New Delhi: Just days after refusing to step down Trinamool Congress‘A crushing defeat in the West Bengal Assembly elections’ Mamata Banerjee He appears to have quietly accepted the end of his government.The West Bengal Chief Minister’s bio now describes her as “Founding President of All India Trinamool Congress. Chief Minister of West Bengal (15th, 16th and 17th Assembly)”. An earlier version of the biography read: “Founder President All India Trinamool Congress. Honorable Chief Minister, West Bengal.”This comes less than a week after Mamata had insisted that she would not resign despite the BJP’s landslide victory in the state.Banerjee urged party workers to observe a “black day” during the first meeting of the new assembly, saying, “I will not resign. Let them dismiss me.” He also asked TMC MLAs to wear black clothes inside the House in protest.Banerjee had alleged massive electoral malpractices and accused the BJP, the Election Commission, the CRPF and certain sections of the police administration of targeting her party during the elections. He had said, “This was not an election but a tyranny.” He had also claimed that more than 1,500 TMC offices have been “captured”.TMC later said that the aim of the Kalighat meeting was to prepare the party for its role in the opposition benches and affirmed that it would continue to fight “the tyranny and oppression of the BJP”.On Saturday, Suvendu Adhikari took oath as the first BJP Chief Minister of the state after independence. Governor RN Ravi administered the oath at a grand ceremony in Kolkata, which was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and senior BJP leaders.Adhikari’s rise marks a symbolic reversal in Bengal politics. Once one of Banerjee’s closest aides and a key architect of the 2007 Nandigram movement that helped end Left Front rule, he later joined the BJP in 2020 amid rising tensions with the TMC leadership. In the 2026 assembly elections, he defeated TMC in both Nandigram and Bhabanipur, while BJP secured 207 seats to end the party’s 15-year rule in the state.

New Delhi: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Saturday accused the BJP-led Center of using central agencies for political purposes following fresh searches by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a money laundering case involving alleged fake GST transactions of over Rs 100 crore involving Punjab Industries Minister Sanjiv Arora.The ED conducted raids at five locations in Delhi, Gurugram and Chandigarh, including Arora’s official residence in Chandigarh and premises linked to his associates and companies. Officials said the search was initiated under criminal provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in a newly registered case.According to the agency, Arora and related entities are accused of preparing fake purchase bills of mobile phones through allegedly non-existent firms based in Delhi. Investigators suspect that fraudulent transactions were used to claim false input tax credit (ITC), GST refunds and export benefits. The ED also alleged that the money was routed through exports and later “round-tripped” from Dubai to India to launder the ill-gotten gains.Arora, 62, is the AAP MLA from Ludhiana West and serves as the power and industries minister in the government led by Bhagwant Maan.

AAP alleges political vendetta

AAP leaders strongly criticized the raid, calling it politically motivated ahead of the Punjab assembly elections scheduled in early 2027.Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann claimed that this was the third ED visit to Arora’s premises in a year and the second within a month.In a post on X, Mann wrote, “Today once again BJP’s ED has come to Sanjeev Arora’s house. This is the third time in a year that BJP’s ED has come to his house. And second time in the last one month. Still they found nothing. I want to tell Modi ji that Punjab is the land of Gurus, which even Aurangzeb could not subdue.”Addressing a press conference in Sangrur, Mann accused the BJP of using agencies like ED, CBI and Income Tax Department as “weapons” against the opposition-ruled states.Mann said, “By conducting the ED raid, their aim is not to find any black money or any illegal document, their aim is to send a message to the person whose premises have been raided that he should join the BJP and whatever he has done will be forgiven.”Punjab AAP president Aman Arora also attacked the Centre, saying, “I want to tell the BJP, ED, CBI and the central government that Punjab is the land of gurus and Bhagat Singh. I ask them to stop their actions.”The latest action comes weeks after the ED raided Arora and related entities under FEMA provisions and attached properties allegedly linked to fraudulent sales and exports worth Rs 157.12 crore. Arora had earlier said that he would cooperate fully with investigators and expressed confidence that “the truth will prevail”.

New Delhi: BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari took oath as the Chief Minister of West Bengal on Saturday.Prime Minister Narendra Modi And Union ministers Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, JP Nadda and Dharmendra Pradhan along with Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Dhami attended the swearing-in ceremony.In the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, the BJP won 207 seats, while the Trinamool Congress secured 80 seats after ruling the state for 15 years.The second phase of assembly elections in West Bengal recorded the highest turnout since independence with an impressive 91.66% turnout. In the first phase, voting was 93.19%, taking the combined voting percentage to 92.47%.Here is the list of ministers who took oath:Dilip GhoshDilip Ghosh is a veteran BJP leader and former state party president. Initially associated with the RSS as a full-time pracharak, he played a key role in strengthening the grassroots organization of the BJP in West Bengal after 2014.He served as MP from Medinipur constituency in the Lok Sabha and has been one of the prominent faces of the party in the state’s political expansion.Agnimitra PaulThere is only one woman in the cabinet of West Bengal’s first BJP government and that is 51-year-old Agnimitra Paul, who took oath as a minister along with Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Friday.A two-time MLA from Asansol South and Bengal vice president of the BJP, Paul emerged as one of the prominent women leaders of the party during the 2026 assembly election campaign. He retained his seat by defeating TMC’s Tapas Banerjee by over 40,000 votes, further strengthening his position in the state unit.Before entering politics in 2019, Paul was a well-known name in Kolkata’s fashion industry. She ran her own label “Inga” and designed outfits for celebrities like Sridevi and Hema Malini. Her work often showcased the traditional crafts of Bengal, including Kantha embroidery, and was showcased on platforms such as Lakme Fashion Week.Born and brought up in a middle-class family in Asansol, she studied Botany before pursuing fashion technology and management. She later ventured into politics, focusing on women empowerment and grassroots mobilization.Ashok KirtaniyaAshok Kirtaniya is a BJP MLA who represents Bongaon North of North 24 Parganas, an area heavily influenced by Matua politics in West Bengal.He has worked in business and has also been active in local organizational politics.kshudiram tuduKshudiram Tudu is a tribal leader from Bankura district, representing Ranibandh, a tribal dominated constituency in the Jangal Mahal area.The BJP has counted on leaders like him to strengthen its reach among the tribal communities in West Bengal.Nisith PramanikNisith Pramanik is one of the prominent youth leaders of BJP from North Bengal.Before joining BJP in 2019, he was associated with Trinamool Congress.In July 2021, he was appointed Minister of State for Home and Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports in the Modi government, becoming one of the youngest ministers at the age of 35.Pramanik represents the Rajbanshi community and the political base of North Bengal, known for its strong youth appeal and organizational influence.The maximum size of the West Bengal Council of Ministers is 44, with scope for inducting 39 more ministers.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute on Saturday Rabindranath Tagore On the occasion of Pochishe Boishakh (25th day of Bengali month Boishakh), the birth anniversary of the Nobel laureate is celebrated.PM Modi He described Tagore as a timeless voice of India’s civilizational ethos, whose thoughts continue to inspire generations.On the occasion, which is celebrated every year as Rabindra Jayanti, PM Modi lauded the poet’s enduring contribution to literature, philosophy, education and culture.“Today, on this special day of the twenty-fifth month of Baishakh, we pay our heartfelt homage to Gurudev Tagore. Gurudev Tagore was an extraordinary literary figure, thinker and poet endowed with extraordinary talent. He established himself as a unique philosopher, teacher, artist and the eternal voice of Indian civilization. Through his works he has given passionate expression to the deepest human emotions and the noblest ideals of our culture. With new ideas, creative energy and cultural confidence, he enriched our society,” PM Modi said through a post on Twitter. Newly elected West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari also paid tribute to Rabindranath Tagore on his birth anniversary and described the Nobel laureate as an “eternal star” in the world of Bengali literature and culture.In a post onPochishe Boishakh, celebrated on the 25th day of the Bengali month of Boishakh, commemorates the birth anniversary of Tagore and is one of the most important cultural occasions among Bengali communities in West Bengal and around the world.Celebrated on the 25th day of the Bengali month of Boishakh, the occasion marks the birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore, whose contributions as a poet, novelist, playwright, lyricist and philosopher left an indelible mark on Bengali literature and culture. Widely celebrated throughout West Bengal, the day is marked by cultural programs, recitations and tributes honoring Tagore’s enduring legacy and impact on generations.The Prime Minister’s tribute comes on a politically important day for the state, as the BJP is set to form its first government in West Bengal after securing a decisive victory in the 2026 assembly elections. Senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari is set to take oath as chief minister on Saturday after the party won 207 seats, ending All India Trinamool Congress’s 15-year rule in the state.Before the swearing-in ceremony, several senior BJP leaders including Rajnath Singh, JP Nadda and Dharmendra Pradhan along with Himanta Biswa Sarma and Manik Saha reached Kolkata.Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday declared Adhikari the leader of the BJP legislature party in West Bengal, following which he met Governor RN Ravi to stake claim to form the government.

PTI file photo

New Delhi: Even after the assembly results, Tamil Nadu is far from forming a government as parties struggle to reach the majority mark.With TVK emerging as the largest party with 108 seats in the 234-member assembly, Vijay’s support tally increased to 117, just one short of the majority mark.

This comes after CPI and CPM extended support to his party with two MLAs each. VCK, which has two MLAs, has not yet formally submitted its support letter.VCK spokesperson KK Pavalan said party MLAs will issue a letter in support of TVK on Saturday, while party leader Thol Thirumavalavan is expected to make an official announcement later in the day.

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Left parties supported TVK to avert Governor’s rule; IUML withdrew support at the last moment

Amid rapidly changing political developments, Vijay met Governor RV Arlekar at Lok Bhavan on Friday evening, as efforts intensified to get the final numbers required to stake claim to power. Earlier in the day, CPI had announced its “unconditional support” to TVK for the formation of the next government in the state.However, it was indicated that two IUML MLAs would also support the party, paving the way for a possible swearing-in ceremony on Saturday. However, the political equations changed late last night when IUML announced that it would not support TVK.Also read: How Tamil Nadu’s power struggle turned into hell; Why did the plans of the Dravidian chiefs fail to take shape?CPM state secretary P Shanmugam said the party has decided to support TVK to stop the imposition of Governor’s rule in Tamil Nadu. “It would be like the BJP entering the state through the backdoor. To prevent this, we have chosen to support the TVK,” he said, making it clear that the CPM would not be included in the new cabinet.

TTV seeks EPS invite, accused of bid poaching

Meanwhile, AMMK general secretary TTV Dhinakaran met the Governor and urged him to invite AIADMK Chief Edappadi K Palaniswami to form government. Speaking to reporters outside Lok Bhawan, Dhinakaran alleged that his party’s lone MLA could not be contacted and accused TVK of indulging in “horse-trading”. He later claimed that the MLA could not be contacted after a fake letter of support to TVK surfaced.

AIADMK leaders hold backchannel talks with TVK

From May 4 to the afternoon of May 6, senior AIADMK leaders SP Velumani and C Ve Shanmugam held intensive talks with senior TVK leaders, including Busi Anand, Aadhav Arjun and Vijay’s election strategist John Arokiasamy. Sources said AIADMK leaders demanded one cabinet post for every five supporting MLAs, which is equivalent to the post of deputy chief minister as well as seven ministerial posts.Follow live updates: All eyes on Vijay’s TVK; VCK chief will announce decision on coalition government todayHowever, silence from TVK was observed in political circles after Congress MLAs visited the party’s Panayur office on May 6 and handed over letters of support.

EPS blocks TVK’s access, shifts AIADMK MLAs to Puducherry resorts

On May 6, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami moved swiftly to strengthen his camp and summoned all newly elected MLAs of the party to his office. After a day of intense deliberations with senior leaders and former ministers, Palaniswami is understood to have successfully blocked attempts by SP Velumani and C Ve Shanmugam to unite AIADMK MLAs in support of Vijay’s bid to form the government.Maintaining a firm stance against extending any “voluntary support” to TVK, Palaniswami later admonished AIADMK Deputy General Secretary KP Munusamy for publicly saying that the party “will not support TVK under any circumstances”.Later that evening, the AIADMK MLAs were shifted to resorts in Puducherry and reportedly kept away from all forms of communication amid fears of poaching attempts.

DMK AIADMK is exploring the possibility of alliance to stop Vijay, but allies are moving towards TVK

DMK President on May 7 mk stalin Held discussions with party MLAs and directed them to abide by whatever decision the leadership ultimately takes amid the volatile post-poll situation. During a meeting with alliance partners CPI, CPM and VCK on Thursday morning, Stalin is understood to have floated the idea of ​​an AIADMK-led DMK-backed government and sought their support to prevent TVK chief Vijay from assuming office.According to alliance sources, Stalin urged allies not to suddenly break ties with the DMK, unlike the Congress, and instead remain within the alliance framework until discussions continue. “He told allies not to take any steps without informing him. He also said he would not stand in his way,” a senior alliance leader said. Later on Friday night, VCK chief Thol Thirumavalavan met Stalin at his Cenotaph Road residence to discuss a possible amicable separation.Although Stalin publicly stated that the DMK preferred to function as a strong opposition, intense negotiations continued behind the scenes to block Vijay’s path to power. However, the proposal failed to garner unanimous support from coalition partners.