Nitish Kumar's Son Nishant Joins Bihar Cabinet as NDA Signals Major Political Transition 2
A major political reshuffle in Bihar on Thursday drew national attention as former chief minister Nitish Kumar’s son Nishant Kumar was inducted into the state cabinet during an expansion exercise led by Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary.
The oath-taking ceremony, held at Gandhi Maidan in Patna, was attended by several senior NDA leaders, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, underlining the political significance of the cabinet expansion ahead of the upcoming electoral season.
Nishant Kumar’s induction is being seen as a key development within the Janata Dal (United) (JDU), triggering fresh speculation about the party’s future leadership and generational transition.
Several leaders took oath as ministers in the Samrat Choudhary-led government, including Ram Kripal Yadav, Nitish Mishra, Vijay Kumar Sinha, Dilip Kumar Jaiswal, Ashok Choudhary, Shrawon Kumar and Leshi Singh, among others.
Earlier in the day, Nitish Kumar arrived in Patna along with Nishant Kumar and Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh, popularly known as Lalan Singh, ahead of the ceremony.
According to sources close to Nishant Kumar, five new ministers, including Damodar Rawat, Bulo Mandal, Bhagwan Singh and Shweta Gupta, were expected to join the cabinet during the expansion.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah was also seen interacting with Nishant Kumar shortly before his induction into the ministry.
Reacting to the development, JDU MLA Bhagwan Singh Kushwaha said the new ministers would work under the leadership of Samrat Choudhary to strengthen governance in the state.
Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi described the development as an important political moment for Bihar and praised Nitish Kumar’s leadership decisions.
Manjhi said there had been widespread speculation that Nitish Kumar might not step down from power, but he displayed “magnanimity” by doing so.
BJP's New Bengal Government to Take Oath on May 9 at Brigade Parade Ground 4
Samik Bhattacharya on Wednesday announced that the oath-taking ceremony of the new Bharatiya Janata Party government in West Bengal will be held on May 9.
Addressing reporters, Bhattacharya said the swearing-in ceremony will take place at Kolkata’s iconic Brigade Parade Ground from 10 am.
“The new BJP government will take oath on May 9 at 10 am,” he said.
The BJP scripted a historic victory in the recently concluded West Bengal Assembly elections by winning a massive mandate and bringing an end to the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC)’s uninterrupted 15-year rule in the state.
The saffron party’s emphatic win marked a major political shift in Bengal, where the TMC under Mamata Banerjee had dominated state politics for over a decade.
Security arrangements and preparations for the large-scale ceremony are expected to intensify over the coming days as BJP leaders and supporters gear up for the formation of the party’s first full-fledged government in the state.
Opposition Rallies Behind Mamata Banerjee, Calls Her Refusal to Quit a Protest Against Centre and EC 6
Sanjay Raut on Wednesday backed Mamata Banerjee’s decision not to resign after the Assembly poll defeat in West Bengal, describing it as a form of protest against the Centre and the Election Commission of India (EC).
The Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) (NCP-SP) also extended support to the Trinamool Congress chief, alleging that democratic processes were manipulated and central agencies were used to influence the election outcome.
Speaking to reporters, Raut said Opposition parties must unite against what he termed the “dictatorship of the Centre” and the “partisan behaviour” of the Election Commission. He alleged that the poll body had become a “slave” of the central government.
“Mamata Banerjee not resigning is part of her agitation against the government, the Election Commission and a series of acts against democracy,” the Rajya Sabha MP said.
Raut added that the Opposition now needs to collectively decide how to respond politically to the situation.
Banerjee had on Tuesday refused to resign as chief minister despite the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s sweeping victory in the state, alleging that the verdict was “not a people’s mandate but a conspiracy.”
The BJP secured 207 seats in the 294-member Assembly, ending the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC)’s uninterrupted 15-year rule in the state. The TMC managed to win only 80 seats.
In a Facebook post, Raut said Banerjee’s stand was justified and drew parallels with the 2022 political crisis in Maharashtra involving former chief minister Uddhav Thackeray.
He recalled that during hearings related to the Shiv Sena split, the then Chief Justice of India had observed that Thackeray could have been reinstated as chief minister had he not resigned.
Raut also said that Uddhav Thackeray had personally spoken to Banerjee after the election results and assured her of support. According to him, several INDIA bloc leaders had also reached out to the TMC supremo.
Meanwhile, NCP (SP) spokesperson Mahesh Tapase alleged that institutions such as the Election Commission, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Enforcement Directorate, Income Tax Department and CRPF were used in a manner that influenced the electoral process.
Tapase claimed that voters in Bengal were unable to exercise their franchise freely due to the pressure created by central agencies and forces, raising serious concerns over the fairness of the elections.
Vijay Meets Tamil Nadu Governor, Stakes Claim to Form Government After TVK's Stunning Poll Surge 8
Vijay, founder of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK),, founder of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), met Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar on Wednesday to formally stake claim to form the government in Tamil Nadu, party sources said.
Vijay arrived at the Raj Bhavan after leaving his Chennai residence and met the Governor around 3.30 pm.
According to sources, the actor-turned-politician had already sent an email communication to the Governor on Tuesday, asserting that the TVK had the support required to form the government and expressing confidence in proving its majority in the Assembly.
The TVK secured 108 seats in the 234-member Assembly, including the two constituencies contested and won by Vijay himself, emerging as the single-largest party in a dramatic electoral breakthrough.
Party sources said Vijay also submitted a fresh letter to the Governor on Wednesday, requesting that the swearing-in ceremony be scheduled for 11.30 am on May 7.
Meanwhile, police officials said preparations are underway at Chennai’s Nehru Stadium for the proposed swearing-in ceremony amid heightened political excitement in the state.
The TVK’s remarkable performance has reshaped Tamil Nadu’s political landscape, challenging the decades-long dominance of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK).
CEC Orders Immediate Arrests Over Post-Poll Violence in Bengal After BJP’s Massive Victory 10
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on Wednesday directed authorities to immediately arrest those involved in post-poll violence and vandalism in West Bengal following reports of deadly clashes after the Assembly election results.
According to an official, the Election Commission issued the directive after two people were killed in alleged incidents of post-poll violence on Tuesday, while several party offices across the state were vandalised.
The CEC instructed the West Bengal chief secretary, director general of police, Kolkata police commissioner, district magistrates, superintendents of police and officials of central armed police forces to maintain continuous patrolling in sensitive areas.
“Those responsible for inciting violence and carrying out acts of vandalism must be arrested immediately,” the official said, quoting the CEC’s instructions.
The Election Commission also emphasised the need for strict and swift enforcement of law and order to prevent further unrest.
The directive comes amid rising concerns over violence in several parts of the state after the declaration of results. A senior police officer said authorities have been placed on high alert and instructed to deal firmly with any attempt to disturb peace.
Security arrangements have been intensified across districts, with state police and central forces carrying out coordinated patrolling and monitoring operations to prevent any escalation.
The Assembly elections in West Bengal were held in two phases on April 23 and April 29, while counting took place on May 4.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) registered a landslide victory by winning 207 seats in the 294-member Assembly, ending the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC)’s uninterrupted 15-year rule in the state.
DMK Slams Congress for Backing Vijay's TVK, Calls Move a 'Backstab' to Tamil Nadu Mandate 12
The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) on Wednesday strongly criticised the Indian National Congress for extending support to actor-turned-politician Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), describing the move as a “backstab” by a long-time ally.
Speaking to PTI Videos, DMK spokesperson Saravanan Annadurai said the Congress had betrayed both the people of Tamil Nadu and the mandate delivered in the Assembly elections.
“The Congress party has decided to ally with the TVK, pledging their support to the party. I think they have backstabbed the people of Tamil Nadu. They have backstabbed the mandate given by the people,” he said.
Annadurai expressed surprise over the speed at which the political realignment took place, saying the alliance discussions had begun even before the election process was formally completed.
“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,” he remarked.
The DMK leader also highlighted his party’s long-standing support to the Congress at the national level and recalled that Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin had projected Congress leader Rahul Gandhi as the Opposition’s prime ministerial face.
Questioning the viability of the TVK-led government, Annadurai argued that Vijay’s party lacked adequate numbers to remain stable in power.
“They need at least 11 to 12 MLAs to stay afloat, and Congress has only five MLAs. What difference will they make?” he asked.
He further claimed that the Congress was “self-destructing” in pursuit of a few cabinet positions, while also pointing out that the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) had extended support to the TVK.
“So whose support will the TVK take — five MLAs or 47 MLAs?” he asked.
Annadurai also alleged that Vijay failed to properly acknowledge the voters after the election results and instead first thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The TVK has emerged as the single-largest party in Tamil Nadu, delivering a major setback to the ruling DMK and pushing the AIADMK to a distant third position in a dramatic electoral shift.
Punjab on High Alert After Twin Blasts Near BSF Headquarters and Army Cantonment 14
Punjab was placed on high alert after two explosions occurred within hours near key security installations in Jalandhar and Amritsar late Tuesday night, prompting an intensified investigation by police and security agencies.
According to officials, no injuries were reported in either incident, but both blasts triggered panic and raised concerns over security and intelligence failures in the state.
The first explosion took place around 8 pm outside the headquarters of the Border Security Force’s Punjab Frontier in Jalandhar. Around three hours later, another blast occurred near the army cantonment area in Khasa, Amritsar.
Amritsar (Rural) Senior Superintendent of Police Suhail Mir Qasim said police received information about a loud explosion around 11 pm on a road in Khasa and teams immediately rushed to the spot.
Preliminary investigations indicated that an explosive device may have been hurled towards the boundary wall, causing the blast. Police said a section of the tin sheet covering the wall was damaged in the explosion.
Forensic experts and bomb disposal teams later collected samples from the site, while army officials also visited the area before it was cordoned off for investigation.
CCTV footage from the vicinity reportedly captured the moment of the explosion. Residents said they were awakened by the loud sound and rushed outside to see what had happened.
Earlier in the evening, a blast outside the BSF headquarters in Jalandhar damaged a scooter, shattered nearby shop windowpanes and affected a traffic signal pole. CCTV visuals showed smoke billowing from the area as an unidentified man was seen running away after the explosion.
The damaged scooter reportedly belonged to Gurpreet Singh, a parcel delivery worker who regularly visited the area. His relatives said the scooter caught fire moments before he reached it.
Jalandhar Police Commissioner Dhanpreet Kaur said the Activa scooter parked near the BSF gate suddenly caught fire and added that Gurpreet Singh was cooperating fully with investigators.
The incidents come days after an explosion on a freight corridor railway track in Shambhu in Patiala district on April 27. Police had then arrested four alleged members of a Pakistan ISI-backed pro-Khalistan terror module in connection with the case.
The back-to-back explosions sparked sharp political reactions, with opposition parties attacking the Aam Aadmi Party government over the deteriorating law-and-order situation.
Sukhbir Singh Badal, president of the Shiromani Akali Dal, criticised Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and alleged repeated intelligence failures.
Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring also questioned the state and central governments, saying repeated security lapses pointed to a serious breakdown in intelligence mechanisms.
Rahul Gandhi Alleges 'Vote Chori', Says Every Sixth BJP MP Won Through Manipulated Mandate 16
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), alleging that every sixth BJP MP in the Lok Sabha won through “vote chori” and questioning whether they should be called “ghuspethiya” in the party’s own terminology.
The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha also claimed that the BJP would fail to secure even 140 seats in the Lok Sabha if elections were held fairly today.
In a post in Hindi on X, Gandhi alleged that electoral manipulation was being used to capture both individual seats and entire governments. “Through vote theft, sometimes individual seats are stolen, and at other times, an entire government. Of the 240 BJP MPs in the Lok Sabha, roughly every sixth MP secured the seat through vote chori,” he said.
वोट चोरी से कभी सीटें चुराई जाती हैं, कभी पूरी सरकार।
लोकसभा के 240 BJP सांसदों में से, मोटे तौर पर हर छठा सांसद वोट चोरी से जीता है। पहचानना मुश्किल नहीं – क्या उन्हें BJP की भाषा में “घुसपैठिए” कहें?
He further targeted the BJP over the political situation in Haryana, alleging that the entire state government was formed through manipulated means. Gandhi claimed institutions responsible for handling voter lists and the electoral process were being controlled remotely by the ruling party.
“Their real fear is the truth. If fair elections were held, they would not be able to win even 140 seats today,” he asserted.
A day earlier, Gandhi had described the BJP’s victories in the Assembly elections in West Bengal and Assam as a “theft” of the public mandate and termed it a major step in what he called the saffron party’s mission to weaken Indian democracy.
Backing the defeated All India Trinamool Congress (TMC), Gandhi urged political parties not to indulge in “petty politics” over the electoral outcome. “This is not about one party or another. This is about India,” he had said in another post on X.
The BJP recently ended the TMC’s long rule in West Bengal and also retained power in Assam for a third consecutive term in the Assembly elections.
'Will of the People Supreme': Mahua Moitra Reacts as BJP Sweeps Bengal, Ends TMC's 15-Year Rule 18
A day after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured a sweeping victory in the West Bengal Assembly elections, Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra on Tuesday said her party respects the verdict, asserting that the will of the people remains paramount.
In a post on X, Moitra said, “The will of the people is supreme. If Bengal wanted BJP, then Bengal has got BJP. We respect that.”
The BJP scripted history by winning 206 seats, crossing the two-thirds majority mark and bringing an end to the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC)’s 15-year rule in the state.
Reflecting on the outcome, Moitra said the party had fought under challenging circumstances. “We fought the good fight against unimaginable odds on an uneven pitch, and for that I am proud of my leader and my party,” she said.
She added that despite the electoral setback, the TMC would continue to uphold its ideological stand. “We will continue to stand and fight for a secular country where the Constitution, and not brute majoritarianism, is the last word,” Moitra said.
From Usha Mangeshkar to Grassroots Heroes: Newsmakers Achievers Awards 2026 in Mumbai 45
The 18th edition of the Newsmakers Achievers Awards was held in Mumbai, bringing together individuals from diverse fields including music, arts, governance, journalism, social work, sports, and public life. The event recognised contributions that have made a meaningful impact across sectors.
The ceremony was attended by the Hon’ble Governor of Maharashtra, Shri Jishnu Dev Varma, who addressed the gathering and presented awards to select awardees. In his remarks, he emphasised the importance of commitment, integrity, and public service in shaping society, noting that such platforms help acknowledge contributions that often go beyond visibility.
Guests of Honour at the event included Dr Sandhya Purecha, Bharat Dabholkar, and Justice Madan Gosavi (Retd.), along with representatives from media, arts, administration, and civil society.
Among those recognised during the Governor’s segment were Usha Mangeshkar Ji, Padma Shri Hariharan, Padma Shri Chef Sanjeev Kapoor, Smt Rahi Bhide, Smt Sushma Deshpande, and Shri Datta Bargaje, each acknowledged for their longstanding contributions in their respective fields.
The awards covered a wide spectrum of areas, including performing arts, wellness, sports, governance, education, environmental conservation, innovation, and journalism. Recipients included personalities such as Shri Dilip Joshi, Shri Atul Tiwari, Ms Pooja Bedi, Shri Devinder Walmiki, Shri Vijay Kumbhar, Ms Anuja Dhakras, Ajjibaichi Shala, and Shri Lt Kushagra Pathak (IFS), among others.
The event reflected a cross-section of contributions ranging from cultural preservation and artistic expression to governance, grassroots initiatives, and public communication. Several awardees represented efforts that operate beyond mainstream visibility but have demonstrated sustained impact over time.
The gathering also provided a platform for interaction among individuals from different domains, highlighting the interconnected nature of public service, creativity, and social responsibility.
Complete List of Awardees – Newsmakers Achievers Awards 2026
The 18th Newsmakers Achievers Awards recognised the following individuals and organisations:
Spiritual & Lifetime Honours
Dr Shri Vagishkumar Goswami Ji Maharaj – Spiritual Guide
Usha Mangeshkar Ji – Lifetime Achievement Award
Padma Shri Hariharan – Lifetime Achievement Award
Smt Rahi Bhide – Lifetime Achievement Award (Journalism)
Smt Sushma Deshpande – Lifetime Achievement Award
Shri Datta Bargaje – Lifetime Achievement Award
Arts, Entertainment & Lifestyle
Shri Chef Sanjeev Kapoor – Culinary Icon & Humanitarian
Shri Dilip Joshi – Best Television Actor
Shri Atul Tiwari – Best Theatre Artist
Ms Pooja Bedi – Best Wellness Coach
Shri Kishore Anand Bhanushali – Best Actor & Comedian
Shri Aryan Pasha – Best Model & Bodybuilder
Ms Krishna Mohini – Best Transgender Activist & Dancer
Public Service & Administration
Shri Lt Kushagra Pathak (IFS) – Best Wildlife Conservator
Social Impact & Community Leadership
Seva Vivek Sanstha – Best NGO
Smt Asha Mirge – Best Social Worker – Women
Shri Vijay Kumbhar – Best RTI Activist
Shri Bharat Bhushan (Gobar Man) – Best Social Worker
Ajjibaichi Shala (Yogendra Bangar) – Outstanding Social Education Initiative
Sports
Shri Devinder Sunil Walmiki – Best Sports Personality (Hockey)
Innovation & Technology
Tagbin Services (Saurav Bhaik) – Best Innovation in Public Engagement & Technology
Public Life & Media
Shri Anish Gawande – Best Spokesperson
Shri Ruben Mascarenhas – Best Working Politician
Ms Anuja Dhakras – Best Reporter
From Usha Mangeshkar to Grassroots Heroes: Newsmakers Achievers Awards 2026 in Mumbai 46From Usha Mangeshkar to Grassroots Heroes: Newsmakers Achievers Awards 2026 in Mumbai 47From Usha Mangeshkar to Grassroots Heroes: Newsmakers Achievers Awards 2026 in Mumbai 48From Usha Mangeshkar to Grassroots Heroes: Newsmakers Achievers Awards 2026 in Mumbai 49From Usha Mangeshkar to Grassroots Heroes: Newsmakers Achievers Awards 2026 in Mumbai 50From Usha Mangeshkar to Grassroots Heroes: Newsmakers Achievers Awards 2026 in Mumbai 51From Usha Mangeshkar to Grassroots Heroes: Newsmakers Achievers Awards 2026 in Mumbai 52From Usha Mangeshkar to Grassroots Heroes: Newsmakers Achievers Awards 2026 in Mumbai 53From Usha Mangeshkar to Grassroots Heroes: Newsmakers Achievers Awards 2026 in Mumbai 54From Usha Mangeshkar to Grassroots Heroes: Newsmakers Achievers Awards 2026 in Mumbai 55From Usha Mangeshkar to Grassroots Heroes: Newsmakers Achievers Awards 2026 in Mumbai 56From Usha Mangeshkar to Grassroots Heroes: Newsmakers Achievers Awards 2026 in Mumbai 57From Usha Mangeshkar to Grassroots Heroes: Newsmakers Achievers Awards 2026 in Mumbai 58From Usha Mangeshkar to Grassroots Heroes: Newsmakers Achievers Awards 2026 in Mumbai 59From Usha Mangeshkar to Grassroots Heroes: Newsmakers Achievers Awards 2026 in Mumbai 60From Usha Mangeshkar to Grassroots Heroes: Newsmakers Achievers Awards 2026 in Mumbai 61From Usha Mangeshkar to Grassroots Heroes: Newsmakers Achievers Awards 2026 in Mumbai 62From Usha Mangeshkar to Grassroots Heroes: Newsmakers Achievers Awards 2026 in Mumbai 63From Usha Mangeshkar to Grassroots Heroes: Newsmakers Achievers Awards 2026 in Mumbai 64From Usha Mangeshkar to Grassroots Heroes: Newsmakers Achievers Awards 2026 in Mumbai 65From Usha Mangeshkar to Grassroots Heroes: Newsmakers Achievers Awards 2026 in Mumbai 66From Usha Mangeshkar to Grassroots Heroes: Newsmakers Achievers Awards 2026 in Mumbai 67From Usha Mangeshkar to Grassroots Heroes: Newsmakers Achievers Awards 2026 in Mumbai 68From Usha Mangeshkar to Grassroots Heroes: Newsmakers Achievers Awards 2026 in Mumbai 69From Usha Mangeshkar to Grassroots Heroes: Newsmakers Achievers Awards 2026 in Mumbai 70
