Kalyan Banerjee (Image/PTI)

New Delhi: Former Chief Minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee on Thursday appointed Kalyan Banerjee as its new chief whip Trinamool Congress Kakoli Ghosh replaces Dastidar in the Lok Sabha. The announcement was made during an internal meeting of party MPs held at Mamata Banerjee’s residence in Kalighat, as the party leadership sought to regroup after the recent election shock in West Bengal. Kalyan Banerjee, who was removed from the post last year amid internal turmoil within the party following a public spat with Krishnanagar MP Mahua Moitra, has now been brought back at a time when TMC Trying to stabilize his organization and parliamentary strategy.The reshuffle was seen by party insiders as a sign that the leadership continued to value political aggression and loyalty during difficult times. In recent months, Kalyan Banerjee has emerged as one of the most vocal legal and political faces of the party, actively defending TMC in court battles and public confrontations during the election period.While the party retained Abhishek Banerjee as party leader in the Lok Sabha and Shatabdi Roy as deputy leader, Kalyan Banerjee’s withdrawal was considered the most important organizational decision taken during the meeting.According to party sources, the Kalighat meeting appeared to be a re-unification exercise after the party’s defeat, with discussions on maintaining unity and rebuilding morale among MPs and workers, PTI reported.Many leaders reportedly saw the move as recognition of Kalyan Banerjee’s aggressive role in protecting the party politically and legally. “Leadership values ​​those who stand up and fight in difficult times,” a senior TMC MP said after the meeting.During the meeting, Mamata Banerjee reportedly urged MPs to stay connected to their constituencies and maintain coordination with the local leadership as the party attempts to overcome one of its toughest political phases in years.Addressing the MPs, Abhishek Banerjee alleged that the TMC has fought not only the BJP but the ‘entire machinery’ deployed by the saffron party during the elections. He also claimed that there were irregularities during the counting and alleged that TMC counting agents faced restrictions at several centres.Later, TMC MP Sayoni Ghosh made defiant remarks, claiming that the party is not afraid of setbacks.He said, “TMC is not one to get scared or back down. Mamata Banerjee is a lioness, a fighter – she was here before and she will be here too. This vote is not the mandate of the people. The people of West Bengal did not want Mamata Banerjee’s government to be removed.”

In a world where scientific breakthroughs often bring fame, wealth and global recognition, Grigory Perelman chose a completely different path. The Russian mathematician stunned the academic world after solving the Poincaré conjecture, one of the most difficult unsolved problems in mathematics, which had remained unanswered for almost a century. But what made Perelman even more fascinating was what happened next. He declined the prestigious Fields Medal in 2006 and later also declined the Clay Mathematics Institute’s $1 million Millennium Prize, thus shying away from international fame and becoming one of the most enigmatic figures in modern mathematics.

Grigory Perelman solved a hundred-year-old problem

The Poincaré conjecture was proposed by the French mathematician Henri Poincaré in 1904 and soon became one of the most important unresolved questions of topology.Topology is often described as the study of shapes and spaces. The hypothesis focused on understanding the fundamental structure of three-dimensional spaces and whether certain shapes can be mathematically transformed into a sphere.For decades, this problem puzzled some of the world’s greatest mathematicians. Its difficulty became famous in academic circles and solving it was considered one of the greatest possible achievements in mathematics.In 2000, the Clay Mathematics Institute included the conjecture among its seven Millennium Prize problems, each with a $1 million reward for its correct solution.

How did Perelman solve the impossible problem?

Perelman built on earlier research developed by mathematician Richard S. Hamilton, who introduced a geometric method known as the Ricci flow.Ricci flow can be imagined as a process that gradually smoothes out irregular geometric shapes over time. Hamilton’s work laid the foundation for attacking the Poincaré conjecture, but several major technical hurdles still remain unresolved.Between 2002 and 2003, Perelman published a series of papers online through the arXiv preprint server rather than in traditional academic journals. In those papers, he addressed remaining problems and provided a proof for the conjecture.The mathematics community initially reacted cautiously because the proof was highly complex. Teams of experts spent years reviewing every detail before finally confirming that Perelman’s work was correct.His proof was later recognized as one of the greatest mathematical achievements of the modern era.

Rejecting the Fields Medal

In 2006, Perelman was awarded the Fields Medal, often considered the highest honor in mathematics and often compared to the Nobel Prize for the field.But Perelman refused to accept this.He did not attend the International Congress of Mathematicians in Madrid and became the first person in history to decline the Fields Medal.According to reports and interviews, Perelman felt uncomfortable with the culture of fame surrounding academic success. He also believed that Richard Hamilton should have been given more recognition for developing the original ideas behind the proof.His refusal shocked the mathematics world, where such honors are usually considered career-defining achievements.

Rejecting the $1 million Millennium Prize

Perelman surprised the world again in 2010 when he declined the $1 million Millennium Prize awarded by the Clay Mathematics Institute.After years of verification the institute officially recognized his proof of the Poincaré conjecture, making him the first and so far the only mathematician to solve one of the seven Millennium Prize problems.Yet Perelman refused to pay the money.Reports at the time revealed that he no longer wanted public attention and had become increasingly disillusioned with academic politics. Some accounts also indicated that he disagreed with how credit for the discovery was distributed within the mathematics community.His rejection of both the Fields Medal and the million-dollar prize turned him into an almost legendary figure beyond academic mathematics.

Life away from fame and public attention

After his success, Perelman largely withdrew from public academic life. He reportedly resigned from the Steklov Institute of Mathematics in St. Petersburg and avoided interviews and conferences.Over the years, occasional reports emerged about his quiet life in Russia, often describing him traveling on public transportation or shopping in ordinary neighborhoods.Unlike many globally recognized scientists, Perelman showed little interest in building a public image, business opportunities, or celebrity status. His refusal to participate increased the public’s fascination with him due to the media attention associated with his discovery.Perelman’s story goes far beyond mathematics as it challenges modern ideas about success and recognition.Most groundbreaking discoveries are closely linked to fame, awards, financial rewards, and institutional prestige. Perelman rejected almost all of them, despite solving one of the most important mathematical problems of the last century.For many, he became a symbol of intellectual independence – someone motivated solely by a desire to solve difficult problems rather than money or public praise.More than two decades after his proof transformed mathematics, Grigory Perelman remains one of the most enigmatic geniuses of the modern era.

Indian man silences Sara Gonzales for H-1B attack, calls her unemployed.

Texas journalist Sarah Gonzales, who started ‘exposing’ H-1B fraud in her state, which even resulted in some action from the government, took aim at ‘Great America Technologies’ for her latest video. But it turned into a fight between Gonzales and Nagarjuna Reddy Sakam, who is listed as the director of the company – Nagarjuna patiently talked to Gonzales and answered all his questions and also identified her as the woman who visits H-1B establishments and creates nuisance.Gonzales said the company was founded in 2017 and at that time, Lakshmi Chaitanya Bogula was named as the director. Later her husband Nagarjuna became a director. But they do not have an office at their address, their telephone number does not work and there is no information on their website, Gonzales claimed before surprising Nagarjuna at his home address.Nagarjuna told that his company is small and it is going through a change in address. It does not have many H-1B workers and they work for different clients. He told Gonzales that he is not doing business on H-1B but that he is a green card holder and has the rights to it.Nagarjuna called out Gonzales for talking nonsense targeting the Indian community and told him that USCIS and the government are there to investigate if any fraud has occurred. “Don’t you have a job?” Nagarjuna asked, saying he would file a lawsuit against Gonzales because he was not doing anything illegal.After the controversy, Gonzales visited the new address that Nagarjuna had provided him, and said that it was a co-working space and there was no one there. Gonzales again called Nagarjuna and pressed him for the public access files. The phone conversation also turned into a fight as Nagarjuna said he had called 911 and the police were coming.

US entrepreneur says company is doing nothing wrong

American entrepreneur James Blunt, who frequently comments on immigration issues, said he investigated the company and found nothing wrong. The company is a consultancy that recruits people for clients. Blunt said that if a self-proclaimed whistleblower like Gonzales shows up on private property, the owners should first ask for identification, deny entry and then record the conversation.Sara defended what many on social media called ‘invasion’ and said that Nagarjuna talked to her for 15 minutes and turned away after “he realized he was trapped, then he asked us to leave, and we did”.

Jannik Sinner has reached a new level in men’s tennis, producing a season of consistent dominance that has now seen him overtake Novak Djokovic’s long-standing Masters 1000 record. The World No. 1 extended his winning streak at Masters events to a record-breaking 32 consecutive wins, surpassing Djokovic’s previous best of 31 and overtaking legends like Roger Federer (29) and Rafael Nadal (23) in the all-time standings.

The milestone came during his latest surge in Rome, where Sinner defeated Andrey Rublev to book a place in the Italian Open semi-finals. They needed just one hour and 31 minutes to win the quarter-finals 6–2, 6–4 at the Campo Central on Thursday, 14 May.

After the win, Sinner reiterated that he does not chase records but focuses on his journey. He stressed recovery as the top priority before their next match, highlighting the emotional challenge of competing on home soil and calling it a “win-win” day after a strong performance.

“I don’t play for records. I just play for my story. Also it means a lot to me, but there is another opponent tomorrow. We will play in different conditions. It will be a night match. Let’s see. The top priority for me now is to try to recover as much as possible physically.”

“We’ll see how it goes. Emotionally, it takes a lot of time playing here on home ground. At the same time, I’ll definitely try to do my best. We’ll see how it goes. Either way it’s a win-win situation for me in any case. Today was a good day,” he said.

How the papacy brought down Rublev

From the start, Sinner dictated the game with deep, heavy groundstrokes that pushed Rublev back from the baseline. The Russian attempted to impose himself with his trademark forehand power, but Sinner’s defensive excellence and ability to redirect momentum consistently neutralized the threat. The key moments came on the return, where Sinner repeatedly targeted Rublev’s second serve to create early break opportunities.

Once in control, the sinner never let go. He disrupted Rublev’s rhythm with depth, variation and sharp angles, leading to errors from the backhand wing. Even when Rublev tried to increase the aggression in the second set, Sinner’s efficiency on the first serve and ability to make cool decisions under pressure kept him firmly ahead.

The victory moved Sinner closer to a rare milestone, career Golden Masters, achieved by winning all nine ATP Masters 1000 events. He is now just two wins away from becoming the second player in history behind Djokovic to complete that set, further underscoring the scale of his dominance on the ATP Tour.

– ends

NEET-UG paper leak: CBI arrests two more accused in Maharashtra; The number increased to 7 (Image credit: PTI)

New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation has arrested two more accused in connection with alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak and conducted searches at 14 locations across the country in the last 24 hours.The two arrested accused are Dhananjay Lokhanda of Ahilyanagar, Maharashtra and Manisha Waghmare of Pune, Maharashtra. The total number of arrests in the case has now reached seven.The CBI had registered the case on May 12 based on a written complaint by the Department of Higher Education of the Education Ministry regarding alleged irregularities and paper leak in the conduct of the NEET-UG 2026 examination on May 3.The FIR was registered for offenses under the Indian Justice Code including criminal conspiracy, cheating, criminal breach of trust, theft and destruction of evidence, offenses under the Prevention of Corruption Act and offenses under the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024.So far, the CBI has arrested seven accused in the case – three from Jaipur, one from Gurugram, one from Nashik, and the latest two from Pune and Ahilyanagar. Many other suspects are still being interrogated.The agency has also conducted searches at several places across the country. During the search and arrest, several incriminating materials and electronic devices including mobile phones have been seized.The CBI is coordinating with the Rajasthan Special Operations Group, which conducted the initial investigation in the case, and is tracing all the leads through extensive technical and forensic analysis.

NTA canceled the exam, exam will be held again

The Center on Tuesday canceled the NEET-UG 2026 exam held on May 3 amid allegations of paper leak and announced that the exam will be re-conducted on dates to be notified separately.NTA said the decision was taken after examining the inputs in coordination with central agencies and findings shared by law enforcement agencies raising concerns over the integrity of the examination process.Federation of All India Medical Associations has moved the Supreme Court challenging “systemic failure” National Testing Agency In conducting NEET-UG 2026 examination.Students across the country have protested against the decision to re-conduct the examination. NSUI workers protest at Shastri Bhawan in New Delhi, protesters were seen climbing the barricades.

FIFA World Cup 2026 (via Getty Images)

The 2026 World Cup is still weeks away, but concerns about player fatigue, extreme weather conditions and football’s increasingly crowded calendar are already dominating conversations behind the scenes.The elite players are heading into another expanded World Cup after tough domestic campaigns filled with league matches, European competitions and international fixtures. FIFA expanded the tournament from 32 to 48 teams starting in 2026, expanding the competition to 104 matches to expand the game globally, generate more revenue, and create more qualification opportunities for countries in Asia, Africa and North America.But with clubs and governing bodies adding more games to an already overloaded calendar, there are growing fears that football’s biggest stars are being pushed beyond physically sustainable limits.

‘The World Cup will become survival of the fittest’

According to an exclusive report of mirrorMaheta Molango, chief executive of the Professional Footballers’ Association, revealed that players have already discussed the possibility of taking action because they feel they are being “pushed to the limits”. Molango warned that there is a risk in this summer’s tournament thinking less about quality and more about physical stamina. “The World Cup should be the culmination of a dream but the reality is it will be survival of the fittest. That’s not right,” Molango said. “Let’s get to the root of the problem. It can’t be survival of the fittest. Now you see games that are not won by the best team, they are won by the fittest team.

Professional Footballers’ Association CEO Maheta Molango/Image: PFA

“Players are superheroes. They get paid very well, too.” But this does not mean that they should be pushed to the limits from a human perspective. Molango also warned that tired players ultimately harm the quality of the game. “There’s a real risk to the player. And for those who don’t care, there’s a real risk to the product because people will pay thousands of pounds to watch them ‘walk’.”

fifa world cup 2026 groups/fifa

He said that modern football players are becoming increasingly aware of their collective impact and are no longer willing to quietly accept every scheduling demand placed on them. “Maybe players need to self-regulate. I’m not going to play in the friendly you’ve organised. “The authorities have decided to encroach, we live in a world of goons and they think you can just get your way. “But unfortunately, people don’t realize that they’re dealing with humans and that humans are not as stupid as they think. They understand the power of collectivity. They are not fools. They are smart and active.”

Van Dijk, Rice and Europe’s most accomplished stars

This concern is supported by workload figures in Europe’s biggest leagues. According to Opta data, 19 Premier League players have already surpassed 4,000 minutes in all competitions this season before reaching the World Cup. virgil van dijk He currently leads Europe’s five major leagues in minutes played for Liverpool with 4,761 minutes, while teammate Dominik Szoboszlai is fourth with 4,556 minutes.

Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk warms up before the English Premier League football match between Everton and Liverpool on Sunday, April 19, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (AP Photo/Ian Hodgson)

Aston Villa’s Morgan Rodgers is the highest-ranked English player on the list with 4,382 minutes played, while Declan Rice has already accumulated 4,246 minutes during Arsenal’s marathon campaign. Players from Newcastle United, Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest are also ranked highly due to European football and international commitments. Last year, a FIFPRO report on player workload criticized an “unprecedentedly long and congested season” and recommended a mandatory four-week off-season along with the winter break. In September 2024, Rodri had already warned that the player was “close” to action after playing a 63-game season for Manchester City. Later that month, he tore his ACL. Molango said many players are now privately acknowledging warnings they were previously reluctant to face. “I was talking to a player who said to me: ‘I don’t drink, I don’t go out, I couldn’t do anything else to keep fit but I’ve been injured.’ “He said to me, ‘You were right! We had heard about the calendar when you came to see us two years ago, but… you were right.'”

Fear about heat, dry pitches and World Cup conditions

In addition to the rush for stability, players are also concerned about the physical conditions awaiting them in the United States. Molango took part in the Premier League summer series in the US last year and described the temperatures as worrying. “I went to a game in Philadelphia at 3 o’clock in the afternoon and I couldn’t breathe because of the temperature,” he said. “The games were going on continuously and the difference between the early and late games was like night and day.”

Water grass spraying during pitch installation for the FIFA World Cup 2026 at NYNJ Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ, on Thursday, May 7, 2026 (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

He also revealed that several players participating in the Club World Cup had complained directly to him about the conditions. “I’ve talked directly to players who told me they can’t breathe. The grass is so dry because they’re American football pitches. You go to Atlanta and the pitch is so dry. They’re not playing NFL.” Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez previously described the temperatures at the Club World Cup as “unbelievable” and “dangerous”, admitting it was making him “really dizzy”. Molango acknowledged that FIFA had adjusted some kick-off times and locations after receiving concerns, but stressed that the problems were not over.

Players are becoming more willing to push back

Molango also pointed to a previous standoff in Spain as evidence that players are increasingly willing to refuse participation if they feel decisions are harming them. “La Liga has done a great job over the last few years,” he said. “They wanted to play a game in Miami. They did their usual thing and decided to go ahead. The players simply said that we are not going. Ultimately the game was cancelled. “This should have been a warning to football. If the players are not there. There is no game. They need to understand what the players think.” The PFA chief believes today’s generation of football players is more socially aware, more connected to the wider football pyramid and more aware of their long-term responsibility to the game. “You need to remember that most of them come from the football pyramid. Even from the national team. harry kane Leyton has played for Orient. I don’t have to explain to him what it means. I don’t have to explain it to Kyle Walker. Declan Rice was rejected from an academy. “They get it. Jude Bellingham played in the Championship with Birmingham City. I don’t need to tell them what it means.” Molango also touched on the mentality within the women’s game. “I loved one expression from Sherni. ‘We want to leave the shirt in a better place.’ “The Kim Littles, Leah Williamson. It’s not just about them. They want to leave a legacy and leave the shirt in a better place. “It wasn’t necessarily the case 20 years ago.”

‘Everyone forgets the 68 games’

One of Molango’s biggest concerns is how quickly public expectations outstrip the physical costs of the modern football schedule.Using Declan Rice as an example, Molango warned that players could be mentally and physically exhausted at the World Cup after marathon club seasons lasting almost 70 games.“Who will sympathize with Declan Rice?”. Molango asked.“Everyone forgets 68 games. If he’s lucky he can win 68 games even before the World Cup. Who remembers that? Nobody. They’ll be busy saying: We need to win the World Cup.”

Arsenal’s Declan Rice reacts after losing the English League Cup final football match between Arsenal and Manchester City on Sunday, March 22, 2026 in London. (AP Photo/Richard Pelham)

The PFA wants limits imposed on annual match totals, stricter rules for back-to-back seasons and guaranteed rest periods. “The data says 50 to 60 games a year max. That’s 45 back-to-backs max. At least one month’s rest each summer. “But they say, ‘Sorry, but the calendar is off until 2030.’ But when it comes to adding games, there is no problem. But when it comes to reducing games, it stops. Molango concluded with a warning aimed directly at football’s governing bodies. “The days of considering players as the weakest link are over. They are the strongest link.”

Queensland’s waterways run through rainforests, floodplains, mangrove systems and heavily populated coastal areas, creating habitats where the snakes are active year-round. Warm temperatures and frequent rainfall support large populations of fish, frogs and small mammals, which naturally attract predators to rivers, lakes and tidal channels. Some species live close to freshwater environments while others move between estuaries and coastal waters. Sightings are not uncommon in northern parts of the state, especially after storms or in humid conditions when the reptiles become more active near the surface. Although many snakes avoid people whenever possible, some of Queensland’s waterways have developed a reputation for frequent encounters due to their surrounding environments and the wildlife they support.As reported worldatlas, Check out the list below of 5 snake-filled bodies of water in Queensland.

5 snake-filled rivers and wetlands in Queensland that look beautiful but hide danger

1. Daintree River

PC: Wikipedia

The Daintree River flows through dense tropical rainforest where dense vegetation extends right to the water’s edge. Fallen branches, mangrove roots and shady banks create suitable shelter for the many snake species that hunt near waterways. During the wet season, snakes are often seen wandering along muddy banks or resting close to low branches above the river. Conditions become even busier after rainfall when rising water levels drive animals to new areas. Tour operators in the area regularly mention sightings of snakes along with crocodiles, especially during the warmer months when reptile activity increases in the rainforest and surrounding wetland systems.2. Lake Placid

PC: Wikipedia

Lake Placid near Cairns appears calm for much of the year, although the surrounding environment supports a steady presence of reptiles. The warm shallows attract frogs and fish, providing reliable hunting areas for snakes that live close to freshwater habitats. Dense vegetation around parts of the shoreline allows them to move quietly without much risk. People using quieter parts of the lake for fishing or walking sometimes report seeing snakes crossing narrow stretches of water or resting near the reeds. Visibility increases during the wet season when humidity increases, and wildlife in nearby connected waterways becomes more active.3.Brisbane River

PC: Wikipedia

The Brisbane River flows through urban areas, although in many stretches there are still mangroves, wetlands and high river banks that support native reptiles. It is more common to see snakes in quiet areas away from busy pedestrian areas, especially after periods of flooding. Heavy rains may force snakes from hiding places into parks, drains and residential areas adjacent to river systems. Different habitats exist along the river depending on distance from the coast, allowing many species to occupy different areas. Residents living near bushland corridors or flood-prone areas sometimes encounter snakes roaming in backyards following storms and hot seasonal conditions.4. Hinchinbrook Channel

PC: Wikipedia

Hinchinbrooke Channel lies between the mainland and Hinchinbrooke Island, which is surrounded by mangroves, tidal flats and tropical vegetation. The warm coastal waters support marine life that attracts sea snakes to the channel throughout the year. Unlike land species, sea snakes spend most of their lives in water and are made to swim through tidal currents. People usually encounter them accidentally near fishing areas, boat ramps or nets rather than along the shoreline. Despite being highly venomous, they rarely approach humans intentionally. Their presence reflects the healthy marine ecosystem that continues to support fish populations within the channel.5. Fitzroy River

PC: Wikipedia

The Fitzroy River system extends across central Queensland and passes through wetlands, agricultural fields and floodplain environments where reptiles are common. Seasonal rains alter the river dramatically, forming temporary ponds and flooding grasslands that attract frogs and small animals. Snakes often pursue these feeding opportunities in shallow water and low vegetation along river banks. During warm evenings, movement becomes more noticeable around isolated patches of dense plant cover. Residents and farmers near the river sometimes report an increase in the number of sightings after storms, when rising waters push wildlife into surrounding lands. The large river system allows different snake species to inhabit different habitats throughout the region.

New Delhi: The Congress Finally, the suspense in Kerala ended on Wednesday. Ten days after the UDF’s historic mandate, VD Satheesan was named Chief Minister. For a party that had just won 63 seats while the UDF alliance had won 102, the delay was not about numbers or alliance arithmetic. It was about Congress being unable to get out of its own way.Across the country, in West Bengal BJP The same thing was done in about 48 hours. Won 207 seats, a state for the first time in the party’s history, and before the celebrations could properly begin (or Mamata had resigned) Suvendu Adhikari was named CM.

A similar scene was seen in Assam also, where the saffron party won a massive mandate. There was never much doubt about the BJP’s choice for Chief Minister. Himanta Biswa Sarma, who has led the party to consecutive victories in the state and has also played a key role in expanding the BJP’s footprint in the North East, was the obvious choice.Also read: How 2026 Assam victory establishes ‘outsider’ Himanta as the party’s next generation leader?The two parties achieved historic victories in the same election cycle, yet they took completely different approaches afterward. One walks as if he has done this before. Others believe that she is struggling with internal turmoil even after securing a historic mandate.One side sees victory as the beginning of control; Others often consider it a conversation starter.So, what does BJP understand about victory that Congress has to re-learn?

BJP’s favorite trick

The BJP’s approach in choosing chief ministers since 2014 has been following a clear pattern. When the party wins a state, it often avoids choosing a clear contender. Instead, it gives the top post to someone who is not well known outside the state but has worked closely with the grassroots or local leadership.The idea behind this strategy is simple. This prevents regional powers from becoming too powerful. It also ensures that victory is seen as a mandate for the party and its central leadership and not for any local leader. Also, it sends a message to party workers that loyalty to the organization matters more than personal ambition.The track record supports it. When the BJP won Haryana in 2014, it went with first-time MLA Manohar Lal Khattar. when it was changed Vijay Rupani Another first-time MLA Bhupendra Patel got a job in Gujarat in 2021. In December 2023, after winning in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, the BJP sent a clear message about its changing leadership model. Despite winning big, veterans Vasundhara Raje, Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Raman Singh were left behind for the top post. Instead, the party chose relatively low-profile leaders, Bhajan Lal Sharma, Mohan Yadav and Vishnu Dev Sai, in a sign of preference for new faces over strong regional stalwarts. Add Tripura’s Biplab Deb, Uttarakhand’s Pushkar Singh Dhami, Manipur’s N Biren Singh and Tripura’s Manik Saha to the list. These were not household names outside their states. However, he was chosen to rule quietly under the national banner of the BJP while the central leadership held the real reins.The BJP sometimes allows strong regional leaders to emerge. Yogi Adityanath Uttar Pradesh is a clear example of this; Leaders like Devendra Fadnavis, who worked in the RSS ecosystem for decades, were also rewarded with the top post. But this usually happens when the party is already firmly established there.

What does Congress do instead?

Before delving into why these cases in Assam and Bengal differ from the party’s general approach, it is worth looking at what the BJP’s tightly controlled chief ministerial selection process is designed to avoid: prolonged public power struggles after electoral victory.This contradiction became visible after Karnataka in 2023, when the Indian National Congress spent several days in an open feud between Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar. Both the leaders lobbied the MLAs, both presented their views in Delhi and the internal competition came to the fore. Siddaramaiah eventually became the Chief Minister, while Shivakumar was made the Deputy Chief Minister; However, their rivalry continues to make headlines even today.This too was not an isolated incident. After victories in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh in 2018, the Congress turned every victory into a lengthy dialogue on leadership. There was a tough contest between Kamal Nath and Jyotiraditya Scindia for control in Madhya Pradesh. In Rajasthan, the feud between Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot lasted longer than the government, almost leading to its fall in 2020.Now, in May 2026, the same drama played out in Kerala too. The Congress-led United Democratic Front won a major victory, securing 102 seats in the 140-member assembly, of which the Congress alone won 63 seats. But even after such a clear mandate, it took ten days for the party to announce VD Satheesan as the new Chief Minister of the state, while other poll-going states had already announced the name of their CM. The contest was reduced to three names: AICC general secretary KC Venugopal, leader of opposition in the assembly VD Satheesan and senior leader Ramesh Chennithala. Intense lobbying, competing camps and differing views within the party reportedly prolonged the process, while other states going to the polls had already named their chief ministers. Meetings between Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge and senior Congress leaders continued throughout the week, while the prolonged uncertainty led to memes, online ridicule and frustration among party workers.When the announcement finally came, Satheesan had long appeared to be the clear frontrunner.

First Himanta, then Suvendu

Then why did BJP deviate from its own strategy in both Assam and Bengal?The answer is simpler than it seems: it actually wasn’t. The playbook was never about casting unknown faces. It was about choosing people who would not dominate the central leadership or create independent power centres. Himanta Biswa Sarma is template. He joined the BJP from the Congress in 2015 and spent several years building the party’s footprint across the Northeast as convenor of the North East Democratic Alliance. By the time the BJP won Assam in 2021, he was a clear contender for the top spot. This was the reason why the party had the numbers to win. The central leadership recognized this and acted accordingly.

Suvendu Adhikari’s path to the post of Bengal CM is also based on this logic.Adhikari’s political career started in the Congress before moving to TMC with his family when Mamata Banerjee formed the party in 1998. He was at the center of the Nandigram movement in 2007, the movement that broke the Left Front’s hold on rural Bengal and made Mamata a genuine mass leader. He won the Tamluk Lok Sabha seat in 2009 and held it in 2014. In 2016, he moved into state politics, winning Nandigram and moving into Mamata’s cabinet as transport minister, later also handling irrigation and water resources. His split with TMC in late 2020, due to his uneasiness with the growing role of Mamata’s nephew Abhishek Banerjee within the party, was the biggest blow to TMC ahead of the 2021 elections. He joined the BJP in December 2020 at a rally in Midnapore along with Amit Shah.Then came the decisive moments. In 2021, he contested against Mamata Banerjee in her chosen constituency Nandigram and defeated her by 1,956 votes. Five years later, in 2026, he did it again, this time in Mamata’s traditional stronghold of Bhabanipur, defeating her by over 15,000 votes. He also won Nandigram.

Insider benefits

What makes Adhikari’s appointment particularly significant is not what he did to TMC, but what he knows about it.He spent more than two decades building the Trinamool Congress from the ground up. He knows how rural networks work, how district power structures operate, and who the key operators are at the booth level in many districts.This makes a lot of sense for what happens next. BJP’s victory in Bengal is not the end of the story; This is the beginning of a consolidation challenge. TMC’s grassroots organization, which was built hard over 15 years, did not disappear overnight when it lost the elections. Party workers, district leaders, local powerful people who used to run things under TMC, they are all still there, and many of them are now looking which way the wind is blowing.

what will happen next

In the end, the contradiction between Bengal and Kerala was not really about Suvendu Adhikari or VD Satheesan. It was about what happens inside two parties when victory comes.BJP considers power as a system. Decisions are centralized, hierarchy is clear and uncertainty is reduced. Sometimes this means surprising chief ministers. Sometimes, like in Assam and Bengal, it means recognizing when a leader becomes too politically important to ignore. But either way, the party moves quickly, projects authority and ensures that the focus remains on the organization.Congress is still struggling with that trend. Even after major victories, it often appears stuck in negotiations, balancing factions rather than controlling them. What should look like confidence starts looking like hesitation. BJP believes in seizing power and consolidating it; Congress still considers it something worth talking about and sharing. One has a system. Conversation takes place with others.