Live: Governor unconvinced about TVK numbers, Vijay's oath in doubt: Report
Earlier, Congress offered support to TVK, dumping its long-time ally DMK
The Congress party, a long-time ally of the DMK, on Wednesday (May 6) announced support to actor-politician Vijay's TVK to form the government in Tamil Nadu and severed ties with the Dravidian major.
The Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) and the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) have decided to extend its full support to the TVK to form the government, AICC Tamil Nadu in-charge Girish Chodankar said in a statement, citing TVK chief Vijay's request seeking support.
Also read: Vijay doesn't have to 'prove' his majority since Constitution never asked him to
He said: "Our support shall be conditional upon the TVK keeping out from this alliance any communal forces that do not believe in the Constitution of India.
This alliance between the TVK and the Tamil Nadu Congress will strive to bring back Perunthalaivar Kamaraj's glory days of Tamil Nadu, with a strong commitment to Thanthai Periyar's social justice ideals and Dr BR Ambedkar's constitutional ideals in the years and decades to come.
This alliance - founded on mutual respect, appropriate share, and shared responsibility between the two parties is not only for the formation of this government, but also for future elections to the local body organisations, the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha."
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Live Updates
- 6 May 2026 1:06 PM IST
What Congress's senior leaders feel about party supporting TVK
Senior Congress leaders in Tamil Nadu are of the view that any formal announcement about the formula for engaging with TVK, joining the government or giving outside support, must be made only after the party has been informed by Vijay's interlocutors about which parties have confirmed joining his side. This is to avoid any embarrassment over a possible scenario wherein Left, IUML and other Congress partners decide to distance themselves from TVK, forcing Vijay to ally with AIADMK instead.
Congress realises it has burnt its bridges with the DMK, given the manner in which the talks with TVK have been handled, including the pre-election flip-flops. However, a section of Congress leaders have been cautioning those who favour allying with Vijay that if the AIADMK and other NDA constituents end up sharing alliance space with them, it would deal a fatal blow to the Congress's perception in the state.
- 6 May 2026 1:02 PM IST
Congress picks Killiyoor MLA Rajesh Kumar as its CLP leader in TN
AICC In Charge, Tamil Nadu, Girish Chodankar, said that the decision to elect S Rajesh Kumar as CLP leader in Tamil Nadu has been approved by party national president Mallikarjun Kharge.
- 6 May 2026 12:53 PM IST
Congress extends support to TVK
Congress extends support to TVK to form government in Tamil Nadu with the condition of keeping "communal forces" out.
- 6 May 2026 12:24 PM IST
Democracy in Bengal 'held at gunpoint': Dharmendra Pradhan
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Wednesday (May 6) alleged that democracy in West Bengal was being "held at gunpoint" and accused Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of refusing to accept the spirit of the electoral mandate.
In a post on X, Pradhan said mandates were being treated "less like the people's voice and more like suggestions open to rejection", raising questions over whether power was being treated as a responsibility or an entitlement. "Democracy in Bengal is being held at gunpoint, and the refusal to accept the electoral verdict lays this reality bare. Mandates are being treated less like the people's voice and more like suggestions open to rejection. The refusal of Mamata Banerjee to accept the spirit of the mandate raises a serious question: Is power being treated as a responsibility or merely as an entitlement?" he said.
He further alleged that the Trinamool Congress leadership was resisting accountability and, in the process of "clinging to power", attempting to erode the credibility of institutions such as the Election Commission and security forces. "In the process of clinging to power, Mamata Banerjee is not just rejecting the people's mandate but also attempting to erode the credibility of institutions like the Election Commission and security forces, undermining the very pillars that ensure free, fair and secure elections," he said.
Pradhan also claimed that governance in the state had long been marked by intimidation and entrenched political patronage, adding that ignoring the mandate would undermine democratic legitimacy. "This mandate of Bengal is a rejection of fear, a rejection of coercion and a demand for accountability. To ignore it is to undermine the very foundation of democratic legitimacy," he said.
"The Constitution of India does not recognise stubbornness as a virtue in governance. Accountability is not optional, and mandates are non- negotiable," he added.
Mamata Banerjee has refused to tender her resignation after losing the state to the BJP. The BJP sealed a landslide victory with 207 seats in the 294-member assembly, ending the TMC's uninterrupted 15-year rule in the state. Banerjee alleged large-scale irregularities in the counting process. The TMC chief claimed that the mandate in nearly 100 seats "was looted" and that the counting was deliberately slowed down to demoralise her party.
"The question of my resignation does not arise, as we were defeated not by a public mandate but by a conspiracy. I did not lose; I will not go to Lok Bhavan. They can take action as per constitutional norms," she told reporters.
- 6 May 2026 12:16 PM IST
Manickam Tagore questions DMK alliance, warns of BJP push in Tamil Nadu
Congress MP Manickam Tagore has sparked fresh political debate in Tamil Nadu with a sharply worded social media post questioning the future of opposition alliances in the state.
Referring to the recent electoral outcome, Tagore said, “The verdict has gone against the DMK government,” adding that “Half the ministers in the Cabinet have lost their seats.” The remarks appeared aimed at the ruling M. K. Stalin-led Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam government.
Tagore also expressed frustration over Congress’ position in the alliance, saying, “We faced collateral damage for no fault of ours.”
Warning of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s growing interest in the state, he added, “Now, BJP is eyeing Tamil Nadu.”
He ended with a political challenge: “Should we stand with those rejected by the people’s verdict, or unite with the force that fought against BJP and stop BJP from ruling Tamil Nadu?”
- 6 May 2026 11:12 AM IST
Kolkata Police debunk fake unrest claims after Bengal polls
Kolkata Police has rejected a flood of online claims suggesting widespread unrest in the city after Mamata Banerjee refused to step down following the Trinamool Congress’s crushing defeat in the West Bengal assembly elections. Officials described several viral posts and videos as “fake and misleading”, saying unrelated visuals were being falsely linked to Kolkata to provoke panic.
The tension comes against the backdrop of scattered post-poll violence across the state. BJP worker Madhu Mondal allegedly died after being beaten during a TMC victory procession in New Town, while TMC worker Abir Sheikh was reportedly hacked to death in Birbhum’s Nanoor area. Multiple party offices were also vandalised.
In response, the Election Commission instructed the chief secretary, DGP and central armed police forces to maintain a zero-tolerance approach toward violence. Central forces will continue to remain stationed in Bengal for another 60 days.
Kolkata Police said, "Several misleading posts are being circulated on social media by falsely linking unrelated videos and photos from other places to Kolkata after the election results."
"The situation in Kolkata is fully under control. Citizens are requested not to believe or share unverified posts," the police added. Mamata Banerjee meanwhile insisted, “No question of me resigning, we were defeated not by public mandate but by conspiracy.”
- 6 May 2026 11:05 AM IST
DMK calls Congress' move to support TVK a 'backstab'
With the Congress poised to support actor-turned-politician Vijay's TVK in forming the government in Tamil Nadu, the DMK on Wednesday (May 6) described the move as a "backstab" by its long-time national ally.Speaking to PTI videos, DMK spokesperson Saravanan Anadurai said, "The Congress party has decided to ally with the TVK, pledging their support to the party. I think they have backstabbed... They have backstabbed the people of Tamil Nadu. They've backstabbed the mandate given by the people of Tamil Nadu." He said that the decision came even before the electoral process had fully concluded."Even before the ink on the returning officer's signature on the victory certificate dried up, they've chosen to go ahead with an alliance." Referring to the Congress' decision to extend support to TVK, Annadurai said, "We have supported the Congress through and through. And it is our leader, M K Stalin who projected Rahul (Congress leader) as the Prime Ministerial candidate." Questioning the arithmetic, he said the TVK lacked sufficient numbers to form the government."They need at least 11 to 12 MLAs to stay afloat. And Congress has only five MLAs. What difference will they make?" the DMK leader asked. According to him, the Congress is "self-destructing" for the sake of two berths in the TVK cabinet. Also, the AIADMK has decided to support the TVK. "So whose support will the TVK take? five MLAs or 47 MLAs? I don't know who takes all these decisions and it is not in the interest of the country," he said.Annadurai claimed that Vijay failed to properly thank the voters of his constituency or the state after the results were declared. "He first thanked Modi," he alleged.The TVK has created a record of sorts in the electoral history of Tamil Nadu and emerged as the single largest party by delivering a shock defeat to incumbent DMK, while the AIADMK was pushed to a distant third spot. - 6 May 2026 10:46 AM IST
Party has to take decision to support TVK: AIADMK leader
"The party has to take the decision," says AIADMK leader CV Shanmugam, on being asked if his party will support TVK.
- 6 May 2026 10:42 AM IST
CEC orders immediate arrest of those involved in post-poll violence in Bengal: Official
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar directed the authorities concerned to immediately arrest those involved in post-poll violence and vandalism in West Bengal, an official said on Wednesday (May 6).
The Election Commission's directive came after two persons were killed in alleged incidents of post-poll violence in the state on Tuesday, besides scores of party offices being ransacked. The CEC issued instructions to the West Bengal chief secretary, director general of police, Kolkata police commissioner and directors general of central armed police forces, along with all district magistrates, superintendents of police and other officials, to maintain continuous patrolling in sensitive areas, he said.
"Those responsible for inciting violence and carrying out acts of vandalism must be arrested immediately," the official said, quoting the CEC's instruction.
The chief election commissioner also stressed the need for swift and firm enforcement of the law, he added. This directive came amid concerns over law and order in parts of the state, with the Election Commission closely monitoring the situation, he added.
"We have been asked to remain on high alert and ensure that any attempt to disturb peace is dealt with firmly," a senior police officer said. The state authorities have intensified vigil across districts, with coordinated efforts between the police and central forces to prevent any untoward incident, he added. The assembly elections were held in West Bengal in two phases - April 23 and 29. The counting of votes took place on May 4.
The BJP sealed a landslide victory with 207 seats in the 294-member assembly, ending the TMC's uninterrupted 15-year rule in the state.
- 6 May 2026 8:54 AM IST
EC issues notification for constitution of new assembly in Bengal
The Election Commission (EC) issued a notification for the constitution of a new assembly in West Bengal, following the completion of the electoral process in the state.
The notification has been sent to the governor of West Bengal, formally marking the end of the election cycle and setting the stage for the formation of a new government. A senior EC official said the issuance of the notification on Tuesday is a key constitutional step after the declaration of the assembly poll results.
"With this, the process of constituting the new assembly in West Bengal is complete from the commission's end. It enables the next steps in government formation as per laid-down procedures," the official said. He added that the commission ensured adherence to all norms during the conduct of the elections.
"The entire exercise, from polling to counting, was carried out in a free, fair and transparent manner, in line with the statutory framework," he said.
The notification paves the way for the swearing-in of elected representatives and the formation of the new government in the state, the official added. The BJP sealed a landslide victory with 207 seats in the 294-member assembly, ending the TMC's uninterrupted 15-year rule in the state.
