Mamata Banerjee, the outgoing Chief Minister of West Bengal, has refused to step down after her party's defeat in the assembly elections, alleging a conspiracy and irregularities in the counting process. She also accused the Election Commission of working in favour of the BJP and announced a fact-finding committee to investigate post-poll violence.
'She was not a yes person. She would tell the truth and her feelings to Indira Gandhi, and Indira Gandhi would value her opinion. The same was the case with Rajiv Gandhi who would value her opinion.'
A blast at a battery shop owned by a peace committee member in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province has killed two people and injured eight others. Separately, two police personnel were killed and 18 civilians injured in another blast in the same province.
The Madhya Pradesh government has formed a committee to monitor gas and oil supplies amid concerns over the West Asia crisis, assuring citizens that there are adequate stocks and no need to panic. The government is also working to ensure the safe return of Indian citizens from Gulf countries.
The VCK party, led by Thol Thirumavalavan, will announce its official position on supporting Vijay's TVK in forming the government. The decision follows discussions regarding power-sharing and key positions within the new government.
Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam joint general secretary CTR Nirmal Kumar, accompanied by party leaders, met with the Communist Party of India leaders at the CPI office in Chennai on Thursday, to garner the support for making goverment in Tamil Nadu.
The Tamil Nadu Congress Committee and the Congress Legislature Party have decided to extend its full support to the TVK to form the government, AICC Tamil Nadu in-charge Girish Chodankar said in a statement citing TVK chief Vijay's request seeking support.
Telangana's DGP C V Anand has directed the police force to collaborate and intensify efforts to eradicate drug trafficking in the state. The focus will be on advanced technology, tracing financial trails, and crushing foreign syndicates. The DGP also highlighted the need for educational institutions to take responsibility and report drug-related incidents.
Polling is underway for local body elections in Haryana, including municipal corporations of Ambala, Panchkula, and Sonipat. An average voter turnout of 25 per cent was recorded till 1 pm. The main contest is expected between the Congress and the ruling BJP.
Two Sri Lanka U-19 cricketers were arrested in Colombo over allegations of filming women in hotel bathrooms, released on bail as police probe possible online circulation of videos.
Local body elections in Haryana, including municipal corporations of Ambala, Panchkula, and Sonipat, saw a 54.5 per cent voter turnout. Polling was held for mayor and ward councillor posts, with key contestants from BJP and Congress. The votes will be counted on May 13.
The Samajwadi Party has ended its association with the Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) due to a lack of funds, according to party president Akhilesh Yadav.
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.
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.
Congress leader Shashi Tharoor criticised the proposal to increase the Lok Sabha's strength to 850, while BJP leaders defended delimitation as a democratic necessity at the Stanford India Conference 2026.
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.
Chandrababu Naidu has reorganised the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), appointing his son Nara Lokesh as working president and emphasising a blend of experienced and new leaders to strengthen the party.
The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has announced it will contest the upcoming elections to 102 nagar councils and nine municipal corporations on the party symbol. The decision was made at a meeting presided over by party president Sukhbir Singh Badal. The party also addressed concerns about the anti-sacrilege law and the law and order situation in Punjab.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced the state government will introduce a stringent anti-drug law allowing for the confiscation of drug smugglers' properties. Mann criticised previous administrations for allegedly enabling the drug trade and vowed stricter penalties for sacrilege. He also accused the BJP of divisive politics and criticised the Akali Dal for alleged political manipulation of religious institutions.
NBA legend Vlade Divac expresses optimism about the growth of basketball in India, acknowledging cricket's dominance but highlighting the potential for Indian talent in the NBA.
Opposition parties in Odisha, including the BJD and Congress, have criticised the ruling BJP for failing to maintain law and order after a violent attack in Puri district. The incident, captured in a viral video, has sparked concerns about public safety and governance in the state.
The Leh Apex Body (LAB) has requested direct talks with Union Home Minister Amit Shah during his upcoming visit, deeming the scheduled sub-committee meeting insufficient for resolving Ladakh's long-standing issues.
Hansraj College in Delhi is reconsidering the suspension of 30 students after protests, following alleged misconduct during the college fest and social media activity. The college disciplinary committee met to hear the students' sides, and a decision is expected soon.
Whether Vijay has the political spine to stitch together a stable government from this patchwork of conditions, demands, and midnight drama is the question Tamil Nadu is living through right now.
The Congress party is seeking one Rajya Sabha seat in Jharkhand from the JMM and plans to discuss the matter with Chief Minister Hemant Soren, according to AICC Jharkhand in-charge K Raju.
The Karnataka State Cricket Association's request for additional complimentary tickets led to the shifting of IPL final and playoff matches from the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, according to a BCCI source.
The apex women's association in Mizoram, Mizo Hmeichhe Insuihkhawm Pawl (MHIP), has strongly condemned the alleged trafficking and exploitation of women from the state under the guise of employment outside Mizoram. The organisation is pursuing the matter to ensure the accused receive stringent punishment under the law.
'If you read the TVK manifesto, it is doles and much more doles. But the state has been habituated to this.' 'In no way is he distinct or different from the DMK regime.'
India's newly formed Artificial Intelligence Governance and Economic Group (AIGEG) is set to advocate for a unified legal framework for AI companies, including developers of large language models and chatbot systems, alongside broader operational rules.
Police have registered a case against unidentified individuals for allegedly setting off fireworks near the Kedarnath temple and sharing the video on social media. This action follows several incidents of controversial videos being filmed at the shrine since the Kedarnath Yatra began.
'Vijay did not defeat Dravidian politics from outside. He entered the Dravidian field and claimed ownership of it. 'His argument was not that the room should be destroyed. It was that the present occupants no longer deserved to remain in it.'
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has decided to convene a meeting of the sub-committee for political dialogue with representatives of agitating Ladakh groups on May 22, according to Lt Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena.
The Himachal Pradesh government is set to implement stringent measures, including mandatory drug testing for government jobs and 'bulldozer action' against drug smugglers, to combat the growing menace of 'chitta' (adulterated heroin) in the state.
'Workers are the people who create all the wealth in this country. How can you call them anti-national?'
'I cannot imagine that any NSA before Ajit Doval would have given us this kind of time and this kind of engagement. They would have offered slogans, or nothing at all. That, too, tells you something.'
Nida Khan, a TCS employee accused of religious conversion and sexual harassment, has been arrested in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. An AIMIM corporator is alleged to have provided her shelter. The arrest has sparked political reactions and renewed focus on workplace harassment prevention.
Nida Khan, a TCS employee accused of religious conversion and sexual harassment, has been arrested in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. Police allege an AIMIM corporator provided her shelter. The arrest has sparked political reactions and renewed focus on workplace harassment prevention.
The BJP is showing strong leads in West Bengal and Assam, while actor Vijay's party is making a significant debut in Tamil Nadu. The Congress is ahead in Kerala, offering some consolation amid the changing political landscape in the state elections.
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.
Mizoram police, in collaboration with Uttarakhand police, rescued five Mizo women, including two minors, from a sex trafficking racket operating under the guise of a spa in Rudrapur. Six individuals have been arrested, including the alleged mastermind and spa owner.