Assembly elections 2021: Voting underway in West Bengal, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Puducherry

Watch: Amit Shah, Mamata's mass roadshows in Bengal, Covid rules ignored

Ahead of the sixth phase of voting in West Bengal, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee held massive roadshows. While the BJP leader held a rally in Habra, the Trinamool Congress chief led a roadshow in Kolkata. Many participants at the rallies didn't follow Covid protocol, failing to maintain social distance. Some didn't even wear face masks. Watch the full video for more.

Maharashtra reports 67,123, Karnataka registers 17,489 COVID cases

Maharashtra reported 67,123 fresh COVID cases, 56,783 discharges, and 419 deaths on April 17. While Maharashtra's capital reported 8,834 new COVID-19 cases, 6,617 discharges and 52 deaths in last 24 hours. On the other side, Karnataka today registered 17,489 new positive cases, 5,565 discharges and 80 deaths. Kerala also reported 13,835 new cases, 3654 recoveries and 27 deaths today. Meanwhile, Madhya Pradesh reported 11,269 new coronavirus cases, 6,497 recoveries, and 66 deaths in last 24 hours.

Kerala Jewellery brand Bhima Jewellery's ad wins praise on the internet| Oneindia News

An advertisement released by a jewellery brand headquartered in Kerala has garnered a big round of applause from the internet for its path breaking concept. Bhima Jewellery, based in Kochi, published their new commercial on YouTube for the campaign ‘Pure as love’ and it features transperson and activist Meera Singhania. The advertisement has gone viral and is winning praise. #BhimaJewellery #PureAsLove #lgbtqindia

Kerala CM is 'Covidiot': V Muraleedharan

Union Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan demanded legal action against Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Viijayan, and used word 'Covidiot' for him. V Muraleedharan said, "'Covidiot' you know what it means. There's no other word that can be used for a CM who continuously violates COVID protocol. As per doctors of Calicut Medical College, Kerala CM tested positive on April 4 and on April 6 voted without following protocols that a primary contact person have to follow even if we consider it was not known to him as COVID positive."

TN polls: Puducherry LG Tamilisai Soundararajan casts her vote in Chennai

Telangana Governor and Puducherry Lieutenant Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan cast her vote at a polling station in Virugambakkam in Chennai on April 06. Congress leader Karti Chidambaram also cast his vote at polling booth number 276 in Tiruppathur in Sivaganga district. 234 seats are undergoing voting in the state today.

Puducherry polls: NR Congress chief Rangaswamy, BJP chief Saminathan cast votes

The voting for Assembly elections is underway in Puducherry on April 06. All India NR Congress chief N Rangaswamy visited Appa Paithiyam Swamy Temple and offered prayers today. Then, he cast his vote at Govt Boys Middle School in Thilaspet. Rangaswamy is contesting Puducherry elections from Thattanchavady and Yanam constituencies. Meanwhile, BJP Puducherry president V Saminathan exercised his right to vote today. He is candidate from Lawspet constituency. 30 constituencies are undergoing voting to choose 15th Puducherry Assembly today.

Puducherry polls: Former CM V Narayanasamy casts his vote

The voting is underway to decide fate of 15th Puducherry Assembly on April 06. Former CM and Congress leader V Narayanasamy cast his vote today. 30 constituencies are undergoing voting to choose the next CM of the Union Territory today.

Monitoring teams set up in Rameswaram to instruct locals about COVID SOPs

Coronavirus cases continue to surge in the country. Amid COVID scare, Tamil Nadu government has intensified surveillance. On the orders of the District Collector, 29 monitoring teams have been set up to monitor Rameswaram. The team instructed locals about COVID SOPs and police kept a tab over the vehicular movement. Thermal screening of bus passengers were also done in the region. Tamil Nadu has 16,79,740 active cases as of now.

Assam prepared to meet any necessity for treatment of COVID-19: Health Dept

Mahendra Mohan Choudhury Hospital (MMCH) an annex hospital of Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) witnessed a surge in consultation as the number of coronavirus cases rise in the state. "The government of Assam is ready with hospitals for the admission of the COVID patients. Initially, patients were admitted at Kalapahar hospital and subsequently will also start giving admissions to COVID positive patients as per the instructions of the higher authorities. We have 62 beds", says Dr Anupal Sharma, Additional Superintendent, MMCH.MMCH is one of the leading hospitals in the state which is an apex hospital of Gauhati Medical College Hospital (GMCH).

Hatred spreads wherever BJP, RSS go: Rahul Gandhi in Bengal

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi took a pot shot at BJP by saying that wherever the party and its ideologue RSS go, hatred starts to intensify there. He said, "People of Assam say their history and culture are being attacked. Tamil Nadu and Bengal are facing the same thing." The fifth phase of assembly polls will be held in West Bengal on April 17.

Assam celebrates Rongali Bihu with precautions

The Assamese New Year -Rongali Bihu, also known as Bohag Bihu began from April 14. Assam Government decided to allow celebrations this year, but with restrictions in public places. The festival will last for seven days and they are known as Chot Bihu, Goru Bihu Manuh Bihu, Kutum Bihu, Senehi Bihu, Mela Bihu and Chera Bihu Rongali or Bohag Bihu begins in mid-April and celebrations continue for several weeks, mainly concentrated on cultural functions. The Assam Government decided to allow Bihu celebrations with strict adherence to COVID appropriate behavior in public places.