Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair a Council of Ministers meeting on May 21 in what observers call a long-delayed mid-term stocktaking exercise. The push comes as the NDA government edges toward two years in its third term, amid growing claims that a cabinet reshuffle is overdue. The agenda will reportedly review reforms since June 2024, with ministries submitting department-wise summaries grouped into legislative, statutory, policy, and administrative changes. Officials from nearly a dozen ministries are expected to brief the council.
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.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar at the Art of Living International Center to mark two milestones: 45 years of the Art of Living movement and the founder’s 70th birthday. The gathering was described as historic, focusing on shared values and a promise to build a stronger India together during a warm celebration with the spiritual leader.
A POCSO case has been filed against Bhageerath, son of Union Minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar, alleging sexual harassment of a minor girl. Bhageerath denies the allegations and instead claims the girl and her parents attempted extortion and criminal intimidation. Police are investigating the timeline of a reported relationship lasting seven to eight months as the case proceeds.
A post-election analysis of the 2026 results shows a clear pattern: parties tended to retain constituencies where they already delivered the biggest winning margins. In West Bengal, both BJP and Trinamool Congress held their strongholds, while Kerala’s IUML kept its dominance. Tamil Nadu saw major movement as Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam surged in high-margin seats, even as AIADMK held ground.
BJP sources in West Bengal indicate that senior leader Suvendu Adhikari is set to become the next Chief Minister. The key step, they say, is his formal election as the Leader of the BJP Legislative Party in the state Assembly on the following day, a move expected to clear the path for his elevation to the top post.
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DMK chief M.K. Stalin said his party alliance secured 1.54 crore votes in the recent Tamil Nadu elections, trailing the leading party by only 3.52%. He credited party cadres and vowed to remain a strong opposition, continuing to fight for people’s demands while upholding Dravidian movement ideals.
Recent assembly election results delivered a harsh blow to India’s ruling giants, with Chief Ministers Mamata Banerjee and MK Stalin losing their own seats. Prominent leaders from other parties also suffered setbacks, turning expectations on their head across multiple states. The surprise outcomes signal widening voter dissatisfaction and a rapidly shifting political map.
Counting for the Villianur seat in the 2026 election is expected to begin at 8 am. The constituency is currently held by R. Siva of the DMK, and all focus is on who will lead as results start coming in. Live updates will track the leading candidate, party-wise vote share, and expected winning margin.
Vote counting begins Monday for Assam’s 126 assembly seats, with the BJP-led NDA chasing a historic third term. Congress is banking on a comeback as the final outcome hinges on a crowded field of more than 722 candidates across parties. All eyes are on whether voters stick with the BJP or deliver a dramatic reversal in state politics.
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West Bengal’s final phase of assembly election polling wrapped up at 6 PM on Wednesday, with voter turnout reaching 91.41%. By 5 PM, Purba Bardhaman led the pack at 92.46%, followed by Hooghly (90.34%), Nadia (90.28%), Howrah (89.44%) and North 24 Parganas, while South 24 Parganas hovered just below 90%.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi began a two-day visit to Sikkim by landing in Gangtok and holding a spirited roadshow with crowds at the heart of the city. As part of the state’s 50th statehood celebrations, the government is pushing a Rs 4,000 crore initiative, with projects set to roll out—turning public enthusiasm into tangible spending.
A major political shift is underway as two-thirds of Aam Aadmi Party’s Rajya Sabha MPs have reportedly joined the Bharatiya Janata Party. BJP leaders say the exits reflect ideological alignment, while AAP leaders have reacted with anger. BJP now expects more defections from other parties, escalating pressure in the run-up to the next phase of parliamentary politics.
Rajya Sabha MP Sandeep Pathak announced he is stepping down from the Aam Aadmi Party after about a decade, saying he is disillusioned with the party’s direction. He indicated his next move is to join the Bharatiya Janata Party, marking a notable shift for both parties as rivals seek new political ground ahead of future battles.
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After strong voter turnout in West Bengal’s first phase, the Supreme Court has ordered appellate tribunals to fast-track urgent additions to voter lists. People left out of the rolls can seek redressal through 19 appointed tribunals. The court will later consider broader questions about the right to remain on electoral rolls, tightening access to voting.
India is preparing to implement the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, reserving seats for women in Parliament and state assemblies. The proposal targets the mismatch between women’s strong voter turnout and their limited representation in elected bodies. The government is reportedly reviewing options to expedite rollout, potentially tying it to the 2029 elections.
The Supreme Court of India has ruled that the electoral bonds scheme introduced in 2018 is unconstitutional, saying it violates the right to information and free speech. The court’s decision overturns the government’s claim that bonds would improve transparency by replacing cash donations. Here’s a timeline of how the scheme evolved from 2018 through 2024 and why it ultimately failed in court.
Baramati and Rahuri assembly bypolls have recorded over 50% voter turnout. Sunetra Pawar is contesting in Baramati, while Jay Pawar’s remarks about possibly seeking the seat in 2029 have stoked speculation of a potential split within the Pawar family. The campaign now has an added layer of political anticipation heading toward the next elections.
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