Two online content creators have been arrested in West Bengal for allegedly posting an offensive video targeting Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari.
The West Bengal government has further scaled down security arrangements for several political leaders, former officials, and other prominent individuals after a review of threat perceptions.
RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra stated that the central bank is closely monitoring whether the supply shock from the West Asia conflict will lead to a generalised price rise, potentially necessitating monetary policy action.
Indian cement manufacturers, despite a stable Q4FY26, are bracing for significant profitability pressures from Q1FY27 onwards due to escalating input costs, primarily driven by the West Asia conflict's impact on coal and petcoke prices.
The extent of doubts over the fairness of this election can be assessed by juxtaposing two figures: Total votes polled by the two principal parties and the number of people who were disallowed from voting this time, observes Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay.
Escalating geopolitical tensions in West Asia are beginning to disrupt India's automotive supply chain, leading to rising commodity prices, logistics bottlenecks, material shortages, and pressure on consumer demand, with two-wheeler makers already raising prices.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari held a meeting with top officials to review the law and order situation in the state and ensure the smooth functioning of existing government schemes.
The West Bengal government has initiated a re-verification process for all caste certificates issued since 2011, following allegations of irregularities during the previous administration.
The economic fallout of the West Asia crisis, the prevailing security situation in the Indo-Pacific and ways to boost cooperation in critical minerals and technology are expected to top the agenda at a crucial meeting of the Quad foreign ministers on Tuesday.
West Bengal minister Dilip Ghosh attended a fish festival, refuting claims that the BJP would restrict fish and meat consumption if it won the assembly elections. He accused former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of spreading false narratives during the campaign.
"There is a sharp jump that we have seen in bookings of EVs... The jump, at least in our case, in just two months, it is about 2 to 2.5 times of what it used to be"
The West Bengal government, led by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, has announced the implementation of several key administrative and policy measures, including the adoption of the Ayushman Bharat health scheme, land transfer to the BSF for border fencing, and the implementation of the BNS criminal law.
The West Bengal government has granted the CBI sanction to proceed against officials accused in corruption cases linked to recruitments in schools and civic bodies.
India's trade with West Asia saw a significant decline of over 28% in April, marking the second consecutive month of contraction. This downturn is attributed to severe shipping disruptions stemming from the ongoing conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran, particularly impacting the crucial Strait of Hormuz waterway.
In West Bengal's political circles, it was widely believed that after Mamata Banerjee, Suvendu Adhikhari was perhaps the only leader with a truly significant mass base of his own.
A prolonged supply shock can transmit to lower incomes, and dampen confidence and sentiment, warns Aditi Nayar, chief economist, head-research and outreach, ICRA.
The TMC has dispatched fact-finding teams to investigate alleged post-poll violence against its workers in West Bengal, accusing BJP-backed individuals of carrying out attacks and intimidation.
Suvendu Adhikari's personal assistant, Chandranath Rath, was shot at by unidentified assailants in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district. He sustained multiple bullet injuries and is currently hospitalised. Police have launched an investigation into the incident.
If West Bengal does not begin to reclaim its lost pride, the state would have lost -- perhaps irreversibly, this time, notes Vice Admiral Biswajit Dasgupta (retd).
Indian benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty experienced a significant slump in early trade, mirroring weak global trends, as escalating tensions in West Asia, particularly a drone attack on the UAE's Barakah nuclear facility, pushed crude oil prices higher. Track Sensex, Nifty50 movement and key market drivers for May 18, 2026.
Former West Bengal minister Sujit Bose has been arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with a money laundering case linked to an alleged municipality recruitment scam.
The West Bengal government's second cabinet meeting is scheduled for May 18, where key decisions on Dearness Allowance (DA), implementation of the Seventh Pay Commission, and other administrative issues are expected to be addressed.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi has urged India to take the lead in bringing peace to West Asia, highlighting the UAE's role in stalling BRICS consensus on the conflict. Gharibabadi also discussed a new framework with Oman for merchant vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has expressed confidence that the BJP will form a government in West Bengal, praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership and citing high voter turnout as a sign of public trust.
West Bengal's new government, led by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, has approved several key policy changes, including the implementation of the Ayushman Bharat health scheme, land transfer for border fencing, and the adoption of new criminal laws.
Suvendu Adhikari and Dilip Ghosh are the top contenders for West Bengal Chief Minister.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed various aspects of India-US bilateral ties, focusing on defence, trade, energy, and technology. Rubio extended an invitation from President Donald Trump for PM Modi to visit the US.
India has expressed serious concerns about the West Asia crisis and its potential impact on energy supplies and maritime stability, urging BRICS nations to find practical solutions to geopolitical challenges and unilateral sanctions.
Politicians and celebrities lined up at polling stations to cast their votes.
Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee has accused the BJP of inciting violence in West Bengal, alleging that BJP-backed miscreants set fire to shops in Purba Medinipur's Khejuri. The BJP has denied the allegations, claiming the TMC is trying to cause unrest.
Following their success in the West Bengal assembly elections, BJP leaders are now focusing on winning the Punjab assembly polls in 2027, promising to rid the state of corruption and drugs under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
TMC leaders have raised concerns about the vote counting process in the West Bengal Assembly elections, alleging irregularities and lack of cooperation from the Election Commission.
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".
Bank of Baroda economists project India's GDP to grow 6.5-6.8 per cent in FY27 but warn that the fiscal deficit could overshoot the budgeted 4.3 per cent target, potentially reaching 4.7-4.8 per cent of GDP due to subsidy overruns, excise duty cuts, and oil marketing company losses.
West Bengal Police are investigating the murder of Chandranath Rath, a close aide of BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, and have formed multiple teams to trace the assailants.
West Bengal Police intensify their investigation into the murder of Chandranath Rath, an aide of BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, recovering a second motorcycle and searching for a car suspected to be involved in the crime.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested a prime accused in the West Bengal bomb explosion case, which resulted in one fatality and three serious injuries last month. The accused, Ahidul Islam Molla, was apprehended following investigations into his role in the explosion.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed confidence that the BJP would form the next government in West Bengal after the assembly polls, asserting that he would return to the state for the oath-taking ceremony after results are announced on May 4.
Even if there is an early agreement on a cessation of hostilities in West Asia, the price shock will not go away easily, points out A K Bhattacharya.
TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee has alleged large-scale irregularities in the West Bengal assembly polls, questioning the counting process and the role of election officials and security forces. He claimed EVMs could be replaced, influencing the election outcome.
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