Fresh speculation over C. Joseph Vijay joining the INDIA bloc emerged after his warm public interaction with Rahul Gandhi during the Tamil Nadu swearing-in ceremony. Vijay repeatedly stressed “secular” and “social justice” themes in his first speech as Chief Minister, echoing Congress messaging. Reports said Congress backed TVK after breaking ties with the DMK, deepening cracks within the INDIA alliance. While no formal alliance announcement has been made, Congress leaders have openly praised Vijay’s rise and described TVK as ideologically aligned with secular politics. The developments have triggered debate over a possible national opposition realignment ahead of future elections. (PC: PTI)

Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin strongly rejected Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay’s claim that the previous DMK government left the state financially burdened with ₹10 lakh crore debt. Responding to Vijay’s first speech after taking office, Stalin said Tamil Nadu’s debt remains “well within permissible limits” and insisted that the state treasury is not empty. He urged the new government not to “deceive people” and reminded Vijay that welfare schemes were successfully implemented despite challenges like Covid-19 and floods. Vijay, meanwhile, promised transparent governance and announced a white paper on the state’s finances for 2021–2026. (PC: The Times of India)

Actor-turned-politician Vijay inducted a diverse mix of leaders into his first Tamil Nadu cabinet, including a former IRS officer, doctors, a national-level basketball player and young first-time MLAs. The cabinet marks a major political shift in the state after decades of DMK and AIADMK dominance.   Among the prominent faces are 29-year-old S Keerthana, who became the youngest minister, former basketball player Aadhav Arjuna, and ex-IRS officer Dr KG Arunraj. Vijay’s first ministerial list included only TVK leaders, with no Congress representative inducted. (PC: India Today)

The investigation into the murder of Chandranath Rath, close aide of West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, has expanded to Uttar Pradesh and Bihar as police track digital and vehicle-related clues. Investigators traced a UPI payment made from the silver Nissan Micra used in the attack at a toll plaza near Kolkata.   Police suspect the killers had prior information about Rath’s seating position inside the SUV and executed the shooting in under a minute near Madhyamgram on May 7. Officials believe at least eight people, including sharpshooters and local associates, were involved in the planned killing. (PC: HT)

S Keerthana, the 29-year-old first-time MLA from Sivakasi, has become the youngest minister in actor-politician Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government in Tamil Nadu. Born in Virudhunagar district, Keerthana studied in a Tamil-medium government school before completing higher studies in Mathematics and Statistics.   Before joining active politics, she worked as a political consultant and digital campaign strategist with organisations like IPAC and Showtime Consulting. She was involved in campaigns for leaders including M. K. Stalin, Mamata Banerjee and N. Chandrababu Naidu.   Keerthana, who speaks five languages, won the Sivakasi seat by defeating Congress candidate Ashokan G by 11,670 votes in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly election. (PC: X)

A silent shift among Left supporters played a major role in the BJP’s historic victory in West Bengal’s 2026 Assembly elections. Many CPI(M) supporters backed the BJP to defeat Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress, despite ideological differences. The strategy, summed up by the phrase “Ebar Ram, pore Bam” (This time BJP, next time Left), reflected frustration with alleged political violence and the weakening of the Left in Bengal. Several Left workers said the BJP appeared to be the only force capable of unseating the TMC. Analysts said anti-incumbency, security deployment and the Left’s organisational decline also contributed to the BJP’s sweeping win. (PC: India Today)

Newly sworn-in Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay said, “I represent Hindus, Christians and Muslims,” while declaring the start of a “real secular and social justice” era in the state. Vijay took oath on Sunday, leading the first non-DMK and non-AIADMK government in nearly 70 years. Opposition parties had criticised him during the campaign and labelled him a “leader of Christians.” Vijay, whose father is Christian and mother Hindu, visited temples, mosques and churches during campaigning. He was also seen wearing a sacred Hindu kalava thread during the oath-taking ceremony in Chennai. (PC: X)

DMK chief M. K. Stalin congratulated newly sworn-in Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Sunday while also offering advice on governance and finances. Referring to Vijay’s remark that the previous government had emptied the treasury, Stalin said Tamil Nadu’s debt remained within permitted limits and urged him not to “deceive people.” “I believe you’ll learn nuances soon,” Stalin said, defending his government’s welfare measures during Covid-19, floods and alleged neglect from the BJP-led Centre. Vijay took oath after securing support from Congress, Left parties, VCK and IUML to cross the majority mark. (PC: HT)

Two gelatin sticks were recovered near an ashram close to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s event venue on the outskirts of Bengaluru on Sunday, triggering a major security scare ahead of his visit. The explosives were found nearly 3 km from the main venue during routine security checks near Kagalipura, police said. Bomb disposal and forensic teams rushed to the spot after the recovery, while security agencies sealed the area. Police have detained a suspect and launched an intensive investigation to determine whether the gelatin sticks were linked to quarrying activity or part of a larger conspiracy during the Prime Minister’s Karnataka visit. (PC: India Today)

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is backing senior party leader K. C. Venugopal for the Kerala chief minister’s post, sources said, triggering intense discussions within the party after the UDF’s massive election victory. Rahul Gandhi reportedly held a separate meeting with Venugopal before senior Congress leaders met party chief Mallikarjun Kharge in Delhi. Sources said Congress leader V. D. Satheesan opposed Venugopal’s candidature and raised concerns over factional politics. The Congress leadership is now trying to build consensus as the party balances central leadership preferences with local support in Kerala. (PC: NDTV)