THE HEADLINES::

1. BJP set to form Government in West Bengal and Assam; NDA retains Puducherry.
2. Congress led UDF comes to power in Keralam; Hung Assembly in Tamil Nadu, TVK emerges as largest party with 108 seats.
3. Prime Minister Narendra Modi says people have placed trust in politics of performance. 
4. West Bengal’s industry bodies and trade associations hail BJP’s victory.
5. Three Indians injured in UAE in drone attack by Iran.
6. In IPL Cricket, Mumbai Indians beat Lucknow Super Giants by six wickets.

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History has been created in the Assembly elections in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu. While the Bharatiya Janata Party has secured overwhelming mandate in West Bengal and set to form government in the state for the first time, debutant Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam or TVK has emerged as the largest party in Tamil Nadu.

In other Assembly elections, Assam and Puducherry have re-elected its outgoing governments, while the Congress led UDF has come to power in Keralam.

In West Bengal, the BJP has won 206 seats to secure more than two-thirds majority in the Assembly, ending the TMC’s 15-year rule. TMC trailed far behind, managing to win 80 seats leading in one seat in the first election after Special Intensive Revision of electoral roll in the state. Out of of 293 assembly seats, results have been declared for 292 constituencies. Our correspondent reports Congress and Aam Janata Unnayan Party secured two seats each, CPI M clinched one seat.                     
”With a vote share of nearly 45.84 per cent, the BJP has won 206 seats in West Bengal. Meanwhile, the Trinamool Congress’s vote share dropped by almost eight percentage points to 40.8 compared to the 2021 election when it bagged 48.5 per cent. Several heavyweight leaders of the Trinamool Congress faced defeat. In this election, the BJP not only swept North Bengal but also gained a firm hold over almost all the South Bengal. Mamata Banerjee suffered a crushing defeat in her constituency, Bhabanipur. Suvendu Adhikari defeated Banerjee by more than fifteen thousand votes; Adhikari also secured victory in the Nandigram seat. KALYAN LAHA REPORTING FROM KOLKATA”

In Tamil Nadu, actor-turned-politician Vijay’s party, Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam, TVK has created history emerging as the single largest party after winning 108 seats in the first election contested after its formation.The party is falling short of 10 seats for the majority to form the government in the 234 member Assembly. The election has produced hung Assembly in the state. TVK has emerged as the largest party with 108 seats.

TVK Chief C Joseph Vijay won both Perambur and Tiruchy East seats. The ruling DMK secured 59 seats, while its main rival, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, won 47 seats. Chief Minister M. K. Stalin lost to TVK candidate V. S. Babu at Kolathur in Chennai. However, his son and Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin retained the Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni seat.

Former Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam, who recently joined the DMK, won from Bodinayakanur constituency.
Among other parties, the PMK won 4 seats, and the Congress secured 5. The BJP, DMDK and AMMK won one seat each. The CPI M, VCK, and Indian Union Muslim League secured two seats each. More from our Correspondent:

”The protagonist of blockbusters like Thalaiva, Jana Nayagan, Mersel and Sarkar, Actor politician Joseph Vijay who steered his party, the TVK to victory will be a real life Chief Minister soon. Police officials were at his residence yesterday to discuss the security and other protocol details. The police convoy meant for the Chief Minister has been at his residence since yesterday night. After winning Perambur and Trichy East constituencies , he received the declaration from the Election Commission yesterday at Loyola College Counting Centre. As an alumni of LoyolaCollege, the 51 year old actor expressed happiness and looked cheerful as he received the recognition of being elected from Perambur. Vijay is likely to be elected by his party MLAs as a Chief Minister today. The Party is tight lipped about the formation of a coalition Government, it remains to be seen what will be their next move. WITH SUSHIL TIWARI, JOY REPORTING FROM AKASHVANI, CHENNAI”

In Assam, the ruling BJP-led NDA has secured a historic third consecutive term, surpassing the 64-seat majority mark in the 126-member assembly. The BJP has bagged 82 seats, while its allies Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) has won nine seats and Bodoland People’s Front has secured 10 seats. On the other hand, Congress has gained 19 seats, All India United Democratic Front and Raijor dal clinched two seats each and TMC has secured one seat.
In Keralam, the Congress led UDF has clinched a decisive win. While the Congress won 63 seats, its ally IUML added 22, giving the alliance a dominant edge across the state. Almost all the prominent UDF leaders were elected with clear majorities across the state. More from our correspondent:

“The process of government formation in Keralam is expected to move forward after meetings of the Congress Legislative Party and subsequently the UDF legislators. Although an official date has not yet been announced, sources indicate that these meetings will be convened soon, paving the way for the coalition to stake its claim before the Governor. The swearing-in ceremony is likely to be held either on Thursday or Friday. Party sources also suggest that the Congress Legislative Party meeting will take place in the presence of a representative from the All India Congress Committee, while informal discussions on cabinet formation continue. Meanwhile, outgoing Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has already submitted his resignation. In a notable development, the BJP, which previously had no representation in the Assembly, has won three seats this time. The LDF, which held 99 seats in the outgoing Assembly, has been reduced to just 35, marking a significant shift in the state’s political landscape. WITH SMITHY M PALLURUTHY, AKASHVANI NEWS, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM”

In Puducherry, the National Democratic Alliance, NDA has regained power, securing a comfortable majority of 18 seats in the 30-member House. More from our correspondent:

“Speaking to the media after receiving his certificate,  Chief Minister N. Rangasamy described the victory as an “endorsement of good governance” by the people of Puducherry. He stated that the welfare measures implemented over the past five years, including the enhancement of old-age pension and the Kamarajar Housing Scheme, played a key role in bringing his government back to power. He also expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for their support in securing this victory. He further stated that an announcement regarding the swearing-in of the new Council of Ministers would be made soon, and reaffirmed that efforts to attain statehood for Puducherry would continue. The Chief Minister also presided over a meeting of the elected MLAs of All India NR Congress at night. Meanwhile BJP has appointed senior party leader and Union Minister Dr.Mansukh Mandaviya and its In-charge in Puducherry Nirmal Kumar Surana as Central Observers for the election of the Leader of Legislative party in Puducherry. BIBIN S NATH, AKASHVANI NEWS, PUDUCHERRY”

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called the BJP’s victory historic and unprecendented and expressed gratitude to the people and party workers of West Bengal, Assam, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and Keralam. Addressing party workers at BJP headquarters in Delhi last evening, after the poll results, the Prime Minister said that BJP-NDA governments are in power in more than twenty states. He said, BJP’s mantra is “Citizen is God” and party is dedicated to serving the people. He added that people are therefore placing more and more trust in the party. 

The Prime Minister said, new dawn has heralded for the nation and people have placed their trust in India’s great democracy and politics of performance. 

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Senior BJP leader and Union Home Minister Amit Shah has hailed party’s win in West Bengal, Assam and Puducherry. He commended the Bengal win as the people’s reply against fear, appeasement, and those who shelter infiltrators. Mr Shah congratulated the people of Assam for a historic hat-trick mandate. He said in a social media post that the boundless affection and cooperation is strengthening their resolve to deliver even better services to people and fulfil their hopes and aspirations.            

Expressing gratitude to people in Puducherry for a second consecutive poll victory in the Union Territory, Mr. Shah said this mandate is a victory of the politics of performance delivered under the visionary leadership of Mr. Modi and Chief Minister N Rangasamy.

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In West Bengal, industry bodies and trade associations have warmly congratulated the Bharatiya Janata Party on its sweeping victory in the Assembly elections. Business leaders say they are hopeful the new government will usher in a fresh era of industrialisation, infrastructure development, and investor-friendly policies to revive the state’s economy. The Bharat Chamber of Commerce declared that a new dawn is on the horizon, with Bengal pinning its hopes on big-ticket investments and stronger Centre-State relations. The Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry also extended its congratulations, calling the mandate overwhelming. Kolkata’s Merchants’ Chamber of Commerce & Industry described the BJP’s decisive win as historic, adding that the resounding mandate reflects people’s confidence in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. The West Bengal Hosiery Association, expressed optimism that the textile sector will receive special support under the new dispensation.

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A large fire broke out at the Fujairah Oil Industry Zone yesterday after what authorities described as a drone attack originating from Iran – the first such strike to cause significant damage on UAE soil since a ceasefire took hold last month. Civil defence teams were deployed immediately to contain the blaze, with three Indian nationals reported to have sustained moderate injuries and been taken to hospital. Indian Embassy in Abudhabi said it is in contact with local authorities to ensure the welbeing of those affected. More from our correspondent:

“Monday’s strikes shattered weeks of relative calm since the ceasefire between Washington and Tehran came into effect on April 8. Tension had been running high all day after US president Donald Trump declared that American forces would begin guiding trapped commercial vessels out of the blockaded Strait of Hormuz – a move Iran rejected, warning that any foreign military force entering the waterway would be attacked. Against that backdrop, Iranian drones and missiles targeted the UAE, sparking a fire at a major oil facility in Fujairah – a port city critical to the UAE’s ability to export oil without using the Strait. Residents across the country received emergency alerts for the first time since the ceasefire, urging them to shelter indoors. vinod Kumar for Akashvani News from Dubai.”

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In IPL Cricket, Mumbai Indians defeated Lucknow Super Giants by six wickets at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai last night. Chasing the target of 229 set by Lucknow Super Giants, Mumbai overhauled the score in 18.4 overs losing four wickets..

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TODAY’S NEWSPAPERS,

1. The dailies are full of interesting headlines on BJP tsunami breaching Trinamool bastions. The Times of India writes “BJP is Bengal Janata’s Party, Vijay Diwas in Tamilnadu , Keralove for Congress.” The paper adds “Three cheers in Assam, and more: BJP majority on its own for the first time.” The Pioneer quoting the Prime Minister calls “the West Bengal win a ‘new sunrise’ of Badlav and ‘not badla'”.
2. “Left without power nationwide for the first time since 1977” cites The Statesman.
3. The Indian Express notes the young voters asserting politically for change in each of the verdicts in the election results from all the states. The Headline says “First-time, young voters, high turnout: gen Z, restless, restive and aspiring for opportunities, asked for more.”
4. Finally, “Srinagar resumes its role as J&K’s summer capital after hiatus of six years” notes The Hindu.

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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN

1. BJP set to form Government in West Bengal and Assam; NDA retains Puducherry.
2. Congress led UDF comes to power in Keralam; Hung Assembly in Tamil Nadu, TVK emerges as largest party with 108 seats.
3. Prime Minister Narendra Modi says people have placed trust in politics of performance. 
4. West Bengal’s industry bodies and trade associations hail BJP’s victory.
5. Three Indians injured in UAE in drone attack by Iran.
6. In IPL Cricket, Mumbai Indians beat Lucknow Super Giants by six wickets.

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For details of these stories and more, log on to our website www.newsonair.gov.in and News On Air App.

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