News for 'Rajya Sabha polls'

Mining baron Janardhana Reddy rejoins BJP ahead of LS polls

Mining baron Janardhana Reddy rejoins BJP ahead of LS polls

Rediff.com25 Mar 2024

'BJP was always there in my blood, but due to some reasons I had gone out, but today I feel I have come back to my mother's lap. Looking at my brothers here, I don't feel like I'm coming back to the BJP office after 13 years'

Biju Janata Dal backs Vaishnaw in RS polls; no alliance, says BJP

Biju Janata Dal backs Vaishnaw in RS polls; no alliance, says BJP

Rediff.com14 Feb 2024

The Biju Janata Dal on Wednesday announced its support for the candidature of Bharatiya Janata Party's Ashwini Vaishnaw in the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections in Odisha

Shiv Sena to house MLAs in Mumbai luxury hotel ahead of council polls

Shiv Sena to house MLAs in Mumbai luxury hotel ahead of council polls

Rediff.com17 Jun 2022

The Shiv Sena has decided to move its MLAs to a luxury hotel at Powai in northeast Mumbai ahead of the Maharashtra Legislative Council polls, a party leader said on Friday, as the ruling coalition spearhead treads a cautious path after being outsmarted by the BJP in the last week's Rajya Sabha polls.

RS polls: Guj Cong shifts 17 MLAs to a farmhouse

RS polls: Guj Cong shifts 17 MLAs to a farmhouse

Rediff.com10 Jun 2020

Fearing poaching, the party had shifted its legislators to various resorts in Gujarat in the one last week, dividing them in zone-wise groups. While some MLAs gathered in Rajkot in Saurashtra, few others were in Abu Road in Rajasthan.

Stung by RS setback, MVA calls MLAs to Mumbai ahead of council polls

Stung by RS setback, MVA calls MLAs to Mumbai ahead of council polls

Rediff.com16 Jun 2022

Taking no chances after the Rajya Sabha poll setback, the ruling Mahi Vikas Aghadi in Maharashtra has asked all its MLAs to gather in Mumbai ahead of the June 20 election to the state legislative council.

Lalu meets this NDA ally, says he's ready to switch

Lalu meets this NDA ally, says he's ready to switch

Rediff.com15 Jan 2025

Rashtriya Janata Dal president Lalu Prasad Yadav on Wednesday dropped hints that the Mahagathbandhan helmed by his party might bring on board former Union minister Pashupati Kumar Paras, whom the National Democratic Alliance has sidelined in favour of estranged nephew Chirag Paswan.

Every Picture Tells A Story

Every Picture Tells A Story

Rediff.com26 Jul 2025

Glimpses from around the world that will make you smile and cry.

Advani lauds EC for scrapping Jharkhand RS poll

Advani lauds EC for scrapping Jharkhand RS poll

Rediff.com1 Apr 2012

Senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader L K Advani on Sunday praised the Election Commission's "landmark" decision to cancel Jharkhand Rajya Sabha polls and said the move would go a long way in preventing moneybags with no political support from jumping into poll fray.

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.

Wanted: A Safe Seat For Superstar Vijay

Wanted: A Safe Seat For Superstar Vijay

Rediff.com8 Aug 2025

This is important because he is to be seen as a sure winner before criss-crossing the state to campaign for candidates of the party or an alliance, highlights N Sathiya Moorthy.

RS win morale booster for BJP ahead of Presidential poll

RS win morale booster for BJP ahead of Presidential poll

Rediff.com11 Jun 2022

The Rajya Sabha elections have again highlighted dissension and lack of cohesion in the opposition ranks from Maharashtra to Karnataka and Haryana.

Kerala's action hero makes a dashing entry into govt

Kerala's action hero makes a dashing entry into govt

Rediff.com9 Jun 2024

He was trolled during the Lok Sabha poll campaign, but despite the tactics by his rivals, action hero Suresh Gopi rose to national stardom in cinema style on June 4, winning the Thrissur seat on a BJP ticket and scripting history for the saffron party in Kerala.

EC notice to PK over name in voter lists of Bihar, Bengal

EC notice to PK over name in voter lists of Bihar, Bengal

Rediff.com28 Oct 2025

According to official records, Kishor is enrolled as a voter in West Bengal at 121, Kalighat Road, the address of the Trinamool Congress headquarters in Kolkata's Bhabanipur assembly constituency, which is Chief Minister and TMC chief Mamata Banerjee's seat, he said.

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.

Oppn plans to bring impeachment notice against EC chief over 'voter chori'

Oppn plans to bring impeachment notice against EC chief over 'voter chori'

Rediff.com18 Aug 2025

Opposition INDIA Bloc leaders are considering an impeachment notice against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over concerns about voter roll revision in Bihar and alleged vote theft. The move comes after the CEC addressed a press conference without addressing the opposition's questions.

'Namak haram': Sena leader's claim on Bal Thackeray's death ignites row

'Namak haram': Sena leader's claim on Bal Thackeray's death ignites row

Rediff.com4 Oct 2025

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray criticizes Devendra Fadnavis, accusing him of being a 'helpless' chief minister unable to tackle corruption. He also attacks the BJP for divisive politics and failing to address key issues.

INDIA candidates face each other in several Bihar seats

INDIA candidates face each other in several Bihar seats

Rediff.com20 Oct 2025

Filing of nomination papers ended on Monday for the second and final phase of Bihar assembly polls, with the opposition Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) appearing fractured, as constituents would end up fighting each other in a number of seats.

Dhankhar's Exit: Why RSS Won't Rock Modi's Boat

Dhankhar's Exit: Why RSS Won't Rock Modi's Boat

Rediff.com30 Jul 2025

'Modi's charisma may have weakened as last year's Lok Sabha poll results showed but in the eyes of the Sangh Parivar, it has not waned.' 'Minus a strong BJP government at the Centre for another decade and more, there is apprehension that an anti-Hindutva government could reverse many of the ideological gains that the Modi dispensation has achieved through its three terms,' points out N Sathiya Moorthy.

'We Have To Defeat The BJP'

'We Have To Defeat The BJP'

Rediff.com7 Sep 2024

The Congress has proposed AAP should contest five seats while the Samajwadi Party and Left parties could contest one seat each.

BJP fields 8th RS candidate in UP, targets SP's votes

BJP fields 8th RS candidate in UP, targets SP's votes

Rediff.com15 Feb 2024

An eighth BJP candidate on Thursday filed his nomination for the Rajya Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh, setting the stage for a contest with the Samajwadi Party on February 27.

Did Modi officially announce Nitish as NDA's CM face?

Did Modi officially announce Nitish as NDA's CM face?

Rediff.com24 Oct 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched his Bihar assembly poll campaign, asserting that the NDA under Chief Minister Nitish Kumar will break all previous electoral records. He criticized the INDIA bloc and highlighted the NDA's cohesiveness and development efforts in Bihar.

Maha Guv CP Radhakrishnan named NDA's Vice-Presidential candidate

Maha Guv CP Radhakrishnan named NDA's Vice-Presidential candidate

Rediff.com17 Aug 2025

The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has nominated Maharashta Governor Chandrapuram Ponnusamy Radhakrishnan as their candidate for Vice-President of India. The announcement was made by BJP President J P Nadda, highlighting Radhakrishnan's extensive public service and cross-party respect.

Shiv Sena to lodge MLAs in Mumbai hotel ahead of RS polls

Shiv Sena to lodge MLAs in Mumbai hotel ahead of RS polls

Rediff.com4 Jun 2022

Seven candidates are in the fray for six Upper House seats from Maharashtra that will go to polls.

Priyanka to spend time in K'taka for assembly poll campaign: Shivakumar

Priyanka to spend time in K'taka for assembly poll campaign: Shivakumar

Rediff.com23 May 2022

Karnataka Congress president DK Shivakumar on Monday said the party's national general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has agreed to campaign and spend time in the state, for the assembly elections next year.

Malik, Deshmukh move Bombay HC for bail to vote in RS polls

Malik, Deshmukh move Bombay HC for bail to vote in RS polls

Rediff.com9 Jun 2022

After a special court in Mumbai refused to grant temporary bail to them to cast their votes in the Rajya Sabha elections to be held on Friday, Maharashtra minister Nawab Malik and former minister Anil Deshmukh on Thursday approached the Bombay high court for relief.

Kumaraswamy offers to swap second preference votes with Congress in RS polls

Kumaraswamy offers to swap second preference votes with Congress in RS polls

Rediff.com7 Jun 2022

Offering to trade second preference votes with the Congress, Janata Dal-Secular leader H D Kumaraswamy on Tuesday said his main agenda is to defeat the Bharatiya Janata Party in the contest for fourth seat, during the June 10 Rajya Sabha polls from Karnataka.

Failing to ensure BJP clean sweep, Rajasthan minister quits

Failing to ensure BJP clean sweep, Rajasthan minister quits

Rediff.com4 Jul 2024

Kirodi Lal Meena has resigned as a minister in the Rajasthan government following the Bharatiya Janata Party's underwhelming performance in the Lok Sabha polls in the state.

2 more BJP MPs included in 'one nation, one poll' JPC

2 more BJP MPs included in 'one nation, one poll' JPC

Rediff.com20 Dec 2024

The government has moved to increase the strength of the joint committee of Parliament that will scrutinise the two bills proposing simultaneous elections from 31 MPs to 39, giving representation to more parties.

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.

Is The 'Bhunja Party' Really Running Bihar?

Is The 'Bhunja Party' Really Running Bihar?

Rediff.com10 Oct 2025

Tejashwi Yadav and Prashant Kishore claim that a group of senior Janata Dal-United leaders and retired bureaucrats, locally dubbed the 'Bhunja Party', manages the state administration on Nitish Kumar's behalf.

Opposition walks out on question of voter list discrepancies

Opposition walks out on question of voter list discrepancies

Rediff.com10 Mar 2025

Opposition parties in India, led by the Congress, have demanded a detailed discussion in Parliament on alleged discrepancies in voter lists. Rahul Gandhi raised the issue in the Lok Sabha, highlighting concerns about the integrity of the electoral process. The opposition alleges large-scale duplication of EPIC numbers, which they claim undermines voter integrity and the electoral process. They have also pointed out instances of inflated voter lists in states like Maharashtra and Haryana. The Election Commission has acknowledged discrepancies but maintains that these are not widespread and that corrective measures are being taken. The opposition, however, insists on a comprehensive discussion on the matter to ensure the integrity of elections in India.

BJP appoints Union ministers as in-charge for RS polls in 4 states

BJP appoints Union ministers as in-charge for RS polls in 4 states

Rediff.com1 Jun 2022

The BJP on Wednesday also named its in-charges for assembly bypolls to four seats in Tripura.

Tamil actor Sarath Kumar merges his party with BJP

Tamil actor Sarath Kumar merges his party with BJP

Rediff.com12 Mar 2024

Sixty-nine-year-old Kumar appealed to his party workers to work towards bringing the BJP to power in Tamil Nadu following polls to the state assembly in 2026.

Shiv Sena drops Sambhaji, names Kolhapur unit chief for 6th RS seat

Shiv Sena drops Sambhaji, names Kolhapur unit chief for 6th RS seat

Rediff.com24 May 2022

Shiv Sena's Kolhapur district president Sanjay Pawar will be its second candidate for the upcoming Rajya Sabha polls, party chief spokesperson Sanjay Raut said on Tuesday, in what is a clear snub to Chhatrapati Sambhaji who was seeking support for his candidature.

Priyanka Gandhi likely to be part of simultaneous polls JPC

Priyanka Gandhi likely to be part of simultaneous polls JPC

Rediff.com18 Dec 2024

The two 'One Nation One Election' (ONOE) bills, including one requiring an amendment in the Constitution, that lay down the mechanism to hold simultaneous elections were introduced in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday after a fiery debate.

Independents key as BJP, Congress in RS poll dogfight in 4 states

Independents key as BJP, Congress in RS poll dogfight in 4 states

Rediff.com2 Jun 2022

Seeking to consolidate its position in Rajya Sabha, the Bharatiya Janata Party is banking on independents for four additional seats and is seeking to capitalise on the infighting within the Congress in as many states in the June 10 biennial election.

No constituency left for me after...: Pankaja Munde

No constituency left for me after...: Pankaja Munde

Rediff.com12 Feb 2024

Asked whether she would like to go to the Lok Sabha or the Rajya Sabha, Pankaja Munde said it is too late to choose it.

HP crisis: BJP MLAs meet guv, says Cong govt in minority

HP crisis: BJP MLAs meet guv, says Cong govt in minority

Rediff.com28 Feb 2024

The Congress has 40 MLAs while the BJP has 25 in the 68-member state assembly. The remaining three seats are held by independents.

Govt to push bills as Oppn seeks debate on Bihar SIR

Govt to push bills as Oppn seeks debate on Bihar SIR

Rediff.com3 Aug 2025

The government is likely to push for the passage of the National Sports Governance Bill in the Lok Sabha, despite ongoing parliamentary disruptions due to opposition protests over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Other bills are also listed for consideration.

Can Ashok Chavan Turn Tide in Nanded?

Can Ashok Chavan Turn Tide in Nanded?

Rediff.com25 Apr 2024

The BJP has again fielded Prataprao Patil Chikhalikar who humbled Ashok Chavan in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls by over 40,000 votes.