News for 'Free Democratic Party'

How NDA Outwitted Mahagathbandan

How NDA Outwitted Mahagathbandan

Rediff.com14 Nov 2025

The NDA in Bihar, led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, strategically countered the Mahagathbandan's moves by implementing similar policies and announcements, effectively neutralising the MGB campaign promises and maintaining their political advantage.

TN stampede: NDA questions venue allotment; seeks probe by SC judge

TN stampede: NDA questions venue allotment; seeks probe by SC judge

Rediff.com30 Sep 2025

Referring to the fatal incident that has so far claimed 41 lives, head of the panel and Bharatiya Janata Party MP, Hema Malini said that political rallies should be properly organised and conducted with full security.

'BJP Isn't Undefeatable In North India, But...'

'BJP Isn't Undefeatable In North India, But...'

Rediff.com19 Nov 2025

'...the electoral playing field is tilted significantly in its favour.'

'Nitish Kumar Will Be Chief Minister From 2025 to 2030'

'Nitish Kumar Will Be Chief Minister From 2025 to 2030'

Rediff.com17 Nov 2025

'Modi and Shah made it clear that the next government will be led by Nitishji.'

Odisha Gives MLAs A 200% Pay Hike

Odisha Gives MLAs A 200% Pay Hike

Rediff.com23 Dec 2025

In terms of MLA salaries, Odisha is followed by Telangana (about Rs 2.7 lakh), Maharashtra (Rs 2.6 lakh), Manipur (Rs 2.5 lakh), and Uttar Pradesh (Rs 2.4 lakh).

Won't go anywhere from NDA: Nitish assures Modi at Bihar rally

Won't go anywhere from NDA: Nitish assures Modi at Bihar rally

Rediff.com15 Sep 2025

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar assured Prime Minister Narendra Modi that he will remain in the NDA, while regretting short-lived alliances with the RJD-Congress combine. He lauded Modi for the Union government's measures for the state and highlighted recent state government initiatives.

Infiltrators' wealth will be given to poor if....: Yogi at Bihar NDA rally

Infiltrators' wealth will be given to poor if....: Yogi at Bihar NDA rally

Rediff.com3 Nov 2025

Aditaynath alleged that the Congress, RJD and SP were "embracing" criminals in Bihar and allowing infiltrators to compromise with the state's security.

Time To Elect, Not Select Governors

Time To Elect, Not Select Governors

Rediff.com1 Dec 2025

In a federal democracy, the people must have a say (indirect or direct) in an office as important as that of governor. Especially in a governor who can now effectively veto a bill by simply refusing to sign it, argues Harishchandra.

Polarised: Former Indian envoys criticise Hasina's death sentence

Polarised: Former Indian envoys criticise Hasina's death sentence

Rediff.com18 Nov 2025

Former Indian envoys criticize the death sentence handed down to ousted Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, expressing concerns about political polarization and stability in Bangladesh.

What works for NDA under Nitish Kumar, what doesn't

What works for NDA under Nitish Kumar, what doesn't

Rediff.com6 Oct 2025

A SWOT analysis of the NDA coalition led by Nitish Kumar as Bihar heads into assembly elections, examining its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats against the INDIA bloc.

'Surprisingly, Tejashwi Looked Lacklustre In The Campaign'

'Surprisingly, Tejashwi Looked Lacklustre In The Campaign'

Rediff.com6 Nov 2025

'...in comparison to his presence in the previous election campaign where he looked robust and vibrant.' 'His television and social media interviews looked dull and predictable.' 'There could be a different kind of fatigue of being out of power for a long time at work here.'

Assam assembly passes bill to ban polygamy, tribals kept out

Assam assembly passes bill to ban polygamy, tribals kept out

Rediff.com28 Nov 2025

The Assam assembly on Thursday passed a bill to ban polygamy, making it an offence which may lead to a maximum of 10 years of imprisonment, barring some exceptions.

'Bihar Is At A Takeoff Stage'

'Bihar Is At A Takeoff Stage'

Rediff.com28 Oct 2025

''Now the roads in Bihar are as good as any other Indian state. The power sector has improved.' 'Connectivity, law and order, gender justice...' 'Bihar now stands for all these things that were totally absent when it was under jungle raj.'

Why BJP, Nitish Need Each Other

Why BJP, Nitish Need Each Other

Rediff.com12 Nov 2025

Left to its machinations, the BJP would have loved to cut Nitish down to size, but it can't afford to do so as the JD-U is in alliance with the BJP at the Centre, and cannot form a government on its own in Bihar. For now, both need each other: Nitish for legitimacy, the BJP for numbers, points out Ramesh Menon.

Tejashwi promises govt job to every family in Bihar

Tejashwi promises govt job to every family in Bihar

Rediff.com9 Oct 2025

RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav promised that if the INDIA bloc comes to power in Bihar, it will ensure every family has a member with a government job, enacting legislation within 20 days of forming the government.

HC slams UP police for detaining interfaith couple

HC slams UP police for detaining interfaith couple

Rediff.com19 Oct 2025

The Allahabad high court on Saturday pulled up the Uttar Pradesh Police for the 'illegally detention' of an interfaith couple without any direction/order for taking them into custody, and ordered their release.

Merkel's party misses majority in Germany, uncertainty over next leader

Merkel's party misses majority in Germany, uncertainty over next leader

Rediff.com27 Sep 2021

Germany's left-leaning, Social Democrats Party (SPD) won in the German federal election with over 25 per cent votes, but uncertainty remains over the next leader as results showed that the party won narrowly.

'Sonam Wangchuk In Jail May Cause More Problems...'

'Sonam Wangchuk In Jail May Cause More Problems...'

Rediff.com25 Sep 2025

'...than free Sonam Wangchuk.'

Record 69% turnout in Bihar's final phase, women voters lead

Record 69% turnout in Bihar's final phase, women voters lead

Rediff.com12 Nov 2025

Bihar recorded its highest-ever voter turnout of 67.14 per cent in the second and final phase of the assembly elections. The election is seen as a referendum on Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Kishanganj recorded the highest polling percentage at 76.26.

Oppn protests Bills on removal of arrested PM, CMs and ministers

Oppn protests Bills on removal of arrested PM, CMs and ministers

Rediff.com21 Aug 2025

Opposition parties allege the Modi government is attempting to turn India into a 'dictatorship' with the introduction of three Bills that seek to provide for removal of the prime minister, chief ministers and ministers arrested on serious charges, and vowed to oppose it 'tooth and nail'.

'I Never Said Shoot Rahul Gandhi, But...'

'I Never Said Shoot Rahul Gandhi, But...'

Rediff.com30 Sep 2025

'... Rahul Gandhi's name came to my mind at that time.'

'Rahul Can't Play Victim All The Time'

'Rahul Can't Play Victim All The Time'

Rediff.com17 Nov 2025

'Rahul Gandhi's problem is that he doesn't think big.' 'He looks more like an activist, while politics is like a game of chess. You attack and then defend and have a game-plan.'

'100% communist lunatic, looks terrible': Trump slams Zohran Mamdani

'100% communist lunatic, looks terrible': Trump slams Zohran Mamdani

Rediff.com26 Jun 2025

In a stunning victory, Indian-American lawmaker Zohran Kwame Mamdani defeated former governor Andrew Cuomo in the Democratic primary race for New York City mayor

Nitish Kumar's Education Reforms: Top Grades Then Slide

Nitish Kumar's Education Reforms: Top Grades Then Slide

Rediff.com3 Nov 2025

The story of Bihar's educational reform is a lesson for all reforms done halfway.

Bihar records highest-ever 65% turnout in first phase of polls

Bihar records highest-ever 65% turnout in first phase of polls

Rediff.com7 Nov 2025

The first phase of Bihar assembly elections saw a moderate pace of polling across 121 constituencies, with 53.77% voter turnout reported till 3 pm. Sporadic incidents of violence were also reported. Key leaders are in the fray for both the ruling NDA and the opposition INDIA bloc.

Bihar's voter turnout nearly 69%; women outvoted men in both phases

Bihar's voter turnout nearly 69%; women outvoted men in both phases

Rediff.com12 Nov 2025

An ECI statement issued from New Delhi put the voter turnout at 68.76 per cent. The female turnout (74.03 per cent) was significantly higher, compared with males (64.1 per cent).

Can Zohran Mamdani Be New York Mayor?

Can Zohran Mamdani Be New York Mayor?

Rediff.com25 Jun 2025

Zohram Kwame Mamdani would be the city's first Muslim and Indian American mayor if elected New York mayor this November.

'China, Pakistan Will Try To Turn Bangladesh Against India'

'China, Pakistan Will Try To Turn Bangladesh Against India'

Rediff.com7 Aug 2025

'Pakistan will also try to turn Bangladesh into a base for terrorist attacks on India.'

Some trying to steal...: Modi takes 'Jan Nayak' dig at Rahul

Some trying to steal...: Modi takes 'Jan Nayak' dig at Rahul

Rediff.com4 Oct 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticized the RJD's past education policies in Bihar, attributing migration to the state's poor education system under their rule. He praised the current NDA government's efforts to improve education and development, launching several initiatives focused on youth skilling and education in the state.

Has Vijay Changed After Karur Stampede?

Has Vijay Changed After Karur Stampede?

Rediff.com25 Oct 2025

Vijay, despite the loud message from his delayed arrival at the road-show/stampede venue, and more so his continued inaccessibility for fans-turned-cadres after graduating from a super-star to a political party leader with electoral ambitions, refuses to change. Or, so it seems, observes N Sathiya Moorthy.

'Citizens Are Safe From The Government Only When...'

'Citizens Are Safe From The Government Only When...'

Rediff.com7 Aug 2025

'The moment they fall foul of the party in power, they become unsafe. Then nobody can guarantee their safety.'

Indira Gandhi Or Modi: Who's India's Strongest PM?

Indira Gandhi Or Modi: Who's India's Strongest PM?

Rediff.com5 Sep 2025

Mrs Gandhi's power ebbed and peaked with the times. Mr Modi's has almost been constant, barring the few months of hard dip after the 240 seats of 2024, points out Shekhar Gupta.

Bhutto-led Pak delegation faces US heat over Jaish, minorities

Bhutto-led Pak delegation faces US heat over Jaish, minorities

Rediff.com7 Jun 2025

In a post on X, Sherman said that he 'emphasised to the Pakistani delegation the importance of combatting terrorism, and in particular, the group Jaish-e-Mohammed, who murdered my constituent Daniel Pearl in 2002'.

After France, socialist jolt for Merkel in Germany

After France, socialist jolt for Merkel in Germany

Rediff.com7 May 2012

German Chancellor Angela Merkel's Christian Democratic Union and its junior coalition partner, the Free Democratic Party, suffered a debacle in the elections in the northern state of Schleswig-Holstein

Bihar Polls: Non-Stop Contest For Sops

Bihar Polls: Non-Stop Contest For Sops

Rediff.com2 Oct 2025

Both NDA and INDIA are racing to woo marginalised groups with Assembly polls fast approaching.

Rahul claims threat by Arun Jaitley; BJP fact-checks him

Rahul claims threat by Arun Jaitley; BJP fact-checks him

Rediff.com2 Aug 2025

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi claimed that former finance minister Arun Jaitley had threatened him to not speak against the farm laws, a charge refuted by the BJP.

People punished Indira Gandhi: Tharoor slams Emergency

People punished Indira Gandhi: Tharoor slams Emergency

Rediff.com10 Jul 2025

Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has criticised the Emergency declared by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1975, saying the people of the country responded clearly to the excesses of that period by voting her party out of power by a large margin.

SC to hear pleas against EC's Bihar voter list overhaul on Monday

SC to hear pleas against EC's Bihar voter list overhaul on Monday

Rediff.com27 Jul 2025

A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi is likely to take up the matter in which the EC has justified its ongoing SIR of electoral rolls in Bihar, saying it adds to the purity of the election by "weeding out ineligible persons" from the electoral rolls.

RJD To Boycott Bihar Polls?

RJD To Boycott Bihar Polls?

Rediff.com25 Jul 2025

'When the time comes, we will take a decision following a discussion with the alliance partners.'

Article 370 abrogation anniversary: Mehbooba claims house arrest

Article 370 abrogation anniversary: Mehbooba claims house arrest

Rediff.com5 Aug 2024

People's Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti and several other regional party leaders on Monday claimed that they have been placed under house arrest on the fifth anniversary of the reading down of Article 370 of the Constitution that provided special status to Jammu and Kashmir.