West Bengal’s top administration has been overhauled by the Election Commission to guarantee a neutral playing field for the 2026 polls. By appointing Dushyant Nariala as Chief Secretary and Sanghamitra Ghosh as Home Secretary, the ECI is sending a clear message that administrative lapses and political influence will not be tolerated during the upcoming April elections.

Just hours before the 2026 election bugle was sounded, Bengal’s Mamata Banerjee announced a ₹500 hike for Hindu priests and Muslim muezzins. By approving all new applications and raising monthly payments to ₹2,000, the TMC government has secured a final outreach to the state’s spiritual leaders before the Model Code of Conduct halted all new policy moves.

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday warned that widespread use of microwaves and induction cooktops owing to the ongoing LPG cylinder shortage could trigger frequent power outages across the state and potentially the country as summer sets in and the power infrastructure is already burdened by rising consumption thanks to ACs and other cooling appliances.

A high-profile visit by President Droupadi Murmu to West Bengal has turned into a fierce political battle after she publicly criticized the state government for shifting a tribal conference to a remote venue. While PM Modi slammed the move as a deliberate insult to tribal culture, Mamata Banerjee dismissed the claims as BJP propaganda, sparking a national debate on constitutional decorum and state-centre relations.

In a surprise move, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has fast-tracked the first installment of the “Banglar Yuva Sathi” scheme, beginning direct bank transfers today, March 7, 2026. Originally set for April, the monthly ₹1,500 allowance for unemployed youth aged 21–40 aims to provide immediate financial relief for job seekers across the state

West Bengal Governor C.V. Ananda Bose resigned on March 5, 2026, just weeks before the state’s Assembly elections. While Bose cited “sufficient time served” as his reason, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee alleged the move resulted from central pressure. Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi has been named to take over the post, sparking a fresh row over federal cooperation.