India news: Tamil Nadu struggles to form government

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AdvertisementSkip next section What you need to know

What you need to know

• With Joseph Vijay's TVK short of a majority, uncertainty over government formation continues in Tamil Nadu
• Governor Rajendra Arlekar said TVK had not yet demonstrated the majority support needed to claim power
• A 'frozen conflict':  One year since India-Pakistan clashes

Here is a roundup of the latest updates from India on Friday, May 8

Skip next section Over 150 children fall ill after eating school meal05/08/2026May 8, 2026

Over 150 children fall ill after eating school meal

More than 150 children fell ill after allegedly eating food provided by a school run by the Bihar government in Saharsa district, officials said on Thursday.

The incident occurred at a middle school in Baluaha village, where students reportedly complained of stomach pain, vomiting and dizziness shortly after eating rice and lentils served at the school.

The children had consumed food under the Midday Meal Scheme, which is a free school meal program in India.

Authorities said over 150 children were admitted to hospitals following the incident.

"According to doctors, the health condition of the children has improved …There is no need to panic," Saharsa District Magistrate Deepesh Kumar told reporters.

Some children have a mild fever and are being treated accordingly, Kumar said, without sharing details of what could have caused the illness. 

https://p.dw.com/p/5DTVLSkip next section Amit Shah to oversee swearing-in of BJP's first chief minister in West Bengal05/08/2026May 8, 2026

Amit Shah to oversee swearing-in of BJP's first chief minister in West Bengal

Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived in Kolkata on Friday to oversee the BJP selection of its legislative party leader after the party's landslide victory in West Bengal.

Shah, appointed central observer for the process, is expected to meet newly elected Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislators later in the day ahead of the swearing-in ceremony scheduled for Saturday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Shah and other senior BJP leaders are expected to attend the event.

Senior BJP leaders Suvendu Adhikari and Agnimitra Paul are seen as frontrunners for the chief minister's post, media reports said.

Governor RN Ravi dissolved the state assembly on Thursday after West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee refused to resign following her party's poll debacle, alleging irregularities by the BJP.

"I have not lost... I will not tender resignation," Banerjee told a press conference on Tuesday.

The BJP won 207 seats in the 294-member Assembly, while the Trinamool Congress secured 80, paving the way for the party's first government in the state.

https://p.dw.com/p/5DTGpSkip next section Tamil Nadu without a government as deadlock continues05/08/2026May 8, 2026

Tamil Nadu without a government as deadlock continues

Four days after Tamil Nadu's Assembly election results were announced, uncertainty over government formation continues on Friday as actor-politician Joseph Vijay's TVK remains short of a majority.

On Thursday, governor of the southern Indian state, Rajendra Arlekar, a member of the conservative Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), said Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) had not yet demonstrated the majority support needed to stake a claim to power.

After his second meeting with Vijay in two days, the governor said on Thursday that proving majority support was "essential" for government formation, according to an official release.

The TVK leadership said that they are in talks with other parties to gain support. The Congress party has agreed, bringing the total number of seats to 113, with 118 needed for a majority. However, gaining the last 5 seats has proved elusive so far. 

What do the numbers say?

• Seats newcomer party TVK won: 108 seats
• Seats in the Tamil Nadu Assembly: 243
• Seats required to form a government: 118
• TVK seats with support of Congress party: 113

Governor Arlekar's a member of the conservative Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) unusual insistence that Vijay first submit 118 letters of support has drawn criticism even from TVK rivals.

Criticizing the governor's stance, other parties said Vijay should be invited to form the government and allowed to prove his majority on the floor of the House.

https://p.dw.com/p/5DSpHSkip next section A 'frozen conflict': One year since India-Pakistan clashes05/08/2026May 8, 2026

A 'frozen conflict': One year since India-Pakistan clashes

Zain Salah Uddin | Ali Kaifee | Kate Martyr

On May 7, 2025, India and Pakistan came to the brink of an all-out war. Experts weigh in on the nuclear neighbors' relationship a year on from the deadly four-day conflict.

A 'frozen conflict': India-Pakistan tensions persist

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https://p.dw.com/p/5DSpYSkip next section Welcome to our coverage05/08/2026May 8, 2026

Welcome to our coverage

Shakeel Sobhan

Hello! This is Shakeel from DW's New Delhi Studio bringing you the latest updates from across India.

We are looking at the deadlock in Tamil Nadu over government formation, as Joseph Vijay's newcomer Tamilaga
Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) hit an early hurdle after the governor asked the party to prove its majority support.

Following the BJP's resounding victory in West Bengal, Home Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to meet newly elected party legislators in Kolkata to decide the state's first BJP chief minister.

Meanwhile, in Bihar, more than 150 children fell ill after eating a meal at school.

For all this and more, follow our live blog.

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