In the Bandra West constituency, sitting MLA Ashish Shelar faces Congress’s Asif Zakaria again, who lost to him in 2019. Residents are concerned about issues like congestion, noise, and illegal encroachments, while Zakaria criticizes wasteful expenditures and Shelar aims to rehabilitate slums and reduce traffic.
Shiv Sena released its second list of 20 candidates, now totaling 65 nominees, including ex-Congress members Milind Deora and Sanjay Nirupam. The list also includes several former BJP members and accommodates new candidates such as Rajendra Gavit in place of dropped sitting MLA Srinivas Wanaga.
Tamil actor Vijay, founder of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, declared DMK as a political enemy and BJP as an ideological adversary at TVK’s first political conference. Criticizing DMK’s portrayal of BJP and its governance, he emphasized TVK’s independent stance and openness to alliances ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu state elections.
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, also in charge of BJP’s assembly polls in Jharkhand, calls the state a challenging battleground. Despite five Assam constituencies facing bypolls, Sarma prioritizes Jharkhand’s campaign, entrusting Assam’s bypoll efforts to ministers and party members. He remains uncertain about participating directly in the Assam campaign.
RSS general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale clarified that BJP President J P Nadda’s remarks on BJP being ‘self-sufficient’ were about fostering independence, not creating a rift. He emphasized the unity and familial bond between RSS and BJP, countering media reports of discord.
Following a serious ragging incident at Tripura Medical College, an FIR has been registered against 18 students who have been fined ₹10 lakh collectively and suspended for a year from hostels. The students are accused of forcing juniors to shave their heads and pressuring female students to propose to seniors.
The Sri Lankan navy arrested 12 fishermen from Tamil Nadu and seized their trawler for allegedly poaching in Lankan waters near Point Pedro in Jaffna district. The fishermen were handed over for legal proceedings. To date in 2024, 62 Indian fishing boats and 462 fishermen have been detained by the Lankan navy.