Cabinet rejig: Harsh Vardhan, who led India's COVID fight, resigns as health minister

Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan, who led India's COVID fight for over 18 months now, has resigned ahead of Wednesday's cabinet reshuffle. Harsh Vardhan's resignation comes amid widespread criticism against the Central government's lack of preparedness to handle the second wave of COVID that adversely affected India and led to millions getting infected in the past two months. 

Apart from Harsh Vardhan, a slew of other ministers have also tendered resignations on Wednesday prior to the massive overhaul of Modi's Council of Ministers. Labour Minister Santosh Gangwar, Education Minister Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, Minister of State for Education Sanjay Dhotre, and Chemicals and Fertilizers Minister D. V. Sadananda Gowda, have resigned so far on Wednesday.