Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday touched the feet of 98-year-old veteran BJP worker Makhanlal Sarkar during a public event in West Bengal. Sarkar is considered one of the BJP’s earliest grassroots leaders in the state and had accompanied Bharatiya Jana Sangh founder Syama Prasad Mukherjee during the Kashmir movement in 1952. BJP leaders said Sarkar played a major role in expanding the party organisation in North Bengal after 1980. State BJP chief Samik Bhattacharya also recalled Sarkar’s arrest during the Congress era for singing a nationalist song.

Suvendu Adhikari on Saturday inducted five ministers into West Bengal’s first BJP government after taking oath as Chief Minister. Senior BJP leader Dilip Ghosh, BJP MLA Agnimitra Paul, Nisith Pramanik, Kshudiram Tudu and Ashok Kirtania were sworn in as ministers in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The new cabinet reflects BJP’s focus on experienced leaders, women representation, tribal outreach and North Bengal politics. West Bengal can have a maximum of 44 ministers, leaving room for further expansion. (PC: NDTV)

Mamata Banerjee quietly changed her X bio on Saturday as Suvendu Adhikari took oath as West Bengal’s first BJP Chief Minister. Mamata removed “Honourable Chief Minister, West Bengal” from her profile and updated it to “Chief Minister of West Bengal (15th, 16th, 17th Vidhan Sabha)”, while avoiding the use of the word “former”. The update came days after the Trinamool Congress chief claimed her party had “morally” won the election despite defeat. The BJP won 207 Assembly seats, bringing an end to the TMC’s 15-year rule in Bengal.

C Joseph Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) moved closer to forming the government in Tamil Nadu on Saturday, with the party just one MLA short of the majority mark in the 234-member Assembly. TVK currently has support from Congress, CPI and CPI(M), taking its tally to 117 MLAs. The focus is now on the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), which is expected to announce its stand later in the day. Vijay met Governor Rajendra Arlekar again and submitted support letters from Left parties amid intense political negotiations in Chennai. (PC: HT)

Suvendu Adhikari took oath as the new Chief Minister of West Bengal today at Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata. He is the first BJP leader to head the state government. Narendra Modi and Amit Shah are attending the ceremony. The BJP won 207 seats in the 2026 Assembly elections, ending 15 years of rule by Mamata Banerjee and the Trinamool Congress. Several senior BJP leaders are also being sworn in as ministers.

Suvendu Adhikari will take oath as the new Chief Minister of West Bengal today at Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata. He will become the first BJP leader to head the state government. Narendra Modi has arrived at the venue and paid tribute to Rabindranath Tagore on his birth anniversary. The BJP won 207 seats in the Assembly elections, ending 15 years of rule by Mamata Banerjee and the Trinamool Congress.

Suvendu Adhikari will take oath as the new Chief Minister of West Bengal today at a grand ceremony at Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata. He will become the state’s first BJP Chief Minister. Narendra Modi, Amit Shah and other NDA leaders are expected to attend. Security has been tightened across the city, with CRPF personnel deployed outside Mamata Banerjee’s residence. The BJP won 207 seats in the Assembly elections, ending 15 years of Trinamool Congress rule.

Iran has accused the United States of choosing military action over diplomacy after fresh clashes in the Strait of Hormuz. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran would not bow to pressure. The US said its forces struck Iranian vessels and blocked tankers from entering Iranian ports. President Donald Trump said the ceasefire remains in place and urged Iran to accept a deal. The tensions have raised concerns over oil supplies and fears of a wider conflict in the Gulf region. (PC: EPA)

The official X handle of Kolkata Police has unfollowed former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee following the BJP’s victory in the Bengal Assembly elections.   The account has now started following Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, along with the official handles of the PMO and Ministry of Home Affairs. The digital shift comes amid political changes in the state and coincides with reports of reduced security deployment at Trinamool Congress offices and leaders’ residences across Kolkata. (PC: X)

A special tribute to David Attenborough lit up London’s iconic Piccadilly Circus as the legendary broadcaster celebrated his 100th birthday. BBC Studios displayed a two-minute video on the famous Piccadilly Lights, honouring Sir David’s decades-long contribution to wildlife storytelling and conservation. (PC: BBC)   Born on May 8, 1926, Attenborough has spent more than seven decades bringing nature closer to millions through landmark documentaries. His recent series Wild London highlighted the biodiversity thriving across the British capital. Colleagues who worked with him described him as curious, warm and deeply passionate about wildlife even at 99. Conservationists said his legacy continues to inspire generations to protect the natural world.