New Delhi, April 30: As multiple exit polls projected notable gains for the BJP in West Bengal and Assam, leaders of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on Thursday voiced confidence that “double-engine governments” would be formed in both states, while also expressing optimism about the party’s performance in Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

According to Matrize exit poll findings, the BJP is likely to register a strong showing in the West Bengal Assembly elections, with projections placing the party in the range of 146–161 seats and a vote share of around 42.5 per cent.

The same survey indicates that in Tamil Nadu, which has a 234-seat Assembly, the DMK-led alliance is expected to retain power. In Kerala’s 140-seat Assembly, a close contest is anticipated between the two main fronts. Matrize projects the Congress-led UDF to secure 70–75 seats, slightly ahead of the Left Democratic Front (LDF), which is estimated to win 60–65 seats.

The reuslts will be announced on May 4.

Reacting to the projections, Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said, “This time in Bengal, the people of Bengal have made up their mind for change. Change is definitely going to happen.”

Bihar BJP President Sanjay Saraogi struck a cautious note while referring to the exit polls, and told media, “According to exit polls, the Bharatiya Janata Party appears to be leading. However, the final results will only be known on counting day… For the first time, many people who were previously deprived of voting rights were able to cast their votes.”

He further added that based on exit poll results, “it appears that the Bharatiya Janata Party will come to power in West Bengal.”

“For the first time, voters in Bengal have been able to cast their votes in a peaceful and fear-free environment. In past elections, there have been allegations of violence and booth capturing, but this time, voters were able to exercise their right freely and in large numbers,” he said.

JD(U) Rajya Sabha MP, Sanjay Kumar Jha, also stated that the BJP will win in Bengal. Speaking to the reporters, Jha said, “Many exit polls from Bengal indicate that the NDA is ahead. The results will come on the 4th, but based on the feedback from journalists and political people who went, and since it is a neighbouring state, an NDA government is coming to Bengal.”

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the trend was expected, remarking, “This was bound to happen. The people have given their full blessings… The change in Bengal is certain, which will be visible to us on the 4th in the form of results.”

Delhi Minister Kapil Mishra added a lighter tone to the political anticipation, saying, “May 4 is about to come, and saffron is visible everywhere. The mood of the public is now understandable. I think we should wait for the evening of the 4th, everyone will eat jhalmuri, everyone will eat jalebi.”

Speaking to the reporters, Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak said, “In West Bengal, the BJP is seen coming with a strong majority in the exit polls. After voting, we should wait for the counting of votes.”

JD(U) national spokesperson Rajeev Ranjan Prasad said, “Undoubtedly, the exit poll trends and almost all surveys indicate that a massive mandate is going to be received by the Bharatiya Janata Party in Assam.”

BJP National Spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain, speaking to media, also expressed strong confidence in the party’s prospects, stating, “The exit poll results indicate that in Assam and West Bengal, our government is going to be formed with a huge majority. We will also perform well in Tamil Nadu, and in Keralam, we are expected to deliver a surprise result. In West Bengal, just as the sunrise is certain, the formation of the Bharatiya Janata Party government is also certain.”

Thane: A 61-year-old woman from Thane, who had worked as a baby caretaker in Dubai, has allegedly been cheated of Rs 15.76 lakh under the pretext of receiving a parcel containing valuables from abroad, police said on Thursday.

The woman, who lives near Thane railway station in Maharashtra, alleged that two persons contacted her on her Dubai mobile number on April 14 and informed her that her gold ornaments and a high-end phone had arrived at the Mumbai airport from Italy, an official from Naupada police station said.

“They told her that the consignment needed to be cleared before April 22 and threatened that if she failed to do so, she would face legal action and would not be allowed to go back to Dubai,” the official said.

The fraudsters allegedly made multiple calls to the woman from different numbers and shared bank account details via WhatsApp, coercing her into transferring money on several occasions, he said.

“Under pressure and fear of arrest, the woman transferred Rs 15,76,000 into various bank accounts provided by the fraudsters,” the official said.

The woman approached the police on Tuesday, following which a case was registered against two unidentified persons under sections 318(4) (cheating) and 3(5) (common intention) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

Efforts were underway to trace the culprits, the police added.

Mumbai: Salim Dola, a close aide of fugitive underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, displayed defiance upon his arrival in Mumbai following his arrest in Turkey, declaring, “No fear. I am not scared,” as he was escorted by officials. His statement came while he was being taken for a medical examination before being produced in court on Thursday.

Dola, considered a key figure in the operations of the infamous D-Company, was brought to the city yesterday by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) after being granted a two-day transit remand by a Delhi court.

The arrest marks a major breakthrough for Indian agencies, as Dola had been on the run for several years and was allegedly managing international drug trafficking operations from Turkey. He was held on April 25 in Istanbul’s Beylikduzu district during a coordinated operation involving Indian intelligence and Turkish law enforcement authorities.

Following his arrest, Dola was deported to India and first produced before the Patiala House Court, which approved his transfer to Mumbai for further investigation. Special Public Prosecutor Manish Gupta appeared for the NCB and sought his custody in connection with a 2023 narcotics case registered in Mumbai.

Upon reaching Mumbai yesterday, Dola was taken to the NCB’s zonal office, where he is currently being interrogated. Officials believe he holds critical information about the functioning of D-Company’s global drug network, including smuggling routes across West Asia and Europe and the use of hawala channels to move illicit funds. Investigators are also looking to uncover details about sleeper cells and local distributors linked to the syndicate in Mumbai and surrounding regions.

Dola will be produced before a Mumbai court following initial procedures. His arrest and the later transfer to Delhi and now Mumbai are being seen as a major step in efforts to dismantle transnational organised crime networks with links to India.