News for 'Public Accounts Committee of the National Assembly'

Gogoi underwent 'some kind of training in Pak': Sarma

Gogoi underwent 'some kind of training in Pak': Sarma

Rediff.com8 Feb 2026

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has accused Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi of having a 'deeper connection' with a Pakistani national and violating FCRA rules, prompting calls for a national probe.

HC disqualifies Mukul Roy as MLA under anti-defection law

HC disqualifies Mukul Roy as MLA under anti-defection law

Rediff.com13 Nov 2025

The Calcutta High Court has cancelled the membership of senior leader Mukul Roy in the West Bengal assembly under the anti-defection law, marking a significant moment in Indian jurisprudence.

EC bars bulk SMSes, political ads in Bihar's 'silent hour'

EC bars bulk SMSes, political ads in Bihar's 'silent hour'

Rediff.com14 Oct 2025

The Election Commission has warned against the use of bulk SMSes and audio messages during the 48-hour 'silence period' before the conclusion of voting in the Bihar assembly polls. The EC has also mandated pre-certification of political advertisements on electronic media, including social media.

Why The Congress Has Rediscovered Sitaram Kesri

Why The Congress Has Rediscovered Sitaram Kesri

Rediff.com30 Oct 2025

It was significant that the ceremony took place at 24, Akbar Road, the party's former national headquarters, and not at its new office in Kotla Road.

'This Election Commission Has To Go!'

'This Election Commission Has To Go!'

Rediff.com6 Oct 2025

'The current Election Commission functions more like a government department than an autonomous body.'

'Eyewash': Adhir declines to join 'one-nation, one-poll' panel

'Eyewash': Adhir declines to join 'one-nation, one-poll' panel

Rediff.com3 Sep 2023

The Congress leader also lamented the exclusion of current Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge from the committee

Unclear Goals Of The 130th Amendment

Unclear Goals Of The 130th Amendment

Rediff.com2 Sep 2025

'Non-BJP state governments and their leaders, navigating today's political landscape, know well they have no clue what awaits around the corner.' 'The chances of charges pressed and oneself getting parked in custody play out on an uneven playing field,' points out Shyam G Menon.

BJP workers ransack Cong headquarters in Patna, Kolkata

BJP workers ransack Cong headquarters in Patna, Kolkata

Rediff.com30 Aug 2025

Workers from the BJP and Congress clashed in Patna during a protest march organized by the BJP against the use of abusive language towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi's late mother. The protest turned violent, with stone pelting and vandalism reported. Police intervened to control the situation, and an investigation is underway.

'Impractical, cheap stunt': Oppn on one nation, one poll

'Impractical, cheap stunt': Oppn on one nation, one poll

Rediff.com18 Sep 2024

Opposition parties on Wednesday opposed the 'one nation, one election' proposal by calling it impractical and a 'cheap stunt' by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.

Can INDIA bloc replicate LS victory in UP assembly bypolls?

Can INDIA bloc replicate LS victory in UP assembly bypolls?

Rediff.com23 Jun 2024

The Samajwadi Party and Congress have announced that they will contest together under the INDIA bloc.

Op Sindoor: Diplomatic missions push for decisive anti-terror action

Op Sindoor: Diplomatic missions push for decisive anti-terror action

Rediff.com30 May 2025

All-party parliamentary delegations on Friday met leaders and diplomats from several countries to galvanise international action against terrorists and decisively counter the tactics of those who perpetrate, support and sponsor cross-border terror activities against India.

Midnight decision disrespectful: Rahul on CEC appointment

Midnight decision disrespectful: Rahul on CEC appointment

Rediff.com18 Feb 2025

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has criticized the government's decision to appoint Gyanesh Kumar as the new Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) in the middle of the night, arguing that it is "disrespectful" and "discourteous" given the ongoing Supreme Court challenge to the selection process. Gandhi presented a dissent note to the selection committee, stating that the process violates the Supreme Court order and undermines the integrity of the electoral process.

How did ISI spend Rs 5.55 billion?

How did ISI spend Rs 5.55 billion?

Rediff.com22 Sep 2010

Top Pakistani officials are refusing to disclose how and on what the country's powerful spy agency Inter Services Intelligence spent a whopping Rs 5.55 billion allocated to it during 2007-08. "This is highly sensitive information and hence I can't talk about it at an open forum," Finance Secretary Salman Siddiqui told the Public Accounts Committee of the National Assembly or the lower house of parliament.

Why BJP Still Hasn't Named Nadda's Successor

Why BJP Still Hasn't Named Nadda's Successor

Rediff.com18 Apr 2025

The prolonged delay over electing J P Nadda's successor possibly stems from the RSS leadership wanting a person who is at least equidistant from the Sangh as well as the Modi/BJP edifice, observes BJP-RSS watcher Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay.

Kesari 2: What *Really* Happened

Kesari 2: What *Really* Happened

Rediff.com16 Apr 2025

The grilling of Brigadier-General Dyer by Akshay Kumar's Sir C Sankaran Nair, as shown in Kesari 2, is purely an imaginary sequence, proves Utkarsh Mishra.

Cong questions poll integrity; Kharge talks tough on loss in CWC meet

Cong questions poll integrity; Kharge talks tough on loss in CWC meet

Rediff.com30 Nov 2024

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has called for tough decisions and unity within the party after the Congress suffered electoral defeats in Maharashtra and Haryana. In a meeting with top party leaders, Kharge highlighted the need to strengthen the organization from the grassroots, fix accountability, and address internal bickering. He also urged leaders to remain united and avoid public criticism of each other. The Congress chief expressed concern over the party's performance in state elections despite a strong showing in the Lok Sabha polls earlier this year. He acknowledged the need to learn from the setbacks and improve the party's strategy and communication to counter its rivals' propaganda.

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.

'Government Is Constantly Trying To Subvert RTI'

'Government Is Constantly Trying To Subvert RTI'

Rediff.com9 Jan 2025

'The government does not want to be transparent or accountable. Therefore, they do not want to appoint information commissioners.'

TMC's Mukul Roy arrives in Delhi after family's 'untraceable' claim

TMC's Mukul Roy arrives in Delhi after family's 'untraceable' claim

Rediff.com18 Apr 2023

Although Roy has remained tightlipped about the agenda of his visit, the political circles in West Bengal were abuzz with speculations over his next political move.

'Individuals focused on monetary gain': P T Usha hits back

'Individuals focused on monetary gain': P T Usha hits back

Rediff.com29 Sep 2024

IOA president P T Usha on Sunday slammed the revolting executive council members, saying they 'seem more focused on self-serving power play and monetary gain'

We have no choice but to move court: Cong's reply to EC

We have no choice but to move court: Cong's reply to EC

Rediff.com1 Nov 2024

The Congress on Friday hit out at the Election Commission after it rejected allegations over irregularities in the Haryana assembly polls, saying if the poll panel's goal is to 'strip itself of the last vestiges of neutrality', then it is doing a 'remarkable job' at creating that impression.

He has damaged Indian football: Bhutia blasts AIFF chief

He has damaged Indian football: Bhutia blasts AIFF chief

Rediff.com14 Oct 2024

Should not entertain him, must be removed: Bhaichung Bhutia criticises AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey for corruption, mismanagement

Top officials brief Kovind on simultaneous polls

Top officials brief Kovind on simultaneous polls

Rediff.com3 Sep 2023

People aware of the development said, Law Secretary Niten Chandra, Legislative Secretary Reeta Vasishta and others met Kovind this afternoon to understand how he would like to go about the agenda before the committee.

Can History Repeat Itself?

Can History Repeat Itself?

Rediff.com16 Jul 2024

Electoral setbacks and thwarted ambition can have an unpredictable effect on leaders,, observes Aditi Phadnis.

Simultaneous poll panel to seek views of political parties

Simultaneous poll panel to seek views of political parties

Rediff.com23 Sep 2023

A high-level committee to explore the feasibility of conducting simultaneous elections, headed by former president Ram Nath Kovind, held its first meeting in New Delhi on Saturday and decided to invite political parties and the Law Commission to seek their views on holding synchronised polls in the country, a statement said.

Lawmakers cannot claim privilege unconnected to working of the house: SC

Lawmakers cannot claim privilege unconnected to working of the house: SC

Rediff.com4 Mar 2024

The privileges enjoyed by MPs and MLAs are "tethered intrinsically" to the functioning of the legislature collectively, the Supreme Court said on Monday while holding that lawmakers taking bribe to vote or make a speech in the house are not immune from prosecution.

Election 2024: The Big Fights In Kerala

Election 2024: The Big Fights In Kerala

Rediff.com1 Apr 2024

Kerala's election discourse operates surreptitiously. Its explicit face focuses on important national and local issues. At the same time, it seeks to secure apt communal equations to ensure votes, notes Shyam G Menon.

Inspired by Rahul Gandhi, Mahua left job in US and returned

Inspired by Rahul Gandhi, Mahua left job in US and returned

Rediff.com9 Dec 2023

The 14-year political journey of Trinamool Congress leader Mahua Moitra has encountered both upheaval and elevation, as her expulsion from Parliament in a cash-for-query case marked the culmination of her tumultuous parliamentary term.

MSP, hiking 50% quota, VVPAT, no Agnipath: Congress rolls out manifesto

MSP, hiking 50% quota, VVPAT, no Agnipath: Congress rolls out manifesto

Rediff.com5 Apr 2024

Right to apprenticeship, legal guarantee for MSP, passing a constitutional amendment to raise the 50 per cent cap on reservations for SCs, STs and OBCs, a nation-wide caste census and scrapping of Agnipath scheme are among the promises made by the Congress in its Lok Sabha polls manifesto released on Friday.

Race for new Pak PM: Shehbaz files nomination; PTI to withdraw lawmakers

Race for new Pak PM: Shehbaz files nomination; PTI to withdraw lawmakers

Rediff.com10 Apr 2022

The move came hours after Khan was removed from office through a no-confidence vote held early Sunday morning, becoming the first premier in the country's history to be sent home after losing the trust of the House.

Modi wins historic 3rd term, but BJP misses majority mark

Modi wins historic 3rd term, but BJP misses majority mark

Rediff.com5 Jun 2024

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on Tuesday poised to form the government for a third consecutive term with the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance getting a majority in the Lok Sabha, notwithstanding crushing losses in three Hindi heartland states after a bitterly fought election that was projected as a referendum on his popularity.

5 states to vote from Nov 7 to 30; results on Dec 3

5 states to vote from Nov 7 to 30; results on Dec 3

Rediff.com9 Oct 2023

While the Congress is in power in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh is ruled by the Bharatiya Janata Party, Telangana by the Bharat Rashtra Samithi and Mizoram by the Mizo National Front.

Vasundhara Raje Stares At Bleak Political Future

Vasundhara Raje Stares At Bleak Political Future

Rediff.com15 Sep 2023

Through gestures and decisions, the BJP high command has signalled that Raje may not be the lead actor but rather play a supporting role in a high-stakes election in its stamping ground.

Mayawati dissolves all committees of BSP

Mayawati dissolves all committees of BSP

Rediff.com20 May 2014

Faced with one of the worst showing in the Lok Sabha polls, Bahujan Samaj Party supremo and former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati on Tuesday dissolved all the committees of the party.

Modi's Edifice Complex

Modi's Edifice Complex

Rediff.com18 Apr 2024

To understand Modi, listen to what he does not say -- vide NRC, suggests Prem Panicker.

Rahul readies Congress for Karnataka polls

Rahul readies Congress for Karnataka polls

Rediff.com16 May 2017

Buoyed by the recent victories in bypolls, Rahul was keen to revamp the state unit.

SC asks Centre, Manipur to ensure people's safety; urges to avoid hate speech

SC asks Centre, Manipur to ensure people's safety; urges to avoid hate speech

Rediff.com11 Jul 2023

The top court also took note of the submissions about objectionable public utterances by some groups and individuals.

'These laws are equipped to suppress democracy'

'These laws are equipped to suppress democracy'

Rediff.com27 Dec 2023

'...by directing these draconian provisions against political and ideological opponents of the ruling group, minorities, and those who dare to dissent through and selective prosecution and prolonged incarceration as undertrials.'

With RS nod, Parliament passes bill favouring L-G over CM

With RS nod, Parliament passes bill favouring L-G over CM

Rediff.com24 Mar 2021

The Rajya Sabha on Wednesday approved the bill giving primacy to Delhi's Lieutenant Governor (L-G) over the elected government after high drama in the House that saw uproar by the opposition and a walkout by MPs of parties like the BJD, SP, Congress and the YSRC.

Right to silence is virtue in present noisy times: Facebook VP tells SC

Right to silence is virtue in present noisy times: Facebook VP tells SC

Rediff.com24 Feb 2021

A bench of justices S K Kaul, Dinesh Maheshwari and Hrishikesh Roy reserved its verdict after lawyers representing Facebook official, Delhi assembly and the Centre wrapped up submissions on the plea of Mohan challenging summons issued by the Peace and Harmony committee for failing to appear before it as witness in connection with the north-east Delhi riots matter.