Live: What's brewing in TN? DMK 'asks' Stalin to take decision for a 'stable' govt

Suvendu backs police probe into aide Rath’s murder

Senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari on Thursday voiced confidence that investigators would crack the killing of his executive assistant, Chandranath Rath, saying police were "heading in the right direction". He reached Barasat Hospital, where Rath’s post-mortem examination was underway.

"Police are working. I spoke with the DGP; they have leads, and some people have been rounded up. I am confident the police will be able to arrest the assailants. CID, forensic and SIT are in action, and police are heading in the right direction," Adhikari told reporters, adding that the force could solve such cases but alleged "they were not allowed" earlier.

Responding to the TMC’s call for a CBI probe, he said, "There is no relevance of TMC now. Police will be able to solve this." Rath was shot dead near Doltala in Madhyamgram around 10.30 pm on Wednesday after bike-borne attackers stopped his vehicle and opened fire before fleeing.

CLP authorises Congress high command to pick next Kerala CM

With three names in the contention for the Chief Minister's post in Kerala for the next party-led government, the CLP on Thursday passed a resolution authorising its high command to decide on the CM pick, party sources said.

The resolution was moved by KPCC president Sunny Joseph during the CLP meeting held here in the presence of AICC observers Mukul Wasnik and Ajay Maken, the sources added.

At present, senior Congress leaders VD Satheesan, Ramesh Chennithala and AICC general secretary K C Venugopal are being considered for the top post.

According to party sources, the resolution was unanimously adopted by the newly elected MLAs and senior party leaders.

The Congress, which won 63 seats in the 2026 Assembly elections, convened the meeting at Indira Bhavan here amid intense discussions over the party's chief ministerial choice.

Following the adoption of the resolution, the AICC observers began individual meetings with MLAs to seek their views on the leadership issue, sources said.

Senior Congress leaders and newly elected legislators attended the closed-door meeting.

Governor asks Vijay to prove majority with support of 118 MLAs

TVK founder Vijay met Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar again on Thursday (May 7), during which the Governor reportedly asked him to return with the support of 118 MLAs required to form the government in the state.

Citing sources, news agency ANI said, “TVK chief Vijay can take oath only after proving the numbers. The Tamil Nadu Governor wants a stable government in the state.”

AIADMK leader denies reports of Palaniswami's proposed meeting with TN Guv

Senior AIADMK leader S Semmalai on Thursday ruled out that his party general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami would be meeting Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar amid the political uncertainty post Tamil Nadu Assembly polls.

There were some reports that Palaniswami is likely to meet the governor to discuss the possibility of forming a government after providing support to TVK, which has 108 seats.

Denying the reports, Semmalai told reporters that "there is no such need". The AIADMK has not received any invitation from TVK, written or oral, seeking support to form government in the state, the former minister said.

To a question whether the AIADMK would support any invitation extended by the TVK, Semmalai said that decision will be taken by Palaniswami. "Our leader will decide. He is not a king maker. He is the king", he added.

Vijay is making efforts to cobble up support to form his maiden government after his TVK emerged as the single largest party post the April 23 polls, the results of which were announced on Monday.

TVK won 108 seats, 10 short of the simple majority in the 234-member House to form government. The Congress, with five MLAs, has extended support to the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam.

Postmortem of Suvendu''s close aide begins amid tight security

Senior BJP leaders visited the residence of Suvendu Adhikari's close aide Chandranath Rath, who was shot dead in North 24 Parganas district, and said his family would decide on the last rites after the completion of post-mortem on Thursday, a party source said.

The post-mortem began at the Barasat Government Medical College and Hospital on Thursday morning amid a huge deployment of Central Armed Police Forces, a senior officer of West Bengal Police said. He said the body would be handed over to the family members after the process is completed.

When a senior BJP leader was asked by PTI about Rath's last rites, he said, "The family's wishes are most important at this moment. The decisions about the last rites will be taken after consultations with the family." He said the party leadership has constantly been in touch with Rath's relatives.

BJP workers gathered outside the hospital where Rath was taken to after the shooting incident on Wednesday night and demanded the immediate arrest of those involved in the killing.

"We want exemplary punishment for the culprits. Such attacks are condemnable in a state," a BJP worker said.

Police deployment has been enhanced around the hospital and Rath's residence to prevent any flare-up, a police officer said.

Congress Legislature Party meeting to decide on Kerala CM begins soon

The meeting of the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) to decide on the chief ministerial candidate in Kerala is set to begin at the party headquarters here shortly.

The Congress, which won 63 seats in the 2026 Assembly election, will hold the meeting in the presence of AICC observers Mukul Wasnik and Ajay Maken, who have been stationed in Thiruvananthapuram since Wednesday. 

Earlier in the day, Wasnik and Maken held discussions with senior party leaders, including VM Sudheeran, K Sudhakaran, Ramesh Chennithala and VD Satheesan.

Following the CLP meeting, the AICC observers will submit a report to the party high command, which will take the final call on the chief ministerial candidate.

At present, VD Satheesan, Ramesh Chennithala and AICC general secretary KC Venugopal are being considered for the chief minister’s post. 

TVK chief Vijay arrives at Lok Bhavan to meet Governor

TVK chief Vijay has arrived at the Lok Bhavan to meet Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, a day after he staked claim to form the government with the support of the Congress party. This is Vijay's second visit to the Lok Bhavan within 24 hours.

On Wednesday, he submitted the letter of support from Congress party to the Governor and staked claim. However, the Governor is yet to take a decision on the matter, according to official sources.  

DMK's newly elected MLAs to meet today

The DMK has convened a meeting of its newly elected MLAs-designate at Anna Arivalayam, the party headquarters here, on Thursday evening under its president MK Stalin.

The meeting comes in the wake of a changed political atmosphere, with its once-trusted ally, the Congress, settling for a post-poll alliance with the fledgling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam and its other allies, the VCK and the left parties, deciding to meet to discuss whether or not to extend support to Vijay-led TVK in government formation.

The Dravidian major, which has managed to win only 59 seats in the April 23 election, is likely to elect the party youth wing secretary Udhayanidhi Stalin as the legislature party leader and also focus on its role as the opposition party in the Assembly, a source in the party said.

Bengal: Hours after killing of Suvendu's aide, cops say 5 BJP workers injured in bomb attack

Five BJP supporters have been injured allegedly in a bomb blast in Panihati in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district, police said on Thursday.

The incident occurred late on Wednesday night, hours after Chandranath Rath, a close aide of BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, was shot dead by motorcycle-borne assailants, which led to the saffron camp accusing the TMC of unleashing retaliatory violence.

The bomb blast occurred near St Xavier's Institution in Panihati. Unidentified assailants hurled crude bombs at a group of BJP workers, injuring at least five people, police said, adding the injured were admitted to the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.

According to local sources, BJP workers were interacting with residents on Dutta Road in Panihati's Ward number 2 when a group of motorcycle-borne persons allegedly targeted them with bombs before fleeing.

The BJP alleged that the attackers were backed by the ruling Trinamool Congress, an allegation denied by the Mamata Banerjee-led party.

A senior police official said, "We have started an investigation and are examining CCTV footage from the surrounding areas to identify those involved. Raids are being conducted to nab the accused." A heavy police deployment has been made in the area.

Swearing-in ceremony of new Assam govt to be held on May 12

The swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected BJP-led NDA government in Assam will be held on May 12, Chief Secretary Ravi Kota said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, several union ministers, chief ministers and deputy CMs of BJP-ruled states, and representatives from industries are expected to attend the function. The oath-taking ceremony is scheduled to be held at the Veterinary Field, Khanapara, he said.

“Chaired a comprehensive review meeting with the DGP, Assam today to assess preparedness for the forthcoming visit of the Hon’ble Prime Minister to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected Council of Ministers”, Kota posted on X on Wednesday night.

Arrangements related to security, traffic management, venue readiness, protocol, and inter-departmental coordination were discussed in detail, he said. ''Emphasised the need for seamless execution, strict adherence to established protocols, and close coordination among all stakeholders," Kota said.