BJP has policy, leadership, good intentions, Congress has none, says PM Modi in Assam

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed public rallies in West Bengal’s Bhangra (Purulia) and Assam’s Karimganj on Thursday (March 18). The prime minister held the public rallies as a part of BJP’s campaign in the two poll-bound states.

PM Narendra Modi speaking at Purulia public rally in West Bengal. (Credits:ANI)

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed public rallies in West Bengal’s Bhangra (Purulia) and Assam’s Karimganj on Thursday (March 18).

Additionally, a total of 70 districts in 16 states have registered more than 150 per cent increase in active COVID-19 cases from March 1-15 as per Union Health Ministry data. The rapidly rising COVID-19 cases in the country is a matter of concern for the country and PM Narendra Modi also held a virtual meeting with Chief Ministers of the states on Wednesday (March 17) to discuss the way forward. 

Over 35,871 new COVID-19 cases and 17,741 recoveries were reported in India in the last 24 hours, the Union Health Ministry informed on Thursday (March 18). The death toll stands at 1,59,216 including 172 fatalities recorded in the last 24 hours. Over 3,71,43,255 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered so far in the country.

In other developments, West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC chief Mamata Banerjee held three rallies in the state. 

Mamata Banerjee, despite her injury, is campaigning for the state assembly elections. 

18 March 2021

22:41 IST

BJP workers vandalised party office at DBC road Jalpaiguri and tore posters after Sujit Singha was announced as party candidate from the Jalpaiguri Sadar Assembly constituency.

21:49 IST

In the wake of rising COVID-19 cases, movement of inter-state buses between Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh will temporarily be suspended from March 20 till March 31: State Transport Authority, Madhya Pradesh, as per ANI report. 

20:29 IST

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulates Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte on a fourth consecutive election victory.

19:51 IST

Night curfew to remain in force from 9 pm to 6 am in Ahmedabad from March 19. Malls and cinema halls will remain closed on Saturday and Sunday.

19:50 IST

Assam Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) expels 15 party members from primary membership for 6 years over "anti-party activities".

19:49 IST

The Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2021 was passed in Rajya Sabha.

17:20 IST

BJP releases the list of candidates for the fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth phases of  West Bengal Assembly Elections 2021

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) releases a list of candidates for the fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth phases of #WestBengalElections2021 pic.twitter.com/yzlo3otLfz

— ANI (@ANI) March 18, 2021

17:00 IST

On one side, BJP has a policy, leadership and good intentions. While on the other side, Congress neither has a leader nor policy or ideology: PM

16:59 IST

Congress governments and their policies damaged Assam socially, culturally, geographically and politically. In 2016, when I came here, I was shocked to know that Congress governments ran Divisional Commissioner for Barak Valley from Guwahati. NDA govt has overcome this injustice: PM Modi

16:58 IST

Decades ago, this entire region was one that had better connectivity. However, Congress' corruption and vote-bank-based governance made Assam one of the most disconnected states in India: PM Modi

16:48 IST

Actor Arun Govil, best known for playing Lord Ram in the Ramayan TV series, joins BJP in Delhi.

Actor Arun Govil, best known for playing lord Ram in Ramayan TV series, joins Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Delhi. pic.twitter.com/ddEfyQGFS2

— ANI (@ANI) March 18, 2021

16:31 IST

Rail connectivity was very poor in Barak Valley, and people have continuously demanded for it. The quality of roads, too, was poor. People had to travel long distances to reach different parts of Assam: PM Narendra Modi in Karimganj, Assam

14:48 IST

Tamil Nadu: AIADMK MLA from Sendamangalam, Chandra Sekaran expelled from the party for "anti party activities". He has filed his nomination as an independent candidate because he was not given AIADMK ticket to contest in the assembly election.

14:46 IST

Kerala: Actor-turned-politician Suresh Gopi files his nomination as BJP candidate from Thrissur.

Kerala: Actor-turned-politician Suresh Gopi files his nomination as BJP candidate from Thrissur.#WestBengalElections2021 pic.twitter.com/UycNFHQWfC

— ANI (@ANI) March 18, 2021

14:31 IST

The Haryana Recovery of Damages to Property during Disturbance to Public Order Bill, 2021 passed in the Assembly.

The Haryana Recovery of Damages to Property during Disturbance to Public Order Bill, 2021 passed in the Assembly.

— ANI (@ANI) March 18, 2021

12:46 IST

TMC is 'Transfer My Commission, we believe in DBT, 'Direct Benefit Transfer' says PM Modi.

12:45 IST

BJP will build Sonar Bangla to achieve the dream of Gurudev and Netaji: Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

12:43 IST

I would also request local administration and police department to follow constitution in dealing with people's problems. We will put an end to Mafia raj after May 2, when the BJP govt will come to power in the state: PM Modi

12:42 IST

Bengal made up its mind long back. It's been saying 'Lok Sabha mein TMC half aur iss baar poori saaf'. Seeing this determination, didi is taking out her frustration on me. But for us, she's a daughter like crores of daughters of India. Respect for them is part of our culture: PM Modi at Purulia.

12:41 IST

Family member of those youths who sacrificed their lives for BJP, have come today to give their Ashirvaad: PM Modi

12:39 IST

"Didi, you have played with the lives of the people of Bengal. Even today you talk of Khela (play)... Didi says Khela hobe (We'll play), but BJP says development hobe (development will happen), Didi says Khela hobe, BJP says Vikas hobe; Didi says khela hobe, BJP says women's empowerment hobe.Didi says Khela hobe, BJP says Drinking water in all homes hobe; Didi says khela hobe, BJP says railway and roads hobe; Didi says khela hobe, BJP says Shiksha (education) hobe. Didi says khela hobe, BJP says 'homes-for-all' hobe. Didi... your days of playing with the lives of people in Bengal are over. You have played with the lives of people for 10 years": Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

12:37 IST

We believe in DBT-direct benefit transfer but TMC believes in transfer my commission (TMC): PM Modi

12:35 IST

Schools will be opened under Eklavya school to provide education to tribal kids, promised Prime Minister at Purulia rally in West Bengal.

12:34 IST

More than 36 lakh gas connections were given to tribal and OBC, and ST people under Ayushman Yojna: PM Modi

12:32 IST

During Amphan cyclone when people of the state were looking at the ruling-party TMC, PM Modi alleged rampant corruption was done in the name of helping people. 

12:29 IST

#WATCH: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in Purulia, says, "Didi bole khela hobe, BJP bole chaakri hobe. Didi bole khela hobe, BJP bole vikas hobe. Didi bole khela hobe, BJP bole shiksha hobe....Khela shesh hobe, vikas aarambh hobe."#WestBengalElections2021 pic.twitter.com/9a4e7fBTr8

— ANI (@ANI) March 18, 2021

12:28 IST

PM Narendra Modi also blamed the TMC government of encouraging illegal migration just for appeasement in the state.

12:22 IST

Mamata Banerjee's heartless government has led to the creation of a section of Maoists who have plundered the lands and wealth of the poor people of the state, says PM Modi.

12:21 IST

PM and BJP leader Narendra Modi also took jibe at TMC's 'Khela Hobe' slogan and said the BJP rather wants development, education, health facilities and schools in West Bengal.

12:19 IST

These people have given Purulia a life riddled with water crisis. They have given Purulia, migration. They have given the poor of Purulia, discriminatory governance. They have given Purulia an identity of being one of the most backward areas of the country: PM Narendra Modi

These people have given Purulia a life riddled with water crisis. They have given Purulia, migration. They have given the poor of Purulia, discriminatory governance. They have given Purulia an identity of being one of the most backward areas of the country: PM Narendra Modi

— ANI (@ANI) March 18, 2021

12:18 IST

TMC govt has created a new cadre of Mafia who are exploiting innocent people here and Mamata govt is also encouraging Ultra left forces for violence: PM Modi 

12:18 IST

Rights of Youth here were snatched away to benefit others, OBC, Dalit and tribal youths were deprived of their rights: PM Modi.   

12:16 IST

PM Narendra Modi promised the public at Purulia that when the BJP will come to power after May 2, the agricultur-based schemes will be developme to stop migration. People of Bengal have vowed not to tolerate atrocities anymore, he added. 

12:14 IST

PM Modi said the Centre has already sanctioned Rs 50,000 cr for the development of West Bengal. He promised that Purulia will be connected with Eastern corridor and employment opportunities will be created for people here. 

12:12 IST

These govts have given backwardness and migration to the people of Purulia. Today I want to tell ythe people of Purulia that these problems wd be solved on priority, said PM Modi.

12:11 IST

Women here have to cover a long distance for potable water. First Left government and then TMC failed to give attention to this problem. BJP government will solve this problem at priority, said PM Modi.

11:46 IST

BJP leader Khushbu Sundar files nomination from Thousand Lights assembly constituency on Thursday (March 18).

Chennai: BJP leader Khushbu Sundar files nomination from Thousand Lights assembly constituency pic.twitter.com/2WawWC4L3t

— ANI (@ANI) March 18, 2021

11:03 IST

Over 30 students and a teacher from an ashram school have tested positive for COVID-19 in Maharashtra’s Palghar district. The authorities have declared the school a containment zone and a notice has been displayed accordingly at the entrance of the facility.

10:32 IST

Mamata Banerjee, despite her injury, is campaigning for the state assembly elections. TMC chief will be conducting three rallies today. Mamata Banerjee will address a rally in Garbeta at 1 pm. She will be in Keshiary for a rally at 2 pm and a 3 pm rally will be taking place in Kalaikunda.

10:32 IST

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address public rallies in West Bengal’s Bhangra (Purulia) and Assam’s Karimganj on Thursday (March 18). The prime minister is going to hold the public rallies as a part of BJP’s campaign in the two poll-bound states. The rallies are scheduled to be held at 11am and 3pm respectively. 

Glad to be getting the opportunity to be among my sisters and brothers of West Bengal tomorrow, 18th March. I would be addressing a rally in Purulia. Across West Bengal, there is a desire for change. BJP’s agenda of good governance is striking a chord among the people.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 17, 2021

10:30 IST

The rapidly rising COVID-19 cases in the country is a matter of concern. Over 35,871 new COVID-19 cases and 17,741 recoveries were reported in India in the last 24 hours, the Union Health Ministry informed on Thursday (March 18). The death toll stands at 1,59,216 including 172 fatalities recorded in the last 24 hours. Over 3,71,43,255 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered so far in the country.

India reports 35,871 new COVID19 cases, 17,741 recoveries and 172 deaths in the last 24 hours, as per the Union Health Ministry

Total cases: 1,14,74,605
Total recoveries: 1,10,63,025
Active cases: 2,52,364
Death toll: 1,59,216

Total vaccination: 3,71,43,255 pic.twitter.com/Qd3ye2ZFH1

— ANI (@ANI) March 18, 2021