The spectre of former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh came back to haunt the sport again with Olympian Vinesh Phogat identifying herself as one of the six female wrestlers who were sexually harassed by the official.

The admission made by the wrestler in a video statement on Sunday, 3 May was part of a tirade in which Vinesh said Brij Bhushan was trying to scuttle her comeback bid in the Asian Games later this year. She alleged that the WFI’s decision to hold ranking tournaments and trials in Gonda, Uttar Pradesh — a personal stronghold for Brij Bhushan — is not going to provide her a level playing field under any circumstances.

‘’He (Brij Bhushan) has his own private college and this competition is being organised there. That every hardworking athlete will get their due there — this is something very unlikely and almost impossible,’’ said Vinesh, who missed out on a medal at the Paris Olympics 2024 after being ‘overweight’ by 100 grams in the weigh-in. A tearful Vinesh then bid adieu to the sport and took a plunge into politics before announcing her comeback from retirement.

Vinesh further alleged that despite Brij Bhushan's official removal, the federation remains under his de facto control through current chief Sanjay Singh. ‘’Who will referee whose match, how many points a referee will give... all of this will be controlled by Brij Bhushan and his people. And the government and our sports ministry are watching this as silent spectators.

‘’You can imagine — going to his place, to his own college where every person would be connected to him... going there and competing in such a situation is extremely difficult. Even after that, whether I will be able to go there and give my 100 per cent — I do not think so."

The cases against Singh first made global headlines in 2023 when three top wrestlers — Vinesh and Olympic medallists Sakshi Mallik and Bajrang Punia — led months of sit-in protests at New Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, which took a dramatic turn when police detained them during a march to India’s new Parliament building. Footage of the Olympic medallists being dragged through the streets sparked international condemnation, including a rare rebuke from the International Olympic Committee (IOC). 

Brij Bhushan, a former BJP MP, was cleared in a separate sexual harassment case filed by an underage female wrestler. A Delhi court accepted a police report recommending the cancellation of that specific case after the complainant reportedly withdrew her statement last year.

However, Brij Bhushan — who has consistently denied all allegations — still faces serious charges of sexual harassment and stalking in the ongoing case involving Vinesh and five other adult female wrestlers. ‘’The Supreme Court guidelines say that the identity of any victim should not be revealed because it concerns their dignity and honour,’’ Vinesh said, before adding: ‘’But today, due to certain circumstances, I want to tell you all something. I did not want to speak while the case is still pending... But I want to say that I myself am one of those six victims who filed a complaint, and our testimonies are still ongoing.’’

In the broken neighbourhoods of Khan Younis and Deir el-Balah, silence is a stranger. The buzz of Israeli drones and the thunder of controlled demolitions ripple through the air, a stark reminder that even under a so-called ceasefire, the war has never truly loosened its grip on the Gaza Strip, the Al Jazeera reported.

Since the truce was declared in October, grief has continued to seep through the rubble. Local medical sources report that at least 828 Palestinians have been killed in the intervening months — each number a life interrupted, each statistic a story buried beneath debris. Now, as Israeli officials signal the possibility of renewed hostilities, families brace once more for the storm.

In Jerusalem, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu abruptly cancelled a scheduled security cabinet meeting, opting instead for closed-door consultations. Within military circles, the rhetoric has sharpened. A senior General Staff official, speaking to Channel 15, warned that another round of fighting was “almost inevitable,” citing Hamas’s refusal to disarm and the perceived failure of international mechanisms meant to uphold the ceasefire.

On the ground, facts are shifting as steadily as the front lines. Reports from Israel’s Army Radio suggest that Israeli forces have been quietly expanding their footprint, nudging the ceasefire’s “Yellow Line” westward and extending control over nearly 59 per cent of the enclave. Reinforcements, redirected from the Lebanese front, now flow into Gaza and the occupied West Bank, tightening an already suffocating grip.

Meanwhile, in Cairo, diplomacy unfolds with mounting urgency. Mediators are pressing Palestinian factions to accept a new roadmap championed by Nikolay Mladenov, tied to a broader vision backed by Donald Trump. The proposal demands the phased disarmament of Hamas within 281 days — linking humanitarian aid, reconstruction, and the reopening of crossings to the surrender of weapons.

Palestinian factions, however, have drawn a firm line. Leaders from Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine have collectively rejected the terms, insisting instead on the full implementation of the ceasefire’s initial phase — particularly the unimpeded entry of 600 aid trucks daily, a provision they say Israel has repeatedly blocked.

For analysts like Wissam Afifa, the impasse is about more than weapons. “The resistance insists that disarmament is tied to the ambition of establishing a Palestinian state and a complete end to the occupation,” he told Al Jazeera, warning that separating security from political rights risks turning humanitarian relief into leverage.

Others see a deeper strategy at play. Mamoun Abu Amer, an expert on Israeli affairs, described the escalating rhetoric as a “smoke screen” — a calculated move to bolster Netanyahu’s domestic standing ahead of looming elections, even as Israel grapples with mounting pressure across multiple fronts, including the unresolved tensions in southern Lebanon.

Yet for those living amid the ruins, strategy and speculation offer little solace. The toll of war continues to climb, with at least 72,608 Palestinians reported killed since the conflict began. Even as ceasefire lines are drawn and redrawn on maps, the reality on the ground remains unchanged: a people suspended between fragile calm and the ever-present shadow of another devastating war.

Global crude oil prices eased on Monday, slipping nearly 3 per cent after US President Donald Trump signalled steps to ease maritime disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. However, the absence of a breakthrough in US-Iran talks kept prices elevated above the $100-per-barrel mark.

The international benchmark Brent crude fell 66 cents, or 0.61 per cent, to $107.51 per barrel. US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) declined more sharply, dropping $2.83, or 2.77 per cent, to $99.11 a barrel. On the domestic front, crude oil futures on the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) were trading at ₹9,621, down ₹44 or 0.45 per cent from the previous close.

The pullback in prices followed Trump’s indication that Washington would facilitate the safe passage of vessels stranded in the Strait of Hormuz — one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints. In a post on Truth Social, he said the US would help ensure that ships, including those from neutral countries, could resume operations without disruption, raising hopes of partial de-escalation in West Asia.

Despite the decline, crude prices remained firm as tensions between Washington and Tehran showed little sign of immediate resolution. Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz continues to face constraints, and ongoing negotiations between the two sides have yet to yield a concrete agreement. While the US is pressing for progress on a nuclear deal, Iran has indicated it prefers to defer nuclear discussions until after the conflict subsides, alongside easing restrictions on Gulf shipping.

Adding another layer to the supply outlook, the OPEC+ grouping announced that seven member nations would raise output by 188,000 barrels per day in June — marking the third consecutive monthly increase. However, analysts suggest the additional supply is unlikely to significantly cool prices in the near term, given the continuing disruptions to oil flows in the region.

Meanwhile, equity markets reflected cautious optimism. In India, benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty were trading around 1 per cent higher in early deals. Across Asia, markets rallied sharply, with Japan’s Nikkei, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng and South Korea’s Kospi rising by as much as 4 per cent, tracking easing oil prices and hopes of reduced geopolitical risk.

With IANS inputs

The tremors of geopolitical unrest in West Asia — set in motion in February — have rippled across the skies, casting a shadow over one of the world’s busiest aviation corridors. At the heart of this turbulence, Dubai International Airport witnessed a dramatic ebb in passenger traffic, with March volumes reportedly plunging by a staggering 66 per cent amid disruptions linked to the conflict in Iran.

The sharp contraction weighed heavily on quarterly performance, pulling first-quarter footfall down to nearly 25 lakh passengers — a decline of 21 per cent compared to the same period last year. The airport, long celebrated as a global crossroads of connectivity, found its rhythm disrupted by a series of operational setbacks, including precautionary shutdowns triggered by drone-related incidents in nearby areas. These episodes sent shockwaves through regional airspace, grounding flights and dampening travel demand across West Asia.

Yet, beneath the cloud of uncertainty, there remains a quiet resilience. Authorities have signalled that the underlying appetite for travel endures, waiting to rebound as stability returns. Chief executive officer Paul Griffiths expressed confidence in recovery, noting that the airport stands ready to accommodate a resurgence in traffic as capacity is gradually restored — reaffirming its stature as a vital artery of global aviation.

India continued to anchor the airport’s traffic base, emerging as the largest source market with 25 lakh passengers, followed by Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, and Pakistan. Among destinations, London led the charts with 7.52 lakh passengers, trailed by Mumbai and Jeddah.

The fragility of the moment was underscored in March, when flights were briefly suspended after a drone struck a fuel tank in the vicinity of the airport. In a swift response prioritising safety, operations were halted, with passengers advised to remain in close contact with their airlines for updates.

Amid the flux, airlines have begun cautiously stitching back their networks. Air India Express resumed services to Qatar and Bahrain, while maintaining operations to key Gulf destinations including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, Al Ain, Muscat, Riyadh, Dammam, and Doha. Services to Kuwait, too, remain woven into its Gulf network.

For now, the skies over West Asia carry both the weight of conflict and the promise of recovery — an aviation landscape poised between disruption and renewal.

With IANS inputs

The United States is set to launch a major military-backed operation to escort commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, with President Donald Trump framing the move as a humanitarian effort to assist ships stranded amid rising tensions in the West Asia.

Announcing the initiative — dubbed “Project Freedom” — Trump said several countries had sought Washington’s help as vessels remained “locked up in the Strait of Hormuz” despite having “absolutely nothing to do” with the ongoing conflict. “For the good of Iran, the West Asia, and the United States, we have told these countries that we will guide their ships safely out of these restricted waterways,” he said.

The operation, scheduled to begin on Monday morning, aims to support “neutral and innocent bystanders” and ensure that commercial traffic can “freely and ably get on with their business.” Trump highlighted the deteriorating conditions aboard some vessels, noting, “Many of these ships are running low on food, and everything else necessary for large-scale crews to stay on board in a healthy and sanitary manner.”

While emphasising the humanitarian nature of the mission, Trump also signalled ongoing diplomatic engagement with Tehran. “I am fully aware that my representatives are having very positive discussions with the country of Iran, and that these discussions could lead to something very positive for all,” he said.

At the same time, he issued a warning against interference. “If, in any way, this humanitarian process is interfered with, that interference will, unfortunately, have to be dealt with forcefully,” he cautioned.

The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that its forces would support the operation starting 4 May to “restore freedom of navigation for commercial shipping” through the strategic waterway.

According to CENTCOM, the Pentagon-directed mission will involve a substantial deployment, including guided-missile destroyers, over 100 land- and sea-based aircraft, multi-domain unmanned systems, and approximately 15,000 service personnel. “The mission, directed by the President, will support merchant vessels seeking to freely transit through this essential international trade corridor,” the command said, noting that roughly a quarter of global seaborne oil trade passes through the strait.

CENTCOM commander Brad Cooper described the effort as vital to both regional stability and global markets. “Our support for this defensive mission is essential to regional security and the global economy as we also maintain the naval blockade,” he said.

The operation will be complemented by broader diplomatic and military coordination. The US State Department, working with the Department of War, has initiated the Maritime Freedom Construct to enhance intelligence-sharing and cooperation with international partners, underscoring the scale and urgency of the unfolding situation.

With IANS inputs

Iran has confirmed that the United States has responded to its 14-point proposal aimed at ending the ongoing regional conflict, with Tehran now reviewing the reply.

Foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei, speaking to state-run IRIB TV, said the proposal is strictly focused on de-escalation and does not touch upon nuclear issues. “At present, we are focused on the parameters related to ending the war in the region, including Lebanon,” he said, adding, “we have no nuclear negotiation at this stage”.

Baghaei reiterated that the plan contains “nothing pertaining to the nuclear field’s details”, underlining Tehran’s position that the immediate priority is to halt hostilities. His remarks come amid longstanding US demands to link broader negotiations with Iran’s nuclear programme — something Tehran has consistently resisted in the current context.

Iran has repeatedly maintained that its nuclear activities are for peaceful purposes, despite international concerns over its enrichment levels.

Separately, foreign minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi held discussions with key international counterparts to advance diplomatic efforts. In phone calls with Oman’s foreign minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Albusaidi and Germany’s foreign minister Johann Wadephul, Araghchi outlined Tehran’s latest initiatives to end the conflict, according to statements from the Iranian foreign ministry.

The developments follow months of escalating tensions that began with the 28 February joint US-Israel strikes on Tehran, which targeted multiple sites in the Iranian capital and other cities. The strikes reportedly killed senior leadership figures, including then supreme leader Ali Khamenei, along with military commanders and civilians.

Iran retaliated with waves of missile and drone attacks aimed at Israel and US-linked targets across the region, pushing the conflict to the brink of a wider war.

A ceasefire brokered on 8 April temporarily halted hostilities, but subsequent talks between Iranian and US delegations in Islamabad failed to yield a breakthrough, leaving the situation fragile despite ongoing diplomatic engagement.

With IANS inputs

Hours before counting began for the two-phase assembly elections in West Bengal on Monday, chief minister Mamata Banerjee issued a late-night message urging Trinamool Congress (TMC) workers to remain vigilant through the process.

In a social media post after 1 am, she called for heightened alertness, saying, “Stay alert. Be on guard. Stay awake at night. Register complaints.”

Banerjee alleged that her party had received reports of “planned” power cuts in several parts of the state, raising concerns over the security of strong rooms where EVMs are stored. She cited incidents from Sreerampore in Hooghly, Krishnanagar in Nadia, Aushgram in Purba Bardhaman, and the Khudiram Anushilan Kendra in Kolkata, claiming that load-shedding was being carried out in phases.

“CCTVs are being switched off, and vehicles are moving in the strong room,” she said, appealing to party workers to “guard the people’s votes”. She added, “If any suspicious situation arises, surround those involved, lodge complaints immediately, and demand CCTV footage.” Banerjee further alleged that such developments were being orchestrated “at the behest of the Bharatiya Janata Party.”

On Sunday evening, the chief minister also held a strategy meeting with Trinamool Congress counting agents for the high-profile Bhabanipur constituency, where she is contesting against leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari.

According to party insiders, Banerjee issued last-minute instructions on maintaining vigilance inside counting centres until the final round. She also expressed confidence in the outcome. “The victory of Trinamool Congress in West Bengal and my win from Bhabanipur are 100 per cent assured,” a senior party leader quoted her as saying.

She, however, cautioned workers not to be swayed by early trends. “Initial rounds may show the opposition leading, but the final result will be in our favour,” she reportedly told the gathering.

With counting underway amid tight security, the chief minister’s remarks have added to the charged political atmosphere surrounding the results.

With IANS inputs

Counting of votes is under way across West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam and Puducherry on Monday, 4 May, as multiple high-stakes contests head towards their final verdict after weeks of intense campaigning.

The spotlight is firmly on West Bengal, where the battle for 293 seats has set up a keen contest between the ruling Trinamool Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party. While the TMC is seeking to retain power, the BJP is aiming for a breakthrough in the state for the first time, even as the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the Congress look to regain relevance after their 2021 setback.

Further south, Tamil Nadu is also counting votes for its 234-seat Assembly, with nearly 4.8 crore ballots cast. Kerala, too, is witnessing counting across 140 centres, with the Congress-led UDF showing every sign of forming the government.

In the Northeast, Assam’s 126 constituencies are being counted in what is shaping up to be a closely watched contest. The ruling NDA, led by chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, is eyeing a third straight term, while the Congress-led alliance under Gaurav Gogoi is pushing for a return to power after a decade.

Read more

UDF dominates Idukki district in early trends

The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) is leading in all five constituencies of Idukki district in Kerala, according to early counting trends.

In a key contest, Water Resources Minister Roshy Augustine is trailing by 1,197 votes, while UDF candidate Roy K Paulose has secured 4,212 votes in the initial rounds.

Across the district, UDF candidates are ahead: Senapathy Venu is leading by 3,228 votes in Udumbanchola, Appu John Joseph by 2,970 votes in Thodupuzha, F. Raja by 978 votes in Devikulam, and Cyriac Thomas by 3,184 votes in Peerumedu.

UDF surges ahead in Kerala, leads in 98 seats

Early trends from Kerala indicate a strong performance by the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF), which is now leading in 98 of the 140 Assembly seats.

As results continue to come in from across West Bengal, Assam, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, Kerala stands out with the UDF establishing a commanding edge in the latest trends.

Gaurav Gogoi flags slow counting in Titabor

Gaurav Gogoi of the Indian National Congress has raised concerns over the pace of counting in the Titabor Assembly constituency in Assam.

“We are seeing that the counting in Titabor Assembly constituency is going very slowly. We have conveyed this concern to officials,” he said, adding that fluctuations in leads across rounds are natural. “There will be ups and downs in each round; we should wait until the final results are out,” Gogoi said.

UDF surge sparks celebrations at Congress office in Thiruvananthapuram

Scenes of celebration are emerging at the Congress office in Thiruvananthapuram as early trends from Kerala show the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) surging ahead.

Senior leaders, including K. C. Venugopal, Ramesh Chennithala, Sunny Joseph and Shashi Tharoor, were seen celebrating at the party office as the alliance leads in around 85 of the 140 seats. The Communist Party of India (Marxist)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) is trailing in about 50 seats.

With counting under way across the State, the upbeat mood among Congress workers reflects growing confidence in a potential victory for the UDF.

Vijay extends lead in Tiruchi East

C. Joseph Vijay, president of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, has extended his lead in the Tiruchi East constituency in Tamil Nadu. At the end of Round 2, Vijay is ahead by 3,299 votes over his Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam rival Inigo Irudhayaraj, as counting continues.

Mamata Banerjee leads from Bhawanipur in latest trends

Mamata Banerjee is leading from the Bhawanipur constituency in early trends in West Bengal, with the seat emerging as one of the most closely watched in the State.

Congress-led UDF surges ahead in Kerala, LDF trails in early trends

Early trends from Kerala point to a strong showing by the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF), raising the prospect of a political comeback in the State.

About 90 minutes into counting, the UDF is leading in 89 of the 140 seats, while the Communist Party of India (Marxist)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) is ahead in 44. The BJP-led NDA is leading in five constituencies, according to early trends from 139 seats.

The UDF has retained its edge in traditional strongholds such as Ernakulam and Malappuram, while also making inroads into seats currently held by the LDF in regions including Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Kozhikode and Palakkad.

AIADMK leads in 28 seats, TVK in 26, DMK in 12: EC data

Early trends from Tamil Nadu show the All-India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leading in 28 seats, followed closely by Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam with 26 seats, according to data from the Election Commission of India.

The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam is currently ahead in 12 constituencies, as counting continues and trends begin to firm up.

UDF will cross 100 seats, says KPCC chief Sunny Joseph

Sunny Joseph, chief of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee, on Monday expressed confidence that the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) will secure a decisive mandate in Kerala.

With the UDF leading in early trends after the first hour of counting, Joseph said the numbers indicate a clear shift in the alliance’s favour and predicted that it would go on to cross the 100-seat mark in the 140-member Assembly.

Congress leads in Mandia, Pakabetbari, Mangaldai in early Assam trends

Early trends from Assam show the Indian National Congress leading in Mandia, Pakabetbari and Mangaldai as counting gathers pace.

About 90 minutes into the process, data from the Election Commission of India indicates that leads have been established in 38 of the State’s 126 constituencies. Congress is currently ahead in three of these seats, all located in Lower and Central Assam.

While still early in the day, the trends underline the challenge before the party, which is aiming for a comeback after a decade out of power and has been trying to regain ground in Upper Assam, where its presence in the Assembly has declined sharply in recent years.

“We will keep an eye on every vote”: Gaurav Gogoi

Gaurav Gogoi of the Indian National Congress said the party will closely monitor the counting process across Assam as early trends begin to emerge. “This is just the beginning. We will see how the counting is going on in the entire State, and we will keep an eye on every vote being counted properly in every round,” he said. Gogoi, who is contesting from Jorhat, is currently trailing BJP’s Hitendra Nath Goswami, according to early data from the Election Commission of India.

‘Stay alert’: Mamata’s midnight message to TMC workers ahead of counting

Hours before counting began for the two-phase assembly elections in West Bengal on Monday, chief minister Mamata Banerjee issued a late-night message urging Trinamool Congress (TMC) workers to remain vigilant through the process.

In a social media post after 1 am, she called for heightened alertness, saying, “Stay alert. Be on guard. Stay awake at night. Register complaints.”

Banerjee alleged that her party had received reports of “planned” power cuts in several parts of the state, raising concerns over the security of strong rooms where EVMs are stored. She cited incidents from Sreerampore in Hooghly, Krishnanagar in Nadia, Aushgram in Purba Bardhaman, and the Khudiram Anushilan Kendra in Kolkata, claiming that load-shedding was being carried out in phases.

Read more

Kerala: Congress’s Chennithala leads in Haripad after first round

Ramesh Chennithala of the Indian National Congress is leading in the Haripad constituency in Kerala as the first round of counting progresses.

According to figures from the Election Commission of India at 9.20 am, Chennithala has polled 4,765 votes, ahead of T. T. Jismon of the Communist Party of India, who has secured 3,235 votes. BJP candidate Sandeep Vachaspathi is trailing with 1,899 votes.

Assam: Akhil Gogoi confident of Opposition forming govt with 70+ seats

Akhil Gogoi, president of the Raijor Dal and candidate from Sivasagar, expressed confidence that the Opposition alliance will secure a majority in Assam.

“I would like to hope that the Opposition parties will form the government. With 70-plus seats, we will form the government, and we will own the game,” he said.

Gogoi is contesting from Sivasagar, a seat he won in the previous Assembly elections while in prison during the protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act.

The Opposition alliance comprises six parties, including the Indian National Congress, Raijor Dal, Assam Jatiya Parishad, Communist Party of India (Marxist), All Party Hill Leaders Conference and Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation.

Gaurav Gogoi leads in Jorhat

Gaurav Gogoi of the Indian National Congress is leading in the Jorhat Assembly constituency in Assam, according to early trends. He is up against BJP veteran and sitting MLA Hitendra Nath Goswami.

A three-time MP and currently the Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Gogoi was appointed president of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee in 2025. He had also secured a win from the Jorhat Lok Sabha seat in the 2024 general election, defeating BJP’s Topon Kumar Gogoi.

Initial trends show a close contest between TMC and BJP

In the initial trends, there is a fluctuating contest in Bengal. The BJP is leading in 85 seats, while the Trinamool Congress is ahead in 72 seats.

Congress-led UDF leads in early Kerala trends

Initial trends from Kerala show the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) taking an early lead as counting begins. According to early figures, put out by PTI the UDF is ahead in over 60 seats, while the Communist Party of India (Marxist)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) is leading in more than 50 constituencies.

These early trends are based on postal ballots, which account for about 1.36 per cent of the total votes polled, and are expected to shift as EVM counting gathers pace.

Missing key delays Kalamassery counting; strongroom forced open

Tension briefly prevailed at a strongroom at the Cochin University of Science and Technology in Kalamassery after the key to the facility storing EVMs for the constituency went missing during the initial stages of counting on Monday morning.

The Hindu reported that With officials unable to locate the key, the strongroom was eventually broken open around 8.30 am to allow the process to continue. “Everything is going smoothly now,” an official said, indicating that counting had resumed without further disruption.

Kalamassery remains a closely watched seat in Kerala, with P. Rajeeve of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) seeking re-election against UDF candidate V E Abdul Gafoor and NDA’s M. P. Binu.

Ajoy Kumar Gogoi hopeful of Congress return to power ahead of Assam results

Congress candidate from Demow, Ajoy Kumar Gogoi, on Monday expressed optimism ahead of the results, saying he expects the verdict to reflect the aspirations of both voters and party workers.

“We hope the results will be in line with what the public and the party workers wanted. We hope a Congress government will be formed,” he said, voicing confidence in the party’s chances in Assam.

Counting of votes for the assembly elections in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal, Assam and Puducherry began on Monday amid tight security, with final results expected by the end of the day as trends firm up through successive rounds.

Nearly 25 crore voters across the four key states exercised their franchise in what is being seen as one of the most consequential electoral contests in recent years.

In West Bengal, polling enthusiasm peaked with a record 92.93 per cent turnout. However, counting is being conducted for 293 of the 294 Assembly constituencies, as the Election Commission of India ordered a re-poll for the entire Falta seat in South 24-Parganas on 21 May, with results slated for 24 May. Security was significantly ramped up at counting centres, including Netaji Indoor Stadium in Kolkata.

Chief minister Mamata Banerjee and the Trinamool Congress are seeking a fourth consecutive term, facing a Bharatiya Janata Party that has evolved from a fringe presence into a serious challenger. “This election is about protecting Bengal’s identity and democracy,” a senior TMC leader said, while BJP leaders expressed confidence that “the people are ready for change”.

In Tamil Nadu, a strong turnout of 85.1 per cent reflects heightened political engagement. While the traditional DMK–AIADMK rivalry continues, actor-turned-politician Vijay has added a new dimension with his Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). Security was tightened at the DMK headquarters, Anna Arivalayam, in Chennai.

Chief minister M.K. Stalin’s DMK-led alliance is widely projected to be in the lead, with internal assessments suggesting 120–145 seats. “We are confident that people have endorsed our governance model,” a DMK functionary said. Meanwhile, TVK is emerging as a potential disruptor, with estimates indicating up to 30 per cent vote share in urban pockets such as Chennai and Madurai.

Kerala presents a closely fought contest, with chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan aiming for a historic third straight term for the Left Democratic Front — an unprecedented feat in the state. Early projections suggest a tight race, with the Congress-led United Democratic Front hovering around the halfway mark in the 140-member assembly. “The fight is very close, and every seat will matter,” a UDF leader remarked, adding that a strong showing could “revive Congress nationally”.

In Assam, the BJP-led NDA, under chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, appears poised for a third consecutive term. Exit polls project the alliance securing between 85 and 100 seats in the 126-member House. “People have voted for stability and development,” a BJP spokesperson said, while Opposition leaders admitted the challenge of countering the ruling alliance’s organisational strength.

As counting progresses across states, the results are expected to offer crucial political signals — not just regionally, but for the broader national landscape.

With IANS inputs

It’s India’s turn at the helm of BRICS this year and its position in the bloc — once seen as a counterweight to Western-dominated alliances and a US-led international order — couldn’t be more incongruous. As New Delhi prepares to host the 18th BRICS summit in September this year, India finds itself presiding over a divided grouping while becoming increasingly isolated within it.

The BRICS grouping was already beset with contradictions but the ongoing Iran war seems to have split it wide open. Once projected as a platform for coordinated political assertion, for its commitment to multipolarity, it now appears incapable of even issuing a joint statement on a major geopolitical crisis involving one of its own members.

The BRICS MENA meeting, of deputy foreign ministers and special envoys of West Asia and North Africa, in New Delhi on 23–24 April, ended without consensus, forcing New Delhi to fall back on issuing a ‘chair’s summary’ rather than a collective declaration. That distinction is not procedural; it’s political — you get a chair’s summary when you lack consensus.

The divisions in the group are structural. Iran, now a BRICS member, expected solidarity from the bloc in the face of military confrontation. Yet other members, particularly the UAE, which has since withdrawn from OPEC (Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries), resisted the use of strong language against the US and Israel. China and Russia leant towards Tehran. India equivocated with vague expressions of concern.

This paralysis has left BRICS unable to take a stand even when a member state has been attacked, when its leaders have been assassinated. Draft statements have failed and negotiations have stalled.

India’s role in this deadlock has been revealing. As chair, it was expected to provide direction but has instead chosen ambiguity. India’s reluctance to take a firm stand reveals the contradictions in the Modi government’s foreign policy.

In pursuing what its external affairs minister S. Jaishankar describes as ‘strategic autonomy’, India has developed trade, defence and strategic partnerships with the US and Israel, economic and energy ties with the Gulf, and cultural and diplomatic cooperation with Iran. With the war forcing a show of hands, India has tried to hedge to avoid alienating anyone.

But within BRICS, a grouping that increasingly defines itself through a critique of US dominance, that ambiguity comes at a cost. India’s refusal to take a position on a conflict involving BRICS bête noire US and a BRICS member is seen not as prudence but a lack of commitment. Iran has openly expressed its expectation that India, as BRICS chair, will mobilise the bloc in its favour, but New Delhi’s interests are too deeply embedded in the US–Israel alliance to hazard such a stance.

At the same time, China’s influence within the grouping continues to expand. The enlargement of BRICS, often presented as a sign of its growing global appeal, has in fact strengthened Beijing’s centrality. Many of the newer members share closer strategic alignment with China than with India. The balance within BRICS has shifted decisively. India is no longer a co-equal pillar. It has become a dispensable player in a structure increasingly shaped by China.

This shift has made India’s position more uncomfortable. Its strained bilateral relations with China, marked by unresolved border conflicts and strategic rivalry, limits the possibility of meaningful cooperation within BRICS.

India’s position is further complicated by Trump’s warnings of imposing punitive tariffs on countries pursuing alternative trade arrangements under BRICS. Wary of the Trump administration, the Modi government won’t risk taking a stand that might invite retaliation at various levels it cannot afford.

Consequently, New Delhi has been hesitant about endorsing initiatives that will be seen as a challenge to a US-dominated global economic order. Take for instance, talks of de-dollarisation.

The consequence is a narrowing of India’s strategic space within BRICS. It cannot fully align with the bloc’s more assertive agenda without risking economic and diplomatic repercussions. Yet by holding back, it undermines its standing within the group.

The internal contradictions of BRICS have never been so thoroughly exposed. For the first time, the grouping is confronting a situation where its members are divided over an ongoing military conflict involving one of their own. The inability to forge a consensus reflects deep incompatibilities.

India’s chairmanship has coincided with this rupture, and its own ambiguity has rendered it totally ineffective in managing the contradictions in the group. If anything, the crisis has exposed the limits of India’s influence.

The implications for the upcoming summit are difficult to ignore. Expectations are low. China’s President is unlikely to attend. With divisions unresolved and no shared strategic direction, the summit is unlikely to produce anything of consequence. At best, it will generate carefully worded statements that skirt contentious issues. And this, in turn, will reinforce the perception that India has no locus to lead the Global South.

This moment also raises big questions about India’s foreign policy. Its attempt to straddle competing geopolitical alignments is hard to sustain. Within BRICS, that strategy is already failing. The more India hedges, the more space China occupies. The more India avoids taking a stand on global issues, the less influence it commands.

The credibility of BRICS as the pivot of an alternative global order was already fading. Under India’s chairmanship, that decline has become unmistakable. The grouping continues to expand, add members and meet, but its capacity for meaningful collective action is eroding.

The Modi government’s failure to define a clear role for India within the bloc means that India now chairs BRICS without commanding it. It will play host without shaping the outcome in any way. The September summit in New Delhi will only lay bare its irrelevance.

Ashok Swain is a professor of peace and conflict research at Uppsala University, Sweden. More by the author here

Hundreds of VVPAT slips were found about 10 km from Garulia in West Bengal's Noapara Assembly segment under the Barrackpore Lok Sabha constituency on Sunday evening, triggering political tension on the eve of counting for the state's just-concluded Assembly elections. The slips reportedly carried stamps of the CPI(M) and the state's ruling TMC, with very few for BJP.

TMC candidate Trinankur Bhattacharya accused the BJP and Election Commission of India (ECI) of undermining the electoral process and demanded an explanation, alleging attempts to favour the BJP. CPI(M) candidate Gargee Chatterjee said party workers found the slips and informed the police, alleging that officials forcibly removed them despite objections. She added that the matter would be reported to the ECI.

BJP candidate Arjun Singh visited the site, questioned how the slips were dumped, and demanded a police seizure list. He warned that if EVM counts do not match VVPAT slips, results from the booth should be withheld, alleging a conspiracy involving the TMC and election officials.

The development comes as political tensions mount across the state ahead of vote counting across 293 Assembly constituencies on Monday, 4 May.

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee has urged her party workers to remain vigilant and avoid complacency, with the TMC leadership making it clear that every stage of the counting process will be closely monitored.

On Sunday evening, Banerjee convened a meeting at her residence with counting agents, councillors and ward presidents from the Bhabanipur Assembly constituency in south Kolkata. The meeting followed a virtual session held a day earlier, where she and TMC national general-secretary Abhishek Banerjee addressed party leaders and candidates across the state.

According to party sources, the chief minister is keen to “leave no stone unturned” and ensure that workers remain alert until the final results are declared. One ward president, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, “Despite the virtual meeting on Saturday, she called us to her home not just to boost us up but also give us some last-minute tips. Though we have done homework all through the year, a last-minute revision is always helpful. TMC will form the government beyond doubt.”

However, the leader also hinted at underlying concerns, adding that the margin of victory would be significant. “The question of the margin of seats and the actual seat numbers matter. Otherwise, there might be restlessness and horse-trading after the results are out,” he said.

Bhabanipur remains one of the most closely watched constituencies in the state, as Banerjee faces off against leader of opposition and state BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari. The contest has drawn particular attention as it mirrors the high-profile 2021 battle in Nandigram in Purba Medinipur district, where Banerjee was defeated by Adhikari after alleged irregularities during counting.

Voting in Bhabanipur was held on 29 April during the second phase of the elections. Ahead of counting day, both major parties have intensified preparations, holding meetings with their respective workers and counting agents. Adhikari, too, held an urgent meeting with BJP workers at the party’s office in Bhabanipur on Saturday.

Meanwhile, concerns about the integrity of the counting process have led to heightened tensions across the state. Both TMC and BJP have expressed fears of potential manipulation, particularly at strong rooms where electronic voting machines (EVMs) are stored. Addressing these concerns, state chief electoral officer Manoj Agarwal said, “We are fully prepared for the counting process; there will be no disruptions.”

Special election observer Subrata Gupta dismissed allegations of tampering, stating, “There is absolutely no possibility of any vote theft.” He added that authorities are reviewing arrangements around counting centres, including crowd control and potential victory processions.

To strengthen oversight, the ECI has appointed 431 counting observers across the state, excluding the Falta constituency. North 24 Parganas has the highest number, with 49 observers covering 33 constituencies, while Alipurduar has the fewest, with six observers for five constituencies.

Amid the political activity, civil society groups have also stepped in. The Desh Bachao Ganamancha continued its sit-in protest for a second day in Kolkata, demanding transparency in the counting process and safeguards against alleged EVM manipulation. Demonstrators gathered on Jawaharlal Nehru Road, voicing concerns over the political climate and accusing the BJP of divisive politics.

Speakers at the protest also questioned the neutrality of the ECI. The demonstration was attended by several intellectuals, artists and public figures, reflecting broader public anxiety ahead of the results.

As counting day approaches, the atmosphere across West Bengal remains tense, with political parties, officials and citizens awaiting an outcome that could significantly shape the state’s political future.

Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party, in collusion with the Election Commission of India, had carried out a “rehearsal” during Uttar Pradesh Assembly bypolls that was later replicated during the West Bengal Assembly elections.

Addressing reporters at the Samajwadi Party office in Lucknow ahead of counting day in Bengal, the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister asserted that despite “all adversities”, Mamata Banerjee would retain power.

“Didi was there, and Didi will stay; Didi will win,” Yadav said.

Alleges ‘strategic deployment’ of officials

Yadav claimed that during Assembly by-elections in Uttar Pradesh, particularly in Rampur, polling personnel and officials were deliberately selected and deployed in a coordinated manner.

“However, during the by-elections held across Uttar Pradesh, including in Rampur, it was observed that presiding officers, staff and officials were hand-picked and strategically deployed. Perhaps the BJP, in collusion with the Election Commission, conducted a trial run in Uttar Pradesh. You could also call it a ‘rehearsal’. They did this in Uttar Pradesh, and then they replicated it in Bengal,” he alleged.

The SP chief stressed that the Election Commission must function impartially and strengthen democratic institutions.

“The Election Commission is a constitutional body that must remain neutral. It must not discriminate against anyone, remain impartial and strengthen democracy,” Yadav said.

Claims ‘parallel law and order structure’ in Bengal

He further alleged that central security forces and paramilitary personnel had effectively created a parallel administrative structure in West Bengal during the elections.

“I have received information that a parallel law and order structure involving paramilitary and central forces has been established in West Bengal,” he claimed.

However, he maintained that the final verdict would still reflect the will of the people.

“Despite such attempts, the results of the election will be decided by the people,” he said.

High-stakes Bengal counting on Monday

West Bengal is set for counting of votes on Monday after a prolonged and intensely fought election campaign.

The outcome will determine whether the ruling Trinamool Congress retains power for another term or whether the BJP succeeds in forming its first government in the state.

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the Indian National Congress are also hoping to regain political ground after being virtually wiped out in the 2021 Assembly elections.

Counting at 77 centres

Counting will take place at 77 centres across West Bengal under elaborate security arrangements.

Results will be declared for 293 of the state’s 294 Assembly seats.

The two-phase polling process concluded on 29 April.

According to the Election Commission, the state recorded its highest-ever voter turnout since Independence, with 92.47 per cent of eligible voters casting their ballots.