News for 'Rajya Sabha'

Amended Lokpal Bill in Rajya Sabha, debate thwarted

Amended Lokpal Bill in Rajya Sabha, debate thwarted

Rediff.com13 Dec 2013

The anti-corruption Lokpal Bill was brought back to the Rajya Sabha on Friday in an amended form but its consideration was thwarted by Samajwadi Party, an outside supporter of the UPA government, which disrupted proceedings.

Rajya Sabha numbers on mind, BJP dials Jaya

Rajya Sabha numbers on mind, BJP dials Jaya

Rediff.com19 May 2014

BJP-led govt will need regional parties' support in Upper House to get legislation cleared. Archis Mohan reports

Rajya Sabha to reconvene on April 23; govt to reapproach bill issue

Rajya Sabha to reconvene on April 23; govt to reapproach bill issue

Rediff.com7 Apr 2015

Rajya Sabha's next session will begin from April 23, three days after the second half of the budget session of Lok Sabha commences.

Mary Kom Says Sorry to 'Male Community'

Mary Kom Says Sorry to 'Male Community'

Rediff.com2 Feb 2026

Boxing legend M C Mary Kom has apologised to the 'male community' for her comments on a television show, explaining that her outburst was because of suppressing feelings inside her for a long time.

Digvijaya Singh ends 10-year exile, enters Rajya Sabha contest

Digvijaya Singh ends 10-year exile, enters Rajya Sabha contest

Rediff.com28 Jan 2014

Putting an end to his ten-year self-imposed 'exile' from electoral politics, Congress General Secretary Digvijay Singh on Tuesday filed his nomination papers for the Rajya Sabha elections from Madhya Pradesh.

Rajya Sabha to take up Justice Sen impeachment

Rajya Sabha to take up Justice Sen impeachment

Rediff.com11 Aug 2011

On August 17, the Rajya Sabha for the first time will take up a case of impeachment of a sitting judge of the Calcutta high court, Justice Soumitra Sen. An impeachment motion will be moved by Communist party of India (Marxist) leader Sitaram Yechury.

How Sonia chose the nominees for Rajya Sabha

How Sonia chose the nominees for Rajya Sabha

Rediff.com20 Mar 2010

The six presidential nominees to the Rajya Sabha have reportedly been handpicked by Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, in an attempt to reassert her authority in the United Progressive Alliance government, which has allegedly acquired a pro-United States stance under the aegis of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.The five persons nominated are Mani Shanker Aiyer, Javed Akhtar, Dr Balchandra Mungekar, Bombay Jayshri and Dr Ram Dyal Munda.

Devendra Fadnavis is BJP's man of the match in Maharashtra polls

Devendra Fadnavis is BJP's man of the match in Maharashtra polls

Rediff.com17 Jan 2026

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis orchestrated a significant victory for the BJP in the recent civic polls, solidifying his position as a key strategist and influential leader within the party.

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.

M S Gill, Tohra elected to Rajya Sabha

M S Gill, Tohra elected to Rajya Sabha

Rediff.com19 Mar 2004

The others to be elected to the Upper House from Punjab were Ashwini Kumar and Dharampal Sabharwal (Congress) and Virender Singh Bajwa (Shiromani Akali Dal).

Paswan, Rudy win Rajya Sabha polls from Bihar

Paswan, Rudy win Rajya Sabha polls from Bihar

Rediff.com17 Jun 2010

Lok Janshakti Party supremo Ram Vilas Paswan and Bharatiya Janata Party leader Rajeev Pratap Rudy on Thursday won their respective Rajya Sabha seats from Bihar.It has been reported that the BJP and its partner Janata Dal -United are optimistic about winning three seats, while the Rashtriya Janata Dal and LJP appear confident of winning both the seats they are contesting.The RJD-LJP alliance has the support of 68 MLAs, against the requirement of 76.

Rajya Sabha sets record, passes five bills in mere hours

Rajya Sabha sets record, passes five bills in mere hours

Rediff.com11 May 2016

The bills, including some key finance legislations, were passed during the course of a few hours in the post-lunch period.

Vice President Has No Salary of His Own

Vice President Has No Salary of His Own

Rediff.com8 Sep 2025

'There is no provision for a specific salary for the vice president; instead, they receive remuneration and benefits commensurate with their role as the chairman of the Rajya Sabha.'

PM Modi slams opposition for blocking OBC bill in Rajya Sabha

PM Modi slams opposition for blocking OBC bill in Rajya Sabha

Rediff.com12 Apr 2017

Modi expressed surprise at the stand of the opposition as members of all parties had been urging him for bringing the legislation

BSP becomes third largest party in Rajya Sabha

BSP becomes third largest party in Rajya Sabha

Rediff.com18 Jul 2010

Mayawati-led Bahujan Samaj Party has emerged as the third largest party in the Rajya Sabha, relegating the CPI(M) to fourth position in yet another bad news for Marxists ahead of the Assembly polls in West Bengal and Kerala.

US lawmaker compares protest in House to Rajya Sabha uproar

US lawmaker compares protest in House to Rajya Sabha uproar

Rediff.com26 Jun 2016

Congressman Mark Meadows posted two photos -- one of the Democratic party sit-in and the other of AIADMK protest by lawmakers inside the Rajya Sabha in March - saying they look 'disturbingly similar'.

Polls for 7 Rajya Sabha seats in Feb

Polls for 7 Rajya Sabha seats in Feb

Rediff.com12 Jan 2009

The Election Commission will hold biennial elections on February 13 to seven Rajya Sabha seats, including those held by Union Ministers Vayalar Ravi and Saif-ud-Din Soz as also National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah. Elections would be held for four seats in Jammu and Kashmir and three in Kerala.

Denied a Rajya Sabha seat, PMK cries foul

Denied a Rajya Sabha seat, PMK cries foul

Rediff.com6 Mar 2008

Talking to media persons in Chennai after chairing the party's emergent administrative committee meeting, which was attended by six parliamentarians and 18 legislators, PMK founder-leader Dr S Ramadoss said though different views were expressed in the meeting, the party had decided to renew talks with the DMK to sort the issue.

Brinda Karat raises a storm in Rajya Sabha

Brinda Karat raises a storm in Rajya Sabha

Rediff.com23 Oct 2008

Members of the Bharatiya Janata Party disrupted proceedings in the Upper House as Karat read out a confessional statement allegedly given by a riot-accused, who had conceded that Hindu fundamentalists were behind the incidents of violence in Malegaon.

India-Bangladesh Ties May Warm Up After BNP Win

India-Bangladesh Ties May Warm Up After BNP Win

Rediff.com16 Feb 2026

'The people of Bangladesh have voted for a party that represents political interest.'
'It is a pro-Liberation party and it believes in the spirit of 1971, as opposed to the Jamaat-e-Islami, which was opposed to the Liberation struggle of Bangladesh in 1971.'

'Income has stopped': Why Union minister Suresh Gopi wants to resign

'Income has stopped': Why Union minister Suresh Gopi wants to resign

Rediff.com13 Oct 2025

Union Minister Suresh Gopi expressed his desire to step down from his ministerial post and recommended BJP's newly elected Rajya Sabha member C Sadanandan Master as his replacement in the central cabinet.

Mines bill: Opposition in Rajya Sabha to force deferment of bill

Mines bill: Opposition in Rajya Sabha to force deferment of bill

Rediff.com19 Mar 2015

Opposition on Thursday forced deferment of consideration of the contentious Mines and Minerals Bill in Rajya Sabha till on Friday.

'Law of jungle prevails': Cong on US action in Venezuela

'Law of jungle prevails': Cong on US action in Venezuela

Rediff.com4 Jan 2026

The Congress party in India has expressed "grave concern" over the US action in Venezuela, stating that settled principles of international law cannot be violated unilaterally. India has also voiced "deep concern" and called for a peaceful resolution through dialogue.

What PT Usha said in her maiden speech in Rajya Sabha

What PT Usha said in her maiden speech in Rajya Sabha

Rediff.com3 Aug 2022

Legendary athlete P T Usha on Wednesday batted for bringing all competitions under National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) and sought more focus on the field of sports medicine and science to help players recover from injuries.

Ajit Pawar, Maharashtra deputy CM, dies in plane crash

Ajit Pawar, Maharashtra deputy CM, dies in plane crash

Rediff.com28 Jan 2026

The Learjet 45 (LJ45), a mid-size business jet aircraft produced by the Learjet Division of Bombardier Aerospace, went off the runway while attempting to land at Baramati airport and burst into flames.

BJP protests in Rajya Sabha by keeping mum

BJP protests in Rajya Sabha by keeping mum

Rediff.com25 Apr 2008

The BJP decided to register its protest against the manner in which, it says, he used an old rule to punish All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam member of Parliament Dr V Maithreyan on Thursday

MP shown the door; Rajya Sabha in deadlock

MP shown the door; Rajya Sabha in deadlock

Rediff.com24 Apr 2008

Business in Rajya Sabha was on Thursday deadlocked with the opposition objecting to All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leader V Maitreyan being asked to leave the House after he sought the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's response to charges against his cabinet colleague T R Baalu for favouring his sons' firms.

Govt open to debate on SIR, but don't insist timeline, Rijiju tells Oppn

Govt open to debate on SIR, but don't insist timeline, Rijiju tells Oppn

Rediff.com1 Dec 2025

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju stated the government is open to discussing electoral reforms in the Rajya Sabha, urging the Opposition not to impose a timeline. Opposition parties staged a walkout after demanding an immediate discussion on the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.

PM to file nomination for 5th term in Rajya Sabha

PM to file nomination for 5th term in Rajya Sabha

Rediff.com9 May 2013

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will travel to Guwahati to file his nomination papers for his fifth term in the Rajya Sabha on May 15. The election has been scheduled for May 30.

After Shinde, BJP too moving its corporators to safer place: Raut

After Shinde, BJP too moving its corporators to safer place: Raut

Rediff.com19 Jan 2026

The Shiv Sena has shifted its 29 members to a hotel in Mumbai, ostensibly for an orientation workshop to make them aware of the functioning of the country's richest civic body, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation.

US lawmakers' letter to PM rocks Rajya Sabha

US lawmakers' letter to PM rocks Rajya Sabha

Rediff.com4 May 2007

Reports in the media on Friday said US Senator Tom Lantos had written a letter to the prime minister asking India to 'sever' military ties with Iran and "terminate" all cooperation in the energy sector.

Rajya Sabha adjourned till April 26 over Nandigram

Rajya Sabha adjourned till April 26 over Nandigram

Rediff.com21 Mar 2007

This is the sixth day that Parliament has been disrupted.

14 criminals, 50 crorepatis to contest Rajya Sabha elections

14 criminals, 50 crorepatis to contest Rajya Sabha elections

Rediff.com5 Feb 2014

A latest survey by the Association for Democratic Reforms reveals that 14 criminals and 50 crorepatis will be contesting the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections.

P T Usha pushes for 'Made in India' doping kits

P T Usha pushes for 'Made in India' doping kits

Rediff.com12 Dec 2025

India is bidding to become an Olympic host in 2036 and the International Olympic Committee has made it clear that the country will have to considerably improve its current doping record.

Why Does Modi Pass Bills In Such Haste?

Why Does Modi Pass Bills In Such Haste?

Rediff.com27 Dec 2025

The passing of bills without Parliament, including the treasury benches, having any real understanding of what they contained through any rigorous process has accelerated through the Modi era, points out Aakar Patel.

Din in Rajya Sabha over Chinese envoy's remarks

Din in Rajya Sabha over Chinese envoy's remarks

Rediff.com24 Nov 2006

The House has been adjourned until 1400 hours.

Allies Sena-UBT, Cong blame each other for Chandrapur 'mess'

Allies Sena-UBT, Cong blame each other for Chandrapur 'mess'

Rediff.com11 Feb 2026

A dispute has erupted between MVA allies Shiv Sena (UBT) and Congress after the Sena (UBT) supported the BJP in the Chandrapur mayoral elections, leading to a BJP victory despite Congress being the single largest party.

Sunetra Pawar gets 3 ministries, Fadnavis keeps finance

Sunetra Pawar gets 3 ministries, Fadnavis keeps finance

Rediff.com31 Jan 2026

Newly-appointed Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar has been allocated the portfolios of State Excise Duty, Sports and Youth Affairs and Minorities Development and Aukaf.

LS to debate motion to remove Justice Varma, not admitted in RS

LS to debate motion to remove Justice Varma, not admitted in RS

Rediff.com25 Jul 2025

Lok Sabha will consider a motion to remove Justice Yashwant Varma due to a suspected corruption case, after a similar motion in Rajya Sabha was not admitted. The move follows a unanimous decision by political parties to address perceived corruption in the judiciary.

What issues should Sachin take up in Rajya Sabha? Your SAY

What issues should Sachin take up in Rajya Sabha? Your SAY

Rediff.com26 Apr 2012

On Thursday, cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar joined the league of celebrities who have turned politicians. President Partibha Patil accepted Tendulkar's nomination as a member of the Rajya Sabha making him the first active sportsperson to be a representative in the Upper House.