Amit Shah will visit West Bengal on Thursday as the BJP prepares to form its first government in the state after winning 207 Assembly seats. The BJP is expected to hold a legislative party meeting before announcing the next Chief Minister. Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav is set to meet Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who has refused to resign and alleged irregularities in the election process. BJP state president Samik Bhattacharyya said the new Chief Minister’s oath ceremony will take place on May 9, Rabindranath Tagore’s birth anniversary. (PC: X)

Tension gripped Kolkata’s New Market area after a bulldozer entered the busy market during celebrations following the BJP’s West Bengal poll victory. The All India Trinamool Congress alleged that its local party office and nearby shops were vandalised by BJP supporters. Kolkata Police said four people were arrested after complaints of vandalism. Trinamool MP Derek O'Brien claimed meat shops were also targeted. West Bengal BJP chief Samik Bhattacharyya said violence in the party’s name would not be tolerated. Police later banned bulldozers and similar machines from victory processions across the city.

Actor-politician Vijay on Wednesday met Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Arlekar and staked claim to form the next government after securing support from Congress and smaller parties. Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam emerged as the single-largest party with 108 seats in the Assembly election. Congress said its support was linked to keeping “communal forces” out of the alliance. The party’s top leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, discussed the political situation in Tamil Nadu. Preparations are now underway for Vijay’s oath-taking ceremony on May 8. (PC: India Today)

India and the United Arab Emirates are moving towards a stronger strategic defence partnership as tensions rise in West Asia. Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently condemned Iran’s missile and drone attack on Fujairah Port and backed freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. India and the UAE had signed a Letter of Intent on defence cooperation during UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s visit to India in January. Both sides are now working on a broader defence agreement covering military cooperation, cyber security and counter-terrorism. PM Modi is also expected to visit Abu Dhabi later this month to strengthen bilateral ties. (PC: HT)

Samik Bhattacharyya, the West Bengal BJP president, on Wednesday visited Nabanna, the state government headquarters in Howrah, to discuss preparations for the new Chief Minister’s swearing-in ceremony. BJP leaders said the event will be held on May 9 at Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata, a major political rally venue in the state. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah are expected to attend. Bhattacharyya said post-poll violence would not be tolerated and warned against “Trinamoolisation” inside the BJP. He also said action would be taken against BJP leaders found encouraging violence. (PC: Anandabazar.com)

Former Norwegian minister Erik Solheim praised India’s democratic system after the BJP’s victories in West Bengal and Assam. In a post on X, Solheim said the world should “celebrate Indian democracy” instead of fearing it. He highlighted the high voter turnout and said elections in India are held on a scale much bigger than most Western nations. Solheim also defended Prime Minister Narendra Modi against criticism from sections of Western media. He said India’s democracy is deeply linked to its traditions and history. Solheim added that election results in India are accepted across the political system.

India has announced a new sports policy that blocks bilateral sporting ties with Pakistan but allows Pakistani athletes and teams to compete in international events hosted in the country. The Sports Ministry said Indian teams will not travel to Pakistan for bilateral events, and Pakistani teams will also not be allowed for bilateral contests in India. However, the government clarified that multilateral events will follow international sports rules. “Pakistani players and teams will be able to participate in such multilateral events hosted by India,” the memo said. The move comes as India prepares to host major global events, including the 2030 Commonwealth Games and the 2031 Cricket World Cup. The government also promised easier visas for athletes and officials. (PC: The Indian Express)

Global oil prices eased on Wednesday after US President Donald Trump announced a temporary pause in “Project Freedom”, the US-led naval operation aimed at securing shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, to allow space for fresh negotiations with Iran.   Brent crude dropped 1.7% to $108 a barrel, while US crude slipped 1.6% to $100.60 after recent sharp gains driven by escalating tensions in the Middle East.   Trump said “great progress” had been made towards a possible agreement with Iran, though uncertainty remains over the reopening of safe trade routes through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. (PC: BBC)

The organiser of Lionel Messi’s India “GOAT Tour”, Satadru Dutta, has threatened to file a ₹100 crore defamation case against the Trinamool Congress after the party’s defeat in the West Bengal elections. Dutta alleged that the controversy surrounding Messi’s chaotic visit to Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium destroyed three years of work and damaged his reputation. He accused former Bengal sports minister Aroop Biswas of mismanaging the event by crowding around the football star for photographs, which allegedly triggered unrest inside the stadium. Dutta, who spent 37 days in jail after the incident, said he was ready to approach the Supreme Court if necessary. (PC: India Today)

The Congress has extended support to actor-politician Vijay and his party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam to form the next government in Tamil Nadu, but with a key condition that no “communal forces” be included in the alliance.   The support from Congress adds five MLAs to TVK’s tally, taking its strength to 112, still short of the 118-seat majority mark in the 234-member Assembly. TVK is also holding talks with the VCK, CPI and CPM to secure additional support.   Congress said the alliance was based on “shared responsibility” for a secular and progressive government in Tamil Nadu after TVK emerged as the single-largest party in the election. (PC: NDTV)