West Bengal may soon get two Deputy Chief Ministers as the BJP prepares to form its first government in the state, sources said. The BJP won 207 seats in the 294-member Assembly, defeating Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress, which won 80 seats. Governor RN Ravi has dissolved the Assembly, clearing the way for the new government. Several BJP leaders are likely to join the cabinet, including Suvendu Adhikari, Dilip Ghosh and Agnimitra Paul. Union Home Minister Amit Shah reached Kolkata on Friday for the BJP legislature meeting. The swearing-in ceremony will take place on Saturday at Brigade Parade Ground.

Sixteen members of seven families displaced from Sandeshkhali’s Sarberia area for nearly a decade returned home on Wednesday, describing it as the end of fear linked to Trinamool strongman Sheikh Shahjahan and his aides. The return, facilitated by the BJP after the political shift in Bengal, was attributed by police to improved law and order. Several returnees alleged they fled after the 2016 Assembly elections for opposing the entry of alleged criminal elements into the Trinamool Congress. Many later joined the BJP. Newly elected BJP MLA Sanat Sardar said more displaced residents are expected to return. Sandeshkhali had gained national attention in 2024 over protests alleging intimidation, land grabbing and exploitation. (PC: Pashupati Das)

R. N. Ravi on Thursday dissolved the West Bengal Legislative Assembly, officially ending the tenure of the outgoing government and paving the way for the Bharatiya Janata Party to form its first government in the state following its sweeping victory in the 2026 Assembly elections. The dissolution order came into effect from May 7 under the Governor’s constitutional authority after the Assembly’s term concluded amid intense political confrontation and post-poll unrest. The BJP, which secured a decisive mandate in the elections, is now expected to begin the formal government formation process. The move marks a major political shift in West Bengal after years of rule by Mamata Banerjee and the All India Trinamool Congress. (PC: X)

Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam is reportedly considering a mass resignation of all 107 MLAs if either the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam or All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam is invited to form the government amid the ongoing Tamil Nadu political deadlock. Sources said the move reflects mounting frustration within TVK as negotiations remain stalled despite the party emerging as the single largest force with 108 seats in the 234-member Assembly, still short of the majority mark. The development follows reports that the DMK initiated backchannel discussions with the AIADMK to prevent TVK from taking power after the closely contested Assembly elections. (PC: PTI)

West Bengal Police said vehicles with fake number plates were used in the murder of BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari’s close aide Chandranath Rath, who was shot dead near Kolkata airport days after the Assembly election results. Investigators believe the attack was a planned ambush involving multiple bike-borne assailants armed with sophisticated weapons. Police recovered a seized bike with erased chassis details and traced one fake registration number to a North Bengal resident unrelated to the crime. The CID has taken over the high-profile investigation amid rising political tensions between the BJP and Trinamool Congress, with both parties accusing each other over escalating post-poll violence in the state. (PC: The Hindu)

Actor-turned-politician Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) has reportedly warned that all 107 of its MLAs may resign if the rival DMK and AIADMK join hands to form the next Tamil Nadu government. The warning comes amid intense political uncertainty after TVK emerged as the single-largest party with 108 seats but fell short of the majority mark. Sources said Vijay’s camp views any DMK-AIADMK alliance as a betrayal of the public mandate for political change. Congress has already extended conditional support to TVK, while negotiations with smaller parties continue. The Governor has reportedly asked Vijay to prove support from at least 118 MLAs before staking claim. (PC: PTI)

West Bengal Governor RN Ravi dissolved the state assembly on May 7 after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee refused to resign following the Trinamool Congress’s crushing defeat in the 2026 Assembly elections. The BJP secured over 200 seats, while Mamata alleged the mandate was “looted” and questioned the election process. The Governor issued the dissolution order under Article 174 of the Constitution as the assembly’s five-year term expired. The political standoff triggered debates over constitutional procedures, caretaker governance, and possible legal challenges. The BJP has demanded her immediate removal, while the Trinamool Congress plans to challenge the election outcome in court. (PC: NDTV)

With no party securing a clear majority in the Tamil Nadu Assembly election, Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) has emerged as the single largest party with 108 seats in the 234-member House. With Congress support, the alliance has risen to 112 MLAs, though one of Vijay’s two winning constituencies will eventually have to be vacated, leaving it short of the 118 needed to form government. Amid political uncertainty, Vijay met Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar twice this week and staked claim to power. However, Raj Bhavan said TVK still lacks the numbers required to independently form the government. Sources said the Governor asked the party to prove support before invitation was considered. (PC: X)

West Bengal Governor R. N. Ravi dissolved the state Assembly under Article 174(2)(b) on May 7, officially ending the Trinamool Congress government and removing Mamata Banerjee from office after she refused to resign following the BJP’s decisive election victory. The Governor’s notification stated the Assembly stood dissolved with immediate effect. Banerjee had alleged EVM tampering, vote looting and Election Commission collusion, insisting the BJP’s win was “immoral”. The BJP is yet to announce its chief ministerial candidate, with legislative party meetings scheduled. Meanwhile, Bengal continues witnessing post-poll violence, including multiple deaths, amid heavy deployment of central forces and heightened political confrontation across the state.

Political tensions intensified in Tamil Nadu after the Governor delayed inviting actor-politician Vijay to form the government despite his party, TVK, emerging as the single-largest party with 108 seats in the Assembly. Leaders from the DMK, VCK, and other allies accused the Governor of disrespecting the people’s mandate. Kamal Haasan said the delay insulted Tamil Nadu and harmed democracy. Congress has already extended support to TVK, while VCK and Left parties are considering backing Vijay. Meanwhile, the Governor has reportedly asked TVK to prove majority support before proceeding with the swearing-in process. (PC: NDTV)