Haryana BJP celebrates with ‘Jalebis’, ‘Jhalmuri’; CM hails Bengal win as ‘triumph of nationalism’

May 5, 2026

CHANDIGARH, May 4: Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Monday said that the “resounding victory” of the BJP in West Bengal is a “triumph of nationalism” as he thanked the people of the state for a big mandate to his party.

Saini also thanked the people of Bengal as well as Assam, where the BJP retained power and Puducherry, where the NDA made a comeback.

“This resounding victory for the BJP is a triumph of nationalism; it is a victory of sacrifice; and it is a victory for every citizen and party worker who lost their lives during the period of political violence in West Bengal,” he said.

BJP’s performance in the three states, especially its mega win in West Bengal, ousting Mamata Banerjee-led TMC, triggered celebrations by party workers and leaders across Haryana.

From ‘jalebis’ to ‘jhalmuri’, ‘ladoos’ and ‘burfi’ were distributed on the occasion, the party workers danced to the beats of traditional ‘dhol’, celebrating the BJP’s win in three of the five states which had gone to polls.

In Panipat, BJP MLA Pramod Kumar Vij distributed ‘jalebis’ and ‘jhalmuri’ among the workers to celebrate the party’s win.

Making an stop during his campaign tour in West Bengal last month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi savoured ‘jhalmuri’, a popular Bengali street food made of puffed rice, green chillies, and other spices, at Jhargram.

“Heartiest congratulations on the blossoming of the ‘Lotus’, marking a historic victory on the sacred soil of West Bengal, a land graced by the blessings of Goddess Kali,” Saini said in a post on X.

“This great land of Bengal, the symbol of change, has always provided direction to India, a legacy born from the contributions of its luminaries, great leaders, and the struggles of its people,” Saini added.

“The lotus of the ideology of our guide, the late Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee, which has blossomed upon this land today, will not only script a new saga of national awakening but will also sound the clarion call to fulfil Modi’s dream of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ (developed India),” Saini said.

“Heartfelt thanks to the esteemed people of Bengal for this resounding mandate,” he said in his post.

About Assam, the chief minister said, “This victory of the NDA is a symbol of the people’s trust, affection, and their aspirations towards development. The visionary thinking of the Honourable Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji, his people-welfare-oriented and people-friendly policies, and his development-focused leadership have laid a strong foundation for this triumph”.

Under the active and people-centric leadership of the Assam chief minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, this historic third term symbolises the continuity of development and good governance in Assam. This mandate signifies the beginning of a new era of confidence and progress for the state, he said.

“This support from the people demonstrates that the politics of development, good governance, and stability enjoys the abundant blessings of the populace,” Saini, who had also campaigned in West Bengal for the polls, said.

He also extended his congratulations to the people of Puducherry on the splendid victory for the NDA.

Reacting to the BJP’s stupendous performance in Bengal, Haryana’s Energy, Transport and Labour Minister, Anil Vij, said now is the turn of Punjab and claimed that in the Punjab Assembly elections scheduled to be held early next year, the party will form the government with a massive majority.

Vij further said that the BJP’s victory in West Bengal is historic, and expressed confidence that the BJP will achieve a similar big victory in Punjab.

He said that just as the party delivered an unprecedented performance in West Bengal, it will create a new history in Punjab as well.

Taking a dig at AAP, he said that some individuals capitalised on the massive support received during Anna Hazare’s movement, collected supporters’ data, and formed a party that lacks a clear ideology and a concrete programme.

Reacting to the BJP’s victory in West Bengal, Vij said it clearly shows that the people of the country have evaluated other parties and have now placed their trust in the BJP for development, national security, and public welfare.

He added that the BJP is capable of taking the country forward, ensuring border security, and providing better facilities to citizens.

He also said that the BJP is a policy-driven party and is moving forward with a nationalist vision and a commitment toward the goal of ‘Viksit Bharat@ 2047’.

Vij further said that wherever elections have been held, whether in Haryana, Delhi, Bihar, or other states, the BJP has consistently achieved success.

He said that the massive rallies addressed by Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah in West Bengal had already indicated that the BJP would form the government there.

Taking a swipe at the Congress, Vij said that its influence is continuously declining and that it will completely disappear from the political landscape in the future.

Senior BJP leader Satish Poonia, the party’s Haryana state in-charge, termed the victories in West Bengal, Assam and Puducherry as both historic and a triumph of public trust.

He stated that this victory is the outcome of the strong leadership of the country’s popular prime minister, his pro-people policies, and his unwavering commitment to development.

Poonia remarked that the people of Bengal sought liberation from an atmosphere of fear, corruption, and violence, and desired to move forward on the path of development and good governance.

Driven by this very sentiment, the public reposed its faith in the BJP, he said.

He asserted that this victory is a testament to the trust and confidence the people of Bengal have placed in the party.

Poonia stated that the people of Bengal have decisively ousted the Mamata government’s “policies of fear, corruption, and repression”.

The public has demonstrated its faith in the BJP’s agenda of development and national interest.

He further noted that the voters in Bengal, by rejecting the politics of appeasement, have granted the BJP a massive mandate. By electing the BJP, the people have chosen the politics of development for Bengal, he said. (PTI)

ASKPC asks Govt to hold talks with community leaders on NFSA

Daily Excelsior

May 5, 2026

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, May 4: The All State Kashmiri Pandit Conference (ASKPC), under the leadership of Moti Lal Malla, convened a meeting today to deliberate in detail upon the pressing issues confronting the Kashmiri Pandit community living in exile for over three and a half decades.
During the meeting, threadbare discussions were held on the implications of the National Food Security Act (NFSA) and its proposed implementation among the migrant community. The members unanimously expressed deep concern and anguish over what they termed as an unjustified and insensitive move by the authorities.
It categorically stated that the implementation of NFSA is a deliberate attempt to categorize and fragment the victims of genocide, thereby undermining their unique and distinct status as a displaced community. The organization emphasized that the Kashmiri Pandits were forced into exile due to extraordinary circumstances and cannot be equated with any other category under routine welfare schemes.
ASKPC further observed that the move appears to be an effort to impose a flawed and ill-conceived policy on a community that has already suffered immense hardship, displacement, and loss for more than 36 years. Such measures, the organization noted, not only disregard the ground realities but also hurt the sentiments of the community.
The Conference strongly asserted that it will resist any attempt that seeks to dilute the migrant character and legal status of the KPs. It expressed serious apprehension that the implementation of NFSA may adversely affect the existing relief structure, including monthly cash assistance and ration entitlements, which have been the primary means of sustenance for thousands of displaced families.
ASKPC urged the Government to immediately halt the implementation of NFSA in its present form and engage in meaningful dialogue with representatives of the community before taking any such decisions.

TVK chief Vijay marks arrival of new era with Perambur win

Daily Excelsior

May 5, 2026

CHENNAI, May 4 : TVK chief Vijay on Monday won from Perambur constituency by defeating his DMK rival R D Shekar by 53,715 votes in the Assembly elections held on April 23.

According to Election Commission data, Vijay secured 1,20,365 votes and Shekar – 66,650 votes.

He later received his certificate at Loyola College counting centre.

Outside the counting centre, a sea of yellow and maroon flags surged.

With this, “Thalapathy” had traded the silver screen for the legislative assembly, dismantling decades of two-party dominance in a single stroke.

Vijay is also competing from Tiruchirapalli East, where he is again leading decisively, signaling more than a debut — it marked the arrival of a new era. (PTI)

NDA secures two-thirds majority in Assam, wins 101 seats in 126-member assembly

Daily Excelsior

May 5, 2026

GUWAHATI, May 4 : The ruling NDA is set to form the government in Assam for the third time in a row after securing a two-thirds majority, with the alliance winning 101 seats in the 126-member assembly on Monday.

While the BJP won 81 seats till 8.30 pm, its allies — the Bodo Peoples’ Front (BPF) and the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) — bagged 10 constituencies each. The BJP was leading in one seat.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma won the Jalukbari constituency for the sixth consecutive term, defeating Congress candidate Bidisha Neog by 89,434 votes.

In the opposition camp, the Congress won 15 seats and was leading in four, while the Badruddin Ajmal-led AIUDF and Akhil Gogoi-led Raijor Dal secured two seats each, and the Trinamool Congress bagged one constituency.

In a major blow to the Congress, its state president Gaurav Gogoi lost in Jorhat to veteran politician and sitting BJP MLA Hitendranath Goswami by 23,181 votes.

Among the prominent BJP winners are ministers Ajanta Neog (Golaghat), Ranoj Pegu (Dhemaji), Pijush Hazarika (Jagiroad), Kaushik Rai (Lakhipur), Prashanta Phukan (Dibrugarh), Krishnendu Paul (Patharkandi) and Bimal Borah (Tingkhong).

Assembly Speaker Biswajit Daimary won from Tamulpur constituency by defeating former BTC chief Pramod Boro of the UPPL.

Sitting MLAs Mrinal Saikia (Khumtai), Bhuban Pegu (Jonai), Rama Kanta Dewri (Morigaon), Rupak Sarmah (Nagaon-Batadraba), Paramanda Rajbongshi (Sipajhar), Utpal Borah (Gohpur), Biswajit Phukan (Sarupathar), Binod Hazarika (Chabua-Lahowal), Taranga Gogoi (Naharkatia), Bhaskar Sharma (Margherita), Rupjyoti Kurmi (Mariani) and Bhuban Gam (Majuli) also emerged victorious.

AGP ministers Atul Bora and Keshav Mahanta retained their Bokakhat and Kaliabor constituencies, respectively, while first-timer Tapan Das won the Dimoria seat. Among the BPF candidates, cabinet minister Charan Boro retained his Mazbat constituency while the others who won are Maneswar Brahma (Baksa), Paniram Brahma (Sidli-Chirang), Thaneswar Basumatary (Manas), Rihon Daimary (Udalguri) and BTC chief Hagrama Mohilary’s wife Sewli Mohilary from Kokrajhar.

Congress candidates Asif Mohammad Nazar and Aftabuddin Mollah won from Laharighat and Jaleswar constituencies, respectively. AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal won from Binnakandi and Mazibur Rahman from Dalgaon.

Raijor Dal president Akhil Gogoi retained the Sibsagar seat, while another party member Mehboob Muktar won the Dhing seat and Trinamool Congress’ Sherman Ali Ahmed won from Mandia.

Among the prominent candidates who lost the polls are Leader of the Opposition in the outgoing assembly, Debabrata Saikia, Assam Jatiya Parishad president Lurinjyoti Saikia, and former Rajya Sabha MP and senior Congress leader Ripun Bora.

Polling in all 126 assembly constituencies in the state was held in a single phase on April 9. (PTI)

MLA Banihal visits Mahakund, meets workers

Daily Excelsior

May 5, 2026

MLA Banihal, Sajjad Shaheen along with others during a tour of Mahakund area of Gool on Monday.

Excelsior Correspondent
RAMBAN, May 4: Senior NC leader and MLA Banihal, Sajjad Shaheen here today conducted a daylong tour of Mahakund area in Gool and held a series of Halqa-level workers’ meetings to strengthen party’s outreach at grassroots level.
During these meetings, PDP block president Mahakund, Mohd Ashraf Hajam and Choudhary Liaqat Ali, block secretary youth wing PDP joined NC along with their supporters.
Addressing the gatherings, Shaheen said that PDP sought votes in the name of keeping the BJP out of power but later on compromised its mandate by forming a Government with BJP.
The MLA further remarked that it was PDP’s actions which facilitated decisions leading to the abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35-A, which resulted in the downgrading of the erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir into a Union Territory.
During tour, the NC leader was accompanied by former DDC Chairperson, Shamshada Shan and other senior party functionaries.
Shaheen also went to Mahakund to offer condolences to the bereaved families of five individuals who tragically lost their lives in a recent road accident at Gagan Top. The meetings held at Mahakund, Bolni and Upper Dalwah witnessed active participation from local workers and residents.

Lungi Ngidi fit to play against CSK

Daily Excelsior

May 5, 2026

NEW DELHI, May 4: Delhi Capitals bowling coach Munaf Patel on Monday said Lungi Ngidi is set to return to action after recovering from the head injury he suffered in a home game against Punjab Kings on April 25.
Ngidi was stretchered off the field and rushed to a hospital after falling on his head while attempting a catch. The injury led to the South African pacer missing two games.
“Everyone is fit. Lungi is fit. He didn’t play two games because of the criterion of six days’ rest,” said Munaf ahead of the game against Chennai Super Kings.
The bowling attack will be bolstered with the return of Ngidi. Mitchell Starc has also joined the team and made an instant impact in his first appearance of the season against Rajasthan Royals.
Against Punjab Kings, Delhi Capitals were not able to defend 264 conceding a record run chase.
Starc’s presence is bound to make a difference, said Munaf.
“When there is a wicket-taking bowler in the PowerPlay, the whole scenario changes. 220 or 230 is being chased because you are not able to take wickets in the PowerPlay.
“When the main bowler is there and takes a few wickets in the PowerPlay, it makes a big difference. Bowling in partnerships was missing, but that has been added now,” said Munaf.
On David Miller missing out from the playing eleven in the last game, Munaf added: “You can only fit in four foreigners in the XI. Sahil was injured, so we needed an opener and we thought of giving Pathum another chance. We had to play two overseas fast bowlers. So only one between Pathum and Miller could play. We went with Pathum because an opener was required.” (PTI)

India gear up for stern test against Japan in AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup

Daily Excelsior

May 5, 2026

SUZHOU (CHINA), May 4: India face a stern test against powerhouse Japan as they look to bounce back from their opening game defeat and revive their campaign in the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup 2026 here on Tuesday.
The Young Tigresses lost their opening Group B match to Australia 0-2 and find themselves in a situation where every goal will matter after Japan crushed Lebanon 13-0 to garner three points.
Japan, among the most technically refined sides in women’s football, bring formidable pedigree into the clash, having reached the final in seven of the nine editions of the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup and lifting the title four times.
The Asian giants also underlined their global dominance by clinching the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup crown in 2014.
Though Japan will start as overwhelming favourites, the Young Tigresses remain undaunted, with head coach Pamela Conti asserting that her players will take the field with a clear and focused mindset.
“We’ve just finished training, and we are quite excited because we are going to play against one of the strongest teams in the world.
“Me, as a coach, and the players as well, believe that we need to play a perfect match if we want to win. But beyond that, just being there, experiencing it, and enjoying the game is also important. I will definitely enjoy it,” said Conti.
India have prepared diligently for the tournament with more than three months of rigorous training, including exposure trips to Myanmar and Russia. The challenges posed by teams like Russia and Australia have provided valuable lessons, with the focus now shifting to countering Japan’s pace and technical precision.
“The message to the players has been clear throughout training. We cannot just defend. If we let them have the ball without pressure, it will be very easy for them to find spaces and create one-on-one situations,” Conti said.
“We need to stay strong. We know their strengths. They (Japan) will try to push us back as much as possible. But we need to stay higher up the pitch so that we can show that we are there, and not make it easy for them,” added Conti.
For India, the emphasis is also on building a long-term competitive mentality, regardless of the opposition.
“Our mentality should never change. Whether you play against the best team or the lowest-ranked team, it’s always about three points. It’s important to build a winning mentality, and you develop that by playing these kinds of demanding matches,” said Conti.
“It’s also important for the players to be able to say in the future, ‘I played against Japan back then.’ That experience matters,” the Italian tactician added.
Right-back Divyani Linda emphasised the need for a clear execution-focused mindset following the game against Australia.
“The feeling is good. We are excited because it’s our first time playing against a team like Japan. They are a tough side, but we believe we can do well too,” said the 17-year-old who has four goals and four assists in her youth international career for India.
India’s defensive structure held for large parts against Australia, but individual errors proved costly. That’s an area the team is keen to address.
“We need to improve from the last game and avoid the mistakes we made. Our team is good, everyone has quality. Maybe we are not as physically strong, but we play well with our minds and our understanding of the game.
“In the last few games (against Australia and Russia), we’ve conceded goals from our errors, so we need to avoid those and perform better,” said Divyani.
Japan’s style is built on quick combinations, fluid movement, sustained concentration and technical discipline — a demanding blueprint that India have been meticulously preparing to counter.
“Mentally, against a team like Japan, we have to stay focused. They play very quick, short-passing football and create chances that way. So we also need to play more on the ground, keep our passes short, and stay composed,” Linda added. (PTI)

Kerala voters show the door to Left rule as UDF sweeps to power; Lotus blooms in 3 seats

Daily Excelsior

May 5, 2026

THIRUVANTHAPURAM, May 4: Kerala on Monday witnessed a sharp political reset as the state electors voted out the last Left government in the country, bringing back the Congress to the ruling saddle after a gap of 10 years, while the BJP broke through a long-standing electoral drought by winning three seats.

The Congress-led UDF swept aside a decade of Left rule under Pinarayi Vijayan with a decisive Assembly victory, with the national party adding the third southern state to be ruled by it, in its kitty. The party is in power in Karnataka and Telangana.

Apart from strong anti-incumbency against the government, the results of the April 9 polls also indicated a consolidation of support across sections of society in favour of the United Democratic Front, which had been in opposition to the Left dispensation for the past decade.

The UDF won 102 seats, while the CPI(M)-headed LDF netted 35 seats, according to Election Commission data on counting of votes for 140 constituencies.

The outcome also marked the absence of the Left from governance in any Indian state for the first time in five decades.

The ire against the government was so strong that 13 ministers in the cabinet suffered defeat in the political tsunami unleashed by the UDF.

Not only the Congress, but its key allies, including the IUML, the Kerala Congress also secured massive victory in the polls, which saw the complete erasure of the LDF in some key districts.

At the same time, the LDF partners, including the CPI(M), lost many seats, while a key partner, Kerala Congress (M), was reduced to zero in a humiliating outcome in the polls.

Top contenders for the Chief Minister’s post, senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala and Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan, won their seats with comfortable margins, setting the stage for the next step in discussions on the post.

Of the 21 cabinet members, only Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, P A Mohamed Riyas, K Rajan, G R Anil, K N Balagopal, P Prasad, and Saji Cherian emerged victorious.

The ministers who lost the election included Veena George, M B Rajesh, O R Kelu, R Bindhu, J Chinchurani, P Rajeev, K B Ganesh Kumar, V N Vasavan, V Sivankutty, V Abdurahiman, Kadannappally Ramachandran A K Saseendran and Roshy Augustine.

LDF convenor T P Ramakrishnan also lost his sitting seat of Perambra in Kozhikode district.

The BJP’s bid to make strong inroads in Kerala dominated by UDF and LDF got a slight push with the party winning three seats– Nemom and Kazhakoottam in Thiruvananthapuram district and Chathannoor in Kollam.

BJP candidate from Chathannoor, B B Gopakumar, won by 4,398 votes. In Nemom, party state chief Rajeev Chandrasekhar triumphed with a margin of over 3,000 votes, while former Union Minister V Muraleedharan won Kazhakoottam with a narrow margin.

Congress general secretary and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra thanked the people of the state for their overwhelming support and vowed to work diligently towards building a better future for them.

In a post on X, Vadra said, “To all my brothers and sisters in Keralam, thank you for your faith and for your overwhelming support. The trust you have placed in us will be the UDF’s guiding force as we work hard towards building a better future for each one of you.”

“I sincerely hope that our gratitude to you will be evident each day of the next five years as we strive to fulfil our commitments to you with honesty and humility,” she added.

Reacting to the outcome, AICC General Secretary K C Venugopal said the UDF’s sweeping victory was a clear verdict against the “arrogance”, corruption, and nepotism of the CPI(M)-led government headed by CM Vijayan.

Addressing a press conference, Venugopal said the outcome reflected public anger against what he termed “10 years of misrule” by the Left government.

He claimed that Vijayan’s victory in his home constituency, Dharmadam, was “only technical”, alleging that the CM trailed the UDF candidate in the initial rounds of counting and failed to secure a majority in his own village.

“He just escaped. He suffered a setback even in his home turf. He was the only person who did not realise the people’s mood in this election,” Venugopal claimed.

In a major political upset for the CPI(M), leaders who had revolted against the party just ahead of the polls and joined the UDF camp, including veteran leader G Sudhakaran, P V Kunhikrishnan and T K Govindan, breached the Left strongholds of Ambalappuzha, Payyannur and Taliparamba seats.

CPI(M) state secretary M V Govindan said the LDF would examine the reasons behind its defeat and take corrective measures.

Speaking to reporters, Govindan said every aspect that led to the defeat would be analysed.

He thanked LDF workers and the people who voted for the front.

“The LDF will evaluate and study the defeat, after which required corrections will be made. We expect the support of the people for it,” he said.

On defeats in traditional party strongholds, Govindan said the LDF had suffered a major setback across Kerala.

“We will carry out effective organisational work to correct the issues that led to the defeat,” he said.

BJP leader Chandrasekhar told reporters that as contended by him from the beginning “this was an anti-CPI(M) election” as the people were “fed up with their corruption and alleged misappropriation of gold from Sabarimala”.

Chandrasekhar said that right from the start of the election campaign, both the Congress and CPI(M) said that BJP will not get even one seat.

He also said that he knew right from the beginning that the CPI(M) will not win this time, no matter what it does. (PTI)

Modi hails politics of performance as BJP storms Bengal

Daily Excelsior

May 5, 2026

NEW DELHI, May 4: Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the Bharatiya Janata Party’s stellar showing in the West Bengal Assembly polls during a grand victory celebration at the party headquarters in the Capital on Monday, underlining that the people’s verdict marked their faith in democracy and the politics of performance.

As votes were counted, Election Commission trends showed a landslide for the BJP with 208 combined wins and leads out of 293 seats contested in the 294-strong Assembly – re-polling has been ordered in one constituency – as the incumbent TMC was left reeling at just 79.

The latest electoral cycle also saw a spectacular debut in Tamil Nadu by actor-politician Vijay’s TVK with 106 wins and leads out of 234 seats to emerge as the largest single party, a wipeout of the Left as it tasted defeat in its last bastion, and a solitary win in Kerala for the Congress, which has been battling diminishing electoral returns.

“Our mantra is nagrik devobhava (citizen is god). We are dedicated to serving the people. That is why the people have shown their faith in the BJP. They know the BJP is synonymous with good governance, whether it is state government or civic elections as you saw in the party winning its highest ever vote share in the recent Gujarat local body polls,” Prime Minister Modi said.

Wearing a traditional Bengali dhoti-kurta, Modi expressed gratitude to party karyakartas (workers) and the voters of West Bengal, Assam as well as Puducherry, assured the people of Tamil Nadu and Kerala that the BJP would strive to serve them equally, and took a dig at old foe Congress, saying he was sure that the people of Kerala would teach the party a lesson in the next elections.

As regional powerhouse TMC stared at a bleak future with its citadel breached, the PM paid glowing tributes to Sangh ideologue Shyama Prasad Mukherjee for fighting to keep West Bengal in India and said it was fitting that in the 150th year of Vande Bharat the state witnessed “poriborton” (political change), emphasising that the reign of fear was over.

“Those like Dr Mukherjee who believe in rashtra sarvopari (nation above all) are always ready to sacrifice their lives for the country. His vision for Bengal has come true today on May 4, 2026 as the people of the state have given us the opportunity to serve.”

“For the first time in Bengal, the elections were conducted completely peacefully, with not a single person losing their life,” the PM said in reference to the role played by security forces in ensuring incident-free polls.

More than 2.5 lakh personnel of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), along with state police, were deployed with the TMC and BJP engaging in a showdown outside several strongrooms where EVMs were stored in the run-up to the counting.

In Assam, where the election was a hot-headed affair too, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma led the BJP to another straight victory, bagging 82 of the 126 seats, leaving the Congress far behind at 19. Congress state unit president Gaurav Gogoi faced his first electoral defeat in Jorhat.

“Hat-Trick with a century!” a jubilant Sarma posted on X and thanked the people of Assam.

The cynosure of Elections 2026, however, was West Bengal, where the Trinamool Congress was eyeing a fourth straight term in its only bastion.

“The Lotus blooms in West Bengal! The 2026 West Bengal Assembly Elections will be remembered forever. People’s power has prevailed and BJP’s politics of good governance has triumphed,” Modi said on X before the victory speech at the party headquarters.

As counting progressed, power for the TMC seemed to be pulling away – further and further. The state’s political landscape was changing with the BJP, its campaign spearheaded by Amit Shah with Modi as its lodestar, pushing ahead in border, tribal and industrial regions, while the TMC held ground in parts of Kolkata and select rural strongholds.

The numbers, pollsters said, clearly indicated that it was all over for the tough talking Mamata Banerjee and another victory for Brand Modi.

A defiant Banerjee disagreed even as latest trends showed her trailing behind the BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari in the Bhabanipur constituency.

“A false narrative is being spread,” she alleged in a video message.

The chief minister accused the Election Commission of “not declaring results or leads” in areas where the TMC was ahead.

“This is a game plan by the EC and the BJP as it (the poll panel) is not declaring results or leads in areas where we are leading,” she said.

Banerjee also alleged irregularities in the counting process at some locations.

“In several places, counting has been stopped after the first two to three rounds. In Kalyani, we have caught seven machines with severe anomalies,” she claimed.

“I appeal to everyone that neither TMC candidates nor counting agents should abandon the counting centres,” Banerjee said. Later, she alleged that “100 seats were looted by the BJP through cheating.”

It was a volatile election campaign with issues of the SIR, electoral rigging and polarisation dominating the discourse.

West Bengal was one headline of Elections 2026, the other was superstar Vijay, who defied the odds and the taint of a stampede during his rally in September 2025 in which 41 people were killed. That was clearly in the past as his party broke the bipolar cycle of Dravidian politics.

Congratulating Vijay, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said, “The mandate reflects the rising voice of the youth, which cannot and will not be ignored.”

The ruling DMK that had started the morning at number three position was at 59 and the AIADMK at 47.

The choice, it appeared, was clear. Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar appeared set to join the pantheon of MGR and Jayalalithaa as the stars who made it big in the political firmament. The star of hits such as “Mersal” and “Leo” went into the campaign with a list of lofty poll promises, including 8 gm gold for marriage, worth about Rs 1.12 lakh. Vijay’s assurances in the party manifesto also included Rs 2,500 monthly assistance for women below 60 years of age and six free cooking gas cylinders a year per family.

With the Kerala win in its pocket, Congress general secretary and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra thanked the people of the state for their overwhelming support.

“To all my brothers and sisters in Keralam, thank you for your faith and for your overwhelming support. The trust you have placed in us will be the UDF’s guiding force as we work hard towards building a better future for each one of you,” she said.

In Puducherry, the All India NR Congress had won or was ahead in 12 of the 30 seats. The DMK stood at five and the BJP at four. The TVK made its presence felt with two.( PTI)

DC Ramban inspects proposed sites for Degree College

Daily Excelsior

May 5, 2026

Excelsior correspondent

RAMBAN, MAY 04: Deputy Commissioner Ramban Mohammad Alyas Khan today visited Batote and conducted an on-site inspection of the proposed land for the construction of Government Degree College in the Town.

During the visit, the Deputy Commissioner carried out a comprehensive review of the proposed site, examining its suitability in terms of accessibility, topography and feasibility.

“The construction of the Degree College at Batote will significantly enhance higher education facilities for students of the area and contribute to the overall socio-economic development of the region,” he noted.

Highlighting the importance of timely execution, the Deputy Commissioner directed the concerned departments to expedite the necessary formalities, including demarcation and preparation of requisite documentation, so that the project can be taken up at the earliest.

In addition to the education project, the Deputy Commissioner also inspected the land proposed for the construction of the DIG DKR Range Office. He reviewed the site from an administrative and logistical perspective and instructed officials to ensure that all procedural requirements are completed in a time-bound manner for early commencement of construction work.

The Deputy Commissioner was accompanied by Assistant Commissioner Revenue (ACR) Shokat Hayat Mattoo; Executive Engineer PWD Ranjit Singh; Tehsildar Batote Vijay Kumar; along with other officers from the Revenue and Police Departments. The officers briefed him on the status of land identification, feasibility aspects and other technical parameters related to both projects.

He directed officers to remain focused on fast-tracking key developmental projects to meet public aspirations and ensure inclusive growth across all sectors in Ramban district.

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