News for 'Elections and Democracy'

Ex-militants openly campaigning for NC, PDP: Ram Madhav

Ex-militants openly campaigning for NC, PDP: Ram Madhav

Rediff.com4 Sep 2024

Bharatiya Janata Party national general secretary Ram Madhav on Wednesday accused the National Conference and the People's Democratic Party of taking support from ex-militants for the assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir, and said the two parties want to take the Union territory back to its 'trouble-filled days'.

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.

'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.'

200 booked in Maha village for bid to hold 're-poll' using ballot papers

200 booked in Maha village for bid to hold 're-poll' using ballot papers

Rediff.com3 Dec 2024

Police registered a case against more than 200 persons from Markadwadi village and nearby areas in Maharashtra's Solapur for allegedly trying to conduct a 're-election' using ballot papers on Tuesday in an unauthorised manner, officials said.

'Gave you my best': Biden passes the baton to Kamala

'Gave you my best': Biden passes the baton to Kamala

Rediff.com20 Aug 2024

Harris, 59, is scheduled to formally accept the Democratic Party's presidential nomination on Thursday to take on Republican rival Donald Trump, 78, in the November 5 election.

Trump sworn in as 47th US President, says 'golden age' begins now

Trump sworn in as 47th US President, says 'golden age' begins now

Rediff.com21 Jan 2025

In a remarkable comeback to power, Donald J Trump Monday took oath as the 47th president of the United States and immediately promised a blitz of executive orders as he announced the beginning of a 'golden age' of America.

'It's A Sad Ending For The BSP'

'It's A Sad Ending For The BSP'

Rediff.com17 Mar 2025

'BSP will remain a player, but only a marginal player, as long as the BJP is extremely dominant in North India politics.'

Will call for CWC elections if elected Congress chief: Tharoor

Will call for CWC elections if elected Congress chief: Tharoor

Rediff.com12 Oct 2022

Tharoor also said the Congress must decentralise authority and truly empower the grassroots office-bearers of the party.

Play your part: Sonia Gandhi's message to Delhi voters

Play your part: Sonia Gandhi's message to Delhi voters

Rediff.com23 May 2024

In a video statement, the Congress parliamentary party chief also asserted this Lok Sabha election is being fought on issues such as unemployment, inflation and attack on constitutional institutions.

One family 'tasted blood'...: Modi tears into Gandhis

One family 'tasted blood'...: Modi tears into Gandhis

Rediff.com14 Dec 2024

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched a scathing attack on the Congress party, accusing it of repeatedly "wounding" the Indian Constitution. He claimed that the Congress, driven by its "lust for power," has consistently undermined the principles of the Constitution. Modi, however, praised India's democratic journey since its independence, highlighting the country's strong democratic roots and its unwavering commitment to its founding principles. He underscored the importance of unity for India's future development and emphasized that the Constitution is the bedrock of that unity.

Now, Trump says $21 million went to 'my friend Modi' for voter turnout

Now, Trump says $21 million went to 'my friend Modi' for voter turnout

Rediff.com22 Feb 2025

United States President Donald Trump for the fourth time in recent days claimed that the Biden administration allocated $21 million funding to India for 'voter turnout', evoking a sharp response from the Congress which urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to 'talk to his friend' and strongly refute the allegation.

First LS polls: How EC resolved identity crisis of 28L women voters

First LS polls: How EC resolved identity crisis of 28L women voters

Rediff.com20 Mar 2024

In some states, many women voters had enrolled themselves by their relationship with the male members of their family instead of providing their own names.

When Dr Singh Met Sachin...

When Dr Singh Met Sachin...

Rediff.com27 Dec 2024

22 images that captures glimpses of a most unusual Indian who led the nation for 10 years.

Manu, Vinesh, Babita, Bajrang Vote

Manu, Vinesh, Babita, Bajrang Vote

Rediff.com5 Oct 2024

Sports stars in Haryana stepped out to cast their vote on Saturday.

SC questions poll panel on booth-level hike in voters

SC questions poll panel on booth-level hike in voters

Rediff.com2 Dec 2024

The Supreme Court on Monday sought the Election Commission's response on a PIL challenging its decision to increase the maximum number of voters from 1,200 to 1,500 at every polling station, saying no elector should be excluded.

Governor-CM Rifts: Democracy At Risk

Governor-CM Rifts: Democracy At Risk

Rediff.com6 Jul 2023

Governors must be impartial, fair, and above narrow politics to uphold the values and spirit of the Constitution. But in a rapidly changing political culture where the unstated rule is to crush the Opposition, such values have no meaning. At stake are Constitutional values, federalism and governance, asserts Ramesh Menon.

Modi hails EC for 'violence-free' LS polls in first 2 phases

Modi hails EC for 'violence-free' LS polls in first 2 phases

Rediff.com7 May 2024

Modi also said the way the Indian elections are being conducted could be a learning process for other democracies.

Assure Trump of a peaceful power transfer in Jan: Biden

Assure Trump of a peaceful power transfer in Jan: Biden

Rediff.com8 Nov 2024

Outgoing US President Joe Biden on Thursday vowed to ensure a peaceful and orderly transfer of power to President-elect Donald Trump in January and appealed to the people to accept the election results for the White House

'Atal ji picked my call but Sonia kept me waiting'

'Atal ji picked my call but Sonia kept me waiting'

Rediff.com1 Dec 2024

After being elected president of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in 1999, Najma Heptulla rang up the then Congress chief Sonia Gandhi from Berlin to convey the news but had to hold the phone line for an hour as a staff told her that 'madam is busy'.

Modi, Rahul condemn attack on Donald Trump

Modi, Rahul condemn attack on Donald Trump

Rediff.com14 Jul 2024

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Sunday expressed deep concern over the attack on former United States president Donald Trump.

Historic win for BJP-led alliance in Maha; INDIA gets Jharkhand

Historic win for BJP-led alliance in Maha; INDIA gets Jharkhand

Rediff.com24 Nov 2024

The Bharatiya Janata Party on Saturday pulled off a stunning performance in Maharashtra winning a record number of seats to propel the party-led ruling Mahayuti alliance to a landslide victory while the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) stormed back to power in Jharkhand on the back of a spectacular showing by the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha.

Suhas Subramanyam becomes first Desi to win US House seat from East Coast

Suhas Subramanyam becomes first Desi to win US House seat from East Coast

Rediff.com6 Nov 2024

Running for the US House of Representatives from the 10th Congressional District of Virginia, a Democratic stronghold, Subramanyam defeated Mike Clancy of the Republican Party. He is currently a Virginia State Senator.

Trump pleads not guilty to election conspiracy charges

Trump pleads not guilty to election conspiracy charges

Rediff.com5 Aug 2023

Appearing in a federal courthouse in downtown Washington, DC, Trump entered the not guilty plea before Indian-American judge Magistrate Moxila Upadhyaya.

'In a democracy if a person is made a god...': Kharge in veiled attack on Modi

'In a democracy if a person is made a god...': Kharge in veiled attack on Modi

Rediff.com9 Jan 2023

He called on all sections of the society, especially SC/ST and other weaker sections to unite for safeguarding the Constitution and democracy.

China Does Not Understand Indian Democracy

China Does Not Understand Indian Democracy

Rediff.com6 Jan 2022

In democratic India, a citizen can be a patriot and at the same time be critical of the government, unlike China which promulgated a national security law in Hong Kong prescribing patriotism to contest elections, observes Rup Narayan Das.

'Jamaat Wants To Be Nitish, Naidu In Kashmir'

'Jamaat Wants To Be Nitish, Naidu In Kashmir'

Rediff.com19 Sep 2024

'We want to ensure that no government in J&K will be formed without our support.'

Haryana results manipulated, can't accept: Cong

Haryana results manipulated, can't accept: Cong

Rediff.com8 Oct 2024

The Congress on Tuesday said it cannot accept the Haryana assembly polls verdict as there were 'serious issues' about the integrity of the counting process and functioning of the EVMs in some districts, and asserted that it would take up the matter with the Election Commission.

ECI Factor Gives BJP Poll Advantage!

ECI Factor Gives BJP Poll Advantage!

Rediff.com16 Oct 2024

'Unlike in the sporting arena, where sports federations moved from partisan to impartial referees, in Indian democracy's biggest festival, it appears we are moving backward from unbiased and objective to one-sided and partisan,' observes Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay.

Salvaging Marx From The 'Marxists'

Salvaging Marx From The 'Marxists'

Rediff.com15 Mar 2025

'If we truly wish to understand and apply Marx's insights today, we must reject the rigid dogmas that later 'Marxists' imposed in his name.'

'15 Muslim BJP Candidates In Kashmir'

'15 Muslim BJP Candidates In Kashmir'

Rediff.com25 Sep 2024

'Article 370 is now dug 70 feet deep in the ground. It cannot come out.'

Where did we lose? NDA was there yesterday, is there today: Modi

Where did we lose? NDA was there yesterday, is there today: Modi

Rediff.com7 Jun 2024

"If you see in the context of alliances and statistics, then this is the strongest alliance government," Modi said while addressing newly-elected MPs and leaders of the NDA from across the country following his election as leader of the ruling bloc ahead of his government's swearing-in on Sunday.

No J-K House proceedings until Art 370 resolution withdrawn: BJP

No J-K House proceedings until Art 370 resolution withdrawn: BJP

Rediff.com6 Nov 2024

He said the resolution was not part of the assembly's listed business and reflects the mindset of the newly-elected government in the Union Territory.

How did you lose Ayodhya?: Owaisi to Fadnavis on 'vote jihad'

How did you lose Ayodhya?: Owaisi to Fadnavis on 'vote jihad'

Rediff.com11 Nov 2024

Our ancestors did jihad against Britishers, but yours penned 'love letters', Owaisi said in a jibe to Fadnavis.

Violence rocks Assam's Samaguri ahead of bypolls

Violence rocks Assam's Samaguri ahead of bypolls

Rediff.com10 Nov 2024

Incidents of violence rocked Assam's Samaguri assembly constituency where by-elections will be held on November 13 with both the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and the opposition Congress alleging that gunshots were fired targeting each other's supporters over the last 24 hours, police said on Sunday.

Rishi Sunak joins Oxford, Stanford in academic roles

Rishi Sunak joins Oxford, Stanford in academic roles

Rediff.com23 Jan 2025

Former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has taken on new academic roles at the University of Oxford and Stanford University, both alma maters of the Conservative Party member of Parliament. Sunak will join Oxford's Blavatnik School of Government as a member of the World Leaders Circle and a Distinguished Fellow, while at Stanford, he will be the William C Edwards Distinguished Visiting Fellow at the Hoover Institution. Sunak expressed his enthusiasm for contributing to both institutions, highlighting their leading research in global challenges, economic policy, and technological advancements. He emphasized the significance of his education at both universities in shaping his life and career. The appointments have been welcomed by both institutions, with leaders praising Sunak's expertise and experience in global affairs and economic policy.

Ajit Pawar, RSS chief among early voters in Maharashtra

Ajit Pawar, RSS chief among early voters in Maharashtra

Rediff.com20 Nov 2024

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat were among the early voters to exercise their franchise as polling was underway on Wednesday for the state assembly elections.

Save Constitution that BJP-RSS want to destroy: Rahul to voters

Save Constitution that BJP-RSS want to destroy: Rahul to voters

Rediff.com25 Apr 2024

Gandhi, who is seeking a second-straight term from Wayanad in Kerala, in a video appeal said this election is to save democracy and the Constitution.

'Direct Transfer Of Money Is Bribing Voters'

'Direct Transfer Of Money Is Bribing Voters'

Rediff.com26 Nov 2024

'For politicians, winning the next election has become more important than economic stability of the country and broader national interest.'

Jimmy Carter, 39th US president, dies at 100

Jimmy Carter, 39th US president, dies at 100

Rediff.com30 Dec 2024

Jimmy Carter, the 39th US president and a champion of peace and human rights, has died at the age of 100. Carter, who was known for his work with the Carter Center, promoting democracy and conflict resolution, was also a close friend of India. He visited the country in 1978, forging a lasting relationship between the two nations.

More To Delimitation Than Meets The Eye

More To Delimitation Than Meets The Eye

Rediff.com1 Apr 2025

There is a proposal from the BJP camp that they would resort to a proportion-based increase in the number of Lok Sabha seats for individual states, based on what they now have. On the face of it, this sounds like a fine argument that those demanding a 'freeze' now cannot oppose without reasons and justification, avers N Sathiya Moorthy.