News for 'Rajya Sabha'

Battleground Rajya Sabha!

Battleground Rajya Sabha!

Rediff.com19 Dec 2014

It is not in the Lok Sabha, where the BJP has a clear majority, but the Rajya Sabha that the Opposition has ganged up to checkmate Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ambitious plans.

'Jan shakti' will drag him out over student crackdown: Kharge slams Shah

'Jan shakti' will drag him out over student crackdown: Kharge slams Shah

Rediff.com31 Jul 2026

Holding Home Minister Amit Shah responsible for alleged police brutalities on protesting students, Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday said that "Jan Shakti" (people's power) will "drag him out" one day to make him accountable.

BJP rejig: Smriti Irani makes comeback, Ram Madhav gets key role

BJP rejig: Smriti Irani makes comeback, Ram Madhav gets key role

Rediff.com17 Aug 2026

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has announced a significant overhaul of its national team under party president Nitin Nabin, introducing numerous new faces and promoting prominent leaders like former Union minister Smriti Irani to general secretary and former RSS functionary Ram Madhav to vice president. The revamp aims to balance youth and experience while preparing for upcoming assembly and general elections.

Oppn seeks urgent debate on police brutality at Gen Z protests

Oppn seeks urgent debate on police brutality at Gen Z protests

Rediff.com27 Jul 2026

Opposition parties have submitted notices in the Rajya Sabha demanding an urgent discussion on the alleged use of force, including pellet guns, against students protesting the NEET paper leak issue. They are seeking accountability from the Home Minister and Prime Minister regarding the police action and alleged assault on protesters and journalists.

Union minister Nadda named Leader of House in Rajya Sabha

Union minister Nadda named Leader of House in Rajya Sabha

Rediff.com24 Jun 2024

Nadda replaces Union minister Piyush Goyal, who recently won the Lok Sabha election and took oath on Monday as a member of the Lower House of Parliament.

TMC to send journalist Sagarika Ghose to Rajya Sabha

TMC to send journalist Sagarika Ghose to Rajya Sabha

Rediff.com11 Feb 2024

'We are pleased to announce the candidature of @sagarikaghose, @SushmitaDevAITC, @MdNadimulHaque6 and Mamata Bala Thakur for the forthcoming Rajya Sabha elections,' the party said in a tweet.

Three NCPI Muslim MPs who skipped NDA meets join Modi for breakfast

Three NCPI Muslim MPs who skipped NDA meets join Modi for breakfast

Rediff.com7 Aug 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday expressed concern over the repeated disruptions of parliamentary proceedings, stating that due to the turmoil in the House, the country has been unable to listen to the talented MPs elected in recent times.

AAP nominates DCW chief Swati Maliwal for Rajya Sabha

AAP nominates DCW chief Swati Maliwal for Rajya Sabha

Rediff.com5 Jan 2024

The AAP renominated Sanjay Singh and ND Gupta for a second term in the Upper House of Parliament, party sources said on Friday.

Hours after joining BJP, three ex-TMC MPs get RS tickets from Bengal

Hours after joining BJP, three ex-TMC MPs get RS tickets from Bengal

Rediff.com9 Jul 2026

Three former Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha MPs, including Sushmita Dev and Sukhendu Sekhar Ray, joined the Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday and, within hours, were named the saffron party's candidates for the Rajya Sabha bypolls from West Bengal, underlining both their political rehabilitation and the party's calibrated shift in inducting leaders from the erstwhile ruling dispensation.

Cong chief Kharge, BJP leader among 4 candidates elected to RS from K'taka

Cong chief Kharge, BJP leader among 4 candidates elected to RS from K'taka

Rediff.com11 Jun 2026

Three Congress candidates, including All India Congress Committee president Mallikarjun Kharge, and one Bharatiya Janata Party nominee were declared elected "unanimously" to the Rajya Sabha from Karnataka on Thursday, election officials said.

Trinamool crisis deepens: RS MP quits, Chairman accepts resignation

Trinamool crisis deepens: RS MP quits, Chairman accepts resignation

Rediff.com8 Jun 2026

Rajya Sabha MP Sukhen Shekhar Ray has resigned from the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and his parliamentary seat, adding to the party's ongoing internal crisis and political turmoil.

Airport Authority Gets Waiver Request Amid Adani Airline Buzz

Airport Authority Gets Waiver Request Amid Adani Airline Buzz

Rediff.com11 Aug 2026

The Airports Authority of India has received a request for a waiver from contractual restrictions that prevent airport concessionaires and their group entities from holding equity in scheduled airlines, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol confirmed in the Rajya Sabha. This comes amid reports of the Adani group's interest in the airline business, despite their denial.

Is Priyanka Chaturvedi Secretly Negotiating With The BJP? She Says...

Is Priyanka Chaturvedi Secretly Negotiating With The BJP? She Says...

Rediff.com29 Jul 2026

'The made-up stories really angered me. Forget angering me, it actually made me feel, okay, if they want to play this game, let me play along.'

DMK doesn't walk out with Opposition, will it walk with govt?

DMK doesn't walk out with Opposition, will it walk with govt?

Rediff.com31 Jul 2026

The DMK has been charting an independent course from the Congress-led Opposition bloc on contentious issues during the Monsoon Session, including not joining a walkout over the anti-paper leak bill and participating in a debate on the National Honour Bill, signalling growing fault lines within the Opposition.

Manmohan retires from Rajya Sabha

Manmohan retires from Rajya Sabha

Rediff.com15 Jun 2019

Will DMK send former PM to the Rajya Sabha next month?

SC takes up Natarajan's plea against RS nomination rejection

SC takes up Natarajan's plea against RS nomination rejection

Rediff.com11 Jun 2026

The Supreme Court is set to hear Congress leader Meenakshi Natarajan's challenge against the rejection of her Rajya Sabha nomination from Madhya Pradesh, which was dismissed due to alleged concealment of information in her election affidavit.

Rajya Sabha bids farewell to 68 members

Rajya Sabha bids farewell to 68 members

Rediff.com8 Feb 2024

Fondly remembering the contribution of retiring members from the Rajya Sabha, Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar on Thursday said the wisdom shared by them would be greatly missed and their departure would leave a void.

Monsoon session of Parliament to begin from July 20

Monsoon session of Parliament to begin from July 20

Rediff.com4 Jul 2026

The Monsoon Session of Parliament for 2026 is scheduled from July 20 to August 13, with significant political developments expected following recent assembly poll results and internal party rebellions. The session will see the ruling NDA's strengthened position in the Rajya Sabha and potential redrafting of a key Constitution amendment bill.

JPC report on Waqf bill tabled in Rajya Sabha amid uproar

JPC report on Waqf bill tabled in Rajya Sabha amid uproar

Rediff.com13 Feb 2025

The report was tabled by Bharatiya Janata Party member Medha Vishram Kulkarni, a member of the panel.

Parliament clears tougher anti-paper leak law amid Oppn walkout

Parliament clears tougher anti-paper leak law amid Oppn walkout

Rediff.com31 Jul 2026

Parliament on Thursday passed a bill to amend the anti-paper leak law to introduce stricter punishments, with the government expressing its commitment to go the extra mile to safeguard the interests of students, who are the country's future.

'Only 1 bill saw debate': Govt blames Cong for Parl washout

'Only 1 bill saw debate': Govt blames Cong for Parl washout

Rediff.com13 Aug 2026

Kiren Rijiju has strongly criticised the Congress for allegedly 'unfairly disrupting' the recent monsoon session.

How much did Modi's 23 foreign trips in 2025 cost? Here's the breakdown

How much did Modi's 23 foreign trips in 2025 cost? Here's the breakdown

Rediff.com6 Aug 2026

Over Rs 180 crore was incurred on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to 23 countries including the US, the UK, France, China and Japan in 2025, according to data shared by the government.

Congress leaders undermined Meenakshi Natarajan's RS chances, says MP CM

Congress leaders undermined Meenakshi Natarajan's RS chances, says MP CM

Rediff.com10 Jun 2026

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has dismissed allegations of 'seat theft' in the upcoming Rajya Sabha polls, asserting that Congress candidate Meenakshi Natarajan's nomination was deliberately undermined by her own party leaders who were vying for the same seat.

Bankipur bypoll: 'Lalu, Nitish' lose deposits

Bankipur bypoll: 'Lalu, Nitish' lose deposits

Rediff.com4 Aug 2026

Prashant Kishor, founder of Jan Suraaj Party, secured a significant victory in the Bankipur Assembly bypoll, breaching a BJP bastion, while independent candidates sharing names with Bihar's political stalwarts, Lalu Prasad and Nitish Kumar, failed to make an impact and lost their security deposits.

Modi declares war on paper leak mafia as anti-cheating bill gets Parl nod

Modi declares war on paper leak mafia as anti-cheating bill gets Parl nod

Rediff.com31 Jul 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced comprehensive reforms in the education system to combat paper leaks, following the passage of a new anti-paper leak law. He asserted that there would be no leniency for those involved in examination irregularities, highlighting the government's commitment to ensuring fair opportunities for students.

Can Jagdeep Dhankar Handle The Rajya Sabha?

Can Jagdeep Dhankar Handle The Rajya Sabha?

Rediff.com26 Jul 2022

Running a fractious House full of members every bit as well versed in parliamentary law as the chair, has, in the past, reduced several Rajya Sabha chairmen to tears.

Karnataka victory to help Cong in Rajya Sabha elections

Karnataka victory to help Cong in Rajya Sabha elections

Rediff.com14 May 2023

The Congress' victory in the Karnataka assembly polls is likely to help the party get its candidates elected in three of the four Rajya Sabha seats from the state falling vacant next year.

Jagdeep Dhankar's Rajya Sabha Challenge

Jagdeep Dhankar's Rajya Sabha Challenge

Rediff.com11 Aug 2022

As vice president and ex-officio chairman of the Rajya Sabha, Jagdeep Dhankar is inheriting a troubled legacy. Although the government faces no real numerical challenges in the Upper House, political and legal challenges are there aplenty.

Cabinet rejig soon? Buzz intensifies as Amit Shah meets Prez

Cabinet rejig soon? Buzz intensifies as Amit Shah meets Prez

Rediff.com25 Jun 2026

Union Home Minister Amit Shah met President Droupadi Murmu, following a similar meeting by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, intensifying speculation about an imminent reshuffle of the Union Council of Ministers. Recent resignations and new organisational appointments for some ministers are contributing to the buzz.

Will Assembly Polls Give BJP Simple Majority In Rajya Sabha?

Will Assembly Polls Give BJP Simple Majority In Rajya Sabha?

Rediff.com2 Dec 2023

The BJP holds 28 of the 59 Rajya Sabha seats that will soon face election.

New BJP team: Many sidelined faces make a comeback

New BJP team: Many sidelined faces make a comeback

Rediff.com17 Aug 2026

Several prominent BJP leaders, including former Union minister Smriti Irani, RSS veteran Ram Madhav, and former chief ministers Biplab Kumar Deb and Tirath Singh Rawat, have been reinstated into significant roles within the party's national team. This reshuffle marks a political recovery for many who had previously seen their influence wane or lost electoral battles, positioning them for key organisational responsibilities ahead of upcoming elections.

Reports hint at CM change in Karnataka, Cong defers decision

Reports hint at CM change in Karnataka, Cong defers decision

Rediff.com27 May 2026

Sources said the party top brass including Gandhi and Kharge held several hours of discussions with Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, apart from meeting them separately, and is likely to take a call on a possible change of guard in the state after the Rajya Sabha polls, which are due next month.

Jharkhand RS elections: NDA MLAs shifted to hotel; INDIA bloc holds mock poll

Jharkhand RS elections: NDA MLAs shifted to hotel; INDIA bloc holds mock poll

Rediff.com17 Jun 2026

Opposition NDA legislators in Jharkhand have been moved to a hotel ahead of the Rajya Sabha elections for two seats. The BJP-backed independent candidate, Parimal Nathwani, faces a challenge as the NDA lacks the required numbers, necessitating potential cross-voting for victory.

Cong-ruled states to challenge Mines Act in SC

Cong-ruled states to challenge Mines Act in SC

Rediff.com21 Aug 2026

Congress-ruled states, including Karnataka, Kerala, and Telangana, are preparing to challenge the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2026, in the Supreme Court. They allege the new law undermines states' rights by restricting their powers to levy taxes on mineral resources, a claim the Centre denies, stating it aims for uniform mineral rates.

Bypoll results see NDA inching closer to majority in Rajya Sabha

Bypoll results see NDA inching closer to majority in Rajya Sabha

Rediff.com28 Aug 2024

Union ministers Ravneet Singh Bittu and George Kurian were elected unopposed to Rajya Sabha Tuesday along with senior Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi and former minister Upendra Kushwaha.

Swapan Dasgupta renominated to Rajya Sabha

Swapan Dasgupta renominated to Rajya Sabha

Rediff.com1 Jun 2021

The former journalist unsuccessfully contested the recent West Bengal assembly elections on a Bharatiya Janata Party ticket.

Ruling BJP alliance to get majority in Rajya Sabha in April

Ruling BJP alliance to get majority in Rajya Sabha in April

Rediff.com28 Feb 2024

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is likely to get a majority in the Rajya Sabha in April this year, once the remaining six vacancies under the nominated category are filled and those newly elected take oath.

Sajjan Kumar, jailed in 1984 anti-Sikh riots case, dies

Sajjan Kumar, jailed in 1984 anti-Sikh riots case, dies

Rediff.com21 Aug 2026

Former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar, who was serving a life sentence for his involvement in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, has died. He was convicted in two separate cases related to the killings of Sikhs during the riots and was lodged in Tihar Jail.

Delhi jails near 200% capacity as India's prison occupancy crosses 112%

Delhi jails near 200% capacity as India's prison occupancy crosses 112%

Rediff.com5 Aug 2026

India's prisons operated at 112.7 percent occupancy in 2024, with 609 jails housing more inmates than their sanctioned capacity and Delhi recording the highest occupancy rate of 194.6 percent, according to data tabled in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.

Govt plans to send FCRA Bill to joint Parl panel for scrutiny

Govt plans to send FCRA Bill to joint Parl panel for scrutiny

Rediff.com11 Aug 2026

The government is considering sending 'The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026' to a joint committee of both houses of Parliament for further examination, even as the Congress and some other opposition parties have demanded that it be withdrawn, sources said on Tuesday.