May 18, 2026
West Bengal outcome may realign New Delhi-Kolkata-Dhaka ties

West Bengal outcome may realign New Delhi-Kolkata-Dhaka ties

Vamsikrishna05 mins mins

NEW DELHI: BJP’s successful “double engine” configuration in Bengal will rid the Centre of state-level encumbrances it found difficult to navigate in ties with Bangladesh, opening space for more robust cooperation in areas like water management, border, trade, connectivity and security.Aseismic political shift in Bengal brought the Mamata Banerjee era in the state to an…

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GUWAHATI: The scent of success wore off. Badruddin Ajmal’s AIUDF, once the principal voice of Muslim minorities in Assam, has crashed from 16 seats in the assembly to just two, signalling a sharp erosion of its political relevance as BJP’s wider sweep and Congress’ consolidation redraw the map.The 70-year-old businessman-politician, whose family-run fragrance house, Ajmal Perfumes, is a global brand, returned to the fray after his 2024 LS defeat in Dhubri. He won from Binnakandi in Hojai. Mazibur Rahman held Dalgaon. Elsewhere, the party collapsed across lower Assam and Barak Valley despite over 90% turnout in Muslim-majority constituencies.The surge in participation did not translate into votes for AIUDF. Election Results 2026Vijay’s TVK party emerges as formidable force in Tamil Nadu; all you need to know about its journeyWest Bengal election results: Mamata lags behind Suvendu Adhikari after 2nd round in BhabanipurTVK pushes DMK, AIADMK to margins; BJP may oust Mamata in Bengal, retain AssamInstead, it consolidated behind Congress, which swept most minority-heavy seats. Constituencies with over 95% Muslim electorates — including Dhubri, Gauripur, Mankachar, Jaleswar, Chenga and Samaguri — tilted decisively toward Congress.Political analyst Hafiz Rashid Ahmed Choudhury attributed the slide to leadership choices and perception. “Ajmal could have projected someone else. A man who cannot walk properly became a candidate. It signals they want to keep the party confined to family,” he said.AIUDF functionaries pointed to “wrong candidate selection” and a direct contest with Congress — unlike their 2021 alliance — as key factors. Rahman, who retained Dalgaon, framed the verdict as a broader opposition defeat. “We thought Gaurav Gogoi would become the CM, but he lost. It’s painful,” he said, crediting his own win to local development.Formed in 2005 after SC scrapped IMDT Act, it had built its base among Bengali-speaking Muslims. Now, with no MPs and two MLAs, its future looks uncertain.Follow the latest election results 2026, live updates, winner lists, constituency-wise results, party-wise trends and full coverage for Tamil Nadu election results, West Bengal election results, Kerala election results, Assam election results and Puducherry election results results on Times of India.About the AuthorKangkan KalitaKangkan Kalita is a reporter with The Times of India and covers issues on health, education, stories of human interest while keeping a close watch on political developments and student movements. Reporting on environment and forest related issues and concerns of the northeast interest him equally.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosIndia Rejects Nepal’s Objection To Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Route Via Lipulekh PassNepal Objects To India-China Plan To Conduct Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Via LipulekhIndia-Linked LPG Tanker MT Sarv Shakti Heads To Visakhapatnam After Crossing HormuzPassenger Opens Emergency Exit Door On Air Arabia Flight While Taxiing At Chennai Airport, ArrestedAhead Of Counting, Gunmen Open Fire At BJP Leader’s House In Bengal’s Noapara‘I Am Also A Victim’: Vinesh Phogat Identifies As Complainant In Brij Bhushan Sexual Harassment CaseBJP MP Sandeep Pathak Claims ‘No Information’ On FIRs, Alleges Misuse Of State Machinery In PunjabIndian Startup Launches Mission Drishti, World’s First OptoSAR Satellite, Aboard SpaceX Falcon 9Diljit Dosanjh Confronts Khalistan Supporters at Calgary Concert, Explains KBC AppearanceDelhi Approves ₹48,000 Crore Metro Expansion Plan To Connect Outer Regions With City Core123Photostories10 popular and unique baby boy names with letter JKaran Johar’s Met Gala debut is pure drama and deeply rooted in Indian artMorning affirmation at 5 am: This is what your mind needs to hearFrom Tomatoes to Beetroot: 7 red foods that protect our heart every dayKhatron Ke Khiladi 15 confirmed contestants list: Gaurav Khanna, Rubina Dilaik, Orry join Rohit Shetty showApple vs. Banana: Which has more nutrition and should be consumed daily and whySleeping late vs waking early: What your body prefers, the answer might surprise youKim Kardashian to Katy Perry: Worst Met Gala dresses ever that sparked major criticismWhy homemade khasta kachori becomes soft after a few hours: 4 halwai-approved smart tips to make them perfect at homeStruggling with a small home? These smart design tricks can make your 200 sq ft space feel twice as big123Hot PicksBarrackpore election resultTiruchirappalli election resultMettupalayam election resultsEttumanoor election resultPerambur election resultBagnan election resultKazhakkoottam election resultTop TrendingWest Bengal Assembly Election ResultsAssam Assembly Election ResultsTamil Nadu Assembly Election ResultsKerala Assembly Election ResultsPuducherry Assembly Election ResultsBhabanipur election results 2026Mamata BanerjeeNEET 2026: Exam-day guideHPBose 12th ResultTVK Chief Vijay

GUWAHATI: The scent of success wore off. Badruddin Ajmal’s AIUDF, once the principal voice of Muslim minorities in Assam, has crashed from 16 seats in the assembly to just two, signalling a sharp erosion of its political relevance as BJP’s wider sweep and Congress’ consolidation redraw the map.The 70-year-old businessman-politician, whose family-run fragrance house, Ajmal Perfumes, is a global brand, returned to the fray after his 2024 LS defeat in Dhubri. He won from Binnakandi in Hojai. Mazibur Rahman held Dalgaon. Elsewhere, the party collapsed across lower Assam and Barak Valley despite over 90% turnout in Muslim-majority constituencies.The surge in participation did not translate into votes for AIUDF. Election Results 2026Vijay’s TVK party emerges as formidable force in Tamil Nadu; all you need to know about its journeyWest Bengal election results: Mamata lags behind Suvendu Adhikari after 2nd round in BhabanipurTVK pushes DMK, AIADMK to margins; BJP may oust Mamata in Bengal, retain AssamInstead, it consolidated behind Congress, which swept most minority-heavy seats. Constituencies with over 95% Muslim electorates — including Dhubri, Gauripur, Mankachar, Jaleswar, Chenga and Samaguri — tilted decisively toward Congress.Political analyst Hafiz Rashid Ahmed Choudhury attributed the slide to leadership choices and perception. “Ajmal could have projected someone else. A man who cannot walk properly became a candidate. It signals they want to keep the party confined to family,” he said.AIUDF functionaries pointed to “wrong candidate selection” and a direct contest with Congress — unlike their 2021 alliance — as key factors. Rahman, who retained Dalgaon, framed the verdict as a broader opposition defeat. “We thought Gaurav Gogoi would become the CM, but he lost. It’s painful,” he said, crediting his own win to local development.Formed in 2005 after SC scrapped IMDT Act, it had built its base among Bengali-speaking Muslims. Now, with no MPs and two MLAs, its future looks uncertain.Follow the latest election results 2026, live updates, winner lists, constituency-wise results, party-wise trends and full coverage for Tamil Nadu election results, West Bengal election results, Kerala election results, Assam election results and Puducherry election results results on Times of India.About the AuthorKangkan KalitaKangkan Kalita is a reporter with The Times of India and covers issues on health, education, stories of human interest while keeping a close watch on political developments and student movements. Reporting on environment and forest related issues and concerns of the northeast interest him equally.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosIndia Rejects Nepal’s Objection To Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Route Via Lipulekh PassNepal Objects To India-China Plan To Conduct Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Via LipulekhIndia-Linked LPG Tanker MT Sarv Shakti Heads To Visakhapatnam After Crossing HormuzPassenger Opens Emergency Exit Door On Air Arabia Flight While Taxiing At Chennai Airport, ArrestedAhead Of Counting, Gunmen Open Fire At BJP Leader’s House In Bengal’s Noapara‘I Am Also A Victim’: Vinesh Phogat Identifies As Complainant In Brij Bhushan Sexual Harassment CaseBJP MP Sandeep Pathak Claims ‘No Information’ On FIRs, Alleges Misuse Of State Machinery In PunjabIndian Startup Launches Mission Drishti, World’s First OptoSAR Satellite, Aboard SpaceX Falcon 9Diljit Dosanjh Confronts Khalistan Supporters at Calgary Concert, Explains KBC AppearanceDelhi Approves ₹48,000 Crore Metro Expansion Plan To Connect Outer Regions With City Core123Photostories10 popular and unique baby boy names with letter JKaran Johar’s Met Gala debut is pure drama and deeply rooted in Indian artMorning affirmation at 5 am: This is what your mind needs to hearFrom Tomatoes to Beetroot: 7 red foods that protect our heart every dayKhatron Ke Khiladi 15 confirmed contestants list: Gaurav Khanna, Rubina Dilaik, Orry join Rohit Shetty showApple vs. Banana: Which has more nutrition and should be consumed daily and whySleeping late vs waking early: What your body prefers, the answer might surprise youKim Kardashian to Katy Perry: Worst Met Gala dresses ever that sparked major criticismWhy homemade khasta kachori becomes soft after a few hours: 4 halwai-approved smart tips to make them perfect at homeStruggling with a small home? These smart design tricks can make your 200 sq ft space feel twice as big123Hot PicksBarrackpore election resultTiruchirappalli election resultMettupalayam election resultsEttumanoor election resultPerambur election resultBagnan election resultKazhakkoottam election resultTop TrendingWest Bengal Assembly Election ResultsAssam Assembly Election ResultsTamil Nadu Assembly Election ResultsKerala Assembly Election ResultsPuducherry Assembly Election ResultsBhabanipur election results 2026Mamata BanerjeeNEET 2026: Exam-day guideHPBose 12th ResultTVK Chief Vijay

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

GUWAHATI: The scent of success wore off. Badruddin Ajmal’s AIUDF, once the principal voice of Muslim minorities in Assam, has crashed from 16 seats in the assembly to just two, signalling a sharp erosion of its political relevance as BJP’s wider sweep and Congress’ consolidation redraw the map.The 70-year-old businessman-politician, whose family-run fragrance house, Ajmal…

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‘Bhooth Bangla’ box office collection Day 18: Akshay Kumar’s film crosses Rs 227 crore globally amid ‘Raja Shivaji’ fever

‘Bhooth Bangla’ box office collection Day 18: Akshay Kumar’s film crosses Rs 227 crore globally amid ‘Raja Shivaji’ fever

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

Akshay Kumar’s ‘Bhooth Bangla’ received love and appreciation from the audience after its release in theatres. The movie is currently in its third week at the cinemas. After raking in Rs 200 crore at the box office worldwide, the horror comedy is slowly marching towards another milestone of Rs 230 crore global collection. The Akshay…

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File photo West Bengal outcome may realign New Delhi-Kolkata-Dhaka tiesKOLKATA: On a day Trinamool was dismantled, the hammer blow for the party landed at the fag end – with Mamata Banerjee losing her bastion of Bhabanipur to BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari by 15,105 votes.For 15 years, it had been her home turf, a constituency she shaped and returned to whenever the ground shifted beneath her, and its loss is the most personal defeat of her political career.Bhabanipur has been TMC territory since 2011, when Subrata Bakshi won it for the party before vacating the seat so Mamata could enter the assembly after becoming CM. She won the seat in 2011, 2016, and again in a 2021 bypoll by a staggering 58,835 votes, her largest ever margin in the constituency.Election Results 2026Vijay’s TVK party emerges as formidable force in Tamil Nadu; all you need to know about its journeyWest Bengal election results: Mamata lags behind Suvendu Adhikari after 2nd round in BhabanipurTVK pushes DMK, AIADMK to margins; BJP may oust Mamata in Bengal, retain AssamIn the 2021 general elections, she had chosen to contest from Nandigram and lost narrowly to Suvendu. TMC’s Sovandeb Chattopadhyay, who had won Bhabanipur, resigned to make way for her. But in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, TMC’s lead in Bhabanipur shrank to just over 8,000 votes, signalling an already dwindling base for the TMC chief.Monday’s defeat is Mamata’s second successive loss to Suvendu. In 2021, the CM had taken the battle to his home turf. This time around, he marched into her bastion.Though early trends favoured Suvendu, Mamata had bounced back after the third round, leading by over 19,000 votes at one point – triggering murmurs that the contest might tilt in her favour after all. But Suvendu mounted a rapid comeback.”We have waited years for this moment. People have voted for change and you can see that energy on the streets today,” said Kamal Jindal, a BJP supporter near the counting centre, who was distributing sweets. Another supporter, Nikita Agarwal, added, “This is not just a victory, it is a message. Bengal wanted development and today that voice was finally heard.”Mamata claimed she was defeated by force, and that the election was rigged and looted by BJP. She said she would soon return.Tension escalated when TMC alleged BJP workers assaulted their counting agentsand forced them out. Mamata rushed to the venue. As her convoy reached Sakhawat Memorial High School, the counting centre, BJP supporters erupted in chants of “thief, thief” and “go back”. She stayed there till 8pm before being escorted out by central forces.”We don’t have words,” said one TMC worker, slowly unpinning the party symbol from his shirt.Follow the latest election results 2026, live updates, winner lists, constituency-wise results, party-wise trends and full coverage for Tamil Nadu election results, West Bengal election results, Kerala election results, Assam election results and Puducherry election results results on Times of India.About the AuthorTamaghna BanerjeeTamaghna Banerjee, a reporter from Kolkata, covers crime, aviation, human rights and politics. He has a keen interest in human interest and rural reporting. He has done his postgraduation in journalism and mass communication. He has a total of 14 years in journalism.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosIndia Rejects Nepal’s Objection To Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Route Via Lipulekh PassNepal Objects To India-China Plan To Conduct Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Via LipulekhIndia-Linked LPG Tanker MT Sarv Shakti Heads To Visakhapatnam After Crossing HormuzPassenger Opens Emergency Exit Door On Air Arabia Flight While Taxiing At Chennai Airport, ArrestedAhead Of Counting, Gunmen Open Fire At BJP Leader’s House In Bengal’s Noapara‘I Am Also A Victim’: Vinesh Phogat Identifies As Complainant In Brij Bhushan Sexual Harassment CaseBJP MP Sandeep Pathak Claims ‘No Information’ On FIRs, Alleges Misuse Of State Machinery In PunjabIndian Startup Launches Mission Drishti, World’s First OptoSAR Satellite, Aboard SpaceX Falcon 9Diljit Dosanjh Confronts Khalistan Supporters at Calgary Concert, Explains KBC AppearanceDelhi Approves ₹48,000 Crore Metro Expansion Plan To Connect Outer Regions With City Core123PhotostoriesKaran Johar’s Met Gala debut is pure drama and deeply rooted in Indian artMorning affirmation at 5 am: This is what your mind needs to hearFrom Tomatoes to Beetroot: 7 red foods that protect our heart every dayKhatron Ke Khiladi 15 confirmed contestants list: Gaurav Khanna, Rubina Dilaik, Orry join Rohit Shetty showApple vs. Banana: Which has more nutrition and should be consumed daily and whySleeping late vs waking early: What your body prefers, the answer might surprise youKim Kardashian to Katy Perry: Worst Met Gala dresses ever that sparked major criticismWhy homemade khasta kachori becomes soft after a few hours: 4 halwai-approved smart tips to make them perfect at homeStruggling with a small home? These smart design tricks can make your 200 sq ft space feel twice as bigHissing to Rattling: 7 Sounds that snakes make and which one is the dangerous123Hot PicksBarrackpore election resultTiruchirappalli election resultMettupalayam election resultsEttumanoor election resultPerambur election resultBagnan election resultKazhakkoottam election resultTop TrendingWest Bengal Assembly Election ResultsAssam Assembly Election ResultsTamil Nadu Assembly Election ResultsKerala Assembly Election ResultsPuducherry Assembly Election ResultsBhabanipur election results 2026Mamata BanerjeeNEET 2026: Exam-day guideHPBose 12th ResultTVK Chief Vijay

File photo West Bengal outcome may realign New Delhi-Kolkata-Dhaka tiesKOLKATA: On a day Trinamool was dismantled, the hammer blow for the party landed at the fag end – with Mamata Banerjee losing her bastion of Bhabanipur to BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari by 15,105 votes.For 15 years, it had been her home turf, a constituency she shaped and returned to whenever the ground shifted beneath her, and its loss is the most personal defeat of her political career.Bhabanipur has been TMC territory since 2011, when Subrata Bakshi won it for the party before vacating the seat so Mamata could enter the assembly after becoming CM. She won the seat in 2011, 2016, and again in a 2021 bypoll by a staggering 58,835 votes, her largest ever margin in the constituency.Election Results 2026Vijay’s TVK party emerges as formidable force in Tamil Nadu; all you need to know about its journeyWest Bengal election results: Mamata lags behind Suvendu Adhikari after 2nd round in BhabanipurTVK pushes DMK, AIADMK to margins; BJP may oust Mamata in Bengal, retain AssamIn the 2021 general elections, she had chosen to contest from Nandigram and lost narrowly to Suvendu. TMC’s Sovandeb Chattopadhyay, who had won Bhabanipur, resigned to make way for her. But in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, TMC’s lead in Bhabanipur shrank to just over 8,000 votes, signalling an already dwindling base for the TMC chief.Monday’s defeat is Mamata’s second successive loss to Suvendu. In 2021, the CM had taken the battle to his home turf. This time around, he marched into her bastion.Though early trends favoured Suvendu, Mamata had bounced back after the third round, leading by over 19,000 votes at one point – triggering murmurs that the contest might tilt in her favour after all. But Suvendu mounted a rapid comeback.”We have waited years for this moment. People have voted for change and you can see that energy on the streets today,” said Kamal Jindal, a BJP supporter near the counting centre, who was distributing sweets. Another supporter, Nikita Agarwal, added, “This is not just a victory, it is a message. Bengal wanted development and today that voice was finally heard.”Mamata claimed she was defeated by force, and that the election was rigged and looted by BJP. She said she would soon return.Tension escalated when TMC alleged BJP workers assaulted their counting agentsand forced them out. Mamata rushed to the venue. As her convoy reached Sakhawat Memorial High School, the counting centre, BJP supporters erupted in chants of “thief, thief” and “go back”. She stayed there till 8pm before being escorted out by central forces.”We don’t have words,” said one TMC worker, slowly unpinning the party symbol from his shirt.Follow the latest election results 2026, live updates, winner lists, constituency-wise results, party-wise trends and full coverage for Tamil Nadu election results, West Bengal election results, Kerala election results, Assam election results and Puducherry election results results on Times of India.About the AuthorTamaghna BanerjeeTamaghna Banerjee, a reporter from Kolkata, covers crime, aviation, human rights and politics. He has a keen interest in human interest and rural reporting. He has done his postgraduation in journalism and mass communication. He has a total of 14 years in journalism.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosIndia Rejects Nepal’s Objection To Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Route Via Lipulekh PassNepal Objects To India-China Plan To Conduct Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Via LipulekhIndia-Linked LPG Tanker MT Sarv Shakti Heads To Visakhapatnam After Crossing HormuzPassenger Opens Emergency Exit Door On Air Arabia Flight While Taxiing At Chennai Airport, ArrestedAhead Of Counting, Gunmen Open Fire At BJP Leader’s House In Bengal’s Noapara‘I Am Also A Victim’: Vinesh Phogat Identifies As Complainant In Brij Bhushan Sexual Harassment CaseBJP MP Sandeep Pathak Claims ‘No Information’ On FIRs, Alleges Misuse Of State Machinery In PunjabIndian Startup Launches Mission Drishti, World’s First OptoSAR Satellite, Aboard SpaceX Falcon 9Diljit Dosanjh Confronts Khalistan Supporters at Calgary Concert, Explains KBC AppearanceDelhi Approves ₹48,000 Crore Metro Expansion Plan To Connect Outer Regions With City Core123PhotostoriesKaran Johar’s Met Gala debut is pure drama and deeply rooted in Indian artMorning affirmation at 5 am: This is what your mind needs to hearFrom Tomatoes to Beetroot: 7 red foods that protect our heart every dayKhatron Ke Khiladi 15 confirmed contestants list: Gaurav Khanna, Rubina Dilaik, Orry join Rohit Shetty showApple vs. Banana: Which has more nutrition and should be consumed daily and whySleeping late vs waking early: What your body prefers, the answer might surprise youKim Kardashian to Katy Perry: Worst Met Gala dresses ever that sparked major criticismWhy homemade khasta kachori becomes soft after a few hours: 4 halwai-approved smart tips to make them perfect at homeStruggling with a small home? These smart design tricks can make your 200 sq ft space feel twice as bigHissing to Rattling: 7 Sounds that snakes make and which one is the dangerous123Hot PicksBarrackpore election resultTiruchirappalli election resultMettupalayam election resultsEttumanoor election resultPerambur election resultBagnan election resultKazhakkoottam election resultTop TrendingWest Bengal Assembly Election ResultsAssam Assembly Election ResultsTamil Nadu Assembly Election ResultsKerala Assembly Election ResultsPuducherry Assembly Election ResultsBhabanipur election results 2026Mamata BanerjeeNEET 2026: Exam-day guideHPBose 12th ResultTVK Chief Vijay

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

West Bengal outcome may realign New Delhi-Kolkata-Dhaka tiesKOLKATA: On a day Trinamool was dismantled, the hammer blow for the party landed at the fag end – with Mamata Banerjee losing her bastion of Bhabanipur to BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari by 15,105 votes.For 15 years, it had been her home turf, a constituency she shaped and returned…

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West Bengal elections: Lieutenant to conqueror – the rise and rise of Suvendu Adhikari

West Bengal elections: Lieutenant to conqueror – the rise and rise of Suvendu Adhikari

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

Suvendu helped decimate the party his father helped form KOLKATA: BJP’s massive victory in the West Bengal polls came despite not having a st-ate face. Yet, the spotlight automatically turned to Suvendu Adhikari, Mamata Banerjee’s lieutenant-turned-bete noire who boarded a flight to Delhi as saffron celebrations broke out across the state.Suvendu, who retained Nandigram and…

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defeated, dejected KOLKATA: The Kolkata fortress of Trinamool Congress was breached on Monday, leaving a trail of high-profile casualties that included party chief Mamata Banerjee.In a staggering reversal of 2021 – when it swept all 11 Kolkata seats – Trinamool was reduced to a mere five. The city’s southern suburbs voted for change, handing over its strongholds Jadavpur and Sonarpur to BJP. Kasba, however, remained loyal to the party.The scale of the collapse could be measured by the defeat of senior ministers who were considered architects of the party’s urban machinery. But Mamata’s defeat will rankle the most.Shashi Panja lost Shyampukur to RSS ideologue Purnima Chakraborty by a margin of 14,633. Election Results 2026Vijay’s TVK party emerges as formidable force in Tamil Nadu; all you need to know about its journeyWest Bengal election results: Mamata lags behind Suvendu Adhikari after 2nd round in BhabanipurTVK pushes DMK, AIADMK to margins; BJP may oust Mamata in Bengal, retain AssamSimilarly, influential power minister Aroop Biswas, a key organiser in south Kolkata, lost what was once a safe haven — Tollygunge. Actor Papia Adhikary drew the curtains on him.The administrative leadership of the city also faced a public trial. Atin Ghosh, deputy mayor of Kolkata, lost from the Belgachhia-Cossipore segment to BJP’s Ritesh Tiwari by 1651 votes. The rout extended to his mayor-in-council colleagues – Debasish Kumar from Rashbehari, who was defeated by Swapan Dasgupta of BJP, and Debabrata Majumdar from Jadavpur.Ratna Chatterjee, sitting MLA and former councillor, lost Behala West to oncologist Indranil Khan of BJP. The constituency had elected former education minister Partha Chatterjee for five terms since 2001. There were some face-saving victories for TMC though. Mayor Firhad Hakim secured Kolkata Port while veteran leader Sobhandeb Chatterjee won in Ballygunge. State minister Javed Ahmed Khan won for the fourth consecutive time in Kasba and party spokesperson Kunal Ghosh won in Beliaghata. Veteran politician Nayana Bandyopadhyay bagged Chowringhee and Sandipan Saha won from Entally.The BJP juggernaut rolled through Kashipur-Belgachhia, Shyampukur, Maniktala and Jorasanko, which had remained with Trinamool since the ‘Paribartan’ in 2011. In Jorasanko, BJP’s Vijay Ojha defeated Trinamool candidate Vijay Upadhyay by a margin of 5,797. In 2021, former Trinamool MLA Vivek Gupta had defeated BJP candidate Meena Devi Purohit by 12,743.Maniktala had been a TMC bastion since 2011 when Sadhan Pande won. After his death in 2024, wife Supti Pande had secured a victory. This time their dau-ghter, Shreya Pande lost to BJP’s Tapas Roy by 15,644 votes.On the outskirts, Bhangar was won by ISF’s Naushad Siddiqui, who defeated influential south Kolkata leader Saokat Molla of Trinamool. Veteran actor Rupa Ganguly defeated Lovely Maitra, MLA in Sonarpur South. In Sonarpur North, BJP’s Debasish Dhar was leading by over 11,000 over Trinamool MLA Firdousi Begum.Trinamool also lost its 15-year strongholds of Bidhannagar and Rajarhat Gopalpur. TMC, however, managed to retain Rajarhat New Town with Tapash Chatterjee winning by a narrow margin.Follow the latest election results 2026, live updates, winner lists, constituency-wise results, party-wise trends and full coverage for Tamil Nadu election results, West Bengal election results, Kerala election results, Assam election results and Puducherry election results results on Times of India.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosIndia Rejects Nepal’s Objection To Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Route Via Lipulekh PassNepal Objects To India-China Plan To Conduct Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Via LipulekhIndia-Linked LPG Tanker MT Sarv Shakti Heads To Visakhapatnam After Crossing HormuzPassenger Opens Emergency Exit Door On Air Arabia Flight While Taxiing At Chennai Airport, ArrestedAhead Of Counting, Gunmen Open Fire At BJP Leader’s House In Bengal’s Noapara‘I Am Also A Victim’: Vinesh Phogat Identifies As Complainant In Brij Bhushan Sexual Harassment CaseBJP MP Sandeep Pathak Claims ‘No Information’ On FIRs, Alleges Misuse Of State Machinery In PunjabIndian Startup Launches Mission Drishti, World’s First OptoSAR Satellite, Aboard SpaceX Falcon 9Diljit Dosanjh Confronts Khalistan Supporters at Calgary Concert, Explains KBC AppearanceDelhi Approves ₹48,000 Crore Metro Expansion Plan To Connect Outer Regions With City Core123PhotostoriesKaran Johar’s Met Gala debut is pure drama and deeply rooted in Indian artMorning affirmation at 5 am: This is what your mind needs to hearFrom Tomatoes to Beetroot: 7 red foods that protect our heart every dayKhatron Ke Khiladi 15 confirmed contestants list: Gaurav Khanna, Rubina Dilaik, Orry join Rohit Shetty showApple vs. Banana: Which has more nutrition and should be consumed daily and whySleeping late vs waking early: What your body prefers, the answer might surprise youKim Kardashian to Katy Perry: Worst Met Gala dresses ever that sparked major criticismWhy homemade khasta kachori becomes soft after a few hours: 4 halwai-approved smart tips to make them perfect at homeStruggling with a small home? These smart design tricks can make your 200 sq ft space feel twice as bigHissing to Rattling: 7 Sounds that snakes make and which one is the dangerous123Hot PicksBarrackpore election resultTiruchirappalli election resultMettupalayam election resultsEttumanoor election resultPerambur election resultBagnan election resultKazhakkoottam election resultTop TrendingWest Bengal Assembly Election ResultsAssam Assembly Election ResultsTamil Nadu Assembly Election ResultsKerala Assembly Election ResultsPuducherry Assembly Election ResultsBhabanipur election results 2026Mamata BanerjeeNEET 2026: Exam-day guideHPBose 12th ResultTVK Chief Vijay

defeated, dejected KOLKATA: The Kolkata fortress of Trinamool Congress was breached on Monday, leaving a trail of high-profile casualties that included party chief Mamata Banerjee.In a staggering reversal of 2021 – when it swept all 11 Kolkata seats – Trinamool was reduced to a mere five. The city’s southern suburbs voted for change, handing over its strongholds Jadavpur and Sonarpur to BJP. Kasba, however, remained loyal to the party.The scale of the collapse could be measured by the defeat of senior ministers who were considered architects of the party’s urban machinery. But Mamata’s defeat will rankle the most.Shashi Panja lost Shyampukur to RSS ideologue Purnima Chakraborty by a margin of 14,633. Election Results 2026Vijay’s TVK party emerges as formidable force in Tamil Nadu; all you need to know about its journeyWest Bengal election results: Mamata lags behind Suvendu Adhikari after 2nd round in BhabanipurTVK pushes DMK, AIADMK to margins; BJP may oust Mamata in Bengal, retain AssamSimilarly, influential power minister Aroop Biswas, a key organiser in south Kolkata, lost what was once a safe haven — Tollygunge. Actor Papia Adhikary drew the curtains on him.The administrative leadership of the city also faced a public trial. Atin Ghosh, deputy mayor of Kolkata, lost from the Belgachhia-Cossipore segment to BJP’s Ritesh Tiwari by 1651 votes. The rout extended to his mayor-in-council colleagues – Debasish Kumar from Rashbehari, who was defeated by Swapan Dasgupta of BJP, and Debabrata Majumdar from Jadavpur.Ratna Chatterjee, sitting MLA and former councillor, lost Behala West to oncologist Indranil Khan of BJP. The constituency had elected former education minister Partha Chatterjee for five terms since 2001. There were some face-saving victories for TMC though. Mayor Firhad Hakim secured Kolkata Port while veteran leader Sobhandeb Chatterjee won in Ballygunge. State minister Javed Ahmed Khan won for the fourth consecutive time in Kasba and party spokesperson Kunal Ghosh won in Beliaghata. Veteran politician Nayana Bandyopadhyay bagged Chowringhee and Sandipan Saha won from Entally.The BJP juggernaut rolled through Kashipur-Belgachhia, Shyampukur, Maniktala and Jorasanko, which had remained with Trinamool since the ‘Paribartan’ in 2011. In Jorasanko, BJP’s Vijay Ojha defeated Trinamool candidate Vijay Upadhyay by a margin of 5,797. In 2021, former Trinamool MLA Vivek Gupta had defeated BJP candidate Meena Devi Purohit by 12,743.Maniktala had been a TMC bastion since 2011 when Sadhan Pande won. After his death in 2024, wife Supti Pande had secured a victory. This time their dau-ghter, Shreya Pande lost to BJP’s Tapas Roy by 15,644 votes.On the outskirts, Bhangar was won by ISF’s Naushad Siddiqui, who defeated influential south Kolkata leader Saokat Molla of Trinamool. Veteran actor Rupa Ganguly defeated Lovely Maitra, MLA in Sonarpur South. In Sonarpur North, BJP’s Debasish Dhar was leading by over 11,000 over Trinamool MLA Firdousi Begum.Trinamool also lost its 15-year strongholds of Bidhannagar and Rajarhat Gopalpur. TMC, however, managed to retain Rajarhat New Town with Tapash Chatterjee winning by a narrow margin.Follow the latest election results 2026, live updates, winner lists, constituency-wise results, party-wise trends and full coverage for Tamil Nadu election results, West Bengal election results, Kerala election results, Assam election results and Puducherry election results results on Times of India.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosIndia Rejects Nepal’s Objection To Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Route Via Lipulekh PassNepal Objects To India-China Plan To Conduct Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Via LipulekhIndia-Linked LPG Tanker MT Sarv Shakti Heads To Visakhapatnam After Crossing HormuzPassenger Opens Emergency Exit Door On Air Arabia Flight While Taxiing At Chennai Airport, ArrestedAhead Of Counting, Gunmen Open Fire At BJP Leader’s House In Bengal’s Noapara‘I Am Also A Victim’: Vinesh Phogat Identifies As Complainant In Brij Bhushan Sexual Harassment CaseBJP MP Sandeep Pathak Claims ‘No Information’ On FIRs, Alleges Misuse Of State Machinery In PunjabIndian Startup Launches Mission Drishti, World’s First OptoSAR Satellite, Aboard SpaceX Falcon 9Diljit Dosanjh Confronts Khalistan Supporters at Calgary Concert, Explains KBC AppearanceDelhi Approves ₹48,000 Crore Metro Expansion Plan To Connect Outer Regions With City Core123PhotostoriesKaran Johar’s Met Gala debut is pure drama and deeply rooted in Indian artMorning affirmation at 5 am: This is what your mind needs to hearFrom Tomatoes to Beetroot: 7 red foods that protect our heart every dayKhatron Ke Khiladi 15 confirmed contestants list: Gaurav Khanna, Rubina Dilaik, Orry join Rohit Shetty showApple vs. Banana: Which has more nutrition and should be consumed daily and whySleeping late vs waking early: What your body prefers, the answer might surprise youKim Kardashian to Katy Perry: Worst Met Gala dresses ever that sparked major criticismWhy homemade khasta kachori becomes soft after a few hours: 4 halwai-approved smart tips to make them perfect at homeStruggling with a small home? These smart design tricks can make your 200 sq ft space feel twice as bigHissing to Rattling: 7 Sounds that snakes make and which one is the dangerous123Hot PicksBarrackpore election resultTiruchirappalli election resultMettupalayam election resultsEttumanoor election resultPerambur election resultBagnan election resultKazhakkoottam election resultTop TrendingWest Bengal Assembly Election ResultsAssam Assembly Election ResultsTamil Nadu Assembly Election ResultsKerala Assembly Election ResultsPuducherry Assembly Election ResultsBhabanipur election results 2026Mamata BanerjeeNEET 2026: Exam-day guideHPBose 12th ResultTVK Chief Vijay

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

KOLKATA: The Kolkata fortress of Trinamool Congress was breached on Monday, leaving a trail of high-profile casualties that included party chief Mamata Banerjee.In a staggering reversal of 2021 – when it swept all 11 Kolkata seats – Trinamool was reduced to a mere five. The city’s southern suburbs voted for change, handing over its strongholds…

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‘Raja Shivaji’ box office collection Day 4 (Marathi): Riteish Deshmukh starrer inches towards Rs 50 crore

‘Raja Shivaji’ box office collection Day 4 (Marathi): Riteish Deshmukh starrer inches towards Rs 50 crore

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

Riteish Deshmukh’s ‘Raja Shivaji’ has been receiving overwhelming love since its release in cinemas. The period drama is based on the life of Maratha warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, and it was released in theatres in Marathi and Hindi. The film raked in over Rs 33 crore net in the first weekend at the theatres….

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Why the Met Gala carpet turned green in 2026 |

Why the Met Gala carpet turned green in 2026 |

Vamsikrishna04 mins mins

The Met Gala 2026 ditched its iconic red carpet for a lush, moss-green landscape, transforming the entrance into an art installation. This shift, led by Raúl Àvila, Baz Luhrmann, and Derek McLane, immerses guests in a Renaissance garden theme, emphasizing fashion’s connection to environment and history. If you thought the Met Gala 2026 was just…

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2026 Met Gala: Manish Malhotra creates history, puts an end to hidden labour with artisan credits on his ‘Mumbai’ cape at Met Gala 2026

2026 Met Gala: Manish Malhotra creates history, puts an end to hidden labour with artisan credits on his ‘Mumbai’ cape at Met Gala 2026

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

(Image Credits: Instagram) On a night obsessed with excess, spectacle, and who wore what, Indian designer Manish Malhotra quietly flipped the narrative at the 2026 Met Gala and carried something into the spotlight that the fashion world often forgets. In an industry where craftsmanship is celebrated, but the creators behind it are not, this didn’t…

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TVK chief Vijay CHENNAI: TVK president C Joseph Vijay’s electoral debut was shaped by a tightly controlled campaign run by a close-knit core team, a targeted political strategy against the governing DMK, and a rapid expansion of support among minorities, Dalits and section of women voters.Key members of his circle, including N Anand, Aadhav Arjuna, K A Sengottaiyan, Arun Raj, C T R Nirmal Kumar and strategist John Arockiasamy, handled legal, organisational, digital and political operations through the campaign. This core team played a central role in steering TVK through multiple challenges including the Karur stampede, and repeated issues over campaign permissions and candidate selection.Anand, associated with Vijay since the Vijay Makkal Iyakkam days, managed internal coordination and kept the party structure intact after differences emerged over seat allocation. Election Results 2026Vijay’s TVK party emerges as formidable force in Tamil Nadu; all you need to know about its journeyWest Bengal election results: Mamata lags behind Suvendu Adhikari after 2nd round in BhabanipurTVK pushes DMK, AIADMK to margins; BJP may oust Mamata in Bengal, retain AssamArjuna handled technical and resource support, while he and CTR Nirmal Kumar led TVK’s digital campaign and coordinated legal efforts, including engaging advocates for the stampede case in Supreme Court. Sengottaiyan’s entry into the party in Nov revived organisational activity at a time when TVK’s campaign had slowed after the stampede.Strategist John Arockiasamy was the fulcrum of this inner circle. Sources said he played a major role in opposing, during internal discussions, an alliance with NDA after the ‘Jana Nayagan’ row.Vijay also maintained a consistent political line. He described DMK as his “political enemy”, while framing the election as a direct contest between M K Stalin and himself. He largely avoided targeting deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami or leaders of alliance parties. The approach helped TVK consolidate sections of anti-incumbency votes without fragmenting the anti-DMK electorate.The campaign also saw TVK expand beyond Vijay’s traditional fan base. The party attracted sections of minorities, fishermen and Dalit voters who had largely backed DMK and its allies in earlier elections. Minority votes appeared split in several constituencies. Vijay, himself a Christian, visited churches, temples and mosques during the campaign and projected himself as a leader for all communities. The secular messaging helped TVK distance itself from identity-based polarisation which has historically had limited acceptance in TN politics. TVK also made gains among women voters, a section that had largely shifted towards DMK after J Jayalalithaa’s death.Follow the latest election results 2026, live updates, winner lists, constituency-wise results, party-wise trends and full coverage for Tamil Nadu election results, West Bengal election results, Kerala election results, Assam election results and Puducherry election results results on Times of India.About the AuthorRam SundaramRam M Sundaram is an Assistant Editor at The Times of India, Chennai, where he covers commute, trial courts, and political affairs.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosIndia Rejects Nepal’s Objection To Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Route Via Lipulekh PassNepal Objects To India-China Plan To Conduct Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Via LipulekhIndia-Linked LPG Tanker MT Sarv Shakti Heads To Visakhapatnam After Crossing HormuzPassenger Opens Emergency Exit Door On Air Arabia Flight While Taxiing At Chennai Airport, ArrestedAhead Of Counting, Gunmen Open Fire At BJP Leader’s House In Bengal’s Noapara‘I Am Also A Victim’: Vinesh Phogat Identifies As Complainant In Brij Bhushan Sexual Harassment CaseBJP MP Sandeep Pathak Claims ‘No Information’ On FIRs, Alleges Misuse Of State Machinery In PunjabIndian Startup Launches Mission Drishti, World’s First OptoSAR Satellite, Aboard SpaceX Falcon 9Diljit Dosanjh Confronts Khalistan Supporters at Calgary Concert, Explains KBC AppearanceDelhi Approves ₹48,000 Crore Metro Expansion Plan To Connect Outer Regions With City Core123PhotostoriesFrom Tomatoes to Beetroot: 7 red foods that protect our heart every dayKhatron Ke Khiladi 15 confirmed contestants list: Gaurav Khanna, Rubina Dilaik, Orry join Rohit Shetty showApple vs. Banana: Which has more nutrition and should be consumed daily and whySleeping late vs waking early: What your body prefers, the answer might surprise youKim Kardashian to Katy Perry: Worst Met Gala dresses ever that sparked major criticismWhy homemade khasta kachori becomes soft after a few hours: 4 halwai-approved smart tips to make them perfect at homeStruggling with a small home? These smart design tricks can make your 200 sq ft space feel twice as bigHissing to Rattling: 7 Sounds that snakes make and which one is the dangerousRihanna to Princess Diana: Best Met Gala looks of all timeNot your usual Kolkata trip: 5 rare and unconventional experiences every traveller should try123Hot PicksBarrackpore election resultTiruchirappalli election resultMettupalayam election resultsEttumanoor election resultPerambur election resultBagnan election resultKazhakkoottam election resultTop TrendingWest Bengal Assembly Election ResultsAssam Assembly Election ResultsTamil Nadu Assembly Election ResultsKerala Assembly Election ResultsPuducherry Assembly Election ResultsBhabanipur election results 2026Mamata BanerjeeNEET 2026: Exam-day guideHPBose 12th ResultTVK Chief Vijay

TVK chief Vijay CHENNAI: TVK president C Joseph Vijay’s electoral debut was shaped by a tightly controlled campaign run by a close-knit core team, a targeted political strategy against the governing DMK, and a rapid expansion of support among minorities, Dalits and section of women voters.Key members of his circle, including N Anand, Aadhav Arjuna, K A Sengottaiyan, Arun Raj, C T R Nirmal Kumar and strategist John Arockiasamy, handled legal, organisational, digital and political operations through the campaign. This core team played a central role in steering TVK through multiple challenges including the Karur stampede, and repeated issues over campaign permissions and candidate selection.Anand, associated with Vijay since the Vijay Makkal Iyakkam days, managed internal coordination and kept the party structure intact after differences emerged over seat allocation. Election Results 2026Vijay’s TVK party emerges as formidable force in Tamil Nadu; all you need to know about its journeyWest Bengal election results: Mamata lags behind Suvendu Adhikari after 2nd round in BhabanipurTVK pushes DMK, AIADMK to margins; BJP may oust Mamata in Bengal, retain AssamArjuna handled technical and resource support, while he and CTR Nirmal Kumar led TVK’s digital campaign and coordinated legal efforts, including engaging advocates for the stampede case in Supreme Court. Sengottaiyan’s entry into the party in Nov revived organisational activity at a time when TVK’s campaign had slowed after the stampede.Strategist John Arockiasamy was the fulcrum of this inner circle. Sources said he played a major role in opposing, during internal discussions, an alliance with NDA after the ‘Jana Nayagan’ row.Vijay also maintained a consistent political line. He described DMK as his “political enemy”, while framing the election as a direct contest between M K Stalin and himself. He largely avoided targeting deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami or leaders of alliance parties. The approach helped TVK consolidate sections of anti-incumbency votes without fragmenting the anti-DMK electorate.The campaign also saw TVK expand beyond Vijay’s traditional fan base. The party attracted sections of minorities, fishermen and Dalit voters who had largely backed DMK and its allies in earlier elections. Minority votes appeared split in several constituencies. Vijay, himself a Christian, visited churches, temples and mosques during the campaign and projected himself as a leader for all communities. The secular messaging helped TVK distance itself from identity-based polarisation which has historically had limited acceptance in TN politics. TVK also made gains among women voters, a section that had largely shifted towards DMK after J Jayalalithaa’s death.Follow the latest election results 2026, live updates, winner lists, constituency-wise results, party-wise trends and full coverage for Tamil Nadu election results, West Bengal election results, Kerala election results, Assam election results and Puducherry election results results on Times of India.About the AuthorRam SundaramRam M Sundaram is an Assistant Editor at The Times of India, Chennai, where he covers commute, trial courts, and political affairs.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosIndia Rejects Nepal’s Objection To Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Route Via Lipulekh PassNepal Objects To India-China Plan To Conduct Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Via LipulekhIndia-Linked LPG Tanker MT Sarv Shakti Heads To Visakhapatnam After Crossing HormuzPassenger Opens Emergency Exit Door On Air Arabia Flight While Taxiing At Chennai Airport, ArrestedAhead Of Counting, Gunmen Open Fire At BJP Leader’s House In Bengal’s Noapara‘I Am Also A Victim’: Vinesh Phogat Identifies As Complainant In Brij Bhushan Sexual Harassment CaseBJP MP Sandeep Pathak Claims ‘No Information’ On FIRs, Alleges Misuse Of State Machinery In PunjabIndian Startup Launches Mission Drishti, World’s First OptoSAR Satellite, Aboard SpaceX Falcon 9Diljit Dosanjh Confronts Khalistan Supporters at Calgary Concert, Explains KBC AppearanceDelhi Approves ₹48,000 Crore Metro Expansion Plan To Connect Outer Regions With City Core123PhotostoriesFrom Tomatoes to Beetroot: 7 red foods that protect our heart every dayKhatron Ke Khiladi 15 confirmed contestants list: Gaurav Khanna, Rubina Dilaik, Orry join Rohit Shetty showApple vs. Banana: Which has more nutrition and should be consumed daily and whySleeping late vs waking early: What your body prefers, the answer might surprise youKim Kardashian to Katy Perry: Worst Met Gala dresses ever that sparked major criticismWhy homemade khasta kachori becomes soft after a few hours: 4 halwai-approved smart tips to make them perfect at homeStruggling with a small home? These smart design tricks can make your 200 sq ft space feel twice as bigHissing to Rattling: 7 Sounds that snakes make and which one is the dangerousRihanna to Princess Diana: Best Met Gala looks of all timeNot your usual Kolkata trip: 5 rare and unconventional experiences every traveller should try123Hot PicksBarrackpore election resultTiruchirappalli election resultMettupalayam election resultsEttumanoor election resultPerambur election resultBagnan election resultKazhakkoottam election resultTop TrendingWest Bengal Assembly Election ResultsAssam Assembly Election ResultsTamil Nadu Assembly Election ResultsKerala Assembly Election ResultsPuducherry Assembly Election ResultsBhabanipur election results 2026Mamata BanerjeeNEET 2026: Exam-day guideHPBose 12th ResultTVK Chief Vijay

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

CHENNAI: TVK president C Joseph Vijay’s electoral debut was shaped by a tightly controlled campaign run by a close-knit core team, a targeted political strategy against the governing DMK, and a rapid expansion of support among minorities, Dalits and section of women voters.Key members of his circle, including N Anand, Aadhav Arjuna, K A Sengottaiyan,…

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‘Kara’ box office collections day 6: Dhanush and Mamitha Baiju’s film has strong overseas push; Touches Rs 38.70 crores

‘Kara’ box office collections day 6: Dhanush and Mamitha Baiju’s film has strong overseas push; Touches Rs 38.70 crores

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

The period drama ‘Kara’, starring Dhanush continues its stable run at the box office. The film released on April 30 and has shown good growth over the first week. The overall trend remains positive despite weekday drops.Directed by Vignesh Raja, the film has also gained traction in the Telugu market. It has earned over Rs…

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Tamil Nadu assembly elections: How Joseph Vijay beat MK Stalin – five factors that spelt doom for DMK this time

Tamil Nadu assembly elections: How Joseph Vijay beat MK Stalin – five factors that spelt doom for DMK this time

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

The big shock was his party’s defeat; the bigger shock, his own drubbing in Kolathur in north Chennai, which is considered part of the DMK heartland. For M K Stalin, the ‘Vijay effect’ is arguably the most unsettling political moment of his career.DMK had banked on Stalin’s governance record in terms of industrial growth and…

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