News for 'Rajya Sabha MPs'

Are These Parliament's Formidable MPs?

Are These Parliament's Formidable MPs?

Rediff.com2 Aug 2023

What would Parliament be without these nine ladies?

On Kharge's advice, AAP MPs to stop overnight protest

On Kharge's advice, AAP MPs to stop overnight protest

Rediff.com28 Jul 2023

Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh and other party MPs, staging a round-the-clock protest in the Parliament House Complex against his suspension, will now hold the agitation only when parliamentary proceedings are on and not during the night.

Setback for Chandrababu Naidu as 4 TDP MPs join BJP

Setback for Chandrababu Naidu as 4 TDP MPs join BJP

Rediff.com21 Jun 2019

Reacting to the development, Naidu said such crises were not new to the party.

3 more MPs suspended, taking total number to 146

3 more MPs suspended, taking total number to 146

Rediff.com21 Dec 2023

With this, the total number of MPs suspended for unruly behaviour from the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha stands at an unprecedented 146 since December 14.

Delhi services bill in RS today; Cong, AAP issue whip to MPs

Delhi services bill in RS today; Cong, AAP issue whip to MPs

Rediff.com7 Aug 2023

Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) parties will make all-out efforts to thwart the government's move to pass the bill even as the numbers are stacked in favour of the NDA with BJD and YSRCP pledging their support to the government on the bill.

How can there be talks with suspended MPs, they're not sorry: Goyal

How can there be talks with suspended MPs, they're not sorry: Goyal

Rediff.com3 Dec 2021

Amid a stalemate over the suspension of 12 opposition Rajya Sabha MPs, Leader of the House Piyush Goyal on Friday said how can there be a reconciliation when these members are unwilling to apologise for their unruly behaviour in the previous session.

Waqf Act: SC to pronounce interim order on Sept 15

Waqf Act: SC to pronounce interim order on Sept 15

Rediff.com13 Sep 2025

The Supreme Court is scheduled to pronounce interim orders on key issues related to the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, including the power to denotify properties declared as waqf.

When Can Speaker Expunge MPs' Remarks?

When Can Speaker Expunge MPs' Remarks?

Rediff.com2 Jul 2024

'Expunging remarks is within the powers of the Speaker.' 'Nobody can question or challenge the Speaker's decision.'

Oppn submits notice for moving no-trust motion against 'partisan' Veep

Oppn submits notice for moving no-trust motion against 'partisan' Veep

Rediff.com10 Dec 2024

Opposition parties on Tuesday submitted a notice to move a motion for removing Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar for allegedly conducting the House in a partisan manner.

BJP MP tables corrigendum to Waqf Bill report after dissent notes row

BJP MP tables corrigendum to Waqf Bill report after dissent notes row

Rediff.com13 Feb 2025

A corrigendum to the joint parliamentary committee report on the Waqf Amendment Bill, 2024, was tabled in the Rajya Sabha after Opposition MPs alleged that dissent notes were redacted from the report. BJP MP Medha Vishram Kulkarni tabled the corrigendum, which included the un-redacted dissent notes. The Opposition MPs, led by Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge, had earlier accused the government of misleading the House by deleting the dissent notes. The government, however, denied the allegations. Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar thanked the government for the corrigendum, saying it showed that parliamentary institutions are blossoming. Opposition MPs, however, said it was done under their pressure.

Ravi Kishan Wins An Award Not For Films!

Ravi Kishan Wins An Award Not For Films!

Rediff.com18 May 2025

BJP MP and actor Ravi Kishan has been awarded the Sansad Ratna for his outstanding performance in the Lok Sabha, becoming the first actor-turned-politician to receive the honour.

BJP replaces 25 sitting MPs in second Lok Sabha list

BJP replaces 25 sitting MPs in second Lok Sabha list

Rediff.com14 Mar 2024

The Bharatiya Janata Party replaced at least 25 sitting MPs with new faces as the party released its second list of 72 candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls on Wednesday.

Waqf Bill brazen assault on Constitution: Sonia Gandhi

Waqf Bill brazen assault on Constitution: Sonia Gandhi

Rediff.com3 Apr 2025

Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi has criticized the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, calling it a 'brazen assault' on the Constitution and part of the BJP's strategy to keep society in a 'permanent state of polarization.' She also spoke out against the One Nation, One Election Bill, calling it a 'subversion of the Constitution.' Gandhi further accused the Modi government of ignoring the women's reservation bill and other demands for reservation, and of 'dragging the country into an abyss' where the Constitution will only exist on paper. She also criticized the government for limiting the speaking time of the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament and for not allowing discussions on important issues like the working of the defense and external affairs ministries and the challenges posed by China on the border.

Regrettable: BJP on INDIA bloc's no-trust move against VP

Regrettable: BJP on INDIA bloc's no-trust move against VP

Rediff.com10 Dec 2024

BJP Rajya Sabha MP Dinesh Sharma has rejected the opposition's move to impeach Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar, calling it an attempt to disrupt House proceedings. Sharma claims there are no valid grounds to impeach Dhankhar, who is also the ex-officio chairman of the Rajya Sabha. The opposition parties submitted a notice to move a motion for removing Dhankhar for allegedly conducting the Upper House in a partisan manner. However, Sharma defended Dhankhar's conduct and asserted that he has been impartial in his role as chairman.

They keep raising questions: Hema Malini on suspension of 141 MPs

They keep raising questions: Hema Malini on suspension of 141 MPs

Rediff.com20 Dec 2023

'Work should be done in accordance with Parliament's rules. They don't do it and they have been suspended'

Insecurity or jealousy? BJP hits out at Cong for ignoring Tharoor

Insecurity or jealousy? BJP hits out at Cong for ignoring Tharoor

Rediff.com17 May 2025

The government nominated Tharoor, who serves as chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs, to lead one of the seven multi-party delegations abroad for putting across India's stand against Pakistan for supporting terrorism.

Rahul Gandhi's 'blood on PM hands' remark expunged

Rahul Gandhi's 'blood on PM hands' remark expunged

Rediff.com30 Jul 2025

Parts of Rahul Gandhi's speech during the Operation Sindoor discussion in the Lok Sabha were expunged from the record after he criticised the government for trying to protect Prime Minister Narendra Modi's image.

More to Dhankhar's resignation than health issues: Congress

More to Dhankhar's resignation than health issues: Congress

Rediff.com22 Jul 2025

The Congress on Tuesday claimed that there are "far deeper reasons" for Jagdeep Dhankhar's resignation as the vice president than the health reasons cited by him, and said his resignation speaks highly of him but poorly of those who got him elected to the post.

Prez poll: 75% MPs and MLAs entitled to vote are crorepatis

Prez poll: 75% MPs and MLAs entitled to vote are crorepatis

Rediff.com14 Jul 2017

1581 MPs with criminal background will elect next President of India.

MPs need govt nod for accepting foreign hospitality: RS fresh guidelines

MPs need govt nod for accepting foreign hospitality: RS fresh guidelines

Rediff.com30 Nov 2023

e of them requires MPs to follow the norms including the Code of Ethics, which mandates them not to take gifts that may interfere with honest and impartial discharge of their official duties.

Jagan's close aide Vijayasai Reddy quits politics, resigns from RS

Jagan's close aide Vijayasai Reddy quits politics, resigns from RS

Rediff.com24 Jan 2025

V Vijayasai Reddy, a Rajya Sabha member from the YSRCP, has announced his decision to quit politics and resign from his parliamentary membership. He stated that agriculture will be his future and that his decision was personal, with no pressure or influence from others. Reddy's announcement comes as the YSRCP faces challenges after its defeat in the 2024 Assembly elections. He thanked YSRCP supremo YS Jagan Mohan Reddy for providing him the Rajya Sabha opportunity and highlighted his working relationship with the ruling TDP and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan.

How Probe Against Justice Varma Will Unfold

How Probe Against Justice Varma Will Unfold

Rediff.com25 Aug 2025

'If the parliamentary committee's report does not find substantiated charges, the process ends.'

Opposition walks out of RS over debate on duplicate voters

Opposition walks out of RS over debate on duplicate voters

Rediff.com17 Mar 2025

Opposition parties in India's Rajya Sabha, including the Congress and the TMC, walked out of the chamber after their demand for a discussion on the Election Commission's alleged lapses in issuing duplicate voter ID cards and delimitation was disallowed. The Deputy Chairman, Harivansh, rejected the notices under Rule 267, citing non-compliance with previous rulings. While TMC and Congress MPs focused on the duplicate voter ID issue, Tamil parties expressed concerns about the impact of delimitation on southern states. Despite raising slogans and pressing for a discussion, the opposition staged a walkout after their notices were rejected and their statements deemed not part of the official record.

Murder of democracy, govt wants to bulldoze key bills: Oppn on MPs' suspension

Murder of democracy, govt wants to bulldoze key bills: Oppn on MPs' suspension

Rediff.com19 Dec 2023

Soon after the suspension of 33 opposition Lok Sabha MPs, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said all democratic norms have been thrown into the dustbin by this "autocratic" government and it has shown zero accountability towards Parliament.

Waqf bill debate finale to Budget session ending with over 100% productivity

Waqf bill debate finale to Budget session ending with over 100% productivity

Rediff.com4 Apr 2025

Parliament's approval of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, a contentious piece of legislation aimed at reforming Waqf bodies, has sparked strong reactions from the opposition, who allege that the bill was "bulldozed" through Parliament. The bill, considered the government's most consequential legislation in its third term, was passed with comfortable majorities in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha despite opposition claims of a lack of consultation and an intrusion into religious affairs. Other notable bills approved during the session included the Finance Bill, Appropriation Bill, Immigration and Foreigners Bill, and Tribhuvan Sahkari University Bill. The session, which saw high productivity, also witnessed debates on issues such as economic distress, delimitation, and the three-language policy. While the government touted its achievements, the opposition criticized the government's approach and vowed to challenge the Waqf bill in court.

'Nothing Kills More People Than Air Pollution'

'Nothing Kills More People Than Air Pollution'

Rediff.com11 Nov 2025

'It is high time to recognise that this is the greatest issue India is confronting.' 'Even the BJP should be raising concerns because polluted air suffocates everybody's child.'

Trees to be felled for hi-tech flats for MPs

Trees to be felled for hi-tech flats for MPs

Rediff.com19 Jul 2011

The proposed construction of a residential block for Rajya Sabha MPs will come at a price -- 23 full grown trees, mostly neems, will have to be felled for the multi-story building in the heart of the capital.

After losing Baramati, Ajit Pawar's wife named for RS polls

After losing Baramati, Ajit Pawar's wife named for RS polls

Rediff.com13 Jun 2024

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar's wife Sunetra Pawar on Thursday filed papers as an NCP candidate for Rajya Sabha elections.

Can Tharoor & Co Win The Americans Over?

Can Tharoor & Co Win The Americans Over?

Rediff.com26 May 2025

A cross-party delegation led by Congress MP Dr Shashi Tharoor is visiting key American nations to rally global support for India's counter-terror stance under Operation Sindoor, spotlighting regional stability and Pakistan-backed cross-border threats.

Impeachment motion against Justice Varma in next Parl session

Impeachment motion against Justice Varma in next Parl session

Rediff.com3 Jun 2025

Government sources on Tuesday said Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju has begun consultations as part of efforts to get leaders of different parties on board for the impeachment motion against Varma following his indictment by a three-member probe committee constituted by the Supreme Court.

Showdown in Parliament over discussion on Kumbh stampede

Showdown in Parliament over discussion on Kumbh stampede

Rediff.com3 Feb 2025

Opposition parties in the Indian Parliament walked out of the Rajya Sabha after their demand for an immediate discussion on the alleged mismanagement at the Maha Kumbh, where a stampede led to several deaths, was rejected. The Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, Jagdeep Dhankhar, declined to suspend the scheduled business of the day to take up the issue, citing his previous rulings regarding notices under Rule 267.

'Kumbh pilgrims dying of hunger': MPs spar in Parliament

'Kumbh pilgrims dying of hunger': MPs spar in Parliament

Rediff.com11 Feb 2025

A war of words erupted in the Indian Parliament on Tuesday between Samajwadi Party (SP) MPs and BJP MP Hema Malini over the alleged mismanagement at the ongoing Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj. SP leaders accused the Uttar Pradesh government of failing to provide adequate food, water, and fuel, leading to the deaths of devotees. Hema Malini, however, defended the event's organization, claiming it was well-managed despite a stampede that occurred on January 29th.

8 oppn MPs suspended from RS over 'unruly behaviour'

8 oppn MPs suspended from RS over 'unruly behaviour'

Rediff.com22 Sep 2020

Rajya Sabha witnessed unruly scenes on Sunday as Opposition members stormed the well and reached the deputy chairman's seat to protest against the farm bills debated and passed by the Upper House through voice vote.

Deeply shameful: MPs on Allahabad HC's 'not rape' ruling

Deeply shameful: MPs on Allahabad HC's 'not rape' ruling

Rediff.com21 Mar 2025

'The Supreme Court should take serious note of it. Such a ruling has no place in a civilized society'

'Save Democracy, Save India': Oppn protest continues

'Save Democracy, Save India': Oppn protest continues

Rediff.com7 Dec 2021

Opposition parties continued their protest over the suspension of 12 MPs on Tuesday with a 'dharna' in Parliament premises that saw several leaders holding up placards demanding revocation of the action taken.

NCP turns down MoS post, awaits cabinet berth

NCP turns down MoS post, awaits cabinet berth

Rediff.com9 Jun 2024

The Nationalist Congress Party on Sunday turned down the Bharatiya Janata Party's offer to accommodate Praful Patel as a minister of state with independent charge in the new National Democratic Alliance government and said it was assured that 'remedial measures' would be taken.

Speaker Birla ticks off Sonia for 'Waqf bill bulldozed' remark

Speaker Birla ticks off Sonia for 'Waqf bill bulldozed' remark

Rediff.com4 Apr 2025

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla criticized former Congress president Sonia Gandhi's remarks about the Waqf (Amendment) Bill being "bulldozed through" the Lower House. Birla said a senior member casting aspersions on the House proceedings was "most unfortunate" and against the dignity of parliamentary democracy. He pointed out that the bill was debated for 13 hours and 53 minutes with several members participating and was passed after multiple divisions.

Why I Want Parliament To Call Trump 'Greatest Liar Of The 21st Century'

Why I Want Parliament To Call Trump 'Greatest Liar Of The 21st Century'

Rediff.com1 Aug 2025

'Ordinary Indians are not happy with the tone and tenor of the American president.'

Bill to remove PM, CMs, ministers sent to parliamentary panel

Bill to remove PM, CMs, ministers sent to parliamentary panel

Rediff.com20 Aug 2025

Union Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday introduced three Bills in Lok Sabha for the removal of prime minister, chief ministers and ministers arrested on serious criminal charges for 30 days, drawing fierce protests from the Opposition as the draft laws were referred to a Joint Committee of Parliament. Three House marshals formed a protective ring around Shah. Even after the House was adjourned, the Opposition members continued with the sloganeering.

Patnaik steps in as anger over BJD's flipflop on Waqf continues

Patnaik steps in as anger over BJD's flipflop on Waqf continues

Rediff.com9 Apr 2025

A section of Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leaders in Odisha are expressing discontent over the party's decision to support the Waqf (Amendment) Bill. The issue has sparked internal turmoil, with young leaders submitting a memorandum to party president Naveen Patnaik, urging him to address the situation. Patnaik has held meetings with senior leaders, assuring them that necessary action will be taken to mitigate the fallout and maintain the party's secular image.