Tamil Nadu Politics: VCK And DMDK Spar Over Alliance Shifts And Seat Allocation

At the India Today Kerala Roundtable, differing views emerged within the United Democratic Front coalition regarding remarks made by Muslim cleric Kanthapuram Abu Bakar Musliyar. While coalition leaders and ministers condemned the cleric's remarks asking women to stay indoors and not appear in public, Indian Union Muslim League legislator Fatima Thaliyah defended the cleric's constitutional right to express his opinion despite disagreeing with the view. The discussions highlighted political stances on gender equality and secularism across the state.

Long queues formed outside the Apple store in Mumbai's BKC as customers gathered to purchase the new iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max models. Buyers expressed excitement over new features and colour options such as burgundy, with some stating they upgraded from older models like the iPhone 16 Pro. Customers discussed the high cost of the devices, with prices cited around 1.65 lakh to 1.80 lakh rupees. Several buyers noted they cut down on travel and holiday expenses to afford multiple devices for themselves and their families, citing passion and personal interest in the Apple brand.

Bundelkhand, once known for severe water shortages, is witnessing changes in its irrigation landscape. Farmers in the region often depended on rainfall and had to travel long distances to access water. Irrigation projects are now aimed at improving water availability in agricultural areas. Govt schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana have helped expand irrigation coverage, allowing farmers to cultivate larger areas. With improved access to water, farmers are getting opportunities to grow crops on more land and reduce their dependence on unpredictable rainfall.

The Election Commission of India has officially allocated interim names and symbols to the two factions of the Trinamool Congress following a split in the party. The faction led by Mamata Banerjee has been named Mamata All India Trinamool Congress with the symbol of a football player. Meanwhile, the rebel faction led by Ritabrata Banerjee has been designated as the Democratic Trinamool Congress with an envelope symbol. The original TMC name and symbol have been frozen pending a substantive determination by the commission. These temporary allocations will be used for the upcoming by-elections in West Bengal's Rajnagar and Nandigram constituencies scheduled for October 6. The split comes amid ongoing legal battles in the courts and before the speaker regarding disqualification petitions and control over party assets, while political opponents have described the internal developments as an implosion within the party.