Kerala CM-designate V D Satheesan on Saturday met IUML leaders and credited the party, led by Sayyid Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal, as a “brother party” sustaining the UDF’s secular stance. He said communal campaigns over Munambam and Palluruthy issues failed because IUML’s leadership stayed firm, even during the Babri Masjid demolition period. Satheesan also argued that IUML’s strength is essential for Kerala’s stability and said portfolio-sharing discussions are complete, with announcements expected Sunday.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has resigned from the Nandigram assembly seat, formally stepping away from the constituency he represented. Despite this move, he will continue to hold the Bhabanipur constituency, maintaining his legislative presence there. The resignation immediately raises questions over what happens next for Nandigram, including whether a by-election will be required and how the political contest in the area could reshape alliances and voter sentiment in the run-up to future elections.
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BJP leader Chandra Mohan Patowary was sworn in as Pro-tem Speaker of Assam’s newly formed 16th Legislative Assembly at Lok Bhavan in Guwahati. Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya administered the oath and praised Patowary’s experience to conduct proceedings with constitutional dignity. Patowary will oversee the oath-taking of newly elected MLAs starting May 21 and run House business until a full-time Speaker is elected. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma reviewed industrial and power progress and outlined preparations for the July Budget Session.
Kerala Chief Minister-elect VD Satheesan has directed the State Police Chief to scale back his security even before taking the oath. He asked that public travel not be disrupted or roads blocked during his movement and that restrictions near the official residence be ended. Satheesan also requested a sharply smaller convoy, limited to a single pilot vehicle. The move echoes Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent call for a restrained approach, citing pressure to cut fuel consumption.
Goa Congress leader Ketan Bhatikar died after being bitten by a snake late Thursday night near Karmal Ghat on the Goa-Karnataka border. Police said the 38-year-old was travelling toward Dandeli village in Karnataka when he got down and was bitten. He was rushed to a primary health centre in Dharbandora, Goa, but doctors declared him brought dead. Bhatikar had recently emerged as a key Congress face in the Ponda assembly bypoll, later cancelled after a high court order.
An FIR has been registered at Lucknow’s Hazratganj Police Station against Pratapgarh MLC Akshay Pratap Singh and three others following a written complaint by Bhanvi Kumari, wife of independent MLA Raghuraj Pratap Singh alias Raja Bhaiya. Lucknow police confirmed the report was entered after station-level verification and that a formal investigation has begun. The specific allegations were not publicly detailed, and no arrests or further official statements have been issued so far.
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Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh visited Kangchup Chingkhong in Imphal West to engage Internally Displaced Persons and review rehabilitation measures. He assured IDPs of secure returns and said security arrangements will be strengthened, including a pucca structure for personnel. Singh distributed one-time grants of ₹10,000 via DBT to 754 IDP college students under the CM College Students Rehabilitation Scheme. He also visited injured Tangkhul Naga and other patients at RIMS and Shija Hospital, committing the state to cover medical expenses and housing repair costs while examining enhanced reconstruction assistance.
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.
Tamil Nadu politics is roiled again after TVK MLA VMS Mustafa faced backlash for remarks about abolishing Sanatana Dharma. Mustafa posted a clarification video on X, insisting he and Vijay’s party are not against any religion. The controversy is reigniting debates over what was said, who is affected, and how parties manage rapidly escalating public outrage.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis arrived at Vidhan Bhavan on a motorcycle as part of new austerity steps to cut fuel consumption. The move follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for fuel conservation. The state government is also reviewing official vehicle usage, with reports of canceled foreign tours, while minister Nitesh Rane walked to Mantralaya.
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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.
Uttarakhand Women Congress president Jyoti Rautela and associates have been booked after allegations that they threatened self-immolation and obstructed officials during a nursing recruitment protest. The group climbed a water tank, allegedly prompting Rautela to pour petrol on herself, while protesters also blocked a main road. Officials say they later descended after a proposal was sent to the government.
The BJP has challenged Rahul Gandhi to explain how his foreign travel was funded, alleging a mismatch between his reported income and trip expenses. Party spokesperson Sambit Patra claims Gandhi made 54 international trips over 22 years, costing around Rs 60 crore, and says the figures don’t add up. The demand centers on transparency over funding sources.
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.
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Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu ordered a reduction in his convoy size, citing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal to conserve fuel and energy. In a separate move, he said salaries of Ministers will be cut by 30% and MLAs by 20%. The decision comes amid heightened regional uncertainty linked to the West Asia conflict.
Former Tamil Nadu CM M K Stalin said the DMK-led alliance has not weakened after the elections, pointing to 1.54 crore votes as evidence of public trust. He said allies have pledged to continue pushing the DMK’s vision, focusing on welfare and safeguarding the state’s rights. Stalin thanked partners for their steadfast support and coordination.
West Bengal Chief Minister announced that the national song Vande Mataram will be sung in all state schools starting Monday. An official notification will be issued from Nabanna. The development coincides with other announcements, including the nomination of Rathindranath Bose as Assembly Speaker and plans to personally interact with top Higher Secondary scorers.
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.
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Congress says it will announce its Kerala chief minister on Thursday after a meeting between party president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi. The decision comes amid internal debate over who should lead and mounting pressure from allies. Political maneuvering has intensified in Wayanad, where a poster campaign is adding to the momentum and complicating consensus.
Karnataka has reinstated students’ right to wear hijabs in schools and pre-university colleges after an earlier restriction under the BJP government. The new directive allows religious symbols like hijabs and turbans alongside official uniforms, following public demonstrations. The move shifts how religious attire will be handled in campuses, reshaping classroom rules for students across the state.
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