Highlights: BJP's mayoral candidates in the lead, party set to sweep Haryana civic polls

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3:29 PM

UP govt providing free LPG cylinder refills ahead of Holi: Uttar Pradesh CM Adityanath

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced on Wednesday that the state government is providing free LPG cylinder refills to beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana ahead of Holi and during Ramzan. Adityanath said that Rs 1,890 crore is being released for 1.86 crore beneficiaries to ensure they can avail of the benefit before the festival.

3:05 PM

Leaders should ensure their statements do not create communal discord: Ajit Pawar

Terming his cabinet colleague Nitesh Rane's statement about Muslims "misleading, Maharashtra deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Wednesday advised restraint to political leaders in the state. It should be ensured that statements in public do not cause a communal rift, said Pawar who heads the Nationalist Congress Party.

2:42 PM

News update: Prime Minister Narendra Modi conferred with Mauritius's highest civilian award

2:18 PM

Row erupts in Bihar over mayor's call for 'break' during Holi to facilitate namaaz

A fresh controversy over Holi and Friday namaaz during Ramzan erupted in Bihar with the mayor of Darbhanga town advocating a "two-hour break" in celebration of the festival of colours to facilitate the Muslim prayers. The proposal was mooted by Anjum Ara at a meeting of the peace committee in the north Bihar town recently. "My plea was that the time of 'jumma namaaz' cannot be deferred. So, let there be a two-hour break, from noon to 2 pm, during which Hindus shall avoid places in the vicinity of mosques," Ara stated. 

2:07 PM

Forcibly seizing someone's faith, trampling over their beliefs unacceptable: UP CM Yogi Adityanath

Sambhal is mentioned in scriptures that are 5,000 years old, predate Islam, claims Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

1:45 PM

Sovereignty, secularism, pluralism main pillars of Indian democracy: Mamata

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday asserted that sovereignty, secularism and pluralism are the main pillars of Indian democracy and everyone in the country has the right to practise his or her own religion. Speaking at the assembly, Banerjee said her responsibility, as a chief minister, is to care for all. "Whether a person is a Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Muslim, Christian or Parsi, everyone has the right to practice his or her own religion," Banerjee asserted.

1:06 PM

Absconding BJP worker from Beed arrested for attempted murders, other offences

Satish Bhosale, a BJP worker and close aide of Beed MLA Suresh Dhas, has been arrested in attempt to murder and other cases from Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra Police said on Wednesday. Bhosale, also known as `Khokya', had spoken at length to some news channels over the last few days even as he was on the run. He was nabbed from Prayagraj, said a senior police official.

 

12:41 PM

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar discharged from AIIMS-Delhi

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar was discharged from AIIMS-Delhi on Wednesday after making a satisfactory recovery, the premier hospital said. He was admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) on March 9 following cardiac-related ailments, it said in a statement.

12:31 PM

Pondy CM Rangasamy presents Rs 13,600 cr 'tax-free' budget for fiscal 2025-26

Puducherry Chief Minister N Rangasamy on Monday presented a Rs 13,600 crore "tax-free" budget for the fiscal 2025-26 in the territorial assembly on Wednesday. Rangasamy stated that due to the close cooperation and coordinated efforts between the Centre and the union territory, my government has been continuously implementing several progressive welfare schemes for the past four years, especially in education and health.

12:23 PM

BJP set to sweep Haryana civic polls, its 8 mayoral candidates in the lead

The mayoral candidate of the BJP won the Ambala municipal corporation and its nominees were leading in eight other civic bodies in Haryana, as the counting of votes for the recently held elections went underway on Wednesday. The Congress, which was hoping to make a comeback after suffering a defeat in the 2024 Assembly polls, was trailing.

11:05 AM

Delhi Minister Sood visits Janakpuri constituency, directs officials to resolve issues immediately

 Delhi Home Minister Ashish Sood visited his Janakpuri constituency on Wednesday to address the issues in the area and engaged with the locals to understand their concerns. "As an MLA, it is my duty to understand the problems in my constituency and work towards resolving them," he said.

 

10:46 AM

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman meets Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan in national capital

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday held a meeting with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in he national capital. The Left Democratic Front (LDF)-ruled Kerala and the BJP-led Centre have differences over various issues, including on relief package for disaster-hit Wayanad and central funds.

Against this backdrop, the meeting assumes significance as Kerala has raised various demands with the Centre amid financial woes faced by the state.

10:21 AM

News update: Trump imposes 25% tariffs on all steel, aluminum imports

President Donald Trump asserted that the tariffs will create jobs despite stock market sell-off.

9:45 AM

Look at India, 150% tariff on American alcohol: White House Press Secretary

The US again raised the issue of tariffs that India imposes on its goods, citing high tariffs on American alcohol and agricultural products. “Canada has been ripping off the United States of America and hard-working Americans for decades. If you look at the rates of tariffs across the board that Canadians have been imposing on the American people and our workers here, it is egregious. In fact, I have a handy dandy chart here that shows not just Canada, but the rate of tariffs across the board. If you look at Canada…American cheese and butter, nearly 300% tariff," she said. “You look at India, 150% tariff on American alcohol. You think that's helping Kentucky bourbon be exported into India? I don't think so. 100% tariff on agricultural products from India. Look at Japan, tariffing rice 700%,” Leavitt said.

9:37 AM

Reliance joins with Musk's Starlink in surprise move

Under the deal announced on Wednesday, Jio Platforms, India's largest telecom operator, will offer Starlink equipment in its retail outlets and online stores, and will provide installation support for the devices.