Author: Sushmita Jana
Actor-turned-politician C. Joseph Vijay was sworn in as the new Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on May 10, marking a historic political shift in the state. The oath-taking ceremony took place at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium, where Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar administered the oath of office and secrecy to Vijay and his council of ministers.
Former Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court, Justice T.S. Sivagnanam, has resigned from the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) Appellate Tribunal in West Bengal, citing “personal reasons.” The tribunal had been constituted to hear appeals from voters whose names were removed from the electoral rolls during the SIR exercise ahead of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections.
A close aide of BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari was shot dead in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district late on Wednesday night, triggering fresh political tensions in the state. The deceased, identified as Chandranath Rath, was reportedly attacked by motorcycle-borne assailants near Madhyamgram while travelling in an SUV. According to eyewitnesses, the attackers opened fire at close range before fleeing the scene.
The emergence of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), led by actor-turned-politician Vijay, has significantly reshaped Tamil Nadu’s political landscape following the 2026 Assembly elections. Reports suggest that internal Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) adopted during the campaign may have helped the party secure close to 52% voter preference in key segments, marking a strong debut for the newly formed party.
The tragedy at Bargi Dam in Jabalpur has claimed 11 lives as of Saturday, May 2, 2026, following the recovery of the bodies of two children aged five and six. The state-operated cruise boat capsized in the Narmada River on Thursday evening after being caught in a sudden, violent storm. While 28 passengers were rescued, survivors have alleged significant safety lapses, including the lack of life jackets and a failure to heed weather warnings. NDRF, SDRF, and Army divers continue to scour the waters for two remaining missing persons, while the Madhya Pradesh government has ordered a high-level probe into the negligence that led to the fatal mishap.
First official visit since April 2026 aims to cement “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership”; high-level talks with PM Modi to focus on Indo-Pacific defense and trade
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 29, 2026, inaugurated the 594-kilometre-long Ganga Expressway, marking a major milestone in India’s infrastructure development. The ambitious project connects Meerut in western Uttar Pradesh to Prayagraj in the eastern part of the state, significantly improving east-west connectivity.
The central government has expressed concern that banned online real-money gaming platforms may attempt to re-enter the Indian market by presenting themselves as e-sports platforms. The move comes amid stricter regulations aimed at curbing gambling-like activities in the digital gaming sector.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has announced that central armed police forces will remain deployed in West Bengal for 60 days after the elections, aiming to ensure peace and prevent post-poll violence.
India and New Zealand are set to sign a landmark Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on April 27, 2026, marking a major step forward in strengthening bilateral economic ties. The agreement, described as a once-in-a-generation” deal, aims to significantly boost trade, investment, and employment opportunities between the two nations.