LIVE: ‘Rahul Baba in Assam as a tourist nowadays,’ Home Minister Amit Shah takes jibe at Rahul Gandhi in election rally

New Delhi: The sudden surge in COVID-19 cases in the country have put authorities in a difficult position. The rapidly increasing COVID-19 infections in Maharashtra has been the biggest worry for the government and concerned authorities. Amid the discussions over revised stricter guidelines in the worst-hit cities, the Aurangabad authorities in Maharashtra have cancelled the lockdown which was going to be imposed from March 31 till April 9.

Additionally, night curfew has been imposed in the four metro cities of Gujarat - Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Surat and Rajkot - will continue till April 15 in the wake of rising coronavirus cases there.

In other developments, BJP Chief JP Nadda, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Dilip Ghosh will address public rallies in the poll-bound state ahead of West Bengal Assembly elections 2021. 

The last date for linking PAN card with Aadhaar card is March 31, 2021 and failing to meet the deadline might result in attracting a late fee as well.

31 March 2021

14:36 IST

Union Home Minister & BJP leader Amit Shah added, "When we will provide drinking water to every household, then water will reach houses of Muslims also. Minorities will also get houses when we will provide it to everyone. Minorities, tribals & Bodos will also Rs 10,000 that Assam govt will provide to farmers."

When we will provide drinking water to every household, then water will reach houses of Muslims also. Minorities will also get houses when we will provide it to everyone. Minorities, tribals & Bodos will also Rs 10,000 that Assam govt will provide to farmers: HM Amit Shah (2/2) pic.twitter.com/6WNgo3SCwT

— ANI (@ANI) March 31, 2021

14:36 IST

Union Home Minister & BJP leader Amit Shah in Kamrup said, "Congress wants to make people fight in the name of Bodo-non Bodo, Assamese-Bengali, Hindu-Muslim, upper Assam-lower Assam & tribe-non tribe. Slogan of Narendra Modi Ji is -- 'Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas'."

13:59 IST

PM Narendra Modi speaks with former PM HD Deve Gowda and enquired about his and his wife’s health. 

Spoke to former PM HD Devegowda Ji and enquired about his and his wife’s health. Praying for their quick recovery says Prime Minister Narendra Modi pic.twitter.com/ExKwWfpsxT

— ANI (@ANI) March 31, 2021

13:45 IST

Supreme Court-appointed three-member committee, on the three new farm laws, submits its report to the SC in a sealed cover. The committee, in its report, said that around 85 farmer orgs have been consulted in the case, after meeting with them, &to find a solution in the issue.

13:44 IST

UP CM & BJP leader Yogi Adityanath in Coimbatore election rally said, "PM Narendra Modi and ex-Defence Min Nirmala Sitharaman established a defence corridor in Coimbatore as a result of which Tamil Nadu's Wing Commander Abhinandan combated Pakistan when India did surgical strike on it to protect its border."

13:43 IST

"I saw TMC workers celebrating Saraswati puja very enthusiastically this year. Where were you in last 4 yrs? Now, Mamata Ji is performing 'Chandi paath'. Why didn't you do it earlier? She is doing it now because people have decided that her departure is certain," said BJP chief JP Nadda in West Bengal rally.

13:40 IST

Rahul Gandhi while addressing election rally in Kamrup said, "I've not come here to lie to you. My name isn't Narendra Modi. If you want to listen to lies - about Assam, farmers, about anything - then switch on your TV, look at Narendra Modi's face & listen to him as much as you want. He lies to India all 24 hours."

I've not come here to lie to you. My name isn't Narendra Modi. If you want to listen to lies - about Assam, farmers, about anything - then switch on your TV, look at Narendra Modi's face & listen to him as much as you want. He lies to India all 24 hours: Rahul Gandhi in Kamrup pic.twitter.com/PCNxIRlDox

— ANI (@ANI) March 31, 2021

13:31 IST

"Curfew was imposed in Bengal when PM Modi was laying the foundation stone of Ram temple in Ayodhya. Should we let it continue? Should a grand temple of Lord Ram be made in Ayodhya or not? We should give a befitting reply to TMC in polls," said BJP chief JP Nadda at a rally in Hooghly.

Curfew was imposed in Bengal when PM Modi was laying the foundation stone of Ram temple in Ayodhya. Should we let it continue? Should a grand temple of Lord Ram be made in Ayodhya or not? We should give a befitting reply to TMC in polls: BJP chief JP Nadda at a rally in Hooghly pic.twitter.com/JL6yFQ8fkI

— ANI (@ANI) March 31, 2021

13:27 IST

BJP chief JP Nadda addresses election rally in Hooghly: "West Bengal is number one in terms of kidnapping of women, attempt to murder & unsolved missing cases. Two tribal girls were raped in Jalpaiguri but no action was taken. What have the people raising slogan of 'Ma, Mati, Manush' done for women?" questions Nadda.

13:24 IST

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh campaigns for BJP in Udagamandalam-Ooty, ahead of Tamil Nadu assembly elections.

Defence Minister and BJP leader Rajnath Singh campaigns in Udagamandalam-Ooty, ahead of Tamil Nadu assembly elections on April 6 pic.twitter.com/MwKs4CHlNU

— ANI (@ANI) March 31, 2021

13:23 IST

Total 800 companies of security forces will be deployed for the second phase of West Bengal Assembly Elections 2021, scheduled to be held on 1st April.

13:22 IST

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi addresses rally in Kamrup in Assam, says, "Dipanjal Das was a youth of Assam. BJP govt didn't do what it was supposed to. They didn't provide him employment & when he stood for Assam peacefully,he was shot dead by BJP-RSS. We give you 5 guarantees, the 1st being that we won't let CAA get implemented in Assam."

13:21 IST

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi addresses rally in Kamrup in Assam, ahead of upcoming state assembly elections. "When I'd come to meet family of Dipanjal Das (killed in Guwahati during anti-CAA protests in 2019) I felt that bullets weren't fired at one youth, it was fired at Assam. It was attempted to murder Assam. He wasn't just a youth, he was an idea. He was Assam," he said.

13:20 IST

Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Assam rally said, "I have come here to promise you that Govt of India will implement every single promise made in Bodo agreement before 2022 for a peaceful Assam."

13:11 IST

Union Home Minister Amit Shah addresses election rally in Assam. 

I have come here to promise you that Govt of India will implement every single promise made in Bolo agreement before 2022 for a peaceful Assam: Union Home Minister and BJP leader Amit Shah in Chirang pic.twitter.com/73Qt7bXVL1

— ANI (@ANI) March 31, 2021

13:10 IST

Rahul Baba is in Assam as a tourist nowadays. He says Badruddin Ajmal is Assam's identity. You tell me if Ajmal is Assam's identity or Bhupen Hazarika, Upendra Nath & Shankar Dev. Black Mountain Badruddin Ajmal can't be Assam's identity: Union HM & BJP leader Amit Shah in Chirang in Assam

13:07 IST

Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra to campaign in Tamil Nadu on 3rd April. She will visit Sriperumbudur where her father and former PM Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated. She will campaign in Kanyakumari district. (ANI)

13:06 IST

Maharashtra: NCB takes actor Ajaz Khan for a medical check-up before producing him before a court in Mumbai for remand. "Only 4 sleeping pills were found at my home. My wife has suffered a miscarriage & is using these pills as antidepressants," he says.

"Ajaz Khan is arrested for his connection with Batata Gang. The 4.5 grams of Alprozol tablets were recovered by chance during his house search but he is mainly arrested for his association with Batata Gang," said Narcotics Contro Bureau (NCB) officials. 

13:05 IST

"A minor fire incident occurred in Medicine ward 11(HDU) today morning probably due to high voltage fluctuations & a short circuit. All patients admitted in HDU & ward were evacuated. There was no loss of life. The fire was controlled immediately," announced VMMC & Safdarjung Hospital, Delhi

12:48 IST

Ishrat Jahan encounter case: CBI court discharges last three accused police officials including Tarun Barot and GS Singhal. (ANI input)

12:46 IST

Former PM H.D Deve Gowda and his wife tested COVID positive informs Health Minister Sudhakar. "My wife Chennamma and I have tested positive for COVID-19. We are self-isolating along with other family members. I request all those who came in contact with us over the last few days to get themselves tested. I request party workers and well-wishers not to panic," said former PM H.D Deve Gowda. 

12:11 IST

Eight states -- Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Punjab & Madhya Pradesh report a surge in COVID daily new cases. 84.73% of the new cases are reported from these 8 states, revealed Union Health Ministry.

12:07 IST

Kerala BJP chief K Surendran speaks on love jihad, says, "Not just BJP and Hindus, the Christian community also feels that love jihad is a serious issue in Kerala. Many incidents have taken place but no enquiry took place. ISIS is targeting Hindu-Christian girls especially students. Why are they sending couples to Syria if there is no love jihad? In our manifesto, we have categorically clarified that we shall move for legislation if voted to power."

12:05 IST

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra addresses public meeting in Chalakudy in Kerala. "Politics in Kerala has become violent, driven by tension due to policies of LDF. We propose to set up a peace& harmony dept to ensure that this kind of tension, political murders don't continue to happen, & politics of anger & hate is challenged," she said.

Politics in Kerala has become violent, driven by tension due to policies of LDF. We propose to set up a peace& harmony dept to ensure that this kind of tension, political murders don't continue to happen, & politics of anger & hate is challenged: Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Chalakudy pic.twitter.com/CwbHOyZnvn

— ANI (@ANI) March 31, 2021

12:04 IST

"A radio taxi driver attempted suicide by setting himself on fire at Kempegowda International Airport yesterday. He died at the Victoria Hospital last night. Taxi services at Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru are impacted. Passengers are requested to use the BMTC bus service for travel to and from the airport or make their own travel arrangements," announced Kempegowda International Airport authority.

12:03 IST

"In view of increasing covid cases in the national capital, random COVID19 testing of arriving passengers to start from today at the airport. Passengers who are found positive to be mandatorily quarantined," announces Delhi Airport.

12:02 IST

Assam: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi offers prayers at Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati.

Congress has given 5 guarantees to voters of Assam. We aren't BJP, we fulfil our promises. Tea garden workers must remember our guarantee of Rs 365 per day minimum wage: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi after visiting Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati pic.twitter.com/seoCIIyFMW

— ANI (@ANI) March 31, 2021

12:02 IST

Two French Navy ships, Tonnerre & Surcouf, made a port call in Kochi from March 30 to April 1. They will sail to Bay of Bengal for France-led joint naval exercise, La Pérouse, which will bring together navies from India, Australia, Japan & US from 5th-7th April: French Embassy

11:05 IST

Delhi Health Minister, Satyendra Jain on Wednesday said, "From today, we're going to increase testing to over 80,000 tests daily. Yesterday, govt issued an order for increasing 220 beds in ICU wards in private hospitals for COVID patients. There is just 25% occupancy in private & govt hospitals in Delhi."

11:04 IST

India registered 53,480 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, as per the data of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) released on Wednesday (March 31, 2021) morning. The sudden unprecedented surge in coronavirus infections has now taken the country's active count to 5.52 lakh.

India reports 53,480 new #COVID19 cases, 41,280 discharges, and 354 deaths in the last 24 hours, as per the Union Health Ministry

Total cases: 1,21,49,335
Total recoveries: 1,14,34,301
Active cases: 5,52,566
Death toll: 1,62,468

Total vaccination: 6,30,54,353 pic.twitter.com/XfWELl3Gel

— ANI (@ANI) March 31, 2021