In Gujarat, ahead of looming local elections, all 16 ministers resigned en masse apart from CM Bhupendra Patel to pave the way for a major cabinet reshuffle slated for Friday. On the energy front, India pushed back on President Trump’s assertion that PM Modi had vowed to stop Russian oil imports, underscoring its twin goals of consumer welfare and energy security.In Bihar, Nitish Kumar’s JD(U) unveiled its full list of 101 candidates for the state elections, leaning heavily on OBC/EBC outreach and fresh faces to galvanize support.

Here are the top five stories of the evening:

Major reshuffle before local polls: Entire Gujarat cabinet resignsAll ministers in Gujarat—except the chief minister—tendered their resignations ahead of a sweeping reshuffle intended to rejuvenate the government ahead of local body elections. A new cabinet is expected to be sworn in imminently. Read full storyIndia reacts strongly to Trump’s claim on Russian oilAfter US President Trump claimed that PM Modi assured him India would halt Russian oil imports, New Delhi clarified that its priority remains safeguarding consumer interests and maintaining energy security, rejecting any external pressure to compromise. Read full storyBihar elections: JD(U) leans on OBC push and fresh facesNitish Kumar’s party released its full roster of 101 candidates this week, with heavy emphasis on OBC and EBC representation and a notable share of newcomers — part of a strategy to reenergize its base ahead of a tough contest. Read full storyPM Modi hails success of Operation Sindoor at Kurnool rally; unveils Rs 13,430-cr projectsAt a rally in Andhra Pradesh, Modi praised “Indian-made” achievements under Operation Sindoor and launched multiple infrastructure and investment schemes worth over Rs 13,430 crore across sectors like power, roads, rail, and industry. Read full storySyria bus blast: Five soldiers killed, 13 injured; IS link suspectedA roadside explosion hit a bus in Syria’s eastern Deir Ezzor region, killing five defense personnel and injuring 13. Early reports suggest a possible link to the Islamic State in the area’s volatile desert zones. Read full story