News for 'Congress and United Democratic Front'

The North-South Battle Gets Ugly

The North-South Battle Gets Ugly

Rediff.com20 Mar 2025

With its age-old fascination for education, southern states have done better than the North. Start-ups, IT hubs, and industry majors setting up shop have changed the face of the South. Nearly 79% of global offices set up by international conglomerates in India are in the South. Almost 46% of tech unicorns are from the South. The GDP per person in the South is 4.2 times higher than the North. None of these indicators can be ignored by any central government, whatever the political compulsions, notes Ramesh Menon.

BJP opens LS account in Kerala with Suresh Gopi's win from Thrissur

BJP opens LS account in Kerala with Suresh Gopi's win from Thrissur

Rediff.com4 Jun 2024

Gopi defeated Communist Party of India leader VS Sunilkumar in an exciting fight.

Major ruckus in Parliament over 'Cong-Soros' link

Major ruckus in Parliament over 'Cong-Soros' link

Rediff.com9 Dec 2024

Proceedings of both Houses of Parliament were disrupted on Monday as the treasury benches accused top Congress leaders of colluding with billionaire investor George Soros to destabilise the country, triggering protests from opposition members.

NDA Meets To Prepare For 2025 Bihar Polls

NDA Meets To Prepare For 2025 Bihar Polls

Rediff.com28 Oct 2024

'There are differences over certain issues between the JD-U and BJP but we are in alliance and continuing.'

Trump 2.0: Return Of The Maverick

Trump 2.0: Return Of The Maverick

Rediff.com20 Jan 2025

In the weeks between his phenomenal electoral victory and swearing-in as the 47th president of the United States, the world got a preview of what a second Donald Trump presidency will entail -- both for itself and America.

Why are women overlooked by Kerala's ruling, Oppn fronts during polls?

Why are women overlooked by Kerala's ruling, Oppn fronts during polls?

Rediff.com31 Mar 2024

While the major fronts, the CPI-M led LDF and Congress-led UDF have given three and one seat respectively to women, the BJP-led NDA has set aside five seats for their female politicians in the upcoming LS polls.

No terms of respect: HC jolt to Kerala minister in anti-Constitution remarks

No terms of respect: HC jolt to Kerala minister in anti-Constitution remarks

Rediff.com21 Nov 2024

The Kerala High Court has ordered a further probe into an allegation that state Fisheries Minister Saji Cherian insulted the Constitution in a speech in July 2022. The court found that Cherian's words, including 'ideal Constitution to loot the people', and the use of certain Malayalam terms, could be interpreted as disrespectful to the Constitution. The court also criticized the initial investigation, finding it insufficient and biased, and directed the State Crime Branch to conduct the further probe.

Modi has suddenly...: Congress on NDA meet

Modi has suddenly...: Congress on NDA meet

Rediff.com17 Jul 2023

Congress leader KC Venugopal said the opposition meeting is going to be a game changer for Indian political scenario

Rekha Gupta takes charge of Delhi after grand swearing-in

Rekha Gupta takes charge of Delhi after grand swearing-in

Rediff.com20 Feb 2025

Debutant legislator Rekha Gupta was sworn in as Delhi chief minister along with six ministers on Thursday in a grand show of strength full of colour and spectacle to mark the Bharatiya Janata Party's return to power in the city after more than 26 years.

Lankan president's party sweeps parliamentary polls

Lankan president's party sweeps parliamentary polls

Rediff.com15 Nov 2024

Sri Lanka's National People's Power of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Friday swept the parliamentary elections by winning a two-thirds majority, and also dominating the Jaffna electoral district -- the heartland of the nation's Tamil minority.

It's Family Time For Assembly Bypolls

It's Family Time For Assembly Bypolls

Rediff.com2 Nov 2024

Political parties have fielded sons, wives and daughters-in-law of legislators who quit after being elected to the Lok Sabha.

Trump wants to end citizenship by birth, 22 US states to sue

Trump wants to end citizenship by birth, 22 US states to sue

Rediff.com22 Jan 2025

Indians are the main beneficiaries of the H-1B visas, which bring in the best of the talent and brains from across the world. Highly skilled professionals from India walk away with the overwhelming number of H-1B visas - which is Congressional mandated 65,0000 every year and another 20,000 for those who received higher education from the US.

Without Muslim votes, BJP can't form govt: AIUDF MP

Without Muslim votes, BJP can't form govt: AIUDF MP

Rediff.com10 Jan 2024

'We have already directed our party members and supporters and advised them that not a single vote goes to the BJP'

TikTok has interfered in polls, including India: US senators

TikTok has interfered in polls, including India: US senators

Rediff.com16 Jan 2025

US senators have alleged that TikTok, owned by the Chinese Communist Party, has interfered in elections of various countries, including India, and called for extending the deadline for a ban on the platform in the US. They applauded India's ban on the social media platform, citing concerns about Chinese propaganda and data harvesting. Lawmakers, including Democrats and Republicans, introduced legislation to delay the ban by 270 days, arguing it would allow for a more thorough review of the implications and potential alternatives to a ban. They also criticized the rushed nature of the ban and its potential impact on free speech and the livelihoods of American users.

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.

No name yet, Azad Maidan gets ready for Maha swearing-in

No name yet, Azad Maidan gets ready for Maha swearing-in

Rediff.com3 Dec 2024

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the new Mahayuti government in Maharashtra on December 5. BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis is considered the frontrunner for the chief minister's post, with the BJP having recorded its best-ever electoral performance in the state. The Mahayuti coalition includes Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party.

'Trump's Win Won't Affect Skilled Immigrants'

'Trump's Win Won't Affect Skilled Immigrants'

Rediff.com27 Nov 2024

'As far as skilled immigration is concerned, the US needs Indian skills and Indian talent, and there are no two opinions about it even among US companies.'

From Kamal to Dulquer, stars open hearts and wallets for Wayanad

From Kamal to Dulquer, stars open hearts and wallets for Wayanad

Rediff.com1 Aug 2024

The Kerala police on Thursday launched an investigation into an alleged social media campaign against Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's Facebook post requesting help for the people affected by the landslides in Wayanad district. The campaign was aimed at motivating people to reject the CM's appeal for disaster relief, it said.

'Central BJP Is Ignorant Of Kerala Politics'

'Central BJP Is Ignorant Of Kerala Politics'

Rediff.com18 Nov 2024

'The Kerala BJP leadership is doing the job of clerical staff. What the boss orders, they just follow them.'

Conrad Sangma to take oath as Meghalaya CM on March 7, Modi to attend

Conrad Sangma to take oath as Meghalaya CM on March 7, Modi to attend

Rediff.com3 Mar 2023

Sangma, the outgoing chief minister, said he has support of the BJP, the HSPDP and two Independent MLAs, while asserting the total tally may go up in the coming days as he is in touch with other parties as well.

Development, good governance win, lies suffer defeat: Modi on Maha win

Development, good governance win, lies suffer defeat: Modi on Maha win

Rediff.com24 Nov 2024

The Congress has tried to inflict capital punishment on true secularism, he claimed, asserting that the Waqf law has no place in the Constitution.

Rahul, Priyanka to visit Sambhal with Cong MPs

Rahul, Priyanka to visit Sambhal with Cong MPs

Rediff.com3 Dec 2024

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi along with the five other Congress MPs from Uttar Pradesh will visit violence-hit Sambhal on Wednesday, party's state unit chief Ajay Rai said.

Kerala Congress-M walks out of UDF, to join LDF

Kerala Congress-M walks out of UDF, to join LDF

Rediff.com14 Oct 2020

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and leadership of the LDF were quick to welcome Jose faction's decision to cooperate with the front.

Thomas A Sangma elected unopposed as Meghalaya speaker

Thomas A Sangma elected unopposed as Meghalaya speaker

Rediff.com9 Mar 2023

Thomas A Sangma of the ruling National People's Party-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) coalition was on Thursday elected as the speaker of the 11th Meghalaya assembly.

An Agitation That Woke Up Kerala

An Agitation That Woke Up Kerala

Rediff.com20 Mar 2025

It was a protest which held a mirror to the government of a state taking pride in its commitment to democracy, gender equality and social indices.One person, who in his employed days had known governments and political parties at close quarters, told me that public perception of how the Kerala government handled the ASHA workers' strike had been terrible, reports Shyam G Menon.

Multi-Cornered Contest In 45% Seats

Multi-Cornered Contest In 45% Seats

Rediff.com16 Apr 2024

Close to half of the total 543 Lok Sabha seats are bracing for multi-cornered fight this time, making the contest way more interesting and intense than it was in the 2019 elections.

Days after Lalu's offer, comes Nitish's reply

Days after Lalu's offer, comes Nitish's reply

Rediff.com5 Jan 2025

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Sunday snubbed the Rashtriya Janata Dal, headed by his arch-rival Lalu Prasad Yadav, stating that he had forged alliances 'by mistake' with the opposition party which 'did nothing' while in power.

Indian-American Congressman to form 'Hindu Caucus' in US Congress

Indian-American Congressman to form 'Hindu Caucus' in US Congress

Rediff.com15 Jun 2023

Congressional caucuses are groups of members of the US Congress that meet to pursue common legislative objectives. Caucuses are formed as Congressional Member Organisations through the US House of Representatives and governed under the chamber's rules.

Assembly can't restore Art 370, don't get misled by false promises: Azad

Assembly can't restore Art 370, don't get misled by false promises: Azad

Rediff.com29 Sep 2024

Addressing a series of election rallies in support of his party's candidates in Jammu on the last day of campaigning, Azad voiced concerns over the promises made by various political parties regarding the return of Article 370 and said these promises are not grounded in reality.

Group rivalry in Congress intensifies

Group rivalry in Congress intensifies

Rediff.com5 Aug 2013

Group rivalry in the Kerala Congress unit has intensified further as the political mission of chief minister Oommen Chandy to induct Pradesh Congress Committee chief Ramesh Chennithala into the cabinet has failed.

Tharoor carries on with Malabar yatra as warring Cong groups unite against him

Tharoor carries on with Malabar yatra as warring Cong groups unite against him

Rediff.com22 Nov 2022

Although the leaders are not on same page on many matters related to the party, they have apparently come together to check Tharoor's larger political ambition in the state, they said.

Will Cong ally with NC or PDP for J-K polls?

Will Cong ally with NC or PDP for J-K polls?

Rediff.com19 Aug 2024

Karra, who became the J&K Congress chief last Friday replacing Vikar Rasool Wani, said a call is already there for all secular parties who are opposed to the "hegemonic attitude" of the BJP to unite.

America is a nation of immigrants: Biden aid amid H-1b debate

America is a nation of immigrants: Biden aid amid H-1b debate

Rediff.com11 Jan 2025

Ahead of Trump's inauguration here on January 20, the debate on foreign guest workers visas for highly skilled professionals, the H-1B, has intensified which has literally created divisions in both the Democratic and the Republican parties.

Roadmap of united anti-BJP front in 2024 discussed at mega Oppn meet

Roadmap of united anti-BJP front in 2024 discussed at mega Oppn meet

Rediff.com23 Jun 2023

A basic outline and roadmap for Opposition unity are likely to be deliberated upon with the contentious issue of seat sharing and leadership questions to be avoided for now.

NDA eyes majority in Rajya Sabha after bypolls

NDA eyes majority in Rajya Sabha after bypolls

Rediff.com11 Aug 2024

The Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance is expected to achieve a clear majority in Rajya Sabha after bye-elections for 12 seats scheduled next month, which would help the party get the nod for key legislations such as the Waqf (Amendment) Bill.

'Rahul should not contest from Wayanad'

'Rahul should not contest from Wayanad'

Rediff.com29 Feb 2024

'He should not come to Kerala and fight against the CPI which is an integral part of the INDIA alliance'

Technology has become democratic in its truest sense: Modi

Technology has become democratic in its truest sense: Modi

Rediff.com1 Oct 2022

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched 5G technology services in India and said that technology has become democratic in its truest sense since even the poor of the country have always come forward in adopting new technologies. He said that this is a major step in the vision of Digital India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat. "Talking about Digital India, some people think that this is just a government scheme.

Tharoor removed from pro-Palestine event amid row over his Hamas remarks

Tharoor removed from pro-Palestine event amid row over his Hamas remarks

Rediff.com28 Oct 2023

Facing an intense social media attack, Tharoor has issued a clarification, saying he has always been with the people of Palestine and he does not agree with the propagation of just one sentence from his speech at the IUML rally.

Exit polls predict NDA win in Maharashtra, Jharkhand

Exit polls predict NDA win in Maharashtra, Jharkhand

Rediff.com21 Nov 2024

The ruling Mahayuti is poised to retain power in Maharashtra with the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) also putting up a strong show in assembly polls, most exit polls predicted on Wednesday after conclusion of polling on 288 seats in the state. Jharkhand is likely to see a change of government with BJP-led National Democratic Alliance coming to power in the state, three exit polls said on Wednesday with one poll giving majority to the ruling JMM-led alliance.

'Trump May Expand H-1B Program'

'Trump May Expand H-1B Program'

Rediff.com27 Jan 2025

'Trump has signaled that he has changed his stance on the H1B visa from his first term.'