•Controversy erupted over CM Mamata Banerjee's announcements just hours before West Bengal election dates were declared.
•Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar stated that since the Model Code of Conduct was not in effect, the announcements could not be stopped.
•Mamata Banerjee announced a Rs 500 increase in monthly honorarium for priests and muezzins, raising it to Rs 2,000.
•She also declared payment of outstanding Dearness Allowance (DA) to state government employees from March, with arrears under ROPA 2009 from March 2026.
•Gyanesh Kumar informed that West Bengal Assembly voting will be in two phases on April 23 and 29, with counting on May 4.
