News for '-polls'

SC seeks EC response on TMC MPs' plea over Bengal electoral rolls

SC seeks EC response on TMC MPs' plea over Bengal electoral rolls

Rediff.com12 Jan 2026

The Supreme Court has sought a response from the Election Commission on a plea by Trinamool Congress MPs alleging irregularities in the revision of electoral rolls in West Bengal.

BJP-led Mahayuti clinches 25 of 29 Maha civic bodies

BJP-led Mahayuti clinches 25 of 29 Maha civic bodies

Rediff.com17 Jan 2026

Breaking the nearly three-decade-old dominance of the undivided Shiv Sena, the Bharatiya Janata Party on Friday emerged victorious in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, and also vanquished the alliance of Nationalist Congress Party factions led by Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar in the Pune civic body.

Shiv Sena corporators vacate Mumbai hotel

Shiv Sena corporators vacate Mumbai hotel

Rediff.com20 Jan 2026

Corporators of the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena have vacated their hotel in Mumbai after the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation election results. The corporators received guidance from Deputy CM Shinde during their stay.

Sunetra Pawar's journey from shadows to spotlight

Sunetra Pawar's journey from shadows to spotlight

Rediff.com31 Jan 2026

Sunetra Pawar, wife of the late Ajit Pawar, has been appointed as the first woman Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, marking a new chapter for the NCP and presenting her with the challenge of leading the party.

Cong divided over tie-up with MNS for Mumbai civic polls

Cong divided over tie-up with MNS for Mumbai civic polls

Rediff.com22 Nov 2025

State Congress chief Harshwardhan Sapkal has reiterated that the party would never join hands with "those who indulge in violence".

Fragmented opposition hands BJP its first shot at BMC

Fragmented opposition hands BJP its first shot at BMC

Rediff.com16 Jan 2026

Multi-cornered contests, deep divisions within the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi, reflected in the Congress and Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray fighting separately and lack of a robust plan among its rivals helped the Bharatiya Janata Party in Mumbai polls as it looks poised to rule India's richest civic body for the first time.

Mumbai mayor post for Sena will be tribute to Bal Thackeray: Shinde

Mumbai mayor post for Sena will be tribute to Bal Thackeray: Shinde

Rediff.com19 Jan 2026

Shinde also emphasised that Mumbai will have a Mahayuti mayor, dismissing reports of new political equations after the results of the civic polls were declared last week.

Handle threats to BLOs, else will cause anarchy, SC tells poll panel

Handle threats to BLOs, else will cause anarchy, SC tells poll panel

Rediff.com9 Dec 2025

The Supreme Court expressed concern over threats to election officials in West Bengal and other states, urging the Election Commission to take action. The court also addressed the lack of cooperation from state governments in electoral roll revisions.

Saffron tsunami in Maha: BJP wins 1,425 seats in 29 corporations

Saffron tsunami in Maha: BJP wins 1,425 seats in 29 corporations

Rediff.com17 Jan 2026

According to the final tally, the BJP won 1,425 out of a total 2,869 seats, Shiv Sena 399, Congress 324, NCP 167, Shiv Sena-UBT 155, NCP-SP 36, MNS 13, BSP 6, parties registered with the SEC 129, unrecognised parties 196, and 19 independents.

BJP set to announce new party president on January 20

BJP set to announce new party president on January 20

Rediff.com16 Jan 2026

The BJP has announced the schedule for the election of the party's national president, with nominations to be filed on January 19 and the announcement of the new chief on January 20.

Will paint all Maharashtra green: AIMIM MP backs Mumbra corporator

Will paint all Maharashtra green: AIMIM MP backs Mumbra corporator

Rediff.com24 Jan 2026

AIMIM leader Imtiaz Jaleel supports colleague Sahar Shaikh's controversial statement about turning Mumbra green, claiming the party intends to do the same across Maharashtra. This follows Shaikh's victory in Thane civic polls and subsequent backlash over her remarks.

Will Bihar Exit Polls Be Right Or Wrong?

Will Bihar Exit Polls Be Right Or Wrong?

Rediff.com12 Nov 2025

The results for the election to the 243-member Bihar assembly will be available on Friday, November 14, 2025.

Maharashtra Republic Day tableau wins top award

Maharashtra Republic Day tableau wins top award

Rediff.com29 Jan 2026

The Indian Navy has been recognized as the best marching contingent among the armed forces at the Republic Day Parade. Maharashtra won for states/UTs, and the Culture Ministry for ministries/departments.

Battle is not over yet...: Thackerays after BMC rout

Battle is not over yet...: Thackerays after BMC rout

Rediff.com17 Jan 2026

The BJP has expanded its footprint in Maharashtra following strong performance in assembly elections, while other parties are seeing their political bases shrink, according to a party official. The assessment is based on the BJP's performance in civic polls across 29 municipal corporations.

My decision not to contest Bihar polls was a mistake: Prashant Kishor

My decision not to contest Bihar polls was a mistake: Prashant Kishor

Rediff.com19 Nov 2025

'. I had never expected that our party would get less than 4 per cent votes in the assembly polls'

'Some people have no work to show': Fadnavis' dig at Ajit Pawar

'Some people have no work to show': Fadnavis' dig at Ajit Pawar

Rediff.com10 Jan 2026

Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party is part of the BJP-led Mahayuti but the two parties are fighting the Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad civic polls separately.

EC bars Maha govt from releasing early payment under 'Ladki Bahin'

EC bars Maha govt from releasing early payment under 'Ladki Bahin'

Rediff.com13 Jan 2026

The State Election Commission (SEC) has barred the Maharashtra government from releasing the January instalment of the 'Ladki Bahin' scheme in advance, citing the enforcement of the model code of conduct for municipal elections. The decision follows complaints about the timing of the release, coinciding with upcoming municipal elections.

Assam CM To BJP Workers: Don't Be Overconfident

Assam CM To BJP Workers: Don't Be Overconfident

Rediff.com6 Jan 2026

Himanta Biswa pointed out that it was 'too early' for surveys to accurately capture the electoral mood, as several key developments vis-a-vis seat-sharing arrangements among NDA partners are yet to be finalised.

Lalu Prasad attends Tej Pratap's Makar Sankranti feast; Tejashwi skips

Lalu Prasad attends Tej Pratap's Makar Sankranti feast; Tejashwi skips

Rediff.com14 Jan 2026

RJD president Lalu Prasad attended a Makar Sankranti feast at his son Tej Pratap Yadav's house, despite past conflicts. The event sparks political speculation amidst family tensions.

She told me, I am flying with Ajit dada: Crew member's father

She told me, I am flying with Ajit dada: Crew member's father

Rediff.com28 Jan 2026

Pinky Mali was an attendant on the Learjet 46, operated by Delhi-based VSR Ventures, that crash-landed at the Baramati airport

Why Freebies May Not Save Stalin's DMK

Why Freebies May Not Save Stalin's DMK

Rediff.com16 Jan 2026

While the DMK depends on a 'silver sieve' of welfare schemes to stay in power, its support is slowly draining away under the weight of poor governance, corruption, and voters who are no longer satisfied with benefits alone and now want basic administration to work, observes N Sathiya Moorthy.

Return of Nitish Kumar: Exit polls give NDA a clear majority

Return of Nitish Kumar: Exit polls give NDA a clear majority

Rediff.com11 Nov 2025

The most optimistic outcome was that of Matrize exit polls which predicted the NDA to win anywhere between 147 and 167 seats and the opposition Mahagathbandhan of Rashtriya Janata Dal and Congress party to bag 70-90 seats.

Delhi Braces For Heavy Calendar In 2026

Delhi Braces For Heavy Calendar In 2026

Rediff.com10 Jan 2026

Among major engagements in 2026 is the visit of the European Union leadership, chief guests at the Republic Day parade.

No need for outsiders to destroy family legacy: Lalu's daughter

No need for outsiders to destroy family legacy: Lalu's daughter

Rediff.com10 Jan 2026

RJD president Lalu Prasad's daughter Rohini Acharya criticised her family members for allegedly destroying a legacy, hinting at internal conflicts within the party.

BJP has turned Shinde's Shiv Sena into doormat: Uddhav

BJP has turned Shinde's Shiv Sena into doormat: Uddhav

Rediff.com8 Jan 2026

Uddhav Thackeray asserts that his alliance with MNS chief Raj Thackeray is permanent, dismissing speculation about their unity ahead of civic elections.

'CMC govt': Modi launches TN campaign with attack on DMK

'CMC govt': Modi launches TN campaign with attack on DMK

Rediff.com23 Jan 2026

According to the PM, CMC means "Corruption, Mafia, Crime."

Modi raises Sabarimala gold theft in mega Kerala rally

Modi raises Sabarimala gold theft in mega Kerala rally

Rediff.com23 Jan 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi attacked the ruling Left and Congress in Kerala, raising the Sabarimala gold loss issue and accusing the Congress of aligning with hardline elements. He urged voters to choose the BJP for development and good governance.

Blame game erupts in Mahagathbandhan after Bihar poll rout

Blame game erupts in Mahagathbandhan after Bihar poll rout

Rediff.com30 Nov 2025

Bihar's opposition Mahagathbandhan is experiencing internal conflict following their defeat in the recent assembly elections. Congress leaders have expressed dissatisfaction with their alliance with the RJD, leading to a blame game and further disarray within the opposition camp.

TMC's Derek O'Brien moves SC alleging irregularities in Bengal SIR

TMC's Derek O'Brien moves SC alleging irregularities in Bengal SIR

Rediff.com6 Jan 2026

The application claimed that since the inception of the SIR process in the state, the EC has issued instructions to officers at the ground level through "informal and extra-statutory channels", such as WhatsApp messages and oral directions conveyed during video conferences, instead of issuing formal written instructions.

AIMIM corporator's 'paint Mumbra green' remark sparks row

AIMIM corporator's 'paint Mumbra green' remark sparks row

Rediff.com21 Jan 2026

A newly-elected AIMIM corporator's victory speech, vowing to 'paint Mumbra green,' has sparked controversy, with rivals questioning its religious overtones. The corporator has since clarified her remarks.

Ajit 'dada' Pawar: Always the bridesmaid, never the bride

Ajit 'dada' Pawar: Always the bridesmaid, never the bride

Rediff.com28 Jan 2026

Ajit Pawar, who was the finance and planning minister, would have tabled his budget for 2026-27 next month when the state legislature's budget session begins in Mumbai on February 23.

Union Budget 2026: Sitharaman tries to cover all bases, leaves out markets

Union Budget 2026: Sitharaman tries to cover all bases, leaves out markets

Rediff.com1 Feb 2026

Budget 2026 sticks to fiscal discipline, shuns populist measures despite five key state elections coming up, but ends up rattling stock markets with a higher transaction tax on derivatives trading.

Congress suspends 12 councillors for tieup with BJP in Maharashtra

Congress suspends 12 councillors for tieup with BJP in Maharashtra

Rediff.com7 Jan 2026

The Congress party has suspended 12 newly-elected councillors in Maharashtra's Ambernath Municipal Council and its block president for forming an alliance with the BJP after recent civic polls. The BJP, along with the Congress and NCP, secured a majority in the council, despite Shiv Sena being the single largest party.

Phase 2 of Bihar polls tomorrow, Nitish ministers in fray

Phase 2 of Bihar polls tomorrow, Nitish ministers in fray

Rediff.com10 Nov 2025

Electoral fortunes of 1,302 candidates, including over half a dozen ministers in the Nitish Kumar government, will be sealed on Tuesday with 3.70 crore voters eligible to exercise their franchise across 122 assembly segments in the second and final phase of the Bihar polls.

AAP axes Goa unit president after debacle in ZP polls

AAP axes Goa unit president after debacle in ZP polls

Rediff.com25 Dec 2025

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has removed Amit Palekar from the post of Goa unit president following the party's poor performance in the recent Zilla Panchayat elections. Shrikrishna Parab will hold the additional charge until further orders.

Owaisi says India will have hijab-clad PM; BJP cites Iran

Owaisi says India will have hijab-clad PM; BJP cites Iran

Rediff.com10 Jan 2026

Owaisi argued that such inclusivity is not offered in Pakistan's constitution, which restricts people of other religions from holding top posts.

Maha local body poll results depend on final quota verdict: SC

Maha local body poll results depend on final quota verdict: SC

Rediff.com28 Nov 2025

The Supreme Court has directed the Maharashtra government and its state election commission to conduct local body elections, clarifying that the results will be subject to the court's final verdict, especially concerning the 50% quota limit. The court will hear pleas regarding OBC reservation in local bodies in January 2026.

What Happens To NCP After Ajit Pawar's Death?

What Happens To NCP After Ajit Pawar's Death?

Rediff.com29 Jan 2026

With Ajit Pawar's passing, the 40 MLAs who remain will now have to decide whether they want to continue in Mahayuti in the company of the BJP and Shiv Sena -- or return to the Sharad Pawar fold.

BJP threatens Ajit Pawar with 'pages from the past'

BJP threatens Ajit Pawar with 'pages from the past'

Rediff.com7 Jan 2026

Maharashtra minister and Bharatiya Janata Party leader Chandrashekhar Bawankule has said that Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar should refrain from criticising the saffron outfit and not force it to open 'pages from the past'.

PMK's Anbumani faction joins NDA in TN, more parties to join alliance

PMK's Anbumani faction joins NDA in TN, more parties to join alliance

Rediff.com7 Jan 2026

The PMK leader said that he came into the NDA fold to defeat the "anti-people" ruling DMK.