May 5, 2026 - Page 2 of 2

BJP plans Bengal swearing-in on Tagore Jayanti, decision awaited

May 5, 2026 by India Verve Desk

Kolkata: The Bharatiya Janata Party is likely to hold the swearing-in ceremony of its new government in West Bengal on May 9, coinciding with Rabindra Jayanti, though an official confirmation is still awaited.

The proposed date aligns with the birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore, a deeply significant cultural occasion in Bengal, observed as Pochishe Boishakh. Party leaders have indicated that choosing this day is intended to symbolise a new political beginning rooted in the state’s cultural identity.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier hinted at returning to the state for the oath-taking ceremony after the election results, and later referenced Tagore’s ideals while addressing party workers, signalling the party’s attempt to connect governance with cultural symbolism.

Administrative preparations for government formation are also underway. Senior officials from the Election Commission of India are expected to formally convey the election results to the state machinery, following which the Governor will initiate the constitutional process by inviting the outgoing chief minister to resign and continue in a caretaker role until the new government takes charge.

Meanwhile, discussions within the BJP on leadership are ongoing. Union Home Minister Amit Shah is expected to meet senior party leaders from Bengal in Delhi to finalise the chief ministerial candidate, with names such as Suvendu Adhikari being speculated.

Rabindra Jayanti holds a central place in Bengal’s cultural life, marked by recitations, music, and literary events across the state. If finalised, the swearing-in on this day would carry both political and symbolic significance.

The BJP, which has secured a decisive mandate in the state, is expected to make a formal announcement on the ceremony and leadership in the coming days.

L&T bags large coal-to-ammonia project in Odisha, boosts gasification push

May 5, 2026 by India Verve Desk

New Delhi: Larsen & Toubro’s (L&T) Energy Hydrocarbon Onshore vertical has secured a large order from Bharat Coal Gasification and Chemicals Ltd (BCGCL ) for a coal-to-ammonium nitrate project in Odisha, marking a significant addition to its Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) portfolio.

The project, awarded under a Lump Sum Turnkey (LSTK) framework with single-point responsibility, involves setting up a nitric acid and ammonium nitrate plant, L&T said in a press release.

Once commissioned, the facility is expected to convert coal into ammonium nitrate with a production capacity of 2,000 tonnes per day, catering to demand from India’s mining, infrastructure, and industrial sectors.

BCGCL is a joint venture between Coal India Limited and Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited, formed to advance coal gasification initiatives in the country.

The scope of the contract spans the entire project lifecycle, including process licensing, basic and detailed engineering, procurement, construction, mechanical completion, pre-commissioning, and commissioning. It also covers performance guarantee test runs, overall project management, and final handover of the facility.

The order reflects BCGCL’s confidence in L&T’s ability to execute complex and technology-intensive projects while maintaining high standards of safety, quality, and operational efficiency.

The development aligns with India’s broader push under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative to achieve 100 million tonnes of coal gasification capacity by 2030. The programme aims to utilise domestic high-ash coal to produce value-added products such as ammonium nitrate, methanol, ammonia, synthetic natural gas, and fertilisers, thereby reducing import dependence.

Subramanian Sarma, Deputy Managing Director & President – L&T, indicated that the order strengthens L&T’s position in the gasification and downstream chemicals EPC segment.

He added that indigenous gasification infrastructure is expected to play a key role in the country’s energy transition while reinforcing the company’s capability to deliver complex projects at scale.

E. S. Sathyanarayanan, Senior Vice President & Head of L&T Onshore and Member of L&T’s Executive Committee, stated that securing the LSTK Package-4 contract demonstrates client confidence in L&T’s execution capabilities.

Sathyanarayanan added that a strong engineering approach, along with a focus on environment, health, and safety standards and quality, would support efficient delivery of the facilities.

US-Iran tensions surge amid Hormuz standoff and global concerns

May 5, 2026 by India Verve Desk

New Delhi: US President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning that Iran would face devastating consequences in the event of an attack on American vessels attempting to reopen shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz, as tensions in the region escalated sharply.

The remarks came as the US launched a maritime operation, referred to as “Project Freedom”, aimed at assisting hundreds of vessels stranded in the Gulf. The move has pushed the already volatile situation closer to a broader military confrontation. Iran, however, has sought to reinforce its blockade of the strait, even as US forces reported destroying six Iranian small boats and intercepting cruise missiles and drones -claims that Tehran rejected.

Earlier developments indicated that Iran’s military command had warned of strikes against any US naval presence approaching the strait and asserted that it had targeted an American frigate with missiles, according to guardian.com.

These claims were denied by US Central Command, which maintained that no US Navy vessels had been hit and that operations to enforce restrictions on Iranian ports were ongoing.

According to US Central Command, two US-flagged merchant ships successfully transited the strait on Monday under naval protection, with guided-missile destroyers operating in the region. Shipping major Maersk later confirmed that one of its US-flagged vessels had exited the waterway safely with US military escort.

In the UAE, authorities reported intercepting 15 missiles and four drones in what was described as a fresh wave of attacks. A fire was also reported at the Fujairah Oil Industry Zone, the country’s largest oil storage facility, following what officials characterised as a drone strike originating from Iran.

Neighbouring Oman reported that two individuals were injured after a residential building in Bukha, along the Hormuz coastline, was struck. In response to the deteriorating security situation, the UAE ordered schools to shift to remote learning for the remainder of the week.

Amid the disruption of global energy routes, Japan has reportedly received its first oil shipment from Russia since supplies were impacted by the closure of the strait. A tanker carrying crude linked to the Sakhalin-2 project reached Imabari on Monday, according to multiple reports citing industry sources.

Separately, International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva has cautioned that the ongoing conflict could significantly worsen global economic conditions. She indicated that inflationary pressures were already rising and warned that a prolonged conflict extending into 2027, coupled with oil prices reaching around USD 125 per barrel, could lead to a far more severe economic outcome.

Georgieva suggested that earlier projections of a short-lived conflict – featuring only a modest slowdown in global growth and limited price increases – were becoming increasingly unrealistic with each passing day.

CM Majhi hails NDA wins in Puducherry, Assam, West Bengal

May 5, 2026 by India Verve Desk

Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has congratulated the people of Puducherry, Assam, and West Bengal following the BJP-NDA’s electoral victories, describing the outcomes as a “clear affirmation” of public trust in the leadership of Narendra Modi.

In a series of messages on X, the chief minister said the mandate in Puducherry reflects people’s continued faith in governance driven by accountability, development, and welfare.

“May this consecutive mandate further accelerate progress, expand opportunities, and bring lasting prosperity to the Union Territory of Puducherry,” he said.

Referring to Assam, Majhi termed the result a “remarkable victory” that paves the way for an unprecedented third consecutive term. He said the mandate stands as a testament to the electorate’s trust in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision and the leadership of Himanta Biswa Sarma.

“May this renewed mandate serve as a catalyst for accelerated progress, prosperity, and truly inclusive development, not just for Assam, but for the entire Northeast,” Majhi stated.

On West Bengal, Majhi invoked the “ancient spirit of Anga, Banga and Kalinga,” stating that the outcome represents a broader call for transformation and principled governance. Congratulating party workers and supporters, he said the mandate signals a shift “from fear to trust” and reflects aspirations for stability, growth, and opportunity.

“This victory is a testament to the people’s unwavering faith in the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji and his transformative vision of Purvoday. This mandate is more than an electoral outcome. It is a resounding call for change, a transition from ‘bhay to bharosha’, signalling a collective aspiration for progress, stability, and principled governance. A new dawn of progress is unfolding. This mandate marks the beginning of a new era of accelerated growth and opportunity, strengthening the collective journey towards a Viksit Bharat,” he said in the message.