New Delhi / Thiruvananthapuram / Guwahati / Kolkata / Chennai : In a series of political developments across multiple states, key leaders made strong statements ahead of upcoming elections.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, addressing a rally in Goalpara, announced that the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) will be implemented in Assam. He stated that the law would prohibit practices like polygamy and clarified that tribal communities would be kept outside its purview. Shah also accused the Indian National Congress of misleading tribals by claiming they would be affected by the UCC.
Meanwhile, Mamata Banerjee, Chief Minister of West Bengal, questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi over allegations of irregularities in voter lists. She argued that if “infiltrators” were indeed present in electoral rolls, then Modi had previously benefited from those votes and should resign first.
Speaking at a rally in Dakshin Dinajpur, Banerjee also alleged that administrative transfers in the state were carried out to facilitate the entry of outsiders. Referring to a recent incident in Malda, where judicial officials were held hostage, she blamed All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) and Indian Secular Front (ISF), while accusing both Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party of instigation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a roadshow in Puducherry on Friday as part of the campaign push.
Election Updates:
- In Tamil Nadu, both BJP and Congress released their first list of 27 candidates each. Union Minister L. Murugan has been fielded from the Avinashi (SC) seat, while former state BJP chief K. Annamalai was not included.
- BJP President J. P. Nadda is on a visit to Kerala, where he will offer prayers at the Padmanabhaswamy Temple and participate in a roadshow.
- In West Bengal, around 500 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) will be deployed to maintain law and order after vote counting.
- DMK leader Kanimozhi remarked that the political situation of AIADMK chief Edappadi K. Palaniswami could mirror that of Nitish Kumar, adding that a strong opposition is essential for democracy in the state.
- BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari accused the ruling Trinamool Congress of attempting electoral irregularities, while reiterating Modi’s promise to end “jungle raj” in West Bengal.
- K. Annamalai stated in Kannur that he has been assigned the responsibility of campaigning across Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Kerala for BJP and NDA candidates.