With the BJP securing a historic win in Odisha, the party faces the crucial decision of selecting its first-ever Chief Minister for the state. Among the prominent contenders are Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, former Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram, and C&AG Girish Murmu. Additionally, the "P-D-S factor" includes Baijayant Jay Panda, KV Singh Deo, and Pratap Sarangi. As speculation intensifies, the BJP weighs between established leaders and potential underdogs for the coveted role, reminiscent of past surprising appointments in other states.

BJP's Piyush Goyal has fired back at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's accusations of a "biggest stock market scam," attributing them to Gandhi's inability to accept defeat in the Lok Sabha election. Goyal emphasized PM Modi's efforts towards economic growth, noting a substantial increase in India's market capitalization under the BJP government. Dismissing Gandhi's claims as a conspiracy to mislead investors, Goyal highlighted the benefits accrued to domestic and retail investors. The exchange underscores ongoing political tensions as both parties spar over economic performance and accountability.

Kangana Ranaut was slapped by a CISF guard at Chandigarh airport on Thursday. The incident occurred as the newly-elected MP was heading to New Delhi. The guard, LCT Kulwinder Kaur, reportedly attacked Ranaut due to her comments on the farmers' protests. In a video statement, Ranaut assured she is safe but expressed concerns about terrorism in Punjab. An inquiry by senior CISF officers is underway, and a complaint has been lodged with the local police. Ranaut had recently won the Mandi constituency in the Lok Sabha elections. Her supporters are shocked by the incident.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has demanded a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) investigation into what he calls the "biggest stock market scam." He criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for giving investment advice to retail investors, suggesting they had inside knowledge of election results. Gandhi accused them of encouraging investments to benefit certain business groups under investigation by SEBI. He alleged that dubious investors made huge profits, harming Indian retail investors. Gandhi emphasized the need for a JPC probe to uncover the truth behind these alleged manipulations.

Actor and BJP MP Kangana Ranaut was allegedly slapped by a CISF constable at Chandigarh airport. The incident occurred while she was heading to Delhi. The constable, Kulwinder Kaur, reportedly accused Ranaut of disrespecting farmers. This refers to Ranaut's controversial comments during the farmers' protests. Mobile footage shows Ranaut being escorted by security officers. The CISF Commandant is investigating the incident. Ranaut, safe but concerned about terrorism in Punjab, shared her views in a video statement. She had faced farmers' protests during her election campaign.

As discussions on the Modi 3.0 Cabinet intensify, the BJP has drawn a firm line on key portfolios like Defence, Finance, Home, and Foreign Affairs, despite demands from allies for significant roles. Chandrababu Naidu’s TDP and Nitish Kumar’s JDU, with 16 and 12 seats respectively, seek prominent positions, including the Lok Sabha Speaker post and several cabinet ministries. Other allies like Shiv Sena and LJP also push for cabinet spots. With the BJP securing 240 seats, 32 short of the majority, accommodating allies while retaining control of core ministries is a critical balancing act.

As cabinet formation speculation heats up, sources reveal TDP's Chandrababu Naidu aims for 3-4 ministerial berths, prioritizing Andhra Pradesh's development. Naidu seeks MoS Finance and funds for Amravati. JD-U's Nitish Kumar eyes three cabinet berths, focusing on agriculture and rural development. BJP's ally LJP's Chirag Paswan expected to join cabinet, while Shiv Sena's Eknath Shinde may secure ministerial positions. Jana Sena and JD-S also in contention. Praful Patel or Sunil Tatkare from NCP's Ajit Pawar faction may get consideration. Speculation arises ahead of Union Council of Ministers formation.

Despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi's extensive campaigning in Maharashtra, the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) suffered defeats in the majority of the seats. Out of the 18 Lok Sabha constituencies where PM Modi held rallies, the NDA could only secure victories in three. The BJP's dismal performance in Maharashtra, winning just nine seats out of 23 compared to 2019's 23, poses a significant concern ahead of state polls. Despite PM Modi's efforts, the NDA's failure to win in seats where he campaigned reflects a noteworthy setback for the alliance in the state.

Following Naveen Patnaik's resignation as Odisha's longest-serving Chief Minister, the BJP gears up to select his successor. Speculations abound as BJP leaders stress on an 'Odia son or daughter' to lead the state. Names in contention include Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and former IAS officer Girish Murmu. The party plans to nominate two deputy chief ministers to ensure regional and caste representation. A parliamentary board meeting is scheduled to discuss the issue, with the swearing-in of the new CM slated for June 10. Odisha anticipates the appointment amid a transition in leadership.

Following the Lok Sabha election results, TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu is set to demand Special Category Status for Andhra Pradesh, key Cabinet berths, and funds for the Amaravati capital project. TDP's strong performance, winning 16 of 17 contested seats, makes it a crucial NDA ally. Naidu, reaffirming his commitment to the NDA, seeks portfolios for his son Nara Lokesh and aims to restart Amaravati's development. Additionally, he will push for funds to complete the Polavaram project and request central investigations into alleged corruption by the previous state government led by Jagan Mohan Reddy.