Think of WFH, saving petrol, not buying gold for a year: Modi amid oil crisis

NEW DELHI, May 10: Amid the global oil shock triggered by the Middle East war, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday urged people to revive work-from-home practices, cut fuel consumption and even avoid buying gold for weddings for one year to help the country save foreign exchange.

The remarks come against the backdrop of record-high fuel prices in many nations, from the US to neighbouring Pakistan, due to the Iran war fallout. Indians have been mostly cushioned from the blow, though this might change in the coming days.

"During the Corona period, we adopted work from home, online meetings, video conferences and developed many such systems. We had also become accustomed to them," he said.

"Today, the need of the hour is that we restart those practices, as it would be in the national interest, and we must once again give them priority," he added.

The Prime Minister’s appeal come at a time when global crude oil prices have surged from nearly USD 70 per barrel to around USD 126 per barrel due to escalating tensions in West Asia and disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil route.

Without directly announcing a price increase, Modi repeatedly stressed the need to reduce petrol and diesel consumption.

“Petrol-diesel has become so expensive across the world. It is the responsibility of all of us that the foreign exchange spent on purchasing petrol-diesel should also be saved by conserving petrol-diesel,” he said.

In one of the most striking moments of the speech, the PM appealed to citizens to rethink discretionary spending as the country faces economic pressure from rising global energy costs.

“I would appeal to people not to buy gold for weddings for one year,” he said.

The Prime Minister’s remarks came as government and industry sources indicated that fuel prices in India could soon see their first major revision in nearly four years.

According to sources, Indian Oil, Bharat Petroleum and Hindustan Petroleum are together facing losses of nearly 30,000 crore per month.

At current global crude prices, the government and oil companies are effectively absorbing nearly 24 per litre on petrol and 30 per litre on diesel to shield consumers from the full impact of the crisis.

If approved, petrol and diesel prices could rise by around 4-5 per litre, while domestic LPG cylinders may become costlier by 40-50.

Expanding his appeal beyond fuel conservation, Modi also asked citizens to reduce edible oil consumption and urged farmers to cut dependence on chemical fertilisers imported from abroad.

“The same is true for edible oil. We have to spend foreign currency on its import,” the Prime Minister said.

“If every household reduces the use of edible oil, it is a huge contribution to patriotism. This will improve the health of the national treasury and the health of every family member.”

He also linked the global crisis to India’s agricultural imports, saying the country spends heavily on fertilisers sourced from overseas.

“Another sector that consumes foreign currency is our agriculture. We import chemical fertilisers in large quantities from abroad,” he said.

“We should reduce our consumption of chemical fertilisers by half and move towards natural farming. This way, we can save foreign currency and protect our farms and Mother Earth.”

Free Electricity, Women Safety Force: Chief Minister Vijay's First Orders

CHENNAI, May 10: Free electricity, action against drugs and safety of women comprised the first order signed by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay, after he was sworn in on Sunday.

Vijay started his emotionally-charged speech with the Tamil phrase 'En Nenjil Kudiyirukkum', which translates to 'who lives in my heart', that he has often used in the past to address his fans.

In his first order as the chief minister, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay ordered 200 units of power to be supplied free of cost, a special task force to to tackle the drug menace and a special force along with a hepline to ensure the safety of women. He added that he will maintain his full attention on basic issues like education, health and water. "Farmers and fishermen will be taken care of. All will be good," he said.

Vijay said, "An assistant director's son has now become a chief minister. I know poverty and hunger, I didn't come from a royal family. I faced a lot of hardships, many people humiliated me. I'm like your son, your brother, your younger sibling. You have given me a place in your heart, accepted me," he said.

He assured that he will not make false promises. "The DMK cleaned up state coffers and we have taken over with Rs 10 lakh crore debt (projected figure till March 2027). We will not take a single penny from people's funds and we will not allow anyone to loot the state," he said.

While promising a "new era of real, secular, social justice", Vijay thanked Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Praveen Chakravarty, the Left's MA Baby and all allies. Also on stage was Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who had congratulated Vijay and the TVK after the May 4 results.

Apart from Vijay, nine others who took oaths as ministers were Aadhav Arjuna, considered one of Vijay's trusted strategists; CTR Nirmal Kumar, a former BJP functionary who won from Thiruparankundram in Madurai; 'Bussy' Anand, the TVK's general secretary; Raj Mohan, a television and film personality; KT Prabhu, a dentist-turned-politician who secured victory from Karaikudi; Arunraaj, a former Indian Revenue Service officer; P Venkataramanan, the Chennai's Mylapore MLA; and 28-year-old S Keerthana, the youngest face in the cabinet.

The next hurdle for Vijay will be in the Assembly, where his government will face a floor test before May 13.

Tamil Nadu govt suspense ends, Vijay to take oath as CM on Sunday

CHENNAI, May 9: TVK chief Thiru C Joseph Vijay will take oath as Tamil Nadu chief minister on Sunday at 10 am from Chennai's Nehru Stadium. This puts an end to days of uncertainty over government formation as TVK lacked majority strength.

This comes after Vijay met met Tamil Nadu Governor RV Arlekar at Lok Bhavan after his party secured the majority mark to form the government. The governor reportedly cancelled his Kerala trip and met Vijay, ending the suspense on Tamil Nadu government formation.

The Vijay-led TVK claimed ‘victory’ earlier in the day as senior party leader Aadhav Arjuna showed a letter of support from the VCK. IUML, a DMK ally, also extended support to TVK, pushing its strength to 120, while the Tamil Nadu halfway mark is 118.

Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam won 108 seats on its own, emerging as the single-largest party in the election.

The party currently has support from:

5 Congress MLAs
2 CPI MLAs
2 CPI(M) MLAs
2 IUML MLAs
2 VCK MLAs

However, Vijay won from two constituencies and must vacate one seat within 14 days after the results are formally notified. As things stand, the grouping is effectively at 120.

The CPI and CPI(M), which have two MLAs each, formally extended support to TVK and handed over letters backing the party.

CPI(M) state secretary P Shanmugam said the Left parties decided to support TVK to avoid prolonged uncertainty in the state.

“Since if the government is not formed by the 10th, then President’s Rule will come. And the BJP is trying to enter Tamil Nadu through the back door. So, to end this, CPI and CPI(M) have decided to support TVK,” he said.

Shanmugam also clarified that the Left parties would support the government from outside and would not seek cabinet positions.

The Indian National Congress indicated that it wants to be part of the government rather than offer outside support.

Tamil Nadu Congress chief K Selvaperunthagai said TVK had offered the party two ministerial berths and one Rajya Sabha seat.

“They (TVK) have said two ministers and one Rajya Sabha member. However, the final decision on the number of portfolios and specific demands rests with the Congress national leadership,” he said.

Suvendu to take oath as Bengal CM on Saturday

KOLKATA, May 8: Suvendu Adhikari will become next CM of Bengal tomorrow. The oath taking ceremony is confirmed to be held at Brigade Parade Ground on May 9 and likely at 11 am. PM Modi will be in attendance and so will be CMs of all BJP-ruled states.

Suvendu was once an all-weather man of Mamata Banerjee, the outgoing CM of Bengal. Today, he has not just beaten her twice in back-to-back elections but is set to replace her as the chief minister.

After Suvendu reached Raj Bhavan and met Governor RN Ravi to stake a claim to form the new government, he invited the next Bengal CM to take the oath as chief minister at Brigade Parade Ground on May 9.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, chief ministers of NDA-ruled states are expected to attend the swearing-in ceremony that the party hopes will underline Bengal's political transition.

'Tamil Nadu Insulted': DMK, VCK Support Vijay In Stalemate vs Governor

CHENNAI, May 7: In a rare show of unity in politics, a host of political parties - including the DMK, MNM, VCK, and the CPI - have rallied behind actor Vijay, who has landed in a tricky political situation barely days after his TVK emerged as the single-largest party in the Tamil Nadu polls.

Reacting to Governor RV Arlekar's reported refusal to allow the actor-politician's oath as the chief minister, claiming a lack of the requisite number to form a government, the parties called the action "unacceptable" and "a disrespect" to the mandate.

Vijay's TVK won 108 seats in its debut elections, emerging as the largest party in Tamil Nadu. However, the party didn't reach the magic figure of 118. With the Congress's support, the party has so far mustered 113 MLAs -- still 5 short of the majority mark.

According to reports, the Governor has demanded that Vijay prove his majority before taking the oath as the chief minister of Tamil Nadu. Vijay and other parties, however, have argued that his majority should be proven on the floor of the state's assembly after he becomes the chief minister.

Leading the charge in Vijay's favour was his fellow actor-politician, Kamal Haasan. He said that by not inviting Vijay to form the government, the Governor was "disrespecting the mandate".

"My brother, Mr MK Stalin, has announced, 'We respect the people's verdict; we will function as a responsible opposition.' I respect his political maturity. Those currently in constitutional positions must now fulfil the same duty. This is not a demand, but a reminder of their constitutional obligation," he wrote on X.

"The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, led by Mr Vijay, has won 108 seats. Not inviting him to form the government would amount to disrespecting the mandate of the people of Tamil Nadu. 233 elected members are still unable to take their oaths. This is an insult to the state; it is damage to democracy," Haasan, who heads the Makkal Needhi Maiam, posted in Tamil, adding the verdict of the people "must be respected".

VCK chief Thol Thirumavalavan said that Vijay should be allowed to take the oath. Calling the Governor's demand "not acceptable", the politician said Vijay does not have to prove the majority in the Lok Bhavan. "Vijay can prove numbers in the state assembly," he added.

Vijay Reaches Out To New Party As Stalemate With Governor Extends Wait

CHENNAI, May 7: Actor Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), the architect behind the latest election blockbuster in Tamil Nadu, has reached out to one more MLA amid growing uncertainty over government formation. The TVK is learnt to have sought the support of Kamaraj S, the lone winning candidate of the Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK), led by TTV Dhinakaran.

The TVK's move comes amid a stalemate with Governor RV Arlekar, who remains unconvinced that the party can run an administration despite falling short of the required majority. The TVK is confident that it would have the required majority by tomorrow, party insiders say.

The TVK has scripted history by ending the Dravidian giants DMK and AIADMK's 62-year-old stranglehold on the Tamil Nadu government, winning 108 out of 234 seats. The halfway mark being 118, he needs 10 more MLAs in his support to form the government.

The Congress has already pledged support to the TVK, adding five more MLAs to Vijay's favour, while two-year-old party also reached out to DMK allies like the VCK and the Left outfits.

The VCK and the Left parties will convene a meeting tomorrow to decide on Vijay's request. "We can't make a magic decision. VCK's high level committee will meet tomorrow and make a final decision. The Left parties will also meet in their respective offices," VCK chief Thol Thirumavalavan told reporters.

Outgoing Chief Minister and DMK chief MK Stalin has reportedly given a free hand to its smaller allies to decide on supporting Vijay based on their political interests.

Calling the lack of a majority a complicated crisis, the party has said that its primary aim is to avert another election and to have a stable government, without leaving room for "communal forces". The party has also authorised chief MK Stalin to take emergency decisions.

The party's MLAs have been asked to remain in Chennai for the time being, even as the AIADMK moved a dozen of its newly elected MLAs to a resort in Puducherry, fearing they might end up backing the TVK.

Vijay met Governor Arlekar last evening to stake claim to the government but couldn't convince him that he has the required support from coalition partners to form the government.

This morning, they met again. Sources said the governor asked Vijay a series of questions, including how he might run an administration without a majority and which other parties might agree to back the TVK. The governor also asked Vijay to clarify his statements about the future support that his party may get.

Vijay reportedly declared himself ready to face a floor test during his conversation with the governor. However, the governor demanded that he prove his majority before taking an oath as the chief minister.

Mamata Banerjee no longer Bengal chief minister, governor dissolves assembly

KOLKATA, May 7: West Bengal governor RN Ravi on Thursday dissolved the state assembly at the end of its five-year term. The move comes days after Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee declared that she would not follow the convention of going to the governor to hand over her resignation as the state’s chief minister despite losing a landslide election to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

In the absence of her formal resignation, there was no opportunity for the governor to ask her to continue as the caretaker chief minister till her successor took oath.

“In exercise of the powers conferred upon the Governor under sub-clause (b) of clause 2 of Article 174 of the Constitution of India, RN Ravi Governor of West Bengal has issued an order dissolving the West Bengal Legislative Assembly with effect from May 7, 2026,” a statement by the governor’s office in Kolkata said.

BJP leaders have indicated that the new government was likely to be sworn in on at Kolkata’s iconic Brigade Parade Grounds May 9, two days after the term of the outgoing assembly expires and coinciding with the birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore

A day after the BJP won 207 seats against the TMC’s 80, Banerjee accused the Election Commission of India and the central police forces of helping the BJP.

“If we have not lost the election, then why should I go to Raj Bhavan? I am not taking oath. And, why do I have to resign? We didn’t lose. It is their forceful attempt to defeat us. Our fight was not against BIP but against the EC,” she told reporters on Tuesday at her residence.

On Wednesday, TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said her refusal to resign was a "language of protest" in a democracy.

"Mamata didi not tendering her resignation is a protest language. It is symbolic. This is a protest against the way the Election Commission allegedly manipulated the results in more than 100 constituencies during counting," Ghosh told reporters on Wednesday.

Congress decides to support Vijay's TVK to form secular government

NEW DELHI, May 5: Congress' Political Affairs Committee on Wednesday unanimously decided to support TVK Leader Thiru Vijay to form a secular government. This decision was taken after a virtual meeting of Congress held late night to decide on TVK's request for support to form the government in Tamil Nadu.

The Tamil Nadu Congress Political Affairs Committee was convened at 10:30 pm tonight by the AICC in-charge to take a final call on extending support to Vijay. The meeting is being held online via Zoom, with key leaders expected to deliberate on the political implications and possible alliance strategy before arriving at a decision.

Vijay, late on Tuesday, thanked the people of Tamil Nadu for delivering what he called a “historic and transformative mandate” to the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) in the April 23 assembly elections.

Calling the verdict a “miracle” that has shaken Indian politics, he credited young voters for the party’s remarkable performance. He emphasised that the enthusiasm and participation of youngsters played a decisive role in shaping the outcome, signalling a shift in Tamil Nadu’s political landscape and reinforcing TVK’s rise as a strong alternative.

Earlier, Vijay had reached out to Congress to seek support to form government in Tamil Nadu, general secretary KC Venugopal said. Congress has won 5 seats in Tamil Nadu elections 2026.

“The INC is clear that the mandate in Tamil Nadu is for a secular government that is committed to protecting the Constitution in letter and spirit. The INC is determined not to have the BJP and its proxies run the Govt. of Tamil Nadu in any manner,” said Venugopal.

Earlier, TVK moved its MLAs to a resort in Mamallapuram a day after winning 108 seats in the assembly elections. The Vijay-led party is 12 MLAs short of staking a claim to form the government in Tamil Nadu. Reports suggest that TVK is in talks with smaller parties (those with 10 or fewer MLAs), including Congress, to form the government. Sources also said that TVK has sought time from the Tamil Nadu governor for a meeting on May 6.

Cannot form govt with Congress support alone, says DMK leader

DMK leader TKS Elangovan on Tuesday said Vijay’s TVK cannot form a government in Tamil Nadu with the support of the Indian National Congress alone. He pointed out that the Congress has only five MLAs, which is insufficient for a majority.

Vijay paid tributes to the party’s ideological leaders and chaired a meeting of its newly elected MLAs, a day after the party won 108 seats in the April 23 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.

Vijay received a rousing welcome at the party headquarters from members and several first-time MLAs. During the meeting, he discussed the election of the legislature party leader and the party’s strategy in the Assembly, an MLA said.

Responding to questions on securing a simple majority, TVK leader Nanjil Sampath said Vijay would “work it out,” adding, “I am confident of a positive outcome, and good news can be expected soon.”

BJP Wins W Bengal, Assam; Vijay TN; Congress Kerala

NEW DELHI, May 4: The results of assembly elections in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam, and Puducherry are now clear. Three of the four states have gone for a change in the most dramatic fashion - Kerala going back to its revolving door system and ushering in the UDF; Bengal discarding Mamata Banerjee and her Trinamool Congress and giving a roaring welcome to the BJP; Tamil Nadu saying goodbye to its five-decade worth of binary Dravidian policy and cheerfully rolling out the red carpet for a political novice oozing star power. Puducherry has picked the BJP’s ally NR Congress for another term.

In Bengal , anti-incumbency was the driving power in this election. The BJP is likely to end up winning more than 200 of the 294 seats in Bengal. The Trinamool is ahead in less than 90 seats, a fraction of its massive score of 215 seats in 2021.

Tamil Nadu, where the election was expected to pivot on governance, welfare measures and Hindi imposition, has pulled all stops to vote for Vijay. The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam or TVK is ahead in 108 of the state's 234 seats. The DMK-Congress alliance is ahead in 72 seats and the AIDMK is a distant third, being ahead only on 53 seats.

Kerala, the country's most literate state and the initiator of the revolving door mandate, has gone back to its default mode after a term of deviation. The state has brought in the Congress and shown the door to the Left-led LDF.

In Assam , Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is leading the BJP towards a third consecutive term. The ruling alliance is leading in 101 of the state's 126 seats heading for a comfortable majority. The Congress is ahead in only 22 seats, a drop from its 2021 score of 31.

In Puducherry, which has a 30-member assembly, the BJP and ally All India NR Congress are ahead in 17 seats - one up from its 2021 score of 16. Of these, the AINRC alone has gained nine seats.

'Bengal Has Seen Poriborton Today': Modi On BJP's Big Victory

NEW DELHI, May 4: The winds of change in Bengal that have swept away the Mamata Banerjee government and embraced the BJP after years of diffidence, was saluted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi this evening.

On the occasion, he also made two important promises -- strong action against ghuspaethia (infiltrators) and immediate activation of the Central health scheme in the state, over which there was years of conflict with the state's Trinamool Congress government.

In an address to BJP workers at the BJP headquarters this evening, Modi said, "A new chapter has been added to the destiny of Bengal from today. Bengal has been freed from fear and is now filled with the confidence of development. Banglay poriborton hoyeche (Change has arrived in Bengal)".

9 killed in massive fire in Delhi’s Vivek Vihar

NEW DELHI, May 3: At least nine people were killed after a massive fire broke out in a residential building in Delhi’s Vivek Vihar area of Shahdara early Sunday morning, police said, adding that more than a dozen residents were rescued during the operation.

The blaze was reported in the early hours, with police saying a PCR call was received at 3:48 am at Vivek Vihar police station. Delhi Fire Services (DFS) officials said they were alerted a minute earlier, at 3:47 am, and rushed multiple teams to the spot. A total of 14 fire tenders were deployed by 5 am.

According to fire officials, the fire started in household items and quickly spread to at least six flats. “Around 12-15 persons were rescued by DFS,” a spokesperson for the fire department said.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Shahdara) Rajendra Prasad Meena said the fire had spread across flats on the second, third and fourth floors.

Supreme Court Grants Anticipatory Bail To Pawan Khera In Assam Police FIR

NEW DELHI, May 1: The Supreme Court has granted Congress leader Pawan Khera anticipatory bail in a criminal case instituted on a complaint filed by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa’s wife, saying the case appears to be motivated by political rivalry and does not warrant custodial interrogation.

A Bench headed by Justice J.K. Maheshwari cautioned the State of Assam against using the power to arrest so casually, as if to strike a blow at a political rival. The 22-page order said the right to personal liberty cannot be jeopardised lightly.