India news: PM Modi addresses election rallies in Assam

As voting begins this week, Assam is in the midst of an intense electoral campaign. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to engage in three rallies across the northeastern state on Monday. DW offers real-time updates on the latest developments in India on Monday, April 6.

Market Volatility and Fertilizer Strategy

Indian financial markets saw a significant recovery in the afternoon after a decline at the opening. The Sensex and Nifty50 indices rebounded from their early losses, with the Sensex gaining about 500 points and the Nifty surpassing 22,850. Morning trading had seen the Sensex fall nearly 600 points and the Nifty hovering below 22,600.

India is actively seeking to purchase 2.5 million metric tons of urea to sustain domestic supply chains affected by the ongoing conflict between the U.S. and Iran. Indian Potash Limited (IPL) launched a global tender on Saturday to import 1.5 million tons through the west coast and 1 million tons via the east coast, as reported by ANI and Reuters. The tender documents, published on IPL’s website, outlined this plan.

Operating under India’s Department of Fertilizers, IPL specializes in importing, distributing, and marketing fertilizers, primarily urea and potash. Bids for the tender must be submitted by April 15, with shipments anticipated to depart by June 14. These imports are critical as crop planting for rice, corn, and soybeans commences in June. India remains the world’s largest importer of urea, with the Middle East supplying roughly half of its DAP and urea needs. Oman is the leading urea supplier to the country.

Cricketer Spotlight: RCB Triumph Over CSK

At the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) secured a decisive 43-run victory against Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Tim David delivered a 70-run innings without being out, hitting eight sixes in 25 balls. Rajat Patidar also played a pivotal role with a 48-run score off 19 deliveries. Their partnership amassed 99 runs in just 35 balls, forming an unbeaten fourth-wicket stand. RCB’s total of 250/3 outclassed CSK’s 207 runs in 19.4 overs.

CSK’s top five batters were dismissed for single-digit scores, with Sarfaraz Khan managing 50 off 25 balls before falling on the first ball of the powerplay. Virat Kohli and other RCB players acknowledged Khan’s performance with a thumbs up as he exited the field. Matches between RCB and CSK are renowned as one of the IPL’s fiercest rivalries, dubbed the southern derby. This Sunday’s result marked CSK’s third consecutive loss of the season and their fourth in a row to RCB in IPL history.

Political Momentum and Key Campaign Moves

Election fervor is sweeping across India, with four states and one Union Territory preparing for polls in the coming weeks. Assam is the first to vote on Thursday, and Modi is scheduled to address multiple rallies in the state on Monday, following Rahul Gandhi’s appearance in Biswanath district. PTI reported that Modi’s first stop will be Bhabanipur-Sorbhog in Barpeta, followed by Hojai in central Assam and Dibrugarh in Upper Assam.

This is Modi’s second visit to Assam this month to rally support for BJP candidates, who currently hold power in the state. On Sunday, Gandhi launched a critique of Assam’s Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, branding him the “most corrupt and hate-spreading Chief Minister” of the nation. Meanwhile, Modi criticized the Trinamool Congress government in West Bengal during a rally, asserting they would face accountability for their “sins.”

“In this election, fear will be driven out of Bengal. Confidence will awaken through the BJP’s grand victory. I assure you, after this election, a full accounting of their (TMC’s) sins will be done. It will be settled one,” Modi declared.