News for 'Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha'

Rajya Sabha clears long-pending Insurance Bill

Rajya Sabha clears long-pending Insurance Bill

Rediff.com12 Mar 2015

Foreign investment cap in insurance sector raised to 49 per cent.

What PT Usha said in her maiden speech in Rajya Sabha

What PT Usha said in her maiden speech in Rajya Sabha

Rediff.com3 Aug 2022

Legendary athlete P T Usha on Wednesday batted for bringing all competitions under National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) and sought more focus on the field of sports medicine and science to help players recover from injuries.

Rane denies retirement plans, says remarks misinterpreted

Rane denies retirement plans, says remarks misinterpreted

Rediff.com6 Jan 2026

Bharatiya Janata Party MP and former Union minister Narayan Rane has dismissed speculation about his retirement, saying his remarks made at a public rally recently were misinterpreted and reaffirming his commitment to active politics.

Has the 15th Lok Sabha been the WORST performing ever?

Has the 15th Lok Sabha been the WORST performing ever?

Rediff.com4 Feb 2014

From 1952 to 1967, each of the three Lok Sabhas sat for an average of 600 days and more than 3,700 hours. In comparison, the 15th Lok Sabha -- from 2009 till 2013 -- has met for just 345 days and 1,331 hours, says Shreya Singh

Modi Wows The Sunak Kids

Modi Wows The Sunak Kids

Rediff.com19 Feb 2025

Rishi Sunak, who seems to be on an extended holiday in India -- we spotted the former UK PM at the Jaipur Lit Fest and at the fourth T20I at the Wankhede late January -- was at Lok Kalyan Marg on Tuesday.

Third row seat: Cong accuses BJP of insulting Rahul, Kharge at R-Day event

Third row seat: Cong accuses BJP of insulting Rahul, Kharge at R-Day event

Rediff.com26 Jan 2026

The Congress party has accused the BJP government of disrespecting opposition leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge by seating them in the third row during the Republic Day parade. BJP leaders have responded by questioning Rahul Gandhi's attendance at other important events.

Monsoon session sees 12 bills passed in LS, 15 in RS

Monsoon session sees 12 bills passed in LS, 15 in RS

Rediff.com21 Aug 2025

The Monsoon session of Parliament saw the passage of several key bills in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, despite repeated disruptions and adjournments.

Opposition and Activists Call for Withdrawal of Transgender Rights Amendment Bill

Opposition and Activists Call for Withdrawal of Transgender Rights Amendment Bill

Rediff.com22 Mar 2026

Opposition MPs and transgender rights activists are urging the withdrawal of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026, citing concerns that the proposed changes could weaken the rights of transgender individuals.

Opposition and Activists Call for Withdrawal of Transgender Rights Amendment Bill

Opposition and Activists Call for Withdrawal of Transgender Rights Amendment Bill

Rediff.com22 Mar 2026

Opposition MPs and transgender rights activists are calling for the withdrawal of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026, citing concerns that the proposed changes could dilute the rights of transgender individuals.

Food bill to be taken up in Lok Sabha on Monday: Kamal Nath

Food bill to be taken up in Lok Sabha on Monday: Kamal Nath

Rediff.com23 Aug 2013

The Food Security Bill, which could not be taken up despite being listed in the Lok Sabha'a agenda since Monday, will not be part of business on Saturday.

Government faces flak over Finance Bill in Rajya Sabha

Government faces flak over Finance Bill in Rajya Sabha

Rediff.com27 Mar 2017

The Opposition on Monday charged the government with trying to promote crony capitalism, creating fear by giving "unbridled power" to taxmen, trying to snoop into people's lives through increased use of Aadhaar through the provisions of the Finance Bill.

Budget hollow, directionless; ignoring people's hardships: Opposition

Budget hollow, directionless; ignoring people's hardships: Opposition

Rediff.com1 Feb 2026

The Congress party has strongly criticized the Union Budget, calling it 'lacklustre' and 'disappointing,' claiming it fails to address the needs of farmers, unemployed youth, and other key sectors.

Traffic Chaos: Woman's Fury Shakes Up BJP Rally

Traffic Chaos: Woman's Fury Shakes Up BJP Rally

Rediff.com22 Apr 2026

A viral video of a woman confronting a Maharashtra minister over traffic jams caused by a BJP rally has sparked a backlash, forcing the ruling party to defend its actions and prompting apologies for the inconvenience caused to commuters.

In Rajya Sabha, PM Modi taunts Congress, says it is above criticism

In Rajya Sabha, PM Modi taunts Congress, says it is above criticism

Rediff.com9 Mar 2016

Narendra Modi was both conciliatory and mocking towards the Opposition, particularly Congress, during his hour long reply to the debate on the motion of thanks to the President's address in the Upper House.

Monsoon session of Parl ends amid uproar; Modi hits out at Cong

Monsoon session of Parl ends amid uproar; Modi hits out at Cong

Rediff.com22 Aug 2025

The Monsoon session of Parliament concluded after facing disruptions and protests over the revision of electoral rolls in Bihar. Despite the disruptions, the government managed to pass key legislations.

Uproar in Parl as Kharge raises Dhankhar's 'sudden exit'

Uproar in Parl as Kharge raises Dhankhar's 'sudden exit'

Rediff.com1 Dec 2025

Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge assured Chairman CP Radhakrishnan of cooperation from the Congress party in the smooth conduct of the House, while also urging him to treat the Opposition and Treasury benches equally. He also mentioned the previous Chairman, triggering protests.

Land bill clears Lok Sabha test amid protests

Land bill clears Lok Sabha test amid protests

Rediff.com10 Mar 2015

The contentious Land bill passed the Lok Sabha test after the government carried out nine amendments.

SC seeks Centre's reply on plea for implementation of women's quota law

SC seeks Centre's reply on plea for implementation of women's quota law

Rediff.com10 Nov 2025

The Supreme Court has sought the Centre's response on a plea seeking the implementation of the 2023 Nari Shakti Vandan Act, which reserves one-third of seats for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies.

Congress issues 3-day LS whip ahead of Pahalgam, Op Sindoor debate

Congress issues 3-day LS whip ahead of Pahalgam, Op Sindoor debate

Rediff.com27 Jul 2025

The ruling alliance and the Opposition are set to lock horns over the two issues steeped in national security and foreign policy imperatives.

Vice-Presidential election: Stage set for 'south versus south' battle

Vice-Presidential election: Stage set for 'south versus south' battle

Rediff.com22 Aug 2025

The stage is set for a direct contest between NDA nominee C P Radhakrishnan and joint opposition candidate B Sudershan Reddy for the September 9 vice-presidential election. Nominations have been scrutinized and accepted.

Tributes paid to Parliament attack martyrs on 24th anniversary

Tributes paid to Parliament attack martyrs on 24th anniversary

Rediff.com13 Dec 2025

Vice President C P Radhakrishnan and Prime Minister Narendra Modi led Parliamentarians in paying floral tributes to those who died fending off terrorists who attacked the Parliament House in 2001 on the 24th anniversary of the attack.

Reddy vs Radhakrishnan: MPs vote to elect new Vice President

Reddy vs Radhakrishnan: MPs vote to elect new Vice President

Rediff.com9 Sep 2025

The poll is witnessing a direct contest between ruling NDA nominee C P Radhakrishnan and joint opposition candidate B Sudershan Reddy, with the BJP-led alliance having a clear edge in the poll necessitated due to the sudden resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar.

Nobody should have to prove their patriotism, says PM Modi in Rajya Sabha

Nobody should have to prove their patriotism, says PM Modi in Rajya Sabha

Rediff.com1 Dec 2015

Modi said no questions can be raised over patriotism of any of the 125 crore Indians and nobody needs to produce a "certificate of patriotism".

Vice Presidential Poll: NDA Has 28 Vote Edge

Vice Presidential Poll: NDA Has 28 Vote Edge

Rediff.com7 Aug 2025

The effective strength of both the Houses together is 786 and the winning candidate will require 394 votes, considering that all eligible voters exercise their franchise.

GST Bill passed in Lok Sabha; now faces RS test

GST Bill passed in Lok Sabha; now faces RS test

Rediff.com6 May 2015

Jaitley promised the states that they would be fully compensated for any loss of revenue arising from implementation of GST.

Day 1 in Lok Sabha: Govt scraps Question Hour; Oppn slams move

Day 1 in Lok Sabha: Govt scraps Question Hour; Oppn slams move

Rediff.com14 Sep 2020

Criticising the move, the opposition led by the Congress said that Question Hour is the 'golden hour of the House'. Leader of the Congress in Lok Sabha, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, said the argument and rationale that has been put forth by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi is far from convincing.

Explained: How a CEC can be removed in India

Explained: How a CEC can be removed in India

Rediff.com11 Mar 2026

The opposition is likely to submit a notice in both Houses of Parliament to remove Gyanesh Kumar as the chief election commissioner, marking a historic first. This article details the legal procedure for removing a CEC, including the roles of Parliament, the Supreme Court, and the investigation process.

No-confidence motion not taken up as protests wash out Lok Sabha

No-confidence motion not taken up as protests wash out Lok Sabha

Rediff.com19 Mar 2018

As soon as Speaker Sumitra Mahajan took up the Question Hour, members from these parties trooped into the Well holding placards.

How numbers favour NDA in Vice Presidential election

How numbers favour NDA in Vice Presidential election

Rediff.com22 Jul 2025

The ruling NDA is expected to win the upcoming election for the post of Vice President of India, following the resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar.

Parliament to debate Pahalgam, Op Sindoor; no word on PM's reply

Parliament to debate Pahalgam, Op Sindoor; no word on PM's reply

Rediff.com23 Jul 2025

Parliament is expected to discuss the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor next week, with both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha planning debates.

JD-U nominates 3 new faces for Rajya Sabha seats from Bihar

JD-U nominates 3 new faces for Rajya Sabha seats from Bihar

Rediff.com24 Jan 2014

Bihar's ruling Janata Dal-United on Friday dropped its three sitting members of Parliament and nominated new faces for the Rajya Sabha polls to be held on February 7.

Government, Opposition spar over triple talaq bill in Rajya Sabha

Government, Opposition spar over triple talaq bill in Rajya Sabha

Rediff.com3 Jan 2018

Amid noisy scenes, Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad introduced the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill 2017 for discussion and passage, but pandemonium broke out in the Upper House with the opposition creating an uproar and the BJP countering it vociferously.

Amid anti-Modi sloganeering Speaker refuses to adjourn Lok Sabha

Amid anti-Modi sloganeering Speaker refuses to adjourn Lok Sabha

Rediff.com31 Jul 2015

Speaker refuses to adjourn Lok Sabha despite the ruckus, in the Rajya Sabha it was the same old story.

Assam Elections: Can AGP Retain Its Identity In Assam's Changing Politics?

Assam Elections: Can AGP Retain Its Identity In Assam's Changing Politics?

Rediff.com8 Apr 2026

In its list of 26 candidates for Thursday's assembly elections, 13 are from the Bengali-speaking Muslim community -- a demographic that was at the centre of the original Assam agitation.

TMC names Mamata's nephew Abhishek Banerjee as LS Parl party leader

TMC names Mamata's nephew Abhishek Banerjee as LS Parl party leader

Rediff.com4 Aug 2025

Trinamool Congress (TMC) has appointed Abhishek Banerjee as its new parliamentary leader in the Lok Sabha, replacing Sudip Bandopadhyay. The decision was made during a virtual meeting chaired by Mamata Banerjee. This move is seen as a generational shift and a preparation for the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections.

Cong wants Sonia or Rahul, not Kamal Nath, to lead in Lok Sabha

Cong wants Sonia or Rahul, not Kamal Nath, to lead in Lok Sabha

Rediff.com20 May 2014

Congress leaders told Rediff.com that if Sonia or Rahul Gandhi do not take up the leader of opposition's post in Lok Sabha, it would lead to factionalism and internal dissension, something that the party can ill-afford at this juncture. "Kamal Nath is undoubtedly a senior MP but his candidature is bound to be opposed by the MPs from southern states as they have won more seats," remarked a senior Congress functionary, adding that senior ministers like Veerappa Moily and Mallikarjun Kharge can be expected to push their candidature for this post. Anita Katyal reports.

Why Does Modi Pass Bills In Such Haste?

Why Does Modi Pass Bills In Such Haste?

Rediff.com27 Dec 2025

The passing of bills without Parliament, including the treasury benches, having any real understanding of what they contained through any rigorous process has accelerated through the Modi era, points out Aakar Patel.

391 votes needed to win vice president's poll, NDA has 425

391 votes needed to win vice president's poll, NDA has 425

Rediff.com8 Sep 2025

The present strength of the electoral college is 781 as six seats are vacant in the Rajya Sabha and one in the Lok Sabha. This puts the majority mark at 391. The NDA has 425 MPs, while the opposition camp has the backing of 324.

Rijiju defends CISF presence in RS, says security is Chair's call

Rijiju defends CISF presence in RS, says security is Chair's call

Rediff.com1 Aug 2025

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju defended security measures in Rajya Sabha, stating that marshals intervened to prevent disruption by MPs. This follows objections from the opposition regarding the presence of security personnel in the House.