Ex-Uttarakhand CM Harish Rawat taken to Delhi AIIMS after testing COVID-19 positive

ANI photo

New Delhi: West Bengal is witnessing intense political fight between BJP, TMC and other parties ahead of the first phase of assembly elections, in which 30 constituencies will go for polling. March 25, Thursday, marks the last day of campaigning for the first phase of voting and all the political parties are gearing up for putting in the final effort ahead of the voting.

The star campaigners for Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) include Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, veteran actor Mithun Chakraborty and UP CM Yogi Adityanath. Whereas, on the other hand, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is holding her ground tight for TMC, along with her nephew Abhishek Banerjee.

Meanwhile, India on Thursday (25 March) reported 53,476 new coronavirus cases, taking the tally in the country to 1,17,87,534. The death toll increased by 251 to 1,60,692, according to the Health Ministry data. This is the biggest one-day rise in cases since 23 October and the highest in 2021.

Many state governments and Union Territories have declared a band on the public celebration of the Holi festival. The Centre has issued a circular under section 22 of the Disaster Management Act that advises all the states and union territories to impose restrictions prior to the festival season. 

In other developments, Parliament session on Thursday will be embracing for impact form the decision on GNCTD bill, which was passed a day before amid the ruckus by the opposition.

26 March 2021

00:10 IST

In a notification, Haryana Health Department asks all deputy commissioners & all district heads of police to ensure that celebrations don't take place at public places on Holi. (ANI)

21:44 IST

In a nationwide special drive, CBI today conducted searches at over 100 places in 11 states/UTs in connection with more than 30 cases of bank fraud amounting to over Rs 3,700 crores. (ANI)

21:43 IST

Fire breaks out at Bihar's Patna Police Line due to cylinder explosion; several fire tenders have reached the spot.

21:06 IST

In view of Bharat Bandh, all schools shall remain closed, universities and colleges of Odisha Higher Education Department will remain closed on March 26. (ANI)

18:57 IST

Suspended Mumbai Police officer Sachin Waze sent to further NIA custody till April 3. He was presented before Special NIA Court in Mumbai today. Read more here

18:55 IST

Former Uttarakhand CM Harish Rawat and four members of his family had tested positive for COVID-19.

18:55 IST

NIA conducted searches at premises of Biyon SK & Mohammudin SK in Murshidabad, West Bengal & at premises of accused Shahidul Islam in West Singhbhum, Jharkhand in connection with probe in Nimtita Railway Station bomb blast in which WB Minister Jakir Hossain was injured: (ANI)

18:48 IST

Former Uttarakhand CM and Congress leader Harish Rawat taken to AIIMS, Delhi from Dehradun, yesterday, Rawat said he was diagnosed with COVID-19. (ANI)

17:07 IST

NIA custody of suspended police officer Sachin Waze extended till April 3 (PTI)

14:22 IST

Jhargram is a land of tribals, forests & red soil. With Ma Mati Manush, Didi formed govt but didn't do anything for you. There's no drinking water. Leave Didi, vote for Modi Ji's lotus, in 5 years we will bring drinking water: Union Home Minister & BJP leader Amit Shah in Jhargram, West Bengal

14:21 IST

This is a picture in which the Chief Minister (Edappadi K Palaniswami) is seen touching Sasikala's feet. But as he became Chief Minister, he pushed her away. That's why we say he is venomous: DMK's Udhayanidhi Stalin in Ottapidaram while showing a picture#TamilNaduElections pic.twitter.com/YUxNbytEIR

— ANI (@ANI) March 25, 2021

14:04 IST

"I went to Madurai to visit AIIMS hospital site & believe me, I could lift AIIMS hospital in my hands. See, here is the hospital Modi has given us. And you know how much money has been spent on it till now? Rs 75,000 cr," says DMK's Udhayanidhi Stalin in Ottapidaram.

I went to Madurai to visit AIIMS hospital site & believe me, I could lift AIIMS hospital in my hands. See, here is the hospital Modi has given us. And you know how much money has been spent on it till now? Rs 75,000 cr: DMK's Udhayanidhi Stalin in Ottapidaram, as he shows a brick pic.twitter.com/xpTbGMaMwg

— ANI (@ANI) March 25, 2021

13:56 IST

Former Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh files petition in Bombay High Court Singh. In his petition ex-top cop challenges his transfer and sought CBI inquiry against Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh. 

13:52 IST

"We've decided to reserve 33% jobs for women in public sector. We will also build an Eklavya model school in every block. Public transport will be free for all women in the state of West Bengal," promises Union Home Minister. 

13:51 IST

PM Narendra Modi wants elections to take place for your betterment and development. Mamata didi wants elections to make her nephew the next CM. What do you want for yourself?: Union Home minister Amit Shah

13:50 IST

"Mamta didi's goons will not bother you in this election. Vote without fear. There is no need to be afraid of Didi's goons. The Election Commission has set up paramilitary forces in every polling station," says Amit Shah in West Bengal rally.

13:48 IST

"Earlier West Bengal's per capita income was more than entire country’s per capita income. Now, the Congress, CPIM, TMC have destroyed industries & made the youth jobless," alleges UP CM Yogi Adityanath in West Bengal rally. 

Earlier Bengal's per capita income was more than entire country’s per capita income. Now, the Congress, CPIM, TMC have destroyed industries & made the youth jobless. Today there are no industries in Bengal, only TMC's industry of corruption is prevailing: UP CM Yogi Adityanath pic.twitter.com/gx4pQJcUMM

— ANI (@ANI) March 25, 2021

13:48 IST

Rajya Sabha adjourns sine die at the end of the Budget session of Parliament.

Rajya Sabha adjourns sine die at the end of the Budget session of Parliament pic.twitter.com/2twoysGbSc

— ANI (@ANI) March 25, 2021

13:42 IST

Supreme Court asks Punjab & Haryana &Bhakra-Beas Management Board to maintain status quo on the supply of water to Delhi till tomorrow after Delhi Jal Board moved SC claiming water supply would be reduced in the national capital by 25% because of closing of canal gates for repair.

13:30 IST

Do you get drinking water in Purulia? Mamata didi gives fluoridated water to you. Once you oust Didi from here, the BJP govt will spend Rs 10,000 crores to bring fresh drinking water for you, says Union Home Minister & BJP leader Amit Shah, in Baghmundi rally.

13:30 IST

An accused was brought to GTB Hospital for treatment today. Outside hospital premises, 5 persons fired at a police party in attempt to release the accused from custody. 1 assailant died, 1 assailant injured & caught, remaining accused ran away : Joint CP Eastern range

13:29 IST

Firstly, the Left did not let industries establish here, then Didi also drove industries away. Be it TMC or Left, they cannot provide employment. If you want employment, then you must vote for NDA govt: Union Home Minister and BJP leader Amit Shah, in Baghmundi

Firstly, the Left did not let industries establish here, then Didi also drove industries away. Be it TMC or Left, they cannot provide employment. If you want employment, then you must vote for NDA govt: Union Home Minister and BJP leader Amit Shah, in Baghmundi#WestBengalPolls pic.twitter.com/7G2vEIwD2v

— ANI (@ANI) March 25, 2021

13:22 IST

Modi ji wants elections to be for your welfare. Didi wants elections as a means to make her nephew the next Chief Minister. Do you want the nephew as your CM or development in Bengal?, says Union Home Minister and BJP leader Amit Shah, in Baghmundi.

13:19 IST

I am absolutely sure that BJP will win more than 200 seats in West Bengal Elections 2021. Bengal government should understand that in a democracy, the government runs through Constitution and not arrogance: Defence Minister and BJP leader Rajnath Singh.

I am absolutely sure that BJP will win more than 200 seats in #WestBengalElections2021. Bengal government should understand that in a democracy, the government runs through Constitution and not arrogance: Defence Minister and BJP leader Rajnath Singh pic.twitter.com/9GPdEHX3ro

— ANI (@ANI) March 25, 2021

13:01 IST

Mehbooba Mufti appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in Jammu and Kashmir for questioning in connection to the money laundering case. The Kashmir's political leader appeared at ED's office located in Rajbagh area of Kashmir capital Srinagar at around 11:00 AM.

12:59 IST

The Lok Sabha adjourned sine die ahead of the assembly polls in four states and one union territory. The month-long second part of the Budget Session, which started on March 8, was scheduled to conclude on April 8.

12:46 IST

CM Uddhav Thackeray had asked for time from the Governor to meet him today but the Governor is out of station. From day one, the Opposition wanted our Government to fall but we are in full majority, says Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar. 

12:46 IST

“Mamata didi is scared of saffron robe,” says UP CM Yogi Adithyanath while addressing rally in Sagar, West Bengal.

12:37 IST

Maharashtra, which is the worst affected state in terms of coronavirus cases, has emerged as the first state in the country to administer over 5 million Covid vaccine doses.

12:35 IST

Deepak Kochhar, husband of former MD & CEO of ICICI Bank Chanda Kochhar, gets bail from Bombay High Court in ICICI bank-Videocon loan case.

12:18 IST

Mumbai Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) is conducting raids on the alleged hideouts of Dawood Ibrahim aide Chinku Pathan in Dongri and Nagpada areas. Raids are being conducted at places of a person who is considered close to Pathan. Drugs in small amount have been recovered during the search.

12:16 IST

Follow COVID-19 preventive measures amid a spike in cases. As per the order issued, those who don't wear masks or maintain social distance will have to pay a fine of Rs 250 if caught in a Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) or Municipal Corporation area: Karnataka government tightens rules

12:15 IST

Supreme Court allows pleas of women SSC officers seeking grant of permanent commission in Army, holds ACR evaluation process flawed.

12:14 IST

"Communists in Kerala have offended the faith of devotees of Lord Ayyappa in Sabarimala temple. They seem to be on a mission to destroy our culture & tradition but BJP is of firm belief that State should not intervene in the matters related to the temples," says Amit Shah.

12:14 IST

Maharashtra, Punjab, Kerala, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh and Gujarat, are reporting a surge in daily new cases. They together account for 80.63% of the new cases reported in the last 24 hours: Government of India

12:13 IST

Kerala | UDF will file a complaint with the Election Commission today on the issue of duplication in the voter's list. The people of Kerala wish for a change in Government: Veena S Nair, UDF candidate from Vattiyoorkavu constituency, Thiruvananthapuram pic.twitter.com/NPJNsYiAtP

— ANI (@ANI) March 25, 2021

11:29 IST

Union Home Minister Amit Shah to hold public rallies in West Bengal today.

Schedule of Union Home Minister Shri @AmitShah’s public rallies in West Bengal today.

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— BJP (@BJP4India) March 25, 2021

11:26 IST

"NCP chief Sharad Pawar to campaign in West Bengal in support of Mamata Banerjee. He'll be on a three-day visit to the State from Apr 1, to hold various rallies, press conferences and meet Mamata Banerjee & TMC workers at Trinamool Bhavan," said Mahesh Tapase, Maharashtra NCP Chief spox.

11:23 IST

Maharashtra is at top of the country in the no. of COVID19 vaccine doses administered. We are also the first State to cross the 5 million doses benchmark: Dr Pradeep Vyas , Principal Secretary, Health.

11:21 IST

Till now 2,03,000 people fined for not wearing masks, Rs 4.06 crores collected in fine in Maharashtra, revealed PRO, Mumbai Police.

11:19 IST

India reported 53,476 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday (25 March), taking the tally in the country to 1,17,87,534. The death toll increased by 251 to 1,60,692, according to the Health Ministry data. This is the biggest one-day rise in cases since 23 October and the highest in 2021.

India reports 53,476 new #COVID19 cases, 26,490 recoveries, and 251 deaths in the last 24 hours, as per the Union Health Ministry

Total cases: 1,17,87,534
Total recoveries: 1,12,31,650
Active cases: 3,95,192
Death toll: 1,60,692

Total vaccination: 5,31,45,709 pic.twitter.com/MHqvScsPDS

— ANI (@ANI) March 25, 2021