Assam elections: BJP releases second list of two candidates from Dalgaon, Sissirborgaon

by Hansraj Agrawal | Mar 21, 2026 | top-stories

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday released the second list of two candidates for the 2026 Assam assembly elections.

The BJP has fielded Jiban Gogoi from Sissiborgaon and Sushri Krishna Saha from the Dalgaon seat. This takes the BJP’s total tally of candidates to 90, after the party released the first list of 88 candidates on March 19.

In the first list, the BJP fielded two former prominent Congress leaders, Pradyut Bordoloi and Bhupen Kumar Borah.

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The BJP has fielded Pradyut Bordoloi from Dispur after he ended his lifelong association with Congress and joined the party in the presence of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. Former Congress state president Bhupen Kumar Borah, who jumped ship weeks earlier, will contest from Bihpuria, a seat which he lost to BJP candidates in the last two elections.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is set to contest from his traditional Jalukbari seat.

Initially, CM Sarma said that the party would be contesting 89 seats. After the release of the first list, he said, “The BJP Central Parliamentary Board announced candidates for 88 out of 89 constituencies. The candidate for the Sissiborgaon seat will be announced shortly.”

The BJP is contesting the elections with the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and the Bodoland People’s Front (BPF).

Meanwhile, on Friday, the Assam Congress released the fourth list of seven candidates, taking the total tally to 94 in the 126-seat Assembly elections.

The list includes Jayanta Borah, who quit the BJP in 2024, for the Biswanath seat; Congress spokesperson Bidisha Neog, Youth Congress leader Rohit Pariga, spokesperson Joy Prakash Das, Gyandip Mohan, Pran Kurmi, and Rahul Roy.

According to a press release by the AICC, Congress has left 11 seats for its alliance partner, Raijor Dal.

Polling for all 126 Assembly constituencies will be held in a single phase on April 9, while the counting of votes is scheduled for May 4, as announced by the Election Commission of India.

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Delhi weather update: Wettest March in 3 years? IMD predicts ‘light rain’ on this day | Check forecast

by Hansraj Agrawal | Mar 20, 2026 | top-stories

Delhi weather update: Rain lashed several parts of Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) on Friday, bringing much-needed relief from rising temperatures. The showers over the past few days have significantly eased the heat, improving weather conditions across the region.

IMD forecast – Check

At the time of writing this report, here’s what the weather department has forecast for the coming week:

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Saturday: Partly cloudy sky

Sunday: Generally cloudy sky

Monday: Generally cloudy sky with light Rain or drizzle

According to the IMD, the national capital is likely to witness a ‘partly cloudy sky’ from Tuesday to Thursday.

Rain brings relief across Delhi-NCR

According to the data, the Safdarjung observatory has recorded 9.4 mm of rainfall so far this month, nearing the normal monthly average of 12.6 mm.

IANS reported that with the recent spell of rain, March has turned out to be the wettest in the last three years.

The last instance of higher rainfall during this month was recorded in 2023, when precipitation reached 50.4 mm.

On Friday morning, rainfall was recorded at multiple weather stations across the national capital.

Safdarjung and Lodhi Road both recorded 8.2 mm of rainfall, while Ridge reported 8.6 mm. Palam received 6.2 mm, and Ayanagar recorded 7.2 mm of rainfall till 8 am.

Rainfall activity on Thursday also varied across different parts of the city. Safdarjung recorded 8.2 mm, while Palam received 6.2 mm. Lodhi Road and Ridge reported 8.2 mm and 8.6 mm, respectively, and Ayanagar saw 7.2 mm.

Delhi AQI today

Delhi’s air quality showed slight improvement following the rainfall.

The Air Quality Index (AQI) remains in the ‘moderate’ category at most monitoring stations across the city.

Anand Vihar (178), Ashok Vihar (117), Aya Nagar (90), Bawana (122), Burari Crossing (366), CRRI Mathura Road (111), Cantonment Area (124), Chandni Chowk (116), DTU (81), Dwarka-Sector 8 (120), IIT Delhi (86), Narela (108), Nehru Nagar (123), R K Puram (124), Wazirpur (135).

(with IANS inputs)

Also check- Delhi-NCR weather update: Rain and thunderstorms lash city; IMD issues travel advisory

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Kerala 2026 pre-poll survey: UDF gains edge as LDF faces strong anti-incumbency

by Hansraj Agrawal | Mar 20, 2026 | top-stories

A pre-poll survey ahead of the 2026 Kerala Assembly elections shows a notable change in the political scene. The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) is currently in the lead, while the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) is struggling with growing anti-incumbency feelings.

The numbers: Vote share projections

The survey, conducted with a diverse group of 26,000 respondents, reveals a clear lead for the opposition:

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UDF: 38.2% projected vote share.

LDF: 33.7% projected vote share.

NDA (BJP-led): 20.4% projected vote share.

Undecided: Around 8% of voters are still uncertain.

The CM face: Internal battles and favourites

The survey highlighted interesting dynamics regarding preferred chief minister candidates in each coalition:

Within the UDF:

V.D. Satheesan: 29.5% support.

K.C. Venugopal: 28.2% support.

Shashi Tharoor: 23.4% support.

Within the LDF:

Pinarayi Vijayan: Leading with 38.2% support.

K.K. Shailaja: Following with 32.5% support.

When asked about potential political impact, K.C. Venugopal stands out as a strong favourite across communities, gaining 46.8% support as a potential CM compared to Pinarayi Vijayan’s 27.9%. Venugopal shows significant appeal among Christians (33.2%), Muslims (29.5%), and the youth (33.9%).

Who do the state people’s and political influencers see as the next Chief Ministers across key states?

… pic.twitter.com/byoscdDgAL
— Poll Mantra (@PollMantra) March 18, 2026

Public sentiment: Performance and development

Public dissatisfaction with the current LDF government seems high. Over 51% of respondents rated the government’s performance as either “Poor” or “Very Poor.” In contrast, only 34.5% rated it as “Good” or “Excellent.”

Regarding development trust, the UDF leads with 38.9% confidence, followed by the LDF at 27.8% and the NDA at 23.1%.

The NDA factor and regional comparisons

In the NDA camp, Rajeev Chandrasekhar is the clear favourite for the CM position, holding 52.1% support, well ahead of K. Surendran at 22.4%.

The survey also looked at national leaders, showing high approval ratings for Himanta Biswa Sarma (61.5% in Assam), M.K. Stalin (62.4% in Tamil Nadu), and Mamata Banerjee (58.6% in West Bengal), providing a snapshot of regional leadership across India.

ALSO READ | Delhi-NCR weather update: Rain and thunderstorms lash city; IMD issues travel advisory

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Punjab Govt says 98-year-old woman receives cashless cancer treatment under Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna

by Hansraj Agrawal | Mar 19, 2026 | top-stories

MOGA: Punjab government said that it’s reinforcing its commitment to accessible and dignified healthcare under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and continues to ensure that even the most vulnerable citizens receive timely medical treatment without financial burden. It said that a 98-year-old woman in Moga benefitted from cashless cancer care under the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna.

Mukhtiar Kaur, one of the oldest beneficiaries of the scheme, underwent specialised treatment including chemotherapy-related care, fully covered under the Sehat Card, it said. At an advanced age where continuous medical support is critical, the availability of cashless treatment ensured that medical decisions were driven purely by need, not financial constraints, said the government.

The treatment involved advanced medication and supportive therapy as part of a chemotherapy regimen, requiring close monitoring and timely medical intervention. With the Sehat Card verified at the hospital, the treatment commenced without delay, ensuring continuity of care.

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For families supporting elderly members, the cost of repeated hospital visits and specialised treatment often becomes a significant concern. The Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna is addressing this gap by enabling access to quality healthcare without financial stress, allowing families to focus entirely on patient recovery and well-being.

Highlighting the impact of the scheme, Minister of Health and Family Welfare Dr. Balbir Singh stated, “Under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna is ensuring that elderly patients across Punjab receive timely and necessary medical care without financial hardship, while preserving their dignity. Access to treatment at this stage of life is critical, and the scheme is empowering families to provide that care with confidence.”

The Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna provides cashless health coverage of up to ?10 lakh per family annually, enabling beneficiaries to access treatment across empanelled government and private hospitals in Punjab.

With over 9 lakh Sehat Cards already issued, beneficiaries are availing treatment at more than 900 empanelled hospitals, supported by over 2,300 medical packages covering a wide range of procedures. The Punjab Government continues to encourage residents to enroll for Sehat Cards at designated centres to avail the benefits of cashless healthcare under the scheme.

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The 2026 solo gamble: Why Vijay’s ‘secular’ pivot at TVK Iftar is a strategic reset for Tamil Nadu politics

by Hansraj Agrawal | Mar 18, 2026 | top-stories

Actor-politician Vijay on Wednesday ended speculation about his party’s possible alliances for the upcoming Assembly elections, saying that they are a “people’s team”, indicating that Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) will contest the polls on its own.

“There were a lot of speculations about our party since the day we entered politics, calling us that team or this team… But when everyone realised we are a people’s team, they had to find out new narratives. That is when rumours about different alliances emerged. You all must have been confused listening to all these.”

Reaffirming his ideological stand, Vijay said his party is committed to secularism and social justice.

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“Let me clarify one thing here, we always belong to the secular ideology and secular social justice political stand, we will never compromise on that,” he said, drawing loud applause from the audience.

Why this is a strategic reset for Tamil Nadu politics

It represents a strategic reset because it changes both the electoral calculations and the established political norms of Tamil Nadu. For decades, the state has largely followed a two-alliance system, with politics mainly revolving around the DMK-led front and the AIADMK-led front, forcing smaller or new parties to align with one of the two major Dravidian camps to remain politically relevant.

The problem that Vijay’s TVK might face

By deciding against forming alliances, Vijay has taken what is being viewed as a “solo gamble” in a state where coalition politics has traditionally dominated. Apart from TVK, the Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK), led by Seeman, has also chosen to contest all 234 seats independently.

Contesting alone means TVK must build a strong organisation across the state while managing significant financial and electoral challenges. Analysts say the move could split the anti-incumbency vote, while placing the burden of performance largely on Vijay’s personal appeal.

Two major alliances in Tamil Nadu

Meanwhile, the political contest is largely centred around two major alliances. The Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA), led by the ruling DMK, has retained most of its partners from the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Its key constituents include the Congress, CPI(M), CPI, VCK, MDMK and IUML. Actor Kamal Haasan’s Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) and the DMDK led by Premallatha Vijayakant joined the front earlier this year.

The opposition space is led by the AIADMK-NDA alliance, which was revived after the AIADMK and BJP reunited in April 2025. The bloc also includes the PMK, AMMK, Tamil Maanila Congress, Puratchi Bharatham Katchi and other smaller regional parties. The alliance will contest under the leadership of Edappadi K. Palaniswami as its Chief Ministerial candidate.

Tamil Nadu assembly elections

Elections for all 234 Assembly constituencies in Tamil Nadu will be held in a single phase on April 23, with the counting of votes scheduled for May 4.

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Punjab Budget 2026-27 strengthens CM Bhagwant Singh Mann’s Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna with Rs 2,000 crore allocation

by Hansraj Agrawal | Mar 17, 2026 | top-stories

CHANDIGARH: The Bhagwant Mann Government has further strengthened its commitment to universal healthcare access by allocating Rs 2,000 crore to the ‘Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna’ in the Punjab Budget 2026-27. The allocation reinforces one of Punjab’s largest healthcare protection initiatives under the leadership of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, aimed at ensuring that families do not have to delay critical treatment due to financial constraints, said the AAP government.

For many families, a medical emergency often begins with two urgent questions about how quickly treatment can begin and how the cost will be managed. Over the past months, families across Punjab have found answers through the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna, a health protection programme that has steadily expanded its reach across Punjab.

Building on this momentum, the Punjab Government has allocated Rs 2,000 crore for the scheme in the 2026-27 Budget to further expand its reach and ensure that families across Punjab continue to receive cashless medical treatment of up to Rs 10 lakh at government and empanelled private hospitals.

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The programme now covers nearly 65 lakh families across Punjab, benefiting close to 3 crore residents and offering protection against the financial shock that often accompanies serious illness. The programme’s growing reach is reflected in the rapid expansion of enrolment and healthcare partnerships across Punjab.

More than 9 lakh Sehat Cards have already been issued, enabling beneficiaries to access treatment at over 820 empanelled government and private hospitals. The scheme currently offers more than 2,300 treatment packages covering a wide range of medical procedures.

Speaking about the enhanced allocation in the Budget, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “In moments of illness, families should not have to think about money before seeking treatment. Our aim is simple: every household in Punjab should have the confidence that quality healthcare will be available when they need it most.”

CM Bhagwant Singh Mann added, “Through the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna, thousands of families who once struggled with medical expenses are now able to access treatment without financial stress.”

Under the scheme, beneficiaries can receive treatment for a wide range of serious medical conditions including heart disease, cancer, kidney ailments, orthopaedic procedures and accident-related injuries without paying upfront costs. This coverage ensures that treatment decisions are guided by medical urgency rather than a family’s financial capacity.

Medical services across Punjab have also been strengthened through the appointment of over 1,500 doctors in recent years, including more than 600 specialists and over 900 general doctors, accounting for nearly 35 percent of the doctors currently serving across Punjab, said the government.

The Punjab Government said it continues to encourage eligible residents to enrol for the Sehat Card at nearby Seva Kendras and Common Service Centres to avail cashless treatment benefits under the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna. To expand awareness and enrolment, trained youth club members are already conducting door-to-door campaigns to assist residents in registering and getting their Sehat Cards issued.

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