A major political showdown has erupted in Tamil Nadu after VCK leader Vanni Arasu took oath in Chief Minister Joseph Vijay’s cabinet, triggering a bitter public feud between the DMK, VCK and TVK. Once-close allies are now openly attacking each other as post-election alliance politics reshape the state. The controversy exploded after DMK MP A Raja posted a sharp metaphor comparing the VCK to a “crooked coconut tree,” accusing the party of turning against the alliance that helped it rise politically. The remark sparked huge backlash online, especially after another controversial post by Raja was later deleted.

Step into the heart of Mumbai’s Ganeshotsav with Mid-Day. In this special video, we take you on a tour of Girgaon’s oldest Ganpati pandals, each with a history of over 100 years. From Keshavji Naik Chawl—the birthplace of Mumbai’s first public Ganeshotsav in 1893—to other iconic mandals of Girgaon, witness the traditions, the idols, and the stories that have kept this festival alive for generations.