News for 'Bharatiya Janata Party legislators'

'You are just a kid': Nitish-Tejashwi spat in assembly over Bihar SIR

'You are just a kid': Nitish-Tejashwi spat in assembly over Bihar SIR

Rediff.com23 Jul 2025

The Bihar Assembly session was adjourned after a heated exchange between Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and leader of the opposition Tejashwi Yadav regarding the special intensive revision of electoral rolls. The situation escalated quickly, leading to unparliamentary language and a shouting match between members of the ruling and opposition parties.

Ajit Pawar justifies BJP tie-up with secularism plea

Ajit Pawar justifies BJP tie-up with secularism plea

Rediff.com6 Jun 2025

Ajit Pawar, who heads the Nationalist Congress Party, which is in an alliance with pro-Hindutva BJP and the Shiv Sena, noted Chief Ministers Mamata Banerjee (West Bengal), Chandrababu Naidu (Andhra Pradesh) and Nitish Kumar (Bihar) -- all secular politicians -- aligned with the BJP for the sake of development of their respective states.

What does colour...?: Shankaracharya on 'saffron terror' term

What does colour...?: Shankaracharya on 'saffron terror' term

Rediff.com4 Aug 2025

The Bharatiya Janata Party leaders said the 2008 Malegaon bomb blast case was a "slap on the face" of people who coined the term "saffron terror".

Govt to bring 'one nation, one poll' bills in Lok Sabha on Monday

Govt to bring 'one nation, one poll' bills in Lok Sabha on Monday

Rediff.com14 Dec 2024

The government has listed two bills related to 'one nation, one election' for introduction in the Lok Sabha on Monday.

BJP's Pragya Thakur accuses party MLA of running illegal liquor shop

BJP's Pragya Thakur accuses party MLA of running illegal liquor shop

Rediff.com5 Mar 2024

She has also demanded Rai's removal from the MLA's post. When contacted, Rai told media persons to themselves inquire into Thakur's allegations.

Orry, others booked for drinking near Vaishno Devi shrine

Orry, others booked for drinking near Vaishno Devi shrine

Rediff.com17 Mar 2025

Social media influencer Orhan Awatramani, known as Orry, and seven others were booked for allegedly consuming alcohol at a hotel in Katra, the base camp for the pilgrimage to Mata Vaishno Devi shrine. The FIR was registered for violating the law and hurting religious sentiments. The hotel reportedly prohibits alcohol and non-vegetarian food due to its proximity to the shrine.

Maha Guv CP Radhakrishnan named NDA's Vice-Presidential candidate

Maha Guv CP Radhakrishnan named NDA's Vice-Presidential candidate

Rediff.com17 Aug 2025

The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has nominated Maharashta Governor Chandrapuram Ponnusamy Radhakrishnan as their candidate for Vice-President of India. The announcement was made by BJP President J P Nadda, highlighting Radhakrishnan's extensive public service and cross-party respect.

Revolt in Haryana Cong as ticket aspirant quits, to fight as independent

Revolt in Haryana Cong as ticket aspirant quits, to fight as independent

Rediff.com7 Sep 2024

The party has fielded sitting MLA Rajendra Singh Joon from the Bahadurgarh seat.

Ajit Pawar ticks off Nitesh Rane: No communal rift, please!

Ajit Pawar ticks off Nitesh Rane: No communal rift, please!

Rediff.com12 Mar 2025

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has criticized his cabinet colleague, Nitesh Rane, for making "misleading" statements about Muslims not being part of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's army. Pawar, who heads the Nationalist Congress Party, called for restraint from political leaders and stressed the importance of maintaining communal harmony in the state. He emphasized that Shivaji Maharaj never discriminated based on caste or creed and highlighted the contributions of Muslims during his reign.

Naveen Patnaik becomes BJD president for 9th time

Naveen Patnaik becomes BJD president for 9th time

Rediff.com19 Apr 2025

Former Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik, who was chosen as the Biju Janata Dal president for the ninth time in a row, on Saturday called upon party workers to expose the alleged false narrative of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.

Won't allow Hindi imposition in Maharashtra: Uddhav

Won't allow Hindi imposition in Maharashtra: Uddhav

Rediff.com19 Apr 2025

Shiv Sena-UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray has vowed to oppose the Maharashtra government's decision to make Hindi a mandatory third language for students of Classes 1 to 5, stating that his party will not allow it. Thackeray, addressing an event of the Bharatiya Kamgar Sena, the workers' wing of the Shiv Sena (UBT), said his party has no aversion to the Hindi language but questioned the need to force it upon students. He also criticized the ruling BJP's approach, alleging their aim is to keep people under pressure and prevent unity. He accused the current government of working against the interests of Marathi and Maharashtra, and slammed Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde for his alleged subservience to those he believes are harming the state's interests. Thackeray further criticized the Waqf Amendment Act 2025, arguing against the appointment of non-Muslims on the Waqf Board and questioning the government's intentions in appointing non-Hindus to Hindu religious organizations. He also claimed that his government was overthrown because he had stalled the implementation of labor codes in the state. Thackeray concluded his speech by urging party members to prioritize the hiring of Bharatiya Kamgar Sena union members in workplaces where the union has a presence.

No tie-up with AAP in Delhi polls, says Congress; slams Kejriwal

No tie-up with AAP in Delhi polls, says Congress; slams Kejriwal

Rediff.com30 Nov 2024

Ahead of the Delhi assembly polls scheduled to be held early next year, state Congress chief Devender Yadav said on Friday that the party will contest on all 70 seats and there would be no alliance.

'Sweeping powers' to EC: Gogoi, other ex-CJIs flag concern

'Sweeping powers' to EC: Gogoi, other ex-CJIs flag concern

Rediff.com6 Jul 2025

Former chief justices of India, who have conveyed their views to a parliamentary committee on the bill proposing simultaneous polls, have endorsed the constitutionality of the 'one nation, one election' concept but have raised concerns over its various aspects, including the power given to the Election Commission, and offered suggestions.

Banter, tributes, and a missed meeting: Pawars in one place

Banter, tributes, and a missed meeting: Pawars in one place

Rediff.com25 Nov 2024

Nationalist Congress Party-Sharadchandra Pawar head Sharad Pawar and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Monday separately visited the memorial of the state's first chief minister Y B Chavan in Karad and paid tributes to him on his death anniversary.

285 Tweaks Proposed to Income Tax Bill

285 Tweaks Proposed to Income Tax Bill

Rediff.com17 Jul 2025

'The government, if it deems fit, will incorporate the changes in the Bill, take approval from the Cabinet before moving the bill for consideration and passage in the Lok Sabha.'

Documents must, clarifies EC on Bihar voter list review

Documents must, clarifies EC on Bihar voter list review

Rediff.com6 Jul 2025

The Election Commission has clarified that the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Bihar is progressing as per its order, addressing concerns raised on social media and by opposition parties.

Unclear Goals Of The 130th Amendment

Unclear Goals Of The 130th Amendment

Rediff.com2 Sep 2025

'Non-BJP state governments and their leaders, navigating today's political landscape, know well they have no clue what awaits around the corner.' 'The chances of charges pressed and oneself getting parked in custody play out on an uneven playing field,' points out Shyam G Menon.

BJP legislator booked in Best Bakery case

BJP legislator booked in Best Bakery case

Rediff.com6 Oct 2003

Key witness Zaheera Sheikh had alleged that Waghodia MLA Madhu Srivastav threatened of 'dire consequences' if she testified against him in the trial.

Goa speaker refuses to disqualify 8 Cong turncoats

Goa speaker refuses to disqualify 8 Cong turncoats

Rediff.com1 Nov 2024

Goa assembly speaker Ramesh Tawadkar on Friday dismissed the disqualification petition filed by the Congress against eight of its MLAs who defected to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party in 2022.

Fadnavis govt sails through Maha trust vote

Fadnavis govt sails through Maha trust vote

Rediff.com9 Dec 2024

The Devendra Fadnavis-led ministry in Maharashtra has successfully passed a trust vote in the state assembly, securing a commanding majority of 230 seats in the 288-member house. The BJP-Shiv Sena-NCP 'Mahayuti' coalition, with a majority mark of 144, had a comfortable win with the support of smaller parties and independent MLAs. The trust motion was tabled by Shiv Sena MLA Uday Samant and others, and was passed by a voice vote. The 15th legislative assembly began its tenure on December 7, and the floor test was considered a mere formality. Fadnavis was sworn in as the chief minister for the third time on December 5, with Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar as deputy chief ministers.

'We Won't Leave The NDA'

'We Won't Leave The NDA'

Rediff.com4 Oct 2025

'We share and support the ideology of the NDA and will not work against the NDA.'

Her husband made her CM when...: Nitish lashes out at Rabri

Her husband made her CM when...: Nitish lashes out at Rabri

Rediff.com20 Mar 2025

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar launched a scathing attack on his predecessor Rabri Devi, calling her appointment as Chief Minister "suspension-induced" during a heated debate in the state legislative council. The verbal sparring, marked by accusations and counter-accusations on law and order, saw Kumar accusing the RJD of being unable to handle Hindu-Muslim tensions and engaging in "mischief." Rabri Devi, in response, asserted her right to speak about her achievements during her tenure as Chief Minister. Kumar, however, retorted with a sharp, local phrase, dismissing Rabri Devi's claims. The exchange, which saw both sides engage in mudslinging, ended with the Chairman admonishing the opposition for their unruly behavior.

3 Cong MLAs skip key party meet ahead of Maharashtra council polls

3 Cong MLAs skip key party meet ahead of Maharashtra council polls

Rediff.com12 Jul 2024

Amid talks of cross-voting, three of the 37 Congress MLAs in Maharashtra skipped a meeting called by the party ahead of the legislative council polls on Friday.

Karnataka Speaker revokes suspension of 18 BJP MLAs

Karnataka Speaker revokes suspension of 18 BJP MLAs

Rediff.com25 May 2025

The suspension of 18 Bharatiya Janata Party MLAs from the Karnataka Legislative assembly for six months has been revoked, Speaker U T Khader said on Sunday.

Modi's Visit: 'Manipuris Are Disappointed'

Modi's Visit: 'Manipuris Are Disappointed'

Rediff.com16 Sep 2025

'No one anticipated magical solutions or miraculous interventions.' 'However, people across the entire spectrum -- whether residing in the valley or the hills -- expected the prime minister to dedicate at least five to ten minutes to genuinely listening to the voice of the people.'

High drama in Mumbai over 'kabutarkhana' as protesters clash with police

High drama in Mumbai over 'kabutarkhana' as protesters clash with police

Rediff.com7 Aug 2025

The Jain community, for whom feeding pigeons is a sacred tradition, have fiercely opposed the closure, with demonstrations in Mumbai highlighting the cultural significance and the distress of pigeons dying on streets.

Will BJP give in to these demands of Bihar allies JD-U, LJP?

Will BJP give in to these demands of Bihar allies JD-U, LJP?

Rediff.com30 Jan 2025

The Janata Dal (United), an ally of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has sought an extension in the tenure of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) scrutinising the bills proposing simultaneous elections. The party argued that the committee, which has only met once, requires more time for extensive consultations. Meanwhile, the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), another BJP ally, has demanded a "special industrial package" for Bihar, highlighting the state's low per capita income compared to the national average.

TMC MLAs protest against Moitra for exclusion from party events

TMC MLAs protest against Moitra for exclusion from party events

Rediff.com5 Dec 2024

Seven TMC MLAs within the Krishnanagar Lok Sabha constituency of party MP Mahua Moitra have written to Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee demanding her removal as Nadia Uttar organisational district president. The lawmakers allege that Moitra has been ignoring Assembly representatives while undertaking party programmes and indulging anti-social elements, causing significant damage to the party's image. The MP has responded by dismissing the complaint as "district-level rubbish."

What's brewing? Uddhav meets Fadnavis, Narwekar

What's brewing? Uddhav meets Fadnavis, Narwekar

Rediff.com17 Dec 2024

Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray leader Uddhav Thackeray and his MLA son Aaditya Thackeray on Tuesday met with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and assembly speaker Rahul Narwekar on the premises of Vidhan Bhavan in Nagpur.

Uddhav takes oath as Member of Legislative Council

Uddhav takes oath as Member of Legislative Council

Rediff.com18 May 2020

Thackeray and eight others were on May 14 elected unopposed to the state Legislative Council. The chief minister called on Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari at Raj Bhavan on Monday.

Backbencher but...: Teacher recalls student Fadnavis

Backbencher but...: Teacher recalls student Fadnavis

Rediff.com4 Dec 2024

Devendra Fadnavis, who is set to become the chief minister of Maharashtra for a third time, was a sensitive, polite and helpful student who never boasted about his family's political background, recalls one of his school teachers. Savitri Subramanium, who was Fadnavis' teacher in Saraswati Vidyalaya from Class 8 to 10, says he was an average student but studied well. She remembers him as a polite and simple student who never boasted about his family's political background even though his father Gangadharrao Fadnavis was an MLC at the time. Subramanium said she never thought that Fadnavis would become a good orator as he never came on stage or performed on stage during the school days. She added that he may have inculcated these qualities during his participation in Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) as a student activist.

Bypolls: AAP wins in Gujarat, Punjab; Cong in Kerala; TMC in Bengal

Bypolls: AAP wins in Gujarat, Punjab; Cong in Kerala; TMC in Bengal

Rediff.com24 Jun 2025

Aam Aadmi Party's Gopal Italia on Monday won from Gujarat's Visavadar assembly constituency and his party also retained Punjab's Ludhiana West seat while the Congress-led United Democratic Front wrested Nilambur from the ruling Left Democratic Front in Kerala, according to results of assembly bypolls in four states.

Baramati must get MLA other than me: Ajit Pawar

Baramati must get MLA other than me: Ajit Pawar

Rediff.com8 Sep 2024

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Sunday said he was satisfied with the development work he had carried out as a legislator, adding that people of Baramati for once must get an MLA other than him so that they could make comparisons.

High Drama In J&K Assembly

High Drama In J&K Assembly

Rediff.com7 Nov 2024

We have seen such scenes from legislatures in South Korea and Europe for instance, but who would have wagered that we would witness such tumult in India, in the Jammu and Kashmir assembly, no less, which only convened for legislative business days ago.

Raja Singh, who made anti-Prophet remarks, gets BJP ticket in Telangana

Raja Singh, who made anti-Prophet remarks, gets BJP ticket in Telangana

Rediff.com22 Oct 2023

Three of the BJP's sitting Lok Sabha members - Bandi Sanjay Kumar (former Telangana BJP chief and Karimnagar MP), Dharmapuri Arvind (Nizamabad MP) and Soyam Bapu Rao (Adilabad MP) will contest in the elections.

'Dragged its feet': HC 'questions bona fides' of Delhi govt

'Dragged its feet': HC 'questions bona fides' of Delhi govt

Rediff.com13 Jan 2025

The Delhi high court on Monday said the state government dragged its feet on the issue of tabling of several Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) reports before the assembly, raising 'doubts on its bona fides'.

Rahul Narwekar elected unopposed as Maha Speaker

Rahul Narwekar elected unopposed as Maha Speaker

Rediff.com9 Dec 2024

Bharatiya Janata Party MLA Rahul Narwekar was on Monday elected unopposed as the speaker of the 15th Maharashtra legislative assembly.

Manipur BJP MLAs propose roadmap to end conflict, call for popular govt

Manipur BJP MLAs propose roadmap to end conflict, call for popular govt

Rediff.com31 May 2025

They said that such a solution must rest on the pillars of political will, inclusive dialogue, constitutional safeguards and impartial endorsement of law and order.

Caste census decision exposes...: BJP

Caste census decision exposes...: BJP

Rediff.com1 May 2025

The Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday said the Centre's decision to include caste enumeration in the next census has exposed the difference between the Modi government's 'true intentions' and the 'empty sloganeering' of the Congress.

Cong to get 3 ministers in new Nitish govt: Party leader

Cong to get 3 ministers in new Nitish govt: Party leader

Rediff.com14 Aug 2022

The Congress will get three ministerial berths in the new Nitish Kumar government in Bihar, a senior party leader said.