April 26, 2026
Prime Minister Narendra Modi held two rallies in West Bengal ahead of the second and final phase of voting, taking aim at the ruling All India Trinamool Congress (TMC). Modi lauded a strong turnout in phase one as evidence that the TMC’s “arrogance is shattered,” accused the party of running the state through “goons and criminals” rather than the administration, and said, “The final phase will make sure the BJP comes to power.” Phase two is set for April 29, with results due on May 4. The state has also been embroiled in controversy over large-scale deletions from the electoral roll during recent revisions.
Modi commented on a shooting scare at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington, expressing relief that US President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump and Vice President JD Vance were “safe and unharmed,” and saying “violence has no place in a democracy.” Panic followed reports of gunfire at the Washington Hilton; a 31-year-old suspect from California was arrested.
Violence and protests continued in Manipur, where thousands from the Meitei community clashed with security forces after being blocked from marching toward the chief minister’s residence in Imphal. The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) submitted a memorandum seeking justice after a bomb blast in Bishnupur district killed two Meitei minors. The state has been gripped by ethnic conflict between the predominantly Hindu Meitei majority and the mainly Christian Kuki community for nearly three years, with more than 250 people killed. Recent confrontations involving rival groups, including Naga and Kuki communities, left three people dead and five injured.
Veteran photojournalist Raghu Rai has died at 83 in a New Delhi hospital after a battle with cancer. Rai’s son said the illness had spread to his brain following earlier treatments. A Padma Shri recipient, Rai worked for five decades and documented major events such as the Bhopal gas tragedy and the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War. In 1977 he became the first Indian photographer invited to join Magnum Photos after a nomination from Henri Cartier-Bresson. His last rites were scheduled at Lodhi Cremation Ground in New Delhi.
Swiss International Air Lines flight LX147 from Delhi to Zurich aborted takeoff early Sunday after an engine problem. The crew ordered an emergency evacuation of the Airbus A330; five people — four passengers and one crew member — were reportedly injured during the evacuation. Swiss International said it has opened an investigation. On board were 228 passengers, four infants and 13 crew members.
Former Aam Aadmi Party leader Raghav Chadha lost nearly two million Instagram followers after switching to the Bharatiya Janata Party, dropping from roughly 14.6 million to about 12.7 million followers. Observers say the decline suggests a hit to his popularity among younger users.
Northern and central India remain under a heatwave, with Delhi recording its hottest day of the year so far. The India Meteorological Department has warned of continuing high temperatures and urged precautions.
This roundup summarizes major headlines from India on April 26, 2026.