News for 'Ashwani Kumar'

Congress on shaky ground as poll fortunes plummet further

Congress on shaky ground as poll fortunes plummet further

Rediff.com2 May 2021

The setback promises to have far-reaching ramifications within and outside the party as it is likely to fuel voices that have challenged the Gandhi family's leadership and also those who have been a votary of a non-Congress front to take on the Bharatiya Janata Party.

'Sustained onslaught has put Indian democracy on notice'

'Sustained onslaught has put Indian democracy on notice'

Rediff.com17 May 2016

Ashwani Kumar, in a lecture at the prestigious Trinity College, Dublin, said the recent incident of "oppressive enforcement" of the colonial law of sedition against students protesting in university campuses has raised several questions about the future of India's liberal democracy.

Letter lays open cracks in Congress on CWC eve

Letter lays open cracks in Congress on CWC eve

Rediff.com23 Aug 2020

As the debate over the issue of leadership raged, another group of leaders put their weight behind the Gandhi family on Sunday, calling for Sonia Gandhi to stay or Rahul Gandhi to take charge again.

Mizoram registers 60 per cent turnout in Lok Sabha polls

Mizoram registers 60 per cent turnout in Lok Sabha polls

Rediff.com11 Apr 2014

Despite a slow down in polling at midday due to the scorching heat, voter turnout was around 50 per cent till 2 pm on Friday for elections to the lone Mizoram Lok Sabha seat and by-poll to the Hrangturzo assembly seat.

Azad's remote control is in Modi's hands: Congress lets fly

Azad's remote control is in Modi's hands: Congress lets fly

Rediff.com26 Aug 2022

The Congress on Friday called senior leader Ghulam Nabi Azad's resignation 'unfortunate' and termed the timing 'awful', saying it has come at a time when the party is engaged in combating the Bharatiya Janata Party on various issues.

In final speech as VP Naidu deplores 'freebie culture'

In final speech as VP Naidu deplores 'freebie culture'

Rediff.com9 Aug 2022

The remarks by Naidu in his last address as the country's Vice President came even as Telangana's ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi RS said the welfare of poorer sections of society is not a freebie and that welfare measures taken by governments should continue.

Govt likely to finalise list of new Governors on Wednesday

Govt likely to finalise list of new Governors on Wednesday

Rediff.com8 Jul 2014

The Centre is expected to finalise the list of Bharatiya Janata Party veterans to be appointed as Governors to fill up vacancies in various Raj Bhawans on Wednesday.

More Indian names tumble out of Panama Papers leak

More Indian names tumble out of Panama Papers leak

Rediff.com5 Apr 2016

A day after the world was rocked by the revelations made by what is now being called the Panama Papers, the Indian Express has disclosed a second list of Indians who were involved in offshore companies.

Cong president poll on Oct 17; filing of nomination to begin on Sep 24

Cong president poll on Oct 17; filing of nomination to begin on Sep 24

Rediff.com28 Aug 2022

The Congress on Sunday announced that elections for its president will be held on October 17 with the winner being declared two days later, asserting that it is the only party in the country which undertakes such a democratic exercise.

EC defers Mizoram poll date to April 11

EC defers Mizoram poll date to April 11

Rediff.com8 Apr 2014

The Election Commission on Tuesday deferred the polling date for election to the lone Lok Sabha seat in Mizoram and by-poll to Hrangturzo assembly seat to April 11 from April 9 in view of a state-wide bandh called against exercise of franchise by Bru voters lodged in Tripura camps through postal ballots.

Coalgate and India's crony capitalism

Coalgate and India's crony capitalism

Rediff.com28 Aug 2014

The Supreme Court judgement will hopefully ensure that those in power and authority will hesitate before allotting precious natural resources that belong to each and every citizen of the country in an arbitrary and corrupt manner, says Paranjoy Guha Thakurta.

Kamath leads race to succeed Chakrabarty as RBI deputy guv

Kamath leads race to succeed Chakrabarty as RBI deputy guv

Rediff.com31 Mar 2014

Experts interviewed CMDs of nine public sector banks on Friday and Kamath is believed to be in the reckoning

Ghulam Nabi Azad quits Cong after 50 yrs, blames Rahul

Ghulam Nabi Azad quits Cong after 50 yrs, blames Rahul

Rediff.com26 Aug 2022

Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad on Friday resigned from all party positions, including its primary membership, delivering another blow to the embattled party that has seen a series of leaders leave it.

UP Governor Joshi resigns, more on the way out

UP Governor Joshi resigns, more on the way out

Rediff.com17 Jun 2014

The Centre has asked some of the Governors appointed during the United Progressive Alliance regime to quit in the wake of change of government.

When Astad Deboo wowed Sweden's royalty

When Astad Deboo wowed Sweden's royalty

Rediff.com4 Jun 2015

Padma Shri Astad Deboo, the well-known contemporary Indian dancer, enthralled President Pranab Mukherjee as he settled down after his meetings with business leaders from India and Sweden in Stockholm on Tuesday night.

Cong struggles to maintain relevance in face of defeats

Cong struggles to maintain relevance in face of defeats

Rediff.com10 Mar 2022

A dominant force in the country's politics for decades, the grand old party's free fall continued as it lost Punjab to AAP and finished with just two seats out of 403 in the politically crucial state of Uttar Pradesh.

AAP storms to power in Punjab with 2/3rd majority

AAP storms to power in Punjab with 2/3rd majority

Rediff.com10 Mar 2022

The incumbent Congress could win only 18 seats, with Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi losing both seats he contested -- Chamkaur Sahib as well as Bhadaur.

BJP plans statewide yatra for Patna blast victims

BJP plans statewide yatra for Patna blast victims

Rediff.com31 Oct 2013

In a bid to mobilise support after serial blasts struck its rally in Patna on Sunday, the Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday began a 'shahid asthi-kalash yatra' of the six blast victims from six different villages that would be taken to different parts of the state before being immersed in Ganga river in Patna.

Kejriwal shoots letter to MHA, tells it not to interfere

Kejriwal shoots letter to MHA, tells it not to interfere

Rediff.com11 Jun 2015

Hardening his position on transfer of Delhi's home secretary, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday conveyed to Union home ministry that giving additional charge to top bureaucrats was within the rights of his government and that it should not interfere in such matters.

COVID-19 deaths: Why Supreme Court order is important

COVID-19 deaths: Why Supreme Court order is important

Rediff.com13 Jun 2020

'There is a special benefit in the matter being taken up by the Supreme Court rather than the high courts.' 'The orders of the high courts are limited, but the Supreme Court order is binding upon everybody.'

Bihar blow to BJP's ambitions, but some see a window of opportunity

Bihar blow to BJP's ambitions, but some see a window of opportunity

Rediff.com9 Aug 2022

Loss of power in Bihar has upset the Bharatiya Janata Party's calculations for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls but a section of its leaders also see a chance for the party to break the dominance of regional parties in the state, like it has in Uttar Pradesh.

Bihar doctors die of COVID, govt looks away

Bihar doctors die of COVID, govt looks away

Rediff.com19 May 2021

116 doctors treating COVID patients in Bihar have succumbed to the disease. The family of only one doctor has received compensation.

Govt may appoint 6 new governors in coming weeks

Govt may appoint 6 new governors in coming weeks

Rediff.com18 Jan 2015

The government is planning to appoint new Governors in at least six states in the next 15-20 days, with Bihar, Punjab and Assam likely among these.

Uttrakhand Governor Aziz Qureshi shunted to Mizoram

Uttrakhand Governor Aziz Qureshi shunted to Mizoram

Rediff.com30 Dec 2014

Uttrakhand Governor Aziz Qureshi, who had taken the Modi government to Supreme Court for alleged attempts to ease him out of office, was on Tuesday shifted to Mizoram.

Rangarajan panel submits report on poverty to Plan Panel

Rangarajan panel submits report on poverty to Plan Panel

Rediff.com1 Jul 2014

The Planning Commission in May 2012 had constituted the expert group under the then Prime Minister's Economic Advisory Council Chairman C Rangarajan to review the Tendulkar Committee methodology for estimating poverty, following an uproar over the number of poor in the country.

Fate of over 10 Governors hangs in balance

Fate of over 10 Governors hangs in balance

Rediff.com25 May 2014

Fate of more than ten Governors, including Karnataka's H R Bhardwaj and Punjab's Shivraj V Patil, appointed by the outgoing UPA government hangs in balance with indications that the new dispensation may politely ask them to vacate the Raj Bhavans.

Cabinet reshuffle today; PM to fill up vacant slots

Cabinet reshuffle today; PM to fill up vacant slots

Rediff.com17 Jun 2013

The names of Meenakshi Natarajan, considered close to party Vice President Rahul Gandhi, and Oscar Fernandes are being mentioned in Congress circles for a possible berth in the Union council of ministers.

What Congress fears the most from Amarinder's exit

What Congress fears the most from Amarinder's exit

Rediff.com19 Sep 2021

Congress leaders are now in a "wait and watch" mode over the possible ripple effect of Punjab developments in faction-ridden Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, the only two states other than Punjab where the party is in power on its own.

Inside story: Why Ramvilas Paswan is warming up to former foe BJP

Inside story: Why Ramvilas Paswan is warming up to former foe BJP

Rediff.com24 Feb 2014

A day after reports surfaced about an alliance between the Lok Janshakti Party led by Ramvilas Paswan and the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance to contest the Lok Sabha polls from Bihar, a senior leader of the saffron party has strongly spoke out against any such tie-up.

Oppn demands imposition of President's Rule in Bihar

Oppn demands imposition of President's Rule in Bihar

Rediff.com14 Feb 2016

Leaders of the BJP-led NDA told Bihar Governor that law and order is deteriorating in Bihar and demanded imposition of President's rule in the state.

AICC sets up 4-member panel to look into row over PPCC list

AICC sets up 4-member panel to look into row over PPCC list

Rediff.com8 Jan 2014

In the wake of discontent among party leaders over the newly-formed Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee, the All India Congress Committee on Tuesday set up a four-member panel to look into grievances and quell the rebellion within the state unit.

Rajasthan impasse: Cong seeks presidential intervention

Rajasthan impasse: Cong seeks presidential intervention

Rediff.com27 Jul 2020

The Congress leader alleged that BJP-appointed governors have violated the Constitution and have in the process "gravely impaired" parliamentary democracy, its conventions and traditions.

Army finalises plan for inducting women in military police

Army finalises plan for inducting women in military police

Rediff.com8 Sep 2017

Adjutant General of the Army Lt General Ashwani Kumar said it planned to induct about 800 women in the military police with a yearly intake of 52 personnel.

Names of 5 new governors finalised, BJP veteran Ram Naik to get UP

Names of 5 new governors finalised, BJP veteran Ram Naik to get UP

Rediff.com13 Jul 2014

In fresh trouble for former Maharashtra chief minister Ashok Chavan, the Election Commission on Sunday slapped a showcause notice on him for failing to lodge his election expenses as per law in a paid news case and asked him why he should not be disqualified.

Former CBI director Ranjit Sinha passes away

Former CBI director Ranjit Sinha passes away

Rediff.com16 Apr 2021

It is understood that he was confirmed positive for coronavirus on Thursday night.

Want to deposit money in your A/C? Drop it in any ATM

Want to deposit money in your A/C? Drop it in any ATM

Rediff.com16 Apr 2015

The RBI plans to increase e-smart facility.

Mizoram Governor Aziz Qureshi sacked

Mizoram Governor Aziz Qureshi sacked

Rediff.com28 Mar 2015

Mizoram Governor Aziz Qureshi, who has had a running feud with the Centre and even approached the Supreme Court against attempts to ease him out, was sacked on Saturday.

Dalit leader Charanjit Singh Channi is new Punjab CM

Dalit leader Charanjit Singh Channi is new Punjab CM

Rediff.com20 Sep 2021

The Congress picked Charanjit Singh Channi as the next chief minister of Punjab, making him the first Dailt to hold the post in the state, a day after Amarinder Singh resigned following a bitter power tussle in the party.

SC issues notices to Centre, EC on PIL against poll freebies

SC issues notices to Centre, EC on PIL against poll freebies

Rediff.com25 Jan 2022

The plea said there should be a total ban on such populist measures to gain undue political favour from voters as they violate the Constitution and the ECI should take suitable deterrent measures.

Ex-BJP minister dares Bihar govt to evict him from bungalow

Ex-BJP minister dares Bihar govt to evict him from bungalow

Rediff.com22 Aug 2013

A day after the Bihar government issued notices to eight former BJP ministers to vacate the sprawling ministerial bungalows, some of them challenged the government to evict them while others refused to vacate unless given alternative accommodation.