Puducherry election unique as sitting Chief Minister not given ticket: PM Modi

Union Home Minister Amit Shah is held a roadshow in West Bengal's Nandigram to campaign for the saffron party ahead of the phase 2 polls on April 1.

Credit: Twitter / BJP

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday (March 30, 2021) visited the poll-bound states Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry to campaign for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Prime Minister Modi first addressed the public rally in Kerala's Palakkad, following which, he held a public meeting in Tamil Nadu's Dharapuram and in Puducherry.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah also held a roadshow in West Bengal's Nandigram to campaign for the saffron party ahead of the phase 2 polls on April 1. 

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who is contesting from the Nandigram seat against BJP's candidate Suvendu Adhikari, also held a 'Padayatra' for the second straight day.

Meanwhile, the Union Health Ministry announced that India recorded 56,211 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours. The country also saw 37,028 recoveries along with 271 deaths.

India's total coronavirus caseload has now increased to 1,20,95,855, of which, 5,40,720 are active cases.

30 March 2021

21:26 IST

Tamil Nadu Chief Electoral officer Satyabrata Sahoo has sent a report to EC regarding the remarks made by DMK leader A Raja against Tamil Nadu CM Edappadi Palaniswami.

18:33 IST

Pakistan PM Imran Khan writes to PM Narendra Modi in reply to the latter's greetings on Pakistan Day. He wrote that peace and stability in South Asia is contingent upon resolving all outstanding issues between India and Pakistan.

18:22 IST

Former cricketer and BJP candidate from Moyna, Ashok Dinda was attacked by unidentified people in Moyna.

18:17 IST

When I think of Puducherry I think about Bharathiyar. I think about Sri Aurobindo. I think about Sithanda Swamy and Thollaikkathu Siddhar. I bow in reverence to the Manakula Vinayagar Swamy Temple and the Sreemath Guru Sithanandha Swamigal Devasthanam: PM Modi

18:16 IST

I have seen many elections. But, the Puducherry election 2021 is unique. Do you know why? Because the sitting Chief Minister has not been given a ticket: PM Modi

16:55 IST

We spoke to representatives of these states. We told them why are they not increasing testing when cases are increasing. It's essential to increase testing with focus on RT-PCR tests. Rapid Antigen tests be used for screening tests in densely populated areas: Union Health Secretary

16:54 IST

The weekly national average positivity rate is 5.65%. Maharashtra has a weekly average of 23%, Punjab has a weekly average of 8.82%, Chhattisgarh 8%, Madhya Pradesh 7.82%, Tamil Nadu 2.50%, Karnataka 2.45%, Gujarat 2.2% & Delhi 2.04%: Health Secretary

16:53 IST

807 UK variants, 47 South African variants and 1 Brazilian variant have been found in India: Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan

16:10 IST

Delhi reports 992 new COVID-19 cases, 1,591 recoveries and 4 deaths in the last 24 hours.

15:27 IST

Fire that had broken out on the 6th floor of the ISBT building in Delhi, is now under control.

15:26 IST

Union Home Minister Amit Shah holds a roadshow in Debra ahead of the second phase of West Bengal Assembly Elections.

14:26 IST

PM Modi in Tamil Nadu's Dharapuram lashes out at the DMK-Congress alliance saying that they are against women.

He also makes a mention of comments made against CM's mother by DMK MP and former Union Minister A Raja.

Speaking at a rally in Dharapuram, Tamil Nadu. https://t.co/hFpzBS0ElS

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 30, 2021

14:02 IST

"Looking at the enthusiasm among the people of Nandigram, it is clear that Bharatiya Janata Party's candidate Suvendu Adhikari is going to win from here. The easiest way to bring 'parivartan' is to make sure Mamata Didi loses from Nandigram," said Home Minister and BJP leader Amit Shah in Nandigram road show. 

13:56 IST

BJP President JP Nadda addresses a public meeting in Dharmapur in Assam. "We want to make Assam free from floods. Satellite mapping will be done, reservoirs will be created. We want to make every village in the State aatmanirbhar.," said JP Nadda. 

13:53 IST

West Bengal CM and TMC leader Mamata Banerjee, while leading a roadshow in Nandigram, said, "during election cast your votes peacefully. Keep in mind, 'cool cool Trinamool, thanda thanda cool cool, vote pabe joda phool'. Keep your mind cool for 48 hours."

13:49 IST

"If the peace process is to be successful, then it is necessary to ensure that the negotiating parties continue to engage in good faith, with a serious commitment towards reaching a political solution," said EAM S Jaishankar at 9th Heart of Asia Ministerial Conference.

13:48 IST

EAM S Jaishankar attends 9th 'Heart of Asia' Ministerial Conference in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. "For a durable peace in Afghanistan, what we need is a genuine ‘double peace’, that is,peace within Afghanistan&peace around Afghanistan. It requires harmonizing interests of all,both within&around that country," said S Jaishankar.

13:08 IST

Union Home Minister Amit Shah holds a roadshow in Nandigram with BJP leader Suvendu Adhikar.

#WATCH | Union Home Minister & BJP leader Amit Shah holds a roadshow in Nandigram, the Assembly constituency where BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari is contesting against CM & TMC chief Mamata Banerjee.#WestBengalPolls pic.twitter.com/3itmPwCaEK

— ANI (@ANI) March 30, 2021

12:52 IST

Bharatiya Janata Party's Mithun Chakraborty campaigns for actor Hiran Chatterjee, who is the party's candidate from the Kharagpur Sadar assembly seat.

Kharagpur: Bharatiya Janata Party's Mithun Chakraborty campaigns for actor Hiran Chatterjee, the party's candidate from the Kharagpur Sadar assembly seat#WestBengalElections2021 pic.twitter.com/AED7IaHDyC

— ANI (@ANI) March 30, 2021

12:51 IST

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said, "I could have contested from any other constituency but I have chosen Nandigram to pay my respect to the mothers & sisters of this place. To salute the Nandigram movement, I chose Nandigram over Singur."

12:50 IST

West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC leader Mamata Banerjee leads a 'padyatra' in Bhagabeda of Nandigram. 

TMC supremo said, "Remember, if I have entered Nandigram once, I will not leave. Nandigram is my place, I will stay here."

12:47 IST

Union Home Minister Amit Shah holds roadshow in Nandigram, ahead of West Bengal Assembly elections's second phase.

West Bengal: Union Home Minister & BJP leader Amit Shah holds roadshow in Nandigram.

Suvendu Adhikari, BJP's candidate from Nandigram is also present. pic.twitter.com/aA78Y4c46v

— ANI (@ANI) March 30, 2021

11:57 IST

PM Modi: The high number of road-blocks by UDF and LDF has made the speed of development slower. That is why, the time has come for FAST development in Kerala, which BJP promises. By FAST, what I mean is: F for Fisheries and Fertilizers. A for Agriculture and Ayurveda. S for Skill development and Social justice. T for Tourism and Technology.

The high number of road-blocks by UDF and LDF has made the speed of development slower.

That is why, the time has come for FAST development in Kerala, which BJP promises.

- PM @narendramodi #KeralaWithModi pic.twitter.com/bJto5QRF6O

— BJP (@BJP4India) March 30, 2021

11:56 IST

PM Narendra Modi: About LDF it can be said: Judas betrayed Lord Christ for a few pieces of silver. LDF has betrayed Kerala for a few pieces of gold.

About LDF it can be said:

Judas betrayed Lord Christ for a few pieces of silver.

LDF has betrayed Kerala for a few pieces of gold.

- PM @narendramodi #KeralaWithModi pic.twitter.com/UhRwDiPcCJ

— BJP (@BJP4India) March 30, 2021

11:55 IST

PM Modi: Over the last few years, the politics of Kerala is seeing a major shift. This shift is being driven by the aspirations of the youth, specially the first time voter in the state.

11:53 IST

Watch PM Narendra Modi addressing rally in Kerala's Palakkad.

#WATCH | In Kerala's Palakkad, PM Modi says, "Judas betrayed Lord Christ for a few pieces of silver. LDF has betrayed Kerala for a few pieces of gold." pic.twitter.com/9C675xtzw3

— ANI (@ANI) March 30, 2021

11:49 IST

PM Modi in Palakkad: The BJP’s vision for Kerala is forward-looking and aspirational. That is why, the youth of the state, the professional communities across the state, are openly supporting the BJP. Across India too, this trend is being seen.

11:36 IST

PM Modi: I am delighted to be in Palakkad and address my first rally in the state from here. The people of Palakkad have had a close bond with our Party. Today, I have come among you to seek your blessings for the BJP in the upcoming state elections.

I am delighted to be in Palakkad and address my first rally in the state from here.

The people of Palakkad have had a close bond with our Party.

Today, I have come among you to seek your blessings for the BJP in the upcoming state elections.

- PM @narendramodi#KeralaWithModi pic.twitter.com/4EoJEAt6iS

— BJP (@BJP4India) March 30, 2021

11:36 IST

PM Narendra Modi in Palakkad: Today I have come among you to seek your blessings for the BJP in the upcoming state elections. I have come here with a vision that is refreshingly different from the current situation in Kerala.

11:35 IST

Kerala: Metro Man E Sreedharan felicitates PM Narendra Modi in Palakkad.

Kerala | I've drawn up a master plan for this constituency which includes 24-hr water supply, efficient solid waste management scheme. I also want to have green cover for the area by planting 25 lakh trees in next 5 years: E Sreedharan, BJP's candidate from Palakkad pic.twitter.com/AQzBKoYQEt

— ANI (@ANI) March 30, 2021

11:18 IST

An earthquake of magnitude 2.8 on the Richter scale occurred in West Khasi Hills, Meghalaya at 10:03 am today: National Center for Seismology

11:17 IST

Amid the surge in COVID-19 infestions in the state, BMC Commissioner IS Chahal announced that, "No bed will be allotted directly to anyone by hospitals. All allotment of hospital beds shall be through 24 Ward War Rooms only & therefore no one should try to procure positive covid report directly from testing labs."

"80% of total COVID beds & 100% of ICU beds at private hospitals shall be kept reserved for Ward War Room allotment to COVID-19 patients only. No direct admission to any of these reserved beds to be taken by hospitals," he added.

11:14 IST

The Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan along with his wife Nutan Goel receives second dose of COVID-19 vaccine jab at Delhi Heart & Lung Institute.

"After taking first dose of vaccine, neither of us felt any side effects. Both Indian vaccines are safe & effective. A lot of people still have doubts regarding vaccines. I urge them not to believe what is being circulated in WhatsApp university," said Harsh Vardhan.

10:07 IST

India records 56,211 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, informs the Union Health Ministry. The country also saw 37,028 recoveries along with 271 deaths. India's total coronavirus caseload has now increased to 1,20,95,855, of which, 5,40,720 are active cases.

10:06 IST

Union Home Minister Amit Shah will hold a roadshow in West Bengal's Nandigram to campaign for the saffron party ahead of the phase 2 polls on April 1.

10:05 IST

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit the poll-bound states Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry today to campaign for BJP. The Prime Minister will first address the public rally in Kerala's Palakkad, where he will be rooting for the Metro Man E Sridharan, following which, he will hold a public meeting in Tamil Nadu's Dharapuram and in Puducherry.