TMC
57	Suti	Murshidabad	Emani Biswas	TMC
58	Jangipur	Murshidabad	Jakir Hossain	TMC
59	Raghunathganj	Murshidabad	Janab Akhruzzaman	TMC
60	Sagardighi	Murshidabad	Bayron Biswas	TMC
61	Lalgola	Murshidabad	Dr. Abdul Aziz	TMC
62	Bhagabangola	Murshidabad	Reyaz Hussain Sarkar	TMC
63	Raninagar	Murshidabad	Soumik Hussain	TMC
64	Murshidabad	Murshidabad	Shaoni Singha Roy	TMC
65	Nabagram (SC)	Murshidabad	Pranab Chandra Das	TMC
66	Khargram (SC)	Murshidabad	Ashish Marjit	TMC
67	Burwan (SC)	Murshidabad	Pratima Rajak	TMC
68	Kandi	Murshidabad	Apurba Sarkar	TMC
69	Bharatpur	Murshidabad	Mustafizur Rahaman (Sumon)	TMC
70	Rejinagar	Murshidabad	Ataur Rahman	TMC
71	Beldanga	Murshidabad	Rabiul Alam Chowdhury	TMC
72	Baharamapur	Murshidabad	Naru Gopal Mukherjee	TMC
73	Hariharpara	Murshidabad	Niamot Sheikh	TMC
74	Naoda	Murshidabad	Shahina Mumtaz	TMC
75	Domkal	Murshidabad	Humayun Kabir	TMC
76	Jalangi	Murshidabad	Babar Ali	TMC
77	Karimpur	Nadia	Soham Chakraborty	TMC
78	Tehatta	Nadia	Dilip Poddar	TMC
79	Palashipara	Nadia	Rukbanur Rahman	TMC
80	Kaliganj	Nadia	Alifa Ahmed	TMC
81	Nakashipara	Nadia	Kallol Kha	TMC
82	Chapra	Nadia	Jeber Sekh	TMC
83	Krishnanagar Uttar	Nadia	Avinabha Bhattacharya	TMC
84	Nabadwip	Nadia	Pundarikakshya Saha	TMC
85	Krishnanagar Dakshin	Nadia	Ujjwal Biswas	TMC
86	Santipur	Nadia	Braja Kishore Goswami	TMC
87	Ranaghat Uttar Paschim	Nadia	Tapas Ghosh	TMC
88	Krishnaganj (SC)	Nadia	Samir Kumar Poddar	TMC
89	Ranaghat Uttar Purba (SC)	Nadia	Barnali Dey Roy	TMC
90	Ranaghat Dakshin (SC)	Nadia	Dr. Sougata Kumar Barman	TMC
91	Chakdaha	Nadia	Subhankar Singha	TMC
92	Kalyani (SC)	Nadia	Dr. Atindra Nath Mondal	TMC
93	Haringhata (SC)	Nadia	Dr. Rajib Biswas	TMC
94	Bagda (SC)	North 24 Pgs	Madhupurna Thakur	TMC
95	Bangaon Uttar (SC)	North 24 Pgs	Biswajit Das	TMC
96	Bangaon Dakshin (SC)	North 24 Pgs	Rituparna Addhya	TMC
97	Gaighata (SC)	North 24 Pgs	Narottam Biswas	TMC
98	Swarupnagar (SC)	North 24 Pgs	Bina Mondal	TMC
99	Baduria	North 24 Pgs	Burhanul Mokkadin	TMC
100	Habra	North 24 Pgs	Jyotipriya Mallick	TMC
101	Ashoknagar	North 24 Pgs	Narayan Goswami	TMC
102	Amdanga	North 24 Pgs	Peerzada Kasem Siddiqui	TMC
103	Bijpur	North 24 Pgs	Subodh Adhikary	TMC
104	Naihati	North 24 Pgs	Sanat Dey	TMC
105	Bhatpara	North 24 Pgs	Amit Gupta	TMC
106	Jagatdal	North 24 Pgs	Somenath Shyam Ichini	TMC
107	Noapara	North 24 Pgs	Trinankur Bhattacharya	TMC
108	Barrackpore	North 24 Pgs	Raju Chakrabarty (Raj)	TMC
109	Khardaha	North 24 Pgs	Devdeep Purohit	TMC
110	Dum Dum Uttar	North 24 Pgs	Chandrima Bhattacharya	TMC
111	Panihati	North 24 Pgs	Tirthankar Ghosh	TMC
112	Kamarhati	North 24 Pgs	Madan Mitra	TMC
113	Baranagar	North 24 Pgs	Sayantika Banerjee	TMC
114	Dum Dum	North 24 Pgs	Bratya Basu	TMC
115	Rajarhat Newtown	North 24 Pgs	Tapash Chatterjee	TMC
116	Bidhannagar	North 24 Pgs	Sujit Bose	TMC
117	Rajarhat Gopalpur	North 24 Pgs	Aditi Munshi	TMC
118	Madhyamgram	North 24 Pgs	Rathin Ghosh	TMC
119	Barasat	North 24 Pgs	Sabyasachi Dutta	TMC
120	Deganga	North 24 Pgs	Anisur Rahaman (Bidesh)	TMC
121	Haroa	North 24 Pgs	Md. Mufti Abdul Matin	TMC
122	Minakhan (SC)	North 24 Pgs	Usha Rani Mondal	TMC
123	Sandeshkhali (ST)	North 24 Pgs	Jharna Sardar	TMC
124	Basirhat Dakshin	North 24 Pgs	Surajit Mitra	TMC
125	Basirhat Uttar	North 24 Pgs	Md Tauseef Rehman	TMC
126	Hingalganj (SC)	North 24 Pgs	Ananda Sarkar	TMC
127	Gosaba (SC)	South 24 Pgs	Subrata Mondal	TMC
128	Basanti (SC)	South 24 Pgs	Nilima Bishal Mistry	TMC
129	Kultali (SC)	South 24 Pgs	Ganesh Chandra Mondal	TMC
130	Patharpratima	South 24 Pgs	Samir Kumar Jana	TMC
131	Kakdwip	South 24 Pgs	Manturam Pakhira	TMC
132	Sagar	South 24 Pgs	Bankim Chandra Hazra	TMC
133	Kulpi	South 24 Pgs	Barnali Dhara	TMC
134	Raidighi	South 24 Pgs	Tapas Mondal	TMC
135	Mandirbazar (SC)	South 24 Pgs	Joydeb Halder	TMC
136	Jaynagar (SC)	South 24 Pgs	Biswanath Das	TMC
137	Baruipur Purba (SC)	South 24 Pgs	Bivas Sardar	TMC
138	Canning Paschim (SC)	South 24 Pgs	Paresh Ram Das	TMC
139	Canning Purba	South 24 Pgs	Md. Baharul Islam	TMC
140	Baruipur Paschim	South 24 Pgs	Biman Banerjee	TMC
141	Magrahat Purba (SC)	South 24 Pgs	Sharmistha Purkait	TMC
142	Magrahat Paschim	South 24 Pgs	Shamim Ahmed	TMC
143	Diamond Harbour	South 24 Pgs	Pannalal Halder	TMC
144	Falta	South 24 Pgs	Jahangir Khan	TMC
145	Satgachia	South 24 Pgs	Somashree Betal	TMC
146	Bishnupur (SC)	South 24 Pgs	Dilip Mondal	TMC
147	Sonarpur Dakshin	South 24 Pgs	Arundhuti Maitra	TMC
148	Bhangar	South 24 Pgs	Saokat Molla	TMC
149	Kasba	South 24 Pgs	Javed Ahmed Khan	TMC
150	Jadavpur	South 24 Pgs	Debabrata Majumdar	TMC
151	Sonarpur Uttar	South 24 Pgs	Firdousi Begum	TMC
152	Tollygunj	South 24 Pgs	Aroop Biswas	TMC
153	Behala Purba	South 24 Pgs	Subhasish Chakraborty	TMC
154	Behala Paschim	South 24 Pgs	Ratna Chatterjee	TMC
155	Maheshtala	South 24 Pgs	Subhasis Das	TMC
156	Budge Budge	South 24 Pgs	Ashok Kumar Deb	TMC
157	Metiabruz	South 24 Pgs	Abdul Khaleque Molla	TMC
158	Kolkata Port	Kolkata	Firhad Hakim	TMC
159	Bhabanipur	Kolkata	Mamata Banerjee	TMC
160	Rashbehari	Kolkata	Debashis Kumar	TMC
161	Ballygunge	Kolkata	Sovandeb Chattopadhyay	TMC
162	Chowrangee	Kolkata	Nayna Bandopadhyay	TMC
163	Entally	Kolkata	Sandipan Saha	TMC
164	Beleghata	Kolkata	Kunal Ghosh	TMC
165	Jorasanko	Kolkata	Vijay Upadhyay	TMC
166	Shyampukur	Kolkata	Dr. Shashi Panja	TMC
167	Maniktala	Kolkata	Shreya Pandey	TMC
168	Kashipur Belgachhia	Kolkata	Atin Ghosh	TMC
169	Bally	Howrah	Kailash Mishra	TMC
170	Howrah Uttar	Howrah	Goutam Chowdhury	TMC
171	Howrah Madhya	Howrah	Arup Roy	TMC
172	Shibpur	Howrah	Dr Rana Chatterjee	TMC
173	Howrah Dakshin	Howrah	Nandita Choudhary	TMC
174	Sankrail (SC)	Howrah	Priya Paul	TMC
175	Panchla	Howrah	Gulshan Mullick	TMC
176	Uluberia Purba	Howrah	Ritabrata Banerjee	TMC
177	Uluberia Uttar (SC)	Howrah	Bimal Kumar Das	TMC
178	Uluberia Dakshin	Howrah	Pulak Roy	TMC
179	Shyampur	Howrah	Nadebasi Jana	TMC
180	Bagnan	Howrah	Arunava Sen	TMC
181	Amta	Howrah	Sukanta Paul	TMC
182	Udaynarayanpur	Howrah	Samir Kumar Panja	TMC
183	Jagatballavpur	Howrah	Subir Chatterjee	TMC
184	Domjur	Howrah	Tapas Maity	TMC
185	Uttarpara	Hooghly	Sirsanya Bandopadhyay	TMC
186	Sreerampur	Hooghly	Tanmoy Ghosh	TMC
187	Champdani	Hooghly	Arindam Guin	TMC
188	Singur	Hooghly	Becharam Manna	TMC
189	Chandannagar	Hooghly	Indranil Sen	TMC
190	Chunchura	Hooghly	Debangshu Bhattacharya	TMC
191	Balagarh (SC)	Hooghly	Ranjan Dhara	TMC
192	Pandua	Hooghly	Samir Chakraborty (Bua)	TMC
193	Saptagram	Hooghly	Bidesh Bose	TMC
194	Chanditala	Hooghly	Swati Khandoker	TMC
195	Jangipara	Hooghly	Snehasis Chakraborty	TMC
196	Haripal	Hooghly	Dr. Karabi Manna	TMC
197	Dhanekhali (SC)	Hooghly	Asima Patra	TMC
198	Tarakeswar	Hooghly	Ramendu Singha Roy	TMC
199	Pursura	Hooghly	Partha Hazari	TMC
200	Arambag (SC)	Hooghly	Mita Bag	TMC
201	Goghat (SC)	Hooghly	Dr. Nirmal Maji	TMC
202	Khanakul	Hooghly	Palash Roy	TMC
203	Tamluk	Purba Medinipur	Dipendra Narayan Roy	TMC
204	Panskura Purba	Purba Medinipur	Asim Kumar Maji	TMC
205	Panskura Paschim	Purba Medinipur	Siraj Khan	TMC
206	Moyna	Purba Medinipur	Chandan Mondal	TMC
207	Nandakumar	Purba Medinipur	Sukumar Dey	TMC
208	Mahisadal	Purba Medinipur	Tilak Kumar Chakraborty	TMC
209	Haldia (SC)	Purba Medinipur	Tapasi Mandal	TMC
210	Nandigram	Purba Medinipur	Pabitra Kar	TMC
211	Chandipur	Purba Medinipur	Uttam Barik	TMC
212	Patashpur	Purba Medinipur	Pijus Kanti Panda	TMC
213	Kanthi Uttar	Purba Medinipur	Debasis Bhunia	TMC
214	Bhagabanpur	Purba Medinipur	Manab Kumar Porua	TMC
215	Khejuri (SC)	Purba Medinipur	Rabin Chandra Mandal	TMC
216	Kanthi Dakshin	Purba Medinipur	Tarun Kr Jana	TMC
217	Ramnagar	Purba Medinipur	Akhil Giri	TMC
218	Egra	Purba Medinipur	Tarun Maity	TMC
219	Dantan	Paschim Medinipur	Manik Maity	TMC
220	Nayagram (ST)	Jhargram	Dulal Murmu	TMC
221	Gopiballavpur	Jhargram	Ajit Mahata	TMC
222	Jhargram	Jhargram	Mangal Soren	TMC
223	Keshiary (ST)	Paschim Medinipur	Ramjiban Mandi	TMC
224	Kharagpur Sadar	Paschim Medinipur	Pradip Sarkar	TMC
225	Narayangarh	Paschim Medinipur	Pratibha Rani Maity	TMC
226	Sabang	Paschim Medinipur	Manas Ranjan Bhunia	TMC
227	Pingla	Paschim Medinipur	Ajit Maity	TMC
228	Kharagpur	Paschim Medinipur	Dinen Roy	TMC
229	Debra	Paschim Medinipur	Rajib Banerjee	TMC
230	Daspur	Paschim Medinipur	Asis Huda	TMC
231	Ghatal (SC)	Paschim Medinipur	Shyamali Sardar	TMC
232	Chandrakona (SC)	Paschim Medinipur	Surjya Kanta Doloi	TMC
233	Garbeta	Paschim Medinipur	Uttara Singha (Hazra)	TMC
234	Salboni	Paschim Medinipur	Srikanta Mahata	TMC
235	Keshpur (SC)	Paschim Medinipur	Seuli Saha	TMC
236	Medinipur	Paschim Medinipur	Sujoy Hazra	TMC
237	Binpur (ST)	Jhargram	Birbaha Hansda	TMC
238	Bandwan (ST)	Purulia	Rajib Lochan Saren	TMC
239	Balarampur	Purulia	Shantiram Mahato	TMC
240	Baghmundi	Purulia	Sushanta Mahato	TMC
241	Joypur	Purulia	Arjun Mahato	TMC
242	Purulia	Purulia	Sujoy Banerjee	TMC
243	Manbazar (ST)	Purulia	Sandhya Rani Tudu	TMC
244	Kashipur	Purulia	Soumen Beltharia	TMC
245	Para (SC)	Purulia	Manik Bauri	TMC
246	Raghunathpur (SC)	Purulia	Hazari Bauri	TMC
247	Saltora (SC)	Bankura	Uttam Bauri	TMC
248	Chhatna	Bankura	Swapan Kumar Mandal	TMC
249	Ranibandh (ST)	Bankura	Dr. Tanushree Hansda	TMC
250	Raipur (ST)	Bankura	Thakur Moni Soren	TMC
251	Taldangra	Bankura	Falguni Singhababu	TMC
252	Bankura	Bankura	Dr. Anup Mondal	TMC
253	Barjora	Bankura	Goutam Mishra (Shyam)	TMC
254	Onda	Bankura	Subrata Dutta (Gope)	TMC
255	Bishnupur	Bankura	Tanmoy Ghosh	TMC
256	Katulpur (SC)	Bankura	Harakali Pratihar	TMC
257	Indas (SC)	Bankura	Shyamali Roy Bagdi	TMC
258	Sonamukhi (SC)	Bankura	Dr Kallol Saha	TMC
259	Khandaghosh (SC)	Purba Bardhaman	Nabin Chandra Bag	TMC
260	Bardhaman Dakshin	Purba Bardhaman	Khokon Das	TMC
261	Raina (SC)	Purba Bardhaman	Mandira Dalu	TMC
262	Jamalpur (SC)	Purba Bardhaman	Bhootnath Mallick	TMC
263	Monteswar	Purba Bardhaman	Siddiqullah Chowdhury	TMC
264	Kalna (SC)	Purba Bardhaman	Deboprasad Bag	TMC
265	Memari	Purba Bardhaman	Rasabihari Halder	TMC
266	Bardhaman Uttar (SC)	Purba Bardhaman	Nisith Kumar Malik	TMC
267	Bhatar	Purba Bardhaman	Shantanu Koner	TMC
268	Purbasthali Dakshin	Purba Bardhaman	Swapan Debnath	TMC
269	Purbasthali Uttar	Purba Bardhaman	Vasundhara Goswami	TMC
270	Katwa	Purba Bardhaman	Rabindranath Chatterjee	TMC
271	Ketugram	Purba Bardhaman	Sekh Sahanowaz	TMC
272	Mangalkot	Purba Bardhaman	Apurba Chowdhury	TMC
273	Ausgram (SC)	Purba Bardhaman	Shyamaprasanna Lohar	TMC
274	Galsi (SC)	Purba Bardhaman	Alok Kumar Majhi	TMC
275	Pandabeswar	Paschim Bardhaman	Narendranath Chakraborty	TMC
276	Durgapur Purba	Paschim Bardhaman	Pradip Mazumdar	TMC
277	Durgapur Paschim	Paschim Bardhaman	Kavi Dutta	TMC
278	Raniganj	Paschim Bardhaman	Kalobaram Mondal	TMC
279	Jamuria	Paschim Bardhaman	Hareram Singh	TMC
280	Asansol Dakshin	Paschim Bardhaman	Tapas Banerjee	TMC
281	Asansol Uttar	Paschim Bardhaman	Moloy Ghatak	TMC
282	Kulti	Paschim Bardhaman	Abhijit Ghatak	TMC
283	Barabani	Paschim Bardhaman	Bidhan Upadhyay	TMC
284	Dubrajpur (SC)	Birbhum	Chandra Naresh Bauri	TMC
285	Suri	Birbhum	Ujjal Chatterjee	TMC
286	Bolpur	Birbhum	Chandranath Sinha	TMC
287	Nanoor (SC)	Birbhum	Bidhan Chandra Majhi	TMC
288	Labpur	Birbhum	Abhijit Sinha (Rana)	TMC
289	Sainthia (SC)	Birbhum	Nilabati Saha	TMC
290	Mayureswar	Birbhum	Abhijit Roy	TMC
291	Rampurhat	Birbhum	Asish Banerjee	TMC
292	Hansan	Birbhum	Fayezul Haque	TMC
293	Nalhati	Birbhum	Rajendra Prasad Singh	TMC
294	Murarai	Birbhum	Mosarraf Hossain	TMC

Note: TMC is contesting 291 seats. The three hill seats — Kalimpong, Darjeeling and Kurseong — are being contested by BGPM, an ally in the TMC-led combine.

Tech Giants Accelerate AI Investment Wave as Regulators Circle

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March 17, 2026

Close up of a single, vibrant purple pansy flower. — Nature's beauty in a single bloom. This pansy showcases stunning purple hues.

Global tech giants are doubling down on artificial intelligence investments, racing to develop more powerful models and applications that could redefine industries. The push is intensifying market competition, even as governments worldwide begin to scrutinize the technology’s rapid advance, setting the stage for a critical year in AI development.

Microsoft, a leading backer of OpenAI, recently announced further capital deployment into its cloud infrastructure, critical for training large AI models. The company’s integration of OpenAI’s GPT-4 into its Azure services and Copilot products positions it to capture significant enterprise demand, particularly in sectors like finance and healthcare, according to analysts at Wedbush Securities.

Google, not to be outdone, is aggressively deploying its latest Gemini models across its search engine, Android ecosystem, and Google Cloud platform. Recent announcements from Mountain View emphasized accelerated development of multimodal AI capabilities, with people familiar with the company’s strategy saying it is prioritizing faster model iterations and broader accessibility to maintain its competitive edge against rivals.

Amazon Web Services (AWS) is also ramping up its offerings, providing customers access to a range of foundational models, including its own Bedrock service. The company is investing heavily in custom AI chips, like Trainium and Inferentia, aiming to offer competitive performance and cost-efficiency for cloud-based AI workloads from its Seattle headquarters.

Meanwhile, Meta Platforms continues to champion an open-source approach with its Llama series, aiming to democratize AI development. This strategy, driven from Menlo Park, could foster a wider ecosystem of developers and applications, potentially accelerating innovation across various sectors, though it also raises questions about model safety and misuse, industry observers suggest.

The sheer demand for computational power is fueling record sales for Nvidia, whose specialized graphics processing units (GPUs) are the bedrock of current AI development. The Santa Clara-based chipmaker’s stock has surged, reflecting its critical role, but sustained high demand could lead to persistent supply constraints for tech firms globally, analysts warn.

Concurrently, regulatory bodies are stepping up efforts to govern AI. The European Union’s landmark AI Act is expected to enter full force soon, setting a global precedent for comprehensive oversight with rules on high-risk AI systems. Governments in London and Paris are closely watching the implementation.

In the United States, President Biden’s executive order on AI aims to establish safety standards and promote innovation, focusing on issues like cybersecurity, bias mitigation, and responsible development. Discussions are ongoing in Washington D.C. regarding potential federal legislation to complement these measures.

Lawmakers are grappling with complex issues ranging from data privacy and intellectual property rights to deepfake proliferation and potential job displacement across various industries. The rapid pace of technological advancement often outstrips legislative cycles, posing a dilemma for governments keen to foster innovation while mitigating risks.

The next 12 to 18 months could see further consolidation in the AI startup space, alongside a ramp-up in enterprise adoption of custom AI solutions, according to a recent report by Deloitte. Companies are increasingly looking beyond foundational models to integrate AI into their core operations, seeking tangible returns on their significant investments.

With billions of dollars at stake and the potential for profound societal impact, the AI race shows no signs of slowing. Companies are navigating a complex landscape of rapid innovation, fierce competition, and growing regulatory pressures, shaping the future of technology on a global scale from Silicon Valley to Beijing.

Big Tech Ramps Up AI Bets Amid Intensifying Regulatory Scrutiny

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March 17, 2026

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SAN FRANCISCO – Major technology companies are accelerating their investments and product launches in artificial intelligence, pushing the frontier of capabilities even as global regulators increase their scrutiny of the burgeoning sector.

Apple Inc. is widely expected to unveil its long-anticipated AI strategy at its upcoming Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June, potentially integrating generative AI features deeply into iOS, according to analysts familiar with the company’s plans. This move could signal a renewed push for the iPhone maker in the competitive AI landscape.

Meanwhile, Google, a unit of Alphabet Inc., continues to roll out updates to its Gemini large language model, enhancing its Google Cloud AI offerings and embedding AI across its productivity suite. The company faces stiff competition from Microsoft Corp., which has rapidly integrated OpenAI’s technology into its Copilot assistant and Azure cloud services.

OpenAI, backed by Microsoft, recently showcased its new flagship model, GPT-4o, demonstrating real-time voice and vision capabilities that could redefine human-computer interaction. This rapid advancement is placing pressure on rivals to innovate faster.

Meta Platforms Inc. has also made significant strides with its open-source Llama models, aiming to democratize AI development and build a powerful ecosystem around its technology. The company’s strategy contrasts with the more closed approaches of some competitors.

Driving much of this innovation is Nvidia Corp., whose graphic processing units (GPUs) are essential for training and deploying complex AI models. Nvidia’s market valuation has soared as demand for its chips continues to outstrip supply, making it a critical enabler for the entire industry.

The intense competition comes as governments worldwide grapple with how to regulate AI’s powerful and often opaque algorithms. The European Union’s landmark AI Act is set to take full effect, imposing strict rules on high-risk AI systems.

In the United States, lawmakers and federal agencies, including the Federal Trade Commission, are exploring potential antitrust implications and consumer protection concerns related to AI. People familiar with discussions in Washington D.C. said a bipartisan consensus on comprehensive federal AI legislation may still be some time away.

Analysts suggest the next phase of the AI race could see companies focusing less on raw model power and more on practical, integrated applications that deliver tangible user benefits, while simultaneously navigating an increasingly complex regulatory environment.

Big Tech Ramps AI Spending Amid Fresh Regulatory Signals, Chip Shortages

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March 17, 2026

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SEATTLE/MOUNTAIN VIEW – Major technology companies are significantly increasing their spending on artificial intelligence infrastructure and talent, fueling a fierce global race for dominance even as chip supplies remain tight and regulatory pressures mount.

Microsoft Corp., Google-parent Alphabet Inc., and Meta Platforms Inc. are among those pouring billions into advanced data centers and custom AI chips. This spending surge underscores their commitment to next-generation AI, which analysts widely expect to reshape industries from healthcare to finance.

Redmond, Washington-based Microsoft, a key investor in OpenAI, has seen its cloud division, Azure, become central to delivering AI services, including its Copilot suite. The company’s heavy investment in specialized graphics processing units (GPUs) is a clear signal of its long-term AI strategy, people familiar with its operations said.

Meanwhile, Google, headquartered in Mountain View, California, continues to push its Gemini models, integrating them across its product ecosystem. The tech giant is reportedly developing its own custom Tensor Processing Units (TPUs) to reduce reliance on external suppliers and optimize its vast AI operations.

In Menlo Park, California, Meta Platforms has outlined ambitious plans to acquire hundreds of thousands of Nvidia H100 GPUs, critical components for training its Llama open-source models. This aggressive procurement could further strain the already tight global supply chain for high-performance AI chips.

Nvidia Corp., the Santa Clara-based chip designer, remains the primary beneficiary of this AI arms race. Demand for its H100 chips continues to outstrip supply, leading to extended lead times and record revenue forecasts. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC), based in Hsinchu, Taiwan, is struggling to keep pace with manufacturing capacity, according to industry reports.

Apple Inc., a relative latecomer to the generative AI frenzy compared to its peers, is also reportedly accelerating its internal AI development. The Cupertino, California-based company is expected to unveil new AI capabilities across its device ecosystem later this year, potentially leveraging its own neural engine silicon.

The escalating competition and rapid deployment of AI technologies have not gone unnoticed by regulators. The European Union’s landmark AI Act is set to become law, establishing strict rules for high-risk AI applications and potentially setting a global standard.

In the United States, Washington D.C. is grappling with frameworks for AI governance, with the Commerce Department already implementing export controls on advanced AI chips to certain regions, citing national security concerns. Lawmakers and consumer groups worldwide have also raised questions about data privacy, copyright, and the potential for AI-driven misinformation.

Analysts suggest that while the immediate focus is on developing more powerful models and hardware, the next phase of the AI revolution will likely involve navigating a complex web of ethical considerations and evolving international regulations. The industry’s ability to innovate responsibly could determine its long-term trajectory.

The scale of investment, coupled with geopolitical factors influencing chip supply and regulatory oversight, suggests that the AI landscape could remain highly volatile for the foreseeable future. Companies are betting big, but the returns may hinge on more than just technological prowess.

Global Tech Giants Intensify AI Chip Race Amidst Surging Demand, Regulatory Scrutiny

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March 17, 2026