News for 'State Legislature'

It's official! Devendra Fadnavis to be sworn in as Maharashtra CM

It's official! Devendra Fadnavis to be sworn in as Maharashtra CM

Rediff.com4 Dec 2024

BJP leader Sudhir Mungantiwar said the Mahayuti partners will meet Governor C P Radhakrishnan to stake a claim to form a government in the state.

Oppn shreds VP Dhankhar's 'super parliament' remark on SC

Oppn shreds VP Dhankhar's 'super parliament' remark on SC

Rediff.com18 Apr 2025

Rajya Sabha member Kapil Sibal has criticised Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar for questioning the judiciary over the timeline for the president to take decisions, calling it "unconstitutional " and a lowering of the dignity of the chair. Sibal asserted that Dhankhar's remarks are not neutral and amount to an attack on the judiciary by the executive. He also pointed out that the president acts on the aid and advice of the council of ministers, and therefore, the president's power cannot be curtailed. Sibal urged Dhankhar to seek a review of the judiciary's decision or an advisory opinion from the Supreme Court if he has problems with it. He also questioned why Dhankhar only focuses on actions taken during Congress governments and not after 2014.

Fadnavis to take oath tomorrow, Modi to attend

Fadnavis to take oath tomorrow, Modi to attend

Rediff.com4 Dec 2024

Devendra Fadnavis will lead the new Mahayuti coalition government in Maharashtra, with Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar serving as deputy chief ministers. The swearing-in ceremony is scheduled for Thursday evening at Azad Maidan ground in south Mumbai and will be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several Union ministers. The Mahayuti coalition won the recent assembly elections by a landslide, securing 230 out of 288 seats.

Will jointly decide on swearing-in modalities for Dec 5: Mahayuti leader

Will jointly decide on swearing-in modalities for Dec 5: Mahayuti leader

Rediff.com1 Dec 2024

The Mahayuti alliance in Maharashtra, comprising the BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP, will decide whether only the chief minister and deputy CMs will take the oath of office on December 5, or whether ministers will also be sworn in. The swearing-in ceremony is scheduled for the evening at Azad Maidan in south Mumbai, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi attending. While BJP sources have indicated that Devendra Fadnavis is the frontrunner for the chief minister's post, the BJP legislature party leader is yet to be appointed. NCP chief Ajit Pawar has stated that the chief minister will be from the BJP, with deputy CMs from the Shiv Sena and NCP. The Mahayuti alliance secured a landslide victory in the assembly elections, winning 230 seats out of 288. The government formation has been delayed due to disagreements on the chief minister's position.

Can't be a 'blanket stay' on Waqf law: Centre to SC

Can't be a 'blanket stay' on Waqf law: Centre to SC

Rediff.com25 Apr 2025

The Indian government has defended the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 in the Supreme Court, arguing that there cannot be a blanket stay on the law as there is a presumption of its constitutionality. The Centre countered the pleas challenging the law's validity, asserting that the amendments were undertaken after a comprehensive study by a parliamentary panel. The government also highlighted the "reported misuse" of earlier provisions and the increase in waqf land, claiming that over 20 lakh hectares were added after 2013.

Corruption allegations against me...: Ajit Pawar issues video

Corruption allegations against me...: Ajit Pawar issues video

Rediff.com5 Jul 2024

He urged people to ignore politicians who only make speeches and instead, vote for those who work.

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas: Engaging The Indian Diaspora Is A Must

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas: Engaging The Indian Diaspora Is A Must

Rediff.com8 Jan 2025

The Indian Diaspora has been able to carve a niche in their adopted countries as a result of their talent, perseverance and hardworking nature, asserts Rup Narayan Das.

CM Fadnavis promises to hike Ladki Bahin stipend to Rs 2,100

CM Fadnavis promises to hike Ladki Bahin stipend to Rs 2,100

Rediff.com5 Dec 2024

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday assured his government will continue the Ladki Bahin Yojana and fulfil Mahayuti's pre-poll promise of hiking the monthly stipend under the scheme to Rs 2,100 from Rs 1,500 now to eligible women.

Am I a toy in your hands?: Bhujbal attacks Ajit Pawar

Am I a toy in your hands?: Bhujbal attacks Ajit Pawar

Rediff.com17 Dec 2024

Senior NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal has launched a veiled attack on party president Ajit Pawar, claiming that Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was in favor of his induction in the cabinet. Bhujbal expressed his disappointment and humiliation over his exclusion, alleging that he was treated like a "toy" by the party leadership. He also alleged that Ajit Pawar makes decisions for the NCP like Fadnavis does for the BJP and Eknath Shinde does for the Shiv Sena.

Simultaneous polls will have short-term cost, long-term gain

Simultaneous polls will have short-term cost, long-term gain

Rediff.com1 Sep 2023

Holding simultaneous elections to Lok Sabha and state assemblies would need at least five constitutional amendments and a large number of additional EVMs and paper-trail machines costing "thousands of crores of rupees", but will yield a huge long-term saving to the public exchequer, officials said on Friday.

Meet Rekha Gupta, Delhi's fourth woman chief minister

Meet Rekha Gupta, Delhi's fourth woman chief minister

Rediff.com19 Feb 2025

Rekha Gupta, a former DUSU president and a long-time member of the RSS, has been chosen as the Leader of the House in the Delhi Assembly and will become the fourth woman chief minister of Delhi. She won the Shalimar Bagh seat in the February 5 Assembly polls, defeating her AAP rival Bandana Kumari. Gupta, a BCom graduate and lawyer, has a long history of working for women's welfare, having served as the national secretary of the BJP's youth wing and the national vice-president of BJP Mahila Morcha. The BJP has returned to power in Delhi after over 26 years, ending the 10-year rule of the Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP.

SC asks Punjab guv to decide on granting assent to Bills passed by assembly

SC asks Punjab guv to decide on granting assent to Bills passed by assembly

Rediff.com24 Nov 2023

he Punjab government had also sought a judicial declaration that the assembly session held on June 19 and 20 was "legal and that the business transacted by the House is valid".

What Courts Gave Stalin From One Hand Took Away With Another

What Courts Gave Stalin From One Hand Took Away With Another

Rediff.com28 Apr 2025

In more than one way, it's a setback for the DMK and Chief Minister Stalin in political terms. The electoral fall-out, if any, will have to wait until the next summer, only when assembly elections are due in the state, explains N Sathiya Moorthy.

Don't states have right to express opinion: SC asks NGO

Don't states have right to express opinion: SC asks NGO

Rediff.com19 Mar 2021

The Supreme Court on Friday sought to know from a petitioner-NGO whether the state legislatures have the right to express their opinion or not on central laws and asked it to do some more research on the subject.

Jitendra Awhad reaches Maha assembly in handcuffs, here's why

Jitendra Awhad reaches Maha assembly in handcuffs, here's why

Rediff.com3 Mar 2025

Nationalist Congress Party-Sharadchandra Pawar MLA Jitendra Awhad arrived in handcuffs at the Vidhan Bhavan complex in Mumbai on the first day of the Maharashtra legislature's budget session on Monday to highlight 'growing attack' on freedom of expression and protest the deportation of illegal immigrants from the United States.

Will make my stand on Nawab Malik known after...: Ajit Pawar

Will make my stand on Nawab Malik known after...: Ajit Pawar

Rediff.com8 Dec 2023

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said on Friday that he would first speak with Nawab Malik to understand the former minister's position about his political affiliation before explaining his Nationalist Congress Party group's stand on the matter.

Karnataka RS race: Cong to lodge MLAs in a hotel

Karnataka RS race: Cong to lodge MLAs in a hotel

Rediff.com23 Feb 2024

Apparently aimed at keeping the flock together ahead of the Rajya Sabha polls, all ruling Congress MLAs in Karnataka will stay put together at a hotel in Bengaluru on Monday after the budget session of the state legislature concludes and will later also travel together for voting the next day.

Saved him twice by...: Tejashwi on Nitish's 'I made Lalu' jab

Saved him twice by...: Tejashwi on Nitish's 'I made Lalu' jab

Rediff.com6 Mar 2025

The former deputy chief minister was replying to queries about the JD-U president's outburst inside the assembly on Tuesday where he had told Yadav, "It was I who helped your father Lalu Prasad, the RJD president, become the leader of opposition when he did not have the support of even his own caste men."

State can't pick and choose castes for quota, says SC, reserves verdict

State can't pick and choose castes for quota, says SC, reserves verdict

Rediff.com8 Feb 2024

The Supreme Court, examining whether states can sub-classify the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes for the grant of a quota within a quota, said on Thursday that the state governments cannot be selective in granting reservation benefits to backward classes as it will lead to a dangerous trend of appeasement.

After TN and Punjab, Kerala moves SC against governor delaying bills

After TN and Punjab, Kerala moves SC against governor delaying bills

Rediff.com2 Nov 2023

The Kerala government has moved the Supreme Court claiming that Governor Arif Mohammed Khan was delaying giving his assent to bills passed by the state assembly, which was "defeating the rights of the people".

Pak planned Pahalgam to ignite communal tensions in India: Cong

Pak planned Pahalgam to ignite communal tensions in India: Cong

Rediff.com24 Apr 2025

The Congress Working Committee (CWC) condemned the Pahalgam terror attack, calling it a direct assault on the values of the republic. The party accused the BJP of exploiting the tragedy to promote discord and polarization, while urging for unity and solidarity in the face of adversity. The CWC also demanded a comprehensive analysis of the intelligence failures and security lapses that led to the attack.

25k security personnel, 50k attendees: Delhi CM to take oath at Ramlila

25k security personnel, 50k attendees: Delhi CM to take oath at Ramlila

Rediff.com20 Feb 2025

Around 50,000 people, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, his Cabinet colleagues and chief ministers of National Democratic Alliance-governed states, among others, are expected to attend the ceremony.

SC proposes to stay key provisions of Waqf Act, govt opposes

SC proposes to stay key provisions of Waqf Act, govt opposes

Rediff.com16 Apr 2025

The Supreme Court of India began hearing a batch of petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. The bench, led by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna, asked both sides to address whether the court should entertain the petitions or relegate them to the high court. The hearing is underway with senior advocate Kapil Sibal arguing for the petitioners. The act, which was passed by Parliament following heated debates, has been challenged by various parties including AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi, All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), and Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind.

Will study 'love jihad' laws of other states and decide: Fadnavis

Will study 'love jihad' laws of other states and decide: Fadnavis

Rediff.com21 Dec 2022

Talking to reporters in the Maharashtra legislature complex in Nagpur on Tuesday, Fadnavis said there was a 'feeling' in the House regarding the Shraddha Walkar case that instances of 'love jihad' were seen at a large scale in the state.

Conditions apply: Sharad Pawar on reinducting Ajit faction

Conditions apply: Sharad Pawar on reinducting Ajit faction

Rediff.com25 Jun 2024

However, induction in the NCP-SP will come with riders, asserted the former Union minister.

Rahul meets Kerala Cong leaders amid reports of dissent

Rahul meets Kerala Cong leaders amid reports of dissent

Rediff.com3 Mar 2025

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday asserted that the party's Kerala leaders 'stand as one' and were 'united' by the light of purpose ahead.

Fadnavis, Shinde, Pawar take oath again as MVA protests

Fadnavis, Shinde, Pawar take oath again as MVA protests

Rediff.com7 Dec 2024

Two days after being sworn in as Maharashtra Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday took oath as an MLA along with deputy CMs Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, while the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi boycotted the ceremony alleging EVM misuse.

2,000 VVIPs, 40k workers to attend Maha oath ceremony

2,000 VVIPs, 40k workers to attend Maha oath ceremony

Rediff.com5 Dec 2024

Devendra Fadnavis, BJP legislature party leader, will be sworn-in as the new chief minister of Maharashtra on Thursday evening at a grand ceremony in Mumbai. NCP head Ajit Pawar and Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde are also expected to take oath as deputy chief ministers. This is for the third time that Fadnavis will be sworn-in as the CM of Maharashtra. The swearing-in ceremony will be held at the Azad Maidan in south Mumbai, where elaborate security arrangements have been made. The formation of the government under Fadnavis comes after two weeks of intense negotiations following the November 20 state assembly polls. Fadnavis, joined by Shinde and Pawar, met with state Governor CP Radhakrishnan to formally stake claim to form the government. Following this meeting, the governor extended an invitation for Fadnavis to lead the new government. The swearing-in ceremony will be a grand affair with nearly 42,000 attendees, including PM Modi, several Union ministers, and chief ministers and deputy CMs of various states.

Relief for madrasas in UP as SC reverses HC verdict

Relief for madrasas in UP as SC reverses HC verdict

Rediff.com5 Nov 2024

The high court erred in holding that the law was violative of the principle of secularism, said a bench comprising Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud and Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra.

Raut's big claim: Uddhav wanted to make Shinde CM, but...

Raut's big claim: Uddhav wanted to make Shinde CM, but...

Rediff.com19 Feb 2025

Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray leader Sanjay Raut on Wednesday claimed that Uddhav Thackeray planned to make Eknath Shinde the chief minister of Maharashtra after the 2019 polls, but first the Bharatiya Janata Party and later Maha Vikas Aghadi allies including Sharad Pawar played a spoilsport.

Time to revisit CJI's role in executive appointments: Dhankhar

Time to revisit CJI's role in executive appointments: Dhankhar

Rediff.com14 Feb 2025

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar has questioned the Chief Justice of India's involvement in executive appointments, specifically citing the selection of the CBI director. He believes this practice undermines democratic principles and calls for revisiting the existing norms. Dhankhar also raised concerns about the "doctrine of basic structure", suggesting it has a debatable jurisprudential basis. He emphasized the importance of each institution operating within its constitutional boundaries and highlighted the need for coordinated autonomy. The vice president also discussed the need for a balanced approach to judicial review and the importance of judges focusing on judgments rather than other forms of expression. He stressed the need to revisit the current state of affairs to restore the judiciary's sublimity.

Who will be next Manipur CM? BJP delegation meets Guv

Who will be next Manipur CM? BJP delegation meets Guv

Rediff.com12 Feb 2025

A Bharatiya Janata Party delegation on Tuesday called on Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla at the Raj Bhavan in Imphal amid a leadership crisis following the resignation of N Biren Singh as the chief minister of the ethnic violence-hit state two days ago.

Kiran Choudhry quits as MLA, BJP likely to give her RS ticket

Kiran Choudhry quits as MLA, BJP likely to give her RS ticket

Rediff.com20 Aug 2024

Haryana MLA Kiran Choudhry has resigned from the Vidhan Sabha and is likely to be fielded in the Rajya Sabha bypolls by the Bharatiya Janata Party, nearly two months after she joined the party after quitting the Congress.

K'taka budget: Sidda announces Muslim quota for govt supplies

K'taka budget: Sidda announces Muslim quota for govt supplies

Rediff.com8 Mar 2025

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced reservation for Muslims in supplying goods and services up to a value of Rs 1 crore to various government departments, corporations and institutions in the state budget for 2025-26. The budget also increased the value limit of government contracts in which Muslims can avail reservation to Rs 2 crore. The reservation to Muslims under 2B category is in addition to the Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, and Castes coming under Category-1, Category-2A. The budget also included various welfare schemes for minorities, including Rs 50,000 to support simple marriages and Rs 1,000 crore under the Chief Minister's Minority Colony Development Programme.

Assam govt seeks public opinion on law against polygamy

Assam govt seeks public opinion on law against polygamy

Rediff.com21 Aug 2023

Sharing a government public notice on 'X', formerly Twitter, Sarma appealed to the people to send their suggestions on the proposed law to ban polygamy in Assam.

Kerala guv clears 1 bill, reserves 7 for presidential nod amid tiff with govt

Kerala guv clears 1 bill, reserves 7 for presidential nod amid tiff with govt

Rediff.com28 Nov 2023

While the governor gave his assent to the significant public health bill, he has reserved seven bills, including the controversial University Amendment Bill, for presidential assent, Raj Bhavan said on Tuesday.

'We'll Keep Fighting!'

'We'll Keep Fighting!'

Rediff.com10 Mar 2025

'Don't take people lightly. People know everything.'

Did Modi resign after Godhra?: Siddaramaiah on MUDA scam

Did Modi resign after Godhra?: Siddaramaiah on MUDA scam

Rediff.com26 Sep 2024

Terming the charges against him a "BJP conspiracy", Siddaramaiah said he would wage a legal fight.

Your father owes his career to me: Nitish to Tejashwi

Your father owes his career to me: Nitish to Tejashwi

Rediff.com5 Mar 2025

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar asserted that the NDA government, led by him, put an end to frequent Hindu-Muslim clashes in the state by taking measures such as fencing graveyards and bringing to justice those involved in communal riots. He also criticized the opposition, particularly Tejashwi Yadav, accusing them of lacking understanding and experience. Kumar's claims were met with anger and walkout by the opposition members.

Cong appoints observers in 4 states ahead of results

Cong appoints observers in 4 states ahead of results

Rediff.com4 Dec 2023

The Congress has appointed observers to coordinate meetings of its legislature party in four states where assembly election results will be declared on Sunday.