DMK in the news: Tamil Nadu opposition party amid national election chatter; longstanding Dravidianist party led by MK Stalin, critic of central policies.
West Bengal heads to polling amid a contested Special Intensive Revision that has deleted about 9 million names from the electoral roll. Critics say minorities are disproportionately affected, while authorities defend the revision as cleaning dead and duplicate entries. Results are due May 4 after the April polling window closes.
India's parliament has rejected a bill that would increase female representation and expand the size of the lower house from 543 to about 850 seats. The bill was linked to a contentious delimitation process based on the 2011 census, sparking protests and accusations of political manipulation. The bill required a two-thirds majority and was defeated with 298 votes in favor and 230 against.