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Loyal Opposition: On West Bengal, its politics after the poll

West Bengal is in the grip of a toxic political culture

Abhishek Banerjee retains his spot in TMC rejig, flanked by Mamata loyalists

TMC parliamentary leader in the Rajya Sabha Derek O’Brien and RS member Dola Sen have been appointed national joint secretaries to assist Abhishek Banerjee

Days after taking oath, 'humilated' Ramalinga Reddy quits Karnataka cabinet; cites 'DKS U-turn'

Karnataka minister R Ramalinga Reddy resigned just two days after his oath, citing strong dissatisfaction with his allocated portfolio. He expressed disappointment, stating Chief Minister DK Shivakumar reneged on an assurance regarding the Bengaluru development department. Reddy affirmed his continued loyalty to the Congress party, emphasizing he would not work against his conscience.

Mallikarjun Kharge, Pawan Khera, among 7 Congress Rajya Sabha nominees

The selections underline loyalty factors, Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi’s imprint, and a couple of fresh faces in the House of the Elders.

Watch: TMC crisis: loyalists back Mamata, rebels stand firm | Above the Fold | 04.06.2026

From the deepening rift within the Trinamool Congress in West Bengal to the U.S. House vote on the Iran war and the latest developments in the deadly Delhi fire tragedy, here are the top stories of the day on Above the Fold.

As TMC Faces Headwinds, The Question Grows: Who Still Stands With Mamata?

TMC's first-ever split has exposed a battle over succession, loyalty and control, leaving Mamata Banerjee reliant on a shrinking circle of trusted aides.

Siddaramaiah, Kharge loyalists fielded in MLC elections

Loyalists rally behind Mamata, say an ousted leader cannot lead Trinamool in Assembly

Earlier in the day, the Trinamool had dissolved all its party committees, including district and block units; party leaders say ‘Mamata is the original Trinamool Congress’

Stunned, betrayed: TMC foot soldiers struggle with 31-day bad news cycle

Disbelief and anger grip Trinamool workers after a major electoral defeat, leading to internal turmoil and the dissolution of party committees. Loyalists express frustration over perceived organizational drift and the sidelining of old guards, while some blame external consultants and the induction of rival party leaders. Despite the shock, many remain committed to Mamata Banerjee, hoping for a party revival.

Mix of Siddaramaiah loyalists, new faces: 13 MLAs take oath in DK Shivakumar's Cabinet

Mix of Siddaramaiah loyalists, new faces: 13 MLAs take oath in DK Shivakumar's Cabinet

TMC's Firhad Hakim resigns as Kolkata mayor

Kolkata Mayor and Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA Firhad Hakim has resigned from his post after receiving permission from party supremo Mamata Banerjee, senior TMC leader Kunal Ghosh said on Wednesday, amid deepening turmoil within the opposition party following its electoral defeat in West Bengal.The announcement came as the TMC grappled with its most serious internal crisis since losing power, with a large section of its legislators openly rebelling against the party leadership and seeking a reorganisation of the legislature wing.Also read: TMC crisis deepens as Mamata loyalists attend BJP-led review meetingThe political churn was visible on Wednesday when Hakim, along with TMC MLAs Nayana Bandyopadhyay, Ashok Deb and Kunal Ghosh, attended an administrative review meeting convened by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari at Nabanna, a development that added a fresh dimension to the ongoing unrest within the party, PTI reported.The attendance of several leaders considered close to Banerjee at the government meeting came even as the party's legislative wing appeared headed for an unprecedented split.Rebels stake claim to legislature leadershipHours earlier, 58 dissident TMC MLAs formally extended support to expelled legislator Ritabrata Banerjee as the new leader of the legislature party and conveyed their decision to Assembly Speaker Rathindra Bose, according to PTI.Ritabrata Banerjee, accompanied by fellow rebel MLA Sandipan Saha and other dissident legislators, met the Speaker and submitted letters of support purportedly signed by 58 MLAs.The rebel faction also proposed a new leadership structure, naming Ritabrata Banerjee as legislature party leader, Javed Khan, Sandipan Saha and Shiuli Saha as deputy leaders, and Raghunathganj MLA Akhruzzaman as the chief whip.Ritabrata Banerjee, Khan and Saha were also present at the chief minister's administrative review meeting later in the day.The developments followed a gathering of dissident legislators at the Assembly earlier on Wednesday. Significantly, none of the MLAs who attended the rebels' meeting had participated in Mamata Banerjee's dharna in central Kolkata on Tuesday, highlighting the growing divide between the party leadership and the dissident bloc.Also read: TMC rebels back expelled MLA Ritabrata Banerjee as legislature party leader in BengalPolitical signals from administrative meetingsSeveral leaders identified with the Kalighat leadership, including Hakim, Bandyopadhyay, Deb and Ghosh, skipped the Assembly meeting and instead attended the Nabanna review meeting.The latest development comes days after senior TMC MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar and six party MLAs attended an administrative review meeting chaired by Adhikari in Kalyani, triggering speculation over shifting political equations within the opposition camp after the assembly election setback.Political observers told PTI that with another set of TMC leaders attending Wednesday's meeting, the line between administrative engagement and political messaging was becoming increasingly blurred in West Bengal's evolving post-election landscape.The BJP government has maintained that such meetings are inclusive administrative exercises. During the previous TMC regime, BJP leaders had often alleged that opposition legislators were excluded from official review meetings.Soon after assuming office, Adhikari announced that opposition MPs and MLAs would be invited to government programmes and district-level administrative review meetings.Also read: TMC dissolves West Bengal units, launches overhaul after poll drubbingParty debates participationReacting to the participation of TMC legislators in such meetings last week, Kunal Ghosh had said the matter was being discussed within the party."We are not in favour of boycotting administrative meetings called by the state government. But when our party workers are being assaulted and rendered homeless in post-poll violence, we need to think twice before attending such meetings. Our party is also discussing whether we should continue participating in these meetings or not," he had said.The ongoing turmoil comes against the backdrop of the TMC's crushing assembly election defeat and growing uncertainty over the party's future leadership structure.

Siddaramaiah’s imprint on first batch of ministers sworn in with D.K. Shivakumar

Senior legislators and loyalists of former Chief Minister find place in 14-member Cabinet headed by D.K. Shivakumar

Rebel In TMC: Trinamool Splits In Two — Javed Khan, Shiuli Saha & The Full Rebel MLA List

Barely a month after election results, nearly 60 TMC MLAs — including former Mamata loyalists — have broken ranks, demanding Ritabrata Banerjee as Leader of Opposition.

Lonely crusade, a loyal old guard: Mamata Banerjee's 1st protest after TMC's rout

Lonely crusade, a loyal old guard: Mamata Banerjee's 1st protest after TMC's rout

Trump picks loyalist Bill Pulte as acting director of national intelligence to replace Tulsi Gabbard

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday (local time) named Bill Pulte as acting Director of National Intelligence, replacing Tulsi Gabbard, who recently announced that she would resign from the role at the end of June.

Trump's $1.8 Billion 'Weaponization' Payout Put On Hold After Backlash

The Republican rebellion was an extraordinary act of defiance given Trump's insistence on loyalty

Kelce caught in fresh Blake Lively–Taylor Swift drama rumors

Taylor Swift’s upcoming wedding to Travis Kelce has sparked renewed attention on some of her high-profile friendships. Reports claim Swift has grown distant from former close friend Karlie Kloss, while her relationship with Blake Lively remains under scrutiny following the actress’s legal dispute with Justin Baldoni. Sources suggest Swift has become more selective about her inner circle, prioritizing trust and long-term loyalty as she prepares for the next chapter of her life with Kelce.

Greek proverb of the day: ‘The crow does not take the eye out of another crow’; meaning and why it still matters today

This Greek proverb is a blunt, realistic commentary on professional solidarity, tribal loyalty, and the fierce codes of honour that bind certain groups together.

Trump questions whether Vance has what it takes to lead MAGA: Report

President Trump has reportedly expressed doubts about Vice President JD Vance's ability to lead the MAGA movement in 2028, questioning his potential to "go all the way." Despite this, Trump values Vance's loyalty, though he has also openly criticized his policy decisions and personal habits, fueling speculation about future leadership.

Securing a Cabinet berth for me is Siddaramaiah’s responsibility, says Aland MLA

B.R. Patil publicly stakes claim for Ministerial berth in the new Cabinet citing decades of loyalty and his role in the AHINDA movement