News for 'Rajya Sabha Members of Parliament'

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.

Meet the Opposition's grand marshall in the Rajya Sabha

Meet the Opposition's grand marshall in the Rajya Sabha

Rediff.com10 Aug 2019

Despite the Congress having nearly four times as many members in the Rajya Sabha as the TMC (48 to 13), Derek O'Brien has been informally leading the coordination of Opposition parties, rallying other parties to demand a discussion on electoral reforms and to protest the government's disinvestment plans, report Rahul Jacob and Archis Mohan.

Lok Sabha to discuss Vande Mataram, electoral reforms next week

Lok Sabha to discuss Vande Mataram, electoral reforms next week

Rediff.com2 Dec 2025

The Lok Sabha will debate the 150th anniversary of 'Vande Mataram' and electoral reforms after an all-party agreement, potentially breaking the logjam over discussions on Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

MPs submit notices to seek removal of Justice Verma

MPs submit notices to seek removal of Justice Verma

Rediff.com21 Jul 2025

Stepping up the heat on Justice Yashwant Varma, parliamentarians on Monday submitted notices to the presiding officers of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha for the removal of the Allahabad high court judge from whose residence in New Delhi burnt wads of currency notes were found.

BJP bags 12 Rajya Sabha seats, crushes SP-BSP bonhomie in UP

BJP bags 12 Rajya Sabha seats, crushes SP-BSP bonhomie in UP

Rediff.com24 Mar 2018

Mayawati was outmanoeuvred by the BJP in the race for the Rajya Sabha in Uttar Pradesh just days after she helped the Samajwadi Party snatch two Lok Sbaha seats from the saffron party in bypolls.

Amit Shah likely to reply to debate on motion against Speaker Birla

Amit Shah likely to reply to debate on motion against Speaker Birla

Rediff.com9 Mar 2026

Union Home Minister Amit Shah is expected to respond to the debate on the no-confidence motion against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, following allegations of partisan conduct. The motion, moved by opposition members, questions Birla's impartiality and handling of House proceedings.

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.

PIX: Bidding farewell to old Parliament building

PIX: Bidding farewell to old Parliament building

Rediff.com19 Sep 2023

Dressed in colourful attire, members of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday got their group photograph clicked in the old Parliament building, hours before legislative proceedings shift to the new Parliament House.

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.

'Just reading statement without...': Oppn demands debate on Iran war

'Just reading statement without...': Oppn demands debate on Iran war

Rediff.com9 Mar 2026

Opposition parties are demanding a full Parliament discussion on the West Asia conflict, criticising the government's silence and calling for a contingency plan to protect India's energy security and citizens.

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.

Bharat Taxi Navigates Competition and Digital Adoption Hurdles

Bharat Taxi Navigates Competition and Digital Adoption Hurdles

Rediff.com1 Apr 2026

Cooperation Minister Amit Shah addressed Parliament regarding the challenges faced by Bharat Taxi, a government-backed cooperative ride-hailing platform, including competition from established private aggregators and resistance to digital adoption among drivers.

AFT Case Data: Registration and Pendency Trends

AFT Case Data: Registration and Pendency Trends

Rediff.com30 Mar 2026

The Indian government has released data on cases registered and pending with the Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT) between 2021 and January 2026, revealing registration and pendency trends.

Mega 39-member Parl panel to examine simultaneous polls bills

Mega 39-member Parl panel to examine simultaneous polls bills

Rediff.com20 Dec 2024

A 39-member parliamentary panel has been constituted to examine the two bills proposing simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. The panel, chaired by BJP leader Bhratruhari Mahtab, will include prominent members from various political parties, including the BJP, Congress, SP, TMC, and DMK. The panel is expected to submit its report to the Lok Sabha by the first day of the last week of the next session. The government has decided to increase the committee's strength to include more political parties, highlighting the significance of this proposal to reform the election process in India.

Harivansh re-elected dy chairman of Rajya Sabha; PM calls him 'outstanding umpire'

Harivansh re-elected dy chairman of Rajya Sabha; PM calls him 'outstanding umpire'

Rediff.com14 Sep 2020

The opposition had fielded Manoj Jha, an Rashtriya Janata Dal member.

'Transgender Persons Will Have To Show Their Genitals As Proof'

'Transgender Persons Will Have To Show Their Genitals As Proof'

Rediff.com27 Mar 2026

'Lakhs of transgender people's identities will get erased. Many of them will go into hiding and lead depressing lives.'

No party wanted Lokpal Bill passed in Rajya Sabha: Hegde

No party wanted Lokpal Bill passed in Rajya Sabha: Hegde

Rediff.com30 Dec 2011

Team Anna member N Santosh Hegde on Friday blamed all political parties for non-passage of the Lokpal Bill in the Rajya Sabha, saying it was "choreographed by everybody".

Lok Sabha to meet on Saturday, Rajya Sabha gets day off

Lok Sabha to meet on Saturday, Rajya Sabha gets day off

Rediff.com23 Aug 2013

The Lok Sabha will have a sitting on Saturday, despite being a Saturday, notwithstanding strong demands by several members of Parliament, leaders and ministers against it

Stormy first part of Budget Session ends

Stormy first part of Budget Session ends

Rediff.com13 Feb 2026

The first leg of the Budget session concluded with debates over the India-US trade deal and a former army chief's memoir, and will reassemble on March 9.

VP election: Opposition MPs to practise with 'mock poll' on Monday

VP election: Opposition MPs to practise with 'mock poll' on Monday

Rediff.com7 Sep 2025

They said a 'mock poll' would be conducted in the Central Hall of the Samvidhan Sadan at around 2:30 PM on Monday after the briefing on the procedure to vote in the vice presidential polls.

Monsoon session ends: Lok Sabha functioned 67%, Rajya Sabha functioned 72%

Monsoon session ends: Lok Sabha functioned 67%, Rajya Sabha functioned 72%

Rediff.com11 Aug 2017

The Monsoon Session of the Lok Sabha was adjourned sine die on Friday after 19 sittings that saw the passage of 14 legislation while Rajya Sabha came to an end after passing nine bills.

India to get new Vice President on September 9

India to get new Vice President on September 9

Rediff.com1 Aug 2025

The election for the post of Vice President will be held on September 9, with the notification being issued on August 7 and the last date for filing nominations on August 21.

'Insult to House': Uproar in RS over absence of Cabinet ministers

'Insult to House': Uproar in RS over absence of Cabinet ministers

Rediff.com12 Dec 2025

Chairman C P Radhakrishnan said he will take it up with the government and asked a junior minister to request the presence of a Cabinet minister in the House.

No question hour, private members' business in special Parliament session

No question hour, private members' business in special Parliament session

Rediff.com2 Sep 2023

A session of both Houses of Parliament will be held from September 18-22 without Question Hour or private members' business, the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha secretariats said on Saturday.

Rajya Sabha clears 10% quota for poorer sections in general category

Rajya Sabha clears 10% quota for poorer sections in general category

Rediff.com9 Jan 2019

The bill was passed with 165 voting in favour and 7 against it.

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.

Mamata questions curbs on 'Jai Hind' and 'Vande Mataram' in Parl

Mamata questions curbs on 'Jai Hind' and 'Vande Mataram' in Parl

Rediff.com26 Nov 2025

Banerjee said she had come across media reports claiming that the patriotic slogans were not being permitted in the House.

Jaitley opposes Communal Violence Bill in Rajya Sabha

Jaitley opposes Communal Violence Bill in Rajya Sabha

Rediff.com5 Feb 2014

The opposition on Wednesday scuttled the introduction of the controversial Communal Violence Prevention Bill in the Rajya Sabha, contending that Parliament does not have the competence to legislate this law, as it will violate the spirit of Federalism.

Rajya Sabha creates record, takes up all listed questions after 15 years

Rajya Sabha creates record, takes up all listed questions after 15 years

Rediff.com2 Jan 2018

The last time all listed starred questions were taken up was in 2002 during the 197th Session of the Upper House, officials in the Rajya Sabha secretariat said.

Opposition plans notice to remove Speaker Birla; numbers short, says Rijiju

Opposition plans notice to remove Speaker Birla; numbers short, says Rijiju

Rediff.com9 Feb 2026

The Congress party has accused the government of stifling opposition voices in the Lok Sabha, alleging that opposition leaders are not being allowed to express their views while the government side faces no such restrictions.

Shivraj Patil, towering Congress figure, felled by 26/11 fallout

Shivraj Patil, towering Congress figure, felled by 26/11 fallout

Rediff.com12 Dec 2025

Congress veteran and former Lok Sabha Speaker Shivraj Patil passed away at 90. He served as Union Home Minister and held several key posts during his long political career.

Rajya Sabha proceedings disrupted for 3rd day

Rajya Sabha proceedings disrupted for 3rd day

Rediff.com6 Feb 2019

The proceedings were washed out over various issues including the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill and roster system for reservation in educational institutions.

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.

Cong starts process to fill up Rajya Sabha vacancies

Cong starts process to fill up Rajya Sabha vacancies

Rediff.com24 Jan 2014

Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi has called a meeting of chief ministers of 12 Congress-ruled states to figure out how to fill out the vacancies in the Rajya Sabha. Highly-placed sources have said that he wants to cajole Amethis's former feudal lord Sanjay Singh; by giving him an RS ticket, in view of his own weak position in Amethi. Renu Mittal reports.

Pakistan pleaded for ceasefire, govt tells Parliament

Pakistan pleaded for ceasefire, govt tells Parliament

Rediff.com25 Jul 2025

The government stated that Operation Sindoor was launched in response to a 'barbaric' attack by 'Pakistan-sponsored terrorists,' focusing on dismantling terror infrastructure and neutralizing terrorists likely to be sent across to India.

EC removes Mamata's chief secy, DGP ahead of Bengal poll

EC removes Mamata's chief secy, DGP ahead of Bengal poll

Rediff.com16 Mar 2026

The Election Commission's move to transfer West Bengal's chief secretary and DGP soon after the announcement of Assembly poll dates triggered a political slugfest.

Samrat Choudhary's govt wins trust vote in Bihar assembly

Samrat Choudhary's govt wins trust vote in Bihar assembly

Rediff.com24 Apr 2026

The BJP-led government in Bihar secured a vote of confidence in the state assembly, with Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary pledging economic development and significant investments. The motion was passed amidst heated debates and accusations between the ruling NDA and the opposition, highlighting political tensions and differing views on issues like women's reservation.

Congress hits Swamy obstacle in Rajya Sabha

Congress hits Swamy obstacle in Rajya Sabha

Rediff.com28 Apr 2016

'This man has aged, but does not know the difference between words spoken on the streets from those of spoken in Parliament.' 'He does not allow his hair to turn gray, so he hasn't learned or matured.' Rashme Sehgal reports on how Subramanian Swamy has riled the Congress yet again.

Govt may not discuss Bihar SIR in Parliament

Govt may not discuss Bihar SIR in Parliament

Rediff.com1 Aug 2025

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju defends Parliament's inability to discuss the Election Commission's functioning, citing a former speaker's ruling. The Opposition's demand to discuss the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls continues to disrupt the Monsoon session.