At a function in Anand, ministers and the chief minister all in attendance, Varghese Kurien called the IAS lobby termites.
The Trinamool Congress (TMC) is facing a severe leadership crisis as former minister Jyoti Priya Mallick resigned from all party organisational posts citing health, and senior North Bengal leader Goutam Deb stepped down as mayor of Siliguri Municipal Corporation, amidst widespread internal rifts and electoral setbacks.
The BJP's landslide victory in West Bengal has not merely redrawn the electoral map but overturned the operating logic of politics in the state, breaching the TMC's entrenched fortress despite a decade-and-a-half of dominance, minority consolidation, and a sustained "outsider" narrative.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded young Indian innovators for the country's first privately developed orbital rocket, Skyroot Aerospace's Vikram-1, which made India the third nation with private orbital launch capabilities. While praising the 28-year-old average age of the Skyroot team, Modi made a veiled remark about a "56-year-old young man," widely understood to be a dig at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who recently turned 56.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has accused BJP MPs of securing their seats through 'vote chori' and claims the BJP would struggle to win even 140 seats in fair elections.
The BJP has accused the Trinamool Congress of inciting post-poll violence in West Bengal by impersonating BJP supporters, warning that they will face legal consequences. The BJP asserts its members have never engaged in post-election violence and claims TMC cadres are using BJP symbols to create unrest.
The Punjab BJP held a state-level protest against the AAP government, demanding a CBI probe into the suicide of a warehousing corporation official who allegedly faced harassment from a state minister.
The Jammu and Kashmir Congress staged protests against the Centre over the cancellation of the NEET-UG exam, demanding strict action against those involved in the alleged paper leak and a Supreme Court-monitored probe.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has pledged to resolve the long-standing Gorkha issue within six months if the BJP wins the West Bengal elections. He criticised previous governments for failing to address the aspirations of the Gorkha people and promised a solution acceptable to them.
The BJP has released its election manifesto for West Bengal, promising a hardline stance on infiltration, financial assistance for women and unemployed youth, and the implementation of the Seventh Pay Commission for state employees.
The Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) has voiced concerns over the government's handling of the Justice (Retd) Biplab Kumar Sharma Commission report on irregularities in APSC examinations, alleging a weak stance in implementing its recommendations.
The BJP has won the repoll to Bengal's Falta Assembly seat with a significant margin, marking a dramatic shift in the political landscape of West Bengal. The TMC's candidate slipped to fourth place and forfeited his deposit in what was once considered a TMC stronghold.
Hopefully, the BJP will realise that it's the right time for parivartan (change) in its polarising poll strategies after achieving the impossible-looking goal of winning West Bengal, argues Sheela Bhatt.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a rally in Katwa, West Bengal, promising to expedite the process of granting citizenship to Matua and Namasudra refugee families if the BJP comes to power. He also criticised illegal immigration and the Trinamool Congress government.
Congress leaders on Monday termed the reorganisation of the Madhya Pradesh Waqf Board with the inclusion of two Hindu members as "inappropriate" and said they would challenge the decision in the Supreme Court.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has accused the BJP of stoking fights among all sections of society and attempting to loot the country by exploiting these divisions. She also criticised the BJP's economic policies and alleged discrimination in welfare schemes.
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini criticised the AAP government in Punjab, alleging unfulfilled promises, deteriorating law and order, and a failed anti-drug campaign. He also highlighted the welfare initiatives of Haryana's 'double-engine' government and expressed confidence in the BJP's future prospects in Punjab.
The Punjab BJP has called for a sedition case against Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann for blaming the party for recent blasts in the state, alleging his remarks could be used by Pakistan to defend against accusations of sponsoring terrorism.
Madhya Pradesh BJP president Hemant Khandelwal has termed the land scam allegations against Yadav as "baseless", saying whenever the state has a CM from the backward class, the Congress attempts to weaken him.
The Maharashtra government has announced a ban on the sale of 'Sting' energy drink and other intoxicating substances within a 500-metre radius of schools. This decision comes amidst concerns about the health impact of such beverages on schoolchildren, with the Food and Drug Administration directed to enforce the new restriction and schools urged to conduct awareness programmes.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi criticised the BJP and RSS for undermining the Constitution and accused the TMC of failing to provide jobs in West Bengal during recent rallies.
Madhya Pradesh minister Kailash Vijayvargiya's comments about administrative officials rushing to show RSS affiliation after the BJP came to power have ignited a political controversy. The Congress party has strongly criticised the remarks, calling them a threat to the neutrality and constitutional dignity of the bureaucracy and demanding a constitutional review.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced the BJP's commitment to implementing the Uniform Civil Code in West Bengal within six months of assuming power, while also promising a Bengali chief minister.
Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema has condemned the recent blasts in Amritsar and Jalandhar, calling them a deliberate attempt to spread terror and disrupt the state's peace. He accused the BJP of trying to create an atmosphere of fear and division for political gains ahead of elections.
'In West Bengal, the BJP's ideology of Hindutva will be customised to cater to the culture and the cultural imperatives of Bengalis.'
India has launched its first hydrogen-powered train, the 'Namo Green Rail', from Jind, Haryana, marking a significant step towards sustainable railway mobility. The 10-coach train, which emits only water vapour, is currently operating on the Jind-Sonipat route and represents a major technological advancement for the country's transport sector.
Addressing party legislators after being elected the leader of the BJP legislature party, Adhikari said the atmosphere of fear in Bengal had ended and asserted that the state would now move towards an era of "trust".
Larger NGOs could no longer work with smaller ones, especially those organisations working on the ground that had no means of or expertise in raising money themselves, reveals Aakar Patel.
The campaign for the current election cycle ended on Monday as canvassing for the final phase in West Bengal concluded with a bitter war of words between rival parties over cross-border infiltration, corruption, unemployment and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)'s protest at Jantar Mantar, demanding accountability for alleged examination irregularities, has entered its 15th day, garnering support from AAP MP Sanjay Singh and CPI(M) MP John Brittas. Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk continues his hunger strike, while a student leader from AISA was hospitalised after her condition turned critical.
West Bengal minister Agnimitra Paul announced the BJP government's commitment to women's empowerment and the continuation of welfare schemes. The 'Annapurna Bhandar' scheme will be accessible through an online portal, ensuring ease of application for all women in Bengal. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has directed officials to implement the scheme and free bus travel for women, while also assuring that existing social welfare schemes will continue.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi felicitated senior BJP worker Makhanlal Sarkar at a swearing-in ceremony in West Bengal. Sarkar, 98, is an early grassroots figure associated with the nationalist movement. Suvendu Adhikari took oath as the state's first BJP Chief Minister after defeating Mamata Banerjee.
BJP leader Tarun Chugh has served a legal notice to Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann for linking the BJP to recent blasts, demanding proof or resignation.
The renewed rush comes days after Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced that West Bengal would aggressively implement a 'detect, delete and deport' policy against infiltrators.
A delegation of NDA leaders in Karnataka has formally complained to the Chief Electoral Officer, alleging "massive irregularities" in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and demanding an immediate inquiry and door-to-door re-verification.
Police in Chhattisgarh have registered a case against BJP MLA Ramkumar Toppo for allegedly assaulting a revenue official. A counter-case has been filed against the official for allegedly misbehaving with Toppo's sister. The incident has sparked protests and demands for the MLA's arrest.
'Now if you break the party under the 10th Schedule you have to join another party.' 'You cannot join the NDA as it is not a party. You can only join another party, and that is the BJP.' 'So the question to ask is that these so-called 20 TMC Lok Sabha MPs who are parting ways with the TMC, are they ready to join the BJP and accept Narendra Modi as their leader?'
The Congress party has called on the BJP-led government to adopt a unified national approach to restore India's role as a voice for peace, criticising the government's foreign policy and its impact on India's global standing.
The West Bengal government has appointed Rajdeep Majumder as the state's new additional advocate general, while N G Khaitan will take over as the advocate on record, original side, at the Calcutta High Court.
'SIT means nothing because the BJP government of Uttar Pradesh and Ram Janmabhoomi Trust are the same people.'
