Sources said Vijay finally has the numbers to form the government, with the latest taking it past the majority mark of 118 seats. At the Lok Bhavan, he staked claim to form the government with the support of 118 MLAs. Sources said the oath-taking ceremony is expected to take place tomorrow at 11 am.

Vijay and Arlekar had earlier met on Wednesday and Thursday. Both times Arlekar dismissed Vijay's claim to form the government, arguing the TVK leader does not have the required support in the House.

Amid this, there is buzz that the Dravidian arch-rivals DMK and AIADMK may come together after over 50 years to form a government and keep Vijay out of power.

Here are the LIVE updates on Tamil Nadu Government Formation: 

Vijay met Tamil Nadu Governor RV Arlekar in the evening and staked claim to form the government, declaring that he has the support of 118 MLAs, the exact number needed for a majority. He is expected to take oath tomorrow, with sources giving a time of 11 am, which the Lok Bhavan has yet to confirm.

According to sources, Vijay sought two weeks to prove his majority - an idea categorically rejected by the Governor. The Governor asked Vijay why he needed so much time to prove MLAs' support for him.

Vijay hasn't yet decided if other party leaders will take the oath with him, sources added.

Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam swept last month's election; the party won 108 of 234 seats on its debut to break Dravidian giants DMK and AIADMK's 62-year chokehold on state politics. But the joy of that win dissipated quickly after Governor Arlekar made it clear he would not invite the TVK leader to form the government without majority support confirmation.

Two meetings in two days - Wednesday and Thursday - but Arlekar didn't budge. He told Vijay yesterday that he could not run a government of 113 MLAs when the House majority is 118. And he insisted on letters of support from as many MLA-elects.

RECAP | Governor Asks Vijay To Prove Majority, TVK May Move Court: Sources

Vijay, however, had only 108 from the TVK. He needed at least 10 more seats.

Vijay's winning formula

The Congress broke from allies Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam to contribute five, on condition Vijay and TVK do not ally with 'communal parties' - a reference to the Bharatiya Janata Party that is partnered with the AIADMK. The DMK-Congress split - after three election wins in seven years - generated a bitter subplot to this drama, with each accusing the other of betrayal.

READ | Dumped For Vijay, DMK Wants Congress Lok Sabha Split

The TVK then also opened talks with the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, the Communist Party of India (Marxist), and the Communist Party of India. By Friday afternoon, after two rounds of meetings, sources said all three had agreed to support Vijay.

All three were also DMK allies and had been in talks with MK Stalin's party over alternative routes to power, including remaining by his side and entering what many derided an 'unholy alliance', i.e., tying up with his arch-rivals, the AIADMK.

RECAP | AIADMK-DMK Buzz Amid Vijay Suspense: What Next For Tamil Nadu?

They have exactly the number he needs - two each for a total of six. 

Vijay was also reported to have the support of one of two MLA-elects from the Indian Union Muslim League and the lone MLA-elect from TTV Dhinakaran's Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam.

Reports then began emerging that the TVK was one short of the majority mark, a situation that was resolved as the party chief prepared to meet the governor. It is still not clear who among the VCK, the IUML MLA and AMMK are supporting the TVK.

The cost?

Left parties CPI and CPM have announced outside support to the TVK. They will not be part of the cabinet.

The Congress expects two berths for its support.

DMK-AIADMK's 'unholy' alliance

The chaos included speculation of a deal between the DMK and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, two parties that share an ideology - the social justice movement started by EV 'Periyar' Ramasamy - but are otherwise fierce enemies.

Political observers suggested the two big Dravidian parties were driven by similar fears.

For the DMK, this brought back memories of 1977-87, when MGR kept it from winning any election till after he died. And for the AIADMK, it's more recent; sections within pointed to the past decade in which the party lost three consecutive polls to Stalin.

However, the 'unholy' alliance never materialised. In fact, it never moved past speculation, with senior leaders on both sides confiding to NDTV that it could never survive in the face of vehement opposition from ideologues in both camps.

READ | AIADMK Claims 'All Is Well' After Resort Buzz Over 'Pro-TVK' MLAs

There was also brief speculation of a deal between the TVK and the AIADMK - which has 47 seats.

And what about the BJP?

The BJP has denied any role in the stand-off between the TVK and Arlekar.

"It is a fractured verdict... TVK doesn't have a majority. If he (Vijay) proves a majority, then the governor will constitutionally accept it. There is no confusion..." the BJP's state unit spokesperson, Narayan Thirupathy, told news agency PTI.

Thirupathy rejected claims that the BJP had directed the governor to stymie Vijay.

"This is a democratic country. Elections happen here in a democratic way. Mr Vijay of the TVK has more seats. Everything will happen democratically. How can somebody pressure (someone)? These are all political rhetoric. I don't think that is right."

Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated following a terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam on April 22 last year, which claimed 26 lives. India responded with Operation Sindoor, targeting nine terror-related sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The Indian response resulted in the deaths of over 100 terrorists associated with groups including Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen.

According to the SCMP report, in an interview aired on Thursday by China's state broadcaster CCTV, engineers from the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) described their direct involvement in supporting Pakistani operations. The admission marks the first official acknowledgement from Beijing of Chinese personnel playing a role in the India-Pakistan clash.

Zhang Heng, an engineer from AVIC's Chengdu Aircraft Design and Research Institute, was one of those who provided technical support to Pakistan during the conflict, the report stated. The institute is a key developer of China's advanced fighter aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles.  

"At the support base, we frequently heard the roar of fighter jets taking off and the constant wail of air-raid sirens. By late morning, in May, the temperature was already approaching 50 degrees Celsius [122 degrees Fahrenheit]. It was a real ordeal for us, both mentally and physically," Zhang Heng was quoted as saying by the SCMP.

This is the first time China has admitted that its personnel gave on-ground technical support to their Pakistani allies. 

Pakistan's air force operates Chinese-made J-10CE jets, produced by an AVIC subsidiary. Zhang Heng said what drove his team was the "desire to do an even better job with on‑site support" and to ensure their equipment could "truly perform at its full combat potential".

"That wasn't just a recognition of the J‑10CE; it was also a testament to the deep bond we formed through working side by side, day in and day out," Zhang Heng added. 

Another employee from the same institute, Xu Da, compared the fighter jet to a "child."

"We nurtured it, cared for it, and finally handed it over to the user. And now, it was facing a major test. As for the outstanding results the J-10CE achieved, we weren't very surprised, and it didn't feel sudden at all," Xu Da was quoted as saying by the SCMP. "In fact, it felt inevitable. The aircraft just needed the right opportunity. And when that moment came, it delivered exactly as we knew it would."

The J-10CE, an export variant of the J-10C 4.5-generation fighter, is widely considered the most advanced model in the J-10 series. Pakistan is the only known operator of J-10Cs outside China, with Islamabad ordering 36 of the fighters along with 250 PL-15 missiles in 2020. 

In July 2025, the Indian Army said that an overwhelming 81 per cent of Pakistan's military hardware is of Chinese origin, with China using the country like a "live lab" to test its military tech. 

According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), China has sold arms worth $8.2 billion to Pakistan since 2015. Between 2020 and 2024, China ranked as the world's fourth-largest arms exporter. Nearly two-thirds or 63 per cent of these exports went to Pakistan, making Islamabad China's biggest weapons client.

Army's Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Capability Development and Sustenance), Lieutenant General Rahul R Singh, back in July 2025, provided a breakdown of the recent cross-border escalation with Pakistan. 

"There are a few lessons from Operation Sindoor. The strategic messaging by leadership was unambiguous. There is no scope of absorbing the pain the way we did a few years ago. The planning and selection of targets was based on a lot of data that was collected using technology and human intelligence. So a total of 21 targets were actually identified, out of which nine targets we thought would be prudent to engage. It was only the final day or the final hour that the decision was taken that these nine targets would be engaged," Lt Gen Singh had said.

According to Lt Gen Singh, the China-Pakistan defence relationship had evolved beyond conventional arms transfers amid concerns that China is treating its close ties with Pakistan as an opportunity for experimentation, including the deployment of advanced platforms and surveillance systems in real-world conflict scenarios.

"We had one border and two adversaries, actually three. Pakistan was in the front. China was providing all possible support. 81 per cent of the military hardware with Pakistan is Chinese. China is able to test its weapons against other weapons, so it's like a live lab available to them. Turkey also played an important role in providing the type of support it did. When DGMO-level talks were on, Pakistan had the live updates of our important vectors, from China. We need a robust air defence system," he said. 

This supply chain includes over half of Pakistan's fighter fleet, dominated by the JF-17 Thunder co-developed with China, and the more advanced J-10C multirole fighter aircraft. Reports suggest that Pakistan is now set to induct 40 Shenyang J-35 fifth-generation stealth fighters from China, placing it among a limited group of nations with stealth combat capability.

A recent report by the US Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) for 2025 states that India perceives China as its "primary adversary," while Pakistan is seen as more of an "ancillary security problem to be managed."
 

Since then, every year, Mamata has observed July 21 as Shahid Dibas - Martyrs' Day. Even after the formation of the Trinamool Congress, the event continued to grow in scale and significance. Over the years, it became one of the biggest annual political gatherings in Bengal. 

18 Years Later

The story of Suvendu Adhikari - one of Bengal's most consequential political figures of recent times - begins 18 years later, in 2011. That year, a huge event was organised at Brigade Parade Ground and Dharmatala under Mamata Banerjee's leadership. The crowd was enormous. The atmosphere was charged. By then, Mamata had already emerged as the undisputed force against the Left Front government, and the momentum for change in Bengal was building to a fever pitch.

Suvendu Adhikari was, at that time, the Youth Trinamool Congress president - an important organisational figure who had played a major role in strengthening the party at the grassroots level, especially in East Midnapore and adjoining regions. He was on stage that day. But something felt wrong.

The event management, stage announcements, and overall coordination were almost entirely in the hands of Kunal Ghosh, who was then extraordinarily prominent within the party and closely aligned with Mamata Banerjee. Kunal was making the announcements, directing the flow of the event, energising the crowd, and effectively conducting the entire gathering. Suvendu, despite his organisational stature, remained largely silent and inactive on stage - present, but peripheral. To many observers, it appeared as though he had been placed there simply to be seen, not heard.

The First Slight

For someone as politically ambitious and organisationally driven as Suvendu Adhikari, that was not a trivial insult.

Outwardly, nothing happened. But the first seeds of distance had been planted. Suvendu reportedly felt that Kunal Ghosh had displaced him in the leadership hierarchy, and that Mamata Banerjee herself had quietly approved this arrangement. From that moment, a slow-burning sense of wounded pride began to take root.

The answer to why he felt so isolated - despite being surrounded by Mamata, the party leadership, and the very movement he had helped build - lies partly in the nature of Mamata Banerjee's politics itself. Mamata had emerged from street movements, agitation politics, and direct mass mobilisation. She valued absolute loyalty and exercised tight central control over the movement's emotional narrative. In such a political universe, space around the leader is carefully rationed. Younger leaders with strong independent mass bases inevitably began competing - consciously or unconsciously - for visibility and influence. Suvendu was among such young leaders then. But, stubborn and self-respecting, he was also not the type to let things go. That incident at Brigade and Dharmatala stayed with him.

Soon came another blow. Rajib Banerjee had reportedly been assured the post of Youth Trinamool Congress president, and was even asked to postpone a planned trip to Australia in anticipation. But at the last minute, Soumitra Khan was brought in instead, and Suvendu was effectively edged out of that organisational space entirely. For Suvendu, this was yet another betrayal.

The Mukul Roy Era

Around the same period, Mukul Roy's star was rapidly rising as one of the most powerful figures inside the Trinamool Congress. He and his son, Subhranshu Roy, grew increasingly influential in youth and organisational politics. In fact, people would openly say that though Mamata Banerjee was the Chief Ministerial face, Mukul Roy was the TMC's organisational backbone.

Abhishek Banerjee had not yet emerged as a dominant force in the party in those days. Yet, he was slowly rising through the youth leadership structure. Inside the party, a quiet but unmistakable conversation had begun taking shape about who would eventually emerge as Mamata Banerjee's political heir, Roy or Banerjee. A silent power struggle was already on its way. 

Suvendu, watching all of this patiently, began to understand his own position more clearly. The number-two role he had perhaps aspired to get, was already slipping away from him. Roy or Banerjee, Adhikari found himself slowly sidelined - close to Mamata, and yet far from power.

Eventually, though, Mukul Roy left for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). That would further clear the way for Abhishek Banerjee. The trajectory was becoming clear. And its implication wasn't lost on Suvendu. 

As these developments unfolded, Suvendu slowly began to reckon with the possibility that he, too, might eventually have to leave the Trinamool. BJP leaders had already begun establishing contact with him. But it wasn't that straightforward. His father, Sisir Adhikari, an old Congressman and seasoned politician, was firmly opposed to the idea. Mamata Banerjee herself reportedly made repeated efforts to stop Suvendu from leaving. She even sought Sisir Adhikari's help to bridge the growing distance. Sisir tried to defuse the tensions. But by then, the real conflict perhaps was no longer between Suvendu and Mamata directly - it was Abhishek Banerjee's growing influence over the party machinery that didn't sit right with Suvendu.

Suvendu Was No Mukul Roy

Mukul Roy's drift towards the BJP had been driven by some sticky factors. For one, he faced multiple allegations as a Rajya Sabha MP. By the time he had made the move, his significance within the Trinamool was also fading. His flight to the BJP, thus, was only natural. 

Suvendu's case was different - and the BJP knew it. He was seen not merely as another defector but as a potential alternative for anti-Mamata politics in Bengal. BJP strategists saw in Suvendu something of what leaders like LK Advani had once identified in Mamata decades earlier - a regional force capable of channelling widespread popular discontent against an entrenched establishment.

The Final Nail In The Coffin

Before Suvendu's final goodbye, there was one last telling episode. The Trinamool Congress had organised a massive state conference in Digha - deep in the Adhikari family's home turf of East Midnapore. Suvendu was one of its principal organisers and naturally expected recognition for the scale and effort. Instead, the conference seemed to dissolve into what many described as a celebratory fan gathering rather than any serious organisational exercise. Despite the enormous effort he had put in, Suvendu felt, once again, that he had not received the importance he deserved.

That was the last straw.

On December 19, 2020, Suvendu Adhikari officially joined the BJP in the presence of Amit Shah. By the 2021 assembly election, he had defeated Mamata Banerjee in Nandigram, her own chosen battlefield. Suvendu Adhikari had now well and truly emerged from the Trinamool and Mamata's shadow to cement his place in Bengal's public memory. 

As Leader of Opposition in the assembly, it was time to take on his alma mater head-on - and take no prisoners. 

Suvendu Rises

After joining the BJP, Suvendu moved steadily and visibly closer to the RSS ecosystem. One of the most discussed moments came when he attended a major RSS gathering wearing the traditional RSS uniform, or a 'ganvesh'. Appearances at events of that level are rarely extended to leaders unless they have a deep organisational grounding in the Sangh. That made his presence there symbolically significant. In July 2023, he attended another major RSS event associated with Mohan Bhagwat, which many observers interpreted as confirmation that the RSS had formally accepted him as being part of the broader Sangh Parivar.

Over time, Suvendu Adhikari became one of the most prominent Hindutva voices in West Bengal. Today, he speaks openly about issues such as polarisation, citizenship, infiltration, and Bangladesh - positions that closely reflect how deeply he is now steeped in the ideological preferences of the BJP-RSS leadership.

Yet, the story of Suvendu Adhikari is not simply about the rough and tumble of politics alone. In his personal life, he remains an admirer of Swami Vivekananda. People close to him know him also as a generous and warm host - even during his years as a minister in Delhi, seafood brought in straight from Kolkata would be a permanent offering at his residence. He never married. Among BJP leaders in Bengal, he remains one of the very few with actual administrative experience at both the state and central levels.

In hindsight, the soon-to-be Bengal Chief Minister's journey from that stage at Brigade Parade Ground in 2011, where he sat in silence while someone else controlled the microphone, to Bengal's top job today is, in its own way, a remarkable arc. But the central question that Bengal politics keeps returning to remains unanswered: how far will Hindutva politics ultimately be accepted within Bengal's pluralist, culturally heterogeneous social fabric? It is an experiment - a debate that continues, and one that only time and elections can resolve.

(The author is Contributing Editor, NDTV)

Disclaimer: These are the personal opinions of the author

Dilip Ghosh, a senior BJP leader and former state president, proposed Adhikari's name at the legislature party meeting held in Kolkata earlier in the day.  Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who was appointed the central observer for the meeting, and Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, the co-observer, were present.

"I announce the name of Suvendu Adhikari elected as Leader of West Bengal BJP Legislative Party," Home Minister Shah announced at the legislature party meeting.

The development marks the end of Trinamool Congress rule in West Bengal after 15 years. The BJP's victory in the polls held last month ended Mamata Banerjee's long hold on power and delivered one of the sharpest reversals in her political career.

"The atmosphere that had been created since the Communist era was deepened by Mamata Banerjee, and it was almost impossible to cast your vote there... I am very thankful for the huge victory that the people of Bengal have given us by trusting BJP and our leader, Narendra Modi," Shah added. "This is Shyama Prasad Mukherjee's government."

Adhikari, who joined the BJP in December 2020 after leaving the Trinamool Congress, where he had once been a close associate of Banerjee, emerged as the clear choice. He defeated Banerjee in Nandigram in 2021 and more recently won the Bhabanipur seat, her traditional stronghold, by a margin of over 15,000 votes. 

"Bhoi (fear) is out and, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji has said, bharosa (trust) is in," Adhikari said. "The people of Bengal have given us a historic mandate. We will fulfil all the promises made in the BJP's poll manifesto in Bengal."

Two Deputies Expected

The BJP is understood to be considering the appointment of two deputy chief ministers. No one has held the post of a deputy chief minister in Bengal in the last two decades, the last being CPM leader Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, who served under former chief minister Jyoti Basu. 

The key contenders for the deputy chief ministers' posts -- one of which is likely to go to a woman leader - are Agnimitra Paul, who won from Asansol Dakshin and Shankar Ghosh, the winning candidate from Siliguri. Home Minister Shah held separate meetings with Paul and Ghosh in Kolkata to discuss these arrangements.

The swearing-in ceremony for the new government is scheduled to be held at 11 AM tomorrow at the historic Brigade Parade Grounds in the heart of Kolkata. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Shah, BJP national president Nitin Nabin, and chief ministers from other BJP-ruled states are expected to attend.

Governor RN Ravi dissolved the state assembly on Thursday, clearing the legal path for the new administration.

Suvendu Adhikari's Political Journey 

Adhikari built his early career within the Trinamool Congress and played a big part in expanding the party's organisation in rural areas. His switch to the BJP came after growing differences with Mamata Banerjee. Since joining the BJP, he has been one of its most visible faces in West Bengal, leading aggressive campaigns against the Trinamool government.

Senior BJP leaders said his organisational network and direct wins against Banerjee strengthened his claim to the top post. While other names, including Samik Bhattacharya and Swapan Dasgupta, who won from Rashbehari, were discussed in party circles, the central leadership settled on Adhikari.

The BJP's success ends more than a decade and a half of Trinamool dominance. The party had mounted a strong challenge in 2021 but fell short. This time it secured a clear majority.

Khan had been on the run since the forced conversion case came to light. The police have been on a relentless pursuit ever since. But success remained elusive till the first week of May.

Then came a tip-off that she had been hiding in a rented flat in the Kaiser Colony in the Naregaon area of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. There were strong inputs that she had been staying there for the past three to four days. She wasn't alone. Her father, mother, brother, and a maternal aunt were also present with her.

Read: Nida Khan, Key Accused In TCS 'Conversion' Case, Arrested In Maharashtra

But the police wanted to be sure. They used technical analysis and location tracking to confirm her presence in the Naregaon area.

Then kicked in a rare police tactic. They knew this was the moment they had been waiting for. But still, they waited. The police started continuous surveillance over the area for three to four days before they moved on with the arrest process.

To avoid attention, they decided to blend into the crowd. More than 20 police personnel were deployed within the premises where Nida Khan was staying as well as in the surrounding vicinity. They shunned their uniform; they wore plain clothes and did not use police jeeps to ensure that the locals didn't get a whiff of a police operation.

Photo Credit: AI Generated via ChatGPT

Khan had reportedly been seeking legal counsel from some lawyers in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. Preparations were underway to file a bail application in the High Court as well. The police swooped in and took her into custody before the application could be filed.

Following her arrest, Nida Khan was produced late last night before a judge at the judicial officer's official residence at Sutgirni Chowk. The Nashik Police obtained a transit remand and departed for Nashik in a special vehicle with her for further investigation.

Sources said a total of five other individuals were present with her when she was arrested.

Read: Burqa, Malaysia: Fresh Details On How Accused Tried To Convert TCS Staff

Khan is accused of forcing several employees at the Nashik office of the IT giant Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) to convert their religion. A 'process associate' at TCS since 2021, she was suspended last month after being charged.

The investigation has so far found that she had sent Islamic religious content, including books and videos, to survivors in an attempt to influence them, as part of what is being suspected to be a racket that involved several other employees at her office.

She had sought an interim protection from arrest last month, claiming that she was pregnant. But the court denied.

Khan is the eighth accused arrested in the case; the other seven were caught at the earlier stages of the investigation.

(With inputs by Mohsin Sheikh)

In List-A cricket, he took 197 wickets in 143 matches at an average of 26.17, with nine four-fers and a five-for. He also scored 1,367 runs in 87 innings at an average of 23.16, including a century and two fifties.

Bahutule played just 12 T20s, taking 10 wickets at an average of 27.00 and scoring 106 runs in eight innings, with a fifty to his name.

He has played for Maharashtra, Mumbai, Vidarbha, Assam and Andhra Pradesh in domestic cricket.

Notably, Team India does not have any spin bowling coach in their set-up as of now. The two-time World Test Championship (WTC) runners-up have asked for Sairaj to take up the role as the Test side aims to make a successful transition from the legendary spin duo of now-retired Ravichandran Ashwin and star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, who is still a vital part of the Test side. In ODIs, besides Jadeja, India has stars like Varun Chakravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel, making them a lethal spin bowling team.

That equation is becoming increasingly attractive as power tariffs rise and government subsidies reduce upfront costs for rooftop solar. But does it make financial sense for urban middle class to invest in a solar rooftop?

According to Shreya Mishra, CEO and Co-Founder of SolarSquare, rooftop solar systems in India typically break even within 3-5 years and continue generating electricity for 25-27 years.

"In effect, families get around 20-22 years of free electricity after recovering their initial investment," she said. So what does the math actually look like?

The economics of rooftop solar depend on four key factors:

• Upfront installation cost
• Government subsidies
• Monthly electricity consumption
• Local electricity tariffs

Industry executives say a typical urban household consuming 300-500 units of electricity monthly usually installs a 3 kW to 5 kW rooftop solar system. On average, 1 kW of rooftop solar generates around 1,400-1,450 units of electricity annually in India, according to SolarSquare.

1 kW solar = 1400-to-1450 units annually

This means:

• A 3 kW system can generate roughly 4,200-4,350 units annually
• A 5 kW system can generate roughly 7,000-7,250 units annually

For households paying Rs 7-10 per unit of electricity, the annual savings become substantial. A family consuming around 400 units monthly may spend Rs 40,000-50,000 annually on electricity. Over 25 years, that bill can cross Rs 10 lakh if tariffs keep rising. Solar companies argue that rooftop systems can eliminate a major portion of this cost.

Subsidies Changing The Equation

The upfront investment used to be the biggest hurdle. That is where subsidies are now making a difference. Under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, the Centre offers subsidies of up to Rs 78,000 for residential rooftop solar systems.

Some states are adding further incentives. According to SolarSquare:

• Uttar Pradesh offers additional subsidies up to Rs 30,000
• Delhi offers up to Rs 30,000
• Assam offers up to Rs 45,000

For many middle-class households, this reduces the effective installation cost significantly. Gagan Chanana, Joint Managing Director and CEO of the Solar Modules and Cells business at JAKSON Group, said falling hardware prices have also improved affordability.

"There has never been a more opportune time for households to transition to solar energy," he said. The payback period is what matters. The most important number in rooftop solar economics is the payback period -- the time taken to recover the initial investment through electricity savings. Industry estimates place this at roughly 4-5 years for most homes.

{Payback Period =  Annual Electricity Savings/Initial Solar Cost}

After that point, the electricity generated is effectively free, apart from minor maintenance costs. This long earning window is what makes rooftop solar financially attractive. Unlike many household appliances that depreciate without generating savings, solar panels continue reducing electricity bills every month for over two decades.

An urban household using 300-500 units of electricity monthly should install a 3 kW rooftop solar system.

But the returns depend heavily on quality. Executives warn that rooftop solar is not a guaranteed money-maker if installation quality is poor. Consumers are advised to focus less on the cheapest quote and more on system quality, engineering standards and after-sales service.

Mishra said customers should check whether installers provide generation guarantees, perform shadow analysis and use durable mounting structures that can last 25 years without rust or leakage issues. Chanana added that buyers should verify whether solar modules are government-approved under the ALMM list and understand long-term panel degradation rates.

The size of the system matters too. Oversized systems increase costs unnecessarily, while undersized systems reduce savings potential. Experts recommend evaluating at least one year of electricity bills before choosing a system size.

What About Monsoons?

A common concern among households is whether cloudy weather weakens the economics. Industry executives say annual solar generation calculations already account for monsoon seasons. While electricity generation drops during rainy months, strong summer production compensates for it over the year. In other words, the payback math remains largely intact even after accounting for weaker monsoon output.

Industry executives say one major advantage of rooftop solar is often overlooked: protection from future tariff hikes. Grid electricity prices typically rise over time. But once a rooftop solar system is installed, a large portion of household electricity generation becomes fixed-cost. That changes the economics over the long term.

As electricity tariffs rise year after year, the savings from rooftop solar also increase automatically. So, it can be viewed as a financial asset -- one that can generate savings for over two decades after the initial investment is recovered.

The DMK, with 22 MPs, is the fourth largest constituent of the Opposition INDIA alliance, which has been under strain for some time now and appears to have reached a breaking point with the Congress - which fought the Tamil Nadu elections as part of a coalition led by the DMK - supporting Vijay's TVK to form a government. 

Writing to Om Birla, who is the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, Kanimozhi highlighted "changed political circumstances" and said the partnership with the Congress had ended. Live updates

"I write to respectfully request suitable changes in the seating arrangement of the Members of Parliament belonging to the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in the Lok Sabha. In view of the changed political circumstances and as our alliance with the Indian National Congress has come to an end, it may not be appropriate for our Members to continue occupying the present seating arrangement alongside them in the House," the DMK MP from Thoothukudi said. 

"I therefore request your good office to kindly make the necessary arrangements for the Hon'ble Members of the DMK Parliamentary Party to be allotted separate seating, enabling them to effectively discharge their responsibilities in the August House. I shall be grateful for your kind consideration in this regard," she added.

The DMK and Congress, which had been allies for decades with blips in between, came together again in 2016. The DMK made its sense of betrayal by the Congress clear on Wednesday when, speaking to NDTV, a party leader called the ally a "backstabber".

DMK Spokesperson Saravanan Annadurai also claimed that the Congress won five seats only because it was in a coalition led by the party. 

"Otherwise, they would have drawn a blank at the recent polls," he asserted.

The Congress has said it is supporting the TVK to honour the mandate of the people of Tamil Nadu, maintaining that this is the "responsible" thing to do.

INDIA Troubles

Kanimozhi's letter brought the simmering discontent in the opposition bloc to the fore on a day another key constituent, the Samajwadi Party, also took an apparent jibe at the Congress for trying to help Vijay, whose TVK won 108 seats in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, get to the majority mark of 118 at the expense of the DMK. 

Posting images of himself with DMK chief MK Stalin and Trinamool Congress Chairperson Mamata Banerjee, both of whom lost Assembly elections in their states, Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav wrote in Hindi, "We don't abandon people in times of difficulty."

हम वो नहीं जो मुश्किलों में साथ छोड़ दें। pic.twitter.com/p1EosEJtvV

— Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) May 8, 2026

The Samajwadi Party had contested the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in an alliance with the Congress in Uttar Pradesh and stunned the BJP by winning 37 of 80 seats, emerging as the second largest constituent of the INDIA bloc. 

While appearing to work together at the national level, the Congress and the Trinamool Congress also contested against each other in the West Bengal elections. Banerjee had also been vying for leadership of the INDIA alliance and the tensions between the Trinamool and the Congress were apparent during campaigning for the Bengal elections as well.

In a post on social media platform X on Friday, the Pentagon said earlier administrations had often "discredited or dissuaded" Americans from discussing such incidents, but President Donald Trump was focused on "maximum transparency".

https://t.co/rzCVvUU3mu

— Department of War 🇺🇸 (@DeptofWar) May 8, 2026

"Today, the Department of War announced the initial release of new, never-before-seen files on Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) as part of the Presidential Unsealing and Reporting System for UAP Encounters (PURSUE)," the US Defense Department said on X.

In 2020, the US Air Force reported UAP in the southern United States. (Image Credit: war.gov)

"This interagency effort includes The White House, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), the Department of Energy (DOE), the DOW's All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and additional components of U.S. intelligence agencies," the Defense Department added.

Actual site photo with FBI Lab rendered graphic overlay depicting corroborating eyewitness reports of an apparent ellipsoid bronze metallic object materializing out of a bright light in the sky, 130-195 feet in length, and disappearing instantaneously. (Image Credit: war.gov)

The collection is currently housed on WAR.GOV/UFO and additional files will be released by the Department of War on a rolling basis.

US Indo-Pacific Command reported UAP that resembles a football-shaped body near Japan. (Image Credit: war.gov)

Trump had been hinting at the move since February and had previously mentioned about the files in a post on his social media platform Truth Social back in February.

Archival imagery from the Apollo 17 mission to the Moon. The yellow box contains an enlarged area of the original photo in which three lights are visible above the lunar terrain. (Image Credit: war.gov)

"Based on the tremendous interest shown, I will be directing the Secretary of War, and other relevant Departments and Agencies, to begin the process of identifying and releasing Government files related to alien and extraterrestrial life, unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP), and unidentified flying objects (UFOs), and any and all other information connected to these highly complex, but extremely interesting and important, matters. GOD BLESS AMERICA!" Trump had said in a post on Truth Social on 19th February.

The US Army reported UAP in North America in 2026. (Image Credit: war.gov)

Earlier this year, his administration also released records related to the assassinations of former President John F Kennedy, Senator Robert F Kennedy and civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr, though those files revealed little that was previously unknown.

The US government has been under growing pressure in recent years to make more information on UFO sightings public, especially after several military personnel described encounters with unexplained aerial objects.

Infrared still image (black hot) captured of unidentified object(s) over western United States in September of 2025. (Image Credit: war.gov)

Experts, however, have urged restraint in interpreting the files. Analysts say videos involving UAPs are often misunderstood by people unfamiliar with advanced military systems and aerial technology.

The Pentagon's earlier review also rejected claims that the US government had recovered alien spacecraft or confirmed evidence of extraterrestrial life.

With Inputs From AP

The Governor's office announced the dissolution on Thursday, citing powers under Article 174(2)(b) of the Constitution. A statement from Lok Bhaban (formerly Raj Bhavan) said the order took immediate effect in accordance with constitutional provisions.

Banerjee, now the outgoing Chief Minister, had earlier said she would not formally submit her resignation, claiming the poll results did not reflect the "true public mandate."

Meanwhile, the first BJP government in West Bengal is set to take oath on May 9, marking a major political shift in the state. The Chief Ministerial choice is yet to be announced, though Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari is seen as the frontrunner. Other names being considered include state BJP president Samik Bhattacharya, Union minister Sukanta Majumdar, and former Rajya Sabha MP Swapan Dasgupta.

Suvendu Adhikari was formally named the Chief Minister of West Bengal on Friday, days after the BJP's resounding victory in the recently concluded assembly elections.

Follow Here LIVE Updates Of West Bengal Government Formation:

While several smaller parties in the state have already backed Vijay, confusion still persists on the VCK's stand. Vijay is currently on his way to meet VCK chief Thol Thirumavalavan.

Among other outfits, the Congress and the Left parties have already offered conditional support to the TVK.

While the Communist Party of India (CPI) and the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPM) have decided to stay out of the cabinet, sources said the Congress expects two ministerial berths in the next government.

Tamil Nadu Government Formation: Live Updates

"If the government is not formed by 10th May, Governor's rule will be imposed. In Tamil Nadu, Governor's rule is like the BJP entering through back door. To stop this, CPI and CPI(M) have decided to support TVK. We will not be in the cabinet. Just to ensure there is no re-election, we took this decision," CPI(M) state secretary TT Shanmugam told reporters today. 

The CPI and CPM—having two MLAs each—had been DMK allies and were given a free hand by DMK chief MK Stalin to decide on their alliances based on their political interests.

Besides, Vijay had also claimed the support of one of the two IUML MLAs and the lone winning candidate of the Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK), led by politician TTV Dhinakaran.

Read: 'Thalapathy' Vijay Wins Again. TVK Crosses 118-Mark With VCK, Left Support

On its own, the TVK had won 108 seats in the Tamil Nadu elections, while the DMK was reduced to just 59 and the AIADMK could win only 47 seats.

Rajesh Khanna, who is often called the 'First Superstar of Hindi Cinema', might have had his charm work on scores of women, but Moushumi Chatterjee spilled some hard facts as she called him 'a spoilt brat'-in all good humour.

In an exclusive conversation with NDTV, Moushumi Chatterjee revisited her days with the superstar and said, "He was a spoilt brat. His success was always in his head."

Moushumi Chatterjee and Rajesh Khanna in Humshakal

Is It Lonely At The Top?

Rajesh Khanna's decline from stardom, which peaked in the mid-1970s, is a story that went far and beyond. The angry young man Amitabh Bachchan was making his way through the crowd, whereas the romantic hero Rajesh Khanna was grappling with the shifting gaze of the audience-from him-that catapulted into frustration, loneliness and alcohol to numb the feeling altogether.

When asked if she noticed it too-that he was lonely, maybe?

Moushumi Chatterjee says, "No, it is all karma. The way you design your life, and the way you pretend to be what you are not, and the way you respond to all relationships."

She continues, "If you say everybody is alone, you should know how to enjoy your alone time. Don't feel lonely. I enjoy my aloneness. And I see that kind of vacuum; everybody goes through it in life. Take Kishore Kumar, Madhubala-anyone-they all went through it. Whatever is happening, it's all part of your life. It is not your entire life."

On Competition Back In The Day

The film industry has evolved. Today, actresses bond with each other as they pose for the paparazzi, collaborate on Instagram Reels and embody the epitome of sisterhood.

But the background noise about competition, and actors being pitted against each other, has been a conversation for eons, deeply embedded behind the scenes in the industry.

Moushumi Chatterjee shares, "Whoever was at the top felt whatever they said had to be obeyed. It was always there. Everybody who rules feels they can rule everything."

About Rajesh Khanna And Moushumi Chatterjee Films

Some of Moushumi Chatterjee and Rajesh Khanna's notable films include Prem Bandhan (1979) and Anuraag (1972). Other titles include Bhola Bhala (1978), Humshakal (1974), and later films like Ghar Parivaar (1991), which were credited with a good album.

ALSO READ | Moushumi Chatterjee Exclusive: "Piku Gave Me Irrfan Khan, He Could Have Given So Much To The Industry"

Located at Ashok Nagar in Khanapur Mandal, the temple was allegedly bulldozed to clear land for a government Integrated School.

Dating back to the 13th-century reign of Kakatiya ruler Ganapatideva, the temple site housed a rare seven-line Telugu inscription from February 1231 AD addressing the king as "Maharaja" and "Rajadhirajulu." 

Documented by the Heritage Department in 1965, the structure stood within the historic "Kota Katta" mud fort region, known for its ancient fortifications. Experts argue the heritage site could have easily been preserved or relocated.

Following this, a complaint was filed before the National Monuments Authority by Telangana rights lawyer Rama Rao Immaneni, the Union Ministry of Culture and the Archaeology Department registered a case. Legal action is being sought under Section 30 of the Telangana Heritage Act against officials who permitted the work without mandatory approvals from the Archaeology and Endowments Departments. The complaint also accused the state government of failing to form a mandatory Heritage Conservation Committee.

Responding to the backlash, the Warangal District Collector's office issued a clarification following a joint inspection on May 6. The administration denied deliberate demolition, claiming only "remnants of an old dilapidated structure" were found while clearing dense bushes on the 30-acre site. Officials noted the structure was not officially recorded as a protected monument.

However, to pacify public anger, Warangal Collector Dr. Satya Sharada and Narsampet MLA Donthi Madhava Reddy visited the site and promised to fully reconstruct the temple at the same location. The restoration will be done in consultation with historians, Stapathis (traditional architects), and the Archaeology Department, alongside initiating steps to formally protect the site.

The sensational discovery emerged after confidential details of a planned surprise inspection were mysteriously leaked to concerned officials within minutes before anyone had even stepped out of the Collector's room.

According to sources, the newly appointed Collector became suspicious when an external caller inquired about the confidential inspection plan almost immediately after it was discussed behind closed doors.

What followed was nothing short of a bureaucratic sting operation.

Determined to expose the leak, Collector Yadav personally devised a trap. He reportedly played a loud news broadcast on his mobile phone inside his chamber, left the room, and then moved toward the adjoining staff area. There, to his shock, the same audio could allegedly be heard through another receiver, strongly suggesting that conversations from the Collector's chamber were being intercepted and monitored in real time.

The revelation exposed an alleged covert system in which staff members in the adjacent PA room were using telephone receivers to secretly listen to confidential conversations, meetings, and phone calls taking place in the Collector's office, potentially relaying sensitive information to outside parties.

"This was deeply suspicious," Collector Yadav stated. "We were planning a surprise inspection, and before anyone had even left, I received information suggesting the plan had already leaked. That immediately raised red flags."

Immediate action followed.

Also read: Madhya Pradesh Dalit Family Beaten With Sticks Over Temple Donation Refusal

Assistant Grade-3 Sachin Khare has been suspended with immediate effect. Clerk Ajay Kumar Asati has been sent back to his parent Education Department, while office attendant Jaydev Ahirwar has also been removed from the Collectorate.

Officials have seized the telephone receivers, which are now being sent for forensic examination.

The Collector believes this unauthorised interception may have been going on for years.

Also read: No Insurance, No Clearance: 3 Lapses Surrounding Jabalpur Cruise Boat Tragedy

Insiders describe the case as a serious compromise of government confidentiality, raising alarming questions over how sensitive information may have been routinely leaked from one of the district's highest administrative offices.

In an Instagram video, Aditi explained how people in the Netherlands treat work seriously while still protecting personal time. She said working there has fundamentally changed her, though she noted it's her only international baseline since she hasn't worked elsewhere. She described the culture as serious and relaxed at the same time, saying people are strong advocates of work-life balance. That means during work hours they are fully focused, punctual, and present on the job. 

"Working in the Netherlands has really changed me fundamentally as a person. FYI, I have not worked in any other country so this is my only baseline. Generally, people here are very serious and very chill about work. Okay let me explain. You might already know, but we're very big supporters of work-life balance. What that means is when we're working during the day, we're actually only working. We're focused, we're punctual, and we're actually present in our work," she said. 

Watch the video here:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by aditi 💌 (@extra_aditi)

However, once work ends and personal time begins, most people fully disconnect and let go of work completely. She said they maintain clear boundaries between working seriously and living a balanced life. 

"But when it's time to chill and let go of work and the life component starts, we forget everything about work as well. Well, most of us do. We maintain clear boundaries between what it means to work seriously, of course, and what it means to have a good balanced life. So every day I can disconnect from work and spend time with my loved ones, with my friends, and focus on my health and my well-being and actually chill," she added.

Many related to her video, posting heart emojis, with one user commenting, "Totally agree."

The party also wants to finalise the name as soon as possible, sources said.

Venugopal leads a shortlist of names that includes VD Satheesan, the Leader of the Opposition in the outgoing House, and Ramesh Chennithala, a veteran with strong organisational support. The 63-year-old is the Congress' General Secretary and also the Lok Sabha member for Alappuzha, a seat he will be required to resign if picked as the next Kerala chief minister.

Party workers have openly projected Venugopal as the 'real architect' of the Congress-led United Democratic Front's win, with posters portraying him as the 'nayakan', 'hero', were displayed outside the office of the Congress and its youth wing.

RECAP | In Contest For Kerala Top Post, A New Frontrunner In Congress

The swearing-in ceremony is expected on Monday and will likely be attended by Rahul Gandhi. Superstar actor Vijay - roiled in a government-formation battle of his own in Tamil Nadu, after a thumping win over the DMK last month - could also attend.

The Congress has moved to a post-poll alliance with Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam after contesting the Tamil Nadu election as rivals. In doing so, it ditched its long-time ally DMK. It won five seats in last month's election, which will give Vijay and the TVK 113 seats in a 234-member House. This will come down to 112 after Vijay resigns one of two seats he won.

READ | AIADMK-DMK Tie-Up Buzz Amid Vijay Suspense: What Next For Tamil Nadu?

But that is not enough because the Tamil Nadu House majority is 118. Frantic backchannel talks involving the TVK, DMK and AIADMK, and a host of smaller parties who could tilt the scales one way or another have been going on for the past 96 hours.

Meanwhile, back in Kerala, the Congress faces no such problem. The UDF secured a big win in the 140 seat-House, picking up 63 on its own and 102 with allies like the Indian Union Muslim League (22) and Kerala Congress (seven).

Outgoing Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's CPM-led Left Democratic Front got only 35.

Vijayan is also expected to be invited to the swearing-in ceremony.

By deciding to jump ship and join the TVK despite opposing them in the last election, he said, the party has violated Mahatma Gandhi's 1925 maxim that Swaraj should be a government based on morality.

"Such politics of expediency is not the way forward," Aiyar told news agency PTI.

Read: Vijay Finally Has Majority, Left And VCK To Extend Support To TVK: Sources

The Congress thought that other smaller parties would follow suit and side with the TVK, but this didn't happen, and the Congress failed to ensure Vijay's majority, he noted.

"We are left absolutely in limbo. We have (not only) committed the immorality of joining Vijay but also committed the political stupidity of not ensuring that he has a majority. So, there is a hung assembly, and we are hanging in the air. Is this either good sense or good politics or good morality? What criterion is satisfied by this kind of politics of expediency? I don't think we can move forward with this kind of politics," said Aiyar, a former Union minister.

However, it has now emerged that the smaller parties have also backed Vijay, helping him with a majority.

Aiyar continued his criticism in an article in the Hindu Tamil, noting, "The Congress won five seats, not because of itself but entirely on the strength of its decades-old junior partnership with the DMK."

This is not the politics of truth of Gandhi's Congress, he added.

Read: Congress Dumps DMK For Vijay Alliance. Then An Akhilesh Yadav Dig

Aiyar also wondered who the Congress would tie up with in future elections if Vijay manages to cobble together a stable majority in a few years. If this gives the BJP a backdoor entry into the political ethos of Dravidian Tamil Nadu, he said in his Tamil piece, "It would prove the worst own goal in the history of political football. Who will ever trust us again?"

The Congress has ditched the DMK and offered conditional support of its five MLAs to the TVK after the Vijay-led party reached out for backing to secure a majority in the assembly. The DMK has called the Congress move "backstabbing."

On its own, the TVK had won 108 seats, with Vijay winning from two constituencies. The DMK was reduced to just 59 while the AIADMK could win only 47 seats.

Short of the 118-halfway mark, even with Congress's support, the TVK had also reached out to the VCK (2), CPI (2), and CPM (4). These parties have also agreed to support Vijay, say sources.

“The local labour workforce in Karnataka don't like doing these restaurant hours, because these are late nights," explained Gupta, adding: “We have a lot of Kannadigas, local guys who work insane hours. Super hard-working guys. But it's far harder to find a local guy who is willing to close up and leave the restaurant at 1 am as it is to find someone from West Bengal."

"Because the West Bengal guys or the Northeastern guys come here and they are coming with the mindset of, I am going to stand and work late because I'm coming with the intention to work in F&B."

Gupta also attributed the difference in working style to the prevalent darshini culture in Bengaluru. The restaurateur pointed out that darshinis operate for only a few hours a day, unlike the restaurants he runs which are generally open for 14 hours a day.

“Darshini culture is very different. They open in the morning for three, four hours. They're opening in the evening for three, four hours. It's a very comfortable, relaxed day. Not like Pizza Bakery or Smash Guys or any of our microbreweries these days or the larger industry that's open from 11 in the morning till 1 am,” Gupta highlighted.

Check The Viral Clip Here:

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A post shared by Ayush Wadhwa | Storyteller (@ayushwadhwa)

Also Read | 'Feeling Stuck' In UK, NRI Wants To Return To India: 'Don't Feel Any Excitement'

Social Media Reactions

As of the last update, the video had garnered over 73,000 views and mixed responses from social media users. A section lauded the hard work of the workers from the eastern part of the country, while others pointed out that employees often exploited them.

"West Bengal, Assam, and Nepalis are the best. Locally, it's hard to find someone who's actually hardworking and satisfying and also, the huge difference is in salary," said one user, while another added: "Locals have family waiting for them and people from other states think, what will I do going to the room, better to stay at the workplace. This is normal in every city."

A third commented: "Better pay, better growth, better work life balance, these things you don't associate with the F&B industry, also down south workforce is much more skilful, this comparison is apples to oranges, as bitter as it sounds, it's the reality."

A fourth said: "I'm hoping when he is saying 14-15 hours of work means they are getting extra hour wages and good leaves to actually spend time for the people they are working hard for."

The TVK, which won 107 seats, argues that as the single-largest party, it should be invited by the Governor to form government.

Read: AIADMK-DMK Pact Could Happen In Tamil Nadu, With Nudge From BJP: Sources

But earlier today, Governor RV Arlekar refused to allow Vijay to stake claim, saying he does not have the numbers. He also did not accept the plan Vijay had presented to reach the majority mark. Sources said the meet - the second in two days - ended with the Governor insisting that the actor-politician provide letters of support from 118 legislators.

A communique from Raj Bhavan said the Governor "explained that the requisite majority support in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, essential for forming the Government, has not been established". 

The TVK needs 10 more seats to hit the majority mark and already has the support of Congress, which has five MLAs. Talks are on with the Left and a few smaller parties for the balance of seats. The party, sources have said, is planning to go to court

Is DMK Planning An Alternate Government

The DMK held a meeting earlier today, where it passed four resolutions, one of them authorising party chief MK Stalin to take "emergency decisions". Regarding the resolution, the DMK said, "Our primary aim is to avert another election, to have a stable government and not give room to communal forces". 

Calling the lack of majority a "complicated crisis", the DMK has asked all its MLAs to remain in Chennai till May 10.

Top DMK sources, however, have confirmed to NDTV that a plan where E Palaniswami become Chief Minister with the outside support of DMK is being considered.

A section of younger leaders in the DMK - the camp of Udhayanidhi Stalin -- fear that Vijay, once he comes to power, will be like MG Ramachandran and it would be almost impossible to dislodge him. The legendary MGR had managed to keep the DMK out of power for as long as he was alive. 

The older leaders of the party - including MK Stalin - is still not convinced, sources said. They are worried about the public reaction to such an experiment that has two parties that locked horns for decades in the same boat -- and fear a massive backlash. 

AIADMK On Wait And Watch Mode

A similar step has been   taken by the AIADMK too, which, has asked its MLAs to wait and watch. A section within the party is eager for an alliance with the TVK, but the senior leaders of the party have firmly ruled it out.

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

This evening more than 45 MLAs attended the meeting with Palaniswami, who told the MLAs that there is no relation between TVK and AIADMK and there is no question of poaching at this point. The AIADMK asked its MLAs to be calm and wait for two more days.

Governor's Stance Upsets Parties

The Governor's stance has also upset TVK's prospective allies. 

The Tamil Nadu unit of CPI has urged the Governor to act in order of the Constitution and noted that it is "inappropriate" for him to ask Vijay to prove his majority before the oath ceremony.

Read: "Governor Within Bounds In Tamil Nadu Deadlock": Harish Salve To NDTV

"As the single largest party, TVK must be given an opportunity by the Governor, in accordance with the Constitution, to prove its majority on the floor of the Assembly. The Supreme Court of India has affirmed this principle in several judgments, including the SR Bommai case," the CPI said in a statement.

The chief of Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi or VCK, Thol Thirumavalavan, said Vijay is seeking support because he has emerged as the single largest party in the state and should be allowed to take office after proving majority on the floor of the assembly. "The Governor cannot demand a list of people supporting TVK. He cannot say, 'Who is supporting you? Bring 118 and prove it to me, then come for the swearing-in ceremony'," he added.

The TVK has also found support from the DMK. The outgoing party has called the Governor's decision "unacceptable" and "a disrespect" to the mandate. Fellow actor Kamal Haasan has also spoken up for Vijay.