News for 'Rajya Sabha polls'

Swati Maliwal takes dig at Kejriwal with 'cheer-haran' post

Swati Maliwal takes dig at Kejriwal with 'cheer-haran' post

Rediff.com8 Feb 2025

Maliwal's posts came after trends of the Delhi assembly poll results showed the BJP ahead of AAP and heading towards forming the government in the national capital.

Oppn derails pre-lunch sitting of Rajya Sabha, house adjourned twice

Oppn derails pre-lunch sitting of Rajya Sabha, house adjourned twice

Rediff.com19 Dec 2014

For the fifth day in succession, a united opposition led by the Congress party on Friday created turmoil in Rajya Sabha demanding a reply from Prime Minister Narendra Modi on forcible religious conversions, leading to two adjournments before lunch.

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.

Exit polls: Somnath Bharti to 'shave his head' if...

Exit polls: Somnath Bharti to 'shave his head' if...

Rediff.com1 Jun 2024

Aam Aadmi Party leader Somnath Bharti on Saturday vowed to shave his head if Narendra Modi retained the prime minister's post while his party's national convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal asserted that the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) would form a 'strong and stable' government at the Centre.

How Ambedkar played key role in creating ECI

How Ambedkar played key role in creating ECI

Rediff.com14 Apr 2025

Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution, is also credited with the creation of the Election Commission of India. An amendment he brought to the Constituent Assembly led to the establishment of the Election Commission as an independent body responsible for conducting elections. Ambedkar's amendment consolidated election authority into a centralized body, headed by a chief election commissioner appointed by the President, rather than separate commissions for the Centre and states. This article delves into the historical context and the importance of Ambedkar's contribution in establishing the Election Commission of India.

Misa Bharti Opens Poll Office In Cowshed

Misa Bharti Opens Poll Office In Cowshed

Rediff.com6 May 2024

Misa Bharti's election office in a khatal is meant to symbolise an emotional connect with her parents Lalu Yadav and Rabri Devi's caste, the Yadavs, who are considered traditional RJD voters.

Kharge's son-in-law to contest LS poll from K'taka?

Kharge's son-in-law to contest LS poll from K'taka?

Rediff.com7 Mar 2024

Doddamani has maintained a low profile; he has always worked actively behind the scenes in managing and strategising for Kharge's successive electoral campaign.

NDA Tsunami Sweeps Away Mahagathbandhan In Bihar

NDA Tsunami Sweeps Away Mahagathbandhan In Bihar

Rediff.com15 Nov 2025

The National Democratic Alliance was set to sweep the Bihar assembly polls, surging ahead in over 200 of 243 seats on Friday with the Bharatiya Janata Party emerging as single largest party with about 90 per cent strike rate, reaffirming the popularity and campaign clout of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was the face of the ruling alliance through the poll battle in the highly sensitive political state.

'No law should...': Modi's 'Reform Express' pitch at NDA meet

'No law should...': Modi's 'Reform Express' pitch at NDA meet

Rediff.com9 Dec 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed NDA parliamentarians, emphasizing that laws and regulations should serve the convenience of the common people and not cause harassment.

Maha Oppn to protest on Nov 1 asking EC to remove 1 cr bogus voters

Maha Oppn to protest on Nov 1 asking EC to remove 1 cr bogus voters

Rediff.com19 Oct 2025

He said that ruling party MLAs Manda Mhatre (BJP) and Sanjay Gaikwad (Shiv Sena) have also spoken about the duplication of voters and irregularities in the electoral rolls.

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.

BJP Gears Up For National President Election

BJP Gears Up For National President Election

Rediff.com3 Jul 2025

The BJP's constitution mandates that the party should complete the process of electing block, district and state chiefs before it elects its national president.

Why NOTA option for RS poll, asks Ahmed Patel

Why NOTA option for RS poll, asks Ahmed Patel

Rediff.com1 Aug 2017

The EC maintained that use of none of the above in Rajya Sabha polls was not a new move as it was introduced in 2014 after the Supreme Court in 2013 made it mandatory to have the NOTA option in EVMs.

Nawab Malik, Anil Deshmukh denied bail to vote in RS polls

Nawab Malik, Anil Deshmukh denied bail to vote in RS polls

Rediff.com9 Jun 2022

A special court in Mumbai on Thursday rejected the pleas filed by Maharashtra minister Nawab Malik and former minister Anil Deshmukh seeking a day's bail to vote in the Rajya Sabha elections to be held on Friday.

5 Maharashtra MLAs skip Cong meet post Chavan's exit

5 Maharashtra MLAs skip Cong meet post Chavan's exit

Rediff.com16 Feb 2024

At least five Congress MLAs did not attend a meeting of the party's lawmakers in Maharashtra on Thursday, called in the aftermath of the high-profile exit of former chief minister Ashok Chavan that has triggered speculation about more such defections.

13 assembly seats in 7 states go to bypolls today

13 assembly seats in 7 states go to bypolls today

Rediff.com10 Jul 2024

The electoral exercise, the first since the Lok Sabha elections, will decide the fate of many veterans and some debutantes including Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu's wife Kamlesh Thakur.

Another BJP-MVA face-off on cards in Maharashtra Council polls

Another BJP-MVA face-off on cards in Maharashtra Council polls

Rediff.com13 Jun 2022

Bharatiya Janata Party-backed independent candidate Sadabhau Khot and Nationalist Congress Party's Shivajrao Gajre on Monday withdrew their nominations for the Maharashtra Legislative Council polls, leaving 11 contestants in the fray for 10 seats as the state was set to witness another bitter fight between the BJP and the ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) after the last week's cliffhanger in the Rajya Sabha polls.

Trivedi only outgoing MP in BJP's first list of 14 RS candidates

Trivedi only outgoing MP in BJP's first list of 14 RS candidates

Rediff.com11 Feb 2024

The Bharatiya Janata Party on Sunday named 14 candidates for the upcoming Rajya Sabha polls including former Union minister R P N Singh and Sudhanshu Trivedi -- the only outgoing MP renominated by the party.

Sena nominates Priyanka Chaturvedi for RS polls

Sena nominates Priyanka Chaturvedi for RS polls

Rediff.com12 Mar 2020

Election for the seven Rajya Sabha seats in Maharashtra will be held on March 26.

Bihar polls or Trump tariffs?: Oppn on GST reforms

Bihar polls or Trump tariffs?: Oppn on GST reforms

Rediff.com4 Sep 2025

Victory wrested from regime that only listens when forced, the TMC said on GST exemption on insurance.

RS polls: Siddaramaiah urges JD-S MLAs to vote for Cong nominee

RS polls: Siddaramaiah urges JD-S MLAs to vote for Cong nominee

Rediff.com9 Jun 2022

A day ahead of the Rajya Sabha polls for four seats from Karnataka, Congress Legislature Party leader Siddaramaiah on Thursday wrote an open letter to Janata Dal-Secular MLAs requesting them to cast their 'conscience vote' in favour of his party's second candidate Mansoor Ali Khan, stating that his win will be a victory of 'secular ideology' followed by both parties.

INDIA Bloc to discuss joint VP candidate on Monday

INDIA Bloc to discuss joint VP candidate on Monday

Rediff.com17 Aug 2025

The opposition INDIA bloc leaders are expected to discuss their joint candidate for the post of vice-president at a meeting of floor leaders on Monday morning.

Sena praises Fadnavis for clever RS poll management, says MVA stable

Sena praises Fadnavis for clever RS poll management, says MVA stable

Rediff.com13 Jun 2022

In an editorial in Sena mouthpiece Saamana, the MVA lead party, in a rare move, praised BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis for his 'cleverness and astute poll management.

RLD forms alliance with SP in UP for LS polls, secures 7 seats

RLD forms alliance with SP in UP for LS polls, secures 7 seats

Rediff.com19 Jan 2024

SP president Akhilesh Yadav and RLD chief Jayant Chaudhary announced the tie-up on social media for the elections later this year.

No pension for MLAs who defect: Himachal passes new bill

No pension for MLAs who defect: Himachal passes new bill

Rediff.com4 Sep 2024

Himachal is first state in the country to pass such a bill under which "A person shall not be entitled for pension under the Act, if he has been disqualified at any point of time under the tenth schedule of the Constitution".

HP Congress chief opts out of LS polls, says party workers upset

HP Congress chief opts out of LS polls, says party workers upset

Rediff.com20 Mar 2024

In a jolt to the ruling Congress in Himachal Pradesh, state party chief and Mandi MP Pratibha Singh on Wednesday announced that she has decided not to contest the Lok Sabha elections as the ground situation was "not favourable" and workers were disheartened.

Sonia Gandhi to fight RS polls from Raj, may file nomination on Wednesday

Sonia Gandhi to fight RS polls from Raj, may file nomination on Wednesday

Rediff.com13 Feb 2024

Barely two months before the Lok Sabha election, Gandhi will be filing her nomination papers in Jaipur on Wednesday. Party chief Mallikarjun Kharge, her son Rahul Gandhi and daughter Priyanka Gandhi Vadra are likely to accompany her.

Phase 2 of Lok Sabha polls concludes with 68% voting

Phase 2 of Lok Sabha polls concludes with 68% voting

Rediff.com18 Apr 2019

Barring Maharashtra, the poll percentage in rest of the states was in excess of 60 per cent while in Puducherry it was 80.47 per cent.

Kiran Choudhry quits as MLA, BJP likely to give her RS ticket

Kiran Choudhry quits as MLA, BJP likely to give her RS ticket

Rediff.com20 Aug 2024

Haryana MLA Kiran Choudhry has resigned from the Vidhan Sabha and is likely to be fielded in the Rajya Sabha bypolls by the Bharatiya Janata Party, nearly two months after she joined the party after quitting the Congress.

CEC Rajiv Kumar, a strong critic of exit polls, demits office

CEC Rajiv Kumar, a strong critic of exit polls, demits office

Rediff.com18 Feb 2025

Rajiv Kumar, the 25th chief election commissioner of India, has demitted office after a nearly three-year tenure marked by both electoral successes and allegations of bias from opposition parties. Kumar oversaw the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and the Jammu and Kashmir assembly polls, among other major elections. During his tenure, he implemented reforms across various aspects of the Election Commission's functioning, including structural, technological, capacity development, communication, international cooperation, and administration. However, he faced criticism from opposition parties and activists on several issues, including the efficacy of Electronic Voting Machines, alleged fudging of voter data, and being "lenient" on the ruling BJP. While the Commission responded to the allegations, Kumar often defended himself and the poll authority through poetry. In his farewell address, Kumar expressed concerns about the timing of petitions raising doubts over poll processes and the impact of freebie promises on the fiscal health of the state. He also criticized the practice of showing early trends on counting day by news channels, calling it "nonsense". Kumar's tenure was marked by numerous controversies, with opposition parties and activists alleging bias and irregularities. While the Election Commission defended its actions, the allegations cast a shadow over his time in office.

Give us 2/3rds majority to amend Constitution: BJP MP

Give us 2/3rds majority to amend Constitution: BJP MP

Rediff.com10 Mar 2024

Hegde said NDA winning more than 400 seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls would eventually help in mustering a similar majority in the Rajya Sabha, and coming to power in two-third of the states.

Modi to address NDA parliamentary party meet amid Oppn protests

Modi to address NDA parliamentary party meet amid Oppn protests

Rediff.com5 Aug 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the BJP-led NDA parliamentary party meeting, focusing on current issues, the upcoming vice president's election, and likely addressing opposition concerns.

Bhujbal sulks over RS ticket to Sunetra, Ajit Pawar says he isn't upset

Bhujbal sulks over RS ticket to Sunetra, Ajit Pawar says he isn't upset

Rediff.com14 Jun 2024

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Friday said the decision to field his wife for Rajya Sabha bypoll was taken by his Nationalist Congress Party's apex body and denied reports that senior colleague Chhagan Bhujbal was upset over the move.

Despite Losing Murugan Becomes Minister

Despite Losing Murugan Becomes Minister

Rediff.com10 Jun 2024

FHe is the only one among 17 ministers from the outgoing council of ministers who lost the Lok Sabha polls to be reappointed minister.

BJP ups the ante, fields 3 for RS polls from Maharashtra

BJP ups the ante, fields 3 for RS polls from Maharashtra

Rediff.com30 May 2022

The Bharatiya Janata Party has fielded Union minister Piyush Goyal, as well as its senior leaders Anil Bonde and Dhananjay Mahadik for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections to six seats from Maharashtra, and senior party leader Devendra Fadnavis asserted that all of them will win.

Former Bihar Dy CM says he has cancer, will skip LS polls

Former Bihar Dy CM says he has cancer, will skip LS polls

Rediff.com4 Apr 2024

'I have been battling cancer for the last six months. Now, I feel that the time has come to inform people about it'

Another Gujarat Congress MLA resigns ahead of RS polls

Another Gujarat Congress MLA resigns ahead of RS polls

Rediff.com5 Jun 2020

Brijesh Merja is the third Congress MLA to have resigned since Wednesday and the eight since March.

Nitish digresses from practice, gives tickets amid rift buzz

Nitish digresses from practice, gives tickets amid rift buzz

Rediff.com14 Oct 2025

Amidst speculation over the NDA seat-sharing deal in Bihar, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar distributed JD(U) tickets, while the BJP announced its first list of candidates. The INDIA bloc also faces internal challenges as parties prepare for the upcoming elections.

As Sonia files for RS, is it Priyanka for Rae Bareli?

As Sonia files for RS, is it Priyanka for Rae Bareli?

Rediff.com14 Feb 2024

Former Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday filed her nomination papers in Jaipur for the upcoming Rajya Sabha polls from Rajasthan.

INDIA bloc to move SC over EVM concerns in Maharashtra polls

INDIA bloc to move SC over EVM concerns in Maharashtra polls

Rediff.com11 Dec 2024

Meanwhile, the Congress' data analytics department chairperson Praveen Chakravarty on Tuesday wrote to Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, seeking assembly-wise voter rolls in excel sheet format for the Lok Sabha elections and the assembly polls in Maharashtra.