A division bench of the Calcutta High Court, on April 9, gave fresh permission to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for probing the sole convict in the R.G. Kar rape and murder incident, Sanjay Roy, as part of the central agency's continuing probe into the larger conspiracy behind the crime. As reported by news agency IANS, the division bench of Justice Rajasekhar Mantha and Justice Rai Chattopadhyay said that since prima facie it appeared that the sole convict, also a former civic volunteer of Kolkata Police, is aware of a lot of things, the CBI officials probing the matter could conduct a fresh questioning. The bench further noted that besides Roy, the CBI officers could question any other suspect in the matter. It also advised the CBI to adopt all modern technology possible to unearth the truth behind the larger conspiracy behind the crime. High Court bench directed CBI to include DNA report and audio clips in the probe Since the family members of the woman trainee doctor of state-run R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, who became a victim of rape and murder within the hospital premises in August 2024, had already submitted their DNA profiling reports as well as the audio clips of certain conversations to the court, the division bench directed the CBI to include these two items as part of the central agency's investigation and also submit a report to the court in the matter. As reported by the news agency IANS, the next date of hearing in the matter had been fixed on May 12. High Court slams West Bengal Government The division bench also asked why the West Bengal government had been objecting to the plea from the victim's family members to visit the "scene of crime, when the CBI, as the investigation agency in the matter, had no objection to that." Furthermore, the division bench had said that since the state government was no longer a party in the case, it had no business to raise any objection in the matter. The bench also noted that the two petitions in the court, the first by the CBI pleading for a death sentence for Sanjay Roy, who is currently serving a life term, and the second by the convict for honourable acquittal, should be heard in a parallel manner. (With inputs from IANS)
09 April,2026 08:09 PM IST | Kolkata | mid-day online correspondentThe Pune bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has ordered a temporary halt on tree-felling activities in Nashik linked to preparations for the upcoming Simhastha Kumbh Mela, directing authorities to maintain status quo until April 28, reported news agency PTI. The interim stay was issued during a hearing on a petition filed by environmentalist Manish Baviskar, who raised concerns over large-scale cutting of trees, particularly along key roads in the city. The tribunal has asked the Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) to present its response at the next hearing, reported PTI. NGT intervenes amid environmental concerns The tribunal’s decision comes amid growing opposition from residents and environmental groups over the felling of trees for infrastructure development linked to the mega religious event. The stay order effectively pauses all such activities until further review later this month. The petition argued that the tree-cutting drive could have long-term environmental consequences and sought judicial intervention to prevent irreversible damage, reported PTI. Mayor defends decision, cites safety and infrastructure needs Responding to the tribunal’s directive, Nashik Mayor Himgauri Aher-Adke stated that the civic body will present its case before the NGT and justify the decision. She maintained that the move to cut certain trees was not taken abruptly but after considering multiple factors, including rising traffic congestion, increasing road accidents, and the need to upgrade infrastructure ahead of the Kumbh Mela, reported PTI. Aher-Adke emphasized that road expansion has become necessary to manage the anticipated influx of devotees and to ensure public safety. She also claimed that the process is being carried out in line with environmental safeguards and directives of the Supreme Court of India, reported PTI. Rising accidents cited as major concern Highlighting safety concerns, the mayor pointed out that road accidents in Nashik have increased significantly in recent years. Between 2015 and 2019, at least 31 people lost their lives and 23 were injured, while police data indicates that 46 fatalities were recorded during this period, reported PTI. She described the situation as serious and stressed the need for immediate measures to prevent further loss of life, adding that road widening is a key part of the solution. Massive turnout expected for Kumbh Mela Authorities are preparing for a massive turnout during the Simhastha Kumbh Mela, with estimates suggesting that around 12 to 15 crore devotees could visit Nashik and nearby Trimbakeshwar over the course of the event, reported PTI. The Kumbh Mela is scheduled to be held between October 31, 2026, and July 24, 2028, making it one of the largest religious gatherings in the world and a major logistical challenge for local authorities. Public protests and divided opinion The tree-felling drive has triggered protests among sections of Nashik residents. Demonstrations began earlier this week after the NMC initiated cutting of trees along Gangapur Road, a key arterial stretch. While environmental activists have strongly opposed the move, some residents have expressed support, arguing that development and public safety must take precedence in cases where trees pose risks. The issue has thus sparked a wider debate between environmental conservation and urban development, with the final outcome now hinging on the tribunal’s next hearing later this month. (With inputs from PTI)
09 April,2026 07:10 PM IST | Nashik | mid-day online correspondentSoon after the tensions in the Middle East started to ease, an India-flagged merchant ship, Green Asha, which crossed the Strait of Hormuz on April 5, safely reached Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) in Navi Mumbai on Wednesday. The ship contains a cargo of 15,400 tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), according to an official statement. As reported by the news agency IANS, the arrival of the tanker has come at a crucial time to augment cooking gas supplies in the country amid the West Asia crisis. As per the official statement, the vessel has moored at JNPA's liquid berth operated by Bharat Petroleum and Indian Oil. Moreover, another India-flagged LPG vessel, the Green Sanvi, had also crossed the Strait on April 6 and is expected to reach India soon. LNG cargoes to arrive in India soon Meanwhile, with the improved situation after Iran and the US agreed to the ceasefire on Wednesday, more LNG cargoes are also expected to arrive. This has enabled the government to increase the overall gas allocation to fertiliser plants by 5 per cent to reach approximately 95 per cent of their six-month average consumption. The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, in coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs and Indian Missions, continues to actively monitor the evolving situation in the Persian Gulf region, as per IANS. As reported by news agency IANS, all Indian seafarers in the region are safe, and no incident involving Indian-flagged vessels has been reported in the past 24 hours, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Ports and Shipping. Authorities continue to monitor the situation amid the tension The statement added that the Directorate General of Shipping continues to closely monitor developments in the tense region, in coordination with ship owners. The DG Shipping Control Room has handled 5,647 calls and 12,043 emails since activation, including 166 calls and 317 emails in the past 24 hours. As per IANS, DG Shipping has facilitated the safe repatriation of over 1,803 Indian seafarers so far, including 49 in the past 24 hours from various locations across the Gulf region. Port operations across India continue normally with no congestion reported. State Maritime Boards of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Puducherry have confirmed smooth functioning. The Ministry continues to coordinate closely with the Ministry of External Affairs, Indian Missions and maritime stakeholders to ensure the welfare of Indian seafarers and uninterrupted maritime operations, the statement added. (With inputs from IANS)
09 April,2026 07:09 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIndia and Sweden held the eighth round of Foreign Office Consultations (FOCs) in New Delhi on Thursday, agreeing to strengthen cooperation in political engagements, trade and investment, defence and security, innovation, sustainability and people-to-people ties. The two sides also discussed regional and global issues of mutual interest. Secretary (West) at the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Sibi George and Sweden's State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Dag Hartelius co-chaired the meeting. "8th India-Sweden Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) were held in New Delhi today. Secretary (West) Sibi George co-chaired the FOC with State Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Dag Hartelius. They reviewed all aspects of the bilateral relationship and agreed to strengthen it further in the fields of political engagements, trade and investment, defence & security, innovation, sustainability, and people-to-people ties," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal posted on X. "They underscored that the recently concluded India-EU FTA marks a new chapter in economic & commercial ties and would facilitate deepening of India-Sweden trade, investment and technology linkages. The sides also exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest," he added. On Wednesday, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar met Hartelius in New Delhi, discussing bilateral cooperation and strengthening India-EU strategic partnership. In a post on X, EAM Jaishankar wrote, "Good to meet Dag Hartelius, State Secretary for Foreign Affairs of Sweden. Spoke about advancement of our bilateral cooperation and deepening of India-EU Strategic Partnership." Earlier in February, Sweden's Deputy Prime Minister Ebba Busch visited India to attend the AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi. During her visit to India, Busch met Union Minister for Communications Jyotiraditya Scindia on February 18. "It was a pleasure meeting H.E. Ms. Ebba Busch, Deputy Prime Minister of Sweden today. As innovation-driven and sustainability-focused partners, India and Sweden are poised to build a strong, future-ready digital and telecom partnership," Scindia posted on X following the meeting. India and Sweden share close relations based on common values, strong business, investment and Research and development linkages and similar approaches to meet global challenges of peace and security and development. According to the Indian Embassy in Sweden, regular political engagement, intensifying business ties, cooperation on global challenges and multilateral issues define the strong India-Sweden partnership. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
09 April,2026 06:11 PM IST | New Delhi | IANSIn a suspected case of food poisoning, nearly 100 people fell ill after consuming a local snack at a religious programme in a village in Ahmedabad district, an official said on Thursday. Dr Chintan Desai, district epidemic medical officer, said 96 residents of Rajpura village under Detroj taluka were taken to hospital in the wee hours of Thursday after they fell sick on consuming 'sev-khamani' (a Gujarati snack) at the religious event on Wednesday night. He said while 38 of the affected people were still admitted to the hospital, others were discharged after treatment. All those hospitalised are in stable condition, Desai informed. A health department team rushed to the village after cases of vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhoea were reported in the wee hours. Apart from the 96 people who were taken to the hospital, 214 other villagers who consumed the snack were given preventive treatment, Desai said. Police and food safety authorities were informed about the incident. A team has taken food and water samples to determine the cause of suspected food poisoning, the officer added. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
09 April,2026 05:30 PM IST | Ahmedabad | PTIThe 12116/12115 Solapur–Mumbai (Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus) Siddheshwar Superfast Express completed 50 years of service on April 8, with Central Railway’s Solapur Division marking the occasion with a commemorative event at Solapur railway station. The Golden Jubilee celebrations were held shortly before the train’s scheduled departure at 10:30 pm, drawing the presence of railway officials, staff, rail enthusiasts, passenger association members and local residents. Ceremonial Send-off and Public Participation The locomotive of the Siddheshwar Express was decorated with flowers and ceremonially garlanded as part of the anniversary observance. A cake-cutting ceremony was also organised at the station. The event featured a performance by the Railway Protection Force (RPF) band, adding to the atmosphere at the venue. In a symbolic gesture, young rail enthusiasts from Solapur presented a photo frame capturing key moments from the train’s journey over the decades, reflecting its significance among regular passengers. A Five-Decade Legacy of Connectivity Introduced on April 8, 1976, the Siddheshwar Express has served as a key overnight rail link between Solapur and Mumbai for five decades. Named after Shri Siddharameshwar, the train is closely associated with the cultural and spiritual identity of the region. Over the years, it has remained an important mode of transport for daily commuters, business travellers and pilgrims. The service connects passengers to major religious destinations such as Pandharpur, Tuljapur, Akkalkot and Ganagapur, in addition to facilitating travel during events like the annual Shri Siddheshwar Gadda Yatra. Modernisation and Upgrades Over the Years The Siddheshwar Express has undergone several upgrades in line with Indian Railways’ modernisation efforts. From its initial diesel-powered operations with conventional ICF coaches, the train is now fully electrified and hauled by high-capacity electric locomotives such as WAP-7. A significant upgrade came in November 2018 with the introduction of Linke Hofmann Busch (LHB) coaches, which improved safety standards and passenger comfort. At present, the train operates with 22 LHB coaches catering to various travel classes. Route, Speed and Operational Importance Covering a distance of approximately 455 km in around 8 hours and 5 minutes, the Siddheshwar Express connects key stations including Mohol, Madha, Kurduvadi, Jeur, Daund, Pune, Kalyan, Thane and Dadar. With a maximum permissible speed of 130 km/h on select stretches, the train continues to be a vital and efficient transport link between Solapur and Mumbai, supporting both daily travel and regional connectivity. Looking Ahead Railway officials said the focus remains on improving passenger safety, comfort and service quality. As the Siddheshwar Express enters its next phase, it continues to play a significant role in connecting regions and supporting economic and social activity across Maharashtra.
09 April,2026 05:01 PM IST | Solapur | mid-day online correspondentThe Ministry of Civil Aviation on Thursday announced a 25 per cent reduction in landing and parking charges for domestic airlines for a period of three months, as part of efforts to ease operational costs amid global disruptions in aviation, officials said. The decision comes in the wake of rising crude prices triggered by the West Asia conflict, which has affected global air operations. Earlier, the government had capped the hike in aviation turbine fuel (ATF) prices for domestic carriers at 25 per cent, even as international fuel costs surged sharply. Speaking about the new measures, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu said, “Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the primary focus of the government in the aviation sector has been to make flying a more affordable and convenient travel option for passengers. Even in the prevailing challenging situation, when global air operations are impacted, we have ensured that cancellations and rising fuel costs do not severely affect the operations of our domestic carriers. While ATF costs globally have risen by more than 100 per cent, we have passed on only a moderated increase capped at 25 per cent.” He added, “Now, with the ultimate aim of supporting airlines and, in turn, passengers, airfare increases are being further contained by reducing landing and parking charges levied by airport operators. This step is part of the Ministry’s overall effort to keep the aviation sector stable during this volatile period and to ensure ease of flying for passengers.” Move expected to ease operational costs for airlines and support affordable domestic travel The Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India (AERA) has been directed to reduce landing and parking charges at all major airports under its purview by 25 per cent, with any under-recovery to be adjusted during tariff determination in the next five-year control period. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has also been instructed to apply the same reduction at non-major airports. Officials said the measure is expected to reduce landing and parking charges payable by airlines at major airports by approximately Rs 400 crore during the three-month period. The ministry said it will continue to closely monitor the situation and take further steps if necessary to ensure the viability of domestic air operations and safe, affordable air travel for passengers.
09 April,2026 05:01 PM IST | New DelhiThe India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast mainly dry weather across Mumbai and the Konkan region on Thursday, but residents are likely to experience hot and humid conditions in isolated pockets on Thursday and Friday. According to the latest five-day district forecast issued by IMD’s Regional Meteorological Centre, dry conditions are expected on Thursday across Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, Raigad, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg. Some areas in Mumbai, Thane, Raigad, and Ratnagiri are likely to experience a spell of hot and humid weather, which is expected to continue on Friday, extending to parts of Sindhudurg. The region is likely to return to dry conditions over the weekend, on April 12 and 13. Weather conditions in interior Maharashtra In interior Maharashtra, some districts in the Western Ghats and central regions may witness light rain or thundershowers. Dhule, Nashik (Ghats), Kolhapur, Sangli, and Solapur are likely to experience rain on Thursday, while similar activity is expected on Thursday in Sangli, Solapur, Latur, and Dharashiv. Meanwhile, the rest of Vidarbha and Marathwada regions are expected to remain dry, with no weather warnings issued. Temperatures across Maharashtra Maharashtra continued to witness largely dry weather on Thursday, with several regions recording above-normal maximum temperatures, according to the IMD's latest morning update at 8.30 am. Interior districts such as Sholapur (38.1 degrees Celsius), Jeur (37.5 degrees Celsius), Parbhani and Sangli (37.3 degrees Celsius each) emerged among the hottest locations, indicating a steady rise in daytime temperatures across central and southern parts of the state. Temperatures in coastal areas Coastal areas remained relatively moderate, with Mumbai recording 33.6 degrees Celsius at Colaba and 33.0 degrees Celsius at Santacruz, close to normal levels. Dahanu and Ratnagiri also saw milder conditions compared to interior regions. Night temperatures stayed comfortable in most places, ranging between 20 degrees Celsius and 25 degrees Celsius. Cooler conditions were observed in hill stations like Mahabaleshwar (17.2 degrees Celsius), while cities like Pune division and Marathwada recorded minimum temperatures slightly below normal. Humidity levels across Maharashtra Humidity levels remained high along the coast, particularly in Dahanu (78 per cent) and Mumbai (around 70–76 per cent) in the morning hours, while interior regions experienced comparatively drier conditions by evening. Overall, the state is expected to continue with dry weather, with no significant rainfall activity indicated and temperatures likely to remain steady or rise slightly in the coming days.
09 April,2026 04:32 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIndia has withdrawn its proposal to host the 33rd Conference of the Parties (COP33) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 2028, sources told news agency ANI. The move has drawn sharp criticism from the Congress. According to sources, the decision was communicated to the Asia-Pacific group on April 2. No official reason has been cited for the move. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier proposed that India host COP33 during his address at the high-level segment of COP28 in Dubai in December 2023. “India is committed to the UN Framework for Climate Change process. That is why, from this stage, I propose to host the COP33 Summit in India in 2028,” he had said. Reacting to the development, Congress General Secretary and former environment minister Jairam Ramesh questioned the government’s intent behind withdrawing the bid. “I am very surprised. It was high on PM's agenda especially since 2029 will be the year of Lok Sabha polls. So atmospherics could have been created,” he said. In a post on X, Ramesh said the decision reflects the Modi government’s “true commitment to the 2015 Paris Agreement both in letter and spirit” and raises questions about its willingness to adopt more ambitious carbon mitigation goals in the near term. On Dec 1 2023, the Prime Minister had announced grandly in Dubai that India would be hosting the annual UN Climate Change Conference of Parties (COP) in India in late 2028. Clearly the intention was to milk the global gathering for whatever it is worth in the months before the… pic.twitter.com/FEBaisCmuI — Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) April 9, 2026 “Unexpectedly last night, it was announced that India will not be hosting the high-profile 2028 Conference. No reasons have been given for this sudden decision,” he said. Congress calls move a ‘flip-flop’, links COP33 plan to poll ‘atmospherics He also drew parallels with the G20 Summit hosted in New Delhi ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, alleging that the earlier plan to host COP33 was aimed at creating similar “atmospherics”. Ramesh further said that by 2028, the seventh assessment report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is expected, which could have placed additional pressure on India as host to push for enhanced climate commitments globally. “Incidentally, do we recall what the PM had told a group of children some years ago on his view of climate change? He had remarked that ‘people have changed, climate has not.’ Bizarre!” Ramesh said. The Congress leader also termed the move a “flip-flop” by the government. Meanwhile, the Union Cabinet last month approved India’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) for the period 2031–2035, aimed at enhancing the country’s climate ambitions under the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement. According to an official release, the updated NDC is guided by the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat’, focusing on building a climate-resilient and sustainable future. “India's successive climate targets build upon India's earlier commitments, many of which have already been achieved ahead of schedule, reflecting the country's consistent track record of delivering on climate action,” the release said. “The five qualitative targets are intended to embed sustainability into everyday life and governance systems, promote climate-resilient development pathways, and enable a just and inclusive transition for all sections of the society,” it added. (With ANI and PTI inputs)
09 April,2026 03:54 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentMaharashtra BJP leader Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Thursday claimed that it will lead to Congress' downfall if it does not allow Sunetra Pawar to win the Baramati Assembly by-election unopposed, reported the PTI. Bawankule claimed that if the Congress refuses to withdraw its candidate, the party’s political decline would begin from Baramati. He added that people in Baramati and across Maharashtra favour an uncontested victory for Sunetra Pawar. The by-election, scheduled for April 23, was necessitated by the death of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in a plane crash on January 28 in Baramati. Following his passing, his wife Sunetra Pawar assumed the role of NCP president. Mahayuti alliance backs Sunetra Pawar The ruling Mahayuti alliance—comprising the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the NCP, and the Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde—is united in supporting Sunetra Pawar’s candidature. Despite appeals for an uncontested election, the Congress has fielded advocate Akash More. The party has stated it will only consider withdrawing if a First Information Report (FIR) is registered in connection with Ajit Pawar’s death. BJP confident in elections Meanwhile, Responding to a separate query, Bawankule expressed confidence that the BJP will perform better in the ongoing Assembly elections in Assam and Kerala compared to previous polls. He added that the results would reaffirm the popularity and leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. NCP (SP) urges Congress to withdraw from bypoll The Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) on Thursday urged the Congress to withdraw its candidate from the Baramati bypoll 2026. The appeal aims to ensure an uncontested victory for NCP president Sunetra Pawar, reported the PTI. Senior leaders including Sharad Pawar, Supriya Sule, and Rohit Pawar urged the Congress to withdraw its candidate from the polls. Sharad Pawar stated that the bypoll has been necessitated by the tragic death of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in a plane crash earlier this year. He suggested that, under such circumstances, it would be appropriate for the Congress to refrain from contesting as a mark of respect, the news agency reported. While acknowledging that the Congress is an independent national party, Pawar remarked that if consulted, he would advise making the election unopposed as a tribute to the late leader. The NCP (SP) has confirmed it will not field any candidate against Sunetra Pawar. A total of 55 candidates have submitted nominations for the by-election, with April 9 being the final date for withdrawal, according to the PTI. (with PTI inputs)
09 April,2026 03:40 PM IST | Nagpur | mid-day online correspondentNagaland maintained its lead in voter turnout during the ongoing Assembly bypolls, with participation remaining highest by late morning, while Tripura held on to second place with strong polling figures as of 11 am. As per official data from the Election Commission of India at 11 am, the Koridang constituency in Nagaland recorded a significant 41.06 per cent voter turnout, the highest among all four seats. Tripura’s Dharmanagar seat was not far behind, posting a solid 33.51 per cent turnout. Bagalkot leads in turnout; Davanagere South gains momentum Meanwhile, Karnataka began witnessing a noticeable surge in voter participation compared to early morning trends. Bagalkot emerged as the leading constituency in the state with 27.83 per cent turnout, while Davanagere South also improved considerably, reaching 22.01 per cent by late morning. According to ECI data at 9 am, Koridang (28) in Nagaland recorded a strong 19.80 per cent turnout. Dharmanagar (56) in Tripura followed with 15.63 per cent, placing second in early trends. In Karnataka, turnout was comparatively moderate, with Bagalkot (24) at 11.87 per cent and Davanagere South (107) at 9.01 per cent. Voting for by-elections in Davanagere South and Bagalkot constituencies in Karnataka, Koridang constituency in Nagaland, and Dharmanagar constituency in Tripura began at 7 am. Congress fields Umesh Meti, Samarth Mallikarjun in Karnataka bypolls In Karnataka, the Congress has fielded Umesh Meti from the Bagalkot constituency and Samarth Mallikarjun as its candidate for the Davanagere South by-election. Umesh Meti is the son of late Congress leader Meti Hullappa Yamanappa (H.Y. Meti), who represented the Bagalkot seat, while Samarth Mallikarjun is the son of Karnataka minister S.S. Mallikarjun. The BJP has fielded Veerabhadrayya Charantimath and Srinivas T. Dasakariyappa from Bagalkot and Davanagere South Assembly constituencies, respectively. The Bagalkot seat fell vacant following the death of H.Y. Meti, while Davanagere South fell vacant after the demise of Shamanur Shivashankarappa. Congress-BJP face-off in Nagaland’s Koridang bypoll In Nagaland, Congress candidate T. Chalukumba Ao is pitted against Daochier I. Imchen, son of veteran BJP leader Imkong L. Imchen, for the Koridang seat by-election. T. Chalukumba Ao had contested the 2023 Nagaland Assembly elections on a Janata Dal (United) ticket. BJP State Council member Imchainba Jamir had withdrawn his candidature in favour of Imchen. The Koridang (ST) seat in Nagaland became vacant following the death of Imkong L. Imchen. In Tripura, the BJP has fielded Jahar Chakraborti as its candidate for the Dharmanagar seat against Congress’s Chayan Bhattacharjee. Amitabha Datta of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) is also in the fray. The seat fell vacant following the demise of Tripura Speaker and four-time MLA Biswa Bandhu Sen. The vacant Assembly constituency in Goa was also scheduled to go to the polls today; however, the Bombay High Court cancelled the Ponda by-election. The results of the by-elections will be announced on May 4. The ECI had earlier announced the schedule for by-elections across eight Assembly constituencies in six states. Polling for bypolls in Umreth (Gujarat), Rahuri and Baramati (Maharashtra) will take place on April 23, with the counting of votes scheduled for May 4. (With ANI inputs)
09 April,2026 03:19 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
-1775738270291_d.png "India, Sweden hold 8th Foreign Office Consultations. PIC/PTI")
-1775735864438_d.png "Suspected food poisoning hospitalises villagers in Rajpura. Representational Image")
