LIVE: Modi targets 'Didi' with remote control jibe, 'no more' chants

In Kolkata rally address, PM wonders why Mamata is so busy protecting interests of her nephew

11:05 AM

U'khand: Sudden meeting of BJP core group fuels speculation about major change in govt

A sudden meeting of the Uttarakhand BJP's core committee has fuelled speculations about some major changes in the government. The meeting, held on Saturday evening, was presided over by BJP's national vice president and former Chhattisgarh chief minister Raman Singh, who arrived here on Saturday afternoon. Singh was accompanied by state BJP in-charge Dushyant Kumar Gautam. The unscheduled meeting with the members of the core group came at a time when the budget session of the state assembly was underway in Gairsain. The BJP MLAs were called back from Gairsain to the state capital in view of the core committee meeting held amid ongoing speculations in the media about a cabinet expansion.

10:49 AM

75 Ayush medicines to be made available across Janaushadhi centres: Modi

PM Janaushadhi Pariyojana is being run across the country for poor and middle-income families. This yojana is a medium of 'seva and rozgar' as it also provides employment opportunities to the youth. As part of the scheme, sanitary pads for girls available at Rs 2.5. A decision has been taken to make available 75 Ayush medicines across Janaushadhi centres in the country

10:34 AM

Several borders closed for traffic movement

Ghazipur, Singhu, Singhu School toll, Mangesh, Harewali, Jharoda, Dhansa and Tikri Border are closed for traffic movement: Delhi Traffic PoliceGhazipur, Singhu, Singhu School toll, Mangesh, Harewali, Jharoda, Dhansa and Tikri Border are closed for traffic movement: Delhi Traffic Police

10:30 AM

Brigade Ground ready for PM Modi's rally, over 1,500 CCTVs, drones to ensure security

With Prime Minister Narendra Modi set to address his first rally at Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata, after the announcement of the West Bengal Assembly poll schedule, security has been tightened across the city. More than 1,500 CCTV cameras have been installed across the city for security purposes. Drone cameras will also be used to monitor the venue. The rally is expected to be attended by at least 7 lakh people, sources said. At the rally, the Prime Minister will seek support for the Bharatiya Janata Party candidates in the fray for the 294 member Legislative Assembly. Along with the main stage which is 72-feet long, two other stages have been set up, one for Tollywood actors and another for important personalities present at the rally. The two stages are 48-feet length, 24-feet width and 7-feet height.

10:14 AM

Congress leaders arrive at DMK headquarters for a meeting

10:12 AM

PM speaking at the ‘Janaushadhi Diwas’ celebrations

10:11 AM

Farmers agitation will continue till three agri laws are withdrawn: Rakesh Tikait

Farmer leader Rakesh Tikait has said their agitation will continue till the three contentious agriculture laws are withdrawn. He was speaking in Ramrajn town here to mark the completion of 100 days of farmers' protests at the Delhi borders against the central farm legislations. The farmers are demanding a complete withdrawal of the three farm laws and the agitation will continue till the government meets our demands, Tikiat said on Saturday. On the occasion, he flagged off a tractors' rally, which, he said, will travel across across districts of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand and will reach farmers' protest site in Ghazipur on March 27.

10:05 AM

Surat court acquits 122 accused of being SIMI members 20 years after arrest

A court in Gujarat's Surat on Saturday acquitted all the 127 accused arrested under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act for participating in a meeting organised here in December 2001. Most of the accused were in jail for over 20 years since their arrest over the allegations of being members of a banned organisation Students' Islamic Movement of India (SIMI), an advocate said. The court of Chief Judicial Magistrate AN Dave on Saturday acquitted 127 persons arrested on the charges of being members of the banned outfit SIMI, giving them the benefit of doubt. Speaking to ANI, Advocate Abdul Wahab Shaikh said the court acquitted the accused after accepting the defence arguments.

9:46 AM

Assam Assembly polls: Congress releases list of 40 candidates

The Congress on Saturday released its first list of 40 candidates for the upcoming three-phase election for the 126-member Assam Assembly. Polls to the 15th Legislative Assembly polls in the state will begin on March 27 as per the schedule announced by the Election Commission of India with counting slated to be held on May 2. Leader of Opposition Debabtata Saikia will contest from Nazira, his traditional bastion and former minister Rakibul Hussain will contest from Samuguri. Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Ripun Bora will contest for Gohpur seat and former minister Bismita Gogoi will fight from Khumtai seat.

9:24 AM

Second part of Parliament's Budget Session to commence from Monday

The second part of the Budget Session of Parliament will commence from Monday with all COVID-19 precautionary measures in place. The Budget Session of Parliament, which commenced with the address of President Ram Nath Kovind on January 29, concluded on February 29. The Union budget was tabled in the Parliament by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on February 1. The Rajya Sabha will function from 9 am to 2 pm while Lok Sabha will function between 4 pm to 10 pm. The second part of the session will conclude April 8, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla had informed. The Lok Sabha clocked 99.5 per cent productivity during the first phase of the two-part Budget session of Parliament, Lok Sabha Secretariat said. Birla informed that during the first part of the Budget Session 2021, Lok Sabha sat for 49 hours and 17 minutes against the stipulated time of 50 hours.

9:11 AM

Delhi Assembly set to meet with 2 changes in its proceedings

The annual Budget session of the Delhi government is set to commence on Monday with two key changes to be introduced for the very first time in its proceedings since 1993. First, the entire Assembly session will be held for the full day, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., instead of its traditional time from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. And second, the session will be held without any 'Question Hour'. While the Assembly sessions in many other states are full-day affairs from the morning to the evening, the Delhi Assembly since its inception in 1993 has been conducting the proceedings between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.

9:02 AM

US Defence Secy Austin likely to visit India later this month

United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin likely to visit India later this month, according to sources. His visit would be the first in-person visit by any member of President Joe Biden's administration to visit India. In January, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his counterpart Austin emphasised Washington's commitment to the Major Defense Partnership with New Delhi. The two leaders also held talks over the two countries' vision of an open and free Indo-Pacific region.

8:49 AM

PM Modi to address Kolkata rally today

8:39 AM

Ahead of Assembly polls, Amit Shah to visit Tamil Nadu, Kerala today

Ahead of the forthcoming Assembly polls Union Home Minister Amit Shah will visit Tamil Nadu and Kerala on Sunday. Shah will launch Vijay Sankalp Mahasampark Abhiyaan, a door-to-door campaign in Kanyakumari and attend the valedictory function of Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Kerala Vijay Yatra in Thiruvananthapuram. BJP is contesting Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu in alliance with ruling All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK).

8:23 AM

Pope Francis, top Iraq Shiite cleric deliver message of coexistence

Pope Francis walked through a narrow alley in Iraq's holy city of Najaf for a historic meeting with the country's top Shiite cleric, and together they delivered a powerful message of peaceful coexistence in a country still reeling from back-to-back conflicts over the past decade. In a gesture both simple and profound, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani welcomed Francis into his spartan home. Afterward, he said religious authorities have a role in protecting Iraq's Christians, and that Christians should live in peace and enjoy the same rights as other Iraqis. The Vatican said Francis thanked al-Sistani for having raised his voice in defence of the weakest and most persecuted during some of the most violent times in Iraq's recent history. Al-Sistani, 90, is one of the most senior clerics in Shiite Islam, and his rare but powerful political interventions have helped shape present-day Iraq. Read More