The appointment of Rathan U Kelkar as secretary to Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan has sparked a political controversy, with the CPI(M) accusing the Congress of double standards regarding appointments of election officials.
Kerala is facing increased inflationary pressure due to recent hikes in petrol and diesel prices, according to Chief Minister V D Satheesan. The state's economy is also impacted by the decline in remittances from the Gulf and higher oil prices.
Recent assembly elections across several states in India saw exceptionally high voter participation, with women voters outnumbering men in turnout percentages, according to Election Commission data.
'He worked over time to become the natural claimant,' a senior UDF leader observed. 'Others had organisational stature, but Satheesan had momentum.' For the Congress, it may signal the beginning of a new leadership template -- one where performance, communication and grassroots credibility increasingly outweigh inherited power structures in deciding who leads the party into its next phase.
'The BJP and its allies can decide the fate of many candidates.'
Kerala Industries Minister P Rajeev dismisses claims of minority consolidation against the ruling LDF in the Assembly polls, stating minorities have no grievances and trust the Left's stance against the Centre.
Kerala Electricity Minister Sunny Joseph has defended the appointment of his brother-in-law, Benny Thomas, as his Additional Private Secretary, citing Thomas's public service record and political experience. The appointment has sparked controversy, with the opposition CPI(M) accusing the minister of nepotism and hypocrisy, demanding his resignation.
'What we are witnessing is a massive anti-incumbency wave that has cut across all social and political divides.'
Torrential monsoon rains unleashed widespread destruction across several parts of the country on Thursday, inundating roads, uprooting trees, damaging property and disrupting normal life as authorities scrambled to restore normalcy.
The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) has voiced its support for V D Satheesan as the potential Chief Minister of Kerala if the Congress-led UDF alliance wins, drawing criticism from SNDP Yogam general secretary Vellappally Natesan, who suggests this indicates the IUML would effectively rule the state.
SNDP Yogam leader Vellappally Natesan has claimed that the IUML's support for V D Satheesan as chief minister indicates the League will hold significant power if the UDF wins the Kerala Assembly polls.
Track the 2026 assembly election results for Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Assam, Puducherry, and Kerala with live vote counting updates, candidate leads, and interactive doughnut graphs. Stay informed with real?time numbers, trends, and comprehensive state?wise coverage.
Already, within the week of the election results it became apparent that the Congress' DNA has not changed from its traditional approach to politics as but a game of thrones, observes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.
Here are the constituency-wise mapped leads/results for the West Bengal, Assam, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu assembly elections!
Political parties in Kerala are making preparations for celebrations as the Assembly election results are set to be announced. Congress and UDF workers are preparing food and cultural programmes, while the BJP is also planning celebrations with laddoos and placards.
The appointment of Kerala's Chief Electoral Officer as the Chief Minister's secretary has ignited a political firestorm, raising questions about election credibility and sparking accusations of hypocrisy among political parties.
V D Satheesan, a 61-year-old lawyer-turned-politician, has emerged as a prominent figure in Kerala politics, known for his aggressive opposition to the Left government and his role in revitalising the Congress party. His journey from student politics to a key leadership position highlights his strategic acumen and dedication to addressing local issues.
The UDF government in Kerala is likely to hand over the probe into former ADM Naveen Babu's death to the CBI, with a Cabinet decision expected soon in this regard.
The Congress party is still undecided on who will be Kerala's next Chief Minister, even after discussions between party leaders. Several leaders are vying for the position, and the high command is waiting for the political climate to calm down before making an announcement.
Kerala Minister K M Shaji admitted that distributing welfare pensions from a UDF political office in Malappuram's Pulpatta panchayat was improper, leading to the removal of the responsible official. The incident, which sparked allegations of rule violation, was attributed to unforeseen circumstances and bad weather, with the minister assuring steps to prevent recurrence.
CPI(M) general secretary M A Baby criticised the Congress-led UDF over internal divisions and the leadership race in Kerala, mocking the frequent consultations between Kerala and Delhi.
Police in Kannur, Kerala, recovered two steel bombs and a country-made explosive from an isolated plot of land. The Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad defused the explosives, and police have intensified surveillance in the politically sensitive area ahead of the Kerala Assembly election results.
In a state known for high political literacy and ideological mobilisation, the Congress' inability to quickly settle on a leader after securing a massive mandate has fed a narrative that the party remains excessively dependent on Delhi, deeply faction-ridden and vulnerable to internal sabotage
Former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan acknowledges the LDF's defeat in the Assembly elections, vowing to serve as a responsible opposition and address shortcomings.
The Congress party's delay in naming the next Chief Minister of Kerala has drawn criticism, particularly from key ally IUML, which warns of potential political fallout from the prolonged uncertainty.
Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan defends the suspension of police personnel linked to a 2023 assault on Youth Congress workers, citing an SIT report and attempts to sabotage the case.
Kerala's voters are sophisticated, educated, and unforgiving. They have once again made it clear that no government is entitled to remain in power. The Congress would do well to remember this, points out Ramesh Menon.
Kerala Police have booked approximately 300 individuals following an alleged attack on Enforcement Directorate officials and security personnel after a raid linked to former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
The Kerala government has formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to reinvestigate the alleged assault on Youth Congress workers by the gunmen of then Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan during a protest in Alappuzha in 2023.
V D Satheesan was sworn in as Kerala's Chief Minister, with Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar administering the oath of office. The swearing-in ceremony was attended by prominent political figures, including Congress leaders and Chief Ministers of Congress-ruled states.
Kerala Police have arrested 13 individuals for allegedly attempting to abduct a passenger arriving from abroad at Karipur airport and rob him of gold and cash. The operation was launched based on a tip-off, leading to the seizure of vehicles and the discovery of a larger conspiracy. Authorities are also investigating the possibility of the passenger carrying smuggled gold.
Senior Congress leader Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan expressed confidence in V D Satheesan's ability to lead Kerala as Chief Minister, citing his vision, competence, and strength. Other Congress leaders have also expressed their views on the new CM.
Intense lobbying is underway in Kerala as V D Satheesan, K C Venugopal, and Ramesh Chennithala vie for the chief minister's post, with their camps citing popularity, MLA support, and experience as key factors for the Congress high command's decision.
Congress MLA A D Thomas alleges that senior police officers intervened to modify the report related to his alleged assault during the 2023 Nava Kerala Sadas. He claims an ADGP-ranked officer was involved, and the SIT should investigate this alleged intervention.
Amidst ongoing uncertainty regarding the selection of the next Kerala chief minister, the Congress high command has summoned key party leaders to New Delhi for discussions.
Kerala Police have arrested 12 people in connection with the violent attack on Enforcement Directorate officials who had searched the residence of former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The ED searches were linked to financial dealings between Vijayan's daughter's firm and a sand mining company.
Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi has accused the ruling LDF in Kerala and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan of being Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "B-team" and of secretly joining hands with the BJP, alleging a compromised leadership and lack of accountability.
The Election Commission reports a significant increase in seizures of inducements during recent assembly elections, with Tamil Nadu leading in cash seizures and West Bengal in liquor and drugs.
Indian stock markets are poised for volatility this week, driven primarily by the outcomes of five state assembly elections, ongoing high crude oil prices amid West Asia tensions, and the release of Q4 corporate earnings, according to market analysts.
If current trends persist, the Congress risks becoming increasingly regionally concentrated, dependent on a handful of states rather than functioning as a truly pan-India political force.
