BJP Vows Drug-Free Punjab In Two Years Ahead Of Assembly Elections Amid Suicide Row

Speaking exclusively to India Today, veteran Kannada actor and Dadasaheb Phalke Awardee Anant Nag expressed his gratitude for the recognition, describing it as a "jewel in the crown" of Karnataka. Dedicating the honour to the people of the state, Nag reflected on following in the footsteps of legendary actor Dr. Rajkumar. He also praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for acknowledging his achievement, stating that receiving congratulatory words from the Prime Minister felt "as good as getting two Phalke Awards." Nag commended Modi's governance and political journey, noting his long tenure as Chief Minister before becoming Prime Minister.

A protest against the stray dog menace in Maharashtra sparked allegations of animal cruelty after political workers brought stray dogs packed inside sacks to the Niphad Nagar Panchayat chief officer's office. Visuals showed agitators releasing the animals directly inside the official's cabin to protest administrative inaction over canine attacks on local residents, children, and senior citizens. The youth wing members alleged that despite raising complaints for six months regarding rising stray dog incidents, authorities had failed to initiate effective action, leading them to stage the demonstration. The manner in which the animals were confined in sacks and released inside the civic headquarters has drawn severe criticism.

Rival factions of the Trinamool Congress are scheduled to meet the Election Commission of India in Delhi to resolve the dispute over the party symbol. The rebel camp, led by Ritabrata Banerjee, is slated to meet the commission first, followed by the Mamata Banerjee faction. Both factions claim to represent the authentic TMC and have fielded candidates using the same party symbol ahead of the upcoming Nandigram by-poll on October 6. While the Mamata Banerjee camp asserts that she is the face of the party, the rebel faction maintains they await the poll body's decision, aiming to cancel the opposing group's membership if the ruling goes in their favour.

The battle for the Trinamool Congress name and party symbol has reached the Election Commission, with two rival factions fielding separate candidates ahead of the Nandigram bypoll scheduled for 6 October. The poll body is scheduled to meet the Ritabrata Banerjee faction at 3:00 pm and the Mamata Banerjee camp at 4:00 pm, with an interim order expected today. While TMC MLA Kunal Ghosh played down the dispute, stating that people rally behind Mamata Banerjee regardless of the symbol, rebel MLA Akru Zaman asserted that his faction will seek the cancellation of rival members' status once they secure the official party symbol.