News for 'Special National Conference'

CEC to check Bihar's poll readiness on October 4-5

CEC to check Bihar's poll readiness on October 4-5

Rediff.com3 Oct 2025

A team of Election Commissioners will visit Patna to review poll preparedness in Bihar ahead of the upcoming assembly elections. The team will meet with political parties, police, administrative officials, and observers to ensure a free and fair election.

Have Climate Summits Lost The Mojo?

Have Climate Summits Lost The Mojo?

Rediff.com8 Nov 2025

How the UN's flagship climate summit lost its direction and what's at stake.

Pan-India SIR: EC to begin with states going to polls next year

Pan-India SIR: EC to begin with states going to polls next year

Rediff.com10 Oct 2025

The Election Commission is expected to initiate a phased, pan-India special intensive revision (SIR) of the voters' list, prioritizing states with upcoming assembly elections. This cleanup exercise aims to weed out illegal foreign migrants and ensure accurate electoral rolls.

The Salil Chowdhury You Never Knew

The Salil Chowdhury You Never Knew

Rediff.com17 Dec 2025

'At a time when there was little awareness of world music, playing western tunes on eastern instruments like the flute and the dholak, blending vocal polyphony with Indian folk and contemporary styles, Salilkaku created a new musical genre in Bengal called Gana Sangeet.'

Trump's Language Of Fascism

Trump's Language Of Fascism

Rediff.com8 Dec 2025

'Non-compatible with Western Civilization' is about as vague and jingoistic as it gets and Trump saying this gives full license to his acolytes to go full throttle on making life as difficult and scary as possible for as many non-white people as possible,' notes Sree Sreenivasan.

EC asks Tejashwi Yadav to hand over voter ID for probe

EC asks Tejashwi Yadav to hand over voter ID for probe

Rediff.com3 Aug 2025

The Election Commission has asked RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav to hand over a voter ID card for investigation after he claimed to possess it despite it not being officially issued. The controversy arose after Yadav alleged discrepancies in the electoral rolls and claimed his voter ID number was changed.

Sarma renews Pak agent claim, Gogoi dares CM to release SIT report

Sarma renews Pak agent claim, Gogoi dares CM to release SIT report

Rediff.com4 Nov 2025

Speaking to reporters at Tezpur, Sarma also said that he would be happy if Gogoi files a case against him for making such a remark.

Zubeen death: Singapore police to provide 'crucial evidence'

Zubeen death: Singapore police to provide 'crucial evidence'

Rediff.com24 Oct 2025

Singapore Police Force (SPF) is likely to provide crucial evidence, including CCTV footage and statements of eye witnesses, related to the death of Zubeen Garg within the next 10 days, a senior official said on Friday.

Cong to hold first CWC meet in Bihar post-1947

Cong to hold first CWC meet in Bihar post-1947

Rediff.com24 Sep 2025

Sources said a couple of resolutions are expected to be passed at the crucial meeting, with an eye on the upcoming Bihar polls.

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.

NDA ally to contest separately in Bihar after snub

NDA ally to contest separately in Bihar after snub

Rediff.com13 Oct 2025

The Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP), an NDA member, announced it will contest 153 seats in the upcoming Bihar elections after not being allocated any seats by the NDA. The party claims the BJP's Bihar unit provided a negative report regarding their strength.

Gangster Anmol Bishnoi brought to India, NIA gets 11-day remand

Gangster Anmol Bishnoi brought to India, NIA gets 11-day remand

Rediff.com19 Nov 2025

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested Anmol Bishnoi, brother of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, after his deportation from the US. He is wanted in connection with several high-profile crimes.

Modi's Message In A Battle For The Congress

Modi's Message In A Battle For The Congress

Rediff.com19 Nov 2025

The Congress's performance in the Lok Sabha elections showed that it may be down but not out, and Modi is determined to ensure that in the next round in 2029, it is consigned to irrelevance, points out Saisuresh Sivaswamy.

What Weapons Will Putin Sell India On Rare State Visit?

What Weapons Will Putin Sell India On Rare State Visit?

Rediff.com29 Nov 2025

On the table are additional batches of S-400 surface-to-air missile systems from Russia, which India used with immense success during Operation Sindoor. India could buy at least two squadrons of Su-57 fighter jets plus joint production of S-500 air defence systems.

EC to launch phased voter list revision, may start with poll-bound states

EC to launch phased voter list revision, may start with poll-bound states

Rediff.com22 Oct 2025

The Election Commission is ramping up preparations for a special intensive revision of voter lists across India, assessing the progress made on mapping current electors with voters as per the last SIR in different states.

Palestinian statehood will reward Hamas: Trump at UNGA

Palestinian statehood will reward Hamas: Trump at UNGA

Rediff.com24 Sep 2025

His remarks came in response to several European nations announcing their decision to recognise a Palestinian state during a summit at the UNGA on Monday. While the move was largely symbolic, it added to Israel's diplomatic isolation. Washington, however, has made clear it does not support the step.

Voter list 'purified', Bihar elections before...: CEC

Voter list 'purified', Bihar elections before...: CEC

Rediff.com5 Oct 2025

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar expressed satisfaction over the completion of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Bihar, stating that the exercise has 'purified' the voters' list after 22 years. He made the announcement during a press conference in Patna.

Brazilian model among 25 lakh fake voters in Haryana: Rahul

Brazilian model among 25 lakh fake voters in Haryana: Rahul

Rediff.com5 Nov 2025

During the presser, Gandhi showed a picture of a woman who appears on the voter list 22 times in 10 booths in the Rai assembly constituency, and said this shows that this was a 'centralised operation'.

2025's A to Z OF ENTERTAINMENT

2025's A to Z OF ENTERTAINMENT

Rediff.com26 Dec 2025

As the year draws to a close, Rediff's Senior Contributor Roshmila Bhattacharya takes a look at the hits and misses, the highs and lows, the newsmakers and the dealbreakers in alphabetical order.

Zubeen's death 'plain and simple murder': Assam CM in assembly

Zubeen's death 'plain and simple murder': Assam CM in assembly

Rediff.com25 Nov 2025

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said in the assembly on Tuesday that singer Zubeen Garg's death while swimming in the sea in Singapore is a case of 'plain and simple murder'.

Be ready for SIR rollout by Sep 30: EC tells state officers

Be ready for SIR rollout by Sep 30: EC tells state officers

Rediff.com21 Sep 2025

Assembly elections in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal are due in 2026.

Meet One Of The BJP's Most Powerful Leaders

Meet One Of The BJP's Most Powerful Leaders

Rediff.com12 Sep 2025

Much of the credit for bringing the BJP, which had lost ground in UP, back to the top goes to Sunil Bansal.

Where The Victims Of The Kanishka Terror Attack Are Not Forgotten

Where The Victims Of The Kanishka Terror Attack Are Not Forgotten

Rediff.com28 Nov 2025

Names and names and names and names... 329 in all. Some Indian. Some Canadian. Some British. Berry. Gupta. Jain. James. Bhatt. Beauchesne. Chatlani. Enayati. Lougheed.... Vaihayasi Pande Daniel visits Ahakista, Ireland, home to the memorial for the worst terrorist atrocity in India's history.

Uri: The Attack That Changed India

Uri: The Attack That Changed India

Rediff.com18 Sep 2025

The deadly attack on the Uri garrison on September 18 nine years ago marked the end of India's policy against crossing the Line of Control to target Pakistan-based terrorists. It paved the way for the Balakot Air Strikes in 2019 and Operation Sindoor.

Opposition questions EC intentions behind electoral roll revision

Opposition questions EC intentions behind electoral roll revision

Rediff.com28 Oct 2025

Opposition parties are questioning the Election Commission's intentions behind the second phase of special intensive revision of electoral rolls in 12 states and Union Territories. The BJP has slammed the Congress and called the opposition a 'herd of dissatisfied souls'.

VP polls: Despite number crunch, INDIA to put up joint candidate

VP polls: Despite number crunch, INDIA to put up joint candidate

Rediff.com10 Aug 2025

The INDIA bloc is set to field a joint candidate for the upcoming vice presidential elections. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge is engaging with opposition parties to identify potential candidates and build consensus. The decision reflects a unified front among opposition parties aiming to send a strong political message.

To The Rescue After The Cloudburst

To The Rescue After The Cloudburst

Rediff.com6 Aug 2025

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

Ex-Prez Kovind to be chief guest at RSS centenary event

Ex-Prez Kovind to be chief guest at RSS centenary event

Rediff.com22 Sep 2025

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh will mark its centenary year with events beginning from Vijayadashami on October 2, which will include an address by its chief Mohan Bhagwat in the presence of former president Ramnath Kovind who will be the chief guest.

Modi's Manipur outreach is part of 5-state visit

Modi's Manipur outreach is part of 5-state visit

Rediff.com12 Sep 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Mizoram, Manipur, Assam, West Bengal, and Bihar to launch infrastructure projects, participate in Bhupen Hazarika's birth centenary, and attend the Combined Commanders' Conference.

NC-led alliance stakes claim to form govt in J-K; oath-taking on Oct 16

NC-led alliance stakes claim to form govt in J-K; oath-taking on Oct 16

Rediff.com11 Oct 2024

Chief minister-designate Omar Abdullah met Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to present letters of support from coalition partners, shortly after the Congress officially extended its backing to the party.

'This Election Commission Has To Go!'

'This Election Commission Has To Go!'

Rediff.com6 Oct 2025

'The current Election Commission functions more like a government department than an autonomous body.'

NC, Congress seal alliance pact for J-K polls

NC, Congress seal alliance pact for J-K polls

Rediff.com23 Aug 2024

In a significant political development, National Conference president Farooq Abdullah announced on Thursday that an alliance with the Congress was finalised for all 90 assembly seats in Jammu and Kashmir, which is going for its maiden assembly polls after being reorganised into a Union Territory.

President Murmu confers Bharat Ratna on BJP veteran LK Advani

President Murmu confers Bharat Ratna on BJP veteran LK Advani

Rediff.com31 Mar 2024

The ceremony was attended by Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah and the family members of Advani, the Rashtrapati Bhavan said in a post on X.

What You Must Know About The CEC

What You Must Know About The CEC

Rediff.com4 Aug 2025

As an IAS officer in Kerala, Gyanesh Kumar -- who the Congress described as Amit Shah's 'right hand man' -- had a good working equation with the state's Congress and Left leaders.

Cong hits back at CEC, says poll panel failed to answer Rahul's queries

Cong hits back at CEC, says poll panel failed to answer Rahul's queries

Rediff.com17 Aug 2025

The Congress party has accused the Election Commission of India (ECI) of incompetence and partisanship following the Chief Election Commissioner's (CEC) defense of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar. The party alleges the CEC failed to address concerns about voter list irregularities and is acting in favor of the ruling BJP.

EC to finalise date for nationwide voter list revision

EC to finalise date for nationwide voter list revision

Rediff.com10 Sep 2025

This is the third meeting of CEOs after Gyanesh Kumar took over as the chief election commissioner in February. However, Wednesday's day-long meeting assumes significance as the preparedness of a pan-India SIR are being discussed, officials said.

Dawoodi Bohra head to be conferred Nishan-e-Pakistan award

Dawoodi Bohra head to be conferred Nishan-e-Pakistan award

Rediff.com23 Nov 2023

The announcement of the award comes as an acknowledgement of Dr Saiduddin's services, according to a statement by Pakistan President Arif Alvi, who approved the conferment on Wednesday.

NC promises Article 370, autonomy, statehood resolution

NC promises Article 370, autonomy, statehood resolution

Rediff.com19 Aug 2024

Restoration of Article 370 and Jammu and Kashmir's statehood as well as implementation of the autonomy resolution passed by the erstwhile assembly in 2000 are among the National Conference's 12 guarantees announced in its manifesto for the upcoming polls.

Tahawwur Rana's judicial custody extended till Aug 13

Tahawwur Rana's judicial custody extended till Aug 13

Rediff.com9 Jul 2025

A Delhi court extended the judicial custody of Tahawwur Hussain Rana, accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, until August 13. The order was passed after Rana was produced via video conference. Rana is associated with David Coleman Headley. NIA has filed a supplementary chargesheet against Rana.

Chhattisgarh sees largest Maoist surrender; 210 rebels give up arms

Chhattisgarh sees largest Maoist surrender; 210 rebels give up arms

Rediff.com18 Oct 2025

210 Maoist cadres, including a Central Committee member, surrendered to authorities in Chhattisgarh's Jagdalpur, marking the "largest mass surrender" in the state's anti-Naxal operations. The surrendered Naxalites carried a collective bounty of Rs 9.18 crore and handed over 153 weapons. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai hailed the development as a historic moment for Chhattisgarh and the nation.