The Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued a 24-hour ultimatum to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge following controversial remarks made during the final leg of the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. In a press conference in Chennai on April 21, 2026, Kharge allegedly referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a “terrorist” while criticizing the AIADMK-BJP alliance. Following a formal complaint by a high-level BJP delegation including Nirmala Sitharaman, the ECI flagged the statement as a prima facie violation of the Model Code of Conduct regarding decency in political discourse. While Kharge has since clarified that he meant the Prime Minister was “terrorizing” political opponents through central agencies, the poll body has demanded a formal explanation as the state heads into a high-stakes voting phase.
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.
The 2026 electoral battle has begun as the Election Commission announces poll dates for five key regions. With voting starting on April 9 and a unified result day on May 4, the political landscape of India faces a high-stakes month of campaigning under the now-active Model Code of Conduct.
