News for 'Independent Rajya Sabha'

Karnataka RS race: Cross-voting feared, Cong shifts MLAs to hotel

Karnataka RS race: Cross-voting feared, Cong shifts MLAs to hotel

Rediff.com26 Feb 2024

The Congress on Monday shifted all its MLAs to a hotel ahead of the biennial election to fill four vacancies from Karnataka in Rajya Sabha apparently to keep the flock together.

Congress's Haryana MLAs bundled out to Chhattisgarh over cross-voting fears

Congress's Haryana MLAs bundled out to Chhattisgarh over cross-voting fears

Rediff.com2 Jun 2022

Wary of the possibility of cross-voting during the polling for two Rajya Sabha seats, the Congress is likely to take its Haryana MLAs to the party-ruled Chhattisgarh to protect them from poaching.

More MLAs to quit, Sukhu govt will fall, says Himachal Cong rebel

More MLAs to quit, Sukhu govt will fall, says Himachal Cong rebel

Rediff.com2 Mar 2024

Rebel Himachal Pradesh Congress MLA Rajinder Rana on Saturday claimed that nine more party legislators 'feeling suffocated' due to Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu's style of functioning are in touch with him as he called the chief minister 'liar number one'.

Delhi services bill: Why Opposition is arranging ambulances

Delhi services bill: Why Opposition is arranging ambulances

Rediff.com28 Jul 2023

From issuing whips to arranging ambulances for their ailing leaders, opposition parties from the newly-formed Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc are making all-out efforts to ensure that they get 100 per cent attendance of their MPs in the Rajya Sabha to give the Bharatiya Janata Party a tough fight on the Delhi services bill next week.

Why India's medical device makers are moving to Vietnam, Malaysia

Why India's medical device makers are moving to Vietnam, Malaysia

Rediff.com14 Mar 2025

A large number of medical device-manufacturing units have been forced to move to Vietnam and Malaysia due to delays, inconsistent timelines, and a lack of transparency in licensing processes, according to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare.

Once a BJP rival, Jayant Chaudhary joins 3rd Modi govt

Once a BJP rival, Jayant Chaudhary joins 3rd Modi govt

Rediff.com9 Jun 2024

The warming up of ties became apparent after the Centre announced the country's highest civilian honour Bharat Ratna to his grandfather and former prime minister Chaudhary Charan Singh.

Shift Of Power In Parliament Post Polls

Shift Of Power In Parliament Post Polls

Rediff.com13 Jun 2024

The increased numbers of the Opposition bloc would mean that their MPs are likely to head several more panels than the four that they did by the end of the term of the 17th Lok Sabha.

'Jai Shri Ram, ban gaya kaam': Rebel Cong MLAs return to HP

'Jai Shri Ram, ban gaya kaam': Rebel Cong MLAs return to HP

Rediff.com28 Feb 2024

The returnees also included three independent MLAs, who too had landed in Panchkula on Tuesday after casting their votes in the Rajya Sabha election.

Parliament passes Waqf bill after RS nod by 128-95 votes

Parliament passes Waqf bill after RS nod by 128-95 votes

Rediff.com4 Apr 2025

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 was passed in the Lok Sabha early Thursday, with 288 members supporting it and 232 against it.

BJP And The Long-Standing Preamble Dream

BJP And The Long-Standing Preamble Dream

Rediff.com10 Jul 2025

BJP and RSS leaders are once again pushing to remove the words 'secular' and 'socialist' from the Constitution's Preamble, showing a deeper effort to change India's identity from a diverse, multi-religious republic to a Hindu-first nation, even though they don't have the numbers in Parliament to officially change the Constitution, observes N Sathiya Moorthy.

Insulting our intelligence: Sibal on BJP's Rahul 'insulted OBCs' claim

Insulting our intelligence: Sibal on BJP's Rahul 'insulted OBCs' claim

Rediff.com25 Mar 2023

BJP leaders and Union ministers Dharmendra Pradhan and Anurag Thakur had accused Gandhi of insulting OBCs.

'Only 2 people' know: Cong on agenda for special Parliament session

'Only 2 people' know: Cong on agenda for special Parliament session

Rediff.com13 Sep 2023

Ramesh also listed several previous occasions when special sessions or special sittings were held and the list of business was known in advance.

Kapil Sibal files for RS backed by SP, says he quit Congress on May 16

Kapil Sibal files for RS backed by SP, says he quit Congress on May 16

Rediff.com25 May 2022

Sibal, whose exit from the Congress is another jolt for the electorally battered party, went to the Uttar Pradesh assembly premises to file his papers with SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, Ram Gopal Yadav and other senior leaders.

Oppn's no trust move against VP Dhankhar rejected

Oppn's no trust move against VP Dhankhar rejected

Rediff.com19 Dec 2024

The Rajya Sabha deputy chairman, Harivansh, has dismissed the impeachment notice against Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, calling it an act of impropriety, flawed, and hasty. The notice was signed by 60 opposition members who alleged that Dhankhar was "biased." The deputy chairman ruled that the notice was designed to denigrate constitutional institutions and malign the Vice President, and lacked factual basis. He also criticized the notice as a "misadventure" in "deliberate trivialising and demeaning" the high constitutional office of the Vice President.

13 assembly seats in 7 states go to bypolls today

13 assembly seats in 7 states go to bypolls today

Rediff.com10 Jul 2024

The electoral exercise, the first since the Lok Sabha elections, will decide the fate of many veterans and some debutantes including Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu's wife Kamlesh Thakur.

NCP to support candidate chosen by Shiv Sena in RS polls: Pawar

NCP to support candidate chosen by Shiv Sena in RS polls: Pawar

Rediff.com22 May 2022

The BJP can win two Rajya Sabha seats with the number of MLAs it has, while the ruling allies Shiv Sena, Congress and NCP in Maharashtra can win a seat each.

BJP now needs BJD, YSR Cong more to get key bills passed in RS

BJP now needs BJD, YSR Cong more to get key bills passed in RS

Rediff.com10 Aug 2022

The JD-U has five members in the Rajya Sabha, including deputy chairman Harivansh whose fate now hangs in the balance as he may have to resign since his party has moved out of the ruling alliance.

Pak uses nuke shield to back terror: All-party delegation in Algeria

Pak uses nuke shield to back terror: All-party delegation in Algeria

Rediff.com1 Jun 2025

Terrorism is a global menace to be addressed by humanity in unison was the all-party delegation's message to Algeria as it concluded its visit to the North African country on Sunday.

Amid protests, govt to retain ECs' status on par with SC judges

Amid protests, govt to retain ECs' status on par with SC judges

Rediff.com12 Dec 2023

The opposition parties and some former CECs had opposed the move, saying it will go against the independence of the institution.

'Sukhu govt will fall': 11 Himachal MLAs reach Uttarakhand

'Sukhu govt will fall': 11 Himachal MLAs reach Uttarakhand

Rediff.com9 Mar 2024

Six Himachal Pradesh Congress MLAs who voted against party nominee Abhishek Manu Singhvi in the Rajya Sabha elections, along with three Independent lawmakers, have shifted to a hotel in Bharatiya Janata Party-ruled Uttarakhand amid an ongoing rebellion against Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu.

'Taliban Was Never Anti-India'

'Taliban Was Never Anti-India'

Rediff.com17 Oct 2025

'Pakistan is uncomfortable with the Indian presence in Afghanistan. They want the Taliban to ensure that there is no Indian presence in Afghanistan.'

Oppn questions 'US-brokered' ceasefire; BJP hails Modi

Oppn questions 'US-brokered' ceasefire; BJP hails Modi

Rediff.com10 May 2025

Hours after, however, firing from the Pakistani side was reported in Akhnoor sector in Jammu and Kashmir. Drones were also seen in the Pir Panjal area.

Dhankhar questions lack of FIR in cash case at judge's hosue

Dhankhar questions lack of FIR in cash case at judge's hosue

Rediff.com17 Apr 2025

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar has questioned the lack of an FIR in the case involving the discovery of burnt cash at a Delhi High Court judge's residence, raising concerns about potential immunity from prosecution for certain individuals. He criticized the delay in investigation and the in-house probe by a three-judge panel, highlighting the importance of transparency and the rule of law in addressing such a significant incident.

Petty politics of petty men: Sibal after Rahul asked to vacate bungalow

Petty politics of petty men: Sibal after Rahul asked to vacate bungalow

Rediff.com28 Mar 2023

The Housing Committee of the Lok Sabha took the decision following which the secretariat of the House wrote to the former Congress president, a Z-plus protectee who has been living in the 12, Tughlaq Lane bungalow since 2005.

Shiv Sena drops Sambhaji, names Kolhapur unit chief for 6th RS seat

Shiv Sena drops Sambhaji, names Kolhapur unit chief for 6th RS seat

Rediff.com24 May 2022

Shiv Sena's Kolhapur district president Sanjay Pawar will be its second candidate for the upcoming Rajya Sabha polls, party chief spokesperson Sanjay Raut said on Tuesday, in what is a clear snub to Chhatrapati Sambhaji who was seeking support for his candidature.

Congress to bolt its stable in Rajasthan to prevent horse trading

Congress to bolt its stable in Rajasthan to prevent horse trading

Rediff.com1 Jun 2022

The Congress has decided to shift its MLAs in Rajasthan to a Udaipur hotel, with party sources saying they fear that the Bharatiya Janata Party will poach them ahead of the June 10 Rajya Sabha elections.

Channapatna bypoll: Despite health issues, Gowda campaigns for grandson

Channapatna bypoll: Despite health issues, Gowda campaigns for grandson

Rediff.com5 Nov 2024

Assisted by his personal staff and gunmen, Gowda, with a cannula on his right hand, attended multiple election meetings on Tuesday and addressed people sitting in his chair as he cited knee pain.

Parliament set to meet in new building today

Parliament set to meet in new building today

Rediff.com19 Sep 2023

The Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha will meet again on Tuesday afternoon in the new Parliament building, with Speaker of the Lower House Om Birla urging the members to abstain from 'organised disruptions' and 'carrying placards' in the new chamber.

Are These Parliament's Formidable MPs?

Are These Parliament's Formidable MPs?

Rediff.com2 Aug 2023

What would Parliament be without these nine ladies?

RS polls: Sinha objects to BJP support to independent

RS polls: Sinha objects to BJP support to independent

Rediff.com20 Mar 2012

Rift in the Bharatiya Janata Party over its decision not to field any candidate from Jharkhand for the Rajya Sabha elections came to the fore on Tuesday with senior leader Yashwant Sinha saying he was "pained" by the party's support to an independent candidate and seeking corrective steps.

SC collegium recommends Justice Varma's transfer; lawyers to go on strike

SC collegium recommends Justice Varma's transfer; lawyers to go on strike

Rediff.com24 Mar 2025

The Supreme Court collegium has confirmed the transfer of Delhi High Court Justice Yashwant Varma to his parent Allahabad High Court. This decision comes after an inquiry was initiated against Justice Varma regarding the alleged discovery of a large amount of cash at his official residence. The transfer recommendation was made public in a resolution uploaded on the Supreme Court's website. The alleged cash discovery occurred following a fire at Varma's residence in Delhi on March 14, 2025. The apex court collegium, headed by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna, has also constituted a three-member inquiry committee to further investigate the matter.

Result tied, BJP knocks Abhishek Singhvi out of RS through lots

Result tied, BJP knocks Abhishek Singhvi out of RS through lots

Rediff.com28 Feb 2024

Amid cross-voting, BJP candidate Harsh Mahajan on Tuesday won the lone Rajya Sabha seat from Himachal Pradesh, defeating ruling Congress' Abhishek Manu Singhvi, officials said.

MVA allies to meet to discuss upcoming RS polls

MVA allies to meet to discuss upcoming RS polls

Rediff.com18 May 2022

The 288-member Maharashtra Legislative Assembly constitutes the electoral college Rajya Sabha elections, scheduled on June 10, and a candidate needs 42 votes to win a seat.

India stopped Op Sindoor on condition that...: Rajnath

India stopped Op Sindoor on condition that...: Rajnath

Rediff.com29 Jul 2025

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stated India's readiness to assist Pakistan in combating terrorism if it cannot act on its own, highlighting Operation Sindoor as a demonstration of India's capabilities. He also criticized Pakistan's appointment to a UN counter-terrorism committee.

'Howdy Modi meant nothing': Oppn mocks PM after Trump's 25% tariff

'Howdy Modi meant nothing': Oppn mocks PM after Trump's 25% tariff

Rediff.com30 Jul 2025

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said Modi should take inspiration from former prime minister Indira Gandhi and stand up to the president of the United States.

Deportation of Bengali migrants to B'desh sparks panic in Bengal village

Deportation of Bengali migrants to B'desh sparks panic in Bengal village

Rediff.com30 Jul 2025

Families in West Bengal allege that Delhi Police illegally detained and deported their relatives, living and working in Delhi, to Bangladesh. They claim the deportations were based on the fact that they spoke Bengali.

BJP fields 6 disqualified Cong MLAs in HP, upsets partymen

BJP fields 6 disqualified Cong MLAs in HP, upsets partymen

Rediff.com26 Mar 2024

The Bharatiya Janata Party on Tuesday named its candidates for assembly bypolls in several states, fielding six disqualified MLAs of the Himachal Pradesh assembly in the state days after they joined the party after leaving the Congress.

It will be...: Kharge on Amethi, Rae Bareli candidates

It will be...: Kharge on Amethi, Rae Bareli candidates

Rediff.com27 Apr 2024

Kharge claimed that though the BJP says the corrupt must be put in jails, when leaders facing corruption charges join the saffron party, they are "put on the lap" and sent to Rajya Sabha or assembly.

RS polls: Raj BSP asks MLAs to vote for BJP-backed candidate

RS polls: Raj BSP asks MLAs to vote for BJP-backed candidate

Rediff.com4 Jun 2022

'The BSP does not agree with the policies of the Congress and the BJP, and therefore opposes their candidates. The party has issued a whip directing the MLAs to vote for the Independent candidate'

Haryana: Congress urges EC to declare RS results immediately

Haryana: Congress urges EC to declare RS results immediately

Rediff.com10 Jun 2022

A delegation of Congress leaders comprising Pawan Kumar Bansal, Vivek Tankha and Ranjeet Ranjan met the Election Commission and handed over a memorandum by Ajay Maken, its candidate for the Rajya Sabha poll in the state.