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Voting begins in India’s West Bengal state after a national voter list purge

KOLKATA, India, April 23, 2026 (AP) — Voting in one of India’s most closely watched state elections began Thursday after a national voter roll revision removed millions of names and raised concerns over disenfranchisement in West Bengal, one of the few large states not governed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling party. The election has national implications. Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party is seeking gains in a state long dominated by a regional opposition party, while a victory for West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee would bolster her position as a leading opposition figure. A second phase of polling is scheduled

‘Why have an election’: Kapil Sibal slams Election Commission

New Delhi, Apr 23 (PTI) Former law minister Kapil Sibal on Thursday launched a scathing attack on the Election Commission, accusing it of carrying out an “experiment in disenfranchisement” in West Bengal and asked “why have an election”. The Rajya Sabha MP also took a swipe at Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, saying he must be awarded with a Padma Bhushan. In a post on X, Sibal said, “Election Commission: (West Bengal Election). Experiment in disenfranchisement. The CEC must be awarded with a Padam Bhushan!” “My question: Why have an election?” Sibal said. West Bengal is voting in the first

India’s digital currency push targets its leaky welfare system

PHULENAGAR/MUMBAI, India, April 23 (Reuters) – In the western Indian village of Phulenagar, Samadhan Sonawane set up a drip irrigation system on his small onion farm using digital currency issued directly from the central bank. The ​funds come from a pilot programme that is part of India’s efforts to boost its e-rupee, a central bank digital currency (CBDC), and tighten its $80 billion welfare payment system, which has ‌historically suffered from corruption and inefficiency. While India’s early efforts are modest compared with those of China, where more than 200 million people use the e-yuan, the world’s most populous nation could

Stock markets slump in early trade as crude oil prices jump over USD 100 per barrel mark

Mumbai, Apr 23 (PTI) Equity benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty tumbled in early trade on Thursday as crude oil prices once again breached the USD 100 per barrel mark amid stalled US–Iran negotiations. Foreign fund outflows and weak trends in Asian equities also dragged the markets lower. The 30-share BSE Sensex tumbled 532.83 points to 77,983.66 in opening trade. The 50-share NSE Nifty dropped 175.75 points to 24,202.35. “Oil markets remain a key concern, with Brent crude once again breaching the USD 100 mark and trading in the USD 100–106 per barrel range. The move reflects stalled US–Iran negotiations and

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