Trump's new cabinet features younger faces and fresh ideas

A senior leader and former minister from Tamil Nadu's AIADMK has publicly invited a prominent film actor to join the political party. The invitation followed the actor's recent decision to restructure fan clubs into a welfare movement, sparking political speculation. Speaking at a public rally in Sivakasi, the politician stated that the party welcomes young actors whose work creates an impact among the poor and the public. However, the political outfit noted a specific condition for entry, stating that any newcomer must accept the leadership of the party chief. The outreach comes amid shifts in the regional political landscape where cinema figures transition into political leadership.

A criminal complaint has been filed with the Deputy Commissioner of Police, New Delhi, against Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi by journalist Richa Prashar. The complaint alleges mistreatment, threats, and the use of criminal force against the three-month pregnant journalist during a march organized by the Congress and INDIA bloc leaders to the Supreme Court on October 12. Prashar stated that she was hurt during the incident and was subsequently hospitalised for three days before submitting the official police complaint. The complaint seeks registration of an FIR invoking legal provisions related to using criminal force against a woman, causing hurt, and endangering human life. Delhi Police have initiated an initial investigation into the matter, reviewing CCTV recordings, mobile video footage from the area, and collecting eyewitness accounts to examine the allegations before proceeding with further legal action.

In an interview in Hyderabad, Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka criticized the misuse of Form 7 to delete opposition voters, stating, "Election Commission, that is their basic duty to create a trust and confidence, uh, that they are running the elections fair and free, which is lacking. So that is where the, the, the very basic question of the democracy is at stake." He condemned the arrest of student activists, asserting that in a parliamentary democracy, governments must listen to public voices. Vikramarka also addressed the Rohith Vemula Act drafting process, confirming an official committee is actively consulting stakeholders, and dismissed BRS criticism regarding El Niño, noting it is a severe natural challenge affecting drinking water and heat across the country.

Left organisations, including KYS and RWPI, staged a protest at Delhi's Raisina Road near the Press Club, attempting to march towards Jantar Mantar. The demonstration targeted Chief Election Commissioner Ganesh Kumar and opposed the SIR exercise along with the initial de-notification of Jantar Mantar as a protest venue. Delhi Police personnel and paramilitary forces in anti-riot gear set up two layers of barricades to halt the marching cadres holding placards. Demonstrators sat on the barricades and raised slogans against the CEC. Various left groups, including AISA, AISF, SFI, alongside JNUSU, IVH, and the Congress party, have continued ongoing agitations across the national capital for over a week despite the administration re-notifying Jantar Mantar as a protest site.