After days of suspense, Congress leader VD Satheesan has been named Kerala’s Chief Minister following the UDF’s sweeping win in the 2026 Assembly election. Once seen as a lesser figure, he built momentum through high-voltage opposition politics, razor-sharp messaging, and a campaign that directly took on Pinarayi Vijayan’s decade-long rule and positioned the Congress as the comeback force.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated N Rangaswamy on taking charge as Puducherry chief minister, saying he looked forward to working together for welfare and development. The 30 member Assembly result shows a fragmented mandate, with NR Congress leading on 12 seats, BJP at four, and newer political players like TVK entering the tally with two.
Your news, in seconds
Get the Beige app — every story in 60 words, updated hourly. Free on iOS & Android.
A decades-old photograph of actor Vijay and Udhayanidhi Stalin is trending online as Tamil Nadu braces for a high-stakes assembly face-off. The two never shared screen space, but their ties run deeper: Udhayanidhi produced Vijay’s 2008 film Kuruvi, marking his debut as a producer. Now, the past is fueling fresh political curiosity.
TVK leader Seenivasa Sethupathy, who won the Tiruppattur Assembly seat by just one vote over DMK’s KR Periyakaruppan, said his 83,000 votes came “only” due to party chief Vijay. Dismissing the idea that a single decisive vote mattered, he claimed every ballot reflected support for Thalapathy Vijay rather than personal power.
Actor turned politician C Joseph Vijay will take oath as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister today, marking a historic moment for Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam in its first assembly election. Governor Rajendra Arlekar appointed him after Vijay secured support across parties to form the government, but set a strict timeline—he must prove his majority by May 13.
Suvendu Adhikari was sworn in as West Bengal’s new Chief Minister, as the BJP’s 2026 election victory ended 15 years of Trinamool Congress rule. The oath was taken at Brigade Parade Grounds, with Dilip Ghosh, Agnimitra Paul and other leaders also taking office. The party secured a commanding majority, signaling a major political realignment in the state.
Never miss a story
Set alerts for the topics and sources you care about. Download Beige for free.
West Bengal political fault lines widened on Republic’s The Debate as advocate Touseef Khan, previously seen as a Trinamool Congress loyalist, distanced himself from TMC during the live discussion with Arnab Goswami. The moment comes as BJP is set to win the 2026 West Bengal Assembly Election, ending Mamata Banerjee’s 15-year tenure and reshaping the state’s power map.
Kerala Congress is preparing to choose its next Chief Minister, with senior leaders VD Satheesan and Ramesh Chennithala emerging as front-runners. KC Venugopal is also in the mix. Beyond the candidate selection, the party is reportedly discussing how key portfolios will be shared with its ally, the Indian Union Muslim League, adding another layer to the race.
The BJP delivered a landslide win in West Bengal, capturing 206 seats and ending the Trinamool Congress’s 15-year reign. The party swept nine districts entirely, marking the first time the state turned saffron in those areas. The outcome also closely matched Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s predictions about TMC’s performance across multiple districts, signaling a major political shift in eastern India.
BJP spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill hit back at opposition allegations of electoral malpractice, pointing to their differing response to ECI claims. He noted that parties accepted election results in Kerala and Tamil Nadu but questioned the outcome in West Bengal. BJP won 206 of 294 seats while TMC secured 81, with other parties taking fewer.
Reading on mobile?
Open Beige in the app for a smoother experience — free on iOS and Android.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised BJP’s victory in West Bengal, saying it reflects the public’s desire for stability and development despite global economic pressures. He appealed to end violence and “vendetta” in the state and promised the new government will prioritize citizens’ aspirations. Modi also reiterated action against illegal immigrants.
Paravur is set for a high-stakes Assembly contest as UDF leader V.D. Satheesan pushes for a historic sixth term. Vote counting at UC College, Aluva, will decide whether the Congress stronghold holds against LDF candidate E.T. Tyson and NDA’s Valsala Prasanna Kumar. The race hinges on continuity, crisis visibility, and local voter engagement.
Re-polling in West Bengal’s Magrahat Paschim and Diamond Harbour saw strong voter participation on Saturday. Election Commission data shows Magrahat Paschim reached about 86.11% turnout by 5 pm, while Diamond Harbour recorded a slightly higher 87.60%. Polling remained brisk through the afternoon in both assembly constituencies.
In Bengal’s crucial Bhowanipore contest, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee squares off against former aide Suvendu Adhikari in a rematch loaded with political meaning. Trinamool is trying to hold its stronghold, while BJP pushes to break into the pocket’s diverse voter base, where local strategies and sensitivities could decide more than one seat.
Follow your favourite sources
Track sources, tags and categories — all in the Beige app.
Voting began across Tamil Nadu for the Assembly election on Thursday, with DMK and AIADMK among the main contenders. Prominent political leaders and actors cast their votes early, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged especially enthusiastic participation from youth and women. Union Home Minister Amit Shah called for a government that prioritizes public aspirations as polling gets underway.
Swipe through stories, personalise your feed, and save articles for later — all on the app.