With the Tamil Nadu elections approaching, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief and actor Vijay launched a strong attack on Chief Minister M K Stalin and the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), accusing them of attempting to influence voters through financial promises.

Addressing a massive gathering in Salem, Vijay questioned the timing of the state government’s transfer of Rs 3,000 to women beneficiaries under a welfare initiative, describing it as an “advance payment”. He also criticised the announcement of an additional Rs 2,000 per woman as part of a so-called “summer special”, suggesting the payout was linked to the election outcome.

“Will you vote for ‘good’ TVK or ‘evil’ DMK?” Vijay asked supporters, framing the contest as a moral battle.

‘Take the money, but blow the whistle’

Claiming the DMK was attempting to buy votes, Vijay urged people to accept the financial assistance but support his party at the ballot box. Referring to TVK’s election symbol, he said, “Take the money, but blow the whistle.”

He questioned the rationale behind calling it a “summer allowance”, asking whether summer occurred only this year. According to him, the announcement was prompted by the growing popularity of the TVK and its whistle symbol across the state.

Vijay alleged that Stalin feared increasing support for his party, particularly among women voters. Taking a swipe at the DMK’s experience in governance, he remarked that while the ruling party had experience in corruption, his party was “inexperienced in that”.

Rally restrictions and Karur stampede reference

The TVK leader also criticised restrictions imposed on attendance at the Salem rally, including a reported cap of 4,998 participants and identity verification measures.

Authorities cited a stampede at a rally in Karur last year, in which 41 people lost their lives, as the reason for stricter norms. The DMK accused Vijay of failing to follow standard operating procedures during that event. However, TVK leaders have alleged that the violence was orchestrated to damage the actor’s political prospects.

Vijay dismissed the revised guidelines as politically motivated, quipping that he was familiar only with “Stalin Operating Procedure”. He pledged to continue fighting for justice for those who died in Karur.

TVK’s positioning in a Dravidian-dominated landscape

Vijay and the TVK have emerged as potential challengers in a political landscape long dominated by the DMK and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), which have alternated in power since the late 1960s.

The actor has ruled out any alliance with the DMK, describing it as his political adversary. His criticism of the AIADMK, however, has been comparatively restrained, a move seen as an attempt to attract swing voters and draw on the legacy of its founder M G Ramachandran.

National parties remain aligned with the state’s principal Dravidian forces for now, though political observers note ongoing discussions and potential shifts in seat-sharing arrangements.

As campaigning gathers pace, Vijay’s rhetoric signals an aggressive push to convert his popularity into electoral gains, positioning the TVK as an alternative to established players in Tamil Nadu politics.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has congratulated Tarique Rahman after the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) claimed a decisive victory in Bangladesh’s parliamentary elections.

Though final results are awaited, the BNP has asserted it has secured a clear mandate, paving the way for Rahman to take over as prime minister. In a message posted on X, PM Modi conveyed his “warm congratulations” to Rahman for leading his party to what he described as a decisive win.

“This victory shows the trust of the people of Bangladesh in your leadership,” the Prime Minister said.

He further assured that India would continue to stand in support of a “democratic, progressive and inclusive Bangladesh,” indicating New Delhi’s willingness to work with the incoming government.

“I look forward to working with you to strengthen our multifaceted relations and advance our common development goals,” PM Modi added.

India signals continuity in ties

The Prime Minister’s outreach comes at a time when bilateral ties have seen strains under interim chief Muhammad Yunus. Following the political changes that led to former prime minister Sheikh Hasina stepping down, Bangladesh experienced challenges related to border management and internal security.

Under Hasina’s leadership and her party, the Awami League, India and Bangladesh maintained stable relations, with cooperation spanning trade, transport connectivity, border security and water-sharing agreements. Hasina was barred from contesting this election and is facing legal proceedings, including a possible death penalty.

New Delhi also recalls the 2001–2006 BNP rule, a period marked by concerns over cross-border insurgency. The 2004 Chittagong arms haul case, in which large consignments of weapons were smuggled to anti-India militants, remains a significant reference point in bilateral history.

However, Rahman has spoken of a “reset” in relations with India. He has pledged continued counterterrorism cooperation, resolution of the Teesta water-sharing issue, and protection of Hindu minorities in Bangladesh. At the same time, his articulation of a “Bangladesh First” doctrine has raised questions about the level of strategic alignment seen during the Hasina era.

PM Modi’s message underscores India’s intent to maintain engagement with the new leadership in Dhaka while supporting democratic processes and inclusive governance in the neighbouring country.

India has approved a proposal worth Rs 3.25 lakh crore to procure 114 Rafale fighter jets for the Indian Air Force, marking the largest defence acquisition programme in the country’s history.

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, granted Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for the Multi Role Fighter Aircraft programme. The clearance comes ahead of French President Emmanuel Macron’s upcoming official visit to New Delhi.

Under the proposal, 18 Rafale aircraft will be purchased off-the-shelf from French defence manufacturer Dassault Aviation, while the remaining 96 jets will be manufactured in India.

Make in India focus and technology transfer

The programme will be structured as a strategic partnership aimed at strengthening the government’s Make in India initiative. The deal is expected to include transfer of advanced fighter jet technology as part of domestic manufacturing.

Following the DAC’s approval, the acquisition will require final clearance from the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Wider approvals worth Rs 3.60 lakh crore

Alongside the Rafale programme, the DAC accorded AoN for multiple capital acquisition proposals of the armed forces at an estimated total value of about Rs 3.60 lakh crore.

For the Indian Air Force, approvals were also granted for combat missiles and an Air-Ship Based High Altitude Pseudo Satellite platform. The MRFA procurement is intended to enhance air dominance capability across the full spectrum of conflict and strengthen long-range offensive strike capacity.

The combat missiles are designed to improve stand-off ground attack capability with high accuracy. The AS-HAPS platform will support persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations, electronic intelligence, telecommunications and remote sensing for military use.

Army, Navy and Coast Guard procurements

For the Army, AoN was granted for the procurement of Vibhav anti-tank mines and for the overhaul of Armoured Recovery Vehicles, T-72 tanks and BMP-II Infantry Combat Vehicles. The upgrades are expected to extend the operational life of these platforms.

The Navy received clearance for a 04 MW Marine Gas Turbine-based Electric Power Generator under the Make-I category of the Defence Acquisition Procedure 2020, as well as additional P-8I Long Range Maritime Reconnaissance Aircraft. The additional P-8I aircraft are expected to enhance anti-submarine warfare, maritime surveillance and maritime strike capabilities.

The Indian Coast Guard was granted approval for the procurement of Electro-Optical and Infra-Red systems for its Dornier aircraft.

Existing Rafale fleet and naval variant

The Indian Air Force currently operates 36 Rafale aircraft across two squadrons. The last delivery of the C variant took place in December 2024.

Separately, India has ordered 26 Rafale M variant aircraft for the Navy in a deal valued at Rs 63,000 crore. These aircraft will operate from INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya and include provisions for maintenance, logistics support and training under a Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul arrangement.