IMD forecasts on time onset of Southwest monsoon over Andaman Sea
The forecast suggests that monsoon rainfall may reach only 92 per cent of the long-period average. NEW DELHI: The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted that the monsoon is likely to begin over parts of the south Bay of Bengal, the Andaman Sea, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands towards the end of this week (May 16-17). “Conditions are turning favourable for the onset of the southwest monsoon over parts of the south Bay of Bengal, Andaman Sea, and Andaman and Nicobar Islands by the end of this week,” stated the IMD in its daily weather forecast. The traditional schedule for the arrival of the Southwest Monsoon in the Nicobar Islands is May 15, with coverage of the entire Andaman Sea typically by May 20. This year, the expected arrival of the SWM aligns with this timeline. “It appears that the onset of the monsoon over the South Andaman Sea is nearly on schedule,” said Dr Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, Director General of Meteorology at the IMD, in an interview with TNIE. Last year, the SWM reached the South Andaman Sea, parts of the southeast Bay of Bengal, and the Nicobar Islands by May 13, arriving earlier than the normal schedule. Climatologically, the SWM covers the Andaman Sea by May 20 and reaches the coast of Kerala by June 1. Earlier predictions by the IMD indicated a below-normal SWM season for 2026 (June to September), which poses challenges for Indian agriculture amid an energy crisis. The forecast suggests that monsoon rainfall may reach only 92 per cent of the long-period average (LPA), with a model error margin of ±5%, marking one of the lowest predictions in recent years. The LPA for seasonal rainfall across the country is based on data from 1971 to 2020, which amounts to 870 mm. This year, anticipated rainfall is expected to be around 800 mm. The low rainfall forecast is primarily attributed to the emergence of strong El Niño conditions. The El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is a natural climate phenomenon characterised by abnormal warming in the Central and Eastern Pacific Ocean. El Niño is often associated with a weaker and more erratic monsoon in India. According to the IMD, since 1951, there have been 16 recorded El Niño years, of which only six contradicted the expectations of a weaker monsoon. Out of the 10 years that recorded deficient or below-normal rainfall, the patterns were consistent with El Niño effects. Additionally, reduced snow cover in the Northern Hemisphere over the last three months has also contributed to expectations of a weaker monsoon. Last year, India experienced above-normal monsoon rainfall, with the season concluding at 108 per cent of expected levels. Furthermore, the private weather agency Skymet has also predicted below-normal rainfall at 94 per cent of the LPA. Jitendra Choubey Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
‘Crime against future of youth’: Congress slams BJP government over NEET UG cancellation
Slamming PM Modi over the exam cancellation, Rahul Gandhi said the hard work, sacrifices, and dreams of more than 22 lakh students have been “crushed by this corrupt BJP regime.” The Congress on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led BJP government over the question paper leak allegations and the subsequent cancellation of the NEET (UG) 2026 examination. Slamming PM Modi over the exam cancellation, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi said the hard work, sacrifices, and dreams of more than 22 lakh students have been “crushed by this corrupt BJP regime.” “The NEET 2026 examination has been cancelled. The hard work, sacrifices, and dreams of more than 22 lakh students have been crushed by this corrupt BJP regime. Some fathers took loans, some mothers sold their jewellery, lakhs of children stayed up all night studying, and in return, they got paper leaks, government negligence, and organised corruption in education,” Gandhi said in a post on X. “This is not just a failure-it’s a crime against the future of the youth,” the Congress leader said. Every time, the paper mafia gets away scot-free, while honest students bear the punishment, Gandhi said, adding that now lakhs of students will once have to endure the same mental stress, financial burden, and uncertainty. If one’s destiny is determined not by hard work but by money and connections, then what meaning will education hold, he asked. “The Prime Minister’s so-called amrit kaal has turned into a ‘vish kaal (poison-filled era)’ for the country,” Gandhi said. The NEET UG 2026 examination held on May 3 was cancelled by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on Tuesday amid allegations of question paper leak and other irregularities in parts of Rajasthan. The NTA announced that the test would be conducted again on dates that would be announced separately. Meanwhile, the Union Government has ordered a CBI investigation into the matter. Targeting the Rajasthan government for allegedly suppressing the complaints over question paper leak for two weeks, former chief minister and Congress leader Ashok Gehlot claimed the cancellation of the exam indicated large-scale irregularities. The government had “played with the future of the youth” by attempting to hide information related to the alleged paper leak, Gehlot alleged, while lauding the NTA’s decision to conduct a retest. “The BJP government in Rajasthan had earlier tried to conceal the OMR sheet scam in the Rajasthan Staff Selection Board to avoid embarrassment. Weak legal representation in the case resulted in the accused securing bail,” he claimed. “Information related to the NEET-UG paper leak was also suppressed, and no FIR was registered initially,” he added. Gehlot said the truth has come out now, and the real face of the BJP government has been exposed. Seconding Gehlot’s remarks, Leader of Opposition Tikaram Jully alleged that the NEET-UG cancellation was proof of organised irregularities in the conduct of the test. Jully said the NTA’s decision to cancel the examination and hand over the investigation to the CBI reflected the seriousness and scale of the matter and termed it a betrayal of lakhs of hardworking students. “Eighty-nine paper leak cases had taken place during the BJP’s 10-year tenure in power. Despite repeated promises and claims of action, the government plays with the future of youths,” he said. Instead of exposing the truth, Jully said, the Rajasthan government tried to suppress the matter for two weeks and put the future of students at stake. “This reflected not only an administrative failure but also irresponsibility and insensitivity,” he alleged. Vishal Bansal, Additional Director General of the Rajasthan Police’s Special Operations Group, had on Monday said that the probe is currently focused on a “guess paper” that was allegedly circulated among students ahead of the examination. “Regarding the various misconceptions surrounding the NEET examination, let me clarify one specific point: there is a guess paper containing approximately 410 questions that has been circulating among students. Out of these, it is alleged that roughly 120 questions appeared in Chemistry,” Bansal had said. While the Chemistry paper carries 45 questions, the test used four sets of question papers. “It is reported that this guess paper had been circulating among the students well in advance; it began reaching them as early as 15 days to a month prior to the actual examination. We are investigating this guess paper, which is available in the open domain,” he had said. Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
TVK worker dies two days after self-immolation attempt demanding Vijay be made CM
V Esakkiappan (43), a hardcore Vijay fan and village party branch secretary, suffered 90% burns and remained critical after an attempt. in hospital TIRUNELVELI: A TVK functionary of Chettikulam village, who attempted self-immolation on May 9 demanding that his party president C Joseph Vijay be made Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, died in Kanniyakumari Government Medical College Hospital on Tuesday morning after not responding to treatment. The deceased, identified as V Esakkiappan (43), was a hardcore fan of Vijay and became the branch secretary of his village when the actor floated his party. He remained critical since the attempt with over 90 % of burn injury. Four months ago, Esakkiappan performed Vel Kuthuthal (piercing with a sacred spear on cheeks) for Tiruchendur Murugan praying for his leader to become Chief Minister. According to the villagers, on Saturday, he was upset because his leader was facing hurdles in securing a majority to form the government. The police said that in an inebriated state, he attempted self-immolation demanding that his leader be made Chief Minister. “When we inquired with him, he was so drunk that he could not realise what was happening,” a police official said. Soon after the incident, Esakkiappan’s relatives admitted him to the hospital where he remained critical in the Intensive Care Unit. He died on Tuesday morning, not responding to treatment. (Assistance for those having suicidal thoughts is available on the Tamil Nadu health department’s helpline 104 and Sneha’s suicide prevention helpline 044-24640050) Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Rahul Gandhi alleges BJP-EC ‘collusion’ over key West Bengal appointments
In a post on X written in Hindi, Gandhi said, “In the BJP-EC’s ‘chor bazaar’, the bigger the theft, the bigger the reward.” Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday criticised the appointment of former Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Agarwal as West Bengal’s new chief secretary and Subrata Gupta as adviser to Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, alleging collusion between the BJP and the Election Commission. The Congress has claimed that the appointments reflected the “brazen collusion and connivance” between the Election Commission and the BJP. In a post on X written in Hindi, Gandhi said, “In the BJP-EC’s ‘chor bazaar’, the bigger the theft, the bigger the reward.” The opposition party had on Monday said that there is not even an attempt to keep the collusion discrete or concealed. Congress general secretary in charge of communications, Jairam Ramesh, had said the BJP-led West Bengal government has appointed the erstwhile chief election officer Agarwal, a 1990-batch IAS officer responsible for overseeing the recent Assembly elections in the state, as the new chief secretary. Similarly, Gupta, also a 1990-batch IAS officer who oversaw the SIR deletions in Bengal as the special roll observer, has been appointed the chief advisor to the Chief Minister, Ramesh pointed out. “These appointments reflect the brazen collusion and connivance between the ECI and the BJP. There is no longer even an attempt to keep the collusion discrete or concealed,” Ramesh said. The appointments are a testimony that the ECI was not impartial and acted exclusively to benefit the BJP, he alleged. An entire state went to the election with 27 lakh people being debarred from voting. This was tactfully executed by the ECI to create an electoral advantage for the BJP, Ramesh said. Agarwal, a West Bengal cadre officer, helmed the EC-mandated Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bengal in the run-up to the Assembly polls, in which around 91 lakh voters were removed from the voter list. The West Bengal government on Sunday carried out a bureaucratic reshuffle, appointing two IAS officers and seven WBCS (executive) officers in the chief minister’s office (CMO), according to official notifications. Gupta was appointed advisor to the chief minister, hours after he was sworn in, while Shantanu Bala was named his private secretary. Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Kerala CM selection: Sonia Gandhi steps in, ex-KPCC chiefs summoned to Delhi
The move comes after former party president Sonia Gandhi and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra favoured detailed discussions with former KPCC presidents to resolve the deadlock. THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With the deadlock over the selection of the next Kerala chief minister continuing even a week after the UDF swept the assembly polls, the Congress high command has summoned former Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) presidents to New Delhi for detailed discussions on Tuesday. The high command has also asked party state president Sunny Joseph and working presidents A P Anil Kumar, P C Vishnunadh and Shafi Parambil to be present in Delhi for further deliberations. The three CM contenders — K C Venugopal, Ramesh Chennithala and V D Satheesan — have pinned their hopes on these meetings. The move comes after former party president Sonia Gandhi and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra favoured detailed discussions with former KPCC presidents to resolve the deadlock. However, there are indications that the move is aimed at warding off criticism that all stakeholders were not taken into confidence. The high command appears to have concluded that detailed deliberations with former KPCC presidents would create an impression that the final decision was taken after considering all factors and consulting leaders at every level. A man rides past posters supporting KC Venugopal and VD Satheesan near the Congress headquarters, in Thiruvananthapuram, Friday, May 8, 2026. Except for Mullappally Ramachandran, former KPCC chiefs V M Sudheeran, K Muraleedharan, K Sudhakaran and M M Hassan are expected to reach Delhi by Tuesday. According to party sources, Rahul had a telephone conversation with Mullappally on Monday after the latter expressed his inability to reach Delhi at a short notice. Sources said the high command is likely to meet the leaders individually. Though former KPCC presidents and other senior leaders had met the two central observers during their visit to Kerala, the latest decision is learnt to have been taken in view of the continuing stalemate over CM selection. Sources said both Rahul and party president Mallikarjun Kharge would meet these leaders and seek their opinion on the choice of the new CM and the overall political atmosphere. After the meetings, the high command may summon the three contenders to Delhi and inform them of the final decision in the presence of both Rahul and Kharge, they said. Meanwhile, the IUML, which had earlier aggressively canvassed for Satheesan, has now reportedly decided to accept the Congress high command’s decision. There is also growing criticism among some newly elected Congress MLAs against what they described as “stage managed protests” organised against them at private functions. A man rides past posters supporting KC Venugopal and VD Satheesan near the Congress headquarters, in Thiruvananthapuram, Friday, May 8, 2026. “There is a concerted effort behind these activities. One or two individuals raise slogans demanding that Satheesan must become the CM, while another group records the scenes on mobile phones and later circulates them on social media,” said a Congress MLA from the Malabar region. Some Congress leaders alleged that certain fringe religious organisations, representing less than 1% of the Muslim community, and their workers were trying to sabotage Congress’ organisational process. They also pointed to the sudden halt in protest marches, after the high command warned of stringent action, as evidence that the campaign was orchestrated. CM announcement likely today? Indicating that the Congress high command may announce the party’s chief minister pick on Tuesday, AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge, who is on a visit to his home state, is returning to Delhi on Tuesday. Kharge, who was scheduled to return on Wednesday, decided to cut short his visit. Meanwhile, there are indications that the central leadership would seek the advice of veteran leader A K Antony too before taking the final decision. K S Sreejith Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
IUML expresses displeasure over prolonged delay in choosing next Kerala CM, warns of political ‘repercussions’
The IUML also stated that the party had conveyed its views on the chief ministerial candidate to the Congress leadership and expressed confidence that the Congress would take the ally’s opinion seriously. The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), a key constituent of the Congress-led UDF in Kerala, on Monday reiterated its displeasure over the delay in deciding the next chief minister, warning that the uncertainty could cause political repercussions. The Congress-led front, which swept the recently concluded Assembly elections in Kerala, winning 102 seats, is yet to decide the CM, even as public protests have erupted projecting support for the contenders, including Leader of the Opposition V D Satheesan, senior party leader Ramesh Chennithala and AICC general secretary (Organisation) K C Venugopal. Stating that the prolonged suspense has already caused dissatisfaction among party workers and the public, IUML Malappuram district general secretary P Abdul Hameed said, “The decision has already been delayed. If it is prolonged further, there will be repercussions. We hope the AICC leadership realises this.” He said people across the state were questioning the delay and claimed that even women voters from the district were calling party leaders to ask why they had been made to vote for the UDF. “There is dissatisfaction everywhere. People are raising only this issue wherever we go, including at marriage functions and funerals,” he said. Hameed said Kerala was politically different from north Indian states and that such prolonged indecision would not be accepted by politically aware voters in the state. He also said the UDF, despite securing a massive mandate, had been unable to properly celebrate its victory due to the uncertainty over the CM’s post. “In many places, victory celebrations are not taking place. There are situations where elected MLAs are being advised not to attend public events because of the growing dissatisfaction,” he said. The IUML leader further said the League had conveyed its views on the chief ministerial candidate to the Congress leadership and expressed confidence that the Congress would take the ally’s opinion seriously. Uncertainty continues within the Congress over the selection of Kerala’s next CM, even two days after Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leader Rahul Gandhi held discussions in New Delhi with the three contenders for the post. Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
CM Revanth Reddy calls PM Modi’s gold remark ‘irresponsible’, seeks all-party meet on West Asia crisis
Telangana chief minister said the situation had arisen due to the failure of foreign policy. HYDERABAD: Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Monday termed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal to avoid buying gold for a year and adopt austerity measures as an “irresponsible call,” saying it reflected the failure of the Central government and amounted to an “undeclared ban” on the people. Speaking to reporters, Revanth Reddy said the situation had arisen due to the failure of foreign policy. He said, Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi had been raising concerns over foreign policy for the last six months and that Modi had now indirectly admitted it. Ridiculing the Prime Minister’s remarks, Revanth Reddy said: “the Prime Minister told the people to survive on air and live in the air”. The Chief Minister demanded that the Centre convene an all-party meeting and consult experts to prepare a roadmap to address the crisis arising from the West Asia conflict. “The US is involved in the war. India is not a part of the war, yet we are facing problems. The Centre should negotiate with other countries to overcome the crisis,” Revanth Reddy said. Clarifying Modi’s “mere se hi judo” remark made during a meeting in Hyderabad on Sunday, Revanth Reddy said it was related to development and not politics. “I suggested at the meeting that the Central and State governments should work in tandem for the development of the country. Modi merely endorsed my statement. The PM’s comment was about development and not politics,” he said. Revanth Reddy said the meeting focused on development and Centre-State relations despite ideological differences between parties. He also said he became Chief Minister after defeating the BJP in Telangana. Responding to Modi’s criticism of the Congress at a BJP meeting in Parade Grounds, Revanth Reddy said: “Modi criticising the Congress in the State means criticising me.” On Modi’s remarks describing the Congress as a “Muslim League-Maoist Congress,” Revanth Reddy said Muslims and Maoists were people of the country. He termed the remarks unfortunate and said while the BJP believed in eliminating Maoists, the Congress aimed to bring them into the mainstream. He said BJP-ruled States resorted to encounter killings, whereas under the Congress government in Telangana, around 818 Maoists had surrendered and joined the mainstream. He added that the Prime Minister should appreciate the Telangana Police. On the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), Revanth Reddy expressed concern over the alleged inclusion and deletion of votes before Assembly elections. He also reiterated his proposal on delimitation, suggesting that 50% of seats should be based on population and the remaining 50% on development. Rejecting claims that the BJP was winning elections across the country, Revanth Reddy pointed to the BJP’s defeats in the Jubilee Hills bypoll, local body elections in Telangana, and Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The Chief Minister also said he would never indulge in vindictive politics or misuse the powers of his office. Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
PM Modi repeats austerity call amid West Asia crisis, urges WFH, fuel savings, reduced gold buys
He stressed the need for reduced imports — India heavily relies on West Asia for crude oil and LPG — and avoiding unnecessary expenditure involving foreign currency. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday reiterated his call for austerity measures, urging people to cut fuel consumption, use public transport and electric vehicles more frequently, and defer gold purchases amid disruptions caused by the West Asia crisis. Addressing a gathering in Vadodara after inaugurating the Sardar Dham Hostel built by the Patidar community, Modi also asked citizens to opt for work from home wherever possible and reduce foreign travel. “The West Asia crisis is one of the worst in the decade; just as we overcame the COVID-19 pandemic, we will come out of this also,” he asserted. #WATCH | Gujarat: Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, “… I appeal to every citizen of my country to reduce the use of petrol-diesel as much as possible. Use the metro, make greater use of electric buses and public transport, and promote carpooling. Those who have a car should… pic.twitter.com/85GGOgBh2W Modi noted citizens had always fulfilled their responsibilities whenever the country faced war or any other major crisis. “Whenever India faced war or any other major crisis, citizens fulfilled their responsibilities upon the government’s appeal; we need to do the same today,” the PM told the gathering. Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses an event in Vadodara on Monday, May 11, 2026. The prime minister stressed the need for reduced imports — India heavily relies on West Asia for crude oil and LPG — and avoid unnecessary expenditure involving foreign currency. “We must make every effort to reduce the use of imported products and avoid personal activities that involve spending foreign currency,” Modi maintained. Calling for fuel conservation measures, he urged people to reduce fuel consumption and shift to public transport or electric vehicles. He appealed to citizens to defer gold buying in view of the prevailing global situation as a significant amount of foreign exchange goes into importing the precious metal. Modi had spoken about these austerity measures for the first time in the backdrop of the West Asia crisis while speaking at an event in Telangana on Sunday and reiterated them in Gujarat a day later. Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
High command aware of who did what, Rahul tells CM contenders
Rahul reportedly told leaders the party knew the sources behind thousands of emails sent over the leadership issue. THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As the Congress high command prepares to announce Kerala’s next chief minister, more details have emerged from Saturday’s deliberations in New Delhi involving senior leader Rahul Gandhi, party president Mallikarjun Kharge and the three contenders: V D Satheesan, Ramesh Chennithala and K C Venugopal. Rahul is learnt to have cautioned the trio against staking any claim to the election victory, making it clear that the high command was fully aware of the role played by each of them in the campaign. “No one should stake any claim. The high command is well aware of who did what,” Rahul reportedly told the leaders during the discussions. He also warned them of strict disciplinary action if the ongoing street protests, flex-board war and social media campaigns were not brought to an immediate halt. Rahul also reportedly told the leaders that he had received thousands of emails regarding the leadership issue and that the party leadership was aware of the sources of the communication. In what is being viewed as an apparent dig at Satheesan, Rahul allegedly referred to the intervention of certain religious organisations in the Congress decision-making process. Sources said the leadership was aware of the large-scale canvassing by the Jamaat-e-Islami in favour of Satheesan. According to them, the high command made it clear that it did not require outside influence in deciding party affairs. Could The MV Hondius Hantavirus Outbreak Become The Next COVID-19_ “A senior Jamaat-e-Islami leader called for public protests if Satheesan is denied the chief minister’s post. This is the first time the party is witnessing such canvassing for the selection of its chief minister,” a senior Congress leader said. While congratulating the three leaders on the UDF’s landslide victory, Rahul also apparently told them that the high command recognised their leadership roles in securing the mandate. However, he cautioned them that the high command had a clear picture of the role played by each and reminded them that the campaign had been carried out under the direct monitoring of the party leadership. “Hence, staking claim to the victory is unacceptable and disappointing,” Rahul said. “The credit for the victory belongs to the Congress leadership and the UDF constituents. The high command has a complete picture of what happened on the ground,” he added. Dig at Satheesan In what is being viewed as an apparent dig at Satheesan, Rahul allegedly referred to the intervention of certain religious organisations in the decision-making process. Sources said the leadership was aware of the large-scale canvassing by the Jamaat-e-Islami in favour of Satheesan Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Veteran politician to 29-year-old doctor: Here is a look at Vijay’s Cabinet, a mix of youth and experienced
Vijay’s cabinet of ministers is a mix of veteran politicians like KA Sengottaiyan and N Anand and freshers like Aadhav Arjuna and S Keerthana. TVK chief Joseph C Vijay on Sunday took oath as the chief minister of Tamil Nadu, along with nine other ministers, including freshers who made their electoral debut in the recently concluded Assembly elections. Here is a look at the profiles of the TVK ministers. KA Sengottaiyan: From his early days as a leader of Kullapalayam Panchayat in Coimbatore during the 1970s, Sengottaiyan has carved out a storied 50-year career in Tamil Nadu politics. His journey from a grassroots party worker to a 10-time legislator stands as a testament to his political endurance. Born in 1948, Sengottaiyan’s ascent began when he was just 29 years old. His tireless work earned him his first MLA seat from the Sathyamangalam assembly constituency in 1977, when the AIADMK first rose to power under its legendary founder M G Ramachandran, who was fondly called MGR. After MGR’s passing, Sengottaiyan emerged as a staunch loyalist of J Jayalalithaa. Throughout AIADMK’s various terms in power, he held several key portfolios, most notably serving as the Revenue Minister. His influence continued in the administration of Edappadi K Palaniswami, where he served as the School Education Minister. In this role, he was credited with introducing ambitious reforms. He was expelled from the AIADMK in November 2025 after a series of public disagreements with Palaniswami, and he soon joined the Vijay-led TVK, where his decades of political experience proved invaluable. Aadhav Arjuna: Perhaps TVK’s most visible face, Aadhav Arjuna is a basketball player and is currently the president of Basketball Federation of India. A political strategist, he briefly served as Deputy General Secretary for Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) before parting ways with its chief Thol Thirumavalavan. The Villivakkam MLA-elect is the son-in-law of ‘lottery king’ Santiago Martin and has been credited for TVK’s growth. N Anand: Also known as ‘Bussy’ Anand, he is recognized as one of the closest political associates of TVK president Vijay. He played a key organizational role during the formation and growth of the party, helping build its ground network and campaign machinery across Tamil Nadu. He earned his nickname ‘Bussy’ after winning the election from the Bussy constituency in Puducherry in 2006 in Puducherry Munnetra Congress. Anand will have the distinction of serving the 17th Tamil Nadu Assembly, after having previously been MLA in Puducherry. He is known for doing voluntary services in his assembly segment ensuring a garbage free area. S Keerthana: TVK MLA-elect from the Sivakasi constituency, S Keerthana has been making headlines after the 29-year-old became the first woman MLA to achieve victory in the constituency, putting an end to nearly seven decades of male domination. Born in 1996 in Virudhunagar, Keerthana studied in a Tamil-medium government school before building a career in political consulting. She completed her BSc in Mathematics from a college affiliated with Madurai Kamaraj University and later pursued MSc in Statistics from Puducherry University in 2019. Before entering active politics, Keerthana worked as a political consultant and digital campaign strategist with Showtime Consulting and IPAC. She was also involved in election campaigns for the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). Over the years, she worked with former CMs Stalin, Mamata Banerjee and incumbent AP CM Chandrababu Naidu. KG Arunraj: A former Indian Revenue Service officer and a medical doctor by profession, Arunraj was sworn in as a minister in Vijay’s cabinet on Sunday. Kottaipalayam Ganesan Arunraj, aged 46 now, gave up his prestigious government job and joined Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam. He served as its general secretary, policy and propaganda, before becoming the minister of the first-ever TVK cabinet under Vijay. Arunraj had won from Tiruchengode Assembly constituency in Namakkal district, securing 79,500 votes and trounced his nearest rival SRMT Sekar of the AIADMK by a margin of 28,172 votes. He earned his MBBS from Madras Medical College and had served as government medical officer at the primary health centre in Krishnagiri. He completed his schooling in Salem district. R Nirmal Kumar: A prominent leader of TVK, who played a crucial role in post-poll negotiations in meeting the left party leaders and securing their support for government formation, Nirmal Kumar had headed the IT and social media unit of the TVK. He won from the Thirupparankundram Assembly constituency in Madurai. He was with the BJP initially heading its IT and social media wing and following a brief stint with the AIADMK. Nirmal Kumar joined the TVK in 2025. He became a key strategist for the TVK and is credited with building the digital presence for the TVK while serving as deputy general secretary of IT and social media wing. He holds degrees in engineering and law. A Rajmohan: Rajmohan, an actor, stand-up comedian, television anchor, and director who took the oath of office as a minister, was TVK’s propaganda secretary. He won from Egmore Assembly constituency. P Venkataramanan: TVK treasurer P Venkataramanan who assumed charge as minister, is a practicing advocate and he won from Mylapore Assembly constituency. He is the Brahmin face of TVK. In October 2024, at the first state conference of TVK he had administered the oath to thousands of party activists. Dr K T Prabhu: Dr Prabhu, another newly inducted minister in Vijay’s Cabinet, is a dentist by profession. He won from Karaikudi constituency in Sivaganga district, defeating NTK founder, and actor-director Seeman. Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights