Author: Md Nasimuddin
The DravidaMunetraKazhagam (DMK) has attacked its INDIA bloc ally, the Congress, over its decision to extend support to actor-turned-politician Vijay’s TamilagaVettriKazhagam (TVK) to form a government in Tamil Nadu, calling the grand old party a “backstabber”
The political map of India was redrawn on May 4, 2026, as Assembly election results across five regions delivered a series of historic upsets. In West Bengal, the BJP scripted a monumental victory, securing 207 seats to unseat Mamata Banerjee, who lost her own seat in Bhabanipur. Tamil Nadu witnessed a “cinema-to-citizens” earthquake as actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) emerged as the single-largest party with 108 seats, defeating incumbent CM M.K. Stalin in his stronghold of Kolathur. Meanwhile, Kerala stayed true to its “pendulum” tradition as the Congress-led UDF swept to power with 102 seats, ending a decade of Left rule. In Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma secured a record third term for the NDA with a three-fourths majority, winning 102 of 126 seats.
High-voltage drama unfolded in Kolkata on the night of April 30 and early May 1, 2026, as West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee personally inspected the EVM strong room at Sakhawat Memorial School in Bhabanipur. Citing “suspicious activity” seen on CCTV, the TMC supremo warned of a “life-and-death battle” if any attempt is made to tamper with the machines before the May 4 counting date. While the Election Commission dismissed the allegations as “baseless,” clarifying that officials were merely segregating postal ballots in the presence of observers, the visit has intensified the prestige battle in Bhabanipur, where Banerjee faces a fierce challenge from BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari.
As polling concludes across four states and one Union Territory, exit polls present a shifting political landscape for 2026. While the BJP is projected to dominate in Assam and maintains a slight edge in West Bengal, the battle for Kolkata remains tight with some pollsters backing a TMC victory. In Tamil Nadu, while the DMK remains a favorite, actor Vijay’s TVK has emerged as a major disruptor, with some polls even suggesting a hung assembly. Meanwhile, Kerala appears set for its traditional power shift with the UDF leading the race, and Puducherry looks likely to retain its NDA government.
Gujarat’s local body election results have delivered a strong political message, with the BJP sweeping urban corporations, dominating municipalities and panchayats, and tightening its grip across the state, while Congress has suffered a sharp collapse and AAP managed only scattered, symbolic gains. The outcome is being seen as the first major political signal ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.
Gujarat’s local body verdict
A.G Perarivalan, one of the life convicts in the former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, released on remission in 2022 donned the black robes on Monday (April 27, 2026). He was enrolled to the Bar Association of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry and will practice as an advocate in the Madras High Court.
In a show of regional solidarity, Arvind Kejriwal and Tejashwi Yadav descended upon Kolkata on Sunday, April 26, 2026, to campaign for Mamata Banerjee ahead of the decisive second phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections. Addressing rallies in Beleghata and Jorasanko, Kejriwal framed the election as a battle for “Bengali culture and pride,” accusing the BJP of turning the state into a fortress. The visit comes at a precarious time for the AAP chief, following the defection of seven Rajya Sabha MPs—including Raghav Chadha—to the BJP just days prior. Despite the united front from the RJD and AAP, the INDIA bloc remains divided on the ground; Rahul Gandhi simultaneously launched a scathing attack on the Trinamool Congress, accusing Banerjee’s government of “paving the way for the BJP” through corruption. With 142 seats heading to the polls on April 29, the rivalries within the opposition and the aggressive BJP push have turned Bengal into the ultimate theater of Indian politics.
In a bottom-of-the-table thriller at the Ekana Stadium, Kolkata Knight Riders edged out Lucknow Super Giants in a high-stakes Super Over finish on Sunday, April 26, 2026. After a massive batting collapse left KKR at 93/7, Rinku Singh played a lone hand with a breathtaking 83 off 51 balls*, including four consecutive sixes in the final over, to post 155. LSG seemed destined for defeat until Mohammed Shami struck a dramatic last-ball six to tie the game. However, the tie-breaker belonged to Sunil Narine, who conceded just one run while taking two wickets in the Super Over. Rinku Singh then iced the game with a first-ball boundary, handing LSG their fifth consecutive loss and keeping KKR’s slim playoff hopes alive.
Justice Subhash Vidyarthi of the Lucknow bench of Allahabad High Court on Monday ‘recused’ himself from hearing an FIR against LoP Rahul Gandhi over his alleged British citizenship filed by BJP worker S Vignesh Shishir.
In a surprise move, the government is reportedly set to appoint former railway minister and veteran politician Dinesh Trivedi as high commissioner to Bangladesh.