Assembly Elections 2026 LIVE: AIADMK leadership 'surrendered' to BJP, alleges Rahul Gandhi at Kanniyakumari

Rahul Gandhi claimed that Nitish Kumar was compromised and that the NDA's decision behind 'Sushasan Babu's' Bihar exit was the cause.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu was set to begin a two-day campaign tour in Tamil Nadu as part of the NDA’s intensified outreach ahead of the April 23 state assembly elections, aimed at energising party cadre and strengthening the NDA’s development-focused narrative.

West Bengal TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee urged Ratna Debnath, BJP candidate from Panihati and mother of the RG Kar rape-murder victim, to appeal to Prime Minister Modi to ensure that the Aparajita Bill (West Bengal Criminal Laws Amendment) sees passage and receives the President’s nod.

BJP state unit chief K. Annamalai launched his poll campaign in the Mylapore constituency in support of BJP candidate Tamilisai Soundararajan for the April 23 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, noting unfulfilled promises such as two lakh houses for fishermen and 200 units in Mylapore.

BJP MP Anurag Thakur expressed confidence in the BJP’s victory in the West Bengal polls, stating that people want liberation from corruption, nepotism, and infiltration, and called for Mamata Banerjee’s farewell.

The Supreme Court said it would call for a report from the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court after allegations that appellate tribunals for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in West Bengal were not functioning. The matter was listed for April 24; lawyers were reportedly not being allowed, and tribunals were not functioning, prompting the Court's concern.

To raise awareness about voting, the Election Commission organised a boat race holding placards at Boathouse, Udhagamandalam (Ooty).

Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi alleged that the AIADMK leadership had surrendered to the BJP due to corruption, and accused the RSS of plans to rule Tamil Nadu. He emphasised federal principles and that Tamil Nadu should be governed by its people, speaking in Kanniyakumari.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held a roadshow in Tiruchendur, Tamil Nadu, in support of BJP candidate Ananthan A, as part of the party's campaign in the region.

Mamata Banerjee held her first community outreach programme in Bhabanipur since filing her nomination on April 8, 2026. Speaking at Ladies’ Park in Bhabanipur on Sunday, April 19, 2026, she framed elections as a 'festival of democracy' and urged people from different communities to remain united ahead of the Assembly polls.