Sonakshi Sarkar

With the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) now in force ahead of the Assam Assembly elections, authorities have started removing political banners, posters and flags from public places across Guwahati.Teams from the Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC), along with local administration officials, carried out drives in different parts of the city on Monday. Political hoardings, party symbols and campaign materials were taken down from roadsides, electric poles and other public spaces.Officials said the action is being taken as per the guidelines of the Election Commission of India (ECI), which aims to ensure a level playing field for all political parties during…

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is set to hold an important meeting of its Parliamentary Board in New Delhi on Tuesday to finalise candidates for the upcoming Assam Assembly elections.According to party sources, the meeting is expected to take a final call on candidates for all 126 Assembly constituencies in the state. The exercise is being seen as a key step ahead of the election announcement, with the party aiming to put in place a balanced and strong list. Senior leaders are likely to be present at the meeting, including Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal,…

Senior Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi has dismissed reports of internal dissent within the Assam unit of the Indian National Congress, saying there is no rebellion in the party and that leaders and workers remain united in the larger interest of the state. Speaking to reporters after arriving in Tezpur on Sunday night, Gogoi said the party leadership has not received any resignation from senior leaders despite speculation following the announcement of the party’s second list of candidates for the upcoming Assembly elections. He said discussions within a political party are normal and should not be seen as signs of division.…

The Election Commission of India has directed several central enforcement and security agencies to intensify monitoring to prevent the use of black money, drugs and other illegal inducements during the upcoming Assembly elections in five regions. The move comes as the poll body prepares to conduct elections in Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and the Union Territory of Puducherry. The Election Commission announced the poll schedule on March 15 and soon after issued instructions to multiple agencies to maintain strict vigil throughout the election period. The Commission said the aim is to ensure that elections are conducted in a…

Amit Shah, Union Home Minister, inaugurated key healthcare facilities in Assam, including the Pragjyotishpur Medical College and Hospital, Golaghat Cancer Centre, and Tinsukia Cancer Centre, to enhance the state's medical infrastructure. During the inauguration, Shah commended Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for his initiatives aimed at achieving self-sufficiency in healthcare. He emphasized Sarma's goal of creating a comprehensive healthcare ecosystem to ensure that patients do not need to travel outside Assam for treatment. Shah articulated the vision of transforming Assam into a medical hub, attracting patients from neighboring regions, particularly economically disadvantaged individuals from across the Northeast seeking quality…

The Congress has announced its second list of 23 candidates for the Assam Legislative Assembly election 2026, bringing the total to 65 candidates for the 126-member Assembly. This list includes Nurul Islam for Srijangram, Abdul Khaleque for Mandia, Rakibuddin Ahmed for Chamaria, Devid Phukan for Tinsukia, and Bipul Gogoi for Tingkhong. The party has reserved several constituencies, including Bajali and Guwahati Central, for its alliance partners. The initial list of 42 candidates was released on March 3, which included Gaurav Gogoi running for the Jorhat seat.

Mayank Chakraborty, a 16-year-old from Assam, has made history by becoming the first Chess Grandmaster from Northeast India, officially achieving this title at the Eighth GM Tournament held in Sweden. He secured his final Grandmaster norm by finishing first in the tournament with an impressive score of seven points out of nine, defeating top seeds and remaining unbeaten in the final rounds while surpassing the required 2500 FIDE rating barrier. Mayank, a student at South Point School in Guwahati, dedicated his title to chess players and enthusiasts in the North-East, expressing hope that his achievement will inspire a new generation…

The Assam government has launched the Guru Dakshina portal, effective Sunday, to provide financial support to eligible teachers of venture educational institutions who have not had their services provincialized. Operated by the Department of School Education and Department of Higher Education, this centralized online platform allows applicants to submit applications, upload documents, and track their application statuses transparently. Eligible candidates include teachers from various educational levels—such as LP, UP, High School, Higher Secondary, and Degree Colleges—whose services have not been provincialized despite their institutions receiving provincialization under the Assam Venture Educational Institutions (Provincialization of Services) Act, 2011, and the Assam…

The Assam Royal Global University (RGU) hosted the SPIC MACAY Virasat Anubhav (SMVA) Series 2026, a four-day cultural immersion programme held from March 10 to 13, designed to encourage young learners to engage with the rich traditions of Indian classical arts. A total of 93 students from RGU participated in the various technical workshops offered throughout the series. The event culminated in a remarkable performance by Padma Bhushan Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, a Grammy Award-winning musician, who showcased his skills on the Mohan Veena, bringing an impressive conclusion to the celebration of India's cultural legacy. The series featured several cultural…