LIVE: No campaigning in West Bengal after 7 pm, says Election Commission

Amid the rising number of coronavirus cases, the EC had flagged instances of campaigners without masks and warned that it will not hesitate in banning events in case the COVID-19 guidelines issued by it last year are not followed.

PTI photo

New Delhi: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has decided not to club the last three phases of the assembly polls. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had requested the EC to do so in light of the rising COVID-19 cases across the poll-bound state. Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President JP Nadda will be campaigning in the state. The Home Minister will start his day by addressing a rally at 11:30 am after which he will attent two road shows, 1 pm onwards. He will also be adressing rallies in the districts going to polls till 8 pm.

JP Nadda will hold a public meeting in the Ketugram district at 12:30 and has multiple rallies lined up for the rest of the day. In other news, due to the daily spike in COVID-19 cases the Centre has directed the Health Ministry to finalise the tender for acquiring additional oxygen supplies and also explore possible sources for import identified by the missions of the Ministry of External Affairs.

Among other developments, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has directed officials to closely monitor COVID-19-appropriate behaviour among shop owners, who have been allowed to operate during the new restrictions, as well as customers, and penalise the violators.

The curfew in Maharashtra will remain in force till April 30, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray made the announcement on Tuesday (April 13). In other developments, thousands of devotees took a holy dip at the Har Ki Pauri ghat in Uttarakhand’s Haridwar at Kumbh.

Stay tuned with Zee news for the latest updates!

16 April 2021

20:43 IST

Coronavirus-positive RSP candidate from Jangipur assembly seat Pradip Kumar Nandi dies at Bengal hospital: Health Dept

18:02 IST

United Kingdom's Home Minister has approved extradition of fugitive diamond merchant Nirav Modi, reports news agency ANI quoting CBI official

18:01 IST

Breaking: 

UK Home Ministry clears extradition of fugitive businessman Nirav Modi: Officials

17:58 IST

Delhi Metro trains will run at reduced frequency on April 17-18 in view of weekend curfew imposed by the city govt to contain spread of COVID-19: Officials

17:58 IST

Jana Sena Party president and actor Pawan Kalyan tests positive for COVID19. He is now safe and undergoing treatment: Party statement

17:46 IST

Union Minister Prakash Javadekar tests positive for COVID-19.

16:42 IST

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy writes to PM Narendra Modi seeking supply of COVID-19 vaccine doses. "I request you to instruct the concerns officials of Health Ministry to supply 60 lakh doses of vaccine to my state," says CM.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy writes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, "I request you to instruct the concerns officials of Health Ministry to supply 60 lakh doses of vaccine to my state." pic.twitter.com/xQPgjRsUQ3

— ANI (@ANI) April 16, 2021

15:35 IST

Popular actor Vivekh hospitalised

Popular Tamil actor Vivekh was hospitalised in Chennai after he complained of chest pain and fainted, film industry and hospital sources said. He has been admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of a city hospital. The 59-year-old comedian, who had taken the COVID vaccine on April 15, complained of chest pain and fainted and was rushed to a private hospital, sources said.

15:34 IST

Transported 81,437 kg of COVID vaccines between Jan 12 and April 12: IndiGo

IndiGo airline transported a total of 81,437 kg of COVID-19 vaccines between January 12 and April 12, the budget carrier said in a statement on Friday. It noted that the airline had a leading market share of 36.56 per cent in COVID-19 vaccine transportation during this period.

15:33 IST

PM Modi calls for increasing production of medical grade oxygen

PM Narendra Modi undertook a comprehensive review to ensure adequate medical grade oxygen supply in the country and called for ramping up its production. With cases hitting a new peak in several parts of the country, the demand for medical oxygen has increased as it is a critical component in the treatment of COVID-19-affected patients.

15:30 IST

BJP targeted my leg to stop me from campaigning, but I proved them wrong with blessings of people, says West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee

15:29 IST

Union Home Minister and BJP leader Amit Shah holds a roadshow in Krishnanagar.

#WATCH | Union Home Minister and BJP leader Amit Shah holds a roadshow in Krishnanagar.#WestBengalPolls pic.twitter.com/8uHMXkGm6j

— ANI (@ANI) April 16, 2021

15:29 IST

Serum Institute of India CEO Adar Poonawalla says US needs to lift its embargo on raw material exports to help ramp up vaccine production. 

15:29 IST

Will urge EC to stop BJP from bringing outsiders in Bengal during campaigning to check spread of COVID-19: CM Mamata Banerjee at Nadia rally

15:14 IST

The two sections, where there is a bifurcation in the network i.e, Noida/Vaishali section of Blue Line and Kirti Nagar/Inderlok section of Green Line, the headway will become double i.e. services will be available after every 30 minutes in these sections: DMRC

15:14 IST

In view of the curfew imposed by the Govt. for coming weekend for the containment of COVID-19, Metro services will be available with a headway of 15 min across the whole network on the weekend i.e, on 17th and 18th April 2021: Delhi Metro Rail Corporation

14:32 IST

Karnataka CM BS Yediyurappa admitted to Ramaiah Memorial Hospital in Bengaluru as he had a fever for the last 2 days. He was tested for COVID-19 two days back and was found to be negative for the disease. He will be tested again.

14:17 IST

CID takes over case of death of four people in CISF firing during poll in West Bengal's Cooch Behar on April 10, news agency PTI reported.

14:12 IST

Bharatiya Janata Party delegation arrives at Kolkata Circuit House for an all-party meeting called by Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) West Bengal over COVID-19 norms.

11:31 IST

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray to chair a meeting through video conferencing later today, to assess the COVID-19 situation in the jurisdiction of BMC and also to take an update on BMC's pre-monsoon preparations.

09:21 IST

Various government offices give relaxations to the employees from attending office, up to a certain level, and ask them to follow staggered office timings, in the wake of COVID-19 situation.

09:20 IST

Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan visits AIIMS in Delhi. The Minister will visit various healthcare facilities over next few days to assess & further scale-up facilities, in the wake of COVID-19 situation. AIIMS Director Dr Randeep Guleria & other doctors of the hospital present.

09:19 IST

State Government revives the State COVID-19 Command and Control Centre with immediate effect to take necessary steps for management and vaccination in the state on a daily basis: Government of Andhra Pradesh.

13:17 IST

Bihar: Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Deputy Chief Ministers Tarkishore Prasad and Renu Devi take their doses of #COVID19 vaccine, in Patna.

11:54 IST

The ballot paper did not reach for the Gram Panchayat member elections from ward number 1 to 13 in Telhanapar Gram Panchayat of Sardarnagar. The election was halted for this reason.

11:54 IST

in Jaunpur, 11% polling was held in the district till 9 AM. Voters continue queuing up at polling centers.

11:53 IST

Villagers staged protest at some booths in Gagaha after their names were missing from the voters list. The village head also sat on a dharna. The people of Bhatora village of Sakri, the gram sabha of Gagaha block, allege that the names of at least 135 people have been cut off from the voters list.

11:43 IST

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is cuurently present at the Inaugural Session of the IAF Commanders’ Conference.

09:59 IST

Residents of Vantangia villages cast their votes for panchayat polls, for the first time ever. The settlements were declared revenue village by CM Yogi Adityanath in 2018.

09:19 IST

Maharashtra: 284 active cases of COVID-19 currently in prisons across the state, including 198 inmates and 86 members of jail staff. 15 deaths reported, comprising 7 prisoners and 8 jail staff. 1326 prisoners and 3112 jail staff vaccinated so far.

08:58 IST

Congress candidate from Samsherganj AC in Murshidabad, Rezaul Haque dies of Covid-19

08:29 IST

Around 8000 police personnel have been deployed in the election. Around 13000 personnel have been deployed to conduct the voting as well.

08:16 IST

The districts in UP that will go to polls are - Ayodhya, Agra, Kanpur, Ghaziabad, Gorakhpur, Jaunpur, Jhansi, Allahabad, Bareilly, Bhadohi, Mahoba, Rampur, Raebareli, Shravasti, Sant Kabir Nagar, Saharanpur, Hardoi and Hathras.

08:07 IST

People step out to vote on Thursday (April 15) morning.

People stand in a queue at a polling booth in Ayodhya as they await their turn to cast vote for the first phase of Uttar Pradesh Panchayat polls. pic.twitter.com/XMfHokaTqr

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) April 15, 2021

08:06 IST

BJP, BSP, Samajwadi Party and the Congress are among those in the race with AIMIM, Aam Aadmi Party and Bhim Army chief Chandra Shekhar Aazad’s Azad Samaj Party.

08:05 IST

Polling in all 18 districts has begun and will continue till 6pm

13:55 IST

Along with all aspects of strategic partnership, including defence cooperation, all regional & international issues like Myanmar, Afghanistan, Iran & China were discussed during a meeting between French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian & EAM Dr S Jaishankar yesterday. (ANI)

13:54 IST

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh paid tribute to Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar on his 130th Birth anniversary in Delhi.

Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh paid tribute to Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar on his 130th Birth anniversary.

"Baba Saheb should not just be seen as a Dalit icon. He was a renowned name among world intellectuals not just in India, but globally as well," he said pic.twitter.com/2oStckoihj

— ANI (@ANI) April 14, 2021

13:21 IST

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has released four books based on Baba Saheb Bhimrao Ambedkar's life, written by Kishor Makwana: Prime Minister's Office (PMO)

13:20 IST

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath says that he has tested positive for COVID-19. He is in self-isolation.

शुरुआती लक्षण दिखने पर मैंने कोविड की जांच कराई और मेरी रिपोर्ट पॉजिटिव आई है।

मैं सेल्फ आइसोलेशन में हूं और चिकित्सकों के परामर्श का पूर्णतः पालन कर रहा हूं। सभी कार्य वर्चुअली संपादित कर रहा हूं।

— Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) April 14, 2021

12:53 IST

Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra today held a virtual meeting with party's Uttar Pradesh leaders to discuss the COVID-19 situation in the state.

Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra today held a virtual meeting with party's Uttar Pradesh leaders to discuss the #COVID19 situation in the state pic.twitter.com/bShFBYZmS6

— ANI (@ANI) April 14, 2021

12:52 IST

India’s cumulative COVID-19 vaccination coverage exceeds 11 crores (11,11,79,578) on the 4th day of Tika Utsav with over 26 lakh doses administered in the last 24 hours: Union Health Ministry

12:51 IST

Delhi Minister Kailash Gahlot tests positive for COVID-19, says he is in home isolation.

I have tested positive for Covid-19 today. I have home isolated myself. All those who came in contact with me recently please take necessary precautions.

— Kailash Gahlot (@kgahlot) April 14, 2021

12:50 IST

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee met the families of those killed in the Sitalkuchi, Cooch Behar violence.

Mathabhanga: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee met the families of those killed in the Sitalkuchi, Cooch Behar violence pic.twitter.com/CPsr0boD1p

— ANI (@ANI) April 14, 2021

"Didi came to meet us here and said that she would help us as soon as the election ends. She consoled and gave us hope. We trust her," sais family members of those killed in Sitalkuchi, Cooch Behar violence.

12:48 IST

"In Defence, Russia remains the leading Indian partner. Internationally, we are on the same page with regards to the issues of promoting strategic stability and international security. We stand strong in supporting the central role of the United Nations and we expand our coordination during the current Indian non-permanent membership in the Security Council," said Nikolay Kudashev, Russian Ambassador to India.

12:47 IST

Russian Envoy to India: "It was considerable step in terms of preparation for further highest level exchanges, including planned visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to India in 2nd half of this year," said Nikolay Kudashev, Russian Envoy to India on visit of Russian Foreign Minister to India, earlier this month.

"Our ties remain equal, solid, comprehensive, coherent & forward looking despite any global turbulence. They're based on universal principles of interstate relations, international law, UN's Charter & respect of other interests," he added. 

12:04 IST

Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh writes to Centre seeking postponement of board exams for Classes 10 and 12, in the wake of rising COVID-19 cases.

12:03 IST

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray to chair a meeting of all district collectors today to review the COVID-19 situation in the state.

11:52 IST

BJP chief JP Nadda pays tribute to Dr BR Ambedkar on his 130th birth anniversary in Kadampukur, West Bengal.

West Bengal: BJP chief JP Nadda pays tribute to Dr BR Ambedkar on his 130th birth anniversary in Kadampukur

"Despite obstacles, he never compromised with nationalism. When Congress reproached him,he wrote to Sardar Patel, "I'm a greater nationalist than any Congressmen," he says pic.twitter.com/oQHkdX7ppn

— ANI (@ANI) April 14, 2021

11:41 IST

"What students can achieve depends on inner strength. If institutional strength is provided too, they can accomplish what they aspire. Teachers must explore 3 questions for students, what they're capable of, what can they achieve with more support & what they want to do," said PM Narendra Modi.

11:40 IST

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses Association of Indian Universities annual meet via video conference. "Babasaheb Ambedkar gave a strong foundation to independent India so the nation could move forward while strengthening its democratic heritage," he said.

11:27 IST

Seeing the shortage of Remdesivir in UP, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed the state health dept to acquire 25,000 injections of Remdesivir from Gujarat's Ahmedabad on urgent basis: Chief Minister's Office (CMO)

11:26 IST

Enforcement Directorate (ED) serves notice to West Bengal Minister and senior TMC leader Partha Chatterjee, asking him to appear before it next week, in connection with I-Core ponzi scam

Enforcement Directorate (ED) serves notice to West Bengal Minister and senior TMC leader Partha Chatterjee (in file pic) asking him to appear before it next week, in connection with I-Core ponzi scam pic.twitter.com/VIpncUvNzs

— ANI (@ANI) April 14, 2021

11:25 IST

Delhi Health Minister: "We have 13,000 beds, there's no shortage of ventilators. Patients from Delhi & other states are being admitted. Centre has provided 1,100 beds, talks on (to add more). 286 out of 5525 Covid care centres are occupied. Banquets, hotels to be included soon," said Satyendar Jain.

"Covid cases are rapidly increasing, there's no slowdown. We appeal to people to go out only if necessary. Beds' data is being revised twice a day in the app (for availability). People should visit hospitals only after going through the app," he added.

11:24 IST

PM Narendra Modi to hold a meeting with Education Minister, Secretary & other important officials at 12 noon to discuss the issue of CBSE Board Exams: Govt of India Sources

10:32 IST

Odisha: Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan pays tribute to Dr BR Ambedkar on his 130th birth anniversary in Bhubaneshwar.

Odisha: Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan pays tribute to Dr BR Ambedkar on his 130th birth anniversary in Bhubaneshwar#AmbedkarJayanti pic.twitter.com/dpuDX4nvN8

— ANI (@ANI) April 14, 2021

10:32 IST

#COVID19 | 26,06,18,866 samples have been tested up to April 13 including 14,11,758 samples tested yesterday: Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) pic.twitter.com/Vzvd95qqZP

— ANI (@ANI) April 14, 2021

10:31 IST

Kerala: Devotees offer prayers at Pazhavangadi Ganapathi Temple in Thiruvananthapuram on the occasion of Vishu.

Kerala: Devotees offer prayers at Pazhavangadi Ganapathi Temple in Thiruvananthapuram on the occasion of #Vishu pic.twitter.com/635z1YZEZQ

— ANI (@ANI) April 14, 2021

10:30 IST

India reports 1,84,372 new COVID-19 cases, 82,339 discharges and 1,027 deaths in the last 24 hours, as per Union Health Ministry.

India reports 1,84,372 new #COVID19 cases, 82,339 discharges and 1,027 deaths in the last 24 hours, as per Union Health Ministry

Total cases: 1,38,73,825
Total recoveries: 1,23,36,036
Active cases: 13,65,704
Death toll: 1,72,085

Total vaccination: 11,11,79,578 pic.twitter.com/8fiNUNDp6W

— ANI (@ANI) April 14, 2021

08:56 IST

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also extended greetings using his official Twitter account. He said that Ambedkar's struggle to bring the deprived sections of the society into the mainstream will continue to be an example for every generation.

"I bow to Bharat Ratna Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar on AmbedkarJayanti. His struggle to bring the marginalised sections of the society into the mainstream will continue to be an example for every generation," Prime Minister Modi tweeted in Hindi.

08:55 IST

President Ram Nath Kovind extended greetings on the 130th birth anniversary of the architect of the Constitution of India Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar on Wednesday (April 14, 2021). 

President's Secretariat, Prez Kovind said, "On the birth anniversary of the architect of the Constitution of India, Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, I extend my heartiest congratulations and best wishes to all the fellow citizens. All through his inspiring life, Dr Ambedkar charted his unique path in the midst of extreme adversity and earned commendations for his extraordinary and multi-faceted achievements." 

08:54 IST

Amid the sudden surge in COVID-19 infections across the country, thousands of devotees took a holy dip at the Har Ki Pauri ghat in Uttarakhand’s Haridwar to mark the third ‘shahi snan’ in Maha Kumbh Mela on Wednesday (April 14). Maha Kumbh mela’s first royal bath was held on the occasion of Mahashivratri on March 11, followed by the second on the occasion of Somvati Amavasya which took place on April 12. 

#WATCH | Priests perform Ganga aarti at Har Ki Pauri in Haridwar, Uttarakhand.#KumbhMela2021 pic.twitter.com/Kc9Yko9niB

— ANI (@ANI) April 14, 2021

08:53 IST

West Bengal Assembly election 2021: BJP National President JP Nadda and leader Smriti Irani are also scheduled to hold numerous election rallies in poll-bound areas of West Bengal today, ahead of the fifth phase of assembly polls.

08:52 IST

West Bengal Assembly election 2021: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will finally begin his campaign in poll-bound areas of West Bengal on Wednesday (April 14) with two public meetings in Goalpokhar and Matigara-Naxalbari, the party revealed on Tuesday.

08:52 IST

Amid a rapid surge in the COVID-19 cases in Uttar Pradesh, the Allahabad High Court has directed the state government to consider imposing a complete lockdown in the most affected districts. The high court also asked the UP government to ramp up tracking, testing and treatment facilities. 

08:51 IST

A 15-day long lockdown-style curfew will come into force from 8 PM in Maharashtra from Wednesday in order to curb the spread of the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The curfew will remain in force till May 1. Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray made the announcement on Tuesday that a 15-day long 'lockdown' style restrictions starting 8 pm onwards on April 14 till May 1 will be imposed in the state to ''break the chain of the coronavirus'' that has gripped the state. 

08:50 IST

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu will conduct a meeting on Wednesday (April 14) with the governors and lieutenant governors of the states, who are tackling the spiralling COVID-19 infections in the country.

It would be the first meeting of this kind during the pandemic and has been convened amid the Centre looking to push for stronger adherence to the pandemic protocols among citizens across the country.