India Politics Highlights | 'Whatever Stalin says': DMK spokesperson TKS Elangovan over speculation about a possible DMK-AIADMK alliance

India Politics LIVE Updates | Buzz over ties between AIADMK and DMK to halt TVK juggernaut

Political circles in Tamil Nadu were abuzz on Wednesday over reported "talks between bitter rivals," the DMK and AIADMK-- to stop the TVK from forming its maiden government in the state.

Reports of deliberations between the two Dravidian parties surfaced hours after the Congress party joined hands with TVK.

However, both the AIADMK and the DMK camps declined to comment.

(PTI)

India Politics LIVE Updates | Police examining CCTV footage, teams set up to trace assailants in murder of Suvendu’s aide

The West Bengal Police are examining CCTV footage and have formed several teams to trace the assailants as part of its investigation into the killing of BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari's close aide, a senior officer said on Thursday.

The police are also probing whether contract killers were engaged in the murder of Chandranath Rath, who was shot dead in North 24 Parganas district on Wednesday night.

(PTI)

India Politics LIVE Updates | Over 15 AIADMK MLAs lodged in Puducherry as govt formation in TN hangs

The newly elected MLAs of the party have been taken to neighbouring Puducherry, the AIADMK said on Wednesday.

AIADMK spokesperson Kovai Sathyan, speaking to PTI, said the party MLAs have been lodged in Puducherry.

However, he did not elaborate on the number of MLAs taken to Puducherry. Also, he did not specify the reasons for taking them to the union territory.

(PTI)

India Politics LIVE Updates | BJP accuses TMC of 'targeted assassination' after Suvendu Adhikari's aide was shot dead

West Bengal's post-poll tension took a bloody turn on Wednesday night after Chandranath Rath, a close aide of BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, was shot dead in North 24 Parganas in what the saffron camp described as a "targeted assassination", triggering outrage, protests and fresh allegations of political violence.

(PTI)

India Politics LIVE Updates | Heavy security deployed at the spot where Chandranath Rath was shot dead

India Politics LIVE Updates | Let Vijay form govt, wont disturb for six months, says M K Stalin

Tamil Nadu outgoing CM MK Stalin, in an interview with Times of India said that DMK will wait for TVK chief C Joseph Vijay to form govt, and “watch without disturbing for six months”.

India Politics LIVE Updates | TVK leaders have started to gather at the party headquarters in Chennai

Ganeshan, TVK District Secretary for the Fisheries Department, speaking to ANI, said, "The Vijay wave has swept across Tamil Nadu, from Chennai to Kanyakumari. Political leaders across parties spoke about the rise of TVK but doubted its win. Today, the people have given their verdict by giving 108 seats to TVK. We are extremely confident that TVK will form the government. Our leader Vijay will surely become the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, and he will be the CM forever."

India Politics LIVE Updates | Family of Chandranath Rath to decide on last rites after autopsy

Senior BJP leaders visited the residence of Suvendu Adhikari's close aide Chandranath Rath, who was shot dead in North 24 Parganas district, and said his family would decide on the last rites after the completion of the post-mortem examination on Thursday, a party source said.

"The post-mortem examination is expected to be completed later today. After that, the body will be handed over to the family. At this moment, the family's wishes are most important. The decisions regarding the last rites will be taken after consultations with the deceased's family," a senior BJP leader told PTI.

India Politics LIVE Updates | Vijay says no to CM convoy before swearing-in: TVK

VK chief Vijay declined to accept the police convoy vehicles provided to Tamil Nadu chief minister as per protocol until his swearing-in, the party said on Thursday.

A police official confirmed that the CM convoy vehicles provided to him "as per protocol" following the announcement of the Assembly election results were returned and have not been withdrawn.

(PTI)

India Politics LIVE Updates | TVK chief Vijay to meet Tamil Nadu Governor again today to stake claim to form govt

TVK chief Vijay will meet Tamil Nadu Governor again today at 11 am, reported ANI.

India Politics LIVE Updates | Multi-layered security planned at Brigade Parade ground for swearing-in of BJP govt in West Bengal

The Brigade Parade Ground in the heart of Kolkata will be put under a multi-layered security blanket involving around 4,000 police personnel for the swearing-in of West Bengal's first BJP government on Friday, a senior official said.

With the ceremony likely to be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and several senior BJP leaders, a senior officer of the state police said the over 900-acre ground has been divided into around 30 sectors for effective crowd management and security.

(PTI)

India Politics LIVE Updates | Vijay convenes crucial meet of TVK MLAs-designate

TVK founder Vijay has conveyed a crucial meeting of his party's MLAs-designate here on Thursday to discuss government formation, a source in the party said.

The meeting comes in the wake of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam falling short of meeting a simple majority to form the government.

(PTI)

India Politics LIVE Updates | Condemn murder of Suvendu's aide, our workers facing atrocities in Bengal: BJP's Dilip Ghosh

Newly elected MLA from Kharagpur Dilip Ghosh on Thursday condemned the killing of a close aide of BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari and alleged that party workers continued to face atrocities despite the saffron camp's electoral victory in West Bengal.

Ghosh, the former state BJP president, said incidents of violence must be stopped immediately.

"The BJP has come to power, but the power has not yet come into our hands. An attack was carried out on Suvendu Adhikari's personal assistant. These incidents of violence must be stopped," he said.

(PTI)

India Politics LIVE Updates | TVK chief Vijay arrives at Lok Bhavan to meet Governor again

India Politics LIVE Updates | Edappadi K Palaniswami seeks Governor's appointment at 12 pm today: Report

India Politics LIVE Updates | AIADMK gives time till 1 pm to decide: Report

India Politics LIVE Updates | 'Governor has no alternative but to call TVK': Congress MP Singhvi backs TVK's claim to form govt

Senior Advocate and Congress MP Abhishek Manu Singhvi on Thursday said that the Governor should invite the single-largest party in Tamil Nadu to form the government, amid political developments surrounding TVK chief Vijay's meeting with Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, reported ANI.

India Politics LIVE Updates | We received request; will decide soon whether to support TVK: Thirumavalavan

VCK leader Thol Thirumavalavan on Thursday said that his party received a request from TVK for support and the high-level committee of his party will decide whether to support the Vijay-led party to form the government.

(PTI)

India Politics LIVE Updates | West Bengal cops say 5 BJP workers injured in bomb attack

Five BJP supporters have been injured allegedly in a bomb blast in Panihati in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district, police said on Thursday.

The incident occurred late on Wednesday night, hours after Chandranath Rath, a close aide of BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, was shot dead.

The bomb blast occurred near St Xavier's Institution in Panihati. Unidentified assailants hurled crude bombs at a group of BJP workers, injuring at least five people, police said, adding the injured were admitted to the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.

(PTI)

India Politics LIVE Updates | TVK Chief sent a letter to our party. We will take our decision in a meeting: CPI(M) leader: P Shanmugam

Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader P Shanmugam says, "TVK Chief sent a letter to our party. Our State Committee meeting will be held tomorrow morning; we will take our decision in it," reports ANI.

India Politics LIVE Updates | 'Things will end well soon,' says TVK MLA VS Babu on forming government in Tamil Nadu.

India Politics LIVE Updates | Post-mortem of Suvendu's close aide begins amid tight security

The post-mortem began at the Barasat Government Medical College and Hospital on Thursday morning amid a huge deployment of Central Armed Police Forces, a senior officer of West Bengal Police said.

(PTI)

'Single-largest party TVK should form govt', says DMK's Saravanan Annadura

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) spokesperson Saravanan Annadurai on Thursday said that the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), being the single-largest party in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, should be given the first opportunity to form the government in the state, reported ANI.

India Politics LIVE Updates | Vijay's meeting with Guv concludes as suspense over govt formation continues

India Politics LIVE Updates | Congress legislature party meeting to decide on Kerala CM begins soon

The meeting of the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) to decide on the Chief Ministerial candidate in Kerala is set to begin at the party headquarters shortly.

The Congress, which won 63 seats in the 2026 Assembly election, will hold the meeting in the presence of AICC observers Mukul Wasnik and Ajay Maken, who have been stationed in Thiruvananthapuram since Wednesday.

(PTI)

India Politics LIVE Updates | 'Can only form govt after proving majority': Governor to TVK chief Vijay

TVK Chief Vijay can take the oath only after the numbers are proven. Tamil Nadu Governor wants a stable government in the state. As soon as the numbers are proven, Vijay can take the oath, reported ANI.

Governor also asks Vijay to come back with 118 signatures.

India Politics LIVE Updates | Sudhakaran slams CPI(M) leaders over remarks on paying tribute to brother's memorial

Former CPI(M) leader G Sudhakaran, who won the Assembly election from Ambalapuzha as a UDF-backed Independent candidate, slammed Left leaders for targeting him over his late brother Bhuvaneswaran, who is considered a martyr by the party.

(PTI)

India Politics LIVE Updates | 'Planned political murder': Bengal BJP chief on killing of Suvendu's close aide

The BJP's West Bengal unit president, Samik Bhattacharya, on Thursday described the killing of the close aide of the party's senior leader Suvendu Adhikari as a "planned political murder" and claimed that it was designed to cause instability in the state.

"It was a targeted violence," he told reporters at the Barasat Hospital where the post-mortem of Chandranath Rath was carried out.

(PTI)

India Politics LIVE Updates | VCK, CPI call on Governor to invite Vijay to form government

Amidst the ongoing political drama within Tamil Nadu, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) chief Thol. Thirumavalavan, on Thursday, called on Governor Rajendra Arlekar to invite Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam Chief Vijay to form the government and prove his majority on the floor of the house, reported ANI.

India Politics LIVE Updates | AIADMK leader denies reports of Edappadi Palaniswami's proposed meeting with Governor Arlekar

Senior AIADMK leader S. Semmalai ruled out that his party general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami would be meeting Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar amid the political uncertainty post Tamil Nadu Assembly polls.

(PTI)

India Politics LIVE Updates | Political observers see no possibility of DMK-AIADMK tie-up to form govt

With certain media reports indicating that the DMK and the AIADMK are likely to join hands to form a government by overtaking actor-turned Vijay’s TVK, which has 108 MLAs, political observers termed it a “speculation”.

(PTI)

India Politics LIVE Updates | Kerala Governor dissolves 15th Legislative Assembly

Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar has dissolved the 15th legislative assembly of the state, according to a gazette notification made public on Thursday.

The governor dissolved the assembly on Wednesday, it said.

"In exercise of the powers conferred upon me by sub-clause (b) of clause (2) of Article 174 of the Constitution of India, I, Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, Governor of Kerala, hereby dissolve the Fifteenth Kerala Legislative Assembly with effect from today, the 6th day of May, 2026," the notification said.

(PTI)

India Politics LIVE Updates | CLP authorises Congress high command to pick next Kerala CM

With three names in the contention for the Chief Minister's post in Kerala for the next party-led government, the CLP on Thursday passed a resolution authorising its high command to decide on the CM pick, party sources said here.

The resolution was moved by KPCC president Sunny Joseph during the CLP meeting held here in the presence of AICC observers Mukul Wasnik and Ajay Maken, the sources added.

(PTI)

India Politics LIVE Updates | Police deploy barricades across roads leading to Marina Beach amid reports of possible TVK protest

olice deploy barricades across roads leading to Marina Beach amid reports of possible TVK protest demanding Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar invite TVK chief Vijay Governor to form government.

(PTI)

India Politics LIVE Updates | BJP says Tamil Nadu Governor will go by rule book

With the Tamil Nadu governor yet to invite the TVK party to form the government, BJP spokesperson Narayanan Tirupathy on Thursday claimed that everything will happen in a democratic way.

"I don't think there is any confusion with Raj Bhavan or the governor. He (governor) will go by the constitution. He will go by rule book", the BJP leader told PTI 

India Politics LIVE Updates | VCK leader Thol Thirumavalavan arrives at the residence of DMK president MK Stalin

VCK leader Thol. Thirumavalavan arrives at the residence of DMK president MK Stalin, reported ANI.

India Politics LIVE Updates | MCC ceases to be in operation, says Election Commission

The MCC, which came into force on March 15 ahead of the Assembly elections, has ceased to operate in four states and several constituencies following the declaration of results, the EC said on Thursday.

However, it is in force in West Bengal's Falta assembly constituency where polling is pending.

The EC said that the Model Code of Conduct has ceased to be in operation following declaration of results of the assembly elections and bye-polls held in four states and one UT.

"Now that the results in respect of general election to the legislative assemblies of Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and UT of Puducherry, 2026 and bye-elections in assembly constituencies of Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Nagaland, and Tripura have been declared by the concerned Returning Officers,..."

"... the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) has ceased to be in operation with immediate effect," the Election Commission of India (ECI) said in a letter to the chief secretaries and Chief Electoral Officers of these states.

(PTI)

India Politics LIVE Updates | Decision on who will be Kerala CM likely by Sunday after Cong leaders meet AICC observers

The next chief minister of Kerala will possibly be finalised by Sunday after Congress leaders and MLAs conveyed their views to AICC observers following the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting held here on Thursday.

Senior Congress leader K Muraleedharan, who won from Vattiyoorkavu, told reporters after the CLP meeting that the decision would be taken by Sunday.

(PTI)

India Politics LIVE Updates | CPI(M) condemns murder of Adhikari's aide, calls for detailed probe

The CPI(M) on Thursday condemned in the "strongest terms" the murder of BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari's aide Chandranath Rath and called for a detailed investigation into the killing.

Stating that probing the "gruesome and heinous crime" would be a litmus test for the new BJP government set to be sworn in on Saturday, CPI(M) West Bengal secretary Mohammed Salim alleged that the crime cycle in the state continued even after the completion of the assembly elections.

(PTI)

India Politics LIVE Updates | Killing of Suvendu's close aide: Driver undergoes multiple surgeries, still critical

The driver of the car, which was targeted by BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari's close aide Chandranath Rath's assailants, is in a critical condition at a hospital here, police sources said on Thursday.

Buddhadeb Bera, who was driving Rath's car, sustained bullet injuries and has undergone multiple surgeries, a senior official of the hospital said.

"His condition continues to be very critical. He underwent a couple of surgical procedures and is being closely monitored in the intensive care unit," the official told PTI.

India Politics LIVE Updates | DMK meeting with VCK, CPI(M), CPI leaders conclude amid delay in govt formation

The meeting between leaders of the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPIM) and Communist Party of India (CPI) with the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leadership on Thursday has concluded, reported ANI.

India Politics LIVE Updates | Expelled Cong leader K V Thomas backs Satheesan for CM post

Senior political leader K V Thomas, who was expelled from the Congress in 2022, on Thursday said that V D Satheesan was the apt person to be CM, as since 2021, he successfully led the UDF as the opposition leader in various elections, including the recent Assembly polls.

Thomas, speaking to a TV channel, further said that Satheesan, his student, was hardworking and public opinion was in his favour for becoming the chief minister.

(PTI)

India Politics LIVE Updates | New Assam government will be sworn in on May 12 in Assam

State BJP president Dilip Saikia said, “The oath-taking ceremony will be held at Khanapara on May 12 in a grand manner at 11 am. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend as the chief guest.

(PTI)

India Politics LIVE Updates | TVK supporters protest outside Lok Bhavan demanding Governor to give Vijay a chance to form govt

TVK supporters from Tiruppur protest before Lok Bhavan demanding that Governor give Vijay a chance to form government.

(PTI)

28 Tamil Nadu AIADMK MLAs are currently accommodated at a private resort in Puducherry's Poorankuppam

28 Tamil Nadu AIADMK MLAs are currently accommodated at a private resort in Puducherry's Poorankuppam, reported ANI.

India Politics LIVE Updates | 'Majority support essential to form govt has not been established': Guv tells Vijay during second meeting

India Politics LIVE Updates | Not inviting Vijay to form govt is disrespect to people: Kamal Hassan

Makkal Needhi Maiyam (MNM) president and Rajya Sabha MP Kamal Haasan on Thursday said not inviting TVK to form the government in Tamil Nadu, despite emerging as the single largest party, would amount to “disrespecting the mandate of the people”.

India Politics LIVE Updates | TVK cadres protest outside Lok Bhavan, demanding invitation to form govt

India Politics LIVE Updates | The mortal remains of Chandranath Rath, PA of BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, were brought from the hospital in Madhyamgram to his residence.

India Politics LIVE Updates | TMC rattled after defeat, violence has no place in democracy: Shivraj Singh

Union minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Thursday condemned the killing of senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari's personal assistant, saying the Trinamool Congress had become "rattled" after its electoral defeat in West Bengal.

India Politics LIVE Updates | TVK reaches out to CPI, seeks support in govt formation

TVK leader CTR Nirmal Kumar on Thursday called on CPI state secretary M Veerapandian and sought the party's support in forming the government, as the Vijay-led party lacks a simple majority to form the government on its own.

The TVK joint general secretary visited the CPI office here and sought the Communist party's support.

TVK had already requested support from the Left parties, VCK and IUML, he said, and exuded confidence that TVK would form the government.

"The parties have sought time to respond to our request," Kumar told reporters emerging out of the meeting with Veerapandian.

India Politics LIVE Updates | Accepts Kerala poll verdict, vows stronger comeback: Pinarayi Vijayan breaks silence after poll debacle

Breaking his silence for the first time after the Left Democratic Front's massive debacle in the recently concluded assembly polls in Kerala, former CM Pinarayi Vijayan congratulated the UDF on its victory while calling the result “unexpected”. He said that the party would undertake a democratic review of the setback, continue its fight for secularism and social justice, and function as a responsible Opposition in Kerala.

India Politics LIVE Updates | 'Governor must give the first opportunity to the single largest party': CPI leader D Raja

India Politics LIVE Updates | 'Democracy needs to be protected': SP chief Akhilesh Yadav after meeting Mamata Banerjee

India Politics LIVE Updates | Posters targeting Congress General Secretary (Organisation) K.C. Venugopal spotted at YMCA Bridge and Mattancherry Bridge in Alappuzha, reading, 'avoid moves that would impose a by-election in Alappuzha'.

India Politics LIVE Updates | Satheesan supporters stage protest in Kerala, demand CM post for him

 Supporters of V D Satheesan held a demonstration here on Thursday, demanding that he be made the next Chief Minister of Kerala at Nettoor.

The demonstration was held as AICC observers conducted the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting and held individual discussions with 63 Congress MLAs in Thiruvananthapuram to gather their views on the selection of the chief minister.

Nettoor is the native place of Satheesan, who was a prominent face of the UDF campaign in the Assembly elections in which the front won 102 seats.

India Politics LIVE Updates | AICC observer Mukul Wasnik, on the Congress Legislature Party meeting to decide the Chief Minister in Kerala, said, “We will submit our report; after that, the leadership will take a decision.”

India Politics LIVE Updates | Cong MP slams 'BJP-background' TN guv, alleges Centre stopping Vijay from becoming CM

 Congress MP Manickam Tagore on Thursday alleged that "BJP-background" Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar is stalling the formation of a secular government in Tamil Nadu and claimed that the Centre is trying to stop Vijay from becoming the chief minister despite his party TVK having the people's mandate.

Speaking with PTI here, Tagore also lashed out at DMK spokespersons for their criticism of the Congress, saying this kind of language is "unacceptable" and they should come to terms with reality that people have voted against them.

"The election in Tamil Nadu was for a change and hope. The vote for Mr Vijay was for hope, he has the mandate to govern the state," the MP from Tamil Nadu's Virudhunagar said.

"The elections have shown that Tamil Nadu has voted for a secular government. The BJP has been reduced to a one-seat party now but the governor is from a BJP background. We all know that BJP-background governors work according to their ideological path. They should act according to the Constitution," Tagore said.

India Politics LIVE Updates | Kerala CM selection: Cong observers hold talks with UDF partners

UDF partners, including the IUML and KEC, on Thursday met with the observers sent by the Congress high command to hold talks with party and front MLAs and leaders on who should be the next Kerala chief minister.

Following the meeting with the observers -- Mukul Wasnik and Ajay Maken -- Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) leader P K Kunhalikutty told reporters here that the party's stand on the issue was.

India Politics LIVE Updates | VCK, Left party leaders meet DMK chief Stalin

 VCK and Left party leaders on Thursday called on outgoing Chief Minister M K Stalin amidst Vijay-led TVK's request for support in government formation.

The three allies of the DMK would meet separately on Friday to decide on the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam's request, VCK chief Thol Thirumavalavan said emerging from his meeting with DMK president Stalin at his Alwarpet residence here.

Before meeting Stalin, Thirumavalavan and CPI state secretary M Veerapandian and CPI(M) state secretary P Shanmugam held a discussion among themselves. The three allies of the Dravidian major won two seats each respectively in the April 23 Assembly election.

The DMK's long-time ally, the Congress, with five newly elected MLAs, had already forged post-poll alliance with the TVK.

India Politics LIVE Updates | Governor R N Ravi dissolves West Bengal legislative assembly with effect from May 7 after completion of term: Notification

India Politics LIVE Updates | DMK slams Cong for 'backstabbing,' betraying TN

The DMK on Thursday slammed the Congress for exiting the party-led alliance and accused it of "backstabbing" the DMK and betraying Tamil Nadu, despite party chief M K Stalin displaying maturity and conducting in a responsible manner.

Condemning the Congress for severing ties with the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance and entering into a post-poll pact with the fledgling TVK, the DMK said the grand old party's decision to walk out of the alliance was strongly condemnable.

"The Congress has done to us in Tamil Nadu what the BJP does in many states," a resolution passed at the DMK MLAs-designate meeting chaired by party president and outgoing Chief Minister Stalin, said flaying the Congress' "opportunistic political tilt."

India Politics LIVE Updates | 'Whatever Stalin says': DMK spokesperson TKS Elangovan over speculation about a possible DMK-AIADMK alliance