News for 'Election Observer'

Fadnavis to take oath tomorrow, Modi to attend

Fadnavis to take oath tomorrow, Modi to attend

Rediff.com4 Dec 2024

Devendra Fadnavis will lead the new Mahayuti coalition government in Maharashtra, with Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar serving as deputy chief ministers. The swearing-in ceremony is scheduled for Thursday evening at Azad Maidan ground in south Mumbai and will be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several Union ministers. The Mahayuti coalition won the recent assembly elections by a landslide, securing 230 out of 288 seats.

Can BJP, allies overcome Jarange threat in Jalna?

Can BJP, allies overcome Jarange threat in Jalna?

Rediff.com7 Nov 2024

Jarange has repeatedly targeted the BJP warning that the community would defeat its candidates in the assembly polls, which will be held on November 20.

'Muslims Have Been Misled By Opposition'

'Muslims Have Been Misled By Opposition'

Rediff.com2 Apr 2025

'Muslims need to work according to strategy and not fall into the trap of Opposition parties.'

'People Will Have More Money In Their Hands'

'People Will Have More Money In Their Hands'

Rediff.com6 Feb 2025

'When people have money in their hands, they make their judgment about whether they want to spend it entirely or spend some out of it.'

SC reinstates woman sarpanch, fines Chhattisgarh govt

SC reinstates woman sarpanch, fines Chhattisgarh govt

Rediff.com14 Nov 2024

Coming down heavily on the Chhattisgarh government for removing an elected woman sarpanch of a remote village for 'unjustified reasons', the Supreme Court on Monday observed the state wanted the village head to go with a 'begging bowl before a babu (bureaucrat)'.

'Sri Lanka's Relations With India At All-Time High'

'Sri Lanka's Relations With India At All-Time High'

Rediff.com9 Apr 2025

'Granting the country's highest civilian honour to Prime Minister Modi was surprising as it indicated the government was going out of its way to have India as a close partner.'

Neeraj and world's best for India javelin fest

Neeraj and world's best for India javelin fest

Rediff.com7 Jan 2025

India is set to host a high-profile global javelin competition in September, featuring double Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra and the world's top 10 javelin throwers.

Those rejected 80-90 times are disrupting Parliament: Modi

Those rejected 80-90 times are disrupting Parliament: Modi

Rediff.com25 Nov 2024

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday criticized the opposition, accusing them of trying to control Parliament through disruptions and chaos for their own political gain. Modi, addressing reporters ahead of the Winter Session, said those rejected by the people 80-90 times were resorting to hooliganism. He highlighted the BJP's recent electoral victories in Maharashtra and Haryana, asserting that the people are observing the opposition's actions and will punish them at the appropriate time. Modi emphasized the importance of healthy debate in Parliament and lamented the disregard for democracy by some opposition members.

Can Amit Thackeray Revive The MNS?

Can Amit Thackeray Revive The MNS?

Rediff.com29 Oct 2024

'If you look at the average age of all our candidates, you will notice that their average age is between 35 and 40. It is a kind of revolution that the MNS is bringing in Maharashtra.'

'Uddhav, Sharad Pawar's Future Is Shaky'

'Uddhav, Sharad Pawar's Future Is Shaky'

Rediff.com27 Nov 2024

'If you stay out of power for long, you become irrelevant, your party members become restless and start looking to jump ship.'

Key Mahayuti meet cancelled, Shinde heads to native village

Key Mahayuti meet cancelled, Shinde heads to native village

Rediff.com29 Nov 2024

Outgoing Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who returned to Mumbai from New Delhi on Friday morning, is travelling to his native village in Satara district amid continuing suspense over his successor a week after the assembly poll results. Shinde had told reporters in New Delhi on late Thursday night that the next meeting of the Mahayuti alliance on government formation will be held in Mumbai on Friday. However, the caretaker CM, who heads the Shiv Sena, is travelling to his native village Dare in Satara district in western Maharashtra and the meeting is now expected to take place on Sunday, the sources said. The Shiv Sena leader has repeatedly said he would not be an obstacle in the government formation and abide by the decisions taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah on the next chief minister. Different viewpoints are emerging in the Shiv Sena over Shinde's place in the next government to be headed by the BJP, the biggest constituent in the Mahayuti, which posted a thumping win in the just-held assembly polls. Many leaders in the Shiv Sena are asking Shinde to accept deputy CM's post if offered by the BJP. However, another section feels it wouldn't be right for him to accept No. 2 position after serving as CM for more than two-and-a-half years, the sources said. "The government formation process will start after the BJP announces its legislature party leader," they said. During his Delhi trip, Shinde had met Shah and discussed formation of the next government in the state. His deputies in the outgoing state cabinet Devendra Fadnavis (BJP) and Ajit Pawar (NCP) had also met the senior BJP leader. Talking to reporters in the national capital, Shinde called the discussion good and positive. Shinde, Fadnavis and Pawar had also met BJP president J P Nadda.

65% polling in Maha; Maoist-hit Gadchiroli beats Mumbai's voter turnout

65% polling in Maha; Maoist-hit Gadchiroli beats Mumbai's voter turnout

Rediff.com21 Nov 2024

Maharashtra recorded a voter turnout of 58.22 per cent till 5 pm on Wednesday in the elections to the 288-member state legislative assembly, with Gadchiroli district logging more than 69 per cent voting, poll officials said.

'Fadnavis Must Show Who Is The Boss'

'Fadnavis Must Show Who Is The Boss'

Rediff.com3 Mar 2025

'Let Fadnavisji prove to the people of Maharashtra that he acts fairly against one and all.'

Are Trump and Musk Dismantling American Democracy?

Are Trump and Musk Dismantling American Democracy?

Rediff.com22 Feb 2025

We the people are left in the wind, waiting on the whims of an unengaged president and an oligarch with a nearly bottomless wallet, observes Sree Sreenivasan.

Why Nitish Supports '1 Nation, 1 Poll'

Why Nitish Supports '1 Nation, 1 Poll'

Rediff.com21 Sep 2024

Nitish Kumar wants to assure the BJP leadership that he will continue to be a part of the NDA. But he also wants to secure a larger number of seats for his party in the 2025 assembly elections in Bihar.

Ahead of Maha polls, Sharad Pawar faction moves SC over symbols

Ahead of Maha polls, Sharad Pawar faction moves SC over symbols

Rediff.com20 Sep 2024

Ahead of the Maharashtra assembly elections, veteran leader Sharad Pawar led faction moved the Supreme Court on Friday seeking that both factions of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) be given new poll symbols.

Fadnavis is BJP's go-to man in Maharashtra

Fadnavis is BJP's go-to man in Maharashtra

Rediff.com5 Dec 2024

Devendra Fadnavis, a seasoned politician known for his strategic maneuvering and resilience, has been sworn in as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra for the third time. His political journey has been marked by both triumphs and setbacks, including a short-lived coalition with the NCP and a period in opposition. Fadnavis's leadership is expected to focus on infrastructure development and addressing the concerns of the Maratha community.

Fadnavis meets Shinde ahead of crucial BJP meet

Fadnavis meets Shinde ahead of crucial BJP meet

Rediff.com3 Dec 2024

Ahead of the crucial legislature party meeting scheduled for Wednesday, Bharatiya Janata Party leader Devendra Fadnavis met with caretaker Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Tuesday, the first in-person meeting since their discussions in Delhi last week for government formation.

After The Oval Office Fracas, What Next For Ukraine?

After The Oval Office Fracas, What Next For Ukraine?

Rediff.com3 Mar 2025

Trump knows by now that the western narrative of Biden's war is a load of bullshit peppered with falsehoods and outright lies, and that the war erupted only out of the diabolic western plot to poke the bear, which got provoked finally and hit out, explains Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

Fadnavis Is BJP's Man Of The Match!

Fadnavis Is BJP's Man Of The Match!

Rediff.com23 Nov 2024

Devendra Fadnavis, a seasoned politician with deep roots in the RSS, is set to become the Chief Minister of Maharashtra for the third time, after his party, the BJP, won a landslide victory in the state assembly elections. Fadnavis' political journey has been marked by resilience and strategic maneuvering, as he has navigated through challenging times, including political upheavals and controversies.

Why Modi Chose To Speak In Parliament On Maha Kumbh

Why Modi Chose To Speak In Parliament On Maha Kumbh

Rediff.com26 Mar 2025

Besides the not-so-hidden unease between Modi and Adityanath, Modi chose to address the Lok Sabha to ensure that he could personally claim all the kudos, observes Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay.

Committed to India hosting 2036 Olympics: PT Usha

Committed to India hosting 2036 Olympics: PT Usha

Rediff.com6 Nov 2024

Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President PT Usha on Tuesday insisted that its commitment to host the 2036 Summer Games "remained steadfast" despite the "internal challenges" her organisation has been facing due to her feud with the Executive Council members.

EC ropes in retired IAS/IPS officers to ensure level playing field

EC ropes in retired IAS/IPS officers to ensure level playing field

Rediff.com2 Apr 2024

The Election Commission on Tuesday appointed special observers for administrative, security and expenditure monitoring purposes in several states to ensure a level playing field during the upcoming elections.

You can design another system without flaws: CJI on election bonds

You can design another system without flaws: CJI on election bonds

Rediff.com2 Nov 2023

The electoral bonds scheme for funding political parties should not become a tool for "legitimisation of quid pro quo" between power centres and people who are benefactors of that power, the Supreme Court said on Thursday as it underscored the need for reducing the cash component in the electoral process.

Karnataka Bypolls: Sidda's Future On Line

Karnataka Bypolls: Sidda's Future On Line

Rediff.com12 Nov 2024

Beleaguered Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's political credibility will be tested by the outcome of the three by-elections. And cries that he must resign will become shriller if the Congress loses them.

Can rising temple-mosque disputes shape UP polls in 2027?

Can rising temple-mosque disputes shape UP polls in 2027?

Rediff.com29 Dec 2024

With the Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls scheduled for 2027, political experts are observing an increasing trend of temple-mosque disputes in the state, leading to heightened polarization. Recent bypolls saw the use of divisive slogans, and analysts believe this trend will intensify as the 2027 elections approach. The recent surge in claims about the existence of Hindu temples at the sites of mosques in various cities has fueled this polarization. The BJP-led government has been accused of promoting communal polarization, while opposition parties like the SP have criticized the ruling party's actions. The RSS chief has called for restraint in raising new temple-related disputes. Experts predict that communal polarization is likely to escalate in the coming days.

Maha poll: Why over 12 lakh workers likely to miss voting

Maha poll: Why over 12 lakh workers likely to miss voting

Rediff.com15 Nov 2024

With the cane crushing season set to commence on November 15, lakhs of cutters from various districts have already migrated to the sugarcane belts in western Maharashtra and many other states, according to the Maharashtra Sugarcane Cutters and Transport Association.

Shinde signals exit from power as Fadnavis aide visits

Shinde signals exit from power as Fadnavis aide visits

Rediff.com2 Dec 2024

The name of the Maharashtra chief minister will be announced on Wednesday, a day ahead of the swearing-in ceremony of the Mahayuti government, after the Bharatiya Janata Party elects its legislature party leader, a senior functionary said on Monday.

'Emergency' screening halted in Punjab, Kangana says...

'Emergency' screening halted in Punjab, Kangana says...

Rediff.com17 Jan 2025

"The film has been made to insult the entire Sikh community. We will not let the movie release in Mohali or anywhere in Punjab. The SGPC is united in this matter," said Rajinder Singh Tohra, a member of the SGPC.

Relief for Siddaramaiah as HC dismisses plea seeking CBI probe into MUDA case

Relief for Siddaramaiah as HC dismisses plea seeking CBI probe into MUDA case

Rediff.com7 Feb 2025

Siddaramaiah, his wife, brother-in-law B M Mallikarjun Swamy, Devaraju -- from whom Swamy had purchased a land and gifted it to Parvathi -- and others have been named in the FIR registered by the Lokayukta police establishment, located in Mysuru on September 27, following the order of the Special Court that exclusively deals with criminal cases related to former and elected MPs/MLAs.

AAP's Shelly Oberoi elected Delhi mayor unanimously

AAP's Shelly Oberoi elected Delhi mayor unanimously

Rediff.com26 Apr 2023

Incumbent Deputy Mayor Aaley Mohammad Iqbal also got another term at the post, as BJP candidate Soni Pal withdrew her nomination. Iqbal and Pal were the two rival candidates for the post of deputy mayor.

DeepSeek: China's AI Guerilla War On US

DeepSeek: China's AI Guerilla War On US

Rediff.com6 Feb 2025

DeepSeek is a case in point on how economic interdependence between nations are utilised for geopolitical ambitions and global domination efforts, observes China expert Srikanth Kondapalli.

Deputy speaker's decision violates constitution, observes Pak chief justice

Deputy speaker's decision violates constitution, observes Pak chief justice

Rediff.com7 Apr 2022

Pakistan's Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial on Thursday noted that National Assembly deputy speaker Qasim Suri's move to dismiss a no-confidence motion against embattled Prime Minister Imran Khan through a controversial ruling is, prima facie, a violation of article 95 of the constitution as the apex court heard the high-profile case for the fourth day.

Fadnavis, Shinde Or...Kaun Banega CM?

Fadnavis, Shinde Or...Kaun Banega CM?

Rediff.com3 Dec 2024

As the race for Maharashtra chief minister enters the last lap, Hemant Waje looks at several scenarios which can play out.

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas: Engaging The Indian Diaspora Is A Must

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas: Engaging The Indian Diaspora Is A Must

Rediff.com8 Jan 2025

The Indian Diaspora has been able to carve a niche in their adopted countries as a result of their talent, perseverance and hardworking nature, asserts Rup Narayan Das.

SC rejects plea to remove 'Socialist', 'Secular' from Preamble

SC rejects plea to remove 'Socialist', 'Secular' from Preamble

Rediff.com25 Nov 2024

The Supreme Court of India has dismissed petitions challenging the 1976 amendment to the Constitution that added the terms "socialist", "secular", and "integrity" to the Preamble. The court ruled that the inclusion of these terms, made through amendments, is valid and does not affect the original adoption of the Constitution in 1949.

India may require some tough negotiations with Trump: Experts

India may require some tough negotiations with Trump: Experts

Rediff.com7 Nov 2024

The India-United States relationship is set to expand under the Donald Trump administration, but there could be some unease on issues like imports, tariffs and immigration, strategic affairs experts said after the Republican leader won the fiercely contested presidential election.

'Dr Singh Didn't Take Orders From Sonia Gandhi'

'Dr Singh Didn't Take Orders From Sonia Gandhi'

Rediff.com30 Dec 2024

'Mrs Gandhi had nothing to do in the day-to-day working of Dr Singh's government.' 'People say Mrs Gandhi's office used to give orders, which is nonsense.'

Trump 2.0: Tough Navigation Lies Ahead For India

Trump 2.0: Tough Navigation Lies Ahead For India

Rediff.com12 Feb 2025

'As the global economy undergoes significant transformations in 2025, India's ability to navigate the complexities of trade wars, financial realignments, and emerging blocs will be pivotal,' explain Harsh V Pant and Soumya Bhowmik.

Cong says infighting hurt in Haryana, but blames EVMs too

Cong says infighting hurt in Haryana, but blames EVMs too

Rediff.com10 Oct 2024

The Congress top brass headed by party chief Mallikarjun Kharge held a review meeting on Thursday on the party's shock defeat in the Haryana assembly polls and discussed the possible reasons for the 'unexpected' results.