News for 'Progressive Democratic Front'

Ghulam Nabi Azad to contest Lok Sabha polls from...

Ghulam Nabi Azad to contest Lok Sabha polls from...

Rediff.com2 Apr 2024

Former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir Ghulam Nabi Azad will contest the Lok Sabha elections from Anantnag -Rajouri constituency, his party Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) said.

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.

After The Oval Office Fracas, What Next For Ukraine?

After The Oval Office Fracas, What Next For Ukraine?

Rediff.com3 Mar 2025

Trump knows by now that the western narrative of Biden's war is a load of bullshit peppered with falsehoods and outright lies, and that the war erupted only out of the diabolic western plot to poke the bear, which got provoked finally and hit out, explains Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

An Agitation That Woke Up Kerala

An Agitation That Woke Up Kerala

Rediff.com20 Mar 2025

It was a protest which held a mirror to the government of a state taking pride in its commitment to democracy, gender equality and social indices.One person, who in his employed days had known governments and political parties at close quarters, told me that public perception of how the Kerala government handled the ASHA workers' strike had been terrible, reports Shyam G Menon.

India protests Bangladesh govt aide's territorial claim

India protests Bangladesh govt aide's territorial claim

Rediff.com20 Dec 2024

India has lodged a strong protest with Bangladesh over a now-deleted social media post by a key aide of Bangladesh's interim government that claimed certain areas of Indian territory should be part of that country. The post, which included a map showing parts of West Bengal, Tripura, and Assam as belonging to Bangladesh, was made by Mahfuz Alam, a de facto minister in the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government. The post sparked backlash and was subsequently deleted. India's External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reminded all concerned to be "mindful" of their public comments and emphasized the need for responsibility in public articulation.

Kamala Harris picks Minnesota guv as running mate

Kamala Harris picks Minnesota guv as running mate

Rediff.com6 Aug 2024

US Vice President Kamala Harris, who is of Indian and African heritage, has formally secured the Democratic presidential nomination becoming the first Indian-American to win the nomination from a major political party, and chose Minnesota Gov Tim Walz as her running mate on Tuesday.

'I know Trump's type': Harris calls Trump a 'predator'

'I know Trump's type': Harris calls Trump a 'predator'

Rediff.com28 Jul 2024

"We are the underdogs in this race. Level set, ok. We are the underdogs in this race, but this is a people-powered campaign," Vice President Harris said, addressing a group of 800 fundraisers in Pittsfield, Massachusetts.

Why The South Is Worried About Delimitation

Why The South Is Worried About Delimitation

Rediff.com28 Feb 2025

'Peninsular Indians could ask 'Why should we contribute half of India's tax revenues if we account for only a quarter of the seats in the Lok Sabha?'.' 'The rest of the country seems likely to counter that 'democracy means one vote per person irrespective of where that person resides in India'.' 'With no easy answers to this thorny debate, the south's economic ascendancy could end up creating a Hobson's choice.' A revealing excerpt from Nandita Rajhansa and Saurabh Mukherjea's book, Behold the Leviathan: The Unusual Rise of Modern India.

Full text: President Murmu's R-Day eve address to the nation

Full text: President Murmu's R-Day eve address to the nation

Rediff.com25 Jan 2025

'Today, let us reaffirm our commitment to strive to realise Gandhiji's dreams. His watchwords, truth and nonviolence, will continue to remain relevant for the whole world. He also taught us that rights and duties are but the two sides of the coin - indeed, the true source of rights is duty. Today we recall his lessons in compassion too - compassion not only for our human neighbours but also for our other neighbours, namely, flora and fauna, rivers and mountains.'

Biden accepts Democratic nomination, vows to end 'season of darkness'

Biden accepts Democratic nomination, vows to end 'season of darkness'

Rediff.com21 Aug 2020

While accepting the Democratic presidential nomination on Thursday night, Biden said in Delaware that "united we can and will overcome this season of darkness in America."

Wayanad, 31 assembly seats face bypoll test on Wednesday

Wayanad, 31 assembly seats face bypoll test on Wednesday

Rediff.com12 Nov 2024

Bypolls will be held on Wednesday in 31 assembly seats spread across 10 states and Kerala's Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency, from where Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is making her electoral debut. Though these bye-elections are not going to have any bearing on the governments, they are seen as a big test for the Congress and the INDIA bloc which failed to put up a united show in the recent Haryana assembly polls. Most of these seats fell vacant after the sitting MLAs contested the Lok Sabha elections and won while in some constituencies, the bypolls are being held due to death of the representatives. The Wayanad seat was vacated by Rahul Gandhi, who also won from the Rae Bareli parliamentary constituency which he kept. Voting will be held in seven seats in Rajasthan, six in West Bengal, five in Assam, four seats in Bihar, three in Karnataka, two seats in Madhya Pradesh, and one seat each in Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Kerala and Meghalaya. Votes will be counted on November 23.

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.

Trump refuses to debate Kamala Harris until...

Trump refuses to debate Kamala Harris until...

Rediff.com26 Jul 2024

Former United States president and Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump on Thursday refused to debate with his Democratic rival and Vice President Kamala Harris until the Democrats formally decide on their nominee, whereas the latter said that she is ready for a debate.

J-K polls: 68% candidates forfeit security deposits in Jammu's 43 seats

J-K polls: 68% candidates forfeit security deposits in Jammu's 43 seats

Rediff.com9 Oct 2024

Incidentally, 164 of the total 356 candidates in the fray from the 43 assembly seats of Jammu region got less votes than none of the above, which gives an option to voters to reject all candidates in a constituency.

BJP storms to power in Delhi after 26 yrs as AAP bites dust

BJP storms to power in Delhi after 26 yrs as AAP bites dust

Rediff.com8 Feb 2025

The Bharatiya Janata Party on Saturday returned to power in Delhi after more than 26 years to sweep away the Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party with a two-thirds majority on the back of a hyper localised campaign and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'AAP-da'(disaster) blitzkrieg.

Ghulam Nabi, Mehbooba differ over Srinagar voter turnout, here's why

Ghulam Nabi, Mehbooba differ over Srinagar voter turnout, here's why

Rediff.com14 May 2024

Ghulam Nabi Azad remarked that the figures are not high enough to know whether the people are happy or angry with the abrogation of Article 370 and bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories, Mehbooba Mufti said it is a message that the people have not accepted the Centre's decisions.

'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 shooter was a Republican, due to vote this year

Trump shooter was a Republican, due to vote this year

Rediff.com14 Jul 2024

He lived in the Pittsburgh suburb of Bethel Park, about 56 km south of the Trump rally site where law enforcement officials said he fired at Trump, the presumptive presidential candidate of the Republican Party.

Tim Kaine nominated as Democratic Party's Vice Presidential candidate

Tim Kaine nominated as Democratic Party's Vice Presidential candidate

Rediff.com28 Jul 2016

Kaine, a 58-year-old senator from the battleground state of Virginia, was nominated by voice vote.

Diplomatic Expulsions: Games Nations Play

Diplomatic Expulsions: Games Nations Play

Rediff.com18 Oct 2024

India and Canada have mutually beneficial political and economic linkages. The two countries should get together and find a solution. The expulsion war should, in the meantime, be a guarantee against any deterioration of the situation, asserts Ambassador T P Sreenivasan, the first Indian head of mission to be ever expelled by any country.

Hand over Sheikh Hasina to B'desh to face trial: BNP to India

Hand over Sheikh Hasina to B'desh to face trial: BNP to India

Rediff.com20 Aug 2024

Talking to reporters after placing a wreath at the grave of former president and BNP founder Zia-ur Rahman in the city, Fakhrul said India is seemingly not keeping its commitment towards democracy by providing shelter to her.

That Rarity Of Rarities, A Good Man In Politics

That Rarity Of Rarities, A Good Man In Politics

Rediff.com30 Dec 2024

As a leader, he was ambitious, not for himself but for India and its people. His was not the short-term election cycle calculation of individual political gain. His was a practical vision of how to better the lives of his fellow citizens, asserts Ambassador Shivshankar Menon, who served as foreign secretary and national security advisor when Dr Singh was prime minister.

RSS chief flags threats from 'Deep State', 'wokeism', 'cultural Marxist'

RSS chief flags threats from 'Deep State', 'wokeism', 'cultural Marxist'

Rediff.com12 Oct 2024

According to Bhagwat, a narrative is being spread in neighbouring Bangladesh, which recently witnessed a massive political upheaval, that India is a threat and they should join Pakistan as a defence against Bharat. Who is spreading such a narrative, he asked.

Mehbooba Mufti Faces An Uphill Task In Anantnag

Mehbooba Mufti Faces An Uphill Task In Anantnag

Rediff.com1 May 2024

The change in Anantnag's demographic after delimitation has added layers of political complexities to the constituency with Pahari-Gujjar, Jammu versus Kashmir dimensions.

What then PM Manmohan Singh told I&B minister about media approach

What then PM Manmohan Singh told I&B minister about media approach

Rediff.com29 Aug 2024

Then prime minister Manmohan Singh's brief to his new information and broadcasting minister Manish Tewari on what should be the government's approach to the media was simple -- it should be an essay in persuasion, not coercion.

Voting For Trump Will Only Hurt America

Voting For Trump Will Only Hurt America

Rediff.com5 Nov 2024

'To everyone voting for Trump, I have only this simple question: Would you let him have lunch with your daughter or sister or wife or mother?' 'Then why would you let him have our lunch (and so much more) for four more years?', asks Sree Sreenivasan.

Reject divisive tendencies based on social hierarchies: President

Reject divisive tendencies based on social hierarchies: President

Rediff.com14 Aug 2024

President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday emphasised the need to strengthen affirmative action as a tool for inclusion while urging the rejection of divisive tendencies rooted in perceived social hierarchies.

The Elevance of Kamala Harris

The Elevance of Kamala Harris

Rediff.com2 Nov 2024

Kamala has finessed bubblegum conversation about whether she is Black or Indian. Her Irrelevancing-approach, an Irrelevance-code if you will, is Elevated and Elegant -- this is the Elevance of Kamala! asserts economist Dr Anuradha Luther Maitra.

Why J-K BJP chief can't vote for party in Lok Sabha polls

Why J-K BJP chief can't vote for party in Lok Sabha polls

Rediff.com21 Apr 2024

Jammu and Kashmir Bharatiya Janata Party chief Ravinder Raina is going to miss voting for his party in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections as the party has not fielded any candidate from his home town which falls in Anantnag-Rajouri parliamentary constituency.

Foreign secretary raises safety of minorities in Bangladesh

Foreign secretary raises safety of minorities in Bangladesh

Rediff.com9 Dec 2024

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri arrived in Dhaka on Monday on a day-long visit to hold talks with his Bangladeshi counterpart, amid strained bilateral ties since August following the ouster of prime minister Sheikh Hasina.

Can give up ministerial post: Chirag Paswan

Can give up ministerial post: Chirag Paswan

Rediff.com1 Oct 2024

Union minister Chirag Paswan has caused a flutter by stating he would choose to give up his ministerial berth instead of a compromise on his principles, in keeping with the precedent set by his late father Ram Vilas Paswan.

BJP can win many seats in Assam's minority areas if...: Himanta

BJP can win many seats in Assam's minority areas if...: Himanta

Rediff.com28 Nov 2024

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma believes that the BJP could win more seats in the state by aggressively campaigning in minority-dominated areas. He attributed the party's recent success in the bypolls to its beneficiary schemes, which he claims have garnered support from the minority community. Sarma emphasized that the BJP will continue with its development work for all communities and has no plans for appeasement. He also gave an update on the Guwahati-North Guwahati bridge project, which is progressing well and is scheduled to be opened to the public in July 2025. Sarma also hinted at a possible cabinet reshuffle in the coming months.

NSG out, Amit Shah, Rajnath come under CRPF security

NSG out, Amit Shah, Rajnath come under CRPF security

Rediff.com16 Oct 2024

The Union government has ordered the complete withdrawal of the counter-terrorist commando force NSG from VIP security duties and handing over its nine "high-risk" VIPs to the CRPF by next month, official sources said Wednesday.

'One of us': A R Rahman dedicates song to 'Kamala ji'

'One of us': A R Rahman dedicates song to 'Kamala ji'

Rediff.com14 Oct 2024

Vice President Kamala Harris' White House bid gets a boost from legendary Indian music composer A R Rahman, who has come out in support of her 'vision for an equitable world', and recording some of his popular songs like 'Jai Ho' to inspire Indian American voters.

How Haryana outcome would impact seat talks in Maharashtra

How Haryana outcome would impact seat talks in Maharashtra

Rediff.com8 Oct 2024

The Haryana victory will be a morale booster for the Bharatiya Janata Party and increase its bargaining power in the Mahayuti's seat-sharing talks for the upcoming Maharashtra assembly elections, according to political analysts.

Modi To Stay Put In New York On US Visit

Modi To Stay Put In New York On US Visit

Rediff.com4 Sep 2024

Over 24,000 people have registered for the 'Modi & US Progress Together' event in Uniondale, New York.

Marxist leader Anura Dissanayake wins Sri Lanka's presidential vote

Marxist leader Anura Dissanayake wins Sri Lanka's presidential vote

Rediff.com22 Sep 2024

Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the leader of the Marxist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna's (JVP) broader front National People's Power (NPP), on Sunday consolidated his lead in the Sri Lanka's presidential election.

'Mr Modi doesn't have majority for One nation, one election'

'Mr Modi doesn't have majority for One nation, one election'

Rediff.com16 Sep 2024

'One nation, one election' is not possible under the present Constitution. It requires at least five constitutional amendments'

'Had liberalisation not taken place, I may have gone back to the US'

'Had liberalisation not taken place, I may have gone back to the US'

Rediff.com10 Oct 2024

An exclusive excerpt from The Tatas: How A Family Built A Business And A Nation.

'Central BJP Is Ignorant Of Kerala Politics'

'Central BJP Is Ignorant Of Kerala Politics'

Rediff.com18 Nov 2024

'The Kerala BJP leadership is doing the job of clerical staff. What the boss orders, they just follow them.'