VK News Today https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html When Maharani of Baroda Radhikaraje Gaekwad stunned in a Kalamkari saree with an Afghan hasli Beyond human eyes: A new camera captures the first real-time animal view of nature Allahabad High Court: Father can’t be called a kidnapper: Allahabad High Court refuses Habeas Corpus in parental custody dispute – NEW DELHI: Union minister Chirag Paswan on Thursday condemned the killing of BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari’s aide Chandranath Rath, alleging that the incident reflected the “politics of violence” that the people of West Bengal had voted against in the recently concluded assembly elections.Speaking to reporters in Patna, Paswan termed the incident “agonising and shameful” and alleged that “TMC goons” were behind the killing.“This is the very politics of violence that the people of Bengal voted against in the recently concluded assembly polls,” he said.Rath, Adhikari’s executive assistant, was shot dead on Wednesday night after bike-borne assailants allegedly forced his car to stop on the outskirts of Kolkata around 10.30 pm, days after the Bharatiya Janata Party registered a historic victory in the state.Paswan further alleged that the ruling Trinamool Congress was unable to accept its electoral defeat. “The fact that they are unable to accept their defeat even after the elections have concluded shows the mindset with which they have oppressed the people of Bengal for 15 years,” he said, news agency PTI reported.The Union minister asserted that action would be taken against those responsible for the killing. “The Central government and Union Home Minister Amit Shah are deeply concerned. Our stance is very clear: such violence will no longer be tolerated in Bengal,” Paswan said.Commenting on outgoing chief minister Mamata Banerjee’s reported refusal to resign, Paswan said a BJP government would soon be formed in the state regardless of her decision.“The TMC obviously doesn’t have the numbers. In such a case, the governor has the authority to dissolve the assembly. A new BJP government will soon be formed in West Bengal, which will take the state on the path of development,” he said.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosEyewitness Details Shocking Bike-Borne Shooting Near Hospital in North 24 ParganasOperation Sindoor One Year Later: How India’s Defence Tech Is Rewriting War StrategyMother of Suvendu Adhikari’s PA Chandra breaks down, Demands ‘Life Imprisonment’ For KillersOperation Sindoor Anniversary: Heavy Security Deployed in Poonch Market Area, Situation CalmOperation Sindoor Anniversary: Rajnath Singh Salutes Courage And Synergy of Armed ForcesHamirpur boat accident: Search underway for 6 missing in Yamuna River‘Congress Will Be Wiped Out Everywhere’: DMK Warns Cong Over Support To Vijay’s TVK2 Dead, 200+ FIRs, 433 Arrested, Over 1100 Detained In Post-Poll Violence In West Bengal‘Asked Me To Pay Rs 5 Crore’: Ex-Cricketer Makes Shocking Claim On TMC After Bengal PollsPakistan Navy Helps Stranded Indian Ship In Arabian Sea After Distress Call: Report123PhotostoriesThrowback Thursday: When Maharani of Baroda Radhikaraje Gaekwad stunned in a Kalamkari saree with an Afghan hasliDo restaurants keep veg and non-veg ladles separate? Chef Sanjeev Kapoor reveals the truth’Pushpa’ to ‘Leo’: How character-based titles became Indian cinema’s biggest success formula before ‘Raaka’Most common insects and bugs that might be hiding behind refrigerators and other kitchen appliances in your houseGK Fact of the Day: 7 deadly plants that look surprisingly beautifulHow to use pinecones to help keep garden pests away naturallySurbhi Jyoti’s maternity shoot: Mom-to-be glows in every frame – PicsWhat you need to do on Friday to attract wealth and money10 strangest trees in the world and where travellers can find themBlood on Bengal’s political faultlines: Chandranath Rath’s killing sparks fresh row123Hot PicksBihar ministers listDelhi traffic advisoryDelhi rainPune child rape-murder casePerambur election resultIndia-New Zealand FTASugarcane price hikeTop TrendingHow to download Minecraft Beta VersionWest Bengal ViolenceTamil Nadu Class 12 Result 2026Maharashtra Board SSC Result 2026Stock Market todayBihar cabinet expansionWBBSE Madhyamik Result 2026Salil AnkolaBihar Ministers ListRCB vs LSG IPL Match Today Gautam Gambhir faces fresh criticism: Ex-Indian cricketer calls him a ‘bully’ Petrol, Diesel, LPG price today: What are the latest rates on May 7, 2026? Check cost in Delhi, Mumbai & more Check Class 10 Results Online Ileana D’cruz has a funny take on the struggles of breastfeeding: ‘We are whatever the heck…’ Why trains do not have seat belts TVS iQube S 4.7 kWh vs Ola S1 Pro 4 kWh: Range, specs compared Scientists finally reveal where the world’s most valuable diamonds are born Not satisfied with NEET UG 2026 Answer Key? Here’s how the Objection Window works ‘Raja Shivaji’ box office collection day 7 [LIVE]: Riteish Deshmukh film set to cross Rs.50 crore before day ends How to know when you are protected by the divine angels Meet Brian Binnie: The commercial astronaut who reportedly faced a mysterious UFO encounter in his bedroom at 4 am Man posing as Rahul Gandhi’s PA arrested for duping Dehradun Congress leader of Rs 25 lakh Trump sanctions impact: China wants banks to pause new loans to sanctioned refiners Calcutta University releases BCom Semester V examination 2025 results After Sanjay Dutt, Nora Fatehi appears before NCW for ‘Sarke Chunar’ row, submits written apology Operation Sindoor: Ten strategic lessons for India’s military future Hantavirus Outbreak: Hantavirus outbreak on cruise ship; 40 passengers disembark on South Atlantic island ‘Shocked and saddened’: Virat Kohli mourns death of former teammate Amanpreet Singh Gill ECLGS 5.0 to benefit 1.1 crore MSME accounts with extra credit support, says SBI report NTA CUET UG 2026 scribe registration ends today at cuet.nta.nic.in; direct link to apply here When Sonali Bendre agreed to welcome Michael Jackson in India but only on THIS condition: ‘That’s what I was so excited about when I did it’ Most common insects and bugs that might be hiding behind refrigerators and other kitchen appliances in your house Microsoft’s first-ever voluntary retirement offer for 8,500-plus US employees: Here’s what’s in buyout package Hantavirus cruise outbreak: Two Britons self-isolate after exposure scare on MV Hondius | World News Image: PTI Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai on Thursday said Operation Sindoor demonstrated that “Atmanirbhar is not just a slogan, it is indeed a force multiplier”, highlighting the role of indigenous defence systems and coordinated multi-agency operations during the conflict.Addressing a press conference marking the first anniversary of the operation, Ghai said more than 65 per cent of India’s defence equipment is now manufactured domestically, and described the military response as a calibrated operation that achieved its objectives without escalating into a prolonged conflict.“Operation Sindoor proved that Atmanirbhar is not just a slogan, it is indeed a force multiplier. Today, over 65% of our defence equipment is being manufactured domestically,” he said.Ghai said that Operation Sindoor marked the beginning of India’s continued fight against terrorism, asserting that the country would defend its sovereignty and security “decisively, professionally and with the utmost responsibility.”He also invoked poet Dushyant Kumar’s poetry to claim that the operation was not an end, but just the beginning.”Sirf hungama khada karna mera maqsad nahi. Meri koshish hai ki yeh soorat badalni chahiye. Operation Sindoor was not an end. It was just the beginning. India’s fight against terror will go on. A year on, we remember not just the operation but also the principle behind it. India will defend its sovereignty, its security, and its people decisively, professionally and with the utmost responsibility,” Ghai added.Speaking about the operation’s strategy, he said India had adopted a measured approach that combined decisive military action with escalation control.“In an era of prolonged conflicts around the world, we struck hard, achieved clearly defined objectives and then decided to cease hostilities when the Pakistanis were compelled to negotiate and requested us to stop,” Lt Gen Ghai said.Also read: How Operation Sindoor unfolded, one strike at a time“The objectives were achieved through a calibrated shot and sharp shock that altered the enemy’s risk appetite and disrupted his commHow Operation Sindoor unfolded, one strike at a timeand and control without locking India into a long-drawn war or conflict, the ill effects of which we are seeing in ongoing conflicts around the world,” he added.Ghai also underlined the role played by intelligence, cyber and electronic warfare units, along with diplomatic and internal coordination during the operation. .“Intelligence agencies provided the accurate information that is so critical to precision targeting. Cyber and electronic warfare units maintained information dominance. The government managed the international environment as also the internal security and public reassurance,” he said.He added the armed forces carried out the operation with precision and limited collateral damage, adding that the coordinated effort across multiple agencies and domains would serve as a model for future operations.Operation Sindoor was launched on May 7, 2025, in response to the Pahalgam terror attack, in which 26 people were killed.As part of the operation, Indian armed forces carried out strikes on terror launchpads in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir.Indian forces targeted and destroyed nine terror launchpads linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed and Hizbul Mujahideen, killing more than 100 terrorists during the operation.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosMother of Suvendu Adhikari’s PA Chandra breaks down, Demands ‘Life Imprisonment’ For KillersOperation Sindoor Anniversary: Heavy Security Deployed in Poonch Market Area, Situation CalmOperation Sindoor Anniversary: Rajnath Singh Salutes Courage And Synergy of Armed ForcesHamirpur boat accident: Search underway for 6 missing in Yamuna River‘Congress Will Be Wiped Out Everywhere’: DMK Warns Cong Over Support To Vijay’s TVK2 Dead, 200+ FIRs, 433 Arrested, Over 1100 Detained In Post-Poll Violence In West Bengal‘Asked Me To Pay Rs 5 Crore’: Ex-Cricketer Makes Shocking Claim On TMC After Bengal PollsPakistan Navy Helps Stranded Indian Ship In Arabian Sea After Distress Call: ReportTVK Emerges Largest, But Vijay Needs Critical Backing To Form Govt; Will He Succeed?Election Commission Blocks 68 Lakh Cyber Attacks; ECINET Handles Record Traffic on Counting Day123PhotostoriesMost common insects and bugs that might be hiding behind refrigerators and other kitchen appliances in your houseGK Fact of the Day: 7 deadly plants that look surprisingly beautifulHow to use pinecones to help keep garden pests away naturallySurbhi Jyoti’s maternity shoot: Mom-to-be glows in every frame – PicsWhat you need to do on Friday to attract wealth and money10 strangest trees in the world and where travellers can find them10 deadliest snakes in the world: One drop of venom can kill hundreds; what travellers should know5 smart style hacks to look slimmer in a saree7 Affordable décor ideas for a bachelor’s studio roomPersonality test: Woman in mirror, skull or both? What you see first reveals if you’re highly empathetic, emotionally protective, or balanced123Hot PicksBihar ministers listDelhi traffic advisoryDelhi rainPune child rape-murder casePerambur election resultIndia-New Zealand FTASugarcane price hikeTop TrendingHow to download Minecraft Beta VersionWest Bengal ViolenceTamil Nadu Class 12 Result 2026Maharashtra Board SSC Result 2026Stock Market todayBihar cabinet expansionWBBSE Madhyamik Result 2026Salil AnkolaBihar Ministers ListRCB vs LSG IPL Match Today IPL 2026: Bhuvneshwar Kumar on the verge of history, set to become first pacer ever to… West Bengal Board High Madrasah, Alim, Fazil results 2026 releasing tomorrow: Check how to download scorecards ‘Dhurandhar 2’ OTT release date revealed? Court case hints at streaming plans – Reports Which one is better to stop hair fall? Kuladevatha vs Ishta Devatha: Key differences every believer should know Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei just jokingly ‘admitted’ the problem about the $800 billion company that many analysts have been saying Life 2 meters underground: Scientists discover hidden microbial oasis beneath Chile’s driest desert | World News NEW DELHI: BJP national general secretary Tarun Chugh on Thursday sent a legal notice to Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann, seeking an apology over his remarks allegedly linking the saffron party to recent blast incidents in Punjab, accusing him of attempting to “tarnish the reputation, credibility and public standing” of the saffron party.The BJP leader demanded that Mann immediately withdraw the statements and issue a public apology across print, electronic and social media platforms, and refrain from making any further “defamatory or inflammatory” remarks against the BJP or its leaders.The notice also warned that failure to comply within seven days would lead to criminal prosecution for defamation, proceedings related to dissemination of false information, and civil action seeking damages for reputational loss.The move came a day after back-to-back blast incidents in Amritsar and Jalandhar triggered panic in the state and sparked a political confrontation between the ruling AAP and the BJP.Reacting to the incidents on Wednesday, Mann had alleged that the BJP creates unrest in states ahead of elections. “This is BJP’s way of working in any state where they want to contest elections, they first create riots, carry out small blasts, and divide people on the basis of religion and caste,” Mann had said.”This is BJP’s election preparation… Law and order will be maintained and the guilty will be given strict punishment. I want to tell BJP that Punjab has seen many dark days, and now Punjabis will not tolerate this,” he added.In the legal notice issued through advocate Sanket Gupta, Chugh termed the remarks “highly irresponsible, false, defamatory, and inflammatory” and accused Mann of making allegations “without any credible evidence whatsoever”.The notice said Mann’s statement directly or indirectly accused the BJP of orchestrating violent incidents and amounted to “an allegation of the gravest nature made with reckless disregard for truth”.It further stated that the CM’s remarks contradicted the stand taken by Punjab Police and the state’s director general of police, who had indicated that the incidents appeared to be linked to a larger “proxy war” involving foreign hostile elements and alleged ISI-backed networks.The notice defended the BJP as a “nationalist political party committed to the sovereignty, integrity, and security of India” and said the party had consistently maintained a “zero-tolerance policy against terrorism”.It also claimed that Mann’s statement had caused “serious reputational damage” to the BJP and hurt “millions of supporters and workers” of the party across the country.The notice accused Mann of attempting to spread misinformation and disturb democratic discourse. “Your statement is patently false, politically motivated, defamatory per se, and to tarnish the reputation, credibility, and public standing of BJP and its leadership,” it said.Chugh also alleged that the remarks could provoke public unrest and attract penal consequences under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.The controversy erupted after two separate incidents were reported in Punjab on Wednesday. In Amritsar, a suspected explosion was reported late at night near the Khasa cantonment area. Police and Army teams rushed to the spot after hearing the blast.Amritsar SP Aditya S Warrier said bomb disposal and forensic teams were deployed to examine the site. Authorities are still verifying the exact number of blasts and the cause of the incident, while samples have been sent for forensic analysis. No injuries were reported.Security agencies, including forensic teams, bomb squads and dog squads, cordoned off both locations and launched detailed investigations.The incidents came just days after an attempted blast on a railway track in Rajpura in Patiala district on April 27, in which the accused died during the attempt. The back-to-back incidents have raised fresh concerns over security in the border state.Opposition parties targeted the AAP government over the law-and-order situation in Punjab. Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia described the incidents as “serious” and accused the government of drawing political conclusions before investigations were complete.Leaders from the BJP and Congress also questioned the state government over security lapses and demanded stronger measures to restore public confidence. Police said investigations into both incidents are underway and more clarity is expected after forensic reports are examined.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosMother of Suvendu Adhikari’s PA Chandra breaks down, Demands ‘Life Imprisonment’ For KillersOperation Sindoor Anniversary: Heavy Security Deployed in Poonch Market Area, Situation CalmOperation Sindoor Anniversary: Rajnath Singh Salutes Courage And Synergy of Armed ForcesHamirpur boat accident: Search underway for 6 missing in Yamuna River‘Congress Will Be Wiped Out Everywhere’: DMK Warns Cong Over Support To Vijay’s TVK2 Dead, 200+ FIRs, 433 Arrested, Over 1100 Detained In Post-Poll Violence In West Bengal‘Asked Me To Pay Rs 5 Crore’: Ex-Cricketer Makes Shocking Claim On TMC After Bengal PollsPakistan Navy Helps Stranded Indian Ship In Arabian Sea After Distress Call: ReportTVK Emerges Largest, But Vijay Needs Critical Backing To Form Govt; Will He Succeed?Election Commission Blocks 68 Lakh Cyber Attacks; ECINET Handles Record Traffic on Counting Day123PhotostoriesGK Fact of the Day: 7 deadly plants that look surprisingly beautifulHow to use pinecones to help keep garden pests away naturallySurbhi Jyoti’s maternity shoot: Mom-to-be glows in every frame – PicsWhat you need to do on Friday to attract wealth and money10 strangest trees in the world and where travellers can find them10 deadliest snakes in the world: One drop of venom can kill hundreds; what travellers should know5 smart style hacks to look slimmer in a saree7 Affordable décor ideas for a bachelor’s studio roomHow to make light and comforting Soy and Mushroom Fried Rice for lunchTop 5 residential areas in Bhubaneswar for property investment123Hot PicksBihar ministers listDelhi traffic advisoryDelhi rainPune child rape-murder casePerambur election resultIndia-New Zealand FTASugarcane price hikeTop TrendingHow to download Minecraft Beta VersionWest Bengal ViolenceTamil Nadu Class 12 Result 2026Maharashtra Board SSC Result 2026Stock Market todayBihar cabinet expansionWBBSE Madhyamik Result 2026Salil AnkolaBihar Ministers ListRCB vs LSG IPL Match Today ‘Look at Virat Kohli’: Sanjay Manjrekar questions Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav fitness standards Coal India MT Recruitment 2026: 660 vacancies announced for Management Trainees; check eligibility, notification link and steps to apply James Cameron sued by ‘Yellowstone’ Q’orianka Kilcher: Alleges he used her face in ‘Avatar’ without permission 210‑million‑year‑old crocodile cousin’s ‘time slice’ reveals how they evolved into diverse forms What you need to do on Friday to attract wealth and money Bengaluru techie spots neighbour filming her while bathing, fears social media leak; accused held Image: IANS, ANI Makkal Needhi Maiyam (MNM) president and Rajya Sabha MP Kamal Haasan on Thursday said not inviting TVK to form the government in Tamil Nadu, despite emerging as the single largest party, would amount to “disrespecting the mandate of the people”.He urged constitutional authorities to allow the party to prove its majority on the floor of the House.”The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, led by Mr @TVKVijayHQ, has won 108 seats. Not inviting him to form the government would amount to disrespecting the mandate of the people of Tamil Nadu. The 233 elected members are still unable to take their oaths. This is an insult to the state; a damage to democracy,” Haasan said through a post on X.Referring to the Supreme Court’s ruling in the S R Bommai case, he said the court had clearly held that “a majority must be proved on the floor of the House, not in Raj Bhavan.”Haasan also referred to outgoing chief minister M K Stalin’s statement accepting the verdict and functioning as a “responsible opposition”, saying he respected Stalin’s “political maturity”.”My brother, Mr @mkstalin has announced that ‘we respect the people’s verdict; we shall function as a responsible opposition’. I respect his political maturity,” he said.Meanwhile, sources said Vijay could be sworn in as the next Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu once he demonstrates majority support in the Assembly, with Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar said to be keen on ensuring a “stable” government, as cited by ANI.Sources added that Vijay could take oath as chief minister as soon as he proves the required numbers.The development comes amid continuing political activity in the state, with Vijay meeting the Governor for a second time earlier in the day and staking claim to form the government with the backing of 112 MLAs, including five from Congress.Supporters of TVK also staged protests outside Lok Bhavan, demanding Vijay’s immediate swearing-in as chief minister.Vijay is expected to resign from one of the two Assembly seats he contested, reducing the effective strength of the 234-member House to 233 and bringing down the majority mark to 117. With support from 112 MLAs, TVK remains five short of the halfway mark.Earlier, Congress Legislature Party leader S Rajeshkumar said the party’s support to TVK was aimed at respecting the people’s mandate and working for the welfare of the state.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosMother of Suvendu Adhikari’s PA Chandra breaks down, Demands ‘Life Imprisonment’ For KillersOperation Sindoor Anniversary: Heavy Security Deployed in Poonch Market Area, Situation CalmOperation Sindoor Anniversary: Rajnath Singh Salutes Courage And Synergy of Armed ForcesHamirpur boat accident: Search underway for 6 missing in Yamuna River‘Congress Will Be Wiped Out Everywhere’: DMK Warns Cong Over Support To Vijay’s TVK2 Dead, 200+ FIRs, 433 Arrested, Over 1100 Detained In Post-Poll Violence In West Bengal‘Asked Me To Pay Rs 5 Crore’: Ex-Cricketer Makes Shocking Claim On TMC After Bengal PollsPakistan Navy Helps Stranded Indian Ship In Arabian Sea After Distress Call: ReportTVK Emerges Largest, But Vijay Needs Critical Backing To Form Govt; Will He Succeed?Election Commission Blocks 68 Lakh Cyber Attacks; ECINET Handles Record Traffic on Counting Day123Photostories10 strangest trees in the world and where travellers can find them10 deadliest snakes in the world: One drop of venom can kill hundreds; what travellers should know5 smart style hacks to look slimmer in a saree7 Affordable décor ideas for a bachelor’s studio roomPersonality test: Woman in mirror, skull or both? What you see first reveals if you’re highly empathetic, emotionally protective, or balancedHow to make light and comforting Soy and Mushroom Fried Rice for lunchTop 5 residential areas in Bhubaneswar for property investmentHow Ananya Birla absolutely owned her Met Gala debut with three couture looks and left no crumbsOperation Sindoor anniversary: How India’s 88-hour military response played out – in photosWhat attracts snakes to your home and garden123Hot PicksBihar ministers listDelhi traffic advisoryDelhi rainPune child rape-murder casePerambur election resultIndia-New Zealand FTASugarcane price hikeTop TrendingHow to download Minecraft Beta VersionWest Bengal ViolenceTamil Nadu Class 12 Result 2026Maharashtra Board SSC Result 2026Stock Market todayBihar cabinet expansionWBBSE Madhyamik Result 2026Salil AnkolaBihar Ministers ListRCB vs LSG IPL Match Today Tripura University releases first semester results 2026 for LLB, B.Sc. IT and library science courses Sudipto Sen SLAMS Vipul Shah over ‘The Kerala Story 2’ exit claims: ‘He had chosen to tell the lie’ Employee fired just 1 week after joining new job— All because he asked about… Did Saudi ‘anger’ force Trump to reopen the Strait of Hormuz? Ex-UK police officer accused of scamming Dior, Cartier and Apple in refund fraud | World News Image: IANS NEW DELHI: The ouster of the two term CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front govt in Kerala by the Congress led UDF marks the first time since 1977 that no state in India will have a communist govt. The loss in this critical contest presents before the Left its biggest challenge of continuing to be relevant at the national level in the face of declining influence in election after election.However, despite the setback, the left’s liberal-progressive narrative still appeals to a rights-based framework and is seen spearheading agenda-setting on issues ranging from environment, livelihoods of marginalised communities to gender and labour issues among others.How far the left is able to reinforce itself among its core support groups is going to be critical. Infact when in Bihar assembly polls last year CPI(ML) faced a severe setback plummeting from 12 seats to a mere two, it brought into focus that though the left traces its beginnings to mass movements and grassroots mobilisation, it is increasingly unable to retain its strongholds signalling the need to reinvent its outreach and reconnect with its core support base.The defeat in Kerala also raises the possibility of the left losing some heft in asserting itself in the opposition’s INDIA bloc. There is speculation that the poll outcome is expected to pave the way for some sort of realignment within the bloc itself with two key allies TMC and DMK ousted from power in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu.While BJP remains the key target of the INDIA bloc, whether new entrant TVK will be part of the alliance or not will also be a factor in how the power equations within the alliance – formed to challenge the BJP led NDA in Lok Sabha elections 2024 – take shape.In Kerala, stakes were high for the LDF right from the outset both from anti-incumbency and a poll that was seen as a referendum on Pinarayi Vijayan. Vijayan created history in 2021 as the first CM in the state to be re-elected after a full five-year term. Earlier to that, the state has had a four-decade-old tradition of alternating govts.In a high – pitched battle with a resurgent Congress led UDF, both sides crossed swords and engage in scathing attacks. BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA)’s attempts to expand its footprint beyond traditional pockets also played a role in pushing the LDF to the ropes.In West Bengal, the CPI(M) which once led govt in the state for 34 years, was ahead in just one seat till late evening. In Assam, where the left parties – CPI(M), CPI and CPI(ML) fought as part of the Congress-led alliance, failed to open their account. In Tamil Nadu, where the left parties fought as part of the DMK-led alliance, they looked set to win four seats till late in the evening.Reflecting on the polls results, CPI(M) general secretary on behalf of the Polit Bureau of the party said, “the two major features of the assembly election results are the serious setback to the Left Democratic Front (LDF) in Kerala and the victory of the BJP in West Bengal.”Alleging that in West Bengal, the BJP benefited from several factors, including the strong anti-incumbency against the “corrupt” TMC govt, Baby said, “even in such a polarised situation, the left could marginally improve its performance.”Refusing to see the poll outcome as a reflection on the growing irrelevance of Left, Baby agreed that despite having an organisational presence, impact was not getting converted to support in the electoral arena. He claimed that the left was still at the forefront in raising issues of the marginalised and “in the upcoming Polit Bureau and Central Committee meetings they will introspect on the reasons that led to the defeat of the LDF in Kerala and take corrective measures”.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosMother of Suvendu Adhikari’s PA Chandra breaks down, Demands ‘Life Imprisonment’ For KillersOperation Sindoor Anniversary: Heavy Security Deployed in Poonch Market Area, Situation CalmOperation Sindoor Anniversary: Rajnath Singh Salutes Courage And Synergy of Armed ForcesHamirpur boat accident: Search underway for 6 missing in Yamuna River‘Congress Will Be Wiped Out Everywhere’: DMK Warns Cong Over Support To Vijay’s TVK2 Dead, 200+ FIRs, 433 Arrested, Over 1100 Detained In Post-Poll Violence In West Bengal‘Asked Me To Pay Rs 5 Crore’: Ex-Cricketer Makes Shocking Claim On TMC After Bengal PollsPakistan Navy Helps Stranded Indian Ship In Arabian Sea After Distress Call: ReportTVK Emerges Largest, But Vijay Needs Critical Backing To Form Govt; Will He Succeed?Election Commission Blocks 68 Lakh Cyber Attacks; ECINET Handles Record Traffic on Counting Day123Photostories10 deadliest snakes in the world: One drop of venom can kill hundreds; what travellers should know5 smart style hacks to look slimmer in a saree7 Affordable décor ideas for a bachelor’s studio roomPersonality test: Woman in mirror, skull or both? 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