Tamil Nadu has announced a ministerial portfolio split designed around a tightly controlled top layer of governance. Finance goes to K A Sengottaiyan, Health and Family Welfare to K G Arunraj, and Energy along with Law to R Nirmalkumar. Food and Civil Supplies is assigned to P Venkataramanan, while N Anand takes Rural Development and Water Resources. Chief Minister Joseph Vijay retains high-impact responsibilities including Public and General Administration, Police, and Women and Youth Welfare.
Kerala CM-designate V D Satheesan visited senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala at his residence, calling their relationship “brothers” and saying he sought Chennithala’s blessings for the top role. Although scheduled for 10 am, the meeting slipped as Chennithala stepped out with party leaders, and Satheesan arrived around 12:30 pm after meeting Pinarayi Vijayan earlier. The discussion reportedly lasted about 45 minutes, with later talks held without other leaders present.
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Kerala’s Chief Minister-designate V.D. Satheesan became visibly emotional during a visit to the home of late Congress leader and mentor G. Karthikeyan in Shasthamangalam on Friday. Named the UDF’s CM choice just a day earlier, Satheesan paid respects to Karthikeyan’s family, embracing his wife M T Sulekha as memories overwhelmed him. In a viral moment, she comforted him with a gentle remark, underscoring the personal bonds behind Kerala politics.
Tamil Nadu marked a historic handover as TVK chief C. Joseph Vijay took the oath as Chief Minister in Chennai’s Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium, under heavy security. Actress Trisha Krishnan, reportedly linked to Vijay, arrived early and called it a “big day for Tamil Nadu,” before offering a simple media message. She was seen in a seafoam-green silk saree with a golden-motif blouse, finished with a white gajra and red-stone jewellery. Key alliances pushed TVK past the 118-seat majority, with more cabinet expansion expected later.
Kerala’s chief minister designate V.D. Satheesan is set to take oath on May 18, ending a tense selection process for the Congress top job in the state. Satheesan was unanimously elected Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader on Thursday after support was secured from Delhi following days of meetings. KPCC chief Sunny Joseph moved the resolution, backed by senior leaders including Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan, while Satheesan later met the governor at Lok Bhavan. The choice is seen as a win for local cadre and UDF allies after a decade.
Kerala’s new Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan, a six-time MLA and senior Congress leader, vowed a “new era” after years of Left rule. In his first major media interaction, he promised transparent, efficient governance and said the UDF would rebuild public trust that he claims was eroded under the previous regime.
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Hours after the Congress high command named VD Satheesan as Kerala’s next CM, he moved to soothe factional splits by reaching out to KC Venugopal and Ramesh Chennithala. Venugopal signaled support for the decision, while Chennithala left his residence soon after, hinting that internal tensions still simmer despite the unity push.
After nearly 10 days of suspense and backroom factional warfare, Congress has officially named six-time MLA VD Satheesan as Kerala’s next chief minister. The decision overrides growing speculation around Rahul Gandhi’s ally KC Venugopal amid mounting pressure from party cadre and allies, signaling how internal forces ultimately shaped the leadership outcome.
Congress will announce its choice for Kerala’s next chief minister on Thursday after days of intense lobbying and internal discussions. The timing follows a meeting between Rahul Gandhi and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge. The announcement also comes about ten days after the UDF secured a major victory in Kerala’s assembly elections, ending a political suspense period.
The deadlock over Congress’s Kerala Chief Minister face continues after yet another postponement. Reports say the party has pushed its long-awaited CM pick to Thursday, following earlier statements from party leaders that hinted at an announcement timing. With no clear resolution in sight, the delay raises questions over internal consensus ahead of the next phase of Kerala politics.
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Rahul Gandhi met Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge as party leaders finalize Kerala’s next chief minister after the United Democratic Front’s strong win. Multiple senior figures are competing for the top role, and a decision is expected soon. The delay is reportedly influenced by Sonia Gandhi’s health, adding uncertainty to the final call.
N Rangasamy was sworn in as Puducherry Chief Minister for a fifth time on Wednesday, with Lieutenant Governor K Kailashnathan administering the oath. A four-time former CM, he founded the AINRC in 2011 after splitting from Congress. He returns for his latest term after earlier stints twice with Congress and twice with AINRC.
Rahul Gandhi met Kerala Congress leadership to assess options for choosing the next Chief Minister. In the discussions, he asked for feedback on prominent contenders, with leaders indicating preferences among KC Venugopal, VD Satheesan, and Ramesh Chennithala. Meanwhile, the Indian Union Muslim League is set to share its viewpoint, adding another layer to the decision process amid ongoing public advocacy.
Congress’s commanding win in Kerala’s Assembly election has been overshadowed by a leadership deadlock. Even after the UDF secured a clear mandate, naming the next Chief Minister has stalled as competing factions push for different contenders, with a Delhi meeting failing to bridge the divide between senior leadership and local claimants.
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Astrologer Rickey Radhan Pandit, known for predicting C. Joseph Vijay’s political rise, has been appointed Officer on Special Duty to Tamil Nadu’s newly elected Chief Minister. The move follows TVK’s major breakthrough in the 2026 Assembly elections, where it exceeded expectations and disrupted long-standing political equations.
Congress’ Kerala leadership is set to meet Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi on Tuesday to finalise the state Chief Minister choice. The meeting comes after days of internal deliberations following the United Democratic Front’s sweeping win in the assembly elections. Key contenders include senior leaders such as VD Satheesan, KC Venugopal and Ramesh Chennithala, with a final decision expected today.
Congress leaders are meeting in Delhi to lock in Kerala’s next Chief Minister, but the party high command is still widening consultations. It’s seeking input from former state presidents and working presidents while juggling top contenders including Ramesh Chennithala, V D Satheesan and K C Venugopal. A formal decision is expected soon as consensus-building continues.
Congress’s top leadership is holding detailed talks with Kerala party leaders to choose the next chief minister, aiming for maximum consensus. The party is also seeking input from former State PCC presidents, while UDF allies closely track developments. Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra are reportedly directly involved in the deliberations as discussions gather pace.
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Kerala’s Assembly election has been decided for over a week, but the UDF still has no named Chief Minister. With counting complete, Congress leadership reportedly remains deadlocked among VD Satheesan, KC Venugopal and Ramesh Chennithala, fueling political tension. The BJP has seized on the delay with a surprising dig, escalating pressure on Congress to resolve the internal standoff and make an appointment.
West Bengal’s new Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari is reportedly considering a move to the Soujanya complex in Alipore, a high-security residence built for chief ministers but long left unoccupied. The Public Works Department is assessing whether it fits his use. If approved, the move would mark a notable change in the state’s political geography.
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