Former Hindu Yuva Vahini member Sushil Prajapati received a grand welcome the moment he came out on bail. Accused of raping a law student, Prajapati was carried on the shoulders of his supporters who garlanded him with flowers after they received him outside a jail in Ghaziabad.

The Communist Party of India (Marxist), a coalition partner of Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, has threatened to withdraw support if the rival AIADMK gains entry into the government. This comes after a faction of the AIADMK backed Vijay’s government in an assembly floor test held last week.

The prime minister will meet Italian president Sergio Mattarella, hold bilateral talks with prime minister Georgia Meloni, and participate in other diplomatic engagements before departing for India on Wednesday.