Government Formation News 2026 Live Updates: West Bengal governor RN Ravi dismisses outgoing CM Mamata Banerjee-led cabinet

AINRC chief N Rangasamy on Thursday resigned as Puducherry chief minister and submitted his resignation letter to lieutenant governor K Kailashnathan at Lok Bhavan.

Speaking to reporters later, Rangasamy said he would soon meet the lieutenant governor again to stake claim to form the new government.
Rangasamy is set to lead Puducherry for a fifth term after the AINRC-led NDA secured a comfortable victory in the Union Territory assembly elections.

The All India NR Congress won 12 of the 16 seats it contested, while the BJP secured victory in four of the 10 seats it fought. NDA allies AIADMK and Latchia Jananayaga Katchi (LJK) won one seat each, taking the alliance tally to 18 in the 30-member House. The assembly will also have three nominated members.

In the opposition camp, the DMK won five seats and the Congress secured one seat. The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) won two seats.
Sources said Rangasamy was considering an auspicious day and time for the swearing-in ceremony of the new government under his leadership.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav alleged electoral fraud by the BJP and the Election Commission in the recently concluded West Bengal assembly elections, claiming the polls were influenced by “multi-layered mafiagiri”.

Speaking after meeting West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee and Trinamool Congress national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee at her Kolkata residence, Yadav said opposition parties must unite against alleged election fraud.

“I have just met Didi (Mamata Banerjee). Abhishek was also with me. Today, all of us, together, have to stand up to the election fraud. When the election happened honestly, she won, but this time, because of the multi-layered ‘mafiagiri’ that happened in the election, no one could have imagined that this kind of fraud could be done by the BJP, the Election Commission, their associates, the spies, and the underground people together, to do such elections,” he said.

Yadav also drew parallels with the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections, alleging that the BJP had repeated tactics used there.

“What the BJP has done in Uttar Pradesh—the election was a betrayal. It was a trial for them, and they learned from it and influenced the entire process,” he said. The SP chief further alleged irregular deployment of forces and administrative interference during the elections.

Former Kerala chief minister and CPI(M) Politburo member Pinarayi Vijayan accepted the people’s verdict in the assembly elections and congratulated the Congress-led UDF on its victory, days after the Left Democratic Front suffered a heavy defeat in the state.

In a statement issued after a CPI(M) state committee meeting, Vijayan said the outcome of the elections had come as a surprise to the LDF.

“The defeat of the LDF was unexpected and came as a complete surprise,” he said.

Vijayan said the Left front would function as a responsible opposition and continue to press the new government on welfare initiatives introduced during the LDF regime.

He said the opposition would seek implementation of measures related to the eradication of extreme poverty, women empowerment and social security that had been initiated by the previous Left government.

The BJP accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of adopting “double standards” on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process after a Congress MLA from Kerala reportedly praised the exercise for removing “fake voters”.

BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla, in a post on X, claimed that Congress MLA Mathew Kuzhalnadan had “exposed” Gandhi’s criticism of the SIR process.

In the video shared by the BJP leader, Kuzhalnadan was purportedly heard saying that the “SIR process removed a lot of fake voters in some constituencies at least managed by CPM. So, that also helped us”.

Targeting Rahul Gandhi, Poonawalla accused the Congress leader of making “hit-and-run allegations” to create an excuse for electoral defeats.
“Just look at the opportunism. In Kerala, SIR appears acceptable to them because they won there. In Tamil Nadu too, SIR seems fine. But in Bengal, they want to use it as an excuse. This is Rahul Gandhi's conditional approach to the Constitution, and even his own party leaders do not take him seriously,” he said.

Union minister Chirag Paswan on Thursday condemned the killing of BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari’s aide Chandranath Rath, alleging that the incident reflected the “politics of violence” that the people of West Bengal had voted against in the recently concluded assembly elections.

Rath, Adhikari’s executive assistant, was shot dead on Wednesday night after bike-borne assailants allegedly forced his car to stop on the outskirts of Kolkata around 10.30 pm, days after the Bharatiya Janata Party registered a historic victory in the state.

Speaking to reporters in Patna, Paswan termed the incident “agonising and shameful” and alleged that “TMC goons” were behind the killing.
“This is the very politics of violence that the people of Bengal voted against in the recently concluded assembly polls,” he said.

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 in Tamil Nadu with the support of the Congress party.

This is Vijay's second visit to the Lok Bhavan within 24 hours, after his party surprisingly emerged as the single largest party in the April 23 polls to the Tamil Nadu state Assembly.

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

TVK won 108 seats, out of which Vijay will have to resign from one of the two constituencies he had won. Congress, which faced an election as part of the DMK-led alliance, switched sides and extended its support to Vijay to form the government. By doing so, Congress added its strength of 5 MLAs to the 107, the effective strength of TVK, which still lacks numbers to achieve 118, a majority in the 234-member Assembly. To a question on swearing-in and government formation, TVK leader VS Babu told reporters: "Let us see, this will happen soon and let us see what the next is". When asked about the alleged pressure from the Centre, he said he would not comment on matters over which he had no idea. "I will not talk about things that I do not know."

Reacting to the murder of Chandranath Rath, BJP MP Rahul Sinha alleged that the killing was politically motivated and accused the All India Trinamool Congress of being behind the conspiracy.

“We believe this was a political murder. There is a saying: if you cannot punish someone, you target their associate. This appears to be driven by frustration after being rejected by the people of Bengal and facing isolation even within the party,” Sinha said.

He added that a detailed probe is underway and asserted that agencies including the CBI, state police and CID would work together to ensure action against those involved.

“Earlier, they demanded CBI probes alleging evidence was destroyed during state police investigations. But now, with the BJP in power at both the Centre and the state, the CBI, state police and CID will work together, and no one involved will be spared,” he said.

Sinha further said the BJP would pursue justice through legal means. “We oppose violence, but we value our workers and associates. We will seek justice legally for every drop of blood shed,” he added.

Multiple changes — some administrative and others violent takeovers — in outgoing CM Mamata Banerjee’s Kalighat neighbourhood reflect the current upheaval in Bengal politics. Cops have removed all peripheral security from outside her home and from around Trinamool MP Abhishek Banerjee’s residence, a few hundred metres away. They have also started removing other security paraphernalia, like police kiosks, from the area.

In a pre-dawn operation ordered from Lalbazar, Kolkata Police began withdrawing peripheral security arrangements from key addresses linked to the Trinamool leadership. Beginning around 6.30 am, barricades, police kiosks, scanner machines and surveillance installations were dismantled across locations including three properties of Abhishek Banerjee at 188B, Harish Mukherjee Road, 121, Kalighat Road and 9, Camac Street.

At his Harish Mukherjee Road home, ‘Shantiniketan’, police personnel were seen removing layers of security infrastructure that had, over the past decade, turned the premises into one of the most tightly guarded political addresses in the state. That included guard rails, chairs, fans and even baggage scanner machines and door-frame metal detectors installed outside the building. By late night, with no security personnel outside, some BJP supporters allegedly pasted BJP flags outside Shantiniketan’s main door.

Officials maintained that both leaders continue to be entitled to Z-plus security, and that the current exercise pertains only to peripheral deployment and publicly installed infrastructure. “Apart from the personnel sanctioned under Z-plus cover, there had been substantial additional deployment over time. That system is now under review,” a Lalbazar officer said.

Residents described a neighbourhood altered almost overnight. “The barricades are gone, but so is any sense of certainty. Offices are being taken over, and everything feels unsettled,” a locals said.

Others, however, expressed relief at the dismantling of long-standing restrictions. “For years, movement here was tightly controlled. It affected daily life. That pressure seems to have eased,” another local said. Local traders said disruptions in traffic and access also impacted business.

On the other hand, several Trinamool offices in Kalighat and Bhowanipore saw violent takeovers, with BJP supporters replacing party signage with saffron flags. A Trinamool office at Jai Hind Bhawan community hall on Harish Mukherjee Road, where Mamata Banerjee’s sister-in-law and ward 73 councillor Kajari Banerjee would meet people, was taken over, and only BJP flags flutter outside it now.

A Trinamool office in Ward 70, functioning as a temporary SIR camp, was vandalised, and documents were burnt on Allenby Road. Similar incidents have unfolded across neighbouring wards. On Harish Mukherjee Road, a Trinamool office in Ward 71 — constructed on encroached pavement — now displays images Subhendu Adhikari. A comparable transformation has taken place at a party office on Ramesh Mitra Road. On Harish Chatterjee Street, hoardings bearing Mamata Banerjee’s image were found torn soonafter security was withdrawn from her home.

The newly elected MLAs of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam have been moved to neighbouring Puducherry, the party said on Wednesday. AIADMK spokesperson Kovai Sathyan told PTI that the legislators have been lodged in Puducherry.

Congress snapped Wednesday its 11-year alliance with DMK and threw its weight behind TVK, deepening fissures in INDIA bloc after DMK’s rout in Tamil Nadu.

AICC in-charge Girish Chodankar met TVK president C Joseph Vijay and pledged support of Congress’s five MLAs. “The Congress-TVK alliance will continue for local body polls and the 2029 Lok Sabha elections,” Chodankar said. The switch redraws the state’s political map and blunts INDIA bloc’s pitch of a united front against BJP. Congress framed its support as a move to “keep away communal forces”.

“Is INDIA bloc still alive?” a senior Congress politician asked, citing frictions with regional partners. “We are still uncertain about numbers to form govt in Tamil Nadu. We will focus on INDIA bloc after this,” said Su Thirunavukkarasar. DMK functionaries hit back, branding the move “backstabbing”. AICC spokesperson Pawan Khera rejected the charge as “unfair”, recalling DMK’s 2013 break with Congress.

“Two parties fight together to stop the rot. If we can form a govt with like-minded parties, what is wrong with it,” he said, defending the realignment TVK, formed in 2024. The fallout comes as two key bloc partners, DMK and Trinamool Congress in Bengal, have lost the recent assembly elections, amplifying perceptions of a shaky coalition. Political observers warned the rupture dents the bloc’s cohesion. “Congress has been adopting a highhanded attitude with allies… This trend would weaken the united opposition to BJP in 2029,” said commentator Suguna Diwakar.

The shift could also make regional partners wary of Congress prioritising its own electoral calculus over alliance arithmetic.

Congress functionaries said the gamble could pay if TVK is folded into INDIA framework. The day’s tightrope was evident when Lok Sabha opposition leader Rahul Gandhi reached out to DMK chief MK Stalin and Vijay, as Congress attempts to manage state-level realignments without capsizing the broader anti-BJP platform.

Speculation over an unlikely political realignment in Tamil Nadu gathered pace, with TV reports suggesting that the DMK and AIADMK may be in talks to explore a potential alliance. However, neither party has made any official statement on the matter so far, and the development remains unconfirmed.

The reported talks come amid a fractured mandate in the Assembly elections, which has triggered intense negotiations across parties as they look to secure the numbers required to form the government. The Times of India has not independently verified the reports.

Amid celebrations following the BJP’s victory in West Bengal, Suvendu Adhikari urged party workers to exercise restraint and avoid immediate victory processions until the swearing-in ceremony on May 9.

The BJP is set to form its first government in the state, with the oath-taking ceremony scheduled at Kolkata’s Brigade Parade Ground.

Positioning the BJP’s win as a turning point, Suvendu Adhikari said those responsible for alleged political violence under the previous regime would face action.

“I was part of the 2011 ‘poribartan’, and now I am part of the real change,” he said, drawing a contrast between the TMC’s rise and the BJP’s current victory. He also expressed confidence in the party’s long-term future, saying efforts would be made to significantly increase its vote share in the state.

Addressing supporters in Nandigram, BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari promised improved drinking water supply and better healthcare and education infrastructure in the constituency. He also offered prayers at a local temple and reaffirmed his commitment to the region, calling it his political stronghold while assuring continued engagement regardless of which seat he retains.

Senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari said he will vacate one of the two Assembly seats he won within 10 days, leaving the final decision on whether to retain Nandigram or Bhabanipur to the party leadership. He has secured victory from two constituencies during the West Bengal assembly elections, from Nandigram and Bhabanipur.

“I will vacate one seat within 10 days. The party will decide which one I retain. I will not forget my responsibility towards the people of Bhabanipur and Nandigram,” he said, signalling both his emotional connect with Nandigram and the political significance of his Bhabanipur win over Mamata Banerjee.

Suvendu Adhikari’s dual victories have placed him at a political crossroads, with Nandigram representing his long-standing base and Bhabanipur marking a major symbolic win against Mamata Banerjee. While supporters in Nandigram urged him not to leave, Adhikari stressed party discipline, saying the final call would rest with the BJP high command.

“I have been disciplined since childhood… I will repay your debt. Please remain assured,” he told supporters.

The Election Commission said that the list of newly elected members of the 2026 Puducherry legislative assembly has been formally presented to lieutenant governor K Kailashnathan.

The submission was made by Puducherry chief electoral officer P Jawahar along with senior ECI officials, marking a key procedural step following the conclusion of the assembly elections.

BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari said that those associated with the Trinamool Congress accused of violence would be held accountable once the BJP forms the government in West Bengal.

“Every TMC goon will be held accountable under BJP government for their atrocities,” Adhikari said, as the party prepares to take charge following its electoral victory in the state.

AIADMK deputy coordinator KP Munusamy clarified the party's stance regarding supporting Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) in the ongoing government formation process in Tamil Nadu. He said that AIADMK will not be backing the formation of TVK government, ultimately ruling out the possibility of an alliance.

“Whatever the situation is, AIADMK will not support TVK,” Munusamy said, amid intense speculation over possible alliances after the assembly elections produced a fractured mandate.

His statement comes as TVK, the single largest party with 108 seats, continues efforts to secure additional support to cross the majority mark.

The governor of Tamil Nadu has dissolved the 16th legislative assembly with effect from May 5, according to an official communication from the Lok Bhavan.

The move comes amid ongoing efforts to form a new government following the recently concluded assembly elections, which delivered a fractured mandate. With Vijay's swearing-in ceremony likely on hold for May 7, TVK is expected to prove its majority to the governor by midnight, as it currently falls short of 6 seats.

Among smaller parties that could help Vijay reach or cross the majority mark, DMK ally Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) is yet to take a decision, while the Left parties and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) have ruled out support despite being approached by TVK.

Meanwhile, CPI(M) candidates R Chellaswamy and Latha, who won in the assembly elections, met DMK chief MK Stalin at Anna Arivalayam, the DMK headquarters. They were accompanied by CPI leaders T Ramachandran and Marimuthu.

Similarly, IUML MLAs-elect Syed Farooq Basha SSB and AM Shahjahan also met Stalin, who resigned as chief minister after losing both the state and his own seat. Later, CPI(M), CPI, and IUML announced they would continue to support DMK.

Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay is unlikely to be sworn in as Tamil Nadu chief minister on May 7 as the party continues efforts to meet the numbers needed to cross the majority mark, ANI reported citing sources.

Despite emerging as the single largest party with 108 seats in the 234-member Assembly, TVK remains short of the 118 required for a simple majority, with its effective strength set to drop to 107 after Vijay vacates one of the two seats he won.

Sources indicated that the Governor is yet to be convinced about TVK’s claim, with the party still lacking “official figures” to prove majority support. While Congress has extended backing with its five MLAs, taking the tally to 113, the alliance still falls short, intensifying negotiations with other potential partners.

Amid growing speculation over whether the AIADMK could emerge as a key ally for Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), a section of newly elected AIADMK legislators is reportedly pressing party chief Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) to reconsider the party’s current alliance stance.

Currently, TVK is short of a majority despite being the single largest party. The AIADMK MLAs are pushing EPS to explore supporting TVK to play a decisive role in government formation.

TVK secured 108 seats in the 234-member Assembly, falling 10 short of the majority mark, triggering active outreach to potential partners. Within the AIADMK, leaders including former minister CV Shanmugam are said to be pushing for a strategic shift, arguing that aligning with TVK could revive the party’s political standing and secure a share in power. The issue was discussed at a meeting of senior leaders in Chennai, though Shanmugam later said any final call rests with the party leadership.

Fueling the buzz, two senior TVK leaders reportedly met Palaniswami earlier in the day for preliminary talks, while a scheduled meeting of AIADMK MLAs was cancelled, hinting at ongoing internal deliberations. With Congress already backing TVK and outreach underway to other parties, the spotlight is now on whether AIADMK will step in as the crucial ally that could help Vijay cross the majority mark.

The question of where West Bengal’s next chief minister will operate from has resurfaced ahead of the BJP’s swearing-in, with the party signalling a return to the historic Writers’ Building while leaving the final call to its yet-to-be-elected leader.

State BJP president Samik Bhattacharya recalled the party’s 2021 promise to shift governance back to Writers’ Building, the state secretariat that has long symbolised Bengal’s administrative legacy, but indicated flexibility going forward.

“We declared in 2021 that our government will function from Writers Buildings, new CM will decide on office location,” Bhattacharya said.

The remarks come as the BJP prepares to elect its legislative party leader on May 8, a day before the oath-taking ceremony, keeping attention not just on who will be chief minister but also on the administrative direction the new government may take.

West Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya said the party will elect its legislative party leader on May 8 ahead of the swearing-in of the new government a day later.

A legislative party meeting will be held at 4 pm on May 8 to choose the leader, who is set to become chief minister.

“On 8th May at 4 pm, a legislative party meeting will be held. Leader of the legislative party will be elected. On 9th May at 10 am, PM, HM, Union Health Minister, our national president, all senior leaders of the BJP and CMs of 20 states will attend the ceremony,” Bhattacharya said.

The swearing-in ceremony is scheduled for May 9 at 10 am at Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata following the BJP’s decisive victory in the state assembly elections.

West Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya announced that the new BJP government in the state will be sworn in on May 9, following the party’s landslide victory in the assembly elections. The ceremony is scheduled to be held at 10 am at Kolkata’s Brigade Parade Ground, he said.

“The new BJP government will take oath on May 9 at 10 am,” Bhattacharya said. The BJP’s victory marks the end of the Trinamool Congress’s 15-year rule in West Bengal.

With TVK chief Vijay staking claim to form the government in Tamil Nadu, the focus has shifted to whether he will secure allies or attempt to govern alone despite falling short of the majority mark. The party has already received formal backing from the Congress, which would take its tally to 113 seats, yet making it five short of the 118 needed in the assembly.

If TVK reaches out to AIADMK, which holds 47 seats, it could comfortably push Vijay past the halfway mark if an understanding is reached. However, the Congress’s decision to back TVK, breaking from its earlier alliance with the DMK, has also reshaped the state’s political landscape and added urgency to the ongoing negotiations.

While Vijay is meeting TN governor Rajendra Arlekar to stake his claim, it remains unclear whether he will finalise an alliance or explore alternative strategies to prove majority support, keeping the state’s political equation in flux.

TVK chief Vijay met Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Arlekar at the Lok Bhavan and formally staked claim to form the government in the state following his party’s electoral victory.

The move comes ahead of the expected swearing-in ceremony, with further details likely to be finalised after the Governor’s approval.

TVK chief Vijay has invited Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to attend his swearing-in ceremony as Tamil Nadu chief minister, with the final schedule pending the Governor’s approval.

Congress leader Praveen Chakravarthy said Vijay had personally reached out to both Rahul Gandhi and party president Mallikarjun Kharge to thank them and extend the invitation.

“I can confirm that Mr Vijay spoke to Mr Mallikarjun Kharge and Mr Rahul Gandhi on the phone, just now, thanked them and invited them for his swearing-in. He has just gone to meet the governor. Hopefully, the swearing-in time will be confirmed tomorrow, after which Mr Rahul Gandhi will come,” Chakravarthy said.

Congress incharge for Tamil Nadu, Girish Chodankar said, "Today, we met TVK leader Vijay along with our MLAs and senior leaders. We have extended full support to him. After we gave a letter of support, we spoke to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge ji, LoP Rahul Gandhi ji and Gen Secy Venugopal ji. He thanked all three leader for their support. We hope more parties will extend support to TVK. We hope the Governor will invite him to be sworn in as the CM. We will be taking accountability for the new govt also. For us, the people's mandate is supreme."

All eyes are on TVK headquarters in Panaiyur here, as a delegation of Congress MLAs arrived for a high-profile meeting with actor-turned-politician Vijay.

The visual of the legislators entering the TVK premises has sent ripples through the state’s political corridors, signalling a potential shift in traditional alliances ahead of the upcoming electoral cycles.

The atmosphere at the TVK office remained charged, with supporters and onlookers gathering as the Congress leaders were ushered in for the closed-door interaction. The Congress leaders were welcomed by the TVK party chief and Chief Minister-designate with garlands and silk shawls.

While the meeting was officially termed a "courtesy call", the optics of established national party representatives engaging with the fledgling party’s top brass suggest a strategic warming of ties.

Insiders indicate that the discussions touched upon the prevailing political climate in Tamil Nadu, though both camps have remained tight-lipped regarding specific tactical understandings.

The visuals go viral, even as TVK followers are getting ready for the swearing-in of their 'Thalapathy' on May 7.

Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar has confirmed to ANI that he will meet TVK chief Vijay on Wednesday evening after TVK claimed that they have the majority to form the government.

Speaking to ANI, the Governor said that he has received a letter from TVK claiming the majority and will meet the party chief in the evening.

"I have received a letter from TVK. They will meet me in the evening. They have stated that they have the majority and they should be called for the formation of the government. Yes, I have an appointment (to TVK chief Vijay). A new govt will come now," he said.

Meanwhile, TVK's attempt to stitch an alliance to cross the 118 majority mark is still underway as the party's General Secretary N Anand on Wednesday met with AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS). Other senior TVK leaders have also contacted the AIADMK General Secretary.

TVK, which stands at 108 in the 234-member Tamil Nadu assembly, is just 10 short of the 118 halfway majority mark. Congress, with five seats, had already extended its support. However, Vijay still needs five more seats to form a government. Vijay could also abandon the Congress in favour of the AIADMK, which has significantly more seats. The Congress' long association with the DMK is not helping its case despite its leaders itching to ally with Vijay.

If TVK manages to ally with AIADMK, which won 47 seats in the assembly election, they will comfortably cross the halfway mark without needing the Congress's support.

Earlier, AIADMK leader CV Shanmugam said that his party will take the final decision on allying with TVK.

BJP leader and winning candidate from Nandigram seat, Suvendu Adhikari said, "The people here have made me an MP twice and an MLA three times. Last time, I defeated the Chief Minister, and I had come here to seek the blessings of Bajrangbali. Our workers toiled day and night; over 500 fake FIRs were filed against them, 400 BJP workers were put in jail. The BJP government will take whatever action is necessary against the goons and the corrupt. In the coming 2-3 days, no victory processions will be held; after the government is formed, with police permission, we will hold a thanksgiving ceremony."

Union home minister Amit Shah is scheduled to visit West Bengal on Thursday evening as part of the party's ongoing political engagements following party's historical win in the state.

According to the top BJP sources, Amit Shah will first attend the cabinet expansion oath-taking ceremony in Bihar and will subsequently depart directly from there to West Bengal. His visit is being seen as significant, coming at a crucial juncture when the party is actively engaged in post-election strategy and government formation discussions.

Soon after his arrival in West Bengal, the Home Minister will chair a key meeting with senior party leaders and core committee members. The meeting is expected to focus on assessing the current political situation, reviewing organisational preparedness, and aligning leadership on the next steps.

Sources further indicate that ahead of the BJP Legislative Party meeting scheduled on the 8th, Shah will hold detailed deliberations with party leaders regarding the upcoming oath-taking ceremony in the state. Discussions are also expected to cover the contours of the new cabinet, including its composition, key portfolios, and overall governance priorities.

The visit underscores the central leadership's active involvement in shaping the party's roadmap in the state and ensuring a coordinated approach to government formation and administrative planning.

Earlier on Tuesday, Shah was appointed as the BJP's central observer for West Bengal, with Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi serving as the central co-observer.

Along with this, Union Minister JP Nadda has been designated as the central observer for the election of the leader of the party's legislative party in Assam, with Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini as the central co-observer.

After resigning from the post of Assam CM, Himanta Biswa Sarma said, "Shri JP Nadda and Nayab Singh Saini have been appointed as Central observers by BJP National President Nitin Nabin. Who will be the next CM and the leader will be decided by the legislative party. Following the legislature party meeting, we will come back to Lok Bhawan again and stake a claim to form a government. There is an indication that oath-taking will be post May 11 because we have invited the Prime Minister to kindly grace the swearing-in ceremony of our government this time. We have invited the PM because we got a hat-trick with a century this time."

DMK spokesperson T K S Elangovan said, “Right from the beginning, there were talks that some people wanted to support Vijay and join his party. Congress is doing it in every state, and ultimately, they are losing in all of them. They are wiped off in Delhi and West Bengal. They have no chance in Maharashtra. They are doing something which will close their party.”

On speculations of lending support to TVK, AIADMK leader Kovai Sathyan said, "There is a moment of happening. Let us wait for the outcome. The high command will take a decision soon. What KC Venugopal said is also a lie. As per our sources, TVK has not yet reached out to any party. The lines of communication are open so let's wait for the outcome... There is no question of AIADMK splitting. There is a momentum happening and the ball is in Mr Vijay's court. He has to take a conscious decision whether he wants to complete a term for five years or whether he wants to take many parties into confidence... The Governor has asked for clarity from TVK and we will wait for the party to respond..."

Speaking to ANI on govt formation in the state, Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar said, "I have received a letter from TVK. They will meet me in the evening. They have stated that they have the majority and they should be called for the formation of the government. Yes, I have an appointment (to TVK chief Vijay). A new govt will come now."

On Congress's decision to support TVK, DMK spokesperson Saravanan Annadurai said, "We wish good luck to Vijay when he takes oath on 7th May. Congress has offered its support to the TVK, and that is why we called it backstabbing... The Congress has decided to flip sides and support the TVK, and the reasons cited by them are not convincing. They say they want to keep the BJP and the RSS at bay, and that is why this call should be made... This is a full-hearted decision by the Congress, which is likely to send ripples across the country in the sense that there are other alliance partners. If Congress is going to be so untrustworthy, just within a day of the results, they are openly going against the mandate. What impact will it create in the minds of Akhilesh Yadav, Tejashwi Yadav, Uddhav Thackeray and all the others? We have never failed the Congress..."

On Congress's decision to support TVK, Congress MP Karti Chidambaram said, "This is not unusual. People contest separately in elections and post-elections if the verdict is not absolutely clear, with a majority for one political formation, other political formations which have fought elections against each other come together. This is very common in Europe. It happens in Germany, it happens in the Netherlands, it happens in Belgium. Sometimes, in countries, it takes months for a working coalition to put together. I think the TVK has gone about it in the right earnest in reaching out to political parties now. I think they are also very clear that they want to put together a secular formation and their outreach will bear fruit soon, and we are extending our support based on their outreach and after due consultations in all appropriate forums internally."