Newly appointed Bengal Industries Minister Tapas Roy has announced ambitious plans to attract significant investments, particularly from the Tata Group, to revive industrial growth in West Bengal. He aims to restore investor confidence, bring back businesses that left the state, and create an industry-friendly environment focused on manufacturing, services, and renewable energy.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has declared that the TMC will proceed with its planned sit-in protest against alleged attacks on party leaders and workers, as well as the Railways' hawker eviction drive, despite the police denying permission for the event.
Karnataka Minister K H Muniyappa has publicly voiced his dissatisfaction with the portfolio allocation in the new D K Shivakumar government, citing a lack of consideration for seniority. He urged the Congress leadership to review the assignments, highlighting his preference for portfolios like Social Welfare or Agriculture, and noted that another senior minister, Ramalinga Reddy, also resigned over the issue.
Amid a significant split within the Trinamool Congress (TMC), two "dissident" MPs, June Maliah and Deepak Adhikari (Dev), along with an MLA, attended an administrative meeting chaired by West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. This event follows a major rebellion within the TMC, where 20 Lok Sabha MPs reportedly declared support for the BJP-led NDA as a separate bloc.
The Shiv Sena-UBT is facing a significant internal crisis, with reports suggesting that 'six to seven' of its nine Lok Sabha MPs are preparing to form a separate group. MP Arvind Sawant has formally requested Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla not to recognise any such breakaway faction, emphasising the primacy of the political party over its legislative wing.
BJP MLA Ratna Debnath, mother of the RG Kar rape-murder victim, met West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and criticised TMC leader Mamata Banerjee over her election loss, linking it to her fight for justice in her daughter's case.
Trinamool Congress leader Sabyasachi Dutta, former Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation chairman, has been arrested in West Bengal on charges of extortion and criminal intimidation. The arrest stems from a 2018 complaint by a businessman alleging a demand of over Rs 1 crore. This development follows another recent high-profile arrest of a TMC leader, prompting a state minister to comment on a crackdown on corruption.
Bangladesh secured a landmark series victory over a second-string Australian side with a composed chase in a rain-affected second One-Day International in Dhaka on Thursday, taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match contest.
Rajya Sabha MP Sukhen Shekhar Ray has resigned from the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and his parliamentary seat, adding to the party's ongoing internal crisis and political turmoil.
Two BJP candidates and three others have been booked for allegedly distributing liquor to influence voters and attacking those who objected during the Garhshankar Municipal Council elections in Punjab.
West Bengal minister Kaushik Chowdhury on Thursday said that around 4,000 EVMs were gutted in a government building fire in Kolkata, as the police launched an investigation following the registration of an FIR in connection with the incident.
Odisha's BJD has accused the BJP of luring its leaders with inducements after Rajya Sabha MP Debashish Samantaray resigned and joined the BJP. The BJD spokesperson criticised Samantaray for criticising the party after enjoying benefits during its tenure.
Kerala, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal have been fiscally stressed for a considerable period of time, and there are no easy ways to mobilise revenues to meet the cost of the promised freebies, particularly in the prevailing difficult economic scenario, points out M Govinda Rao.
Few leaders since Independence have been able to establish such a direct connection with the electorate or shape the national conversation to the extent that Narendra Modi has done over the past decade, points out former Union minister Dr Karan Singh.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has declared that the TMC will proceed with its planned sit-in protest against alleged attacks on party leaders and workers, as well as the Railways' hawker eviction drive, despite the police denying permission for the event.
The EC also underlined that for electors whose enumeration forms have not returned, the Booth Level Officers (BLOs) would identify a probable cause, such as absent, shifted, dead and duplicate entry based on an inquiry from the nearby electors and would note the same.
Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy unveiled a statue of TDP founder N T Rama Rao in Hyderabad, aiming to appeal to TDP supporters ahead of upcoming civic polls. The move is seen as an attempt by the Congress to gain ground in areas with a significant Andhra Pradesh-native voter base.
With Uttar Pradesh assembly elections approaching, an analyst suggests the BJP is in a strong position. Meanwhile, Punjab's political landscape is described as fluid with mixed public satisfaction towards the ruling AAP.
Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu has apologised to the Scheduled Caste community for his recent objectionable remarks, stating that as a minister, he should not have used such language. The apology follows a controversy stemming from an incident on May 26 where Bittu allegedly used casteist remarks against police officers in Dhuri.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made history by becoming India's longest continuously serving elected prime minister.
The Enforcement Directorate has summoned the two sons of Karnataka Congress MLA N A Haris for questioning in a crypto currency-linked money laundering case. The case involves hacking websites, stealing bitcoins, and selling virtual digital assets, with the Nalapad brothers previously denying wrongdoing and alleging political vendetta.
Trinamool Congress leader Jahangir Khan has been remanded to five days police custody by a Diamond Harbour court on "extortion" and other charges. Khan was arrested near the India-Nepal border after seven FIRs were filed against him, and his interim protection from the Calcutta High Court was vacated.
'Look at the way SIR that was implemented in Bengal. They wanted to entirely curate the voter list in order to suit their purposes and victory.' 'Look at the targeted deletions and the targeted voting list.' 'The difference between the TMC and the BJP was only about 4% but that 4% vote was done so selectively that the difference ultimately showed up as 100 seats!'
The Odisha Gymnastics Association is under investigation for allegedly using the name of its deceased president to secure funds from the state government. A complaint questions the association's governance and financial practices, including the sanctioning of funds from multiple agencies for the same event.
The campaign for elections to 51 urban local bodies, including four municipal corporations in Himachal Pradesh, concluded on Friday, with key issues including infrastructure, tourism, and fuel prices taking centre stage.
Trinamool Congress MP Kirti Azad has accused the BJP of orchestrating 'Operation Lotus' to induce defections from the Mamata Banerjee-led party, citing recent resignations and meetings of dissident MPs as evidence of an organised attempt to weaken the TMC.
'If Congress had aligned with the TVK before the election, we would have won almost a two-thirds majority.'
Petrol and diesel prices in India have seen their fourth increase in less than two weeks, pushing cumulative hikes to nearly Rs 7.5 per litre since May 15, reaching their highest levels since May 2022. This surge, driven by global crude oil costs and the Iran conflict, is expected to exacerbate inflationary pressures and raise transportation costs across the economy.
A woman was allegedly attacked by two unidentified assailants in Shimla after withdrawing her nomination for the panchayat pradhan elections. Police have registered an FIR and launched an investigation into the incident.
Expelled TMC MLA Ritabrata Banerjee has garnered support from 58 legislators, who have proposed him as the new leader of the legislative party to West Bengal Assembly Speaker Rathindra Bose, while still acknowledging Mamata Banerjee as their 'chairperson'.
The Shiv Sena (UBT) has demanded the imposition of president's rule in West Bengal, citing alleged attacks on Trinamool Congress MPs and accusing the BJP government of sponsoring violence and undermining democracy.
Pakistan defeated Australia by four wickets in the third and final One-day International in Lahore, securing the series 2-1. Australia, batting first, were bowled out for 157, with Pakistan successfully chasing the target with 49 balls to spare, thanks to strong bowling performances and a steady knock from Babar Azam.
Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor has moved to an ashram on the outskirts of Patna to continue his political activities ahead of the next assembly elections. He criticised Nitish Kumar and urged voters to prioritise their own interests.
The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, following a ceasefire agreement between the US and Iran, is expected to significantly ease India's crude oil supply risks, lower freight costs, and reduce inflationary pressures, as global oil prices have already dropped.
Tamil Nadu government is taking proactive measures to curb crime against children, following the sexual assault and murder of a 10-year-old girl in Coimbatore. The government is focusing on strict policing, public awareness, and swift justice through fast-track courts.
The Congress-led UDF is closely monitoring CPI(M) leader G Sudhakaran's decision to contest as an independent candidate in the upcoming Assembly election. UDF leaders are considering supporting Sudhakaran, while the CPI(M) expresses disappointment and denies mistreatment.
A report by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) reveals that a significant percentage of sitting MLAs in West Bengal, where assembly polls are scheduled, have declared criminal cases against themselves.
President Vladimir Putin has declared Russia's willingness to finalise a peace agreement with Ukraine based on US President Donald Trump's Anchorage proposals, provided Kyiv accepts necessary compromises.
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini celebrated the BJP's victory in the recent civic body elections, attributing the win to public confidence in the party's development-focused governance and rejection of the Congress' negative politics.
Last time, assembly polls in West Bengal were held in eight phases -- by far the maximum. In Assam, elections were held in two phases, and in a singular phase in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry.
