Latest Politics News

Sushma Swaraj quits electoral politics, rules out contesting in 2019

Published

7 years ago

November 20, 2018

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Minister for External Affairs Sushma Swaraj today (Tuesday, Nov 20) ruled herself out of the 2019 general elections, citing health reasons, said media reports.

Among the senior most ministers in Narendra Modi cabinet and rated as one of its best orators, Swaraj has had a kidney transplant surgery in December 2016 and has since then, vastly reduced her political engagements outside the national capital Delhi.

Sushma Swaraj, 66, announced her decision at a media interaction in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. Swaraj won 2014 Lok Sabha elections from Vidisha parliamentary constituency in Madhya Pradesh by a margin of more than 4 lakh votes. This was her second win from the seat. In her first, she had a margin of 3.9 lakh votes.

Recently, posters had been seen in the town questioning their parliamentarian’s prolonged absence. It was when the media questioned her about the posters that she reportedly announced her decision.

At the suggestion that she had not been “active” in politics for a year because she hadn’t attended election meetings, she countered: “I have not been active for a year because of a kidney condition. You can’t judge whether I am active based on how long I have not attended an election meeting. Today, LK Advani comes to all meetings, blesses us, sits in parliament. To say that I am not active just because I didn’t attend an election meeting for a year…if you think that means I should be out of politics, it is unfair.”

Announcing her decision, she said, “It is the party which will take its decision (on candidature) but I have made up my mind that I will not contest the next Lok Sabha election.”

She told reporters that she had already conveyed her decision to the party.

Her husband, former Mizoram Governor Swaraj Kaushal, backed her decision, tweeting: “Madam – Thank you very much for your decision not to contest any more elections. I remember there came a time when even Milkha Singh stopped running.

“This marathon has been on since 1977 – that is 41 years. You have contested 11 direct elections. In fact you contested all elections held since 1977 except twice when party did not allow you to contest in 1991 and 2004,” he tweeted.

Reports citing family sources said there was no ‘political’ reason for her decision.

Swaraj’s withdrawal from electoral politics does not mean the end of her political career. The party would send her to the Rajya Sabha after the 2019 general elections, said media reports citing BJP sources. Two seats in BJP-ruled Assam are falling vacant later next year.

Swaraj, who is very much active on Twitter, is considered one of the most popular ministers on the platform, largely because of her promptness in responding to SOS messages from Indians travelling abroad. She was even profiled as India’s best-loved politician by Wall Street Journal last year.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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Bengal to get BJP’s first CM as Suvendu Adhikari set to take oath today

Suvendu Adhikari will be sworn in as West Bengal Chief Minister, marking the BJP’s first government formation in the state.

Published

1 hour ago

May 9, 2026

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Suvendu Adhikari is set to take oath as the Chief Minister of West Bengal, becoming the first leader from the Bharatiya Janata Party to head the state government.

The swearing-in ceremony is scheduled to take place at Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata and is expected to witness the presence of several senior BJP leaders and supporters from across the state.

Adhikari was unanimously elected as the BJP legislature party leader after the party secured a decisive victory in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections. His appointment marks a significant political change in the state, where the BJP is forming the government for the first time.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and several Union ministers are expected to attend the ceremony. Reports also indicate that the oath event has been planned on a large public scale to underline the BJP’s breakthrough in Bengal politics.

Adhikari emerged as one of the BJP’s key faces in Bengal after defeating Mamata Banerjee in the high-profile Nandigram contest in 2021 and later consolidating his position within the party’s state leadership.

Security arrangements have been tightened around the oath venue, while party workers have gathered in large numbers ahead of the ceremony. The event is being viewed as a landmark moment in West Bengal’s political history.

India News

Mamata beater Suvendu Adhikari set to become next West Bengal CM

Suvendu Adhikari emerged as the BJP’s choice for West Bengal Chief Minister after the party’s legislature meeting in Kolkata following its historic Assembly election victory.

Published

16 hours ago

May 8, 2026

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Senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari is set to become the next Chief Minister of West Bengal after being elected leader of the BJP legislature party during a key meeting in Kolkata on Thursday.

The development comes days after the BJP secured a decisive victory in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, ending the Trinamool Congress’ long rule in the state. Party leaders met in the presence of senior central leadership to finalise the chief ministerial face ahead of the swearing-in ceremony scheduled for May 9.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah attended the legislature party meeting where Adhikari’s name was formally announced. Reports said the BJP leadership backed him after he emerged as the party’s strongest face in Bengal politics over the past few years.

Adhikari played a major role in the BJP’s campaign across the state and remained one of the party’s most aggressive leaders against the ruling Trinamool Congress. He also defeated former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in Bhabanipur during the Assembly elections, strengthening his position within the party.

The BJP’s victory is being viewed as a major political shift in West Bengal, where the party is set to form its first government. Adhikari, once a senior Trinamool Congress leader, had joined the BJP before the 2021 Assembly elections and later became Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly.

Following the announcement, celebrations were reported outside Adhikari’s residence in East Midnapore, with party workers distributing sweets and raising slogans in support of the BJP leader.

The swearing-in ceremony of the new BJP government is expected to take place in Kolkata on May 9, where Adhikari will officially assume charge as the Chief Minister of West Bengal.

India News

Suvendu Adhikari emerges frontrunner for Bengal Chief Minister post

Suvendu Adhikari has emerged as the leading candidate for the West Bengal Chief Minister post as BJP prepares to form its first government in the state. Reports suggest the new cabinet may also include two deputy chief ministers.

Published

21 hours ago

May 8, 2026

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BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari has emerged as the leading contender for the post of Chief Minister in West Bengal as the party prepares to form its first government in the state following its Assembly election victory.

The BJP legislature party is scheduled to meet in Kolkata to elect its leader, a decision that is expected to formally determine the next Chief Minister. Union Home Minister Amit Shah reached Kolkata ahead of the meeting and is overseeing the selection process.

Sources cited in media reports suggest the new BJP-led government may also appoint two deputy chief ministers, a post that has remained vacant in West Bengal for nearly two decades. One of the deputy CM positions could reportedly go to a woman leader. BJP MLA Agnimitra Paul is among the names being discussed for the role.

Another deputy chief minister could be chosen from north Bengal, with former Union minister Nisith Pramanik being seen as a possible contender, according to reports. There is also speculation that the BJP leadership may consider a representative from the tribal community for a senior cabinet role.

Adhikari, who played a key role in the BJP’s election campaign, defeated Mamata Banerjee in Bhabanipur during the recently concluded Assembly elections. The BJP secured a two-thirds majority in the 294-member Assembly, paving the way for its first government in West Bengal.

The swearing-in ceremony for the new government is expected to take place on May 9 in Kolkata. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Amit Shah and several senior BJP leaders are expected to attend the event.