INDIA Bloc Cracks Widen as Samajwadi Party, DMK, AAP Set to Skip Key Meeting

The opposition alliance held a meeting in the national capital to discuss its strategy regarding the Election Commission. The bloc is demanding a probe into decisions taken by the poll body, claiming differences in opinions among election commissioners were not addressed, and is seeking the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner. Nationwide protests are also being planned by opposition parties. Meanwhile, the ruling party criticised the meeting and questioned the unity of the alliance, citing the absence of several key regional parties and describing the bloc as an unstable coalition.

Security forces gunned down top Pakistani Lashkar-e-Taiba commander Musa during an encounter in Gurweeth Kalan village of Jammu and Kashmir's Budgam district. Joint forces initiated a cordon-and-search operation late at night based on credible intelligence inputs regarding the movement of a Lashkar group. The search team came under fire from two locations and retaliated, eliminating Musa in the initial exchange of fire. Musa headed the Musa Fauji group and was wanted for multiple guerrilla attacks on security forces and army convoys across Jammu and Kashmir, including an ambush in Gulmarg's Batapathri area that killed two army personnel. Combing operations continue in the area as forces suspect additional terrorists remain in hiding.

AIMIM president and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi addressed a range of political and socio-economic issues concerning minorities, electoral representation and governance at the India Today South Conclave. Owaisi argued that successive governments have treated religious minorities as a vote bank while failing to ensure proportional representation and independent political leadership. He also criticised both the BJP and parties that identify themselves as secular, questioning their record on political representation and justice. Owaisi raised concerns over the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, describing it as a “backdoor NRC” that could lead to voter disenfranchisement. He also opposed the Uniform Civil Code, arguing that constitutional pluralism must accommodate India's diversity. On parliamentary delimitation based on population, he warned that it could deepen the political divide between northern and southern states and affect minority representation. Meanwhile, former Election Commissioner Ashok Lavasa criticised the Election Commission's response to questions over SIR and changes to Form 6. He likened the poll body's concessions to “applying a Band-Aid to a fracture”, arguing that they did not address concerns over the fairness of the exercise. Lavasa and former CEC OP Rawat also questioned the procedure followed for issuing different versions of Form 6 and the absence of recorded minutes of constitutional decision-making.

Kolkata is making extensive preparations to host five-time FIFA World Cup champions Brazil for a historic friendly match against the Indian football team at Swami Vivekananda Yuva Bharati Krirangan on 3 October. The stadium pitch and locker rooms have been prepared to welcome international stars including Vinicius Junior, Bruno Guimarães, and Raphinha. The All India Football Federation alongside the West Bengal government has implemented robust security and organizational measures to ensure smooth conduct following past event issues. The fixture marks a historic moment where the Blue Tigers face world-ranked fifth Brazil, followed by a match against Uruguay.