VK News Today https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html Higher Trump tariffs soon? US Treasury Secretary Bessent says rates could be restored by July As Tamil Nadu heads to polls on April 23, the election campaign is finding a new soundtrack — catchy, hyperlocal, AI-generated songs designed to stick in voters’ minds long after the rally ends. From Coimbatore to the Cauvery delta, candidates are trying to strike the right chord with the electorate through customised campaign tunes, with more than 30 songs produced during the nomination phase alone. And this is no low-budget side act. Parties and candidates are willing to spend anywhere between Rs 10,000 and Rs 25,000 a song to sharpen their outreach.The playbook has moved well beyond wall posters and van announcements. Political parties are now blending music, AI and social media algorithms to create a more targeted campaign push, especially on Instagram and Facebook, where advertisements are being fine-tuned to budgets and voter demographics through Meta ads.At the centre of this concoction of music and politics is a growing ecosystem of AI creators. R Loganathan, creative head of Ninth Direction, says he alone has delivered more than 30 AIgenerated songs for 15 candidates, including several in Coimbatore. “Unlike in previous elections, AI is now being used for better public outreach, especially through AI-generated campaign songs,” he told TOI . “There is equal demand from DMK and ADMK candidates, along with some from DMK alliance parties such as Congress and the Left.”His client list stretches across party lines and geographies — from DMK and ADMK candidates in Tirupur, Coimbatore and the delta to DMK alliance candidates in the southern districts. Loganathan says his journalism background is helping him craft better lyrics tailored to individual candidates. “I have even received requests from former ministers for song packages ranging from Rs 10,000 to Rs 25,000. Depending on the package chosen, we provide a song to a candidate in different tunes.”But the digital push does not stop at songs. Campaigns are also going global. Sources say DMK’s IT wing is running an intensive social media operation from the UAE, targeting audiences overseas and making use of platforms such as TikTok, which remains banned in India but is active in many Gulf countries. A Dubaibased social media manager confirmed the scale of that effort, saying the DMK’s IT machinery is stronger there than that of rival parties. “To connect with the Tamil audience here, they use extensive SEO strategies,” he said. “TikTok is banned in India, but it is active in many other countries, including the Gulf, allowing them to share Tamil Nadu content and reach the Tamil population abroad.”Back home, campaign professionals say the real transformation came during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, when the use of Meta ads and algorithm-driven targeting surged. A popular YouTuber, now working as a freelance social media manager for DMK, said this strategy has since become central to every major party’s IT wing.“Meta ads help target demographics and interests, while paid search engine optimisation helps candidates connect better with elite and younger audiences,” he said. “For Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, it is easier because they are already using songs that are trending. But candidates who are new to social media or less active online have to rely heavily on paid promotions, and the algorithms are designed to deliver ads to the target audience in specific locations.”But in the digital campaign space, visibility has a high price tag. The more a candidate spends, the more frequently they appear on voters’ screens, the YouTuber added. “While there is an official cap on poll expenditure for each candidate, many exceed their budgets through third-party services that go unreported.”NOT VIJAY, IT’S VIJ-AIHe waved, held a mic, and seemed to talk to the crowd. As a campaign vehicle of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam rolled through Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu, for a few seconds, many in the audience believed the party chief, Vijay, had actually turned up in person. Phones went up, heads turned, and the excitement spread quickly. But the crowdpulling spectacle was actually a tech trick : an AI-powered holographic projection of the actor-turned-politician, mounted on the vehicle, with synced speech, realistic gestures and a strikingly lifelike presence that quickly went viral online. And the idea is catching on. Companies behind the technology say candidates from across parties are now making inquiries, with some even seeking holographic recreations of political icons such as M Karunanidhi and J Jayalalithaa.Hologram campaigning itself is not new — PM Modi used it in the 2014 general election — but the latest version comes with an AI boost. Better lip-sync, smoother body movement, and easier portability are making these projections far more immersive, even in smaller towns and rural pockets. The Kumbakonam show was reportedly pulled off by a team of just six, including young engineers, using 3D hologram fan display systems for sharper, more dynamic visuals than traditional projectors. However, priced at about Rs 50,000 a day, the tech is not cheap.About the AuthorAnushka JulietAnushka Juliet covers urban development, civic issues, infrastructure projects and local community news in Coimbatore.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosChhattisgarh: 10 Killed, 23 Injured As Boiler Explodes At Vedanta Power PlantSamrat Chaudhary Becomes Bihar CM: A Political Journey Marked by Setbacks and ReinventionIran Expresses Confidence In India’s BRICS Presidency Amid West Asia ConflictPM Modi, Donald Trump Hold 40-Min Phone Call, Discuss Strait Of Hormuz, West Asia SituationPak Enters Noida? Stunning Twist To Wage War As Workers Riot In NCR; Yogi Minister Drops BombshellFuel Price Freeze Amid Hormuz Crisis Is Costing Oil Companies Thousands of Crores DailyChina Defends Renaming Places In Arunachal After India Slams Beijing’s ‘Mischievous Attempt’Bihar DY CM Puzzle for JDU, Nishant Kumar Reluctance Complicates NDA MathNitish Kumar Resigns After 20 Years as Bihar CM; BJP Names Samrat Choudhary as SuccessorWomen’s Reservation Bill Explained: How 850-Seat Lok Sabha Plan Promises To Change Indian Politics123Photostories10 watermelon recipes you can make in just 5 minutes for a summer partyWhat you do after eating matters more than you think: Simple habits that can control blood sugar and digestion7 durable woods that are ideal for garden furniture8 baby boy names inspired by Milky Way galaxyWhy this new rice variety is called ‘Designer Rice’ and how it will impact your protein intake10 free things to do in Noida that are actually worth your timeHow to make Chef Sanjeev Kapoor-style Langarwali Dal6 essential real estate investment strategies for first-time buyers9 unique food etiquette rules from around the worldTop 5 IT hubs in India driving real estate demand123Hot PicksIran warDisney layoffsPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingDianna Russini Marriage ControversyTaylor Swift Blake Lively FalloutKelce Kayla Nicole TimelineDelhi Dehradun CorridorJk Cow Transport AssaultZoji La TunnelTrump-Modi CallIPL Points TableUS VP pick 2020Lonna Drewes Ajinkya Rahane fined Rs 12 lakh after KKR’s fourth loss in IPL 2026 Stock market today (April 15, 2026): Nifty50 opens above 24,200; BSE Sensex rallies over 1,200 points as oil prices drop on US-Iran peace talks optimism MPBSE Class 10th result 2026: Here’s how you can download scorecards from TOI portal ‘Thalaivar 173’ faces another twist; Cibi Chakravarthi exits, THIS director likely to direct Rajinikanth Love Horoscope Today, April 15, 2026: What the stars say about your love life Happy Vishu 2026: Top 50 wishes, images, quotes, messages to celebrate Malayalam new year | A Pocso court in Jammu on Tuesday rejected the bail application of an army jawan accused of raping his colleague’s minor daughter, observing the relief plea has “no merit at this stage” considering the survivor’s vivid narration of the sexual assault in her testimony.As per the persecution, when the girl’s mother was hospitalised and her father was out of the residence, the accused, Jaswinder Singh, visited their house on the pretext of collecting a health card and took their daughter to his house where he raped her on Sept 14, 2024.The minor’s parents filed an FIR against Jaswinder three days later.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosSamrat Chaudhary Becomes Bihar CM: A Political Journey Marked by Setbacks and ReinventionIran Expresses Confidence In India’s BRICS Presidency Amid West Asia ConflictPM Modi, Donald Trump Hold 40-Min Phone Call, Discuss Strait Of Hormuz, West Asia SituationPak Enters Noida? Stunning Twist To Wage War As Workers Riot In NCR; Yogi Minister Drops BombshellFuel Price Freeze Amid Hormuz Crisis Is Costing Oil Companies Thousands of Crores DailyChina Defends Renaming Places In Arunachal After India Slams Beijing’s ‘Mischievous Attempt’Bihar DY CM Puzzle for JDU, Nishant Kumar Reluctance Complicates NDA MathNitish Kumar Resigns After 20 Years as Bihar CM; BJP Names Samrat Choudhary as SuccessorWomen’s Reservation Bill Explained: How 850-Seat Lok Sabha Plan Promises To Change Indian PoliticsExplained: Supreme Court Backs Right to Vote but Denies Relief to Bengal’s Deleted Voters123Photostories10 watermelon recipes you can make in just 5 minutes for a summer partyWhat you do after eating matters more than you think: Simple habits that can control blood sugar and digestion7 durable woods that are ideal for garden furniture8 baby boy names inspired by Milky Way galaxyWhy this new rice variety is called ‘Designer Rice’ and how it will impact your protein intake10 free things to do in Noida that are actually worth your timeHow to make Chef Sanjeev Kapoor-style Langarwali Dal6 essential real estate investment strategies for first-time buyers9 unique food etiquette rules from around the worldTop 5 IT hubs in India driving real estate demand123Hot PicksIran warDisney layoffsPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingDianna Russini Marriage ControversyTaylor Swift Blake Lively FalloutKelce Kayla Nicole TimelineDelhi Dehradun CorridorJk Cow Transport AssaultZoji La TunnelTrump-Modi CallIPL Points TableUS VP pick 2020Lonna Drewes Tamil Nadu, Karnataka & Andhra account for half of India’s gold loans AP Inter result 2026 to be released today: Check official and unofficial websites to download scorecards ‘Godzilla Minus Zero’ and ‘Ramayana’ to CLASH on Diwali, both films contend for IMAX releases Is the Iran war ending? Trump signals hope for fresh talks, but says ‘we’re not finished’ DHAKA: About 250 people, including children, were feared missing after a boat carrying Rohingya refugees and Bangladeshi nationals capsized in the Andaman Sea, the United Nations said on Tuesday, reports Ahsan Tasnim . “The trawler, which departed from Teknaf in southern Bangladesh and was on its way to Malaysia, reportedly sank due to heavy winds, rough seas, and overcrowding,” the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said in a statement.UNHCR and International Organisation for Migration said the promise of better wages abroad, often coupled with misinformation spread by smuggling networks, drives individuals, Rohingya and Bangladeshis, to take significant risks. “This incident reflects the dire consequences of protracted displacement,” said the UN agencies. “We urgently call on the international community to step up solidarity and sustain funding to support assistance for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh as well as support for Bangladeshi host communities,” they said.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosSamrat Chaudhary Becomes Bihar CM: A Political Journey Marked by Setbacks and ReinventionIran Expresses Confidence In India’s BRICS Presidency Amid West Asia ConflictPM Modi, Donald Trump Hold 40-Min Phone Call, Discuss Strait Of Hormuz, West Asia SituationPak Enters Noida? Stunning Twist To Wage War As Workers Riot In NCR; Yogi Minister Drops BombshellFuel Price Freeze Amid Hormuz Crisis Is Costing Oil Companies Thousands of Crores DailyChina Defends Renaming Places In Arunachal After India Slams Beijing’s ‘Mischievous Attempt’Bihar DY CM Puzzle for JDU, Nishant Kumar Reluctance Complicates NDA MathNitish Kumar Resigns After 20 Years as Bihar CM; BJP Names Samrat Choudhary as SuccessorWomen’s Reservation Bill Explained: How 850-Seat Lok Sabha Plan Promises To Change Indian PoliticsExplained: Supreme Court Backs Right to Vote but Denies Relief to Bengal’s Deleted Voters123Photostories10 watermelon recipes you can make in just 5 minutes for a summer partyWhat you do after eating matters more than you think: Simple habits that can control blood sugar and digestion7 durable woods that are ideal for garden furniture8 baby boy names inspired by Milky Way galaxyWhy this new rice variety is called ‘Designer Rice’ and how it will impact your protein intake10 free things to do in Noida that are actually worth your timeHow to make Chef Sanjeev Kapoor-style Langarwali Dal6 essential real estate investment strategies for first-time buyers9 unique food etiquette rules from around the worldTop 5 IT hubs in India driving real estate demand123Hot PicksIran warDisney layoffsPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingDianna Russini Marriage ControversyTaylor Swift Blake Lively FalloutKelce Kayla Nicole TimelineDelhi Dehradun CorridorJk Cow Transport AssaultZoji La TunnelTrump-Modi CallIPL Points TableUS VP pick 2020Lonna Drewes IPL Match Today, RCB vs LSG: Predicted playing XI, head-to-head, pitch report, Bengaluru weather update Infosys rolls out ‘silicon to application’ AI strategy AP Inter 1st and 2nd result 2026: Date and time to check and download scorecards ‘Twisted Metal’ Mike Mitchell leaves show amid internal changes – ‘I am very kind of heartbroken about it’ Champions League: Atletico Madrid edge Barcelona 3-2 on aggregate to enter semis US Navy destroyer intercepts two oil tankers trying to leave Hormuz; orders them to turn back | World News Apr 15, 2026, 07:27 IST Will consumption slip on oil, monsoon forecast? MP Board result 2026 date and time: Know when and where to check MPBSE Class 10, 12 results Ariana Grande faces the ‘Focker’ test: First look at ‘Focker-In-Law’ teaser with Robert De Niro and Ben Stiller Dubai Airports update April 15: British Airways, Lufthansa stop DXB flights; Air India group continues limited operations What is AI Bill that Sam Altman’s OpenAI and Dario Amodei’s Anthropic are clashing over in one of America’s biggest states Apr 15, 2026, 07:09 IST Yash on gangster film ‘Toxic’: ‘It’ll be a visual treat and make a huge impact on the audience’s psyche’ Numerology Predictions Today, April 15, 2026: Read your personalised forecast for numbers 1 to 9 Won’t divide Bengal, will solve Gorkha issue in a constitutional manner: Shah President vs Pope: Trump’s divine detour rattles the faithful Taylor Frankie Paul gets dismissed on all charges in 2 domestic abuse cases with Dakota Mortensen Motivational quote of the day by Priyanka Chopra Jonas: ‘We are complete as ourselves, and our flaws make us unique. Perfection is boring anyway. As soon as you find and identify your flaws, there’s no one who can be like you’ | Aries Horoscope Today, April 15, 2026: Your expenditure runs ahead of your income today How MS Dhoni’s ‘never make decisions when angry’ advice helped Ayush Mhatre lift U-19 World Cup Sreeleela on how she pursues MBBS alongside films; Says, ‘You need willpower and patience’ Daily health horoscope, April 15, 2026: Tips for wellness and balance based on each zodiac sign Over 100 viral videos, several minor girls: 19-year-old held in Maharashtra sexual abuse probe Apr 15, 2026, 06:34 IST ‘Office Romance’ OTT release: When and where to watch Jennifer Lopez starrer rom-com Pisces Horoscope Today, April 15, 2026: Your energy stays calm and steady IPL 2026: Will Virat Kohli play today vs LSG? Latest update on RCB star ‘Dhurandhar 2’ box office collection day 27: Ranveer Singh’s film earns over Rs 7 crore, heads to beat ‘Pushpa 2’ in week 4 Aquarius Horoscope Today, April 15, 2026: Work pressure can dry you out ‘Love Insurance Kompany’ box office collections day 5: Pradeep Ranganathan film crosses 44 crore mark Daily Career Horoscope, April 15, 2026: Success, challenges, and breakthroughs; Know about your Career NEW DELHI: In a move that aligns with New Delhi’s consistent position that Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (POJK) is an integral part of India, the Delimitation Bill, 2026 incorporates a provision authorising Election Commission to conduct delimitation of J&K constituencies that are currently under occupation by Pakistan whenever they “cease to be so occupied”.The elected strength of J&K assembly is 90; this does not include the 24 seats in POJK that remain ‘vacant’ and are not taken into account to calculate total membership of the assembly. The Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026 authorises the delimitation commission to decide on a revised strength of the J&K assembly, which shall not be below the current 114 seats. It rolls back the provision in J&K Reorganisation Act to exclude POJK area and seats while delimiting the territorial constituencies of J&K.The bill proposes to amend Section 15 of J&K Reorganisation Act to raise the number of women who may be nominated to J&K assembly by the LG to three from two. However, this shall be incre-ased only after readjustment of constituencies takes effect, based on fresh delimitation.According to the statement of objects and reasons of the bill, the provisions of Govt of Union Territories Act, 1963, Govt of National Capital Territory of Delhi Act, 1991, and Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, are based on the existing constitutional framework relating to population, delimitation and reservation. About the AuthorBharti JainBharti Jain is senior editor with The Times of India, New Delhi. She has been writing on security matters since 1996. Having covered the Union home ministry, security agencies, Election Commission and the ‘prime’ political beat, the Congress, for The Economic Times all these years, she moved to TOI in August 2012. Her repertoire of news stories delves into the whole gamut of issues related to terrorism and internal strife, besides probing strategic affairs in India’s neighbourhood.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosSamrat Chaudhary Becomes Bihar CM: A Political Journey Marked by Setbacks and ReinventionIran Expresses Confidence In India’s BRICS Presidency Amid West Asia ConflictPM Modi, Donald Trump Hold 40-Min Phone Call, Discuss Strait Of Hormuz, West Asia SituationPak Enters Noida? 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