The Congress-led UDF in Kerala is struggling to name its chief ministerial candidate over a week after winning the elections. Senior leaders are in Delhi for discussions, with Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge expected to make the final decision. Ramesh Chennithala, V D Satheesan, and K C Venugopal are the frontrunners amidst internal tussle and external criticism.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed delight as West Bengal's new government, led by CM Suvendu Adhikari, began implementing central welfare schemes like Ayushman Bharat. This move fulfills a pre-election promise, aiming to provide high-quality, affordable healthcare and seamless execution of key national projects for the state's residents.

An FIR is filed against Samajwadi Party MP Ajendra Singh Lodhi in Mahoba, Uttar Pradesh, for allegedly making derogatory remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. BJP leaders, including CM Yogi Adityanath, have strongly condemned the comments, calling them an insult to democratic values and demanding action from SP chief Akhilesh Yadav.

The CBI has taken over the murder investigation of Chandranath Rath, an aide to Suvendu Adhikari, following a recommendation from the Bengal Police. Rath was shot dead by motorcycle-borne assailants in North 24 Parganas. Three suspects, including an alleged sharpshooter, have been arrested by the CID in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

Addressing widespread anemia and malnutrition, Indian agricultural scientists have developed 203 biofortified crop varieties. These nutrient-rich staples, including iron-rich rice and protein-rich wheat, aim to combat deficiencies like «hidden hunger» without altering dietary habits. This initiative, supported by the SEHAT mission, offers a sustainable, low-cost approach to improving public health through everyday food.

The Trinamool Congress has criticized the appointment of former Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Agarwal as West Bengal's Chief Secretary by the new BJP government. The party labeled the move «shameless,» questioning the neutrality of the election process after Agarwal oversaw the recent Assembly elections.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh assured citizens that India is prepared for global supply chain disruptions, with ample petroleum products and robust foreign exchange reserves. He urged fuel conservation to ease the nation's financial burden amid high international crude prices. The government is implementing measures for fuel efficiency and responsible consumption.

No rationing; steps taken to avert shortage

Opposition parties are criticizing PM Modi's call for austerity amidst the West Asia crisis, labeling it a tactic to evade accountability for economic failures. Leaders like Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge argue the PM is shifting responsibility onto the public. Akhilesh Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav also questioned the timing and perceived hypocrisy of these austerity demands.

'Advance Copy Of Petition To Be Given To Govts'

The Supreme Court refused to entertain a plea challenging the environmental clearance for Pipavav port expansion in Gujarat, questioning environmentalists' stance on development projects. The court emphasized the necessity of infrastructure for national development, while allowing the environmentalist to approach the NGT again with specific objections.

CPM's MA Baby defended Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan, stating the party's defeat is a collective responsibility, not an individual's. He emphasized self-criticism and corrective measures for the entire leadership. Baby also expressed concern over the rise of right-wing forces and the BJP's gains in Kerala.

Congress is expanding consultations to select Kerala's new chief minister, with AICC general secretary K C Venugopal and leader of opposition V D Satheesan vying for the top post. The party leadership is engaging with former state presidents and other leaders to ensure the final nominee is well-received, amid speculation and potential backlash.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarks on a five-nation tour starting Friday, with the UAE as his first stop. He will meet President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to discuss bilateral and regional issues, including energy cooperation. This visit marks his first to a Gulf country since the West Asia conflict began.

West Bengal's new BJP government, led by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, has launched the «Annapurna Bhandaar» scheme. Eligible women will receive ₹3,000 monthly, replacing the previous «Lakshmir Bhandar.» The cabinet also approved integrating the state with central schemes like Ayushman Bharat and addressing illegal immigration.

Forty-eight hours after he was relieved by the election commission as the special observer on May 7, Gupta was already appointed adviser to chief minister Suvendu Adhikari on Saturday. The appointment order came within hours after Adhikari took oath as CM at a ceremony at Brigade Parade Grounds. Gupta, a PhD from IIT-Kharagpur, served as DM of Jalpaiguri and Burdwan.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged collective national efforts to reduce import dependence and strengthen India's global supply chain position. Amidst global uncertainty and Middle East conflict concerns, he appealed to citizens to minimize foreign currency spending and support domestic manufacturing. Modi drew parallels to past national crises, emphasizing historical citizen unity in response to government appeals.

The SIR of electoral rolls became one of the most fiercely debated issues in the 2026 West Bengal assembly elections, with the exercise significantly reshaping the state’s voter base before polling. Nearly 91 lakh names, around 12 per cent of the electorate, were removed during the revision process. Of these, more than 60 lakh voters were marked as deceased, while nearly 27 lakh cases remained pending or under scrutiny.

West Bengal's new Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari chaired his first cabinet meeting, approving six key decisions to end state-Centre deadlock. These include facilitating land for BSF border fencing, rolling out central schemes like Ayushman Bharat, and aligning IAS/IPS officers with central training.

AIADMK faces internal turmoil following a significant electoral defeat in Tamil Nadu, with divisions surfacing over leadership and potential support for the new TVK government. MLAs arrived in separate groups for the assembly, highlighting a visible rift and raising questions about the party's future cohesion and relevance.