LIVE: DMK-Congress meetings are like corruption hackathon, says Modi in TN

In less than two months from now, elections are set to be held in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Puducherry and Assam. Stay tuned for LIVE updates as we track poll campaigns of political parties

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited poll-bound Tamil Nadu and Puducherry today to inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of various development initiatives, including key power projects in Tamil Nadu. This was his second visit to Tamil Nadu in less than two weeks, which is gearing for assembly elections.

Here are details of 2021 Assembly election campaigns for today

Tamil Nadu election 2021 campaign: Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated to the nation and laid the foundation stone for multiple infrastructure projects worth over Rs 12,400 crore in Coimbatore, where BJP enjoys a good vote bank. It may be noted, BJP joined hands with ruling AIADMK in Tamil Nadu for the upcoming election.

During his visit, the PM dedicated to the nation the Neyveli New Thermal Power Project and the 709 MW Solar Power Project of NLCIL.

Puducherry election 2021 campaign: In the poll-bound Puducherry, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for 4-laning of NH 45-A 56 km Sattanathapuram-Nagapattinam package of Villupuram to Nagapattinam project covering Karaikal district. He also laid the foundation stone of the Medical College Building at Karaikal New Campus -- Phase I, Karaikal District (JIPMER). He inaugurated the Blood Centre at Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research (JIPMER), Puducherry and the reconstructed Heritage Marie Building.

West Bengal election 2021 campaign: Bharatiya Janata Party President J P Nadda launched Lokkho Sonar Bangla manifesto crowdsourcing campaign in Kolkata, West Bengal months ahead of the Assembly polls today. Through the move, the BJP aims to reach all constituencies in West Bengal to prepare its manifesto for the state election.

Assam election 2021 campaign: Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited poll-bound Assam today to attend two religious events and address public gatherings in Nagaon and Karbi Anglong districts. The Home Minister also visited Nagaon district's Batadrava Than, the birthplace of social reformer and saint Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardeva, and launch work of a state-funded Rs 188-crore project for its beautification.

8:31 PM

Tuticorin Port to be developed as transhipment port: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said the V.O.Chidambaranar (VOC) Port or the Tuticorin Port will be developed into a major transhipment port and a new multi modal logistics park will be set up near Sriperumbudur. Launching various infrastructural social welfare projects and also laying down the foundation stone for many infrastructural projects Modi added that the central government is committed to port led development and pointed to the Sagarmala Scheme.

 

Modi arrived after launching various projects in Puducherry. Paying his tribute to the great freedom fighter VOC Modi said the former's vision for a vibrant domestic shipping industry and maritime development is greatly inspiring.

 

Modi said about 575 projects (port modernisation, new port development, port linked industrialization, port connectivity and coastal community development) involving an outlay of over Rs.600,000 crore has been identified for implementation between 2015 and 2035 under the Sagarmala Scheme.

8:05 PM

Sikkim EC announces dates for elections to 51 municipal, nagar panchayat wards

The State Election Commission in Sikkim Thursday announced that elections to 51 municipal wards and nagar panchayats, will be held on March 31. The P S Tamang-headed Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) government amended the Sikkim Municipalities Act, 2007 in September last which does not allow any person to contest polls with the direct or indirect support of any political party.

 

The state's Election Commissioner Nim Lhamu Ethenpa said, the last date for filing nominations is March 8, scrutiny of documents will take place on March 9 and the last date for withdrawal of the nominations is March 13.

7:34 PM

DMK holds seat-sharing talks with ally Cong for Tamil Nadu Assembly polls

The opposition Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in Tamil Nadu on Thursday held talks with its ally the Congress on sharing of seats in the Assembly elections for which the schedule is yet to be announced.

 

Veteran Congress leader and former chief minister of Kerala Oommen Chandy, party spokesperson Randeep Surjewala and AICC Tamil Nadu in-charge Dinesh Gundu Rao were part of the delegation which arrived here to negotiate the seat-sharing with the DMK.

 

The DMK was represented by its leaders who included general secretary Duraimurugan,Thoothukudi MP Kanimozhi and T R Baalu. READ ON...

6:47 PM

PM Modi underlines support for farmers; says NDA aims to ensure their dignity

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday sought to underline his government's commitment for the farmers, saying it has strived to ensure their prosperity and dignity without any dependence on middlemen, according to a PTI report.

 

In a statement that comes amid the sustained protests by farmers outside Delhi for nearly four months opposing the new Central farm laws, he said the NDA also wanted to bring a paradigm shift in the agricultural sector.

 

For years, small businessmen and small farmers were ignored but the "NDA government has given topmost priority to these two sections," he said in his address at a public meeting in this western town of poll-bound Tamil Nadu.

6:41 PM

Opposition's style of politics is based on harassing and bullying: PM Modi

6:31 PM

West Bengal's people blessed BJP's Poriborton Yatra, have vowed to rout Mamata govt: J P Nadda

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief JP Nadda on Thursday asserted that people of West Bengal have blessed that party's 'Poriborton Yatra ' and have vowed to rout the Mamata Banerjee's government from the state. Launched ahead of West Bengal Assembly elections, the BJP's 'Poriborton Yatra' of Nabadwip zone culminated in Anandapuri of Barrackpore district.

 

"The people of Bengal have strengthened the voice of 'Poriborton Yatra'. The people of Bengal have blessed this Yatra, supported it, and pledged to uproot Mamata's government," he said while addressing the Nabadwip zone Poriborton Yatra culmination rally in Anandapuri.

 

"This 'Poriborton Yatra' is ending today. By going from village to village, we have strengthened the voice of Yatra. I am happy that the people of Bengal have supported this visit and have vowed that we will uproot Mamata Didi's government," he added.

6:16 PM

Tamil Nadu making major contribution to India's industrial growth: PM Modi

Tamil Nadu is making a major contribution to India's industrial growth, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday while inaugurating and laying the foundation stone of various development initiatives. Speaking at the event here, he said the Government of India's commitment to port-led development can be seen through the Sagarmala scheme.

 

"Tamil Nadu is making a major contribution to India's industrial growth. One of the basic needs for the industry to grow is a continuous power supply. Today I am happy to dedicate to the nation two major power projects and lay the foundation for one more power project," he said.

 

PM Modi called Coimbatore a city of industry and innovation. "Today we begin many development works that will benefit Coimbatore and entire Tamil Nadu," he added. Speaking on the modernisation of the Bhavanisagar dam, he said this will irrigate over 2 lakh acres of land and would benefit farmers in the state.

6:11 PM

DMK-Congress meetings are like 'corruption hackathon': PM Modi

DMK-Congress meetings are like corruption hackathon; their leaders sit and discuss on how to loot, Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a Tamil Nadu public meeting.

6:05 PM

We don't want our farmers to be dependent on middlemen: PM Modi at Tamil Nadu public meeting

We don't want our farmers to be dependent on middlemen: PM Modi at Tamil Nadu public meeting

6:04 PM

DMK and Congress meetings are like corruption hackathons: PM Modi in Coimbatore

Today, the nation is seeing two distinct styles of politics- the opposition's misgovernance with corruption and NDA's governance with compassion. DMK and Congress meetings are like corruption hackathons. Their leaders sit and brainstorm how to loot: Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Coimbatore

5:53 PM

NDA given topmost priority to small businessmen and small farmers: PM Modi

NDA government has given topmost priority to small businessmen and small farmers, says Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a public meeting in Tamil Nadu.

5:52 PM

110 million farmers gained from PM-KISAN scheme in two years: PM Modi in Coimbatore

5:47 PM

This year, Tamil Nadu will elect a new government: PM Modi

This year, Tamil Nadu will elect a new government. The only politics that people will accept is politics of development and good governance, says PM Narendra Modi in Coimbatore.

5:45 PM

LIVE: People will accept only politics of development, says Modi in Tamil Nadu

People will accept only politics of development, says Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Tamil Nadu

5:42 PM

LIVE: Last year, custom duties were reduced on various steel products, says PM Modi

Last year, custom duties were reduced on various steel products, says PM Narendra Modi at public meeting in Tamil Nadu