News for 'Rajya Sabha'

Kurien chairs Rajya Sabha despite all brouhaha

Kurien chairs Rajya Sabha despite all brouhaha

Rediff.com22 Feb 2013

Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman P J Kurien, who is in the eye of a storm over the Left demand for his resignation in the wake of fresh charges in the Suryanelli rape case, on Friday presided over the Upper House without objection from any member.

Liberhan report generates heat in Rajya Sabha

Liberhan report generates heat in Rajya Sabha

Rediff.com9 Dec 2009

The Liberhan Commission report on the demolition of Babri Masjid on Wednesday generated heat in the Rajya Sabha with the Congress and the Samajwadi Party squarely blaming the Bharatiya Janata Party for the demolition of the historic structure, while the main opposition debunked the report.

Radhakrishnan vs Reddy: NDA holds edge in Tuesday's V-P poll

Radhakrishnan vs Reddy: NDA holds edge in Tuesday's V-P poll

Rediff.com8 Sep 2025

The stage is set for a direct contest between NDA nominee C P Radhakrishnan and joint opposition candidate B Sudershan Reddy for the vice-presidential election. The BJP-led alliance has a clear edge in the poll necessitated due to the sudden resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar.

'67 per cent of Rajya Sabha MPs are crorepatis'

'67 per cent of Rajya Sabha MPs are crorepatis'

Rediff.com6 Dec 2013

The average asset of a Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament is Rs 20.17 crore, says a report by the Association for Democratic Reforms. It also says that 67 per cent of Rajya Sabha MP's are crorepatis.

Mallya showed zero debt in Rajya Sabha affidavit

Mallya showed zero debt in Rajya Sabha affidavit

Rediff.com11 Mar 2016

Mallya showed his net worth at Rs 615 crore, mainly in shares and bonds.

'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.

Chaos at Messi's Kolkata event sparks political slugfest

Chaos at Messi's Kolkata event sparks political slugfest

Rediff.com13 Dec 2025

Political parties in West Bengal, including the ruling TMC and opposition BJP, have condemned the organizers of an event featuring Lionel Messi in Kolkata after it descended into chaos due to spectators' inability to properly view the football star. Demands for action and accountability have been made.

How Winter Session Sets Stage For Budget

How Winter Session Sets Stage For Budget

Rediff.com5 Jan 2026

Three laws passed in Parliament could boost central revenues, reshape GST cess flows, shift MGNREGA costs to states and create new budget headroom ahead of the 2026-2027 Union Budget, points out A K Bhattacharya.

Dhankhar resigns: What happens when VP steps down mid-term

Dhankhar resigns: What happens when VP steps down mid-term

Rediff.com22 Jul 2025

Following Jagdeep Dhankhar's resignation as Vice President, an election to appoint his successor must be held 'as soon as possible' according to the Constitution. The article details the constitutional provisions regarding the election, term, and responsibilities of the Vice President.

Rajya Sabha nod to Union Budget sans debate

Rajya Sabha nod to Union Budget sans debate

Rediff.com21 Mar 2013

With only one day left for the House to go into month-long recess, the Chair directed members to lay their written speeches so that the crucial money bill could be returned in time.

VP race heats up after Dhankhar's exit; Harivansh in spotlight

VP race heats up after Dhankhar's exit; Harivansh in spotlight

Rediff.com22 Jul 2025

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar's resignation has triggered the search for his successor. The BJP-led NDA is expected to consider probable candidates soon.

BJP, AIADMK disrupt Chidambaram in Rajya Sabha

BJP, AIADMK disrupt Chidambaram in Rajya Sabha

Rediff.com14 Dec 2011

Continuing its boycott of Home Minister P Chidambaram, the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam on Wednesday created ruckus in Rajya Sabha whenever the minister rose to answer queries put to him during the Question Hour

Parliament to debate Pahalgam, Op Sindoor; no word on PM's reply

Parliament to debate Pahalgam, Op Sindoor; no word on PM's reply

Rediff.com23 Jul 2025

Parliament is expected to discuss the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor next week, with both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha planning debates.

Ramdev SLAMS Sachin's nomination to Rajya Sabha

Ramdev SLAMS Sachin's nomination to Rajya Sabha

Rediff.com28 Apr 2012

Yoga guru Ramdev on Saturday sought to find fault with the Rajya Sabha nomination to Sachin Tendulkar, alleging that the "sinking" Congress might have pressured him to accept the honour to enhance its prestige.

Rajya Sabha's CELEB quotient over the years

Rajya Sabha's CELEB quotient over the years

Rediff.com27 Apr 2012

Rediff.com lists a few celebs who have donned the role of a politician in the Rajya Sabha.

Will Harivansh Singh Be The Next Veep?

Will Harivansh Singh Be The Next Veep?

Rediff.com11 Aug 2025

'When Harivansh sits in the chair, you feel your voice will be heard.'

All eyes on rare contest to elect Rajya Sabha's deputy chairman

All eyes on rare contest to elect Rajya Sabha's deputy chairman

Rediff.com7 Aug 2018

The election to the post is mostly decided by consensus, but opposition leaders complain that the Narendra Modi government was yet to reach out to them, reports Archis Mohan.

Rajya Sabha: Uproar over petrol, diesel price hike

Rajya Sabha: Uproar over petrol, diesel price hike

Rediff.com2 Sep 2013

The Rajya Sabha on Monday witnessed uproar over the steep Rs 2.35 a litre hike in petrol price and 50 paisa a litre increase in cost of diesel.

JD-U embarrasses NDA in Rajya Sabha

JD-U embarrasses NDA in Rajya Sabha

Rediff.com14 Aug 2012

In an embarrassment to the National Democratic Alliance, its key constituent Janata Dal-United on Tuesday strongly objected to certain remarks made by members of the Bharatiya Janata Party and Shiv Sena in the Rajya Sabha on the recent Mumbai violence to protest against the Assam riots.

Maya stuns Rajya Sabha; questions chairman's absence

Maya stuns Rajya Sabha; questions chairman's absence

Rediff.com12 Dec 2012

Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati on Wednesday shocked the Rajya Sabha by telling Chairman Hamid Ansari that he is "not seen" in the House in the afternoon after which the House is not allowed to function.

Rajya Sabha disrupted, adjourned for 15 minutes

Rajya Sabha disrupted, adjourned for 15 minutes

Rediff.com29 Dec 2011

The debate on Lokpal Bill was tonight disrupted when several members in the Rajya Sabha, particularly Left parties, created uproar, wanting to know whether the proceedings would continue after midnight as the extension of the Winter Session was till only December 29.

Govt ready to discuss SIR in RS as Opposition protests

Govt ready to discuss SIR in RS as Opposition protests

Rediff.com2 Dec 2025

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju stated the government is ready to discuss the special intensive revision of electoral rolls, but cautioned the Opposition against setting timelines. This comes after the Opposition demanded an immediate discussion on the matter, citing concerns over the safety of BLOs and the importance of the issue for democracy.

How Amma's MPs agreed to support JAC in Rajya Sabha

How Amma's MPs agreed to support JAC in Rajya Sabha

Rediff.com14 Aug 2014

According our source in New Delhi, it took Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and All India Dravida Munetra Kazhagam chief J Jayalalithaa's early-hour phone call to Prime Minister Narendra Modi eased the tension about the unanimous resolution on the Judicial Appointments Commission Bill in the Rajya Sabha.

Bihar results: Defeat in polls to hurt BJP's Rajya Sabha hopes

Bihar results: Defeat in polls to hurt BJP's Rajya Sabha hopes

Rediff.com8 Nov 2015

The BJP's defeat in Bihar dents its hopes of improving its RS tally but the grand alliance victory could also present the first signs of tension when five JD-U members retire next year.

Shaky seat forces adjournment of Rajya Sabha

Shaky seat forces adjournment of Rajya Sabha

Rediff.com23 Oct 2008

The Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha are usually adjourned because of commotion. But on Thursday the Upper House was forced to adjourn briefly for an interesting reason -- malfunctioning of the presiding officer's seat. The House was in the midst of a heated discussion over reports about alleged involvement of Hindu organisations in some recent bomb blasts when the problem in the seat was noticed.

Rajya Sabha passes resolution condemning bail to Lakhvi

Rajya Sabha passes resolution condemning bail to Lakhvi

Rediff.com22 Dec 2014

The Rajya Sabha on Monday adopted a resolution condemning the bail granted to Mumbai attack mastermind Zaki-ur Rehman Lakhvi and asked Pakistan to ensure that no perpetrator of any terrorist activity went unpunished.

26/11 victims' families did not get full justice, says Nikam

26/11 victims' families did not get full justice, says Nikam

Rediff.com26 Nov 2025

Lawyer Ujjwal Nikam says that while justice has been delivered to some victims of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, their conspirators are still hiding in Pakistan. He criticizes Pakistan's handling of the trials of those arrested and calls for action against masterminds like Hafiz Saeed and Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi.

Why EVMs Won't Be Used In VP Election

Why EVMs Won't Be Used In VP Election

Rediff.com8 Sep 2025

EVMs can't be used in presidential, vice-presidential, or Rajya Sabha polls because they only count simple votes, not the preference-based system needed for these elections.

Rajya Sabha passes 7 key bills in 3.5 hours

Rajya Sabha passes 7 key bills in 3.5 hours

Rediff.com22 Sep 2020

This after most of the Opposition including the Congress, Left parties, the Trinamool Congress, the Samajwadi Party and the Nationalist Congress Party decided to boycott House proceedings in protest against the suspension of eight MPs for the remainder of the session for unruly behaviour.

NRIs seek Rajya Sabha seats, voting rights

NRIs seek Rajya Sabha seats, voting rights

Rediff.com30 Jun 2016

An international convention of people of Indian-origin in the US has demanded voting rights for Indian citizens living outside India and Rajya Sabha seats for Non-Resident Indians.

Joint session likely if Rajya Sabha rejects Lokpal Bill

Joint session likely if Rajya Sabha rejects Lokpal Bill

Rediff.com28 Dec 2011

It will be a touch-and-go affair in the Upper House, remarked a senior Congress leader underlining that there were many ifs and buts for the bill to be passed

Rajya Sabha passes SBI Bill amid din

Rajya Sabha passes SBI Bill amid din

Rediff.com30 Aug 2011

The transfer of powers to the Centre has been necessitated after the ownership of the SBI was transfered from the RBI to the government.

How numbers favour NDA in Vice Presidential election

How numbers favour NDA in Vice Presidential election

Rediff.com22 Jul 2025

The ruling NDA is expected to win the upcoming election for the post of Vice President of India, following the resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar.

Rajya Sabha productivity falls further to 16% in 2nd week, passes no bill

Rajya Sabha productivity falls further to 16% in 2nd week, passes no bill

Rediff.com31 Jul 2022

Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu has expressed disappointment saying "obstruction is destruction of parliamentary democracy".

Amit Shah set to enter Rajya Sabha from Gujarat

Amit Shah set to enter Rajya Sabha from Gujarat

Rediff.com26 Jul 2017

Union minister Smriti Irani will also contest the Rajya Sabha polls from Gujarat from where she is already an MP and her term ends on August 18.

Opposition embarrasses govt in Rajya Sabha

Opposition embarrasses govt in Rajya Sabha

Rediff.com24 Feb 2015

The government on Tuesday faced embarrassment in the Rajya Sabha when the opposition scuttled its move to withdraw three bills, including one on raising the FDI cap in insurance sector to 49 per cent, which are expected to be introduced in Lok Sabha for replacement of Ordinances.

Rajya Sabha may sit till 8 pm from Tuesday

Rajya Sabha may sit till 8 pm from Tuesday

Rediff.com26 Jul 2010

The Rajya Sabha is likely to work till 8 pm from Tuesday to discuss and dispose of the innumerable pending bills and other legislative business.

Land bill: Rajya Sabha names 10 members to Joint Committee

Land bill: Rajya Sabha names 10 members to Joint Committee

Rediff.com13 May 2015

On Tuesday, the government had agreed to refer it to the committee.

Surat Bizman Gifts Diamonds To World Cup Champs

Surat Bizman Gifts Diamonds To World Cup Champs

Rediff.com3 Nov 2025

Govind Dholakia has announced diamond jewellery and solar panels as rewards for the Indian women's cricket team, which made history by winning its first-ever World Cup.

Harbhajan donates boats, ambulances for flood-hit Punjab

Harbhajan donates boats, ambulances for flood-hit Punjab

Rediff.com7 Sep 2025

Former India spinner and Rajya Sabha MP Harbhajan Singh has stepped in with relief measures for his flood-ravaged home state Punjab.