News for '-opposition'

From BJP war room to TMC strategist: Who is Pratik Jain?

From BJP war room to TMC strategist: Who is Pratik Jain?

Rediff.com9 Jan 2026

Despite his influence, Pratik Jain avoids the spotlight. Credit is routinely passed on to colleagues. He maintains no visible faction within the TMC, no personal coterie.

BJP, alliance sweep Maha local body polls; money power, says Oppn

BJP, alliance sweep Maha local body polls; money power, says Oppn

Rediff.com21 Dec 2025

The opposition Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) conceded defeat in the elections to municipal councils and nagar panchayats, accusing the election commission of 'facilitating' the victory of the ruling Mahayuti alliance.

Miscreants set afire forest created by 'Forest Man of India' in Assam

Miscreants set afire forest created by 'Forest Man of India' in Assam

Rediff.com30 Dec 2025

A man-made forest created by Padma Shri awardee Jadav Payeng, known as 'Forest Man of India', was substantially damaged after miscreants set it on fire. An investigation has been ordered.

K'taka council passes hate speech bill amid BJP-JD-S protests

K'taka council passes hate speech bill amid BJP-JD-S protests

Rediff.com19 Dec 2025

The Karnataka Legislative Council passed a bill to curb hate speech, facing strong opposition from BJP and JD(S), who criticized it as 'draconian' and a threat to free speech. The bill proposes jail terms and fines for hate crimes and repeated offenses.

'Bihar bride for Rs 20,000' remark lands U'khand minister's husband in row

'Bihar bride for Rs 20,000' remark lands U'khand minister's husband in row

Rediff.com3 Jan 2026

Girdhari Lal Sahu, husband of Uttarakhand minister Rekha Arya, has caused a controversy after allegedly saying that girls from Bihar are available for marriage at a low price. The statement has drawn criticism from the opposition Congress and the Bihar State Women Commission.

'There was method': Root explains Smith's risky shot

'There was method': Root explains Smith's risky shot

Rediff.com5 Jan 2026

England batter Joe Root defended fellow teammate Jamie Smith for his dismissal in the first innings of the final Sydney Test

Bhupesh Baghel's son Chaitanya released from jail

Bhupesh Baghel's son Chaitanya released from jail

Rediff.com3 Jan 2026

Chaitanya Baghel, son of Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel, was released from jail after being granted bail in cases related to the alleged liquor scam in Chhattisgarh. The release was met with celebration by Congress supporters.

Sharad Pawar, Eknath Shinde to fight Pune civic polls together?

Sharad Pawar, Eknath Shinde to fight Pune civic polls together?

Rediff.com1 Jan 2026

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar announced that his party, the NCP, is in discussions with the Shiv Sena regarding seat sharing for the upcoming Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad civic polls. This comes as alliances blur in the state-level elections.

Why US attacked Venezuela and captured Maduro

Why US attacked Venezuela and captured Maduro

Rediff.com4 Jan 2026

The US government, under President Trump, justifies the intervention as a security necessity rather than a resource grab. The primary official reasons include: narco-terrorism charges, national security and migration crisis.

Video of cop touching Dhirendra Shastri's feet sparks row

Video of cop touching Dhirendra Shastri's feet sparks row

Rediff.com27 Dec 2025

A controversy has erupted in Chhattisgarh after a video surfaced showing spiritual preacher Dhirendra Shastri arriving in a government aircraft and a police officer touching his feet. The Congress party has alleged misuse of public funds, while the BJP defends the officer's actions as personal faith.

'Who said I left Congress line': Tharoor clarifies stance

'Who said I left Congress line': Tharoor clarifies stance

Rediff.com5 Jan 2026

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor addresses concerns about his recent statements, asserting his alignment with the party's principles and goals.

Congress sets sights on 100-seat comeback in Kerala polls

Congress sets sights on 100-seat comeback in Kerala polls

Rediff.com4 Jan 2026

AICC general secretary K C Venugopal announced the Congress party's goal to win 100 seats in the upcoming Kerala Assembly elections. He highlighted the party's strategy, including early candidate selection, opportunities for youth, and addressing alleged alliances between CPI(M) and BJP.

Parliament's winter session ends without pollution debate

Parliament's winter session ends without pollution debate

Rediff.com19 Dec 2025

Lok Sabha adjourned sine die, marking the end of the 19-day Winter Session. Key bills were passed, including one opening the civil nuclear sector to private companies and another replacing MNREGA.

Cong announces farm laws-style stir against MGNREGA repeal

Cong announces farm laws-style stir against MGNREGA repeal

Rediff.com27 Dec 2025

The Congress will launch a nationwide campaign against the repeal of the United Progressive Alliance-era rural employment legislation Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) on January 5, similar to the pushback against the three farm laws which eventually forced the Narendra Modi government to rollback its decision, party president Mallikarjun Kharge said.

'Poison was distributed in Indore': Rahul Gandhi

'Poison was distributed in Indore': Rahul Gandhi

Rediff.com2 Jan 2026

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi criticizes the BJP government in Madhya Pradesh after at least 10 people died allegedly due to contaminated water in Indore, accusing them of negligence and insensitivity.

Amid CM change buzz, Siddaramaiah equals Urs' record

Amid CM change buzz, Siddaramaiah equals Urs' record

Rediff.com6 Jan 2026

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah equals Devaraj Urs' record as the longest-serving CM of the state, while expressing confidence about completing his full term, he stated that the Congress high command will have to decide on it.

Russia, China condemn US action in Venezuela

Russia, China condemn US action in Venezuela

Rediff.com3 Jan 2026

Russia and China on Saturday condemned the United States airstrikes on Venezuela and the capture of its president, Nicolas Maduro and his wife.

UP draft voter list published, 2.89 cr names dropped after revision

UP draft voter list published, 2.89 cr names dropped after revision

Rediff.com6 Jan 2026

The draft electoral roll for Uttar Pradesh was published after a special intensive revision exercise, with 12.55 crore voters retained out of 15.44 crore listed earlier. Around 2.89 crore voters were excluded due to deaths, migration, or multiple registrations.

88 hurt as loco trains collide inside U'khand hydel tunnel; probe ordered

88 hurt as loco trains collide inside U'khand hydel tunnel; probe ordered

Rediff.com31 Dec 2025

A loco train carrying workers for tunnel excavation during the night shift was about two kilometres inside the tunnel when another loco train coming from the opposite direction lost control and collided with it.

FIR registered over slogans against Modi, Shah at JNU

FIR registered over slogans against Modi, Shah at JNU

Rediff.com7 Jan 2026

Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has sought a first information report (FIR) after students allegedly raised 'provocative' slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah inside the university campus during an event on Monday night, varsity officials said.

Assam: Row Over Reservation For Muslims

Assam: Row Over Reservation For Muslims

Rediff.com27 Dec 2025

The BJP alleged that the move would undermine existing reservation norms and was aimed at consolidating a particular vote bank.

36 ex-judges decry Oppn attempt to impeach Justice Swaminathan

36 ex-judges decry Oppn attempt to impeach Justice Swaminathan

Rediff.com20 Dec 2025

Thirty-six former judges have called on people, including parliamentarians, to denounce opposition leaders' move to impeach Madras High Court judge Justice G R Swaminathan, saying such an attempt would undermine democracy and judicial independence.

BJP seeks apology from Rahul, Kharge over 'threat' to PM

BJP seeks apology from Rahul, Kharge over 'threat' to PM

Rediff.com15 Dec 2025

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju demanded an apology from Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi after Congress workers allegedly threatened Prime Minister Narendra Modi's life at a rally.

G RAM G bill introduced in LS amid objections by Oppn

G RAM G bill introduced in LS amid objections by Oppn

Rediff.com16 Dec 2025

Opposition members strongly opposed the proposed legislation at the introduction stage and pressed for sending the bill to a parliamentary panel for greater scrutiny. The MPs, including Priyanka Gandhi of the Congress, strongly objected to the "removal" of Mahatma Gandhi's name.

Minor girl raped, murdered in Odisha, 1 held; Oppn calls bandh

Minor girl raped, murdered in Odisha, 1 held; Oppn calls bandh

Rediff.com25 Dec 2025

Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati expressed deep anguish over the incident, and stressed the need for a thorough and impartial investigation and strict punishment for the culprits as per the law.

Bangladesh wants T20 World Cup games moved out of India

Bangladesh wants T20 World Cup games moved out of India

Rediff.com4 Jan 2026

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has been instructed by its sports ministry to seek shifting of the country's T20 World Cup league games from India to Sri Lanka as there are "concerns about players' safety".

I won't question EVMs or VVPATs because....: Supriya Sule

I won't question EVMs or VVPATs because....: Supriya Sule

Rediff.com15 Dec 2025

NCP-SP MP Supriya Sule acknowledges the role of electronic voting machines (EVMs) in her four Lok Sabha election victories, refraining from blaming them despite being part of an opposition coalition.

'Insult to Bapu': Oppn MPs protest against G RAM G bill

'Insult to Bapu': Oppn MPs protest against G RAM G bill

Rediff.com17 Dec 2025

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra criticizes the government's proposed bill to replace MGNREGA, arguing it weakens the guaranteed 100 days of employment for the poor and centralizes control over the scheme.

Rahul Gandhi met with 'enemies of India' in Germany: BJP

Rahul Gandhi met with 'enemies of India' in Germany: BJP

Rediff.com20 Dec 2025

The BJP has accused Rahul Gandhi of meeting with 'enemies of India' during a visit to Germany, alleging a conspiracy against the country.

'Nehru did vote chori', Shah defends SIR; Oppn walks out

'Nehru did vote chori', Shah defends SIR; Oppn walks out

Rediff.com10 Dec 2025

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday challenged Home Minister Amit Shah to debate with him on his three press conferences in which the Congress leader alleged 'vote chori' by the Bharatiya Janata Party in collusion with the Election Commission.

BJP's Kailash Vijayvargiya is no stranger to controversies

BJP's Kailash Vijayvargiya is no stranger to controversies

Rediff.com1 Jan 2026

Madhya Pradesh minister Kailash Vijayvargiya is facing criticism for his crass comments regarding the water crisis in Indore. This is the latest in a series of controversial remarks made by the veteran politician.

City stalled, Liverpool blunt as New Year turns goal-shy

City stalled, Liverpool blunt as New Year turns goal-shy

Rediff.com2 Jan 2026

Second-placed City would have reduced Arsenal's advantage to two points but instead were frustrated as their winning streak in all competitions was halted at eight.

157 off 75! Sarfaraz Khan lights up Vijay Hazare Trophy

157 off 75! Sarfaraz Khan lights up Vijay Hazare Trophy

Rediff.com31 Dec 2025

Sarfaraz Khan delivered a thunderous reminder of his white-ball credentials ahead of India's upcoming ODI series against New Zealand

The Greatest Thing Sreenivasan Did For Malayalam Cinema

The Greatest Thing Sreenivasan Did For Malayalam Cinema

Rediff.com7 Jan 2026

Sreenivasan could so willingly be 'our little man' because in his heart of hearts he never felt trivial or inconsequential. And to the very end he stayed that way, the shrimp who knew he was a giant. Sreehari Nair doffs his hat to the late legend.

Odisha Gives MLAs A 200% Pay Hike

Odisha Gives MLAs A 200% Pay Hike

Rediff.com23 Dec 2025

In terms of MLA salaries, Odisha is followed by Telangana (about Rs 2.7 lakh), Maharashtra (Rs 2.6 lakh), Manipur (Rs 2.5 lakh), and Uttar Pradesh (Rs 2.4 lakh).

Rajasthan panchayat bans camera phones for daughters-in-law

Rajasthan panchayat bans camera phones for daughters-in-law

Rediff.com23 Dec 2025

A village panchayat in Rajasthan's Jalore district has prohibited daughters-in-law and young women from 15 villages from using phones with cameras starting January 26. The decision was made to protect children's eyesight and prevent distraction.

Varun reveals the mental trick behind his T20 success

Varun reveals the mental trick behind his T20 success

Rediff.com19 Dec 2025

India spinner Varun Chakravarthy says his T20 World Cup preparation is centred around backing his lengths, maintaining confidence and constantly challenging himself mentally even in matches that appear straightforward.

India's Problem: Strong Power, Weak Resistance

India's Problem: Strong Power, Weak Resistance

Rediff.com3 Jan 2026

This new year will bring, once again, a repetition of both intent and apathy, expects Aakar Patel.

Maharashtra Oppn boycotts govt tea party over LoP appointment row

Maharashtra Oppn boycotts govt tea party over LoP appointment row

Rediff.com7 Dec 2025

The Opposition in Maharashtra boycotted the government's customary tea party on the eve of the Winter session, citing its failure to appoint leaders of the opposition (LoPs) in both houses of the state legislature.

How Winter Session Sets Stage For Budget

How Winter Session Sets Stage For Budget

Rediff.com5 Jan 2026

Three laws passed in Parliament could boost central revenues, reshape GST cess flows, shift MGNREGA costs to states and create new budget headroom ahead of the 2026-2027 Union Budget, points out A K Bhattacharya.