News for 'Assam Assembly'

Assam polls: BJP releases list of 70 candidates

Assam polls: BJP releases list of 70 candidates

Rediff.com5 Mar 2021

Party general secretary Arun Singh told a press conference that Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal will contest from Majuli and minister Himanta Biswa Sarma from Jalukbari, constituencies these two top BJP state leaders currently represent in the 126-member assembly.

History in Minutes: Major Who Saved Tawang From China

History in Minutes: Major Who Saved Tawang From China

Rediff.com21 Mar 2025

Major Khathing was the first man to hoist the Indian flag in Tawang. He also brought Bum La under Indian control.

'Durga Mata Ki Jai'

'Durga Mata Ki Jai'

Rediff.com25 Jan 2025

At 4 am, troops roared their war cry! In the long running tradition of the armed forces, soldiers seek the blessings of the Goddess before setting out on their mission -- in war or peace. The Republic Day parade is one such mission.

SIT to probe Pak man linked to Cong MP Gogoi's wife

SIT to probe Pak man linked to Cong MP Gogoi's wife

Rediff.com17 Feb 2025

The Assam Cabinet on Sunday had decided not to register any case against the Congress MP or his British spouse, who the BJP has accused of having ISI links, but instructed the DGP to file an FIR against Pakistani national Ali Tauqeer Sheikh.

'Pro-Mamata Sentiment Among Muslims Is A Reality'

'Pro-Mamata Sentiment Among Muslims Is A Reality'

Rediff.com21 Apr 2025

'Mamata needs to address the anger and resentment among various sections of the Hindu community because low-scale communal violence has always paid richer electoral dividends for the BJP.'

Opposition walks out on question of voter list discrepancies

Opposition walks out on question of voter list discrepancies

Rediff.com10 Mar 2025

Opposition parties in India, led by the Congress, have demanded a detailed discussion in Parliament on alleged discrepancies in voter lists. Rahul Gandhi raised the issue in the Lok Sabha, highlighting concerns about the integrity of the electoral process. The opposition alleges large-scale duplication of EPIC numbers, which they claim undermines voter integrity and the electoral process. They have also pointed out instances of inflated voter lists in states like Maharashtra and Haryana. The Election Commission has acknowledged discrepancies but maintains that these are not widespread and that corrective measures are being taken. The opposition, however, insists on a comprehensive discussion on the matter to ensure the integrity of elections in India.

Assam will bring law for life term in 'love jihad' cases: Sarma

Assam will bring law for life term in 'love jihad' cases: Sarma

Rediff.com4 Aug 2024

The term 'love jihad' is used by right-wing groups to allege a ploy by Muslim men to lure Hindu women into religious conversion through marriage.

Famous faces at polling booths in Bengal, Assam

Famous faces at polling booths in Bengal, Assam

Rediff.com27 Mar 2021

West Bengal and Assam voted in the first phase of assembly elections on Saturday. Polling was held for 30 seats in West Bengal and 47 seats in Assam amid tight security. Among the long queues of voters, there were some famous faces too who exercised their franchise.

Why Stalin Is Pushing Keeladi Over Indus Valley

Why Stalin Is Pushing Keeladi Over Indus Valley

Rediff.com2 Jun 2025

'It has the potential to sow seeds of furthering discord when the direction of the discourse is aimed at propagating the perceived supremacy of 'cultural nationalism' from a distant past over the prevailing dominance of 'Constitutional nationalism',' argues N Sathiya Moorthy.

Gaurav Gogoi's British wife has ISI links, claims BJP; Cong hits back

Gaurav Gogoi's British wife has ISI links, claims BJP; Cong hits back

Rediff.com13 Feb 2025

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has accused Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi of raising questions on sensitive defence matters in Parliament after his marriage to a British citizen. Sarma alleged that Gogoi's wife, Elizabeth Colburn, has links with the Pakistani establishment, including working for an organisation allegedly a front for the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Gogoi has rejected the allegations as "baseless" and said the BJP is trying to divert attention from its own failures.

Why Congress's Ahmedabad AICC session is historic

Why Congress's Ahmedabad AICC session is historic

Rediff.com7 Apr 2025

The Congress's second AICC session in Gujarat post-Independence is being held on the 100th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi's party presidency and the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

Assam scraps Muslim marriages act; discriminatory, says Oppn

Assam scraps Muslim marriages act; discriminatory, says Oppn

Rediff.com24 Feb 2024

The decision to repeal the Act was taken at a late-night cabinet meeting on Friday as it is an obsolete pre-Independence Act of the British for the then province of Assam, the CM said.

Assam passes bill to scrap state-run Madrassas

Assam passes bill to scrap state-run Madrassas

Rediff.com30 Dec 2020

From April 1 next year, over 600 state-run Madrassas will be converted into upper primary, high and higher secondary schools with no change of status, pay, allowances and service conditions of the teaching and non-teaching staff.

Hemant Soren's nomination proposer joins BJP

Hemant Soren's nomination proposer joins BJP

Rediff.com4 Nov 2024

Murmu, a descendant of Sido-Kanu, who led the Santhal revolt in 1855, joined the party in Deoghar on Sunday in the presence of Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

BJP, Assam allies finalise seat-sharing, announcement soon

BJP, Assam allies finalise seat-sharing, announcement soon

Rediff.com3 Mar 2021

The Bharatiya Janata Party and its two Assam allies -- the Asom Gana Parishad and the United People's Party Liberal -- on Wednesday 'almost finalised' their seat-sharing pact for the Assam assembly polls and a formal announcement will be made in a day or two, sources said.

Water, power connection cut to Assam ex-CM Mahanta's official home

Water, power connection cut to Assam ex-CM Mahanta's official home

Rediff.com2 Nov 2022

Water and electricity connections to former chief minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta's quarters inside the Assam assembly complex were snapped on Wednesday as he has not shifted to a new accommodation despite receiving several notices to do so, officials said.

Women Voters: The Rising Power Transforming Politics

Women Voters: The Rising Power Transforming Politics

Rediff.com15 Jan 2025

'Women' as a political constituency appears to be an idea that has come of age. It is changing India in ways that we only dimly understand, asserts Aditi Phadnis.

Won't allow child marriage in Assam till I am alive: Himanta

Won't allow child marriage in Assam till I am alive: Himanta

Rediff.com26 Feb 2024

Members of the Congress and AIUDF, protesting against a Cabinet decision to repeal the Assam Muslim Marriages and Divorces Registration Act, 1935, staged walkouts later.

Buzz grows over BJP's CM pick in Delhi; Pravesh Verma key contender

Buzz grows over BJP's CM pick in Delhi; Pravesh Verma key contender

Rediff.com8 Feb 2025

The BJP's victory in the Delhi Assembly elections has sparked speculation over who will lead the next government. Several prominent leaders, including Pravesh Verma, Ashish Sood, Pawan Sharma, Vijender Gupta, and Satish Upadhyay, are in the running for the chief minister's post. The party's national leadership is expected to make the final decision, leaving the contenders in a state of anticipation.

What Assam women did when they saw Rahul Gandhi

What Assam women did when they saw Rahul Gandhi

Rediff.com18 Jan 2024

Hundreds of rural women who gathered to collect forms for a newly announced government scheme in Jorhat district of Assam left their queues to greet Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who was leading the 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra' through the area on Thursday.

How Will Tribals Vote In Jharkhand?

How Will Tribals Vote In Jharkhand?

Rediff.com12 Nov 2024

'I don't believe there is an international conspiracy to swamp tribals in India or in Jharkhand.'

Assembly Elections 2016: LEADS / RESULTS

Assembly Elections 2016: LEADS / RESULTS

Rediff.com19 May 2016

Catch the latest election results as they emerge, LIVE!

Rahul Gandhi will be arrested after LS polls: Assam CM Himanta

Rahul Gandhi will be arrested after LS polls: Assam CM Himanta

Rediff.com25 Jan 2024

The Assam police suo motu registered the FIR against Gandhi and several other leaders for "wanton acts of violence" here during the party's 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra' on Tuesday.

CEC Rajiv Kumar, a strong critic of exit polls, demits office

CEC Rajiv Kumar, a strong critic of exit polls, demits office

Rediff.com18 Feb 2025

Rajiv Kumar, the 25th chief election commissioner of India, has demitted office after a nearly three-year tenure marked by both electoral successes and allegations of bias from opposition parties. Kumar oversaw the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and the Jammu and Kashmir assembly polls, among other major elections. During his tenure, he implemented reforms across various aspects of the Election Commission's functioning, including structural, technological, capacity development, communication, international cooperation, and administration. However, he faced criticism from opposition parties and activists on several issues, including the efficacy of Electronic Voting Machines, alleged fudging of voter data, and being "lenient" on the ruling BJP. While the Commission responded to the allegations, Kumar often defended himself and the poll authority through poetry. In his farewell address, Kumar expressed concerns about the timing of petitions raising doubts over poll processes and the impact of freebie promises on the fiscal health of the state. He also criticized the practice of showing early trends on counting day by news channels, calling it "nonsense". Kumar's tenure was marked by numerous controversies, with opposition parties and activists alleging bias and irregularities. While the Election Commission defended its actions, the allegations cast a shadow over his time in office.

'Delimitation Is Not A South Versus North Issue'

'Delimitation Is Not A South Versus North Issue'

Rediff.com31 Mar 2025

'There will be no change of seats for Delhi, Assam and Maharashtra.' 'Andhra, J&K, Kerala, Punjab, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, West Bengal and Telangana will lose seats while there will be an increase for MP, UP, Bihar, Haryana, Gujarat and Chhattisgarh.' 'It is a big mistake if you make it a north-south issue.'

'BJP Won't Be Able To Form Government In Bengal in 2026'

'BJP Won't Be Able To Form Government In Bengal in 2026'

Rediff.com21 Apr 2025

'The BJP lacks a credible mass leader who matches Mamata Banerjee's popularity.' 'Given the division of votes among Opposition parties, the West Bengal government's dole-giving strategy, and the consolidation of the poor, significant sections of scheduled caste groups and Muslim minorities behind the ruling party, it will be difficult to dislodge the Trinamool from power.'

Bypolls: BJP wins big in UP; Trinamool sweeps Bengal

Bypolls: BJP wins big in UP; Trinamool sweeps Bengal

Rediff.com24 Nov 2024

Ruling parties held sway in most of the 13 states in the assembly byelection results declared on Saturday, with the Bharatiya Janata Party and its allies wresting seats in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Rajasthan and the Trinamool Congress sweeping West Bengal.

Sonowal, Sarma meet BJP top brass over Assam CM pick

Sonowal, Sarma meet BJP top brass over Assam CM pick

Rediff.com8 May 2021

After a series of meetings, Sarma told reporters that BJP's Assam legislature party is likely to meet in Guwahati on Sunday and all questions related to the next government will be answered there.

Assam Congress chief Ripun Bora resigns after poll debacle

Assam Congress chief Ripun Bora resigns after poll debacle

Rediff.com2 May 2021

Congress's Assam president Ripun Bora resigned on Sunday after the party's defeat in the state elections.

Kovind's report moots simultaneous LS, assembly polls as first step

Kovind's report moots simultaneous LS, assembly polls as first step

Rediff.com14 Mar 2024

A high-level committee on Thursday recommended simultaneous elections for Lok Sabha and state assemblies as the first step followed by synchronised local body polls within 100 days.

Counting for bypolls today: Will Priyanka win in Wayanad

Counting for bypolls today: Will Priyanka win in Wayanad

Rediff.com23 Nov 2024

The counting of votes for the bypolls to 46 assembly seats in 13 states and in the Lok Sabha segments of Nanded in Maharashtra and Wayanad in Kerala, a crucial electoral exercise since the parliamentary polls in April-May, will begin at 8 am on Saturday.

Himanta announces panel to examine ban on polygamy in Assam

Himanta announces panel to examine ban on polygamy in Assam

Rediff.com9 May 2023

The Assam government wants to ban polygamy as "a component of the Uniform Civil Code" and will form a committee to examine whether the state legislature was empowered to prohibit the practice prevalent in parts of the state, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Tuesday.

Rahul Gandhi booked in Assam hours after CM's direction to DGP

Rahul Gandhi booked in Assam hours after CM's direction to DGP

Rediff.com24 Jan 2024

Rahul Gandhi was booked on Tuesday for 'wanton acts of violence' by the Assam Police as the political confrontation between the Congress leader and state Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma escalated on the tenth day of the 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra', with Gandhi asserting that he does not get 'intimidated' by such tactics.

SC refuses to stay ongoing Assam delimitation

SC refuses to stay ongoing Assam delimitation

Rediff.com24 Jul 2023

A bench of Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, however, agreed to examine the constitutional validity of Section 8A of the Representation of the People Act, 1950 empowering the Election Commission to undertake the delimitation of constituencies.

BJP makes '10 commitments' in manifesto for Assam

BJP makes '10 commitments' in manifesto for Assam

Rediff.com23 Mar 2021

The manifesto, released by BJP national president JP Nadda, promised to protect "genuine Indian citizens and to detect infiltrators" to ensure the Ahom civilization stays safe.

BJP functioning like mafia in Assam: Priyanka Gandhi

BJP functioning like mafia in Assam: Priyanka Gandhi

Rediff.com22 Mar 2021

The Congress leader compared Assam's BJP leadership with 'Dritarashtra' and 'Shakuni', characters in the epic Mahabharata, without naming whom she meant.

No postal ballot for overseas voters in assembly polls

No postal ballot for overseas voters in assembly polls

Rediff.com24 Mar 2021

Postal ballot facility for eligible overseas Indian electors cannot be extended for the upcoming assembly polls as the matter is still under discussion with the Ministry of External Affairs to iron out logistical challenges in implementing the proposal, Lok Sabha was informed.

72.14% turnout recorded in crucial Phase 1 of Assam polls

72.14% turnout recorded in crucial Phase 1 of Assam polls

Rediff.com27 Mar 2021

A voter turnout of 72.14 per cent was recorded in Assam till 5 pm on Saturday in the first phase of assembly elections in the state, the Election Commission said.

Assam registers 77.21% voting in 2nd phase on 39 seats

Assam registers 77.21% voting in 2nd phase on 39 seats

Rediff.com1 Apr 2021

Over 73.44 lakh voters exercised their franchise in 10,592 polling stations spread over 13 districts in the Barak Valley, the hill regions and parts of central and lower Assam.

EC initiates delimitation of constituencies in Assam

EC initiates delimitation of constituencies in Assam

Rediff.com27 Dec 2022

The Commission said a ban has been put in place effective January 1, 2023 on the creation of new administrative units in the state till the exercise is completed.