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Trivendra Singh Rawat Tuesday resigned as the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, ending days of speculations about a leadership change in the BJP-ruled hill state amid reports of discontent against him. Rawat submitted his resignation to Governor Baby Rani Maurya at the Raj Bhawan here upon his arrival from Delhi after meeting the central BJP leadership.

After submitting his resignation, Rawat said the Uttarakhand BJP Legislature Party will meet at the party’s state headquarters here at 10 am Wednesday to choose his successor.

Sources told media that state minister Dhan Singh Rawat has emerged as a frontrunner to be the next chief minister. A news agency quoted sources as saying that Ajay Bhatt and Anil Baluni, two senior leaders from the state who are members of Parliament, are also being seen as two other strong probables.

Criticising Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “self-praising” speeches, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday challenged him to offer free LPG cylinders if he is actually concerned about the poor.

While addressing a public meeting on International Women’s Day in Kolkata, she said, “Modi Babu and Shah Babu (Amit Shah) are syndicate leaders. Just imagine Modi Babu put his picture on Covid-19 vaccine. Every time Modi Babu comes to Bengal, he keeps on self-praising that I have done this and I have done that.

"Actually, he misleads people with his bunch of lies. If he actually wants to do something then let him offer free LPG cylinders to the people. We are giving free ration and Modi Babu is offering LPG cylinder worth Rs 900 (approx). Will you forgive him?”

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a mammoth gathering at the iconic Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata, West Bengal chief minister and Trinamool supremo Mamata Banerjee "dared" him for a one-on-one debate.

A sea of supporters gathered at Kolkata's Brigade Ground Parade for a mega BJP rally which was joined by PM Modi, sharpening party's campaign for the high-octane Bengal assembly polls.

While the prime minister accused CM Mamata Banerjee of backstabbing the people of the state, Didi, who held a roadshow 570 km away in north Bengal, challenged him for a one-on-one debate, saying "Khela hobe", the catchphrase that has taken over the election mood in the state.

New Delhi: A Mumbai woman, who turned 100 on March 5, celebrated a special birthday at an inoculation centre. As a gift, Parvati Khedkar, born on March 5 1921, received her first shot of Covid-19 vaccine at the city’s Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) vaccination centre on Friday. India started nationwide coronavirus vaccine drive on 16 January. During the first phase of vaccination, the healthcare workers and frontline workers received Covid-19 doses. Since March 1, those who are above 60 years of age are getting jabbed against novel coronavirus.

Maharashtra is facing the toughest time since the beginning of the pandemic last year as the western state has been clocking the highest number of Covid-19 cases. The state on Friday registered 10,216 new infections — the highest since October 16. The state now has 90,055 active cases after touching a low of 30,265 on February 10.

Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Friday trashed Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) allegation of Congress-ruled states rejecting Covaxin, saying it was a "complete lie" and "part of the ruling party's false and politically motivated propaganda".

The chief minister was responding to a question during an informal media interaction after taking the first shot of the Covid-19 vaccine at Civil Hospital, Mohali. When asked how he was feeling after the jab, the minister said he was feeling absolutely fine. The dose was administered to him by ANM (Auxilary Nurse and Midwife) Manpreet.

Categorically denying the charge over Covaxin, the chief minister slammed BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra's claim that Punjab, along with other Opposition-ruled states, had expressed doubts and refused to accept the vaccination.