VK News Today https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html West Bengal makes ‘Vande Mataram’ must in school morning assemblies UAE among world’s fastest-growing billionaire hubs with 17 residents worth $212.6 billion: Forbes NEW DELHI: The Congress finally ended Kerala’s suspense on Wednesday. Ten days after the UDF’s historic mandate, VD Satheesan was named chief minister. For a party that had just won 63 seats, with the UDF alliance winning 102, the delay was not about numbers or coalition arithmetic. It was about the Congress being unable to get out of its own way.Across the country, in West Bengal, the BJP had done the same thing in roughly 48 hours. 207 seats, a state won for the first time in the party’s history, and Suvendu Adhikari was named CM before the celebrations had properly begun (or Mamata had resigned). Similar scenes played out in Assam, where the saffron party secured a thumping mandate. There was never much doubt over the BJP’s choice for chief minister. Himanta Biswa Sarma, who has led the party to consecutive victories in the state, has also played a key role in expanding the BJP’s footprint across the North East was the obvious choice.Also read: How 2026 Assam win established ‘outsider’ Himanta as party’s next-gen leaderTwo parties achieved historic victories in the same election cycle, yet they took completely different approaches afterward. One moves as if it has done this before. The other moves like it is battling inner turmoil even after securing a historic mandate.One party treats victory as the start of control; the other often treats it as the start of negotiation.So, what does the BJP understand about winning that the Congress keeps having to relearn? The BJP’s favourite trickThe BJP’s approach to choosing chief ministers since 2014 has followed a clear pattern. When the party wins a state, it often avoids picking the obvious frontrunner. Instead, it gives the top post to someone who may not be well known outside the state but has worked at the grassroots level or closely with the local leadership.The idea behind this strategy is simple. It prevents regional strongmen from becoming too powerful. It also ensures that the victory is seen as a mandate for the party and its central leadership, not for a local leader. At the same time, it sends a message to party workers that loyalty to the organisation matters more than personal ambition.The track record backs this up. When the BJP won Haryana in 2014, it went with Manohar Lal Khattar, a first-time MLA. When it replaced Vijay Rupani in Gujarat in 2021, Bhupendra Patel, another first-term MLA, got the job. In December 2023, after sweeping Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, the BJP sent a clear message about its changing leadership model. Despite delivering major victories, veterans Vasundhara Raje, Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Raman Singh were all passed over for the top job. Instead, the party chose relatively low-profile leaders, Bhajan Lal Sharma, Mohan Yadav and Vishnu Deo Sai, signalling its preference for fresh faces over entrenched regional heavyweights. Add Tripura’s Biplab Deb, Uttarakhand’s Pushkar Singh Dhami, Manipur’s N Biren Singh and Tripura’s Manik Saha to the list. These were not household names outside their states. However, they were chosen to govern quietly under the BJP’s national banner while the central leadership held the real reins.The BJP does sometimes allow strong regional leaders to emerge. Yogi Adityanath in Uttar Pradesh is the clearest example; leaders like Devendra Fadnavis, who have worked in the RSS ecosystem for decades, were also rewarded with the top post. But that usually happens after the party is already firmly established there. What Congress does insteadBefore getting into why these Assam and Bengal cases differ from the party’s normal approach, it is worth looking at what the BJP’s tightly controlled chief minister selection process is designed to avoid: prolonged public power struggles after an electoral win.That contrast was visible after Karnataka in 2023, when the Indian National Congress spent days in an open tussle between Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar. Both leaders lobbied legislators, both made their case to Delhi, and the internal contest played out in full public view. Siddaramaiah eventually became chief minister, while Shivakumar was accommodated as deputy; however, their rivalry continues to make headlines even today.It was also not an isolated episode. After winning Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh in 2018, the Congress turned each victory into a drawn-out negotiation over leadership. In Madhya Pradesh, Kamal Nath and Jyotiraditya Scindia were locked in a bitter contest for control. In Rajasthan, the feud between Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot lasted longer than the government itself, nearly bringing it down in 2020.Now, in May 2026, the same drama played out in Kerala. The Congress-led United Democratic Front won a huge victory, taking 102 seats in the 140-member assembly, with the Congress alone winning 63. But even after such a clear mandate, the party took ten days to announce V. D. Satheesan as the state’s new chief minister, while other states that went to the polls had already named their CMs. The contest had narrowed to three names: AICC general secretary KC Venugopal, leader of the opposition in the assembly VD Satheesan and senior leader Ramesh Chennithala. Intense lobbying, competing camps and differing views within the party reportedly prolonged the process, even as other states that went to the polls had already finalised their chief ministers. Meetings between Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge and senior Congress leaders continued deep into the week, while the prolonged uncertainty triggered memes, online mockery and growing frustration among party workers.When the announcement finally came, Satheesan had long appeared to be the obvious frontrunner. Himanta first, then SuvenduSo why did the BJP break from its own playbook in both Assam and Bengal?The answer is simpler than it looks: it did not, really. The playbook was never about picking unknown faces. It was about picking people who would not overshadow the central leadership or build independent power centres. Himanta Biswa Sarma is the template. He joined the BJP from the Congress in 2015 and spent years building the party’s footprint across the northeast as convener of the North East Democratic Alliance. By the time the BJP won Assam in 2021, he was the clear frontrunner for the top spot. He was the reason the party had the numbers to win. The central leadership recognised that and acted accordingly.Suvendu Adhikari’s path to the Bengal CM post follows the same logic.Adhikari’s political career began in the Congress before he moved with his family to the TMC when Mamata Banerjee formed the party in 1998. He was at the heart of the Nandigram agitation in 2007, the movement that broke the Left Front’s grip on rural Bengal and made Mamata a genuine mass leader. He won the Tamluk Lok Sabha seat in 2009 and held it in 2014. In 2016, he shifted to state politics, won Nandigram and went into Mamata’s cabinet as Transport Minister, later also handling Irrigation and Water Resources. His break with the TMC in late 2020, driven in part by his discomfort with the growing role of Mamata’s nephew Abhishek Banerjee within the party, was the single biggest jolt the TMC received before the 2021 elections. He joined the BJP at a rally in Midnapore alongside Amit Shah in December 2020.Then came the defining moments. In 2021, he contested against Mamata Banerjee in Nandigram, her chosen constituency, and defeated her by 1,956 votes. Five years later, in 2026, he did it again, this time in Bhabanipur, Mamata’s traditional stronghold, beating her by over 15,000 votes. He also won Nandigram simultaneously.The inside man advantageWhat makes Adhikari’s appointment particularly significant is not just what he did to the TMC, but what he knows about it.He spent over two decades building the Trinamool Congress from the ground up. He knows how rural networks function, how district power structures are wired, and who the key operators are at the booth level across multiple districts.This matters enormously for what comes next. The BJP’s victory in Bengal is not the end of the story; it is the beginning of a consolidation challenge. The TMC’s grassroots organisation, built painstakingly over 15 years, did not disappear overnight when it lost the polls. The party workers, the district leaders, the local strongmen who ran things under the TMC, they are all still there, and many of them are now looking at which way the wind is blowing.What’s nextIn the end, the contrast between Bengal and Kerala was not really about Suvendu Adhikari or VD Satheesan. It was about what happens inside two parties the moment victory arrives.The BJP treats power like a system. Decisions are centralised, hierarchy is clear and uncertainty is minimised. Sometimes that means surprise chief ministers. Sometimes, as in Assam and Bengal, it means recognising when a leader has become too politically important to ignore. But either way, the party moves quickly, projects authority and ensures the focus stays on the organisation.The Congress still struggles with that instinct. Even after major victories, it often appears trapped in negotiation, balancing factions instead of controlling them. What should look like confidence instead begins to resemble hesitation. The BJP treats power as something to be seized and organised; the Congress still treats it as something to be negotiated and shared. One has a system. The other has a conversation.About the AuthorVivek DubeyA digital news desk journalist at The Times of India with over two years of experience. Closely tracks foreign affairs and international politics. Fondness for precise language and clever headlines. When not editing news, he is usually refining a turn of phrase.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosMan Trying To Hold Tin Shed Gets Swept Into Air During Violent Storm In Bareilly, Survives Fall’Unacceptable’: India Slams Attack On Indian-Flagged Ship Near OmanEC Announces Phase 3 Of SIR Across 16 States, 3 UTs; J&K, Ladakh, Himachal Left OutEx-Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee In Lawyer’s Gown Argues Post-poll Violence Case In High CourtKC Venugopal Backs VD Satheesan as Kerala CM, Says Congress Fully United Behind HimCongress Picks VD Satheesan as Kerala CM After 10 Days of Talks and Leadership BattleRBI Governor Warns Fuel Price Hike Possible If Middle East Crisis Continues LongerAIMIM Corporator’s Home Razed In Sambhajinagar Amid TCS Conversion Case Row EscalationKerala CM Race Ends as Congress Picks VD Satheesan Amid Venugopal Backing and Internal TensionsBJP Questions Rahul Gandhi Over Alleged Rs 60 Crore Foreign Travel Spending Claims123PhotostoriesRice water vs coconut water for hair growth: Which works better in summer?5 reasons why someone dislikes you – And why is it not your problemAditi Rao Hydari just landed in Cannes and her denim airport look already screams red carpet royalty10 affirmations to attract calm and genuine loveFeeling constantly exhausted at work? 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The crack in AIADMK in Tamil Nadu, much like the splits in Shiv Sena in Maharashtra, suggests they often do.In June 2022, Eknath Shinde led a rebellion in Shiv Sena and took away two-thirds of the party’s MLAs, toppling the Maha Vikas Aghadi government. The coup vertically split the party into rival camps led by Shinde and Uddhav Thackeray.A similar script unfolded in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday after the rebel AIADMK camp led by C Ve Shanmugam and SP Velumani extended support to Vijay’s minority government during the floor test despite a party whip directing MLAs to vote against it.This split Amma’s AIADMK into two factions, with 25 rebel MLAs on one side and 22 on the other.This came despite AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami saying the party would not support the newly elected TVK government and alleging that attempts were being made to lure MLAs with offers of ministerial posts and board chairman positions.The crisis has now raised a question: Could AIADMK be headed for a Shiv Sena-style split?AIADMK vs AIADMKThe chain of events started after the Tamil Nadu assembly elections delivered a fractured mandate with no party crossing the majority mark.TVK emerged as the single largest party with 108 seats, but remained short of the numbers needed to form the government on its own. DMK, which had swept the previous election, saw its tally fall to 59 seats, while AIADMK managed to win only 47 seats. Among the smaller players, CPI and CPM won two seats each, VCK secured two, and IUML retained both constituencies it contested. Congress managed to win five seats, PMK won four, while AMMK and BJP opened their accounts with one seat each.This pushed the state’s political parties into a post-poll numbers game.Reportedly, AIADMK and DMK – the Dravidian rivals – entered into talks to prevent Vijay from forming the government. Leaders in AIADMK alleged that EPS sought the chief minister’s post through such an arrangement.The move, however, did not sit well with a large section of the party.Subsequently, cracks within AIADMK appeared in the open as a group of MLAs submitted a letter to pro tem Speaker M V Karuppaiah seeking the appointment of former minister S P Velumani as the AIADMK legislature party leader. Later, 25 AIADMK MLAs from the rebel camp voted in favour of the TVK government during the trust vote.C Ve Shanmugam defended the decision, saying the AIADMK had to adapt to the new political reality after its poor electoral performance. He said the party should support TVK to revive what he described as “Amma rule.”EPS removes rebels; Shanmugam cries foul Hours after the floor test, Palaniswami removed 26 office-bearers, including C Ve Shanmugam, SP Velumani, R Kamaraj, C Vijayabaskar and Natham R Viswanathan, from party posts.The Palaniswami camp maintained that the whip issued by SS Krishnamurthy, appointed by the official leadership, was legally valid and binding on all MLAs. Palaniswami himself declared on the assembly floor that AIADMK legislators must vote against the government.EPS also claimed the AIADMK legislature party had already been formally constituted with him as its leader. Meanwhile, Shanmugam rejected the disciplinary action as invalid and said that Palaniswami had no authority to remove them. He also questioned how disciplinary action could be initiated without first examining the reasons behind the poll debacle through the party’s general council.Shanmugam also claimed no explanation had been sought from the rebel leaders before action was taken.What the anti-defection law saysAIADMK MP IS Inbadurai claimed the anti-defection law will be invoked against the MLAs who ignored the party whip and voted in favour of the government.Under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution, MLAs can be disqualified on two key grounds:If they voluntarily give up membership of the party on whose ticket they were elected.If they vote or abstain from voting contrary to a party whip without prior permission, and the party does not condone the action within 15 days.However, the anti-defection proceedings hinge on whether the whip was validly issued and properly communicated to MLAs.What’s nextNow, the split in the AIADMK in the Tamil Nadu assembly may lead the party’s legislative leader, Palaniswami, to file disqualification petitions against the rebel MLAs. This would force Speaker JCD Prabhakar to decide whether the rebel MLAs violated the party whip under the Tenth Schedule.However, any ruling by the speaker is likely to be challenged in court.Meanwhile, a battle over control of AIADMK and its “two leaves” symbol could eventually reach the Election Commission, which is not bound by the speaker’s findings in anti-defection proceedings.SC’s verdict on Shiv SenaIf a legal battle over the control of AIADMK reaches court, it is likely to hinge on the Supreme Court’s 2023 Constitution Bench verdict in the Shiv Sena split case.In the Shiv Sena vs Shiv Sena case, the top court held that the “political party” — and not merely the legislature party — has the authority to appoint the whip and leader in the House.The court also ruled that the speaker cannot recognise a faction as the “real” party solely because it commands more MLAs. Instead, the speaker must examine the structure and constitution of the original political party.The other routesThe rebel MLAs are likely to face disqualification if their numbers remain below the two-thirds threshold required for protection under the merger provision. In AIADMK’s case, the rebel camp would need at least 32 MLAs to avoid disqualification while remaining in the assembly.But resignation offers another route.If rebel MLAs resign and the Speaker accepts their resignations, they immediately cease to be legislators, making anti-defection proceedings irrelevant because the law applies only to sitting MLAs.Unlike disqualified legislators, MLAs who resign before disqualification are not barred from contesting bypolls. In 2019, the Supreme Court allowed rebel MLAs in Karnataka to contest by-elections despite disqualification orders passed by the Speaker. In effect, resignation allows rebels to bypass the two-thirds requirement altogether.The Velumani-Shanmugam camp still has another option.If the rebels manage to bring more AIADMK MLAs to their side and cross the two-thirds mark — 32 MLAs in the party’s case — they could avoid disqualification and stake a claim to being the “real” AIADMK legislature party.That is precisely the route Shinde followed in Maharashtra in 2022. He walked away from the Thackeray government with more than two-thirds of Shiv Sena MLAs, survived anti-defection proceedings and eventually won the battle over the party’s name and symbol. A similar drama played out in Madhya Pradesh in 2020, when 22 Congress MLAs backing Jyotiraditya Scindia quit the party, bringing down the Kamal Nath government and clearing the way for the BJP’s return to power under Shivraj Singh Chouhan.About the AuthorRohitashwa RanjanRohitashwa Ranjan is a digital journalist with The Times of India, where he decodes Indian politics as a carefully staged production with scripts, subtext and everything behind. His work tracks elections, party dynamics and the things that often are buried beneath the headlines. When not parsing vote shares or alliances, he is usually reading between the lines, where the real story tends to reside.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosMan Trying To Hold Tin Shed Gets Swept Into Air During Violent Storm In Bareilly, Survives Fall’Unacceptable’: India Slams Attack On Indian-Flagged Ship Near OmanEC Announces Phase 3 Of SIR Across 16 States, 3 UTs; J&K, Ladakh, Himachal Left OutEx-Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee In Lawyer’s Gown Argues Post-poll Violence Case In High CourtKC Venugopal Backs VD Satheesan as Kerala CM, Says Congress Fully United Behind HimCongress Picks VD Satheesan as Kerala CM After 10 Days of Talks and Leadership BattleRBI Governor Warns Fuel Price Hike Possible If Middle East Crisis Continues LongerAIMIM Corporator’s Home Razed In Sambhajinagar Amid TCS Conversion Case Row EscalationKerala CM Race Ends as Congress Picks VD Satheesan Amid Venugopal Backing and Internal TensionsBJP Questions Rahul Gandhi Over Alleged Rs 60 Crore Foreign Travel Spending Claims123PhotostoriesAditi Rao Hydari just landed in Cannes and her denim airport look already screams red carpet royalty10 affirmations to attract calm and genuine loveFeeling constantly exhausted at work? 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NYC doc shares the ‘I love you’ technique to help you poop instantlyMouni Roy seperation buzz to Hansika Motwani’s divorce; Bollywood breakups that left fans stunned7 smart lighting ideas that instantly make your home feel luxurious5 oils you need to buy on your hair growth journey10 destinations in India that became viral sensations after featuring in Bollywood moviesThese Indian fruits have surprisingly different English names123Hot PicksCBSE class 12 resultUS Iran warPrateek YadavHaryana election resultForeign outflowNEET exam cancelledTamil Nadu assemblyTop TrendingWB Class 12 Result 2026WB Board 12th ResultIPL Points TablePM Internship SchemeCalcutta High CourtMI vs PBKS IPL MatchIPL Orange Cap 2026Haryana Board ResultAir India FlightsPrateek Yadav Nikhat Zareen misses Asian Games and CWG after shock trial defeat Crude oil prices may ease to $79/barrel by 2027: US energy information administration Bharatiya Bhasha Summer Camp launched to promote multilingual learning; check details here Sharib Hashmi says he has to work more now to afford wife’s medical bills after Cancer relapse: ‘Last year didn’t go well financially for me’ 10 affirmations to attract calm and genuine love Car maintenance tips that can improve fuel efficiency: Easy steps ‘They hijacked the body’: RG Kar parents move court, demand arrest of ex-MLA Nirmal Ghosh 12 skeletons found in a hidden Petra tomb beneath the Treasury VD Satheesan and Shehzad Poonawalla (Image/PTI) NEW DELHI: Hours after the Congress announced VD Satheesan as Kerala’s next chief minister, the BJP launched a sharp attack on the party, alleging that the decision was influenced by the Indian Union Muslim League and accusing the Congress of surrendering to its alliance partner.Soon after the announcement, BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla shared a post targeting the Congress leadership and the new Kerala government.”Janta Mandate & MLA choice gone for a toss,” Poonawalla wrote on X.”New Keralam CM will be Remote Controlled by IUML. High command is Jamat. Jamat and IUML weighed upon Congress and got their pick as CM,” he alleged.The BJP’s Kerala unit also intensified its criticism targeting both the Congress and the IUML leadership.In another post shared by BJP Kerala, attributed to senior leader MT Ramesh, the party claimed: “It has once again been proven that the Congress High Command’s henchman is the Muslim League and Ponnani. In deciding the Chief Minister, the Congress High Command knelt before the League leadership.”The BJP Kerala unit further alleged that the Congress leadership had no option but to bow before the IUML because of its political dependence in the state.”11 days after the Keralam election results were declared on May 4, Congress has finally announced VD Satheesan as Keralam’s next CM,” the BJP Kerala handle posted.”Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi know INC cannot survive in Keralam or protect Wayanad without the Indian Union Muslim League. Satheesan becoming CM is a clear sign that Congress and Gandhis have ultimately bowed down to the IUML,” the post added.The BJP also circulated several memes through its official social media pages. In one such image, IUML state president Sayyid Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal was depicted seated at the centre while Rahul Gandhi and Kharge were shown bowing before him and Satheesan was portrayed fanning him.The posts were widely circulated with the hashtag ‘CongressPoliticsOfAppeasement’.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 MediaVideosMan Trying To Hold Tin Shed Gets Swept Into Air During Violent Storm In Bareilly, Survives Fall’Unacceptable’: India Slams Attack On Indian-Flagged Ship Near OmanEC Announces Phase 3 Of SIR Across 16 States, 3 UTs; J&K, Ladakh, Himachal Left OutEx-Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee In Lawyer’s Gown Argues Post-poll Violence Case In High CourtKC Venugopal Backs VD Satheesan as Kerala CM, Says Congress Fully United Behind HimCongress Picks VD Satheesan as Kerala CM After 10 Days of Talks and Leadership BattleRBI Governor Warns Fuel Price Hike Possible If Middle East Crisis Continues LongerAIMIM Corporator’s Home Razed In Sambhajinagar Amid TCS Conversion Case Row EscalationKerala CM Race Ends as Congress Picks VD Satheesan Amid Venugopal Backing and Internal TensionsBJP Questions Rahul Gandhi Over Alleged Rs 60 Crore Foreign Travel Spending Claims123Photostories6 foods a Harvard doc eats daily to prevent colon cancer and fatty liverConstipated? 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Doctors reveal why this rare infection is nothing like Covid-197 foods Indian grandparents ate regularly that are suddenly trendy again123Hot PicksCBSE class 12 resultUS Iran warPrateek YadavHaryana election resultForeign outflowNEET exam cancelledTamil Nadu assemblyTop TrendingWB Class 12 Result 2026WB Board 12th ResultIPL Points TablePM Internship SchemeCalcutta High CourtMI vs PBKS IPL MatchIPL Orange Cap 2026Haryana Board ResultAir India FlightsPrateek Yadav Singapore Airlines profit falls 57% as Air India losses and absence of Vistara merger gain weigh on earnings BCECEB releases Bihar Paramedical admit card 2026; PM and PMI examinations begin from May 23 ‘Bridgerton Season 5’: Regency romance set to release in 2027; production of Francesca’s love story begins in UK Feeling constantly exhausted at work? The 6-4-2 formula may be the balance your life is missing ‘Question paper circulated through couriers’: Jaipur’s Biwal family at centre of NEET-UG paper leak probe 400 employees became millionaires overnight when a founder sold his startup for $3.7 billion before its IPO VD Satheesan has been chosen as Kerala’s next chief minister after the Congress-led UDF secured a decisive election victory.Donald Trump and Xi Jinping projected a cooperative tone during their Beijing summit amid efforts to stabilise US-China ties.The Election Commission of India has announced Phase III of the Special Intensive Revision exercise covering 16 states and 3 Union territories.Two more India-bound LPG carriers have crossed the Strait of Hormuz, underlining India’s efforts to maintain energy supplies amid regional tensions.The CBI probe into the NEET-UG leak case has found that a handwritten question paper was allegedly scanned and circulated to students for large sums of money.Here are your top stories of the day.VD Satheesan named Kerala chief minister after UDF landslideThe Congress on Thursday announced VD Satheesan as the next chief minister of Kerala following the UDF’s sweeping victory in the Assembly elections. Satheesan emerged as the preferred choice over senior leaders KC Venugopal and Ramesh Chennithala after days of consultations within the party leadership. The decision marks the Congress-led alliance’s return to power after defeating the Left government led by Pinarayi Vijayan. Read full storyDonald Trump and Xi Jinping stress cooperation at Beijing summitDonald Trump and Xi Jinping struck a warm and optimistic tone during their meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, despite continuing tensions over trade, technology and security. Xi said the two countries should be “partners, not rivals”, while Trump praised Xi’s leadership and expressed confidence in future relations. The summit is being closely watched as Washington and Beijing attempt to reset ties between the world’s two largest economies. Read full storyElection Commission of India expands electoral roll revision exercise nationwideThe Election Commission has announced Phase III of the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls across 16 states and 3 Union territories. The exercise will involve more than 3.94 lakh Booth Level Officers conducting door-to-door verification for over 36 crore electors. Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh have been excluded for now due to census and weather-related considerations. Read full storyTwo more India-bound ships cross Strait of Hormuz amid regional tensionsTwo additional LPG carriers carrying cooking gas supplies for India have successfully crossed the Strait of Hormuz, taking the total number of vessels to 13. Officials said the ships were monitored through coordination involving multiple ministries and maritime authorities. The movement comes as India continues efforts to secure energy supplies amid instability in West Asia. Read full storyCBI probe finds NEET-UG paper was scanned and circulated in RajasthanThe CBI investigation into the NEET-UG 2026 leak case has found that a handwritten question paper was allegedly scanned and converted into PDF files in Rajasthan before being circulated to students. Investigators said some aspirants reportedly paid between Rs 2 lakh and Rs 5 lakh for access to the leaked material. The probe follows the National Testing Agency’s decision to cancel the examination held on May 3. Read full storyAbout 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 MediaVideos’Unacceptable’: India Slams Attack On Indian-Flagged Ship Near OmanEC Announces Phase 3 Of SIR Across 16 States, 3 UTs; J&K, Ladakh, Himachal Left OutEx-Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee In Lawyer’s Gown Argues Post-poll Violence Case In High CourtKC Venugopal Backs VD Satheesan as Kerala CM, Says Congress Fully United Behind HimCongress Picks VD Satheesan as Kerala CM After 10 Days of Talks and Leadership BattleRBI Governor Warns Fuel Price Hike Possible If Middle East Crisis Continues LongerAIMIM Corporator’s Home Razed In Sambhajinagar Amid TCS Conversion Case Row EscalationKerala CM Race Ends as Congress Picks VD Satheesan Amid Venugopal Backing and Internal TensionsBJP Questions Rahul Gandhi Over Alleged Rs 60 Crore Foreign Travel Spending ClaimsIran Signals More Safe Passage For Indian Ships As BRICS Meet Faces West Asia Divide123Photostories6 foods a Harvard doc eats daily to prevent colon cancer and fatty liverConstipated? NYC doc shares the ‘I love you’ technique to help you poop instantlyMouni Roy seperation buzz to Hansika Motwani’s divorce; Bollywood breakups that left fans stunned7 smart lighting ideas that instantly make your home feel luxurious5 oils you need to buy on your hair growth journey10 destinations in India that became viral sensations after featuring in Bollywood moviesThese Indian fruits have surprisingly different English names5 Indian states that consume the most petrol per person and why travellers should pay attentionCan Hantavirus spread between humans? Doctors reveal why this rare infection is nothing like Covid-197 foods Indian grandparents ate regularly that are suddenly trendy again123Hot PicksCBSE class 12 resultUS Iran warPrateek YadavHaryana election resultForeign outflowNEET exam cancelledTamil Nadu assemblyTop TrendingWB Class 12 Result 2026WB Board 12th ResultIPL Points TablePM Internship SchemeCalcutta High CourtMI vs PBKS IPL MatchIPL Orange Cap 2026Haryana Board ResultAir India FlightsPrateek Yadav May 14, 2026, 18:30 IST CUSAT CAT 2026 answer key released at admissions.cusat.ac.in; objection window open till May 17 ‘We just lifted it without rights’ NASA’s Curiosity rover had a Martian rock stuck on its arm for days; here’s how it finally came off ‘Ab toh India ke liye thodi na khelna hai…’: Virat Kohli’s hilarious remark goes viral — watch The real Dracula Castle just got a powerful new owner from the United States VD Satheesan (Image/PTI) NEW DELHI: Ending 10 days of suspense, the Congress on Thursday finally picked VD Satheesan as the next chief minister of Kerala after days of intense lobbying, marathon consultations and growing pressure within the party following the UDF’s sweeping victory in the assembly elections.The Congress-led alliance returned to power in the state after nearly a decade, ending the CPM-led Left Democratic Front’s rule.However, even after the UDF stormed back to power with a massive 102 seats in the 140-member Kerala assembly, the Congress struggled to decide who would lead the government. The suspense stretched from May 4, when the election results were declared till May 14, when the party finally announced VD Satheesan as Kerala’s next chief minister.For 10 days, Kerala politics revolved around one question: who would become chief minister?What followed was a high-stakes power struggle that saw supporters marching on streets, posters attacking rivals appearing across districts, alliance partners growing impatient and the BJP mocking Congress over its ‘confusion’ despite securing a clear mandate.UDF’s landslide comeback sparks leadership raceThe chaos began immediately after the Congress-led UDF secured a thumping victory in the Kerala assembly elections on May 4, ending the CPM-led Left Democratic Front’s decade-long rule in the state.Congress alone won 63 seats while its key ally, the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) secured 22, taking the alliance tally comfortably past the majority mark.The victory was politically significant for the Congress, which had suffered setbacks in the 2016 and 2021 assembly elections. It also marked a generational shift in Kerala Congress politics after the era of towering leaders like K Karunakaran, Oommen Chandy and AK Antony.Almost immediately after the results, attention shifted from victory celebrations to the battle for the chief minister’s post.Three camps emergeThree clear power centres quickly emerged within the Congress in Kerala.VD Satheesan’s camp argued that he deserved the post because he led the UDF’s aggressive campaign against the LDF as the leader of the opposition and became the public face of the alliance’s comeback.KC Venugopal’s supporters claimed that he played a key role in strategy, alliance coordination and candidate selection and enjoyed the support of a majority of MLAs.Ramesh Chennithala, meanwhile, projected himself as the senior-most leader with administrative experience and organisational acceptability.Soon, Kerala witnessed a full-fledged campaign from supporters of all three leaders.Flex boards, rallies and social media campaigns appeared across districts backing Satheesan, Venugopal and Chennithala. Supporters organised roadshows and receptions while rival camps pushed narratives about popularity, seniority, loyalty and grassroots support.Congress high command steps inAs lobbying intensified, the Congress high command moved cautiously.The party appointed senior leaders Mukul Wasnik and Ajay Maken as observers to gather opinions from MLAs and alliance leaders.On May 7, the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) passed a resolution authorising party president Mallikarjun Kharge to decide the leader of the legislature party, effectively handing the final decision to Delhi.The observers then held individual meetings with MLAs and senior leaders before submitting their report to the leadership.Poster wars and protests eruptBy May 8 and May 9, the leadership tussle had spilt onto the streets.Posters supporting Satheesan appeared across Kerala, particularly in Ernakulam and other UDF strongholds. Similar campaigns backing Venugopal and Chennithala also surfaced in several districts.The internal friction soon turned ugly.Posters targeting KC Venugopal emerged in Wandoor constituency, triggering discussions over Congress-IUML tensions. Later, posters attacking Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra appeared in Wayanad, warning the high command against choosing Venugopal.One poster reportedly claimed Wayanad would become ‘the next Amethi’ if the wrong decision was taken.The public display of factionalism embarrassed the party leadership and overshadowed the scale of the UDF’s historic victory.Even KPCC president Sunny Joseph admitted the delay and internal tussle had affected the public perception of the victory.”I do admit that. But the grace of the victory will be enhanced once the new government comes to power,” he said.Congress leaders defend delay amid BJP attacksBJP and LDF repeatedly attacked the Congress, accusing it of being unable to arrive at a consensus despite securing a massive mandate in the assembly polls.Rajeev Chandrasekhar mocked the situation on social media amid speculation around KC Venugopal’s name for the top post. Sharing a post claiming that the “Kerala BJP wanted Venugopal in Kerala while the national BJP wanted him in Delhi,” Chandrasekhar sarcastically responded, “I will neither confirm nor deny that this is true.”BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla also took a swipe at the Congress, claiming the party was in ‘complete confusion’ despite winning a full majority in Kerala.”Congress got a full majority in Keralam and yet there is confusion,” he said, while taking a dig at the party’s internal tussle over the chief minister’s post.The BJP also compared the Kerala situation with Congress governments in Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh, alleging that leadership disputes continued wherever the party was in power.Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a jibe at the Congress over the delay in naming Kerala’s next chief minister, accusing the party leadership of ‘allegedly stabbing its own leaders in the back’ and indecision amid the prolonged suspense over the CM face.As criticism mounted, Congress leaders repeatedly defended the delay, insisting that the party was following a democratic process.Hitting back at the BJP, senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala reminded PM Modi that the BJP itself had taken nearly 50 days to decide the Delhi chief minister earlier this year.”PM Modi should remember that it took him 50 days to announce the Chief Minister in Delhi. Only now have I realised that the Prime Minister seems to have memory loss. The same Prime Minister who created uncertainty in Delhi by not announcing the Chief Minister for 50 days is now criticising the Congress. The Prime Minister should not forget the past.” Chennithala said.Senior leader K Muraleedharan used multiple analogies to explain the prolonged suspense.”There is no point in walking inside a moving train. The train has not yet reached the station,” he remarked while comparing the CM selection process to waiting for a train to arrive.Later, KPCC chief Sunny Joseph borrowed terminology from the Vatican while hinting at an imminent decision. “White smoke can be expected soon,” he said.IUML pressure growsEven Congress allies began losing patience as the delay stretched beyond a week.The IUML, the Congress’s biggest ally in Kerala, publicly maintained that it would accept the high command’s decision, but several League leaders privately expressed concern that the prolonged indecision was sending the wrong message.Senior IUML leader PK Kunhalikutty described the delay as ‘natural’ in a democratic process but also indicated that the alliance expected clarity soon.The Congress leadership reportedly held multiple rounds of consultations with IUML leaders before finalising the decision.Delhi becomes centre of actionAs Kerala waited, Delhi became the nerve centre of the CM selection process.Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge and Sonia Gandhi held a series of discussions with Kerala leaders, former KPCC chiefs, MLAs and alliance representatives.Satheesan, Venugopal, Chennithala and Sunny Joseph were all summoned to the national capital for consultations.Party insiders indicated that the Congress leadership was trying to balance multiple factors, including public perception, MLA support, alliance dynamics, caste equations, organisational stability and future leadership transition.Final decision after 10 daysFinally, on May 14, the Congress ended the suspense.At a press conference in New Delhi, AICC Kerala in-charge Deepa Dasmunsi officially announced that VD Satheesan had been appointed leader of the Congress Legislature Party and would become Kerala’s next chief minister.The announcement came after extensive consultations involving Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Kharge, AICC observers, former KPCC chiefs, MPs and alliance partners.Satheesan, visibly emotional after the announcement, thanked the party leadership and dedicated his chief ministership to the people of Kerala.”I am humbled by the trust placed in me by the party and the people,” he said.Calling it ‘a new era, a new Kerala,’ Satheesan promised to address the state’s economic challenges and debt crisis.KC Venugopal publicly accepted the decision and pledged complete support to Satheesan and the new government.”I am a loyal Congressman. For me the party is everything. I don’t want an image at the cost of the party,” Venugopal said.Ramesh Chennithala too maintained that every Congress worker would stand by the high command’s decision.The 10-day delay transformed what should have been a triumphant return to power into one of the Congress’ most closely watched internal battles in recent years.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 MediaVideos’Unacceptable’: India Slams Attack On Indian-Flagged Ship Near OmanEC Announces Phase 3 Of SIR Across 16 States, 3 UTs; J&K, Ladakh, Himachal Left OutEx-Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee In Lawyer’s Gown Argues Post-poll Violence Case In High CourtKC Venugopal Backs VD Satheesan as Kerala CM, Says Congress Fully United Behind HimCongress Picks VD Satheesan as Kerala CM After 10 Days of Talks and Leadership BattleRBI Governor Warns Fuel Price Hike Possible If Middle East Crisis Continues LongerAIMIM Corporator’s Home Razed In Sambhajinagar Amid TCS Conversion Case Row EscalationKerala CM Race Ends as Congress Picks VD Satheesan Amid Venugopal Backing and Internal TensionsBJP Questions Rahul Gandhi Over Alleged Rs 60 Crore Foreign Travel Spending ClaimsIran Signals More Safe Passage For Indian Ships As BRICS Meet Faces West Asia Divide123Photostories6 foods a Harvard doc eats daily to prevent colon cancer and fatty liverConstipated? 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One time when you stop breathing and a second time, a bit later on, when somebody says your name for the last time.” NEW DELHI: The Manipur unit of the Congress on Thursday alleged that the recurring violence in the state was due to the inability of both the state and Union governments to properly exercise their constitutional powers.The statement came a day after three suspected militants gunned down three church leaders in Kangpokpi, while a man was killed in Noney district.State Congress chief O Ibobi Singh said, “We strongly condemn the killings. Three persons belonging to one community were killed on Wednesday morning, while a civilian from another community was killed in the evening in what appears to be a retaliatory act.”O Ibobi Singh also questioned the Centre’s response, saying, “How long will the Central government remain a mute spectator to the series of killings taking place in the state? It appears as if the state has been left on its own, and different communities are being allowed to engage in violence.”Referring to the ethnic violence that erupted in 2023, Singh said, “Even the Supreme Court had previously observed that law and order in the state had completely collapsed.”The Congress leader further said, “Killings between communities will never bring any solution. It is time to shun revenge,” while reiterating that maintaining law and order is the responsibility of the state government.“The constitutional powers given to the government are not being properly used by both the state and Union governments. This, I believe, is the cause of the unrest,” O Ibobi Singh 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 MediaVideosEC Announces Phase 3 Of SIR Across 16 States, 3 UTs; J&K, Ladakh, Himachal Left OutEx-Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee In Lawyer’s Gown Argues Post-poll Violence Case In High CourtKC Venugopal Backs VD Satheesan as Kerala CM, Says Congress Fully United Behind HimCongress Picks VD Satheesan as Kerala CM After 10 Days of Talks and Leadership BattleRBI Governor Warns Fuel Price Hike Possible If Middle East Crisis Continues LongerAIMIM Corporator’s Home Razed In Sambhajinagar Amid TCS Conversion Case Row EscalationKerala CM Race Ends as Congress Picks VD Satheesan Amid Venugopal Backing and Internal TensionsBJP Questions Rahul Gandhi Over Alleged Rs 60 Crore Foreign Travel Spending ClaimsIran Signals More Safe Passage For Indian Ships As BRICS Meet Faces West Asia DivideIndia-Bound 46,000 TONNES LPG Ship Cross Strait Of Hormuz, Two Ships In 48 Hours | Watch123PhotostoriesMouni Roy seperation buzz to Hansika Motwani’s divorce; Bollywood breakups that left fans stunnedConstipated? 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