News for 'Liberal Democrats'

Sonia flays BJP for divisive ideology, but says decision on Rahul final

Sonia flays BJP for divisive ideology, but says decision on Rahul final

Rediff.com17 Jan 2014

Making a scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party, Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Friday warned that the country faced the biggest threat from communal forces and their ideology even as the AICC resolution called upon "like-minded political and social forces to come together at this critical juncture".

Will Imran Khan wrest Pakistan on July 25?

Will Imran Khan wrest Pakistan on July 25?

Rediff.com12 Jul 2018

'The army has been open about its determination to keep the PML-Nawaz out of power at all costs.' 'Both the military and the higher judiciary have indicated a preference for Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehrik e Insaaf,' says Rana Banerji, who headed the Pakistan Desk at the Research and Analysis Wing, India's external intelligence agency.

Wanted: Vision 20:20, not myopia

Wanted: Vision 20:20, not myopia

Rediff.com2 Jan 2020

'The government may backpedal for now to stave off bad international press and diplomatic demarches, but that it will go ahead with putting religion at the centre of citizenship rules is certain.' 'For it is convinced that this is the magic bullet that will ensure its return to power in 2024,' says Saisuresh Sivaswamy.

Where is intolerance? India will never be intolerant: Jaitley

Where is intolerance? India will never be intolerant: Jaitley

Rediff.com3 Nov 2015

Asserting that India will never be intolerant, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Tuesday rejected the Congress' pitch on the issue, saying opponents must fight political battles politically, and wondered "where is the intolerance".

Pettiness over Patel: 'NDA didn't commemorate Sardar, UPA did'

Pettiness over Patel: 'NDA didn't commemorate Sardar, UPA did'

Rediff.com1 Nov 2013

As the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party battle it out over the legacy of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Information and Broadcasting minister Manish Tewari hit out at Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, saying the United Progressive Alliance's record in issuing advertisements to commemorate Patel was far better than that of its rival National Democratic Alliance.

Why all Indians must oppose the CAB

Why all Indians must oppose the CAB

Rediff.com10 Dec 2019

The Citizenship Amendment Bill would possibly be the first piece of legislation that is perniciously discriminatory on the basis of religion/faith, says Mohammad Sajjad.

FULL TEXT: President's address to nation on I Day eve

FULL TEXT: President's address to nation on I Day eve

Rediff.com14 Aug 2020

From India's fight against COVID-19 to China face-off, Kovind spoke on several issues during the televised address.

'Sonia, Rahul, Priyanka are not on the same page'

'Sonia, Rahul, Priyanka are not on the same page'

Rediff.com17 Jul 2020

'It can be said without hesitation that Rahul, Priyanka and Sonia Gandhi enjoy perfect relations of mother-daughter-son all together in the family.' 'But their worldview is different and their style of functioning is different and their favourites in the party are different people.'

Tension in Kashmir as separatists, 150 Jamaat leaders are detained

Tension in Kashmir as separatists, 150 Jamaat leaders are detained

Rediff.com23 Feb 2019

The detentions come ahead of a crucial hearing on Article 35-A in Supreme Court which is likely to take place on Monday. The article, incorporated into the Indian Constitution in 1954, grants special rights and privileges to the citizens of Jammu and Kashmir.

Sirisena unveils cabinet, announces Lankan parliamentary polls in 100 days

Sirisena unveils cabinet, announces Lankan parliamentary polls in 100 days

Rediff.com12 Jan 2015

Sri Lanka's new President Maithripala Sirisena on Monday unveiled his cabinet that included members from a cross-section of parties and announced fresh parliamentary polls in 100 days, two years ahead of schedule.

Sirisena sworn-in as Sri Lanka's new president

Sirisena sworn-in as Sri Lanka's new president

Rediff.com9 Jan 2015

Maithripala Sirisena, who scored a stunning victory, was on Friday sworn-in as Sri Lankan president, bringing the curtains down on the 10-year rule of Mahinda Rajapaksa, marking a smooth transition of power.

Sirisena to be sworn-in as Sri Lanka's new prez today

Sirisena to be sworn-in as Sri Lanka's new prez today

Rediff.com9 Jan 2015

Maithripala Sirisena, the Sri Lankan president-elect, will be sworn-in on Friday evening following his stunning victory in the tightest-ever presidential race that ended the 10-year-rule of Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Tributes pour in after Somnath Chatterjee's death

Tributes pour in after Somnath Chatterjee's death

Rediff.com13 Aug 2018

Tributes poured in as news came in of the death of the 10-time Lok Sabha MP who had joined the Communist Party of India-Marxist in 1968. Chatterjee was speaker of the Lok Sabha from 2004 to 2009.

White House official attacks 'amoral' Trump in anonymous NYT op-ed

White House official attacks 'amoral' Trump in anonymous NYT op-ed

Rediff.com6 Sep 2018

The US president has slammed the op-ed titled "I Am Part of the Resistance Inside the Trump Administration', calling it 'gutless'.

'Very, very hard for Modi to return with a comparably large majority'

'Very, very hard for Modi to return with a comparably large majority'

Rediff.com21 Aug 2018

'Most likely scenario is Modi comes back with either a much smaller majority and no majority at all and a coalition.' 'Very hard to imagine him doing better than he did last time.' 'He will then be a weaker prime minister,' the author of The Billionaire Raj tells Rediff.com's Vaihayasi Pande Daniel.

2020 will be the year of the economy, but...

2020 will be the year of the economy, but...

Rediff.com3 Jan 2020

'Neither Modi nor the BJP have lost control over the minds and votes of their original supporters due to their tremendous political ability to play upon baser communal instincts.' 'But this buoyant support will melt away if the economic scenario remains depressing.' 'That makes 2020 an interesting year to watch out for,' notes Sheela Bhatt.

Sri Lanka's political crisis turns violent; 1 dead in shooting

Sri Lanka's political crisis turns violent; 1 dead in shooting

Rediff.com28 Oct 2018

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya questioned the president's decision to suspend parliament till November 16, saying it will have "serious and undesirable" consequences on the country.

Cong's National Herald to return with Outlook Hindi's ex-editor at its helm

Cong's National Herald to return with Outlook Hindi's ex-editor at its helm

Rediff.com31 Aug 2016

Neelabh Mishra had earlier been editor of Outlook Hindi and has done extensive work in areas of research and documentation including for the Right to Information movement.

'Irresponsible statements changed Bihar narrative,' says Jaitley

'Irresponsible statements changed Bihar narrative,' says Jaitley

Rediff.com9 Nov 2015

As the BJP does soul searching for its humiliating defeat in Bihar polls, senior party leader Arun Jaitley on Monday admitted "irresponsible statements" made during elections "changed the narrative".

'No govt promise will work at this moment in Assam'

'No govt promise will work at this moment in Assam'

Rediff.com20 Dec 2019

'The BJP is taking a risk in Assam, but it may face a tough time in coming times,' says Sangeeta Barooah Pisharoty.

Yasin Malik, Swami Agnivesh arrested in Srinagar

Yasin Malik, Swami Agnivesh arrested in Srinagar

Rediff.com18 Apr 2015

Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front chairman Yaseen Malik and social activist Swami Agnivesh were on Saturday detained when they tried to lead a march towards Narbal in central Kashmir's Budgam district where a youth was killed in firing by security forces during a protest.

Truly, an extraordinary fellow

Truly, an extraordinary fellow

Rediff.com19 Mar 2019

'Overlying his idealism was a hatred of war and of all things military. He gave no deep thought to politico-military matters and this prevented him from making sound security decisions.'

'Narendra Modi is swallowing the Congress'

'Narendra Modi is swallowing the Congress'

Rediff.com22 Oct 2014

Permissive communalism, as represented by the Sachar Committee report, cannot become the basis to counter the threat of majoritarianism, says D L Sheth.

Better to remain out of power than compromising on ideals: Omar

Better to remain out of power than compromising on ideals: Omar

Rediff.com5 Nov 2013

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Tuesday asserted that his party would continue its alliance with the Congress party.

Prostrate before the Arnab experience

Prostrate before the Arnab experience

Rediff.com31 Aug 2015

'While Television generally tends to Clarity,' says Sreehari Nair, 'Arnab Goswami's The Newshour Debate portrays our confusions. Each episode offers both the potency of an intensely-fought boxing match and the giddy pleasures of an orgy.'

A Constitution for ALL Indians

A Constitution for ALL Indians

Rediff.com2 Jul 2019

'Constitutional narratives are forged both inside and outside courtrooms,' says Rohit De.

Gandhi an inspiration for us too: US says after Obama slams 'intolerance'

Gandhi an inspiration for us too: US says after Obama slams 'intolerance'

Rediff.com6 Feb 2015

Gandhi is inspiration in dealing with intolerance in the US, says White House

Religious intolerance in India would have shocked Gandhi: Obama

Religious intolerance in India would have shocked Gandhi: Obama

Rediff.com5 Feb 2015

He, however, did not name any particular religion

State of the Union: Trump hails 'new American moment'

State of the Union: Trump hails 'new American moment'

Rediff.com31 Jan 2018

Unveiling his second year agenda to a deeply divided Congress and nation, a bullish United States President Donald Trump on Wednesday used his first State of the Union address to appeal for bipartisanship on issues like immigration while pledging to tackle the Islamic State and a nuclear-armed North Korea.

Bangladesh to strip 1971 war criminals of voting rights

Bangladesh to strip 1971 war criminals of voting rights

Rediff.com2 Sep 2013

In another blow to Bangladesh's fundamentalist Jammat-e-Islami, the cabinet has decided to strip the voting rights of people convicted of "crimes against humanity" during the 1971 liberation war.

How the Indian vote matters in South Africa

How the Indian vote matters in South Africa

Rediff.com5 May 2014

South Africa is heading for polls on May 7. Shubha Singh examines how the Indian vote can make a difference in Durban

Cracks in PDP: MP Tariq Karra resigns from party

Cracks in PDP: MP Tariq Karra resigns from party

Rediff.com15 Sep 2016

Karra alleged that the central and state government's policies of "unabated genocide", continued denial of the dangerous ground realities, insensitive and ad hoc approach towards the Kashmir issue and blatant policy of dealing with Kashmiris by way of "oppressive, repressive and suppressive measures" were the other reasons for his resignation.

The power game needs nimble diplomacy

The power game needs nimble diplomacy

Rediff.com3 Feb 2015

PM Modi seems to be gradually ending India's strategic ambiguity

Kashmir observes Martyrs' Day; curfew in parts of Srinagar

Kashmir observes Martyrs' Day; curfew in parts of Srinagar

Rediff.com13 Jul 2015

For the first time in 25 years since the start of militancy in Kashmir, the separatists have not called for a general strike on Martyrs' Day on Monday in view of the fasting month of Ramzan.

Did JRD think Patel would have been a better PM than Nehru?

Did JRD think Patel would have been a better PM than Nehru?

Rediff.com7 Jan 2019

'Nehru once told JRD, "I hate the mention of the very word profit".' '"Jawaharlal, I am talking about the need of the public sector making a profit!" JRD replied.' 'Nehru reiterated, "Never talk to me about the word profit, it is a dirty word".' A fascinating excerpt from Shashank Shah's The Tata Group: From Torchbearers To Trailblazers.

Darjeeling turns into battleground as GJM calls indefinite bandh

Darjeeling turns into battleground as GJM calls indefinite bandh

Rediff.com15 Jun 2017

Hurling petrol bombs and stones, Gorkhaland supporters on Thursday fought pitched battles with police, who broke up protests, bursting teargas shells and baton-charging violent crowds, plunging Darjeeling hills into deeper turmoil.

Surgical strike not an answer to Pak terror

Surgical strike not an answer to Pak terror

Rediff.com21 Feb 2019

'Nobody is going to fight India's war.' 'India has to fight its own war against the rogue State and the evil forces nurtured by it.'

Writer Ananthamurthy takes a U-turn; won't leave India if Modi is PM

Writer Ananthamurthy takes a U-turn; won't leave India if Modi is PM

Rediff.com7 Apr 2014

Kannada writer U R Ananthamurthy, who had said that he would leave the country if Narendra Modi becomes the prime minister, on Monday said those remarks were made when he was "overcome by emotion" and clarified that he had no such plan, though he continues to oppose the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Modi not responsible for Assam violence: Ex-NSG chief

Modi not responsible for Assam violence: Ex-NSG chief

Rediff.com8 May 2014

'The violence that shook Assam was a direct outcome of the state's ethnic problem... The tension that created a rift between the Bodos and the non-Bodos for years found a blood-spattered expression.' Former NSG chief Ranjit Shekhar Mooshahary, the Trinamool Congress candidate from Kokrajhar, speaks to Indrani Roy/Rediff.com about last week's carnage in Assam.

Solar scam rocks Kerala, CM Chandy say he won't quit

Solar scam rocks Kerala, CM Chandy say he won't quit

Rediff.com17 Jun 2013

The 'Solar panel' scam, which has brought the office of the Kerala chief minister under a cloud, rocked the state assembly on Monday with the Left Democratic Front opposition stepping up their demand for Oommen Chandy's resignation and a judicial probe into the matter.