Uncertainty over government formation in Tamil Nadu continued on Saturday as the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) delayed announcing its stand on supporting actor-politician C Joseph Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). TVK, which won 108 seats in the 234-member Assembly, needs 118 seats to form the government. Congress, CPI and CPI(M) have already extended support, leaving TVK short by one seat. VCK, which won two seats, has emerged as the key player in the political deadlock. VCK chief Thol Thirumavalavan said the party would announce its final decision later in the day after internal consultations. (PC: X)

An Indian sailor was killed and four others suffered burn injuries after a wooden cargo dhow caught fire near the Strait of Hormuz on Friday. Seventeen Indian crew members were rescued by a passing vessel operating in the area, according to sources. The injured sailors are undergoing treatment in Dubai and are reported to be safe. Officials from the Indian Consulate in Dubai met the rescued crew members and are coordinating with the dhow owner to provide assistance. The incident comes amid continued tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most strategically important oil shipping routes. (PC: X)

A cryptic message by AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami has intensified speculation that actor-politician Vijay may have quietly secured enough support to form the next government in Tamil Nadu.   Without naming any party, Palaniswami congratulated the “party forming the government” after the Assembly results, triggering fresh political chatter at a time when Vijay’s TVK is locked in a tense numbers battle. TVK emerged as the single-largest party with 107 seats in the 234-member Assembly, still short of the 118-seat majority mark.   Congress, CPI and CPI(M) have already backed Vijay, while all eyes are now on Thol Thirumavalavan and the VCK, whose decision could prove decisive in government formation.   The suspense has deepened with reports of backchannel talks, late-night negotiations and lobbying by smaller parties. Vijay has also met Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar multiple times to stake claim, while Raj Bhavan is understood to be waiting for formal proof of majority support before inviting any alliance to form the government. (PC: India today)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday touched the feet of 98-year-old veteran BJP worker Makhanlal Sarkar during a public event in West Bengal. Sarkar is considered one of the BJP’s earliest grassroots leaders in the state and had accompanied Bharatiya Jana Sangh founder Syama Prasad Mukherjee during the Kashmir movement in 1952. BJP leaders said Sarkar played a major role in expanding the party organisation in North Bengal after 1980. State BJP chief Samik Bhattacharya also recalled Sarkar’s arrest during the Congress era for singing a nationalist song.

Suvendu Adhikari on Saturday inducted five ministers into West Bengal’s first BJP government after taking oath as Chief Minister. Senior BJP leader Dilip Ghosh, BJP MLA Agnimitra Paul, Nisith Pramanik, Kshudiram Tudu and Ashok Kirtania were sworn in as ministers in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The new cabinet reflects BJP’s focus on experienced leaders, women representation, tribal outreach and North Bengal politics. West Bengal can have a maximum of 44 ministers, leaving room for further expansion. (PC: NDTV)

Mamata Banerjee quietly changed her X bio on Saturday as Suvendu Adhikari took oath as West Bengal’s first BJP Chief Minister. Mamata removed “Honourable Chief Minister, West Bengal” from her profile and updated it to “Chief Minister of West Bengal (15th, 16th, 17th Vidhan Sabha)”, while avoiding the use of the word “former”. The update came days after the Trinamool Congress chief claimed her party had “morally” won the election despite defeat. The BJP won 207 Assembly seats, bringing an end to the TMC’s 15-year rule in Bengal.

C Joseph Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) moved closer to forming the government in Tamil Nadu on Saturday, with the party just one MLA short of the majority mark in the 234-member Assembly. TVK currently has support from Congress, CPI and CPI(M), taking its tally to 117 MLAs. The focus is now on the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), which is expected to announce its stand later in the day. Vijay met Governor Rajendra Arlekar again and submitted support letters from Left parties amid intense political negotiations in Chennai. (PC: HT)

Suvendu Adhikari took oath as the new Chief Minister of West Bengal today at Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata. He is the first BJP leader to head the state government. Narendra Modi and Amit Shah are attending the ceremony. The BJP won 207 seats in the 2026 Assembly elections, ending 15 years of rule by Mamata Banerjee and the Trinamool Congress. Several senior BJP leaders are also being sworn in as ministers.

Suvendu Adhikari will take oath as the new Chief Minister of West Bengal today at Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata. He will become the first BJP leader to head the state government. Narendra Modi has arrived at the venue and paid tribute to Rabindranath Tagore on his birth anniversary. The BJP won 207 seats in the Assembly elections, ending 15 years of rule by Mamata Banerjee and the Trinamool Congress.

Suvendu Adhikari will take oath as the new Chief Minister of West Bengal today at a grand ceremony at Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata. He will become the state’s first BJP Chief Minister. Narendra Modi, Amit Shah and other NDA leaders are expected to attend. Security has been tightened across the city, with CRPF personnel deployed outside Mamata Banerjee’s residence. The BJP won 207 seats in the Assembly elections, ending 15 years of Trinamool Congress rule.