Bihar Governor Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain and Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita will represent India at the funeral ceremony of former Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, according to reports citing official sources.

At the same time, Iran’s current Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei, has expressed appreciation for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying the historic friendship between India and Iran should continue to deepen.

India’s representation

The reported decision means India will send a senior political and diplomatic delegation instead of the Prime Minister to the state funeral ceremonies. Iranian sources said the funeral observances will take place from July 4 to July 9 across multiple cities, ending with burial in Mashhad.

The move also reflects India’s effort to maintain high-level engagement with Tehran at a sensitive moment for West Asia. India and Iran continue to work on issues ranging from connectivity and trade to regional stability.

Modi’s message

Mojtaba Khamenei’s message thanked Modi for his Eid al-Adha greetings and said he was confident that ties between the two countries would be strengthened further through the efforts of both governments.

The Iranian statement also wished prosperity for India and success for its government and people. That public acknowledgment is notable because it comes amid wider regional tensions, making the India-Iran channel more visible than usual.

Strait of Hormuz talks

The report also says Iran and Oman have begun talks in Muscat on the future management of the Strait of Hormuz under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding. Those discussions include whether international cargo ships should pay for secure passage through the strategic waterway.

The issue matters because shipping through Hormuz remains a major global concern after recent military escalation and repeated warnings over transit rights.

Regional backdrop

The broader context includes renewed tensions in the Gulf, oil price movement, and continued debate over access to the strait. Pakistan is also reportedly considering buying cheaper Iranian oil and gas if sanctions relief continues, while vessel traffic through Hormuz has not stopped completely.

That makes India’s decision to send representatives to the funeral part of a much larger diplomatic picture, where states are trying to manage both symbolism and security at the same time.

Annamalai, who resigned from the BJP in June 2026 after citing ideological differences with the party's central leadership, has begun laying the groundwork for his new political movement through outreach campaigns and leadership training programs. His initiative, branded around the theme "We The People," is aimed at attracting young leaders and expanding grassroots participation.

Youth-Centric Organization

According to sources associated with the new outfit, district-level coordinators will be selected exclusively from individuals below the age of 50. The move is being seen as an attempt to project the party as a fresh alternative in Tamil Nadu politics and appeal to younger voters.

Annamalai has already conducted leadership training sessions in his hometown of Aravakurichi, focusing on organizational development and political engagement.

Strategic Electoral Focus

Political observers say the emerging party is likely to target two key voter segments:

• OBC and MBC communities: With actor-politician C. Joseph Vijay and his party gaining traction among Dalit and minority voters, Annamalai is expected to focus on Other Backward Classes (OBC), Most Backward Classes (MBC), and sections of the general category electorate.
• Kongu Region: The western Tamil Nadu belt, often considered electorally decisive with 57 Assembly seats, is expected to be a major focus area. Annamalai's campaign is likely to target farmers, traders, and the middle class in the region.

From IPS Officer to Political Leader

Annamalai joined the BJP in August 2020 after resigning from the Karnataka cadre of the Indian Police Service. He was quickly elevated to the post of Tamil Nadu BJP vice-president and later became state president in 2021.

During his tenure, he launched the "En Mann, En Makkal" (My Land, My People) yatra and emerged as one of the BJP's most recognizable faces in Tamil Nadu. He contested Assembly and Lok Sabha elections but was unable to significantly expand the party's vote share in the state.

Reasons Behind the Exit

In his resignation letter, Annamalai stated that differences with the BJP's top leadership had widened over the past 18 months. He said his vision for Tamil Nadu politics no longer aligned with that of the party leadership.

He also emphasized that his decision was driven by a desire to remain connected to the people of Tamil Nadu and pursue a distinct political path.

Impact on Tamil Nadu Politics

Political analysts believe Annamalai's departure could have several implications:

• BJP may face challenges retaining its appeal among urban youth and first-time voters.
• The party has lost one of its most prominent faces in Tamil Nadu.
• Opposition votes against the ruling DMK could become more fragmented if Annamalai builds an independent support base.

However, experts note that BJP continues to benefit from the popularity of Narendra Modi and could offset organizational losses through alliances, including with AIADMK.

CONGRESS SET TO ANNOUNCE KERALA CM AS VENUGOPAL EMERGES FRONTRUNNER

Rahul backs Venugopal; party asserts democratic process

Congress is moving closer to naming its chief ministerial face in Kerala, with Alappuzha MP KC Venugopal emerging as Rahul Gandhi's preferred choice after a one-on-one meeting in Delhi. The party, which returned to power in the state after a decade-long gap, has faced mounting pressure to announce its CM within days of the election results.

Six days have elapsed since Kerala voters handed Congress a decisive mandate—63 of 140 assembly seats, enough for a comfortable majority. Yet the post remains vacant as the party navigates an internal selection process that has drawn both support and scrutiny from multiple quarters.

VENUGOPAL CONSOLIDATES SUPPORT AMONG LEGISLATORS

Ground reports indicate Venugopal has secured backing from approximately 75–80 percent of Congress' 63 MLAs, a clear indication of his strength within the legislative wing. A photograph that circulated on social media showed Kerala Congress President Sunny Joseph, Sandeep G Varier, Sajeev Joseph, T.O. Mohan, and Usha Vijayan backing his candidacy at a May 9 meeting held at Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge's Delhi residence.

Party insiders familiar with the developments suggested a pragmatic arrangement should Venugopal assume office. Sunny Joseph, who won from Irikkur, may step down from his assembly seat, clearing the way for Venugopal to contest and secure an MLA position—a constitutional requirement for the chief minister's post. The move reflects careful political choreography within the Congress, balancing factional interests while ensuring legislative strength remains intact.

CHALLENGE FROM SATHEESAN CAMP

V.D. Satheesan, the other key contender, drew support from only six MLAs in the initial May 9 meeting. However, his position gained traction following the gathering, with three former state Congress presidents publicly backing his candidacy. Additionally, key UDF allies—the Indian Union Muslim League and Kerala Congress (Joseph)—have openly supported Satheesan's claims.

This bifurcation highlights underlying organisational tensions, though Congress leadership has maintained that the final decision rests with the party hierarchy rather than a simple MLAs' count.

CONGRESS REJECTS BJP MODEL

Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala seized the opportunity to draw contrasts with the ruling BJP, asserting the party's commitment to democratic processes. "In the Congress party, the CM is chosen democratically. We do not have a system where Modi and Shah take all the decisions," Chennithala said, in an apparent reference to how the national ruling party handles such selections.

The statement underscores Congress' attempt to position itself as ideologically distinct, particularly as regional dynamics shift across India following recent assembly elections.

BROADER REGIONAL SHIFTS

Meanwhile, three southern and eastern states have witnessed chief ministerial changes within the past 48 hours, signalling a significant realignment of regional politics.

In Tamil Nadu, actor-turned-politician C Joseph Vijay, chief of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), became the ninth CM after his party secured 108 of 234 seats. Vijay's government will rely on additional support from Congress, Left, IUML, and VCK MLAs to reach the required 118-seat majority. During his oath ceremony, Vijay notably departed from prescribed remarks, prompting Governor Arlekar to intervene.

West Bengal witnessed a historic milestone when Suvendu Adhikari became the BJP's first Chief Minister. Adhikari was sworn in on May 9 following the party's decisive 207-294 seat victory. The ceremony was attended by 20 chief ministers from NDA-ruled states, underscoring the BJP's organised show of strength.

NORTHEAST DEVELOPMENTS

In Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma, re-elected as BJP legislative party leader, will take oath for his second consecutive term as Chief Minister on May 12 at 11 am. The state witnessed a consolidation of NDA strength in recent elections.

Puducherry is also set for a leadership change, with N. Ramaswamy scheduled to take oath on May 13.

Congress officials indicated an announcement on the Kerala CM post is imminent, though they have refrained from specifying an exact timeline. The party's deliberate pace contrasts sharply with the swift transitions witnessed in neighbouring states, reflecting its traditional emphasis on consensus-building within the party structure.