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)

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay began his first day in office by signing key welfare and governance files, including 200 units of free electricity for domestic consumers, a women’s safety force, and anti-drug units in every district. The TVK chief also announced a white paper on the state’s finances, alleging the previous Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam government left Tamil Nadu with a debt of Rs 10 lakh crore. Promising transparent governance, Vijay said there would be no multiple power centres in his administration. The actor-turned-politician also assured supporters that education, healthcare, food supply and women’s safety would remain top priorities. (PC: India Today)

Himanta Biswa Sarma will continue as the Chief Minister of Assam after being elected leader of the BJP and NDA legislature parties. This confirms his second consecutive term in office. He is scheduled to take oath on May 12 in Guwahati. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the ceremony. In the 2026 Assam Assembly elections, the BJP won 82 seats. Its allies, Asom Gana Parishad and Bodoland People's Front, won 10 seats each. Together, the NDA secured a strong majority in the 126-member Assam Legislative Assembly.

Actor-turned-politician C Joseph Vijay took oath as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu at a grand ceremony in Chennai on Sunday. The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam leader became the state's first non-Dravidian Chief Minister in nearly 60 years. Thousands of supporters celebrated across Tamil Nadu. Vijay's parents watched emotionally as he took oath. Actor Trisha Krishnan and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi attended the event. Nine ministers were also sworn in. Vijay's party won 108 seats and later secured support from Congress, Left parties, VCK and IUML to form the government. He must now prove his majority in the Assembly through a floor test.

Mamata Banerjee has urged all opposition parties to unite against the BJP after her party's defeat in the West Bengal Assembly elections. She said a joint platform should be formed in both Bengal and Delhi. Banerjee said senior lawyers, including Kapil Sibal and Abhishek Manu Singhvi, will help fight the case in court. She alleged that the election process was unfair. The BJP won 207 of 294 seats, while the Trinamool Congress secured 80 seats. BJP leaders said they are focused on development and governance. (PC: Reuters)