The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has found itself at the centre of a fresh political controversy after allegations emerged that signatures of some party legislators were used without their consent on a letter related to the appointment of the Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly.

The row intensified after two TMC MLAs, Ritabrata Banerjee and Sandipan Saha, reportedly objected to their signatures appearing on a letter endorsing senior party leader Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay for the post of Leader of Opposition. The legislators alleged that they had not signed the document.

Allegations trigger political confrontation

The controversy gained prominence after opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari raised the issue and questioned the authenticity of the signatures submitted to the Assembly Secretariat. The allegations have fuelled a political confrontation between the ruling party and the opposition.

Authorities are examining the matter, with the authenticity of the disputed signatures becoming a key focus of the ongoing inquiry. The investigation is expected to determine whether any procedural irregularities occurred during the submission of the endorsement letter.

TMC expels two MLAs

Amid the controversy, the Trinamool Congress expelled Ritabrata Banerjee and Sandipan Saha from the party. TMC leaders cited anti-party activities as the reason for the action, while the expulsions have further intensified debate around the signature dispute.

The development has brought internal disagreements within the party into public view and added to the political tensions surrounding the issue.

Inquiry continues

Officials are continuing to examine the allegations and related documents. The outcome of the inquiry is expected to clarify the circumstances under which the endorsement letter was submitted and whether any irregularities took place.

Former Tamil Nadu party chief K Annamalai is expected to resign from the Bharatiya Janata Party following a scheduled meeting with party president Nitin Nabin in Delhi. According to media sources, the former Indian Police Service (IPS) officer believes that his growth and opportunities within the national party have reached a dead end.

The developments follow a reported offer by the leadership to secure a Rajya Sabha seat for him, which he chose to decline. Instead of continuing his journey within the party, he is highly anticipated to introduce a fresh public movement in the state. This grassroots initiative will focus on mobilizing a broad network of volunteers and connecting with like-minded individuals across diverse professional and social spectrums. When questioned regarding the ongoing speculation about establishing his own political platform, he responded, “Please wait. We will sit down and talk in two days.”

The root of tactical disagreements

The impending departure highlights a growing divide concerning the party’s electoral approach leading up to the 2026 state assembly polls. He had strongly advocated for the party to contest the elections independently, relying on the significant grassroots momentum built during his tenure. Conversely, the central leadership opted to resurrect its alliance with the AIADMK, seeking to unite opposition votes against the governing DMK.

This strategic pivot coincided with structural alterations in the state unit’s administration. Media reports indicate that AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami explicitly requested structural changes in leadership as a prerequisite for the partnership, leading to his replacement as the state president. Consequently, he did not contest the assembly elections or play an active role in the frontline campaigning. The alliance ultimately managed to secure just a single seat in the assembly elections.

A rapid political trajectory

He entered the political sphere in 2020 after stepping away from the civil services, quickly advancing through the local party hierarchy. He was appointed as the state vice-president shortly after his entry and ascended to the position of state president within a single year.

As the state chief, he became one of the most prominent faces for the party in a region traditionally dominated by regional Dravidian parties. Through extensive mass outreach programs, aggressive digital campaigns, and high-visibility public interactions, he substantially enhanced the national party’s presence in the state. Despite the momentum, his opposition to traditional alliances and subsequent exclusion from national organizational roles created friction, paving the way for his expected departure.

The intense heatwave sweeping across large parts of the country has officially abated, bringing much-needed respite to citizens. According to weather experts and the India Meteorological Department (IMD), a drastic drop in temperatures has kept the national capital significantly cooler than normal. On Sunday, Delhi recorded a maximum temperature of 35.8 degrees Celsius, which is 4.2 degrees below the seasonal average.

Western disturbance alters regional weather

Meteorologists have attributed this sudden shift to rain and thunderstorm activity triggered by an active western disturbance currently hovering over Rajasthan and central Pakistan. Media reports indicate that the city recorded 0.9 mm of rainfall in the 24 hours leading up to Saturday morning. While the current spell of rain is expected to weaken and move away gradually, leading to a slight rise in temperature from Monday, experts emphasize that no heatwave conditions are anticipated in Delhi during the first week of June.

Widespread rain across states; disruptions in hilly terrains

The impact of the changing weather systems is visible across multiple states. The IMD has forecast heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and gusty winds reaching speeds of 40-50 kmph for Delhi-NCR, alongside localized heavy showers in Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. Furthermore, severe thunderstorm activity with squally winds up to 90 kmph has been predicted over northwest, central, and adjoining eastern regions of India.

In Gujarat, scattered to isolated rainfall and thunderstorms are projected over the next six days due to the active weather systems. Meanwhile, the southwest monsoon is making steady progress, with the weather office indicating its potential advancement into parts of Kerala and Tamil Nadu over the next three to four days.

While the plains enjoy a break from the scorching heat, the sudden weather transition caused temporary complications in the hill states. In Uttarakhand, a heavy downpour and adverse weather conditions led to the brief suspension of the Kedarnath Yatra, leaving hundreds of pilgrims stranded before the restrictions were lifted later in the day. Conversely, the cooler mountain breeze and pre-monsoon showers have triggered a massive influx of tourists to Shimla, as people flock from high-temperature states like Gujarat to seek comfort in the hills.